Your Jacket

Bright Lights

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated sooner; I've figured out a new schedule for posting! I'll post every Monday so that's at least on thing that's going for me... oh well.

Timeskip to that Afternoon brought to you by Bokuto's uniform in the washing machine

The wind pushed Bokuto, Konoha and Komi along the road as the sun began to set, throwing streaks of purple and pink across the sky in an effort to get Bokuto to lighten up. It didn't work. Konoha continued trudging beside Bokuto, sighing at Komi's attempts to make Bokuto smile.

"And then Saito said that she left him because he made her ikayaki for her sister's birthday and it scared her. It was that ugly, Kōtarō!" Komi scoffed, tugging on the strap of his bag. The sky was beginning to darken, matching Bokuto's mood as he thought of how close Akaashi and Y/N had gotten in the past few days.

It had taken him 15 years to get to where she had gotten! Bokuto kicked at the gravel and blew his hair out of his eyes. Konoha reached into his pockets and fished out a purple hair tie. It sparkled under the streetlights and the bow fluttered in the wind. He held it out to Bokuto and said, "I'm sure Ichika won't mind." Bokuto smiled sadly at Konoha and mumbled under his breath to thank Konoha's little sister.

Bokuto scooped up his fringe and twisted the hair tie around it. The sun had now set and the boys walked through the streets of suburban Tokyo hurriedly. As they rounded a corner, bright lights flashed in their faces as a konbini stood, warm and welcoming.

"Hey!" Komi called, pointing at the store. "Do you guys want to come with me? We could get some ongiri and I could pick up a copy of that new manga! My uncle might even throw in free nikuman?" Konoha shrugged, 'why not?' and followed Komi. Bokuto brightened slightly at the thought of fresh pork buns and trotted along.

Konoha hurried through the doors of the convenience store. He pushed the doors open and a bell tinkled, signalling the store owner that someone was here. A girl of about 16 burst through a backdoor with a pink apron tied around her waist, the round glasses on her face askew. She tucked a stray strand of long black hair behind her ear and smiled a sweet smile. She stepped onto a stool and rubbed the freckles on the bridge of her nose absentmindedly. "Hi!" she said, her voice high pitched. "Is there anything you're looking for in particular?"

Konoha bit his lip, trying not to smile. She was cute, but her voice was a little annoying already. "No, not really...Miss," Konoha replied, looking at her name tag. "Yue, is it?" Yue snapped to attention. "Yes, sir," she barked. The odd girl relaxed, straightening her glasses and laughed self consciously.

"Sorry, I'm a bit new to all this. I'm from Australia," she laughed. Konoha nodded knowingly. That's why her accent was a little off. "We moved here so I could apply to be an astronaut at JAXA," Yue continued. "It's been my dream ever since, well, a couple years ago, but this time, I'm sure this is my career!"

Konoha chuckled and thought, Wow, she sure likes to talk. "What about you?" asked Yue. "What's your name, o charming stranger?" Konoha bowed mockingly and smirked, "Konoha Akinori at your service, enchanting maiden."

Outside, Komi watched Konoha flirt with the cashier. "That's my cousin he's flirting with," he huffed. He grabbed Bokuto's wrist and stormed towards the door and stopped dead in his tracks. Komi stared at Akaashi as he held two bags of mochi in his hands, studying them. "Haru, what's wrong?" Bokuto asked, fiddling with Ichika's hair tie. Komi laughed with uncertainty and pulled Bokuto toward a cat food poster.

"Uh, I wanted to show you my uncle's new posters," Komi blurted, cringing at the poster. Bokuto cocked his head, eyeing the text on the bottom of the poster. " 'Your cat will love our special mix of meat flavoured jellies and tuna chunks!' " Bokuto recited. "Haru, it a lovely poster but-"

The bell tinkled as Akaashi walked out the door, holding a bag of mochi and chocolates. Bokuto looked Akaashi in the eye and felt everything from the last few days hit him once again. All the jealousy, anger, hurt, confusion and euphoria came rushing into his veins and Bokuto couldn't stand it anymore. It was all too much. Akaashi had kissed him with all the fervour and passion his teenage heart could hold, but minutes later had become colder than ever, refusing to talk or even acknowledge Bokuto's presence.

His head swirled with alternating thoughts of 'Go apologise and make things right!' and 'Go demand some answers, Kōtarō!'. Bokuto shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. He felt his eyes tingle and hung his head trying desperately not to cry. The despair and chaos inside him surged up through his body, clamping its clammy fingers around his throat, choking him of words.

Akaashi dropped the bags. He held out a hand. "Bokuto-san, I-" "SHUT UP!" Komi roared. "You think you can do all this and just come back?" Konoha slammed the door open and rushed out, anger blooming on his face when he saw Akaashi. "Go, Keiji," snarled Konoha. "You have no idea what you've done to my best friend." Bokuto took a step back and opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Helpless.

He was helpless against all the pain that Akaashi's carelessness had inflicted on him. Tears welled in his eyes as he stared at Akaashi. He wasn't crying because of the hurt, however. He was crying because no matter how much Akaashi's actions killed him inside, Bokuto still loved him.

And with that, Bokuto turned on his heel and ran.

AKAASHI YOU IDIOT.

Next Chapter:
- Cassiopeia and Pisces
- s q u i r r e l
- "I've lost everything."