hiatus「 one ante meridiem 」 • TAKA

Chapter 8: Gravity Keeps Pulling Ryota Down

Taka wakes to the feel of hair tickling his nose. He blinks drearily and looks down at the source of his awakening. Ami's hair is sticking out in different directions and a few strands were trying to invade his face.

The tickling becomes an itch as Taka scrunches his nose in preparation for a sneeze. He tries to jump out of the bunk to avoid sneezing on Ami. God forgive him for sneezing on someone directly. So he quickly tries to face the opening of the bunk, but his arms get tangled in the covers, preventing him.

His head collides with wood instead, making a loud banging sound that wakes Ami abruptly. She screams something that sounded like I'm sorry goshujin-sama and shoves him off of the bunk.

Taka thinks that sleeping on the floor wouldn't be so bad because he sees the clock on Toru's bunk glaring at him. The neon red 4:02 AM taunts him and he decides that the floor is still comfier than his bunk.

Last night's events still demands his body's rest so he gives in and turns on his side, using his hands as his pillow. He yawns and closes his eyes. Mumbling something about red microphones and red night gowns. He feels the warmth and softness of a blanket cover him before he finally succumbs to sleep's pull.

"Sleep well, Takahiro-kun."

---

"What's he...?" Tomoya mutters when he almost steps over Taka on the floor, maneuvering himself to step away once he jumps off his bunk.

Toru walks in, coffee mug in hand, and shrugs as he taps on Ryota's bunk. "Ryota, good morning. Are you awake?" He calls for the bassist and a blonde dyed bird's nest emerges from the curtains.

"I had a nightmare." Ryota drones as he looks at Taka's closed curtain bunk.

"Oh yeah?" Tomoya nods at him and Ryota explains.

"Taka he's..." The bassist starts and draws open his curtains, swinging his legs over to the edge. "A siscon."

Tomoya snorts and Toru rolls his eyes. "Don't jump down." The guitarist tells him but Ryota doesn't hear.

"I dreamt that he has a sister," Ryota continues and blindly jumps out of his bunk. "And they were going to have--"

"ITAI!"

"Nani?!" Ryota shouts as he rolls away from the body that he landed on.

Taka coughs and curls in on himself. He throws away the blanket and clutches his hip with eyes squeezed shut.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see you down there!" Ryota apologizes as he tries to pull Taka into sitting up.

"Look down next time!" Taka growls at him and Ryota sheepishly scratches his head.

"Gomen."

"Fine, fine." Taka glares at the bassist as he stands on his feet, still holding onto his left hip. "But I think you broke my hip."

"Gomenasai!" Ryota scrambles to embrace Taka, apologizing profusely.

"I'm kidding. I had nastier falls than this." The vocalist waves him off and heads to the small fridge. He roots inside for a quick meal and gives up once his tongue began craving for cup ramen.

"Yeah, but nothing's fallen on you yet." Toru comments as he hands the three of them their own mugs of coffee.

Toru always wakes up early and prepares their coffee because he absolutely loves the aroma and taste of it in the morning. It has been his ritual since they started touring in their own tour bus and the guys were grateful for his caffeine addiction. The first touch of coffee to their soul always was a good way to start their day.