The happenings of a wedding night

Part 1

He has waited some days, too afraid to call him. He didn't tell him about his relationship because he was afraid of his reaction. They hadn't seen each other in person for two years so it wasn't a hard secret to keep but now he was bound to tell him.

He hesitantly picked up his phone and dialed the short cut he had saved him under then lifted the device to his ear.

It beeped one time and another one and another one and Tanaka nearly thought he would get away with not telling him today but then he picked up.

"Ryuu?", Noya's cheerful voice blared from the other end of the line "it's good to hear from you my friend!"

"Hey man", Tanaka smiled as he heard the voice of his best friend "how are you doing?"

"Great, I am doing great", Noya sounded honest "I mean I don't want to be a fisherman forever but right now it's really great. It's freedom, you know?"

"I am really glad", Tanaka smiled to himself. He always wanted for Noya to be happy. And if that meant being a fisherman at the other end of the world then so be it.

"You sound weird man. Is something wrong?", Noya asked sounding concerned "are you stressed from work?"

"Oh no, I am really happy at work", Tanaka said "it's a lot of fun to work with people".

"Sounds like you found your own freedom too", Noya said and Tanaka could hear him smiling.

"I really did", he nodded.

"So what is making you sad?", Noya asked again "I can hear something is not right".

"Well about that freedom", Tanaka gulped because it was now or never "I am sharing it with someone".

"Oh my god Ryuu!", Noya cheered "you found someone? I am so happy for you!"

"Yeah I... I did", Tanaka took a breath. He was feeling so bad.

"But why would that make you feel sad?", Noya questioned.

"Look Noya... I am really sorry man I never meant to keep it a secret from you. I was just...", Tanaka stammered but was interrupted.

"A secret?", Noya spoke up "how long have you been in a relationship?"

"Around two years", Tanaka admit "it happened after we last saw each other at the reunion. I am really sorry man. I feel like shit".

"Did I do something?", Noya asked quietly.

"What? No, I was the idiot. You didn't do anything", Tanaka insisted.

"Then why?", Noya asked and Tanaka could hear his pain "I thought I am your best friend? Or rather was I guess..."

"Noya you are still my best friend", Tanaka stated "that's why I was afraid to tell you".

"I don't understand", Noya sounded utterly confused now.

"It's Kiyoko", Tanaka spoke fondly "I am in a relationship with Kiyoko. And I was afraid something between our friendship could change because you had feelings for her as well and I...".

"Oh my god Ryuu", Noya cooed "I am happy for you. Nothing will change. I am glad you got the woman you liked for so long. You are far too considerate!"

"So you are not mad at me?", Tanaka asked hesitantly.

"About not telling me? A little. But I understand your concern too. But you should have known I wouldn't just leave you... well in the emotional sense as I physically left", he chuckled "man I am so happy for you!"

"That means a lot", Tanaka exhaled in relief "I was really afraid you might still have feelings for her".

"Can I be honest with you?", Noya asked and Tanaka was afraid that he would tell him that he did indeed have feelings for her but he still told him he should be honest and awaited his confession "I never really had feelings for her".

"What?", Tanaka gasped because they had swooned over her together every day.

"I am sorry man. When we first met you were really intimidating and then you were so soft for her and I figured we would bond over that. I was too afraid to tell you afterwards that it was just an excuse to be friends with you. I mean Kiyoko was great I am sure she still is and I really respected her but I never had the same feelings for her that you did".

"I don't know if I should be glad or confused", Tanaka said.

"Listen, when we got to be friends I noticed that we think alike. We could have bonded over everything. Literally. But it seemed weird to tell you that I just pretended to like her", Noya confessed.

"Well nothing changes right? It just got our friendship going. We would still be friends now without it", Tanaka asked.

"Maybe it would have took longer but we would still be best friends I am sure of it", Noya agreed.

"That's all that matters to me", Tanaka smiled "although I don't understand how one can not swoon over Kiyoko but I may be biased soo...".

"Man I was head over heals for Asahi back then", Noya chuckled "who am I kidding? I still am".

"I thought so", Tanaka nodded "he is the reason you left, right?".

"Yeah I couldn't be in Japan when he was so near but so far", Noya said. He had told Tanaka about his love for Asahi in their third year when Asahi was gone and Noya wasn't able to play the same and Tanaka understood. He didn't care about Noya being bisexual.

"I should have known that you didn't like Kiyoko when you told me you love him", Tanaka concluded "damn I was dense".

"Well...", Noya chuckled "but I have one question".

"What is it?", Tanaka asked him.

"Why did you tell me now of all times?", Noya sounded really invested in this "I mean did you stop being afraid all of a sudden?"

"Well no. I was still afraid to tell you but Shimizu pushed me to tell you", Tanaka smiled at Kiyoko who just entered their flat.

"Why?", Noya chuckled "man you would do anything for her right?"

"I really would do anything for her", Tanaka nodded as she mouthed 'Noya?'.

"So why did she want me to know?", Noya sounded curious.

"Because you would know anyway when you come visit us soon", Tanaka stated and Kiyoko laughed at his way to tell his best friend.

"I didn't know I will visit you soon", Noya chuckled.

"Oh you have to!", Tanaka smiled brightly "can't marry without my best friend at my wedding".