Transparent [Tsukishima Kei x Reader]

L D [Hibiki Ending]

[In a world where you and our lovely and salty blond don't work out.]

Even when in the end, things don't work out, it's okay. That's life.

You sat on a bench while looking out to the sea, your view a little obstructed by the metal bars that helped you secure your safety and prevent you from falling into the rocky shore.

"Hey."

You turned your head to the side and smiled. In front of you stood your longtime best friend, Hibiki.

"Hey," You said, not standing up from where you sat.

"Is this seat taken?" the black-haired man asked.

"I guess it will be now," You said, moving to the side.

"How's work by the way?" Hibiki asked as he took a seat next to you.

"As fine as it could be," You said, chuckling.

For a career choice, you decided to take up being a martial arts instructor, specifically for Karate, since you were already well-skilled with it. You also had the option to work with the officials for the country since you already had some good image for those who were aware but you chose not to.

When you decided to pursue this career choice, you had to move to Tokyo with how bigger the demand there was. Soon enough, this also led to your long-term relationship to end. It wasn't really surprising at that point. You could feel it coming and when it finally did, all that's left was to accept the truth.

It didn't bother you anymore. After all, it has been two years since then.

"How about you?" You asked.

Hibiki, on the other hand, decided to work in a big company. With how well-developed his people skills were, it didn't really take him long to rise up.

"Work's fine as well," he said. "I already submitted a notice for my week-long leave next month for Yuna and Natsuki's celebration. It's better for them to know earlier. How about you?"

"I already have my next month free," You said before pouting. "But I still didn't get an invitation though."

Four and Five had left the agency two years ago and also ended up using their former names, Yuna and Natsuki respectively. The two had lived in Saitama and only recently applied for a partnership certificate— the closest thing but still not at all equal to same-sex marriage.

"Well, it is just a celebration since they can't really still get married so I don't think they'll make invitations," Hibiki said. "I don't think it's gonna be a big celebration too. Probably only us four."

"Would've been fun if Yukiharu was there too," You said.

Seven, as far as you knew, was still in the agency. If he wasn't, he would've already contacted any of you four.

"He did say fifteen years. Seven more years to go," Hibiki said, chuckling. He looked at you and asked. "Will you be going alone to Yuna and Natsuki's small party?"

"Duh," You said, giggling. "I mean, what can I do? Drag a stranger?"

"Well they did say we're allowed to bring someone we want them to meet," Hibiki said. "Not that I have anyone to bring."

You laughed.

"That settles it then," You said with a smile. "It'll be just us four."

Hibiki chuckled and nodded softly before looking at you with curious eyes.

"You haven't given up, have you?" he asked.

"On what?" You said.

"The idea of love."

"Why would I?" You asked, chuckling.

"Well, you spent five years with someone and it just..... ended," Hibiki said. "Personally, I thought you two were going to be together up until now."

"It didn't really just end, you know?" You said, looking up. "I guess it may seem like that, but.... that's not how it happened. I can't really explain it but the easiest way to do so is probably saying that it was a slow walk to the end. You can feel it but never knowing when it'll come. Maybe it's stupid. Knowing that the end is coming but you're still holding to it."

"Did you ever think it was a waste?" Hibiki asked.

"Nope," You said, shaking your head a little. "Those five years were happy and I'll treasure them even after losing the chance to make more memories with him."

You stood up and walked to the metal bars in front and clutched it with both of your hand— feeling the coldness on the metal. While looking out into the sea, you spoke.

"Just because you failed once in love doesn't mean it's hopeless. It's a risk you must be willing to take and you will keep taking whether or not it's with the same person as before," You said.

"So you're open to try again?" Hibiki asked.

You turned to him and smiled.

"Of course," You said. "But... it's hard to find someone. It requires a lot like building trust and stuff. I just can't decide to rush in a relationship with a stranger, especially not in time for next month."

"What if...." Hibiki cleared his throat and stood up, walking to you. He placed his crossed arms over the metal bars and looked at you. "What if they weren't a stranger?"

"Huh?" You asked, giggling a little with some confusion in your expression.

"I'm just saying that.... we don't have to go to Yuna and Natsuki's house next month just as... you know."

"That offer's about ten years late," You said, chuckling.

"I know," Hibiki said, chuckling as well. "But to be fair, you had someone else in your life for the half of those ten years."

"Yeah," You said, nodding.

"And I don't mind that." Hibiki looked out to the sea like how you did earlier. "In fact, I'm happy that he was able to keep you happy that long. Now though, I'm asking if you'd let me have the chance to do that as well."

You fell silent and looked at your best friend as he looked out to the horizon. 

It's not that you didn't think of him as anything more. Heck, he was your childhood crush. But then again, to you that was probably all it was— some light feelings of a fourteen year old child that stemmed from attachment when you were kids. 

And this feeling was something you didn't find yourself thinking of anymore. At least, not this much.

Still, it didn't bother you, the idea. 

In your life,  you could say without a doubt that there were only two people who you actually liked and it was him and Kei. If there was anyone who understood you best, it would probably be him. You and Hibiki literally had life and death moments with each other and you knew that he'd always have your back like you to him.

'If I tried,  it's not wrong, is it?'

You loved Kei wholeheartedly but it's not that way anymore, and you were fine with that. No matter what happens, it'll always be a fact that he meant something to you and everything was true.

Meanwhile, right now, Hibiki stood in front of you, asking for a shot on something the two of you missed before years ago.

And for a second, you noticed just how much your heart was fluttering.

"That questions a little bit late," You said, making him turn to you. "But I accept."

Hibiki smiled at you before looking away— his smile becoming more of the shy type of smile, making you giggle.

What if it doesn't work? 

Well then, it won't. But at least it happened. 

After that, you'll keep living. And that's what you'll do every day.

Living. And while you are, you'll try to make the most of it.