#dnofsunshine

[sluggybasson107]

[Image Description: Two digital drawings that are redraws of the mugshots from the barbie movie. The first one is of a scared Yamato Ishida who grips onto his placecard. His outfit from Kizuna plus a pair of earrings. The second drawing is of Takeru Takaishi, who smiles as he turns slightly to the right while showing off his placecard with his right arm. The third image is these two drawings put together side by side. Yamato is on the left, and Takeru is on the right. End Image Description.]

@dnofsunshine ask and you shall receive 💛💛

[dnofsunshine]

You Have (1) New Message || 02 Crew P1 (Digimon Chatfic)

fandom: Digimon Adventure/02 fic summary:

foureyed brat: @soccer IS his brain are you one of those ppl who has to write everything in lowercase foureyed brat: Or is your grammar just terrible Hikari: for me it’s ~ aesthetic ~ soccer IS his brain: shut up miyako >:( soccer IS his brain: my autocorrect is off cuz of what happened that 1 time soccer IS his brain: and im lazy ken: You mean when you called Taichi-san ‘baby’? Hikari: you huh soccer IS his brain: (*/_＼) !!!! Takeru: Pffft foureyed brat: Excuse me Daisuke you what

Or: The Digimon chatfic everyone has been waiting for, finally posted as a Christmas gift to my Nee-san, Green Spaghetti.

Also available on ao3!

[6:03pm]

Hikari is online. Hikari added Takeru, Miyako, Iori-kun, Daisuke-kun, and Ichijouji-kun to the chat. Hikari named the chat help guys i need a chat name.

Hikari: hey guys Hikari: nii-san took our switch with him to koushiro-san’s and i’m bored

Daisuke is online. Miyako is online.

Daisuke-kun: HI HIKARI-CHANNNN Miyako: Oh girl how dare he  Miyako: How are you gonna play Animal crossing now??

Takeru is online.

Takeru: Hey Daisuke: !!!! Hikari: right?? :( oh well, i’ll survive lol Hikari: hi dai-kun :) Daisuke-kun: i want a switch so bad omg Takeru: Same honestly lol Hikari: don’t worry takeru  Hikari: you’ll always have a profile on mine!!!  Takeru: :)!!

Daisuke-kun changed their name to socceronthebrain. Miyako changed socceronthebrain’s name to soccer IS his brain.

soccer IS his brain: >:( Miyako: What? It’s true

soccer IS his brain changed Miyako’s name to foureyed brat.

foureyed brat: What the hell soccer IS his brain: wut soccer IS his brain: its true Takeru: Lol foureyed brat: Takeru I thought you were cool Takeru: Your first mistake soccer IS his brain: lmao soccer IS his brain: get wrecked miyako foureyed brat: Hikari they’re teaming up on me :( Hikari: hey guys that’s my jogress partner you’re picking on Hikari: and you are cool takeru <;3 Takeru: <3 soccer IS his brain: wb me ;_; Hikari: you’re cool too dai-kun!  soccer IS his brain: she called me dai-kun (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) foureyed brat: Can’t you read foureyed brat: She said it earlier too (¬_¬ )

Ichijouji-kun is online.

foureyed brat: GASP  foureyed brat: Hi Ken!  Ichijouji-kun: One second. I’m catching up with the chat. Hikari: hi! Takeru: Hi Ichijouji-kun! soccer IS his brain: it my best fren soccer IS his brain: every1 move aside ichijouji ken has arrived Ichijouji-kun: Aw, Daisuke. Nobody has to move for me. It’s fine. Ichijouji-kun: Hi everyone. :) Thank you for inviting me into this chat. Hikari: ofc! Takeru: I can’t imagine Hikari would make a chat without including you :) foureyed brat: ^^^^  soccer IS his brain: yeah like r u kidding we couldnt forget u Ichijouji-kun: Awww. Thanks. :)

soccer IS his brain changed Ichijouji-kun’s name to ken.

ken: :)  foureyed brat: @soccer IS his brain are you one of those ppl who has to write everything in lowercase foureyed brat: Or is your grammar just terrible Hikari: for me it’s ~ aesthetic ~ soccer IS his brain: shut up miyako >:( soccer IS his brain: my autocorrect is off cuz of what happened that 1 time  soccer IS his brain: and im lazy ken: You mean when you called Taichi-san ‘baby’? Hikari: you huh soccer IS his brain: (*/_＼) !!!!  Takeru: Pffft foureyed brat: Excuse me Daisuke you what soccer IS his brain: IT WAS OVER TEXT NOT IRL soccer IS his brain: AND IT WAS AN ACCIDENT soccer IS his brain: ken u betrayed me soccer IS his brain: u werent sposed to say what actually happened ken: Oh, I’m sorry! 

Iori-kun is online.

foureyed brat: No I gotta hear about it now Takeru: Same Hikari: yeah me too!  soccer IS his brain: nooooo its 2 embarrssing  soccer IS his brain: the shame is 2 great Iori-kun: Hello. foureyed brat: Ugh you know I think I’ll take all lowercase compared to correct punctuation in texts ken: ? Iori-kun: What? Takeru: Hey Iori!  Iori-kun: Good evening, Takeru-kun. foureyed brat: If I didn’t know you better I’d think you were a serial killer Hikari: don’t listen to her iori-kun, ichijouji-kun <3  Iori-kun: That’s not funny, Miyako-san. :/ foureyed brat: I’m a little offended you knew it was me with the username cos I’m not sure if you actually read thru the chat before greeting us foureyed brat: But then I remembered I’m the only one in the chat with glasses, so Hikari: awww true foureyed brat: Jk Iori you know I love you &lt;3  foureyed brat: Ken you too! ken: Okay. :)  Hikari: you can always change your name again!  foureyed brat: No it’s alredy grown on me foureyed brat: Also I’m getting back at Daisuke for picking an insulting name by liking it :P  soccer IS his brain: ( `ε´ ) Iori-kun: Why did you call Taichi-san baby? soccer IS his brain: shhhhh i was hopin u would forget Takeru: Joke’s on you Takeru: We’d never forget Daisuke Hikari: i gotta know dai-kun foureyed brat: You gotta tell us soccer IS his brain: noooo Takeru: Ichijouji-kun do you know why he called taichi-san baby  ken: Uh… soccer IS his brain: ken no pls dont soccer IS his brain: i thought we were pals Takeru: Cmon no you gotta >:) foureyed brat: Peer pressure! Iori-kun: I am curious. Hikari: >:) soccer IS his brain: no stop ur prbly makin him nervous soccer IS his brain: it was just autocorrect!!! soccer IS his brain: i accidentally put a b at the end of my sentenc and it corrected ti to baby  soccer IS his brain: n then i hit send before i could delete it („ಡωಡ„) Hikari: omg  foureyed brat: RIP daisuke and his relationship with his idol Takeru: Deadsuke foureyed brat: !!!!

foureyed brat changed soccer IS his brain’s name to deadsuke.

Iori: Ha...  deadsuke: guyssss deadsuke: its not funnyyyyy :(((((  deadsuke: i couldnt talk to taichi-senpai for like weeks i was so embarrassed ken: … Hikari: it’s a little funny… Takeru: It’s hilarious actually foureyed brat: No cos I’m actually imagining Taichi-san being so confused and Daisuke just dying of embarrassment foureyed brat: I’m ascending 

Hikari changed the chat name to rip daisuke.

deadsuke: and i thought we were frens Takeru: >:) Hikari: >:)

foureyed brat changed Takeru’s name to Chaos #1 foureyed brat changed Hikari’s name to Chaos #2 

Iori-kun: That seems accurate enough. foureyed brat: Children of Hope & Light foureyed brat: So deceptive deadsuke: trolls in disguise :( 

deadsuke changed ken’s name to the true cinnamon roll here.

the true cinnamon roll here: I don’t get it? Chaos #2: you know that feels so true <333 foureyed brat: Ichijouji Ken Protection Squad <3 foureyed brat: Wait that nickname is really long 

foureyed brat changed the true cinnamon roll here’s name to cinnamon roll.

foureyed brat: Our new bby Iori-kun: Isn’t he older than you, Miyako-san? foureyed brat: Shhhh no he’s our new bby foureyed brat: Too sweet, too pure for this world cinnamon roll: Are you guys forgetting I destroyed the digital world once? :(  Chaos #2: awwww ichijouji-kun cmere i feel the need to hug you foureyed brat: If we were there to protect you it wouldn’t have happened :(  deadsuke: alls in the past my guy <;3 Chaos #1: I accidentally almost shot Nii-san once… foureyed brat: O_O Iori-kun: You… huh? deadsuke: wut Chaos #2: pinnochimon?  Chaos #1: Pinnochimon deadsuke: bruh deadsuke: r u gonna elaborate or Chaos #1: . Chaos #1: Nah foureyed brat: Whoa, did you use all of your three brain cells to come up with that one big word Daisuke deadsuke: shut up miyako >:( foureyed brat: For real tho foureyed brat: You’re one hell of a mystery Takeru Iori-kun: Agreed. deadsuke: even his jogress partner agrees lmao Chaos #2: best friend privileges~ Chaos #1: Lol Chaos #1: My point is, we all make mistakes, Ichijouji-kun :)   cinnamon roll: …have I told you before that you can just call me by my first name? cinnamon roll: I seriously don’t mind. Chaos #1: Ken ( ´ ▽ ` )  Chaos #2: Ken! <3 foureyed brat: Takeru no stoppp foureyed brat: That emoji is too cute for someone as secretly chaotic as you Chaos #1: :(  Chaos #2: miyako look you hurt his feelings :(  deadsuke: no but shes right tho Chaos #1: :(( foureyed brat: No stop making me feel bad! Chaos #2: :(((  Chaos #1: :((((  cinnamon roll: Miyako-san :(  foureyed brat: …fine Iori-kun: You can use whatever emojis you want, Takeru-kun. Chaos #1: :D! Chaos #2: :D!! cinnamon roll: :)  foureyed brat: Oh no yall are killin me foureyed brat: Too cute deadsuke: yall Chaos #2: yall Chaos #1: Yall cinnamon roll: Huh? deadsuke: (whispers) thats the part where u join the chain ken foureyed brat: Okay cuteness ruined cinnamon roll: Oh. cinnamon roll: Yall. Iori-kun. Lol. foureyed brat: Betrayed by my own childhood friend foureyed brat: I’m hurt foureyed brat: I’m not coming to your house this weekend to work on your computer Iori >:( Iori-kun: Yes, you will. Iori-kun: Okaa-san is making brownies. foureyed brat: …I hate that you’re right Chaos #1: Gasp did you say Chaos #1: …brownies? 🥺 Iori-kun: You’re welcome to come if you’d like, Takeru-kun. It’ll be Saturday afternoon. Chaos #2: 🥺🥺🥺 Iori-kun: You can come too, Hikari-chan.  Chaos #1: :D  Chaos #2: :D  Chaos #2: i’ll bring the switch before nii-san calls dibs Chaos #1: Yes!! Chaos #1: We can play Super smash bros!  deadsuke: (╥﹏╥) Iori-kun: …if you’re quiet, you can come too, Daisuke-kun. Iori-kun: And that invitation extends to you, Ichijouji-san.  deadsuke: !!!! iori ily cinnamon roll: Just Ken is fine. :)  cinnamon roll: Thank you. :) I’ll have to ask my parents first. Iori-kun: Okay. Ken.  cinnamon roll: Oh wait. I don’t know your address? :(  deadsuke: i do!! deadsuke: i can come pick u up at the train station! cinnamon roll: Okay. Thank you, Daisuke. :)  deadsuke: anything for my best pal <3 deadsuke: im hella competitive in video games tho foureyed brat: Same foureyed brat: You’re going down foureyed brat: Gonna live up to your name in chat Chaos #2: i’m a little competitive too lol but only in smash bros Chaos #1: Dw I’m not that competitive deadsuke: says the dude who admitted to almost shooting his brother Chaos #1: … Chaos #2: . foureyed brat: At least he didn’t call Taichi-san baby deadsuke: WOULD U DROP THAT deadsuke: I HATE U MIYAKO Chaos #2: i wonder if nii-san was flustered deadsuke: nvm i hate u all

[sungjinwhump]

Shadownanigans Ch 05 || Accidental cat acquisition p2

As Jinwoo’s body & personality start changing following the events of the double dungeon, Jinah has been documenting it. Not entirely on purpose, at first, but then her little following on social media catches sight of something… strange about her brother’s shadow during one of her TikToks, and she becomes determined to find some answers. This turns into a series of shenanigans and silly pranks as she tries to unravel the mystery that is her own older brother, Hunter Sung Jinwoo.

Or: Jinwoo isn’t exactly up-to-date with the latest trends and thinks that Jinah has been recording videos to send to her friends, or maybe as some kind of video diary to show their comatose mother if when she wakes up. He doesn’t realize she’s been posting them on social media for the world to see.

CURRENT ON AO3: Jinah: "Let's keep her!" Jinwoo: "No." // who wins? Post-Lizards arc. Excerpt below the cut:

sung_jinah has posted a TikTok.

[Caption: OMG SHE CAME BACK, SHOULD WE KEEP HER???]

The camera is aimed at an apartment window, showing a black cat getting comfortable in a loaf position on the window seal. Jinah steps back to give the cat space, cooing over how cute it is.

“Oppa,” Jinah stage-whispers over her shoulder. And then, a little louder: “Oppa! Get in here!”

“What?” a male voice calls off-screen.

“Shh! Just get in here!”

“You were yelling f—” 

“Shh!”

The camera pans over to the man, who freezes in the doorway of another room and raises an eyebrow. Jinah quickly aims back at the cat, who leaps down from the window seal to saunter into the apartment. Jinah follows its every step.

“Great,” the man quips. “She’s inside. Did you open the window to let her in?”

“Of course I did! She was sitting outside the window, waiting,” Jinah says. “Besides, you let her in first.”

“That was an accident.”

“Did you think I was gonna turn that cute little face away? No! I’m not rude, Oppa.”

“You’re plenty rude.”

Jinah squeals in muffled delight as the cat presses up against her leg and chirrups at her. “Look! She doesn’t think so!”

The man looks at Jinah, then at the cat, and then back at Jinah. Jinah, in turn, pans the camera at him, then at the cat, and back at him.

“I know what you’re gonna ask,” the man says with a long-suffering sigh, “and the answer is no.”

[kagehinafromtheconcrete]

afterglow || your hand in mine (fictober day 09)

fandom: haikyuu!! pairing: kagehina fic summary: Kageyama has learned a lot of things since befriending Hinata Shouyou. Things about Hinata, things about himself. How to open up. How to be vulnerable. How to love. And Hinata? Hinata learns more about Kageyama than he ever thought he would. First-year Kagehina/Hinakage drabble collection ft. the rest of Karasuno, written for sarahenany. Slowly working through the remaining Fictober 2022 prompts! fictober day 09: "sounds like 'you' problem" by @fictober-event ch summary: After practice one day, Hinata feels insecure about his size. This isn't unusual, but Kageyama says something that makes Hinata rethink his position on the court and his place on the team.

entire drabble below. :) find the whole collection: ao3 // tumblr

Hinata narrowed his eyes. “I… I can’t tell.”

Noya brought his face closer to their hands, squinting as well. He frowned in concentration. “I can’t… either. You know what that means, right, Shouyou?”

“What?”

“It means I win.”

“Whaaa?!” Hinata jerked his hand away, giving his upperclassman an offended look. “That’s not fair, Noya-san!”

“Of course it is.” Noya’s frown vanished and was replaced a second later with a toothy grin. “I have seniority!” 

“How does that make your hands bigger than mine?”

“Because seniority~” Noya sang as if it made perfect sense, even though it didn’t make any sense at all.

“Yeah, well,” Hinata began, scrambling to think. “Well, I’m still an inch taller than you!”

Noya gasped, now looking just as offended as Hinata felt. “Going for that single inch? Shouyou! You wound me.”

“Oh, knock it off, you two,” their captain said. “You’re supposed to be helping clean up! Did you forget your promise this morning?”

Noya slumped forward, and in a defeated voice: “To work with everyone to clean up for the event this evening.”

“And?”

“And that’s why practice ended early,” Hinata added with a sad sigh.

“Good.”

“You’re both short to me,” Tsukishima said suddenly.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what I’m known for these days.” Hinata rolled his eyes as he stood up to fulfill Daichi’s orders. “Nobody’s gonna let me live it down.”

“Sounds like a ‘you’ problem.”

“Don’t you worry, Shouyou,” Noya said, standing as well after giving Tsukishima a dirty look. He clapped Hinata on the back with enthusiasm, their argument now long forgotten. “I’m not giving up on you. We’ll always suffer together!”

Across the court, Tanaka burst into laughter. Despite this, Hinata smiled at his upperclassman, trying to remain in good spirits. “Thanks, Noya-san.”

Twenty minutes later, when they’d finished cleaning up and changed out of their practice clothes, Hinata walked in step with Kageyama like he usually did when practice concluded for the day. It was oddly quiet—but then again, it wasn’t unusual for Kageyama to stay silent while Hinata babbled away. This time, though, Hinata didn’t feel like talking, either.

Unfortunately, it seemed like Kageyama noticed.

“What’s with you?” 

“Hm?”

“You’re moping.”

“I’m not moping,” Hinata defended, giving him a heated look.

“Are too.”

“Hush it."

“It’s the hand thing, isn’t it?”

Hinata opened his mouth to deny it once more but then paused, irritated because Kageyama was right. And maybe that was stupid or made him seem childish, but he didn’t care—he’d always been self-conscious about his size, and while Noya didn’t seem particularly worried back in practice, it did bother Hinata, because, well…

He’d always thought it was cool that other players—Kageyama included—could hold a volleyball with one hand. Hinata hated that he couldn’t do it, himself. His hands just weren’t big enough.

 “Oi,” Kageyama said when Hinata remained silent. “What’s your deal? Why does that matter?”

It took Hinata a few moments to realize that he’d stopped walking, causing Kageyama to pause in his steps as well, only a foot or so ahead of him. 

“Shut up,” Hinata said sourly. He gripped his handlebars tightly, gazing at the pavement. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause you’re tall! Nobody picks on you for being short. Nobody would pick on you for having tiny hands.”

Kageyama didn’t respond, at first. Hinata risked a glance up at him to see why and found that Kageyama wasn’t even looking at him—instead, his eyes were locked on Hinata’s hands.

“Your size is actually your greatest weapon,” he said eventually. 

Hinata’s frown deepened. “I know. Volleyball is all about size. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”

“No, I mean, it’s your greatest weapon, personally,” Kageyama went on. “You’re short, so everyone looks at you and thinks, ‘This guy isn’t a threat.’ But you are. You’re the biggest threat we have.”

Hinata’s breath caught in his throat upon hearing the words, eyes blown wide. Something fluttered in his stomach—a sensation that he’d associated with Kageyama time and time again—and he thought, in the safety of his own mind:

How come you know exactly what to say to make me speechless?

“...oh.” A tiny, excited smile pulled at his lips. “You think that?”

“You’ve proved it, you idiot.”

“Me,” Hinata echoed, suddenly extremely giddy. “A threat. The biggest threat in Karasuno.”

“You still have a lot to learn,” Kageyama warned abruptly. "Don't let it go to your head."

“As if you have any room to say that to me.”

Hinata’s grin shifted into something less gleeful and more teasing as he spoke. Still, he couldn’t deny the joy that spread through him brought by Kageyama’s words. It was so strong that he wanted to take off on his bike with a celebratory cheer, and he was getting ready to do just that when something curled around his wrist.

Hinata froze. “Wh…”

He glanced down to check and yeah, that was Kageyama’s hand. When he lifted his gaze to give Kageyama a questioning look, Kageyama wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“S—” He stumbled, cheeks pink. “So, uh…”

“...Kageyama?”

“Don’t. Um.”

Hinata blinked, waiting.

“Just don’t let it bother you,” Kageyama finally spat out. “It’s—it’s not like it has to be a bad thing.”

It took him a few moments to realize that Kageyama was trying to reassure him. It was… almost funny how Kageyama could say something that would stick with him for a long time without even trying, but when he actually put the effort into cheering him up, he didn’t know how.

Once again, Hinata’s smile changed. Grew softer. Sweeter. His wrist felt warm underneath Kageyama’s fingers, and slowly, experimentally, he moved his hand to touch Kageyama’s.

Unlike Noya’s, Kageyama’s hand was much larger than his own. He rested his palm against Kageyama’s, lining up their fingers, and for once, the size difference didn’t bother him.

He... kind of liked it.

“Alright,” he said softly, with that same smile. Kept their hands pressed together. Found the warmth to be pleasant. He didn’t pull away.

Neither did Kageyama.

[citrus-cactus]

Happy Holidays, @dnofsunshine !!

I was your @digisecretsanta, and I wanted to give you a little comic featuring the Takaishida brothers! Even when they’re not in the same place, they’re thinking of each other (Takeru is a bit cheeky as always, and Yamato will go so far as to strike a pose for the camera, but only for his little bro!). Not pictured: the Knife of Day/World on the Knife Christmas concert earlier, where Yamato gave Takeru that new hat, and Takeru gave Yamato a CD that he and Gabumon are listening to right now :D)

I included color versions of Takeru’s selfies below the cut, since I know he’s your favorite. Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season, and a restful (hat-filled?) remainder of 2023!

~Citrus-cactus

[jubilines]

❄️happy holidays @dnofsunshine!

i hope you enjoy your present of some of the best adv/02 boys ❤️

[shade-without-color]

Read it at A03 (✨) and (🐈)

I apologize if I have been quiet on the writing front, as I have a huge writing block due to my recent adventures in my Japanese class hence there is no writing on my end, however a little while back, I did my first Haikyuu exchange, which is the Asanoya exchange- which I tell you it is an adventure itself, so my original prompt I feel that I could not do it until I get @dnofsunshine's adorable kitty prompt for If any cat knows any name, which I have so much fun doing a floofy kitty story :)

And for A Spark of Inspiration, I was called about 3 weeks before the actual deadline to be a pinch-hitter for the story (you can add that in my resume), and @sugarbeach-art wanted a cute magic AU!, I am amazed at how quick I did that while balancing my Japanese class (My secret is actually keeping it simple as it feel less pressuring)

A shoutout to the amazing mods for the exchange which they are first-timers because it ran so smoothly like butter and the following betas Rompers (For A spark) and Slim (Cat by other name) for the good look at my stories and giving me suggestions.

Anyway! Enjoy these cute Asanoya stories here (I may be considering to do a spin-off for 'A Spark' because it is in my alley but we will see)

[patamon]

Takeru Takaishi Week [Day 6 prompt: Sunshine/Happiness]

Yup...still slowly making my way through the prompts. Also, I’d like to dedicate this story to @dnofsunshine​, because we both like to see Takeru suffer for some reasons hee hee

Title: Midnight Rain Character: Takeru Takaishi (for @takerutakaishiweek​ ) Word Count: 4030 Rating: T Summary: Takeru never thought that in his early 20s, he could embody loneliness to this degree. Despite being surrounded by people that seemingly cared for him, he felt utterly alone, at a magnitude that terrified him to his core.

Cross-posted on AO3

Read below the cut 👇

Midnight Rain

Lately, Takeru has unearthed a peculiar heaviness in his corpse.

He has no explanation for it, no theories of origin or cause, only that it feels all encompassing, like he could suffocate from the inside out. There were mornings he woke up crying, and nights he felt so numb, he thought his limbs had somehow severed from his worthless body. 

During afternoons walking home from school with friends, or early evening dinners with his mother, he hid the heaviness behind evasive smiles, donning on interesting hats or crisp shirts so the world would attend to the primpings on the outside, and he could divert their attention from the black hole consuming his innards.

Takeru never thought that in his early 20s, he could embody loneliness to this degree. Despite being surrounded by people that seemingly cared for him, he felt utterly alone, at a magnitude that terrified him to his core.

This morning, Takeru woke up drowning. The heaviness felt so vivid, like a galaxy of dark holes had found residency within his soul. From somewhere faraway, he heard the muffled trills of his cell phone rings, piercing through the dark clouds against all odds. Luckily, the device was within an arm’s reach, but he suspected if it was a few centimetres further, he wouldn’t have found the will to answer the call, and perhaps he would have stayed frozen…for how long, he would never know.

“Hello?” he responded in a voice thick with sleep.

“Good morning, sunshine boy,” came Yamato’s voice, impatient and serious like always.

Takeru flinched at his given moniker. Sunshine boy. He couldn’t be sure of how or when it started, only that it spread around their tight group of friends quicker than he would have liked. 

 “Are you seriously still in bed?” came Yamato’s indignant question.

“Umm…” he began, but found his words drowned in a stagnant bog.

“I thought you had class this morning,” Yamato quipped.

Finally, his muscles unearthed itself. Barely, but enough for him to graze his temple with the tips of his icy fingers.

Did he have class this morning? 

“What…what day is it?”

“Were you out partying again last night?” Yamato demanded.

Takeru sighed. Maybe that was the cause for the heaviness in his bone. Maybe he drank so much that he couldn’t remember, and the heaviness was the punishment for his careless actions.

“Umm…Maybe?”

Yamato clicked his tongue in annoyance, “Jesus, Takeru, when will you grow up?”

Takeru flinched at the question. It seemed everyone had been asking him that question lately, both directly by his family, and indirectly by his friends who excelled at everything they do.

“For your information, today is Wednesday, and do you remember what that means?”

Realization dawned on him, “It’s…mom’s birthday”

“Exactly. We have that dinner tonight to celebrate”

The weight on his chest deepened, until he was certain the black holes had consumed every atom in his body. His skin crawled at the thought of all those people at the restaurant, at the smiles he would have to force on, the contrived conversations, fake laughters, all the strategies he would have to put in place to hide himself from the people that knew him.

For a moment, he felt for certain that he couldn’t - and wouldn’t - survive. But then an idea struck him…

Maybe…just maybe…he didn’t want to survive. 

The thought was so enticing and chilling, it left him breathless.

“Takeru?”

He snapped back at the voice, the sharpness in Yamato’s voice awoke something in him, and he finally managed to force his body up to a sitting position.

“Takeru? Are you listening? Are you still there?”

There was a long pause on the other end, during which, Takeru could hear his heart hammering loudly, fearing that at long last, Yamato could sense that something wasn’t right, that Takeru was no longer aligned with how the world saw him. Panic seized his muscle, the heaviness that once reigned his body became a jittery restlessness that propelled him from his bed.

Sunshine boy. No matter what, he had to remain everyone’s sunshine boy. It was the only way he could ward off the creeping tendrils of failure.

“Uh…yeah…yeah, sorry Yamato…I’m up. It was just…uhh…wild night last night.”

Yamato sighed, and he swore he could see his older brother shake his head through the phone. He swallowed the fear and forced on his mask, asking the question he knew his brother expected of his smartass brother.

“Let me guess…You wish you were there with me?”

Yamato clicked his tongue, “Whatever, Takeru…I just want to make sure you have the gifts ready for mom.”

“Of course, and I have it addressed from the both of us, since you were too busy to get her a gift yourself”

“That’s not…we spoke about this…you get the gifts because you would know what to get mom.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah…”

“And the flowers?”

“Yes, yes, I’m picking it up from Hikari after class.”

“Alright…see you tonight, then.”

“Okay.”

Without saying goodbye, Yamato’s line went dead, and Takeru was left frozen in his silent bedroom once again. 

Now that the stage was clear, he could remove the sunny veil he hid behind and immersed himself in the darkness once again. Familiar tears stung his vision, but he held them back, pushing it desperately back into his eyes. He took in a shuddering breath, and as the stale air hit his lungs, he became acutely aware of the exhaustion that soaked his bone.

He tilted his face towards his bedroom window to catch a glimpse of the sun spilling in between drawn curtains. The light desperate to claw its way towards him, but fell short a few feet as he laid panting on his bed.

“Sunshine boy,” he whispered, “You can do it, sunshine boy.”

But just for once in his life, he wondered if he could seek permission to draw the curtain close on this act he found himself playing day after day after day after day…

—

Hikari spent the majority of her hours after school in a flower shop at the junction between Takeru’s and her college. They both knew it was an in-between gig to scrape together pocket money while they were in school, and even though Hikari lamented that it was a dead end job, Takeru thought it was universes better than where he was, since all he had to show for himself were half-written resumes and odd jobs with his mother.

He entered the flower shop that afternoon, an indistinguishable but pleasant mix of aroma hitting him all at once while the bells above rang out its greeting. The shop was empty of patrons, the only occupant being Hikari by the counter arranging roses in a vase.

Her face usually lit up when he walked through the door, a fresh light that resembles the shine of the early morning sun. But today, Takeru sensed a slight shadow, like clouds passing by on a pleasant afternoon. Unlike Takeru, Hikari allowed the hue of sadness to tinge her features when she felt them, so Takeru knew the happiness that graced her features was hers and hers alone, and similarly, he could also pick up on the bouts of grey that might dabble her light.

He often wondered what it would be like, to allow himself to feel all the sadness hiding behind his sunny demeanour. The thought both scared and exhilarated him.

Hikari waved him over, the innocuous glide of her fingers summoning him to the stage once again. Despite the paramount exhaustion that haunted his spirit, he accepted the role, putting on his mask and flooding his features with the fluorescent light of his sunshine boy smile.

“I’m here to break you out,” he informed her in an exaggerated whisper once he was near enough to the counter.

Hikari giggled, “I wish, but it’s another two hours before the store closes, then another hour of clean-up before I can actually leave.”

Takeru winked, “That’s why I’m breaking you out.”

Hikari rolled her eyes in response, but otherwise ignored his attempts at engaging with her, devoting her attention instead to the flowers she was arranging. Despite her donning on a casual smile, the grey clouds burgeoned before his trained eyes. He took it as a cue to assume another role, one that he perfected and embodied just for Hikari.

The hero.

“Is everything okay?” he asked in a firm voice that unsettled even himself. He imagined the question echoed back at him from another voice…

Is everything okay?

…the idea of answering such a simple question shook the very ground he stood on.

“Of course,” Hikari responded without changing her position, her eyes still trained on the flowers before her, her fingers moving diligently through each stem.

But Takeru was unconvinced. He pressed his fingers on top of her gloved hands, stopping her work and finally summoning her eyes towards him.

“What’s wrong?” He repeated the question.

Hikari sighed and abandoned the flowers, peeling both gloves off in one concise movement. Takeru could sense her defenses tumbling down, the curtains unfurling to allow him in.

“You always seem to know…” she conceded with a sheepish smile.

“You should know by now, Hikari…that’s kind of my superpower”

Hikari rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, Takeru knew the walls had tumbled down. Hikari brushed aside the flowers on the counter and laid soft eyes on him.

“You’ll think I’m silly,” Hikari asserted.

“Never”

Hikari bit her lips, her fingers digging into her elbow before she finally offered a response.

“I’m just worried…I’ll never catch up to everyone else around me, Takeru.”

Takeru’s heart dropped. He opened his mouth to offer a response, but Hikari marched on, her eyes now downcast to study the flowers resting between them on the marble counter.

“I know it’s…it’s a silly thing to worry about…but…I look at everyone, and they all have their lives figured out, they’re all doing amazing things like travelling the world and working big girl jobs, and here I am, pruning leaves and arranging flowers in vases. What if I’m stuck here forever?”

“Of course you won’t be,” Takeru countered.

Hikari offered a sad smile, “I don’t think you get it, Takeru, but…that’s okay. I wouldn’t expect someone so confident and happy to understand this type of turmoil.”

Takeru’s knees shook hard. He had to stabilize himself by placing a trembling hand on the counter.

If only she knew.

“Come now, Hikari. So you’re feeling a little uncertain about your life at the moment, but who doesn’t? It’s normal to feel that way. What’s important is that you still haven’t given up on yourself, and besides,you’re already worlds above so many other people. You have a career goal, friends that love you, family that will be there for you. ”

Hikari tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ears and shook her head, a smile of disbelief teasing her lips “How do you do it, Takeru?”

“Do what?”

“How do you always have this boundless positivity? How do you hold onto hope day after day after day the way you do?”

If Takeru had a mirror before him, he wouldn’t be surprised to find his reflection pale and gaunt, for he could feel it all. He could feel the blood draining from his face, the ghosts of his failure haunting his every move, stealing his words away from his tongue. But luckily, Hikari responded for him, and although he was certain she meant for it to be a compliment, the statement iced his blood and shattered his heart.

“I guess that’s why you are the child of hope.”

The only response Takeru could give was a tilted smile, relishing in the disconnect between his reputation and the distressing world beneath his flesh. Luckily, Hikari seemed none the wiser.

He prefers it that way.

“Oh…I’ll be right back…”

Her words trailed off. She then slipped past a set of string curtains to a room in the back, leaving Takeru alone with the flowers around him. For a moment, Takeru thought he could collapse into a heap of skin and bone in the quiet store and allowed his spirit to float away, but before the tears could fall, Hikari returned with a vase he guessed was his mother’s birthday flowers. 

He blew a whistle of admiration as she placed it down before him.

“I hope your mom will like it.”

Takeru nodded and studied the arrangements in depth. Shooting tall from a bed of baby’s-breath and decorative leaves were two types of lilies of Hikari’s choosing.

“You remembered lilies were my mom’s favourite” Takeru commented with a genuine smile.

Hikari’s face reddened, she gestured to the different flowers in her arrangement and began narrating her work.

“The blue orchids represent Yamato, because blue represents calm and openness, something I know your brother and mother had to work hard at to achieve after years of absences in each other’s lives”

Takeru nodded. He knew what the yellow meant, and he could feel his inside flip as he waited for Hikari to say the inevitable.

“And of course, the yellow represents you, because you are sunshine and happiness, not only to your mom, but to all of us.”

His insides pinched violently. He stuffed his fists in his pocket, if only in an attempt to hide the tremor from Hikari’s watchful eyes.

“They’re absolutely beautiful. I think…I know my mom will love it.”

Hikari beamed, the light hitting her features at all the right angles.

“Oh…oh, I’m so glad, Takeru…I wish I could be there to see her face when she receives it.”

“I’ll take pictures and send them to you, I promise.”

He gathered the vase up into his arms, moving it carefully so as not to ruin Hikari’s arrangements.

“Thanks again, Hikari.”

Hikari returned the smile, “No…no, thank you, Takeru. Thank you for always being there for me, thank you for always knowing the right thing to say, thank you…for being the sunshine in all our lives.”

His mouth went dry, but somehow, he managed to pull himself together enough to respond, and when he spoke, he was shocked at how sturdy and self-assured he sounded, as if he was losing touch with the facade he put forward on stage each and every day of his frauding life.

“Don’t mention it, Hikari. After all, that’s my job as the chosen child of hope”

—

“You’re almost there, you’re almost there, you’re almost there.”

He scrutinized his reflections in the finger-smudged bathroom mirror. Beyond the swinging doors, he could hear music and laughter filtering through, snippets of scandalous conversations bellowed out in voices loud and quiet.

He wondered what others truly see when they lay their eyes on him, for all he ever saw in moments like this, during intermissions between acts of his one-man show, was a pale boy desperately fitting the embattled masks over his exhausted features.

He inhaled deeply, then wrinkled his nose at the stench of cigarette smoke and stale room fresheners. 

“You’re almost there, you’re almost there, you’re almost there,” he repeated the mantra.

His watch was telling him it was nearly 10 PM, and considering that they were in between the main and dessert course, he estimated another half-hour at the restaurant, a potential for 15 if he leans into his lie about an early morning class tomorrow. 

“Survival is just around the corner.”

He exited the bathroom, then made his way back to the private dining room at the secluded corner of the busy restaurant. Drawing the curtain aside revealed the boisterous party, his mother sitting close with her partner of two years, surrounded by a sea of her family, friends, and coworkers. Yamato was included on one side, beside an empty chair that was designated as his.

Immediately, Yamato stood up. Takeru watched as he sidestepped the crowd carefully before he came up beside him.

“There you are! Listen, the cake is coming and…we thought once it’s here, maybe you could say something before we break into song and dance and all that jazz.”

“Me?” he surveyed the room with wide eyes, taking in the familiar and strange faces before him.

“Yeah…we thought it’d be a good idea, you know…since you’re good at these sorts of things.”

“Takeru, what took you so long?” his mother called out before he could respond to his older brother’s request.

Despite the haze of exhaustion, Takeru straightened his posture and waved back at her. But before any further words could be exchanged, there was a clamour before them, followed by his mother’s birthday cake being wheeled in by several wait staff. His mother laughed and clapped her hands in delight, while applause erupted around them.

Amidst the celebration, he felt a tug on his arm, and looked up to see Yamato ushering him up a small raised platform. Countless pairs of eyes turned on him, and despite his mouth becoming bone dry and his head spinning like no tomorrow, he felt something heavy thrusted into his grasp and looked down to find a black microphone.

He gulped, but then his eyes strayed over to his mother’s, and Takeru could not help but admire the delicate glow on her aging face. After years of watching her work herself to the bone to raise him, he was truly thankful for moments where he could bask in his mother’s happiness.

I hope you know, Takeru, how much I love you. Everything I do, I do for you, because you’re my little sunshine.

It was his mother’s birthday. The least he could do was push himself a little further and finish up his role as sunshine boy.

He put on his smile, tightening the grip on his mic as he began speaking.

“They say everything in this universe rests on a foundation it owes itself to, from the roots of the thousand-year old trees you only see in magazines, to the source of breathtaking rivers giving life to everything around it. Mom, you are the sturdy land I’ve anchored myself on all my life. Without you working hard and sacrificing everything, I don’t think I’d be half the man I am today. So thank you mom, and happy birthday.”

The room erupted in applause once again as he returned to his seat. Natsuko turned to him, her fingers hastily wiping away tears before she clutched Takeru’s hand between hers.

“Thank you, Takeru. Thank you so much. You really do have a way with words.”

Takeru cleared his throat and smiled, which was enough of a cue for his mother to continue.

“Do you know what I want for my birthday, Takeru?”

Takeru threaded his eyebrows together, but otherwise kept silent as he responded with a shrug.

“I want…I want you to remain happy forever, Takeru. For my birthday wish, I wish for you to never lose the light that defines your aura, Takeru. I want you to be the sunshine in my life, for as long as possible.”

Despite an overwhelming urge to crawl underneath the table and cry, Takeru nodded, his facade sharpening with the conviction of his rehearsed smile.

“Don’t worry mom, you can count on me. I’ll always be your sunshine, I promise.”

—

It was pushing midnight before Takeru found himself an escape route from the party. Quietly and carefully, he slipped out of the restaurant like a shadow without a body, leaving behind half-eaten slices of cake and empty bottles of booze.

He knew his mother wouldn’t be returning to their apartment tonight, but will opt for a night with her boyfriend instead. His brother was passed out in a corner after one too many sake, so as long as he messaged Sora at the right time to bring him home, he would have fulfilled his duty as a diligent little brother.

Finally, there was silence.

For a child that grew up wishing for the excited buzz of a happy home, he found it surprising how much he craved lonely evenings like these, when he could shed the costumes and props of the role he assigned himself to play, and simply be himself.

But still, during quiet moments like these, when there was no escape from the voices inside his head, he was faced with the realization that the inside of his head is what scared him the most.

He turned the corner of the street he was on and found himself facing a lonely bridge overlooking the Tokyo river. Beneath concrete grounds, he could hear the rush of water streaming through, and if he leaned into it and listened carefully, he could hear something else, too, a hushed whisper calling out to him in a sing-song voice.

Takeru…

In spite of his exhaustion, electricity jolted his muscles. He moved closer to the bridge’s edge, listening to the voices calling out to him again.

Takeru...Takeru…

He shivered. There was something so foreboding, yet comforting about the voice, it sent a chill up his spine.

With difficulty, he tilted his head up towards the dark sky, the clouds above him were swollen and heavy, as if it, too, were stockpiling tears it didn’t dare shed.

“It’s okay,” he whispered underneath his breath, reaching shaky hands forward to touch the clouds, wishing he could puncture a hole to offer it some relief, “You can cry.”

How peculiar for the sunshine boy to yearn for a little midnight rain.

But just like his taut emotions, the sky would not - could not - rain. The tension from the strain was palpable in the air, not unlike the tension within himself, straining to hold in all the emotion and all the tears, hiding every part of his authentic self behind bloated dark clouds so he could remain the sunshine boy everyone wants him to be.

His eyes fluttered close, before opening them again to the sight of rushing water. Without warning, as if a gate had tumbled down, he was struck with the thought of what it would be like, what it would amount to if he could end it all at that moment, so he would never have to put on another act ever again.

He jumped…

…away from the bridge, and back to concrete ground. His body shook with fear at the potential he exposed himself to.

Slowly, with shaky breaths, he made his way back to his apartment with his palms clenched tight. He won this battle, but truth be told, he didn’t know how much fight he had left in him, or worse yet, the line between victory and defeat was blurring, and some days, when the heaviness was so pronounced, he didn’t know which side he wanted to be on.

Lightning flashed overhead, and at long last, the midnight rain he longed for poured itself down upon him. Immediate relief overwhelmed his senses, for he could finally allow salty tears to mingle with rainwater trailing down his cheeks.

Once upon a time, Takeru remembered cherishing hope like it was his greatest gift. He considered it a well-practiced trait, a superpower he perfected throughout the years. But now, it was a burden at best, an expectation he no longer wanted any part of. 

But still, old habits die hard, and during quiet moments like these when he’s left alone with the monsters in his head, he can’t help but give into the overwhelming desire to hope…but his hopes were now for a different purpose altogether.

All he wanted, all he hoped for was for others to see who he truly was, and ask him what he truly wanted, and not what they wanted of him. Because for once in his life, he hoped for a chance to peel off the sunny cloak of expectation, he hoped for no excuses to feel everything, and to cry as hard and as long as he wanted without the judgment of others.

He hoped to never be the sunshine boy again, for all he wanted was a lifetime of midnight rains.

[love-nakamura]

my wallet is bright yellow and has adventure time characters on it but oh well hahah

ive also been growing out my previously dyed hair for a while so actually just the ends are dyed all around:)

tags, if you want! :D hope I didnt double tag someones sideblog lol

@thegroundhogdidit @kimbapisnotsushi @charlythelee @morgendaemmerung89 @dnofsunshine @belatinysun @astrowaffles @grungeeuvu

Tag Game

Thank you for tagging me @nezu-mi

What to do? Do these two picrew Picrew 1 Picrew 2

My result:

I'm tagging: @sertrxlina @vixvaporub @shizukais @me-necesitas @fear-the-voices @isenpaikai @eradicatedd @k0wasu @miyaeto @oo-mi-ru-oo @yuujies @p-a-t-r-i-p

[mylifeisalieandididntknow]

for the writer ask meme! 1, 9, 27, 28

1. What font do you write in? Do you actually care or is that just the default setting?

Comic sans, comforta, arial, times new roman (mostly because of school), verdana and various gothic fonts. It depends on my mood mostly.

9. Do you believe in ghosts? This isn’t about writing I just wanna know

Yes. Been haunted for many years, moved houses and the haunting finally stopped... though that could also be because we left behind the one guy that kept giving my dad cursed things that he kept accepting. Hated that guy.

27. Who is the most stressful character you’ve ever written? Why?

It's a mix between Takeru Takaishi from Digimon adventure and Zuko for Avatar the last airbender. Tk because of his history, his parents divorce, the fighting and the separation from a sibling hit close to him despite my parents still being together I have had to live through so many arguments. Often turning domestic and having to protect my siblings or get into the middle of that...

Zuko because of the abuse from his father and his toxic way of viewing himself in his efforts to please his father. His abandoment from his mother, which I have experienced not in the usual way. But in the way that i was the parent instead of my mother, i had to care for my siblings, provide them the emotional support that my mother could not and even if she is acting as more of a mother now,,, it is not the same. i needed a mother as a child. i didn't need what was given to me as a child, and though she is trying now, it falls flat as she is trying to be more a friend than a mother.

28. Who is the most delightful character you’ve ever written? Why?

Honestly, despite the hardships of any of the characters, I enjoy them all. Because I can give them the comfort and love that they wish. I can provide them a safe haven, even as a major whumper and angst writer, I still just want them to have the love and care they wish for. Give them the comfort of having people to rely on, who will drop everything and look after them. Protect them. Love them despite everything else.

@dnofsunshine

[sluggybasson107]

5 songs I listen to 🎶

@tangledupblue thank you so much for the tag <33 I don’t think I have good music tastes but here are five songs I listened to during the past week:

Nightmare - Chiai Fujikawa

Monsters - Katie Sky

Hablando x Hablar - Alex Cuba

Marco Polo - The Relay Company

Let The Sparks Fly - Thousand Foot Krutch

Tagging: @weregarurumon @seventeenlovesthree @reliablejoukido @digitalworldbound @dnofsunshine @patamon @coachava

[dnofsunshine]

digimon secret santa exchange!

happy holidays and merry Christmas, @digitalworldbound i'm your secret santa for @digisecretsanta's gift exchange event! <3 i know you love 02, so i hope you enjoy 700 words of teenage takari being a chaotic duo~ (ft. older bros, yamato & taichi)

Or: Chaotic besties Hikari and Takeru have their older brothers wrapped around their fingers.

Thunk. Floosh.

Several seconds of silence ensued. Two pairs of eyes met, pooled with mirth and perhaps a little bit of regret. Takeru blew out a giggling sigh, which was a mistake on his part because it sent a puff of flour through the air.

Flour, which caked both of their faces. Because Hikari, in her attempt to measure the amount they needed for the cookie recipe she’d found online, had accidentally tipped the entire bowl, and now they were both covered in it.

And so was the kitchen counter. And the floor. 

“Oops,” Hikari whispered, although her expression threatened to break into a grin.

“Oops,” Takeru echoed with a tiny, held-back smile of his own.

“I don’t think that was supposed to happen,” Hikari said.

“...probably not.”

Hikari whisked her gaze around her kitchen, knowing that this mess was mostly her fault but finding it funnier than anything else. So when her composure broke and she finally began laughing, she couldn’t find it in herself to stop.

“You—you look ridiculous,” she gasped out as she doubled over in a fit of giggles.

“Me?” Takeru didn’t even sound offended—just equally entertained by their predicament as he, too, collapsed with laughter. “You look ridiculous! It’s in your hair!”

One of Hikari’s hands found the top of her head, making Takeru laugh harder because she’d only made it worse.

A doorknob jostled. Hikari and Takeru froze at the sound, meeting each other’s gaze again, and Hikari whispered in horror, “Uh oh.”

“We should hide.”

No sooner than Takeru suggested it did they follow through, but neither of them had time to find good hiding places—instead merely settling for ducking behind the counter—before the Yagami apartment door opened and two boys stopped in the entryway to remove their shoes.

“We’re back,” Taichi’s voice called, followed by the sound of shuffling. “There was a long l—oh. Where’d they go?”

“Gotta be here somewhere,” came Yamato’s voice. “Their shoes are still here.”

“Yeah, I see that. I have eyes.”

“Just making s—” Yamato stopped talking, and his footsteps came to a halt as well. Then, in a quieter voice: “...what the hell?”

Hikari bit her lip to keep her laughter at bay. She stayed hidden with Takeru as Taichi voiced his confusion about Yamato’s words, before probably seeing the kitchen for himself.

“Oh my god.”

Yeah. They were so screwed.

“What even happened in here?” Taichi went on. “How d—wait. Hikari, Takeru, I can see you.”

It was only when he stepped around the counter that Hikari started giggling hysterically again. She gave her brother what was supposed to be an guilty look—but, in all honesty, was more cheeky than anything—before drawing herself up to her full height.

“Hi, Nii-san,” Takeru said humbly to Yamato as he stood by Hikari’s side.

“What did you do?” Yamato asked.

“We were…” Hikari paused to scan the flour-covered kitchen with sheepish eyes. “...making cookies?”

Hook.

“Cookies,” Taichi echoed, deadpan.

“Uh huh,” Takeru said with a firm nod. “Cookies.”

Yamato gave Takeru a hopelessly fond look. “Kiddo. We told you we’d be back from the store to make dinner tonight.”

“I even recruited Yamato so Kaa-san wouldn’t kill us with her monstrous cooking,” Taichi added.

“But…” Hikari trailed off as she glanced at her best friend, who pouted. She took this as an opportunity to show off her best pout, too, aiming it at her older brother. “...we wanted something sweet.”

Line.

“Hikari. It’s like, four-thirty. We’re going to be cooking soon.”

“...and?”

Yamato and Taichi shared an exasperated look, which almost elicited another stray giggle from Hikari. Almost. She was still pouting, after all.

“Fine,” Yamato caved, surprisingly before Taichi. He sighed. “After dinner.”

Taichi’s expression turned sour. “Dude!”

“What? I can’t say ‘no’ to that face,” Yamato said and pointed at Takeru’s masterful puppy eyes.

Her brother, however, looked back at Hikari. Her pout deepened, and for a few seconds, Taichi stood strong. But only for a few seconds.

Sinker.

“Ugh, fine. Fine, we’ll make cookies after dinner,” Taichi relented with a sigh of his own. “Now help us clean up.”

Hikari’s pout disappeared in an instant, replaced by a grin.

She waited until both of their brothers’ backs were turned before she gave Takeru a victorious fistbump. 

[digiweek]

What comes after the school year ends and everyone has graduated? A yearbook.

We would like to appreciate those who have participated in Digiweek 2022, whether they participate every single day or only one day. Thank you for walking with us for the second year and, most importantly, to keep the fandom alive. We hope to see you around after a nice break!

@ahiddenpath · @ashandpikachu · @artful-browniebites @bacomon-art-blog · @bettertasting · @beepsbees · @bokura-no-digital-world @ceruleanmusings · @claw-the-somewhat-disapointing @darkened-storm · @demonoflight · @digimental-up · @digitalgate02 · @digitalworldbound · @dnofsunshine @earlgreymon @golemskullz @hallowed-nebulae · @himetsundere @jillz-precious-tearz · @johtotraveler @kiwizoom · @kyria-nico @lemon-pear @mewbimin7 @noctilucentstorm · @neorukixart · @not-too-many-eyes @patamon · @piedrpiper · @piracytheorist · @pumpkijuice @rachie102187-blog · @reliablejoukido · @ri-ships-takari · @rockthistowninsideout @seventeenlovesthree · @sloanerisette · @sluggybasson107 · @sorasfishing · @stoppingtosmelltheflowers · @stuckinthewrongworld · @sznmjun @tangledupblue · @the-east-art · @timelessanimo @uniarycode · @uzunotegaki @vidramon @wool-string

You can check submissions from every participant by visiting their blog directly or accessing the tag #@[username] on Digiweek’s blog as we have tagged each submission with the original poster’s username. If you want to check out certain characters or relationships, we have also updated our tags page!

And don’t forget we’re still doing the post-event survey. Your opinions are important to us.

Kindly note that we only include those who post within June 26, 00:00 GMT+14 (the easternmost time zone) until August 1, 23:59 GMT-11 (the westernmost time zone). We also understand that there might be blogs owned by the same person. However, we consider one blog equal to one participant as it is easier for us to track.

[kagehinafromtheconcrete]

afterglow || snow day (fictober day 08)

fandom: haikyuu!! pairing: kagehina fic summary: Kageyama has learned a lot of things since befriending Hinata Shouyou. Things about Hinata, things about himself. How to open up. How to be vulnerable. How to love. And Hinata? Hinata learns more about Kageyama than he ever thought he would. First-year Kagehina/Hinakage drabble collection ft. the rest of Karasuno, written for sarahenany. Slowly working through the remaining Fictober 2022 prompts! fictober day 8: "do you remember?" by @fictober-event ch summary: School is canceled due to the snowy weather. Hinata bikes into town and shows up at Kageyama's house anyway.

entire drabble below. :) find the whole collection: ao3 // tumblr

“Whoa, it really snowed a ton,” Hinata exclaimed into the phone, panting. “No wonder they canceled school before it even started yesterday.”

Kageyama winced at the loud volume of his voice, although he didn’t know what he expected. Of course Hinata would be wide-awake at—at whatever time it was. Kageyama, personally, had decided to sleep in until his phone started ringing.

“You called me to tell me it snowed?” he grumbled, rubbing an eye. “I coulda looked out the window, idiot.”

“Wow, ok, you’re an idiot,” Hinata shot back. “We don’t have to sit through boring classes! Where’s your excitement?”

“I’m too tired for that shit. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t hang up so I can go back to sleep.”

This time, Hinata chuckled nervously. “Well, um… I’m kind of at your door, so…”

Kageyama shot upright, eyes blowing wide. “You’re what? ”

“I’m at your door,” Hinata repeated, slower, his words tinged with more nervous laughter. “...can I come in?”

For a moment, Kageyama’s sleep-clogged brain failed to register Hinata’s request. He just sat there with dinner plate eyes, mouth hanging open, struggling to process his words. 

Hinata. Hinata willingly came over, on their spontaneous day off from school. And now he was at his door. For what reason? It snowed enough to cancel the whole day of classes, not to mention volleyball practice, and this idiot had left his house—a house that sat on a damn mountain—and how did he even get here? On foot?

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Kageyama burst out finally, throwing himself out of his bed. “It’s gotta be freezing outside and you’re—did you bike here?”

“Uh,” Hinata fumbled, and the silence that followed was enough of an answer for Kageyama.

“You idiot,” he went on, and it didn’t matter that he was only in pajamas because moronic Hinata was at his door, had ridden his bike in the snow, and something about those facts had him rushing to let Hinata in.

“Hi,” Hinata said meekly when he finally reached and opened the door.

Kageyama nearly dropped his phone.

Hair damp, nose pink, and the shell of his coat dripping, Hinata looked like he’d been caught in the rain. His bike lay on its side, discarded in the yard, and a glance down at his shoes showed Kageyama that they were soaked.

“Oh my god, get in here, you moron,” Kageyama hissed, yanking him by the arm immediately. “Are you stupid? It’s freezing outs— you’re freezing!” 

“Yeah… I realized that riding my bike probably wasn’t very smart,” Hinata said nervously, looking down at his shoes as he removed them slowly. “I slid on the ice a few times, so… I got all wet from the snow…”

“What were you thinking?” Kageyama said as he closed the door. “You could get sick! You could’ve been hurt—did you get hurt? You didn’t scrape yourself up, did you? We have a game next week!”

“I know, it was pretty stupid,” Hinata said. “And impulsive. I just… Natsu and Kaa-san were held up because of the snow, and the buses aren’t running, and… and I wanted to see you, I guess.”

Kageyama’s rant withered in his throat, and his mouth snapped shut. What did he say to that? His brain blanked on him as he stared at Hinata’s sheepish but genuine expression, once again failing to come up with the right words to respond.

“Oh,” was all that came out, faint and inexplicably breathless, when his voice finally decided to work again.

But then he saw the way Hinata’s lip quivered, and everything came back online in an instant. He tugged at Hinata’s gloved hand—what was the point of wearing them if they were wet?—and dragged him along as he marched off to his bedroom.

“Wha—where are we going?” Hinata squeaked. “What’re you… what’re you doing?”

“You have to get those wet clothes and get warm, dumbass,” Kageyama told him because, hello, wasn’t it obvious? “You’re going to get sick.”

When they reached Kageyama’s bedroom, he released Hinata to dig through his dresser for something even a little small for Hinata to wear. He wasn’t very successful—all he had was old clothes from middle school, but he ultimately decided Hinata in clothes too large for him was better than a sick Hinata, right?

“I’m sorry,” Hinata said sheepishly. “For, um. For intruding…”

“That’s not—” Kageyama stopped, trying to collect himself. He wasn’t trying to yell. “That’s not the point. You could come over at any time and I wouldn’t care, I just don’t want you getting sick!”

Hinata looked up at him, then, his eyes now blown wide in surprise. “Huh?”

“Do you remember?” he went on. “We have to be careful with ourselves, for volleyball! You can’t play if you’re hurt.”

Hinata blinked a few times but didn’t respond. Instead, he just stared up at Kageyama as if he’d just revealed the secret to getting good grades in school or something.

Then, eventually: “Do… do you mean that?”

“Mean what?”

“I can… come over whenever,” Hinata echoed, with a slow-growing smile. “And you wouldn’t mind?”

“I—”

Kageyama stopped himself again, because yeah, he totally did say that. And as his brain finally caught up with his mouth, heat ascended up his neck and across his cheeks. His gaze darted immediately to his socks, embarrassed.

“Well, you’re the only person who comes over besides when Nee-san visits, so,” he said, and then one of his hands found its way into his hair, as if moving would get rid of the sudden nervous energy that flooded through him. “It’s—it’s not like it bothers me.”

“It doesn’t?”

“N…not really, no.”

In fact, Hinata’s company was… pleasant, in a way he didn’t expect at all. He’d never been invited to other people’s houses before attending Karasuno, much less invited others to his own house. The only other time he’d gone to someone’s house other than Hinata’s was when they studied at Yachi’s place.

Was it like that for everyone? Did people just enjoy the company of their friends, or… or did it have to be a specific someone? Kageyama didn’t know. He wasn’t good at this whole people thing.

(He wrinkled his nose at the thought of inviting someone like Tsukishima over.)

“I like visiting you,” Hinata told him abruptly, and when Kageyama lifted his gaze, he saw the wide smile stretched across Hinata’s face. “It’s fun.”

“I don’t—” Kageyama shifted awkwardly, uncertain of how to take that. Was it a compliment? “I don’t really do anything special, though.”

“Well, even if we don’t do anything, it’s fun spending time with you,” Hinata said. “I like y—um, I like your company.”

If possible, Kageyama’s face grew even hotter. He looked away again, just because he wasn’t sure if he could handle looking at that bright smile of his. 

“I…”

He, what? He didn’t know how to put his thoughts into words. 

“Just, um, just get into dry clothes,” came out instead, turning away because—because Hinata needed privacy to change. Yeah. “Then we can, um. Do something together, maybe.”

“Do something?” Hinata said, still wondering. "And you wouldn't mind? It doesn't bother you to hang out?"

“Sh—shut up! I wouldn't—um. I wouldn't... mind."

Of course I wouldn't mind. Of course I want to do something with you.

“I did bring my Switch and our game! Nice and dry in my bag.”

“At least you’re capable of taking care of something.”

“Hey! I’m good at taking care of things,” Hinata defended. “I’m an amazing older brother, just so you know.”

Yes, I know. “Mm. Yeah.”

“Just ask Natsu!” And then, playfully: “You wouldn’t know what it’s like being an older brother because you’re the younger sibling.”

“Wha—why does that even matter, you dumbass?!”

He turned around just in time to see Hinata pull his shirt—Kageyama’s shirt—over his head, and when it fell over his chest, twice his size, he grinned up at him. His bedroom light wasn’t on but Hinata seemed to glow in the dimness anyway: a piece of the sun itself, wedged into the body of one tiny person, shining bright just for Kageyama.

And in that realization, he found his answer to his earlier question:

Nobody was like Hinata. Nobody smiled like him, and nobody’s company felt the same. Hinata Shouyou was in a league of his own, and nobody else compared.

[haikyuuprettysettersquad]

um heey! just wanted to drop by and ask if you had any kagehina fic recs? need a dose of kagehina i miss them

thanks : )

I finally got around to reading and reviewing a few! I've mostly read stuff from the past months since I feel like the most popular 'old' fics are already pretty well-known!! Soooo without further ado here we goooo!!

On Cold Nights by dnofsunshine 1.5k words I love short fics because my attention span is not what it used to be, so this one is amazing! Short and sweet and canon kagehina are always a good combination :)

it’s a platinum by akaashism 3.8k words Ever since the timeskip there have been so many funny social media au’s and this one is just so!!!! So incredibly!!!!!! Lmao

incipience by reminiscene 10.8k words GOD I love oblivious kageyama and this one takes it to the next fucking level! There is smut in here so if you don’t like that don’t read this one. It takes place after the timeskip so it’s all good :)

To summit a mountain by TroglodyteMonologue (@troglodytemonologue) 4.5k words Our boys all grown up and yet with such a long way to go! Exploring their future and what it means to them to be partners in a cute Olympics fic (also there’s more proposals (to come) in this series!! Bokuaka are next!!!!!)!

i'm not sure what this means, this ache in my chest (but i know you're the cause of it, every single time) - starbooms 5.3k words THEY ARE SO STUPID and I love how they share one braincell and want to confess to each other 0.1 second after they find out they like each other

I know these fics are all quite short and I wish I had time to read longer fics but for now this is all I have in me lol! As always rec your own favourite fics below and happy readinggg!!! (and thanks for the ask ily)

[digitalworldbound]

takari week, day one

it’s my favorite week of the year! this story was inspired by @dnofsunshine ‘s headcanons! (specifically, the ones where takeru and hikari steal borrow their brother’s sweatshirts)

sharing sweatshirts

characters: takeru x hikari

summary: hikari covets takeru’s ratty sweatshirt, and will do anything to ensure that she is the one that wears it next. 

also on AO3 and FFN

It had been a chilly Wednesday when Takeru swiped his older brother’s sweatshirt. The sleeves were slightly too long, the image too faded to make out. As Takeru slipped it over his head, the familiar scent of his brother’s cologne washed over him. 

That particular Wednesday, he had forgotten his jacket at home. His alarm clock had snoozed itself, he insisted. The wind of bitter January cocooned him inside until the last possible second. Takeru had no choice but to brave the trek to school with his uniform shirt half-buttoned, shivering from the left-over snow that muddled the sidewalks. 

Coincidentally - fatefully, perhaps? - Yamato had also been running late, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he walked leisurely onto the school  ground. Just as Takeru turned the corner towards Odaiba Middle School, Yamato snatched him by the scruff of his collar, ignoring the younger boy’s surprised yelp. 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Takeru didn’t even bother to turn around, the look of disdain on his brother’s had been ingrained in his memory long ago. “I think that I’m doing a good job at not telling mom about how you suck down a pack a day.”

Yamato mumbled a curse underneath his breath, releasing Takeru from his grip. A snicker fell from Takeru’s lips before an involuntary shiver crawled down his back. 

“You’re going to freeze without a jacket, Takeru.” Yamato sighed as he slung his backpack from his shoulder, his breath erupting in a small cloud against the chilly air. Homework assignments were shoved to the side as he rummaged around, a small sound of victory erupting into the cold air as the sweatshirt crumpled in his grasp. 

With a parting hug, Takeru was off, sweatshirt in clutch.

Now, months later, the sweatshirt had been made a staple of Takaishi Takeru’s wardrobe. A hole had been worn into one of the elbows, a sauce stain decorated the collar. It was as if the sweatshirt had always been a part of him; a piece of cotton had never been more comforting. 

As always, Yagami Hikari was on the same wavelength.

-

The sakura petals had been replaced by the budding greens of spring, Hikari’s wispy brown hair fluttering around her face. 

"You know," she began on their walk home, "I thought the weather would have warmed up by now."

With his brother's sweatshirt tugged over a starched uniform shirt, Takeru merely shrugged. He was far too engrossed in the dappling sunshine that decorated their path to notice Hikari's well-placed shiver. She eyed his outwear with intent, determined to coax it from Takeru's shoulders and onto her own. Briefly, she wondered what it smelled like. Would it smell like the clean linen her own mother was obsessed with? Or would it remind her of the oceanside, with a hint of sea salt and fresh air? Perhaps it would smell like something else altogether. Regardless, Hikari upped the theatrics in hopes of being rewarded. 

Even as her teeth chattered, Takeru seemed none the wiser, content with the light breeze that ruffled through the trees. Hikari gave up, turning the conversation towards an upcoming basketball game, thoroughly capturing Takeru's attention. 

Afterwards, as she sat alone in her bedroom, Hikari devised a plan. Through careful deliberation and subtle distraction, Takeru would be more than willing to share his warmth with her. Within the month, the sweatshirt was bound to be in her possession. 

She reviewed her thoughts with Miyako, heads huddled close together over the kitchen table. With their combined intelligence, Hikari was confident that they could crack the code of understanding the things that made Takaishi Takeru tick.

Once he caught wind of boy troubles, Taichi had tried to pry into their whispered conversations, but to no avail.  If his sister had learned anything from him, it was the ability to keep all personal matters under wraps until it was absolutely necessary to share. 

Spring was in full bloom the day Hikari approached Takeru's homeroom class. It was lunch period, the hallway bustling with students visiting their friends or gossiping in the small nooks and crannies they managed to find.

Typically, Hikari would sit with other girls in her own homeroom class, swapping bits of lunch for sweets or finishing up last minute homework assignments. 

Budding leaves scraped at the windows, fluffy clouds adorning the effervescent sky. Clear weather was a good omen, Hikari decided. 

She offered her friends a flimsy excuse before darting out of the room, bento in clutch. The world was still dark when she had woken up that morning to prepare her meal, going as far to cut the sausage into the shape of an octopus, an effort Takeru was sure to appreciate.

The moment Hikari stood in the threshold of another classroom, nearly every pair of eyes gazed at her in curiosity. 

She had known most of these people since she had been in elementary school, but this was the first time she had brought lunch to a classroom that wasn't her own.

Takeru's blond head was settled towards the back, his attention too focused on the book in his lap to notice her arrival.

"Yagami-san!" A boy cried. With brown hair that flopped in his face and wide, excited eyes, he reminded Hikari of a puppy. His name was just on the tip of her tongue, a half-hearted smile twisting at her lips just as Takeru glanced up. 

Hikari pretended that his shocked expression didn't sting. 

The boy in front of her didn't seem to notice Hikari's divided attention, touching her shoulder lightly until she pulled away.

"Nice talking with you," she managed, stepping out from his grip as he was mid-sentence. A part of her wanted to feel guilty for cutting him off, but the way Takeru shut his book, made the effort to turn his desk around to make room for her, was worth a little heartache. 

Fingers shaking around the strap of her lunch bag, Hikari plastered on a pleasing smile. 

"What brings you here during lunch? Is something wrong with the Digital World?" Takeru's eyebrows had bunched together, voice low. Hikari sat delicately in the desk Takeru maneuvered in front of his own, her jaw tense.  His cerulean eyes bore into her own, straight forward and determined. 

"Does something have to be wrong for me to sit here?"

His eyebrows relaxed, confusion tilting them upwards. "It's just… why else would you sit here?"

All boys are the same, Hikari thought ruefully. A singular eyelid twitched in annoyance. 

Instead of replying, she unpacked her bento, ignoring Takeru's questioning stare. 

"The weather is lovely today," she commented, spearing her rice forcefully with chopsticks. If he noticed the little grains that flew free, Takeru was too kind to comment, picking at his own meager meal with disinterest.

Silence stretched between them, the hushed conversations of the other students washing over their awkward glances. An octopus sausage smiled up at Hikari. “Here,” Hikari thrust the sausage onto Takeru’s rice, her chopsticks nearly shaking. 

“Cool.” He smiled. In one bite, the octopus sausage disappeared. Hikari fought the urge to roll her eyes, breathing out her nose. The silence grew uncomfortable, the sounds of them chewing overcoming any attempt at conversation. 

“So,” Takeru managed between bites, “Are you sure there wasn’t a reason you wanted to eat lunch with me?” 

With his blue eyes focused intensely on her face, Hikari found it hard to breathe. It wasn’t fair, she thought. It wasn’t fair that while Takeru took her breath away with a single glance, he sat unaffected a mere arm’s length away. 

A sigh escaped Hikari’s pink lips, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she packed up the remainder of her lunch, wiping any remaining rice from her borrowed desk with the sweep of an arm. “Yeah, I just wanted to chat with a friend.”

Her teeth clenched to the inside of her cheek, disappointment bubbling in the pit of her stomach. 

Takeru’s chopsticks stopped midair. “Oh, okay. Do you still want to walk home together?”

A curt nod was his only response before Hikari took off, weaving through the bodies of incoming students, anxious to get away. 

The sting of rejection settled in the pit of her stomach, though Hikari wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as if she had asked for the sweatshirt outright; Takeru had never denied her anything. If she asked him, he would be sure to hand it over. 

Realization washed over Hikari, taking the embarrassment and shame with it. She didn’t want Takeru to give the sweatshirt to her out of obligation; she wanted him to offer it because he wanted her to have it. 

-

By the end of the week, Hikari had nearly given up hope. Takeru - intuitive, charming Takeru - was more dense than the basketball he carried around with him most days. After the failed lunch approach, an air of restless tension had settled between them. 

Despite Hikari's desire to have something of Takeru’s -  to be the one he chose to share his sweatshirt with - she wasn’t willing to risk their friendship. 

They continued to walk home together, though their conversations had no longer flowed freely. The hairs on Hikari’s neck stood on end constantly. It was almost as if she could feel Takeru looking at her out of the corner of his eyes. A few times, she attempted to catch him in the act, if only to provide her with something to tease him about. 

As always, he was too quick, eyes darting away at the last possible second. 

Miyako had assured Hikari that it was normal for boys to be stupid. “Plus,” the older girl added, tucking a stray piece of lavender hair behind her ear, “It’s not like it’s possible for him to have feelings for someone else. I mean, you both have known each other since forever.” 

She lounged across Hikari’s comforter, a reassuring smile doing little to ease any anxiety. 

Hikari folded her clean laundry on the floor, organizing the clothes by type. Her hands ran on autopilot, mind focused elsewhere. The tension between her and Takeru’s friendship had nearly reached a boiling point. Outside, the sun shone mockingly through spring’s first leaves. 

Miyako rambled on about other things, talking herself in circles until her voice faded to a dull buzz into the background. Hikari’s eyes glazed over as her attention swayed.

Visions of her and Takeru, chubby-cheeked and toothless, playing hide-and-seek against their brothers flitted in her mind’s eye. They had begged their brothers all day to play with them. Taichi and Yamato had grumbled over their video game controllers, waving them away between levels. They had yet to understand how persistent their siblings could be; Takeru and Hikari had learned early on to never give up without a fight. Eventually, Taichi turned around, his grin mischievous and wide. 

“I’ll give you ten seconds to hide until Yamato and I hunt you down.” 

Takeru gasped, eyes shining with excitement. Before Taichi could start counting, Takeru’s little hand slipped into her own, pulling her across the apartment. 

Hikari allowed herself to be tugged along, enjoying the prospect of a game. Takeru maneuvered himself into her cramped closet, shoving aside stuffed animals and shiny dress shoes that pinched Hikari’s toes before he patted the miniscule space beside him with a toothy grin. 

“We can hide together,” he whispered.

Squished side by side, the pair waited for their brothers to find them, stifling giggles behind grubby hands. 

Taichi and Yamato had found them curled up together, light snores giving them away as soon as their brothers remembered to look for their siblings hours later.

Hikari smiled softly to herself, fingers curling around whichever article of clothing was in her grasp. 

“What’s gotten into you? D’you finally realize that I’m right?” Miyako’s haughty grin snapped Hikari from her reprieve. 

Wispy baby hairs flung free as Hikari vehemently shook her head. “I was just thinking, that's all.”

It was a weak excuse. The heat that rose to Hikari’s cheeks was a dead giveaway, the bed groaning as Miyako sat up straight. 

The lenses of the older girl’s glasses glinted deviously in the light. “Oh? Is that why you’re gripping that sweatshirt as if your life depends on it? A sweatshirt that belongs to your brother, none-the-less? I was under the assumption that a gift from Onii-chan was a gift to be cherished.” 

Hikari blinked dumbly, finally registering the item in her white-knuckled grip. Though weathered at the seams, the sweatshirt had belonged to her brother when he was in middle school. Even now, the Odaiba Middle School Soccer Club emblem was easy to make out, despite the faded coloring. He had given it to her once his broad shoulders grew out of it. 

An idea sparked in Hikari's mind, her eyes glittering with confidence. "Miyako," she began, hastily putting away the rest of the laundry, "I think you're right. You always seem to know exactly what to say."

Miyako merely shrugged before continuing her thoughts . “So, as I was saying…”

-

Hikari decided to give Takeru some time to himself. Her new - and greatly improved - plan was dependent on a little bit of distance. After all, wasn't that what made the heart grow fonder? 

As summer break approached with a startling intensity, Hikari had busied herself with after school club duties. In the midst of her photography club requirements, walking home with Takeru was no longer an option. 

At first, his evident hurt had been difficult to manage. 

"Are you mad at me, or something?" He questioned once Hikari had stopped meeting him at the school gate. While she did her best to comfort him, his eyes had refused to meet hers for the rest of the conversation.

"It's just a boy thing. He'll get over it," Miyako assured. 

With Taichi's sweatshirt balled up at the bottom of her bookbag, it wouldn't take much longer for her plan to come to fruition. 

Before summertime could fully unfurl its wings, a cold front rolled in, bringing dark, gray clouds along. The pitter-patter of rain had done away with most of the club meetings, students buzzing with excitement about the prospect of going home early. 

After the final bell rang, Hikari hastily gathered her things, pulling her brother’s sweatshirt from its depths, shrugging it on over her uniform. 

Aside from a few questioning glances, her classmates didn’t comment on her attire as she hurriedly made her escape.

She glanced out the windows as her pace quickened, heart palpitating once Takeru’s blond hair came into view. With basketball season nearing a close, Takeru’s afternoons were free from obligation.

A blue umbrella shielded him from the onslaught of rain, reminding Hikari to coincidentally forget hers in the hopes that they could share. Hikari wasted no time in toeing off her school shoes, cramming her feet into her sneakers haphazardly so that she could catch up with her friend.

“Hey,” she breathed, embarrassingly out of breath from minimal physical exertion. 

Takeru glanced up, surprise etched into his brow. “Has the Yagami Hikari chosen to grace me with her presence today?” 

Though his cerulean eyes glittered with mischievousness, a flicker of doubt cinched the corners of his mouth - a flicker of doubt that Hikari was responsible for.  His knuckles tightened around the pole of his umbrella.

Her heart sank for a moment before she plastered a grin across her face.  “Photography club  has kept me so busy, I’m sorry. How has the basketball season been so far?” 

“Good, I guess. I scored the winning basket the other night, actually.” For a moment, Takeru’s smile brightened, but as he met Hikari’s gaze, the light in his eyes dimmed. “I looked for you in the crowd, but I take it that you weren’t able to come.”

Truthfully, in the midst of her busy schedule and efforts to give Takeru space, Hikari had completely forgotten about any basketball games. Instead of offering him a weak excuse that he would immediately see through, Hikari remained silent. Around them, the rain continued to fall, puddles forming in their path. 

Water dripped down the sides of Hikari’s face, her hair hanging limply, sweatshirt stained a dark gray. Wordlessly, Takeru held out his umbrella, offering her the spot next to him, their shoulders touching. Heat seemed to radiate from the parts of his arm the Hikari was pressed against, the chill of rain held at bay. 

“How is the soccer team doing this year?” 

Takeru kept his eyes downcast, feigning interest in the mud that flaked on his shoes. Their pace slowed, Takeru’s knuckles white. 

“I haven’t been to one of Onii-chan’s games in a while; school has kept me busy.” 

Without preamble, Takeru stopped, an incredulous look painted across his features. “What are you talking about?” 

They had stopped in the middle of a puddle, water seeping through the soles of Hikari’s shoes. Her socks were damp, the look in Takeru’s eyes making her uncomfortable. “What are you talking about?”

He gestured vaguely in her direction, the umbrella teetering in his grasp, a stream of rain seeping into the fabric over her arm. “Well, unless you’ve joined the soccer team, the only way you could have that sweatshirt is if you had a reason to go to the games.”

“A reason?” Hikari questioned, confusion mounting. It wasn’t like Takeru to press her so directly, for his cheeks to darken while talking about mundane activities. 

He regained control of the umbrella, running his free hand through his damped hair. The clouds clung together as if they were scared of what Takeru had to say next. 

After a beat of silence, he squared his shoulders, cerulean eyes boring into Hikari’s brown ones. 

“Is it Daisuke?”

His free hand balled itself into a fist, mouth set in a straight line. Hikari almost reached out to sooth the crease in his brow, but his agitation had her on edge. When it became clear that Hikari wouldn’t - couldn’t - respond, Takeru tried again.

“Are you wearing Daisuke’s sweatshirt?” 

Hikari wanted to laugh. Takeru had gotten himself upset over the thought of her wearing Daisuke’s clothes. The vision of Takeru working himself up over her was flattering, but the  accusation was so absurd that it coaxed a flush to her cheeks. 

Takeru had grown frustrated in Hikari’s silence, his teeth digging into the flesh of his bottom lip. Before he could turn away, Hikari’s hand latched onto his shoulder, marveling briefly at how sturdy he felt beneath her touch.

“It’s not Daisuke’s.” Underneath her grasp, Takeru relaxed. “It’s not anyone’s, really. I just…”

Her voice trailed off , the sound of falling rain obscuring her shaky exhale. 

Takeru uncurled his free hand, cautiously placing it over where Hikari’s still rested. He eyed her gently, a quick squeeze of her fingers urging her to explain further. 

“I just wanted to make you jealous.” Her admission fell between them haphazardly, threatening to take Hikari down with it. Reflexively, she closed her eyes before mustering up any ounce of courage she had left. “I wanted to wear your sweatshirt. This,” she motioned towards her attire, “Was my last effort. If I hurt you at all, I’m so, so sorry.”

Despite Hikari’s heart pounding in her ears, the rainfall had yet to cease. The rumbling of thunder was hardly discernible above the sound of her breathing, her eyelids still squeezed shut. 

Takeru’s hand still held hers tenderly above his shoulder. A breathy laugh hardly registered in her ears before he intertwined their fingers. 

“Hikari, look at me.”

Without question, her eyes fluttered open. The heat had yet to reside from Hikari’s cheeks, her gaze set firmly on the way Takeru’s fingers encased her own. 

He took a tentative step forward, carefully maneuvering the umbrella over their heads. “You know,” Takeru chuckled, “You could have just asked for it.”

Exasperation tensed in Hikari’s shoulder, forgetting her earlier anxieties. “That wasn’t the point, Takeru. The point was for you to offer it to me, like a gentleman should.” 

“Me? A gentleman? I better get you home; the cold weather has gone to your head. With your cheeks that pink, you’re probably coming down with a fever.”

Hikari could only gape at him, annoyance twinging as she curled her toes in her damp socks. Takeru laughed, his eyes bright and shining. He gave her hand another squeeze before he continued walking, tugging her along. 

“I’ll make you a deal,” he offered. The brunette merely raised a brow, not trusting her voice to be steady enough to speak. His hand was warm against her numb fingertips. Their palms slotted together in a way that felt so natural that any residual tension melted away from Hikari’s frame.

“Your sweatshirt is soaked. How about I give you mine when I walk you home so that you have something warm to change into?”

Hikari tightened her grip on his hand, a smile tugging at her cheeks. 

“Besides,” Takeru continued, “Soccer is dumb sport to support, anyways.”

“Well, at least my sweatshirt doesn’t have a spaghetti stain on the front.”

Takeru feigned hurt, eyes wide with mischief. “And here I was thinking that you actually knew me. I will have you know, Hikari , that I am a man of culture. The little dab of red you so affectionately pointed out is the remnants of Yamato’s first successful curry attempt. I wear it with pride.”

Hikari rolled her eyes as soon as Takeru’s back was turned, eager to finally claim her prize.