Archive of Our Own

When Byakuya sent out a group text requesting everyone's presence at dinner, Makoto didn't know what to expect. His first thought was that it was work-related. Even though they held mid-morning meetings on a daily basis, something might have popped up afterwards that couldn't wait until their next one. Though, if that was the case, surely Byakuya would have mentioned what the issue was in his initial text.

Regardless, for whatever reason, Byakuya desired everyone's attendance at dinner. Makoto arrived at the cafeteria before the due time. Most of the people there were construction workers and their families, but Makoto spotted his friends and sister at one of the tables. He grabbed himself some salmon sushi rice from the serving counter before joining them.

“That just leaves Togami-chi and Fukawa-chi left to turn up,” said Yasuhiro as Makoto sat down.

“You'd think Togami would have been here first. He's the one that called us here,” remarked Aoi.

“What do you think he wants to talk about?” asked Komaru.

Makoto scrunched his nose in thought. While he considered Byakuya one of his closest friends, there was still so much about him that eluded Makoto. He knew Byakuya's favourite genres of books, how he liked his coffee and a summary of his childhood. They had survived the world almost ending together and saw each other everyday.

Yet, Makoto struggled to read Byakuya's smirks and furrowed brows, and he couldn't always understand what Byakuya was thinking, even when Byakuya told him. Byakuya seemed to operate on a whole other wave length to Makoto. In ways, he was like the Sun. Despite how regularly he was in Makoto's presence, he still blinded Makoto whenever Makoto tried to look at him for too long.

“It's obvious why Togami-chi wanted us all here,” said Yasuhiro, folding his arms over his chest. He looked unusually serious.

“Oh?” said Kyouko, eyebrows rising.

Yasuhiro nodded, then punched the table. Everyone apart from Kyouko jumped. He lifted his hand and extended his index finger, waggling it. 

“... Togami-chi's finally going to tell us he's dating Fukawa-chi!”

Makoto's head jerked back. Only Yasuhiro could state something so preposterous with such a straight face. As much as Touko was head over heels for Byakuya, he was as receptive to her advances as a brick wall. Fortunately for Yasuhiro, Byakuya wasn’t there to hear him. Even if Yasuhiro had meant it as a joke, Makoto couldn't imagine Byakuya seeing the funny side. The only times Byakuya found anything romantic amusing was when he was making fun of other people for it.

Whatever Byakuya’s reason for calling them here had to be something serious.

“Don't be ridiculous,” Komaru told Yasuhiro.

“Yeah,” said Makoto. “Togami-kun doesn't - ”

“- Togami-san's way too shy to do that,” finished Komaru.

The rest of Makoto's sentence evaporated like the steam from his cup of tea. Like Yasuhiro, Komaru seemed entirely earnest despite the absurdity of what she said. ‘Shy’ was one of the last words that Makoto would have used to describe Byakuya. More importantly, though...

“... They aren't dating,” said Makoto, frowning.

He expected the others to nod their heads and chorus their agreement, but instead they exchanged bemused glances.

“You're kidding, right?” asked Aoi.

“I think he's being sincere,” said Kyouko.

Makoto squinted. “What are you guys talking about? Those two can't be dating.”

According to Byakuya, Togamis didn't date. They had no interest in swapping saliva, or being emotionally dependent on another human being, or whatever it was that dating involved. Togamis weren't weak. Also, surely Makoto would have noticed if they were a couple. Touko would have been screaming about their relationship status from the rooftops. Not only that, Makoto would have seen them hold hands or kiss or something. Anything.

Yasuhiro gave him a pitying look, like a parent about to reveal to their child that Santa Claus didn't really exist. “It's pretty obvious.”

“How?” Makoto looked around at them. “They’ve been acting like they usually do.”

If anything, Touko was spending less time with Byakuya than she had before, now that she had Komaru to hang out with as well. Just the other night, Touko had been over at his place making friendship bracelets with his sister. Anyway, whenever he had seen Touko and Byakuya together, they were their usual selves. Touko hovered around Byakuya. Byakuya told Touko to have some breath mints. That sort of thing.

“Oh, Naegi-chi,” said Yasuhiro, shaking his head. “Trust me, bro. They’re totally dating. Why, just the other day...”

***

“I had just done a crystal ball reading for one of the construction workers and earned myself five thousand yen. Yeah, I know, that’s really cheap for one session, but the guy told me once his next paycheck came in, he’ll for sure ask me for another. He’ll probably tell his friends too, so that’s more business for me. To celebrate, I decided I’d treat myself to a soda and some crisps from the vending machines by the science building.

Only... when I put my coins in, the machine ate my money. I tried everything to get them out. I put more money in. I shook it. I prayed. I argued with it. Nothing worked, so I went to the staff room to fetch a key to unlock the machine to get back my hard-earned money, but get this... as I entered, I saw Togami-chi and Fukawa-chi. Together. Standing real close. Togami-chi stepped back sharply and asked why I barged in. After I explained my dilemma, he took out his wallet, stuffed some coins into my hand, and told me to get out.”

***

“So you see, Naegi-chi, they are totally dating,” said Yasuhiro. He picked up his fork, ate some sushi, then wagged his utensil. “I walked in on them, and then Togami-chi got embarrassed and shooed me out.”

Makoto stroked his chin. He had no reason to doubt Yasuhiro's story. The beginning was very believable, and he could even accept that Yasuhiro had interrupted Byakuya and Touko. Despite all this, though, Makoto wasn't convinced.

“Did you see them actually kissing?” asked Makoto.

Yasuhiro, about to shove a forkful of rice into his mouth, hesitated.

“Well... I can’t say for sure...”

“To me, it sounds like they were having a conversation and you startled them,” Makoto pointed out. “That’s not conclusive evidence of them dating.”

Even if they had been on kissing terms, they wouldn't have chosen the staffroom for the location. They would have been somewhere more secluded, away from possible intrusions. While Touko was open about showing her affection toward Byakuya, someone like him would have wanted to keep such an activity private. Not because he was ‘shy’, as Komaru put it, but because he wouldn't want anyone to see him doing something he had claimed was beneath him.

If they had been kissing, anyway. Which it sounded like they weren't.

Aoi sat up straight.

“Hagakure’s story might not be foolproof, but mine is,” she said. “This happened just the other week...”

***

“After I finished my usual morning routine at the pool, I went to get changed and checked my phone. Normally, it would be about seven a.m by then, but I had somehow completed my six K a whole half hour quicker than ever before. At first I thought my phone had frozen and was showing the wrong time, but nope. The clock in the entrance hall said the same. I could have run a circuit of the school, screaming with joy, but I managed to restrain myself and decided to celebrate another way.

One of my sports idols would have some toast with peanut butter as a pre-breakfast snack, so I figured I’d have some donuts with peanut butter glazing. Ooh, I’m drooling just thinking about it. The cafeteria was open but they don’t serve them for some reason, but luckily I had everything I needed back at my place. It was just as I was about to go inside my apartment when I saw it... or should I say, ‘Togami’. He was coming out of Touko-chan’s apartment! I asked him why he was there, and he went red and said he had just popped over to return a book. But at almost seven in the morning?”

***

Aoi hit the table with one hand, her other whipping up to point at Makoto. The corners of her lips curled upward in victory. Makoto had to admit that Aoi’s story put forth a stronger case than Yasuhiro's. Touko's apartment would offer the two more privacy than the staff room.

However, Aoi's very own words explained the incident.

“It's as you said. Togami-kun was returning a book to her,” said Makoto.

“At seven in the morning?”

Makoto shrugged. “Why not? It gets it out of the way, and Fukawa-san doesn't have to carry around a book all day.”

Touko lending Byakuya a book wasn't inconceivable. They both shared an interest in reading. Granted, the pair's preferred genres weren't the same, but Touko would have been well-read enough to recommend books that Byakuya might enjoy. Whenever Makoto told either of them he hadn't heard of a certain novel, they always chastised him, and they usually recoiled at whatever mainstream literature he brought up. In ways, they weren't so dissimilar.

That didn't mean they were dating, though. 

“But... But...” Aoi stammered before sighing. Without finishing her sentence, she spread peanut butter over her donut.

He took no pleasure in setting Aoi and Yasuhiro straight, but it had to be done. Now they could discuss a more plausible explanation for Byakuya inviting them here.

“Ooh! Ooh!” Komaru sprayed out a few flecks of rice from her mouth, waving an arm eagerly. “I have a story that will prove without a doubt that they're dating!”

***

“As you know, I've been working hard on my art, but like... I’ve been working really, really hard. I’ve already gone through about one hundred fineliners. I think... four. Yeah, four sounds about right. Even when I’m not drawing, I’m thinking about it. I need to complete as much of my manga as I can before the school reopens, because I know Togami-san is going to give me a mountain of homework. You’d think he’d go easy on me because I helped save his life, but I can imagine him saying, ‘You’ll thank me later’ after he gives me three essays to write within a week.

I was halfway through inking a page when the pen I was using ran dry. I needed a new pen with the same nib width so I made my way to the storage room. But before I could go in, the door opened and Togami-san powerwalked out! I don’t think he even noticed me. I didn’t think much of it at that moment and went in, where I found Touko-chan adjusting her blouse! She nearly screamed when she saw me and told me off for being quiet. I asked how she was, and she said she was okay and quickly excused herself... But get this. She kept hovering a hand by her neck. That can only mean one thing... Togami-san gave her a hickey!”

***

Komaru wiped her knuckles horizontally across her lips a few times. When she lowered her hand, not only were there no more grains of rice sticking to her chin, but she revealed a grin plastered to her face.

Of the three stories, hers provided the strongest case supporting the conjecture that Byakuya and Touko were dating. There was Byakuya’s hurried exit. Touko fixing her blouse. How she seemed to be covering her neck. If he hadn’t known better, Makoto might have come to the same conclusion as his sister.

However, he knew all too well that the most obvious answers weren’t always correct. He learned that after solving several murders where the killer’s identity wasn’t what it first seemed. After he had to prove that although Sayaka Maizono was murdered in his room, he had not been the one to kill her.

“So you didn’t see them kissing or anything?” asked Makoto.

“No, but I mean... it’s kind of obvious that they were,” said Komaru.

“Did you ever see a bruise on her neck?”

“No. For the next two weeks, Touko-chan wore shirts that hid that part of her neck. When she finally didn’t, I couldn’t see a hickey, but it would have healed by then. I did try inviting her to the public bath so I could have a peek before then, but she declined.”

Makoto nodded. As he thought. “So you don’t have any hard evidence.”

“Oh, come on, Makoto,” huffed Komaru. “I know what I saw. Even if I didn’t witness them kissing or any hickeys, they’re dating. I’ve seen how they act together. There’s a sort of closeness that - ”

“But don’t you think Fukawa-san would have told you that they were dating?”

Komaru tensed. Her eyes flickered. He knew that she knew he had a point. That was why she couldn't answer his question. With how close Komaru and Touko had become during their stay in Towa City, Touko would have told her dearest friend if she was dating the love of her life.

As for their behaviour around Komaru, Makoto put that down to Komaru reading too much shoujo manga.

“Most likely, Togami-kun was in a rush to be somewhere. You know how he hates being late,” said Makoto. “And Fukawa-san had a mosquito bite, so she was itching it, and - ”

“Why are you so adamant that they aren't dating?” interrupted Aoi. Makoto faltered.

“W-Well, I just...”

“Don’t tell me you secretly have a crush on Togami-chi,” said Yasuhiro.

“I don’t.” Makoto didn't think he would have the mental fortitude to endure Byakuya's intensity and weird moods. Sometimes, he thought it was a miracle they ever became friends. “If they were dating, I'd be happy for them. Really. But the fact is they're not, and you're all jumping to conclusions about it when there are other more plausible explanations.”

The sooner Byakuya arrived, the better. Then he could put all this speculation to rest. Or Touko could. Makoto had almost forgotten that she had yet to arrive too. He would have thought she'd have been the first here. Perhaps she lost track of time.

“Naegi-kun, while I admire your thoroughness, I must interject. This has gone on long enough,” said Kyouko. She set down her almost empty cup before locking eyes with him. “Those two are indeed dating.”

A weight dropped in his gut. Makoto hadn't expected Kyouko to fall for the others’ conspiracy. Kyouko grew up surrounded by detectives. She had been one herself. 

Calmly, she said, “Let me tell you what I overheard last night...”

***

“I woke up to the sound of creaking coming from the floor above me. It was almost directly over me, so it could only have been originating from Togami-kun's bedroom.

When the creaking stopped, with my exceptional hearing, I heard Togami-kun say, ‘I'm going to tell everyone to meet us for dinner tomorrow. There, I will officially announce that we're dating.’

Then, Fukawa-san said, ‘That's an excellent idea, Byakuya-sama. This way, there will be no ambiguity with the others on our relationship status.’”

***

Furrowing his brow, Makoto slouched forward, parked his elbows on the table and steepled his hands. He could understand why Kyouko thought Byakuya and Touko were dating after such an incident. On a prose-level, the exchange she overheard offered a very strong case for her claim. It left little to nothing for alternative interpretation. 

“Uh... Naegi-chi?” said Yasuhiro.

“You're not replying because Kyouko-chan is right, right?” said Aoi.

Maintaining his hunched posture, Makoto looked at Kyouko. She regarded him with a cool gaze.

“Kirigiri-san...” His face felt as hard as stone. “You don't suppose you dreamed this conversation?”

Kyouko's expression remained as cold as ice. Aoi surged to her feet with the ferocity of a volcano, while Yasuhiro yelped and cowered under his arms.

“Why are you being so stubborn?” said Aoi. “Is it that hard to believe that they're dating?”

Yasuhiro scratched his head. “They've had something going on between them for ages, right? Remember when Genocider-chi came to breakfast once and announced she was wearing red lingerie?”

“If they were dating, I would have already found out by now, even if they were doing it in secret!” said Makoto, raising his voice. “I’d have walked in on them like you all supposedly did, but I haven’t! Not even once.”

When the others just stared back wordlessly, his gaze sank to his barely touched meal, and he realised he was shaking. Could he have just been oblivious? Makoto supposed their dynamic had changed, slowly. Byakuya wasn't so highly strung anymore, and Touko wasn't as single-minded now. But what about Byakuya's inner dilemma about how having feelings for another person was a weakness? Or Touko's fantasies coming head-to-head with reality? How could the others have all seen it coming but not him?

A gloved hand fell across his knuckles.

“I understand this is a lot to take in,” said Kyouko. She squeezed his hand gently. “You have always been at the heart of our group. But like how blood vessels work together to carry blood through our body, there will be connections between us that go on without you being directly part of it.”

“Huh... what?” said Yasuhiro, gawking at her.

“I think I get what she’s saying,” said Komaru. “Basically, my brother has main character syndrome... and I guess I almost had it too for a moment, when I started to doubt myself because Touko-chan hadn’t told me they were dating. I need to remember that Touko-chan and I don’t share everything, and that’s okay.”

She broke into a smile, and Makoto found himself grinning too. His sister and Kyouko were both right. For so long, all their lives had been intertwined. They had been trapped in the same school, hired at the same workplaces, living in the same apartment block. Now, they were all beginning to forge their own paths.

“Naegi-kun wasn’t the only one making assumptions. We were too,” piped up Kyouko. “I have a confession to make. The conversation that I claimed to overhear... It never happened.”

The corners of Makoto’s lips drooped. “Huh?”

“I was curious to see how you would refute it,” explained Kyouko. She touched a hand behind her ear and looked away, blushing. “I apologise for lying. Ultimately, none of us know what Togami-kun wants to tell us.”

“What? You lied about your whole story?” asked Aoi, gaping.

“Well... just the conversation. I did wake up to the sound of Togami-kun’s bed creaking.”

Makoto opened his mouth but as he looked past Kyouko, he forgot what he was going to say. Across the cafeteria, at the serving counter, was Byakuya and Touko. Komaru followed his gaze next and stiffened, with the others soon falling still as they spotted the newcomers as well.

When Byakuya locked eyes with Makoto, a shiver ran down him. Relief should have been flowing through Makoto. With Byakuya here, he could finally reveal why he had called them here in the first place. The problem was that Makoto didn’t know how long Byakuya had been there, or if he had overheard any of their conversation. Hopefully, he hadn’t.

“Good. You’re all here,” said Byakuya as he and Touko reached their table. She wasn’t looking at any of them, smiling at her tray. He sat down, as did she.

“You did tell us to be here,” Aoi pointed out.

“So what did you want to tell us?” asked Komaru impatiently.

Byakuya breathed in. Before he could speak, Touko presented him with a forkful of rice. Neither exchanged a word as she slipped the food into his mouth. The others glanced at each other while she replenished her fork and fed him again. And again. And again.

“Uh... Togami-chi?” said Yasuhiro.

“What?”

Yasuhiro grimaced. “Uh... nothing.”

“No, not nothing,” said Komaru. She slammed her palms onto the table. “Togami-san, are you and Touko-chan dating?”

Makoto was lucky not to have had anything in his mouth at that moment, because otherwise he would have choked. Touko’s eyes widened as she looked at Byakuya, whose brow knitted.

“Is it not obvious?” said Byakuya. “Yes, we are. We’ve been dating for some time now.”

“I knew it! Yay, Touko-chan!” Komaru cheered, pumping the air with her fist.

“S-Shush,” mumbled Touko, cringing as people at other tables turned toward them to spectate the commotion. Even so, a small smile crept onto Touko’s face. “B-But thank you.”

“So you really are dating,” said Makoto, feeling numb. Despite the stories the others had told and what Kyouko and Komaru had said, he still found himself stunned. Once the shock wore off, he would no doubt be elated for them, but until then, all he could do was stare. Somehow, Makoto had missed all the clues.

“You of all people should know,” said Byakuya. Makoto pointed to himself.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Don’t you remember what happened earlier this week?”

***

“Fukawa and I were in our apartment building’s common room. We had just returned from an outing to the cinema, by which time we assumed you would all be asleep. I had intended for us to go straight to my apartment, but we paused to discuss the movie some more, and then we... ah...”

“We couldn’t help ourselves! One moment we were discussing the film’s three-act structure, t-then the next we were on the couch and he was ravishing me with his wonderful mouth.”

“Yes. I... I was doing that. Thank you, Fukawa. Anyway... don’t you remember, Naegi? You walked in on us. We froze, my hand up her blouse, her hand in my hair, and you asked us in a tired voice what we were doing. It pains me to say that my mind went blank at that moment, but Fukawa was able to reply.”

“I said we were looking for my breath mints that fell down the back of the couch. Then you said, ‘Good luck’ and walked away.”

***

“Wait, you saw them making out?” Aoi asked Makoto, who cringed.

“I was half-asleep!” Makoto looked at Byakuya. “So you really did call us here to tell us you two were dating?”

“Of course not.” Byakuya glowered. “As I said, I assumed us dating was obvious so thought it didn’t need to be said. I called you all here because I wanted to tell you all that you are doing a fine job with rebuilding the school. So... well-done, everyone.”

As Komaru began quizzing Byakuya and Touko on the exact details of their coupling, Makoto found himself smiling. They had all been correct and incorrect in their own ways. While Byakuya had called them here for a work-related reason after all, he had been dating Touko like the others claimed. Makoto placed a hand over his heart, and with his other hand picked up his fork, finally starting his dinner.

It had started to get cold, but it didn’t matter. Makoto felt warm enough inside.