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thewifeofusaharatobikichi · 2 months

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↱ debts and new beginnings ↰

➘ summary : Tobikichi Usahara didn’t expect to ever clear up his debt. Turns out all he needed was a push in the right direction.

➘ Tobikichi Usahara x reader , Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan x Reader

Tobikichi Usahara gazed out of the window, his mind swirling with a mixture of anxiety and uncertainty. The bustling city below seemed like a blur as he grappled with the weight of his mounting debts. Despite the vibrant colors of the streets and the cheerful chatter around him, his thoughts were dominated by the shadows of unpaid bills and overdue loans. His days on the set of the popular variety show "Together with Maman" were filled with laughter and camaraderie, but his nights were haunted by financial worries that refused to let him rest.

Tobikichi's co-worker, Yuki, who played alongside him on the show, noticed his distracted demeanor during a break. Yuki had always been perceptive and quick to offer support when needed. As the crew dispersed, Yuki approached Tobikichi with a sympathetic smile.

"Hey, Tobikichi, I've noticed you've been a bit down lately. Is everything okay?"

Tobikichi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's these loans, Yuki. They're closing in on me, and I can't seem to find a way out."

Yuki nodded understandingly. "I've been there before. But you know, there might be a way to get some relief. Have you heard of Business Loan Helpers?"

Tobikichi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Business Loan Helpers? What's that?"

Yuki leaned in, her voice lowered as if sharing a secret. "They're an organization that specializes in helping people like us who are buried in debt. They pay off your loans in exchange for your commitment to work for them. They offer various jobs, and you work off your debt through your hard work."

Tobikichi's interest was piqued, but his skepticism lingered. "Sounds a bit sketchy, doesn't it? What kind of work would they make me do?"

Yuki grinned, reassuringly. "It's not as bad as it might sound. They focus on community service – things like making delivery runs, assisting at animal shelters, and helping out at homeless shelters."

Tobikichi's curiosity battled with his reservations. "Community service? That doesn't sound too bad, I suppose."

After a few days of contemplation, Tobikichi found himself standing in front of the Business Loan Helpers office. The sleek glass doors and modern interior design gave an air of professionalism to the place. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and entered the reception area.

A young woman behind the reception desk looked up from her work and greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome to Business Loan Helpers! I'm (Y/N). How can I assist you today?"

Tobikichi cleared his throat, feeling a mix of nerves and hope. "I've heard about your services and thought I'd come to learn more."

(Y/N) gestured towards a comfortable seating area. "Of course, please take a seat. I'd be happy to explain everything."

As Tobikichi settled into a chair, he took in the office's clean and inviting atmosphere. "(Y/N), how exactly does Business Loan Helpers work? How can you help me pay off my loans?"

(Y/N) leaned forward, her expression empathetic. "We believe in providing individuals with a fresh start. We pay off your loans for you, and in return, you work for us. The work we offer focuses on community service – things like making delivery runs, assisting at animal shelters, and helping out at homeless shelters."

Tobikichi leaned back, considering the proposition. "So, I'd essentially trade my debt for my time?"

(Y/N) nodded, her smile warm and encouraging. "Exactly. It's a way to not only alleviate your financial burden but also make a positive impact in your community."

Tobikichi's skepticism still lingered, but a glimmer of hope began to emerge. "It's an interesting concept, I'll admit. But is this all above board? I mean, it sounds almost too good to be true."

(Y/N) chuckled softly. "I understand your concerns. We're a legitimate organization, fully registered and operating within the bounds of the law. Our aim is to help individuals while also contributing positively to society."

Tobikichi tapped his fingers thoughtfully. "It's a unique proposition, no doubt. If this is a chance to finally break free from my debts, maybe it's worth a shot."

(Y/N)'s smile widened. "That's all we ask for – an open mind and a willingness to take a step towards change. We'll provide you with all the details, and you can decide if this path aligns with your goals."

As Tobikichi walked out of the Business Loan Helpers office, a mix of uncertainty and newfound hope churned within him. The idea of swapping his debts for meaningful work was intriguing, but he knew that challenges would undoubtedly arise. Little did he realize that this decision would not only reshape his financial landscape but also lead him on a journey of self-discovery, unexpected friendships, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others through the act of service.

Weeks turned into months, and Tobikichi's days became a whirlwind of activity as he juggled his responsibilities on the set of "Together with Maman" and his commitments to Business Loan Helpers. With each passing day, he felt a growing sense of fulfillment that he hadn't experienced in a long time. The weight of his financial burden was gradually lifting, replaced by a newfound purpose and a community of like-minded individuals.

Tobikichi's interactions with his co-stars and the crew on the variety show began to evolve as well. He found himself sharing his experiences with Aoi and Yuki, his once-private struggles now serving as a bridge to deeper connections. The camaraderie that had always existed on set deepened, as everyone rallied around each other's victories and challenges.

One afternoon, during a break on set, Yuki approached Tobikichi with a smile. "You seem more alive these days, Tobikichi. Something's changed."

Tobikichi chuckled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "It's true. Ever since I joined Business Loan Helpers, I've found a sense of purpose that I didn't realize I was missing. Helping out at the shelters, making those delivery runs – it's been eye-opening."

Yuki nodded, clearly pleased to see the positive impact that Tobikichi's decision had brought to his life. "It's amazing how sometimes the most unexpected choices can lead to the most fulfilling outcomes."

As time passed, Tobikichi's involvement with Business Loan Helpers became more ingrained in his routine. He became adept at his delivery runs, navigating the city streets with ease. He formed bonds with the shelter animals, providing them with much-needed care and affection. And as he helped out at the homeless shelters, he began to understand the stories and struggles of the individuals he encountered, building bridges of empathy and compassion.

One day, after finishing his shift at the animal shelter, Tobikichi received a call from (Y/N), the founder of Business Loan Helpers. Her voice held a note of excitement as she shared some news.

"Tobikichi, we've noticed your dedication and the positive impact you've been making. We'd like to offer you an opportunity to take on a leadership role within our organization."

Tobikichi's heart raced, a mixture of surprise and pride welling up within him. "A leadership role? What would that entail?"

(Y/N) explained, "We've seen your commitment, and we believe your experience and enthusiasm make you a great fit to help guide others who are starting on this journey. You'll be responsible for mentoring new participants and helping them navigate their own path toward debt relief and community service."

Tobikichi's mind raced as he considered the proposition. The idea of mentoring others resonated deeply with him, a chance to pay forward the support and guidance he had received.

"I'd be honored to take on that role," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "I want to help others discover the same sense of purpose and empowerment that I've found."

(Y/N)'s smile was evident in her voice. "We're thrilled to have you on board, Tobikichi. Your journey is just beginning, and we're excited to see how far you'll go."

As Tobikichi hung up the phone, he couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come since that first hesitant step into the Business Loan Helpers office. The shadows of his financial worries had gradually given way to the light of meaningful work, personal growth, and the warmth of new friendships. With a renewed sense of purpose, Tobikichi looked toward the future with anticipation, ready to embrace the challenges and joys that lay ahead on his path to financial freedom and a life rich with purpose.

As the days turned into weeks, Tobikichi's involvement with Business Loan Helpers deepened. He embraced his new role as a mentor, guiding others who were walking a similar path to the one he had embarked upon. His enthusiasm was infectious, and he found solace in knowing that he was making a real difference in people's lives.

Among those he mentored was a young woman named Mari, who had recently joined the program. She had the same initial skepticism that Tobikichi had felt, but his stories of transformation and growth had inspired her to take the plunge.

During their first meeting, Tobikichi found himself recounting his own journey, the doubts he had overcome, and the unexpected rewards he had reaped. Mari listened with rapt attention, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and hope.

"You really think this can work for me too?" Mari asked, a trace of uncertainty in her voice.

Tobikichi smiled warmly, his own experiences lending him a newfound sense of confidence. "Absolutely, Mari. It won't be easy, but if you're willing to put in the effort, you can change your life in ways you never thought possible."

As Tobikichi continued to mentor Mari, he found himself reflecting on the impact that (Y/N) had on his own journey. Her guidance, encouragement, and unwavering belief in him had been pivotal in his transformation. And as he spoke about her to Mari, he couldn't help but notice a growing warmth in his heart.

The more time Tobikichi spent at the Business Loan Helpers office, the more he found himself drawn to (Y/N). He admired her dedication, her passion for helping others, and the way she seamlessly balanced the demands of her role. Her presence brightened even the gloomiest days, and he felt a deep sense of gratitude towards her.

One evening, after a busy day of mentoring and community service, Tobikichi found himself alone in the office with (Y/N). They had just finished discussing the progress of some of the participants, and (Y/N) turned to him with a smile.

"I've been hearing such positive feedback about your mentoring, Tobikichi. You have a way of inspiring others and helping them find their own strengths."

Tobikichi's heart swelled with pride at her words. "(Y/N), I have to admit, your support and guidance have been instrumental in my own journey. I wouldn't be where I am today without you."

(Y/N)'s cheeks tinged with a faint blush, her smile softening. "I'm glad to hear that, Tobikichi. It's always rewarding to see the impact we're making in people's lives."

As Tobikichi looked into her eyes, a warmth spread through his chest. He admired her even more for her humility and dedication, and he couldn't deny the growing affection he felt towards her. But he also couldn't shake the feeling that pursuing anything beyond a professional relationship could complicate things – not just for him, but for the participants who looked up to him as a mentor.

As the days turned into weeks, Tobikichi continued to spend time with (Y/N) while focusing on his mentorship role. Their conversations deepened, and he cherished the moments when their paths crossed. And though he kept his feelings in check, he couldn't help but wonder if (Y/N) sensed the subtle shift in his demeanor.

With each passing day, Tobikichi's admiration for (Y/N) grew stronger, and he found himself more thankful than ever for the chance Business Loan Helpers had given him – not just for the debt relief, but for the opportunity to connect with someone who had played a significant role in his journey towards a better life.

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thewifeofusaharatobikichi · 2 months

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Tobikichi Usahara ✭ Lost Time

Cat’s Note: Why are all of the men in this show so 🦆ing attractive? Uramichi and Kumatani coming soon 🤭

Summary: You broke up with him 4 years ago. Surely, he’s moved on by now, even if you haven’t. But what if he’s still stuck on you just as much as you are on him?

WC: 4.6k

Genre: exes to lovers, fluff

warnings: n/a, barely proofread, random OC

"Oh, Y/n! The girls and I are going bar hopping tomorrow, you should totally go with us!" Your friend Yumi says, lifting a stack of glass plates from a box and placing them on the kitchen counter.

You've just graduated from college, finally returning to Tokyo after 4 long years. Most people would have returned home during breaks, but you, however, had decided to remain in Sendai to work in between semesters. Most people also would have gone to college at 18. But you didn't go until you were 22, having been inspired by your ex-boyfriend's job as an actor to start pursuing videography.

So now here you are, freshly graduated, moving into a new apartment, and very happy to be home. You look over at Yumi as you carry another box into the kitchen, grunting harshly as you hoist it onto the table.

"Bar hopping?" You repeat. You reach for one of the many knives laying around and tear it through the tape on the box, carefully pulling out the pots and pans laying inside. "It may be 4 years since we've been together, but I'm sure you remember I'm not a big fan of bar hopping," you laugh lightly.

"Ahh, yeah, I do remember," Yumi giggles in return, moving the stack of plates into their designated cabinet. "But I do think it would be fun! You said you didn't have much time to go out when you were at school, well, now you have plenty of time!" She turns back to you with a bright smile. "And you never know, maybe you'll meet a cute guy while we're out," she smirks. You roll your eyes at this.

Ever since you broke things off with your ex 4 years ago, Yumi has asked relentlessly about your love life. And while there was never really anything to report, she always seemed happy to hear that you were still single.

"Please, I don't think I'll ever find love again," you sigh overdramatically, pressing the back of your hand to your forehead to nail your performance. As soon as the words leave your mouth, you pause, closing your eyes and bracing yourself for the next words to come from Yumi.

"...you're still not really over Usahara, are you?" Aaand there it is, question number 2 on the FAQ list. Yumi doesn't ask it nearly as much as the first, but she still asks often enough that you can basically tell when it's coming. And you're also tired of hearing it. Not because she keeps asking, you know she just wants to check in on you, see how you're feeling. But because your answer is always the same. 4 years of no contact, and your ex is still on your mind almost constantly.

You can only blame yourself really. You're the one who broke up with him when everything was perfect, when he wanted to stay together, when he was confident that your relationship could survive the distance once you left for school. But you weren't. You knew long distance would strain your relationship too much. It was inevitable. You were just saving yourselves the extra pain. At least, that's what you thought.

4 years and you've only had one boyfriend, and he only lasted for about 3 months. The time in between was full of failed first dates, ghostings, and creeps who were just looking to get laid. Not once did you meet someone who made your heart stop and your stomach flutter the way Usahara did. And you're beginning to wonder if you'll ever experience that feeling again. You groan and go back to unpacking your kitchen supplies.

"I think you know the answer to that, and I would rather not talk about it," you mutter. You turn to put the pots in a cabinet, missing the all-knowing smirk on your friend's face.

"Okay, we can drop the subject. But still, you should come with us! Besides, I want to buy you your first drink back in Tokyo!"

Well, can't argue with that, can you? You stop to think for a moment. Sure, you hate bar hopping, but it would probably do you some good to get out and socialize. And Yumi's right, you never know who you might meet. Maybe Tokyo guys are better than Sendai guys. Won't know unless you try, right?

"Haha. Okay, Yumi, I'll go," you say, reflecting your friend's happy grin.

"Yes!" Yumi exclaims, swaying her hips in a little happy dance.

"BUT!" You interject, cutting Yumi's celebration short. "We're not going out super late."

"No problem!"

"And when I'm exhausted and ready to go, we go?"

"Absolutely!" You would think you'd just told her that you won a million dollars and are giving her half based on the blinding smile on her face. Why is she so excited to go drinking? Should you be worried? You brush it off, chalking it up to your high school bestie just being happy to spend time with you after being apart for so long. You just hope you have enough energy tomorrow to be "Fun Y/n" and not "Tired and Cranky Y/n".

"Alright! Let's at least get your kitchen finished before we call it a night!" Yumi says, moving on to another box. You hum in agreement and follow suit.

"Ready to go?" Yumi calls. You walk into the bathroom to see her putting on her earrings, the finishing touch to her evening outfit.

"Whenever you are," you chirp. You tug lightly at the hem of the little black dress you're wearing. "Is it really okay that I wear this?" Yumi turns away from the mirror to look at you, her jaw dropping.

"Y/n you look gorgeous! That dress fits you a lot better than it does me. Any man should feel lucky to have you even spare them a glance!"

"Is your plan for us to hang out or to find me a boyfriend?" You laugh

"Why not both?" Yumi jokes back. "Seriously though, you should keep that dress. I never wear it anyway." You look at yourself in the mirror and damn, this dress does look nice on you. You mentally agree with Yumi's statement, any man should feel lucky. "The others said they would meet us at the bar, so we can head on over!"

With a new sense of self-confidence, you and Yumi leave your apartment to head to the first bar just a short walk away.

You get there and say hello to the group of girls, some of which you haven't seen since high school. The girls all order a shot or two, trying to get a little buzzed while you're at the cheapest place on the route. You order a drink that's a little lighter on the alcohol, not wanting to risk getting too drunk this early on. Once you're done there, it's on to the next place, and so on.

By the time your little group starts to leave the third bar, some of the girls are already starting to feel the effects of the shots they've taken. Yumi glances at the time on her phone and raises her voice to get everyone's attention.

"Hey, we should go to that little lounge on the next street over!" She suggests excitedly. Before you can agree, some of the other girls speak up.

"The lounge? I thought you didn't like that place?"

"Yeah, you always say it's kinda sketchy."

You turn to Yumi to see how she explains her sudden change of heart, only to see her fiddling with her fingers, something she does nervous. Or when she's planning something.

"Ahh, yeah I know but... but they have a really good happy hour deal at this time!" The girls tilt their heads in question but agree to go nonetheless. You make your way to the next street and see your destination ahead of you and, yeah, it does look a bit sketchy. But, no one says anything as you enter the little hangout.

"Let's sit over here!" Yumi says, darting ahead toward the end of the bar table. You all look at each other, mutually confused by Yumi's sudden enthusiasm and determination to, not only visit this specific bar, but also sit in a specific spot. But you swallow your questions and follow. The first thing you notice is how dark it is, and you don't believe it's purposeful mood lighting either. The second thing is the lack of people. Granted, it's a small bar, but even so, the seating isn't half full. Why are you here again?

You sit beside Yumi who has an unusually bright smile, even for her. You all order your drinks and take your time with them, catching up with each other in quiet chit-chat. You're there for a short time before a couple of guys enter the lounge, walking past the bar to sit at a table already occupied by a couple others.

"Heyyy, sorry we're late, we totally lost track of time," a man speaks from the table. His voice sounds familiar, almost comforting, but you’re too preoccupied with watching Yumi take a shot to really think about it.

"I think you mean you lost track of time," a second, more monotone voice speaks.

"Dude, seriously?!" Okay, you know you know that voice. You lean forward against the bar to take a quick glance past Yumi to the table several feet away from you. You quickly scan over the people, trying to be as casual as possible. You see two dark-haired men sitting beside each other, talking quietly with very neutral expressions, making you question whether they want to be there or not. You feel like you recognize the black-haired man, though you can’t place where you’ve seen him.

To their left is a very drunk woman, tears streaming down her flushed face. Beside her is another man with his face turned away from you, his blond hair, that's obviously dyed and desperately needs a retouch, is swept to the side and clipped with a... strawberry barrette?

Your quick and casual glance becomes a stare as you squint in an attempt to see the hair accessory better. You used to have a hair clip just like that one. You wore it all the time and were quite upset when you lost it. Before it can click in your mind, the man turns just enough for you to see his face and...

No, it's not. There's no way. You feel your heart flutter in a way it hasn't in years, but you still refuse to believe what you're seeing. Yumi notices your shocked expression and follows your line of sight, her eyes widening slightly when they land on the table.

"Yooo, is that who I think it is?"

"I'm... I'm pretty sure it is," you say, dazed. It's Usahara, sitting at the table beside you, wearing the hair barrette you lost at his place years ago.

"You should go say hi!" Yumi encourages, patting you on the arm excitedly. You almost get up from your seat right then, but the little shred of hope in your heart disappears when the crying woman suddenly crashes against Usahara's chest and his arms wrap around her. Yumi, whose eyes are trained on you, completely misses what's happening. "You never know, maybe you can pick up where you left off."

You quickly turn your eyes back to your drink, sinking into your seat.

"I doubt that. It was so long ago, I'm sure he's had several girlfriends since then. Look, he's with someone now," you state bluntly. Yumi turns back to see who you're talking about. The woman is now sitting up again, her face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking. She looks to Usahara who is sitting awkwardly, clearly unsure of how to handle the situation.

"Uhh, something tells me it's not like that," Yumi says. She turns back to you and places a gentle hand on your arm. "Come on, Y/n, just say hi. If he's not happy to see you, then we'll hit the next bar and get so drunk you'll forget you even saw him." Yumi grins and you realize it's the same suspicious smile she's had since she mentioned bar hopping the night before. Hold on a second.

"Why do I get the feeling you knew he'd be here?" You say, knowing it sounds like a serious accusation. But the moment the words leave your mouth, Yumi freezes. Gotcha.

"Whaaat? Nooo we're here for the happy hour! Remember?" She waves her hands around as though to distract you as she does her best to defend herself. You give her a "be honest" glare and she cracks within a second. "Okay, yeah, I see him and his friends here a lot, the chances were pretty high," she mutters.

"And that's why you wanted to come here so badly, isn't it?" You question further. Yumi stares into her drink and starts fiddling with her fingers again.

"Umm, that... might've been part of why. But that's beside the point!" She exclaims, looking back up at you. "We're here, he's here, and you should say something!" You remain quiet, unsure if you really should say anything or just try to leave without being seen. And Yumi seems to be able to tell exactly what you're thinking. "If you don't I will."

Uh oh. If there's one thing you've learned about Yumi in your years of being friends, it's that she's not afraid to embarrass herself. If she says she'll do something, chances are, she will. Before you can even respond, Yumi is taking a breath and turning in her chair, ready to shout to the table.

"HE-" she starts, and you swear your heart stops. You grab her arms and pull her back around to you, stopping her call before it gets very loud.

You hide behind her, mortified that she may have accomplished her goal and drawn some attention. You peek over her shoulder thankful to see that Usahara is too busy drinking his beer to have noticed anything. But before you can sigh in relief, your eyes meet those of the man on the other side of the table, and by the look in his steely grey eyes, it's safe to say Yumi had caught his attention. He breaks eye contact, turns back to his friends, and doesn't say a word.

"Okay, okay," you whisper, letting go of Yumi's arms "Just, please don't yell." Yumi giggles happily, satisfied that her plan is working. You take a deep breath and finish your drink quickly before getting up from your seat and adjusting your dress. Your heart is pounding in your chest, but you realize, it's not entirely of anxiety, but excitement. Yumi takes your hand and gives it an encouraging squeeze.

"I'll be right here, ready to support or fly out of here at the slightest notice." You squeeze her hand back and smile. You let go and make your way over to the table. The first person to notice you approaching is the same man you'd made eye contact with just moments before, though he remains quiet. Usahara is distracted with cleaning up a bit of beer that had been knocked over, still completely unaware of your presence. By this point, you've caught everyone's attention, everyone aside from Usahara.

"Tobikichi?" You say, your voice just barely above a whisper. Usahara stops his cleaning, but it takes him a second before he turns to you. His eyes meet yours and, there they are, the special butterflies that you've dreamed of having again since you saw him last.

"No way... Y/n?" Usahara says, not believing his eyes. His look of shock flips into one of joy as he jumps from his seat and, without a second thought, he's wrapping his arms around you in a tight hug. You hug him back, taking the moment to breathe in his familiar and comforting scent. Yep, he still wears the same cheap cologne. You never knew you could miss a smell so much until you'd said goodbye. He slowly pulls away from you, cool grey eyes scanning over you.

"You look beautiful..." He blurts, causing you both to blush. Before you can accept his compliment, he's moving on. "Haha, ahh, what are you doing here?"

“I’m back from school,” you answer softly. Usahara’s smile grows impossibly wider.

“Like, back for good?”

“Yeah, for good,” you nod in confirmation. Usahara perks, suddenly remembering who he’s with. He moves to stand beside you and places his on your shoulder, sending sparks down your back.

“Oh, by the way!” He starts, lifting his hand to gesture to his table of friends. “You’ve met Kumatani before, right?” Ahh, that’s why he seemed familiar.

“We met once,” Kumatani replies stoically. And now you remember. You’d only met him once, but Usahara would talk about him a lot. He was down to earth and wasn’t afraid to put Usahara in his place when needed. You appreciated it.

“Thought so!” Usahara says, moving on to the other two people. “This is Uramichi and Utano. They’re my co-workers.” You feel relief when you hear “co-workers”. Yumi was right, it isn’t like that. “Too bad Iketeru isn’t here. He’s not a big drinker, so he backed out for tonight.”

“So, how do you guys know each other?” Uramichi asks, suspicious that his annoying co-worker could be friends with someone like you. You and Usahara freeze, neither of you wanting to answer.

“They dated several years ago,” Kumatani answers for you without hesitation. Utano sits straight up, tears still streaming down her face, but at least she’s no longer sobbing.

“Oh, are you the ex he’s always talking about?” She sniffs. You look at her, confused.

“What?” You ask, hoping to get her to elaborate, and Kumatani starts to do just that.

“He talks about you a lot when he’s dru-”

“OKAY!” Usahara shouts, stepping a bit in front of you and cutting Kumatani off before he can expose him any further. “I don’t think we need to talk about any of that.” Actually, yes, I think we do. “Anyway, uhh, are you here by yourself?”

“Hmm? Oh, no, I’m here with-” your sentence is stopped midway through when an arm is slung over your shoulders.

“Me!” Yumi says, leaning over you.

“Oh, Yumi! Long time no see, huh?” Usahara greets.

“Yeaaah, real long time!” Yumi smiles. “Y/n, the girls and I are thinking about getting one more round and then heading out,” she says, pointing back to the bar. You’re about to say that you’ll be right over when Usahara starts to speak.

“Hey, let me buy you a drink!” He offers happily, making Yumi smile.

“Oh, that’s not necessary!” You say.

“Please? As a welcome home,” He says, already pulling out his wallet and heading back to the bar.

“Come on, don’t say no to a free drink!” Yumi pulls you by your arm to follow, and you do, albeit hesitantly. Once you’re at the bar, Yumi returns to the group, leaving you and Usahara there alone.

“Get what you want,” Usahara says after taking a quick flip through his wallet.

“You have the money to make that kind of offer?” You tease.

“WHA-hey! I’ll have you know I’ve gotten better at handling money… kind of.”

“Mhmm?”

“Whatever, I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure.” His face grows red and you laugh at his response. Your eyes catch sight of the little pink and red accessory in his hair again, contrasting sharply against his bleach blond hair.

“By the way, is that my strawberry barrette you’re wearing?” His face couldn’t possibly get any more flushed. His hand flies up to the clip and removes it.

“It… might be,” he mumbles. His hands play around with it, bending the clip back and forth.

“I can’t believe you still have it after all this time,” you whisper. Usahara smiles fondly.

“Well, it is pretty handy,” he jokes. His fidgeting stops and he places the barrette onto the table, sliding it towards you. “Here, you can have it back.” You pick up the hair clip and examine it closely. It looks almost exactly the same as the day you last saw it, aside from some chipped plastic coating on the sides. He’s taken very good care of it. You run your thumb over the bumpy, textured strawberry.

“You keep it,” you say softly. You reach for his hair and gently sweep it behind his ear, clipping it in place with the barrette. “It looks better on you anyway.” Jeez, are you purposefully trying to fluster him? Usahara laughs nervously and rubs his clammy hands on his pants. If his heart beats any faster, he’s convinced it’ll burst right out from his chest.

You order your drinks and sit in awkward silence as you try to figure out what to talk about. You have so much, 4 years' worth. Where do you start?

“So… have you dated anyone since we broke up?” Well, guess that’s one place to start.

“Umm… not really. There was this one guy who lasted a few months, but he turned out to be a total creep,” you answer honestly, your voice faltering a bit.

“Ahh, gotcha,” he says awkwardly. You drag a finger over your glass, watching as the condensation collects and runs down the cool surface.

“What about you? I’m sure you’ve had a girl or two over the last few years, Mr. Mascot,” you laugh lightly, trying to relieve the strange and uncomfortable pressure.

“Haha, I, uh, haven’t had any, actually…”

…Oh

“Hey, Y/n,” Yumi calls. You turn to see her and the others gathering their purses and standing from their seats, some struggling a little more than others. “We’re heading to the next bar. You coming?” Before you can even think of what to answer with, Yumi is shooting you a look that screams “don’t you dare say ‘yes’”. You smile, this was for sure her plan the entire time.

“I think I’ll stay here for a bit longer.” Yumi beams at your reply and walks over to hug you.

“Okay! I’ll see you tomorrow then. Still on for dinner?”

“Yeah of course!”

“Great!” Yumi moves her gaze from you to the man beside you giving him a sweet but serious glare. “Usahara, take care of my girl, ‘kay? Don’t let anything happen to her.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Usahara says nervously. Yumi gives you both another wide smile before walking out the door to catch up with the others. “She’s still as intimidating as I remember,” he says, making you laugh.

You turn back around and catch Usahara already looking at you, an unreadable grin on his face. As soon as you make eye contact, his smile drops and his head whips in a different direction. Subtle. You two resume conversation, catching up on everything you’ve missed out on each other. Usahara’s friends eventually leave as well, leaving just the two of you. You talk about everything, how your schooling went and how much you hate-loved it, how he’s still working as a bunny mascot on a children’s show but he’s generally happy with where he is. Once the initial awkwardness is gone, you speak like no time has passed. It’s as though you had just seen each other yesterday, rather than 4 years ago.

Usahara’s phone buzzes, prompting him to pick it up. His eyes widen when he sees the time. 3 hours have passed, and neither of you can believe it.

“We should probably get going,” he says reluctantly, and you agree. You both stand from the bar and head towards the door where Usahara rushes ahead of you to open it for you. “Let me walk you home!” His proposal catches you off guard.

“You don’t have to do that, I don’t live far,” you say, not wanting him to feel obligated to.

“It’s okay, I want to,” he says confidently. He wants to. You half expected to walk out this door, say your goodbyes, and then be hit with the reality that he didn’t want to see you again. But instead, he’s offering to walk you home because he wants to. You don’t trust your voice to come out clearly, so you just nod and start walking toward your apartment.

The short walk there is silent, but this time, an easy, relaxed silence. You climb the stairs to your doorstep and pull out your keys to unlock your door before you turn back to the man. The atmosphere that was comfortable just a moment ago, is now tense and awkward.

“Thank you for walking me… it was really good to see you, Tobikichi,” you say softly.

“Of course, it was good to see you too,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck and shifting his weight from side to side. “I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” You continue to stand there; neither of you wants to say goodbye. Then, almost subconsciously, you’re stepping forward and wrapping your arms around his torso, burying your face into the crook of his neck. You feel his muscles tense in surprise before he relaxes and returns your embrace, an arm snaking around your waist and a hand gently holding the back of your head, pressing you closer against him. You have no idea how long you stood there, entangled in each other’s arms and soaking in each other’s warmth. You grasp him as though you’re afraid he’ll disappear.

Usahara finally pulls away from you slowly, but he stops when your eyes meet his. A beat passes before-

“Can I kiss you?” He blurts. What? You don’t answer, your mind still trying to process to be sure you heard him right. Thinking he’s made a mistake, Usahara’s grip starts to loosen, his arm slipping from your side. But before he can let go, you grab onto his shirt, pulling him back against you.

“Please,” you practically whimper. Usually, you would cringe at your behavior. Begging a man to kiss you? Come on. But right now, you can’t find it in you to care about how desperate you may look. You just want his lips on yours, and it’s the only thing you can attempt to be concerned about. His face gets hot, turning almost as pink as the barrette still in his hair, and you can’t help but think it’s a good color on him.

His hands return to your waist, holding you firmly as he leans his face closer to yours. A sharp chill runs down your spine when his lips ghost over yours and you find yourself suppressing a whine that threatens to escape your throat. Usahara smiles mischievously, proud of the reaction he’s so easily able to draw from you. But, as much as he enjoys teasing you, he can’t wait any longer.

His hand runs from your waist, up your side, and to your neck, cradling your face gently. And then, finally, he places a tender kiss against your lips. It’s delicate, familiar, the feeling of his lips moving lightly against yours, like he’s afraid he may break you. Your fists ball in his shirt, tugging him further down in a silent plea, and you feel his lips curve in a smile against yours.

He takes a careful step forward, pushing your back against the door. The kiss quickly moves from sweet and chaste, to needy and passionate. Your hands move from his shirt around his neck, fingers running through his silky hair, pulling a soft, muffled grunt from his lungs.

Your lips part and he gives just enough space for you to see his face and the sight turns your already swirling insides into a storm. Wow, did you miss that look he’s giving you, blushing, flustered and messy. You’re sure you look the same. He leans closer again, pressing his heated forehead against yours.

“I’ve… missed you, so much,” he pants. “You have no idea how happy I was to see you.” He kisses you again, his lips moving feverishly.

“I missed you too. So much, you have no idea. I’m so sorry,” you mutter in between each heated kiss. Usahara breaks the kiss to pull you against him again, his arms embracing you and a deep, contented sigh rushing against your ear. Your hands drag down to his chest and you feel his heart beat frantically against your palms. You stay there for a moment until you remember that you’re standing on your doorstep. He moves to kiss you again, but you stop him before he can.

“Want to come inside?” You whisper against his lips, and he smirks.

“I’d like that. We should start making up for lost time.”

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