Secrets in Shibuya - Haikyuu [Oikawa x Iwaizumi]

the night it all changed pt. 1

Every moment spent outside of the city turned us more and more into homebody introverts. Oikawa and I valued the time we got to be away from the overpopulated, materialistic world. We told ourselves that nightlife was something we left behind in the past and that we were far too old to be out partying. After spending so much time in small towns and on secluded forest trails, the sweaty rooms and heavy air of Tokyo's nightclubs no longer appealed to us.

We're becoming old men, I would say. I don't mind, he would reply, as long as we're both old, you just described the perfect life for me.

Hm, if you say so.

The Fuji Rock Festival was our only exception. Each year, at the end of August, every nonsensical music lover in Japan would come together for a night of dancing, singing, tossing each other's bodies around until we all run out of energy. Bands from all around the world came to play at Fuji Rock. From Japan to Kenya to the UK. Names like Bob Dylan, Gorillaz, Kendrick Lamar, Tempalay, and Cero.

We'd almost forgotten about it, but one day, Oikawa was walking down a street and stumbled upon a poster for the event. All of our favorite bands were to perform as headliners. In that instant, he sprinted to the nearest concert booth and purchased two tickets. Since then, we'd been counting down the weeks.

Tens of thousands of people surrounded us. We were packed in a crowd of zealous people. Oikawa wore a bandana around his face. Wearing this makes me feel like an undercover spy, he assured me, but I knew he had to disguise himself for the time being. Getting recognized in such a huddled space might cause a stampede... and I liked being his date; it made me feel like I was keeping a secret from the people around us. Just the two of us. Two ordinary people.

Strangely enough, it was the perfect night. Could it be the drugs?

Are you feeling it yet? Oikawa asked. I smiled, sinking into his arms as he held my hips to his.

It hit, and everything was lovely. The stars. Open field. Fresh air. Loud music. Strange dancers flowing in and out of the crowds. Arms that waved in the sky, swaying to the rhythm of the songs. Colorful lights illuminated the violet sky. Every performance carried us higher and higher into a feeling I cannot describe. Perhaps, it was bliss. A divine emotion.

Music rushed into my ear, and slowly, I felt my body fit perfectly with Oikawa's. Just like two puzzle pieces. His hands touched my arms, and my mind was racing—it reminded me of all the times I dreamt of something like this. It brought up a memory of Oikawa and I, in his backyard, listening to his music player on the lawn. All the times we flipped through his CDs and talked about our favorite lyrics.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his lips to my ear, almost yelling to fight the stereos.

"Can't tell you. It's embarrassing."

He laughed out loud. Then, he kissed my cheekbone—a sweet kiss, barely grazing my skin.

Oikawa held me in arms for the entire concert. The final act was playing, but it was not a band we recognized. The crowds would soon bombard the exit, so we decided to make our way back home, slowly freeing ourselves out of the audience. It was harder than it sounded.

"HEY YOU, FOOLS! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU HEADING HOME RIGHT BEFORE THE LAST SET?" the voice was directed right at me.

I turned around, still holding onto Oikawa's hand.

Of course. Sara. Who else would it be? Instantly, huge grins appeared on our faces. Her girlfriend was wrapped around her waist. She was tall. And very pretty. Too pretty for this world—just like Sara and her bold confidence. The four of us acknowledged each other with a tender fondness. It was as if we all understood each other solely through the stories Sara and I told.

I wanted to reach a hand out to her, but the stage lights bursted with new colors, signaling the next performance, and the audience exploded with excitement and chaos. It turned into a frenzy.

"Okay, I don't want you to get trapped in this crowd!" Sara yelled from the distance, the crowd separating us even more. "It's great to see you, Iwaizumi!!!"

Before I could say anything, we were already too far apart. We simply smiled at each other before crazed fans, all dancing and jumping, filled the gap between us. Our last look said it all. It was a silent nod: Look at us. I guess it all worked out after all. I thought about what she wrote in her letter: I wouldn't know unless I tried, and you only live once, right?

Turns out, we both tried, and somehow, it really did work out for the both of us.

Once we escaped the festival gates, Oikawa untied the bandana around his face. I touched his cheek and wiped the glitter and sweat off his skin. "She's a character. A good one, alright," he remarked.

"Oh yes. A wonderful soul, indeed."