words | akaashi keiji

warnings.

"Just take this as a warning. Know that there's always a price for not being yourself."
Benilde Little

Hyodo didn't enjoy drinking, and he surely didn't enjoy the business scene in Tokyo. He missed the people he had known in Hokkaido– people he didn't need to drink with to discuss work.

Nevertheless, he did as was expected of him, which wasn't necessarily difficult because he only had to celebrate with teams that won.

Now, Hyodo found himself amongst the MSBY Black Jackals after they had won yet another game. Although they all earned a hefty salary, they loved to visit Osamu's shop for their celebrations, and Hyodo had yet to confirm if it was just because they liked to annoy him or not.

He had called Mei after work to let her know that he would be out drinking again, and she took the news plainly, simply offering him a, "have fun and be safe."

The answer shouldn't have worried him, but it bothered him when he thought of her past responses, where she would always whine and complain for a moment.

Yeah, he was worried.

"I'll be back in a second." He stood up quickly, patting imaginary dirt off of his thighs as he looked around at the group he was drinking with.

They all gave him groans or whines, with Atsumu yelling at him to hurry back, making Hyodo laugh before making his way to the exit.

Once outside, he stood in the chilly air with his hands in his pockets, not bothering to even take out his phone. It wasn't too late yet, so instead he watched the world around him and focused on the small actions of the people he came across.

He wondered if Mei would appreciate him calling her right at that moment, but he decided against it. He was still too in his head about her response to him earlier.

After growing tired of watching others, Hyodo huffed out before opening the shop's door and entering quietly.

He took small, slow steps back to where the team and Kuroo were gathered, hoping to postpone his arrival by even a little bit so he could be spared just slightly while drinking.

His footsteps faltered as he heard Bokuto whispering, which was both unusual and useless because his voice somehow still traveled.

"Guys, you know what Akaashi told me?" He whispered loudly, and the group grew silent in preparation. "You know the woman at his birthday? Recently he learned that she likes him."

Kuroo let out a confused grunt before whispering in response, "Mei? She really likes Akaashi?"

"Yes! He heard her say it. He really did!" Bokuto's whispering had really grown futile as his excitement peaked.

Hinata only looked on in confusion, blinking at Bokuto as he asked, "but isn't she with Hyodo?"

"Yeah, isn't that Hyodo's literal girlfriend?" Atsumu added, quirking an eyebrow before finishing off his glass of saké.

At this, Hyodo decided that enough was enough, finally stepping out from his hiding spot and rejoining the group.

"I'm back!" He smiled, his eyes roaming through the group only to be met with varying levels of guilty faces.

The secret conversation was soon forgotten anyway, or at least everyone acted as if they had already let that information go as they drank the night away.

Hyodo of course, didn't just let that information go.

He knew he had run into Akaashi outside of the apartment after he stormed out, so he was already wary that he must have heard something, but this confirmed it.