Chapter 2
Soft morning light streamed through white curtains, casting the room in a hazy morning glow. The room was tiny and orderly and the man cuddled in the bed looked ethereal in his slumber. The man was cocooned in his over-abundance of blankets, just on the right side of too warm. Long lashes kissed rosy cheeks, soft pleasing features arranged into a youthful peace, and soft, brown, fluffy hair tousled around him like a halo.
Then Shigeru's alarm went off.
All peace was shattered instantly as he smacked his phone, hoping, in his sleep deprived state, that it would make the alarm stop. It didn't, but he did succeed in cracking his phone's screen...again. Shigeru sighed and got up blearily taking minutes to actually reach the alarm and shut it off. His neighbors are probably pissed, but Shigeru doesn't really have the energy to care. He goes about his morning routine quickly he strips out of his boxers and goes into the shower washing his hair and body methodically. He stepped out wrapping a towel around his waist, and plugging in his blow drier. He puts gel in his hair and starts up the blow drier while combing his hair, until it finally looked to his specifications. He then cleansed his face and brushed his teeth, toothbrush still in his mouth, Shigeru heads to his room and grabs a pair of sweatpants and his coaching jersey as well as a turquoise t-shirt. He than rushes back into the bathroom and spits than proceeds to get dressed before reaching for his phone and checking the time. It's five thirty am and he has no time to eat and so he grabs his keys, and rushes out the door.
He makes it to the bus stop near his apartment and a few stops later he's at the animal hospital. It looks dark inside and he realizes like an idiot that the place is most likely closed. He looks up the number to the animal hospital and almost gives up after three rings but just then he hears a rough voice answer.
" Kyoutani Animal Hospital, Kyoutani Kentarou speaking."
Yahaba's surprised to find his breath catch in reaction to the voice, naturally low and tone biting, but even lower and rougher with fatigue. He swallows and proceeds on because really, he's too old to get excited by a voice. He remembers Mochi's who he is here for and pulls himself together.
"Sorry yes, my name is Yahaba Shigeru, I'm here to check on my puppy Mochi? I brought her in last night and-"
"I remember," the voice cuts in then grunts, and there is some shuffling heard in the background, some curses and a loud thump. "Just give me a minute, I'll come down. Fuck Nan, yeah I'll feed you in a minute."
Shugeru raises his eyebrow, "Yeah, sure, thanks." He then hangs up and waits outside the building watching the cars go by, he sees a coffee shop nearby and wonders if he can make it there before practice. Probably not. He sighs, and notices movement out of the corner of his eye and turns just in time to see Kyoutani Kentarou, the vet from the other night and the voice he's just heard, now making his way to the front and unlocking the door and peeking his head out before turning to Shigeru, holding the door open for him.
"Hurry up we aren't supposed to be open."
"What a gentleman," Shigeru says dryly walking past Kyoutani, he knows maybe he should be nice, or at least cordial but this guy's attitude gets under his skin. He sees Kyoutani's fist tighten in his hand, sees the flex go up his arm. When Shigeru really takes in Kyoutani he realizes he's wearing sweapants and a white undershirt that clings dangerously to a body which, is surprisingly muscular. Shigeru looks the man in his eyes, pleased to find that he can look down at him, even if there is hardly a height difference.
"So how's Mochi?"
Kyoutani narrows his eyeliner- less eyes at him, his scowl somehow growing all the more severe. "Mochi's good, she seems to be fine." He hands him a box of medicine, "just in case you can buy some of this. She seemed to have had trouble passing part of a toy she had eaten."
Shigeru frowned and paid, "She's fine? Nothing else wrong with her stomach?"
Kyoutani looked him in the eye a moment, Shigeru felt uncomfortable under the stare but didn't dare look away, finally after a few weirdly tense moments Kyoutani turned away and mumbled. "Nothing's wrong with her. So you want to pay and then we can bring out Mochi?"
Shigeru paused for a moment, "Well actually is there any way you can hold her for the day?"
Kyoutani's nose wrinkles in displeasure, "Why did you make me get up if you couldn't pick her up?"
Yahaba crosses his arms, "Well I want to see her I just can't bring her home now. Has anyone ever told you you have an attitude problem?"
Kyoutani doesn't answer, not that he has to. He than sighs through his nose and turns and walks away, "Come on." Shigeru follows them through what looks like a back area that smells very much like animal. Then Kyoutani leads him through a narrow hallway, up a set of stairs, and to a door that he unceremoniously pushes open. Kyoutani walks through what must be his apartment. They make their way through a small kitchen/ living room area. He can see little personal touches everywhere, small knickknacks scattered about, kids drawings littering the fridge, a toy here and there. It's not overly cluttered but it feels surprisingly comfortable especially compared to Shigeru's apartment. Shigeru and kyoutani are greeted by the great office beast pit bull. She looks even more intimidating now but she goes over to her owner and nudges him with her nose. She then looks at Shigeru and trots over sniffing him. Shigeru looks a bit unsure then bites his lip and pats her head.
"You shouldn't approach her like that, Nan is pretty forgiving but if you're petting a new dog you shouldn't reach over their head like that. Makes 'em nervous."
"Oh okay," Shigeru responds continuing to pet her, "Nan huh? It's good to meet you."
When Shigeru looks up he notices Kyoutani staring at him his look intense, his body posture rigid. Is he not supposed to pet the dog? Shigeru waits for Kyoutani to stop boring holes into him, but Kyoutani makes no pretenses, so, for the sake of avoiding awkwardness Shigeru decides to play nice.
"So is Mochi here? Or are you actually planning on sicking your dog on me?"
Kyoutani rolls his eyes frowning before turning on his heel and heading down a hall past the bathroom. He slowly creaks open a door on the right before heading in. He doesn't bother to follow Kyoutani in but he does peak his head through the door. He isn't prepared.
There's a sliding glass door that leads out onto a porch. It doesn't provide a great view but it has a little table and two chairs, it's also overflowing with plants of all different kinds. All healthy. Shigeru has to assume this is due to some form of magic. There's also pictures littering the walls, some of places, some of people, and plenty of Kyoutani's daughter. Shigeru doesn't pay too much attention to the pictures, doesn't bother looking them over. He sees a volleyball on the floor, some weights and the ugliest stuffed animal he's ever seen. Then he looks to the bed and he sees the little girl from the other day curled up on the bed. Her face is completely relaxed, long dark lashes spilling over her cheeks, black short hair curling at the ends, in her arms she's holding little Mochi who seems more than comfortable. They're both cute. Shigeru feels a smile tugging at his lips. He looks over to Kyoutani and is shocked to see an unfurrowed brow, a small smile stretching over his lips, his eyes sparkling with something Shigeru can't quite name: love? peace? a combination? Whatever it is Kyoutani wears it well.
Then Kyoutani catches Shigeru looking and turns away to reach over to his daughter but than Shigeru grabs Kyoutani's arm. Kyoutani jumps in surprise and whips his head around. Shigeru shakes his head and puts his finger to his lips, than heads out of the room and waits by the door unsure. Kyoutani follows Yahaba out, closing the bedroom door behind him.
"So do you bring all the dogs up to your apartment?"
Kyoutani scowls but he's scratching the back of his neck and looking down almost bashfully, " You asked me to watch him. Besides Ima wanted to practice her training."
Shigeru raises an eyebrow and chuckles, "Tell me how that goes."
Kyoutani doesn't smile but he does nod and Shigeru supposes that will have to do. Kyoutani turns away and then goes over to an already brewing coffee pot, "You like coffee?"
Shigeru blinks then nods, "Black."
Kyoutani looks at him and raises an eyebrow, his face is almost comically surprised. "Thought you'd be a priss."
Shigeru smiles coyly and bats his eyelashes, "Do I look prissy?"
Kyoutani blinks for a moment, "Yes."
Shigeru rolls his eyes, does this guy have any sense of humor? Fine. Whatever, he can't complain, the guy's offering him free coffee and watching his dog. Kyoutani pours him some coffee into a to go mug. "Bring that back washed, when you come to pick up Mochi." Shigeru smiles and takes the mug and sips it humming happily. It's better than the crap he buys, he thinks about asking about it but then glances over at Kyoutani's... cat clock? He realizes he's spent way more time here than he'd intended. "Shit! Thanks for the coffee and for watching Mochi! I have to go I'll be late to work! Bye Kyoutani!" Kyoutani blinks, eyes wide in surprise before he hesitantly waves. Shigeru smiles and waves back then runs out of the apartment and down the stairs out of the animal hospital. He catches a bus to the university and can't stop the light feeling in his chest. Mochi's healthy and once he gets out of work he'll bring her home for the evening. His plans include indulging her in treats and cuddling her until they both fall asleep. No amount of loud crying babies, strange smells, or elbows in the ribs he receives can dampen his mood. His days already great.