Chapter 6
“Thank you for helping me set up today.”
“It was my pleasure, Kiyoko, and thank you for the drink. It’s beautiful, as always,” Suga said as he admired the design in the foam of his drink. “Just let me know if you need anything else before it starts.”
Kiyoko nodded and walked back to the espresso bar inside the café, which left Suga to enjoy his coffee on the outdoor patio behind the building. More and more guests came out of the cafe and the tables around him filled up quickly. His phone buzzed with a text, so he glanced at the screen.
From: Daichi
Just wrangled everyone into the truck with their equipment. Should be there just before 7. Set up go okay? Excited?
To: Daichi
Everything’s ready, so get here when you can. I signed us up to go on pretty early.
To: Daichi
So excited. You guys are gonna be amazing. Assuming you get here on time :P
Suga smiled into his coffee and tried to calm the nervous fluttering in his stomach. The Bird’s Nest Café had become sort of a second home to Suga since he moved out of Asahi’s apartment and into his own right down the street. Noya and Tanaka still worked there, so he got to spend more time with them. Also, because of their antics, he had gotten to know their manager, Kiyoko, and they got along well. Something about being around Noya and Tanaka all the time did that to people.
By 6:45 in the evening, almost all of the tables had filled up. Suga kept a calm façade, but his stomach still flipped inside of him. It was the first time they were playing in front of a crowd. It was the first time people outside the band would be hearing his lyrics.
He heard quick, light footsteps across the patio and he looked up at the incoming ball of energy.
“Suga!” Hinata yelled.
The area set up to be the stage was right alongside the building, so that they could use the hookups for electric instruments, and the tables were spread out around it. Hinata barreled through the tables and Suga saw that Yachi followed him at a slower, more deliberate pace. When they arrived at Suga’s table, Hinata plopped down on one side of him and Yachi on the other.
“Hey you two! I’m so glad you could make it!” Suga said. He patted Yachi on the shoulder and she smiled and nodded nervously. He turned to Hinata. “No Kenma tonight?”
Hinata shrugged. “Nah, Kenma was already too comfortable on the couch. He said that Kuroo might go over later to keep him company, so I didn’t feel too bad leaving him.”
Hinata had just transferred to the local university to finish his last year and had been staying with Kenma. Through Kenma, Hinata met Kuroo, and, through Kuroo, Hinata met Suga, Daichi, and Yachi. Hinata broke through everyone’s walls very quickly, so it hadn’t been long before they were fast friends. He had even come to Daichi’s for a couple parties, where he had become friends with Asahi, Noya, and Tanaka. They were a rowdy bunch, but Suga loved all of it.
“Fair enough. Hopefully they’ll all be able to come to the next one,” Suga mused.
“We can tell them how great everyone was and then they’ll come!” Yachi yelped.
“Yeah! I’m really pumped for tonight, but I already can’t wait for the next one!” Hinata bounced in his seat.
Suga took a sip of his drink and caught Yachi eyeing his mug. She cleared her throat. “I, um, when does it start again? Do I have time to get a drink?”
“Oh, definitely. The music won’t start for another ten minutes,” Suga assured and shooed her in the direction of the bar.
When Yachi left, Hinata put his head down on the table. “I wish I could be in a band.”
“Really? Why?”
Hinata sat up in his chair and waved his arms. “I can sing! I busk in university courtyard after classes. And I write my own songs sometimes!” Hinata shouted.
Suga was genuinely surprised. “Hinata, I had no idea! You should join us next for practice next weekend! I’d love to hear you!”
Hinata’s jaw practically hit the table, and Suga was just about to reach over to ruffle his hair when he heard two very loud and very familiar voices yell for Kiyoko, followed by the sound of someone hitting them both on the back of the head. The cavalry had arrived.
Suga looked toward the door and made eye contact with Asahi. Asahi grabbed Daichi’s shoulder and pointed to Suga’s table.
Hinata waved enthusiastically and almost knocked their table over in the process. Daichi pointed Asahi, Noya, and Tanaka to the side of the performance area, gave them a couple instructions, and came over to stand by Suga’s chair.
“Hey!” Daichi smiled directly at Suga and it shot right through his heart like an arrow.
“Hey yourself,” Suga stuck out his tongue. Daichi let out a small giggle. It was one of Suga’s favorite laughs.
“And hey Hinata! Thanks for coming out tonight!”
“Daichi! Thanks for inviting me! Suga said I could join your band!” Hinata screamed across the table. The other patrons in the coffee shop looked over with varied degrees of amusement.
“Did he now?” Daichi put his hand on Suga’s shoulder and he leaned into the touch. “Maybe you should hear us play first.”
“That’s what I’m doing!” Hinata pointed to the stage area in front of them.
“Yachi’s here too, but she’s at the bar getting a drink,” Suga added.
Daichi hummed. “I saw her in the cafe, but she wasn’t in line for a drink. She was just staring behind the espresso bar. I tried calling her name, but it was like she was in a trance or something.”
Suga got up to look through the window into the cafe. Sure enough, Yachi was standing there, completely red-faced. He followed her line of sight to Kiyoko delicately pouring milk into a coffee drink.
“Oops. I sort of forgot that this would be her first time meeting Kiyoko,” he said aloud.
The puzzle pieces clicked in Daichi’s mind. “That explains a lot. Maybe one of us should check on her?”
Suga shrugged and peeked into the window again. Kiyoko had caught Yachi staring and beckoned her over to the counter. Yachi approached slowly. Suga sat back down when he saw Kiyoko smile sweetly at the petite blonde.
“They’ll be just fine,” he said as he looked up at Daichi from his seat. He poked him in the side. “Will YOU guys be fine? It’s your first time in front of a live audience, after all.”
“It’s your first time?!” Hinata asked.
“It is! This past winter was pretty busy for us at work and we wanted to wait until it was warmer so that we could play outside here with the electric guitar and fuller drum kit,” Suga paused, “and, well, we had other setbacks.”
“Yeah,” Daichi rubbed the back of his neck as he recalled the last six months, “it was hard to practice for awhile there because Noya sprained his wrist.” He looked over his shoulder to where Noya was tuning their instruments and Tanaka was gleefully slapping a shaking Asahi on the back.
“Noya hurt himself? When? What’d he do? Is he okay now?!” Hinata yelped with horror.
Suga put his hands out to steady the table and glanced over toward the side of the stage. “He hurt himself doing exactly that,” Suga said calmly as he directed Daichi’s eyes to where Tanaka was lifting Noya over his head.
“I can’t get one freaking minute of rest,” Daichi grumbled to himself. He smiled weakly at Suga before he turned to chaperone the rest of his band.
Suga yelled after him. “Tell them that if they don’t behave there’ll be no food next week!¨
Daichi nodded over his shoulder and walked over to the area beside the stage where musicians were tuning their instruments. Suga saw Daichi talking to Noya and Tanaka, who stood a little straighter after Daichi issued Suga’s warning. Asahi looked downright panicked and Daichi laughed.
Suddenly, the crowd hushed and a girl took her place at the microphone with an acoustic guitar slung over her shoulder. Suga checked the time on his phone; it was exactly 7 o’clock.
The girl at the mic took a breath and started to sing. Hinata sucked in a sharp breath and watched with such intensity that Suga thought he would combust. He watched Hinata’s leg bounce in time with the song and noticed that he caught on to the lyrics so quickly that he was singing along.
When the song was over, Hinata gushed. “She was so cool! The singer sung her notes like GWAH! And she was so good at the guitar! This is amazing!”
The next few acts elicited the same reaction from Hinata. Finally, when Daichi, Noya, Tanaka, and Asahi went up to the mics, Hinata was vibrating. Suga would’ve been lying if he said he didn’t feel the same way. Suga grabbed Hinata's hand with the pretense of calming the other man down.
Asahi adjusted the microphone to his height and, instead of speaking into it, he motioned for Daichi to come forward. He got up from his seat and introduced the band.
“Hey everyone. We’re Take to the Skies and this is our first time performing in front of an audience,” Daichi said. Suga put a hand over his mouth to try to hide how big his smile was while the crowd applauded. He was so damn proud.
“Before we start, I’d like to thank Kiyoko and the Bird’s Nest Café for having this event,” the audience applauded again. Suga saw Kiyoko at the door to the patio. The faintest blush spread across her cheeks. She looked to the side, right where Yachi was standing next to her. Yachi rewarded her with a smile of her own.
“Second, I want to thank my, well,” Daichi paused as he searched for the word, “co-captain.” Suga took his eyes off Kiyoko and Yachi only to find Daichi looking straight at him. “He not only writes our lyrics, but keeps us well-fed and out of trouble. Can everyone give Sugawara Koushi a round of applause?”
Hinata looked at him with stars in his eyes. Suga felt like he was going to throw up. He waved his hands in front of him to indicate that he should, in no way, shape, or form, take credit for how amazing everyone would think they were.
“Drop the modest act!” Tanaka yelled out from behind the drums. There were a few good-natured laughs from the crowd. Suga buried his face in his hands.
Daichi cleared his throat, “Alright! I’m going to hand the mic to Asahi now, so, uh, enjoy!” Daichi moved back to his original position and let Asahi stand in front of the mic. Suga had seen them play hundreds of times, but he still hadn’t gotten used to seeing Daichi stand with his guitar, foot on a pedal, ready to play. There were some things, he found, that no amount of preparation would help him handle with dignity.
Tanaka counted off and Asahi sung into the microphone.
Mmm buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh-duh-dah
Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh-duh-dah
We’re all goin’, we’re all goin’
Suga recognized the feeling in his stomach; it was was the same feeling you had when you were on a roller coaster, at the top of the biggest climb, right about to plummet to the ground.
Well, the lampshade’s on fire when the lights go out
The room lit up and we ran about
Well, this is what I really call a party now
Packed up our cars, moved to the next town
Asahi’s voice was perfect. It was low and slightly unpolished, but versatile and sharp. When Suga had first heard Asahi sing in the context of band practice, he didn’t think he had ever been so shocked in his life. Asahi’s voice matched his physical appearance, strong and a little dangerous.
Well, the lampshade’s on fire when the lights go out
This is really what I call a party now
Well, fear makes us really, really want to run around
This one’s done so where to now?
“Did that really happen?” Hinata mouthed across the table. Suga nodded ‘yes.’ He recited the lyrics in his head. It had only been a week or so since Suga had joined their circle of friends, right after his first week of work, and right before their first practice. Suga almost felt Daichi against his body as he remembered the phone call that brought the wall down between them.
Our eyes light up, we have no shame at all
Well you all know what I’m talking about
Shaved off my eyebrows when I fall to the ground
So I can’t look surprised right now
When Suga and Daichi had arrived at the house, Noya, Tanaka, and Asahi were outside watching the firefighters inspect the house. Noya’s eyes sparkled, Tanaka had been running around, and Asahi had been in complete and utter shock. Luckily for them, the firefighters had gotten there in time to minimize damage. Unluckily for everyone, Noya and Tanaka were kicked out of their house, so they packed up what they could and moved into Daichi’s spare room.
Pack up again, head to the next place
Where we’ll make the same mistakes
Burn it up, or just chop it down
Ah, this one’s done, so where to now?
This hadn’t been the first time Noya and Tanaka had been kicked out of their living situation, and Daichi had found himself with his hands full. Living with the two of them turned out to be another full-time job, on top on his actual full-time job. Winter was the busiest time at work, too, so Suga and Daichi never really had another moment alone.
Mmm buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh-duh-dah
Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh-duh-dah
We’re all goin’, we’re all goin’
Suga watched them all sing together, perfectly in time, perfectly in tune. He ignored the empty feeling that tried to crawl its way out of the depths of his heart and focused on Daichi’s face, his closed eyes, the way his fingers held the chords on the neck of the guitar, the way his muscles flexed as he strummed. Suga had realized it months ago; he was in love with the guy.
Well, the lampshade’s on fire when the lights go out
This is really what I call a party now
Well, fear makes us really, really want to run around
This one’s done so where to now?
Daichi opened his eyes when Asahi picked up the next verse and looked at Suga with a smile that danced across his face and bounced in time with the music. Suga supposed that he could have tried harder to create a moment between them, but he didn’t want to push his luck. This would have to be enough, he told himself. And he believed it. Over and over again.
Our eyes light up, we have no shame at all
Well, you all know what I’m talking about
The room lights up, well, we’re still dancing around
We’re havin’ fun, havin’ some for now
Suga tore his eyes away from Daichi and scanned the crowd. Each member of the group next to them was tapping along to the song. Hinata was practically falling off the edge of his chair. Everyone loved them.
Pack up again, head to the next place
Where we’ll make the same mistakes
Open one up and let it fall to the ground
Pile out the door when it all runs out
There was a little more to the song, but Daichi made the decision to cut it short in order to make sure that other acts got their chance at the microphone.
Mmm buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh-duh-dah
Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh-duh-dah
Everyone sung the last verse and ended on the same note. Tanaka threw his drumsticks on the ground, Noya jumped in the air with his bass still around his neck, Asahi let out a breath as his shoulders slumped, and Daichi put his palm over his strings to stop the sound. He looked at Suga with wide eyes, like he didn’t realize how amazing they had been and was looking to Suga for approval.
Suga threw caution to the wind, pushed his chair out of the way, and ran through the applauding audience. Tears ran down his face. When he got up to the stage, he threw his arms around Asahi and Daichi and pulled them into a tight hug. Noya and Tanaka came over, so Asahi wrapped his arm around Noya and Daichi rubbed Tanaka’s head.
Asahi broke free, whispered a “thank you” into the mic, and they moved out of the stage area. Suga still had his arm around Daichi’s neck and Daichi let his arm rest around Suga’s waist.
“Did we do okay?” Daichi whispered in Suga’s ear.
Suga wiped his eyes with the hand that wasn’t holding Daichi close and pulled him into another hug. “How can you even ask me that?”
He didn’t notice the way Daichi closed his eyes and let out a small breath as his hands gripped the back of Suga’s shirt. He didn’t notice Daichi smile as he held Suga in his arms. Meanwhile, Hinata jumped around the group.
“Suga wrote that? There was a real fire? The guitar was so amazing! Asahi’s voice is the BEST! And Noya on the bass! And Tanaka on the drums like BAM!” Hinata looked between all of the members of the band but couldn’t quite focus his praise on any one person in particular. “Can I join your band now?!”
Daichi’s mouth formed a thin line across his face as he thought about actually adding Hinata to their already rambunctious group. Suga elbowed him in side. Daichi winced and grabbed the spot below his ribs that received the blow. “Of course, yes, you’d be welcome,” he gasped.
Hinata jumped at least a foot in the air and brought his hands down in a sign of victory. Their post-performance celebration was interrupted by maniacal cheers of the crowd.
Suga looked toward the stage area, but no one was at the mic. He looked over toward the door and saw a couple faces that he vaguely recognized. Oikawa was gushing in front of his fans with practiced grace and posing for pictures with a big smile. Iwaizumi stood next to him with an unreadable expression.
He turned to say something to Daichi but found empty space. “Hinata, did you see where everyone went?” Suga looked around. “Hinata?” A small tug on the back of his shirt answered his question. Hinata hid himself behind Suga and looked like he was about to throw up.
Noya, Tanaka, and Asahi had gone into the café to talk to Yachi and Kiyoko, so most of the group was accounted for, but Suga was still missing Daichi. He looked back to where Oikawa had been talking to his fans, but the crowd had dispersed. Daichi was leading Oikawa and Iwaizumi toward them.
Oikawa had the same impressive presence on stage as he did just standing in front of him on a café patio. Hinata still looked like he was about to be sick.
Daichi spoke first. “Suga, let me introduce these guys officially. Oikawa, Iwaizumi, this this Sugawara Koushi.”
Suga winced. Daichi looked so proud to be introducing him to his very talented, famous friends and Suga couldn’t help but be embarrassed. What did he have to offer in the face of such overwhelming talent? It took a couple seconds, but he mustered the ability to respond.
“Nice to meet you both in person! I loved your set last fall so much that I had to buy your most recent album.”
“Such kind words,” Oikawa replied. His eyes traveled from Suga’s face, down his chest, and back up until they landed on his lips. Suga felt a chill go up his spine. “My, my, you really do have a nice face. Refreshing, even,” Oikawa said evenly.
Iwaizumi looked between them and rolled his eyes. Daichi looked at Suga with a worried expression, but Suga didn’t catch it. The word ‘refreshing’ reverberated in his mind. Where had he heard that recently?
Suga noticed a younger, serious-looking guy hovering around the group, so he shook the previous line of thought out of his head and caught his attention. “Ah, are you with Oikawa and Iwaizumi?”
Before the guy responded, Oikawa waved off Suga’s remark with a flick of the wrist. “Eh, just a lowly disciple of mine. You don’t have to mind him.”
“So Kageyama IS your disciple, now? After all that bitching and moaning?” Iwaizumi tilted his head and shot Oikawa a challenging look.
Oikawa’s shoulders caved and he wrapped his arms around his chest. “Using my own words against me, Iwa-chan. So mean!” He pouted.
“Kageyama? Like, Kageyama Tobio?” Daichi interjected. Iwaizumi nodded and Oikawa looked unamused. “Kageyama played guitar with The Court on their first album. He’s something of a genius.”
Oikawa scoffed. “I am the genius. Little Tobio was just lucky that I found him.”
“I wouldn’t call it lucky,” Iwaizumi muttered under his breath.
Daichi addressed Kageyama. “Nice to meet you in person, Kageyama. I loved what you did on the album,” he turned to Suga, “this guy really knows his stuff. We should have him come by and play with us sometime.”
Kageyama scowled. Suga wondered if he was nervous or if that was just his face. Kageyama surprised the group and bowed his head slightly. “I’d like that,” he said in a serious voice.
Hinata gasped loudly, which made Suga jump. In a flash, Hinata was out from behind Suga and in Kageyama’s face. He jabbed his finger right into Kageyama’s sternum and looked at him with burning eyes.
“YOU?!”