What Was That?

"So..." Akio blankly stared at Shinichi's slumped figure. "This is what you called for?"

Miyo avoided his gaze. "I need help."

Akio crossed his arms. "With?"

She gestured awkwardly to Shinichi. "With him."

"Can't we just put him on the bus? Or in a taxi?"

"I don't know where he lives..."

"Did you check his ID?"

"Oh." Miyo froze. His ID. Why didn't I think of that?

Akio blinked slowly. "So let me get this straight. You dragged me out here in the middle of the night because you went drinking with your crush and don't know how to handle the consequences of it?"

"It's not like I knew he was a lightweight." She muttered. "I didn't expect him to get this drunk."

"Did you at least ask him if he was taken like we discussed?"

"Well..." She fidgeted with her sleeves. "He poked my cheek and said he was seeing me..."

"Wow. He's cringey." Akio leaned forward as he patted Shinichi's pockets, looking for his wallet. "So what do you expect me to do about this?"

"Help me carry him."

"You've got to be kidding me."

Shinichi shifted slightly at the noise, lifting his head just enough to squint at Akio. "Who... you...?"

Akio looked through Shinichi's wallet, finding his ID and address. "The guy that's going to help you."

Shinichi pouted in drunken confusion. "Don't need help." He wrapped his arms around Miyo's arm absentmindedly. "She's got me."

Miyo's face went bright red.

"Interesting..." Akio mumbled to himself. "Well then, I guess that's my cue to go." He turned to leave.

"Wait." Miyo reached out and grabbed Akio's sleeve. "I can't carry him myself. He's heavy."

Akio looked back at her and smirked. "No. I think you got him."

"This isn't funny."

"It's a little funny."

"I called you because I need your help and you came. So are you going to help me or not?"

Akio sighed. "Fine. But if he throws up on me, I'm charging you for the cleaning."

Miyo awkwardly helped Akio put Shinichi onto his back as the bus pulled up.

Akio grunted as he adjusted his grip. "He's heavy."

"I told you."

Shinichi stirred, mumbling. "I'm not heavy."

"I beg to differ." Akio replied flatly. "Just go back to sleep deadweight."

Miyo hovered close, unsure how to help. "Are you okay?"

Akio smirked. "Worried about me?"

"I'm worried you'll drop him."

"Relax. Unlike you, I actually got this." 

Shinichi unconsciously chose that exact moment to slump harder against Akio.

Akio staggered a bit. "I mostly got this..."

Miyo instinctively reached out. "Do you want me to-"

"No." He quickly cut in as he steadied himself. "If we both try to carry him then he's definitely hitting the pavement."

"I thought you said you got this?"

"I do." Akio insisted as he started toward the bus doors. "Just make sure we get off the right stop."

Shinichi tightened his grip around Akio's neck.

Akio choked slightly. "He's totally doing this on purpose."

"He's unconscious."

"That's just what he wants you to think."

-

Once they got off the bus, Akio continued to carry Shinichi on his back while Miyo pulled up Shinichi's address on her phone. 

Shinichi buried his face deeper into Akio's shoulder. "You're not as comfy."

"Gee thanks." Akio replied dryly.

Miyo looked up from her phone. "It looks like it's just around that corner."

Miyo led the way to Shinichi's apartment building and once they arrived, they both froze.

They stood in the entryway gazing up at a narrow staircase where they had hoped an elevator would have been.

"His apartment number is 501." Miyo turned to Akio. "What should we do?"

"I say we leave him here."

"We can't do that. He'll get cold."

Akio groaned as he started for the stairs. "Let's get this over with."

The stairwell lights flickers weakly as if they were just as tired as he was.

-

After a grueling climb up five flights of stairs filled with multiple rest stops, nearly dropping Shinichi twice, and Miyo's not so helpful moral support, they finally made it to Shinichi's door.

Miyo fumbled with the keys while Akio barely kept his balance under Shinichi's dead weight.

Once the door opened, Akio staggered inside and let Shinichi drop onto the couch with a heavy thud. He then immediately collapsed on the floor. 

"Finally over." He panted, exhausted.

"Will he be okay?" Miyo's eyes fell on to Shinichi.

Akio let out a dry laugh. "I think your worries are misplaced right now." His breath came in short bursts. "I'm the one that hauled a grown man up five flights of stairs."

"You're right. Sorry. Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine." Akio sat up, rolling his shoulders. "On the condition that if you ever go drinking with him again, do not call me."

Miyo paused, then a light laugh slipped from her lips. "Okay. Deal."

The sound caught Akio off guard. He hadn't expected her to laugh. Not after her distress over what to do, not after the climb of stairs, not after the worry strained on her face over Shinichi.

It was soft. Unguarded. A glimpse of her real self. 

For a moment, he simply stared. 

The sound lingered in him more than it should have.

He blinked and looked away. What was that? 

Akio quickly pushed himself to his feet. "Come on. I'll take you home."

Miyo hesitated. "But shouldn't we get him into his bed?"

"He'll be fine on the couch, don't worry." He made his way to the door, then paused.

On the dresser in the hallway sat a framed photo that caught Akio's eye.

Miyo unfolded the couch blanket and draped it over Shinichi before going over to the door to put her shoes on. 

Akio looked away from the photo just as Miyo approached, reaching for the door handle. "Ready?"

-

Once they left the building, they walked to the train station.

"You know, he weighs a lot more than he looks." Akio said as he rubbed his shoulder.

Miyo glanced at him. "Probably because he goes to the gym a lot."

"Which gym?"

"The one across from the office. He usually goes in the morning and then gets coffee before going to work."

Akio raised an eyebrow. "Don't know if I should be impressed or creeped out you know that about him."

Miyo avoided his gaze. "It's not that weird. He tells me about it all the time."

"Does he now?" Akio paused for a moment. "Say... How about we go to his gym too?"

Miyo blinked, caught off guard. "His gym?"

"You need an opportunity outside work to get close to him. You did good going drinking with him, despite everything else." He let out a dry laugh as he stretched his neck. 

"I already see him every day at work and go on errands with him. I doubt seeing him more will make any difference."

"That's where you're wrong." He snapped his fingers. "Outside of work, in a different setting, you'll be more natural. At work I bet you're stuck in work mode, so how can he notice your true qualities if you're busy staring at reports and worrying about deadlines?"

"I don't know... I've never been to a gym before."

"That's why I'll be there." A smirk teased his lips. "So you don't embarrass yourself."

"Wow. How reassuring." Miyo said flatly.

"Don't worry. Worst case scenario, you drop a weight, embarrass yourself, but then Shinichi comes over all worried about whether you're hurt."

"Your plan is for me to get injured?"

"No. I said worst case scenario. Best case scenario..." Akio thought for a moment as they entered the station.

"Picture it." He continued. "Shinichi shows you how to use the equipment. He stands a little too close, helping you with your form, maybe your hands brush, and you try very hard not to combust."

Warmth crept to Miyo's face. "Don't make fun of me."

"I'm not. It's just an idea." 

Akio walked Miyo to the platform of her train. "Think about it." His tone became gentler. "I'm here to help but only if you're comfortable with it. We won't do anything if you're not up for it."

Miyo glanced at him, unsure whether to feel grateful or suspicious. "You're enjoying this a bit too much."

"Maybe a little."

The train pulled up to the platform. Miyo hesitated before getting on. "Thank you for today... I appreciate you showing up."

Akio gave a faint, tired smile. "Yeah. Just remember, no more side quests of carrying Shinichi, please."

Miyo returned his tired smile. "No promises."

A small chuckle left Akio's mouth as he waved Miyo off. He lingered on the platform, watching as the train departed. 

As Akio made his way to his train, his thoughts ran rampant, replaying the evening. What was that...?