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This day wasn’t going well as Baji hoped it would.
First, he woke up to his mother screeching at him when she found out his test papers— he was certain he burned those so how the hell did she have them — and she didn’t even greet him on his special day. He’s a bit pissed off at that but he knows she’s gonna surprise him later, she wasn’t subtle when it came to planning celebrations. (He also heard from Chifuyu about her plans).
Second, he went out to get some peyoung yakisoba from his favorite restaurant but it was fucking closed! He even saved up for this day! How the fuck were they closed when it was a weekend?! They’re open on weekends! They didn’t even put a damn sign that says why they were closed. He grumbled as he walked away from the restaurant, people staying away from him as they sensed his bad mood.
Third, no cats were letting him pet them. The only ones on the earth he loves more than his mom, his friends, and peyoung yakisoba were denying his pets. Baji almost cried— the fuck he did not —since even the cats at the alleyway he gives treats to weren’t going near him.
Was he really cursed on this day?
He’s now passing by the park, hoping to unwind for a bit before going home. Baji knew he was going to snap at someone if another thing went wrong on his birthday. He had hoped for too much today, perhaps he should stop expecting, and possibly something unexpected but good might happen.
He sat down on a bench and sighed in frustration. He stretched his back and tried to relax until he heard a rustle above him. He didn’t have time to move when something soft fell on top of his face. He freezes as golden meets golden and they stayed that way until the kitten blinks and meowed at him. His mood brightened up at seeing the kitten, maybe this was the unexpected blessing he didn’t ask for. He didn’t mind if it fell on his face— screw you, having a cat even near you is a blessing —he’s glad this one didn’t try to scamper away from him.
“Well, well, who do you belong to little one?”
He brings the cat closer to his face and chuckles as it licks his nose. He notices a collar on it and perked up at seeing the name Soba. Baji was amused as to who named their kitten Soba but somehow, it fits. He was about to stand up and search for its owner when Baji hears footsteps coming towards him.
And he saw a glimpse of heaven.
“Soba! I am so sorry! She usually strays away when she senses something wrong. Are you okay?”
Baji wasn’t sure if he was okay because his heart was beating faster than average. He blinked and blinked again to perceive if he was dreaming because there was no way he was seeing a gorgeous being in front of him right now.
(With his bad luck streak earlier, he’s almost certain this wasn’t happening. But it was, something whispered at the back of his brain.)
“Uhmm… are you alright? Soba didn’t hurt you, did she?” the angel comes closer to him, and asks with concern in his voice— fuck, Baji wishes he could hear that wonderful voice every day.
The teen looks at the angel with ebony hair and the most dazzling blue eyes he's ever seen. He stares at him, with no tact, but Baji wasn't known for his subtlety. Besides, how could one not be entranced by this moment? An angel was looking down at him as the orange hue of the leaves billow from the breeze. Baji’s glad he has Soba in his hands or else he would have punched the angel, not from shock, but from this uneasy feeling in his chest from meeting someone cute.
Is this what they call love at first sight? Now that he was up close, Baji could see how bright those blue eyes were... blue like the ocean on a summer's day.
The angel coughed in embarrassment at Baji's gaze. Baji grinned at him, showing his fangs, and gave the pretty teen his cat back.
“Nah, she didn’t do anything harmful! She’s an angel, just like her owner.”
“What?”
“What?”
The angel blushed at the compliment and Baji was embarrassed— why the fuck did his mouth have no filter?! Not that he was wrong anyways, the teen was an angel and a sight for sore eyes. He was about to say something to save himself from humiliation when Soba cried out, making Takemichi giggle at their awkward situation. Who the hell sounded like that? That giggle was fucking cute.
“How about you join us? There must be a reason why Soba went all the way to find you. My name’s Hanagaki Takemichi by the way!” Takemichi smiles at the mysterious teen who caught Soba’s attention. He was surprised that the boy looked like a human version of Soba, especially his eyes and fangs— handsome and dangerous yet has the persona of a cat.
“Names Baji Keisuke! Nice to meet ya! Sure, I’d love to join, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind! Come on! My picnic place is just near!” With his other hand, Takemichi grabbed Baji’s, dragging him along inside the park. They both didn’t say anything as the warmth of each other’s hands had turned their faces red as a tomato.
They arrived at Takemichi’s picnic area which was under a huge tree, there was a dark blue cloth and on top of it was a picnic basket. They sat down and the awkward atmosphere was back again as they didn’t know what to say. However, Soba made it better when she meowed and lay there, asking for pets and scratches. The teens looked at each other and burst out laughing at how the adorable kitten tried to ease their tension.
Baji and Takemichi spent the afternoon getting to know one another. They learned each other's likes and dislikes, their favorite thing to do, the places they love to hang out, and their hobbies. Baji narrated how his day went and Takemichi listened fervently all the while trying to feed him cookies— chocolate chip cookies that melt in his mouth; fuck he was going to date, no, marry this angel. Takemichi told Baji of his dream to open a cat café and almost screamed when Baji yelled out that he wanted to open up a pet shop. They both smiled at how similar their dreams were; deep down, they both want their shops to be beside each other.
Takemichi learned that Baji was in a gang called Tokyo Manji Gang and the first division captain felt smug at the wonder gleaming in the— his —angel’s eyes. Baji learned that Takemichi wanted to be in a gang but was a bit busy with school and he also find out that his angel was intelligent. Of course, Takemichi denied it but Baji knows an intelligent person when he sees one, after all, he’s spent years being tutored by some. He asked Takemichi if the teen wanted to meet his gang and friends— Baji wanted to make the gleam in those eyes shine even brighter. Takemichi looked at him as if he offered an army of fluffy cats and kittens and yes, Takemichi wanted to meet them.
They talk about how Soba got his name (Takemichi told him that he found Soba in a peyoung yakisoba container on a rainy afternoon) and Baji’s sure this could not be a coincidence. His favorite food was peyoung yakisoba and the kitten’s name was Soba. These two are connected somehow and he believes this was a sign from the heavens that he and Takemichi were meant to meet.
The day slowly closes in as the sun sets, and the orange and golden hues of the sky bring a sense of calm to Baji.
He’s disappointed this day ended quickly but he’s glad that even for an afternoon, he met Takemichi and Soba. This afternoon was a game changer in his life as he met his future boyfriend and husband (of course he needs to take it slowly first and introduce Soba to Peke J, he must have the cats— must have the matchmaker’s approval first).
Takemichi, on the other hand, can’t deny that he was attracted to Baji and no matter how cliché it may be, he fell in love at first sight. Baji’s smile, charisma, and humor are really what drew Takemichi to the teen. He loved how Baji was confident and had an energy that could rival Soba’s, how his compliments gave Takemichi butterflies in his stomach.
“I hope we will see each other again. Sooner.”
“I hope I get to see Takemichi and Soba again. Preferably tomorrow or else I might go crazy.”
They both bid goodbye with the promise to see each other again, Baji even says he’ll bring Peke J the next time they meet so Soba can have a playmate. Takemichi grins at the idea and gives Baji his number in case he needs it or if he wants someone to talk to— and maybe because he also wants to score a date with the golden-eyed teen.
“Thanks, Takemichi! I owe you one this day!”
“You don’t owe me anything Kei-kun! I’m glad I got to make you feel better on your birthday. No one should go through all of that on their special day!”
“Well, you made it extra special~ So thanks for that!” Baji smirks, delighted at the blush on Takemichi’s face— he wonders if he can make that blush deepen.
“Happy Birthday once again, Kei-kun! See you next time!” Takemichi squeaks out as kisses Baji’s cheek and walks away with Soba, leaving Baji grinning like an idiot in the middle of the street. The first-division captain touched the cheek Takemichi kissed and vowed to make the angel kiss something else other than his cheek.
Today might be Baji's lucky day after all; he might have had some bad moments from the start of his birthday but in the end, Takemichi and Soba made everything better.