Title: back, again, anew
Rating: G
Fandom: Jack Jeanne
Relationship: Kaido Dakeshin/Sugachi Kiyoharu
Wordcount: 1045
Short summary: Dakeshin makes a visit to Univeil right before starting university to see Sugachi. He’s coming back but Sugachi is moving forward.
March 27, Saturday. It’s the last weekend before the school year starts and Dakeshin has only one place on his mind. Univeil, Onyx classroom. It’s been almost a month since he was last here, and his next visit may not be until summer, but this place is still “home”. It will still be “home”, at least for another year…
He passes through relatively empty grounds as everyone is either away or inside, dances his way through the calm that precedes the upcoming storm. Next weekend will be especially busy here, so this is really the only time where he can see him. He doesn’t bother to play at stealth; he reaches his destination and flings the door wide open. The occupants inside are surprised. But while Kasai’s expression melts into a large grin, Sugachi’s expression…
“Shouldn’t you be at your university dorm?”
Dakeshin’s right hand immediately flies up to his chest. “What’s with this cold reception?” He closes the distance with large strides, stopping just in front of the seated dancing princess. “Aren’t you glad to see me, Sugachi Kiyoharu?”
Sugachi’s stern expression softens slightly. “Hmm.”
Dakeshin wonders if he’s overstepped some bounds, coming here even though he’s already graduated. Even though Sugachi and the rest of Onyx said he could visit at any time. Maybe Sugachi is really busy right now. In that case, Dakeshin could help… But really, in his heart, he just needs Sugachi to know…
“This is my last bit of free time before I have to go back to school.” He puts a hand on Sugachi’s shoulder. “Of course I had to come here.”
…How much he needs to see Sugachi.
Sugachi’s expression finally turns into a smile. “Kaido-san…”
Dakeshin could never be sick of seeing this smile. He could just stare at it. After all he’s going to have to live without seeing it for a few months. He needs to engrain it in his mind so that the memory stays strong.
“Sugachi-senpai, I can handle things here. Go and enjoy a break before the new students show up.”
Dakeshin finds himself jumping back, forgetting that Kasai has been here this whole time. That’s a mistake from someone who plans to enter the world of business, but…
“…Alright.” When Sugachi stands up and nudges Dakeshin in the arm, Dakeshin can’t help his smile. He shouldn’t be so happy, but he is getting what he wants. Selfishly…
They end up outside the building, sitting on a bench together. The temperature is a bit warm and the wind is gentle. The cherry blossoms should bloom soon if this keeps up. It’s too bad Dakeshin won’t be here to enjoy them with… He shakes his head. Focus. Sugachi is right here.
“Kasai is really trying to help out, huh?” Dakeshin says casually, wanting to restart conversation between them.
Sugachi nods. “He doesn’t want to lose to Tachibana in any way.”
“Hah!” So that’s what Sugachi noticed, or is he playing coy? “And neither do you to Shirota, right?” Dakeshin can play along.
“I want to win for Onyx.”
“Of course.” Dakeshin did find it frustrating that he didn’t win once with Sugachi as his partner, with the rise of Takanamigi and then the revival of Quartz, but he would be overjoyed if Sugachi and the 78th class won and showed the power of Onyx.
“I hope we find a great Jeanne among the 79th class.”
Dakeshin blinks. “That’s surprising.” Sugachi is an amazing Jeanne and prime to lead in that role for the upcoming year for Onyx. Was that fact unsatisfactory or…? Maybe when pitted against Quartz or Amber which had two strong Jeanne-capable students… “Well, that would be important for succession.”
Sugachi clears his throat. “Because you are my Jack Ace.”
Dakeshin’s breath catches. The declaration is strong and decisive, especially with no one else around, with no noise in the background to obscure the emotion behind it. It’s said as absolute truth, and Dakeshin feels his heart pounding. Kasai is likely the Jack Ace for Onyx this year. Sugachi, if his trajectory continues, is likely to join the Tamasaka troupe in the following year. There he might get paired up with Kai or Fumi or… But Dakeshin, whose career in theatre has concluded, who will not stand on stage again as a performer, as a Jack…
“Sugachi?” Dakeshin feels a hand land on his thigh. Sugachi has moved closer to him, enough that Dakeshin can feel his warmth.
“Kaido-san.”
Enough to be able to lean in, to close the distance completely. There are no thumbs in the way. Dakeshin’s hands find their correct places on Sugachi’s body: one behind the neck, the other under a jaw. It’s a fitting way to treat a princess, his dancing princess. Yes, his.
It’s a rather brief kiss, but it conveys everything that Dakeshin needs to know and wants to say. He pulls away with big smile on his face, which only grows when Sugachi laughs.
Why did it happen now, today, of all times? When they had nearly two years together, with many nights together alone? Was it because Dakeshin tends to pursue only certainties, and he just wasn’t 100% sure that Sugachi, not until Sugachi himself initiated the action…
“Kaido-san.”
“Call me Dakeshin.” It’s a reflexive request. They’ve become closer, right? “Kiyoharu.”
“…Dakeshin.”
The name is said with hesitation and Dakeshin’s heart skips a beat. It would surely have been a lethal weapon had Sugachi…Kiyoharu used it on him before now. Perhaps he’s been lucky that he didn’t accidentally suggest it before now.
“Kiyoharu, I…”
A sudden cell phone jingle interrupts Dakeshin. He pulls out his phone and sighs. It is unfortunate, but it seems his time here is up. Even though there is so much Dakeshin should…
“Safe travels, Dakeshin-san.”
But Kiyoharu knows. Dakeshin can tell from those words and from that smile. Kiyoharu understands the situation and has made peace with it. Probably more than Dakeshin has. He’ll have a long train ride to try to figure out the words he wants to say. But for now…
“See ya!”
He has to go, but he will be back. Because he’s left his heart here, with Kiyoharu. And he knows Kiyoharu will take good care of it until he can return.