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A lighthouse helps guide vessels safely in & out of harbors.
Matsukawa Issei is a lighthouse.
As the oldest son, he knew his plans after school weren’t to go to college or move abroad. He was expected to help his father run the family funeral home business.
Issei stayed home
Matsukawa Issei is a lighthouse.
As the oldest son, he knew his plans after school weren’t to go to college or move abroad. He was expected to help his father run the family funeral home business.
Issei stayed home
Issei said goodbye to Oikawa first, just a few weeks after graduation.
“Will you come visit me in Argentina?”
Issei smiled.
“Only if you lose yourself. But I’d rather you come back here to visit. I’ll be the one waiting at the airport.”
Issei was the one Oikawa called +
“Will you come visit me in Argentina?”
Issei smiled.
“Only if you lose yourself. But I’d rather you come back here to visit. I’ll be the one waiting at the airport.”
Issei was the one Oikawa called +
when he felt homesick. They would talk about Miyagi and the local gossip. Issei was the only one who could go to the Seijoh matches and would livestream them to Oikawa and Iwaizumi so that they could heckle their kouhai afterwards.
Issei was the first person Oikawa called after Argentina offered him citizenship.
“This means I can’t come home.”
Issei shakes his head, “No,
Tooru, you will always be able to come visit Japan but this hasn’t been your home for years. You’ve found acceptance and yourself+
“This means I can’t come home.”
Issei shakes his head, “No,
Tooru, you will always be able to come visit Japan but this hasn’t been your home for years. You’ve found acceptance and yourself+
in Argentina. Take the offer and when you come visit, I’ll be there at the airport to pick you up, just like always.”
And on July 22, 2021, Matsukawa Issei will be found waiting outside international arrivals gate with a fake crown and a sign that says, “Welcome back, King Toto”
And on July 22, 2021, Matsukawa Issei will be found waiting outside international arrivals gate with a fake crown and a sign that says, “Welcome back, King Toto”
The second person Issei says goodbye to is Iwaizumi who heads to California to complete his dream of becoming an Athletic Trainer.
Iwaizumi is no nonsense that first time they say goodbye. It’s a handshake and a hug.
Issei knows that Iwaizumi’s goodbye with Oikawa was
Iwaizumi is no nonsense that first time they say goodbye. It’s a handshake and a hug.
Issei knows that Iwaizumi’s goodbye with Oikawa was
much more emotional but those two have always been weird.
Iwaizumi spends his first (and only) summer break in Miyagi, hanging out with Issei, working part time at the funeral home.
Issei is the first person Iwaizumi comes out to after some late night drinks.
Iwaizumi spends his first (and only) summer break in Miyagi, hanging out with Issei, working part time at the funeral home.
Issei is the first person Iwaizumi comes out to after some late night drinks.
“I’m gay, Issei. And I’m in love with my best friend.”
Issei clinks his bottle against Iwaizumi’s and says, “Welcome to the club, my friend.”
They bond over idiot best friends and cry on the phone when said idiot best friends go on dates with others.
Issei clinks his bottle against Iwaizumi’s and says, “Welcome to the club, my friend.”
They bond over idiot best friends and cry on the phone when said idiot best friends go on dates with others.
It’s Issei who Iwaizumi confides in when he decides he’s going to tell Tooru how he feels after the Japan and Argentina match.
“I’m telling him and then I’m gonna kiss him.”
Issei, the secret keeper, already knows that Tooru is planning something similar and can’t wait to watch
“I’m telling him and then I’m gonna kiss him.”
Issei, the secret keeper, already knows that Tooru is planning something similar and can’t wait to watch
it live on television. All of Seijoh erupts with cheers when they watch Tooru jump into Iwaizumi’s arms and kiss him senseless after the match.
Issei cheers to but his eyes fall on Takahiro who seems to be frowning and looking his way.
Issei cheers to but his eyes fall on Takahiro who seems to be frowning and looking his way.
The third person Issei says goodbye is Takahiro, who is restless and wants out of their town. He wants to travel to Tokyo and find his place in the world, a good paying job, 2.4 kids, the whole deal.
And he won’t achieve that in Miyagi with Issei.
So Issei lets him go.
And he won’t achieve that in Miyagi with Issei.
So Issei lets him go.
They walk to the train station, suitcase rolling behind them, clanking loudly on the otherwise quiet walk.
It’s been a struggle for Takahiro to watch his other friends leave on their grand adventures.
Meanwhile, Issei has accepted that his life will always be here.
It’s been a struggle for Takahiro to watch his other friends leave on their grand adventures.
Meanwhile, Issei has accepted that his life will always be here.
They argue about it.
“Issei, what kind of life is this?” Takahiro yelled, gesturing at the inside of the funeral home.
“It’s expected of me, Takahiro, and I am going to honor my father by working and learning by his side.
“That’s so fucking stupid, Issei. Come with me!”
“Issei, what kind of life is this?” Takahiro yelled, gesturing at the inside of the funeral home.
“It’s expected of me, Takahiro, and I am going to honor my father by working and learning by his side.
“That’s so fucking stupid, Issei. Come with me!”
The argument ended with them not speaking for the last week before Takahiro leaves for his new job in Tokyo.
But Issei loves him.
And so he’s waiting outside Takahiro’s house the morning he’s set to leave.
Small smiles are exchanged.
But Issei loves him.
And so he’s waiting outside Takahiro’s house the morning he’s set to leave.
Small smiles are exchanged.
They hug goodbye with murmured “I love you. Be safe.”
One means it completely differently than the other.
And then Issei is left alone in Miyagi.
He finds other friends who have stayed behind too. And he’s happy.
One means it completely differently than the other.
And then Issei is left alone in Miyagi.
He finds other friends who have stayed behind too. And he’s happy.
Calls from Tooru and visits from Iwaizumi help but rarely does he hear from Takahiro.
“I’m not coming back until I’ve made something of myself.”
And so Issei lives his life, feelings for his best friend never burnout.
“I’m not coming back until I’ve made something of myself.”
And so Issei lives his life, feelings for his best friend never burnout.
And then they gather in Tokyo to celebrate their Olympian. Argentina flags decorating their faces, teasing messages to Iwaizumi about being a traitor, and there is Takahiro.
It’s the first time they’ve seen each other in two years.
It’s the first time they’ve seen each other in two years.
But a tight hug and deep ‘hello’ and Issei feels like a teenager again, heart beating out of control.
They watch Tooru kiss Hajime on the Olympic court. Issei is thrilled for his friends, but a tiny part of his heart angers.
Why can’t it be him?
They watch Tooru kiss Hajime on the Olympic court. Issei is thrilled for his friends, but a tiny part of his heart angers.
Why can’t it be him?
Takahiro watches the kiss and cheers too but there’s a slight frown on his face as he turns to look at Issei who motions with his head to go to the kitchen.
“Did you know they were going to do that?”
Issei nods, “I knew they were both planning it but I wasn’t sure who would+
“Did you know they were going to do that?”
Issei nods, “I knew they were both planning it but I wasn’t sure who would+
actually initiate the kiss.”
Takahiro swirls his beer bottle, “it’s about damn time. They’ve been pining over each other for years.”
“They aren’t the only ones.”
Takahiro swirls his beer bottle, “it’s about damn time. They’ve been pining over each other for years.”
“They aren’t the only ones.”
He doesn’t mean to say it but he’s a little drunk & incredibly irritated with this stupid man standing across from him.
But Takahiro has never been hard of hearing and looks at him sharply, “What is that supposed to mean?”
If Tooru was brave enough to kiss Hajime on tv then+
But Takahiro has never been hard of hearing and looks at him sharply, “What is that supposed to mean?”
If Tooru was brave enough to kiss Hajime on tv then+
Issei can tell this stupid man how he feels.
“Takahiro, I have been in love with you for 10 years.”
“Takahiro, I have been in love with you for 10 years.”
It hangs between them, Takahiro’s mouth drops open and then closes several times.
He finally growls out, “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
Issei lets out a humorless laugh, “You wanted nothing to do with Miyagi for years. You would have been miserable there with me.”
He finally growls out, “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
Issei lets out a humorless laugh, “You wanted nothing to do with Miyagi for years. You would have been miserable there with me.”
“No“
“Be real, Hiro,” Issei snaps, “you would have grown to hate me for holding you back from this wondrous dream life you have here. I couldn’t handle that.”
“What do you want me to do?” Takahiro yells back, “I wanted to prove that I could make something of myself.
I failed.”
“Be real, Hiro,” Issei snaps, “you would have grown to hate me for holding you back from this wondrous dream life you have here. I couldn’t handle that.”
“What do you want me to do?” Takahiro yells back, “I wanted to prove that I could make something of myself.
I failed.”
“Fuck, I don’t care if you failed. I have always been there, a light guiding you home and you’ve ignored it for 9 years. I can’t make you do anything, Hanamaki Takahiro. You have to fucking decide that I’m worth it,” Issei yells, slamming his bottle down and storming out of the+
kitchen.
Takahiro doesn’t follow.
With a tight smile, Issei says goodbye to the team and heads to Iwaizumi’s apartment to start the process of healing his broken heart.
Takahiro doesn’t follow.
With a tight smile, Issei says goodbye to the team and heads to Iwaizumi’s apartment to start the process of healing his broken heart.
He goes out to a celebratory dinner with the team and Tooru before he heads back to Argentina. Takahiro doesn’t show.
Iwaizumi and Tooru give him big hugs and thank him for bring their best friend before he goes home to Miyagi.
The evening train pulls in around 9pm and +
Iwaizumi and Tooru give him big hugs and thank him for bring their best friend before he goes home to Miyagi.
The evening train pulls in around 9pm and +
standing on the platform, suitcase in hand, is Takahiro.
Confused, Issei steps onto the platform and walks toward Takahiro.
“Maybe a life in Miyagi wouldn’t be so bad especially if that life was with you, Issei.”
“Did you think it would be this easy, Takahiro?”
Confused, Issei steps onto the platform and walks toward Takahiro.
“Maybe a life in Miyagi wouldn’t be so bad especially if that life was with you, Issei.”
“Did you think it would be this easy, Takahiro?”
Takahiro’s eyes jerk up, “No but I’m ready to start proving that I’m a man worthy of your love.”
Issei smiles and holds out his hand, “Welcome home, Hiro.”
Issei smiles and holds out his hand, “Welcome home, Hiro.”
[the end]
