Reincarnation AU | Himuro x Reader

We only remember each other in alternating lifetimes so every lifetime we have to find one another and convince each other that we’re soul mates but half the time I won’t believe you and half the time you’re already dating someone else.”

“Yo Tatsuya, it’s been a while since we last talked. Work is just crazy for me, you know, but I’m free this weekend. Wanna meet up? I kind of want you to meet someone.”

Himuro waited patiently for Kagami’s voicemail to end before dialing his friend’s number. Truth be told, he already knew where this is going; the last time he and Kagami met to catch up, the latter was a blushing mess and asking for Himuro’s advice on how to catch a girl’s attention. Himuro couldn’t believe at first that something completely unrelated to food nor basketball got Kagami’s attention and interest but he supposed his younger brother has to grow up at some point.

That was roughly two years ago and judging from the rather excited voicemail, it seemed like it worked.

Himuro blinked. Has it really been two years?

Kagami picked up on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Taiga, it’s been a while,” Himuro answered, a small smile dancing on his lips hearing his friend’s voice. He didn’t realize how much he missed Kagami.

“Tatsuya! Hey! What’s up? Why are you calling?”

Kagami’s voice sounded both confused and curious. Did he really just forgot about the voicemail he sent last night? Himuro sighed and chuckled. Some things really don’t change. “You left a message asking if I was free this weekend. Or was that a wrong send?”

Something crashed at the other line. “Ow! Shit.. uh, sorry,” Kagami sounded sheepish and Himuro couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, that weekend thing is still good. You coming? I booked a place for Saturday. Near your place, the one with really good shrimps. Next to your giant friend’s bakery.”

“I know the place,” Himuro nodded before realizing Kagami couldn’t see that gesture. “I’ll come. Is this dinner?” Himuro asked.

“Lunch. Is that ok?” Kagami suddenly sounded nervous.

“Lunch… lunch is fine,” Himuro replied, his answer a beat too late, curious at the sudden change in Kagami’s voice. Wait a minute… Himuro suddenly smiled in amusement. “Dinner date with your lady friend?”

Himuro didn’t need to see it to know Kagami was blushing on the other end. “N-no! I mean… yeah, sort of? Shit, I’m clamming up am I?”

“First date?” Himuro teased and he couldn’t help but laugh when the other line sputtered and a few more sounds of things crashing. Kagami probably dropped the phone.

It took a moment, but eventually, Kagami’s voice was back, although it remained strained. “No, not the first date. I uh… she apparently likes me too so we kind of hooked up and… well, it’s been a year.”

Right, it’s been two years. How does time pass by so fast?

Himuro took a while to process all that, mostly because Kagami was stuttering so bad and he kept pausing. “Wow…” Himuro exhaled and blinked. “Taiga, wow… congrats, man!” He laughed. He couldn’t help but feel happy and proud. He always knew Kagami had it; the man has his own charm.

“Yeah, thanks…”

Kagami didn’t really sound like he was saying ‘thank you’ though. Himuro frowned. “Taiga, what’s wrong?”

“Wrong?! Nothing!” Kagami shouted and Himuro had to distance his phone away from his ear.

“Indoor voice, Taiga.”

“Whoops! Sorry, sorry… I’m just very nervous… no, not nervous. More like excited. Shit. How am I suppose to even say this?” Kagami was rambling now and Himuro idly wondered if he should snap his friend back to reality.

“Taiga, is there even a point in this?”

“Right, the point. Well, you've been my best friend for as long as I can remember and I'd like you to take part in a very special moment in my life."

Himuro’s eyes widened, not quite believing where this is going. “Don’t tell me you’re—”

"Yes, I'm getting married!" Kagami was back screaming on the other line.

“W-wow… Seriously? This isn’t a joke, right? Wow… Taiga…” Himuro tried to sound happy but it came out more of a disbelief on his part. He immediately felt guilty. “Sorry, but that was really surprising…” Himuro never thought he’d hear something like this so soon. Has it really been two years?

Fortunately, Kagami only laughed at Himuro’s rather unenthusiastic response. “It’s cool, Tatsuya. Kuroko and the whole gang didn’t want to believe it as well when he heard it yesterday. I couldn’t believe it either. It was just so surreal! Did I ever come off as someone who’d kneel and slip a ring on someone’s finger?”

Himuro couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s awed voice. He idly wonders who’s the lucky girl. “You’re right, Taiga and I’m genuinely happy for you. Congratulations, really. And I’ll definitely be there on Saturday for lunch. Can’t wait to meet the future Mrs. Kagami,” Himuro said the last part teasingly and laughed upon hearing his friend sputtering. His face is probably as red as his hair.

Finally, there’s something to look forward to this weekend.

The Iwatobi restaurant was pleasantly uncrowded as Himuro entered. He scanned the area for any sign of his red haired friend.

“Table sir?” a waiter approached Himuro politely.

“Actually, someone is waiting for me.”

“Name then?”

“Himuro Tatsuya.”

Himuro watched as the waiter checked his list and eventually spotted his name. He gestured Himuro over the corner near the west window. Himuro gave a polite smile and bow before making his way.

It was a fancy restaurant, one of the more upscale ones in this district, and Himuro notes it’s been only twice he went here to dine. First was that time he accompanied Murasakibara to apply as pastry chef here only for the latter to be rejected (which in the end, Murasakibara promptly opened his own bakery right next to Iwatobi just to spite the owner). The second time was when Kagami asked him for advice on girls.

And now, this third time…

“Oof! Oh! I’m so sorry, please excuse me.”

Himuro was immediately helping the stranger up. “Ah, I’m sorry as well, I was not paying… attention…” his voice grew quiet as he looked at who exactly he just bumped accidentally.

You.

“Thank you,” you smiled gratefully at this beautiful stranger who stopped you from falling. You laughed shyly. “I’m not very used to wearing heels so this happens a lot whenever I do wear one.”

“It’s… it’s no problem,” the stranger replied slowly, his eyes now locked into yours.

You couldn’t help but shift uncomfortably at his gaze. "Uhm…”

“Himuro,” the stranger suddenly introduced and just like that, his intense gaze was replaced with soft eyes and a polite smile.

You smiled back slightly. “(L.name). What brings you here, Himuro-san?”

Before this man named Himuro could reply, the door of the restaurant opened again. You turned back and instantly lit up when you saw the newcomer. “Taiga-kun!”

“(F.name),” Kagami was immediately all over you, his arms wrapping around your waist and pressing a chaste kiss on your lips. He was smiling goofily (his expression ever since you said yes to him) and blushing. “Hi.”

“Hello to you too,” you laughed, pecking his lips back and returning his embrace. 

“Did you found our seat? I specifically asked if the window— Tatsuya!” Kagami exclaimed, releasing his hold on your for a moment. You turned around and saw Kagami smiling at Himuro.

Your eyes widened at this coincidence. “You’re Tatsuya-san?”

Himuro stiffened as soon as you uttered his name but was brought back when Kagami switched to tackle him instead. “Hey! Long time, no see!”

“It’s been a while, Taiga,” Himuro replied easily, smiling and returning the hug. When he released Kagami’s hold, his eyes were back to you. “So this is the future Mrs. Kagami.”

You blushed and smiled shyly, then laughed as you watched Kagami turn into deep crimson and look absolutely embarrassed.

Unfortunately, you failed to catch the pained look in his eye nor the strain in his voice.

‘Head cool, hot heart.’

Himuro supposed he is going through a horrible nightmare. You, of all people, had to be the girl Kagami asked from him for advice. You, of all people, had to be Kagami’s girlfriend. You, of all people, had to say yes to Kagami.

You, of all people, had to fall in love with his little brother.

Of all people, it had to be Kagami Taiga.

Himuro wanted to laugh at the irony.

It felt like an eternity, but Himuro found himself playing along throughout the whole lunch. He was surprised how easily his replies come, his prompt smile every time Kagami embarrasses himself in front of you, his words of encouragement, the congratulations… it was so easy to pretend when all he felt was emptiness. Hollow.

Head cool, hot heart.

Soon enough, you and Kagami bid farewell as Himuro excused himself to leave first, apologizing for leaving so soon. Work sounded like a weak excuse but Kagami was too enamored to you right now to counter Himuro.

As soon as Himuro reached his apartment, he collapsed himself on his bed and buried his head under his pillow. Breathe, he told himself repeatedly as his chest suddenly bursted with pain. He choked and cough as he literally pushed air inside his mouth.

“Of course, it had to be you and him,” Himuro whispered, his voice between sadness and anger.

Himuro was more than aware how Fate seemed to have a vengeance against his soul. Life was never really fair to him, and more often, it mocks and teases him, with impossible things and more impossible dreams.

And now, of all the things Fate had to be cruel against him, it has to be you.

“God damn it!”

Himuro laid there for who knows how long, too exhausted to do anything. He was staring blankly at the ceiling when his phone rang.

“What now?” Himuro mumbled as he grabbed his phone. He frowned when he saw the caller ID. Why is Kagami calling now?

He really shouldn’t take the call, not with his rather unstable emotional and mental state, but he found himself pressing the answer button.

“Hello?”

“Sorry for calling this late, Tatsuya.” Was it really so late? Himuro pulled his phone away from his ear. It read: ten minutes before midnight. “I just wanted to ask how was (F.name)?”

Himuro knew this is not the best time to talk about this. He should politely end the call, get some sleep and maybe disappear from Kagami’s life until the next lifetime. “(L.name)? She’s great, Taiga, just like you said.” Himuro said, the only thing he said and did that was honest the whole day.

“She seems to be too perfect to be real right?”

“Yeah…” Himuro should really end the call. He was at least glad that Kagami is too dense most of the time to notice voice tones. Or maybe Himuro is just great at keeping the bitterness inside.

“Well, that concerns me, Tatsuya. It’s been a year since we got together and it was just perfect. Too perfect, you know? She never messes up anything and she puts up with all of my shit.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Himuro asked back, the spite in his voice all too obvious now at this point. “It sounds like you got lucky with her.”

"Yeah,” Kagami replied with worry, obliviously not noticing Himuro’s change of tone. He chuckled sadly. “She’s too good for me, right?”

‘Yes,’ Himuro’s mind screamed. ‘She’s too good for you. She’s not even for you. She’s mine, always has been and always will be.’

Himuro took a deep breath.

Cool head, hot heart.

“Listen, Taiga, (L.name)-san seems really wonderful. Calm down, all right?” He closed his eyes, ignoring a single tear that spilled. He paused as he recounted his memories of you. Your smile reserved only for him, your eyes; your everything only for him.

Cool head, hot heart.

“… You’re overanalyzing things, Taiga. I can assure you that she’s an amazing person. Trust your big brother here, will you?”

“I don’t know…”

“Then I don’t know how to convince you otherwise, dear little brother.”

He was about to end the call and stop any more damage to his sanity when Kagami’s voice continued the conversation. “Can I ask a favor then, Tatsuya?”

Himuro sat up, noticing the change of tone of voice from the other line. Kagami didn’t sound so nervous anymore. “Depends, Taiga. What favor would that be?”

“Could you go out with (F.name)?”

‘Tell him no.’ “… What?” Fortunately, he sounded genuinely surprised.

“Go out with her. Not like a date but like you ask her to meet you somewhere and not to tell it to me.”

‘This is a bad idea. A very bad idea.’ “You want me to test her trust with you?”

“Something like that. If she’s as good as she seems, she’ll tell me. If not, then you tell me how she behaves. Please..? This is a really big step for me and I want to do it with the right girl.”

‘You shouldn’t have asked me for this favor. I don’t trust myself. I can’t promise anything. I should really say no but—’ “If this will really help… tell me what to do.” Himuro’s voice was both calm and soothing, as though the events that afternoon didn’t happen.

A relieved sigh came from the other line. “Thanks man. Seriously. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Anything for a friend,” Himuro replied, smiling although it came out empty. “I just hope you don’t regret this.”

‘Forgive me, Taiga, but I cannot promise I’d hold myself. I really hope you don’t hate me after this…’