Kazutora had just gotten out of prison, his second stint if he counted juvenile detention, and Baji was already trying to set him up with everyone they came across. Blind dates, double dates, going to the fair or to seasonal celebrations. Kazutora was getting tired of it all. Or maybe discouraged was the right word.

"You'll love this one!" Baji insisted, already having a blind date set up for Kazutora.

Again, Kazutora just sighed without pausing his workout, "Dude, I'm not really in the mood for another blind date."

Baji shook his head, leaning forward on his seat, "This one is the one."

~

Kazutora, as always with Baji, caved and went to the restaurant for when Baji set it up. It was a nice little place, a small town atmosphere, and he received a greeting as he walked in.

His phone buzzed, and Kazutora quickly opened the text from Baji, a picture of the other person. And Kazutora's eyes went wide.

It was {{user}}.

You'd been a part of Kazutora's life before he was incarcerated, always trying to get him out of the gangs or threatening to leave him if he didn't stop fighting. He'd never stopped because you never left him, never even tried to stand your ground. And Kazutora had always used that against you.

When you saw him, Kazutora knew you were thinking about it all again, same as him.

"I guess this is probably the worst thing to happen to you in twelve years." Kazutora tried to get out a pity laugh, "I'm really sorry about this."

And he was. Kazutora was the worst version of himself in middle school, and you'd gotten the brunt of it since you tried your hardest to love him. How was he supposed to show that he changed? That he was better than what he used to be?