[A/N] A quick run-through of this AU. Essentially, all of the characters have the same career choice/talent. Some of them knew each other in childhood, but most of them meet as young adults. Also, a few of them live in an the same apartment. In this AU, a lot of their lives intersect in interesting ways. It's a very slice-of-life style AU.

Azumi

Today, I am visiting my best friend, Tozen! We decided to have a random gift exchange and then have lunch out together, so I am heading to his apartment to pick him up and save gas. I make my way up the stairs, attempting to walk up them while handstanding a couple of times before relenting and walking up them like a (mostly) average and well-adjusted individual. As I stride down the lengthy hallway, I hear a rather loud crash behind me. I turn around to see a gentleman that I've never met collapsed, arms outstretched to hold the box he is carrying instead of using them to catch himself. I quickly rush over to help him up.

"Thanks! Sorry for making you go out of your way like that!" he beams, remarkably unconcerned.

"A-Are you alright?" I inquire, bewildered.

"Ah, I'm totally fine. Sorry, this is probably a bad first impression. I'm gonna get along with everyone in the building just perfectly at this rate!" he jokes, pushing his tape-mended glasses further up his face.

"Oh! No, I am not a tenant here. My best friend lives just across the hall, so I often visit. I am Azumi Hirabayashi," I introduce, curtsying a bit.

"Hiya! It's super nice to meet you! I'm Haruto Gima! You can call me Bisque, if you'd like! I'm just moving in... though that's probably kind of obvious."

"Perhaps my friend and I might assist you? We were planning on fetching lunch, but he and I are always willing to help anyone who needs it!" I offer.

"H-Huh? No, no, you don't have to trouble yourself like that! I'll be okay, I swear it!"

"Well, at least allow me to introduce you to him!" I insist.

"O-Okay, there's no harm in that," he agrees, giving a nervous chuckle. "Just lemme drop this off first."

"What is in it? I sincerely hope nothing fragile."

"Pottery."

"Truly?!"

Seeing my concern, his eyes open wide. "Oh, it's okay, it's okay! I lined the inside of the box with blankets! I trip a lot, so I was kind of expecting this!"

"Heavens! You are an extremely intriguing stranger!" I smile, giggling a bit.

"We're not strangers anymore, we know each other's names!" he contradicts, grinning back.

"How could I possibly hope to debate that flawless logic?" I play.

"Now you get it!" I hold the box while he fumbles with his key for nearly an entire minute, desperately attempting not to make him feel bad for it by laughing. Eventually, we successfully get the box to its intended location, and I whisk Haruto off to Tozen's apartment, ringing the bell.

"Hey! Everything okay? You're la-- Oh! Hello!" he greets.

"Hi! I'm a new tenant!" Bisque waves genially.

"Apologies for my tardiness, Tozen! I got wrapped up assisting this lovely gentleman. This is Haruto Gima, who also goes by Bisque. Bisque, this is Tozen Chiba! He is one of my favorite people, and he has been since we were both rather young."

"Oh, gosh, we can help you move in!" Tozen immediately interjects.

"Ah-- I mean-- you don't have to!" Haruto stumbles over his words, clearly not expecting Tozen to offer the exact same thing I did. "I heard you two were supposed to get lunch, I don't want you to cancel your plans for me!"

"Come with us, then, and THEN we'll help you move in! I am your neighbor after all, so it'll be good to get to know you," he retorts. Goodness, I almost pity this young man. Getting comboed by our aggressive helpfulness must be overwhelming.

"If you feel uncomfortable, we will cease," I reassure him, giving a glance of warning at Tozen. He covertly sticks his tongue out at me as Bisque ponders the proposition.

"Well... how about we compromise? I buy your lunch for you and we eat together, and then you help me start unpacking and stuff," he decides.

"I mean, that sounds perfect, but you know we'd do it for free, right?" Tozen points out.

"You guys are really nice, and I mega appreciate it! I'd just feel kinda bad if you did so much for nothing! Besides, I have money to spare."

"Bless. Goodness gracious, I've been acquainted with you for roughly ten minutes and I would already love to hug you," I admit.

He laughs. "I mean, I'm not opposed to that. Go for it." I give him a hug, and he reciprocates it.

"Thank you for humoring me."

"At this rate, you're gonna steal my best friend by the end of the day," Tozen teases.

"Nonsense! Clearly, he is simply the third musketeer!" I respond.

"Don't feel pressured, by the way, we're totally playing. Sorry, we probably sound extremely clingy right now," Tozen quickly blurts out, and I can feel him radiating self-consciousness.

"No worries! I'm the same way. At least I know I already have two friends here!"

...

"So, you used to go to her circus all the time when you two were preteens, and then you got hired to organize meal plans for a lot of the performers?" he reiterates, puzzling it all out.

"Yep! Zu may or may not have put in a good word for me," Tozen smirks, taking a spoonful of kenchinjiru.

"He is exceptionally well-learned and all of his clients have been satisfied ever since we were teenagers. Even if he wasn't my best friend, he would clearly be beyond qualified." I emphasize my tuna and avocado roll. "When it comes to health, he's taught me everything I know."

He puts his hand over his mouth, a clear sign that he's flattered. "Thanks, Zu."

"And as for you, Bisque... you are a potter. What else?"

"This is actually my first time living alone... which is why I'm really grateful that you two have been so kind! I'm really nervous, but you're giving me hope that things will be okay!"

"It will be. I'm a pace away, whenever you need it. If you ever need a home-cooked meal, you just swing right over. Also, don't mind Keiji and Joanie downstairs. They're good people, just a tad grumpy. But if you ever hear yelling or scuffling sounds coming from there, I beg you: Stay. Away."

"Why?! Do we need to call the police?!"

"Nonononono! No, it's not like that! That means Wakumi's home, and she's... erratic? She's just the personification of chaos. She's rarely around, but when she is, she scuffles with Joanie a lot. It's like a game to them."

Our new companion makes the most daunted expression I've ever witnessed. "I don't think I've ever hit or wrestled with anyone in my entire life!"

"The point he was trying to make," I interrupt, giving Tozen the slightest bit of a glare, "is that you have people around who are willing and able to assist you. And not even strictly regarding the building. You will be alright, Haruto. I assure you of that."

His shoulders relax. "Thanks. Cheers to you two!" he smiles, raising a bite of his zaru soba before noshing on it.

"Cheers to you, and to a fruitful neighbor friendship!" Tozen proposes.

"Indeed!"