AkiHaru

"The reason I decided to make changes in my life was because... I wanted to become a man worthy of your love!"

- Akihiko to Haruki, Given Movie

AkiHaru is the slash ship between Akihiko Kaji and Haruki Nakayama from the Given fandom.

Series
In the first episode of the anime, Haruki and Akihiko are introduced as members of Ritsuka Uenoyama's band, The Seasons. Akihiko and Haruki are shown to be good friends, as well as talented musicians, when they perform for Mafuyu Sato alongside Uenoyama. Later, when Mafuyu is learning to play guitar, Akihiko can be seen messing with Haruki's hair, to which Haruki objects.

In episode 2, Haruki is shown experimenting with part of a song, and asks Akihiko what he thinks of the changes, to which Akihiko responds positively, but in a grumpy tone. Haruki tells Akihiko to sound a bit more excited, and Akihiko glares at him before responding in a more upbeat tone. They are later seen interacting during a smoke break, where they discuss Mafuyu.

In episode 3, Haruki is seen reacting in annoyance when Akihiko helps his girlfriend, Yayoi, off of a motorcycle, calling him an “oblivious heartbreaker”. They then smoke together in the parking lot, discussing the prospect of Mafuyu joining their band. Later, when Uenoyama reveals that Mafuyu rejected his offer of becoming a band member, they are seen giggling uncontrollably, to which Uenoyama is annoyed. After consulting with Uenoyama, Haruki asks Akihiko if he thinks that Haruki said too much, to which Akihiko rubs his head, saying that Haruki is like everyone’s “big bro”, at which Haruki becomes flustered, remarking that there is no way that Akihiko can be two years younger than him.

In episode 4, Haruki observes Akihiko and Yayoi from the roof of the university they attend, getting annoyed when they walk off together. Later, after welcoming Mafuyu into the group, the band goes out for dinner to celebrate, and Akihiko and Haruki sit on the same side of the booth. They discuss Mafuyu’s vocal abilities and role in the band, as well as their own music tastes - Akihiko calls Haruki’s taste “cute”, to which Haruki is annoyed. It is revealed that Akihiko is a music major, and plays the violin as well as the drums. Haruki says that he thinks that the reason they all get along so well is because they have different tastes in music, lamenting that his past bands have failed due to their music tastes being similar, to which Akihiko agrees.

In episode 5, Haruki and Akihiko are seen hanging out at a bar. While trying to light a cigarette, Haruki accidentally singes his bangs, and Akihiko holds them in his hand, remarking in a flirtatious tone that it is because Haruki keeps letting them grow out. After staring at each other for a moment, Haruki pulls away in embarrassment. Akihiko then asks Haruki if he can come over to Haruki’s apartment that night, as he is too drunk to drive home. Before he lets Akihiko in, Haruki has a moment of panic in his apartment at the prospect of Akihiko being in his house. He then trims his bangs in the bathroom, but before he can put his hair up, Akihiko comes in, and asks if he can tie up Haruki’s hair.

A flashback sequence then begins, showing the beginning of their relationship two years prior. Haruki sees Akihiko for the first time when he is getting yelled at by a man for allegedly having sex with the man’s boyfriend. Haruki remarks internally that Akihiko seems scary, and Akihiko notices him observing the confrontation before turning away. In the present, Haruki recalls getting chills when their eyes met, and muses that he has been growing out his hair ever since that day. He then reveals in an internal monologue that he is in love with Akihiko, and has been silently wishing that something would happen between them, blushing as Akihiko does his hair. The flashback resumes, and Haruki sees Akihiko again walking to class, carrying a violin. Haruki recalls seeing Uenoyama for the first time and inviting him to be in a band, but that they lacked a drummer. However, one day, Akihiko sits next to Haruki in a lecture, and Haruki notices that he has a drum kit with him, as well as being flustered by his attractiveness. He asks Akihiko if he wants to join his band, which Akihiko accepts, and describes how the band came into its current form with the name “The Seasons”.

In the present, Haruki is flustered that the man of his affections from two years ago is currently asleep on his couch, remarking on the cuteness of Akihiko chewing in his sleep, as well as trying to take a picture of him. Akihiko then wakes up, saying that he is sober enough to drive, and they say goodbye at the door. Akihiko then travels to his apartment, and upon walking in is greeted by a man in his bed, who affectionately calls him “Aki”.

Later on, the band is shown eating at a restaurant, where Haruki chides Akihiko for drinking too much beer. Akihiko, realizing he drank too much to drive home, asks Haruki if he can stay at his apartment again. The two bid farewell to Mafuyu and Uenoyama, with Haruki’s arm around Akihiko. At Haruki’s apartment, Haruki, exhausted, falls onto his bed, telling Akihiko to pull out a futon. Akihiko complains that this is too much work, and lies down on top of Haruki on his bed. Haruki is stunned for a moment, and moves to touch Akihiko’s back - however, Akihiko begins snoring, and Haruki, annoyed, pushes him off, allowing him to sleep in the bed while moving to sit on the floor. He then puts his face in his hands, freaking out over the fact that Akihiko was “all over [him]”.

In episode 6, the band is seen together in the studio, and while Mafuyu and Uenoyama are talking, Akihiko and Haruki are standing against the wall together. When Mafuyu asks what kind of lyrics he should write, Haruki says that music is about going with the flow, which Akihiko describes as “the shittiest advice ever”. Haruki then suggests writing about past relationships, unaware of Mafuyu’s traumatic romantic history. Akihiko, aware of Mafuyu’s dilemma, tackles Haruki and puts him in a headlock in order to shut him up. Later, Haruki remarks to Mafuyu that Akihiko hasn’t been that rough with him in a long time, and asks him if relationship talk is off-limits for Mafuyu. Mafuyu asks Haruki if he likes anyone, to which Haruki is flustered and surprised. Mafuyu then asks Haruki what he would do if the person he liked “suddenly disappeared from the world” (referencing the suicide of his own ex-boyfriend). Haruki is surprised and concerned, replying that he doesn’t know what he would do; Mafuyu says that he doesn’t either, and leaves, with Haruki looking after him in a state of shock.

Later, Haruki is seen serving Akihiko coffee at the restaurant he works at, as the two discuss music. Haruki says that Akihiko could have just sent him the file, and Akihiko says that he wanted to drop in for some coffee. Haruki asks him if he thinks that something happened to Mafuyu in the past, and says that he thinks Mafuyu has something to say; Akihiko says that he admires Haruki’s perceptiveness, and also compliments his coffee-making skills, which makes Haruki blush.

Movie
As opposed to the series, which focused primarily on the relationship between Uenoyama and Mafuyu, the Given movie centers around the love triangle of Haruki, Akihiko, and Akihiko's roommate, Murata Ugetsu.

Akihiko enters a violinist concert, to which Haruki attends without giving him any prior notice. After the concert, Akihiko rushes out and exclaims his surprise at seeing Haruki mid-song, and that he nearly messed up. Haruki confronts Akihiko about how he constantly keeps changing his lifestyle, from moving out to converting to violin. Akihiko finally shouts out that he did all those things to redeem himself worthy for the love that Haruki had for him. They both start blushing, and Haruki starts crying. Akihiko tentatively asks if he can touch Haruki, and when he agrees, the blond wraps him into a hug. "I love you. Please go out with me."

- Akihiko's confession

He apologizes for being a horrible person, and that although Uenoyama might yell at him again, ever since he heard Mafuyu's song, he had wanted to change. Haruki reminisces about how Mafuyu's song made them both change for the better.

Fanon
AkiHaru is the most popular Given ship after Mafuyama. Haruki and Aihiko being secondary characters and being something like wingmans for Mafuyu and Uenoyama, helped it's popularity greatly. Haruki's former one-sided crush on Akihiko is what made the ship really popular, due many wishing both of them would be dating and Akihiko would return Haruki's feelings soon.

Many people were happy when in the movie and manga, Akihiko finally returned Haruki's feelings, and both become an official couple. The ship is greatly accepted by Given fans. There may maybe be a small part of the fandom, that dislikes the ship, due either liking Akihiko and Ugetsu more, or disliking it because, Akihiko sexually harassed Haruki. Nonetheless, it stays the most popular ship for Akihiko and Haruki.

The movie that focused primarily on Akihikos and Haruki's relationship, also helped the ship's popularity greatly.

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