#Fushimi just shrugs

[ridiasfangirlings]

post rok sarumi after they have completely lost their powers and now when they fight they just slap each other or pull each others hair like little children

Isn’t that in essence what they do anyway XD Somehow I imagine Fushimi being a biter, like he and Yata get into lots of good-natured fights even after making up and once he doesn’t have powers anymore Fushimi’s been known to just lean over and bite Yata’s arm or something. By this point they probably don’t fight as much, like it’s more verbal sparring than physical, but every now and again they’ve been known to pull each other’s hair or clothes and yell a lot (please imagine them in the middle of the street yanking at each other’s clothes while passersby try not to stare). I don't actually think they’d do much slapping besides maybe a swat on the head as needed, like when Fushimi thinks Yata’s being an idiot he’s not above swatting Misaki in the head and vice versa, nothing too rough just a quick ‘don’t be stupid’ hit. But then there are the times Yata thinks they’re doing more of a toned down fight and Fushimi will bite him and Yata’s like what the hell Saruhiko were you raised in a barn don’t bite people, Fushimi just shrugs languidly and says he needed to get Misaki’s attention. Yata pulls on Fushimi’s bangs in retaliation and soon they’re fighting like school kids, neither one willing to be the first to give up and admit a loss.

[seangelfish]

Childhood friends

Yuzuru Fushimi & Ibara Saegusa x Platonic! Reader

Genre/s: Fluff (and a bit of angst)

Word count: 1,728

Plot/summary: You're childhood friends with both Yuzuru Fushimi and Ibara Saegusa in which you have a story with both of them. However, you became rather distant with Yuzuru due to his butler duties at the Himemiya residence, but you try not to hold a grudge as you still loved being his friend. Thankfully, Ibara was there for you, and you have always appreciated his help and company. They were your closest friends, so it was time to hang out with them both!

Honestly, it’s kind of weird. You have met Yuzuru first, when you two were both very young, before he went into the military and before he decided to become Tori’s full-time butler. It was an odd encounter especially since his family were strict with everything he did. He came from a family of higher class too.

Ibara, however, was a different story. After Yuzuru informed you of him joining a military training camp which was enforced by his parents, he would send you letters of how well he was putting up. In those letters, he would write about Ibara, even if they were short sentences. The relationship he had with Ibara at the time was ‘quite wholesome’ as you would say, but when Yuzuru’s last letter was sent to you, you realised that their friendship really didn’t last too long.

When Yuzuru’s military training camp came to an end, he had finally become a servant for the Himemiyas. That meant he didn’t have that much time to hang out with you as you used to. It broke your heart, but it couldn’t be helped. However, he would always try to make time for you even if that time was spent at Tori's home.

"Is (Y/N) coming over today?!" Tori would ask Yuzuru in excitement. The pink-haired boy had grown fond of you every time you visited, but in exchange, you had mixed feelings. So, this was the boy that took your best friend away from you? Seriously? You tried to hide those feelings, but of course, Yuzuru read you like a book and even scolded you for it.

"(Y/N), are you jealous?" he asked you one day, pouring you a cup of tea and setting down a plate of pastries in front of you.

You smiled at him. "Yes," you confessed. "I know I shouldn't be jealous though, after all, I don't own you – Tori does."

Yuzuru sighed at your answer. You were always so blunt with him, but he appreciated how honest you were sometimes. You picked up one of the pastries and took a bite. Mmm, that tastes nice, you thought. Does Yuzuru bake these himself?

"(Y/N)..." Yuzuru started. "I'm sorry, but–"

"This is what you chose, I know," you interrupted. "I should support my friend, but I just can't help feeling... I don't know... betrayed?"

Yuzuru fell silent and so did you.

After a few seconds, you mumbled an apology. He smiled at you softly, pinching your cheek. He understood your feelings all too well as Ibara was the same.

And that’s when you met Ibara. Before Yuzuru devoted his whole life to the Himemiyas, he pleaded that you befriend his friend from the camp. He gave you specific instructions and everything in order to find this Ibara character you’ve only known in his letters.

“You must really care about him,” you commented, drinking your tea slowly.

“I do regret leaving him there by himself,” Yuzuru admitted. “So, please take care of him for me. I know he resents me now.”

You obliged yet befriending Ibara was hard work. He would NOT open up. After the training camp, Ibara had tried to work his way up, rebuilding all of the Godfather’s abandoned businesses.

“Oh, I’m also taking business courses,” you stated happily, hoping that this relation would bring you closer to him.

Ibara shrugged it off. “So?” he said. “You won’t be able to help me with the basic knowledge you acquire from those little lessons.”

You just wanted to slap him. However, you could understand why he acted this way. Yuzuru did give you half of his backstory…

You kept trying and trying. You would wake up everyday happy and energised in hopes Ibara would finally accept you. He would find you annoying for a bit, but he did really appreciate your help. Though, he did keep an eye on you. What did you want from him anyway? Money? If that was what you wanted, he’d give it to you for you to finally leave.

But you never left, and you never took any money from him. That was when he realised that you weren’t using him at all.

“(Y/N),” he said, eyeing you on your laptop, calculating some random income statement he wanted you to do. “Thank you for everything, I’m serious.”

You looked up from your laptop, confused. Though, when you noticed his smile linger on you, you couldn't help but smile too.

“Have you finally accepted me as your friend?” you chirped.

He nodded and muttered, “My best friend.”

What he didn’t know was that you were best friends with Yuzuru too, but that’s a whole ‘nother story for him to dissect.

Present Day...

Tori looked through the whole school for you, but when he found you in the gardens enjoying a cup of tea, he began to beg.

“(Y/N)!” he whined. “Can you please do me a favour? I’ll pay you back!”

He gripped your leg with pleading eyes.

You sighed. “What is it now, Tori?”

“Well… the first years are going off on a two day trip, and uh… I want you to keep an eye on Yuzuru,” he said quickly.

“Yuzuru?”

“Yes, can you PLEASE do it?”

Maybe you’ve been spending too much time with Ibara lately, but a portion of you found Tori annoying. Of course, you loved him, he was sweet to you, and was cute! But this was the person that took Yuzuru away from you, and you just didn’t like that. You could never admit this though. You’ll take those thoughts to your grave.

“I don’t understand, why would I need to—”

Before you could finish your sentence, Yuzuru dashed in.

“Young Master, I was looking everywhere for you! You had forgotten your lunch,” Yuzuru exclaimed. “You need to eat it.”

Tori groaned, “Ugh, fine.”

Yuzuru caught your eye and said, “(Y/N), hello. How are you today?”

You smiled sadly, and this immediately took him aback.

“I’m fine,” you responded. “Tori, I’ll take care of Yuzuru.”

“What, really?! Thank you!”

Tori jumped onto you for a hug, telling you that ‘you’re the best’ multiple times. Yuzuru, who hated when Anzu would get attention from Tori, smiled at this display of affection. However, he didn’t understand what the two of you were talking about.

On the day of the trip, you finally realised why Tori wanted you to take care of Yuzuru. Yuzuru had been frantically bringing Tori stuff that he ‘needed’ for the trip, giving him his best advice, and telling him to keep safe.

“What would the Young Master do without me?!” Yuzuru would say, and you would roll your eyes at how dramatic he was being. “I’m just so worried!”

“I now realise why Ibara hates you,” you commented. “Come on, lighten up. Tori will be fine. Plus, we can finally hang out as friends now. We have two days free together!”

Yuzuru stopped and looked at you. You didn’t hate him? Well, you did greet him with a hug when he transferred to Yumenosaki, but you definitely were different from the last time he saw you. He did leave you behind like he did with Ibara after all.

“Today, we shall go to a themed cafe!” you exclaimed, grabbing his hand and twirling yourself around.

He laughed at this and he just couldn’t help but to twirl you around a second time.

“Why is HE here?” they both said simultaneously.

Situated on a circular table from left to right was Ibara, you and Yuzuru. You simply grinned in response.

“(Y/N), I thought it was a day for us two?" Yuzuru queried, perplexed at his current predicament.

“I thought so too,” said Ibara. “Why would you bring him?”

“Well, both of you are my favourite people and I would like to spend the day with the two of you together. Plus… it’s my birthday, so you have to do whatever I say!”

“It’s not your birthday,” they both said at the same time.

You changed the subject quickly. “That’s so sweet, you guys remembered my actual birthday!” you cheered.

They looked at you with confusion, so you held both their hands in a way to plead them to stay.

“Let’s just enjoy this time together, okay?” you continued. “We’re all friends here, and I never really get to hang out with you two at the same time! This is exciting for me, you know?”

You had the biggest grin on your face and they just couldn’t let you down, so they reluctantly agreed to stay. You were their dearest friend after all, and they wouldn’t want to see you sad.

The platonic date wasn’t too bad. They kept it tamed when you were around, but when you needed to go to the bathroom, they immediately began hurling insults at each other. When you came back to find them acting like that, you smacked both of their heads.

“It’s like I’m babysitting you two,” you said with a sigh.

They looked offended at the statement.

“(Y/N), I think we’re both the ones babysitting you most of the time,” Yuzuru corrected, and surprisingly, Ibara agreed.

“We’re the ones helping you with your homework,” said Ibara. “And who got you into Yumenosaki in the first place?”

You smiled at them sheepishly. “Just so you know, I love you both,” you sang. “Ibara, Yuzuru, I really do appreciate you both with my entire heart.”

They smiled at this. Due to your presence, they finally had something they could agree upon: teasing you. So, with the rest of the platonic date, they would talk to each other about how an annoyance you were when you were young. Of course, they weren’t harsh about it, so they did leave you compliments here and there.

With that being said, you three even took a picture together. They saw how sweet the smile on your face was, and they hoped you could smile like that forever.

“Thank you for treating me today!” you exclaimed as you walked with them, arm in arm, down the bustling street.

“I actually enjoyed it,” hummed Yuzuru.

“Hmm, so did I,” admitted Ibara. “But I’d rather not do it again.”

“Yeah, yeah,” you said as you tried to swing yourself with their arms wrapped into yours, like a little kid whose swinging by their parents’ hands.

Even so, you hoped you could do this with your childhood friends again.

Intro page | Ensemble Stars masterlist | Rules

[nero-vanderwolf]

“You’re going where-!?”

Ken sits at the table, wolfing down his breakfast of pancakes and bacon. “Tatsumi Port,” he says again with more clarity. “Me n’ Goro both. School trip thing.”

Aki and Shinji exchange a look, and Goro sighs. “I feel like I missed out on so much... But at least Ken can be like a tour guide. You’d better tell me everything, Ken.”

“Oh! If you tour Gekkoukan, say hi to Fushimi-chan for me,” Aki says before taking a sip of his coffee.

Ken chugs the last of his chocolate milk, and rolls his eyes with a grin on his face. “Dad, I doubt we’ll be touring the high school.”

Goro coughs into his hand, a sly expression on his face. “Technically, we aren’t supposed to be going at all. Rise-san pulled some strings to allow us there. It’s only for second-years.”

Shinji sighs, feeling a smile tug at his lips. “Aki, how do we keep getting involved with powerful people?”

Aki shrugs, finishing his coffee and gathering the dishes in his arms. “Beats me, Shinji. I’m not complaining though.”

Ken grins. “Oh! By the way, Mitsuru called the other day. Said she sent something to us in the mail. It should be here soon.”

Aki nods, and Shinji gets up. His bones pop and crack, and he winces as his scar twinges again. With the changing weather, it seems to be getting worse again. Oh, well. Just another thing to keep an eye on, really.

It always seems to get worse around midnight- the Dark Hour, and the time that channel the Investigation Team was talking about comes on. Not that Shinji ever checks it. Really, he thinks. There’s no point to it.

Time passes, and Ken is sitting at home alone. The others have gone out to do some shopping. Ken insisted that he was old enough to housesit, and it was Goro who convinced Dad and Papa to let him.

Ken pauses the TV when he hears a knock on the door. Is it that package Mitsuru sent?

He gets up, pauses at the door. A familiar voice sounds from the other side. “Delivery for the Sanadas!”

“Oh, hi, Namatame-san!” Ken grins as he opens the door. But what he’s met with isn’t Namatame-san. It’s a sack, trapping him in darkness as he tries to fight.

His Evoker. It’s still in his pocket, kept there just in case. He had stored it there out of habit, since the Dark Hour always lingers in the back of his mind. He tries to move his arms. Nothing. Shit.

He’s being hauled again, the sack is being lifted from his face and he’s falling, falling, falling.

The next and last thing he sees is fog, and a building that looks all too much like Tartarus.

WHAT THE FUCK THAT TOOK A TURN???? NAMATAME'S STUPID ASS RUINING EVERYTHING THEY WERE SO HAPPY GRRRRAHAGG!!! in all seriousness im actually so excited. excited for everyone's reactions to ken's disappearance especially shinji. i know you've talked about it but im actually bouncing up and down thinking about it being explored and explained more RAAAGGGGG

[itsuki-minamy]

"K – RETURN OF KINGS" (NOVEL-ADVANCE)

CHAPTER 9: NEKO'S DREAM (Pages 410-417)

TRANSLATION: NARU-KUN

Just when she was thinking about it, there was a knock on the break room door.

"Fu, Vice-captain! It's hard!"

Awashima sat down heavily. A lot of hard things have happened in the last few days. Just adding one more thing now won't change anything, the voice from the other side of the door pushed away a careless thought.

"The "Jungle" clansman, Douhan Hirasaka has escaped from prison! It is believed that the missing Saruhiko Fushimi guided her!"

++++++++++

Blade proof suit, tactical vest, heeled boots and combat gloves. Even when she got dressed and moved her body, there was nothing unnatural about it. The grenades, flashbangs, and shurikens that Fushimi always kept on hand were nowhere to be found in the cardboard box that Fushimi brought, but it couldn't be helped. Those clothes were just "trial items", and the ones in there were "dangerous goods". In any case, if she went back to the hideout, she could replace it.

Fushimi looked coldly into the rearview mirror as Hirasaka adjusted her equipment in the back seat. There was no light inside the van parked in the dark alley, and the only light was the unreliable interior lights.

While he pretended to manipulate a PDA, Hirasaka also watched Fushimi without letting her guard down.

In a way, that place was dead.

If one of them wanted to, a battle would break out in no time. Other than Fushimi, Hirasaka has no reason to keep him alive. If the freedom that was fortunately obtained was solidified, it would have been better to shut Fushimi's mouth there.

She wondered if she could.

She answered herself that she could do it. Dangerous goods have been seized across the board, but she's got a switchblade in her combat gloves. Make a hole and pick his throat. That would be enough.

"Do not think too much."

Leaning down from the driver's seat, Fushimi stabbed into the nail.

"I took the knife out of your glove. Right now you don't have anything you can stab or cut with."

Hirasaka tried to operate the glove. Shukon, a stupid sound resonated and the knife did not come out. Hirasaka shrugged as she gave him a cool look.

"You have quite a hobby going through women's clothing."

"I never thought of you as a woman, wall-breaker. I tell you, there's no use trying to escape. Next time, I'll sew your whole body to the back seat."

Before she knew it, a knife appeared in Fushimi's palm. When she thought about it, she remembered that this man was also a concealed weapon user.

"Alright."

Hirasaka raised both hands as if she was giving up.

"Cancel the plan to kill the enemy. It's impossible. So what do you want from me?"

Fushimi snorted and waved his hand, and the knife disappeared like a magic trick. Then, he said...

"I'm going to be a ranker. Help me with that."

As expected, she was surprised.

But once she got past the initial shock, a thought came to her: "That must be so.". Fushimi's actions were clearly a rebellion against "Scepter 4". In that case, Fushimi should have given up on the Blue Clan, so it was only natural for him to run to "Jungle".

Hirasaka said...

"If it's the second time, is betrayal something you're good at? Even I frown."

"Don't lie, you say it's wrong because it's against morality. Your parents seem to have seen through your true nature."

Of course, Douhan was not a name given to her by her parents.

But that didn't matter. Hirasaka asked.

"What are my benefits?"

"I got you out of jail."

"Do you want me to return the favor? Unfortunately, I don't remember turning into a crane."

"I know, you can't follow me without millet dumplings."

Saying that, Fushimi blurted out something.

She received it reflexively. Of course, it was not a millet dumpling. It was a wad of rubber-bound bills. 500,000, guessed by touch.

"Is it a deposit?"

"If the mission is successful, I will give you the same reward. In return, all the points earned are mine."

Hirasaka thought fast.

Exchanging points for cash violates the "Jungle" rules. However, there are loopholes in any rule, and even though two people completed the quest, there are often situations where only one person gets points. You can help one without accepting the quest. So if the other checks it with cash, he is effectively buying points with money.

A million per mission, not a bad amount. However, drinking only in "not bad" conditions would not be a business.

"A million, regardless of the difficulty of the mission. That's not worth it."

Fushimi responded flatly.

"I will generate incentives based on the difficulty level. When I rank up, it will come with a bonus."

1,000,000 is the minimum guaranteed amount and the incentive is negotiable. It was perfect, or rather, it was definitely a delightful piece of work. Hirasaka thought for a few seconds and decided that there was no point in throwing it any further. Instead of sticking around and getting concessions, it will be more profitable to stay in a short and long relationship.

"Alright."

Facing Hirasaka, who briefly agreed, Fushimi nodded and started the engine.

Hirasaka asked while she was a bit surprised.

"No way, from now on?"

"What do you think of that 500,000? I already sent you the mission details. It's an easy job, so there's no incentive."

Saying that, Fushimi started the van.

Inside the trembling car, Hirasaka pressed the switch on her neck. A full-face tactical mask covered her head. A glowing green HUD appeared in front of her and various information was projected onto her retina.

"Work.", she murmured into her mask.

Hirasaka is a professional. There is a precise calculation formula behind the action, and it is not moved by emotions.

Still, this situation brought a kind of excitement to Hirasaka. She could work. It was the only thing in her empty life that gave Hirasaka a feeling similar to joy.

Feeling the electricity of "Jungle" running through her body, Hirasaka slowly began to read the details of the mission.

++++++++++

Neko was gone.

After the "Decisive Battle at Mihashira Tower" ended that day, and after she disappeared due to recognition tampering, she never appeared again. It was the same when he returned to School Island, and no matter how many times he called her, never got a single answer.

"Where did she go? No way..."

Shiro smiled and shook his head at Kuro who frowned in concern.

"No. Neko is close, because this island is her home."

Although there was no wind, he felt the rustling of the leaves and the branches of the trees. Neko was close. She was probably close enough to hear their voices.

"Then why doesn't she appear in front of us?"

At Kuro's question, Shiro made a slightly sad face.

"...I wonder if she is afraid of us."

Emotions are everything to her. Anger, sadness, joy and fear. Get closer to comfort and move away from fear. That's how she lived her whole life.

Not long ago, her peace was with Shiro.

It was different now.

Shiro has become an object of fear for her. That's because Shiro has realized the root of Neko's fear.

What Neko fears the most is "Ameno Miyabi".

Her real name. The real me of her. She is terrified of who she really is.

Not that Neko understands why she's afraid of him. Of course, Shiro doesn't know either. If Neko herself doesn't understand how she ended up in that state, no one can.

But at that moment, the image of a scared, trembling and cowering Neko broke his heart.

Shiro looked away from Kuro and slowly looked around him. Somewhere in that field of vision, Neko could be. Maybe not. Using the power of the "King", it is easy to remove the disguise from her. But doing so would not solve anything.

Instead, Shiro raised his voice.

"You should go to Kukuri. She's not scary, right? So, when you've calmed down, can you come back? I want to talk to you, Neko."

There was no answer. The trees were quiet. Kuro lowered his eyes pitifully.

Still, Shiro muttered under his breath.

"...I'll be waiting."

Then he walked away. To the student dormitory, to the place where Shiro was, to the place where Kuro and Neko should return.

++++++++++

"Eeeh?!"

The reason she unintentionally let out a voice was because there was someone in her room, which should have been empty. A student dormitory where the students of Gakuenjima live. After classes were over for the day, Yukizome Kukuri found that "lump" when she returned home humming.

The lump was in her bed. She was using a futon. She knows that she is a person, but she doesn't know who she is. As far as Kukuri knows, however, there is only one person who would likely do such a thing.

That is to say...

"...Wagahai-chan? What are you doing?"

The "lump" collapsed. From the mouth of the futon, from the dark shadow, only a glimpse of blue eyes peeked out.

"...Alright."

"Eh?"

"I'm Neko."

[intcritus]

Fingers gentle in tracing over Itachi's scars, warmth under the moon and humid nights ring around the ears with soft thunks of bamboo shoots and pond decore. Babbling that wasn't irritating but calm enducing to even his mindscape. Fushimi merely watched as his lover slept in his presence, like the shadow stuck to his very feet, the beast in human skin still screamed beauty and deadliness in his slumber. Gentle with each caress and movement of his wide palm to tenderly release Itachi's hair from his loose ponytail, a habit of the Oni's, the larger of two merely continued to pet and pamper his mate.

Though his gaze did lift upon the door shuffling in near silence. The Mother of his beauty, merely checking in on them, it seemed and he couldn't help but smile with the tenderness of a smitten fool for her son. Mikoto, was a divine being in her own right, and like Fugaku, he felt pride and over the moon to have such a beauty alike, in his own arms. The words didn't need to be spoken, but the door shutting was enough to allow his focus to return to his love. Leaning down to blot out the stars so he could press his lips to his lover's temple and adjust himself to lie just beside him. / @nvrcmplt

mikoto knew that fushimi was the man for her son. though her approval ranked above the rest, it was obvious that the uchiha was quite taken with fushimi and his people. to her clansmen, they were family, that was how easily they settled into this chaotic family. it didn't matter that some of them were different, nope. even fugaku, who was the most stubborn man hadn't taken but a day to bond with one of them. clarence, what a lovely child he was. fugaku was a stability that he needed. kenta, oh, that one was her secret favorite. he was a mischievous child, but so generous in his helping with her errands around the compound. though, she always urged him to rest, no need for him to be on go when he was safe here.

fushimi though, she had witnessed a great deal between her son-in-law and her child. the love between them was palpable, even their gods had approved and blessed them repeatedly. a very rare occurence, but then she had grandchildren to fawn over and that in itself still made her giddy. her aim had been to check on them, especially after itachi and sasuke had had, what oleg had appropriately called the zoomies, and had tuckered themselves out.

chuckling quietly to herself, she slides the door to their room open, stopping in the doorway at the tender scene before her and even more so at fushimi's sweet smile. it makes her heart warm knowing her eldest son had encountered such a love that he sleeps so soundly. yes, she truly had all faith that her son was well-loved. and fushimi looks at her son like fugaku looks at her when he thinks she isn't looking. smiling fondly, she steps back and shuts the door, slanting her gaze at her husband.

❝ ━ did he eventually fall asleep ? ❞

fugaku grunts in response but even he can't hide the fondness and tenderness in his gaze. when his wife raises a brow, his shoulders slump, a faint grin, ❝ ━ it took a bit, but they're resting. wouldn't let me go for awhile. ❞

mikoto shares his grin, knowing that the growing bond between him and clarence was a delicate one but as far as the uchiha was concerned, clarence was one of them. ❝ ━ i'm glad, you enjoy being a father once more, don't you ? ❞

he shrugs, but the faint grin doesn't leave his features and he tugs his wife in close, kissing her forehead. there's no need to linger here, their child was in good hands, just as their other child was resting peacefully for the moment. family was everything to him as the patriarch, and it was finally complete and he was humbled by it. guess it was time for him to relax a little when it came to his children, but then he'll always want to protect them from the world and themselves. regardless, he's grateful that his oldest....ah, one worry assauged.

❝ ━ it's nice, isn't it ? there's so much to look forward to with our family expanded. they fit in quite wonderfully....❞ more gentle prattling fades with their parting footsteps, the moonlight casting a glow over the compound. and somewhere, being pestered by an immortal is sasuke, who is putting the older male into a chokehold, quietly calling him brother. what a good night....

[beantothemax]

“You’re going where-!?”

Ken sits at the table, wolfing down his breakfast of pancakes and bacon. “Tatsumi Port,” he says again with more clarity. “Me n’ Goro both. School trip thing.”

Aki and Shinji exchange a look, and Goro sighs. “I feel like I missed out on so much... But at least Ken can be like a tour guide. You’d better tell me everything, Ken.”

“Oh! If you tour Gekkoukan, say hi to Fushimi-chan for me,” Aki says before taking a sip of his coffee.

Ken chugs the last of his chocolate milk, and rolls his eyes with a grin on his face. “Dad, I doubt we’ll be touring the high school.”

Goro coughs into his hand, a sly expression on his face. “Technically, we aren’t supposed to be going at all. Rise-san pulled some strings to allow us there. It’s only for second-years.”

Shinji sighs, feeling a smile tug at his lips. “Aki, how do we keep getting involved with powerful people?”

Aki shrugs, finishing his coffee and gathering the dishes in his arms. “Beats me, Shinji. I’m not complaining though.”

Ken grins. “Oh! By the way, Mitsuru called the other day. Said she sent something to us in the mail. It should be here soon.”

Aki nods, and Shinji gets up. His bones pop and crack, and he winces as his scar twinges again. With the changing weather, it seems to be getting worse again. Oh, well. Just another thing to keep an eye on, really.

It always seems to get worse around midnight- the Dark Hour, and the time that channel the Investigation Team was talking about comes on. Not that Shinji ever checks it. Really, he thinks. There’s no point to it.

Time passes, and Ken is sitting at home alone. The others have gone out to do some shopping. Ken insisted that he was old enough to housesit, and it was Goro who convinced Dad and Papa to let him.

Ken pauses the TV when he hears a knock on the door. Is it that package Mitsuru sent?

He gets up, pauses at the door. A familiar voice sounds from the other side. “Delivery for the Sanadas!”

“Oh, hi, Namatame-san!” Ken grins as he opens the door. But what he’s met with isn’t Namatame-san. It’s a sack, trapping him in darkness as he tries to fight.

His Evoker. It’s still in his pocket, kept there just in case. He had stored it there out of habit, since the Dark Hour always lingers in the back of his mind. He tries to move his arms. Nothing. Shit.

He’s being hauled again, the sack is being lifted from his face and he’s falling, falling, falling.

The next and last thing he sees is fog, and a building that looks all too much like Tartarus.

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

❝ don’t talk like you’re coming back. ❞ misaki to saruhiko !!

Short Stories || Always Accepting

Note: Referencing Episode 9 of K Return of Kings

"Hah?"

Dull blue eyes lifted from the screen of his PDA. Under his thumb, the icon of the green jungle tree was still floating into space. His digit flicked to the side, and hid it from sight. A precaution, given his unexpected company.

The rotten luck, that just on the day after he'd 'defected' from the blue clan, he'd run into Yata of all people. Logic and caution had screamed from the beginning in his mind that he should steer clear of the Homra clansman, and get back to his new unofficial task on his own without distractions.

But well... logic and caution seldom had a good grip on him when Yata came into play. That and, he'd offered to pay for lunch. Fushimi hadn't eaten since yesterday, and now that he was 'homeless', every yet counted.

What the other had just said from across the table though really made him laugh. At least enough for his humor to come out in the form of an audible scoff, almost a bark under his breath.

"I keep forgetting you're so stupid, sometimes. Always getting your hopes up... You'd like that, wouldn't you? Misaki." The tease of his name came, as punctual and sharp as his knives always had been.

He put the phone down and returned to pick absently from the box of fries on the tray before him, lanky shoulders shrugging inside his green parka. "Sorry to disappoint, but when I said I'm done with Scepter 4, that is all I mean to say. I do not give a damn about Homra. That hasn't changed one bit."

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

Of course, just as to be expected of someone with God-like powers... well, a literal God in this world, really... Morax seemed to have him figured out.

He didn't like it. This feeling of being nothing but a chess piece on some all-knowing's player's board. Though, at least here Fushimi could believe he had the luxury of detachment. But wasn't that exactly the same way he'd felt when he joined Scepter 4?

In the end, that had changed. He'd involved himself too much. And when the Red King had passed first, and then the Blue King almost followed, it was his own feelings Fushimi had to deal with. Annoying...

He shouldn't let something like that happen again. It was a thought he kept at the forefront of his mind everyday on Teyvat. He did not belong here. He did not have to care. These people meant nothing.

So where had that bitter taste in his mouth come from, when Venti had been attacked before his eyes? Or the relief when La Signora had seen Morax's gnosis denied to her grasp?

When had he started to become so damn soft for random strangers?

"Tch..." His tongue clicked. Fushimi let his shoulder raise and drop into a dismissive, lazy shrug as he returned to reality. Brooding wouldn't do anything good now. Instead, he looked back at Zhongli, preparing to follow or... anything the Archon had in mind.

"Yeah... whatever. But there better not be some other annoying fetch quest involved, this time."

@the-muse-coven

Morax appraised him with some amount of scrutiny. It was not a malicious gaze, merely someone taking things in stride, and doing as asked, a gloved finger tapped on the railing, watching the other pace as he noted the bitterness of the statement.

So he's that sort of person...whoever he served...or serves by technicality currently is lucky. Morax thought to himself, eyes narrowing slightly.

"You are not bound by the laws of this world. Therefore, my observation was that you were not bound...simply because you are of outside this world." He told him, carefully, keeping his tone neutral and somewhat lowered to prevent eavesdropping.

"Obviously, you most likely wish to find a method at which to return to that world you came from." There was pause here, not because he did not know what to say, but simply because he did not truly wish to air this in the harbor itself, where anyone may decide as they please to attempt to listen in.

"Perhaps, as a matter of course, we should take the rest of this conversation elsewhere, I do not think, given how you are, and what has occurred, that you particularly enjoy the idea of just anyone being able to listen in as they please." He added, the Archon considering for a moment.

There is a place at which I could take him to that would be undisturbed from eavesdroppers. But it would not do me well, I believe, to simply do so suddenly without as much as letting him have the chance to respond. Morax's gaze falling to observe his posture, his body language monitored as he moved gracefully but carefully closer.

"I have a place in mind where that would be plausible, but it is because it is not accessed through the methods of those around us, and is specifically a place I once used during the Archon War." He stated, explaining carefully, "I would be perfectly capable of transporting us directly to it." He finished, settling back with patience to allow Fushimi the time to formulate what he wished to say in response. And to that end allowing him to consider and gather what his response would be. As the Prime Adeptus glanced to look as well to the streets beneath them, where as evening approached, pavilions and shops only available during the day began the process of retiring for the time they spent, their jobs done for the day.

[moonstruck-writing]

The International Club's party [Omi Fushimi x reader]

Pairing: Omi Fushimi x gn!reader | A3! Rating: Teen C/Ws: light platonic angst, romantic fluff, friends to lovers, reader is Omi’s university classmate Summary: You made plans to go to the International Club’s university party, but your friends cancel at the last minute. Luckily, Omi kindly offers to go with you. Word count: 3.4k A/N: I got the inspiration from this post I saw about Omi being good at English, so my thanks go to op <3 Set during Year 2

You breathed in and out slowly, trying to hold back a yawn. It was the last lesson for the day, and then you had a meet-up to look forward to in the evening. You could do that.

Bzzz.

You felt your phone vibrate under your table and cursed mentally. Quickly, you went to put it on silent mode and checked the notification that had made it buzz.

   Sorry but I won’t be able to make it today :/

You closed your eyes, now less sleepy than ever. You should’ve seen it coming, really. It always happened like that in your group of friends. Whenever someone cancelled plans, it was a matter of hours before everyone else deserted too. The problem was, you couldn’t just cancel that plan, not when you had already promised the International Club that you’d be there for sure. And what was more, you had promised them you would bring somebody else to the party with you, too.

   Guys, I already signed us up for tonight! Is there no way you can at least come for a bit? 🗸🗸

You heard the professor coughing and turned your screen off. What had been once a class you couldn’t wait to leave, was now a class you didn’t want to finish. Not when you knew once your friends said no, there was no changing their plans.

But alas, the lesson came to an end. You took your stuff and joined some of your classmates on your way to the exit.

“Finally, the weekend!”

“You have any plans?” Omi asked the classmate he was closest to.

“Yeah, I have to work but there is this friend of a friend that I’ll be meeting too.” He showed a cocky smile.

‘’Oh, a blind date?”

“Yes.”

“I’m so jealous,” you interrupted. “You’re here going on hot dates while my friends have completely ditched me today.”

“Aw, what were you going to do?” They refocused their attention on you, moving aside so you could go down the stairs with them.

“We were going to the International Club’s new event. Well, I’m still going, since I was the one who signed us up for it. I cannot say no now.” You sighed, focusing on not missing any steps. The last thing you needed was tripping and tumbling down the stairs. Or maybe that was exactly what you should do, so you could have an excuse to not go to the party.

“What’s the event about?” Omi asked, interrupting your thoughts.

“It’s a get-together in English. There will be some students from different English-speaking countries, and we’ll chat and play games in English. Like a cultural exchange event.”

“You can speak English well?” Your classmates looked at you in disbelief.

“Yeah, that was my second option for university, if I didn’t get into our program.” You finally arrived at the ground floor and turned around to look at them.

“Wow, I can’t relate at all. I always hated languages at school. But Omi, you’re good at it, aren’t you?”

“Well, I sometimes help the guys at our dorm with their English homework.” He simply shrugged, like it wasn’t a big deal. You still remembered how when you first met Omi, you thought that humbleness was fake, but now you could see it was painfully true.

“Like a tutor or something?”

“There is a designated tutor, but yeah, I guess I do the same whenever he isn’t available.” He chuckled lightly.

“So you would enjoy going to this International party, then?” Your classmate eyed both of you as if he had just come up with the solution to all your problems. Omi smiled tensely when he saw your reaction.

“That would actually save me. I promised the Club I’d bring at least one other person. And I’d love to have someone I know there.” You waited for an answer, but you could see Omi was hesitating. As much as the idea of him going with you was a miracle, you didn’t want to force him to do anything just because someone else had stood you up. “But it’s… you don’t have to. You’re not my stupid friends who ditch me every now and then.”

“Yeah, I can’t believe they ditched you. I wouldn’t do it. And… it’s been a while since the last time I made last-minute plans,” he said, nodding.

“So you’re in?” You couldn’t believe it, but you restrained yourself before you bounced up and down. You didn’t want to pressure him, knowing how accommodating Omi was.

“If there is enough time for me to go back to the dorms? I am on cooking duty today and I’m not sure someone else will be free,” he said while looking at his watch

“Yeah, sure. The party doesn’t start until 7 pm.” You anxiously bit your lip, waiting for his answer. You couldn’t believe how the events had unfolded. From going with your friends, to going alone with Omi… you felt your stomach churning. Being around Omi at university was one thing, when it was always in a group of people. But meeting with him for the first time outside of campus… you gulped down, forcing yourself to act as usual.

“Cool. I’ll see you there then?”

“Yeah, I’ll send you all the details in a message.” You waved at each other and also said goodbye to your classmate, going in different directions.

___

Your steps echoed as you walked as fast as you could without running. You weren’t late, but you weren’t early either. You cursed mentally as you remembered how if you hadn’t decided to get changed for the third time, you wouldn’t be in a situation like that.

Then, Omi came into view.

He was wearing a button-up shirt, and for a second there you felt completely underdressed. But it wasn’t his clothes, really. They were casual, perfect for an informal and friendly party like this one. It was the fact that he had also changed clothes, and that you were seeing him for the first time outside of the university campus, alone. And it felt too much like a date, except it wasn’t one.

You still didn’t really understand how this turn of events had happened, but you weren’t about to complain. Not even when you felt sweaty as you approached him at the exit of the station.

“Hey,” Omi greeted you with a small wave.

It wasn’t a long walk to the venue they had rented for the party, but you still had thought it better to go together instead of meeting directly at the place.

“I hope my English isn’t too rusty,” Omi casually joked while glancing at you.

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s not about speaking perfectly, but about welcoming and doing something for the other students. And learning a thing or two about their countries.” You offered him a reassuring smile. You weren’t about to let him run off now that he was there with you. “Plus, everyone will be speaking fluently once we start drinking.”

“There’ll be alcohol?”

“You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to, but yes. That’s the main reason why they had to find someplace outside of campus.”

“Good thing today is Friday,” Omi laughed and the sound made you melt. You had forgotten how much you really liked his laugh and everything that came from him. But you soon recollected yourself. You had to keep yourself in check tonight, especially when Omi was being as charming as usual, which meant extremely. You had to find someone at the party to distract you from showing your feelings too much. You didn’t want to scare him away and make him misinterpret your intentions. You were there together as friends, after all.

When you reached the venue, you greeted the hosts and found out some people had also cancelled last minute. Even then, there were quite a few students, both international and national, and there were plenty of snacks and drinks.

Soon enough you started doing some rounds of introductions in English, and you were glad to find out everyone seemed quite friendly and relaxed. And Omi, being humble, had completely misjudged his own ability in English. You had to admit it was impressive and hot. You were so surprised that you had forgotten you weren’t supposed to stare at him so much.

“Your accent is pretty sexy.” Those words startled you out of your haze, and you looked to your side. You vaguely remembered this person’s introduction, but before you could think of anything to reply, Omi moved to stand closer to you.

“Oh, I didn’t know accents could be sexy. What about mine then?” His tone of voice was relaxed, even chirpy, but it nevertheless sent a clear message that they didn’t fail to catch. As the person left, Omi sighed, running his fingers through his short hair.

“Sorry I butted in. Just… let me know if you want me to go hang out somewhere else.” He looked at you apologetically, and it took everything in you not to shoot your hand out and cling to his shirt. You didn’t do it, of course, but he also never left your side. You were grateful for it, especially as time passed by and you started playing drinking games. You really wanted to see Omi being drunk, although you had a hunch that it wouldn’t be so easy to see.

And you’d soon regret having felt so hyper about it.

“Truth or dare!” One of the hosts screamed as the bottle stopped spinning. It pointed clearly in your direction.

Clearing your thoughts, you wondered if you even had an option. You weren’t about to let them order you to do something weird – you could still hear the faint coughing of the guy that had to eat cinnamon a few turns ago.

“Truth.”

“Is there anyone you want to kiss at this party?”

Of course, it had to be a question like that. You were glad it wasn’t anything even more personal.

“Yes.” You tried to say it confidently like it didn’t matter because it was only a game. But your voice came out too breathy to not reveal your embarrassment.

“Who is it?”

“Only one question per turn!” Someone else shouted.

You sighed with relief when they offered you the bottle to spin around for the next person. Your mind was too busy to think of a proper question or dare, so you went with the typical ‘tell us your most embarrassing story.’ Some people complained that was too soft, but fortunately, the person you asked was a great storyteller and soon enough everyone was absorbed in their story.

Everyone but you.

What had pushed you to tell the truth? Of course, it was a game of truth or dare, and by the rules, you should always tell the truth, but even then… What would you do if the bottle spun again and landed on you? You already knew they’d ask who it was. And this time, there was no way you could lie. What would happen if you told the truth?

You glanced at Omi, who was sitting next to you. He was looking at his phone with a frown, and just a second later, he got up and placed the device next to his ear. Was it some sort of emergency?

You tried to refocus your attention on the game, but when a few minutes passed and Omi was still not coming back, you started worrying something bad had happened, so you decided to get up and search for him. Everyone was too excited to pay attention to you, so you easily slipped away from the circle and the room, into the hallway, where you found him still speaking on the phone, now with a less bothered expression on his face.

It wasn’t long till he noticed you and offered you a surprised smile. He quickly shut the conversation and hang up.

“Shouldn’t you be inside the party?” Omi asked approaching you. You simply shrugged your shoulders. “You may lose your chance with that guy. And I won’t take responsibility for it twice.” He joked, but you wanted to laugh for completely different reasons. He thought that random person who had started speaking with you had caught your attention?

“For the record… I didn’t want to kiss that guy.”

“Huh?”

“When they asked me if there was someone I wanted to kiss there, and I said yes… I didn’t mean them.” If there was anything you knew, it was that you didn’t want Omi to believe you had a crush on anyone else.

“Oh. Oh. So someone else caught your eye? So they didn’t even stand a chance.” He laughed and rubbed his neck, visibly uncomfortable. You bit your lip to contain a smile. Yes, no one at the party stood a chance against Omi, but sadly, his thoughts were the opposite at that exact moment. “And who was the lucky one?”

“I also talked with the person,” you ventured, trying to redirect his attention in an attempt to find out the difference in Omi’s mannerisms, how he expressed his discomfort, how he really felt about you, and whether he was simply curious, embarrassed or annoyed.

“Oh. When? I didn’t see you talk much to anyone in particular.” His expression suddenly changed to a serious one, his gaze fixated on you.

“Well, I did.” You wanted to laugh. He probably meant he hadn’t seen anyone else flirting with you, but you had talked with several people. That made you confident that you could just tease him and hide your real feelings. Except, Omi’s humility played tricks on you.

“When? I was next to you for the most part. Unless you mean me.” He chuckled, showing that it was a joke. You felt adrenaline rush through your body, but there was nothing you could do now, so you didn’t deny it. You didn’t want to deny it. The silence between you two stretched for a while as if he was waiting for your reaction. When you couldn’t hold his gaze anymore, something clicked inside him. “You mean ME?!” Omi looked around, realizing he had spoken too loudly. The hallway was mostly empty, but one of the people there turned to look at you with curiosity. When he made sure no one was paying attention to you two anymore, he looked back at you.

“I had a really good time today, Omi. Thank you, you turned what seemed like a disaster into memories I am glad to have.” You smiled at him, not wanting to make things awkward. “I think I should leave now.” You started walking away, unsure if you were making a mistake, but you really didn’t know how to solve that situation.

“Wait!” He rubbed his neck again, but now his discomfort felt slightly different. “You can’t just… throw that bomb and run off.”

“Okay?” You weren’t sure if that meant he felt the same way or not.

“We can walk to the station together?” He suggested, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

You agreed, and after saying goodbye to the hosts of the party, you left. It was slightly chillier than before, the Autumn breeze moving the treetops on the street.

“I am glad I came,” Omi said, breaking the silence. “We haven’t… gone out much together since we were first years, but I really enjoy your company.” He glanced at you, offering a short smile. “We should hang out more.”

“Yeah, I’d love that.” You sighed, unsure whether he really meant it or if it was one of those promises that came from politeness. You knew Omi was a nice guy, so he probably didn’t want to make things awkward between you two. “I guess I have to thank my friends for ditching me this time, otherwise you wouldn’t have come with me.”

“I guess I also have to thank them, then.” Omi laughed softly, compelling you to look at him. “I’ll also have to think of a plan for next time, since it was you who invited me this time.”

Was that… a date? No, you couldn’t let yourself get carried away and misunderstand him like that. It was just…him expressing interest? Omi Fushimi was saying he’d plan the next time you hang out? The guy you had liked since the first day of university, but that you had given up on after seeing how popular he was and how full his hands were not just with classes but also with acting, was now saying he wanted to spend time with you like that?

“Um, sure! I look forward to it.” You hoped your voice hadn’t trembled there. You had been bold enough to hint at your feelings for him because you genuinely thought you had no chance, but he’d be nice enough to ignore it. That, and the alcohol – it gave you courage and hope that in the worst-case scenario, maybe you wouldn’t even remember it, or you could always play it off as a joke. And now, it was way better than a joke.

“Great. I’ll have to make sure not to disappoint you.” Omi smiled again, and this time you felt the air between you two relaxing.

“I think that’s impossible,” you blurted out before you could register the words. It seemed, today you just couldn’t control your mouth.

“Thank you.” Omi laughed; his cheeks tinted a faint pink.

Fortunately, the entrance to the station was near. You felt conflicted because you didn’t want that day to end, but at the same time, you didn’t trust your mouth anymore. It was already a miracle that Omi didn’t think you were embarrassing yourself.

“Could you wait here a second?” Omi suddenly interrupted your thoughts, and you stopped in the middle of the road. He jogged to a nearby vending machine and searched his pockets for change. When he came back to where you were standing, he handed you a water bottle. “Here.”

“Why?” You were slightly confused by that sudden act of generosity.

“Well, we both had something to drink and now you have to go back home alone.”

So, he thought it would help you sober up a bit more just in case.

“You’re saying I am acting completely drunk now?” You feigned being bothered to tease him.

“No! You’re not! I’m just worried, that’s all.” He shook his hands in front of you, wanting to reassure you. “Our stops are in opposite directions, but I can-”

“Omi, it’s fine. I’m fine. Thank you for the water.” You opened it and started drinking. “See? You don’t have to worry.”

He smiled awkwardly, and under the faint lights of the streetlamps, you saw his cheeks were still pink.

“You are a really responsible drunkard, you know?” You said, believing that was a symptom of the alcohol he had consumed. “Here, you should drink some, too.”

He accepted the bottle and took a few gulps before giving it back to you.

“Oh, no, you can keep it. I think you need it more than I do,” you said. It seemed that he was becoming more flushed the more time passed.

“I thought… you wanted to…” he trailed off, looking away from you, but still holding out the bottle for you to take it.

“I wanted to?”

“…indirectly,” he whispered, confusing you further. Maybe he really had a low alcohol tolerance? You hadn’t seen him drink that much. Seeing your confusion, Omi decided to speak up. “I thought you wanted to kiss me indirectly, so this would…”

His words made you blush violently, finally comprehending the meaning behind his words. You took the bottle from him, your heart beating madly.

“I’ll see you at university,” you said, wanting to run away. You started walking again, getting inside the station before he could follow you, and preparing your pass. He rushed inside.

“Text me when you get home,” Omi said to your back. You didn’t dare look back, but you waved your hand just in case.

--

You:      I just got home. 🗸🗸

  I hope you arrived home without any problems too. 🗸🗸

Omi:      I still have a few stations left.

  maybe I’ll use the time to start planning for our date.

  any places you want to go to?

  wait, don’t tell me. I want to surprise you :)

You squealed and sunk your face into your pillow, feeling giddy. It would be a date.

.

.

.

I hope you enjoyed this, interactions and constructive feedback are appreciated <3

Masterlist | AO3

Please do NOT repost. Reblogging is okay! Characters belong to their rightful owners, the plot and content here belongs to @moonstruck-writing

[a3hihi]

sun’s up 🐚

one shot

mer!omi fushimi/reader

word count: 1863

also on AO3!

Summary: You came to the beach to study the ocean, but you didn’t expect to get to know the locals this closely. Much less a local who shows up only as you dip under the water to look at coral. Much less a local who has a shark’s tail and fins, scars running up his body, and a bright smile, and oh no he’s attractive why is this happening to me.

———

“I think it’d be nice to hold you,” Omi chuckles. He pretends to not notice the blush blooming on your cheeks.

“Uh, sure,” you mumble wittily, swaying your ankles in the water, “What makes you think that?” 

At dawn, the breeze is cool at the pier, but the wood under you is surprisingly warm. Luckily, you had your swimsuit on today, camera and notebook beside you to check on the sea life. As you stand up and reach for the ropes at your side, its bristles tickling your skin, you feel a strong hand close around your forearm.

“It’s alright, I’ve got you.”

Warm honey-toned eyes smile up at you, and you find yourself wanting to pass out right then and there.

“Easy does it.”

Omi helps you step down into the sea with him until you finally plop into his arms.  You don’t know how to fall into the water with grace, exactly, but the merman seems to pay it no mind. To your relief, he laughs a little, eyes crinkled up in what you hope is delight.

As Omi keeps you in a firm hold, arms around your waist, you’re dangling in the water, motionless as the currents brush past your legs.

“You’re so cute,” he says, laughing quietly as your hands settle on his broad shoulders. Your mouth presses into a thin, wobbly line. There’s no way he’d say that unless you’d been seeing each other for a while, and you feel yourself blush harder.

“You haven’t answered my question,” you murmur, trying to avoid his gaze. To your horror, Omi softly cups your face and turns it to look at him.

It looks like he’s smiling to himself. You assume he is, because sharp teeth glint under his lips as he holds you close.

“I mean,” he starts, curiously bashful as he hoists you up so you’re face to face (earning an “oop!” from you). “Holding you just feels fun. I like it.”

“I don’t know how to process that, Omi.” 

You came to the beach to study the ocean, but you didn’t expect to get to know the locals this closely. Much less a local who shows up only as you dip under the water to look at coral. Much less a local who has a shark’s tail and fins, scars running up his body, and a bright smile, and oh no he’s attractive why is this happening to me.

Needless to say, you’re not too sure how merfolk show affection.

“Aww, come on. Trust me a little bit?” Omi teases. 

He takes a moment, working up the confidence to nuzzle your collar. 

“I like having you close like this. I know you’re safe that way, you know?”

“Point taken,” you nod, “it’s calming.”

“Besides, it’ll help you study.”

“More like the opposite.” You’re about to laugh, but Omi takes your hand and presses his lips to it and now you want to burst. Looking up at him means seeing his torso, too, and that doesn’t help at all.

“Ah… we need to get you a shirt.” You mumble, hiding your face in his neck. 

You feel his chest rumble to match his laugh. 

“Yeah? What’s a shirt?”

Omi knows exactly what a shirt is.

You lightly smack his chest. His laugh bubbles out even more, even louder, making you laugh brightly in return.

“Omi, seriously.” You try to rasp something out while you catch your breath. Concern flits in his eyes as he peers at you, lifting you slightly above the water.  

“I’m not drowning. It’s okay.” You pat his shoulder, your other hand resting on his cheek. The last thing you want right now is to startle him.

Waves lap at your legs as he melts into your touch. You’re glad he’s reassured, swiping your thumb at the scar on his chin. 

The both of you settle there for a while, warming water curling around you.

“Sun’s up.”

As you get out of your daze, Omi beams at you, how you look in the light. 

He’s not sure how humans react to seawater, but you mentioned something about skin wrinkling. He guesses you needed this special type of clothing to stay with him for longer, and he blushes at the thought. You also needed this weird ointment— sunscreen, he thinks you called it— that wasn’t too different from the lotions some of his fellow merfolk would use to stay smooth and avoid burning. He winces at the thought.  

Omi never really paid attention to skincare and all, so he should probably take a page out of your book for this one. He tries not to smile, remembering how you’d remind him to take care of himself, marvelling at the scars he’d try to hide sometimes. It’s not like he could— at that point, after all he’d done, the lighter colored lines curved all around his body. And even if he thought his hands were too rough, you’d take them in yours, run your thumb across his knuckles.

Ultimately, he remembers the shock in your eyes, seeing him underwater. It’s not his first time seeing people from other than his species, but it was most probably yours— judging by how you spluttered and how he had to rescue you from sinking.

By the time you recovered on the shore, you had to let the truth about mermaids’ existence sink in, pun intended. The one in front of you was wide-eyed, not used to seeing a human up close— at least a human he wasn’t picking a fight with, which you would later learn was an old hobby of his. (Oops.) 

You even remembered explaining what “research” was to him, watching his eyes widen as you asked to touch his tail, pointing out how much he could help with that. Obviously, you wouldn’t let any harm come to this new friend of yours, and you assured him that your crew wouldn’t either. You vibrated with excitement at how a fairytale creature was living and breathing right in front of you (and was really cute, but you wouldn’t tell him that just yet). 

It was during that time of silent study that he tried hiding a cough, clutching his side, and you realized it was your turn to take care of your rescuer. 

As the sand warmed beneath you both, you found yourselves meeting almost every day at the same spot. What started as introductions to each other’s worlds led to you learning about each other as people. Question and answer sessions turned into showing him human books and hearing his stories. If your third time washing your picnic mat was any indication, spending time there was suddenly a relief. At the same time, Omi’s friends teased his visiting the surface more often, packing shells he hoped were “someone’s favorite.”

That wasn’t his favorite part, though.

An especially bright ray of sunlight glares at you and you swat at the air, squirming.

Omi chuckles, and you hum in interest. 

“What’s so funny, mister?” 

He smiles down at you, raising a hand from carrying you to cup your cheek again. “Like I said, you’re really cute.”

The look on your face must also be funny to him, because his smile is wide, fully proud of what’s glinting under his lips. He murmurs your name, “I’m serious!”

“Ah, uh, thank you,” you sputter, feeling warmth in your cheeks and seeing him trying to stifle a laugh.

Being like this in his arms is convenient for him, apparently— he uses the opportunity to gather you in a tight embrace.

“This isn’t too tight, right?” You wrap your arms further around his neck, waving your head in a quiet no. At the warmth of his hug, you definitely needed the support.

“You too.”

“Huh?”

“I mean! You’re cute too!” You squeak, looking up at him. Big mistake— Omi softly presses his forehead on yours, nose almost bumping yours before he pulls away.

“Thank you.”

A beat passes, and you hear the ocean all over again.

“My favorite part was confessing, you know.”

It takes some time for you to close your mouth. “What?”

“Telling you I liked you. A lot. That was my favorite part of meeting you.” He shakes his head. “You’re my favorite human.”

You really wish you don’t look like a blown-up puffer fish right now. 

“Itwasmyfavoriteparttoo!”

You snap your lips closed, and you frown at Omi’s easy, amused grin. 

“Come again?”

“I liked it too! I couldn’t stop thinking about it!” You sound like you’re arguing, proving some point in a debate, and your voice shakes with laughter at that.

“Also thank you for holding me!” you yelp, and Omi gives his most recent smile for that morning. You hope you get to see it more from now on.

“Wouldn’t want you slipping.”

The fins in place of his ears flutter a bit. You’re about to ask what’s wrong but notice the warmth rising to the tan of his cheeks. Add flustering a merman to your list of achievements.

You feel yourself moving with him, realizing he’s gliding to the side. The tail under him shifts in the water as he plants you on a nearby rock. 

“There’s a merman like me who sells potions nearby.”

You tilt your head, wondering where this was going.

“I think he can give me legs for a bit. Harmless, I swear,” he holds his hands up as you begin to protest.

“Gaining legs was never really a problem for us, I promise.” “I guess the stories I’ve heard weren’t the most accurate,” you say.

“That’s why you’re the scientist.”

The water is pleasant against your leg, cooling as it hits the rocks crusted with shells beneath you. Omi hoists himself up next to you, elbow bumping yours. The sea has his hair hang damp against his forehead, dark brown under the sun.

“Why are you doing this?” you whisper, voice fond like the crabs around you are listening in. “Is there no potion I can take? How do you know it’s safe?”

“Not that I’ve heard of.” He shrugs.

“Again, trust me a little.” There’s a glint of mischief in his eyes, and you squint. “Some of us already work on the shore, if I’m being honest.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m not.”

Omi snickers as you gawk at him. Merfolk walking on legs, on land, crossing paths with unsuspecting people. At this rate, they could even be at the aquarium or in your crew.

“I’m not surprised,” you tease, crossing your arms. “One of my coworkers is suspiciously good at swimming.”

“Uh huh.”

Omi waves his tail in the water, pointed fin stirring up invisible lines around smaller fish. “I want to see you more.” 

You scratch your nape. “I’ve always wanted to show you around the boardwalk. I think actually talking to people is a nice change of pace. You’d like the crafts they make up here,” you say, remembering the objects he’s tinkered around with underwater. He deserved better equipment.

“It’s a date.” He smiles. 

You find yourself smiling back this time. “I’d like a date.” 

You peck Omi’s cheek, and both of you feel the sun reach its peak.

[profnodanna]

Scenario: Mikoto alive au - ROK edition.

Fushimi is storming off after the "betrayal" show, when he meets on his path Mikoto, who happens to be casually there, smoking against a wall.

Fushimi freezes, the old fear of the Red King coming back all at once.

He aggressively asks what Mikoto's doing there, somehow afraid Mikoto could stop him, accusing him to be an useless King, that even when he does something fails at it, he had to just stop the Green King, if he hadn't arrived to the Chamber all of this wouldn't have happened.

In this case, with Mikoto, Fushimi is more sincere, saying that what Kings think all about it's their kingly stuff without a thought for the people around them.

Mikoto shrugs all it off with a bitter half smile, saying "'guess you're right"

Fushimi gets even more annoyed, asks what Mikoto is doing there, if he wants to stop him or something.

Mikoto calmly takes a drag on his cigarette and says Fushimi is free to make his own choices, which only frustrates Fushimi even more.

Fushimi is at his peak of frustration, too many feelings inside him that he doesn't want to deal with. He passes over Mikoto, all "Fine, if that's all you have to say I'll go now", but then Mikoto adds something that alludes to, no matter what Fushimi's choice will be, he'll find help if he asks for it.

And anyway, Mikoto has always thought "that" role has never suited Fushimi, alluding to "being a traditor".

Fushimi turns around abruptly, all ready to say how dare you, you know nothing about me, e so on.

But Mikoto is already walking off, to where his clan is waiting for him.

Fushimi looks at his back, not even knowing what to think. Eventually he turns around, muttering that he hates Kings, he hates them so much.

-

Going back to his clan - I imagine him needing some first aid treatment because of the injuries got in the battle, and this explains why he was around when Fushimi left S4 - Mikoto can't stop thinking about the Grey King's words:

how the Slates played them all, that if everyone had the power they could have the chance to defend themselves. He can't help but to think about Totsuka, wondering if in the Green King's ideal world he could have had that chance.

But he knows too well that's just an illusion.

[I mean, behind Totsuka's death there's the Green King: Hisui can put his ideal world in a very specific hole of his dead body if you ask Mikoto]

He wonders if all these ideals the Kings seem to have aren't just illusions, dreams that will never be reached, if the Slates just chooses particularly dumb humans who dream too big and then are crushed by the reality.

Are Kings even needed if they can't even do anything to protect their clansmen?

He's brooding all these things when arrives where his clan is. Kusanagi immediately asks him about his conditions, and then what he is planning to do about the whole matter of the Slates.

Mikoto has sincerely no idea.

The Slates has always been owned by the strongest King, and look at the three of them, they've miserably lost against a zombie and a chicken ghost popped out from nowhere. They don't have the strength nor the right to take it back.

Kusanagi wonders if that's really the end of the world they know, and this is the moment when Anna stands up, stating there must be something they can do, it is not over yet, power is meant to protect.

Mikoto looks at Anna, and then smiles softly at her.

"you heard that, uh?" he says to Kusanagi.

Kusanagi lights a cigarette and smiles: "Seems like it's too early to surrender"

[ridiasfangirlings]

after moving in together, saru works as a game designer to make a few bucks and unconscionably starts coding in characters that are very similar to yata, people start catching up to this and even point out how that one tiny red haired character is in almost every game and seems to be a favorite of the coder bc its always the cutest and hardest character to get

this eventually reaches yata when people start telling him he looks like this and that character from different games

Imagine most of them looking specifically like middle school Misaki, because that's the one Fushimi has the best memories of. Like right after they move in together they both start looking for work, even though the place they found is cheap they still need to pay rent and neither one wants to depend on their parents for it (Yata because he knows his parents have enough to deal with, Fushimi because what parents). Fushimi obviously isn't going to take a job that requires him to, like, talk to people or interact with other humans or anything like that so he looks for freelance coding jobs. He gets a temp job working on an indie game and part of his duties involve some character designing. This isn't something Fushimi is particularly passionate about, maybe say they gave him some design sheets to work from but he's told if he wants to add in like his own designs for harder to get characters go ahead. Fushimi has no idea what to make, he's not the kind of person who looks at other people or thinks about designs much, and that's when Yata walks in from working his own job, smiling as he waves the cash he got for doing skateboard deliveries, and Fushimi suddenly finds himself making his next character a redhead on a skateboard.

After this Fushimi makes 'Yata' characters pretty often, like anytime he gets the chance to design a character of his own it's some variant of Misaki (imagine one time he gets tapped to work on an idol game featuring all girls and that's how the game ends up with a red-haired tomboy idol who turns out to be unexpectedly popular). Obviously this stops once he starts working at S4 but the games are still out there and his characters like belong to the game companies so some of the successful ones get sequels and the Yata character is in there. Yata doesn't play a lot of these games – or he's not good enough to get the really hard-to-get characters – so he has no idea about any of this until Bandou sees a picture of Yata in middle school and is like hey you look like my favorite idol character. Yata's like huh and Bandou's like now that I think about it there are a couple video game characters that look like you it's strange. He shows Yata pictures and imagine Yata's kinda weirded out, like how did this happen. It's not until years later post-ROK that he mentions this to Fushimi, who suddenly gets quiet and sullenly calls him an idiot, like didn't you look at the designers. Yata wonders what he means and looks it up, sputtering as he realizes that Saruhiko was the one behind it all along and he doesn't know if he's flattered or what (well, he's mostly flattered, except for the idol character because what the hell Saruhiko you didn't have to make me a girl).

[inrainprose]

30. Inari-sai

First – Prev – Next – Masterpost – Ao3

The Fushimi Inari Taisha is swarming with people when the day of the festival rolls around. Just the humans would be too much already, chattering up in colorful kimono and traditional clothes, children running around the palanquins.

But adding the yokai, it is overwhelming. Between the ones perched on humans, on the temples and torii, floating above and crawling below, slithering in the crowd, Sasuke feels like the whole of Kyoto has gathered around him.

The day is bright, brighter than they expected with Haku strolling by their side. They get an explanation when Tsunade joins them in one of the courtyards, Ino and Sakura in toe.

“You should thank Sakura,” Ino says. “She curried the favor owed by the hashihime. She said she would command the water to come closer to her by the river. Most of it should pass far away enough from here.”

The girl shrugs as if it was nothing, but she seems a little shy as the foxes thank her profusely.

“You didn’t have to spend that on us,” Karin says ruefully. Since Ino and Sakura were the ones to bring the offending couple to the bridge, they were the ones Miss Terumi pledged her help to. She couldn’t come, of course – many yokai are tied to their place of dwelling, by duty or curse or by their very nature. She cannot leave her bridge.

Ino grins as Sakura bites her lips, embarrassed, before tapping Karin’s wrists three times over the sleeve of her kimono.

“For you,” she whispers in a rush.

They are now both pink as the cherry blossom above their heads. Ino wraps a long arm around them both and knocks their head together with a wide grin. Kushina claps her hands, delighted.

“The festival will be auspicious this year!” she declares.

Sasuke doesn’t know if she predicts it or makes it so. But the festival is, indeed, a great success, full of dancing and music, prayers and communion. He feels empowered by it all, even if it’s by no means done for his sake – the humans’ faith is always infectious, elating. They follow the priests and believers as they move the Goshinji to the shrine, for their god to inspect and decide on the year’s harvest. Sasuke loves these intricate traditions and rites, the care the humans will bring to the timing, the costumes, the trinkets and offerings, the intensive preparations.

The spirits feel less forgotten on such days.

A lot of kitsune have come from all over the Kansai, paying their respect to Inari and to Kushina both. She greets them all warmly, enquires about the news of each of their home and domain. Most of them will take residence at the ryokan for the upcoming days.

Rain does find them just as the parade arrives at the Otabysio, the resting place of the Goshinji for the time of the worshipping. The sun still shines bright though, the blue of the sky making the rain almost surreal. The humans whisper among themselves excitedly.

“A sun’s shower! A fox’s wedding!”

Kushina is overjoyed.

She stays behind with the palanquin, in hopes she will be able to converse with Inari, if they are so inclined. There is no guarantee she will get an audience, but it would be undutiful not to try.

The rest goes back to the temple, to oversee the rest of the offerings and prayers. The foxes will have to sort through it all for the spiritual world, as the priests do for the mortal one. It is not a work the other yokai can help them with, so Sasuke and the girls just wander around the temple ground, eating takoyaki and fried tofu, reading and commenting on the paper prayers tied by the ones who wished for better luck. Haku follows them in silence. Men and women turn toward him as he passes by, captivated by his strange, ambiguous beauty.

Sasuke is exhausted by the time he goes back alone to the guesthouse. The foxes are still busy at the Fushimi Inari Taisha, and so there is no guest for the night. Sasuke relishes in the silence, though he does feel a little lonely too, away from the noise and the crowd. The longing for his home and family comes back with a vengeance, after witnessing such a communion between the kitsune of all the Kansai region, all brought together in celebration and worship.

Sasuke sits under the tsubaki tree. The woman hangs low from the branches so that her hair brushes at his shoulders, in what he supposes is her way of offering comfort.

He falls asleep there.

[derireo]

a3! volleyball au

Professional Volleyball League. Not high school. Also, this isn’t a Haikyuu crossover or anything.

NARA PREFECTURE – Famous area for cherry blossom viewing.

Sakuya Sakuma: Power > CAPTAIN

Itaru Chigasaki: Setter

Masumi Usui: Middle / (weird assignment, but trust me)

Tsuzuru Minagi: Middle

Citron: Power

Chikage Utsuki: Setter/Right side

"Okay, but do we really want to win?" Itaru sighed and readjusted his headband with a sulking look. Sweat was beading down his neck; having been exerting much more energy than he wanted.

Some of the others looked back to take a glance at the scoreboard. It looked like it was going to be an easy win.

But Itaru brought up a good point during this timeout, and it left his teammates pondering.

Masumi pursed his lips and wiped his chin with the back of his hand. "Don't really feel like travelling outside of the prefecture."

Chikage nodded in agreement to Masumi while Sakuya and Tsuzuru both looked at each other with exhausted frowns weighing at their mouths.

It's not like they wanted to lose either, but even if they won, there were still some problems they'd need to work through.

"Travel fees and hotels are expensive."

And well, really, Itaru was just worried about his gaming time, but their captain and the middle had a good point.

"We can hold fundraisers and help around the neighbourhood." Citron suggested, voice still in its usual tone as if he hadn't just run across the court to save their shanked ball a few minutes ago.

"Kasumi-san said he was willing to shoulder the expenses we wouldn't be able to pay." He added on to which Sakuya and Tsuzuru sighed.

Out of relief? Who knew.

"Hey, let's win the tournament first. Worry about the expenses later." Chikage fiercely clapped his hands to get the rest of the team back on track, sending a quiet, but reassuring glance to the worried pair.

If anything, he was going to shoulder the fees with Itaru in the first place.

"Haru on two!" Sakuya bellowed once he pushed aside his worries and the whistle blew.

Everyone put their hands together in the centre and hooted, gathering into a tight circle as they counted.

One, two—

"Haru! Ikuzo!"

"Let's go feed the deer to celebrate!" Citron shouted cheerfully as they began to walk back onto the court, grinning his charming smile when Sakuya shouted his agreement.

And they did.

Now they were going to have to get ready for Nationals.

OITA PREFECTURE – Has the highest number of hot days.

Tenma Sumeragi: Power > CAPTAIN

Yuki Rurikawa: Power

Muku Sakisaka: Setter

Misumi Ikaruga: Setter/Right side

Kazunari Miyoshi: Middle

Kumon Hyodo: Middle

"Misumi, you've got to be more careful." Tenma scolded the smiling man with a frown and a push to his shoulder.

Misumi looked like he wasn't tired at all as the rest of the team looked at him with worried eyes, but he shrugged and slipped his fingers beneath his headband to fix it.

"I wasn't just going to let the ball drop." He laughed, much to the concern of Kazunari and Kumon who were checking to see if he was hurt anywhere on his arms or legs.

Kumon had accidentally received the jump serve with his shoulder, shanking it far off the court to the point where even Muku would have struggled to run after it.

Fortunately for them, Misumi had anticipated for something like that to happen, considering everyone was on high alert with how close the final set was. They needed to win a point to gain the upper hand again.

"Shoot. Misumi, careful!" Both Kumon and Kazunari had shouted when they saw the setter absolutely floor it towards the benches, just barely getting to the ball in time as he dove towards the floor and punched the ball back into the air with the side of his fist.

And Yuki, being the godsend he was, managed to track the ball, bringing it over the net with a mean little bump towards the attack line where the other team failed to cover.

Hiro called a timeout once they had won the point, keen on quickly taping Misumi up before their two minutes were up.

"Let's win this already. The back and forth is annoying." Yuki sighed and ran a hand through his sweaty hair, already shoving his head into their half-assed triangle assembly while the whistle blew.

"You've got this Muku." Kazunari encouraged Muku who timidly brought his hand into the group.

The pink-haired boy nodded, took a deep breath in as Tenma called for their cheer and shouted with everyone as he resolved his inner turmoil.

"GO NATSU!"

KYOTO PREFECTURE – Houses Tofukuji Temple, a place to view autumn leaves

Banri Settsu: Setter/Right side > CAPTAIN

Juza Hyodo: Middle

Taichi Nanao: Power

Omi Fushimi: Middle

Sakyo Furuichi: Setter

Azami Izumida: Power

"Oh, now you're talkin'!" Banri whistled with a laugh when Azami easily picked up a float serve, giving the ball just enough height and time for Sakyo to take a few steps under it, Banri jogging just outside the court.

Taichi mirrored Banri on the other side, shuffling towards his own position while Omi side-stepped towards the attack line with bated breath as everyone called for the set.

Even Juza, usually quiet and letting the others take their hits was loud in the back row, had the adrenaline running through his veins. They were only a couple of points away from winning the second set, after all.

"Give it to me, baby!" Banri howled as he noticed the slight arch in Sakyo's back and slowly made his approach, large step turning into a quick one-two as he vaulted himself into the air.

And despite the quick whip of his arm once Sakyo volleyed the ball into his reach, the team dug it up due to his practiced swings always hitting the anticipated spots. Easy.

"Shit, that was a good dig." Azami hissed under his breath as he got into his position outside of the shadow of the block that was getting set up by Omi and Sakyo, Taichi covering part of the attack line and pot.

The rival team used Omi's block as a tool, knowing how high his blocks could be during a heated rally. The two older players cursed under their breath when the ball bounced off his fingers, but Taichi was quick to dive to the floor, slapping the ball back into the air.

And it felt like the air had gone ice cold when a voice came from the back row.

"PIPE!" Juza roared, adding a little hop to his step to delay his approach, giving Sakyo enough time to set the ball at Juza's preferred height.

The young man glided in the air, jersey flapping in the air with how quick he had jumped in the air, and with a deafening slap, slammed the volleyball as hard as he could between the five and six spot on the court, his golden eyes sharp as his breath was forced out of his lungs.

And with a cheer, Zen threw his clipboard to the ground, the scoreboard showing that they were now at game point.

"Atta boy! Let's go, ya bastards!" He shouted, much to the excitement of the rest of the team.

Nationals was in the bag.

HOKKAIDO PREFECTURE – Coldest city in Japan.

Tsumugi Tsukioka: Setter > CAPTAIN

Tasuku Takato: Middle

Hisoka Mikage: Setter/Right side

Homare Arisugawa: Power (also questionable. trust me.)

Azuma Yukishiro: Power

Guy: Middle

"Ah, can this rally end already?" Hisoka griped quietly as he jogged back to the front row, Homare picking up the tipped ball with ease as he stood in the exact spot Syu urged him to stay in during rocky plays.

It was tiring, the other team just as good at digging up their hits as they were at receiving theirs.

This rally was longer than anticipated though, and the team was growing more and more tired as it persisted. Even Tsumugi was having trouble shouting out calls, his legs feeling weak with how many times he'd gone to approach for a hit.

The air in the gymnasium was stifling, thick and hard to breathe in as the adrenaline was running through the team as their last spurt of energy came to be.

"Fuck, just give it to me!" Tasuku growled, exhausted at the endless back and forth and motioned at Hisoka from the back row, Guy turning his head slightly to see how far Tasuku was going to take his approach.

Guy stayed a foot away from the net to give Tasuku some space, but still far enough just in case the team's block was successful.

Homare watched for the angle of the block while Tsumugi and Azuma kept a step away from the attack line, already knowing that Hisoka was going to set Tasuku.

If anyone was to end a rally, it was Tasuku.

With bated breath and bouncing feet, the back row watched as their middle launched himself in the air right before his feet met the attack line, eyes glaring at the ball as he wound his arm back.

And with a resounding smack, the ball was darting straight down onto the other side of the court, one of their players messing up the receive by stumbling one step early.

The pass was an overbump, and with Homare and Guy's height, they were able to assist Tasuku in ending the rally by blocking the over pass.

The whistle blew as they won their last point, Tasuku and Tsumugi turning to each other as they shouted with aggressive joy at the top of their lungs, Hisoka and Azuma falling to their knees as Homare and Guy grinned at each other and fist bumped.

Quietly, Syu nodded in approval, but whistled at the team to call them back in for their end game huddle.

The powerhouse was heading to Nationals.

[itsuki-minamy]

WONDERFUL SCHOOL DAYS: MY PRECIOUS RED

CHAPTER 5: WINTER

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: skyflyinginaction

* Gakuen K (List of Chapters) * Projects & Chapters

In the end, the feeling of discomfort was unexpectedly terrible and she was unable to recover to the point where she could walk home. Although Fushimi's hands had helped her, she was so shocked that she was forced to undergo an examination and she went to the hospital that day.

The next day, after a medical examination, she returned to the girls' dormitory.

(Oh, just, because everyone is taking classes.), she thought.

However, although there should have been no abnormalities at the time of the exam, she had a fever at noon and she stopped going to school that day.

She knew what the reason was, probably from Yata's words.

She believed it was because those words were stuck in her chest and she was worried. In other words, it was something spiritual.

Because it was the first time Yata had yelled at her like that.

She was surprised by the word "betrayal" and that Yata thought that of her.

She didn't know why, of course he was hurt, and maybe he was angry. Because, Yata, he just said that and left the hospital room without hearing her excuse.

But at the same time, Yata's face at that moment couldn't get out of her head.

More than that, she didn't understand why. She thought he was hurt.

His face burned at the back of her eyes and it was very painful.

Actually, it was the opposite, but she still felt that she had hurt Yata.

Is it because he was worried and distraught? By the time Kukuri came to visit her at the end of school, her fever had risen higher and exceeded 38 degrees. Even the next morning, she did not come down. She apparently caught a cold since she was weak.

She had no choice but to go to the hospital the next day while she fluttered about.

She got a drip and a Chinese herbal medicine for the fever.

Anyway, she was bored alone in the room that day and tried to sleep. She had a hard time eating the yogurt that Kukuri bought for her and she took the medicine.

But the next morning, after all, the fever didn't go down.

(Oh, it's the third day. I want to go to school soon.), she thought.

She was impatient, but her body couldn't bear it.

"It doesn't work; it doesn't work..."

She coughed, looked at the ceiling and sighed.

Her body was hot and heavy. It was difficult to even turn around.

She couldn't go to school in that situation. She knew that going there would only cause annoyance and worry.

"Ah…"

She looked up at the ceiling and pursed her lips tightly.

She hated herself as a person.

Being alone in a quiet room reminded her of all the extra things.

This also happened last year, she was alone in the room.

Scared of herself as a "monster", she locked herself in her room. Other than that, she didn't know what to do.

She hugged herself trembling and stared at the wall. Also in the morning, even during the day and at night.

"......"

She wanted to go to school and laugh with Kukuri and Neko.

She also wanted to go to the "HOMRA" bar, and play with everyone in the red club.

She was alone, and she did not like being alone.

"Yata-kun..."

She coughed out the name on her chest. She wanted to see Yata.

She hurt the back of her nose.

Even if she said that, she still remembered what Yata said. She wanted to see him, but she knew he was upset.

Why? He was hurt, he was sad and angry, but she wanted to see him.

She didn't know why, but Yata doubted her.

Was she "betraying" Yata? Why? Why didn't she think that was never the case?

For Yata, how long have you been together since spring?

Did he join her with a sense of duty because of the injury he caused?

She gently clenched her back teeth and covered her eyes with both hands.

Even if she knew it was different, she thought so herself.

Because if not, do you think it is a "betrayal"? Although they are friends!

(Yata-kun, you said that even I was your friend, right?), she thought.

Or was it not good for her like that?

"......"

Thinking that, she shook her head.

She did not doubt him. She just wanted to say, why was she thinking only of Yata?

There were many other things to think about. For example, who locked her up in that place? What was the purpose of it?

Was she also an object of disgust and fear? Because she was as strange a Strain as she was in the previous school?

"Ah...!"

It was disconcerting and sad. Even if she knew she couldn't be helped, it hurt.

But why? After all, the thought immediately returned to Yata.

She thought of various things and she wanted to see him after all.

(Oh, I want to see Yata-kun and talk.), she thought she.

Even now, she wanted to see Yata above all else.

It was at that moment that she heard a clear pounding sound. That surprised her and she opened her eyes.

Looking at the alarm clock next to the bed, it was almost 12 o'clock.

Yes. In other words, it was definitely the time when both students and teachers were in school.

Eh? Who would it be at that time?

"……?"

The moment she wondered and looked around her, called her a second time.

Involuntarily it was impressive.

After all, the sound of knocking was not coming from the door.

When she struggled to get up, she moved to the window, dragging her heavy body.

Then when she moved the curtains and looked out onto the balcony,

"…?!"

Eh?

What she saw from the window was a black school uniform and a boy with auburn hair.

She opened her mouth in amazement, and hurriedly opened the window curtains.

"Yes, Yata-kun?"

It was Yata who was crouched on the balcony to avoid the gaze of the public.

Without a doubt, Yata.

"Uh..."

"Why are you here?! What happened to the school?"

"You have decided to skip it, right?"

Yata blushed and walked away.

"Well, if you think about it, it's true... Isn't that a lie?! Really, Yata-kun?"

"......"

It was too much, she did not immediately accept the reality that she had in front of her and she was confused.

She couldn't believe it, Yata went to the girls' dorm.

"I can enter?"

For her, that she had no choice but to be just a flower, the illusion came carefully.

She took a deep breath and said, "Okay, come in.", and opened the window wider.

"You were in bed."

"But…"

"You have a fever, right?"

Yata kicked off his shoes and walked in, saying that bluntly.

"Yes, I heard."

"Whose?"

"Kamamoto... and Yukizome."

"I see."

She wanted to see him, but she was still hurt and frustrated, so she couldn't speak well.

When she closed her mouth, Yata was also uncomfortable, and as he looked away from her, he coughed, "Would you like to go back to bed?"

"Mmm..."

She thought it was not a place to be stubborn, so she went to bed quietly, Yata sat cross-legged next to her and looked at her anxiously.

Her favorite, Yata's eyes.

Straightforward, hot, and unwavering, but kind.

"Are you okay?"

With that one word, her heart warmed enough that it was painful.

Oh, Yata. Anxious and overprotective. He always rushed first and protected her. The usual Yata.

Yata was next to her. She was so happy that she was about to burst into tears.

Oh, no. It wasn't just that. That was not the norm.

Finally, she realized. Being by his side was already an irreplaceable miracle, but for that it was painful.

Because he said that?

She bit her back teeth and looked at Yata.

"It is bad!"

Then Yata gritted his teeth, painfully distorted her face, and the next moment he sat on the ground. This was the second time for Yata.

Yata's strong voice echoed. She was concerned that they could hear it from outside.

It was the same as that time.

The first day of transfer. Just like Yata, who sat across from her.

He hit his forehead and screamed more.

"You can hit me until you feel like it!"

Eh?!

"Well, I won't do that."

She was surprised by the words, she hastily got up and shook her head.

"Oh, get up and you will fall!"

"Then stop doing that."

"Okay, but…!"

"They haven't asked you to do that, right?"

Perhaps Yata was surprised, he raised his head vigorously.

His eyes that pierced her harbored burning flames.

There was something she came up with with devotion.

Oh, how many times had those eyes saved her?

She liked her, she loved Yata's eyes.

"I want to hear the story, but they haven't asked me to sit down, much less hit me. Ok?"

"But..."

"If you stop, I'll lie down quietly."

"......"

When she said "Hey?", he thought it was not a place to be stubborn. Yata reluctantly crossed his legs. She was relieved and she went back to bed.

"It is bad…"

"You were in the hospital, right?"

"Ah…"

"Let me know..."

Yata painfully distorted his face and looked down.

After being silent for a while, he said, "I'm not going to make an excuse.", and slowly parted his lips.

"Saru was my best friend from high school."

"……!"

She gasped at the unexpected words.

She widened her eyes and looked at Yata, who was still face down.

Was Fushimi-kun his best friend?

There was no reason for him to lie. Yata couldn't lie.

But now they didn't see each other as friends.

"Are you a traitor too?"

Yata's piercing scream echoed through the hospital.

Finally, she was surprised at the unnaturalness of the words.

That was all. At that moment, Yata said "you too", "traitor", for the second time.

It was a word that would never come out unless someone had betrayed him in the past.

"Obviously, he was by my side. It was natural to be by my side. He was a partner and an ally. Truly, always, always together."

"Yata-kun..."

"Since then, I've been longing for Mikoto-san. Both Kusanagi-san and Totsuka-san. I wanted to go to his side and get closer. When I went to high school, I would definitely enter Homura. Both..."

Yata clenched his fist tightly.

"That's right, I entered high school, I entered Homura, but when the summer break was over, he left the club without permission and went straight to the blue club..."

"......"

"It was an unprecedented story in the red club and the blue club, and a big uproar. I didn't understand, and I rushed inside. But the monkey…! He couldn't even speak about the reason!"

He hit the ground with his fist. He shrugged.

"He just laughed to look down, nothing more..."

"......"

"I still don't understand the meaning. I don't understand it and that's why I'm angry..."

"Yata-kun..."

"Why did you betray me? I was far away. But is he your partner? The best is... Homura!"

He felt sad that he couldn't finish his thoughts with every word.

"It's important... I feel like everything was denied..."

"Yata-kun..."

"I heard that you should have gone to help with the class preparations, but you were with the Monkey in that place, and then you were taken away in an ambulance. I thought..."

Yata raised his head and looked at her painfully distorting his face.

"It's bad. You and the Monkey are different..."

He shook his head in a voice that squeezed the wound.

Yata hadn't figured it out at all, which was why he felt frustrated and dejected.

She felt that she could understand that frustrating feeling.

And she understood well the fear of suddenly losing something important.

Once suddenly she lost everything that was important to her.

"......"

(I see. That's Yata-kun's trauma.), she thought.

Perhaps he was very worried, that is why he lacked calm.

At the time, even Fushimi, who contacted her, didn't know what had happened. So they all were told only two things: "she was with Fushimi in an unpopular place" and "she got injured in an accident there."

Then it was impossible not to be suspicious. Especially if there was a trauma.

She could understand words with that feeling.

Finally, when she understood everything, she was relieved to breathe.

(I see. Oh, that was good. That was it.), she thought.

Yata did not doubt her or hate her.

"I said a terrible word and left the hospital room, but I immediately regretted it. Kusanagi-san scolded me. They all did. I thought I would apologize soon, but you had a fever and you were resting..."

Yata began to babble again.

"I thought I would wait until you were okay, but yesterday and today you were the same, so… in other words…"

"I made you worry..."

"That is not a good story."

Still, Yata went to the women's dormitory.

Not just to apologize. Perhaps he was very concerned about her body.

The gentle and eager Yata. Even in the case of a burn, he protected her in an overprotective way.

She smiled when she saw her left hand, which had been completely healed.

"Well, I think it's a story."

"Eh…?"

Yes. That was a good story.

Because at that moment, Yata remembered him at the hospital, right? The sadness when Fushimi left. Anger and suffering. The feeling of loss.

That's why he took it out on her.

So, huh? Why did she remind him of that? Isn't it because she thought she was like Fushimi?

It was natural to be by his side. It was very important. She didn't want to lose him.

That is why she was terrified and distraught.

She hears that.

Was that a convenient interpretation for her? Excessive shyness?

No. She could take a hundred steps and it would still be fine. Still, she was happy!

(I'm happy, Yata-kun. I'm glad I can feel relieved from the bottom of my heart.), she thought.

Because he didn't suspect her. She was not untrustworthy. He did not dislike her.

Yata was still the kind and dear Yata.

"Ah…"

(That's what makes me happy!), she thought.

When she took her hands off the futon, she picked up Yata's clothes.

"Uh..."

"Forgive me. I'm not angry. It was sad and it hurt, but most of all, I didn't understand the meaning. I'm glad you spoke..."

"I…"

"So, huh? Yata-kun... If I recover, will we play again...?"

Yata raised his face.

"Eh…?"

"Ah, play?"

"Of course. But that's..."

Yata got confused and shook his head.

She knew what he meant, because it was about Yata.

That was not compensation. Did he mean that?

But Yata, once again, they haven't asked him to pay, right?

Nothing has been done.

"Yata-kun. I will not leave, I will not betray you, because I no longer want to lose someone important to me. Remember that. I also lost everything once."

"That is to say…"

"Is it okay to be by my side? I want to be by your side... will you let me stay?"

"Ah…"

Yata's face was distorted as if he was crying.

Is it because he didn't want her to see him ​that way? Yata quickly grabbed the hat and lowered it to hide his eyes from her.

"Obviously...!"

She pretended not to know that the little voice was shaking.

How long had it been? For a long time, they were silent.

She fell silent and they remained together, almost motionless.

Oddly, the silence didn't bother her. However, the time passed peacefully.

She thought that the moment when nothing happened was very important.

She reached for Yata's clothes again, drowsy from the warm light.

"About Fushimi-kun…"

When she put on her clothes, Yata rolled his shoulders.

The line of sight that followed seemed terribly awkward. With confidence, just with that, she could see how much that case affected Yata's heart.

She hoped it would be resolved one day, anyway.

She thought that the important thing was not there. It was not necessary for him to understand. He didn't have to go back to normal. She thought it would be fine. Well, Yata's ideal might be to go back to the old relationship.

However, he was still trapped alone not knowing anything. She wishes he could get out of that situation. She thought that only that was different. That alone would be enough to save Yata.

"Do not give up."

"......!"

Speak clearly. She couldn't say anything more and fell silent.

As if Yata always did that, so did she.

"Don't give up, it's not good."

(Don't stop understanding each other. Even if it's painful, never give up.), she thought.

Kamamoto, Suoh, Kusanagi, Totsuka, and they were all next to him.

The moment it surrenders, it will break. It will never be like before.

She gave up and escaped earlier.

"Please don't make my mistake, Yata-kun."

"Ah!"

At her words, Yata distorted his face and moved his mouth as if he was about to start crying.

But no words came out.

The way he was, he bit down on his back teeth and lowered his head again.

"Stop saying that."

A terribly small voice. When she twisted her neck, Yata stared at her.

Her eyes were warm without fluctuation, and her heart made a loud noise.

"I'll tell you appropriately..."

"Yata-kun?"

"Get well soon."

Yata's soft words, which reddened her face, struck her gently.

"Did you eat at noon?"

After that, she was silent for a while and thought about each one of them, but suddenly Yata looked at the clock on the wall and said that.

"Oh, by the way... I haven't eaten..."

"Are you hungry? Should I do something?"

"I want to eat fried rice."

"Eh?"

When he remembered that he did it earlier, Yata opened his eyes.

"It's good for when you feel bad."

"The one you made earlier was delicious."

"I'll do it if you can eat it... But what about the ingredients?"

"Oh, it might not be possible."

She meant, what was in the fridge? For the past two days, she had only eaten yogurt and jelly, which Kukuri brought for her.

When she said that, Yata moved to the front of the refrigerator and looked at it.

"Seriously, there is almost nothing. Yogurt, jam and fruit. And eggs and cold rice?"

Having said that, when he took off his school uniform, Yata looked at her and gave his usual awkward smile.

"Turn it into egg porridge. I'll go back to making fried rice when you're okay."

His words made it even more painful. The hot feelings seemed to push her chest up.

The hot egg porridge made by Yata was delicious.

She had no appetite until a little while ago, but it seemed to be written on her stomach.

She was happy, and her smile naturally overflowed.

"Thank you, I am happy."

"I will do it anytime."

When she thanked him while she smiled, Yata blushed.

"Get well soon."

"Yes, of course."

Yata gave her an awkward smile.

It was like a miracle.

She realized that happiness was such a thing.

She smiled back and chewed on the wonderful "every day."

The next day, she was completely relieved and she went to school for the first time in a long time.

"Saya-chan! You finally came!"

Kukuri-chan! Sorry for worrying you! Thanks for everything!"

She jumped onto Kukuri's chest with both hands spread.

"Konohana-san, are you okay?"

"Isn't it better to rest still?"

"Gohan. Are you okay?"

"Shiro-kun, Yatogami-kun, Neko-chan! I'm fine! Sorry for worrying you!"

When she smiled, everyone breathed like they were relieved.

"I heard this year's cold is bad."

"But I feel like I hear that every year, with a fever."

In pollen season, you hear every year how many times more pollen flies than last year, right?

"But this is credible, because my man from the festival is resting."

(Huh? Festival man?), she thought.

They all point to the window at the same time.

Kamamoto was sitting there alone. Eh? That person?!

When she told everyone, "I'm sorry.", she ran over to Kamamoto.

"Good morning, Kamamoto-kun!"

"Oh, yeah. Is your body okay?"

"Yes. Sorry to worry you. What about Yata-kun?"

"He has a fever and is resting. He caught a cold."

Well, that was... too many thoughts went through her head and she suddenly screamed.

"Oh, that's right. I got infected and infected him."

She looked up and blocked for a moment, then looked at Kamamoto, who seemed bored alone, and tilted her head.

"I want to go see him after school, can you help me sneak into the men's dorm?"

"What? Good, but... Yata-san, he will jump."

"Eh? He will jump and he will be happy?"

"Does not mean that."

She wondered if she was being impatient and going too fast. She wondered if he would turn bright red and flutter.

She knew the way of him to act.

She smiled and clenched her fist.

"No problem, I like that side of Yata-kun!"

Also, she was very happy with yesterday's visit, and she was relieved to understand the situation for which he apologized, but because of that she felt that she wanted to give back because they hurt him in vain.

"I will gladly take you, Konohana-san."

"Thanks!"

So, at night, with the help of Kamamoto, she unknowingly visited Yata's room.

Yata, who screamed, closed the door saying, "Wait two minutes, wait a minute!", but she couldn't wait quietly in the hallway of the men's dorm, they might discover her in the first place.

If he had a fever and was trying to get rid of her, it was outrageous. It wasn't a joke, so she pushes the door aside...

Then, the "superhuman strength" activated well, and when she opened the door, she pushed Yata, who stood with a bright red face, into the room and it was worth taking care of him.

The school festival was only two weeks away.

In order to enjoy the preparation together, they had to be cured as soon as possible.

++++++++++

"What? Christmas party?"

"Yes. I wonder if the red club will do anything for Christmas."

Yata and Kamamoto looked at each other when she said that while closing their PDA.

The school festival was the most enjoyable, including the preparation period. It was too much fun.

Preparing for a class show and preparing a position at the red club. She was very busy at the same time, she wasn't saying she wasn't in trouble, but even now, she remembered having fun. Not only her, everyone smiled and had fun.

Yes, she smiled herself, although the case of being trapped in the warehouse was not solved.

She was afraid to think that malicious intent was hidden somewhere. She couldn't help but be afraid, but Yata was there.

She was sometimes too busy to find the criminal, but thank you all, she thought it was not so much.

When it came to festivals, the red part was still going strong. The post was a great success. On the first day, the prepared quantity ran out early. She significantly increased the number from the next day, but they were all sold out.

After the school festival, it was grandly opened at the "HOMRA" bar.

It was fun.

However, after having fun, the "student book" always arrives.

The scope of the final test had been announced and the preparation period began.

As usual, if they got a red point, they would be banned, so this time too, the red club will work as one to pass the test. By the way, they were heading to the library.

"Let's go quickly, Konohana-san."

"Eh? Yes? I heard from Kukuri-chan that the Christmas party is organized by the Silver Club, right?"

"Oh, that's right. Is that what they're doing at the Himmelreich?"

"Yes. That's right. Would you like to go with me? You were surprised. The Silver club has an airship. Every year, we have a Christmas party in that airship."

"Oh. At the moment, the organizer is supposed to be the Silver club that owns Himmelreich, but the student council and the Blue club are really in charge. The participants are the Silver club and the Blue club, the student council, students. generals invited by its members and general students who won the lottery. Some teachers. It's a lot of people and it seems to be great every year. The food is amazing and luxurious."

Perhaps Kamamoto's interest was at the end, because he was so strong.

"Last year we had a Christmas party."

"Oh, after all? That's true. You said you had a Halloween party too."

"I see. Then let's reject it.", she thought. It was a bit disappointing, but she would like to participate in the Red club area.

When she said that, Kamamoto frowned, "Okay?"

"…? It's okay?"

"You can't do it with the intention of participating, I think you'd be an ant going there, right?"

"Eh? Aren't you exaggerating? I haven't decided yet or something. Okay, but I'd like to participate with the Red club."

"That would be nice. I see. It's Christmas. We'll be there. So, I should avoid the red dot anyway. I can't be a hub."

"That's right. Good luck. Christmas without you would be boring."

"That's right. Let's do our best, Yata-san."

Kamamoto looked at Yata.

But Yata didn't answer that... that is, didn't he ask? While he was thinking of something, he coughed, "Yes. Christmas. Let's do that at Christmas."

She and Kamamoto looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

"Yata-kun?"

"Yata-san?"

"What?! What is it?"

What was that line?

"I'm thinking about it. What's wrong with you?"

"Hmmm, nothing!"

Yata shook his head with the feeling that it was all "yes".

When that happened, she was irritated.

When she looks at Yata, she smiled.

"Well then. What are we going to do at Christmas?"

"What?! I don't understand! I don't know anything!"

"Yes. I agree. So, tell us what you were thinking now."

"Nothing!"

"Yes. I understand that. That's why I'm translating ..."

"Konohana-san, please forgive me in that area..."

Kamamoto sighed and put his hand on her shoulder.

And in that moment…

"Check it out..."

A secret voice crept into her ears.

She suddenly stopped and looked around her as if that voice invited her.

Down the hall. The boys who were listening shook their shoulders and ran off the moment their gazes met.

"……?"

When he turned his neck, Kamamoto coughed, "Now...".

"Do you know them?"

"A little. It's bad. I remembered what I was doing."

"Eh?"

Kamamoto took out the PDA.

"Yata-san. I'll be back first."

"Eh?"

"Konohana-san. See you later."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. See you later."

When she waved her hand, Kamamoto also turned around and ran back the way he came from.

She turned her eyebrows and looked back at Yata.

"What happened?"

"Let's go."

Yata turned around.

"Mainly, I'll find it."

Some days after. She checks it out when she to see Totsuka at the Purchasing Department at noon. So after all, it looked like there would be a Christmas party at the Red club this year too.

"There is also Konohana-san. There is no reason not to."

"Uh, I'm happy! Great!"

When she laughed and clapped her hands, Totsuka patted her head and said "Okay."

"At that time, I think I can give you good news. I look forward to it."

(Good news? What will it be? And did he say it now?), she thought, but interpreted it as a small Christmas present.

With excitement in her chest, she gave Totsuka a big smile again.

"Yes! I'm looking forward to it!"

++++++++++

Bar "HOMRA".

The interior, which was always elegant and calm, was decorated in Christmas colors and was very beautiful.

The Christmas lily, which was large enough to look up, was pure white. The hanging ornaments were all white. However, only the large tied ribbon was crimson. It was terribly vivid to the eyes.

The lively Christmas song was playing in the store.

Kusanagi made a lot of English-style Christmas cookies, and they all got together.

This was her first time, but unlike Japanese cookies, English cookies had decoration on both sides. And the one with the middle cylinder was the winner. He had a paper crown, various items, and a sheet of paper with Christmas cards and jokes.

They played with it while saying something, enjoying the Christmas food from Kusanagi's hands, they played, talked, laughed and talked more.

Of course, no one was out of place with a red dot.

The Red club always tries its best to play. She thought they all worked hard to play.

She felt that he was appreciating the time he could spend with her friends and she liked seeing them all like this. She was glad to be a part of it.

What was a bit concerning is that Yata was a bit quiet. He was always at the center of the confusion.

He seemed like he was not eating well.

But when she said that to Kamamoto, he said, "Okay. Don't worry. No, pretend you don't know. He's nervous."

"Saya-chan, are you eating?"

"Yes! I ate a lot! The meatloaf was too tasty! Kusanagi-san's food is too tasty. I can't doubt it. Oh, I'm getting fat..."

"Yes. We're going to get a little fat."

"What the heck! I absolutely hate it!"

"Ah! Do you want to go home for the New Year’s holidays? Are you coming to eat osechi and ozoni? The store itself is closed, but hey, these guys are definitely coming."

"Of course. I will come."

"It doesn't matter what you cry. Do it right."

Kusanagi laughed and hit her with a pop.

"What? Are you making Konohana-san cry, Kusanagi-san?"

Totsuka smiled and sat down next to her.

"That is correct. It is a tremendous temptation."

"Eh? Don't be bad. Kusanagi-san."

"As a man, it is natural to persuade a pretty girl. There is no reason to complain."

Kusanagi laughed like a bad boy and left.

After saying goodbye with a smile, Totsuka squeezed his face.

"You know what? Konohana-san. About that matter…"

"That matter?"

"You were harassed before the school festival. You were trapped in the warehouse, right? We found the criminal."

"Eh?!"

She gasped at the unexpected words that she didn't expect.

She yelled a bit and looked at Totsuka seriously.

"Eh? The criminal?"

"Yes. Kamamoto noticed and contacted me. So, with the help of Fushimi, the email they sent you was rescued from the broken PDA at a later date. We also found out that it was sent from a PC."

"……!"

"I questioned the boy and confirmed everyone involved in the mischief."

"Ah…"

"Who was he?"

But before he answered that question, Totsuka put his index finger to his lips and sealed them. When he opened his eyes, Totsuka smiled and shook his head.

"I'll come back to that later. At the moment, you got a lot of attention from the Red club."

"......"

"For that? It's a reason."

Totsuka smiled like he was in a little trouble.

"Because it's a red dot in the red part."

"Eh?!"

The unexpected words surprised her.

The only red dot of the Red club, then?

"You said you wanted to join the club, but you couldn't. You didn't choose. You were very sad, you wanted to join a club, you wanted to get closer to the members, but that didn't come true. You didn't. We didn't have a female member, so he was convinced you couldn't get in because you were a woman until spring. But you got in. The first female member of all time. Surrounded by longing and sheltered people. He was jealous, frustrated, so, he talks to his friends, and it seems like they were getting excited."

"......"

"He didn't mean to hurt you. He wanted to annoy you a bit. That's all. He was shocked when an ambulance came. He said he was sorry. But he was jealous."

"Actually…"

"Kamamoto remembered. Last year, the boy wanted to join the Red club in addition to himself. So the other day when I saw the boy's eyes on Konohana-san, I thought maybe that was it."

"So you were correct?"

"Yes. I also saw his face and remembered. It is true that he wanted to join the club last year, but he couldn't take King's hand."

"……!"

In the spring, Totsuka said it was a rite of passage.

She remembered the hand he showed her, shining Homura's flame.

"Is that all? He thought it was unreasonable. He seemed to interpret that he was rejected because he was pointed out that he could not do it. So I thought, 'he was not chosen'. But no, we do not do that. Kamamoto also said to the boy: 'But Konohana-san didn't even doubt it'."

Totsuka laughed.

"Yes. That was the decisive thing that differentiated Konohana-san from him. It didn't matter if Konohana-san was a Strain or something. Konohana-san trusted us. That made the difference."

"Senpai..."

"You will finally ask a question."

After Totsuka looked at her, he softened his eyes from her.

"Do you want to know about that child? If you want to know, I will tell you the class and the name. Will he also be punished? If Konohana-san wants, he will be punished."

"What punishment?"

When she took a breath at the harsh words, Totsuka simply said, "It's natural."

"He hurt you."

"But!"

"At least I think Konohana-san and Fushimi have the right to punish him."

"......"

But that was...

Reflectively, she shook her head.

No, it wasn't right. She understood that what Totsuka said was also correct, but...

"It bothers you?"

"Yes!"

Totsuka's words were very important.

"I don't like it. It's not about having rights or anything like that."

"You don't want to punish him? Did you have that goal?"

"Yes, but..."

She really understood that person's feeling of envy.

Totsuka smiled at the words.

"I think I can do anything if you don't want to lose this place. No. I can do it."

That was why this was an irreplaceable place for her.

"This place is the 'best' to spend time with my friends."

Thus, she could understand the feelings that he painfully yearned for.

With a pong, one hand rested on her head.

Looking back, Kusanagi's mischievous smile was there.

Everyone laughed as she looked around her.

Suoh was also looking at her sideways.

And the moment her eyes met, Yata showed an awkward smile.

His dedicated, straight line of sight was unbreakable.

Her chest warmed.

That was all. She had a "miracle". She couldn't help but be a little jealous. Rather it could be natural. Because actually, this place is the "best" to spend time with friends.

She smiled a little and looked back at Totsuka.

"I don't have to know the class or the name. I don't want any punishment. If he won't do it anymore, that's fine. That's enough."

"Yes, then I will tell him."

Totsuka laughed softly.

She, too, smiled back at him with a warm feeling.

Outside the window, pure white snow flew in the indigo sky.

"It's okay?"

"It's okay!"

Yata replied with a loud voice that made the volume adjustment stupid.

She instinctively looked at the choked attitude he had when he was on the red side.

A night road with white snow.

As expected, Christmas had arrived. The illuminations were gorgeous and there was still no sign of sleeping in the city.

The way home from the party. Two people were walking down the path to the bedroom.

"Eh? Kamamoto-kun? Oh, Kamamoto-kun stayed at the bar because he helped clean it up."

"He told you to help him too, right? There, he was forced to chase you, saying, "It's okay because it's okay"."

After leaving the store, Yata kept quiet and looked more serious than during the party, and when she was worried about it she asked, "Are you okay?"

Well, if he could make such a strong voice, it would be really fine.

(But what happened? He was really weird today, right? Is there something that worries him? Oh, but Kamamoto-kun said he was nervous, right? Something... Oh! Maybe's the new headmaster of the red club? Will Totsuka announce it at the beginning of the year? Is that it?), thinking about that, she was walking at the time.

Yata stopped suddenly.

When he looked back, wondering, Yata looked at her for a moment and then fell silent, then opened his mouth as if he had decided something.

"I'll only say it once!"

"Eh? Oh, yeah."

She wondered what it was.

As she bowed his head, she was still searching and obediently waiting for Yata's words. This was also the "only time" that he did not come easily.

He could make his face turn bright red and scratch his head, or he could swim his eyes blazing, or suddenly pass out in agony. Just do that or nothing.

(Oh, Yata-kun? Is it snowing? It's really cold though.), she thought.

But somehow she couldn't say "make it faster" so she silently waited for the words.

How long should she wait? When it was colder and harder to stand silently, Yata finally looked directly at her. It was like a challenge.

His eyes with hot flames caught her.

"I like you...!"

"Ah...!"

A shaky and hazy voice seemed to have been desperately squeezed out.

But it pierced her heart more vividly than any word she had ever heard.

She involuntarily held her mouth with her hand.

She got those words from Yata, who was extremely shy... she got it... There was no question.

It was inspiring and so hot her chest ached. Of course, her face was almost on fire. She could no longer feel the cold. That margin had vanished somewhere.

"Ah...!"

The tears were overflowing.

And it was Yata who was scared. When he yelled, "Wow!", her eyes shed tears.

"Wow, too bad! I made you cry..."

"It's different. Not bad. I'm sorry..."

She had no more words.

She knew he was misunderstood, but she couldn't hold back the tears and covered her face with both hands.

"Ah!"

She was very happy.

It was a miracle to her, she was a "monster" a year ago.

The more painful it was, the hotter her chest became. The joy that filled her took her breath away. She was going to drown. She was so happy that it made her want to scream.

It's not that he was anxious, overprotective, and unreliable, but that he was compassionate, masculine, direct, big, and kind.

He always ran to her first, or he would walk away in shame.

Yata, who ran in front of everyone, was the coolest and most trusted. But he couldn't speak well to girls, and he would soon turn bright red and get embarrassed.

With Yata everything was fun, interesting, warm and very comfortable.

"Ah!"

His carefree smile was nice, but she also loved to see him laugh in a complicated and awkward way.

Since the spring, Yata was in everyone's memory of her.

(Oh, that's right. I can understand a little about the feeling of wanting to harass. If Yata-kun was stolen from me, I might even harass him. Because I don't want to leave him, or this place where everyone is.), she thought.

"Ah…"

"Well don't cry. Don't cry. I wonder..."

Yata's voice that seemed to be in trouble made her laugh.

"What? Hey..."

"Ah... it's true..."

He didn't even know why she was crying. She also liked that side of Yata.

She wiped away her tears, laughed and said it.

Just a few words, but they were important words.

"I like you too!"

"......!"

"I understand that I am so happy and crying..."

"Ah…"

At that moment, he hugged her so tightly that she couldn't breathe.

"Ah! I'm so happy, I will die of happiness...!"

"That's my line, Yata-kun."

She was too happy, she was scared, because she had more than a "miracle".

Was it really good? She could be happy.

She thought so, but she could no longer put that happiness aside.

She couldn't even imagine a life without Yata.

She silently felt Yata's body temperature, with great happiness.

However, for a time, he took such a bold action. Yata seemed to have returned to himself immediately, and the next moment, he screamed again and released her.

He apologized for a while saying "Wow, too bad!", but she didn't want him to apologize for that.

It was brief, which is why she found it disappointing.

Although she frowned, Yata's carefree and innocent smile couldn't be followed by a grumpy face, she relaxed and laughed.

"Hurrah!"

Yata held his fist with a bright smile before her.

"It was the best Christmas present!"

Yata's words suddenly exploded.

(But that's my line. A gift that's more than a "miracle", thank you!), she thought.

"First visit of the year to a shrine. Come on."

"Yes."

"Let's go to HOMRA to eat New Year's dishes."

"Yes."

"There are no special events in January, but let's play a lot with everyone."

"Yes."

Yata stepped forward holding her hand. The answer was short, she was nervous.

But that was enough to warm her heart.

She laughed and looked up at the indigo sky with white snow.

"If it stacks up, I want to have a snowball fight."

"Okay."

"Ok, let's go."

He takes out the PDA and check the time.

"I guess they got mad."

"Ah…"

Yata sighed.

The time for the bedroom curfew was past, Yata sighed, but he didn't seem to be in a hurry.

She was very happy about it. Because it was Christmas, and she still wanted to be with him.

When she laughed, she felt terribly happy and held Yata's hand.

[intcritus]

047. the back of a vast library, surrounded by books, when a black books falls from the highest shelf. / @nvrcmplt

thunder rumbles outisde, puddles filling in the odd dips and crevices of the streets, the sky overcast and dreary. itachi finds such pleasure in the rain and will never understand how others don't stop and find solace in it. it's a particularly slow day where patrons have chosen to stay inside rather than venture outside the doors. a quiet ambience that brings a smile to his face. he leaves colten to man the front while he grabs the handful of textbooks off a nearby table and head toward the back aisleto place them back in the historical section.

the smell of used books coupled with the quiet rustling of people settling comfortable has itachi letting his guard down, humming gently to himself as he strokes the spine of severals texts he's read several times over. it's still a wonder that this is all his, that peope can enjoy reading like he does, or just find camraderie among books.

two laughing teens are quietly joking amongst themselves and jostles the bookshelf itachi is at and a book, tips over and falls toward him. it feels like one of those dramatic slowmotion moments, and he absently wanders if maybe this was a book he was supposed to read. it fell toward his upturned face before being caught by someone. someone who'd gotten too close for comfort.

there was no danger though, and he turns to look up at his companion, a fond smile overtaking his expression. any wariness melts away at the sight of his husband, and fushimi puts the book back in place before cupping itachi's features, thumb brushing over his mouth. it's a tenderness he'll never tire of -- how easily it makes him melt, that rumble building into his chest as he nuzzles into said touch. these work trips surely make the heart grow fonder but sleep isn't the same when fushimi isn't there to hold him. he misses his touch, his presence. and suddenly, itachi is achingly aware that he wants to go home. to his husband, to his kids. it's the simplest desire, but one that reads true as he stands here with his husband.

colten peaks around the corner, smothering his amusement. if there was any doubt that his boss was gonna leave early ( the man had been dragging his feet earlier in the day, and his eyebags was becoming pronounced ), then seeing him back here with fushimi was assauging those doubts. clearing his throat to catch their attention, he grins brightly, stuffing his hands in his pocketss. meeting fushimi's gaze, he gestures lightly to itachi with a jut of his chin, ❝ ━ make sure he hydrates and rests. he's been pouting, i'm assuming since you're here, everything will be fine now.❞

itachi narrows his eyes at colten with no real heat, but doesn't deny that he had been pouting, and he simply shrugs when fushimi's gaze turns to him, tugging him toward the door, ❝ ━ let's go home. i always miss you when you're gone, this is no secret, my love.❞