#yoshito usaida

[ticklygiggles]

Staring contest | Kamitani Hayato & Kashima Ryuuichi (+ the kids)

Commissioned by @wertzunge

A/N: omg I'm so so sorry for the long wait, I had a big of trouble writing this one, BUT I hope you enjoy it, Max! Thank you so much for your support this time as well you're the best mwah 💕

Summary: Will someone ever win against Ayato?

Words: 1.6k

The daycare was filled with sweet, contagious giggles as Kirin covered her mouth and tightly shut her eyes, her cheeks flushing pink as her pigtails bounced around. 

“Very well,” Ryuuichi clapped his hands together, a warm smile spreading across his face. “Kirin-chan lasted sixty-six… milliseconds,” he chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Kazuma-kun lasted the shortest stare of all the children, two milliseconds.” This caused Kazuma to tear up, but Takuma giggled and gently patted his back, calming him. 

Ryuuichi continued, “Kotarou lasted an impressive sixteen seconds.” 

The children hugged Kotarou, congratulating him for outlasting everyone with enthusiastic hugs and cheers.

“It seems Kamitani remains the champion of our staring contest.” 

Ryuuichi wasn't exactly sure how this staring contest had started, well... it actually didn't really start as a contest at all. To pass the time while they waited for Usai to return from his walk with Midori, who had been a little too upset for some reason, Kamitani casually mentioned that absolutely no one had ever beaten him in a staring game.

Ryuuichi hadn't doubted it– Hayato's gaze was truly piercing and intense, and even without a staring game, he often found himself struggling to hold his gaze for long. 

At that moment, Kamitani challenged him and Ryuuichi lasted an embarrassing ten seconds– even less than Kotarou. The children had noticed what they were doing and immediately wanted to join in, claiming that it was officially a contest and the winner would get something very special: a chocolate bar that Ryuuichi would buy in the afternoon and give to the winner the next day. 

Ryuuichi was almost sure that Kata was going to beat Hayato, but after eleven seconds, instead of laughing, he started crying and hiding behind Ryuuichi, sobbing that his nii-chan was being mean to him, which, of course, made no sense.

All the children did their best, but there was really no one who could beat Hayato, probably only his mother. However, the children were not going to give up so easily.

“Taka,” Kirin said, hugging her little giraffe close to her chest. “What makes Hayato-niichama laugh?” 

Taka blinked. “Nii-chan… uh…” He looked over at Hayato, his confused expression soon turning into one of horror, panic and disbelief. “I've never seen nii-chan laughing…” 

There was a unison gasp that filled the nursery and Ryuuichi chuckled as Kamitani hit his little brother on the head, making him cry. Ryuuichi shook his head, seeing the sadness in the kids' eyes. Kotarou was just influenced by it, but Ryuuichi knew he couldn't care less about this whole ordeal. 

“Hayato-niichama…” Kirin said with teary eyes, “... doesn't know how to laugh?” 

“I do know how to laugh,” Hayato answered. “You guys are really not that funny.” 

Another loud gasp filled the nursery and this time tears streamed down the kids’ rounded and flushed cheeks, except for Kotarou. 

“Hayato-niichama hates us!” Kirin cried, hugging her giraffe. 

“Kamita hates us?” Takuma sobbed, looking at Kazuma who was already crying as if something really bad had happened. 

“Stupid nii-chan!” Kata yelled, snot and tears and drool running down his face. “I hate you too!”

Ryuuichi sighed, looking at Hayato. “Kamitani…”

“What? I didn't say I hate them,” Hayato said calmly. “I just said they're not funny.” 

Another wave of cries made Ryuuichi’s ears ring and he rubbed his forehead softly, Kotarou standing by his side, his little hand resting against Ryuuichi's leg. 

“Now, now, everyone,” Ryuuichi tried to make the kids stop crying. “There are people who are difficult to make laugh, but it's not your fault.”

“It's their fault for not being fun-” Ryuuichi pressed his hand against Kamitani’s mouth to shut him up. 

“Everyone, what do you think could make Hayato laugh?” He asked cheerfully. 

“Funny faces!” Kirin said, her eyes still teary as she tried to make a funny expression to make Hayato laugh, of course, that didn't work at all and Kirin cried again. 

“A funny dance!” Kata wiggled in a rather funny way, Ryuuichi had to admit, but Hayato only found it annoying, making his baby brother cry again. 

“Pirouettes!” Takuma cheered, his little round body trying to do a flip, but he rolled sideways, although he looked very proud of himself when he finished. At least this time Hayato clapped, but his expression was just as serious as always. 

Needless to say Kazuma didn't do any better, he started crying as soon as he looked at Kamitani. 

Ryuuichi sighed, gently rubbing Kazuma’s back. “Can't you at least try to smile?” He whispered to Hayato. 

Hayato shook his head. “Why should I fake it?”

Ryuuichi sighed again, nodding softly. “Yes, yes. You're right.” 

He looked at the children, all except Kotarou were sobbing and sniffling softly. Ryuuichi couldn't help but have a small smile on his lips, feeling a little bad about their situation. Even himself had a hard time making Hayato laugh, the only thing that usually worked was- oh! 

His face beamed as a bright smile pulled at his lips. “I have an idea! Everyone, come here!”

The kids gathered close to him and away from Hayato. 

“I know how we can make Kamitani laugh,” he whispered so only the children could hear him. “We should tickle him!”

The children beamed and covered their mouths to giggle quietly. 

“Shh~ Kotarou and I will get Kamitani's feet, the rest of you can either tickle his tummy or sides, got it?” He asked with a smile, poking Kirin's tummy and Kazuma's side, causing the babies to giggle sweetly. 

“Okay, are you ready?” They all nodded in excitement, especially Kirin, Taka and Takuma. Ryuuichi chuckled, standing up. “Okay, then… Attack!” He said, pointing at Hayato who looked amusingly confused, an eyebrow arched as he watched all the babies launching at him, successfully pushing him back onto the floor. 

“Wha- ack!” Hayato twisted as little fingers wiggled and spidered up and down his sides and stomach. 

He squirmed and gasped, but no laughter came from his trembling lips, only threats: “Taka! This- haa! This was… your stupid id-dea, right?!” He growled, trying to push Kirin's hands wiggling against his stomach.

“It was not!” Taka said, squeezing his big brother's side perhaps a bit too harshly, causing Hayato to grunt. 

“It was actually my idea,” Ryuuichi chirped as he straddled Kamitani's shins.

Hayato widened his eyes, raising his head to look at his classmate pinning his feet with a mischievous grin, Kotarou sitting right beside him. 

“D-Don't you d-dare, Kash-shima!” He warned, but Ryuuichi's grin only widened as he looked back at his feet, holding Kamitani's ankles firmly. 

“Go on, Kotarou,” he said happily and Kotarou’s tiny fingers wiggled against Hayato's soles. 

Hayato whined, trying to break free from Ryuuichi's grip and from all those little hands touching his weak spots. Up until that point, he had held his laughter in very well, but it all came crashing down when Ryuuichi's gentle fingers wiggled just below his toes. His blunt nails scratching at the soft skin covered with his socks, the texture of the fabric only adding to the maddening sensation. 

Ryuuichi chuckled when Hayato finally laughed brightly, squirming even more as he desperately curled his toes. Now that his laughter was flowing freely from his mouth, the children's little fingers seemed to have a greater effect. Kirin's fingers wiggling right in the center of his stomach, Taka's pinches on his left side, (which were already a little more gentle after Kirin scolded him), and Takuma’s playful pokes to his right side, (Kazuma simply watched with teary eyes, gripping Takuma's shirt), made Hayato squeal embarrassingly loud and giggle brightly. 

“Ryuu-niichama! Ryuu-niichama!” Kirin called and Ryuuichi looked back over his shoulder with a smile. “We are making Hayato-niichama laugh!” She said excitedly. 

Takuma, “Kamita laugh!”

Taka, “take this, nii-chan!” 

Ryuuichi chuckled softly, looking up at Hayato's bright smile and pink cheeks. It was truly a shame Kamitani didn't laugh more, he looked pretty cute– cute?!

Kashima cleared his throat, looking back at Kamitani's feet as he blushed.

“Nii-cha sick?” Kotarou asked worriedly, noticing Ryuuichi's pink cheeks. 

“A-Ah, no no! N-No, don't worry about it, let's just keep tickling Kamitani, okay?” He said hurriedly and Kotarou simply let out a soft ‘uhn!’, listening to his nii-cha’s words. 

Hayato's laughter filled up the room, little tears wetting his eyelashes as he pleaded for mercy. Ryuuichi thought this was a good time to stop. 

“Okay, okay, everyone,” he said, clapping his hands to get the children's attention, they looked at him with bright eyes and adorable smiles. “I think Kamitani had enough for today, let's stop now, okay?” 

The children did what they were told, giggling as they saw Kamitani collapsing on the floor, trying to catch his breath. Ryuuichi also pulled away, not before teasingly swiping a finger up Hayato's sole, making him squeal and jerk his foot away in response. 

He chuckled as he kneeled beside Hayato and the kids. “Everything alright there, Kamitani?” 

Hayato took a deep breath, wiping his tears away as he propped himself up on his elbows. He looked at the kids with an angry expression.

“Oi…” They all flinched, trying to hide behind Kotarou. “I'll give y'all chocolate chip cookies if you help me get Kashima back.” 

Ryuuichi widened his eyes, gasping as he raised his arms. “N-no! Everyone, I don't-” 

The kids giggled and quickly charged for Ryuuichi, pushing him back onto the soft floor, tickling his tummy and sides as Kamitani grabbed his feet, returning the favor. 

Ryuuichi's laughter echoed through the room and all the way out in the hall. Usai suddenly slid the door open and stepped in with a very happy Midori-chan. 

“Oh, are we tickling Ryuuichi again?” He teased with a smirk. 

“Usahahahai-sahahan! Hehehelp me!” Ryuuichi cackled, trying to gently push the kids away. 

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Midori chirped, her little arms reaching out towards the mess of limbs and tickles. 

“No, I can't,” Usai said. “Our cute Midori-chan wants to join~ try not to kick too hard, okay?” 

Well... Ryuuichi didn't think it would end like this, but hearing the laughter of the children and even Hayato's chuckles, was more than worth it!