Chapter Text
How the misunderstanding happened. It took place about a month before the main story began.
"It surprised me that you invited me to join you, Shintarou. But is there any particular reason? I mean… this is so out of the sudden." Leon spoke, following the other guy around as Shintarou stopped in front of yet another displayed machine in the Robotic Exhibition.
Shintarou hummed, didn't spare Leon a look as he inspected the multipurpose cleaning robot closer. "Tch, Mr. Honda and Pepper are way more practical and functional than this one," he mumbled.
Leon flinched. He snapped his head in the direction of the owner of the robot and forced out a laugh. "Aha… hahaha! Shintarou, you didn't actually mean that, do you? L-let's take a look at other robots!" panicked, Leon immediately grabbed Shintarou's shoulder, turned him around, and walked him further away from the booth.
Shintarou didn't fight. Instead, he just let it happen. "I'm not done looking yet."
"I'm saving your face there, please spare me," Leon sighed, finally letting go of Shintarou once he was sure that they were far enough.
The shorter guy rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, about your question just now."
"Hm?"
Shintarou gritted his teeth, as if something really unpleasant had just crossed his mind.
"If I didn't come out today, I had to stay with those lovebirds… I'd rather die."
Leon's brows furrowed. "Lovebirds? Who?"
The man received a sharp glare. "My housemates, who else? Don't act clueless now."
???
Leon flinched.
Gion and Livio are dating!
That was the conclusion he arrived at.
Immediately, he took out his phone and sent a message to the first person that came to his mind. It was none other than Felix.
Leon:
hey! felix!
Felix:
leonnnn i was about to call you!!!
i can't find you when i woke up :'((
Leon:
didn't you see the note i left?
i went out with shintarou for a moment
forget that
there's a more important matter
Felix:
what?
Leon:
apparently gion and livio are dating!
Felix:
SAY WHATTTTTT
how do you knowwww
Leon:
shintarou told me just now!
Felix:
!!!!!!!
Leon was about to type: 'Don't tell the others' when Shintarou suddenly pulled him by his sleeve. "I wanna look at that."
Leon, startled, immediately put his phone back into his pocket, completely unaware of what was happening at the other side of the screen.
"GUYS!"
Felix slammed his bedroom door open, leaving to rush over to his friends who were playing board games.
Albert was the first to look up. "Can you keep it down? We're having a serious moment here," he hissed.
"What serious moment? Just draw the punishment card already! It's on you that you landed in the punishment area, so stop dilly-dallying already!" Ciel, still wearing his facial mask, spat at the guy beside him. Albert mumbled some curses under his breath and immediately pulled out a card.
"Pay $10000?! Hell noooo!!!!"
"Good morning, Prince Felix. Why do you look like that?" Alex ignored Albert's wail, turning to Felix with a warm smile.
Felix huffed, puckering his lips. "I have something important to say!"
Charles finally moved his gaze away from the fake money he was holding and locked eyes with Felix. "Oh? What could be that important?"
"It's… it's… it's about Gion and Livio…!"
"What about them?" Albert and Ciel asked in unison.
All eyes were on Felix now. The red-haired prince inhaled deeply. "They're dating!!!"
………
Silence.
For how long, it was unknown. But it was Charles who broke the awkward situation first. "Hm, I thought so. Albert, Ciel, pay up," the man smiled, holding out his hand towards the two men.
Albert wiped his face roughly. "It's not enough that I lost my money in this game; I had to lose money in real life, too?" he whined, reaching for his phone. "I'll pay you online. Show me your QR."
Charles opened his own phone and scooted closer to Albert. Meanwhile, Ciel had completely lost it, slamming his head onto the table. "Zut, I should've bet on something else! Oh, my money… my precious money… Papa is so sorry…" he sobbed.
"Oi, stop with that act already," Albert jabbed Ciel right on his side, forcing out a startled yelp from the other guy.
Alex shook his head. "Don't tell me you guys make a bet on that…"
Charles offered a warm smile. "It was Ciel's idea, though? I just played along and bet that their relationship will be confirmed in one month. Not my fault that he bet on two weeks, and Albert bet on one year," he chuckled lightly, looking absolutely delighted.
"Eh? So you guys are not surprised???" Felix scratched his head.
Albert: "I mean, anyone with eyes can see that nothing is platonic about them."
Ciel: "Yeah, it's so obvious! I mean, why would you want to stick to your 'friend' 24 hours a day???"
Charles: "Haha, I don't want to comment on this. But there's indeed an odd vibe when they're both together."
Alex: "I agree, actually… I always feel a bit awkward whenever I have to be alone with them. It's unsurprising that they're actually together."
Felix tilted his head. "So only I never notice?"
On the day of the weekly report.
They all watched as Gion and Livio left the meeting room.
"Oh no!"
Ciel was the first to exclaim. He turned to Albert and grabbed the man's shoulders, shaking them violently. "Livio is definitely jealous, right?! I know that tone! Are they in a conflict right now???!!!"
Albert slapped Ciel's hands away. "Get off me! Also, obviously, he's jealous, duh. If someone gave letters to Gina, how would you feel?"
"I will kill that person!"
"Exactly!"
Felix popped out beside Ciel. "Then let's go find that person and eliminate him for Livio's sake!"
"Yeah!" Albert and Ciel cheered along.
"Wait, wait, hold up. What's going on?" Leon interjected the moment, a frown on his face. He glanced at Felix, who had suddenly hidden behind Charles.
"Felix."
"That's me!"
"You told them."
"…"
Felix grinned sheepishly, baring his white teeth. "Oh, am I not supposed to? Hehe, oops!" he winked playfully, trying to win Leon over.
Leon only pinched the bridge of his nose. "You loudmouth…"
Ciel crossed his arms. "So, do we look for this admirer or not? It's been a long time since I got an opportunity to flaunt my detective skills!" he smirked.
"Detective skill, my ass…" Albert muttered.
"I heard that!"
"It was meant to be heard, you dumbass."
"Hey you—"
Their voices drowned in the background.
"I don't think we should interfere, to be honest…" Alex said meekly. Beside him, Charles nodded his head. "Yeah. Let's just leave their problems as theirs to deal with. Now, setting that aside, who wants to eat some burgers on our way back?"
"You're always suggesting that!" Albert left his verbal fight with Ciel and pointed a finger at Charles.
Charles laughed dryly. "Ahaha… I'm just an American…"
On the Sports Day Closing Ceremony.
[Alex and The Princes Chatroom]
Alex:
guys!
false alarm!
Leon:
?
your father is giving a speech rn, shouldn't you pay attention?
Ciel:
principal's baby is being rebellious, hoho~
Alex:
THATS NOT IT
Albert:
AHAHAHAHA, alex is so cute
Felix:
you should see him now, his face is like a tomato!
Alex:
NOOO
LISTEN TO ME FIRST
Charles:
i'm listening, alex
what is it?
Alex:
we're actually mistaken!
Leon:
?
about?
Alex:
prince gion and livio aren't together!
just now livio told me
it was one sided!!!
Felix:
EHHHH
HOW COULD THIS BE?????
Alex:
prince felix, don't pinch my leg!
Ciel:
WE HAVE BEEN FOOLED?????
@Charles GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK
Albert:
@Charles MY MONEY TOO
Charles:
one at a time, gentlemen
Felix:
WAIT THEN @Leon YOU LIED TO ME???
Leon:
how is it suddenly my fault
i AM a victim too, okay
you guys should blame shintarou for this misinformation
Somewhere on the other side of the school field, Shintarou sneezed.
A few days after the main story ends.
[Temporary Shelter Chatroom]
[Shintarou created the group 'Temporary Shelter']
[Shintarou added Leon, Alex, Charles, Albert, Ciel]
[Shintarou added Felix]
Shintarou:
oi, losers
Ciel:
why am i here without my consent???
Albert:
what's this group
Leon:
???
Felix:
hi shintarou!
Alex:
prince shintarou?
why so sudden?
Shintarou:
you guys are so noisy
is there an empty room in your dorm for another person
and two robots
Albert:
are you going to terrorize us?!
Felix:
i don't think you're one to talk, albert…
Ciel:
LMAO you did not
Alex:
there are quite a lot, prince shintarou
Shintarou:
good
clean one up for me
i'm staying there from today on
Ciel:
SAY WHAT?!
Albert:
YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT
Felix:
shintarou you're joining us?
YEAYYYY
Charles:
did you get kicked out
Shintarou:
I kicked myself out, tyvm
i don't want to be in the same space as them ever again
Leon:
something happened?
Shintarou:
just saw gion and livio kissing in the kitchen first thing in the morning
i ain't staying here anymore
Felix:
EHHHHHHHH??????
THEY'RE DATING AFTER ALL?????
Leon:
ah… i'm sorry to hear that
we will make room for you…
stay... as long as you like…….
Alex:
??!?!?!?!?!?
y-yes…
stay as long as you like…
Albert:
YOU SAW WHO AND WHO DID WHAT
Ciel:
HAHH?????????
Charles:
@Albert @Ciel pay up~