Chapter Text
"Why are you not with your classmates?" Hajime wondered, not exactly surprised by the scenario of his twin skipping class. Then again, Hajime knew Izuru might visit out of sheer luck. "Are you looking for something?"
"Hn..." Izuru closed the door behind him, needing to thank Nagito later for ruining his clothes. The ultimate pulled out his phone to text Chiaki, stating a reason to excuse himself from class. "If you're that worried over my well-being, you should just enroll in this school."
"Please. Why should I be worried over a guy who can do everything perfectly-?" Hajime turned to face the ultimate, pausing midway to stare at the evident stain. "What happened to you?!"
"I lowered my guard," Izuru dropped his phone when Hajime reached his area, getting dragged towards the bathroom. Glancing at one of his cameras, Izuru understood that Hajime was the one deactivating his security system meant for the cleaning staff. The thought of his sibling visiting his room once a week gave Izuru mixed feelings.
"And you wonder why you have a personal physician?!" Hajime tugged Izuru into the bathroom, stripping the ultimate of his outer layers. Scanning reddish skin, Hajime clicked his tongue before taking a step back. "False alarm... But why would you head back when your classmates probably have extra clothes?"
"My intuition," Izuru replied, watching his twin grab a set of clothes. "You personally visited my domain to see me. I am touched."
"I'm not," Hajime denied, but had yet to come up with the evidence proving his intent. Handing over the clothes, Hajime proceeded to exit the bathroom. "I'm here to check on your pets."
"Are you trying to fool anyone? Your acting skills are subpar..." Izuru stepped out while buttoning his shirt, quickly dressing up to trail behind his guest.
"How about you consider the fact I'm not acting?" Hajime stood once more in front of the aquarium, thinking about something.
"I named them after you," Izuru spoke up out of the blue, deciding not to wear the school blazer.
"... The urchins?" Hajime clarified.
"All eight of them," Izuru confirmed.
"Why?" Hajime took a moment to respond.
"Eight urchins to wear sixteen custom hats, representing your duality," Izuru explained away, suddenly spotting an anomaly on the kitchen counter.
"Huh?" Hajime didn't expect his statement, possibly trying to understand whether the remark was an insult or a compliment. "What is wrong with you?"
"Many things," Izuru scrutinized the foreign item on top of the kitchen counter, hovering beside it. The Ultimate pinched the cloth, pulling the veil that hid the contents of the basket. Izuru blinked.
"You know what I mean," Hajime sighed, leaning close to check on the state of the wildlife in the aquarium.
"Then nothing," Izuru pulled out a peculiar croissant from the basket. The Ultimate stared at the crudely shaped crab with chocolate fillings. "I never make mistakes."
"That's even worse," Hajime sighed, eyes trailing to the haphazard photo wall possibly decorated by some students of Class 77-B. "Koizumi only got one good photo of you not looking bored with life."
"The photographer appreciates authentic expressions more than superficial appearances," Izuru professed, losing interest in the topic. Plucking one of the legs, Izuru watched the blueberry filling ooze. "By the way, is this for me?"
"N-No!" Hajime stuttered, possibly forgetting the fact that he left a basket of goods out in the open.
"Then why bring it with you? The scent will attract predators." Izuru plucked out one of the legs.
"What sort of school do you think you're in?" Hajime refused to answer his question, always evading as if he had anything to hide from the know-it-all.
"The school that threw away the golden key and lost the opportunity to witness our harmonious relationship..." Izuru checked the rest of the pastries, predicting that the huge whale shark pastry would contain strawberry filling to complement the powdered sugar glaze drizzle. "Let's return to the subject. Did you make this for me?"
"I-I didn't make it for you. It's for..." Hajime searched for an excuse, refusing to state the truth and expose weakness. Izuru rolled his eyes at the hesitation and was about to speak when Hajime blurted out. "It's for Nanami!"
"Nanami." Izuru dropped the bread shaped like a lobster back into the basket.
"That's right! Nanami deserves a token of appreciation for handling your class." Hajime nodded, but his eyes were looking anywhere but in his direction.
"This is too much..." Izuru returned to stare at the ocean-themed pastry basket.
"I got carried away." Hajime crossed his arms.
"I see.." Izuru took advantage of the situation, refusing to head back to the classroom. "If you wish to impress Nanami, these pastries will need to be remade. I will gladly consume your flawed creations later."
"What?" Hajime staggered at the implications, unwittingly strengthening Izuru's conclusion. "You don't have to! Don't you have-"
"Your theoretical love life is far more important to me than repetitive school work," Izuru grabbed a nearby apron, ignoring his vibrating phone. "You have my utmost attention."
"..." The look on Hajime's face was a mix of dread and shock, considering Izuru held a frilly apron before him. Hajime eventually took the garment, scowling at his amused sibling. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Izuru enjoys having the final say in their banter.
"..." Hajime stormed into the kitchen, preferring to go along rather than admit the truth.