Chapter Text
"So where's Kidou?"
Sakuma gave the most half-hearted shrug Fudou had ever seen, his entire composed demeanor dropping away with the fall of his shoulders. "I don't even know anymore. Somewhere off sailing the timestream, probably." He sighed and raised an eyebrow at Fudou, the line of his visible eye sharp. "I really have enough to deal with without you suddenly popping in to demand use of our field, so I'm afraid you're going to have to find somewhere else. Can't you go bother Fubuki or someone?"
Fudou frowned. "Fubuki's school is in Hokkaido."
"Good," Sakuma replied briskly, turning on his heel. "Have a nice trip."
"Oi, wait..." Fudou started, the sudden brush-off stinging. "Hey, Sakuma-!"
"What, Fudou?" Sakuma turned again with his teeth gritted. "You think I'm going to just let you waste my time and organisation because you feel you deserve it, or something? Because he gave you this team to look after? 'Where's Kidou,' you ask, like I'm not good enough to hear authority from? This isn't the first time Kidou's dropped all this in my lap, and it probably won't be the last! I'm tired, alright, and listening to you really isn't helping that!"
The empty hallway rang with Sakuma's voice long after he'd actually finished speaking. Fudou, suddenly feeling very embarrassed, couldn't bring himself to respond.
Sakuma made a noise like he hadn't expected any different. "Now if you'll excuse me."
Fudou, gaping, simply watched the ends of Sakuma's hair sway as he finally walked away. It wasn't until the last strand had disappeared around a corner that Fudou let out the breath he didn't even know he'd been holding.
"Well, that was spectacular," Hakuryuu said, materialising out of nowhere. Fudou had forgotten he'd brought the boy with him.
"Shut up, Hakuryuu."