Archive of Our Own

So he also noticed, huh?

They stepped in silence for awhile. The former delinquent lost in thoughts, eyes hidden by his pair of glasses, yet his hands clenched into fists. Waiting till nobody was in sight, Kuboyasu turned around as his face turned serious.

“Who the fuck dare to lay their filthy hands on him?” The words were filled with murderous intent. Saiki almost sighed, tempted to let Kuboyasu unleashed his revenge on whoever stupid enough to mess with their blue-haired friend. The purple-haired teenager always had been somewhat short-temper whenever Kaidou was involved. Cleaning the murder scene would be a breeze to him, but the missing persons would cause too much unnecessary attention.

So, no killing then.

Saiki read through furious Kuboyasu’s mind and mused. Some were how dare he think he can keep his wounds hidden from me and Don’t you think avoiding me and I don’t know or I will kill them

On this beautiful Friday morning, everything seems to be in place as they used to. Teruhashi still graced everybody with her goddess aura. Nendou talked about ramen while Hairo energetically worked out on the floor. Yumehara mumbled something about love and destiny nearby. Kaidou showed up later than normal, an apologetic smile on his face, mouth sprouting nonsense stuffs like Dark Reunion ate his book (huh?). Yet throughout the day, he seems stiff, and winced slightly every time he moved or his hands had to touch something. It were just a subtle signs and under normal circumstances could be passed as his nerdy usual self. But those repetitive streams of thoughts like They mustn’t know caught Saiki’s attention with ease. Before the psychic could do anything about it, the bell rang and Kaidou bolted outside the classroom, mumbling about needing to use the restroom.

“Kuboyasu, I doubt he would have spilled even if you ask,” Saiki stated. He could use his power, no doubt, but at school he was bombarded with every student’s thoughts. And Kaidou’s mind was frantic just now, so he doubted that his friend would think about the bullies. The pink-haired boy still used clairvoyance to check on his friend regardless, and found him hiding in the restroom, shaking fingers fidgeting with his red ragged cloth, his rapid breathing didn't help him relax one bit. His thought was clear.

What should I do?

“He clearly was beaten and tried to hide it. Fuck. If I had known...”

You wouldn’t, so please shut up.

“Why didn’t he tell us?”

Kaidou was always the easy target. He was weak, fragile, had a heavy case of chuunibyou, hard-working, and came from a well-off family. He also put too much trust in others. So much qualities that attracted the wrong type of people. Although he had been stubborn about it. Like at the moment, his sense of misplaced bravery was likely the cause for his avoidance.

When they were mugged months ago, Saiki abandoned him, prepared to brush off this troublesome chihuahua and terminated the friendship once and for all. Yet the first thought he received from the boy was relief that he was safe, instead of being heartbroken or betrayed. It was nice, a little bit unexpected to find out Kaidou only wanted to befriend him. Saiki was all set to use his power at that time, if not for Kuboyasu. Fortunately.

More so, even though Kaidou had witnessed the former delinquent’s brawl. He still told him to run instead of calling out for help. Stubborn Kaidou. What a moron.

Being experienced with exchanging blows for as long as he could walk, the former delinquent noticed the subtle changes in the chuunibyou without difficulty as soon as the boy stepped his feet into the classroom in the morning. It wasn't hard for him to imagine what happened. Finding the culprit, on the other hands... The psychic doubted it was because of those manipulated Kaidou for homework. He made sure of that already

Ara ara, so it all lead to this, huh...

He and Kuboyasu followed Kaidou when school ended, ignoring Nendou’s request to eat ramen. The blue-haired boy, again, bolted out as soon as the bell rang. Saiki could think of various methods to extract the information out of his close friend, though following him seems like the fastest way at the moment. He frowned as Kaidou turned left when he reached a corner.

"That's not the direction to his house," Kuboyasu mumbled, recognizing the road to factory area.

Located on the southeastern part of their city, that particular place had the cheapest rent and also was the most dangerous place. This would not end well.

I have to be hurry.

Made sure no one was following him ("He's terrible at that," his so-called stalkers mused), Kaidou stopped in front of a group of gangsters, hands nervously holding out a stack of paper money that he fished from his school bag.

“Here, I already brought it.” So leave me alone. The words were unspoken due to fear. He thought it was evident enough.

The bulky guy, probably the leader of the gang, snatched the money with ease, licking his finger to count them one by one. They had the same bored expression on their faces. Kaidou figured this was his chance to leave, but before he could take a step back, another hand grabbed him on the shoulder and pulled him close.

"Go so soon?" A guy grinned, "I'm hurt."

"Hey! You got the money," Kaidou replied, trying to be tough. "Let me go."

"Why? We were having so much fun yesterday." The delinquent took a hold of his hand, and Saiki widened his eyes.

“What are you doing-” Kaidou winced when his bandage was unwrapped, revealing numerous yellow and purple bruises, along with small band aids and dirty blood-stained bandages which were applied clumsily on the arms.

Don't. The psychic put a hand on the strangely quiet Kuboyasu, preventing him from punching a hole in the wall and risked the gangster aware of their presence too soon.

Not yet.

“I wonder... Can you able to cover your face this time?” They laughed as the guy took out a paper cutter, “pathetic.”

Think they are tough and try to protect their pretty faces...fuck...This sissy brat pissed me off....Though he still hided his face when I carved on his arms...bitch..Probably use his face to pick up chicks.

Saiki could hear their thoughts altogether, and it disgusted him to the core.

“Psst, whatever.” The chuunibyou tensed for a moment then pretending to snort. He brushed the delinquent off and walked away, tried to cover his injuries for no use. “I’m going.” Crap what if they hold me down? I had to run. Crap crap should I turn around to pick up my cloth? I don’t want mama to see my wounds. Maybe if I try to sneak in my room really fast she wouldn’t noticed?

Kaidou panicked, trying to get out of this situation. It was bad enough as it was. Violently, the delinquent grabbed and squeezed down the blue-haired boy's shoulder. He immediately collapsed on the dirty ground, his body struggled from the bone-jotting pain from all the bruises.

“We beat the shit out of you yesterday,” The leader smirked, money already tucked safe and sound in his pant pocket  “Don’t you dare think we can’t do it again.“

Who care about money? They were just sadistic dicks who liked to inflict pain on somebody else. Mugging was just an added bonus.

"What the hell?" Kaidou blurted out. The confusion on his face would have been cute and comedic if not for his sheer terror at the situation. "You got what you want, let me go."

"We want a punching bag," the leader said with a bored tone, lying with a straight face. "Your money wasn't even enough to buy a cheap one. Guess that I had to use replacement then."

He held up his hand near the scared boy, and cackled when he saw Kaidou flinched and backed away.

"Or we could beat up the pink-haired freak instead, huh?" Smirked. Always effective, brats tried to be heroes and fucked up for their friends. Weakest of the bunch though.

No!

"Don't touch him, bastards!" He bit back, only to be smashed down with somebody's fist, motionless.

Fuck I went overbroad. Boo, such a weakass.

String of images appeared vividly inside Kuboyasu’s head. Image of Kaidou, wretched and injured on the ground, arms drenched with sticky red liquid, curled up to protect himself. Kaidou, eyes damped with tears from the torment, struggled to pick himself up and went home while his body burning with every step. Kaidou, shakily cleaned and tried to band aid by himself and wrapped his new cloth on his arms so that nobody could discover the wounds.

At that point, Saiki didn't care whether the recollection the former delinquent had was accidental use of forced telepathy or not. They had more things on his hand now than noticed this.

The reason Kaidou went to such length to hide was because of him? Was this chunnibyou stupid?

Him? Of all people?

Saiki rolled his eyes while the former delinquent knocked a hole in the brick wall, just like he suspected, successfully gained everybody's attention. Looking beyond pissed, Kuboyasu was like a wrathful demon just been summoned out of the blue.

"Another one?" Fine, they're no fun if they are unresponsive anyway. The leader spoke up. "Hey brat, your friend owed us fifty thousand yen. Got anything to pay?"

The purple-haired boy stepped slowly forward, knocking out those that tried to move up stop him. Hand pulled up to stop a fist thrown at him, Kuboyasu recognized the guy who pulled off Shun's bandages.

He made sure to grab it so tight that the bones fractured, paying no mind to the scream.

The gang's reaction went from amused to petrified. One faced twelve? How could it be possible?! Who was this guy? The leader face's turned into completely shock when Kuboyasu approached him. Then grabbed his head and slammed it down the hard ground with the force of steel.

"I certainly can pay for him," he said, irritated. "Just make sure you be alive after I finished paying."

It was brutal afterwards, to be honest.

One guy escaped, hissing at his broken arm. He pulled out his phone, fingers shakily pressed the buttons, preparing to call for backup. That fucker could be tough, but even he can't deal with the sheer number of his gang.

"Oi. Bastards! Come-" was all he could managed to say before the line went dead. “What-“

He gaped when the sky suddenly turned dark, and in front of him, a teenager appeared, his gaze and smile so callous that it made his blood ran cold, like he had met an apex predator. The teenager's lips didn't move, yet the words rang loud and clear.

"You laid your hands on a psychic's possession. I hope you're prepared for the consequences."

If nobody came or noticed any screaming around this road, it was probably because of the loud roaring sound of the factories, or Saiki’s power. Who know?

Saiki really disliked being disturbed.

Feeling his rage died down somewhat, Saiki went back to the scene, turning a blind eye to the brutal state of the bullies. On second thoughts, nice work. Now, just a little curse so that they wouldn’t dare to come to Kaidou for revenge, just in case.

Finished his job, he returned to Kuboyasu’s place, whom only just finished cleaning the blood off his glasses and glanced down at the unconscious boy. It was a bloody miracle that Kaidou didn’t twitch a finger during all this screaming.

“God, he’s a mess,” the former delinquent sighed and scooped up his friend into his arms.

Serve him right, got himself in this trouble.

Saiki thought as he gestured Kuboyasu to carry the boy to his house. His parent went out, Kaidou’s house was out of the question and he doubted Kuboyasu’s would be anything ordinary. It was not like he had any choices in the matter.

He was in a mixed state of bliss and agony.

He was being embraced and carried as the touch gentle on his skin. His whole body itself was uncomfortable though. If he had to guess, it must be because he hadn’t taken great care of his injuries the day before. He dared anyone could master the art of self-band aids by looking it up the internet in one night. But who was he? He was Jet Black Wing. It was not like he couldn’t handle them.

Oh boy, mused Saiki.

His groggily memories returned back as he recalled. He was being assaulted by the bullies. And he collapsed. While he fainted, judging from the screaming, his power must be unsealed and unleashed-

Opening his eyes, Kaidou was greeted with the sight of Kuboyasu looking down while carrying him, relieved,“Shun, you’re awake.”

“You!!!” Kaidou shouted, heartbroken.

“Er? Me?”

Congratulations for breaking his illusions. Again, good job. Saiki mused again. He walked beside Kuboyasu, tiny smile visible on his lips.

“...nothing.” Kaidou sulked, his imaginary fight completely shattered, then turned bewildered. His situation registered in his head in full clarity “Wait?! How did you guys-?!”

“About that, we'll need to have a little talk after your wounds had been taken care off, Shun.” Kuboyasu’s look twisted into sternness as he tighten his grip on their blue-haired friend.

Immediately, Kaidou turned uneasy, squirming to get out of the other's embrace without avail. Seeing that Kuboyasu wouldn't go easy on him for hiding his problem, he turned to Saiki for help, only to find the other stared back at him, completely emotionless, yet made him felt like a defenseless lamb in front of a scary wolf. No, wolves..

Traitor!

The blue-haired boy yelped and buried his face into the former delinquent’s chest, the lesser of two evils, hope for the best.