Chapter Text
“I don’t understand what the big deal is,” Yashiro said, unlocking her door and heading into her apartment.
Yashiro Nene, she’s in her second year of college. She had the choice to stay in the dorms but she decided that it was time for her to start living independently...sometimes.
“Listen...all I’m saying is that I don’t think it’s the best idea at the moment.” A voice from the other line said, clearly ready for this conversation to end.
Yashiro had to bite back a groan. She dropped her bag on the counter and walked over to the couch, flopping onto the cushions.
“All I’m asking for is a week off of work,” Yashiro said, grabbing a pillow to bury her face into, “that’s barely anything. Plus next week I have a major exam for bio and I really need to get my studying in.”
Yashiro heard the front door unlatch but didn’t think anything of it. Only her close friends had keys to her apartment so she wasn’t worried.
“Yashiro listen, you’ve been slacking off at work. Giving you a week off is as likely as me giving you another promotion.”
Yashiro sat up quickly switching her phone into her other hand, “excuse me?”
The person on the other line went silent for a second before saying, “Yashiro I didn’t mean it like that-”
“The hell you didn’t!” Yashiro said, cutting him off. She looked over at the kitchen to see Amane’s face pop out. Shocker. Leave it to Amane to eat all of her food. He came out holding a bin of ice cream and a spoon. Amane walked up to the couch and Yashiro could tell he mouthed something along the lines of ‘idiot boss again?’
Yashiro just rolled her eyes and lifted her legs allowing him to sit down, before putting them back down on his lap. She watched as Amane took a spoonful of HER ice cream, clearly savoring the sweet coldness. Yashiro ignored the lecture she was getting on the phone and jabbed Amane in the ribs.
He looked over at her and gave his signature grin. Yashiro just fell back onto the pillow and cut her boss off...again.
“Look,” she said, clearly not caring about what he was saying before, “I’m asking for the week off, can you or can you not give it to me.”
“Yashiro, like I said, you’ve been doing a poor performance at work-”
“You know what!” Yashiro yelled, bolting up. Amane flinched, almost dropping his spoon. He looked over at Yashiro, she had that face. That face he knew all too well. She was ready to kill.
“First of all,” she yelled through the phone, her cheeks puffing. “I’m a great worker, YOU just don’t appreciate it. Second, I don’t need a week off because I’m going to take the rest of my life off!”
Yashiro looked over at Amane who seemed to suddenly be very interested in the ice cream, looking almost everywhere but her.
“Yashiro-”
“No,” she cut him off again. “Don’t Yashiro me! I’m done, hear me? I’m quitting! You and your stupid food can go sell without me.” With that Yashiro hung up and threw her phone across the room. Amane flinched and peeked over at Yashiro.
“Yashi-”
“No I’m fine,” she said sitting up, resting her arms on her knees. Yashiro could feel Amane’s legs shift under her as he moved to pet her head.
“Hey, at least you’re finally done with his shit right?” he said smiling and giving her nose a little boop. Yashiro puffed her cheeks and hid her face in her arms. She didn’t want Amane to see her face, she was an ugly crier afterall.
“But I quit my only job,” Yashiro said, her voice muffled.
Amane could sense the breakdown on the way. He grabbed her cheeks, forcing her to look up at him.
“Hey, don’t make that face,” he said squishing her cheeks together, then stretching them apart. Yashiro couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu.
“But-”
“Nope,” Amane sang, putting a finger on her lips, “listen, you quit and now you’re free from that asshole of a boss. Now what you’re going to do is start working with Aoi at her flower shop until you can find another part time kay?”
Yashiro looked at Amane, she opened her mouth. Amane cut in,
“And no, Aoi won’t mind. She said that if you ever need help to come to her right? Everything will be fine.” Amane took a big spoonful of ice cream and popped it into Yashiro’s mouth to keep her from saying anything.
Yashiro scrunched her nose as the coldness spread throughout her mouth. She shook her head as she swallowed the ice cream and looked up at Amane.
“Amaneee,” Yashiro whimpered, already feeling the tears spreading down her cheeks.
“I know, I know,” he said, pulling her head into his shoulder, “remember, when we came here I promised your parents I’d take care of you so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
The only response he got was a stifled sob coming from his best friend. He looked down at her and smiled. It was lucky enough that his whole friend group got into the same college, well most of them. Aoi, Akane, Yamabuki, Him, Yashiro, and even Kou and Mitsuba, even though they see them less. It was weird being separated from Tsukasa though, he ended up going somewhere else with Sakura, Natsuhiko and Shijima. She taught him all about art and turns out he had a hidden talent. Even though from time to time he misses the warmth on his back from his clingy twin, they talk almost every night about anything and everything. When he closes his eyes it's just like he’s back at home, Tsukasa across the room laying on his bed, ranting about his day.
His attention went back to the sniffling girl on his shoulder.
“Yashiro,”
He got a sniff in response.
“Yashiro, who’s your best friend?”
Yashiro looked up at him then looked down at her lap,
“Amane.”
“Good girl,” he said, “now, who’s always going to be here to take care of you?”
She looked up and gave him a small smile,
“Amane.”
“Now who do you have class with in 30 minutes?”
Yashiro laughed as he gave her nose another boop,
“Amane”
“Good, now who’s the sexiest guy you’ve ever met?”
“Ama-” Yashiro froze and looked up at the boy. He had that stupid grin on his face. She could feel the color rising on her cheeks.
“Well, well, well, Yashiro I had no idea you thought that much of me~” Amane said, putting a hand to his chest.
Yashiro blushed and grabbed the nearest pillow, shoving it at Amane’s face. She could hear the muffled laughter coming from the other side.
“You wish I thought that!” Yashiro yelled, her cheeks rivaling a tomato.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Yashiro looked over to see Mitsuba standing in the doorway swinging a key around his finger.
“You know, I was going to walk to class with Kou, but he said that he can’t today. So I was thinking, someone as cute as me can’t be seen walking alone...then I remembered, I have my favorite upperclassmen who also have class in the same building. Then I also remembered that Senpai gave me a key in case I ever needed anything.” Mitsuba then looked over at them and put down the coffees he was carrying on the counter and walked over to the couch and sat in the chair next to it.
“But it seems I walked in on something, so if you want me to leave so you can finish, then say the magic words.” Mitsuba said, clearly not actually intending on leaving at all.
Yashiro quickly stood up, off the couch, “i-it's not like that,” she stammered.
“Actually,” Amane said, removing the pillow from his face while sitting up, “Yashiro just couldn’t keep her hands off me.”
“A-as if! You’re just a pervert and you know it!” Yashiro said, glaring at the boy who was returning her glare with an innocent gaze.
“Me? Pervert? Never.”
“If you guys are done bickering like a couple,” Mitsuba said rolling his eyes, “I don’t want to be late for class.”
“Couple…?” Amane said, his cheeks turning slightly pink.
“Okay, okay let me grab my textbooks real quick,” Yahsiro said heading to her bedroom.
“Can you grab mine, I think I left it here,” Amane hollered down the hall. He got a knock on the door in response. He knew that meant yes.
“So,” Mitsuba said, causing Amane to turn his attention to the pink haired boy, “when are you guys getting together?”
“What?” Amane said, his cheeks betraying him.
“Everybody knows you two like each other,” Mitsuba said as if he was stating the obvious, “you have since high school. I’m honestly surprised you two haven’t gotten together yet.”
“Shut up,” Amane scoffed, “you’re just saying this because your boyfriend isn’t here.”
“WHAT?!” Mitsuba gasped as he stood up, placing a hand to his chest, “YOU THINK SOMEONE AS CUTE AS ME WOULD DATE SOMEONE LIKE KOU?!”
“I never said it was Kou,”
“You can’t stand being away from Senpai for more than a few hours,”
“You guys basically suck each other’s-”
“As if, crazy-knife,”
“Come onnn that was one time!”
“Okay I’m ready, shall we go?” The two bickering boys turned to Yashiro who was walking down the hall with two textbooks in her hands.
“Thank you~” Amane said as he stood up, taking his textbook back. They all walked to the door to grab their stuff.
“Mitsuba, did you bring coffee?” Yashiro asked, somewhat amused.
“Well I would be a rude guest if I didn’t,” Mitsuba said, handing his friends a cup of coffee for class, “and being rude doesn’t go with my outfit,” he sighed.
“Really? I think they complement each-ughhh” Amane was cut off by a jab to his ribs...again.
“What he means to say is thank you,” Yashiro said smiling at Mitsuba.
As the trio walked to their designated building they talked about the usual, but with Mitsuba around the usual for them...is gossip.
“Did you guys go to the party a couple nights ago?” Mitsuba asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“No, Amane and I were studying I think,” Yashiro said looking over at Amane.
“Of course, when aren’t you two together,” Mitsuba said looking over at the blushing two, “well anyways it was crazy. Kou and I only went for an hour because shit was getting fired up. Yamabuki got hammered. Akane-senpai had to drag him out of there before he did something stupid. Remember when he picked a fight with that one guy? That was rich. I mean of course he was gonna win but it was so funny. Apparently we left just in time because shortly after the cops were called.”
Amane whistled as he opened the door, holding it for the other two, “Damn, take me to the next one.”
“Hell yeah,” Mitsuba said as he stopped at the elevator.
“All right, we’ll see you at practice right?” Amane said touching knuckles with Mitsuba. It’s like a calmer version of a fist pump, it’s been a thing their friend group has done ever since middle.
“Yeah, yeah, see you guys,” Mitsuba said as he walked into the elevator.
Yashiro and Amane waved and began walking to their lecture.
“Aoi’s going to be at practice right? You should talk to her then,” Amane said. He noticed Yashiro twirling her hair with her unoccupied hand and sighed. “Yashiro you’ll be fine, Aoi loves you she won’t turn you down.”
Yashiro took a sip of her coffee and turned to the doors. She reached for the handle but Amane beat her to it, opening the door and gesturing for her to go in first. Yashiro just rolled her eyes and smiled, walking into the room and taking their usual seats.
Amane sat down next to Yashiro, pulling his bag onto the table. As he retrieved his laptop he spared a glance at the girl next to him. She was twiddling her thumbs, obviously stressed out. I mean, he didn’t really blame her.
She quit her job, even though he was happy about that. He never liked her boss, Yashiro may not have noticed but he was a peeping tom. When she would be taking orders Amane would notice his eyes going places that they shouldn't be going. He had the nerve to actually touch Yashiro once and when he heard about that, saying he was pissed as shit, was an understatement.
He actually remembered that day perfectly. He was walking back to his dorm when Yashiro called him.
.
.
.
“Yashiro? What are you doing, aren’t you working?”
“Y-yeah but-”
“Aww, I bet you missed me so much you just had to call~”
“Amane are you, by any chance, close by?”
“Well, I’m at campus...but I could walk over and pick you up? Besides I don’t really like the idea of you walking home alone.”
“Okay..um can you hurry?”
“Yeah sure...is everything alright?”
“Yeah see you soon, bye!” and with that she hung up. Amane was used to Yashiro being...Yashiro but this was weird. So needless to say he hurried.
When he got to the restaurant, Yashiro was already waiting outside. When she saw him she ran over to him, grabbed his arm and hurried away.
“Yashiro…? Are you okay?” Amane asked, the worry in his voice becoming visible. He didn’t get an answer, only a faster pace.
“Yashiro-”
Suddenly he was cut off by Yashiro turning around, really fast, and buried her face into his chest.
“Yashiro…” Amane said cautiously, wrapping his arms around her back supporting the shaking girl. He slowly led her back to his dorm, ignoring the stares he got from people passing by. When they got inside he sat her down on his bed. She sat there, her fists lay on her lap and her body shaking.
Amane sat next to her and put his jacket around her shoulders.
“Yashiro, what happened?” Amane asked. He could feel something rise in his chest, something unfamiliar. He felt like he needed to....do something. He felt like….if someone was the reason she was like this, he wanted to smash their head into a wall. He quickly shook that thought out of his head as he heard Yashiro mumble something.
“...me.”
“What? Say that again,”
“Touched me…”
“Yashiro, speak-”
Yashiro suddenly shot up from the bed and whipped around to face Amane. “HE TOUCHED ME!!” She yelled, tears running down her now palen face.
“What…”
Amane shot up and launched himself at the trembling girl standing before his bed. Yashiro felt his hands grab her shoulders, a bit too harshly. Yashiro looked up at Amane and her breath hitched. His beautiful amber eyes were now clouded over with an emotion she didn’t…no, didn’t want to recognize. If Yashiro didn’t know Amane practically her whole life, she would probably be begging for her life. Those eyes...looked like those of a killer, but Amane wouldn’t hurt her...right? No, of course he wouldn’t.
“Yashiro...what do you mean he touched you…?” Amane said, trying his best to not lash out. He looked at the trembling girl, her ruby eyes that he loved so much were clouded with fear.
“H-he...um when I was w-washing d-dishes…” Yashiro’s voice was trembling and cracking with almost every word, “h-he came u-up behind m-me and started-touching at t-those places…”
That’s when she completely broke down.
“Amane…!” Yashiro sobbed clinging to her best friend, “W-what do I d-do…?” Amane held onto Yashiro and fell back onto his bed, saying nothing. He held Yashiro’s head in the crook of his neck, and wrapped his other arm around her waist. Usually Yashiro would’ve said something or call him a pervert but all she did was lean into his embrace and sob.
Amane just held her, whispering comforting words into her ear. He didn’t want her to see his face. Hearing Yashiro’s sobs broke his heart into a million little pieces. Yashiro’s sobs slowly started dying down, and she just lay there on top of him. Amane slowly started rubbing circles on Yashiro’s forehead with his finger.
For some reason, it always seemed to make her fall asleep.
When he heard Yashiro’s breaths even out, he slowly detached himself from the sleeping girl. Amane looked down at Yashiro and gave her a loving kiss on the head, “I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again,” he whispered, before picking up his phone and texting a groupchat on the way to the door.
When Amane got downstairs and walked out of the building into the dead of night, he was met with five frantic and pissed people.
“Amane-kun!” Amane was met with a frantic Aoi, “what happened? Is everything okay? Where’s Nene-chan?” Amane just stood there, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He explained the situation to his friends. They stood there, completely shocked.
“Aoi and Mitsuba, Yashiro’s going to probably wake up soon....can you-” “Of course, we’ll go right now.” Aoi said, cutting off Amane and grabbing Mitsuba by the sleeve of his sweater. They walked into the building, making their way to their sleeping friend.
“You want to go to the restaurant, don’t you?” Akane said, looking at Amane. Amane smirked,
“You know me too well.”
“Let’s go then,” Kou cut in, cracking his knuckles. “Anyone who does that kind of stuff is a disgrace, but anyone who does that to senpai deserves to rot in hell.”
They all started walking to the restaurant, planning out their little ‘talk’ with the manager.
Meanwhile with Aoi and Mitsuba, they were sitting in Amane’s room. Suddenly Yashiro shot up and gasped for air, as if she'd woken up from a bad nightmare. She turned over to Aoi who was sitting next to her, combing her blonde hair with her fingers.
“Aoi!” Yashiro sobbed clutching her close friend. Aoi just hummed and stroked Yashiro’s back. Yashiro explained the whole thing that happened to Aoi and she just giggled.
“Silly Nene-chan,” Aoi hummed, holding her bestfriends cheeks. “That was just a nightmare,” she said, booping her nose.
“H-huh?”
“Yep,” Mitsuba piped in, sitting on the other side of Yashiro. “We were at the park and you got really tired, so we took you here and you totally passed out.”
“R-really?” Yashiro asked. She then looked around, realizing she was in Amane’s dorm. “Where...is everyone else?”
“Hm?” Aoi hummed, “Oh they left some stuff at the park, so they went to get it.”
“I see,” Yashiro suddenly grew a little red and asked, “H-hey um, how did I get from the park to here?” Aoi just looked over at Yashiro and smiled,
“That’s...a secret.”
“AOI!!”
Mitsuba discreetly left the dorm and called the others, telling them what happened.
“Hey guys, Mitsuba just called saying Yashiro woke up,” Lemon said, putting his phone back into his pocket. “They convinced her that she just had a nightmare.” Lemon said, shrugging.
Akane smirked, “That’s Yashiro.”
Amane just sighed to himself. ‘At least she’s okay.’
When they got to the restaurant, let's just say, Akane, being the brains he is, started threatening the manager. He was saying words that Amane didn’t even know existed. The manager looked to be in his early thirties and was a bit buff, with tattoos all over his arms. That didn’t scare any of them. They agreed on not pressing any charges if he agreed to give Yashiro a promotion.
As they all were walking away Kou heard a slight,
“It’s not my fault I hired a whore.”
Kou turned around, faster than light and punched the guy in the face.
“Kou!! Amane yelled, holding back the pissed off boy. The manager just laughed and wiped his now bloody nose.
“SAY THAT AGAIN!!” Kou practically screamed at the manager. The manager just spit out blood and said, smirking, “I said she’s a little whore.”
This time it was Amane who punched his face. They both fell down and Amane repeatedly threw punches at the managers face. The manager flipped them over so he was now the one punching Amane.
Kou ran over and pushed the manager off Amane and Lemon helped sit Amane up.
“YOU’RE A LITTLE BITCH!” Amane yelled.
“C’mon,” Akane said, grabbing Kou’s shoulder, and helping lemon pull Amane off the ground. “Let’s get out of here.”
As the four left Amane spoke up, “Sorry for getting you guys into this.”
“Are you kidding me?” Kou said, wrapping his arm around Amane’s shoulder, “When we graduated we all promised that we’re in this together.”
“He’s right,” Akane said, taking off his glasses and cleaning them.
“Yeah dude,” Lemon said, wrapping his arm around Amane’s other shoulder. “We’re just glad you didn’t come and do this alone.”
Amane just grinned. He watched as the other three walked ahead of him as he slowed down.
“Can I…” Amane trailed off, looking at the ground. “Ask a favour of you guys?”
.
.
.
Whenever Yashiro had a shift, Amane would always get a table and stay there until she was finished. Yashiro always asked him why he did this and he would just say ‘It’s easier to study.’
On the days he couldn’t watch over her, he would send the kid and Mitsuba, and when they couldn’t go, Akane and Aoi would. He liked going though, it really was a nice restaurant. Plus, he liked it when the manager would glare at him. He just grinned back.
“Psst Amane,” Yashiro whispered, nudging his arm. “Wake up, class is going to start soon.”
Amane opened his eyes and stretched his arms. He looked over at Yashiro who was busy typing away on her laptop. He smirked.
“Hey Yashiro, can I tell ya something?”
“Yeah sure,” Yashiro replied, only paying half attention. Amane leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“I love you,” he said, turning and facing the front of the room.
“Mhm,” Yashiro said, still typing away. Suddenly, she whipped her head to face the boy sitting next to her, “w-what?!”