Work Text:
“Keep an eye out!”
Bimei rolled his eyes before he turned his attention back to the handmade periscope, crafted from pipes and mirrors, which allowed him to look outside their little hideout. All he saw was the surrounding courtyard, some of the older authors strolling about, either reading absentmindedly or chatting with others.
“What do you see?”
“Nothing, as usual.” Bimei looked away from the pipe, and to Kenji, who was standing above him, hands on his hips. “This place has windows, you know. Why do I have to keep a lookout with this? It’s stupid.” Kenji tutted, shaking his head.
“It’s the way it’s normally done!” He insisted. “You’re a member of this crew, so you have to act like it.”
Bimei squinted at him, trying to see what he was getting at before Kenji continued.
“And besides, you willingly came here.”
“Yeah, because I had nothing better to do. Houmei’s in the infirmary again with a broken tail, and Shouyou-sensei and Yakumo-sensei are on a-” Bimei shook his head. “Anyways, what even am I supposed to be keeping an eye out for?”
“Danger, of course!” Kenji pointed out. “You heard the news, right? Miekichi’s come to town, so if we see him in our area around our base, we have to… take care of him.”
“I think Mii-kun’s nice!” Niimi piped up, sitting against the wall of their hideout, hugging a stitched up Gon to his chest. “I think we should take care of him, since he’s our friend too!”
Kenji looked over to the young boy, blinking in surprise. He couldn’t exactly explain to him what he meant, so he just nodded with a cute smile and giggled.
“Of course, Nankichi, what else are we going to do?” From where Kenji was standing, Bimei could see the outline of a switchblade in Kenji’s back pocket, mostly obscured from his cape, but didn’t care enough to comment on it. He knew Kenji. He knew he wouldn’t actually go through with his plan, given who would reprimand him if he did.
A few more minutes passed, Bimei looking around with the periscope to avoid an argument before Niimi looked out the window on the other side.
“Oh! I see him!” He gasped, squishing Gon.
“Huh?” Kenji asked, going over to Bimei, taking the periscope from him before he turned it around. Low and behold, he saw Suzuki Miekichi walking towards the hideout, eating some sweets.
When he got to the door, giving a firm knock.
“Acorn, wild cat.” He spoke clearly, making sure he enunciated the words. Kenji cautiously reached into his back pocket, before he opened the door.
Before anyone could say another word, Niimi bounded over, nearly tackling Miekichi in a hug.
“Mii-kun!” He cheered as Miekichi laughed, holding his sweets out to the side.
“Careful Nankichi! I got these from Natsume-sensei, don’t make me drop them!”
Niimi nodded, relaxing his hug as he nuzzled his cheek slightly before letting go entirely.
“Welcome to our secret hideout! What brings you here?” Miekichi hummed, tapping his chin.
“I got a letter from Kenji telling me there would be a welcome party for me here!” Kenji started to sweat, shoving his knife back into his pocket, making sure the cape covered it.
“Ah, well…” Kenji rubbed the back of his head. “I got so excited about the planning, I forgot to execute it!”
“Well maybe we can raid the library and pantry, bringing stuff back so we can have the party anyways!” Niimi offered with a grin.
“Oh that sounds fun!” Miekichi gasped, looking at Kenji for confirmation. “Can we do that? I don’t mind helping to set up my own party.”
“I uh… sure!” Kenji nodded, ushering Niimi and Miekichi out the door. “Let’s raid the grownups!”
At the door, he looked back to Bimei, still by the periscope.
“You too, Bimei. You’re part of this crew.”
Bimei rolled his eyes, getting off the floor and going to join the others.
After all, he had nothing better to do.