Chapter Text
“...oi. Shinobu. Don't just fall asleep already.” Tetsuya poked at his roommate, out cold on the floor. It was ridiculous how quickly he could fall asleep.
Shinobu stirred a bit. “What...?”
“You didn't hear me? I said come up here so we can both get a good night's sleep. Don't make me change my mind.” Tetsuya huffed, scooting up to the wall to make room.
“I mean, if you're sure.” Shinobu paused, sitting on the edge of the bed before sliding in. Even then, he was practically hanging off the edge anyway.
Oh, now you respect personal space? Tetsuya thought. It felt like... a rejection, somehow. If the ever-clingy Shinobu doesn't want to be close to him anymore, then... that's fine. That's fine. So why doesn't it feel fine?
“There's no way you're not hanging off the edge. If that's what you want, go ahead, but come closer if you don't want to fall.” Tetsuya scoffed. It's not like I'm asking you to hold me or anything. Just don't get hurt.
Shinobu shuffled a little closer. Their backs weren't quite touching, so close Tetsuya could feel his warmth, but not his touch. The faint sounds of Shinobu snoring slowly became a rhythm, but Tetsuya felt as though he'd never sleep again.
Dawn's first light drifted over Tetsuya's face. He'd never been the type to sleep in light, but his body still felt heavy... and as his mind caught up, he realized it was because he was being held down, all tangled limbs and soft breathing.
The thoughts hit him like a flood, all at once. That he wanted to stay like this, that he wanted to turn over and see Shinobu's sleeping face, that this was exactly the reason he had initially turned down the offer to share the bed. It's the time between waking up and feeling awake that he should have known better.
Stop that. Focus. That sort of thing will only slow you down, Tetsuya thought. There's a tournament to be won.
“It's morning. Wake up.” Tetsuya prodded Shinobu with his elbow. Shinobu only held on tighter, fast asleep, setting off all kinds of alarm bells in Tetsuya's head. Things like ‘I could get used to this’ and ‘I should absolutely not let myself get used to this’. He jabbed his roommate one more time before giving up and just wriggling out of his grasp.
By the time Shinobu finally accepted that morning had come, Tetsuya was already on his way to the great hall for breakfast.
“You better not stand me up on the field later,” he called over his shoulder on the way out.
…
Somehow, even waking up later, Shinobu was on the field before Tetsuya was, strapping his armor on. It shouldn't have surprised Tetsuya to see. After all, he had enough experience to be quick to prepare, and he definitely understood that nothing beats the feeling of the morning breeze rustling through his hair- and Tetsuya, still lacking in his own armor to put on, chose to distract himself from the other distraction with a classic round of gently slapping himself in the face.
Shinobu, shining despite the dents, finally noticed Tetsuya and waved him over enthusiastically.
“So I'm scoping out the competition, right? It looks like a few people from outside the academy are entering too. This is going to be so cool!” The short knight clenched his fists in excitement.
“We can't get cocky, but...” Tetsuya leaned against a fence post, glancing around. “I think we'll be in the last 4, easy.”
Shinobu grinned. “Why stop there? Let's win this.” He clapped an arm around Tetsuya's shoulder, and Tetsuya was sure he'd melt alive.
“Right. We can do this.” Tetsuya was mostly talking to himself.
…
Sir Toshiaki's blade caught Tetsuya's tabard. The trainee staggered backwards, losing his balance. As he fell, Shinobu lunged in with surprising aggression. In the blink of an eye, Tetsuya was on the ground and his senior had their instructor held at sword's point- a victory. Toshiaki's expression was one of shock, then confusion, then joy at his pupils' success.
“...heh. I knew you boys would be able to pull it off.”
“Whoa… Tetsu- Tetsuya, we did it! We really did it! Yahoo!” Shinobu cried out, dropping his weapons and suddenly pulling the ginger knight into a hug.
Tetsuya froze for a second. His roommate was always like this, but it always surprised him and his heart was racing and it was definitely just the adrenaline, right? Right. Still, this time was... different. “...I guess I’ll indulge you, this time.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, your winners!” Sir Toshiaki's voice carried over the sound of the crowd, drowning out whatever Shinobu was saying. Somehow, Shinobu's smiling face, caked in dirt and sweat, was brighter than the midday sun.