Chapter Text
There was a child peeking around the corner.
Shinichiro had his back to the garage door but he could feel the stare burning on him. It’s cute, if he was not afraid of his life that is. He knew how dangerous children could be, look at his brother for example.
He was sure that he hadn’t offend anyone though. Well, there was his gang but they had done nothing yet to gain enemies. Especially since it’s not official yet.
He paused and titled his head. Now, what he should do. The kid technically didn’t do anything except staring at him. He didn’t interrupt his work time and was technically outside his garage so the private property excuse would not work.
Maybe he could just ignore him?
Hmn, let’s just do that then.
“There was a kid.” Shinichiro chuckled quietly while eating his dinner that day, long after he finished his work and close the garage, and long after the kid had leave. Ruijin looked up from his food.
“What?”
“I said, there was this cute kid trying to kill me with his stare.” Shinichiro repeated. Takeo made an inquiring noise, interested at the unusual occurrence.
“Where?”
“At the garage. He was just standing there while peeking around the garage door to stare at me.” He laughed when he remember it again. “Honestly it was cute.”
“Why you?” Rujin looked bemused. Shinichiro shrugged, he also didn’t know.
“Maybe you had done something to him. What did you do Shin?” Takao snickered. Shinichiro glared at his friend.
“Excuse you, I haven’t done anything.”
“Maa, calm down both of you.” Ruijin the usual peacekeeper told them off while rolling his gaze.
“Maybe he was just interested in the garage.” Ruijin mused. “I mean your garage is full of cool stuff you know.”
“Do you think he will come back? Or this is just one time?” Takeo looked interested. Shinichiro sighed.
“Maybe it was only one time.” He said while swiped the last meat.
“Hey, wait! That’s mine! Give it back Shin!”
“First serve first get! It’s mine now!”
“NO! Can’t do! The meat is mine!”
“Anddd here we go again.” Ruijin chuckled, a devious smile on his face as he continue eat meats hidden beneath his noddle.
“Idiots.”
It was not a onetime occurrence.
The kid was back the next day, doing the same thing.
And he’s back again the next day. And the next day. And the next day.
“It’s been a week.” Shinichiro knew he was whining, but sue him because he also started to get annoyed. Ruijin and Takeo stared at each other.
“Maybe you should talk to him?”
“I tried.” Shinichiro grumbled. “But he ran away as soon as I called him out.”
“What does he look like?” Takeo asked. Shinichiro furrowed his brows and titled his head.
“He has black hair and a band aid on his nose. He was shorter than Mikey only a little bit. I think he is around Mikey age too.” Mikey was Shinichiro younger brother with ten years old gap.
“Maybe he is Mikey’s friend?” Rujini wondered.
“No, I talked to Mikey and he said he didn’t know anyone like that.” Shinichiro shook his head. He caught a movement from the corner of his eyes and glanced back only to blanch.
“Ah, there he is.”
Ruijin and Takeho simultaneously turned their head with curiosity brimming on their face. They watched in silence as a little figure crouched low besides the opening of the garage and a little head peeked from outside.
“Oh my god, that’s cute.” Ruijin whispered. Shinichiro rolled his eyes.
“Don’t you think he knows that he has been spotted?” Takeo mused out loud.
“I think he knows but choose to ignore it.” Shinichiro answered. There was lull as the three of them stared at the kid.
“Er… should we approach him?” Ruijin asked.
“Maybe you should Shin.” Takeo smirked amusingly.
“Har har.” Despite his response, Shinichiro called out to the kid.
“Hey kid, what are you doing?” The kid flinched in surprise, probably he was not expecting them to acknowledge him.
“You can come in you know.” Ruijin called out too. They were waiting in silence as the kid peeked and hesitantly shuffling inside. His head was bowed and he was twiddling his hand with obvious nervousness.
“Um… He-hello.” The kid bowed slowly. He glanced up before hurriedly looked down.
“So kid.” Shinichiro started. He crouched down and stared at the mysterious kid contemplatively.
“Why have you been spying on me?” He asked bluntly. He absently hear Ruijin’s sigh and Takeo’s snicker at his bluntness.
“Em…” The kid whispered. “I just want to know…”
Shinichiro tilted his head and gestured the kid to continue.
“A-are you Sano Shinichiro?” the kid finally asked. Shinichiro raised his brows, surprised. He glanced back at Ruijin and Takeo who shrugged back at him.
“You have been watching me but you don’t know me?” Shinichiro asked incredulously.
“I-I know you! You are Sano Shinichiro r-right?” The kid stuttered. “I-I just want to make sure.”
Wow, this was weird. “Yes, I am Sano Shinichiro.”
The kid deflated at that. He looked relieved but at the same time lost. Shinichiro looked back at his friend with confused expression. Ruijin rolled his eyes at his friend helplessness. He crouched down beside Shinichiro and beamed at the little guy.
“Why are you looking for Shin, little guy?” he asked softly. The kid looked up, and Ruijin breath hitched at the familiar gaze. He had seen that gaze so many times before at the form of his friend, the one friend who looked lost and confused beside him.
“B-because.” The kid mumbled.
Ruijin blinked and waited patiently. “Yes?”
“…I just want to know.” The kid answered finally. Ruijin stared at Shinichiro with confused gaze.
“So kid.” Takeo chirped in. He crouched beside Ruijin with big grin on his face.
“What’s your name?”
The kid looked up. He tilted his head and bit his lips. He suddenly turned to Shinichiro and thrust hind hand. Shinichiro was taken by surprise by the sudden movement and almost flinched. “My name is Hanagaki Takemichi.”
The kid-Hanagaki stopped. “P-pleasure to meet you, Sano Shinichiro-san.”
Shinichiro stared at the hand before laugh bubbled out from him at the bizarre encounter he had. He shook Takemichi hand with a grin on his face.
“Likewise Hanagaki-kun, nice to meet you too.”