Chapter Text
Chifuyu never would have thought to pay someone his deepest respect. And yet, Baji Keisuke had managed to do just that.
Single-handedly, Baji had managed to completely eliminate the Mandala gang, without a single scratch to boot. His movements...his kicks...his punches...all his techniques underscored the savage streak of a bloodthirsty beast that always needed to quench its thirst for battle. Unsurprisingly, that he had left a formative impression on him, then.
The two of them hung out with each other every spare minute at school since that day, spending their time sharing their joint peyoung yakisoba and eating it here on the school roof. Nothing but the slurping of their noodles formed the acoustics at their favorite spot - otherwise, there was always a comfortable silence between them.
Thoughtfully, Chifuyu sat with his legs crossed on the ground, propping his elbow on his knee so he could rest his head against his palm and blow his unstyled hair out of his face. More often than not, he had caught himself casting a sidelong glance at Baji, wondering what exactly it was about him that fascinated him so much. Was it his monstrous strength? His intense aura? Or something else after all? He didn't know.
The fact that this poindexter was not only a member of the famous Tokyo-Manji gang, but also the captain of the first division, still had a lasting effect on him. Just thinking about the intense olive gray of his eyes that threatened to swallow you up....
"Oi, Chifuyu! Have ya been waiting long?" Speaking of the devil.
Baji strode grinning towards him, his white fangs standing out. His eyes on the other hand, were hidden behind the thick lenses of his glasses. As always, when they were at school. Nevertheless, Chifuyu could tell that something in his gaze had changed. Even when the latter held the yakisoba out to him and took a seat next to him, the sinking feeling did not subside.
He didn't try to let on at all and fished out the contents from the plastic bag. When Chifuyu noticed that his buddy seemed to still be eyeing him a bit strangely, he confronted him. "Do I have something on my face, or why are you looking at me so like that?"
Somewhat taken aback, Baji stared at him before his dark laugh echoed sonically across the entire rooftop terrace. Only when he noticed Chifuyu's perplexed look did he clarify the situation.
"No, it's not your face, it's your hair."
Staring at him in surprise, Chifuyu took a blond strand between his fingertips. "My hair?"
"Yes! It's the first time, I've seen your hair without gel. You seem much more yourself with it. I think it suits ya."
Chifuyu didn't know how to respond. No one had ever complimented him like this before. It was...unusual.
Not wanting to let his burgeoning nervousness show, he briskly turned his attention to the steaming noodles they shared together afterwards, slurping again dominating the acoustics.
With the small difference that a pleasant feeling flowed through his body.