Chapter Text
Burton collapsed on his bed mat. He couldn’t stop thinking about the past month where his life got turned upside down. Ron, Berecca, and he finally unlocked the secret powers of ninja gum through many trials and error. And for what? Betrayal. Plain and simple. As well as unexpectedly being turned into seemingly 12~13 year-old kids. His research partner and childhood friend, Berecca, also got caught up in said shenanigans and together they spend their days at WNA Academy secretly researching a way to permanently turn back to their adult selves.
He let out a heavy sigh. To think I’d be a kid again of all things. I suppose it beats being a baby or an old man in my 80’s, assuming I’ll even reach that age. he thinks to himself.
Burton sucked his teeth, glaring at the ceiling. Damn that Ron…why’d he have to do something so cruel? I thought we were….
He flinched and clutched his aching chest, biting his slightly quivering lip; his current mental state too distressing to think in his head. “I thought… I thought that…we were fri--.“
Suddenly, a small knock at his door interrupted his thoughts, proceeding him to bolt up from his bed.
“Hey Burton, it’s me. You got a sec before lights out?”
Ah, Berecca. Honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to shove away these immense feelings of anger, confusion, and sorrow for now. There’s too much work and research to be done instead of displaying all the colors of the emotional vulnerability wheel. After slapping his cheeks a couple of times to shake off his feelings, Burton turned on his bedside lamp and slid open the door for his friend to enter.
“Hey Berecca, what’s up?”
Berecca sits cross legged on his guest seat pillow and huffs. “Could be better, Bruce sensei gave me an earful about losing today. But it wasn’t my fault! Van and Kappei double teamed me, and I’m not used to fighting like everyone else in our class. Genryusai-sama tends to be a tad bit biased towards Van since he’s his mentor and Kappei’s great uncle, but I still can’t seem to catch a break.” She tugs on her long magenta pink hair. “Sheesh, can’t anybody tell what a delicate lady I am?”
Burton blinks, “Wait, you’re a girl?”
The young genius immediately gets a pillow thrown into his face. “GAAH I’m sorry I’m sorry, it was just a joke I swear!”
Berecca sends an icy glare towards her friend before simmering down. “Serves you right, jerk. Well anyways, I came here to find up what was going on with you. You haven’t been making your infamous energy smoothies nor have you been attending the afternoon seminars lately.”
Burton clenches his fists tight and looks away, unable to meet his childhood friend’s eyes. She senses his uncomfortable demeanor and tilts her head to the side to get a better look at his face.
“Is it because of Ron?”
His eyes widen for a split second before he fixes his face. Berecca’s suspicions were confirmed from this question. “Look, I get it. I won’t pursue any further with the questions for now since I can tell it’s a touchy topic. But I am starting to get worried about you, you gotta eat and you gotta keep up the act of being a normal student or you might get in trouble with the teachers. We already shouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us chewing that weird ninja gum, so blowing our cover will leave us vulnerable and homeless.”
Berecca makes her way to the door, “But don’t forget that we’re partners, you can tell me anything and I’ll listen to whatever you need to say. You can always count on me.”
Burton flashes her a small smile, “Thanks a lot. I’ll try and get it together by tomorrow, I promise, thanks for checking on me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Berecca smiles back and slides the door shut. Burton reaches over to turn off his bedside lamp and tries to get some sleep.
Burton’s dream is a flashback where he, Berecca, and Ron finished unlocking the secret of ninja gum in their laboratory. He remembers running all around the room with Berecca while Ron stands idly on the ground, supposedly waiting for them to settle down. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this elated, who knew a fat cat was the answer to all their problems? The fun didn’t last too long though before Ron pulls out his katana from his back and nearly cuts him in half. Ron reveals his true intentions as a spy from the Oniwabanshu ninja clan to steal the ninja gum data and to eliminate Berecca and Burton to get rid of the evidence. A swift swing from his katana gave Burton the amount of fear he needs to jolt himself awake.
The young researcher wakes up in a cold sweat, breathing heavily and clutching his chest tight. He looks at the clock to see that it’s 2:38 AM. He’d only been asleep for about 4 – 5 hours. A few beats of silence go by before his empty stomach grumbles loudly, completely forgetting about skipping dinner earlier.
“Huh, I suppose Berecca was onto something about ditching dinner. Guess it wouldn’t hurt to sneak myself a snack to keep my stomach quiet. Like Edison says, “The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time.” Not like anyone will be awake to catch me anyways.”
He shuffles out of bed and makes his way out of his room in dire need of some sustenance. He makes his way to the kitchen pantry to grab some of his favorite snacks, crispy cheesy fries, and bottled water before deciding to head to the academy balcony in dire need of some fresh air. Gazing at the nighttime view of Eagle City has always calmed him down whenever he feels like he’s about to enter a negative state of mind. Even when he was still working at the lab.
Burton finally makes his way towards the balcony entrance and feels the brisk late-night air on his face and through his messy blonde hair before stopping dead in his tracks.
Standing near the rails is his former lab partner, Ron, also taking in the cool night air. Ron turns around and freezes for a second before regaining his so-called lone wolf cool guy composure. Burton’s blue eyes meet Ron’s yellows. Their beaming irises becoming makeshift lights in the night all own their own. The only thing to break their silence is the sound of Burton’s stomach growling again, much to his dismay and Ron’s indifference.
Ron huffs, “Don’t worry, I was just leaving.” He makes a slow stride towards the door walking past a frozen Burton, who was still embarrassed from his impatient stomach to do the talking for him.
Once Burton finally comes to his senses, Ron has already left the balcony. He grimaces to himself as he failed once again to give Ron a piece of his mind. How the hell could I have been so scared to say anything to him?? I defeated him back at the lab by sheer luck and quick thinking and now I can’t even bother to spit back at him. Why not now? he thought to himself.
God, I’m pathetic.” Burton drops his water bottle and snack chips and falls to his knees in defeat, no longer caring for the fact that he just kneeled onto his late time snack, crushing the fry chips to bits.
Back in Ron’s room, Ron is practically seething with rage. “Dammit!” He hits his fist hard against his wall, gritting his teeth. “I was only doing my duty as a member of the Oniwabanshu and thus following orders. But why do I keep getting this sharp sting of pain in my chest? I’ve killed and hurt many. I’ve witnessed the gruesome deaths of good and bad people, and yet soft and friendly Burton of all people is what makes me crack?”
Ron sighs and flops backwards onto his bed mat, squeezing his eyes shut, thinking to himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hates me, I can’t say I don’t deserve it. He didn’t even say anything to me back there. But being cold and shady is my life. I get in disguise, I do my job, and I never let anyone get close to me. I swore I would never get attached to anyone…but…
He lifts his hand in the air and stares at his now smooth palm, the callouses no longer present on his skin.
“Why must I hold these unnecessary feelings for him?”