Work Text:
It started out with watching.
Innocently.
Warily even, because Murayama from Sannoh's POV was a storm brewing just waiting to happen (the thing with Oya unexpectedly ended well). Then when it didn't happen, the wind changed and he somewhat turned into a steady moonson. A trusted ally who showed up when the time called for it.
Then Murayama graduated Oya and went straight into an honest labor work. It was just that unthinkable (how he changed so greatly) to think that the brat who would start a fight just because he got bored started to be responsible for his own finance. So Cobra had been keeping a tab on him. He swore it was just doing his job as Sannoh Rengo's leader.
Nothing more.
Right?
Moreover when the said guy popped frequently in the neighborhood.
"What about Murayama?" Oshiage said.
These girls were passionately gossiping about SWORD boys. And not that Cobra particularly wanted to eavesdrop but Itokan was kinda smol. You could almost hear anything spoken inside but nothing from the outside (which made the place kinda perfect for a sanctuary). Cobra looked up from the magazine he was craddling.
"He graduated already. He's a man now." Oshiage argued, "He even got a job."
Cobra didn't wait for the response. He rose from his sofa and told the others that he was gonna walk (where to he didn't say, they didn't ask either).
'The walk' consisted of a little bit stroll and aimless thinking. The shopping alley wasn't all that crowded by this hour (if they ever), Cobra could make out every single person dilly dallying in there (they did have a smol neighborhood). Which was why someone unfamiliar would easily stand out.
But then Murayama wasn't all that unfamiliar anymore. Not with the frequent Itokan-visit and his impromptu appearance at his gas station.
Cobra found the guy in the hardware section as he seemed to be comparing some items. Could be for his work or maybe.
Murayama was picking up a drill.
'Was he doing wood work or sumting?'
The boy soon made a decision and went with his drill of choice.
Cobra waited.
He imagined these peaceful people wouldn't know what kind of person who just walked and slipped by then (a brawler to the bone). But then they didn't need to. This Murayama had been well integrated into the society. This made Cobra smile a little.
When Murayama walked out of the store he found Cobra and looked surprised. Why would he? When he literally walked into this Sannoh neighborhood. His surprised face soon was turned into a large grin. He called Cobra cheerily. Cobra answered with a little nod.
"What are you doing here?" Cobra asked. He didn't say that he had been watching him shopping.
A mischievous smile appeared on that youthful face. "Shopping."
Cobra looked at the store inquiringly.
"Well, I have a project going." the boy added quickly.
Cobra gave him a look but didn't ask. Instead he said, "Where are you going after this?"
Murayama shrugged. "I will get back maybe then I don't know."
Cobra smirked. Or smile in lopped. "Come with me."
"Huh?"
Cobra didn't answer but continued walking. Murayama didn't have any choice but to follow him.
Cobra took him to a ramen house. Yes he paid for their meal. Murayama was confused but he was happy with a free meal.
"I have bikes I could recommend you if you're still interested." Cobra started.
Murayama nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, of course."
Then they talked about it while getting a second serving of ramen.
When Cobra sent Murayama off later, he watched until he couldn't see him anymore. Just like how the sky darkened after the sun set. Cobra felt the brightness soon faded away with Murayama's absence.
Then one day Cobra got a wooden sake cup delivered to his address. It was a simple cup with no carving (surprisingly, the woodworking was very smooth). The card said that the thing was a prototype and he would like Cobra to have it.
Cobra smiled and kept it preciously (not that he would say that, ye).