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Tanaka-kun was a weird guy.
He was strangely fascinating to Leon, while also weird, while also a strange third option.
He and Kuwata only chatted whenever they happened to be together,
like when Makoto forced him to introduce himself to all of the used-to-be ultimate despairs.
He remembered thinking Tanaka was just another weirdo.
But, it was getting more and more complicated.
The more Leon hung out with Mioda-chan, the more he would see Gundham.
The more he hung out with Hanamura, the more he would see Gundham.
That was of course the more he hung out with the Hope squad (A nickname Kaz gave to the group) the more he would see other people, which made sense...
Kinda.
It's like Kuwata's eyes we're drawn to Tanaka. Almost like magnets.
Every time Tanaka-kun would appear just to grab something for his Dark Devees or Beas or something or other, Kuwata would stare almost creepily.
It was weird but he shrugged it off.
Over.
And over.
And over again.
Until he decided enough was enough.
Leon was going to be a man and befriend this shadow that crept behind him everywhere he went.
It was time.
___
Kuwata walked endlessly around the island.
He had to be somewhere, right?
And that's when he saw Tanaka-kun, on the beach seemingly protecting something of value.
"Hey! Tanaka-kun! You, ah- busy?"
Gundham just stared almost as if burning flames into Leon's skin.
"A fiend in favor of destruction to crustaceans I must fight to keep nature balanced..!"
He answered revealing small crabs behind him, as well as a stick that Leon assumed was to be used if Saionji-san came near.
"What does a mortal like you, need from an overlord such as myself?"
Leon stood there awkwardly for several seconds, attempting to decode what the hell Tanaka was trying to say.
"Uh.. Nothing really. I was just here to chat and learn about yourself no need to be high and mighty about it."
Leon was already getting a bit nervous, and when he's nervous he usually ends up rambunctious,
and to be completely honest he did NOT wanna fight someone like Tanaka.
Although he kept himself hidden with about a kajillion layers of clothes Tanaka-kun's body was not something to laugh at, not that he was looking anyway.
"You wish to learn about a supreme being such as myself? I For suppose letting you hear a portion of my life would be alright.."
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
___
"You uh Devas are really cool!"
He said reaching out to one, not necessarily to touch it but to check if the hamsters were as dangerous as they looked.
"Do not come any closer or you will evaporate into dust!"
Leon took a few steps back, Tanaka's harsh words felt like venom entrancing his veins.
"What do you mean?"
"I am Noxitanous! For years my body has consumed poison so great that just staring at it could burn you. Be careful mortal."
He just stared at Gundham a bit confused.
"Well, I've seen Sonia and Hajime be able to touch you. Is that like for a reason or...?"
Tanaka-kun's face groveled in return.
"They are humans with an innate power within them, a human-like you could never dare touch a demonized creature like me!"
"So no one except them? That's strange, I mean like what are the qualifications? It can't be just cause their people you enjoy talking with right?"
Gundham tensed up, seemingly vulnerable for only a glance before calming down again.
"They earned their trust in me by being loyal beings and going through heart-aching treacheries, something a being cannot earn in such little time."
Leon frowned.
Being friends with this dude was gonna take a lot more than just sitting and listening to him talk at the beach.
"It's getting late. Let's talk tomorrow or something.."
Walking home Leon felt spirit incase his soul.
He was going to be friends with this guy no matter what!
And so that's what he did.
Every day he would find Gundham, chat with him, give him something cool, or just straight up follow him around.
It was hard and he felt stupid, but once he had his mind on something it had to be done.
And that's when the day came when Gundham finally decided to set up an intervention with Leon.
___
"Human."
Kuwata stopped in his tracks facing Tanaka with a nervous grin.
"Why do you keep following me? You seem to never stop your; for lack of a better term, yapping. I know a being like me is superb at the lowest, but I don't associate with pathetic humans like you."
Pathetic.
Leon was done with this guy, all he wanted was to be his friend and now this guy calls him names once again.
"I'm done. You just keep calling me pathetic!! I've been trying to be friends with you! If that's all you gonna say about me then I might as well stop."
Gundham tensed.
"Friends? No, telling lies is immediately eradicated from my visual protection."
"Ugh! Why did I even follow you around anyway this is a load of bullshit!!"
Gundham shifted uncomfortably.
Leon kept ranting talking about how much effort he had put in.
"Stop this childish nonsense."
Gundham clears his throat.
"Kuwata-kun. I believe you are trying to prove yourself to an overlord, and I am not satisfied, however! I see your persistence and courage thus far, I believe you may be able to excel to the next level."
Leon just stared at him, almost like he was crazy. Did all the hard work pay off?
"However. You still have much to do before you will be seen as a loyal servant of the Tanaka empire!!"
Never mind.
Gundham smiled putting his non-bandaged hand out.
"I have entrapped a magic spell within you, the contract of your apprentice loyal-man-ship will be sealed and protected."
"Tanaka.."
And then they shook hands.
Normally a shake of hands wasn't a big deal.
But.
Leon had worked to get here for so long, and now he was holding Tanaka's hand in front of him. Right here. Right now.
His hand felt normal, though extremely cold, and that's when Gundham quickly pulled away as quickly as lightning.
"Anyway, the uh Dark whispers call me, goodbye mortal."
In a blushing fit Gundham began stepping in the opposite direction.
And he skedaddled away.
Great.