Chapter Text
Crash. The sound was harsh and sudden, followed up with a gasp of pain and several more thuds. Yoshikazu Miyano's phone rang in his ear, waiting in trepidation for someone, anyone to pick up. The high schooler's mind raced feverishly, trying to stay calm and figure out a solution. Concern mingled with something of surprise—bullying like this hardly ever occurred, even in his beloved BL manga.
Miyano's phone finally beeped, and he began talking without waiting for a voice on the other end. "U-um! There's a student getting beaten up behind the south building right now!" Miyano said. Even to himself, he sounded panicked and worried.
"Stay calm. Just hold on a sec," the person on the other line said in a flat tone of voice.
"Okay...yes, I'll-" Miyano was cut off as another pained cry split the air. He gave a sigh of frustration, feeling utterly helpless and useless.
He snapped his flip phone shut. Time was of the essence, he knew that much. He started to turn the corner, not really knowing what he planned to do, but it had to be better than standing there, doing nothing.
"Hey."
A deeper voice interrupted his frenzied thoughts, a hand folding over his shoulder. Miyano flinched and looked up. A teenaged boy, not much older than Miyano himself, stood above him. He had bright orange hair and ear piercings that gleamed in the sunlight, and a serious hazel gaze.
"I'll stop them, so hold this," said the stranger, holding out a wood-handled straw broom. He was barely looking at Miyano, eyes locked on the scene ahead.
Miyano stumbled back, reeling from the sudden interference and still very worried for the victim. "Huh? Wh-who are you?" He stammered.
"Here," the boy stated simply, pushing the broom into Miyano's hands.
"Huh? W-wait...," Miyano began, still completely bewildered. The boy was already striding into the altercation, calm and collected.
From where Miyano was hiding behind the wall, he could see the troublemakers freeze and turn their attention to the mysterious boy. Miyano breathed a faint sigh of relief as they dropped the victim but tensed as they started yelling at the teen who had stepped in.
However, the boy blew off their shouts with a calm, levelheaded voice, making sure the victim was okay before focusing on the bullies. He walked in easily, as though taking a stroll despite the gravity of the situation.
He was definitely older, Miyano could tell by his lean build and tall stature. Likely a grade above Miyano himself. From behind, just looking at his back, Miyano thought he could be a hero, so bravely stepping in for someone else. His bright orange hair was akin to fire against his white uniform shirt.
Something fluttered in Miyano's chest. Something hummed, coming to life. Awe? Admiration? He wasn't quite sure what it was, but the sight of the mysterious senpai from behind set his heart thudding just a little faster.
*Three months later*
"Mii-yaa-no!" sang a voice, all too familiar. "Morning!"
Miyano looked up, recognizing the tone instantly. "S-Sasaki-senpai...," he sighed, slightly exasperated. A hand clasped over his sleeved shoulder.
Shummei Sasaki, Miyano's bright-haired, enthusiastic upperclassman smiled above Miyano, his unoccupied hand fidgeting the cord of his ever-present headphones. He wore their high school uniform and silver ear piercings.
"As cute as ever today, Mya-chan," Sasaki teased, dropping his cute nickname for the underclassman.
Miyano could have groaned. "I've asked you a bunch of times to stop calling me cute!" He protested, face pink in embarrassment and mild frustration. "I don't like how girly I look."
Sasaki simply grinned wider. "'Kay, then. You're cute on the inside."
"Th-that's not what I meant!" Miyano said, shrugging away from Sasaki's grip on his shoulder. He caught the upperclassman's wrist before it could ruffle Miyano's hair, as Sasaki habitually did.
Miyano inwardly sighed. Sometimes Sasaki could really get on his nerves, calling him cute when he was self-conscious about his looks and following him around like a lost puppy all the time. When he had watched Sasaki so gallantly stop a fight those few months ago, it was like Sasaki was a whole different person. A brave, bold upperclassman, not this flirtatious senpai that doted on him every day.
How did we end up like this? Miyano couldn't help wondering as they walked inside the school.