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Makochi, which was a sweet town that was known for its protective delinquents and surpassingly low crime rates, Well crime rates lowered when Sakura Haruka showed up.
Sakura Haruka, A random dual colored teenage boy with a firecracker personality, Heavy fist, Willing to protect the weak and go up against the strong, with a loyalty as tough as diamonds. Nobody knew where he came from or much of his life before Makochi. There was only one thing that was clear.
He had a rough past.
Furin— Well Bofurin was no ordinary high school, It was ruled by over protective delinquents willing to give it their all to protect their town and their own. Unlike other high schools BoFurin was willing to help towns nearby since most thugs and criminals they dealt with often fled to other towns, BoFurin never refused lending a hand.
Hajime Umemiya, a boy with hair as white as snow and matching icy blue eyes, was Bofurin's most looked up leader. Recently he received a call from a small neighboring rich town that often looked down at Makochi. They were asking for help. Only so many police officers could handle the criminals roaming their streets. Of course Umemiya accepted their request for help.
”Why the hell are we here?” Said a bi colored boy in a low tone as he walked in through the roof top door with his four classmates Umemiya asked him to bring, He hasn’t told them.
”Ah! Sakura! You’re here, are these the kids you picked?” Said Umemiya, smiling brightly.
”PICKED!? SAKURA SAID YOU CALLED FOR US.” Nieri, Kiryu, and Tsugeura said in surprised Union. Even Suo showed some surprise on his naturally calm face.
”Sakura picked us!?” Said Nieri as he wrote in his tiny journal.
”I didn’t know we were Sakura favorites~” Kiryu said teasingly.
”Whoa Sakura I didn’t know you liked us so much!” Tsugerua said, still in complete surprise.
Sakura lips trembled as his eye twitched, Classic Sakura flustered by the attention. Before Sakura could even reply, a voice cut him off and immediately silenced them.
“SHUT UP.” Hiragi yelled at the group of boys before popping some medicine, already feeling the stress kicking in. He got a thankful nod from Umemiya.
There stood three out of four kings of Bofurin. Umemiya of course with Sugishita, Hiragi obviously, and surprisingly Tsubaki. The group of boys stared at them silently.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I called you boys here. In all honesty we need help.” Said Umemiya who was confident speaking slowly turned sheepishly.
‘We need help.’ The boy's eyes widened never did they think the Bofurin kings would need help.
“Assistance.” Hiragi corrected.
Ah, go head crush their worth.
“Assistance in battle of course!” Tsubaki, the ever so fashionable and cheery one spoke up smiling gently at the boys.
“Help with what?” Sakura said bluntly, which received being elbowed by Nieri.
Umemiya chuckled at Nieri elbowing Sakura who was now trying not to strangle Nieri. “The town nearby has been dealing with some thugs and the usual we used to deal with. So we need some help.” Umemiya said calmly.
Sakura tensed, which was caught by Suo's sharp gaze.
“Ah, so back up.” Replied Suo with his usual smile which surprisingly didn’t reach his eyes.
“Yes! We will just take today cleaning everything up. Kaji and Mizuki will be in charge and I’m sure Anazi will watch over your class.” Umemiya said clearly proud of the plan he created.
“I’ll text Anazi.” Said a pink-haired teen, his fingers already flying on the phone.
Everyone was already hyped and talking about heading now as Sakura stayed quiet.
——————
Crap.
Like actually.
He promised himself he would never step a foot on that stupid town again.
He can’t back out can he? Not without explaining at least. Oh he is screwed. So damn screwed.
And he knows that.
It’s fine! It’s fine! Definitely fine! He can… just… well… suck it up.
“Sakura?”
That soft voice immediately caused Sakura to jump as he was pulled away from his thoughts he turned to Nieri who was looking at him all worried. Not to mention how the others also looked concerned.
Damn.
He really was easy to read wasn’t he?
Just suck it up for them. It’s all for them. Always for them.
———————
Sakura just turned to the side, stuffing his hands into his pockets trying not to overthink as he muttered “Yeah let’s just leave.”
The others shared subtle glances but they knew with Sakura that there was no amount of anything that would get the boy to crack about his past and they came to terms with that.
It was about a twenty minute walk from Makochi to the town nearby and all of the teens noticed how tense Sakura was.
How could they not?
Shoulders tense, Head slightly down, Silent. Yet they knew asking would make it worse so they tried to act their usual selves trying to brighten the mood.
Eventually they reached the entrance of the town and it was a beautiful look straight out of a movie scene. Beautifully white painted houses with dark brown or black roofs with gardens full of fresh real flowers, shops with similar builds and people in nice clothing roamed the streets. They clearly looked out of place but some people gave them gentle smiles. While Sakura stood behind them.
”This is the town.” Nieri softly said while glancing at his phone and back up to the sign.
”Well, let's start cleaning then.” Uemeiya said calmly with that same kind smile.
”Wait.”
All of them froze as they turned behind them seeing Sakura staring at them a bit nervous yet he cools his expression and speaks to them. “Just… Just a heads up before we go in. I’m from this town.” Sakura said, almost ashamed. The eight boys' eyes widened in union yet Sakura continued not allowing them to speak. “The people here. They know me obviously. I don’t have the best reputation.”
Tsubaki immediately spoke up, surprisingly beating Nieri or Umemiya, speaking gently while attempting to pat Sakura's head. “Hey, I’m sure it will be alright babe.”
Bless his heart.
Sakura shrugged Tsubaki hand off of him gently and sighed, already suspecting this reaction he slid his hands out of his jacket and rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke a bit low “What I’m trying to say is they don’t like me. They actually hate me. Just don’t interfere if they say anything.”
”S-Sakura! Wait, we can't just let them do whatever they want to you even if they don’t like you! That’s unjustified! Not to mention straight up cruel! We can’t just stand by and let it happen in front of us!” Nieri panickingly said, which received stern nods from the others.
“You’ll let it happen!” Sakura snapped back which caused everyone to flinch before anyone could speak up. Sakura's gaze softened as he sighed and spoke to them less harshly “This isn’t Makochi. If it gets physical, turn away. But I know this town and you can get in trouble over the smallest of things here so just ignore it.”
I don’t want you guys to get in trouble. For me. Is what he wanted to say but didn’t.
”Alright.” Suo's voice broke through the suffocating silence. Suo calmly looked at Umemiya with a small smile, “Let’s trust him.” Umemiya sighed but smiled as he nodded and glanced at his underclassmates and friends “Alright then.” Umemiya said in his usual kind voice that was clearly laced with something else. “After all, our dear Sakura knows this place better than us.” Umemiya teased slightly.
Before Sakura could even sigh in relief Suo gripped Sakura's shoulder which caused him to flinch. Sakura looked up to see Suo's darkened gaze and cold smile “But, If anyone dares to try to hurt you Sakura, We’ll handle them.” Suo said coldly. His classmates agreed.
Not a surprise they would be over protective. Bofurin protects their own; he knew he wouldn’t be an exception.
All of them hoped they would be proved wrong. Maybe if they saw Sakura with friends he would be treated with respect but he wasn’t…
And oh damn how bad Sakura was treated.
As the boys walked around helping the people of this town, they were nice! To them.
Umemiya was called over to help an old lady and her son to fix a sign, Umemiya asked Sakura to help and immediately the old lady spoke up in a firm tone.
“I do not want that demon touching my sign!” She spat in Sakura's direction.
Umemiya was horrified by the comment but when he turned to Sakura he seemed unbothered but his shoulders were hunched.
Umemiya tried to smile politely but this anger was flaring up in him. “Ma’am it is disrespectful to call my little brother a ‘demon.’”
The old lady scoffed before she could speak up. The young boy laughed mockingly “Your little brother? Please the demon has no family, he slept in a shed!”
Silence.
Well from the boys.
Sakura looked ashamed digging his fingers into his sleeves before even Kiryu or Suo could shame the young boy, Sakura just spoke in a blunt tone to them.
“The faster we help the faster we leave.” He muttered as he was pushed off a light post he was leaning on by a kid who looked no younger than seven, Sakura didn’t react.
Though all of the boys knew he was right.
They can’t shame or even yell at the people here.
It wouldn’t change anything.
Through the shed comment, all of the boys made eye contact and a silent agreement of not bringing it up.
It still lingered though.
If Sakura wasn’t wanted by this stupid town, fine.
Fine by them.
He was theirs now.
The whole time the boys were helping the town, the towns folk were basically isolating Sakura.
They finished late in the evening, finally ready to leave…
Until Nieri's stomach grumbled.
The six boys paused and turned to Nieri, the blonde note taking boy looked so nervous like he just murdered someone.
Sakura, not wanting his friends to walk all the way back to Makochi hungry, rubbed his neck thinking of an excuse to not have to step food in a restaurant but a somewhat convincing way to get them to eat.
They're not idiots.
After a bit of thinking he finally got an idea.
Sakura turned to Umemiya, Higari, Tsubaki, Suo, Nieri, Kiryu, and Tsugerua, he avoided eye contact before speaking a blunt tone to them. “Let’s get snacks.”
The group lights up slightly, Snacks? That could work.
Suo nodded. “That would work fine, Sakura.”
Sakura rubbed the back of his neck muttering to them. “I think I remember the self-checkout shop nearby.”
Perfect.
Sakura then leads the group into the middle of town gesturing the group to walk in, assuming Sakura will walk in behind them and finally be relieved to have some food.
He didn’t go inside.
Sakura knew if he stepped inside if there was someone, anybody, from this town inside the store they would… just be disgusted, probably even throw away any snacks he glances or dates to grab.
Sakura leaned against the light post subtly watching his friends through the glass windows of the shop hoping they would buy their snacks before they noticed him.
Though knowing them there hunger is probably all on their minds.
Sakura as he rested and closed his eyes just for a moment, imagining maybe heading to Pathos for a well deserved omelette from Kotoha.
Damn he was craving it.
Sakura was relaxed waiting for his friends, He didn’t hear the door steps walking up behind him. The past familiar voices making comments. Nor did he hear the boy walking up to him.
The Bi-colored boy's small peace was ruined as a hand slammed down on Sakura's shoulder before he was given a chance to react he was suddenly pushed onto the concrete.
Sakura slammed into the concrete, his hands sliding across the floor, skin becoming raw. A soft painful grunt left his mouth as he pushed himself to his knees trying to stand up.
A voice, from the person who pushed him spoke up in a deep stern voice. “What is a devil like you coming back here.”
Sakura froze.
Devil.
Sakura was suddenly grabbed by his two toned hair and slammed into the ground again immediately smelling the scent of metallic in his nose and the liquid dripping over his lips.
He wanted to defend himself.
He really did.
But there is police here, in this town that won’t hesitate to arrest him if he dared raise a hand.
Not to mention how much trouble it could cause to the others.
Sakura had to take it.
He knew he had to.
“What’s wrong? You were such a damn fighter before, now you’re standing down? Guess your place.” A mocking laugh followed after.
A few minutes before.
The boys immediately scattered, grabbing the snacks they desperately craved, though the store was still small enough(and empty) that they were able to talk to each other from different isles.
“I don’t like the people here.” Nieri said as he stared angrily at a box of KitKats.
“I agree with Nieri, the people here are…” Suo words trailed off, not because he didn’t know what to say but because he didn’t know what word to use.
“Assholes.” Umemiya cut in, which made the boys freeze a bit though they understood. It was Sakura after all.
Suo just nodded with no surprise or shock on his face, “He deserves better.”
“We will give you better Sakura.” Kiryu said bluntly, not even thinking before, assuming Sakura is there with them.
Tsubaki sighed, frustrated themselves but not wanting to have this conversation… not while Sakura is here.
Tsubaki as everyone paid for their snacks, they were the last ones to pay. The long haired teen turned, speaking in a soft voice. “Sakura, get what you want it’s all on me hon—“
Tsubaki paused realizing Sakura wasn’t behind them, the other boys also just noticed that.
Then they heard a painful grunt outside.
Before the boy, Sakura's past classmate could land another strike, suddenly a hand blocked it.
A white haired, blue-eyed boy gripped the boy's hand with an almost bone crushing grip. “The hell you think you’re doing?”
The boy hissed in pain ripping his arm away from Umemiya, the boy rubbed his wrist as he spoke in a stern voice to him. “What am I doing!? What are you doing protecting that freak! He doesn’t belong here, we wanted him gone for a reason.”
Umemiya fist clenched in anger, he couldn’t believe this town. How can they treat this sweet boy like this? Though another voice spoke up, another boy from the small group of Sakura passed classmates.
Just four boys.
Though still, another four people in this town who never helped Sakura.
The second boy had a smug grin, waving a hand toward Sakura who was being helped up by a worried blonde-haired boy. “Aw how cute, the little freak finally found more freaks to be with.”
The group snickered though even the Bofurin boys knew they couldn’t hit these boys themselves.
Higari popped a gas-kun10, and handed Sakura a napkin to wipe his nose.
Nieri was still scrambling around to check any other injuries that maybe would need immediate attention.
The guys tried to ignore the insults thrown at Sakura but it was difficult for each of them to not smash their faces in.
Though it hurt them deeply seeing Sakura so tuned out as if he is used to it which… he probably was.
The guys each walked next to Sakura ready to leave when suddenly a specific comment was behind them.
“What kind of boy dresses like that? Could it even be a boy…?”
Stop.
“Yeah! Literally what I was thinking and see that boy with the pink hair? Like what a sissy…”
Don’t talk about them like that.
“Look at the blonde boy! I mean you can probably flick him and he would cry on the spot!”
I…
“Yeah and saw the other blonde guy taking pills earlier… must be a drug addict, no wonder he can probably tolerate Sakura.”
Won’t…
“Haha! Look at the one with the eye patch! Wannabe cosplayer much? And look how formal he is!”
Let…
“And the ginger!? What kind of hair makes him look like an idiot!”
Them…
“And the white hair is the cherry on top! Look how fast he was to defend Sakura! What a freak… can’t imagine being their friend.”
TALK LIKE THAT!
It was quick and sudden one moment the guys looked irritated and slightly disturbed by their comments and then next Sakura tilted his head down, his fist bawling up.
Next thing anyone knew turned and lunged at the main guy. Sakura punched the guy who was standing in front of the pathetic gang.
The sound of bone crushing bone was chilling.
The guys of Sakura past instantly froze, they thought the freak would just bite his tongue like he always did!
But… they weren’t gonna run away from the guy either- it would make them look weak.
Though at the same time… He just knocked out their main leader, even the toughest guy in their group!
The boy, the leader, slammed to the ground, immediately moving his hands to his jaw as tears bubbled up in his eyes.
Sakura didn't stop after stomping on the guy's stomach he just went to the next.
It didn’t matter if they screamed, or tried to fight back, they were trash.
All of them.
He wasn’t gonna let his friends feel the same stomach dropping feeling he always felt.
His friends came to help, when this pathetic excuse of a town asked.
And this is the thanks they get!
Sakura's brain drowned out the sounds of his friends yelling for him to stop. He didn’t even realize he was pushing them away to hit his past classmates.
He was finally out of his daze when he heard the sirens and Suo grabbed his arm with a desperate and protective grip and started running with him.
All of them did.
The eight boys ran through alley ways, having no idea how to get out of this town. Though with pure luck they reached the outside of the town they didn’t stop running until Makochi was in their line of sight.
They stopped running, their breaths quick and sharp trying to fill their lungs with air.
Sakura expected them to yell at him, to hit him, and drive him away.
Instead Nieri rushed up and hugged Sakura with his eyes having slight tears. “Sakura! You hypocrite!” Nieri said in a relieved and scolding tone.
Nieri then pulled away, shaking Sakura as he ran to him. “I’m glad to beat them!- but you can’t go telling us not to defend you when the moment someone makes sly comments to us you immediately fight them!”
Sakura knew Nieri was right; he was a hypocrite.
Suo with his usual teasing smile, looked at Sakura fondly and shook his head. “My…” Suo said. “Who knew Sakura was so protective over us?”
Sakura immediately blushed but didn’t deny it. Which made everyone freeze but they looked at each other and smiled. Tsubaki immediately gave Sakura a bone crushing hug. “Oh honey! You didn’t need to do all that!” Though there was a bit of proudness in their tone.
Kiryu just smiled. “Well Sakura clearly got more mad at them when we were.” He teased.
“Yeah man! I appreciate the virtue but don’t go around trying to get us arrested!” Tsugerua beamed.
Higari didn’t speak but a simple nod of understanding and popping a gas-kun10 was all that was needed.
Umemiya wrapped an arm around Sakura's shoulders as he began walking, speaking in that same proud big brother tone of his. “I appreciate you defending Sakura but next time… let us teach them a lesson? Though let’s go to Pathos and celebrate your knew achievement!”
All of them agreed though not knowing what Sakura achievement he could have achieved since he got over protective- maybe that was it? Though they weren’t complaining, it was nice seeing the angry cat Sakura being protective of them.
Sakura didn’t scowl or even push Umemiya away, instead he leaned against his shoulder with content seeing them return back to their usual selves.
Maybe he did go overboard.
He probably did, but he doesn’t regret it because they were all so damn precious to them. He didn’t want them hurt and honestly in a heart beat he would do it all again for them.
They accepted him and treated him as their own of course he would be at their defense because it was them.