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I.
Honestly, Kiryu is not sure how the topic came to light, but they started talking about their favorite films, and that is how they learned that Sakura had only seen classical children's movies that were sometimes shown on his old school but missed out on most modern movies.
Thus, a plan was formed to go over to Sakura's apartment and have a movie marathon on Nirei's laptop. They all had different ideas of what to watch but ultimately scratched out any romance and scary themes from the repertoire. They wanted Sakura to enjoy the movies and not have him pass out due to embarrassment, while Tsugeura and Nirei also deserved to have a good time without fainting from fright.
Thought Kiryu was sure Suo would not have minded having Nirei clinging to him out of fear. Maybe next time he could help him out and convince the others of adding a few horror films.
Ultimately they decided to watch some Marvel movies, so armed with snacks and drinks, the group consisting of Sakura, Nirei, Suo, Tsugeura, and himself made themselves comfortable and started the show with Captain America playing on the screen.
Things had been going well; a quick glance around, and he noticed Sakura shoving some popcorn into his mouth, looking really interested in the story unfolding and amazed at Captain's strength. Tsugeura was almost vibrating in excitement, this being his favorite movie, while Suo was quietly watching, a small smile painted on his face. And Nirei...
Nirei was also quiet.
That took Kiryu by surprise; he would have expected the blond to be equally excited as Tsugeura. The pink-haired teen paid more attention; Nirei was staring at the movie, and at first he assumed he was just really into the film until he noticed a blush staining his cheekbones, making his freckles stand out even more.
Ah, interesting. An amused smile broke out on his face as he decided to break the peace.
"You ok, Nirei-chan? You have been really quiet for most of the film."
"Ah, yes! It is just... I have always found Captain America to be so cool... and handsome." The blond muttered, which earned a snicker from both Kiryu and Tsugeura, while Sakura let out an embarrassed screech.
He risked a glance over to Suo; his smile had changed from relaxed to a tight forced one.
Oh, my.
"Ah, Sakura-chan, calm down. Nirei-chan is just stating the truth! Captain America IS really handsome!"
There was a quick back and forth until they managed to calm down Sakura and continue with the movie. When it finished, they decided to follow up with Thor.
“Thor is so charming and strong... if only he were real.” Nirei muttered, squeaking when Kiryu let out a small laugh.
You did not mean to say that out loud, did you, Nirei-chan?
He glanced over and noticed Tsugeura looking amused, Sakura sporting another blush, and Suo a disgruntled look.
Really? Sulking over this, Suo-chan?
“Nirei-chan's got a type.” Kiryu muttered with a smirk, unable to stop himself from adding fuel to the fire.
"Kiryu-san!" The blond exclaimed while the blush made another appearance.
"I am going to the bathroom; no need to stop the movie on my behalf." Suo announced, sounding grumpy, and left.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room until Sakura broke it. "What is his deal?"
"He is just in a bad mood." Replied Kiryu, then pointed to the laptop. "Let's just continue with the movie."
Not long after Suo made it back, resting bitch face in place, he briskly walked past everyone before sitting on the floor, slotting himself flush against Nirei, making the freckled teen look embarrassed. Kiryu decided to let Suo rest from his meddling, pretending not to notice anything and letting him enjoy the closeness to Nirei.
II.
Sakura was complaining of the heat. It was a really hot day, and patrol had been gruesome. So when they saw a tea shop, Nirei was quick to hook arms with Suo and him to drag them into the shop after he noticed the ample menu for cold drinks.
Not long after Suo and he were waiting for their drinks, Nirei was taking longer since he could not decide on what he wanted. But the moment he placed his order and the cashier called out the amount to be paid, another voice interrupted from behind the blond.
"Hey, can I pay for your drink, cutie?"
From the corner of his eye, Sakura saw Suo freeze in mid-reach of his drink, his head quickly snapping away from the employee trying to serve him to look at who had spoken.
There was a lean, tall, brown-haired teen with green eyes and a radiant smile directed at Nirei. He was wearing blue pants, a white button-up shirt with a school emblem, and a red tie. The uniform was not familiar to Sakura; he wondered if Nirei knew what school it belonged to.
"Uh? You want to pay for my drink? Wait, 'cutie'?!" Nirei, bless him, was completely confused.
The teen let out a chuckle, stepping up next to the blond and placing a hand on Nirei's lower back. "Of course! Don't sound so surprised; you are really cute. How about we sit at the back and enjoy our drinks while chatting?" His smile became bigger, and he winked at Nirei in a flirtatious manner.
AHHHHHH?!?! Sakura could feel all blood rush to his head, feeling almost dizzy. He could see Nirei's back become tense, while a startled, nervous chuckle escaped his mouth.
Sakura took a quick glance at Suo; the guy looked ready to slap the guy's hand off of Nirei. Then said hand started to move lower. Scratch that; Suo looked ready to rip this guy's hand off with his teeth. He needed to do something before Suo completely lost his composure and murdered the guy. It was too hot outside to help Suo dig a hole for a body.
"Nirei! Lets take a seat next to the window; we still need to keep an eye out!"
The stranger and Nirei turned to look at him, with the former giving him an annoyed look.
"Y-yes, Sakura-san!" Nirei said, shifting to the side, dislodging the stranger's hand from his back, and giving the guy beside him an apologetic look. "I appreciate the offer and the compliment... but I must decline... uhm... I am here with my friends, and we are busy. I am sorry."
Nirei...why are you apologizing?! The guy was close to feeling you up.
The guy looked surprised for a second before letting out a sigh; he looked as if he had not expected to be shot down, but his smile came back quickly. "Can't say I didn't try." He brought his hands together in supplication. "Could I at least get your name and number? Maybe when you are not-"
"Nirei-kun, I will pay for you this time." Suo placed some bills next to the cashier, then pushed his way between the stranger and Nirei, sliding an arm around his waist and holding tight. "We have taken too long here and must carry on. Sakura-kun, would you mind waiting for Nirei-kun's tea? The two of us will move ahead to catch up to Kyriu-kun's team."
And the last thing Sakura saw was Suo glaring death threats at the unknown teen, making him go pale in fear, while making sure Nirei did not stop on the way out. It took a few seconds for Sakura to realize that they had abandoned him, and even worse, Suo had turned him into their gopher.
That asshole... well, at least I am out of the heat.
III.
They had been classmates for a few months, but there were three things that everyone in class 1-1 noticed about their captain and vice captains: Sakura Haruka had suffered alone for a long time, Suo did not even try to hide his huge dumb crush on Nirei, and somehow the blond had not yet caught on to said crush.
"That dog... I don't like Nirei-kun holding it."
The dog the eyepatch-wearing teen referred to was a beautiful standard poodle that had approached the teens during their patrol by itself. Nirei was currently petting the dog, while Anzai inspected it for a collar and a tag. The dog looked well taken care of and friendly. It must be someone's lost pet, so they were trying to find a phone number to contact the owner.
Suo's comment made Sakura scratch his head. "Ah? But you had no issue with Nirei holding the dog we found last week."
"That was different. " At the others' confused look, Suo turned to their captain. "Sakura-kun, show them the photo."
"Why me?! Don't order me around, and show them yourself!!"
"Sakura-kun, you know I do not open my phone around others. Please respect my privacy."
"You-!!! Ugh, fine!!!!" With annoyance shown on his face, Sakura took his phone, and after a few clicks, showed the screen to Takanashi, Kakiuchi, and Kurita. It was of Nirei holding close a small, puffy, blond pomeranian. The dog's hair color matched the hue of Nirei's perfectly, and the teen had a huge smile on his face.
"Both looked incredibly cute, and with Nirei-kun holding it, made for a really pretty picture. Don't you all think so?" There was finally a change in Suo's demeanor; a big smile adorned his face; he was always happy when talking about Nirei. Kurita saw the moment Sakura's romance sensor went off by Suo's obvious appreciation of the blond; the bicolored-eyed boy's face gained color rapidly.
"Well yes... but I thought you liked all animals?" Takanashi inquired; he has a vivid memory of Nirei mentioning this one time while the blond was holding a Norwegian forest cat in his arms and Suo had stood really close to pet the cat... and Nirei's hands by 'accident'.
The brown-haired teen was unable to suppress a look of irritation that slipped through his perfect facade. "I do. I just do not like the look of that dog; it reminds me of someone. It is unpleasant."
All of them took a longer look at the dog, a large ginger poodle wearing a white headband to help keep its puffy hair out of their eyes.
Kakiuchi was the one to connect the dots first. "Ooooh!!! It looks like Tsugeura!!!"
Suo had nothing to say to that; he just kept staring at the dog with an unimpressed and annoyed look. Until the dog stood on his hind legs and began licking all over the blond's face.
"Tomorrow during training... let me have Tsugeura-kun for the day, yes? I need to teach him a lesson about not putting his paws all over Nirei-kun."
Kurita, Kakiuchi, and Takanashi pressed their palms together; maybe if they started praying from that moment until tomorrow, Suo would not kill Tsugeura. Maybe leave him with some broken bones, but alive.
IV.
Class had been dismissed for the day, but Umemiya-san had asked for his help on the rooftop garden. He wanted to try planting cucumbers and had gone to buy the seeds, asking Sugishita to wait for him. So the blue-haired boy had decided to wait for his return in the classroom; sitting at his desk, he was resting with his eyes closed.
The only other person in the classroom was Suo; from what he heard, he was waiting for Nirei and Sakura to return. Their teacher had requested the duo's help moving some donated books into the school's small library. None of them were really talkative, so the classroom was quiet until someone cleared their throat at the door. "Suo, right?"
Sugishita opened his eyes and saw a blond-haired teen, wearing the Bofurin uniform with two stripes on their arm, walking closer to Suo, who was standing next to the window.
Must have been gazing out the window until now...
The eyepatch teen had turned around when called, "I am. Who is asking?"
The second-year scratched the back of his head and let out a small chuckle. "My bad. Name is Takahashi Sota, second year in class 2-3. Suo, do you mind if we have a quick chat?"
Suo raised his eyebrows. "Go ahead." Sugishita had lost interest and closed his eyes, trying to rest some more.
“I don't want to intrude or anything, but are you and Nirei dating?”
At that, his eyes shot back open, concentrating on the two standing by the windows.
"Nirei-kun and I... dating?" The brown haired teen asked, with surprise clear in his voice.
Takahashi rested his hands on his hips. "Yes, well, you two seem really close."
Why do you care...?
"Why is this something of interest to you?" Suo moved his arms from his back to let them hang at his sides and, if possible, appeared to have straightened up even more. He stood a lot taller than Takahashi.
"Ah... I was just wondering, since I kinda like him." Suo just stared at him, all warmth from his eyes gone in an instant, and when he spoke, his voice was steely.
"And if we are a couple?"
Sugishita blinked at them in shock. This is completely out of his comfort zone; he wished Umemiya-san had come back earlier or that it was not today that he was asked to help.
I came to this school to help protect my town, and help Umemiya-san... not to have a drama develop in front of me.
He saw the blond take a step back, Suo's change in attitude unnerving the older teen. "Whoa! I'd back off!! I've heard how strong you are... I would prefer to not be killed in my sleep. Thank you very much."
"And what makes you think you would make it out of the school alive?"
Sugishita saw the older teen freeze before letting out a nervous chuckle. "I've also heard about you being a jokester hahaha...ha." Suo did not laugh or even grin back; he was still standing there with a stony expression.
"It was a joke, right?" Takahashi sounded really scared now.
Good, let him squirm. Thanks to him, I am in this uncomfortable position.
"Suo!! We are done; let's go!" That was Sakura's voice, coming down the hallway.
“Well, my friends are expecting me. It was...a pleasure having met you, but I have to go now." The eyepatch-wearing teen started walking to the door but stopped for a second. "I am sure we will see each other again.” And so he left.
“Wait-! Wait, you didn’t say if you were joking..." The second-year stared at the empty door entrance in disbelief. "He is so damn scary..."
He finally appeared to have noticed Sugishita. "Hey... you heard all that? Sorry. Umm, your classmate was joking, right?"
Sugishita did not respond; he just closed his eyes again and tried to ignore the other. Hopefully, Umemiya-san will arrive any moment now.
V.
Sunfei, Bacchus, and he have been together since really young, most of their lives in reality, that they became each other's family. So Rakta had seen his brothers at their best and worst moments; he celebrated with them every triumph and suffered alongside every failure. As the eldest, he had been witness to Sunfei and Bacchus' growth from overly emotional children with temper tantrums to exemplary teens. Well, mostly Sunfei.
At fifteen years old, his youngest brother has shown the most remarkable growth between the three. Developed martial arts prowess encompassing high physical ability, mental aptitude, and spatial reasoning, along with key leadership traits such as strategic thinking, clear communication, empathy, resilience, and the ability to empower others.
Others called him a natural genius, but Rakta would rectify them, saying Sunfei is a 'hardworking genius.' He was given the rank of Officer for a reason, and idly waiting for it to fall to his hands was not it; his brother blended innate talent with a strong work ethic.
Having said all this, Rakta has started to believe that Sunfei might have never actually grown out of his 'Mine!' toddler phase.
Case in point: Bofurin and Red Champuru are now allies, and Sunfei has decided to invite his two friends over, wanting to share his hometown and culture with his friends. Bacchus had kidnapped the bicolored-haired teen and ran off to who knows where, to eat or to fight; it is always a surprise with his brother.
While he decided to stay with Sunfei and Nirei, his blond-haired friend, enjoying a freshly brewed tea and sitting on the terrace. The younger ones shared a couch, and he sat across from them in another. That is until the blond-haired teen left his seat, next to his brother, and was now invading his personal space on his couch.
"You are so strong, Rakta-san! How tall are you? And your weight? Do you also follow a strict diet? How many languages do you speak?" The blond had stars shining in his eyes while firing off questions at a fast pace.
At first Rakta had chanced a look at this brother, trying to ask for his help with his eyes, when he noticed the frown marring Sunfei's face and froze in confusion. Since then he felt his brother's glare burrowing into his skin and saw his frown comically increase as Nirei crept closer and closer to his person as if he would miss Rakta's answers if he left any space between them.
The oldest teen sighed inwardly and met Sunfei's gaze directly. His brother's eye narrowed at him; it was a viable way to communicate his displeasure.
Stop it.
It was obvious Sunfei was barely holding back from separating them by force as the blond was clearly enjoying himself. Rakta's gaze passively jumped from Sunfei to Nirei, who was almost jumping into his lap at this point, then back to the brown-haired teen, and he shrugged his shoulders.
You stop it.
The blond remained unaware of the silent communication between them, gleefully writing down whatever answer he was provided. Rakta was sure he heard his little brother growl in annoyance.
"Nirei-kun." The blond stopped his writing and turned to Sunfei, who now looked like the perfect picture of innocence, sporting a very soft gaze. "Have you updated your data on Sakura-kun and the others? I want to know what I have missed."
He can see the tension across his shoulders and the tight smile. If you ask Rakta, his brother is a terrible liar, to the point it becomes pretty laughable.
Where did my strong and mature brother dissappear to?
He can feel Nirei pull away from him, hurrying back next to Sunfei. Once the blond is seated, Sunfei is quick to close the space between them until they are squeezing together on the comically large couch.
But I am glad to see you act more your age, you who had your childhood robbed from you by the adults in our lives.
Sunfei props his head on the other's shoulder, looking down his nose at Rakta.
Mine.
The oldest teen blinks in bewilderment and has to cough a few times to try and cover his laughter at the situation.