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Ume was late and Sakura is about five seconds away from calling it quits and texting him to cancel.
Earlier in the day Sakura had let it slip that he had never been to a movie theater, and his brother had literally clutched his chest like an old lady in offense.
It’s not like he had any chance to go growing up, and the idea never really crossed his mind.
Why waste his precious funds to sit in a room with a bunch of strangers and watch a movie? It sounded like a waste to him.
When he said that to Ume, he was faced with the man’s trademark puppy dog eyes. He’ll never admit it out loud, but they were extremely effective. It only took about a minute for him to cave.
That’s what led to where he is now, soaking wet under a small overhang while it poured down rain waiting for his stupid brother to show up.
They were already late for the movie.
What’s the point of making him do this on his day off if he’s not even gonna show up? If I get sick because of this I’m gonna kill him.
Sakura is pulled out of his uncharitable thoughts by motion out of the corner of his eye. He almost groans when he sees what it is.
Endo is strolling down the street with hands in his pockets, as if there weren’t sleets of rain pelting down. His hair and clothes are absolutely soaked and he had a konbini bag hanging off of his arm.
The man’s face lights up when he spots him and starts walking his way. Sakura bumps his head against the wall he’s leaning on and groans.
Just his luck he would run into Endo while stuck in the rain.
I’m gonna kill Ume for this.
When he lowers his head the man has already gotten to the overhang, “Well, if it isn’t Sakura. What are the chances I’d run into you like this?”
“Endo.” He sighs.
“Now now, no need to sound so excited.” He says with that creepy grin of his.
This isn’t the first time they’ve seen each other since the war with Noroshi. They meet up every once in a while to spar and get dinner. Even though he’s definitely a nut job, the guy can be good company.
During these past few months since his official recovery, he was the only one that would fight him without holding back.
Sakura sighs. “Ugh sorry, I’m already in a shitty mood. I don’t think I’m up for your crazy.”
“Well that’s not very nice, I’m perfectly sane.”
He gives him a deadpan look. “Is that why you're walking in the pouring rain without a jacket like it’s a stroll in the park?”
“My, is that concern I hear?” He asks sarcastically, but Sakura can see the genuine surprise on his face.
Damnit, I’m getting soft.
“Yes dumbass it is. What the hell are you doing? You're gonna get sick like that.”
Endo shrugs. “Nah, I don’t get sick easy.”
“Well lucky you I guess.” Sakura pouts.
There’s no way he’s getting away from this without a cold. No matter what he does, if he has to be out in the rain for too long, he gets sick.
Endo comes to lean against the wall with him. “The real question is what you're doing out here. Doesn’t seem like you’re vibe to brood outside for no reason.”
“It’s not. I’m waiting for my brother, we’re gonna go see a movie.” He looks back up at the leaky tarp above them. “Stupid guys late though.”
“Brother?” He tilts his head. “I didn’t know you had one.”
“Yeah well it’s a recent development.”
Endo laughs. “Find a long lost sibling?”
“Eh, something like that. He’s basically my adoptive brother.” He says with a small smile.
The older man looks at him for a moment. “Oh yeah? Do I know the guy?”
“As a matter of fact you do. Hey Endo! Long time no see.”
He and Endo both jump at the sudden voice to his left coming from none other than Ume. Sakura almost decks him right there.
Instead he just gives the older boy a glare.
“Well look who decided to show up,” he looks at his phone. “Twenty minutes after the movie was supposed to start.”
“Ah yeah sorry about that. I lost track of time.” Umemiya laughs awkwardly and scratches the back of his head.
“Sure you did.”
From the blush painting his cheeks and his vague answer it was obvious he was with Tsubiki. Those two were absolutely disgusting together, Sakura would rather not know what they were doing.
“This guy's your brother?” Endo asks incredulously.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” Sakura asks while giving the other man a challenging look.
Endo raises his hands in mock surrender and laughs. “No no of course not! I was just surprised. I don’t recall that being the case last time I saw the two of you together.”
“Well we had only really known each other for less than two months at that point.” Sakura drawls with an eye roll.
“What are you talking about Haruka? I've thought of you as my little brother since day one!” Umemiya chirps and slings an arm around his shoulders.
Sakura elbows him in the ribs hard enough to get an omph!
“Get off me!” He all but hisses.
Usually he wouldn’t mind the contact or the words, but he’s feeling some genuine annoyance at this point.
“Harukaaaaa, what was that for?”
“It’s for being a nuisance you overgrown puppy!”
“Hahaha, I can see you have gotten pretty chummy huh?” Says Endo. “It’s like watching a cat and dog play.”
“HAH!? You wanna go asshole!?” Sakura yells.
“No no, not today at least.” He gives another creepy grin. “Though we should get together and spar again sometime soon.”
“Spar?” Ume butts in sounding confused. “I didn’t know you guys had been hanging out.”
“Oh my, did you not tell your big bro you hang out with little ol’ me? I’m hurt.” Endo mimes taking an arrow to the chest. “To think, I thought we had something special.”
“In your dreams asshole!” Sakura spits.
“Ah you’re right. Sometimes I dream about us riding off into the sunset together.” Endo sighs forlornly. “That is what I meant when I told you I fell for ya, no?”
Sakura knows he’s just trying to rile up Ume, seeing as the guy hates his guts. Unfortunately, it was probably the only thing he could have said that would accomplish that goal.
Besides him, he feels Umemiya tense before he asks in a suspiciously light tone, “What was that?”
“Oh, he also didn’t tell you about that? I'm starting to wonder if he really trusts you.”
“Hey! Watch it asshole!” Sakura barks. Partly because he won’t let anyone say that shit to his brother, but also to stop the two from fighting.
“No, in fact he didn’t. And I can guess why, seeing as you're nineteen and he’s only sixteen.” Says Ume, looking at Sakura’s guilty expression before narrowing his eyes at Endo suspiciously. “If I remember correctly, everyone also said you tried to get him to go with you during your fight.”
“Ah guilty as charged. Can you blame me though? He’s just so cute!” Endo tries to wrap his arm around Sakura’s shoulders. Before he can even get close Umemiya is there to smack it away.
“I suggest you leave.” His tone is frigid, and Sakura is pretty sure he feels the already freezing temperature plummet.
“Oh, is that so?” The older man looks surprised for a moment before that stupid grin paints his face again. “And what are you gonna do if I don’t?”
Ume tilts his head with a severe expression. “I think you can guess the answer all on your own.”
“Well-“
He starts again but Sakura cuts him off with a growl.
“Endo. Knock it off.” It’s Sakura’s turn to glare at the man. “I think it’s time you go.”
“Fine.” Endo sighs and his shoulders drop. “How dull.”
He perks up again to give a jaunty wave. “I’ll see you later Sakura~”
The man turns to Ume and his expression drops to a glare. His brother looks back with just as much venom, completely different from his usual demeanor.
“Umemiya. As unpleasant as always.”
“Likewise.” Is all he says before Endo walks out from the cover of the overhang, skipping like a kid in the rain.
Sakura sighs. What an asshole, making my life difficult. I’m gonna punch him in the face later.
He’s startled out of his thoughts by Umemiya laying a hand on his shoulder.
When he looks at his brother's face he reels back a bit. The older boy is wearing an unnerving expression he hasn't seen in a while.
“Haruka~” He all but sings. “It sounds like you’ve been keeping secrets. Want to fill your big brother in?”
Sakura looks away and rubs the back of his neck. “Well… After I was all recovered I needed someone to spar with to get back in shape, and none of you were gonna do it.” He gives him a sideways glance. “So, I reached out to Endo and he was happy to help.”
“You know that's not what I meant.” His brother says leadingly. “What did he mean by saying he fell for you?”
No use hiding it now. He signs internally.
“After our fight, on the way up to watch yours with Takiishi, he went on about falling for me. Saying something about feeling someone's attention all on him for the first time.” He looks down again. “I couldn't just not talk to him anymore after that. He looked lonely, and I get how that feels.”
When he looks back up at Ume, he’s wearing a more contemplative expression.
“Anyway, I don't think he was being serious. He hasn't done anything to make me uncomfortable besides saying weird shit every once in a while.” He pauses to glare at him. “It’s not like you're any better. I know you still talk with Takiishi.”
“Yeah, but that's different. Takiishi and I are the same age, and he’s never said anything to show a romantic interest,” Ume looks in the direction Endo went. “He might not have done anything to make you uncomfortable yet. I can’t help but be worried when a weirdo like him is making advances on my little brother.”
His gaze moves back to Sakura. “I also don't like that you kept it a secret. Why didn't you tell me you were hanging out with him? You must know I wouldn't have judged you for it.”
“Well, maybe you wouldn't, but everyone else would. You can't keep your mouth shut to save your life.” He rubs his temples and mutters, “I don't even want to think about how Suo would react if he found out.”
“Ahaha! I can imagine his face!” Umemiya wraps an arm around his shoulder, and this time Sakura allows it. “How about you tell me when you hang out with him next. I promise to keep your secret!”
The younger boy sighs, already resigned to his fate.
Fat chance of that. Suo’s gonna know by the end of the week.
One Week Later
“Haruka-kun~.” A shudder runs down Sakura’s spine at the tone. When he looks over to his boyfriend the other boy has an unnerving smile on his face, a dark aura surrounding him. “Whats this I hear about you and Endo?”
Against his better judgement, in a move drawn from long unused instincts, Sakura bolts out of the classroom.
It’s only prolonging the inevitable, but at least this way none of his classmates will be traumatized by Suo’s wrath.
Fuck this! I knew that asshole couldn't keep his mouth shut!