„Sakura-san, who is this boy?" Niijima Sae looked into a corner of the famous Coffee Shop „Leblanc". She often came here to relax a bit and the coffee was just this good.

The man behind the counter followed her stare and sighed.

„That's Kurusu Akira. He's living with me since yesterday." He explained and filled an empty cup with the black drink. „He's a bit traumatized and can't be with his parents for that reason."

Sae stared a bit longer at the boy which made himself smaller.

„How old is he? Can't be more than fifteen." She took a sip and relaxed a bit. Maybe she should talk to the kid later.

„He's fourteen. Just had his birthday. But Niijima-san do you know the earliest age which one can get into heat?"

This question surprised the woman. It was just so off-topic that she focused her gaze on Sakura Soujiro again. Normally the guy wouldn't change the topic so suddenly. She had a bad feeling.

„Age you ask. I think fifteen is the most early discovered. Why do you ask?" She furrowed her brows and stared intently at the man. He looked at the boy again.

„… he had his first just before his birthday last month."

Sae swallowed up her coffee and coughed vehemently.

„You're joking right?" She could not believe this. With thirteen one would not even know the differences in secondary sexes. Let alone carrying surpressants. And when it happened outside…

„No. And as you suspect he got it not at home. He's now very afraid of Alphas. And unfortunately both his parents are Alphas. So please refrain from doing anything unnessesary like trying to talk to him." His expression didn't show any pity though. This would't be good for the kid. He had to find his confidence on his own again.

With new interest she looked to the scared boy. He averted his eyes as soon as his meet hers.

„He's envious. That's good at least." She murmured. „You think it would be good if I take my sister with me the next time I come?" She asked and took another sip.

„How old is she again?" He asked but thought it might be a good idea.

„She is fifteen, one year older but this might help him. She does not know her second sex yet either but I think she is likely to be a Beta or Alpha like me. And when he befriends her and she really turns out to be Alpha it would be good I think." So he could see that not all Alphas were bad. Even though his parents were Alphas he was afraid of them. But that was because he knew what they were. Although parents never reacted to the heat of their children. She could not understand the pain Akira-kun felt because he was suddenly afraid of his own parents. But she could imagine. And Sakura-san was right that he had to overcome this by himself. With a little outside help.

„Yeah I think this could help him actually." Sakura-san nodded. „As he is in a new environment too and does not have friends yet. It would be good to find one." As Sae looked a bit confused he explained further.

„He had meltdowns in his old town because he rembered everything as soon as he set a foot outside so they looked for someone out of their city. I just happened to have an attic which he can use and I already have a traumatized kid to take care of. So I know how to handle him." He looked emberassed. „I couldn't leave him be when I heard his circumstances."

Sae smiled and took her last sip. Then she nodded and stood up.

„Oh before you go Niijima-san. Akira-kun does not want to tell this anyone. Including that he is an Omega. He will be regarded as a Beta for the time being. I only told you because your connections."

Sae understood this and Akira-kuns decision too. So she just confirmed it and looked at her watch.

„Thank you for the coffee. I have to go now but I will come as soon as possible with Makoto. The poor kid should make a friend. Please send my regards to Akira-kun and Futaba-chan." She waved, paid and left the shop.

Soujiro sighed and looked at the kid which watched the woman with big frightened eyes. At least he didn't hide himself in the attic.

Akira observed the two adults. The woman was definitively an Alpha. As she looked again at him he averted his eyes and hoped she would go away. Soujiro would not let anything happen to him, of that he was sure but he could do nothing to ease his fear. And it seemed that they talked about him. He didn't like it.

He made himself smaller and waited until the woman stood up. Then he watched her go. As soon as she was gone and no one else was in the room he stood up and walked slowly to the counter.

"Akira-kun, are you hungry?" The Beta asked in his soothing voice. The boy nodded and took a seat in one of the stools.

"Curry sounds good?" As he nodded again the man smiled and prepared the food.

"Niijima-san said hello. That was the woman earlier." Akira froze up a bit but nodded regardless. He hated himself for his fear. He didn't want to life like this forever.

"I told her your circumstances because she works with the police as she's a prosecutor. When something happens, you can rely on her. Also, she asked if it is okay to bring her little sister the next time. She's just a year older than you and does not even know what she is yet. That ok for you?"

Akira froze again and his glasses almost slipped off his nose. But he took a deep breath and answered shakenly.

"Ok." He would NOT give in to this fear.

"Oh, the boy speaks!" The man's smile broadened. "Here you go."

The curry smelled fantastic and Akira could not wait to taste it as the door opened. With the full spoon halfway to his mouth he froze again.

He could hear whispered curses from his new guardian but could not make out the words. Only the friendly "Welcome" was loud enough to hear clearly.

„Sorry!" A young boy's voice could be heard. „It's rainin'and I just need' shelter." Akira ate the spoon full of curry and looked at the new guest. It was a boy around his age with blond hair. The boy shook his head to get rid of the water and smiled a brilliant smile.

Soujiro sighed and readied a glass full with water.

"Come on take a seat. Since I don't have any customer regardless you can stay for a while if you behave."

The man didn't like customers who could not pay but since it was just a child he let it slide.

"Thanks, old man!" The boy then made his way to Akira and took the stool next to him. Then he looked hungrily at the curry.

"That looks tasty!" He exclaimed with big hopeful eyes. Against his better judgement Akira asked.

"…. want some?"

Soujiro almost dropped the glass full with water at the unexpected question. He watched the raven curiously but didn't say anything.

"Really? I can have some? Awesome!" The newcomer exclaimed with a big grin on his face while he received the spoon from the nodding Akira.

Akira didn't know why he offered the boy some of his curry but somehow, he felt almost secure with him. And he trusted his instincts at the very least.

Satisfied the boy took a big spoonful and made a happy exclamation.

"Soooo goooood!" Akira smiled shyly and received another spoon from Sojiro.

"Thanks for the meal. By the way, I'm Sakamoto Ryuji!" With shining eyes, he took another bite.

"… Kurusu Akira. Nice to meet you, Sakamoto-kun."

"Oh, come on, Ryuji's fine. 'S ok when I call ya Akira too?" The raven almost swallowed up the curry. After he calmed himself he looked at the questioning face and smiled.

"Yes."

Soujiro coud not believe this. The shy, traumatic kid had made a friend all by himself. He was relieved but he would be careful to not let the kids alone just yet.

Akira and Ryuji finished the curry and then switched to a corner in the shop so they wouldn't disturb the customers that came in.

"Do you live nearby?" Akira asked hopefully. The boys had just clicked immediately. Ryuji shook his head and explained.

"Not reall'. It's one station ahead so it's not really far either. It took m' half'n hour joggin' to get here. Ya see, I'm in the Track Club in my school!" He proudly exclaimed.

Akira did not really know how to interpret this but as Ryuji was so proud of it he grinned.

"Cool. I'm not doin' anything to work out…"

"We can train together!" Ryuji jumped up and down in his seat so excited was he. "We can meet somewhere and go joggin' together!"

With this exclamation Akira froze.

"No… I…" He would be alright to go outside with Soujiro by his side. But the thought to go out alone with another kid made his throat to dry up.

Ryuji immediately noticed that Akira clamped up. A bit confused he questioned him and asked what was wrong.

"I-I'm not good going outside…" Akira lowered his eyes and stared downwards. His cheeks and ears went red and he wanted to be swallowed up because he was embarrassed.

Ryuji furrowed his eyebrows but somehow sensed it would be not good to ask why. So, he made a quick decision.

"Then I just come here and we can play? If ya have weights we 'an use these too." He grinned and a startled Akira looked up.

Slowly a big smile spread across his face and Ryuji was left speechless. In this instant he decided to protect this shy boy. Whatever would come his way he would not let this wonderful smile be diminished.

They spoke a while after that until Soujiro came to them and shooed Ryuji away.

"It's late. Your parents must be worried and this guy here has to go upstairs to study." Which was true. Since Akira was not yet capable to go to school he had to be home tutored. His parents were strict in this regard and Soujiro too.

"Oh! 's so late already? Thanks for the water and curry! I'll be back tomorrow!" With a smile he said goodbye and ran outside.

Soujiro looked at the raven for a moment and then smiled too.

"You made a good friend. Now up you go. Don't forget to close your door. You will be alone in an hour." Soujiro took the used dishes and left the boy alone.

The now expressionless Akira nodded and made his way upstairs. He did not want to be alone. He wanted to be with people. On the other hand, he did not. He was terrified. Today he had reached his limit and somehow Soujiro had realized this.

He sighed, closed the door and began to study. But his thoughts decided to focus more often on Ryuji than on his actual studies.

And then his second heat took over with full force.