Summary: Everyone has a breaking point. Inui stops by hiding behind Sasaki, expecting protection.
tw; bullying
SHOVE! "Hey, four-eyes. Didn't you get the memo last week? We told you to stop bothering Sasaki-sama!"
Inui was pushed into the wall, pain exploded down his back, the sensation ricocheted up to his teeth. Temporarily ignoring that, he remarked, "I don't have to listen to you." His voice was calm, even. "And I'm not bothering him. He requested my presence, he likes me."
The Sasaki fanclub circled him like vultures over a carcass, a crowd was forming. "Him, like you?" Derision is visible in their smiles. "Ha! You're just some skinny, awkward pre-teen brat. A tennis nut. No way he'd be serious about you."
Doubt began to gnaw at him. But then he recalled their previous conversation. "...Of course it's not love." There were some disgruntled murmurs, a few outraged scoffs. "But in time, it could be. We're young and maturing. He's good, kind, to me. More and more, I desire to do the same, to be his equal."
"You brat-!"
"Until the day Sasaki breaks up with me..." Without flinching, he met their gaze head on.
"Shut up!"
"He's mine." Inui claimed, decisive. "I don't have to wish he was my boyfriend or fantasize about what he's like, nor stalk him. The real thing is in my grasp."
Clap...Clap...Clap. "Very well said." The crowd parted like the Red Sea, revealing the third year. He walked past his fanbase, placing a comforting hand against the small of Inui's back.
"Sasaki-sama/Sasaki!"
"You heard my boyfriend, didn't you?" He smiled but it lacked the usual warmth. "Stop being pests already. I'm his."
Two chapters, back to back. Woot-woot! I'm feeling good. But anyways, thoughts? I have a date scene and Sasaki's post graduation/first kiss scene in mind. Then it'll focus on canonical POT events, with extra from Junjo Romantica, a little Gravitation, and more. My brain's still piercing events together so it makes sense.