Boring.

For Zorome, all this preparations for the school's concert event was proving itself to be a bore. Now if only they had gone with his idea of setting up a photo booth, (With him as the main subject) then maybe things would've been a LOT more interesting, well, maybe for him, but here he was, being ordered here and there, to either help with prepping up the stage or carry around some heavy props to be used.

And damn, not only was it boring, but it was also absolutely exhausting.

Still, all Zorome could do is pout and grumble to himself, being careful not to be seen by Ichigo, or else, his ass would be put on the stake. He shivers; the last time he got punished by their group's acting leader AND student council president for vandalizing the school's outer walls, he swears he almost felt like he got transported to Hell.

'Damn that shortie is something!'

Despite that, the dirty blonde boy still couldn't help but feel slightly crossed that once more, he still couldn't get at least a tiny amount of spotlight, instead, it was the girls who would be taking center stage. Hell, even Zero Two, who was a newbie in the school, had the chance to be acknowledged for her singing capabilities! Even Miku!

'Miku…'

Zorome's mind wanders over his redheaded frienemy. To be honest, he shouldn't even be surprised over Miku performing on stage. 'I mean, it had to happen sooner or later' he thinks to himself.

Being best friends/enemies with Miku for at least, 12 years, both of them knew each other more than the others. Miku knew how much he crushed over Nana sensei, and unlike some younger sisters, she actually was pretty chill with it, sometimes offering to help him get closer to her older sister. Meanwhile, for him, Zorome knew a lot about Miku's passions and dreams. Aside from experimenting with makeup and being all pretty, from the bottom of her heart, Zorome knew how much she wanted to be a performer.

He remembers her daydreaming about being on stage in front of a hundred people chanting her name. He remembers her standing on her bed and grabbing a brush as a microphone and singing famous pop songs at the top of her lungs, and even if he'd tease her about how bad she was, secretly, he found her voice really good and it genuinely made him glad seeing how happy she was.

Hell, they even had occasional Karaoke nights where they try to beat each other's scores, but Zorome knows it was Miku's way of practicing. He knows that underneath her spunky attitude still lies a girl who had insecurities and was still unsure of herself, that's why he knows how the girl trusts him to a higher degree, despite their daily squabbles.

So now, seeing her be able to grant her life long wish in just a matter of days, it made a warm feeling bubble inside him, and this was enough to suffice his initial grouchiness over the concert.

And for the past three days, Zorome could see just how hard Miku was working in order to achieve that dream.

The girls weren't supposed to do anything but practice their performances, and out of the five, Zorome could see Miku was very passionate, if not, the most. She was the last to take breaks, and instead, she would be practicing her singing in line with her choreography. If she WAS resting, she'd be holding some lyrics and on and on, she'd be practicing it until she gets all the notes correct. When they both walk home together, instead of teasing or insulting him, she'd be dazed while murmuring some lyrics to herself.

Honestly, he'd be amazed with her extreme work ethics, but as a friend, he was growing more and more worried over the redhead's health. She was also starting to skip meals, telling him so she would be in shape at the day of the concert, but he argues it would be bad for her, since she might faint over fatigue, and yet, she shakes it off like it was nothing.

It was nothing until today, that is.

It was afternoon and all preparations have been finished for today, Zorome was walking through the halls in order to find Miku at her usual practice room. Once he reaches it, his eyes widen over seeing the redhead slumped all over the floor breathing heavily and with his protectiveness kicking in, he runs towards her and places a hand on her back.

"Miku! Oi, Miku!" he frantically shakes her, a small groan escaping her lips. Zorome places a hand on Miku's forehead and realizes how feverish she felt, her beads of sweat feeling cool against his palm.

"You're burning up!" and he knows why. If she didn't look too weak and pale, Zorome would've reprimanded her for being an idiot for overworking herself, but now was not the time. With all his strength, he lifts her heavy body off the ground and carries her piggyback style. He could instantly feel the softness and warmth of her body on his back, and normally, just like any hormonal, teenage boy, Zorome would blush, but with the current situation at hand, he couldn't give a damn about some silly hormones.

For now, all he had in mind was to take his friend home and at least persuade her to eat something. 'I'd force feed her if I have to.'

Meanwhile, Miku could feel her body softly rocking with each step Zorome takes. It felt weird, yet oddly comforting, especially since this was not the first time her impulsive friend gave her a piggyback. Back when they were kids, Zorome would usually carry her whenever she sprained her ankle or scraped her knee, then he would scold her over being so clumsy once he puts her down. This time, she knew once they get home, she'd get an earful of scolding from him.

She winces at the thought.

But right now, feeling all the energy leave her body, all Miku could do now is stay quiet and revel in the comforting warmth Zorome's back was giving her.

A small, contented sigh escapes her lips.

Once Zorome reaches Miku's house, he lifts a finger and presses at the door bell. He could hear Miku's gentle snores, but he knows her all too well. 'She wants me to leave, huh?' he inwardly snickers.

'Just how much of a brat can you be, woman?'

Hearing someone open the door, he is immediately greeted by her sister (and his crush), Nana. Zorome could feel his heartbeat quicken and his face warm up seeing his teacher in an off-sleeve blouse that hugged her curves and a long, khaki skirt.

"Zorome?" Nana says before noticing her sister situated on her student's back. Worried, she asks, "Did something happen to Miku?"

"Um..I think she overworked herself for the concert…" shaking her head, Nana heaves out a sigh. She always knew how much of a hard worker her sister was, to the point of neglecting her own needs, and most especially, health. "Good grief this girl...would it be okay if you bring her to her room? I have to go out and meet someone for something important." wondering what that something important might be, Zorome nods his head without question anyways.

"Yes, Nana sensei"

With that, Nana thanks Zorome and gives Miku a pat on the cheek before heading off, but not before reminding her male student not to do anything stupid her younger sister.

Of course, she knew he'd never do anything harmful to Miku, given they've been best friends before they could even read.

Plopping Miku on her bed, Zorome observes how even her breathing was and how her eyes would flutter, even if they were closed. Crossing his arms in mild annoyance, he scoffs at her 'crappy' acting.

"Okay Miku, I know you're just pretending. Time to wake up." No response. "Anytime now." Silence.

Huffing, Zorome walks over to her bedside and hovers above her. He could see her face slightly change, meaning she could feel his presence.

"Woman, if you don't open an eye, I'll seriously spit on you." and of course, he had done it before in the past without any warning, so of course, to avoid that horrid memory from happening again, Miku shoots up panicking, accidentally hitting Zorome in the nose. Groaning, he yells in pain, "What the hell?! This is the second time you hurt my nose!"

"Well, you just had to have your ugly face right in front of me!" She retorts back, some of her strength coming back due to sheer annoyance over Zorome.

"Wooow" Zorome says, shooting a look at the girl, "what a nice way to thank the guy who carried your fatass all the way from school, your welcome by the way."

Realizing what he said was true, Miku feels slightly embarrassed over lashing out at the guy, yet even so, she refuses to give in. With a slight flush adorning her cheeks, she looks away from the boy's piercing lilac stare. "You didn't have to do that for me. I...I could've handled myself."

"Tch, handle yourself, my ass…" Zorome grumbles, looking away as well. "If you hadn't overworked yourself, then you wouldn't have passed out in the first place."

"You're an idiot. A big one to be specific."

Feeling slightly offended, Miku grabs Zorome's collar and yanks him towards her, their noses touching. "What the hell did you just call me?!"

Not backing down, Zorome challenges her by staring directly once more into her eyes; this time, with an intensity and seriousness that makes the girl's anger falter. "I said..you're a goddamn idiot for forgetting to take care of yourself, that's what! What if I hadn't found you in that classroom, who else would've helped you, huh?"

"What if some pervert was lurking around and that happened again? Who would've saved you?" Miku's breath hitches, memories from the day Zero Two saved her comes rushing back again, making her hands tremble in anxiety. "I…" She's at loss on what to say.

"I'm not finished yet, woman" Zorome interrupts her by putting a hand on her mouth. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he lets out sigh before he starts talking to her, his voice taking a more gentle, yet scolding tone; as if he was talking to a child who had stolen a cookie from the cookie jar.

"Look, out of everyone else, I'm the one who knows you the most, and I know how you've been dreaming to perform in front of a lotta people since what, five? But anyways, now you're almost there and just take a look at what you're doing to your health!" Zorome pokes at her cheeks.

"You're skipping meals, you're always out of your mind and you don't even bother taking at least, a five minute rest for God sakes! This isn't healthy Miku, and if you aren't an idiot, you would understand what I'm saying."

"So if you really want to perform, start eating okay? I swear, if you dont, I would tie you to the bed and force feed you, if I had to" Miku couldn't help but make a face at his words at that moment, "pervert."

Before he could react over her comment, Miku laughs at him and pinches his cheeks. Smiling, she says, "I never knew you actually cared for me, Zorome!"

Blushing, he looks away, "Me? Care for you? Please, I just don't want you making a fool out of yourself on the concert. Besides, if you don't stop with your shitty habits, I wouldn't be surprised if you faint before performing…." Despite his crude choice of words, Miku couldn't help but let out a small chuckle,

For she knew better

"Fine! Fine! I'll follow your orders just so you'd stop pestering me over and over again." her tone was light, but her eyes held a mischievous glint that challenges the boy to answer back.

'Even if the whole world sees us as two teens who does nothing but constantly fight with one another over the stupidest things...'

"There you go, with that haughty attitude of yours again! I swear to God I-" his words are interrupted when he suddenly feels a small pair of lips smack at his cheek. 'D-did she just..?' turning to face her with his whole face blushing heavily, he questions her sudden weirdness, "What the heck was that?!" she doesn't retort back with anything, rather, she just musters one of the most brightest smiles Zorome has even seen on her lips.

"Thank you." was all she says,

And somehow, his lips unknowingly curve into a smile of its own.

'...I know for sure that during our worst days, we will ALWAYS have each other's backs..'