Chapter 107

May 10

The Chiba siblings are together in the living room. Well… most are…

Rukia "He has only left his room for school…"

Tadashi nods "It's been almost 2 months since…"

Senna "Since Ryuu-nii murdered his monster teacher?"

"Sen…"

She looks away staying quiet.

Tadashi sighs "Anyways. Ryuu-nii has been getting worse. I saw him two days ago and he's completely dead inside… When we're together he'll act normal and talk good about school but the second he believes he's out of sight he's lifeless."

Rukia stands up determined "We need to cheer him up! Ryuu always helped us when we were upset! He was there for me when I was struggling to finance us!"

Tadashi nods "He accepted me being gay. When truth got out, he explained everything and made me realize that things were okay."

Senna nods "Hard to believe he's an assassin."

"Yeah he worked like hell to get mom and dad to come here for your birthday."

The youngest doesn't respond.

Rukia starts thinking "Birthday… Ryuu's birthday is coming up! We need to do something for him! Something to cheer him up! Call Rinka and the boys! Or call Rinka and have her call- or text or- just make sure to contact everyone!"

Tadashi sweats "Rukia-nee do you have any plan…"

"Not at all! But contact them!"

Tadashi sighs and pulls out his phone "Hey Ritsu? You still installed?"

The girl appears on his screen "Yes. What is Tadashi?"

Rukia grabs the phone "Wait what?! Tadashi you have the AI girl from e-3? Aww!! She's so cute!!"

Ritsu smiles "Thank you Rukia! You're really cute too! My name is Ritsu and yes!"

Rukia "Wait- why?"

Ritsu changes the subject "Did you need something?"

Tadashi "Ah yes. Can you give me Sugaya, Mimura, and Okajima's numbers? It's important."

Ritsu nods "Added them to your contacts. May I ask the reason?"

Rukia "Ryuu has been super depressed! His birthday is soon and we wanted to cheer him up…"

Tadashi nods "But to many people will overwhelm him. Right now it be best for him to only be with his closes friends."

Ritsu "That's true. Good luck! If you need anything my contact is added!"

"Thanks Ritsu."

His screen goes back to his home screen.

Senna stands up and silently tries to leave.

Rukia "Hey- where are you going?"

Senna doesn't say anything and instead goes to her room and locks herself in.

Rukia sighs "Why is she so stubborn… it's obvious that she hates him now. She acts like things are normal but then when we start actually talking about him, she gets all defensive and touchy!"

Tadashi shakes his head "It's understandable."

"We gotta do something for Ryuu! And Sen… we gotta get them to get along again! Let's be real? Ryuu is more of a father figure to her than our actual dad."

Tsukki, who was just getting home, pouts "Am I really that bad of a dad…"

Both siblings tense not knowing he was there

Tadashi "No! Of course not! It's just…"

Rukia crosses her arms "A little bit. You're not a bad dad, you were just never there for us. Especially Sen. It was always Ryuu."

He sulks mumbling to himself "I'm a terrible father… a disappointment… I'm so sorry… I'm trying to be better… I want a second chance…"

Rukia sighs "Ryuu's birthday is coming up. Senna hates him. She acts like nothing is wrong when we're together, but it's clear she doesn't like him. We need to try to cheer him up and get her to not completely despise him."

Tsukki thinks "Hmm… Oh! I have an idea!"

The two look at him waiting.

Tadashi "Well?"

"Right! You should definitely recognize this!"

He clears his throat and starts singing "There will come a solider who-"

Rukia stops him "Not gonna work this time. We need more."

Tadashi nods crossing his arms "That song could backfire. On one hand, it reminds us of when we were kids and calms us down. On the other hand, it reminds us of when we were kids and when things were different. When the moon was full."

"You mean before word got out about my mission. The hell are you talking about."

"Gah!!! Stop doing that!!!"

"Ryuu-nii!!"

Chiba shrugs "I wasn't even doing anything."

Tsukki smiles "Ry, wanna come with me for some father son bonding? We haven't gotten any one on one time."

"If you want father son bonding, take Tadashi."

Rukia grabs both her brothers "How about, all three of you go!"

Tadashi sends a glare and she whispers something to him

"I'm gonna try to get through to Sen. You try to cheer him up a bit."

Tadashi groans annoyed "What bonding."

Tsukki "You boys get ready!"

A few minutes later the three are outside.

Chiba "I'm riding front!!"

Tadashi "Hell no!! I get shotgun!! Children in the back!!"

"Exactly!! You're a child!! DID YOU JUST BITE ME?!?!?! YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!"

Tsukki laughs watching his two sons.

Chiba pushes Tadashi away a little stronger than intended which causes him to stumble back and nearly trip but Chiba grabs his wrist.

Chiba "Shit- are you okay? I didn't mean to push you that hard?"

Tadashi winces "Ow ow ow! That hurts!"

Chiba steadies him "I'm sorry- where does it hurt?"

Tadashi smirks pushing past him and climbing into the front seat and quickly shuts and locks the door "Haha!!"

Chiba growls and gets in the back seat "You're a terrible brother. You know that. I was actually worried I hurt you…"

Tadashi turns around and sticks his tongue out "Bleh it was a trick! Hehe~ you're gullible! Also you did have a tight grip…"

Tsukki laughs harder and starts the car "Buckle up boys!"

Chiba sighs and buckles himself still mildly annoyed at his piece of shit little brother.

After about 10 minutes, they park somewhere.

Tsukki "Here we are!"

"Music store…"

"Sweet! I've been wanting an new drum set! The one I have now is old and in the storage room…"

Tsukki "What?! Those drums are a classic!"

"There's a difference between classic, old school, and just flat out old. Get with the times old man?"

"Why do you have attitude? Sen's is bad enough!"

Chiba averts his gaze at the mention of the youngest "Let's just get this over with…"

They go inside and are greeted by an employee.

"If it isn't Tadashi? Not with the colorful hair boy?"

Tadashi shakes his head "Nah. Dad insisted on taking me and my idiot older brother here for some reason."

She laughs and looks at the other two "Tsukki? It's been awhile? Back already Ryūnosuke?"

Chiba sighs "Didn't have a choice."

She shrugs "So what can I do for you guys today?"

Tsukki "Wanted to test instruments in the back room?"

"Sure thing. Remember, we have a policy. Keep the door shut when playing so you don't disturb other customers."

They look around at the instruments for awhile but Chiba is hardly there.

'Sen hates me. Rin is scared of me. Sugaya doesn't seem to see me too differently… the others acted normal… everything was normal when we hung out…'

He's pulled out of his thoughts when Tadashi grabs his arm.

Tadashi "Ryuu-nii can you come with me? There's a certain drum I wanna test and Dad went to try a guitar."

Chiba nods "Yeah. Sure. Let's go…"

They go to one of the rooms that had the drum set Tadashi wants and Chiba sits down on the floor with his eyes closed trying to tune out the loud booming.

'It's just the drums. It's just the drums. It's JUST THE DRUMS'

Tadashi'ssmiling, unaware of his brothers rapidly approaching attack as he continues to play louder.

He finishes and looks up "I've gotten better right? Hito-chan and I have been coming here more often so I could practice. Ryuu-nii?"

Chiba nods with a forced smile as he stands up "Yeah… You've- you've improved a lot. Good um. Good job Tadashi."

Tadashi puts the drumsticks down "Ryuu-nii…? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I did what I had to. It's was justified! I- I didn't have a choice!!"

Tadashi gulps goes closer to him "What… what are you saying…?"

Chiba pushes him away "You shouldn't trust me. Senna's right about me. But there was no other way…"

That's when Tadashi realizes. The loud drums. The hurtful words from their sister. The fear in his brother. The day he took him to the mountain. The thing he feels obligated to admit.

'Ryuu-nii killed more than his teacher that night…'

Tadashi gulps "I'm- I'm sure that you did the right thing- it was self defense right? You- you were all threatened?"

Chiba nods backing into the wall "We- we would've all-"

The door opens which scares both.

Tsukki "There you boys are! Hm? Ry! Ry what's wrong?"

Chiba quickly puts his mask on "Tadashi's drumming busted my eardrums."

Tadashi laughs nervously "I got a bit carried away." 'He doesn't want anyone to know... better play it cool…'

Meanwhile the Hayami household

Hayami looks at the guest at her front door "Rukia? What are you doing here? How do you even know where I live?"

Rukia laughs nervously "I may or may not have borrowed Tadashi's phone earlier and asked Ritsu for your address…"

"Why?"

"Because!! You weren't answering texts or calls! I also need to pick up some more milk from the store and figured might as well stop to talk to you. If that's okay of course! I know I showed up unannounced and with everything that's going on you probably don't-"

Hayami sighs "Just come in. We can talk in my room."

Rukia smiles softly and follows her.

Yachi peeks over "Hm? Honey? Who's your friend?"

Hayami "Ryuu's older sister."

Rukia smiles politely "Chiba Rukia. You can call me Rukia, Hayami-san."

"Nice to meet you, Rukia! I'm Rinka's mother, you could call me Yachi if you'd like. We're gonna be family one day after all!"

Hayami hisses "Mother!"

Yachi laughs softly "I'm just teasing dear."

Hayami sighs and grabs Rukia's wrist pulling her down the hall to her room.

Hayami sits on her bed and looks at her "Well?"

Rukia sits in her chair by her desk "Ryuu… Ryuu's been really depressed since then… Which is understandable of course! But… I want to try to cheer him up. His birthday is soon, I was hoping you'd like to help surprise him?"

Hayami looks away "I don't think he'd want to see me right now…"

"Huh? What are you talking about? He loves and misses you a lot. He talks about you and those two you met this year, Futoshi-kun and Sugawara-san? He smiles and pretends he's happy… but there's always pain in his voice. He's distant with us…"

"Something… look. Things happened. I'm sorry- I just- I want to cheer him up. More than anything actually. I want him to be happy. But things are tense between us. At school there's always some distance between us… we don't talk as often outside of school either… we've only hung out together outside of school when there's others. Futoshi-kun and Sugawara-san are in his class and invited us out awhile ago. Afterwards we went with Rio and the others… but we're pretty much never alone and things are still tense…"

Rukia gets up and kneels in front of Hayami holding her hands "I don't know exactly what happened. All I know is that something did. I won't ask about it. But… if you change your mind and want to help cheer Ryuu up, you have my number. You also know where I live and my room is second floor with succulents in the window. Ya know, in case ya don't wanna see anyone…"

Hayami nods "Thank you, Rukia. You know? Ryuu and the other two are really lucky to have a big sister like you."

"And Ryuu is even more lucky to have found someone who cares so much about him."

They share a soft smile.

Rukia "I should get going. If you ever need anything or want to talk, you know where to find me. Consider what I said earlier."

Hayami "I'll think about it…"

Rukia leaves going to the store and Hayami's alone with her thoughts.

'Ryuu's birthdayright… he turns 16 on the 20th. I want to cheer him up…'

Later on at school

"Chiba-kun! Enough staring out the window!"

He jumps a little "Sorry, Azumia-sensei!"

The girl beside him sighs "What's with you anyways? You finish the work in 5 minutes and spend the rest of the time just looking out the window."

Chiba blinks looking at her "……"

She frowns "Names Maki. But what's your deal?"

Chiba rests his chin in his hand "Math is my strong subject."

"Hm? The way I remember you, you weren't the brightest of the bunch."

He raises his guard a little "What are you talking about."

She smirks "Nothing, Ryuko."

He tenses slightly "what did you call me…?"

Maki turns her attention to the front "Meet me under the bleachers during pe. I know who you really are."

Chiba gulps looking at the board 'she called me Ryuko… as in? Aka Ryuko… only Kunugigaoka really knows about that. Is she a former student there? Does she recognize me as being E-3?! Or only the guitarist of Reckless X? Shit… those guys… they know who I am… if they spread that the lead guitaristwas in the assassin class… okay thing. You have time. Mizuchi, Yuzumi, and Natsu wouldn't… Yaku probably wouldn't care enough to go out of his wayTora… she hates me and might actually do that. No. I'm overthinking. This is fine. No one knows I've killed. They don't know I was part of the assassin class. No one knows I killed them.'

He doesn't notice he was called on multiple times until

"Chiba Ryūnosuke! Last warning!"

He gulps "S-sorry. I- I don't feel very good. May I go to the nurses office?"

She nods "Futoshi-kun. Please escort Chiba-kun to the nurses office."

Gin stands up "Of course."

Chiba grabs his bags and rushes out the classroom hardly waiting for Gin to catch up with him.

Gin "Ryuu-ichi? What's doing on? Slow down a bit?"

Chiba's breathing is uneven and he's hugging his bag tightly against his chest but gives no acknowledgement to Gin's words.

They get to the nurses office rather quickly since Chiba was practically running.

"Alright. Thank you for bringing him, Futoshi-kun. You can go back to class."

Gin looks over to his friend who's sitting on one of the beds and looking out the window "Would it be okay if I stay? He's my friend… I'm really worried…"

He nods "Do as you wish."

Gin smiles and quietly sits besides Chiba.

Chiba "you shouldn't be here… why are you…"

"Like it or not, we're friends. And… I noticed you were talking to that Maki girl… did something happen?"

"It's none of your business."

"Ryuu-ichi? It's okay. You can talk to me?"

Chiba clenches his teeth "No I can't!! Gin just leave me alone!!"

Gin smiles "You called me 'Gin'…?"

Chiba tenses as Gin puts a hand on his shoulder.

Chiba looks away from him "Let's just say… my past may come back and bite me in the ass."

"Your past…?"

Chiba nods "I shouldn't say to much… but it was around two years ago…"

Gin 'two years ago? Back when he was a second year then? Of course! Haha! For a second I thought it was last year and he was part of that!'

Gin "Dark past?"

"If word gets out of who I used to be…"

"Ryuu-ichi. I know we haven't known each other for long, and I hardly know anything about your past, but from what you've said? Middle school is something you want to stay a secret. I'll do anything to protect that. Anything to protect you."

Chiba looks at him confused "Why…"

Gin smiles but there's something hidden in his exposed eye "Because we're friends."

Chiba turns away "But I'm who you think. You don't know who I used to be."

"I don't care. A man's past is his business. We all have things we don't wanna talk about. But who knows? Certain things we feel better about after talking."

Chiba is quiet and looks at the sky wishing he could see the moon.

Gin "Ryuu-ichi. You can stay quiet and keep your secrets, but answer one question. Do you want to be alone right now?"

He doesn't respond and Gin stands up.

"okay…"

Chiba grabs Gin by the sleeve. Gin turns and that's when he sees it.

Chiba's mask breaking. His guard faltering.

Chiba's voice is weak as he asks "stay… please… I… I don't wanna talk about it… but… I don't wanna be alone…"

Gin softens a little and sits back down beside him "Of course. I'll have Momichi send us both the notes we miss."

Chiba nods trying to hold himself together 'how stupid can I be?! Why did I ask him to stay?! He can't know the truth so why?! Why did I ask him to stay… Crap. Don't break. Don't break Ryūnosuke. Don't break.'

Gin looks at his phone playing a mindless game while Chiba looks out the window with tears in his eyes.

Gin stays beside him until break when someone rushes into the nurses office

Nurse "Can I help you, Miss?"

"Chiba-kun. Is he still here? And Futoshi-kun? They're in my class and came earlier. Have they left yet?"

Gin smiles "Momichi! Heyo!"

The nurse blinks "Hm? You two are still here?"

Momo goes over to the two of them "Your still here. Chiba-kun are you alright? Is Gin annoying you?"

Chiba doesn't even notice her presence.

Gin stands up "I'll be right back. Okay Ryuu-ichi?"

He nods barely.

Gin grabs Momo's hand and drags her into the closet with extra beds and stuff.

Momo "Gin! What are you doing? Not the point- is Chiba-kun okay?"

"Not really. He hasn't spoken a word since maybe 5-10 minutes after we got here. I don't know what happened. It has to do with something that happened second year of middle school. Something Maki-san knows."

Momo thinks "Maki-san? The blonde girl that sits beside him? They must of gone to the same school?"

Gin shrugs "It's likely. But we shouldn't pry into this. Ryuu-ichi will decide if we should know what really happened. I'm only telling you so that you don't grill him and make him more upset than he already is."

"Okay… never thought I'd say this, but you're right."

Gin punches her and opens the door "I'm always right."

She rolls her eyes and they go back to Chiba who's looking at something on his phone. Momo sits on one side of him while Gin sits on the other.

Chiba "hey…"

Momo "You doing alright?"

"Not really."

"Guessing you don't wanna talk about it?"

He shakes his head "Honestly… I just… I need a distraction…"

Momo perks "Oh! In that case! Wanna hear a story about Gin from when we were 8?"

Gin blushes "Momichiiiiiii!!!"

Chiba nods "Sure."

Momo laughs and begins telling him different stories form when they were younger. That is, until the bell rings signaling its time for the next class.

Momo gets up "I should head back. I'll send you both the work."

Chiba "Just for the earlier classes. I'm fine now."

Gin "Are you sure you're alright?"

Chiba smiles "Yeah. Thanks you two. Gin, thank you for staying with me. Sugawara-san, thank you for the distraction."

Momo blushes and looks away "Momo…"

"Hm?"

"Call me Momo…"

He nods "Sure thing, Momo. You can call me Ryūnosuke if you want. Or Ryuu."

"Ryūnosuke it is. Your girlfriend calls you Ryuu. I don't want people getting the wrong idea. Got it!"

He laughs "Got it."

Gin jumps and pulls both into a hug "Yay!!!"

The other two can't help but laugh at his action but return them.

Chiba "C'mon? We got class."

"Right!"

They go back and take their seats.

Maki looks at Chiba and raises an eyebrow but doesn't talk to him until pe when they meet under the bleachers.

Chiba crosses his arms keeping his guard up "Maki-san. What did you mean earlier."

Maki pulls out her phone and shows him a picture "This's you. Isn't it."

The picture is him on stage with his former band mates.

"And what if it is."

Maki blushes a little "Then… I ask for an autograph…"

Chiba blinks "What?"

Maki rucks a strand of hair behind her ear "I'm a really big fan of reckless x. I went to every show and Aka Ryuko and Midori Hebi were my favorites. I recognized you immediately. I wasn't sure how to ask… I guess I kinda did it creepy didn't I…"

Chiba shrugs "It was two years ago. It surprised me that someone remembers. Especially that it just happens to be the girl I sit beside in class."

"Well… I'm a former kunugigoaka student. The band was huge during second year. Not so much first and third."

"Band broke up. Sorry, Maki-san. I'm not Aka Ryuko anymore…"

"But you were! And you were amazing. Please? During class, can you give me an autograph?"

Chiba's gaze changes slightly "With a condition."

Maki gulps nervously.

Chiba "No one. And I mean no one. Can know. Got it? They can't know I was in Reckless X. They can't even know I went to Kunugigoaka. You know the scandal. I don't want to deal with people questioning me about if I know anything. Keep it a secret, and I'll give you an autograph."

She hesitates for a moment then nods "Deal."

He smiles "Good. Figure out what you want the autograph to say. We should get back to the class before sensei gets mad."

Maki nods following him out excited.

End chapter

Idk what this even is-

Oh yeah warning:

Future chapter will be containing suicidal tendencies

Just because the kid went to Kunugigoaka, doesn't mean the kid was involved with the mission or even knows anything

@alpha099 Thanks!!

@Le055Li0n aftermath interesting and a roller coaster

@lumigo akvo9504 Chiba needs some help…