AN: Sorry for this chapter taking a while! I don't usually write in longer chapter formats, so it's definitely been something I've had to get used to! I've done a good amount of editing so far, but as always some grammar mistakes are bound to slip through / if you spot anything, feel free to let me know in review or dm! Hope you enjoy!!
Rain
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"Kousaku" the deep baritone voice of Seiji cut through Kousaku's dreams and rest quicker than any alarm could hope to. "Kousaku, It's time to wake up."
Kousaku's eyes flew open at the heavy tone, jumping heavily at the stone-cold stare that greeted him.
For his part, Seiji looked sheepish at Kousaku's fright. He rubbed the back of his head, straightening himself upright. Even in such a state, Kousaku couldn't help but find him intimidating. Seiji stood next to his bed, reaching into his jacket. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
"Er- Sorry if that was sudden… Want a smoke?" he offered.
Kousaku widened his eyes slightly at the offer, waving the other man's request off.
"I'm underage, and don't smoke." he explained, "It was a bit sudden, but it's okay. What time is it?"
"About 7:45," the larger man intoned, checking his watch, "I've brought you a towel. Do you need any other toiletries?"
Kousaku took the proffered item, shaking his head in response to the question. He swung his legs off the bed, catching himself surprised by the lack of carpet. The events of yesterday came back in a blur. The new room, the trip. Ibari Oozora. Hibari. Hibari.
His thoughts were interrupted by Seiji, "Well, the bathroom is two doors down on the right. Have a good morning."
Seiji left without a further word, closing the door firmly behind him. Doing his best to push errant thoughts out of his head, Kousaku started getting ready for the day. Blanket thrown back into place, toiletries and fresh clothes in hand, Kousaku started the trek down to the bathroom. Even this far into the house, the early morning light illuminated the hallways in a bright glow, making the polished wood shine like gold. He couldn't help but feel at least a little nervous. The new school promised trouble for some, and the issue was extrapolated even worse with him joining mid-term.
Had Kousaku been paying more attention, he may have thought to knock before opening the bathroom door. Had he been focusing, it may have occurred to him this was not at all like his old home, where just he and his mom lived. Had he been thinking straight, not stressed out, he may have heard the shocked gasp from across the room. As it was, Kousaku was not thinking straight, so as the door opened, his eyes found a pair of chocolate ones staring right back.
Oh.
Oh fuck. Who knew pale skin could look so good complimented by a purple towel?
His eyes widened as his brain caught up with what he was seeing. Hibari, in nothing but a towel, face reddening with embarrassment, possibly shock. In a heartbeat he felt the heat rising to his own cheeks. Kosaku squeezed his eyes shut, slamming an arm over his face.
"I-I'm sorry!" he stuttered, all but shouting, "I'll come back later!"
He groped around for the handle, yanking the door shut as he lurched from the room. God dammit, he did not need to deal with this right now! God he was such an idiot. Images of too-much leg and the flush on her cheeks kept dancing under his eyelids. Fuck. Him. He. A man. What was wrong with him today? Getting flustered over a guy. He'd seen other guys naked of course, in locker rooms and bath houses. What made Hibari so different?
Because, said the less-than-welcome part of his brain, you know how attractive of a girl she is.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts, quickly walking back towards his room and shutting the door behind him. He waited, minutes later he could hear the muffled sound of a door opening followed by footsteps down the hall. He cringed, preparing to get yelled out for the unintentional peep show, but all that came was the distinctive sound of a door opening near his own. Minutes passed in relative silence, soft humming emanating from the door separating his and Hibari's room.
He jumped when the door opened, a fully clothed and refreshed looking Hibari poking his head through.
"Shower's all yours," Hibari said, a smile on his face, "Though just in case you may want to knock next time."
He gave a wink, a blush creeping up Kosaku's cheeks at the other boy's words. He nodded his assent, avoiding Hibari's gaze. The clack of the door signified Hibari leaving.
Kousaku caught a glance of his clock, panic filling him. 8:05. He'd have to rush to get ready now! He grabbed his items and hustled into the thankfully empty bathroom. Not ten minutes later he was out, teeth brushed, hair damp, uniform buttoned. He walked into the dining room nervously, pulling his school bag on.
Tsubame was there, sipping idly on a cup of tea, half-eaten toast in front of her. Suzume sat next to her, bouncing idly on her seat while reading a comic book. Her sister glanced up as he entered, an amused smile gracing her lips.
"There's no need to rush Kousaku," she laughed, "The school isn't more than a five minute walk from our house. You have time. Would you like some breakfast?"
He paused at her comment, taking a steadying breath. A small smile graced his face.
"Ah, I appreciate it."
She gestured to the seat across from her, a plate with toast and jam resting at the open spot.
He sat down, giving her a nod of thanks. The toast was cold, but it still helped calm his nerves. He spoke up after finishing the first slice.
"I had no idea the school would be so near by! It must make commuting a dream."
He laughed at his own joke nervously, still not fully comfortable with the girl. She shook her head in response, her fluffy hair bouncing with the motion.
"It's nice most days, though any walk is too far when it's raining." she smiled at him, resting her chin on her palm. The gesture was so reminiscent of Hibari, the same smile, same posture. He smiled in agreement, taking another bite.
"Luckily the kids at school don't know too much about our family," she continued, "I'd hate all the extra attention that'd produce."
Tsubame shuddered and Kosaku couldn't help but agree.
"I can see where you're coming from. I know I'll have a lot of attention on me being the new kid, but that'd be nothing compared to the new-kid-who-lives-with-the-mob." he laughed.
Tsubame giggled at his quip, replying.
"I couldn't agree more. I hate attention more than anything. The only thing I hate more is attention whores."
Suzume chimed in, "Yeah! I hate kids who like attention! Like Katagiri! He's always bragging about how he's gonna become a detective one day! I hate him!"
She puffed out her cheeks in a pout, Kosaku couldn't help but think she looked adorable. He knew what she meant, sort of.
"Classmates like that can be a pain huh?" he replied, "Though some boys do that to get your attention you know."
Suzume huffed angrily, crossing her arms in response.
Tsubame poked her cheek, laughing at the younger girl. She rolled her eyes, glancing at Kousaku.
"I have to agree with my sister on this one. Those kinds of people are the worst." she said.
He gave her a querying look in response, "Must have one hell of a classmate to bother you! You seem so easy going."
She gave a noncommittal shrug, muttering out a reply.
"Something like that." She cleared her throat, standing up, "Either way, we should get going. It's pretty close to time. Maybe ten minutes to spare."
He nodded his assent, stuffing the last of his toast in his mouth. After clearing their plates, Tsubame placed a kiss on the crown of Suzume's head, gesturing to the door. Kousaku followed diligently.
The cool morning air was crisp. The sky was clear, punctuated by a small cloud riding near the horizon. As he and Tsubame started on their way, he couldn't help but enjoy the scenery. It wasn't as green nor as quiet, but this part of Tokyo had a charm he couldn't deny. The golden light reflected off nearby windows, casting both he and Tsubame in a bright warm light.
"Oh I forgot to mention this before, but we don't require uniforms at school. Sorry," Said Tsubame, looking sheepish.
He glanced down at himself, sighing.
"Well, no time to go back and change. Guess I'll just tough one day out looking like a dweeb."
They laughed lightly at his joke. She nudged him on the shoulder loosely.
"It was one of the 'requests'," she made air quotes, "Dad put in. He did it after Tsugumi complained about it I believe. I'm definitely not upset about it though!"
She smiled, gesturing down to the simple yet warm outfit she wore. All cream tones and soft materials. The sweater looked good on her, he had to admit.
"I can see why!" Kousaku chuckled, "It definitely will be a nice change. These uniforms are so tacky!"
He undid the front of the blazer, grinning at her. She nodded, answering politely.
"Most of the kids agreed it's a welcome change, that's for sure," She shifted her bag on her shoulder, glancing at him, "Though some would say it was more of a problem."
They continued their journey, a couple birds making themselves known, chirping from the branches above. He glanced to his left, noticing the somewhat stressed look Tsubame wore.
"Something on your mind?" He asked, hoping to break the awkward quiet.
She glanced at him, chocolate eyes finding his. They looked almost like warm caramel in the early light.
"It's just…" she swallowed thickly, "I guess I need to tell you something. Something important."
Kousaku nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
"It's about Hibari. He's, well." She looked away from him, smoothing her skirt with her hands, "He's enrolled as a girl. Everyone outside of our family thinks he's a woman."
He couldn't help but be surprised after last night.
"I thought Ibari didn't support Hibari's actions though," he asked with a careful tone, confusion clearly laced in.
"He doesn't!" Tsubame blurted out. She paused, taking a calming breath, "None of us do. But when high school registration started, he forged his form to list him as a girl. And what could dad do? Go to the board and say his only son is a cross-dresser?"
Tsubame wore the same expression like last night at dinner. The embarrassment was clear on her face. He looked at her tight expression, the chips of bark that were her eyes. Embarrassment was the wrong word. It felt closer to a look of humiliation. He was startled from his thoughts by an arm encircling his own on his right.
"You know it's rude to talk about someone like they aren't even there," the soft tone of Hibari's voice caught Kousaku off guard as the boy pulled himself flush to Kousaku.
Kousaku wasn't sure how to respond to the action at all, noting how easily Hibari melded against his arm. He felt his face flush at the proximity.
"Hibari!" snapped Tsubame, "Don't bother Kousaku! He doesn't need you giving him trouble before he's even gotten to school!"
Despite the heat in Tsubame's words and expression, Hibari didn't seem bothered at all. He softly caressed Kousaku's arm, looking up at him through his long lashes.
"Oh he doesn't seem bothered, does he?" Hibari asked, placing a finger against her lips as though in thought, "Oh! You have a crush on him, don't you? Worried I'll steal him away from you, hm?"
Kousaku pulled his arm free, both his and Tsubame's objections ignored by the offending boy.
"You know it isn't like that Hibari! Ugh! This is why I hate walking to school with you! You're always such a jerk!" Tsubame stormed ahead without another word.
Kousaku didn't know whether he should follow or not, but decided it must have just been a sibling thing. Hibari's giggling next to him brought his attention back to his new walking companion.
"You shouldn't tease her like that, you know." Kousaku chided, trying to sound reprimanding, "it's not very kind."
Hibari gave him a look that could only be described as flirty. The pouty lips, puppy dog eyes… Kousaku hated how it made his face burn.
"Would you prefer I tease you instead?" Hibari asked, lowering his tone. He leaned closer.
Kousaku took a step back, his face flaming at the attention.
"It's not like that!" he yelped, uncomfortable with the attention, "I just don't want you bullying her!"
The flirty expression morphed into a much more neutral look, almost bored.
"Ah, yes," Hibari said, deadpan, "Me, Hibari Oozora, bully extraordinaire. What should I do for my next bit, embarrass her at the dinner table with a new guest? Call her a freak when I think she won't hear?"
Any retort Kousaku could have had died on his lips. A part of him knew Hibari was right, but a part of him still argued that it was the boy's own actions that led to such hostility. Either way though, the point had been made. After an awkward silence, he swallowed his pride and spoke up.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions," he started, Hibari nodding resolutely in agreement, "they could have had more tact in telling me."
Hibari looked at him, a small frown pulling at lips, "No, that's where we'll disagree. They had no right to tell you, not at all."
"But-"
"Just, listen, okay?" Hibari asked, cutting Kousaku off, "What they shared with you was my business and mine alone. They can call me whatever they want, decide I'm a freak, treat me like some sexual deviant. But how I present myself to others is my own choice, and no one else's. How would it have changed things really if you hadn't known? Would it have hurt you in some great way to treat me like any other girl?"
"What if I ended up falling for you?" Kousaku blurted, "I'm not gay!"
Hibari seemed taken aback for a second, before a much shyer smile appeared on his face.
"Do you think I'm someone you could fall for, Kousaku?" he asked, "Do you find me beautiful?" a coy smirk crossed his features.
Kousaku's cheeks burned at the implication, indignation mixing with guilt.
"I-I didn't say that! I was just making a point!" he cried out, pleading his innocence.
Hibari pushed his golden hair out of his eyes, holding his gaze on Kousaku a moment longer before breaking the scrutiny. He giggled again, a light dusting of red cresting over his nose, cheeks. Kousaku couldn't help but notice the dimples when the boy smiled. He made it so easy to forget, looking so cute…
He shook his head to clear his thoughts as Hibari spoke up.
"It looks like we've arrived. Father gave me your locker information, I can take you there before we go up to our classroom." he intoned gently, bumping shoulders with Kousaku.
He nodded his assent, shocked when Hibari grabbed his hand and started dragging him through the rows of lockers. His ears flamed at the whispered conversations of students, pointing in their direction.
"Hibari! Stop that! People will think we're dating!" he muttered under his breath. Tugging at their joined hands.
If anything, Hibari held his palm tighter.
"So?"
They arrived at a locker, and finally Hibari released the hold on Kousaku's hand, using both to undo a combination at head height. Kousaku shifted foot to foot as the feminine boy opened the door, several letters stacked inside, all decorated lavishly. Love letters, no doubt. Hibari pulled them out and pushed them into Kousaku's hands.
"Here, throw these away for me, will you?" he said happily, smirking at the shocked look stuck on Kousaku's face.
"What-" Kousaku started before giving up. Hibari was an enigma he doubted he'd understand any time soon.
Hibari sorted through the locker, swapping his shoes and pulling out a couple small items. He stowed them in his bag before looking back at Kousaku, "Ready to head to yours?"
They walked in silence, Kousaku having avoided Hibari's attempt to grab his hand again. The boy's grin though left Kousaku feeling like he hadn't expected it to succeed. Hibari clicked in Kousaku's locker combo, opening it for him.
"Your indoor shoes are here, though you can change them out for a style you like better in the future," he explained, stepping to the side, "Make sure to only wear them in school though, teacher's will probably hate you if you go leaving dirt on the floors. Oh, and here's your combo so you don't forget!"
Hibari reached out, grabbing Kousaku's hand. Swiftly, in permanent marker, he wrote the combination on his palm. He smiled at the boy before speaking up once more.
"We'll be sharing class 1-A since you're such a smarty! It's on the second floor, fifth door on the right! I'll look forward to seeing you there!" he said, walking towards the steps.
Kousaku glanced down at the neat script on his left palm, the writing already starting to smudge. He grabbed a piece of paper from his bag and jotted down the info, grumbling to himself about bubbly boys. He shoved the note in his bag. After swapping his shoes with the ones in the locker, he headed up. Reciting Hibari's instructions, he made quick work of finding the classroom with swift steps.
The hallway was still quite crowded, other students mingling before class started. His uniform caught looks like a pigeon among peacocks. The otherwise plain outfit stood out like a sore thumb surrounded by all the more casual clothes. He caught some of them glancing at him and did his best to not notice the stares. They'd get used to him soon enough, he was certain.
Walking into the classroom, it felt like walking into a memory. It looked identical to his old school, from the old chalkboard to the layout of the desks. His teacher sat at the front, looking over some paperwork. He approached her timidly, clearing his throat to get her attention.
"Excuse me, I'm the new transfer?" he asked hesitantly when she looked up, adjusting her glasses.
Her face split into a smile, the look lighting up her entire face.
"Ah! Yes! The superintendent mentioned you would be coming! Just stay up here until the bell rings and we can get you introduced!" her tone was excited, exuberant. It made him think of a puppy in a park. It almost felt overwhelming. She glanced over a chart on her desk.
"Looks like we have open seats either behind Ms. Oozora, or one right by the window near Ms. Hanazono. I'll leave the decision up to you though!" she smiled happily at him. Better the evil he knew, Kousaku reasoned.
"Behind Hibari, if that's okay," He asked, cringing at the way his teacher seemed to light up at his answer.
"Ah! You already know one of your classmates! Wonderful! I know how stressful it can be, coming to a new school. Who knows what could happen, you could be attacked by jealous students, sold to a rival school's gang. Maybe they'd take you in and teach you their deviant ways, becoming a thug on the streets. Years later you'd return for revenge, a stronger, more grizzled man…" she seemed to lose herself for a moment in the tale she'd spun, muttering about a fantasy that left more questions that Kousaku could ever hope to answer.
"Either way!" she cut back in, once again on the focus, "I'm glad you know young Miss Oozora! She's one of our best. I'm sure you'll do great with such a wonderful friend Mr. Sakamoto!"
He nodded, not sure what else to say. The bell tolled moments later, students dropping into their seats. His position standing at the front of the class garnered a few looks from the other kids. He found his eyes traveling across the class, taking note of the social cliques and people therein. A boy, bulkier than himself seemed to be eyeing him up, giving him a nod when their eyes met. Kousaku nodded, not knowing what else to do. The girl the teacher had mentioned, Miss Hanazono, seemed to be a part of a group of three girls, all gossiping. She gave him an odd look, like he had a stain on his shirt.
When he spotted Hibari's blonde hair in the rear of the classroom though, he was surprised to see him break conversation with another boy to give a small wave and smile to Kousaku. He waved back hesitantly. After a few more moments, the noise had quieted, expectant looks shot to the now standing teacher.
"Class!" she called, tone clear and concise, "Before we get into our lesson plan, I have the pleasure of introducing our newest student, Kousaku Sakamoto! He's from the countryside, so make sure to not make fun of any accent he carries! Now why don't you introduce yourself Mr. Sakamoto?"
He nodded once to her, clearing his throat.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, and I hope we can get along well."
It was generic, safe. You can't be mad at a polite introduction. Sure some kids would think him lame, but what was he supposed to do? 'Hey everyone, I'm here cuz my mom died and this is all I had left'. He wasn't suicidal!
At the teacher's direction, he trekked down the rows to his seat, sliding in behind Hibari quietly. He couldn't help but notice the boy shooting him a wink when he passed, nor the annoyance of the boy to his right. Ah, Mr. Muscle-boy. The unknown kid leaned over to him.
"Hey there new guy. Why do you know Hibari?" the kid asked, not an ounce of politeness in his voice. Kousaku felt his annoyance building. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Where I'm from, we usually introduce ourselves before asking questions." he snapped quietly.
Even to his own ears it sounded aggressive. He hadn't meant it that way, but the other boy clearly picked up on his tone.
"Shiina. My name is Shiina Makoto. Now answer the damn question."
What the fuck was this kids problem? Kousaku leaned over, about to tell larger boy exactly where he could shove his fucking question, but was cut off by a pleasant retort from Hibari.
"He lives with me, Shiina." his smirk told Kousaku he knew exactly what he'd done, "and he's a friend, so play nice, okay?"
Shiina smirked at the gorgeous boy, resting his cheek in his hand. "Sure, if you agree to lunch this saturday."
If Hibari showed any bother with his retort, he didn't show it. Instead offering a flippant response.
"Depends on how much you're willing to pay me to put up with your sorry butt."
Class flew by in a blur after introductions, the lesson was a good bit ahead of where Kousaku had been previously. He scrambled to fill in the blanks, poring over the textbook in between jotting notes. Even Hibari was concentrating, seeming as diligent as Kousaku was. It was surprising in a way, the carefree person Kousaku had come to know melted away in the form of a studious bookworm. Before he knew it, the lunch bell had rang. He wrung his hand, trying to get rid of the pins and needles stinging under the skin.
He knew the transition would be hard, but sometimes he forgot how advanced inner-city schools really could be. If he still wanted to be top of the class, lord knew he'd be busting ass to make it happen. No distractions could be allowed.
"Hey Kousaku?" came the query from in front of him. So much for no distractions. Hibari turned around to look at him, a pleasant smile adorning his lips.
It clicked then, a part of his brain accepted it. Everyone here really did see Hibari as a girl. Kousaku had to admit the boy looked like a girl, sounded like one, hell, he even smelled like one! But it was still something new to see love letters to the boy, him getting asked out like it's a daily occurrence! It was obvious how comfortable Hibari seemed with it too. It was the same nonchalant pleasantry that he'd seen when he first met her. Him, he reminded himself. Was Hibari right? Had his ignorance been a bliss he should have been grateful for? His thoughts were cut short by a smooth hand against his cheek.
"Kousaku? Are you feeling okay? You're looking a little flushed." The soft tone and gentle palm of Hibari brought him into the present. He pushed the boy's hand away, trying to clear his head.
"Y-yes Hibari, I'm fine, sorry," he said, meeting his gaze, "What were you saying?"
Hibari smiled kindly, pulling a simple box from his lunch bag.
Hibari replied, "I was just going to give you the lunch you forgot at home. I noticed you didn't get anything and wanted to help out."
"Oh! Um, thanks!" Kousaku replied, taking the proffered box.
He opened it slowly, admiring the simple, delicious looking lunch. It wasn't decorative, but filled the role of appearing appetizing. He picked up his chopsticks, pausing when he noticed a second bento get set down in front of his own.
Hibari had set his across from Kousaku's on the desk. He opened up his own lunch box, a mirror of Kousaku's. He gave him a shy smile.
"You don't mind if I eat with you, do you? I'm sure you'll make better company than the other guys around here." Hibari said with a polite tone.
Kousaku shrugged his shoulders in response, uncertain of what to say. It wasn't like the other boy bothered him per se, it was just a new situation. It'd be rude to turn him away after all.
Hibari smiled in response, idly pushing a strand of hair behind his ear. He started eating, idly chewing his first bite. The soft sigh that left his mouth caught Kousaku's attention, the pleased expression adorning Hibari's face making the boy's face seem to bloom. Too-rich chocolate eyes locked on Kousaku's hazel orbs.
"Aren't you going to try it?" queried his blonde haired companion, "I promise Seiji's cooking is so much better than his tea."
The amused tone of Hibari's voice was so similar to yesterday. Thoughts of what Kousaku now dubbed 'the tea incident' rushed back, the way she'd teased him. His face flamed in memory, but Kousaku did his best to push the feeling down.
Ignoring the heat in his cheeks, he nodded in response, trying his best to keep his voice sounding casual.
"Er, yes, it does look quite good, definitely not scorched." he gave a small laugh.
He took a small bite, enjoying the subtle flavors of the otherwise simple dish.
"I thought you said he isn't good at detailed work?" Kousaku asked after swallowing, "This is honestly really good!"
Hibari held up a hand, covering his own chewing. After finishing the bite, he replied.
"Of course everyone has their own talents. For a period he was cook before working for us." he said in that soft tone, "I have to say his food tastes even better when sharing the meal with someone close… Wouldn't you agree Kousaku?"
He leaned forward, a playful wink sent Kousau's way. Kousaku for his part rolled his eyes. He did his best to ignore the teasing tone of his voice, or how the way Hibari pronounced his name sent a small shiver up his spine.
"Are you always going to mess with me like this?" he asked after a beat, sending a halfhearted glare at Hibari's gaze.
"Is there any reason I should stop? Is it hurting you Kousaku?" Hibari smirked, "Or is it because it actually does something, hm?"
Kousaku was spared from having to form a response by a feminine voice joining the conversation.
"So you're the new student eh? Has Hibari already sunk her claws into you?"
The spiteful tone sounded out of place on the face of the schoolgirl next to them. It was the girl from the corner, nose upturned as though she'd smelled something rotten, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Kaori Hanazono, one of your classmates. It's Kousaku, right?"
Kousaku felt Hibari stiffen across from him. Before he could formulate a reply, Hibari cut in at the girl.
"Kaori, " he said, words dripping with venom, "Can you not spoil my meal? I'm sure you and Kousaku here can become acquainted later. Go bother someone else."
"He can speak for himself you know, you don't own him Hibari. Lord knows you have enough boys fawning over you." Kaori's voice was arctic, the acerbic words built tension as thick as honey at the small desk.
"U-um, right! I've uh, got to go to the bathroom!" Kousaku's reply sounded fake even to his own ears. It didn't need to be perfect. He shot from the desk as though burned. He heard the hissed reply from Hibari.
"Oh good job Kaori, not only do you scare boys away from yourself but now you've chased Kousaku out of the room. Proud of yourself?" The boy's words were harsh, so out of place on the kinder tone Hibari usually put forth. Whatever reply Kaori would have given in response was lost by the closing of the door. He walked down the hallway quickly, pulling himself into the bathroom.
Just what were those two's problem? Kaori didn't even try to pretend to be kind! And why did Hibari feed into it? He said so much about not being a bully on the walk over, and now to act like this? It was so out of character for the boy, he didn't even know Hibari had that side to him!
He looked at himself in the mirror, his hair a mess, eyes looking tired. Quickly, he straightened his appearance, doing his best to look confident and in control. He was a man dammit! Running from confrontation was just pitiful. He steeled his shoulders, marching out of the bathroom back to the classroom. Hibari was still eating, alone now. Kaori was nowhere to be seen.
Hibari's eyes shot up to Kousaku when he heard the door open, brown orbs flecked with worry and an emotion Kousaku couldn't place. He slid in across from the feminine boy. Before he could start an apology for rushing out, Hibari beat him to the punch.
"I'm so sorry!" he started, face looking more vulnerable that Kousaku expected, "I didn't mean to draw you into my stupid squabbles. You didn't deserve that."
He wasn't certain if it was the worry in her voice, the vulnerable expression on her face, or the way her eyes locked on him for a sign of acceptance, but something in Kousaku went still. This expression on her face was one he never wanted to see if he could avoid it, seeing the weakness breaking through her shell of aloof disinterest. Without thinking about it, he reached out, grabbing her hands with his own. He held her firmly but softly, feeling the tremors in her hand still.
"Some girl being mean wouldn't scare me off Hibari, okay? It's not your fault she came over acting all vicious." His voice sounded so much calmer than he felt, but he pushed on.
"I came over planning to apologize to you!" he laughed, "You shouldn't have to put up with that kind of bullying. Though maybe don't feed back into it if you can avoid it."
Her eyes glanced down at where he'd reached out to her, a small jerky nod visible given in reply. She sighed, pulling her hands back.
He. The reminder caught him off guard, his brain clicking back into place. He'd forgotten mentally once again. Fuck, it shouldn't be this difficult. He pinched his nose in frustration. Hibari spoke up, misreading his action.
"I know it can be obnoxious," he started timidly, eyes now avoiding Kousaku's, "It's just so hard when she's talking like that, being so mean. I haven't done anything! I have no idea why she hates me… I just want to exist without being hated."
Kousaku held up his hands in shock, understanding Hibari's implication, "Oh! It's not a problem, I mean it. I guess it's an instinct to try and fix issues I guess. Maybe I should apply to be a repairman after highschool."
He laughed nervously, Hibari's giggles joining in soon after. The blonde haired boy reached out, flicking Kousaku's nose.
"Well Mr. Fixer, maybe I'll need to come gather your advice for all my problems with boys." Hibari said, laughing outright at the way Kousaku's face blanched.
Maybe this could work, being friends with him. He was really nice after all, with a good sense of humor. And it's okay to have differences in opinions. It was almost surprising, the level of discomfort Tsubame showed towards her brother. Was the friction really being created by Hibari? Kousaku shifted in his seat, the silence settling on the two. It wasn't heavy or awkward like this morning. A small smile graced his face.
The rest of the meal passed quickly in comfortable silence. Hibari grabbed the dishes, dropping them into his bag before the bell rang signaling the second half of class. He gave Kousaku's hand a small squeeze before shifting back to face the front.
The second half was just as painful as the first, scrambling for notes and checking the book for unknown terms. A part of him wished he'd never left hometown. It wasn't that Kousaku didn't enjoy the challenge school presented, it was more just the fact that here that same challenge left him feeling like a fish out of water.
The tolling of the ending bell was music to his ears. He leaned back, letting out a deep breath. For all intents and purposes the first day went well. No one was outwardly hostile, and he was at least keeping up due to his efforts. He started packing his items slowly, organizing his bag carefully for work later. As he loaded his last book, blonde hair flipped onto his desk. Hibari looked up at Kousaku from his new position, having leaned back till he was almost upside down.
"Hey Kousaaaakkku?" he asked, drawing out his name, "Wanna walk home together?"
Kousaku shrugged his shoulders, generally indifferent.
"I'll probably stay after a bit to get some more notes from the teacher. My old school was a bit behind you guys." he sighed irritably.
Hibari pouted dramatically, "But I don't wanna walk all alone… What if some strange man approaches me? Don't you want to keep me safe?"
He laughed at the other boy, but sobered when he realized how it may look to the other students. Both of them talking, joking in such close proximity. He flushed at the thought.
"Hibari, I know you like playing, but other students are seriously going to assume we're a couple!" he hissed, flicking Hibari's nose.
If anything, the pout intensified on Hibari's face, scrunching up his nose and furrowing his brows. Kousaku hated to admit it but, well, he still looked cute even when he was mad. Hibari's sharp response pulled him from his thoughts.
"I've said it once, I'll say it again," he started, glaring at Kousaku, "I. Don't. Care. They can think what they think! At the very least it'll hopefully stop the love letters!"
What part of this didn't he understand? Kousaku wanted to thump his head on his desk. Unfortunately, the surface was already occupied, and dropping his head closer would just intensify the rumours. He felt a headache starting.
"You didn't ask for my consent before doing this! You being popular with boys because of your choices is not my responsibility!" he ground out, annoyance coloring his tone, "If people think we're dating there's no way I'll ever find a girlfriend! Everyone with think I'm into bo-"
Hibari's hand slapped over his mouth, stopping his sentence in its tracks. The glare hardened, and a fire lit in his chocolate orbs. Kousaku's face was pulled closer. Hibari growled out his next words with a voice like steel.
"Don't you dare say that in front of other students. None of them know, and none of them will." Hibari said, the low tone more dangerous than anything he'd heard from the boy, "My home life is already hell. You will not ruin my happiness here.
Hibari released him not a moment later. Pushing Kousaku back upright with some force. Did he always have to fuck up his words? Fuck this was difficult.
Hibari sat up sharply, grabbing his things and shoving them into his bag in a haphazard way. Each item was slammed roughly into the backpack. As he went to stand Kousaku reached out, catching the other boy's arm.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, "don't leave just yet, okay? I really didn't mean to say what I did."
Hibari slumped back into the chair, giving Kousaku a glare from the corner of his eye. The blonde hair hid most of his face, but there was no hiding the angry scowl splitting his otherwise gorgeous features.
"It didn't change what you said," came his caustic, if albeit quiet response, "I've told you only I have the right to talk about that and yet you almost did. Again!"
"I know," Kousaku started, doing his best to sound placating without being too loud, "I didn't think before I spoke. This is all so new for me, I'm trying to learn okay? I promise I'll work on it. It was stupid of me."
Hibari hadn't attempted to throw off his hand, so Kousaku took that as a win. The blonde was quiet for a few moments, and Kousaku felt himself begin to sweat in nervousness. Why did it matter if this… this cross-dressing boy didn't like him? Was him being Kousaku's first friend here that important?
"It was stupid of you, you're right," the words Hibari spoke were sharp, concise. Nevertheless, it was a relief to Kousaku that he was speaking to him at all.
"But I'll do my best to forgive you, and give you a chance to learn, okay? This won't last forever though. So please, do try."
Kousaku nodded, not wanting to make the situation worse.
"Also," continued Hibari, the anger still present in his voice, but with less heat, "You're walking me home. You can get your catch up from my notes. I'd rather us be able to talk about this kind of subject in a more private setting.
God he was an idiot. Of course Hibari would have all the notes he needed! And the boy's penmanship was nearly perfect too! He chided himself for not even considering Hibari someone he could count on. Kousaku mulled this over, eyes travelling to his classmate across from him. The chocolate eyes searched him for an answer, and Kousaku became acutely aware of how long he'd had his hand on Hibari's arm. He pulled it away abruptly. Nodding in agreement, he apologized once more. Why did his hand feel so cold now?
"Oh quit it already," Hibari's annoyed tone cut into his internal monologue, "Apologizing again and again does nothing. Don't apologize unless you've already shown that you're going to try and fix it. Now let's go."
Kousaku followed Hibari's lead, rising from his seat. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he bid the teacher farewell and followed Hibari out the door. The walk to the entrance was in silence, so he spent the time just observing his companion.
A few students waved at Hibari as he passed, him responding kindly to all of them. It was obvious among the students Hibari was well liked, and nobody seemed to know or care that he was a cross-dresser. It was like Hibari was magnetic, drawing people to him without even meaning too. It was understandable, to a degree. How different would their friendship be had he not known? Would he have been one of the lovestruck boys leaving letters in her locker?
It was likely, he reasoned, though he'd certainly have been too shy to try. The most popular girl of his grade, interested in him? Laughable. Nonetheless there was a charm to Hibari he couldn't shake. It was the aloof confidence in the way she traversed the world. She viewed others as peers from the way she spoke, but did so well at not letting them bother her. It impressed Kousaku heavily; his own anxiety surrounding others stood in such stark contrast to the way Hibari seemed to flow past such troubles.
He knew she worried though, that much was apparent at lunch. So maybe confidence was the wrong term. He caught himself mentally- when did he start calling Hibari a woman again? This was all so confusing. He opened his locker, changing his shoes while Hibari chatted with a girl nearby.
"Kousaku, all set to head out?" Hibari asked happily, giving him a dazzling smile.
All traces of the frustration and anger had bled away throughout their walk towards the lockers, the aloof Hibari returning to the surface. He gave a tentative smile in return, locking his locker.
"Yeah, we can get going." he intoned, albeit a bit quietly.
Both of them walked to the gate in silence. From the corner of his eye, Hibari seemed unbothered by the quiet, eyes flitting slowly across the surroundings. Kousaku on the other hand felt almost claustrophobic, should he say something? Hibari had specifically said not to apologize again, but he felt he had to. And he couldn't even understand why exactly he felt so guilty!
"So um, do you like academics?" he asked, the question such an obvious avoidance he wanted to cringe.
Hibari shrugged, the same aloof smile plastered on his face as he walked. He glanced up at the now cloudy sky, silent a beat before responding.
"I like excelling at what I put my effort into. And I do put my effort into school. Hm. It's going to rain soon, Kousaku. Did you pack an umbrella?" The wording of his response left Kousaku reeling. Did that mean he liked school? Or was that a subtle way of saying he hated class but liked not failing?
"Er- yes, I did," Kousaku replied, caught off guard, "I've gotten into the habit of packing one. My old commute was nearly twenty five minutes of walking!"
He pulled out of his bag a cheap, simple make. He used to hate the walk from his house to school. Now though, it was something he missed. The clear air always helped settle his thoughts, rejuvenating him after the stress of school.
"So outside of class," Kousaku continued after a beat, "what do you do for fun?"
Hibari's laugh rang off the buildings near them like wind chimes. He looked so comfortable, pleased. And cute, a rebellious part of Kousaku reminded, absolutely adorable. He hadn't noticed before that she scrunched her nose when she laughed. Fuck, why was this so hard? Focus Kousaku!
"Well, I draw some, though I'm not as passionate as my sister," began Hibari, twirling a strand of his hair around a finger, "I love singing and playing instruments. I actually joined a small band at school!"
Kousaku smiled, the joy in Hibari's voice infectious. He nodded along, listening.
"I read occasionally, sappy romances are a joy. But I'm not like, part of a school club or anything. Trust me, it bothers a lot of my classmates. This school is feral when it comes to clubs!" The exasperation in Hibari's voice surprised Kousaku.
"What do you mean by feral exactly?" he asked tentatively.
Hibari sighed deeply, shifting his bag on his shoulder. "I mean," he said, a touch of annoyance coloring his voice, "that since I've begun here I have been hounded to join a club. Any club. The school gets so bent out of shape for rugby and volleyball, I'm honestly surprised you haven't been accosted today!"
Kousaku laughed, "That bad? We didn't have anything like that where I'm from, we weren't exactly full of school pride…"
Hibari shrugged nonchalantly, glancing at the sky again, "Well it's not like I don't enjoy those things, I just don't share the level of passion others carry. It'd feel wrong, kinda stupid actually, to dedicate myself so heavily to some club for a sport I play once or twice a year on my own."
It was during his talk that a droplet of water landed on Kousaku's cheek. The drops started small but soon a quiet drizzle had begun. He opened the umbrella quickly, hiding from the gentle downpour under the fabric.
A soft hand wrapped around his on the stem of the umbrella. He glanced over, meeting the eyes of Hibari.
"Room for another?" he asked in the soothing voice of his, "I didn't grab mine on the way out the door…"
Kousaku smiled nervously, acutely aware of the proximity, of the warmth of Hibari against his side. He cleared his throat, wincing at the way his voice broke, "S-sure, yeah, no problem."
The silence between them lasted a moment, the only thing heard was the soft pattering of rain on the umbrella and the sounds of their breaths. How could a five minute walk seem so long?
"Are you a fan of the rain Kousaku?" asked Hibari gently, glancing up at him with those chocolate eyes, "I know I prefer the sun myself. Though it does have a certain… closeness I can appreciate."
The way Hibari said the words sent a small shiver down his spine, maybe it was the cold though. He replied carefully.
"I do enjoy it. It has a good atmosphere," he flushed, eyes widening at the possible implication, "for studying, I mean! I guess… It's good for days indoors."
Hibari gave a pleased hum in response, tugging himself closer against Kousaku. The faint smell of lilac and cardamom mixing with the sharp scent of fresh rain.
"It does have a nice atmosphere, doesn't it?" Hibari said softly, the words almost lost in the rain.
How was he supposed to respond to that? She had to know what she did to him, she had to. Was he sweating, during rain like this?
"U-uh, yeah…" Kousaku replied lamely, tongue heavy in his mouth. Smooth Kousaku, smooth.
A soft sigh escaped his companion, drawing his attention from the street ahead of them. They were almost home, just a few more houses. Soft chocolate eyes glanced up at him, an emotion in them he couldn't place. Her mouth was opened slightly, soft pink lips separated in a way that left his eyes locked on them. Her fine blonde hair shifted slightly with the wind, and any truly coherent thought left his mind.
…almost against his will, his free hand came up and brushed the errant strand out of her face.
"I-I" he stuttered, throat dry despite the wet weather. He swallowed heavily, before continuing, "I need to go!"
Kousaku thrust the umbrella into Hibari's surprised hands, running the last paces to the house. Even the short journey left him soaked, but the rain helped cool his heavily beating heart. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hibari standing still, a dumbfounded look on her face. He took off his shoes quickly, entering the house proper. His steps to his room were quick, but polite. It wouldn't do to piss off the yakuza members milling about on business.
A breath escaped his lungs, one he hadn't realized he was holding. What the fuck had gotten into him? He caught his reflection in the window, uniform loose around his neck. His face was flushed, hair soaked and flat against his head. He looked like a mess. How could what he said sounded to Hibari? Aghh he was so stupid. Stupid stupid stupid! 'I need to go,' could he have said anything more silly? He was acting like a middle-schooler for chrissake!
That boy just had a way of getting underneath his skin, it was infuriating. He grabbed a sweatshirt for lack of a better item, doing his best to dry his hair. He still felt damp, but at least his face didn't have water on it. The room he called home stared back at him, looking almost identical to when he'd left. The only notable difference in fact was that his bed was made and the picture of mom had a frame now.
He was being ridiculous, he knew that. But still, at the moment Kousaku didn't feel ready to face Hibari again. He'd have to eventually, even if just to get notes for class. He pulled the damp bookbag off his shoulder, tossing it onto the desk. After a quick moment of indecision, he opened it, removing his books. Nothing would help clear his head quite like the dull work of catching up on classes.
The sleeves on his jacket stuck to his arms, heavy with water. Made sense he'd have to change before going on to study. What a stupid move, running through the rain.
Without really thinking, he popped his jacket off, tossing it into the hamper. It was nice to know he wouldn't have to wear the tacky outfit again. Uniforms were the worst.
Button by button, Kousaku worked his way down the shirt, stripping the wet garment from his body. He went to his dresser to remove a new shirt, digging through the drawer for something comfortable. Digging around, the faint clicking of the door opening caught his attention, followed by a "meep!" from the person outside. By the time he'd swung around, the door was slammed shut with a blur of black hair.
"I should have knocked!" came the painfully embarrassed sounding voice of Tsubame, muffled by the heavy wood now separating them.
He couldn't help but laugh, the parallel between this incident and his this morning with Hibari not lost on him. At least the humor helped avoid his own embarrassment. He pulled a t-shirt on, slinging the door open.
Tsubame had stayed put instead of scampering away like he had. With a face so similar to Hibari, it was almost comical seeing the outright embarrassed red blush adorning her cheeks. She started to stutter an apology before he held up a hand, ignoring the heat rising to his own cheeks.
"It- It was just a shirt Tsubame, no harm done," he quickly changed the topic, "so what was it you needed?"
She paused mid apology, audibly taking a deep breath. The blush across her cheeks receded, the embarrassment in her chocolate eyes morphing into concern.
"W-well," she stuttered, "I just wanted to make sure you'd gotten home safely. You weren't there when I left school.."
Her voice tapered off near the end, her entire demeanor seeming to shrink in upon herself. He broke into a soft smile, doing his best to look placating.
"Well, it's perfectly okay, no need to worry. Thanks for checking in on me though! Hibari was kind enough to walk me home," he laughed nervously, eyeing his wet clothes in the hamper, "it was a good thing too, otherwise at least one of us would have gotten soaked.."
It was a small change in her demeanor. Tsubame stood a little taller, eyes narrowing just slightly. It was her tone that surprised him the most.
"I… see." she finally said, tone sounding more displeased than worried, "has he started acting at least a little more masculine around you?" she asked, the question sounding almost forced.
Thoughts of class, of the walk came back to Kousaku. The words they'd shared, how other students treated her brother, the bickering, pushing Hibari's hair out of her eyes… he hoped his room was dim enough Tsubame wouldn't notice the blush.
"Er, well, sh-," he caught himself, swallowing heavily at the way Tsubame's eyes narrowed, "he didn't seem any different from last night, if that's what you mean. Just comfortable and normal- for Hibari that is." he finished lamely.
Tsubame shrugged her shoulders, seemingly satisfied. She replied comfortably, some of the tension draining from her posture, "Well, I guess changes won't occur overnight. He's been acting like a pervert for so long, it'll probably take him a while to see how nice being normal can be. Lord knows it'll be nice not having to worry about my clothes disappearing"
"Ah, well," Kousaku started, uncomfortable with the turn in conversation, "I guess we all find our definition of normal a bit different."
What a wordsmith, good job Kousaku. Tsubame let out a snort at his comment, visibly rolling her eyes. Eh, it was better than her continuing on with the train of thought. Carefully, he tried to change the conversation to safer waters.
"Oh yeah, how'd your day go?" he asked, giving a feeble smile, "I know I was absolutely beat. I mean my class is almost three weeks ahead of me! I've got plenty of catching up to do, that's for sure."
She gave a small giggle in reply, some of the tension in her eyes bleeding away.
"It's probably quite a shift. If you want I can go pull up my notes from that year, help walk you through the concepts," she said happily, "and my day has been better than yours from the sounds of it! I've gotten the first draft of my literature essay finished, so I'll just need to refine it tonight. It's not due till two more days, but it never hurts to be prepared."
"What are you writing about?" Kousaku asked politely.
"Economic shifts of japan, specifically the change in our economic culture throughout the twentieth century." she said passionately.
It seemed interesting enough, if you liked history and economics. Either way though, he couldn't pass up the chance to catch up on classes. He gave her a warm smile.
"I can't say I know much about it, but I'd be happy to proof-read your work if it'd help!" He offered earnestly.
Tsubame agreed readily, giving him a smile framed by cheeks dusted pink. They spent their time studying in one of the common rooms of the home. For the most part it was quiet, broken by a quiet question or the scratching of a pen. They did talk of subjects outside of school though, usually when trading criticism or advice on a subject. For her part, Tsubame seemed fascinated by the differences between his small town and city life, it was cute in a way. She spoke fondly of her sisters and her childhood, only touching lightly on the fact they'd lost their mom almost a decade ago. The stories were mostly joyful ones though.
As the light waned, Kousaku found himself next to this girl who once was a stranger, stomach hurting from laughing so hard. She was nice, he decided, as long as Hibari wasn't a subject of their conversations.
"And then," she continued, fighting down giggles, "Suzume came sprinting up from the beach naked as the day she was born, holding a pair of sand dollars and crying 'The mermaids haven't given me my tail yet'! It was so ridiculous. You should have seen dad chasing her around the gazebo with a towel, you'd never have recognized the man! We never did find where she lost her bathing suit."
Kousaku laughed alongside her, the warmth of her giggles contagious.
"I bet you all were glad it was a private beach huh?" he asked, snickering.
She rolled her eyes in response, giggling at his antics.
"Yes, I guess we were," her eyes landed above him, at the clock hanging on the wall. They widened comically.
"It's already 7:30?" she gasped, "We're going to be late for dinner! Come on!"
The meal was a lively affair, Kousaku chatting amiably with the other members present. Absent tonight though were Ibari and Hibari. The latter brought forth a mix of relief and worry, he did hope Hibari would get something to eat before bed. Like the night before, Tsubame and Kousaku worked together to clear the plates. It was quick but pleasant, all conversation for the most part staying safe. It wasn't until they were outside his room that Tsubame spoke up.
"Kousaku, thanks for today," she smiled, that dusting of pink returning to her cheeks, "it was nice to be able to work with someone else without worrying about how they'll see me…"
It was nice, he had to agree. He gave a warm grin of his own, patting her on the shoulder.
"Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. It was a lot of fun" he said, genuine happiness filling his voice.
"Do you think we could do it again sometime?" Tsubame blurted suddenly, slapping a hand over her mouth like she'd said something rude. Her face flamed in what he could only guess was embarrassment. It made sense though, getting to know new people was hard, he knew that for sure.
He laughed at her antics, nodding in response. He spoke up happily, opening the door behind him.
"Sounds like a plan," he stepped into his room, glancing at her over his shoulder, "Have a good night Tsubame."
"Goodnight Kousaku," she said quietly as he closed the door.
He smiled softly to himself, stuffing his school books back into his bag. It'd become easier to talk to Tsubame as the evening progressed. In a way, her own nervousness made it easier to relax. They both were new, and both acted like it. She definitely could be sociable when she wanted.
"You forgot."
He jumped at the words, whipping around to stare at the door between his and Hibari's room. The boy stood there with an umbrella in his hands, a disappointed frown crossing his features.
"Jesus, Hibari!" Kousaku exclaimed, "You could have given me a heart attack!"
His joke wasn't well received, Hibari's expression not changing in the slightest.
"You forgot." the blonde repeated flatly, expression hard. Hibari stepped into the room softly, shifting out of the doorway.
Hibari was right of course, he had forgotten. How had he let it slip his mind?
"Er… yeah, I guess I did. I'm sorry Hibari," Kousaku apologized earnestly, "Tsubame caught up with me and wanted help with her paper, plus she offered to help me catch up…"
He trailed off lamely, gesturing vaguely with his hands. It was a lame excuse, and only half true. Either way though the apology didn't help matters.
Hibari scoffed at his words, eyeing him up and down, "Seriously? You blew me off to study with my sister?"
"I-I just didn't want to inconvenience you! I know how hard you work!" Kousaku lied, uncomfortable with the focus. It's not like he could just say how nervous he felt around Hibari. What was he supposed to say? 'Sorry, I can barely focus when you keep looking and acting like that'. Yeah, that'd go over well. He was getting better about it, but it just wasn't something he could fix overnight.
"Don't lie, I'm not stupid," Hibari spoke so flatly, as though wounded, "do you really find the need to avoid me?"
"I-I wasn't avoiding you!" Kousaku pushed the hair out of his eyes roughly, frustrated to a degree. How could he properly explain at all what he was feeling? Hibari didn't say anything, giving him a flat stare. Slowly, a single eyebrow rose, his chocolate eyes never leaving Kousaku's face.
"Look, maybe I was a little, okay?" Kousaku floundered, feeling his cheeks heat with embarrassment, "I just had a lot on my mind. And I just needed to clear my head and sort through my thoughts. And I don't know, I've always used studying kind of like therapy."
Hibari eyed him up and down, crossing his arms in a sour posture. Kousaku began to sweat as the seconds turned into minutes of silence. He could feel himself fidget when finally Hibari spoke, posture opening up slowly.
"Fine, I won't pry. But we are studying tomorrow. No excuses like today."
He threw the umbrella across the room, Kousaku stumbling to catch it, "Oh, and here's your umbrella," Hibari said, his amused smirk lighting up his gorgeous face, "thanks for lending it to me when you took your little break."
The air quotations around what he's said left no room to doubt how little Hibari believed him then. Kousaku felt his face flush at the memory. The rain, the closeness- the way her face looked up at you, whispered the rebellious part of his brain.
"Er- no problem, um," Kousaku hated his nervousness, the way his voice shook when he spoke, "Well I uh, I need to get ready for bed, it's pretty late.." he finished lamely, giving a lopsided smile.
Hibari took a step closer, quickly entering Kousaku's personal space. She batted her eyelashes, offering a coy smirk.
"I could join you if you'd like," she all but whispered. Her face was a mere inches from his own.
Kousaku swallowed once, twice. His throat felt like sandpaper. Why was his heart so loud? He took a half-step back.
"W-what do you-" he started to ask, only to be cut off short by Hibari's reply.
"I'm just teasing, Kousaku," she said, giggling lightly, "at least for today."
"Y-you've got to stop teasing like that!" Kousaku exclaimed, hiding his embarrassment with indignation.
"Or what," challenges Hibari, smirking, "you'll fall for me?"
He blanched at her throwing his words back in his face.
"You're ridiculous!" he said, throwing his hands in the air.
"Only as much so as you are," teased Hibari, laughing merrily. She seemed to watch him for a moment, eyes softening in intensity, "I was right, you know."
At his questioning look, she continued, "I've been glad you came here, you're fun to be around."
"S-same to you" Kousaku mumbled in response, "I really should be getting to bed though, goodnight Hibari."
"Goodnight Kousaku, sweet dreams~" Hibari replied, giving him a small wave before exiting his room.
As his door closed, his eyes landed on the photograph of his mom, now seated in a simple wood frame. This isnt what I expected but maybe I can make this work. Maybe you made the right decision in sending me here after all.
--
While Hibari and Kousaku bickered and played, a much more somber conversation was held elsewhere in the house. Ibari sat alone in his study, phone raised to his ear. It'd been a while since he'd reached out to this specific acquaintance, but desperate times called for desperate measures. It was ridiculous how Hibari had acted in front of Harue's son! He cleared his throat.
"So everything sounds acceptable then?" asked the Oozora family head.
"Absolutely Mr. Oozora, I'll be there in a few days. I'll need to prepare some things." came the gruff reply of a deep voiced man.
"Very well. I shall see you soon then. A room will be prepared." he hung up the phone without another word uttered. After the long call, the room felt eerily quiet. It'd taken quite a favor to pull his old friend from retirement, but it'd be worth it in the end. The Family was his legacy, his everything. He loved them, supported them, hell he practically paved the future for it all. But the family would die without an heir. A proper one, not a cross-dressing freak. It appeared the time of the Spartan dragon had risen again.