Hayami had just walked in to the living room with Chiba and Itona. She sat down in between them and watched them work.

A few minutes later Rukia had called for Chiba.

Chiba tenses getting up "Coming Nee-san!" He glances at Hayami before leaving.

Both devils smirk holding in their laughs in attempt to be polite as they look at their emo classmate

Chiba gulps "Yeah?"

Rukia "You really need to bring them over more often! I love these two!"

Chiba's hit with a wave of dread "On no…"

Haruka "Also on a somewhat related note? You're grounded."

Chiba throws his arms up "What?! Why? Where these two devils said they probably made it up!"

Karma "All we did was show them a picture~"

Chiba leans behind him "Karma. I literally just asked for you two to behave. Is that too much to ask."

Karma holds up his phone "I am behaving. Nakamura's also on her best behavior~ Would you prefer we act like we do with Korosensei?"

'Assassination…'

Chiba looks at the pictures of him bandaging Hayami's leg. Both blushing slightly.

Chiba "Why and how do you have that. And don't act the way you do around Korosensei. These two are class troublemakers. Tadashi you've heard the rumor about the red devil?"

Tadashi nods "Duh? The whole school knows that rumor?"

Chiba nods touching Karma's chair "This's him."

Karma smirks "Akabane Karma~ brought a whole new meaning to that saying~"

Tadashi has a shocked look on his face "That's you? How does someone like you become friends with my brother?"

Karma raises his eyebrow at Tadashi before looking back at Chiba then back at Tadashi "You may not believe it but your brother is a cool person."

Rio nods in agreement then nudges Chiba "Yeah, even though he reached a new level of emo"

Even though Chiba was blushing in embarrassment with a scowl he was genuinely shocked at both Karma and Rio.

Karma "Of course he's still a dork and the biggest emo in the class~"

Rio nods and Chiba pouts

Chiba "Are you two forgetting Hazama-san?"

Karma "She's more gothic than emo."

Rio nods "Yup. Hazama is class goth and you're the emo."

Chiba frowns as Karma continues

Karma "But he has his moments. Like when we go against the Big five~"

Tadashi and Rukia visibly tense.

Rukia "The big five… they used to compete with the high school… but ever since a new rival appeared…"

Tadashi "The school increased the work of all grades in Kunugigaoka… are you saying it's because of you guys?"

Karma and Rio nod and Ryuu's screaming.

Chiba 'Nee-san and Tadashi are gonna be pissed…'

Karma "I have top grades in the school. Nakamura's in third behind Asano. And your emo brother over here is third in school for math."

Chiba smiles nervously "We may be the End Class but we do have our moments."

Tsukki "I knew your grades were improving but I didn't think they improved that much?"

Tadashi "Didn't the entire End Class Make top 50?"

Karma nods "Barely."

Chiba puts his hands up "Hey I'm not responsible for Sugaya, and Terasaka is Itona's problem."

The other two E-3 students nod

Haruka "What exactly is the End Class?"

Chiba flinches "I already told you."

Tsukki "You also told us your class was at the bottom of the barrel. Now we're hearing your whole class made top 50 in grades."

Rio chimes in knowing Chiba's gonna panic "We were at the bottom. How long ago was it he told you that?"

Tsukki things "Few months ago?"

Karma nods "A few months ago we were definitely at the bottom. But since then we've all improved in different ways."

Chiba 'These two are actually behaving? That's weird?'

Haruka "Ryuu did mention things were changing but never said how?"

Chiba crosses his arms "Not my fault the connection was trash. I'm not a technician."

Itona comes in "Chiba… you might wanna come here for a sec."

Chiba nods "Excuse me."

He follows him confused.

Okajima's sitting beside Hayami looking nervous and Hayami looks annoyed and uncomfortable.

Chiba feels his bloodlust spiking and he shoots a nerf bullet at Okajima.

Hayami sighs relieved 'Perfect shot'

Okajima isn't even surprised "Chiba really… What was that for?"

Chiba shrugs pocketing the toy gun "For being here in general."

"Shoot them too then."

"Not taking chances with Hayami now and I'm not shooting Itona at least till the bots done."

"Valid."

Hayami stands up "Chiba can we talk? In private."

He fights back a blush and nods "Ah sure…"

He leads her to the stairs attempting to sneak up unnoticed.

Failed that.

Both devils noticed and so did Rukia who smirks.

Rukia 'Has he confessed yet?'

Karma 'If only I had a way to get up there…'

Rio 'How can I spy…'

Meanwhile the snipers.

Chiba leads her to a small balcony overlooking the backyard. They stand in silence for a moment letting their guards down completely. It's not awkward but there's definitely tension in the air.

Hayami "Your family seems really nice…"

He smiles softly "Yeah… they are…"

"They sure do like teasing you huh?"

He blushes slightly "Yeah… I don't bring people over ever… last time was cause Sugaya brought me notes and then the only one here was Senna."

Hayami looks at him taking in everything. He's still in his school uniform but took off the vest and tie and has the top buttons undone. His dark bangs hanging down past his eyes. The very faint blush party hidden and the ghost smile barely noticeable.

"Chiba…"

"Yeah Hayami?"

"I'm glad I came…"

He rolls his eyes "Translation: You're glad you got dirt on me."

Hayami smirks "That's a plus. But I mean… you've been weird all day and yesterday… You said it was cause of Tadashi but nothing seems off between you?"

He gulps "He doesn't like E-3…"

"Rukia was right. You suck at lying. Chiba. You can trust me?"

A soft blush covers his face as he looks at her "I do trust you a Hayami. You know I do. We're partners I trust you more than I trust anyone."

"Then?"

He opens his mouth to speak but fails at finding words and just looks away embarrassed.

Before she can say anything they hear the door locking and look over.

Chiba "Shit…" he tries to open it and Karma smirks deviously. Chiba groans feeling his bloodlust spike out of annoyance as Karma leaves.

Hayami "Chiba. It's not a far drop? We could easily handle it."

Chiba crosses his arms "Yes. Because a normal teenager can jump out of a second story window and be fine. Hayami that's gonna raise questions."

She shrugs "Got a better idea?"

He thinks for a moment then looks past her "Actually I do."

Hayami raises an eyebrow "You still didn't answer why you were being so weird the last two days?"

Chiba climbs on the railing "I just had a lot on my mind."

He steps on the ledge of the window next room and carefully slides it open

Hayami blinks "And this isn't gonna raise questions?"

Chiba "Trust me. This's a lot easier to explain."

"Wait for me."

Chiba blushes deeply "Wait no! Hayami stay there! I'll unlock the door!"

Hayami smirks "Embarrassed for me to see your room~?"

Chiba clears his throat "Who said this's my room. Just wait a sec."

He goes around and unlocks the glass door

Hayami's looking over at his yard

Chiba "Hayami?"

Hayami snaps out of her thoughts "Zoned out. Sorry."

He smiles faintly "If we're gone for to long the devils will start getting ideas."

She crosses her arms "Chiba we're not going anywhere until you tell me why you were being so weird. Your bloodlust has been crazy all day."

His cheeks go pink and he looks away "I don't know what you're talking about…"

She pouts annoyed "Chiba. I can tell the difference from something you want to hide and something you secretly want to say. Just tell me. I might be able to help?"

Chiba smiles and waves it off "You can read me way to easily sometimes. Really. I can handle this."

"Does it have to do with whatever Okajima's been trying to tell me all day?"

His bloodlust spikes for a split second and she notices.

Hayami "It does! So all I need is for Okajima to spit it out."

Chiba flinches "No! If Okajima wants to talk say no. Don't ask why just don't listen to him!"

Hayami raises an eyebrow "There you go again Chiba? I don't get it! I can read you easily, we can pretty much read each other's minds at this point, we're partners, we need to trust each other, be in sync. Chiba I know you better than anyone so why? Why can't I read you now…?"

Chiba feels her bloodlust wavering 'Crap…' "Do you trust me."

She nods

He puts a hand on her shoulder, ignoring the burning inside "Then trust me when I say this: I have it under control. But… if Okajima tries to talk to you alone… ignore him."

"I try to ignore him anyway. And are you sure you have it under control? You barely have your bloodlust under control."

He smiles shyly letting go "Trust me."

Hayami smiles fondly and nods "Alright. But if I suspect anything I'm asking."

He nods "Fine. But. You ask me. Deal?"

She looks at him skeptical "You have to have your guard down when you answer."

"Hayami we both know both our guards drop when we're alone not shooting."

"True. So deal?"

He nods offering his hand "Deal."

She shakes his hand and both instantly feel a spark but don't know it's mutual or what it means.

They let go nervously and look away

"We should go back…"

"Yeah before they get ideas…"

They go downstairs thinking

'Why did I feel a jolt at the connection? Did (s)he feel it too? Static electricity probably. It had to be. What else would it be?'

They go downstairs and Chiba is hit with a huge wave a dread seeing Tadashi reaching for a book

Chiba fires his nerf gun at Tadashi "If you don't stop right now. I swear. I will set a bomb in your room."

Tadashi glares at him annoyed "This one isn't even the bad one!"

Chiba blushes more "Tadashi!!"

Itona looks up from his bot then back at it 'At least he's not trying to kill Okajima again.'

Karma "C'mon Chiba~"

Rio "Can't be that bad~"

Okajima smirks 'Payback for trying to kill me' "We're curious."

Hayami smirks beside Chiba "No need to be so bashful~?"

Chiba attempts to send a death glare at her but fails seeing her cute smirk. He looks away back at Tadashi who put the book back and has his hands up in defeat.

Chiba lowers his gun and goes to Tadashi grabbing his arm and hissing under his breath "If you did anything I will go through all your stuff then set a bomb. Don't challenge me."

Tadashi gulps as he lets go "Ryuu-nii you're the worst."

Chiba shrugs "Well aware. You're also aware that if I wanted to I can kill you."

Tadashi nods "You won't. There's to many witnesses. And you wouldn't kill whichever one of them you're dating~"

The E-3 students attempt to hold their laughs watching the brothers.

Chiba tenses "I told you! I'm dating anyone!"

Tadashi rolls his eyes smirking "Still have a huge crush on-"

Chiba quickly covers his mouth "I do not!"

"Chiba has a crush?"

"On who?"

"Chiba why didn't you tell me!! I thought we were friends!"

"How haven't I noticed you have a crush…"

Chiba blushes deeply know having everyone's attention, even Itona's

Itona 'Probably Hayami'

Chiba let's go of Tadashi "It's- it's not like that!! I don't like anyone!! I'm fine staying single!!"

Hayami feels slightly disappointed for some reason 'I've never seen Chiba this nervous? I can tell he's lying… he does have a crush. But on who? Sugaya maybe? They're pretty close. Maybe Itona?? They've gotten closer lately. Okajima might know and might be trying to tell me Chiba's crush or maybe that he's gay? Chiba's been weird mostly the last two days?'

Haruka thinks "What about that boy you were telling us about last time we called?"

Chiba cringes "Seriously?! Me and him?! No way!! He's definitely just a friend!! He's cool and all but no way!!"

Tsukki "What was his name again…?"

"Doesn't matter!"

'He didn't deny liking boys?'

'Wait… is our best snipers gay?'

'Probably Sugaya…'

'Chiba likes Hayami but didn't deny liking boys? Bi maybe?'

'How did I not realize it considering how much we're together?'

Tadashi looks at Chiba 'Bisexual? That would kinda explain things…'

Chiba looks at the floor avoiding everyone's gazes "Ah ha… It's getting late! I think they should get going! I'll walk them out!"

Tsukki "Do you guys need a ride?"

Hayami feels slightly bad "I live pretty close so I can walk."

Rio "I'll walk with you."

Itona "I like walking."

Karma "I usually take the train."

Okajima "train too."

Tsukki "Oh. Well it was nice meeting you all."

Haruka "Come again."

Senna "Bye-Bye!"

Tadashi smirks "I'll show you the book next time."

Ruki "Nice meeting Ryuu's friends."

Chiba "Yes it's great. I'll walk them out. Don't forget your stuff." He grabs the devils and gives Okajima a death glare

Itona and Hayami shrug following them.

Once outside Chiba sighs "I think I just lost 20 years of my life…"

Hayami smirks "Wasn't that bad right?"

Karma and Rio swipe through their phones "All things considered I'd call that a success."

"Yeah Tadashi is amazing."

Chiba groans "I really shoulda locked him in his roof…"

Hayami "Which brings another thing? Karma. Why'd you lock us outside."

He sticks his tongue out and shrugs "So we could talk to Tadashi and Rukia without Chiba trying to kill us?"

Chiba tenses "Wait shit Nee-san? Don't believe any of what either of those two say."

Itona "So we can believe what the small says? Senna right?"

Chiba "She's literally 6. Overactive imagination. Now get out of here all of you behind I actually kill someone."

Okajima grumbles "That someone would be me right…"

"Most likely."

Hayami waves bye "I gotta go. See ya tomorrow Chiba."

He smiles softly and none miss it "Bye Hayami."

Rio follows Hayami "Later."

He nods bye.

Karma smirks "Can you be obvious?"

Chiba tenses "I- I don't know what you're talking about. Bye."

He goes back inside and rushes to his room ignoring his family and collapsing on his bed 'I hate everything…'

Meanwhile outside

Karma shrugs going to the station with Okajima and Itona who lives near the station.

Karma "Hehe… this's gonna be interesting."

Okajima "Anyone else notice the family eye colors?"

Itona "What about them?"

Karma "They were for the most part different. Tsukki had dark red, Haruka blue, Rukia violet, Tadashi blue, and Senna a bluish purple. Based on that and what Chiba's said I think it's safe to say his eyes are either dark red like Tsukki's or like Rukia's but darker."

Itona shrugs "Who knows. Chiba probably has a reason for hiding them."

Okajima "Maybe they aren't actually like his family's? Like maybe his mom cheated, got pregnant, and Chiba's eyes are like his."

Karma shrugs "Think I'll dig into this more. Tadashi would probably tell us."

Itona "Speaking of? He did mention that Chiba like someone a few times?"

Okajima crosses his arms "Frankly I'd be surprised if Chiba even knows what love is."

Karma smirks "If he does. I'll find out. After all~ between me and Nakamura we can dig up anything on anyone."

Itona "You still haven't found is real eye color though."

"I found your entire past didn't I."

Itona shrugs touching his headband "Not like it's hard."

Meanwhile Rio and Hayami

Rio "So where'd you two go when you disappeared~?"

Hayami "Just talked on the balcony."

"Find out why he's been weird lately?"

"Not really… I think it has to do with why Okajima keeps trying to talk to me."

"Ever find out what he wanted?"

She shakes her head

Rio smirks "Maybe it's about Chiba's crush? Also do you know if he's actually straight?"

Hayami shrugs "He hasn't come out to me if that's what you're asking. I don't get it. Why wouldn't he tell me he has a crush? We never keeps secrets…"

Rio raises an eyebrow 'She really is oblivious…' "Maybe he's just embarrassed about it. He doesn't show emotion very much and probably doesn't even understand if it's a crush."

She sighs "Still…"

Rio nudges her "Why does it bother you so much? Jealous?"

Hayami crosses her arms with a faint blush "I just don't understand him. Chiba's been really weird the last two days… His bloodlust has been uncontrollable too…"

Rio shrugs "Karma and I will interrogate him tomorrow. We got a lot of dirt on him so he's pretty much guaranteed to answer." She smirks looking at her phone "Unless he wants a this shown to the entire class?"

Hayami looks at the screen and fails to hide her smile "Wait… that's Chiba?!"

Rio nods "I think they said he was around 4 here? I have one of his first day of primary school too. I'll send it to you."

Hayami looks through Rio's phone trying to hold her laugh "Please do."

She blushes and drops the phone but Rio catches it

Rio "Hey careful! My case broke last week and I haven't bought a new one!"

Hayami covers her cheeks "How and why do you have picture?!"

Rio looks at screen and smirks "Oh this's just something Karma sent me while we were looking at pictures. Apparently he took it awhile back after instance parkour."

Hayami blushes more "S-send me that…"

Rio winks "Got it~ Don't you think he looks good?"

Hayami nods looking back at the phone still red cheeked "Mmm…"

Rio smirks keeping a close eye on her "Karma took this expecting him to look all sweaty and gross but Chiba ended up looking hot as hell."

Hayami smiles and nods attempting to control her blush "Yeah…"

Rio nudges her "Eh~ got a crush?"

Hayami looks away "Chiba has a crush but won't say who."

"Like you're any different?"

"Oh shut up. It's not a crush. He just… looks really…"

Rio pats Hayami's head "Hehe! You're adorable!"

Hayami swats her hand away "No."