Slick and black - no - iridescent. Pink and blue shifts but so dark without the reflection of light.

It's rising up over his feet, his knees past his hips.

It keeps rising over his chest and shoulders. Higher and higher. It's like oil, too thin to get on top of - no buoyancy - impossible to float or swim in. He can't get his head above it as it covers him.

The oil floods his nose and mouth and he can't breathe. It's impossible to rise above. He's helpless, drowning.

That night, Hanazawa Teruki died.

Hanazawa Teruki didn't lose, he wasn't supposed to lose. The powers he had been born with were proof of that. He was born to be special.

That's why he wanted to kill the Shadow Leader of Salt.

… Okay, that's why he should want to kill the Shadow Leader of Salt. The gang called him White T Poison except for that one guy with the slicked-back hair. What did he call Poison again? K… K-something… Kageyama. That's it.

Kageyama, with his lack of presence and his average face and his stupid bowl cut hair. His soft voice and the shine on his thick, soft-looking hair. His dark eyes and his round cheeks and his amazing aura…

Teru should want to fight Kageyama again to reassert his dominance. He really, really should. But even in his defeat-induced fever, he couldn't think of trying it.

No matter how angry he got or how his power surged the difference between them was so clear it couldn't even have been called a fight. Kageyama could have flattened him the moment he became aware of Teru's existence if he wanted to. It was a completely new feeling that Teru hated at the time. Until now, when he didn't feel as though he could hate it as much.

His power was nothing close to Kageyama's and he's never been so thoroughly humiliated before. Enraged and helpless as Kageyama imposed his aura over Teru's own and pinned him as effortlessly as one could manipulate a doll. Enraged and… something else. It wasn't what happened after that. Getting thrown into the air while his powers were nullified until he begged for mercy was genuinely terrifying and he wouldn't want to experience it again, but before that. When he was still unable to move on the field and Kageyama called him average even when Teru was doing his best to prove otherwise.

He skipped school for a few days to lay in bed at home and stew. He replayed the moment of his downfall in his mind over and over. With the sheer amount of brooding he was doing the idea of Kageyama's flat expression should have been enough to send him into a rage. But it didn't.

There was only one possible conclusion to be drawn here.

Teru was still special, of course. But only special compared to average people. Not compared to Kageyama, who's obviously the most special.

He found this easier to accept than he thought he would, given what he had made himself believe his whole life. Well, if being levitated above the school could be considered easy, which Kageyama probably did because he's so amazing…

Teru can still be above everyone else as he always has been, he's just below Kageyama. Not a big change, really. Yes, his pride took a huge hit, but the worst of it was that other people were watching. If he had been pinned by Kageyama's power and it was just the two of them…

Or I could just not finish that thought ever for the rest of my life.

This new acceptance has brought him to the front gates of Salt as the school day is coming to an end. He had accepted Kageyama's ultimatum but then the guy with the slicked hair who Teru had defeated started giving him the conditions of his surrender and Teru pretty much stopped listening. He was more interested in Kageyama who was oddly quiet for someone who just had a total victory. His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets and his shoulders were drawn up in a way Teru would have described as defensive if Kageyama had anything to be defensive over. With his chin tipped down that flat look under the blunt cut of his thick bangs he had almost looked cool…

So, since Teru hadn't listened to that lame, average person Kageyama had as his spokesman, it only makes sense that Teru should go see Kageyama personally so they could discuss the terms of their new shared territory.

Teru doesn't know where he might find the Shadow Leader who, as the name implies, remains in the shadow of the gang so his identity is discrete. So he's watching students pass by, looking for the type of students most likely to be able to help him.

Another group of guys passes by - useless - and finally, a group of twittering girls approaches.

Teru pushes off the wall behind him by his shoulders, runs his fingers through his perfect hair, and puts on his winning smile. Girls, he knows how to work with.

"Excuse me," He says, stepping in front of the group. As soon as the girl in front's eyes land on him she flushes. As she should.

"I hate to bother you ladies," He continues, stepping closer now that he knows he's welcomed. "But I was looking for a friend and I was hoping you could help me find him."

"O-oh, um…" the girl in front looks back at her friends who giggle and wave encouragingly at her. She starts twirling her long hair around her index finger and Teru knows he's got her. "Okay! Who is it?"

"A student named Kageyama." He glances down at her body as though he's interested in her as well. He never is though. Girls are pretty and soft to the touch and that's fine and all, he's just never really cared.

"Kageyama?" She looks back to her friends again for help.

"I know him," another girl with short hair pipes up. "He's in the student council with my younger sister so he's probably in a meeting right now."

Student council?

Teru doesn't really see Kageyama as the type since he's so quiet and insistent on letting some significantly less cool, background character talk for him. But he supposes it would be a good cover. Teru would do the same if he had the time, but he chose to join the football team instead.

"Alright, thank you very much." He thanks the girls graciously before adding: "Maybe I'll see you around."

With a wink and a wave, he walks past the girls who giggle and wave back at him. Finding the student council room shouldn't be too hard. Now that Teru knows he needs to look for a subtle, psychic aura, it should be easy to narrow down the general area that Kageyama is in.

The halls are mostly empty as he walks through them, focusing carefully to try and sense Kageyama. He hadn't sensed the boy's presence at all when Kageyama first approached him, but Teru also wasn't trying to either. And if Kageyama still has his aura too well concealed then he'll just have to find the student council room like normal. It's not like their schools will be set up that differently.

It takes him longer than he would like but Teru tells himself that this way he won't have to wait around as long for the meeting to end. But, he does find the classroom where the meeting is being held. He doesn't sense Kageyama's aura though, no matter how hard he focuses on it. And Teru remembers exactly how it feels. That's more than a little discouraging.

He hangs out around the corner, trying not to look too suspicious. Thankfully, the meeting ends soon and Salt's student council starts to trickle out.

Not Kageyama, not Kageyama, not Kageyama. Damn it, where is he?

"Excuse me? You don't go to school here." A snide voice belonging to a boy with greasy hair breaks Teru's focus.

Teru shifts to look down his nose at the two boys now standing in front of him and Teru resists the urge to snap at the obvious lacky material.

"I'm looking for a friend of mine. I was told I'd find Kageyama here."

The greasy guy turns to look at the taller boy next to him. "You know this hooligan, Kageyama?"

"Huh?" Teru turns his attention to the normal-looking boy that's now gaping at him. This guy looks nothing like Kageyama.

Okay, maybe a little like Kageyama. But he still clearly isn't. His skin is too tan, he's too tall, and his hair is too stylish. Well, conventionally stylish. The bowl-cut Teru is familiar with is stylish in a more unique way. It's a strong look that's definitely way cooler the more Teru thinks of it. The blunt cut and the soft-looking buzz in the back...

"I- "

The guy looks shaken and takes a moment to collect himself.

"No, I.. I think there's a misunderstanding. Excuse us…"

He hastily rushes Teru down another hall and Teru lets him out of curiosity since it's obvious Not Kageyama knows something.

"Why are you looking for my brother?" Not Kageyama hisses at Teru under his breath.

Ah, brothers, that would explain the confusion. Unfortunately for Kageyama's brother, he doesn't appear to be special at all. However, he's still Kageyama's brother, so Teru will play nice with him.

"That uniform's from Black Vinegar, right? So are you…?"

It seems like Brother here isn't entirely out of the loop so Teru can most likely cut to the chase.

"My business with your brother is our business."

Brother bristles and opens his mouth to say something that probably would have pissed Teru off if he let him talk.

"I'm alone." He continues. Not that Teru needs a gang to take on the whole school if he wanted to. Well, everyone except for Kageyama. "I just have a meeting to talk to him. So I'd appreciate it if you could tell me where he is."

It's a little bit of a lie since Kageyama's not expecting him but Teru is willing to try and bluff. Besides, he's being way more polite than he ever is with his own lackeys.

His bluff seems to the working because Brother looks uncertain rather than defensive.

"A… a meeting?"

Teru bites back irritation. Is everyone at Salt so slow?

"Yes, a meeting. So if you can help me then-."

"He's usually on the roof." The brother seems to shift, squaring his shoulders instead of shrinking away. "And… and don't keep him waiting."

Teru's eyebrows raise at the sudden change in demeanor.

Looks like someone is trying to be important in his brother's affairs.

He flashes his teeth in a parody of a smile at the boy who's trying to act like he can boss Teru around and claps him on the shoulder with a light jolt of psychic energy.

"Thanks, it was a pleasure to meet you, brother."

Brother grits his teeth at the contact, his eyes blown wide as his muscles seize up for a moment as though he's experienced an electric shock. It's not going to hurt Brother for longer than a moment. Kageyama would surely forgive him if Brother were to tell, but Teru has a feeling that Brother isn't going to say a word about it. It's nice to know he can read one of the Kageyamas, at least.

Not that Teru can really blame Brother for the massive complex he's so obviously oozing with.

Teru turns to the stairs he saw earlier, no longer interested in hanging around Brother any longer now that he knows where to find his Kageyama.

He takes the stairs two at a time, tuned up to try and feel for Kageyama's aura again. That all-encompassing, all-consuming... he gets to the top and just as he's about to open the door to the roof he gasps and yanks his hand away from the handle. His hand flies into his pocket to frantically fumble out his phone. He turns on the front-facing camera to quickly check his appearance, congratulating himself on his quick thinking as he makes sure his hair is perfect. That was almost a huge mistake. How embarrassing it would have been for Kageyama to have seen him looking disheveled… no, no, this is the first appearance of The New Teru and he has to look perfect for it.

It's hard to focus on fixing himself now that he can feel the tug in the air of Kageyama's aura. It's the slightest pull, almost unrecognizable and more like the background noise of a wandering spirit with how deceptively small it is even with Teru actively trying to feel for it.

As soon as he looks just right he feels ready to face Kageyama again, although his palms are a little sweaty when he opens the door to the roof. But it doesn't matter because Kageyama won't know what Teru's palms feel like.

The roof is populated with five thugs, including the guy with the stupid slicked back hair, and Kageyama. The right Kageyama. Teru's knees feel weak just at the sight of him again, like a Pavlovian response to just how weak he had been in Kageyama's presence last time.

Five heads turn to look but Teru only gives a charming smile to one. The most charming smile he has which he usually reserves for girls. Kageyama isn't a girl Teru is planning to use but somehow the idea of dropping it and letting the wobbly smile that's just beneath the surface take over makes him feel naked.

"What are you doing here?" The guy with the slicked hair grunts, squaring his shoulders at Teru as if that could make him imposing. What's actually imposing is Kageyama's stagnant face and how Teru has no idea how he's feeling about the surprise visit.

"I'm here to discuss the terms of our merger in greater detail," Teru explains as he walks towards them, his hands in his pockets to mirror Kageyama. "With Kageyama, that is."

Kageyama shifts his weight as the only indication he's heard Teru at all.

"Discuss with me." Slicked-hair grunts as he steps forward. The image of a guard dog comes to mind although he can't imagine a powerful main character such as Kageyama relying on such a weak protector. Kageyama would be better off relying on someone more powerful and savvy...

"Why would I? Kageyama calls the shots, doesn't he?"

"He doesn't want to talk to you."

"I didn't hear him say that."

The guy looks back at Kageyama for support on the matter. Kageyama just blinks at him.

"Um, I didn't say that…" Kageyama, his voice strikingly soft as ever, says plainly as if he's just stating casual information.

Slicked-hair's look turns into one of desperation but Kageyama doesn't seem to have any sympathy for it if his lack of reaction is anything to go off of. Cold and ruthless just like the sparse whispers of White T Poison on the streets said.

But, he wasn't rejecting Teru.

"Perfect." Teru's smile only grows as he continues to walk forward, straight to Kageyama.

"Hey. Hey!" Much to the displeasure of a certain annoyance who Teru is determined to ignore as much as possible. He'd rather focus on Kageyama, the only person in the world who's important besides himself.

"I'm here to work with you. I said I'd join you, right?" He pulls his hands from his pockets, palms open in a show of surrender even though being empty-handed doesn't mean non-threatening for either of them. It's the meaning behind the motion that matters that he's sure Kageyama will understand. "I just want to talk to you. I'd have to be crazy to try to do anything and I think we have a few things in common." Namely the fact that he's never met another psychic his age before and he'd be shocked if Kageyama had.

Kageyama takes a moment to consider Teru's words. Or at least, Teru thinks he is because he isn't saying anything. He's pretty hard to read.

"..." Teru gulps around his next words because they're almost too thick with something too close to the truth to come out. He knows how he feels. He doesn't know how he feels about his feelings though. It's all very strange.

"I don't know what your goals are, but you could use me, right?" As he says use he suppresses a shiver. The worst part is, it's not from repulsion.

Kageyama blinks slowly, drawing Teru's attention to the thick black lashes around his hooded eyes and how stunning they look against his pale cheeks.

He looks away from Teru to his right-hand man. Well, current right hand. Not for long if Teru has anything to say about it.

"Onigawara-san," Kageyama finally says softly. Oh so softly. So much softer than Teru's memory could do justice to. "I'll talk to him."

Yes!

"But- !" Onigawara, not that he really matters, begins to protest. Then Kageyama looks away from him and that's as effective as any other method of cutting him off. This little victory, the first of many, has Teru puffing up with pride. Those dark eyes land on Teru again, so serious and mysterious and cool…

"It's fine. Leave us alone."

Teru bites down a snide comment as he shoots Onigawara a toothy grin. The Extra stuffs his hands in his pockets to stalk off with his other filthy friends.

Once the small fry are off the roof Teru turns to face the real main character.

"Alright, let's talk. ESPer to ESPer." His weight shifts to rest on one hip along with his hand for just the right amount of casual and confident in his stance.

Kageyama nods. "I've never met another real ESPer before."

Although Kageyama's tone is the same, the words clench Teru's heart. He's never met anyone like him before either. Things probably would have been different for both of them growing up if they had. Rather than say anything, he decides it would be best if he just nods back.

"Good for keeping your underlinings in check, eh?" Teru's tone is conversational and friendly as he keeps the reality that he is now one of those underlings out of his mind. But he's not like the other underlings. He won't be.

Unfortunately, Kageyama seems unamused by the notion.

Just what's it gonna take to get this guy to crack?

"Hanazawa… please don't be rude."

Teru's face twists into something that might almost be not attractive, whatever that means, as he bites back a sneer.

A gang leader who doesn't like being rude. Seriously?

"Right…" He shifts his weight to his other hip. It's fine. He can still do this. Maybe Kageyama is more of the business first type. "So what are you sucking in all these gangs for? It'd be easier for me to know what to do if I knew your goal."

There. Perfectly reasonable. Nothing wrong with-

Kageyama looks away and his shoulders draw up the slightest bit in a defensive position.

Oh, come on! I just…

"You… you don't have to do anything." Kageyama mutters, not seeing the way Teru's jaw clenches.

I just…

"Actually, I'd rather you really didn't do anything."

I just want him to accept me!

Outside of his consciousness, Teru's aura had been steadily rising along with his frustrations to charge the air between them. He only notices because he's suddenly engulfed in a suffocating but familiar pressure. It keeps him pinned as it overtakes his aura, rushes in through his mouth and eyes to fill his lungs and make his stomach twist in the most unusual way…

"Don't."

That one word hits him in the face like cold water and has Teru sucking in a sharp, painful breath. Kageyama still isn't looking at him at least so Teru can compose himself. Kageyama still has an unbreakable hold on Teru with his overwhelming aura but Teru's adjusting to the feel of it.

He may be used to flaunting his own aura freely but the feeling of it being restrained, no, held by Kageyama's is one he can get used to. Maybe too easily.

"I… I didn't mean to…" Honesty falls out of Teru's mouth with his next breath so completely involuntarily that he wonders if Kageyama has some sort of mind-control powers.

That finally brings Kageyama's eyes to his and finally, Teru can see a flicker of emotion behind them. It's guarded but not unrecognizable.

Understanding.

"... Okay…"

The force of Kageyama recedes like the tide and suddenly Teru is hyper-aware of how cold and open the rooftop is. Like he could be blown off with the next gust of wind now that Kageyama isn't anchoring him. It takes Teru a moment to readjust to the feeling of being separate from Kageyama and when he does his frustration is coming out in words rather than powers.

"Why don't you want me to do anything? I'm just as good as your gang, I'm - " I'm better. I'm better.

But it's not just the rudeness of his truth that keeps Teru from speaking. It's the unexpected way Kageyama flinches in response to Teru's rising volume. It's subtle but with how desperately Teru's been trying to read the other boy Kageyama might as well have screamed his change in mood. It's the tight, wobbling line of his mouth and the rocking on the balls of his feet and the way he's fidgeting with something in his pocket. It's the unease, anxiety, which is the first transparent emotion he's ever seen on Kageyama's face that makes Teru stop. It looks so wrong.

"Why take Black Vinegar if you don't want us to do anything?" He asks, soft enough to almost mimic Kageyama.

"A- ah, that's just it… I want you to… to do nothing." Kageyama explains, looking at their feet.

With the change in emphasis on his words rather than just the usual monotone, it starts to click.

"You want me… to do nothing with Black Vinegar?" Teru asks, just to make sure he really is starting to understand.

Kageyama nods.

"And you want me to make sure Black Vinegar doesn't do anything?"

Those dark eyes flicker up to Teru again and from this short interaction, Teru is beginning to wonder why he ever thought they were cold.

Kageyama gives him another small nod. "If you can."

Teru takes a deep breath and tries not to hear that as a challenge.

"Of course, I can."

"Thank you."

This does explain a few things. Namely, why Salt's been taking over territories like an imperialist state but every one of those territories has been silent. It's been a mystery to Teru and the rest of the unconquered territories for a while now. Thinking of the unconquered territories…

"You know the rest of Seasoning has their eyes on Salt, right? They're talking about teaming up against you."

Kageyama looks down again and Teru can hear him humming to himself quietly.

"I know. Onigawara said that would probably happen."

Onigawara. Teru can guess who that is. The stupid thug who's so strangely doting on Kageyama. The worst part is, Teru's starting to understand that too.

"Well," Teru straightens his posture to make up for Kageyama's visible insecurity. "It's a good thing you have someone pretty special on your side then." He says, puffing his chest out in pride. It's easier for him to be confident now that he's not completely confused.

"Yeah," Kageyama agrees softly and Teru's stomach flops at the gentle tone and he feels his pride inflating again. Yes, being second to Kageyama isn't bad at all. Kageyama's narrow shoulders visibly relax as he no doubt thinks of having someone as strong as Teru on his team rather than having to rely wholly on lame classmates like -

"Onigawara is pretty special."

"... let's exchange numbers."

"H-huh?"