Summer vacation had arrived, and it was not easy for Syunpei to go over his work with the 'staffs'. Luckily, he did not have any extra classes during those timeline. They got tired faster, their sweat filled up their shirt wider than they usually do, their breath was insufficient as if they were trapped within a closed room. The breezy wind that entered the room was not enough to cool them down, not even the fans and air-conditioner was enough. They were resting down in the room as Syunpei took his leave to buy some cold drinks for them. Somehow, Iku decided to follow him and helped him. He never, no, rarely ever talked to Syunpei. He would just watch from afar, observing every move he made. It sent chills down the boy's spine, his ice cold stare penetrated his body. It was suspicious and dangerous when he suddenly wanted to be close, it scared him how many possibilities he would do to him. He decided to remain silent until the man himself engaged a conversation.

When they reached the store, picking out drinks in the cool store, Iku started to talk with Syunpei to lower the tension between them.

"I was offered to play a sports game in a game show, but I don't know how to play that game." His voice was cracked a bit, maybe due to the unbearable heat.

The boy asked him details about the game he needed to play, it was baseball. Upon hearing this, his spirit had livened up instantly. Baseball was his main interest, his main source of athletic spirit. He became energetic whenever baseball was mentioned. He batted his sport eyes on this particular one only, the others did not stand a chance to slit in his heart. He ended up dragging about baseball, about his experience playing them to Iku who listened to him willingly.

Such a cute reaction, I want to tease him.

The brunette told so much that he did not realize he kept on talking even when they had leave the store. Amidst the heat of summer, he still continued despite Iku was sweating like crazy as he heard all his drag on baseball. The idol could only listen on patiently, even though his hearing was starting to deafening a bit. Before the boy knew it, he talked too much to Iku that he was never given a chance to reply to him. He stopped his brag and apologized to the idol before him.

He brushed it off and said, "You really love baseball huh? I can see through your talking." Syunpei was a bit embarassed and could only nod in return, he thought to spare the words for Iku.

Seeing this, Iku giggled at how amusing the boy's personality was.

He's really special like they say he is.

Before they stepped into the company's building, Syunpei felt like his hand was being pulled. He turned around to find Iku was doing it, with an expression saying he needed some time before coming in. The brunette was reluctant, but he also needed to obey Iku's need. He was one of the bosses too, his order was necessary. However, the drinks needed to be distributed among the other members while it still cold, they were yearning it like hunger yearned for food. The boy prioritized the men at the room first, so he gave a gesture to Iku what he wanted to do. Luckily, Iku gave in and followed the brunette's steps.

He refuse? That's weird. Maybe he will listen to people that only close to him?

The idol wanted to ask Syunpei something personal, something that he could not ask the other member about. He wanted to practice the sport, to practice baseball with someone who has an experience. At least his partner of practice had played it before, and it would be a great help if he was not going easy on him. Before Syunpei could even twist the doorknob open, Iku blew some air towards the brunette to get his attention. The idol's breath that brushed against the boy's neck made him shocked and turned around with blushes across his face. He started to scold Iku with a soft, low volume of what he had done, it was embarassing if other people saw them. Iku smirked and leaned closer to the boy, to the point where both could feel each other breathe and Syunpei could no longer back away further.

"I just want you to help me with my baseball practice. Is that okay with you?"

Syunpei's mind was stirred, whether it was the heat of summer or the way Iku was saying it seemed seductive. The boy knew his face had turned beet red and he could not hide it any further, he could only reply with a yes. He felt threatened by his closeness because this was not how normally he would be with him. He felt like himself a prey being pinned down by its predator. Iku's grin spread wider, he patted the brunette's head and opened the door. He entered and greeted them like nothing happened, so cheerful and innocence just like how he usually did with the others. Syunpei could not move his feet, he had not recovered from the incident before.

Was he really just teasing me? He looks scary.

His cloud of thinking dissipated as Kakeru admonished him. He was worried about the brunette, it was shown on his face. Syunpei took a glance at Iku and to his surprise, received an intimidating glare in return. The boy tried to brush it off but Kakeru knew better. Syunpei distributed the drinks like an errand boy would do, hiding his fear within his smile. He might be able to fool everyone but he could not fool Kakeru. He might only talk to him a few times, but he could tell. Because of that he already knew who was the culprit behind it.

"What did you do to him? Tell me Iku!" Kakeru insisted Iku on telling him the truth after the practice, having their privacy at the usual spot.

He could see that Iku was reluctant on telling him, the pouting face he put gave it away. Iku was just wanted to tease him a bit, playing around like Shun and Hajime did. Somehow, Syunpei could not take it very well when it came to him.

Maybe he hates me? He thought by himself, leaving the blonde idol left unanswered.

Kakeru could only let out a sighed and gave him a warning, pointing him in the face as he threatened him.

"If Syunpei is hurt, physically or mentally, you're gonna get it from me. If I didn't jump into action, the others will. You better watch out. I'll be keeping my eyes on you, Iku." Kakeru gave one last glare before leaving Iku completely horrified.

His body literally being wrapped up by fear, he never knew Kakeru would have a fearsome side as this.

I need to watch my back from now on.The next day, his threat to Syunpei to practice for baseball was working. They went to a rented field, which the boy was oblivious of, and practiced until they tired their body out. Iku was the batter and Syunpei was the thrower, the game show the idol participated in needed that skill. Their main focus was to increase the idol's batting skill, the way he batted and how fast he swung. He usually did the throw so it was a bit awkward around the bat, it was his first time holding one too. Despite the brunette showed sign of distrust and fear of Iku, he still went all out during practicing. This satisfied the idol's heart enough yet he still felt uneasy. Was it because of Kakeru's threat? Or how he did not understand what he did wrong? Or why did everyone liked him?

"Heads up!" Syunpei threw the ball as fast as he could, trying to pass over Iku's bat.

To his surprise, Iku hit the ball just before it passed by him and traveled over the fence of the field. The boy was amazed by Iku's strength, he must had a lot of skill to do that.

But then, why did he need to practice? Is he nervous?

Before Syunpei could try to talk to the idol, he excused himself to take a break. He sat down near the fence, having his knees up and burying his face within his arms resting on it. The boy knew he wanted to be alone so he decided to spend the time to pick up the ball and buy two cans of soda as refreshment.

Syunpei came back with a ball in his pocket and two cans of soda in both his hands, somehow Iku was static from how he left him be. He started to worry about him, hoping he did not dehydrate. He tried to surprise him with the cold soda can by placing it on his neck, though he only received an annoying groan as payment. The boy apologized and placed the soda by his feet. He took a minute before deciding whether to sit by his side or just left him be. Thanks to having such pure hearts, Syunpei sat beside him and waited for the idol to speak up.

Minutes had passed and Iku still not moving, the boy started to get cramped just by sitting down. He admonished the man but he could not get a respond, not even a groan this time. He decided to get braver, more talkative.

"Are you troubled by something? Want to share it?" He was stuttering a bit but he managed to finish his sentence.

The man did not lift up his head and replied while having his face buried, thank goodness his voice was still clear for Syunpei to hear.

"You wouldn't want to know, it's adult business." There was a tone of serene in his cracked voice, he seemed about to cry.

The boy started to worry, what could possibly drive him mad until he was sad? He wanted to comfort him but his scared heart of his threat made him stopped halfway. He still did not know him fully, though he did not with the others until they approached him. As the kid he was, he ignored his fear and talked Iku out of it.

"I think it would be easier if you let it out on a kid like me. I don't know any adult's thinking. It would be frustrated to hear you being nagged back if you talk with someone your age?" Even after that mouthful sentence, Iku still had no sign of wanting to open up.

This started to become frustrated, Syunpei felt the need to leave him behind and just let him rot. Then, a thought crossed his mind.

"Do you hate me?" Iku lifted his head up in shocked as he said it.

The boy did not say anything, he just gave the man a smile. He stood up, trying to leave him alone but being pulled into the idol's embrace. He blushed and frantic, he was in public view and it would look weird to other people. Syunpei turned quiet when Iku started to talk.

"Stop. Nobody is gonna see us, don't worry." There was a moment of silence, and the brunette was tortured. "There's no one but us anyway."

The breath he felt beside his face, the gentle touch across his torso, it was just too much. The heat started to get to his face, but he did not want to move.

Anything to comfort him I guess.

Syunpei sighed and patted Iku on his head. The idol questioned him what he was doing and the boy playfully answered him. After a few seconds, Iku finally started confiding.

"I am confuse. I don't understand what I'm supposed to understand. And I'm nervous for tomorrow, the show..." He ended it there, not wanting to talk more as it hurts him.

The brunette knew from his voice and he did not inquired further. He reassured him by turning to face him properly, held up his face to look at him and motivated him.

"You will understand eventually, it just takes different time for different people. And you will do good in that show tomorrow. You have amazing skill that I have never seen before. You're gonna do great, Iku." Syunpei's smile gave off a comforting aura and shone within the idol's eyes.

He felt more calming than before, felt spirited than before, felt trusted than before. He suddenly got energised and asked Syunpei to continue practicing with him. Unfortunately, the boy refused due to his heat exhaustion. The brunette forgot Shun's advice of Iku being a tank full of infinite energy. The idol apologized repeatedly before sending him home.

The very next day, the day Iku went to his game show, Syunpei and the rest of the idols watched him through the recording tv at the halls. Only authorized personnel could watch it, and they were one. They could see that he was doing well, the boy was glad the practice paid off for him. When the emcee asked him how he was so skilled, he said it was because a certain someone helped him prepare for today. The emcee was curious of this person so he inquired more. Iku's only reply was,

"I don't want to reveal this person's identity, because I don't want this person to misunderstand that I don't care about our relationship, because I do." The audiences were going wild with this comment, especially when the emcee added that it was a girlfriend of his.

The idols scuffed and said that he could not possibly obtain one when he was too busy with school's clubs and works. Syunpei who was hearing those words from Iku felt somewhat flustered, he knew it was about him. He noticed his face was blushing when Rui admonished it and lied due to the summer heat. The idols did not question him further and handed out a cold tea for him to cool down.

I'll treat you nicely next time, it's a promise!

Author's note: Syunpei is always in heat when I write him. I guess it's the hormones. XD