Masa-senpai: Brat, clear up your schedule for Saturday and Sunday.

I looked at the message Niou had sent to me over and over again. I grit my teeth before replying.

Me: I already made plans with my dad.

Almost immediately I got a response.

Masa-senpai: Then move and cancel them, we're having a sleepover at Sanada's this weekend.

I felt irritation well up within me but I managed to simmer it.

Me: Listen senpai, I'm going to visit my mother's grave on Saturday.

There was a pause between my message and his next one.

Masa-senpai: Can you make to Sanada's Saturday evening?

I sighed to myself.

Me: Fine. Is it just the regulars? When should I come? What do I bring?

Masa-senpai: Mamo-chan, have you never been to a sleepover?

I looked over that message again and again, both of my childhood's flashing before my eyes.

Me:...Just answer the questions.

Masa-senpai: Yeah it's just us. Come over whenever you're done with your stuff. Bring hygienic stuff, pajamas, a change of clothes, and anything you think is necessary for you. Sanada will have futons for all of us.

Me: Alright, see you then.

I shut off my phone and looked up towards the early evening sky.

"Mamoru."

I jumped and looked to my left, seeing a familiar head of brown hair and glasses. I smiled fondly, "Kunimitsu." I greeted, standing up.

He gave me a look as we began to walk side by side, "Did you wait long?"

I shook my head, "No, I was hanging out around here ever since school ended."

Tezuka nodded stoically, "How is Rikkaidai?"

I thought over my friends and smiled, "Ah, it's fun. I like the competitive nature there."

"Have you joined a club yet?"

I shook my head, shoving my hands into my pockets, "Nah. I don't think I will. None of them seem to fit me." I lied easily.

He glanced at me, "And your tennis?"

I flinched and turned towards the older and taller teen. He stopped as I grabbed his left shoulder with my right hand, "No… not again." I breathed out with trembling fingers, "Not after what I did."

He immediately noticed and held onto my right hand gently with a strong grip, "It's in the past."

I brought myself closer to his shoulder and rested my forehead against it, mumbling, "I can't forgive myself. And you shouldn't either, Kunimitsu-nii."

We stayed like that for a few more moments before I peeled myself away, "Let's go meet up with the others."

"Ah."

"Oishi! They're here!" an excited voice exclaimed.

"Settle down Eiji!" a nagging voice scolded.

A melodic giggle interrupted them, "Tezuka, Mamoru." Fuji greeted us.

I shed my jacket off as soon as I sat down, "Hey guys,"

Tezuka just nodded to the three before sitting down.

"Ne, ne, will you open your presents now Mamo-chan, I can't wait to see your reaction!" Eiji urged.

I smiled at the redhead, "If you want me too."

Immediately three wrapped presents and a bamboo plant with a small bow tied to it was placed in front of me. I smiled immediately as I held the plant up, "Thank you Syuusuke," I thanked, already knowing it was from the genius, "I've always wanted one."

He smiled back pleasantly, "I'm glad you like it Mamoru."

Eiji pushed a green wrapped box towards me, "Me next, me next!"

I chuckled and took the box, carefully unwrapping it. I looked inside and my mouth dropped. Inside there was a collection of a lot of small things, such as pencil lead, coffee candy, and lip balm. I looked up towards the redhead who scratched his head embarrassingly, "I paid attention to whenever you said you wanted something and got all the little stuff. Do you like it?"

I smiled at the question, "Of course, thank you Eiji."

Next was the blue wrapped box. Oishi coughed into his fist as I opened it, "You like listening to music, so I decided to get these for you."

With the wrapping off, the box revealed art for Bluetooth headphones in a dark black color with high definition sound. I thanked him earnestly and looked towards the last box.

It was wrapped in black paper with silver intricate designs. The box inside was plain and was heavier than the rest. Once opened, I discovered four mystery novel books from Tezuka. I thanked him as well and enjoyed the evening with my childhood friends, celebrating a belated birthday.

I got up from my kneeled position, turning towards my father, "Alright."

He nodded and we both looked back towards the gravestone, "We'll come back next month Fuyumi, I promise."

I smiled weakly at the grave, "Bye, okaa-san."

Dad threw his arm around my shoulder as we turned away, gripping my shoulder as we slowly began to descend the hill to our car, the sun slowly setting behind us.

"You have everything?" dad asked as I prepared myself to leave the car.

I looked through my duffel bag and my pockets before nodding, "Yeah, I'm good."

He gave a worried look, "And Sanada-kun and Yukimura-kun will be there?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"And we're sure there's no injury coming soon." he asked for confirmation.

I nodded again, "There shouldn't be anything major."

He sighed before unlocking the car door, "Alright. Don't do anything stupid."

I gave him a look, "You've told me that women are more mature than men, and you're talking to a former woman and someone nearly the same age as you. I think I can handle it," I responded in a light tone, trying to make a jest.

His eyes narrowed, "Actually, I've change my mind. I'm not leaving my precious daughter-slash-son to these pack of wolves."

I rolled my eyes and kissed his cheek, "I'm going."

He pouted but nodded. I got out of the car and looked down to meet his eyes, "I'm sure that Obaa baa wouldn't mind hanging out with you for the rest of the night. Go visit Sakuno-chan too."

He gave me a weak smile, "Guess I couldn't hide it well enough," he mused, mostly to himself.

I looked towards the Sanada house then towards my dad, "I don't have to go you know. I can stay with you instead."

Dad shook his head, "No, no, go have fun. This is the time for you to enjoy the life you never got Mamoru. Live it."

I gripped his hand, "Dad."

He shook his head again, "Go," he told me softly, "They're waiting for you."

I looked back and saw Sanada fuku-buchou standing in the doorway of his house. I turned back and nodded my head, "Alright."

I let go, closed the door, and watched him go into the night.

"Kirigaya."

At the normalness in his voice I felt relief. Sanada hadn't been too affected by my words and didn't take them to heart. I turned and saw Yukimura standing behind Sanada who had called out to me. I smiled and walked towards the house, "Sorry I'm late."

Yukimura smiled warmly, "It's fine, come in."

I walked past the two older teens and saw my chaotic teammates making a mess already. Skittles had found themselves onto the tatami floor and the futons that were set down before hand were rumpled and stepped on. Niou, Marui, Jackal, and Akaya were yelling at each other as they threw pillows at each other. Yagyu and Yanagi were in a corner playing chess, with shogi and go boards next to them.

I raised an eyebrow as Yukimura came to my side, "Is this how Rikkaidai sleepovers usually go?"

Yukimura chuckled at my reaction, "Yes, lively isn't it?"

"NIOU, MARUI, JACKAL, KIRIHARA!" Sanada roared behind us.

I felt sweat drip down my face as the stern teen went to stop the three troublemakers and poor Brazilian who had been provoked, "Lively is an understatement."

I put my stuff down against the wall and approached the two chess players, "Good evening senpai-tachi." I greeted.

Yagyu looked up and nodded, "Welcome Mamoru-kun, I'm glad you could make it."

Yanagi also looked up at me, "34.74% that you would arrive at this time. Something I haven't calculated must have happened."

I scratched the back my head, "Ah well…"

"Mamoru!" shouted Akaya as he launched himself onto me.

I grunted in surprise and let him ride my back, "Geez Akaya, I was in the middle of a conversat-"

"Mamoru save me!" the boy hissed at me, "We gotta run now!"

I gave him a confused look, "What are you talking abou-"

"Kirigaya!" Sanada snapped. I looked towards his voice and saw him slowly approaching with a kendo stick, the unconscious bodies of Marui, Niou, and Jackal behind him, "Put Kirihara down!" he demanded.

I looked towards Akaya who kept mouthing at me to run. I looked towards the death of a sword and towards Akaya. I groaned and prepared myself, "You're lucky we're best friends Akaya." I told him before running off into the hallway of the Sanada house with Akaya still on my back.

"KIRIGAYA! KIRIHARA!"

Second year antics are best antics.

Side Note: Sorry about the delay in chapters. I had a bunch written but family stuff happened and shit went down. I hope that you'll be willing to understand.