Author's Note: Hey ya'll. If you're still reading this chapter, congratulations. I tried my best to ugh...continue but this is the only thing that I can give you for now. Sorry for the hiatus.
(Author's POV)
It was almost five in the morning. Everything was peaceful in Namimori. The birds were singing, the sun was nearly up and all was normal...except for the newly-arrived people. For an instance, one of them was already up and debating with himself a very 'important' matter.
"Ehem, Yufumi-kun are you awake already?"
"Ohayou! Yufumi-kun, It's already six in the morning!"
"Eto...Yufumi-kun? Wake up."
The raven-haired teen practiced which line would best be used after he supposedly knocks the door three times. After thirty minutes of standing just outside the door of his friend Yufumi, Tsukasa still couldn't bring himself to knock the door. Mainly because he couldn't decide which greeting to use, he stood there looking more or less like an idiot.
He spent a few more seconds before finally knocking on the door after believing he had thought up the best greeting to use to his friend.
He knocked three times, inhaled deeply and grinned.
"Rise and shine Yufu-" he stopped when he heard someone snickering. He looked at his right and saw none other than the four-eyed teen with his arms crossed. Toshiki was smirking which made him get irritated. The grin on Tsukasa's face instantly dropped. After all, Toshiki was a lot nicer when he was pretending to be a butler.
"If you're looking for Yufumi-kun, he's already downstairs in the kitchen cooking breakfast." Toshiki remarked with a happy tone. Tsukasa, on the other hand, was fuming.
"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?" He asked with a frown evident on his face, just to make sure the other teen knows he was annoyed with him.
"You looked too absorbed with what you were doing." Toshiki said as he cheerfully made his way down the stairs. It made Tsukasa want to punch him, in the face...hard.
"Plus it was so funny watching you!" The crimson-haired teen shouted before the other teen ran after him. Tsukasa was adamant on the idea that he should be the first one to greet their lilac-eyed friend, so he did what he knew could stop Tsukasa from entering the kitchen. Tsukasa simply grabbed Toshiki and flung the poor smirking teen behind him.
"Ohayou Yufumi-kun!" Tsukasa greeted Yufumi who was setting the table. He could have sworn he heard Toshiki grumble something about him being so clingy but he dismissed it.
"Ohayou." Yufumi smiled as he looked up from his work. " Yare yare, Toshiki-san what are you doing in the floor?" He asked as he looked at the guy. Tsukasa couldn't help but grin innocently.
"I got –"
"He tripped." Tsukasa interrupted with an all-knowing beam. "He's such a klutz. Don't worry about him, he always manage to trip himself in thin air. Anyway, Yufumi-kun what's for breakfast?" The raven-haired teen happily sat down on one of the chairs beside the table that Yufumi had set.
"I just fried some eggs. I also prepared miso soup, natto and steamed rice. I feel like getting traditional today so I cooked some Japanese cuisine." Yufumi replied as he set down the said food. By then, Toshiki was already sitting on the chair opposite from Tsukasa with a scowl on his face.
"And I almost forgot, Toshiki-san, please refrain from getting clumsy in the kitchen. I rearranged everything and I wouldn't want you to knife yourself." Yufumi smiled sincerely that Tsukasa couldn't help but snort to prevent the laugh that was threatening to come out of his mouth.
"Of course I will. I'll do anything to not cause you any trouble, Yufumi-kun." Toshiki smiled warmly before sending Tsukasa a glare.
"So, what was it that we're going to do now that you two rushed me to sleep last night?" Yufumi asked casually as he sipped his miso soup.
"Well, shopping of course! It's not something I like doing but we need it anyway. You need some clothes, Toshiki needs his laptop and I need something there." Tsukasa declared as he spooned some natto.
"Oh yeah...I forgot I need some clothes." Yufumi's face embodied something akin to displeasure which was quite the opposite of Toshiki. The frosty-green-eyed boy was hiding his excitement and failing to do so. It was evident that only two of them were in agreement to go shopping...not that Yufumi has anything better to do.
"Guess we'll be shopping then. Oh, can we stop by a bookstore if possible? I just want to look into some books." Yufumi asked with a hint of a smile. Tsukasa instantly had a great idea in mind.
"Sure! Whatever you want, I'm willing to buy. Tou-san gave me a lot of money anyway and I wouldn't want it to go to waste." Tsukasa replied coolly. He had lots of money, and he wouldn't mind it spending on his friend.
"Really? Thanks a lot. I owe you so much." Yufumi sounded surprised for a moment and Tsukasa couldn't help but feel amazing on what he had said. He wasn't pampering Yufumi; he was just being kind and giving to the snow arcobaleno.
Then at that note, Toshiki snickered.
"You're willing to buy him books but I have to bargain with you for a laptop and a few mechanical things? You sure are a great friend." Toshiki said sarcastically. Yufumi smiled at the teen's exasperation.
"Yufumi's an exception and we both know that books are a lot cheaper than laptops. You're a hoarder; you stack those laptops in your room as if you use all of them." Tsukasa said in a matter-of-fact tone that made Toshiki roll huff.
"You're a horrible friend." The 'hoarder' replied.
Yufumi on the other hand just watched as the two 'friends' banter. It was like watching a cat and dog fight, but in an oral way.
"Stop arguing you two. We have a lot to do today so we better start cleaning up now." Yufumi started taking the dirty dishes to the kitchen so the said two were left alone, staring at each other.
"You heard the boss. Clean up." Toshiki stated before taking the remaining plates on the table. Tsukasa had no choice but to follow the other teen grudgingly.
"I heard that!" Yufumi shouted back and the two taller teen cringed. They never knew the small guy heard that.
Time Skip
(Tsukasa's POV)
"I think these fits you better." I suggested as I held out a white shirt with a hood on it. There was a "13" written in front of it and I loved that number so it makes sense if my friend wears it. Right?
"What's with you and the colour white?" He asked casually as he continued on ignoring my suggestions. Actually, he wasn't ignoring me he was just getting distracted by Toshiki. Yufumi wouldn't ignore me.
"I thought you liked white? I mean you were wearing it when we first met." I nonchalantly started a conversation after I put back the shirt that I picked. I looked at him and saw that he was already holding three shirts, all were blue.
Okay...another thing to add to my list. Yufumi likes blue. I grinned. Our trip wouldn't be so unproductive after all.
"It's not that I don't like it. I just like other colours better." One thing I noticed about him was that he was left-handed and he always has that strange bluish-white pacifier around his neck. I sniffled before I looked around to see Toshiki talking to Yufumi about...
"Can you please tell him to buy this thing for me?" Toshiki asked Yufumi but "I can't tell him to buy that. He has a brain of his own and I don't want to owe him a lot more, he's already paying for these clothes." My lovely friend replied after rolling his lilac eyes.
Learning how to read lips sure came handy. They noticed me looking at them and Yufumi waved his hand. I waved back. He's special. It's a good thing I knew what that nuisance suggested because if Yufumi told me to buy anything with a 'please', I'm pretty sure I'll fold. I'm a sucker.
I watched as Toshiki help Yufumi pick clothes, it was fun to just live like everything was normal. As if we we're just three friends shopping around, but soon everything will change.
"Hey!" I called out as I walked back towards them. "I need to buy something else somewhere around the mall. I'll be back after thirty minutes, give or take." I handed one of my credit cards to Toshiki and looked at him pointedly.
"Don't buy anything you don't need, Toshiki-san. And Yufumi-kun, please keep an eye on him." I advised before I started walking away from them.
"What are you buying?" I heard Yufumi asked. I coolly looked back at him, and stared at him straight in his lovely lilac eyes.
"I'm just going to buy a new cell. I'll buy you yours too, you like colour blue right?" I asked him with a grin. He made an 'oh' face.
"Yeah, what's a cell phone?" He asked back to me. I forgot he's not updated with things around here. I chuckled before I started making my way away from them again.
"Toshiki-san would love to explain it to you. Matta ne'." I yelled loudly as I raised my right hand to wave a goodbye for them. I could almost hear Toshiki's detailed explanation to Yufumi. That crimson-haired friend of mine loved technology more than anything.
I quickly let my grin grew wider. Yeah, I was going to buy a new cell...and something Yufumi better not know of.
Technically, I didn't lie. I told him the truth after all, just not all of it.
(Author's POV)
The Eirin heir swiftly made his way to the meeting place he had arranged. His whole demeanor changed and the happy-go-lucky appearance he had promptly vanished as if it was never there.
He looked at his wrist watch. He was spot-on. He had talked to someone about getting something he wanted, with a high price of course. Nowadays, anyone can get anything with a price.
"Excuse me, are you mister Tsukasa?" A hooded guy approached him to ask. He quickly put up a stoic facade.
"It depends on who's asking." Tsukasa replied coolly. Not a hint of any kind of emotion was on his face although he was a bit sure that the guy was the one he talked to.
"The documents you asked for is in here." The mysterious guy stated before handing a small black USB to Tsukasa.
"Here's the payment." The raven-haired teen said as he handed a check to the anonymous guy. He trusted the unknown man enough to not cheat him; After all, he and the other had been in transacting business for a long time already.
"Glad to be of service." A small smile was the only thing that could be seen under the hooded shirt. In response, Tsukasa gave a small nod before they parted ways.
"All for the sake of you." he whispered softly.
He swiftly walked out of the scene before anyone might notice the transaction that just happened, with the important item safely tucked in his pockets.
For a few minutes he wondered through the whole mall, excited to catch a glimpse of friends. He had to buy three new cellphones on the way too. His were white while the other two was blue and red.
Secretly, he checked the contents of the USB that the informant gave him to make sure it contained the vital details of the people he wanted to know of. He thanked God for computer shops in that very mall.
It was only when he got to the grocery that Tsukasa saw his two friends. He instantly grinned when he caught sight of them, and abruptly frowned when he saw someone else with them.
From where he stood, he observed that it was a male brunette with a slim figure. The unknown guy had brilliant orange eyes, and a shy smile. Despite the fact that the stranger looked kind, he didn't liked the way the three talked, especially to Yufumi.
He grinned before walking towards them. It was Tsukasa that saw him first, then the four-eyed teen nudged Yufumi. The white-haired friend of his smiled up at him and waved a hand, which made him practically skipping on the way.
"What took you so long?" Toshiki spoiled the moment. He rolled his eyes and simply handed the bag that container the cellphones.
"I had to search for you two." He stated before looking at the small brunette standing next to Yufumi.
"Yo." He greeted with an almost-sincere grin. "I'm Tsukasa Eirin, a friend of these two." He extended his hand for a handshake and the other reluctantly shook it.
"I'm Tsuna, nice to meet you." The stranger, who wasn't a stranger anymore, said with a smile. Now that he had a closer look of the small boy, he realized the boy looked frail and recessive like a lamb.
He might have considered Tsuna as bunny-like, but Yufumi beat him to the punch.
"Aren't you going to ask us what we bought?" Alas, Toshiki couldn't help but remark in his annoying voice. The crimson-haired teen was getting a lot more irritating every single day.
" Eto... I should-"
"Well, what did you bought?" Tsukasa asked sarcastically, cutting off Tsuna from what he was going to say. None of them three noticed it though. The brunette had, sadly, a small voice.
"We bought-"
"I- I must be g-"
"Key chains!"Yufumi yelled, effectively interrupting Tsuna and Toshiki. "For the cellphones!" After saying that,the snow arcobaleno raised the plastic bag that jingled. He instantly smiled when he saw Yufumi's bright face. It was funny how the teen looked so happy with mere key chains
"I picked this black dog for you!" Yufumi held the said key chain in his fingers. It was a miniature dog, as Yufumi said. Ironically, the key chain his friend picked for him had amethyst eyes. It looked perfect for him, mainly because Yufumi picked it especially for him.
"M-minna-san? I have some-"
"Thanks. It looks perfect. What did you picked for yourself?" Tsukasa continued without taking notice of the fact that he might have heard Tsuna saying something, but he wasn't sure. He thought he saw Tsuna sweat-dropping, but he was yet again to focused on Yufumi to pay any attention.
"I picked a white bunny. I asked Toshiki-san whether the cat was cuter but he said this bunny was better than the cat. He picked the scarlet and white cat for him though." Yufumi looked a bit too happy as he held the three key chains in his pale hands.
"Toshiki is right. A bunny suits you better. Cats are moody, vain and selfish things." Tsukasa looked at Toshiki with what he said, and the two of them laughed at the four-eyed teen's expression. Unfortunately, a certain brunette was still getting a bit ignored.
"I...I have to prepare our food so I real-"
"Food! Right! So where would we eat? I mean it's about two hours before lunch and we might go to the school later. So should we eat before going, or not?" Tsukasa said happily after being reminded of food by Tsuna, who was looking more and more distressed.
"Anywhere you like. You'll be the one paying so I don't really mind." Toshiki crossed his arms. All of them were silent for a minute, including Tsuna.
Gathering all his courage, Tsuna decided it was the best time to make a dash for it, since none of his newly-met friends were paying any attention to him.
But before he could even get away with a few steps, Toshiki noticed him.
"Tsunayoshi-kun, I think it is about time you leave. You did say you need to get back home as early as possible right?" Tsukasa stared at the mention of the full first name of the boy they were with. He completely forgot about him. Tsuna, on the other hand, was relieved to what the crimson-haired teen said.
"E...eto... I was going to say that." Tsuna seemed flustered as he laughed awkwardly.
"We wouldn't want to keep you from being where you should be right now." Yufumi remarked. It made Tsukasa feel that he must also say something, noticing the look of Tsuna's face.
Let's just say that Tsunayoshi was trying hard not to sweat-drop.
"Well," Tsukasa started as he scratched his head. "They're right. It's a shame we just met, but you better go home! Wouldn't want to keep the people waiting for that bag of groceries right?" He pointed at the two heavy-looking bags the small boy carried.
The effect of his words were instant. If it was possible, Tsunayoshi got paler.
"H-hai! You're right! I got to go home now. Gomene!" The boy they just met dashed quietly but fastly as possible. It was like a scurrying hamster running for its life.
The remaining three people continued their chat, unaware of the fact that the encounter they just had might actually be the start of something quite important.
"Let's just go anywhere. I would love anything, as long as it's edible." Yufumi said in a carefree tone. Tsukasa smiled at what the teen said, already expecting that his lilac-eyed friend would say that.
Author's Note: Sorry for not updating for so many months. I don't know if I should continue this anyway...so...review? Any thoughts about my half-assed work?
