Takashi gave a small grunt as a familiar weight settled itself on his back.
"Hello, Fran" Takashi greeted with a sigh and continued to rearrange the books in his locker.
"My shoe is untied" Fran said simply.
"Right" Takashi mumbled.
The two went in to a comfortable silence in that position, Takashi squatting before his locker and Fran sitting on his back.
"Takashi."
"Hm?"
"I wanna eat empanada."
"We'll go get some after school."
"I can't find Haru."
"She wasn't in her classroom?"
"Nope."
"Get up, we're gonna go look for her."
"Fran! Mochi~!" a shout came from down the hallway and the two boys turned their heads to see Haru running towards them with her usual grin on her face.
"Looks like I don't have to move" Fran said and plopped back down on Takashi's back. Takashi gave a small grunt and looked up at Haru.
"Where were you?" he asked, giving Haru a serious look.
"I was talking to a friend" Haru said shyly, a small blush popping up on her cheeks.
"Friend?" Takashi asked, his tone and expression becoming serious.
"Oh…" Fran butted into the conversation with a small sound that sounded surprised yet monotone.
Coming towards them was Mammon and Belphegor, the two of them showing bright, in Bel's case scary, expressions.
"Hey, come with us" Bel ordered when he stopped in front of Fran who was still comfortably seated on Takashi's back.
"Aren't you supposed to offer me candy first?" Fran asked.
Bel scowled and opened his mouth to snap at the younger male when Takashi spoke, his voice low and pleading.
"Let me up."
Fran sighed and reluctantly stood up to allow Takashi to stand and stretch his back.
"I swear one of these days you're gonna give me Scoliosis" Takashi complained as he turned from side to side to crack his back.
"I'm sure you'll deserve it" Fran said with a shrug and received a glare from Takashi.
"Um…Fran, who are they?" Haru asked, pointing a finger to Bel, who was waiting impatiently for Fran to finish with his friends, and Mammon who was waiting patiently, looking a bit amused.
"Oh, this" Fran nodded his head towards Mammon, "is my uncle Mammon and the other guy is…who are you again?"
"Oi!" Bel snapped.
"Fran stop being rude" Takashi slapped the younger boy on the forehead. Fran flinched fakely and stuck his tongue out at Takashi.
"I'm Haru Miura!" Haru said happily and took Mammon's hand, shaking it lightly.
"Mammon and this is my boyfriend, Belphegor" Mammon introduced himself and the scowling Bel who was glaring daggers at Fran.
"I'm Takashi Mochida, it's a pleasure to meet Fran's uncle" Takashi said and bowed politely.
"I like him better; can't you exchange your nephews or something?" Bel asked Mammon.
"I like Verde better" Fran said with a shrug, he caught something interesting and inwardly frowned.
"I don't give a damn about who you like, brat" Bel growled.
"Then I don't care either. I'm here to stay" Fran said proudly.
Bel's scowl deepened while Fran remained his normal neutral self.
"So, why are you guys here?" Takashi asked, gesturing with his hands to the school, "Did you come to pick up Fran?"
"Oh!" Bel perked up at that and turned to Fran who blinked questioningly at him, "Race me."
"No" Fran rejected way too quickly for his own liking.
Bel noticed this and smirked, "Are you scared, kid?"
From the corner of their eyes, Haru and Takashi saw the way Fran stuck his hands into his pockets. It was a nervous reaction of the younger boys that took time to notice. While others would see it as a casual move to Takashi and Haru it meant that something was wrong with their Fran.
"I'm not, I just don't want to make you look bad in front of everyone again" Fran said.
Bel's smirk slipped off his face, his scowl returning, "Just race me, brat."
It was discreet but Takashi and Haru noticed the way Fran's eyes flashed over to the two of them before they went back to Bel. Takashi smiled softly and wrapped and arm around his younger friends shoulder.
"Come on, I wanna see you race" Takashi said in comforting tone.
"Me too!" Haru said, "I bet you look really cool!"
Fran sighed and hung his head in defeat. He wasn't in the mood for racing. He wasn't ready to race after his hibernation.
"Fine" Fran said and walked off.
"Wait!" Takashi said and grabbed his book bag before running off with Haru to catch up to Fran.
Fran glared at the text he received from Bel.
From: Douchebag
See you at the tracks.
"Hey" Takashi said when he caught up to Fran, placing a hand on the younger's shoulder.
"Get in" Fran gestured to the Accord with a finger before he slipped into the driver's seat and started the car.
Haru and Takashi exchanged worried looks before they climbed into the car.