Chapter 2

"Kyo! Let's eat together~!" Mukuro skipped cheerfully to the teen's side, holding out two lunch boxes.

"Tell me exactly- what happened last week." Hibari glared sternly at the pineapple-haired boy. Mukuro's joyful expression turned solemn. He dropped his hands to his side. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play innocent with me. He hasn't come to school since that day and when I called his apartment, no one answered. If it wasn't you, who else?" Hibari stood up, slamming a hand onto the table. The classroom was empty and the silence filled in was like a-pin-drop-mode.

"P-Perhaps he has something urgent to do?"

"Don't lie. That idiot will inform me everything he does. So, TELL. ME."

Mukuro looked down, the lunch boxes placed carefully onto Hibari's table. "Are you that worried of him?" He asked.

Hibari blushed. "W-What?"

"I asked- are you that worried of him?" Mukuro asked again, this time, his tone was emotionless.

"You don't have to know. That's none of your business."

Suddenly, the pineapple-haired boy looked up, his eyes moistened with mixtures of anger, rage, sadness and misery. "THEN WHY ARE YOU FUSSING ALL OVER HIM? YOU GOT SO ATTACHED TO HIM AND HE'S ONLY HERE FOR MERELY A MONTH! I HAD BEFRIENDED YOU LONGER THAN HIM- WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LOOK AT ME THE WAY YOU LOOK AT HIM?"

"W-What..." Hibari stepped back. This Mukuro Rokudo is totally different from the Mukuro Rokudo I know!

"Y-You..." Mukuro trembled and few trails of crystal tears dropped. "True. I lied to him. I told him that I have bedded you. I told him we had sex but damn it, I LIKE YOU, HIBARI KYOYA! I WANT TO MAKE YOU MINE! I FUCKING LOVE YOU THE FIRST DAY WE MET! WE'RE SO CLOSE BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN, A BLOODY OUTSIDER ARRIVED AND TOOK ALL YOUR ATTENTION AWAY! I WAS PLANNING TO PROPOSE TO YOU TODAY!"

"Mukuro..." Hibari's glare softened and a rosy blush crept up onto his cheeks. He was urged to hold those quivering shoulders but the thought of Dino pinned him down.

"Be honest, Kyoya," Mukuro wiped the tears away and held Hibari's shoulders. "Do you like me?" He stifled on his tears.

"I..." Hibari nibbled on his own lips and looked down.

"Kyoya!" Mukuro shook the boy. "Do you like me? Please say you do. KYOYA!" If anything was to drive him crazy, Hibari was ranked the first.

"I...do..." Hibari murmured. Mukuro's eyes lit up in happiness and hope.

"As a friend...and...best friend..."

Suddenly, everything seemed to shatter in Mukuro's world and all of a sudden, he couldn't feel the pain anymore. He dropped on his knees.

"Mukuro...?" Hibari tried to reach for the boy and all he got was a pointed glare.

"Go."

"Mukuro-"

"Go."

"But-"

"I SAID GO!"

Hibari said nothing and exited the classroom as he looked back guiltily before closing the door, leaning against it. The sobbing and finally a furious roar from the classroom brought tears into his eyes and he quickly ran up the corridor, deafening his hearing to the cry of agony. He had never felt any pain before but this sudden attack was definitely heart-slashing.

Mukuro had felt misery before. He knew pain. He knew suffering. He knew anguish. He had been abused, beaten and even bruised to internal bleeding before but these was nothing compared to his now heartbreaking suffer. He hid them all because he certainly did not want anyone to find out his weak self. But today, he screamed and yelled whether it's off-pitched or not, he finally decided to release every pain and tense he's hiding. Am I nothing compared to him, Kyoya? Why do we have to love? Why do we have to feel?

Mukuro hid his head in his knees and cried. I don't want to hurt anyone and I don't want to be hurt. If it's not a game, I want to quit. Because in a game, we can choose to replay but in reality we can't. Chance is only once, unlike the Nintendo that we can have another. What do you think, Kyoya? So, this is what people called- rejection.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Kyo-san."

Hibari instantly snapped out of his reverie. "What?"

"Are you okay? You seemed disturbed today."

"I'm fine. How's Mukuro?"

Kusakabe blinked. "He wasn't in the classroom and no one got a trace of him."

"Oh..." That idiot. Hibari nibbled his lips worriedly. Now, he had got two idiots to worry about. Double damn.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you know where Dino Cavallone's real address is?"

"Eh? The new transfer student is it? Why?

Hibari turned to look at him. "I've got some business to deal with him." I'll deal with Mukuro after him.

"O-Okay..."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Romario, I'm going out for a walk." Dino took out a miserable sigh and glanced at the clock striking six.

"Be careful- do you need the car, boss?" Romario asked.

"No and I'll be back by nine. So, ask the maid to not prepare my dinner." Dino answered and he flipped his phone close as he off the lights and fans, ready to leave.

*ding, dong*

Who is it? The blond blinked.

"Dino Cavallone, in ten seconds- if you do not reveal yourself, I'm going to break the door. I. Mean. It." Hibari yelled furiously.

"K-Kyo-chan?" Dino's jaw dropped. What is he doing here?

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, three, two-"

"OK, OK! I'm opening the door!" Dino rushed to the door and flung it open, revealing an angry looking Hibari Kyoya.

"OUCH!" Dino winced at the sensation of the other teen punching him right onto his eye.

"How dare you played truant? It's a must to come to school, not an option!"

"But Kyo-"

"What?"

"Can you...leave...?" Dino turned his head, avoiding those hypnotizing cobalt eyes. Hibari blinked. "W-What?"

"I'll go to school tomorrow. So...leave me alone..." The blond said bitterly as he settled himself down onto the nearest couch. You already love somebody else. Just go and leave with him... Hibari walked closer to him and slammed a fist onto the blond head.

"O-OUCH! What are you doing that for, Kyo?"

"There's nothing going on between me and Mukuro." Hibari said in a go.

"H-Huh?"

"There's nothing going on between me and Mukuro."

"..."

Ten seconds later, Dino blinked. "Eh?"

A vein throbbed and Hibari smacked Dino's head again. "I SAID, THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON BETWEEN ME AND MUKURO! AND IF YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT, I'M SO GOING TO DROWN YOU RIGHT THERE AND THERE!" The raven-haired boy gritted his teeth.

Dino's eyes lit up happily. "Are you serious?"

"Why don't you try to fly a kite in a storm and see if you get electrocuted?" Hibari turned away and crossed his arms. Dino giggled. So, my Kyoya is still a virgin~! Yayyyyy!

"One more thing, I don't care what's happening but you MUST attend school tomorrow. Get me?"

Dino quickly nodded.

"Okay- everything is settled down now. I'm leaving." There's actually one more person that I owe him explanation. Hibari sighed and walked towards the door.

"W-Wait, Kyo-chan! How about having your dinner here?" The blond grabbed his arm before Hibari could walk any step further.

"No thanks. I have something urgent to handle now." Hibari looked at his watch. "It's already six forty-five. If I do not return home by seven, he'll get very worried." He looked at Dino with the sincerest look he had ever own and wiggled his arm free. Dino nibbled his lower lips in worry at the sudden crestfallen look of Hibari and decided to ruffle the thick, dark locks. However, the head prefect did not budge this time; he leaned into the broad chest instead as he sighed tiredly.

"I'll walk you to the subway station." Dino said firmly. Hibari looked up at the solemn look of the blond and did not say a thing but nodded anyhow.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Hibari Kyoya had never rejection before. He's accepted, approved and agreed in any form- forced or not.

"Mukuro, I know you're in there. Have you eaten anything?" Hibari knocked the boy's room for the umpteenth time.

"Yes," came the curt reply. How unconvincing. If you considered a small cup of ice cream a food, then, you have it all.

"Mukuro...look- I'm sorry for everything that happened today. I did not intend to hurt you...hell," Hibari scratched his own head. "...I was...trying to make things right..."

A light sob was heard from the room and the boy looked down guiltily.

"I'm fine. Just go. Everything is okay now." Mukuro said between his tears and curled himself up in the large blanket. "I'm tired. I want some sleep now. Good night."

Hibari slid down the door and looked up, a drop of tears ran down his cheek. I'm sorry...

And he felt rejection today. So, this is how rejection felt.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Hey, everyone!" Dino greeted cheerfully.

"Morning, Dino-kun~!"

"Good morning, Dino-san! We really missed you~!"

"Dinooooooo-saannnnnnnn! Where've you beeeeeeeeeeeeeeenn?"

A crowd of girls started surrounding the blond's table, much to Hibari's annoyance.

"If you're that concern about this idiot, can't you do it silently? Someone here needs peace." He muttered under his gritted teeth angrily. The girls hurriedly nodded at the dangerous tone and beginning-to-evaporate-killing-aura. Hibari sighed and took a quick look at the empty seat of Mukuro's. The idiot was absent again. Hiding in his room for the whole week... I wonder if he'll be starved to death... He took another miserable sigh. This is all my fault...

"What's wrong, Kyo-chan?" Dino asked, his eyes sparkled concernedly. Hibari merely shook his head. Dino only stayed quiet. It must be about the Pineapple Salad again...

"Ne, Dino-kun~"

The blond faked a bright smile and cocked his head, "Hmm?"

"Why were you absent? We're so worried!"

Dino sweated. Oh dead. He turned to look at Hibari but was disappointed as the boy shot him his infamous 'it's-your-problem-don't-involve-me' glare.

"I-I...I was actually..." Dino started sweating profusely.

"Hmm?" The girls blinked brightly.

"I was actually in Italy then. My mom fell sick." The blond stated simply. Hibari raised a brow. I thought obaa-chan already died...?

"Ooooh~ Poor Dino-kun... Send my condolences to your family, yeah, Dino-kun?" Some of the squealing girls fell crestfallen and sobbed into their sleeves. Hibari sighed. Those herbivores are really easily cheated...

"But...you have to present a letter to the principal, don't you— for absenting for so many days?" Hibari interrupted. Some of the girls gaped in astonishment. Wao, strange. Hibari-kun was too, involved in this 'concerning-Dino-kun's-business'... Actually, don't get the wrong idea, he's just trying to put Dino into a panic situation and fret all over but no worry, because as if Dino had read the boy's mind, he only smirked.

"No worries," he pulled out a folded paper from his wallet and grinned, a diamond sparkled at the edge of his lips. "All is done and I got the teacher's signature too!"

Hibari turned paper-like. He sure has authority for that...

"Wuahhhhh! Dino-kun sugoiiiiiiii!"

Dino only grinned stupidly at that. Hibari sighed. Herbivores.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaa~! Who is this girl, Dino-kun~?"

"She's so kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~!"

Hibari blinked at the sudden outburst. Dino cocked his head. The girls pointed at a raven-haired boy who was standing beside little Dino, showing his 'peace' sign in a photo which had been kept in Dino's wallet.

The blond blinked. "Eh? That is..."

"Who's this girl, Dino-kun? Is she around now?" The auburn-haired girl eagerly asked.

"Eh? Girl?" Wow, Kyoya, you have no gender difference when you're still a kid...

"Have a look, Hibari-kun! Isn't she cute?"

"Eh? Wait, Kyoya- give me back!" Dino tried to reach for the photo but too late, the photo was already in Hibari's hand. The head prefect stared emotionlessly into the picture and sighed.

"Cute isn't it, Hibari-kun?" The girl asked.

"Yeah, very cute." Hibari said, deadpanned as he handed the photo back to the still-squealing-girl.

"Mou...give me back..." Dino whined.

"Alright, alright, tell us later about her, okay?" She asked, rather sweetly.

"We'll see." Dino grinned. After the crowd dispersed, Dino looked at Hibari who seemed to not care about the picture.

"Why are you looking at me?" Hibari turned to look at the blond.

"Eh? Err...nothing."

The raven-haired teen only managed to raise a questioning brow.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Alright, I'm going home. Following?" Hibari asked, packing his pens and books into his bag. Dino hurriedly nodded.

"Hey, Kyo-chan-"

"I have something to ask you." Hibari continued arranging his books into the tight area in his bag neatly as he voiced. "Why do you have that photo? Someone gave it to you?"

"Eh?" Dino blinked. "No. It's mine, of course!"

"Huh?" Hibari stopped zipping his bag. "WHAT?"

"Yeah! It's me and you!"

"Wait- THIS IS YOU?" It's unusual for a Hibari Kyoya to gap but whatever, life would change anyway and so do human.

"Bingo!"

With an 'it-is-better-if-I-don't-ask' thought, Hibari finally let out a sickening and high-pitched yell, his face turned blue and pale.

"That's...totally IMPOSSIBLE!" He exclaimed.

"Nope~" Dino cooed, beginning to enjoy his Kyo-chan's panicking look. "This necklace, remember?" He held up the crystal-pendant necklace and grinned. "You gave this to me when I was about to leave for Italy."

"...So...you're Dinny-chan...?"

"YEAP!"

Seeing the blond's unconvincing look, Hibari was torn whether to believe that idiot's words or not. "Okay, if you're Dinny-chan, tell me something embarrassing that I had experienced when we're still kids."

Dino smirked. "When we're four, we went swimming and you did not wear your underwear. Then, you lost your shorts in the river and had to borrow my shirt to cover your naked half. The next day, one of the villagers found your shorts hooked on the rocks and sadly, a monkey snatched it away and wore it on its head. Since then, your blue Mickey Mouse shorts were never be found." Dino grinned widely at the steaming red face of his crush.

"Fine, fine- you're Dinny-chan." Hibari pulled a heavy sigh. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! I can't believe this!

"Want me to prove to you more?"

"NO THANKS."

XXXXXXXXX

"Erm...Mukuro..." Hibari knocked the door thrice. "I'm putting your food here...Please eat..." He placed the tray a few centimeters away at the entrance and stared at the door. "Do...you need something else...?"

"Go."

Hibari nibbled his lower lips. "Mukuro...can you please...not act like this...? I know it's my fault for saying those harsh things but...let bygone be bygone, can we? I mean- forgive me, can you?"

"Go."

"Mukuro..."

"GO!" Something was threw against the door and shattered on the floor. Hibari stepped backwards and looked down. "Alright. If you say so..." He rushed to his room and locked the door.

Why things just become so complicated?

XXXXXXXXX

Hibari's door was knocked softly twice. The boy sprang up from his bed and rushed to open the door. "M-Mukuro..."

"I...prepared breakfast..." The said boy twitched uncomfortably. "Want...to have a...try...?"

Hibari blinked at the sudden offer but smiled anyway and stepped forward to hug him. Thank god. You're back.

Mukuro smiled at the warm embrace and slowly, he returned the gesture. I'm sorry, Kyo... For making you cry... I hate seeing you cry, you know that?

XXXXXXXXXX

"Quite good, Mukuro. You learned?" Hibari put his chopsticks down. Mukuro laughed. "It's my natural talent, idiot."

"You called me an idiot?" The raven-haired boy smacked his head softly. Mukuro laughed again. "Hey, Kyoya?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry...for my childish...behavior..." The pineapple-haired teen looked down nervously. Hibari smiled and ruffled the indigo locks. "It's okay. Everyone has their childish side."

Mukuro looked up and proceeded to hug the boy again. "Thanks..."

"You're welcome. Now, do the washing before I whip your ass." Hibari smirked. The Rokudo chuckled and stuck his tongue as he took the plates to the sink.

"Hey, Mukuro..."

"What?"

"...I...finally found my childhood friend."

"Oh?" Mukuro continued scrubbing the plates. "Who's he?"

"...Dino Cavallone..."

"..." For a moment, Mukuro stood petrified at the information but another moment, he screamed and looked astonishingly at Hibari. "WHAT? THAT DINO CASSEROLE?"

Hibari almost laughed at the nickname. "It's Dino Cavallone, Mukuro." My Mukuro is back.

"I can't believe it!"

"You have to, you want it or not." This time, Hibari laughed at the 'Oh-shit-I-am-going-to-do-my-heart-surgery-soon' expression of the pineapple-haired boy.

XXXXXXXX

"Kyo-chan~ To the canteen we go~!" Dino announced cheerfully.

Before Hibari could say anything, Mukuro appeared beside him with his scary aura. "Dino Cavallone, I have some word with you."

Dino narrowed his eyes and nodded mentally. "Okay!" What do you want?

"Thanks!" You're Kyo's childhood friend.

"No problem!" Yes, what's the problem then?

"How's life?" Take care of Kyo.

"Awesome! What about yours?" Of course, that's an understatement.

"So far, so good." You break his heart, I break your neck.

"Nice to hear!" Deal.

Mukuro finally grinned and walked away. Hibari blinked at the sudden conversation. Was it his imagination or did he just see a stormy background with a pineapple and dinosaur glaring at each other?

XXXXXXXXX

"Dino Cavallone! WAKE UP." Hibari slammed his bag onto the blond's head. Dino immediately snapped out of his sleep. "ITAAAAAAAAAAAAAI!"

"It's your punishment for sleeping during class."

"It hurts..."

"You deserve it."

Dino whined. "You are really cruel...What have you experienced in past those years that had turned you into a high-class sadist...?"

"Your idiocy ("That's not the point..." Dino muttered under his breath)." Hibari said calmly. "Let's get going." He said and left the classroom.

"Hey, wait for me!"

XXXXXXXX

The sun was glaring angrily on that particular afternoon. Even Hibari Kyoya was sighing and groaning at the obvious heat.

"It's really warm, Kyo-chan. We should have stopped by the ice-cream stall just now." Dino said, wiping the sweats from his forehead.

Hibari glared weakly at him. "If you don't mind, we can still walk back to the stall, you know?"

"Ugh...no thanks."

"Then, just shut up."

"But Kyo-"

"Silent."

Dino only sighed. After a few minutes of silence, the blond voiced again. "Hey, Kyo-chan?"

"What?"

"Holding hands are common for couple...right?"

"How should I know?"

"What about...kissing?"

"Ask somebody else." Hibari gave a simple shrug and wiped the sweats dripping from down his neck. Suddenly, Dino stopped on his track and turned to face the raven-haired boy. "Kyoya."

"What?"

"I love you."

"...W-What?"

"I LOVE YOU!"

"..."