A/N: So... episode 42 marked the definite point of reference where this AU branched out of canon. Which is a good thing to keep notes about. XD


[It's an emergency!]

That was all the message that Keiwa had sent, and Win had immediately given him a call to find out what was wrong. But then all he got from the younger man was some excited (?) or panicked garble and Keiwa had been talking so fast with some barking and yowling in the background (that must be Ace) that Win just gave up trying to decipher what he said on the phone and told Keiwa to just come to the garage. Since it was a lot closer compared to the shrine... and the place was empty around this time. And he informed the others to gather here as well. Because what better support for someone than having more friends to help out with it?

Also because he had an inkling that whatever problem Keiwa was dealing with it must have something to do with Ace and it was likely that Keiwa would be bringing him over and he might end up being scolded by the others if he hadn't let them tag along for the fun. Hehe.

xxx

"Unh... how long must we wait? Will this end up taking a very long time?" whined Michinaga as usual as the younger boy started wandering around the band, randomly checking out the instruments and the drumset left on the small makeshift stage. Michinaga might not look like it, but Win could tell that the kid was so excited to be hanging around in the garage with the rest of them.

What an adorable kid...

Michinaga pouted. "I ended up telling my boss that I had some family emergency popping up so that I couldn't come to work."

Neon just rolled her eyes at the taller man.

"If you don't want to be here, you can always leave, Miichi. We won't force you to stay..."

"I didn't say that! Why are you guys taking my words so seriously? If I didn't want to come here I won't be here already!" exclaimed Michinaga as Win and Neon snorted in amusement.

Tsumuri just smiled softly at the amusing antic in front of her. It really felt good, to be able to just see these people being happy in the presence of friends and not having to fight each other over some wish that one wanted to be granted (and remaking the world over and over again in their own image or ideals). It was really such a precious kind of happiness...

"I'm sorry for the wait!"

The four of them turned around to find Keiwa half-running and half-speedwalk to reach them as he was also carrying a big pet carrier.

So whatever the problem Keiwa was having, it must REALLY have something to do with Ace.

xxx

"You don't really need to rush over here—"

Neon hurried over to Keiwa as she helped him with carrying the pet carrier. Keiwa just shook his head at her.

"No... because I was the one who called, and I didn't want to inconvenience anyone to wait a very long time for me—but then there's something I needed to do at the office so I made a side trip to head there first."

Win grabbed over some chairs and benches and a foldable table as the two reached them (and put the pet carrier down) so that they can have somewhere to sit and talk.

"So what's up?" asked Michinaga. "What's the great emergency that needed all of us coming over here?"

Win smacked Miichi's shoulder lightly as he scolded the younger man a bit. (Win: I was the one who called everyone, not Keiwa-kun.)

Keiwa just shrugged at them, ignoring the light banter between Michinaga and Win. "About that, you guys have to see this first—" he turned towards Tsumuri before sighing. "I thought maybe you'd figure out something."

Keiwa just rolled his eyes at the fox hiding inside the carrier. They could hear the fox barking even more as Keiwa acted as if he was already so used to the behaviour. "Ace, please... we talked about this earlier. Besides, it's just Win, Neon and Tsumuri. Also, Miichi already has seen you many times like this—", said Keiwa normally, not even paying attention towards the three people sitting nearby who had been taken aback at seeing that yes... Keiwa really did have the ability to understand what Ace was saying as a fox.

.

Michinaga just snorted to himself as he rolled his eyes to no one. "Heh... drama queen—"

And without warning, Ace sped out of his pet carrier before hopping onto a bench and started barking at Michinaga. Immediately, Michinaga jumped from his chair and hid behind Win in fright as the other man started laughing at him. Keiwa hurriedly tried to restrain Ace as Neon started to exclaim at how cute Ace looked as an albino fox.

Win also let out a gasp as Miichi started muttering (more to himself) about unruly foxes who liked to chomp on someone's ankles.

"He really looked like an actual fox could be... with Geats IX colours—" commented Win as Ace started wagging his tails...

And all four people immediately went quiet, as Keiwa laughed awkwardly.

"Y-yeah... that's the problem."