As he was walking to school, Yuya couldn't help noticing the way people around him were looking at him and whispering. It was like how they acted around him when his father disappeared. Only this time… it didn't feel malicious or cruel. It actually felt more playful and affectionate. He happened to hear some of the whispers, and they made him blush.

"Such a cute laugh! I wanna hear it again!"

"I wonder how much he can take? The clip was only five seconds long!"

"He was tearing up the moment they started tickling him! So adorable!"

"I'd pay a million yen to tickle him for just five minutes!"

"Aw, he's blushing! Can he hear us?"

Suddenly, Yuya's arms were grabbed and yanked up above his head. He tried to pull free, but the grip was too strong. "H-hey! Let go!"

He looked around and saw that the people holding him were Kakimoto and Yamabe, two of Sawatari's friends. The tomato didn't know why they were holding him like this, but he found out when he felt a pair of hands start tickling his sides and armpits.

"HEY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NONO! STOHOHOHOP! HAHAHAHAHA!" Yuya was very ticklish, and could already barely talk from the tickling. Tears of laughter started streaming from his eyes almost immediately.

"Aw, that's adorable!" Sawatari's voice said from directly behind Yuya. At least now he knew who was tickling him. "You really are ticklish, aren't you?"

"HELP!" Yuya managed to squeal, trying to pull free. But Kakimoto and Yamabe were holding onto him too tightly for him to escape. Yuya noticed a bunch of people recording the scene, including Sawatari's other friend Otomo.

"SAHAWAHATARIHIHIHIHI! PLEHEEASE! WE'LL BE LAHAHATE FOR SCHOOHOOHOHOOL!" Yuya pleaded.

"Ah, I suppose you're right," Sawatari sighed as he stopped tickling the tomato. "Later then."

"Yes, later," Yuya agreed, his breathing a little heavy from his laughter as his arms were released. Sawatari blinked in surprise at his agreement.

"What, you mean you don't mind?" he asked.

"Nope! I don't mind at all!" Yuya said, smiling brightly. "Like I told Sora, I kinda like being tickled. Just not when I'm trying to get to school on time!"

Sawatari smiled. "Well in that case, how about after school then, hm?"

"Sure!" Yuya replied happily.

"Great! Well then, let's get to school!"