It's been a few days since Toshi arrived, and nothing special has happened. After Kei's warning, both of them decided it was better of they only met at school.
     'I can't live like this! Toshi is constantly watching me! I can't even take a shower without them being outside the door! And, yes. I have spoken to them about this, but he won't listen to me!!' Kei was in tears, pulling his hair out, literally.

He had a free period before the end of the day, and decided to spend it in the library. Hasegawa sat at a table in the back, quietly sobbing to himself.
      "Hey, dude. What 'cha doing here by yourself? Class is about to start." It was Nendou.
Hasegawa fumbled for his notebook, desperately trying to come up with some explanation.
        "...Do you want to go the nurse? I can take you." Nendou offered Hasegawa his hand. He wiped his tears and smoothed his hair out, taking Nendou's hand as he pulled him up, "thanks."

As the two walked down the halls and towards the nurses office, Nendou rambled on about whatever was on his mind, and how hungry he is for ramen. The duo were approaching their homeroom when Hasegawa stopped suddenly.
     "Dude? What's up?" Nendou said, turning to look at his friend.
Hasegawa smiled, took a deep breath, and shook his head, "nothing, let's go inside."
Long story short, they got yelled at by the teacher for being five and a half minuets late. They apologised and sat at their seats.

•—•

Hasegawa spent homeroom thinking, and before he knew it, the bell dismissed them to go home. Saiki, Kaido, Nendou, and Hairo went to Hasegawa's desk.

"You okay man?" Kaido asked. They waited anxiously for his response.
    "yeah, sorry. i'm fine. but do you guys wanna come to my place?"
           Nendou shot up excitedly, "Only if you have ramen!"
Kaido agreed, looking like an excited puppy, and of course Saiki tagged along.

"Sorry! I have to decline!" Hairo apologised and explained his after-school activities.
       "don't be sorry! next time though, okay?" Hairo smiled brightly and they parted ways.

"So, what's your plan?" Saiki questioned on the walk home. 'I can introduce you all as.. m-my friends!' It was obvious he hadn't had many friends.

"What kind of ramen do you have at your house?" Nendou said.
       "a decent amount of different kinds." He replied.

The front door was unlocked, which was more common now that someone was home, but he still did his little knock on the wall.
      "Sorry for the intrusion." Kaido bowed, slightly terrified. Biscuit flocked to them, Nendou and Kaido gazed at how cute she is, again.

"Hey kid. Who're your friends?" Toshi greeted, eyeing Saiki up and down. Kei proudly gave them all little signs that had their name and little drawings on them.
"Right. Nice to meet you Kaido, Nendou, and.. Saiki." Toshi shook their hands, eyeing Saiki once again.
         "Saiki?! Did I hear you say 'Saiki?!'" Hiro came running down the hallway.
Toshi rolled his eyes, "Yeah, dad. He's in here."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Toshi pulled Kei aside, "What are you thinking! Why would you bring your boy toy here!"
     Kei almost choked, "He's not! He's just my friend!" He shoved Toshi's hands down, and signed outside of Saiki's view.

"Oh? Who do we have here? It's nice to see you guys again! Kei, be a dear and go get your friends some snacks!" Akemi smiled from the doorway. He glared his brother, pulling out some ramen from the cupboard, you could ger the joy seeping from Nendou.
      "Dude, calm down." Kaido suggested, patting Nendou shoulder in a convincing way.

"So, how was your day at school boys?" Hiro asked before enjoying his food.
   "It was a good day, uh, sir." Kaido responded, he was so nervous.
       Kei chuckled, "just call him Hiro, he's my dad and probably the chilliest person ever." Kaido gave an embarrassing nod.

As everyone talked, Toshi noticed the smile on Kei's face, and the little gestures made between him and Saiki, Toshi knew something was going on.
"Do you realise your brother is suspicious of us?" Saiki asked stealthily.
       'Yeah, I kinda figured. As long as he doesn't do anything stupid it's fine.' Kei responded, keeping and eye on Toshi.

Akemi looked at her youngest with glee, it's been a while since Kei's felt so comfortable around other people, and school. She was delighted. "Hey, do you guys wanna see Kei's baby pictures?!" Akemi shot up excitedly.
   "No! Absolutely not!" Kei shot back, grabbing his mom's arm. Akemi smirked at the silence that fell over them, even Toshi was uncomfortable.
   
"...I-I think w-we should go!" Kaido said, breaking the awkward tension.
Kei was panicking, until Toshi spoke up, "Hold on. I think he wants to give you guys an explanation." Kei has never nodded his head so hard in is whole life. Akemi and Hiro were staring him starstruck, based on his expression they knew he was going to tell them everything. This was Kei's biggest secret and biggest insecurity, was he really about to do this?

As he took a shaky breath, tears pooled in his eyes. "I wasn't born mute," Tears started trickling down his cheeks.
     "You don't have to sweetie." Akemi chimed in. Kei wiped away tears and smiled, "They deserve to know." Since that was the case, Toshi said he'd translate Kei's signs. They may be dickheads to each other, but they were still brothers.

"I was born sideways, my vocal cords squished. I did cry like normal babies. My screams were jagged and strained. That's how we found out. Anyways, when we used to live with our grandparents, one day I think I was five? Six, maybe? There was this teacher who was obsessed with me, and... and he always gave me little gifts, so when he handed me a bottle of juice saying 'this will help not to dry out your throat.' I was a fool for trusting him..." Akemi started crying, she hated seeing her baby is so much pain. Kaido had tears as well, "It was diluted rat poising." Audible gasps could be heard, "It was pretty bad, I was in hospital for about two years. It wrecked whatever progress my body was making naturally. I couldn't speak until just recently, so it's a bit weird talking to you guys. It's only when I scream or talk for a really long time that it hurts. Oh, and certain food and drinks hurt as well. Like fizzy drinks." Despite the cheery voice in which Toshi explained the last few sentences, tears spilled like waterfalls from Kei's glistening blue eyes, coating his freckles.

They sat in silence, taking in the news. Nendou has been the quietest he's ever been. Kaido couldn't stop crying. But Kei was focused on Saiki, searching his face, his posture, for any signs of emotion. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Kei mumbled, rushing off to his room, how could he be so naïve?! Why would his friends still hangout with him now? He had lied to them, and now, they had left without a word.