floor, listening to the soft giggles that bounced off the walls, Takemichi eventually sat up—wiping a stray tear away from the corner of his blue eyes.

Upon ridding his vision of any tears, he was able to clearly access the room; Shinichiro was holding Baji back in a weak hold as the two of them snickered at Takemichi's state. Obnoxious snorting could be heard from behind Takemichi's ear. Slowly shifting around, the black haired boy catches Manjiro clutching onto his stomach—pig-like noises escaped his lips when he doubled over in laughter.

Takemichi could do nothing but stare at them dumbfounded.

"W-What's going on?!"

Something on Takemichi's face must have shown his distress because Shinichiro gradually releases Baji, no longer laughing at the smaller boy. Those stupid smirks didn't leave their faces though.

"I can't believe you fell for that Michi!" Baji exclaimed smugly, as he made his way to wrap an arm around Takemichi's shoulder.

Takemichi froze.

Fell for whAT?!

Before Takemichi could voice out his confusion, Shinichiro speaks up while striding towards the three boys.

"I was never mad in the first place—just wanted to scare ya a little," Shinichiro explained calmly, like he didn't just admit to planning the whole thing.

"B-But Baji—"

"Keisuke was in on it too. He's a pretty good actor, yeah?"

Takemichi's jaw drops. Looking back over at his black haired companion, Takemichi caught Baji flashing a fanged smile at him.

How on earth did Baji manage to fully convince Takemichi that he was gonna attack him?!

(Well...probably because he already has, but still!)

The curly haired boy switched his gaze to the floor, still in disbelief.

"A-and Manjiro...?"

An audible hum from behind Takemichi answers his question. He didn't need to turn around to know it was Manjiro.

"Y'know Takemitchy, your face looks kinda funny when you cry!"

"Manjiro! You don't just say that!"

"Hm? Why not, Shin? It's the truth!"

Takemichi doesn't bother to join in on the conversation, his gaze completely glued to the floor.

Betrayal—FLAT OUT BETRAYAL!

A headache begins to form, making Takemichi's face scrunch up with tears.

What on earth has he gotten himself into?

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Walking Keisuke and Takemichi home with Manjiro on his back wasn't as tiring as Shinichiro initially thought it would be. Looking down at the small curly haired boy, who was chatting animatedly with Keisuke, Shinichiro found himself smiling sheepishly as they traveled through the halls.

He owes him that much, at least.

Shinichiro hadn't expected Takemichi to start taking the blame for the other two boy's at the first sign of trouble—he even called Keisuke a stinky gorilla for crying out loud! (It took ten years off of Shinichiro's life not to flat out double over and cackle at the fake insult.)

Even though Shinichiro was just pulling the smaller boy's leg, Takemichi tried making himself out to be the bad guy in the situation, attempting to take away the blame that was once 'directed' at Keisuke and Manjiro.

It was...admirable and worrying to say the least.

    It's good to know that Manjiro made friends with someone like Takemichi—lord knows he's in need of a friend with a heart of gold that wasn't completely driven by violent tendencies. No offense to Keisuke or anything, but Manjiro could stand to have a few other friends who don't beat kids up randomly because they're bored.

(Shinichiro doesn't care if that's hypocritical on his part, seeing as he's best friends with the most dangerous delinquents in his area. This was about Manjiro, not him, ok?)

Perhaps Takemichi could be a positive influence on Manjiro—that's what Shinichiro was hoping for when he first saw the curly haired boy.

...there was an off chance that the complete opposite could happen, but Shinichiro strayed away from that thought. It was better to be positive about these sorts of things, especially if it involves someone as precious as his little brother.

"Bye Manjiro! Bye Michi! Bye Shinichiro!"

Shinichiro is snapped out of his thoughts by Keisuke's voice. He didn't even notice they had arrived at Keisuke's apartment before his squeaky voice entered his ears. Keisuke had a hand on his doorknob while the other waved widely in the air. The other two boys mimicked Keisuke as Shinichiro simply raised a hand with a soft smile on his face.

"Bye Baji!"

"See ya tomorrow Keisuke!"

"Don't get into too much trouble."

Keisuke sends them one last bright smile before entering his apartment—the door clicking shut behind the small boy.

Shinichiro then turns his gaze to Takemichi, who's already walking away and down the hallway. It doesn't take long for Shinichiro to catch up with him—man, talk about the luxury of long legs.

"Where do you think you're going?" Shinichiro asks, ruffling up Takemichi's unruly hair. Takemichi swats his hand away, but continues on down the hall.

"Home—I live in the same building as Baji!" Ah, Shinichiro recalls Keisuke saying something about them being neighbors.

"Well lead the way, Takemichi!"

"Hm? But we're already here?" Huh?

Takemichi was staring at Shinichiro with a confused look as he stood in front of an apartment door. Shinichiro mentally slaps himself; he really needs to start paying more attention..

He half expected Manjiro to say something witty or insulting from over his shoulder, but one look at his little brother made his suspicions wash away.

Manjiro was fast asleep on Shinichiro's back.

Man, isn't his little brother just the cutest?

Just as Shinichiro was about to knock on the door, the entrance swung open, shocking the poor eighteen year old and—

Woah.

Any words that might've escaped Shinichiro's mouth quickly dried away at the sight of the stranger who opened the door.

In front of Shinichiro stood a small, breathtaking, young lady. Black curly locks of hair reached past her shoulders, giving her an exotic look. Fair skin that appeared smooth and soft to the touch. Her body mostly hidden away by the large band t-shirt draped over her figure but in no way deterring her attractiveness. A pointed nose that nicely complimented her soft complexion. Perfect plump lips bitten red.

And her eyes. Wow. Dark blue pools of water that could easily sweep Shinichiro away with just a single wave.

Welp, he's a goner.

Then, if Shinichiro's day couldn't get any better, her lips began to part, finally gracing the love struck delinquent with her angelic voice.

"WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN MICHI?!"

Huh—?

Before Shinichiro could react, the gorgeous lady reached forward and grabbed Takemichi by the wrist, yanking him into her arms. Shinichiro, absolutely stunned out of his mind, could do nothing but watch as the angel with a dirty mouth squeezed the living shit out of Takemichi.

Is he turning purple—?

"DON'T YOU EVER, EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN, YOU HEAR ME BOY?!" She wailed, ignorant to the way Takemichi was trying to push away from the young lady for air.

Shinichiro sympathized with the small boy; he just can't seem to catch a break from losing oxygen.

Finally, after a few moments of just holding onto Takemichi for dear life, she finally loosened her hold around the curly haired boy. The lady placed enough distance between them to be able to put her hands on Takemichi's shoulders.

That's when Shinichiro got a good look at the two, realization finally hitting him in the back of the head. They had many similar features; from the black curly hair, blue eyes, fair skin...

She must be his older sister—Of course—that's why she was nearly strangling the poor boy to death! She must not have wanted to get in trouble with their parents over losing her younger brother—yeah!

Shinichiro still vaguely remembers the beatings he had to endure from his old man after losing Manjiro the first couple of times they went shopping.

Feeling much more put together and confident than he did a few seconds ago, Shinichiro opened his mouth to introduce himself but was quickly cut off by Takemichi himself.

"I'm sorry mama...I was just hanging out with Baji and Manjiro..."

And the confidence gets curb stomped into oblivion because what the hell did Michi just call her—?

"Ok, and?! You still need to tell me these things beforehand so I'm not out busting my ass on the streets trying to find you!"

"B-But I said I was sorr—"

"Go on inside, baby. We'll talk more about it when I'm done chatting with Mr.lanky over here."

Wait, was Shinichiro 'Mr.lanky'—?

"B-BUT—"

"Now Takemichi."

Shinichiro gulped at the demanding voice that left her lips.

The finality in the lady's tone instantly made Takemichi back down. With pursed lips and tears brimming the corners of his dark blue eyes, Takemichi scrambled into the apartment without as much of a goodbye to Shinichiro and Manjiro.

Now it was just Shinichiro and...

"So who the hell are you?"

And...supposedly...Takemichi's mother (?).

Shinichiro really didn't expect this to happen. He heard the name 'mama' as clear as a bell and the argument that transpired between the two relatives was more than enough proof to shut the whole 'older sister' assumption down.

But she couldn't be much older than Shinichiro with her skin clear of wrinkles and eyes bright as the midnight stars.

Sadly, it wasn't any of Shinichiro's business (despite the urge to demand answers out of the raven haired damsel, he knew better than to interrogate a complete stranger, a drop-dead gorgeous one at that).

The dark eyed teen flashed the beautiful lady a smile, raising a hand in greeting.

"I'm Shinichiro Sano—Takemichi's friend's older brother," He introduced, watching as the lady's eyebrows raise up. She's still probably suspicious of him...

"Sorry for keeping him away for so long; If I had known his guardian didn't know where he was then I would have pried him out of my little brother's hands sooner..." Shinichiro apologized sheepishly while pointing a thumb at the sleeping child clinging onto his back. The way her face softened after glancing at Manjiro had Shinichiro mentally patting himself on the back.

"...Are they good friends?" Now it's Shinichiro's turn to raise an eyebrow. The young lady in front of him had a concerned look on her face as she bit her lower lip; it must be a nervous habit of hers.

No wonder they're so red...

Shinichiro averts his gaze back up, making a point to avoid looking at her plump lips. Now is not the time to fantasize about those luscious lips. She just asked a legitimate question for crying out loud!

"T-Takemichi and Manjiro?" Shinichiro asked, trying to get rid of his light headedness. "I—well—I'd say they're pretty good friends! They get along pretty well despite just meeting each other today."

"Good to know...and what about that Baji kid Michi keeps talking about? I haven't met the boy yet but Michi can't seem to shut up about him."

Shinichiro laughs at the lady's last statement, smiling brightly as he adjusts his hold on Manjiro.

"Oh—there's no need to worry about those two! Even though he may not realize it yet, Baji adores Takemichi. You should've seen how mad he was when Manjiro kept 'hogging his Michi'," Shinichiro exclaimed, observing with vivid fascination as the lady breathed out a soft chuckle.

"Heh...well It's good to know my baby's making friends. Thank you for taking care of Takemichi—I don't know what I would've done if something bad had happened to him," The angelic young lady suddenly bows, shocking Shinichiro half to death.

The red faced teen starts waving his hand dismissively, hoping the lady will stand back up straight. "Y-You don't have to bow or thank me! Seriously, It's not a big deal..."

A devine goddess such as herself shouldn't be bowing down to the likes of him after all!!!

She finally stands back up straight, making Shinichiro heave out a sigh of relief. Her arms are crossed over her stomach, and she avoids making direct eye contact with Shinichiro as she continues to naw on her lower lip.

"It might not be a big deal to you, but it is to me, ok?"

Shinichiro momentarily feels his breath being taken away by the angelic lady standing before him.

That bashful look, the way her lashes fluttered over those deep sapphire jewels, the light pink tint spreading across her face that made her even more enticing—

Nope. Shinichiro's not gonna go there.

...when he's alone he'll allow himself to 'fantasize' about the gorgeous lady, just not now.

(Like that makes it any better...)

Shinichiro focuses back on the present when he catches the young lady stepping back into her apartment, her hand already reaching for the doorknob.

"...Well, it was um...nice to meet you Sano-san. Thank you again for watching my son."

Welp, that just about confirmed everything.

"Please, just call me Shinichiro! Also it was nice to meet you too...um...?" Shinichiro trails off awkwardly, finally realizing that he never got the lady's name.

She catches on quickly—not a moment later she chuckles to herself and gives Shinichiro a soft smile.

Or was it mischievous...?

"Katsumi Hanagaki. Goodnight Sano-san," Shinichiro tries not to wince at the formality as Katsumi quickly closes the door.

Shinichiro sighs dreamily into the silent hallway.

Now it was just Shinichiro, Manjiro, and his romantic fantasies involving a specific lady who's name starts with a 'k' and ends in 'atsumi'.

"Your face is really red, Shin."

Shinichiro nearly jumps out of his skin at the sudden voice behind his ear. Whipping his head around, he locks eyes with his younger brother who seems to be having a hard time staying awake.

"Go back to sleep."

"Were you hitting on Mitchy's mom?"

Shinichiro immediately bristles up, his dark eyes widen and almost bulge out of their sockets.

"How long have you been awake?!"

"...she called you Mr.lanky."

Shit, so basically the whole time, huh?

Shinichiro sighs heavily, adjusting his grip on Manjiro and starting back down the hall to exit the apartment complex.

"Also no, I wasn't hitting on Michi's mom."

"Hmm...ok." Huh? Just like that?

Shinichiro thanks whatever god is out there that Manjiro doesn't further question him as they make their way out the building.

Now it was just Shinichiro, Manjiro, the twinkling stars, the shining moon, and the name of a woman who will forever be ingrained in his mind.

Looks like they'll be seeing more of each other from now on thanks to none other than three troublesome rascals.

Now's a really good time for a cigarette...

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