================o.O.O.o================

D A Y 0 2 : FRIENDS ON THE EDGE

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Barely a minute in and Free's ear is getting berated by the arguing duo...

Yup, at 7:32 in the morning when he arrived, Shasa is mocking Wakiya on the other end of the room...with tenths of other individual ears hearing their back and forth yell off.

"Shasa...please...my ears are fucking bleeding! Could you keep it down..." He's not in the best of moods to deal with this shit this early.

Swear to his unholy sanity, he's turning to the abyss for saviours, by that means to end his hell of a life.

The drinks are there, headache adding to the loud arguing nonsense.

He left the room entirely to get some fresh air, followed by a stop at the gym to practice his part. Luckily, Zac easily forgave him for not attending their afternoon practice.

However, do it again without the band knowing, or if he doesn't have a good explanation for being absent, he'll be off the competition as Zac takes them seriously despite his actions. The superstar is a big softie, easily forgiving. Overusing his patients will not stop him from still being nice...but would be the type to punish those who don't follow.

"So...how about my place tonight?" Free suggests, after having a pleasant conversation with Shu during their break period. Both were busy with their works.

Free was fixing and tuning their bandmate's guitar, apparently the string snaps. Meanwhile, Shu is editing some errors with the notes, along with newer, better lyrics.

They were alone in there as Wakiya is outside with the creation of the props, Valt is lending a hand on the crafts. He might as well take his chances while he has it. He won't be putting too much faith for Shu to agree-

"Sure!" Oh...well that was easy. Then something shakes the albino to ask, "Oh, now I remember. How Kris's doing? I haven't heard from her since we bump into each other at the gasoline station..."

That trail off sounded there is more going on, "Sound like there's something else you're not telling? She's away for college..."

"Well, I saw her with a guy. He looks harmless. Dark brown, curly hair? He looks to be around her age too..."

Shu's damn well aware of the tragedy going on with people missing, the highest rate of a missing person is commonly left alone without a close companion...

Needless to say, no one knows what would be the best approach other than not going out too late at night without anyone to accompany them in the darkest of streets.

Come to think of it, that description does match up to the guy Free saw back home with Kris, stating that they were busy with...some project...not going to too many details, but if Free's ear was to believe...gosh...best of wishes that they use some kind of protection...

"Trant I think? I don't know...I barely spoke to him other than a few 'hellos'." He is not certain that he got the name wrong, what could he do? Free has other things to do of his own.

Free's the lone wolf from the start, he can handle himself despite the incidents happening near his home.

A late-night stroll in the woods without a problem, no sign of trespassers. Being able to visit his deer friend in a shallow patch in the very middle without taking a look over his shoulder.

And like a wolf, he's got some good senses when he's alone in a quiet area. He'll be able to know your location in a small movement of the grass.

"Hmm, boyfriend? Or just a friend?"

"Boyfriend is what I'm speculating..."

Shu's in awed, "That's great! She needs someone to let loose some stress with the works as a college student."

"I'm not letting my guard down...she's my sister..."

"That's such a good brother~"

A blush crept on his face, putting that aside, time to change the topic from gossiping about his sister's love story...wishing it goes better than his...to something more about them...

"What about we go out tonight, and go to my place? I'm sure Kitt would be jumping the couch seeing you again." Kitt, the son of their motherly cook Ange. Since the day Shu came into their home, Shu showed gratitude towards their staff, especially a lot of time with the kid.

Kitt could get very excited whenever Shu comes around the house. They would play, Shu would treat his wounds, or if he's sick, Shu acts like a motherly figure to any child he comes across, just like Ange. Can't leave out that Shu is an 11-year-old back when they met for the first time.

Shu smiles brightly, missing that rambunctious boy, "Can't wait!"

"Free! We need a hand moving basketball hoop. Do you mind?" A woman, another competitor, came behind the curtains, cutting their talk short.

"Abby, it's called a backboard..." Free corrected, "That's shorter..." He might as well add if she reasons again. Shu mildly giggling on the sidelines, tipping his pen on his lap.

The woman, named Abby, rolled her eyes, beckoning Free to follow. "I do mind if you're not reading correctly..." Shu was a giggling stock, Free's very stubborn than usual. For being perfectly honest, he doesn't hold back with just acquaintances, friends is an important matter.

"Gaaah! Stop being stuck up! Now help out would you!?" She stomps away, the albino giving him a playful tap.

"You're such an ass..."

"Pft, she had it coming-"

"FREE!" Abby shouts being forceful. That backboard has three rustic wheels, moving it around is a pain without the help of a strong student, and the blond was the only one nearby.

Both boys laugh it for a while, before deciding to help out, leaving Shu to handle the notes out in the back. "Want me to bring you anything?"

Shu smiles, "A cup of warm tea."

"Black tea?" Shu nods.

"Heh~ Alright, I'd be careful not to spill it..."

It was like the world was paused, both are longin into each other's gaze as if he was about to confess...

No... that can't happen...Shu knows this...

Not yet at least...

"DE LA HOYA!!!"

"I HEARD YOU!!"

======================================

"Why've you been ignoring me Wakiya?" Silas complains on a very busy Wakiya, rather than lending him a hand with the stitching for the banner, he came to complain the usual way.

Wakiya scoffs him off, annoyed that he would approach him in such mannerism.

"I know you're angry-" Wakiya cuts him off...

"Oh, you 'know'? Good, now leave me alone!"

This wasn't going anywhere if Wakiya would continue this rebellious behavior towards his own friend.

Yes...Wakiya is a friend of the school bully...who would've guess that the school sugar daddy is a close companion with a delinquent.

"Damn it Wakiya, stop making my day difficult would ya?" Silas couldn't hold the pressure of talking back. Keeping his hands to himself before he does something he'll surely regret.

Wakiya's deep blue eyes is shifting from the anger, "How could I not!? You slept with him!" Silas backs off.

"It's not my fault he wanted it!"

"Are you fucking kidding me!? I trustrd you." Their voices gets louder and louder that the members of their program are all staring. Silas is not a part of the singing program, instead...just stuck around.

He could care less about some event he never interested in. Martial arts in more up his ally, but violence is not an option. No one get this guy...other than Wakiya...

That was the loudest they've been that their teacher approached the two boys in their conrner, "Boys, please keep it down. If you're fighting on something, would you mind sorting it out without disturbing anyone?" 6 girls and 5 boys complains on their noisy arguement as they're busy finishing their lyrics so finally they could get it perfectly done.

Wakiya apologies when she ended, a smile by the end, then a frown once he starts again with Silas. "Get out of my sights..."

Silas sighs and gave up, it's impossible to persuade that uncompromising attitude of that blond rich boy.

Silas left Wakiya alone in his station to chew over his last words with the delinquent. It made him sick of his own words he could pass out...

Must be the lack of sleep he's been getting lately...crying himself until he pass out.

How lucky has he been that the his albino friend has no clue of this condition. Acting to be positive at all times.

Perhaps he doesn't deserve to be happy afterall...

The stress is unbearable...

Wakiya knows damn well what Shu is feeling, unlike the albino, he doesn't have the confidence to face them...not like they cut loose because of infidelity...

Wakiya places a hand on his forehead to rest on...

A small wave of ache at the back of his head...

"What's wrong with me...?"

------------------

Silas thump his way out of the scene the moment he heared utterly words from Wakiya.

His only friend...

It wasn't his fault at all for doing it...

He kept telling himself what is Wakiya saying wasn't true at all...

But why is he this difficult to reason with!?

He can sense doubt within that guy since the day they met. It was like, he sense Silas would fuck up and make a mess...

Now that he thought he did, he drops down the act...the act of being a kind friend to the very alone delinquent.

The anger is constantly increasing, leading to a devastating punch to the wall...not to mention the loud gasps, the sudden shift of noise from mildly loud to silence.

'Fuck this...'

He wasn't in the best time, best place,best moods...he's literally the worst...

Worst as they so pictures him as since he moved to this school. Leaving the friends he once had...if they could be called as friends, they only stuck around for protection...in another country where he once lived.

His attitude soon grows to imitate the description of the real bullies...sending him down the path of isolation and hate...

Questions arise to why would the school, a prestigious as best, to be tolerating bullies, and the new, shameless, delinquent.

The real bullies of Beigoma are sneaky, planning their action when little to know eyes are watching. Once they have their victim on their own, pray for their soul that they don't take their lives after.

What else, is the toleration of a female whore...Shasa...

She bullied him too, not to mention te gut punching insults...about his past, his parents she somehow knew...assuming to be from the news...

She's absulutely ruthless and careless of her words, regarding the faculty that is easily able to see her being a little bitch...little is not the right word....big it is!!"

At that time was his first encounter with that smug brat, Mr. Prodigy...

Aggressive, out for blood...

He beats up Silas the moment they came to contact, his mouth were begging, Free's said nothing, his eyes...soul said nothing...

Fuck, he hates that static glare, when he used that move, the same move he used this morning, the one move and he woke up on his back, badly injured.

Scratches here and there, broken limbs, getting zero apologies from that brat.

If only the students know what he's going through...if only they would sit down and try to understand the reason behind his cruelty.

He wouldn't be the person they feared him to be...

He wouldn't have become the person they pictured him to be...

There was the first, Wakiya Murasaki...

Another blond rich boy but without the prodigy title, fucking squeeze the tea out of him. Wakiya was the light that brighten his vision, he helped, he understood, he settled in.

And so, the world seems to have a grudge against his existence for who the fuck knows what of, Wakiya's doubtful signs...

Body languages that proves Wakiya is skeptical of his precence. The constant looks of disgust, normal...he shook it off.

But it gets worst.

Deep questions, siding with the real villains, doesn't belive his words for some reason even if they sounded the most truthful compare to his enemies.

It's there...

What he sees, hears from Wakiya is unavoidable, especially he has a tendency to follow Wakiya unnoticed. Unsettling, but so is Wakiya's constant talk behind his back.

Alright...

He will admit he enjoyed that night...

He'll admit that he got drunk and fucked up...

It's what depression does, just wanting someone or something to fill their emptiness. Could be physically or metaphorically, which would be prefered.

Silas is physical...all the way...

And he's more than embarrassed about that little shitty move.

"You!"

Looks like someone got the nerves to approach him on that tone. However it was is very easily recognizable. It's that darn Mr. Prodigy here for blood as so it seems through the look of death in his eyes.

Silas grunts as his day has been ruined completely by Wakiya, and now this guys just have to show up and add into the pile of trouble.

He just got out of the nurse's office yesterday afternoon after that beat down. His nuts still stings. He is so not in the mood for another brawl...so he went passive aggressive, pushing him awy with his broad shoulders, walking out the exit, pretending not to hear his blabbering words.

That won't last long if you go against that arrogant monster. "Hey! Are you ear dead? Can you hear me you stuck up dog!?" That didn't only got Silas's attention, but also the participants and the staffs that are in the gym towards their direction.

Silas stopped dead on his tracks, growls at the name while turning his head around. It wasn't pleasant to hear in the morning, "What is it!? And are you calling me a dog!?"

Free came closer to his face, death glare, eyes sharper than a blade made of tempered steel. "You! You dirty whore, you slept with him didn't you!?"

Silas just smug, he is a friend of Wakiya back in the day and it seems their rekindling their friendship back to where it once were, and he seems angry about that night.

"Yeah, I slept with him! So what?"

That response made Free angrier than a boar, ready to pounce onto Silas the moment he gave him that look. "You'll regret that you little shit!! He's not yours to take-!"

"Stop it boys! Please!" Suddenly, that same woman that mouthed him and Wakiya came to stop the fight, "Could you PLEASE stop! We have a program to practice and reherse in 2 weeks. Right now we're only at the start of making decorations...could you kindly settle your differences and shut the fuck up!"

She's really got them more aggressively, kudos to this teacher for keeping up to the two hardheads all alone. Free kindly did as she asks, "My apologies Ma'am, it won't happen again..."

But Silas is so irritated that he's getting arrogant, "He started the fight..." Not entirely true but not wrong either.

Free turns to shoot an even sharper glare, fucl that could stab his brains out. "I wouldn't have done it if you didn't do it to Shu!"

Silas chocked so sudden, trying to get a word in but the teacher butts in agains and starts dragging Free away.

"Hold your tongues! Discuss this later Mr. Dr la Hoya, we need a hand on the hoops, come on."

They left along with the evesdroppers goig back to their individual tasks, leaving Silas dumbfounded on the spot. Did he heard him right that time? He said 'Shu' right?

"What the hell are you talking saying...?"

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Finally, Free proceeds to do as he was asked out for. Just pushing some heavy thing for the cleaners to...well, clean, and leave the decorators for the rest of the glow up, sort of a phantom of the opra theme.

The competitors will be told to wear a mask of their choosing, or handcrafted if possible.

Shu, ofcourse, goes for handcrafter masks. Volunteering to make one for each band member. His were red and black, yellow and green for Free, blue and white for their guitarist, purple and pink for their pianist, and a orange and brown for their drummer.

Won't take too long as Shu is pretty crafty, especially with costumes. Can't forget that he makes the masks he and his friends wears during Halloween, making their day extra spooky with the locals anazed by his handwork.

That albino has the best talents out there.

Free pushes the last backboard poles outside to a small shading near the canteen. It was a long walk, and he agreed to do it alone. He's the lone wolf after all.

While at the canteen, he did offered Shu a nice cup of black tea. Might aswell get some green tea for himself while he's at it.

The line wasn't that long so he was able to order pretty quickly. No sign of Shasa anywhere. For what he'd heard earlier, she was supposed to do extra time with their rehersal for complaining too much about her role as a rival girl.

And would constantly deman that Free should be the senpai, but since he chose the singing contest, he wasn't allowed to join another.

Can't join more than one program as each starts at a random time that you won't know who is next. That irritates a few parents who has multiple kids that joins a different program than be together in one. Because they might miss one of their kid's performance entirely. It was reasonable as no parent want to make their children think their siblings were more special than them.

However, the program can't as each group time duration is long, it won't fit since they last 30 mins each...mainly he drama program understandably. Each play is long, and the costume changes will take time and break through eah scenes. What else is that sometimes the contestants has a problem about something and they can't go out there until they fix it.

That happens alot too...

So what they did is to cut each program into two or three parts, can't go more sincr the competion lasts for a week. And the best contenders gets to have a prize to some free field trip. With the rest having to go but only the lesser fun once. Factories are fun to go into, but not as fun as going to a movie theater, or a theme park like Free and Shu did last night.

Remarkably the best night Free ever has since they broke apart. Fuck, can't he just let it go for a say or two? It boggles him 24 hours.

"Here's your tea sir, next!" The nice lady handed him their drinks on a plastic tray. It was steaming hot, fresh out of the pot.

Steadily with a  gentle phase as the cups were full. He was carefully walking back into the gym to see Shu, but before he could get out the door.

"Free!" He flinches, jumps at the slightest, the moment he saw black hair sticking high up and a ever exited face...too exited at best...he knew who could that be, aside from the voice.

Utterly shaken by the jumpscare, Free kept a firm grip at the tray while he talks to Joshua, seemingly excited about something. "Need something?" He asked calmly returning.

Joshua was silent, then looks at the cups on the tray spotting the black tea. "Ohh! I love black tea!" Without asking Free, he snatches the hot drink while Free was unable to stop him due to the tea.

Lucky for him, he's able to get a word in before Joshua could take a sip, touch his lips on the cup that is. "Hey! That's for Shu. I can buy you one, but you'll wait for it." He lifted the tray with one hand, snatching the cup of tea back.

"Oh...for...Shu..."

That tone was...oddly unsettling...

"Yeah...he needs something to drink after the singing."

"O-of...course..."

Free reaches him out a few dollars he has as his change, Joshua took it, rather slowly, like he was unsure of the offer. "Co-could you stay longer?" By he looks of it, he's all alone. But the tea could get cold by the time he finishes.

"Sorry dude, I can't let Shu wait for too long. I have to go."

Free was kindly apologies, in which was very rare if it wasn't his fault, ready to leave. That was until Joshua dropped the bomb...

"Didn't you broke his heart? Why are you trying to be-friend him if you both hates each other for...6 months?"

His heartbeat drops, the sheer mention of that day never leaves him be does it. Not even from Joshua, "Won't that be awkward?"

"Well...Shu and I are getting along just fine...don't worry..."

"'Don't?' How about his inner feelings? Don't you think he's just doing it for the sake of your current status? You don't even know how it feels to be kind to someone that hurts them...badly..."

He...wasn't wrong...

"He-hey...I'm doing Shu a favor. Your attempts of rekindling your friendship must've been hurtful to do, you broke his heart, which causes you both to broke up. Then you came back to start over like it was a flick of a finger, easy?"

This is giving him a head ache big time, what if Shu does felt awkwardly awful whenever Free would approach him and tell these funny stories and friendship stuff. Having fun and to think they'll have a normal relationship again. Sounds so childish. In reality, Shu would be crying on the inside while Free here is making it worst and worst on each day he approaches the albino.

An ex partner is different from an ex bestfriend. A partner is where you truely let yourself go, on a friend there are still boundaries. With partners, there aren't.

Free's urges to touch Shu badly, depression was the result of their break up.

He couldn't say a word right there and then. He didn't even let Joshua to finish what else he was saying...about some play he is talking about that only a few words Free could hear in between thinking.

Maybe he has a point, he is taking things slow...at first. Then he did that stupid move by stalking Shu into a classroom where he opened up about his state, his feelings towards Free.

Until now, he's with Shasa...

He intents to break up with her...but now that Joshua is breaking the ice, he can't tell if what happened in the past could happen again. A rinse and repeat type of process.

Love is a slice of life, one of the biggest change, where there is no telling. You could be the happiest couple in the world, but eventually, more problems goes in and out as you continue your journey through it together.

Deaths, troubles, trust issues, break ups, it will come into fruition. What else, if Free can't sustain a good loyal relationship with Shu, the school's loyal students, or Shasa, who is a cheating hoe herself, how does he suspect if would be any differ with what he's trying to pull off.

His mind gets easily jumbled every fucking second! Can't have a break, ever again can he.

He carries this weight once he got inside the gym, all the worries and pain in his head fades away, impressively quick the moment he sees those white locks resembling the fur of an albino bunny.

For what it seems, he's checking up on Zac with the lyrics. That look of satisfaction in Zac's face is telling that Shu finally had done it.

"Shu, your tea is ready." He walks along to Shu as Zac already left to check on the other participants.

"Oh! Thanks! Gosh, I need some right now..."

Shu sips the cup of the tea, luckily it was still warm after the thought process. Glug down the whole cup in one go afterwards, rosing up for air, licking the extra drips on his lips. "Ahh...that hits the spot~" He was satified then ever getting to feel warmth in his stomach after such a cold rough day.

"Heh~ Glad to be at your service." Free smiles, taking back the cup, but Shu refuses.

"I got it, better drink up, we have the last rehersal then we'll be onto the costumes." Shu took away the tray, giving Free his green tea. "You still drink that?" Shu instantly noticed the brew.

Free lets out a chuckle, "Well, you got me hooked into it." They laugh it off.

Green tea has been his favorite drink since Shu introduced it to him during their one of many dates. Since then, Free would have it atleast once, sometimes not.

Atleast he gets to enjoy a simple drink other than water or clear soda.

======================================

Wakiya sigh, still bummed after that last conversation with Silas. It wasn't like he do meant what he said.

Could anyone blame him? Yes...

He could jump off a cliff to make it up if he's able to, heights is his biggest fear of all time, no questions. It takes him a full hour to cross a 20 meter bridge during one of their field trips. No adults, a normal rope bridge with stable guard rails. Won'y help that the river was deep

Fortunately, Shu and Free was there to his rescue. Having to ruin their ice cream time together just to gelp him get across.

He's urging to run up to Shu and ask for some advice, other than that, he's clueless of what else the could do.

To everyone's eyes, he's one selfish, spoiled brat. Which is...half true. On the other hand, get to know him better, and you'll see the difference.

But too deep and you'll see his skeptical side.

His suspension on Silas that is, one that had made ther friendship shaken. Silas is...well...a delinquent.

Never gets along easily with students, tends to fight his problems than talk it out. Unless you count constant threats and cursing. It goes without saying, he's a real bully of his own way. The typical picture of a bully, taking your money, beats you up, the text book definition is in there.

Quite the surprise that the rich, sassy boy gets to befriend him, even tolerate his attitude without worrying. Well, reasons for that, how everyone sees it, as protection.

Wakiya is indeed a rich spoiled sissy brat, half right, half wrong, and would be a target for his riches. Befriend him and uses your relationship as a bypass to access his money.

That boy is a generous guy, wouldn't hasitate to lend money to help, equipments and stuff. They take that opportunity, and makes the most of it.

Overtime, Wakiya does brake loose and was mature enough to realize the swarm of gold diggers. But...one incident was unavoidable...

So, the reason behind Wakiya's attempt to befriend the school's very first delinquent supports the speciation, but doesn't hold firmly.

It was just coincidental that they became friends. Just one time that Silas was in deep despair, caught by yours truely. That's what waters the seed.

They're likely similar, but a different version. The opposite actually...

Despite that, the doubt is not unexpected, yet it surprises Silas when he sees the doubt in Wakiya's eyes as they continue hanging with one another. Slowly, drifting apart that Silas just had to get drunk and do thatshit that fucked up their relationship.

Wakiya ponders on his chair, tapping his fingers on the dest, bored and still thinking of that shitty exchange earlier. They've caused the biggest scene they've ever done. Teachers and students. Wasn't as many as the exchange between him, Shu and Shasa every week. It gets worst.

Since the time is ticking close to lunch break, might as well stretch his legs and make a proper relaxation after being stuck on the chair making props with hot glue that his fingers are covered with hardened glue with a few burns from the tip.

The first thing he sees outside was another pair of competitors agruing towards one another. Great, more about the stolen lyric or something. They're desperate to finish their lyrics today so they only have the practice and the costumes to do.

He walks around them, not gonna intervene seeing the teacher is already getting cranky with thw student's way of speaking. The sarcasm and rudeness in their voices was hard to miss.

Seems the teachers were busy with that shit, might aswell go and see if Shu's around. Maybe could lend him company.

Before he sees him, he already can tell e would be busy. By that, he could see their drummer, pianist on stage. Free's tuning his guitar and the other aswell, with Shu just about walking up to the mic.

The drummer counted down, with the tick of his drum sticks in between numbers. The band started to go for a smooth beginning.

Wakiya sat alon their growing audience, consisting Zac along with the dance coach, Akira. And oh goodness, he wish to the skies that his eyes are playing with him. There's Shasa on the back watching.

Yes, watching her boyfriend rock the guitar waiting to rock her tonight. But it simply gives him chills whenever he sees that woman. Don't get started wih how Wakiya knew about the restroom sex that Shasa does with multiple boys. Even girls...

Gay is normal so he won't judge the same gender relationship, he's gay too afterall. But sex in a school? The restroom where you piss, soon guaranteed somone would walk in in your activities.

Just like Wakiya. With utterly shock and disgust, he ran out of the restroom as much as legs could get him.

That long silent eye contact with Shasa and the random student she's hooking up with, understandably awkward. There was a two skip of a heartbeat, a long second of holding his breath.

Little did they know, Wakiya was quick to make a move. Once he recovers, he returns yet again to snap a photo if he still has them. Surprisingly they stayed and continues their make out session like Wakiya didn't even walk in on them. A picture for the album of evidence.

It was disgusting. From then on, that restroom is cursed with the claimed make out session for her and her other male suitors, Free included.

Oh how tempting it was to speak to Free about his discovery.

Yet, blind love is there and Free dismisses that fact out. Even witnessed one commotion, then somehow they're still together. Free's that desperate with this relationship to continue...

Sad to hear he'd done it with the woman that takes advantage of his weakened heart.

Looking at Free's face at the stage, he's not too bothered with her precence. Other couples would wave, or smile at their partners when spotted.

Maybe Free's too focus on getting the song right than wasting a second on his whore girl.

What amazed him the most, never fails to do so, is Shu's voice. Word per word were perfectly distributed into the song. The lyrics sounds...depressing, but if the message is to be ignored, then the music sounded wonderful.

Free did a great job with the other lyrics, keeping up with Shu's leading voice. The song ended with a massive standing ovation by the audience. Even admitting that the first place had been claimed without the competition even starts.

Shu was delighted by the comments, nice to see him smile more often now that Free's on his side...for now...

He's not gonna drop the boundaries just yet, as Shu's best friend, he has to make sure that Free won't do any schemes on Shu.

He's been through enough, and that blond jerk needs to learn his limitations.

But, that ending was...sort off bitter, Free's impression that is. Looks like Shu's trying to talk to him, but he won't budge. Perhaps they need some time alone.

For the meantime, he will follow by Shu's wishes of getting back with Free. Sure, he did agreed on his plan of doing so, but he can't drop that factor. He's split between the decision, yes and no.

Hard to disagree with a best friend that knows many things about certain people. And that plan of his, it's pretty irrational to do, having the knowlegde that his ex has a hoe.

"Wakiya! I thought I'd find you here!" And there's the energetic boy everyone waits for.

"Need something?"

Valt nodded, "It's the...well..."

"What?"

"You might not-"

"Spill!" He hates the time consuming. They still have the costumes to get to for the grand entrance.

They've announced that the decor team will get the same special prize as well as the other winners of each program. And the mention of that got everyone exited to put up a great job at the decors.

"There's a cat...and it...destroyed both of the posters..."

"A what did what!?"

Oddly enough, some cat came and destroyed a twelve hour work put into those two 5ft. tall posters. Yes, twelve. The paint job ain't easy, especially the attention to details with every character to be unique, same goes for the background and the large canvas.

One was an opra theme, while the others are pop, modern theme. They went for every genre of music, and that's only two in one day.

Valt took both of the posters on each hand, both are covered with rips and claw scratches. "See?" He showed the results.

"Wait...are the paint dried yet?" He spots a paw print on the side and a few smudges.

Valt shook his head, "Not yet, the paints we bought needs a full day to dry."

Parts of the paints aren't even dried, means there are paw prints scatter all over the floor.

They have much more to get to if they want to finish this before the main event starts, and that small kitty cat is gonna get it from the blond no matter what.

Wakiya's line of sight blacks, "Where...the fuck...is...that...cat...?" His mind and soul has been corrupted by a small, innocent creature.

Who wouldn't be after it destroyed a long hour effort, masterpiece or not, that cat isn't safe from the monstrous grasp of the blond, neither the other artists that made the darn arts.

He could see three of the girls that did it were crying while the rest were either frustrated, or in rage.

"This is great! Who let that chump in!?"

"No one genius, it came in throught the vents somehow."

No joke by one of the artists, he witnessed that cat drops down from the vent. Why? Who would fucking knows. Probably the curiosity lines.

Wakiya was furious along with a great amount of artists. Illusions of fishforks and torches were drawn in their hands over their hate for that cat.

Until someone finally came to assess the problem, Shu. "What's happening here?" He asked after seeing the commotion from the stage. Guitar over his shoulders, spotting the destroyed artworks on Valt's hands, "Are those the posters for the music-"

Wakiya butts in with a frustrated roar, "It fucking is! Then a four legged creature came to destroy our work...gahh!!"

"Whoa, 'four legged?'" Utterly confused, Valt came to him with the details about the small reaper.

"Oh..."

"Now what!? We still have eleven to go!"

That will be; Electronic Dance Music, Rock Music, Jazz, Dubstep, Rhythm, Techno, Country Music, Blues, Classical, Folk, Hip-hop, and of course, New age. If each one takes up 6 hours to make, the that would be a full week of work only for a banner while they still have decorate the entirety of the the gym, along with their court as that would be the first for their guests to step into. Along with the costumes.

And there are only a few who work as the decorators. Lyrics and instruments aren't the biggest challange, the prep is. To present their work to be grand, it'll take them more than two weeks to make the most.

Shu patted Wakiya's back with a smile, meaning 'He got an idea.'

"What if I help with the posters? I'm pretty quick with art."

"I can give a hand putting up the decorations. " That's when Free came out of no where, scaring everyone. He grins.

"Where the hell did you come from!?"

"I was right over there the whole time." Free directs their attention behind the curtain, where Shu came out of. "Can we get back to the topic? I can put up the higher decorations easily. And I do know a few things about crafts thanks to Shu."

Valt chirpped in, "That would be great! The more help the merrier!"

"Slow down Valt, we can't be sure if we can finish it on that amount of time."

Shu grins, "I assure you, we will get it done before the main event. Gotta trust your team more Wakiya." He grew a smirk, crossing his arms with a cock of his hips. Free was more than confident on this plan.

Another artist comes into the circle, "You guys have the music to prep on, how would yo-"

"We're almost done anyways, we've practiced more than enough." Free answers quickly. They've practiced more than enough for certain, as long as there aren't any accidents then they should ve able to do the music easily.

Shu steps forward, "And we could use a break too, my throat is botched." He held his throat when he does, now that he mentioned it. Wakiya just noticed the change in his voice.

The tea Free gave him was effective since his voice isn't as botched as it used to.

"Perfect, then we'll start now." He was more than happy now that they have more members.  Thanks to the encouragement, he's got the decorating plan ready. Gathering all of the decorating crew. Telling them their new roles and lists of jobs.

He gets to each one, "Free." He diverts to the blond, ready for the command, "You'll be incharge of the lightings. Those laterns needs to be ten feet of the ground and a two feet apart from each other, and the banners should be 14 inches down and 3 feet  from each other a meter below the lanterns. Then the center peice should be at the center of the gym."

"Well duh..." Free laugh, rolling his eyes.

"Good, the center peice is an ice sculpture. Shu, can you do that?"

Shu tilts his head to the side, "What kind?"

"Any of your choosing!"

The albino tries to find the perfect center peice design for their theme, "A singing duo on a horse I can do."

Quite the ambitious work, but with Shu, anything is possible.

"Okay, don't rush it." Shu smiles as a seal of approaval. "Valt."

Valt saluted, like was talking to a general, "Yes sir?"

"Garlands, we need lots of them around the outside of the gym. Free should help you with that."

"Got it sir!"

"Measurement sir?" Free played along with Valt with the general salute things. Kinda fun to do which was a good note.

"10 feet above aswell, be careful because they have christmas lights in there. We connected them on one plug which will be plugged there." Wakiya points at the electrical outlet near the entrance door.

"Cool, more lights to put up."

"Then that leaves the posters to me?"

"No! We're here to help you too of course." The entirety of the art team came to aid their new memeber on one of the hardest jobs.

Counting for the paint, they'll be splitting the bill.

They were more than ready to begin, until Shu and Free's band came into the picture, along with some others that had finished theirs too. "What about us?" They were smiling, ready to lend a hand as well.

The decor team were greatful, Wakiya for the most part as he's the leader.

Shu and Free were cerntainly surprised, but also more than greatful to let them help.

"Thanks guys!"

"Hell yeah! Let's do this!!"

======================================

"Tell the dits girl? What you've got?"

"Not saying..." Shasa frowns, sinking into her seat having no clue of what else to do with that darn stubborn wanna-be actor. "He doesn't get it! I should be a princess in a castle with Free as my prince! Not some pathetic rival in a school premise that he'll conquer and take my Free as his ruling king or some shit a school can make them as."

"Too bad girl, Free's into that music sharade. He's after that Shu Kurenai ass again."

"Very enlightening, Ichika..."

The blond, turquoise eyes woman sips her cup of soda. "I mean, that Kurenai is pulling him with his bait."

Another girl friend of theirs nudges in, "By bait, is his booty. It's obvious~" She points out the greatest treasure any man with horniness have, the body is what they're interested in. "That boy is obviously a slut, like girl. Why else would he keep his body fermenine, too curvy for a male." She rolls her eyes, swirling her straw.

"I know right! Reina's spilling the real tea here sweetie~"

"Speaking of Joshua, he's also trying to take Free for- whatever that creep's intention is... So you got yourself some competition girl." Ichicka gets back to the last topic, keeping up with that darn goodie two-shoes would stir up Shasa's pot the wrong amount of ingredients. "Watch out for him, he's crazy."

Reina bursts out of laughter, "Have you seen how pathetic he is when he tries to talk to Free last year?"

Shasa laughs too, "Yeah, straight up ass rejected by my dear boy~"

"Serves him right~ He should know his place. As well as that Kurenai with his addiction of seducing boys for his pleasure."

Ichica tried to stop Reina from bringing that topic out again, she's quite the airhead and says what's in her mind way to much without thinking.

"Besides that, got any new boy toy yet Shasa dear~?"

It took her a second to give it a thought, "I'm setting my target on Mr. Brian~"

The girls gasps, "Our new math teacher!?"

Ichika patted her back, super impressed by her ambition, "Damn Shasa, you're strong!"

"I'll say you're doing that to get an A than an F~ Since you're rubbish at math and all. Hehe~" Shasa punches her shoulder lightly annoyed.

"As if you're any better, you should try Mr. Derek~ He's your science teacher and you're getting an F in the following grading." A suggestion that is full of bad influence, but still was their only bet of getting a higher grade than an F as they fail most of ther subjects.

And without the use of the other nerds they've been bullying into doing their homework, they're fate is to fail and start over. So...giving their bodies is the faster and better way for them. Not that it would give them any fucking knowledge other than the thought of being a sexual service is their best bet in life.

Sad to think, but its the path they've gone with.

"I'll think about that later~" Reina gives a small wink, coy, she'll be doing it, no holdin back despite her boyfriend knew nothing about her sex life with the teachers. "Right now, we gotta keep a close eye on your boyfriend."

Shasa huffs, tapping her cheeks while she finish her container of salad. "He gave me ice cream yesterday then ghosted out on me...he didn't escorted me home either..." She sunk deeper into her hands.

Getting awfully frustrated for the attention of her boyfriend. Since last week, he's been acting weird. "I swear, if that dead pan tries to hook my man, I'll do my worst..." The girls were silent, "He'll won't be prepared of what's coming his way..." Clasping her hands together, cracking her knuckles on each word.

"Yo, get it down girl. Show that slut the master of simp magnets~"

"Oh I'll show him if he even tries to lay a finger on my man."

"Now that you mentioned it Shasa, I saw them in Free's car yesterday..." Ichika regretted letting Reina saying that outloud on her already wildly growling friend.

That...was a big mistake...

"He's...what?" Her voice deepens, darker tone than usual, could tell by the first word she's absulutely pissed off.

She's practically shaking in her boots, their friend is quite the fierce scratcher. "I-I was looking for my boyfriend when I saw them in the car together driving off to...who knows somewhere..." Maybe about time she tape her mouth and never speak a word ever again as Shasa is growing darker over the news.

Great...

But then, she slowly calms down. Her eyes shifted to normal. They thought the madness was over, but then, she said this. "I'll bring hell to his life sooner than I was told..." Sounded so casually, however, that last word is something else.

"Told?" Her friends asked, unbeknownst what's the meaning behind her sudden shift of tone with the same intention.

"You girls don't have to know, just pray for Shu's poor wondering soul to somehow stay in the world of the living..."

With that last string of dialogue, she leaves with her tray of barely finished fries, an empty contain of salad and tea. Leaving her girls behind in a terrefied state, thinking too deep of what she could meant with that spell.

They hate Shu's guts for taking all the special attention with the students, teachers, the whole school. But they're not heartless not to wish the better of hopes on Shu's soul, whose would not be ready for the wrath Shasa is bound to rain.

The next thing they heard about their friend was her demanding some random student to buy her a can of soda from the vending machine.

This week could be their most tiring, and terrifying week of their lives...

======================================

"Daigo!!!" Valt jumps into the air with big open arms, hugs his lover the moment he lets a foot into the gym.

Daigo returns the favor with joy after not getting to see his precious face for hours. "Good to see you too Valt." They pulled away, while Daigo kept his hands behind him.

Shu approaches, seeing the wild commotion unfold. He's smiling wide to see their love is still stable as they were. "What brings you here Daigo?" Shu greets and asks, still holding a chisel and a hammer. Still on the horse part of the sculpture which Daigo sees.

He's totally amazed by the progress, "Wow, is that a horse sculpture?" Daigo eyes the details with he hoves, and the hair. The saddle is being done with feet of a person pn the making. "You're making someone on a horse?"

The albino shrugs with an awkward smile, "I'm suppose to do a man and his wife riding a horse with microphones as if they were singing too."

Daigo's jaw dropped to the floor, yeah...that's the reason why he'd rather keep that idea a secret. "Well-damn, you're doing quite the job."

"So were you! Heard from Valt your book is amazing!"

Valt jumping again, chirps in again, "I know! One day, you'll see my man's name on the book covers." He's so supportive of his boyfriend's ambition of becoming a famous mystery genre author one day.

Daigo chuckles, holding Valt's hand with one hand, still keeping the other behind. "This is why I love you blueberry~" PDA ain't rare in their groups, which is why they aren't making things awkward for their heartbroken friend.

Shu does noticed his hands, inside was a small blue box, tightly secured with a big yellow bow. "That looks so cute! Guessing its for you Valt."

That was quite the bummer as Daigo was planning it to be a surprise, but Shu shamelessly did him a favor, and told Valt who immediately rushes to see what it was.

Daigo can't stop teasing him by hiding it behind as much as he can while Valt chase his hand around like it was his favorite sweets getting stolen by his lover.

"Let me see!" He jumps, "I wanna see!" He jumps again. It was a cute sight seeing Valt be his childish side let loose even more.

When Daigo won't give him the satisfaction of showing them, Valt frowns.

"Hehe~ Cute~"

Shu nudges in, "I know~" With a wink, knowing how much Valt tries to be a real man, but it's hard to take him seriously with his childish personality.

"I'm not cute!!!" Remind them of someone...

"I'll leave you cuties alone together then~ bye!" Shu left, letting them in their own world alone. No third parties to make things weird.

Daigo waited for Shu to leave before turning to back to Valt who is still pouting on the floor, slightly exhausted from the hopping around.

It does shock him how an emo like him became like this to an hyper energetic hedgehog. So cute, cheerful and encouraging.

How lucky he felt when the couple of last year set them up...

Somewhat felt guilty for not being able to give them a hand on their wobbling relationship. It was unfortunate.

But today was their day, so he'll won't ruin it with a sad talk. In the meantime before they figure out a perfect way to make Shu happy again.

Daigo gets down to Valt's level, still keeping up the smile to battle the pouty Valt Aoi. "Heh~" He smirks, pulling the gift out slowly.

Valt's pout faded into a cheerful smile, "Yay!" Taking the box, beautifully wrapped in a ocean blue wrapping with their initials in silver as decoration, a V and a D in cursive. "This is so pretty! I feel kinda bad ruining it..." He has to throw that out there, the bow was cutely made too.

Daigo shrugs, "You won't have to if you take off the ribbon~"

Valt does so in a heartbeat. Eyes sparkles as what was inside. "Whoa..." Speechless while his lover cherishes the reaction.

It was a black ring with sapphire rim in the middle, and the inside is fully blue with their initials inside too. Same design as the wrapper.

"You like it~?"

"Are you kidding me!? This is beautiful!!" Valt jumps in excitement, for the 15th time he did so.

Daigo took the ring, holding out his other hand for Valt's. The bluenette was in near to tears, gladly placing his hand with Daigo's.

A long second it was when Daigo slid the ring into his tiny fingers. The color stood out of his color, but Valt was happy either ways.

It's from his boyfriend afterall.

He appreciates every bits of gifts he gets from this boy. While Daigo took out the other ring, there was a crowd surrounding them looking surprised. Most are happy for the duo, as they should, while the others are in complete shock of the compatability.

Daigo puts on the ring, showing to Valt. "Call it a couple ring, and a promise ring~"

Valt couldn't stand the amazing effort, just the look of the ring takes a large amount of dollars, that he jumps upto Daigo, tackling him to the ground by his weight with the crowd cheering.

Wakiya watched on the sidelines as their crew kinda got distracted, time is wasted. He approaches with due respect for the couple, only rounding the audience away.

"Okay people, give them their needed privacy and get to working! Those decorations won't do themselves." He chaps, the students obeying before he turns to the loving couple still snuggling on the grount.

Daigo was relieved they left, crowds is his weak spot, "Thanks..." He glance to Wakiya while keeping a firm hug onto Valt who burries his head onto his neck, muttering 'I love you' more to count.

A chuckle from Wakiya turns to leave, taking a quick glance back towards them saying, "Congrats, love birds~" He waves and was out of sight.

Took them a minute for Valt to calm down, pulling away, still smiling...this time, blushing. "Wanna come to my home later?"

"Sure, can't wait to taste your bread~"

Valt chokes, turning away bright red.

Daigo bursted out of laughter, making Valt to look at him, "I mean it literally! I know you're not ready for...that. I can wait, so don't worry~" He made sure to comfort his lover, since having sex has been the saying that locks your relationship...that...ignoring the fact theu have players in this school.

Valt felt better hearing that out. He knows Daigo's dream of having a family after his were abusive and ignorant, leaving him to take care of himself and his little brother.

Luckily, his little brother is in the care of their grandparents while he goes to school.

"I have extra time to spare, allow me put those up for you."

It was a sweet moment between these two, currently the stable couple of their group of friends.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Shu silently watches from the back stage. It was pretty far, but he can tell what's going on there.

He's more than happy to see his other best friend happy with the man he loves dearly...

Sure wish he could have that again...

If only he could...

As they went out of his sights, Shu returns to his work on the sculpture, finishing the details of the horse before proceedinh to follow his design on paper for the feet of the man while they still have the time.

======================================
"Welcome my son..."
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"He's cute!"
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"Can I fuck him?"
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"Ease up alright?"
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"You can later."
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"I'll be here brother, can't wait!"
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"Rest your heart, they're in a better place now."
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======================================

Time goes by quickly with all the works that Zac had to ring up the mic to get everyone's attention. Same goes for the other programs who are just as busy with theirs.

Could hear the loud, "That's enough everyone! Continue the work tomorrow!" From their rooms to the gym, could be heard outside too.

The bell wasn't as loud that the students barely heard it from the tons of pressure making their places perfect and secure for the next day. The singing program's decorating crew made sure that the everything is secured from any wondering animals. No more kitty ats ruining their work.

Wakiya just finished their 16th lantern, Shu did the sculpture half way, but the next part would be harder as the horse is an easier job than human details. Free did his job, crafting the decorations while helping Valt put up a few garlands outside with Daigo.

Turns out that the journalism's...a.k.a. turns into a story book competition since their students are more into fiction than non-fiction, were a bunch hardheads.

They barely uphold their word, make their writings area a hell of a loud disco, by that meaning screaming at eachother for not doing the right measurement of decor placements, arguing about what goes here and who does that.

Long story short, they're not working well together as their performance presents. And their room became a colorful mess. Colored papers scattered everywhere, tools and supplies too, and what's worst are the paint buckets been over turn by the fights that they have to leave their room for cleaning operations.

Since Daigo has no where to focus writting, he decided to make the surprise sooner than later. Might as well help the more friendlier team...

On the darker side, those guys never get along with Daigo with their over the top attitude. Their arrogance gets the best of them that they 'guarantee' their team would win that prize ten times over the other teams.

Seeing the singing program's progress is impressive with the props are being well made. Still have a long way to go before they could put them up apart from the garlands as they're pretty cheap, only the lights holds the job back.

Valt and Daigo left for their date, while Wakiya just...dissapeared.

Shu was about to tell him about his plans with Free tonight that he won't be walking back with him again today. Searching his work station, one of his assistance informs them that he left with someone.

The look on their face was telling, Shu's guess could be Silas, or his father picking him up. Wakiya's dad is pretty scary at first glance, but like father like son, get to know him enough and he's just like any other amazing fathers out there.

Shu had met him when he's invited by Wakiya to come over for a project or to hang out as friends, the first few days were shaky words and awkward smiles, then eventually they grew balance between one another. Turns out he was just trying to make a good impression for his son's first friend.

That all stopped in the long run as Shu's working double shifts during their summer and winter break. And the dates became frequent which Wakiya understood, even supports. Volunteering to setup their dates.

In return, it was a bit risky, Shu tried to pair up someone with Wakiya. Unknown to Wakiya was a good friend if theirs has a crush on him, Rantaro Kiyama.

It went great, turns out they have more commonality between them rather than looking at their difference. Rantaro's been a better influence to Wakiya as his social fears became second nature.

He gain confident upon himself that Shu couldn't give himself no matter his efforts to teach him the basics of starting a conversation with someone, making friends and stuff, but it never seems to work.

Rantaro did a great job, and they were indeed a great couple...

Well...even theirs have cracks...

Perhaps the reason behind Rantaro's choice of songs...

Shu felt awfully sad for him that he tries fo comfort his bestfriend as much as he could whenever possible. Thus why he spent most of his depressed time with him, been a breeze as they could relate to one another.

He even made sure to keep up with Rantaro when he got the opportunity to check up on them.

What bothers him is the reason behind their sudden break up. That came out of no where then they were still lovey dovey under a tree kissing and other things. Then the next day they announced their break up.

Despite the stubbornness from Shu to figure how'd their relationship ended, as at the beginning they were completely fine, then in a snap they're far from fine.

Shu would talk to Rantaro, but all he woulf say is, "Talk to Goldielocks what he's problem is, he won't tell me either..." Follow by a mumble of words of how much their break up hurts him...badly...

"Hey...?"

Shu gasps, jerking off of his long gaze at the locker door, fixated, he glance behind to see Free with his bag behind, face holding on to that handsome straight face.

"So-sorry...are you ready?"

"Yeah..."

"Why does that sound like a no?" That tone wasn't very convincing.

"I was-...uhh..."

Shu walks forward, with a worried look, "You don't have to say yes to every one of my request if your don't want me to be there..."

Free broke off that confused look he has to yell suddenly, "No!" Shu backs away.

That was too loud it gathers attention from the remaining students whom yet to go home.

Free backs away as soon as he saw Shu does so too, his tone goes off on the wrong tone. Clearing his voice, he wanted to clarify, "I-I mean...I do want you to come over, Kitt would love to have you back there too..."

"Just Kitt?" It was a tease, but for this condition, it's serious.

"I-I-I do too..."

Shu sigh, "Tone Free, you're not sure about this...aren't you...?" His plan may be him pushing himself onto Free, but if Free's gonna play like this, it's hard to go on...

"I do! I really do!"

"So? What's the stutter?"

"It's been 6 months Shu..." He took a breather, just a second, "I've missed so much...and...well...-grrr...it's fucking complicated!"

He couldn't stand how unsure Free was acting, maybe he should drop the whole plan and his feelings for the anxious blond all together for the better...

Shu just wings it, "What about we call it off...?"

Took less than a millisecond to get an answer back, and Free's nòt liking the idea. "No! Please..."

"Free you-" He tries to reason, despite his efforts, Free would cut him off.

"I want you to be with me, in my home...just you and me..."

Shu was silence...he did say, 'just you and me.' correct? Sounds like his ears are playing with his feelings further he wants to shatter it to pieces.

Free was taken aback by that sentence, "I-I mean..."

"Pft- wow, you are fast to make the moves aren't you~" Shu teased playfully, changing the mood of the atmosphere around them.

They're lucky that the students decides to get on with their lives and leave them both alone.

It was peaceful for once during this whole day, the busier they get the stressful it was. And the song is still perfectly done without setbacks.

Free took that as a challange, two could play the teasing game, "Oh~ If you still remember~" He leans forward to his ear, letting go of the heavy weight behind for this one thing, "I go fast and furious in bed when I'm so turned on~" He whispered suggestively into his right ear, making shivers to tickle Shu's senses.

"Yikes, might have to buy another pillow case incase I rip it to shreads~"

"Make that five or more~"

'Where is this conversation even goin?' Free's starting to confuse himself on which direction is every conversation goin to end up.

Like, they're really going down that road after an angsty start. Their conversation can go to many unexpected directions, just like this one. Horniness cranked up to medium level of the meter.

But before the intimacy goes too far, Free changed topic, but keeping the phase with the flirtatious tone, "What about we get going now~ I have somewhere else to take you in mind before we come to my house~"

Shu giggles, tracing a finger across the sleeve of his jacket down, "First, I want us to come to my house, then you have a surprise for me that we totally forgot to do. This time, you suggested your house then you have another surprise? Why the pattern~?"

"Don't like my surprises?" Free faking a pout, now he do realise the repeated section.

"Does my face say I don't~?" Shu leaned closer their faces are a few inches apart, this was getting too close they could've kissed. But Free backed away before he could do that.

Not yet...

"I see it enjoys every bit of it~ So, how about another to let loose. What do you say?"

Shu smiles, backing away pulling up his bag, "Can't wait!"

The decision is settled, no take backs. Free escorted the albino back into his car where Shu pulls outhis bunny plushie again to snuggle with.

If someone try to whiff the smell, it would entirely be the smell of a basket of roses and strawberies.

Sweet and delicious smell...

That bein carried in such a cute, fluffy creature that has not life other than be suggled dearly by the hottest boy in the world.

He sure wishes to be that plush...

Shu could see the jealousy in his eyes, he knew he's doing good of winning Free all over again. Eyes burning with envy towards a lifeless thing.

He cuddles the plushie more to tease him the whole trip to...where ever the heck he's takig him this time, he's very secretive which is the thing.

Yesterday repeated itself with Free driving Shu to the place he wanted to sruprise the albino. Another area he's positive his jaw would drop once again. With Shu cuddling away with the plushie behind.

"Aww, Free is jelly~" Follow up by a giggle, t was a fucking tempting tease.

He's so tempted to say 'of course I am' and fucking tackle him to the seat, throw that plushie aside and kiss him deeply, passionately, just like old times whenever Shu got the guts to tease his boyfriend.

Unfortunately, that's too early...no! It should be forbidden. Everything he's doing with him should be forbbiden. Yet he crossed the boundaries...but will stay a dissent distance to pass too many.

Shu is still human, and what Joshua said could be true...but his action says otherwise. Shu advances to flirting, to teasing without any sign of problems with it. No awkward situation this time either.

"Hey..."

"Hmm?"

"I'm asking you, Reindeer..."

Free nearly choked, he almost forgot he made him do that.

"W-what? Sorry, something lumping my throat." He cleared his voice, trying to act normally, but the pressure isn't helping his condition either. "What was it you were asking?"

"I was saying that you and Shasa didn't really talk today. Is she alright with that? We all know how cranky she gets whenever her loose boyfriend ignores her the whole day."

That gets worst every second, Shasa's bratty attitude tends to make her go irratic whenever Free's not around. Doubling the pressure she does to students, forcing them to do her homework, demands money whenever Free's not around to pay for hers.

If Free didn't pay for hers today, he hopes her victim doesn't commit suicide after what she could've done.

No one knows why the hell would this little lady demon stay in the school than go to hell. She has zero respect for her authorities.

All that she cares about is herself. Free is one thing, a thing she could use to gain money.

Free just stared out the window, keeping up with the white car up ahead slowing down due to traffic. "Great..."

A huff and they stopped in the middle of a heavy traffic. On the back side, Shu wasn't settled for not getting an answer. "Free..."

"She's...I don't know..." Shu raised a brow, curious of what he could be getting, "Shasa's persistent, and very hard to deal with..."

Not the answer he was expecting, but he let him say whatever he's saying about that girl.

"Shasa's not always like that when I met her you know..."

Shu burries half of his face into the plushie, "I know..." If he recalls, Free met Shasa not so long ago after their break up. "You found her being bullied by some girls from the seniors level. And as vice president, you did the right thing and call them out."

Free told him the story long ago, no surprise he'll remember that. He nodded, the traffic is slightly moving. "I mean, she was kind..."

He heard Shu mumbling words he couldn't understand. Probably need to be left alone considering the cracks in their relationship, but he huffs and said, hardly sarcastic. "Everyone has kindness inside of them, unless they're born without a heart..."

It was better than what he could've hoped he said, "Pft, true..."

"Back to the question. Why didn't you spoke to her today? Kinda odd since you would always check up on her...or she's perster you..." Shu asked, crawling up behind Free's seat, making sure he'll won't change the topic again.

Gosh, that yesterday propaganda was a hell broke loose. He was this scared tid bit in the corner watching the apocalypse rain down.

And that fact...about Shu...

Free shrugs, didn't know why he didn't either, "Crafting those lanterns and the music preparations was tiring. I don't have time for other stuff..."

"Is she not that important to you?"

How many times is he gonna choke him out? "I do! I love her!"

That was harsh for the albino's ears. Shu gotta back off from that quistion, ever.

"Why do you love her?"

A sigh and another shrug, "What do you mean you don't know?"

"I-....Seriously, I can't explain my real feelings for her! She cheats on me, she orders me around, ignoring that, my mind tells me that I love her!"

"Does your heart say the same?" There was a jump of a beat...does it?

There was a minute of silence, Shu felt it must've triggered Free a bit that he couldn't speak, "Sorry...shouldn've talk about it..."

They went silent for a while when the traffic moves forward, "The fuck with this traffic? Is there a car crash?" Free opened his window to take a look over, on the left side of the road were no cars driving other than a few.

"If it were, there should be sirens, maybe smoke."

There weren't any, but Free couldn't see as the road is boarded with a bunch of large trucks.

"Can't be, there's no police around."

The cars started to move again and Shu could see the problem from where he is sitting. "A float!"

Free looks out he window again, sticking his head out to see a large red heart in a golden float. "Must be for the valentines festival..." Free grunts. "Why do they have to put them out this early...?"

They're weeks away from Valentines Day, they could've prepared atleast next week if they want to.

"The floats look pretty though...I love he design." Shu eyes the details of the floats, it comes with two mermaids with a shark friend, a few animal couples and of course human once. Other creations made of flowers too.

There's alse this very pretty flower float with two thrones for a king and a queen.

Free's eyes wondered from the float Shu was talking about, then back to Shu. Another tempting thing to say, the float is nothing compare to this beauty. Shu truely is a gem worth of everything.

His parents gave him everythin he could've wanted. But Shu's value is in a whole other level.

A small stare should cost a grand, his smile would cost more. That's how valueable Free thinks of the albino, one thing money cannot afford.

"You staring again, Reindeer~" Shu quietly giggles, hands urging to rub the glued gaze. "The cars are moving if you haven't noticed~" Shu couldn't hold his laughter when Free's hilarious reaction came to view.

The white car in front of them was gone and replaced with a mini van, and other more the longer he stays daydreaming.

"Fucking hell..."

"Hehe~ You can't stop staring can you."

Free's hand unconsciously pressed the auto drive on, before turning back, taking Shu's chin."With that face?" Lifting his thumb, pressed against Shu's soft lips, a warm sharp breath in return, "How can't I~?"

======================================

Down beneath the earth, large facility lays unseen. Where the entrance is an unknown door, out if sight to the naked eye, protected with heavy fire arms.

In the deepest level of this hidden are in the thickes region of the jungle, it lays beneath the trees, cannot be seen from above, from the sides, invisible.

Pass their lines and you'll never come back with your soul inside your body.

In the darkest of places, two tall males covered in the shadows, sat comfortably in their headquarters, keeping their minions on their feet.

No breaks, no sleep, no food to eat.

One of their higher ups approaches with the news. Already known by heir oldest leader, he could see the man on their knees, fist resting on his chest, a sign that they've succeeded atlast.

"Is everything ready?"

The man talked like a royal guard, "Yes sir..."

Their leaders looks at one another, smirks come right up their devilish faces. However, they can't have loose ends, "Are you sure the girl is ready? We know she's relunctant of doing this..." This...woman is just the start to their masterplan of capturing their target.

One of their team captain assure their success with the woman, been reported on the computers, "No sir, she's making her move right as we speak. It looks like she's on the prawl with our other men."

"Good, get the boy and leave the rest to us."

"Yes sir!"

"You can leave" The man left out the dark skull door into the darkness of their lair.

The other man besides their leader spoke for once in a maniacal tone, laughing like a witch, "Hehe! Dad would be proud of us finally!"

"Patients brother, we can't celebrate too early, incase she fails us. That woman is not like the others, keep that in mind..." He gave his...brother a pat on the back, returning to the task at hand.

"You!" He ferociously points at one of their members incharge of the cameras.

He internally shrieks, turning around "Y-yes sir!?"

"Show us the boy, and that girl..."

"O-of course sir...right away!"

The hologram pops out of the floor connected to a small device in the size of a tennis ball, showing two panels.

Both males smirks just looking at their target's panel with the girl closing behind.

"Dad will be proud of us~ finally..."

======================================

"I'm home!!" The moment they're getting near the entrance door to his home, Valt charges in with a cheerful greeting. The Aio family sure eas busy, hundreds of bread loafs on the making until now, 5pm.

"Welcome home big bro!/honey!" The twins Toko and Nika, younger siblings to Valt, ushers at the door to give their big brother a big hug, or a heavy tackle to the ground.

Meanwhile, their mother tends to the last remaining costumers before closing shop. All was left were a few dishes and tips to take into the kitchen.

"Ow, ow, ow!!" Valt yelps in pain, but felt the love even after being kneed on the stomach.

Daigo walks in to see the wreckage his partner has gotten and laughs. "Good afternoon Mom, Toko, Nika."

"Daigo!" The twins exclaims as he enters, removing his shoes, incomes the sweet group hug from the energetic duo.

They're just like their brother.

Daigo hugs and pats each their heads.

"Mom! Daigo's here!"

Chiharu, Valt's mother, came to the door surprise to hear Daigo's voice. This wasn't the first time Valt would bring Daigo home unannounced. Despite the constant surprise visit, she'll won't get used of seeing her son's man time to time. She approved of him from the get go and her soon to be son-in-law was a very handy guy, can't tell that he's a worker student as he would bring Valt flowers or chocolates and a few small gifts for the twins and Chiharu.

"Valt! I told you to text warn me whenever you'll be bringing Daigo here. I could have time to prepare him his donuts."

Valt nervously giggles, scratching the back of his head. Then his loving boyfriend cover up for him as always, only difference this time, is that it was his idea to begin with, "Sorry, mom. I told Valt I wanted to visit while he's busy with their program setup." He address her as 'mom' ever since they got together, it shows how close he's become with the family.

Taken into their hearts easily without pressure! Apart from one...

"No need, why don't you go to Valt's room while I fetch you both dinner?"

"No, no, I'll help with dinner. Can't just barge in here and let you do the job alone."

This is why Chiharu took this boy without thinkin twice, his kindess and gentlemen attributes is rare to find in other boys her son could have.

"Ah- Can I help Ms. Aoi?"

It was quiet, until now they still don't know how to approach this type of situation with Valt. His skills with cooking is...say does not give that satisfying taste...

Otherwise would be too salty, bitter, soury, or commonly burnt. Baking or cooking, that wasn't his speciality. Their good friend, Shu, was kind enough to show him the right way to cook...however, no matter how great he is, Valt just seems not to get his way with open fire and mixing multiple ingredients.

Bummer, but it's better off he stays with his passion for sports related activities...

...Daigo was a bit surprised he didn't join this year...he really puts his friends first before his passion...

That's a whole different story...

Right now, he's taking his time to find the right word to say.

Luckily for Daigo and Valt's m9m, the twins got their backs, meaning Valt's as they pushed him into the living room asking to play some minecraft with them.

Seems that Toko did some amazing redstone for their base that he wanted to show ther big bro.

Daigo and Chiharu sigh in relief they don't have to avoid saying something offending to Valt. Mostly it goes to Daigo changing his mind and does the distraction himself, leaving Chiharu with the cooking. Or the other way around.

"Glad those two are here..."

"I love my children any other way."

Daigo sighs with a smile, staring up the ceiling. "I wonder if we could have kids..."

"Consider adopting sweetie."

He shrugs, but was siding with the offer, "I will keep that in mind..." It would be their only bet, and Daigo is in either way, regardless of whose genetics they may be from as long as Valt's happy with them.

Chiharu giggles, riffling his hair, "Now now lets get cooking, those chicken won't cook themselves."

They took an apron each and get cooking while Valt, Toko and Nika busy themselves playing minecraft, with Valt accidentally destroyed Toko's redstone. Toko didn't waste the time and yells at his brother for doing that.

They had a laugh after the whole accident shenanigans of the Aoi Trio.

The fun afternoon quickly came to an end as the clock strikes 7.

"Kids! Time to go to bed!"

Valt took Daigo into his room, a small area, but enough space. Valt changes to his pajamas, meanwhile Daigo took the opportunity and clean up the mess his baby boy always makes.

There are sports equipment everywhere scattered on the floor with posters slightly detached and a few trash here and there.

He quickly despose of none needed trash and waits for Valt to finish caretaking for his siblings on the other room. Daigo could hear laughters while sitting on the bed.

If only their family was that happy too...

He missed Ryota already, been a while he visited their grandparents home.

Considering he took a day off from his job for a full week, he has time for this weekend. Maybe he should take Valt along...

Might not happen for certain, the way they take theie competition seriously is not a joke, even he lost his breath from going up and down the ladder to put up the garlands.

Valt returns not long after, successfully putting the twins to bed. Without that headband he wears every day, with his hair down like that, Daigo couldn't help but fall for him all over. He's just adorable, and to top it off he's wearing a white shirt with light blue sleeves and shorts.

It truely adds to his cuteness factor...

"Hmm...you know what I think?"

"Think what?" Valt asks, Daigo smiles.

"That you could be a good parent one day..."

Valt was utterly surprised by this sentence, coming from Daigo, he shouldn't be surprise. After their lost childhood, he knew how much he wanted to have a stable family of his own. A family that is not abusive, or ignorant of their children.

It's so touching to hear that Valt tears up, "Y-you think so..?"

Daigo stood up, giving him a peek on the forehead, holding him in a tight loving embrace, "I thought so, I can feel it..."

"I love you Daigo..." Valt professes by heart, before kissing Daigo on the cheeks, burying his face onto Daigo's neck.

Daigo returns the love by peppering the top of his head with small kisses, followed by the four letter words Valt loves hearing.

"I love you too~"

======================================

Shu's jaw dropped to the floor as they've arrived at there location. A massive sized dome made of glass, light blue lights with a is on going on the middle through the large glass windows.

A plethora of performance with lightshows showing pictures of sea creatures.

"Are we at a Aquarium?" Shu, with his mouth hanging wide open, admire the architecture of the building, the gathering visitors by the entrance, the stunning shows happening on the top. Those lights does amazing tricks. Even animatic lines of sea creatures, notable a seal, dolphins and sharks.

Free couldn't hold his laughter, but snigger behind Shu as his face waw priceless through the rear view mirror. "Sea stone shores, this is just the aquarium, the beach is the best area to be if you like fireworks~"

"But I thought we'd be going to your home?"

"We are..."

"Wouldn't it be late? You should know about the strict curfew Free. From 9pm to 5am." The curfew has been reduced for some stupid reasons, it was used to be 7pm for big reasons.

Reports of missing people is rising throughout the months passes, and it did decline over a small percentage. Butafter learning over a late schoolmate and her unfortunate younger sister's fate, it provides more reasons to put up the curfew at that time despite to the disappointment of their children.

Cannot risk such fatality...especially to someone you hold dear.

"Then you can stay at my place."

Shu took a breather before responding, "Won't Shasa be upset?"

"Psh, she sees me with other girls before, she doesn't mind as long as I don't cheat for real like replace her."

"There's your answer..." Shu mumbles.

Free didn't hear it due to the volume while driving down a highway, "Hmm? What was that?"

"I-I mean...it's normal for the both of you to have infidelity run your relationship?"

It was abrupt, but it is what it is, "Yeah...weird I know, but we manage"

"Can't you keep it in your pants? You gotta stop, you've pregnated-

"I pregnated Ashley Ninshin- yes I know, and yes I'm awared so I buy condoms all the time before sex with another girl, including Shasa." Free quickly explains and clear he's using protection after the first unplanned pregnancy, before adding, "For the record, they throw themselves on me."

"And you let them?"

"I-...yeah...they're presistent, and after what happened to Ashley, I don't  want it to happen, still I have needs..." Should've shut his mouth up, seal it way never to speak again. That respond was god darn stupid! "Ack- I- Fuck!"

Shu tries to ease him up, "Calm down!" He said, getting into the passanger seat to comfort a rampaging De la Hoya.

If he does have...needs, then maybe he could- "If its that unbearable, I can help you with your problems..."

He could feel Free's muscles tense up the moment he suggests as such. Free, while keeping a steady hand at the wheel as they approach the entrance to the building, glance to Shu's side with a questioning gaze, "What do you mean? Aren't you with someone else?"

Woah, where did that come from? He never said he has schedules or some shit. "Are you for real? You really think I'm that much of a slut that I would sleep with every boy every day?"

"But you said-"

"I did, but I never mentioned I'm getting rented for a night! Let alone I'd let someone do me while I've had one a few days ago, or do some stranger I barely know!"

"You barely know? Does that mean you do have sex with a friend of ours?" There was an unnoticeable anger inside that tone of Free's voice. He couldn't understand what was happening anymore.

Shu grunted with a long period of sigh, calmly sank into the seat, "I do it with people I can trust not to rape me. Depressed once..."

Free raised a brow, gonna keep the anger lock in tight for tonight, "Can we let it go? Ruining the mood here..." He complains, having their car near the window of the security check.

Shu kept his mouth shut while staring at Free's nervous face. That wasn're normal for a calm boy, now that's out, he did thought of Free recently. His action is not the tough guy that he is, he seems to be vulnerable when it comes to Shasa or him...

Does he felt the same? But what he said earlier...

"All good sir." The guard checked the underneath of his vehicle before gesturing they're all clear with a salute.

"Thank you..."

He does love her, at the same time, he acts sorta sounds like he doesn't...which one is it?

Free parked to the nearest spot to the entrance, "We'll talk about this some other time, for now, we enjoy he rest of the day...can we?" He doesn't wanna ruin this day discovering more of Shu's outside of school activities. Shu was reluctant, but kept his mouth zip.

Guilt tripping him without actual threat. Shu's gonna have to keep this in the entire way in and out until they get to Free's home. He couldn't help but think twice with this plan. Afterall, regardless of their constant cheating with one another, Free and Shasa's love for one another stood strong...ignore the constant arguements, it's a normal thing within a loving relationship.

Theirs were too good to be true, and it was. Their so-called 'perfect love story' is bound to be taken down. It's impossible not to fight time to time...maybe the world is shifting the balance between them...

What a party pooper...

Free, went gentlemen mode, opens the door for Shu. "My hands are fine so you know."

Free just swipes his hand on Shu's face down.

They got inside quick, apparantly with a membership card by Free, provided by family.

"I've been here before, so I got the QR Code for frequent visitor."

Further explaining the card could get him in by a swipe of the card without having to wait in line. This blond is damn spoiled, yet he doesn't act like one.

He doesn't complain if things doesn't go as he likes, he knows how to control his anger, and had done zero temper tantrum, unlike any other spoiled children out there with their annoying entitled attitude.

Shu was delighted by the second surprise, he loves sight seein but never gets much chance to see the sea creatures up close.

Eyeing each tanks as they step into the aquarium, their first order of buisness there. It is an aquarium and not some theme park.

During their walk down the stairs to the basement level, where the best view of the bigger sea creatures, Shu found the gift shop nearby, right next to the elevator.

Lightly tugging into Free's shirt, "We didn't get to have a look around at the gift shop back at the theme park. Wanna do that later?" Yeah, he was too drunk to even take a look at what they have on the shelves. As well as Free forgetting after a few glups and the sloppy drunk Shu.

Free mildly baffled due to how childish Shu's mind could be, but good at hiding it by acting all mature. "Are you sure you don't just wanna buy some new toy in there~?"

Their last visit at a gift shop is that stuff bunny, and before that was a brown deer.

"Hey! I'm a collector okay? I want more fluff in my life!"

Free wanted to make a comment about the word 'fluff', when he does thought of it, he dropped. It reminds him too much.

He sarcastically rolls his eyes, "Yeah, you're a collector alright. With your addiction with toys like a 4 year old would always go to the toy section to search for a brand new toy for their mommy to buy."

"Who's the mom around here now? You dummy..."

"A father you mean~"

This the mood kept shifting, to now adorably cute as the albino poutes, "You'll be a father soon if you're not careful!"

And another shift of the atmosphere...

That was called for, and a bit suddle. It was a risk, not something he should be doing, but Free chose to play it off like it would be 'them', "If it's a male, I want him to look like me...and if a girl...I want her to look like you~"

Shu let out a silent gasp, staring at Free like he saw the world ending.

"F...Free...?" He's dumbfounded, taking that statement with the gain of salt, "Is the wine taking over until now?"

"You're one to talk, you were all over the place that night. Makes me wanna drink along~" Why is he acting like this? He's trying his best to avoid too much flirt to come out, but it kept coming.

Keep it together De la Hoya!

"Uhm...I won't mind taking another shot tonight...your place?"

Oh god....is that good idea? Spending time with Shu normally has been hard, if yesterday wasn't enough of an example. Just the thought of Shu on his bed...its enough to turn him on, and drunk!? What is happening? Although, the offer is hard to decline.

Then again...what happens afterwards? Will he be able to stop himself from trying to mark the albino once more? When he had broken his heart long ago. Yes yes he does that on a daily basis, but on Shu...it feels different...

Yet Shu told him...he can't forget ever.

'I still love you...'

He still loves him, but why? He can't understand Shu right now, he acts like he hates him at first...suddenly he fess up to him, saying he still loves him...

Which is it then? What is his answer?

Why is this so darn complicated?

"Free?" Shu waves his hand, snapping on the first call. "Hello?"

"A-ack! Sorry..."

"Are you okay? You spaced out when I-"

"Sure!!"

"-uh..."

That was...easier said when he's in pressure by the looks of it...cool.

"I-I mean...I thought you don't wanna get drunk...last night you were complaining."

Shu was silent, he did say that...now he wants it... "I...will make this an exception. I can do a sculpture before before thursday. Then I can move on with the posters. And maybe could do..."

"What about the masks?"

"That should be a peice of cake..."

'Wow, he sure is diligent...' Free thought to himself, and why would he be surprised? This is Shu Kurenai we're talking about, the fucking talent maniac. He could do a lot on his own... "Right..."

"What about we do it together then? Wanna do it in your home?"

"Nah...I think we should do it next week, you know...to preserve the art."

Shu didn't get what he mean, raising a brow of confusion.

"You've already forgotten? That swan origami, we did it too early before the deadline which was like...a month long. Then we did it on the first week, the next week it was totalled..."

Oh right, the tedious task to cut, fold and stick the papers while trying to keep it still before the wind from the fan or the window blows the hardwork away. The wrinkle, they have no idea how did it get on the floor. Windows shut, no fans, nothing to destroy the art yet the destruction happened. And worst of all, the teacher who made them do the projevt would not excep until next week they made the darn thing.

Shu found this annoying and would't want that shit happening again...he just said, "Oh...I did..."

"Told you we should've waited..."

"Hng, whatever. You just want to wait so you can cuddle longer in bed with me that week..."

Free blushed, but won't deny. He loves snuggling that slim soft skin until he pass out and wake up. "True, but would've been more relaxing than a waste task."

"Can we just move on~? The line is getting long..." Shu pointed at the entrance which is packed with tourists and families waiting with their kids.

Free didn't even flinch at the sight of the crowd, damn well he won't be as he gets a pass.

"Follow me~" He reaches out his hand to Shu, there was a skip of his heartbeat, taking his hand slowly.

"Whatever you say-" Then the question earlier popped into his mind... "Oh wait..." Shu squeezes the blond's hand, getting his attention for a second.

"Hmm...what?"

"Still wanna drink...?"

A solid ten seconds it took for Free to respond with, "Of course. Scotch Brandy?"

"Whatever you say~"

"Good, now let's go!"

"I'll get rid of that brat one day, you're only mine Free... I won't give you up...all I have to do is kill..."

(Sorry if the chapters get cringe and cringe...)