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D A Y 0 2: Sent From Heaven or Hell

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Not even an hour in and Free already lost track of the rambunctious albino who had been overly excited watching the jellyfish swim, and the variety with their description he reads word per word.

So dostracted that he'd forgotten about Free trying to keep up, "Where is he...?" Free mutters to himself, regretting ever getting distracted for even a minute that let Shu wonder off on his own on a large structure.

Could report to the police a lost fricking teen child, he called Shu's phone but no one answers. Probably due to the loud music and ever growin crowds. People taking pictures Free's trying hard not to be a photo bomber.

He inspect every corner of thr jellyfish segment, more than done seeing the jellyfish getting larger as he progresses deeper trying to spot a spec of white hair with a light pink shirt, black vest and red eyes.

"Shu!" He called out every minute, there wasn't a respond.

How did he turn for a hot minute inspecting some area he felt like an eye watching him from afar. Suddenly the moment he turn back to keep a close eye on his childish companion, he's been bailed on without Shu probably realising the blond was no longer on his tail.

It's unlikely that Shu would forget about his friends during a trip, regardless of how excited he is. Making their situation dire, Shu could've gotten himself in trouble wthout the blond realizing.

Heating in his veins, how could he have loose Shu so easily. He shouldn've been distracted or Shu would've been in his cone of vision throughout this twenty minutes of searching.

"Shu! Come on! Can you hear me?" He shouted louder.

This is serious, taking out his phone for the fifth time in less than thirty minutes, he contacted Shu's phone again incase he can hear or atleast feel them vibration though his pocket. He knows Shu kept it on his back pocket.

"Don't hang up, don't hang up...come on..." Free's becoming desperate, like a mother loosing her child in the grocery store.

There were ringing, a solid minute of ringing and straight to the recorder, "Fuck!" Free calms himself and turned it off, he had left a voice message on his first failed call.

Shu's not answering or not feeling his presence over the large amount of people covering his view.

He spots the next exit to the larger aquatic animals. Leaving in a hidden panic, Free took another call, and no answer again.

"Goddammit Shu, where he heck are you?"

Free's getting worried sick, and if he doesn't find Shu before the show in fourty more minutes then this day is over. The light show will start and no longer let tourist in.

"Shu!" He cupped his hands together bringing it up to bis mouth, calling again louder, his hands echoes his voice louder.

Then he can see a fermenine figure, a familiar one the moment he turned the next corner.

Free gasps in so much joy and relieved, "Shu! There you are!" He ran up to the albino, back turned against him, seemigly talking to someone with light blue hair, all he could see was the back.

The moment he gotten closer to the railing Shu was leaning on, the guy was gone. And he's suppose to be he ghost here...

"Shu..."

Shu turns around, sweating immensely with a worried look on his face. Spotting the blond coming his way, his face lit up, yelling Free's name before jumping into his arms like a litteral lost child.

Free pulls away, seeing the place they're on, "How did you ended up here? In the...shark section?" He could see the sharks lurking closer through the aquarium glass.

"I'm so sorry! I went to take a look at the box jellyfish tank, because...you know..." They are one of the dangerous jellyfish out there, and had stung another friend of theirs who is currently in hospital still in a lot of pain, so the blond understood the curiosity. "I turn around to see you, but...you were gone..."

Free scratches the back of his head, laughing awkwardly, "I did kinda got distracted..."

Well...that's not the Free Shu knows.

"You? Distracted by some random thing?" Free nodded, and Shu giggles afterwards, "That's kinda new, I didn't know you get distracted that easily..."

Not always true, but most of the time he's the most concentrated person in the group. Nothing can distract him...and so he thought.

Then, Free's mind turns to that guy, "Who were you talking to?"

Shu tilted his head, "Huh?" Wasn't a second after he realised, "Ohh! That's the son of the owner that runs the hospital, friend."

"Name...?"

"I really don't know...he just recognised me as one of the employees, he praised my work and that's about it. He's really nice too."

That didn't sit right with Free, jealousy kicking in once more... "That's...good to hear...uh...wanna get something before we head into the show?" They have a few minutes to spare.

Shu jumps up, "Strawberry popcorn!"

Free chuckes as this little albino has a fond of fruits, commonly strawberries, "Sure, and mango shakes for me."

"Me too! I can get the shakes" He offers, the time to make the shakes will be a bit longer than the popcorns to which Free agrees, handing Shu some money, only to be declined...

"I got my own money." Shu shows his old small wallet, that gave Free an idea spying a department store that should sell wallets. Shu's been very generously careful with his money and Free wanted to help him a bit with finances, "Free, please. I can handle it, and they're not that expensive..."

Deciding to let it Shu's way, knowing he can be stubborn as a nail, and Free can be more stubborn, onlyfor the arguement to take them nowhere, he let it go.

Free bought two packs of strawberry pink popcorn Shu absulutely loves, ordering it everytime they go to theaters. He took a walk down the stalls to find the shop he was looking for.

It didn't took him long since Shu could be finished by the time he's still searching the wallets. Spotting what it looks like, the exact design for Shu's liking, a Yuri Boston brand too, a very famous and expensive brand of fashion history. Perfect quality to top it off.

A durable one infact, and it cost quite a lot for a small essential accessory. This is for Shu afterall and he could care less for a thousand cash as long as it provides Shu with a new gear that will last long.

The wallet, or more like a purse for how big it was, has very many pockets that can stuff three or four Iphones and cash without a scratch appearing on the leather.

Free exited the store, feeling...eyes staring...again. Could be he's hallucinating, but whu would he? He isn't sick. And it feels the same eyes that had been staring at him from the aquarium.

His senses don't lie, he just can't see who could the person be, hence he would walk down the place be feels the presence in, and then the moment he gets three feet closer, it dissapeared.

"The hell is going on...?" Free mustered, but going to let it slide as Shu must be waiting.

As he get there, he was right, Shu's waiting by the entrance looking around with two shakes in hand.

They gain eye contact and Shu started waving which Free could already see the swaying cup in the air. He chuckles, by seeing the exitement in Shu's eyes.

He really loves his strawberry flavored food. Could be strawberry ice cream, or syrup, anything strawberry flavored, he'll love.

Brings him back to that little food play...

"Was the line that long?"

"Hm? How long have you been waiting?"

"Twenty minutes!"

Guess the shake stall didn't have much costumers either. Probably all went in by now, the show till start in a few more minutes, Free keeping the paperbag where the Yuri Boston purse was in, out of Shu's sights.

Wanting to keep it as a secret, a nice little surprise.

"Now let's go! I can't wait to see the lightshow!"

Shu started dragging Free's arm with one of the drinks tucked on his arm. Free sighs, atleast they made it there together, time to actually have some fun watching the light display as the clock is hitting 8pm, and the moon is up in the skies, watching along.

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"Daigo! Stop it!" Valt yells across the small space, with his boyfriend being playful this night, took his yellow dotted headband for fun.

"Aw come on Valt, you look beautiful with your hair down, no need to put this on for a toilet break~" Daigo teases the mind out of his poor boyfriend, whom wanted his headband back for a small visit to the old toilet.

Valt shushes hims down, pointing at the wall, meaning the twins sleeping next door. "Give it back..." He continues to whine while chasing Daigo around the room.

Wasn't too difficult to do if his boyfriend wasn't that slick where to run to when he's backed into the corner.

Ducking down to avoid the sweaping hand of the smaller boy, Daigo claim dominance over the poor boy who has the toilet calling his name, "Daigo!!"

"Hehe~ Say the magic word first love~"

Valt groans, he hates how dominating his boyfriend is over him...at the same time...he kinda gets excited...

He pouted, assuming it'll work as Daigo would always drop the subject and bring back the joy in his bluenette, not this time however.

Hearing the infamous finger wag and a few clicks of his tongue. "Nah- ah, say it first, then I'll give it back~" Dang it, how is he so good at this...?

Valt gave in, stopping on his tracks, putting a straight face, "Please...?"

Daigo took it one step further and cups his ear, pretending not to hear it, "What now?"

"Please?"

"What was that?"

Valt huffs in annoyance, to Daigo being amuzed by his adorable expression every second, "Can I please have my headband back...?"

"I can't hear you~"

"Can I PLEASE have my headband back?"

Finally, he got it. Valt expects his headband be back on his hands by the time he says it, but first, receiving a teasing kiss on the cheek before his hand was gripping tightly on the rim of his headband.

Daigo chuckles, sitting back down the bed, playfully laughing at Valt who pouted again and leaves while putting on his headpiece.

It made Daigo feel bad inside, but it's Valt, he'll get it's a joke eventually.

"Ahh...what a night..." Indeed, he spent a nice night with the twins and their mother. Valt gets to be his childish side, and so do he.

"How are you holding up there little bro...?" He sigh, staring up in the ceiling full of fake stars.

Just then, notices that Valt arranged the stars. He could see a D and a V star formation, with an X in between.

"Sly Valt~"

He loves the little things his boyfriend does to express his love for the black haired emo. Questioning how did he get lucky with a boy who loves him dearly, better than what his own parents had provided.

Can't get anymore better than Valt...

He could agree that Shu Kurenai is best of all in the public's eyes, despite being close, Daigo never fell for his charms, only to Valts.

He sure got lucky...with the right friends to back him up, he felt victorious...

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It was a nice later evening of April 24th, roughly 3 days later the celebration of their dear friend Valt Aoi.

Shu and Free arranged a nice 'date' for the both of them in the central park. Emphasised on the word date as they don't plan for it to be their date, but for their two friends who needs encouragement to finally see each other as a pair.

Wasn't by force, they just need to finally see what was infront of them. In short, the naive blueberry, Valt Aoi and the anxious emo child of the group, Daigo Kurogami, couldn't fathom the courage to speak to one another.

They were close friends without a doubt, throughout the day Daigo enters the same school as Valts. Daigo's goodfriend of the time, Free took notice of this seamlessly obvious affection of Daigo towards his blue haired friend for some time now.

With the arrival of Shu, Free found it fitting to be their turn to fall together.

It was a few months after Free had gotten the chance to take Shu's hands. About time they make moves, however, with the dense naive personality of Valt, it's almost impossible to assume he'll start the confrontation. And with the nervous, very low confidence of Daigo, it's natural they're not ready for this type of things.

Unlike Free who gathers the courage to do so in the matter of months, and here he is, cuddling with the model student that enters the Beigoma Academy door, as well as the door to the popular blond. He couldn't be anymore happier if he can see their bestfriends could do the same.

Shu already went on the line with Valt, calling him a day before to meet him in the central park, along with Free whom texted Daigo to come along as well.

Central Park, 1am, casual outfits.

And so they did.

Daigo enters the park with his usual gray and black jacket, with a orange undershirt, black shorts as the heat of the summer is starting to roll in.

"Shu! Free! Over here!" Daigo calls out to the lovebirds, sweetly hitting it on with their scoops of ice cream and the albino having to lick the excess ice cream on Free's cheek, very close to his lips.

Unfortunately, the sweetness cuts off as Daigo enters, "Daigo! You're on time!" Just on time as it stikes 1pm just then.

"Yeah, so...why are we here?"

"Wait here for a while, the competition starts 1:30..." Free answers, checking his watch.

"Isn't this suppose to be your date?"

Shu shook his head, "We wanted to make it a nice bonding time! We haven't done one since Free and I got together." With that said, Free turn a playful tone and started kissing Shu's neck, lapping each spots Shu loves to be touched on.

"Woah, careful with the PDA Free, you're feisty..." Daigo shutter witnessing for the first time their lovey dovey moods. Wasn't common for them to do this in public, mostly private.

Considering only Daigo can see, they took their chances...or Free did as Shu stopped him on his playful act.

They didn't realise they made Daigo slightly jealous of their lovely  relationship.

"Soo...what is this competition anyway?" He asked, sounding nervous...

"Oh, hehe~ We wanna have you and Valt join. Might as well put Valt into the test if he'd learn a thing or two from Shu..."

Daigo raise a brow, and wait...did he say Valt?

"Va-Valt's coming too!?"

"Easy Daigo, it's just Valt. The boy is sweet as you know."

"But Shu-"

"Look, there he is!" Free shouted Valt's name afterwards, causing Daigo to go stiff...he didn't expect for Valt to come this early...

"Hey Shu! Free! And...Daigo!?" Valt exclaims, seeing that Daigo tagged along this time.

Daigo awkwardly turns around, "H...Hi Valt..." Little did they know Shu giggling in the back.

"Cute~ aren't they Free?" Shu secretly whispers to Free who is watching this as well, just as amused.

"I see it..."

Valt staggers to keep his posture alright, he wasn't expecting for Shu and Free to invite Daigo as Shu had said this is a competition. Daigo is not for one to be joining any competition...

"Where you into cooking too?"

"C-cooking?" Daigo turns to Free and Shu who are still sitting on the bench eating ice cream.

Shu nodded, "Yep, a cooking competition. You'll be against the other locals that are around their teen years."

"Shu...you know I hate crowds watching me..." He does...and he gets stage fright just as much as Valt...

Free ushers in with the rest of the detail, "Alright, so this is how it goes. You'll be together working inside of the booths over there..." Free pointed at the tents, there are six of them, "A pair of two will team up to make the dishes for the judges-" He's cutted off by two nervously surprised duo.

"Judges!?" They yelled out in sync, not signing up for some random stranger to judge their work.

But Shu calms them down before it escalates, "The judges are me and Free, don't worry!"

They sigh in relief that atleast it would be their friend...however, Valt is still nervous...more than Daigo..

"Now if you'll let me..." Free clears his throat before proceeding with the rules, "No stealin ingredients, we have the same amount in each booths, no fighting with the other contestance, and no buying outside dishes and present it to be your work. Feel free to make any dish as you please, there are a list of ingredients that are available in each booths. You have an hour to start and finish, then me and Shu will walk around, entering booths and grading everyone's work."

Shu gave him the sign that he got this part, "This isn't exactly a competition, everyone that grades higher than 60 points will receive a price of $200 each. And the event is morely for fun anyways~" Free swung an arm over Shu's shoulder, pulling him closer.

"Right, and I'm sure you two will make a great team."

Shu hums as he agrees.

Valt gulps, very nervous about his. He wasn't really feeling like embarassing himself infront of Daigo and just wants this competition...or event, to be done with without trouble insuing.

He does take a few classes with Shu about cooking, but this is a the time Shu wouldn't be there  to guide him in every individual spices. It would be Daigo of all people...

He'd be lying to himself if he wasn't nervous around this emo kid. Not like he hates him, but he sure as hell loves the man. For many reasons he couldn't explain right away...

One in particular, he's very handsome...like super...

The moment he took off that bandana, his heart is riding the train of love...

Caring is one thing, but what Shu lacks that this boy does is understanding Valt's feelings. Despite being bffs with Shu for as long as he could remember, nothing can compare to Daigo, who sniffs out Valt's overwhelming feeling towarsds their father.

He missed him...no matter...that...happens...

One thing that Shu couldn't understand why, and Valt respects that. He was a victim. Been years he'd seen him, been on the plane for who knows wherever he is sleeping...and sleeping with this day...

Daigo on the other hand, is rather long.

Regardless the words going around the boy as Daigo started out as a delinquent of sorts, scaring everyone away without even trying. In a way, he was condemned to be a delinquent in the eye of the school.

Not to mention he's mysterious and always go solo in every activities. Unlike an actual delinquent, he's never late, never skips a class, gets good grades and despite the worth ethics, he was named as a delinquent...

That was in a result of false gossip...which nowadays is very common...

Daigo was alone, nobody wanted to be friends with him. Free's busy with his own things as a part of the student coucil, incharge of the faculty complains that doesn't involve the running rumor about a new kid that is given the name as a delinquent by his peers.

Shu wasn't present in the school just yet and neither does Wakiya who comes from the same school Shu transfered from.

Up till the day, Valt has gotten himself switch to the upper section with Daigo, then they met.

When one hyper energetic bluenette, Valt somehow look beyond that. Didn't care about the rumors that surrounds the boy, he didn't care nor give a damn knowing any of this gossip, knowing full well none of them were true.

He had a week to see that...

Daigo changed radically, becoming a lot more cheerful with the bluenette as his partner in every activities. Sometimes a different student, not by choice, but Daigo manages and it became a change to the way the students saw him.

Goodbye fake news and rumors about him being an actual delinquent. And whom does he have to thank? Valt...

This shouldn't be difficult if they've done this for years, right? Wrong, as their friendship progressed, the stronger their feelings for one another grew.

It lead to awkward times such as Valt slipping down a banana peel, for Daigo to catch him on time...worst is in Wakiya's cone of vision, and that lead to another whole other teasing to experience.

Valt felt hesitant doing so, mostly their activities takes place in an open area with many other students in the same station...but this...they're along together inside a close space.

Before they knew it, they were pushed inside the booth with one last goodluck from Shu and Free who immediately left to gather the rest.

"U-uh...Valt...?" Daigo couldn't stop the stutter in his voice, when he's this close to Valt. There were room, but they were pushed in so close to one another.

"Ye-yes Diago-! I-I-I meant Daigo!"

"Diago?"

Valt laughs awkwardly...

"That's fine, so uhm...what do you wanna cook then?"

"Can we...do something...a-a little simple...?"

A simple dish wouldn't do it this were an actual competition, but since Shu did mentioned as long as they get 60 points in the board, they will win a price...

Daigo opens every cupboards, the drawers and the shelves for whatever ingredients are available to them while Valt shakes in the corner of his eye. Then he saw pounds of meat on one area, that gave him an idea, "Does butterscotch chicken wings sounds good to you?" Simple, and not at the same time.

"That sounds...hard..."

"Don't worry...I know my way around the kitchen." He does, being the care taker of his little brother for most of his elementary days.

Took Valt a second to make his decision, and since he got nothing else to suggest, he nodded, "Alright then...let's do this fried chicken then!"

"Butterscotch chicken, Valt..." Daigo smiles with a roll of his eyes.

"So what? They's the same thing, right?"

Won't argue that they don't, but it is still fried chicken with extra ingredients, so he'll let Valt call it whatever he wants...

"Sure...fried chicken then..."

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That was quite the challange for Daigo, following the butterscotch chicken ingredients while making sure Valt doesn't make a mess, as well as pouring too much ingredient that it becomes sour, or spicy, they were glad they pulled it off.

They even have the trophy to prove their worth...

Rightfully sitting on the special shelf Daigo made for it inside Valt's room. A golden spatula in a brown stand, every 60 point gainer gets one along with $200.

In the end, Daigo had fun having his very first kiss...

"I'm back!" Valt returns fresh from he bathroom, getting back, giving Daigo a big hug as he jumps up to tackle the boy deeper into the mattress they can rip it to two from the impact.

Valt laughs, while giving Daigo a vengeful kiss on the cheek. He's classic tease as Daigo likes kissing on the lips, "You kissed me on the cheek earlier! It's only fair that I do too!"

Daigo will take the punishment, but without a price afterwards.

Giving a second for Valt to react, taking advantage of their current position, taking the bluenette out of balance. Face falling directly onto Daigo's, their lips connected perfectly.

Taking it a step further, but not too much. Daigo spun them together with him taking Valt's skinnier body down with his pinning him above.

"Daigo..." Valt cries as Daigo relentlessly kisses Valt, sucking his tongue like his life is draining without this show of affection.

Compare this Daigo from the past, you could say he's been reborn. A more open individual, doesn't care if he doesn't get anything in return, as long as he could help. Showing loving affection none stop to Valt, even open in public as he so did earlier.

Committed, loyal, and restless to say the least.

Unfortunately, their short love making comes to a stop as Valt's phone started to vibrate showing on screen a text has been recieved, "Dai-go...wait...someone's-"

"I know~ Go ahead..." Daigo pulls away and sat on the edge, taking out his phone to continue writing with his story.

Still making a few changes in the plot and making ways for plot twists he plans. Meanwhile, Valt received a few messages, one from Shu.

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Valt! Have you seen Wakiya lately? He's not answering my calls... :Shu

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Valt's utterly weirded out by that news. Yes he had and that was back in the school, and when he's returning the remaining garlands that needs to be put up tomorrow, Wakiya was nowhere to be seen.

Besides that, this is Wakiya. He doesn't ignore his calls, especially from his friends whom he cares about. Let alone Shu who is his bff, period.

Even Daigo doesn't know as Valt asked him, shaking his head that he haven't run into him lately apart from when he set up the formation of their decor team.

He returns to the text Shu send, which was an hour ago...

That's wierd...who's the other one then?

~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~

Valt: I haven't, maybe he went with Silas?

Valt: Sorry, but I'm with Daigo rn...I'll contact him later. I'll update you when he respond...

~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~

Typing the respond quick before going back to his list of unread messages. Maybe the other one is Wakiya reaching out to him, but that's not the case...

In the list is an unknown contact number that he will skip for a second, sending Wakiya a text of where he was.

To contact Shu who is worries his bestfriend's not responding to his text.

Shu replied afterwards with a thanking message follow up by a goodnight. He must be with Free as he did accidentally evesdropped at their plan to have a sleepover, just the two of them.

He's let them with their business...

But back to the unknown number that somehow found out about his number.

"What's wrong babe?" Daigo scoots besides him, turning off his phone after seeing the distress look in Valt's face, as well the the question of their missing friend.

No responce is already raising a large red flag, as crimes around their area is still on going.

Daigo informing Valt about their late schoolmate and her tragic fate with he younger sister that survived and couldn't talk through the trauma.

It's natural for them to jump into that conclusion, but they don't accidentally call a cop to a wrong report. This could get them fined for wasting the officer's time.

They'll check tomorrow if Wakiya shows up on duty...

Back to the task at hand, Daigo could see the unknown message, "Must be Ken? Haven't seen him for a long time..."

Ken Midori, a close friend who has a family of traveling ventriloquist. Perhaps he'd reached out after quite the long time of transfering to his new school.

Valt thought so as well, excitedly opening the message to take a peek of whatever he's been doing in his new school.

But, not a minute in, Valt started to go pale...

Daigo saw this, immediately asking his boyfriend if he was alright.

Valt shakingly responded to Daigo, "The-there's...this..." He shows the unknown number on his phone, along with this creepy text that Valt read halfway and already creeped out...

~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~

From the unknown number...

"Good Afternoon Valt Aoi...

I am very sorry to inform you that you have been chosen to come along side me with this operation to infiltrate a facility that is dangerous.

Now don't freak out, this isn't a trap or a plan to cause harm on you nor your partner, I will supervise for you to bring your partner along as we could use the help. A friend of yours is in danger and we need your assitance. I know I could've contacted the police instead, but this area we are trying to break into is a force to be reckoned with, with great barriers that turns the place invisible to the naked eye.

And I know, must be terrified receiving this message very late at night, but I swear I would never hurt a friend of a friend. Trust me. I can feel the same if I were in your shoes.

I beg you not to tell the police or this mission will fail. And I will reveal our location and meeting area if you agree to come along in this affiliation.

And if you don't, there is no pressure, feel free to ignore this text message. We promise to bring a friend of yours back in one piece.

Please respond before Thursday as that is when we're planning to commit to the plan."

~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~📱~○~

The tone of this text message brings suspicious into the spotlight.

"We can't trust them..." Valt tries to protest, "No! We don't know who they are and we should let them do whatever this 'infiltration' is. I can't affort to loose you in this battle..." Daigo treasures Valt too much he'd not likely to jump into offers that involves his lover's life hanging on thread.

But Valt presisted, "But what if this was Wakiya they're talking about? Or maybe a real friend of ours. Ken? We need to help..."

Daigo grunts with a click of his tongue, "And what if this is were a trap."

"He just said-" Valt was cut off...

"It could be a trick! Haven't you watched action movies before with trick messages that says, 'Oh, we aren't leading you to a trap or some shit, we're totally friendly.' Then the moment theu agreed, they get into trouble until they regretted ever signing the contract." This is all fiction, but it is true.

They knew nothing about whoever this guy is, and he contacted Valt, the naive child that knew no better but to jump into offers if a friend is involved.

Daigo's not having it...

"Valt! Think about it!"

Valt was silence...this had ruined their night together for sure. And there is no turning back to a nice peaceful night after that terrifyingly message.

This night was suppose to be pleasant, and they're absulutely exhausted to argue about this encounter.

Daigo being reasonably disagreeing, while Valt is presisting they, or he would join and save their friend. And there is no way Daigo would let Valt go alone. Let along with some gang that could cause harm on his beloved bluenette...

"Let's talk about this tomorrow..." Valt wouldn't let this go until Daigo gives in...

But Daigo will keep to his word, "I'll still say no..."

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

In the large famous aquarium of New York, Shu watches in awe as the amazing lightshow does its magic.

There were multiple shows such as the normal lightshow, to shadow dancing and now to where they are, 3d hologram showing a the types of fishes that could be found in the aquarium along with music remix made by the dj behind the scenes.

Scenes paying homage to a classic fairy tale, the little mermaid. With the crew on the bottom in mermaid outfits.

Shu watches every bit of it and never gets enough, while Free tries to hold on to him as he tries to jump up the railing to see more. Free's more than happy to be here with Shu, seeing that big smile on his face made him feel victorious with this trip, more than the amusement park yesterday.

The crowd cheers could get louder than the music on loud speaker. Every end follows up with a small firework display, this one isn't any difference.

With the show almost ending, there were fireworks everywhere, coming up in many shades of colors, from blue to red and then yellow. It was glorious, Shu couldn't think of anything else to say but, "Wow..."

"Wow indeed..." Free said, but not direted at the firework display, but the beauty insight.

Shu standing in front of him in the open night sky, with fireworks in the background. Takes him back to the day he had their very first monthsary.

That was a magical day, not to be forgotten...every single one of them is hard to forget, each besting the last.

But the ending of their fourth and last anniversary was...wanted to be erased from their minds, but couldn't. It was the worst day in their entire life.

Free shook his head, not wanting to relive that memory in such an amazing night with Shu by his side after six months without contact.

Taking out his phone, swiping to his camera, snapping a picure of this beautiful scene of Shu standing up with the fireworks.

Gonna keep that for safe keeping...

He's afraid he might never again have this happen to him...

As for now, he'll keep his head up high.

"Free! Come up here! Look at the balloons!!" Shu exclaims as there were multi colored neon balloons in a form of a masive great white. It was a breath taking scene, with the effort given into the detail of the creation.

Free climbs up next to Shu, seeing what he was talking about, "Oh wow, that must've took them days to make." Not to mention for only one show. Atleas the amount of people in the crowd looks enough to buy months worth of these amount of balloons being let go for one show.

Looking at the design, it was a prefect replica of a cartoon shark.

Down to the fins shape as it flew into the dark skies with the face of the shark dissapeared into night cold sky.

With their popcorns and cups thrown in the garbage bin on their way out, Shu clings ino Free's right arm with an ever greatful smile across his face as he hops long.

"That show was marvelous!" Shu hops with a twirl, being his first time watching a show like that live.

Shaking Free's arm on every hop, with a small reply from the blond saying, "Yes, yes." Or, "It was great." And, "I know Shu." Shu was certainly greatful for this surprise, give Free a short hug.

"Sh-Shu!?" Didn't he hate him just a a day ago? This was a big twist of events, and it felt like a great deal of progess.

Shu giggles as a respond before continuing to walk, still hanging onto Free's right arm. Already had enough of loosing him in the jellyfish section.

None the less, he's happy and content eith tonight's surprise.

This is one of his greatest achievements into his goal of turnin back into a good friend of Shu's...but, that's not enough...

Free can see the gift shop from earlier, "Over there! Didn't you wanna buy some souvenir?" Shu nags Free earlier not to forget as they did back in the theme park.

Wasn't long that the albino found it as well and started dragging the poor blond towards the shop filled with aquatic themed items.

Fish stuff animals, under the sea theme related shirts, as well as water globes ranging from corals to mermaids swimming or pasted to a rock. So far, Shu is still searching, until his eyes locked for a moment in a fish purse section, and it reminded Free of somehing behind him.

He'd almost forgotten, that view of Shu under the night with fireworks had distracted him.

By the time he did, Shu was already on the toy section with the rack of stuff toys. Taking one that looks sorta familiar, "This lone looks like the shark balloon. Does it?" Shu shows the toy shark with awe in his eyes.

Free smirks as he walk along next to his companion with his secret one last gift for tonight. "You want it?"

Shu nodded and looks happy with a stuff toy, the boy never seems to get over his habbits with stuff animals. Snuggling with them to sleep.

...wonder if he still have that other stuff toy...

Free grips tighter at the wrapped purse on his back, carefully turning in sync with Shu's movements in order not to spoil the surprise abruptly.

They got to the counter with only the stuff toy, Shu reaches for his wallet, only for Free to pay the cashier fully.

"Wait, you haven't bought yourself anything." Shu notices Free didn't put anything up the counter to purchase for himself.

He just smiles and payed anyway, Shu pouted but let it slide as he'd already payed for it...

"Free...why...?"

Free chuckles, "Why not? It's my idea to bring you here~" He ended with a wink. Sliding aside, keeping the gift behind. Luckily Shu hasn't noticed the odd one hand on his back...

Shu lets out a frustrated sigh, it's not on his place for Free to treat him like they were a couple. That's still not in motion as they're still only at recovering phase.

Stage of being friends, coming back in good terms. Although, if things gets heated between them, in a good way, might as well take his chances.

Sounds malicious if said out loud, but to be perfectly honest, he does love that blond cheater. Couldn't tell why he kept on coming back in his heart, even through that one bad thing he'd caused to Shu.

Only one, but still a severe scar in his heart that time can't heal...

The cashier came back with the stuff toy wrapped in a paper bag, almost similar to Free's present, all be it being a tad larger.

"Ready to go?"

Shu nodded, and on their way to the car, Shu had unwrapped the paper bag and started snuggling close to the toy. It was undoubtedly a cute sight to see.

"Heh~ I need to remind myself your addiction to fluffy things..."

"Like your hair..." There was a tick before Shu shuts his mouth, that's not what's-

"Really?"

So tempting into saying, 'Fucking yes it does.' But this ain't the right moment to take things further, there are children running around for god sake.

Needs to be mature enough to not curse infront of a child, "It does! What shampoo do you use anyway?"

"Hmm...Blackwood and Dove for men as an alternative..."

The brand names are recognizable, "Would you look at that, those commercials does says some truth behind their products."

"Pft yeah, don't remind me when Wakiya ordered that 'ultra cleaner' online because of a commercial."

Scams out there are increasing, people buying things off the internet then selling them at a super high price than it should, as well as buying products that they say are 'very effective', when in reality, they don't do jack shit.

What they can do are good decorations, if not then on to the bin it goes. Sell it again, or hand it away.

Shu skips around with his new plushie rubbing across his face, really liking the brand new scent of a toy fresh out of the shelves, later noticing that the blond is falling behind.

"Something wrong, Free?" Shu asked in concern if he's...worried about Shasa catching up to him.

Free gave him a reassuring look, stopping so suddenly that Shu stopped his hopping. Bringing the toy down his face to see if the blond needed some assistance.

"What's up?"

There was a second up pause, before Free decided to pull it out. Been this long that the albino hasn't noticed, gonna go for it before it gets ruined later on.

Shu sees the long wrapped paper bag, "What's that?" He asked as Free took his hand and placed the gift on his palm.

The length purse is the perfect size on Shu's hand, "Open it and see..." Free smiles, leaving the unwrapping to Shu while walking ahead.

Shu stared at him at first as he walked away with that happy smile, looking back at the package, he went right in and rips away the paper bag with that left of a plastic wrapped around a medium size black leather purse, with the Yuri Boston stitched onto the bottom left.

He couldn't believe what he was given, such expensive thing to be given to just 'a friend'.

So expensive that Shu refuses to accept such valued expense, despite a fan of the brand himself. Whenever he gets the right amount of money to give to himself as a prize after every hard work he puts into his work. It takes him two years to earn enough for this purse, knowing a whole lot about the cost price of each accessories.

Attempting to return the purse to Free, instead give it to his mother, well knowing their return will be someday this week. Free refuses to take it back, his mother got the green to buy that purse twice over the day

"Take it, Shu. I bought it exclusively for you." Free gave back the purse to his well greatful hands.

"But Free, I can't-"

"Ah-uh, all yours. No take backs." With a small bop on the tip of Shu's nose, Free being carefree let Shu admire the gift while walking around. Perhaps to buy other stuff for Shu on his way around.

The real prize on entirety of that exchange, is the happy greatful smile in Shu's face.

Shu couldn't help but smile wider, he loves the brand and wanted to save up for a purse too, his has holes in which he sometimes drops a few dollars without noticing.

Thanks to Free, he's able to do it. However, he's the boy that wouldn't rely on his boyfriend's income and kept it a secret. But this blond man could sniff out his favorite by Shu just walking pass an item.

"I'd take that you knew my love for the brand-"

"That you've been staring at it on Lazada online."

Shu went silence, so he's been that obvious...

Free buffles in laughter seeing the dumbfounded look in Shu's face, he could change expressions fairly easily, without the cuteness fading away. "That's the obvious stuff, I know your love for Red Horse band for your wine."

The De la Hoya was the first to introduce Shu to the taste of wine, at one point, one time, they got their hands on a Filipino brand of alchohol.

Gotten it delivered overseas for one gathering event, just the whole family with the only invited guest, Shu. And immediately on the first sip, Shu wasn't satisfied, the bitter taste made him back down easily. That caused the family to laugh, adoring the purity they're about to break.

Shu's growing up, insisting that he would drink ignore the taste to the family and Free's warnings.

Right then, Free picked up the factor laid infront of him. On that very day until now, he would remember Shu's like for the Red Horse brand.

Too risky to get one delivered overseas himself, not going to urge his family into buying one for him and Shu. But he'll keep that information in mind for the future...if it still happens...

"Hurry, we need to get home before it strikes 11pm. Kitt sure would be very excited getting to see you again."

Right, the kid Shu had babysitted ever since he was born. A cute bundle of joy, giving Shu the chance to show off his motherly skills to Free's parents. Giving them more reasons to agree over Free's decisions of courting the young albino...

All that be to be possible anytime soon.

Shu would admit his love for Free's parents ever since they accepted him into their family door. Shu felt relieved to know they both agree, along with Free's elder sister, gaining their approval. Looking beyond Shu's financial struggle back in the day.

Speaking of which, "How's your parents by the way?" It's a common question asked to the De la Hoyas as they're particularly targeted, being one of the successful lineage with goventment connections, all the works.

Unsurprisingly they've been a victim or robberies and false accusations to the court, not directly to their mistakes, but as they're the moneys at.

"The usual, paper works, buisness trips...ugh, I hate my dad for making me come to every single trip..."

Typical, Free's not into the buisness legacy shit. When the day comes and he family buisness is passed down to him and his sister, the word freedom is thrown out the window.

Shu sniggers with the help of the plush, at the same time, Free has pretty good ears and could hear the small giggles through the toy. "Sorry..."

"Funny...I know..." Free rolls his eyes.

"No, what I mean. I remember when you have like-what, fifty photos of me in your phone?"

The reminder causes the gag noice from the blond, whom immediately correted, "One thousand, five-hundred, ninety-six actually..." There was a few seconds of pause and Shu started to laugh his heart out hearing that coming from Free himself.

"Are you kidding?"

"No..." With a straight face, and an inside embarassment.

"Didn't knew you were quite the stalker~"

He was, taking pictures of Shu. Regardless of angles, albino looked spectacular in each click. Eating soup, laughing with friends, doing chores and assignments, running in the fields. Heck, he doesn't need to do anything to look gorgeous and the photo would look absulutely breathtaking that Free had to look out for other stalkers that might wanna take a picture without the unaware albino.

"Don't mention it...but can we get going now? My ears are busted from the yelling and screaming at the show..."

Who knew some civilians would yell how much they love the show so loud they can burst an ear drum. Was that really necessary? Do the least thing and pay for the hospital bills as well as the expenses for their hearing aids.

Shu will admit, he was loud, but not as louder as those die hard fans of light shows. "They probably wathed the show as children...?"

Free shrugs, how would that make sense?

In within a flash, he felt a tug on his arm. Tight yet gentle, warm and soft. Free looks down, casually seeing Shu deciding to snuggle onto his gloved arm with his shark plushie covering his face.

Free didn't move as Shu started to become a bit clingy, not wanting to let go. Not that Free wanted him to let go. Moments after the sudden shift of pace, Free could feel vibrations on his arm, where Shu's mouth would be.

"Shu? Are you sleeping?"

They were standing in he middle of a busy hallway with children not bothering to acknowledge the phase these two are having, fortunately the parents do too. Ignoring them completely.

"Hey...Shu? Seriously?"

Shu shook his head, causing his face rubs against Free's arm. "Why the hell if se made to be so fucking adorable!?" Free screams internally, observing Shu's innocent motions. Seemingly nothing in place behind it.

A while after, Shu pulls away, gazing up to Free with a wide smile, "Thank you for the gifts Free...and the trip...I owe you a lot for this..." Shu stated, going back to snuggling with Free's arm.

Free's face started to heat up, a tinted flustering red color on his face he tried to hide by looking the other side out of Shu's cone of vision.

Shu knew this side of Free, and immediately pulled away. That must be too big of a leap, he made a promise not to make another large step into their regrowing relationship.

Having to be patient to capture Free's attention away from Shasa. It still sounds conniving, but its how he wanted this plan to be in the first place.

With a few changes in the matter, taking it in a slow, gentle pace- little would he had known, some other changes will happen sooner or later.

"Ho-how about we get going? The trip is an hour away, so we gotte hit the road now!" Free hurriedly said, confusing Shu, but was able to get it through a few words that were said clearly.

It was getting late, the mall should close by a few more hours.

They left inside the car, Shu sitting besides Free this time, immediately starting the car. They talk a few times with the shift of the atmosphere due to Shu's innocent act of thanking the blond. He sat on the passenger seat, snuggling with both of his plushies, the shark and the bunny...quite the combo.

"Soon, sharkie will join reindeer on my bed!"

"Does bunny get to join them too?" Free teased, as if it were meaning anything.

Shu lunges the toys at Free's face who's smirk dissapeared to a blink. "Now they're all together!"

What a baby child isn't he?

Free sneakers, a sign that Shu did well of making him laugh again. Being at his cutest form, it's hard to say 'no' to a good laughter.

"That's good." He said, pulling the lever to reverse, "Let's go home..."

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When will you learn...?
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I'm sorry daddy...
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I'll always love you, remember that...
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All I wanted is your approval! Where have I done it wrong? Where!?
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Could care less for human found in a box...
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======================================

A walk down far from the Aoi Bakery, a tall woman figure in a cloak wonders the empty side of an ally, eyes fixated on her phone.

She phases back and forth. When out of nowhere, two other individuals appears down the hall of her specific ally.

They had lights on their hands, eyes glowing like monsters out to get anyone that enters their lair. The woman bails immediately, unseen. Climbing up one of the neighbourhood's home, she stayed down on the berry bushes, a stung of the thorns on her heel. She didn't flinch or react, morelikely she doesn't care about a tiny prick of a plant.

One of the guys golding to what it seems a radio, so dark she could barely see, her ears were a lot sharper as she could hear whoever was behind the radio. "Idiots! Find that girl!" An angry man's voice shouting through the speaker. They're rather deep into the foundation of the house, none of the people that lives in the houses they were under in could hear.

The other continues to dart his flashlight around, almost catching sights of her, she ducked down just in time, "Sir, she just dissapeared..."

"I could've sworn I saw her run down here..."

There was a ferocious growl on the radio, "I don't care if you swear to fucking see that brat, go and find her before she escape with the weapon!!" She could hear them clearly from up the home garden. A smirk grew in her face, red lips shining through the darkness of her hood.

A glow inside her cloak, green and sharp. She quickly covers it with her cloak before those seekers find the source of the green glow.

The two guys saluted, "Yes sir." Continuing on their search while she jumps into the next house without the two boys below noticing the girl they're hunting is above them.

She manage to do so without breaking a sweat, getting away from her enemies while hiding in the darkness of the night.

Running to the side of the empty road, she hid again inside another ally far from the town she was in. That place is a hazard to her safety if she doesn't leave.

She sat on top of a dirty large trashcan, going back to being eyes locked on the screen waiting for something to come.

Time passed for barely a while, she kept on guard with the treasure those seekers were after, diligently over the passing hours.

Midnight came and the woman's on the brink of closing her eyes, until there was a vibration on her hands, pops out the white notification, a message that he's been waiting all night.

For that millisecond reaction, she's fully wide awake and opens the message box.

From the unknown number says: "We have him. Message us the next step then we'll meet on the plaza for the investigation..."

The person under the cloak whispers to herself, "Mission accomplished..." This so called mission has been acquired successfully.

"Good job, both of you. Just tie him up, and also, keep an eye on Wakiya alright, we don't want that happening again..."

"Gotcha...we're on our way to the plaza..."

"Good..." She ended the chat, leaping away from the scenes as the seekers has found her location again.

It doesn't surprise her as she had already sweeped away from their line of sights...

"This shit better be worth it..."

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

Free parked his car smoothly in the garage, with Shu volunteering to open the gates to his disapproval because of their butlers already on their way to do so.

Turning off the car, lights out, garage lights on. Shu could never get enough of the expensive equipments this one small enclosure holds. Top of the art technologies.

He stood, looking at every single one, with his plushies on each hands. "Are those new?" Shu asked while Free gets down the car, pointing at the new power tools he bought overseas.

Feeling proud, he is good with mechanics thanks to their maintenance worker showing him techniques in repairs through the uears he'd worked with the De la Hoya family. "Got them delivered a week ago. I need them for the lodge...again..."

"The floor boards?" He assumes, the age of that old lodge is older than Free's parents. Been built there for generations and surprisingly still an amazing place to visit during the holidays.

However, Free corrected, "Air-conditioning problems..."The last installment of the AC was twenty years ago. I'm still waiting for the new one to come so I could instal it for next Christmas gathering..." It's  essential as the inside can get a bit hot even during the winter.

Shu just said an, "Oh..." due to how rich this family is.

Gonna be passed down to Free soon...and if so, he'll be the king...and his queen being Shasa....

That's a nightmare that can come soon...

"Shu?" The blond noticed his companion being out on his thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"

"N-nothing-"

"Shu...seriously..."

He's not buying that 'nothing' trick. "You do know pushing others away wouldn't do anything good..."

"Pft, that's ironic coming from you." Shu admitted, with a playful punch of his plush toy shark on the shoulder.

Free brushed it off, and laughs instead.

That caused an unintentional sting by Shu, but for being perfectly honest, he deserved the most punishments as he can, and if he can't handle a single sting, then what if he looses Shu's trust.

Yeah he loves this jerk, yet that can fade the longer their relationship remains unstable.

Free took the gentlemen way, and opens the door for Shu. Quite suddle to say theleast for Shu. He'll take it nonetheless.

Walking in, Shu was met by the greetings of old friends, "Mr. Kurenai?"

"Good evening Ange, and haven't I told you before to call me Shu?" Formalities is not Shu's thing, casual feels normal than receiving luxury treatment.

Ange stood still, couldn'r believe that this is happening. Her sights goes to Free, who's closing the door, then to Shu, then to Free with a shock look on her face.

This was easily noticed by Shu whom addressed the shocked behaviour, with a bright smile, "Surprised, huh?" Ange won't lie, it was.

"I-I'm sorry dear- oh goodness- I wasn't expecting a visitor tonight!" She said with joy, been a while since she's been in the kitchen with Shu by her side as her cooking assistant. Good old days, "F-Free, why didn't you tell me, dear? I could've wiped up some chicken rolls for him too!"

"Shit...must've forgot..."

Shu elbows the blond, wincing in pain from the, rather hard, impact. "Ouch!"

"Don't swear Free, what if Ki-"

Right on cue, Kitt saw Shu from the other side of the common room door, "Shu!? Is that really you!?" Kitt yells out of extreme excitement to see a familiar friendlier face standing by the entrance.

The little brunette boy ran up to his long unseen friend with wide open arms, "Hello, Kitt!" Shu ran up to him, kneeling down the boy's level. The impact caused the taller boy to fall back, landing on his butt, flinging the plushies everywhere with his bag catching his fall behind.

"I've missed you, Shu!!!"

Shu hugs back, rubbing the back of Kitt's head, implying he felt the same. Meanwhile, Ange watched in awe as her son being this happy.

A smile creeps into Free's face, been that long since he'd seen the kid this excited to see a visitor apart from Free's parents and his father. He took it upon himself to pick up the discarded toys on the floor.

Shu pulled away, still holding on the boy snuggling against his chest, face burying deeper.

As much as Ange hates breaking this wonderful reunion of the two, sadly she had to put an end and let Free handles the rest. "Now Kitt, that is enough. They just got back from a long trip..."

"Not exactly long, but I am pretty tired..." Followed by a yawn, it's obvious Free's waiting for a nice power nap after the rest of the night became a wild search for the missing child on the run.

Shu lets go of the boy to the gesturing Ange to come to the kitchen, "I'll make that pasta I promised first!" With a cheerful 'yay' from Kitt, Free couldn't resist a late night dinner. They only had popcorn and soda, so why not?

"Sure!"

Shu clasps his hand with a jump of joy, "Great! I'll do my new recipe."

Ange gasps, "You have?" Shu nodded making his way to the kitchen wih Kitt, she had always been excited whenever the albino announced that he had a new recipe. Quite the good experience to have someone professional enough to have some new ideas to make his already magnificent varied dishes to something even tastier.

"Shouldn't be surprised, Shu loves cooking afterall." Free remarks with multiple experience cooking with Shu, just seems not to get the hang of using different utensils with their proper uses, or the variety of bowls, measuring tools, practically anything can be found inside of an average kitchen.

"I know so, now come! You could take a seat while we prepare."

Free chuckles, "Heh, can't wait..."