Senri looked at Yuma's empty seat with a frown. Half of the school day had passed and Yuma was a no show. Chizuru hadn't come back nor reported anything. Takaomi looked at Senri with a slightly concerned look.

"Hey, dumb rabbit. Why do you look so depressed lately." Takaomi spat.

"It's none of your business." Senri replied quietly.

"You're my roommate, I don't want to have to deal with your emo ass later. I'm tired of hearing your depressing music." Takaomi fussed.

"It's nothing something you'll understand!" Senri shouted, gaining everyone's attention.

"Who won't understand what, Nito?" Yousuke Kiritani, the first year teacher asked.

Senri looked at him with flushed cheeks full of embarrassment. He shook his head and denied everything before sitting back down. Kiritani looked at Senri a bit longer before going back to teaching. Senri asked to use the restroom a few minutes later and hurried out the room. He turned the corner and had the courtesy of bumping into someone.

"I'm sor-" Senri started then looked at who he was apologizing to. "Fuck."

Kasuka looked at his damp shirt then glared at Senri who was more than ready to piss himself. Kasuka twisted the cap back onto the bottle the proceeded to hit Senri on the head with it.

"Watch where you're going, short stuff." Kasuka said in a soft voice.

Senri blinked rapidly, not expecting such a tone to come from cold blooded Kasuka.

"I'm... sorry. I'll watch my steps..." Senri replied weakly, stepping around him.

"Hey, where are you off to? Don't you have class?" Kasuka asked, hesitant to let him go.

"Oh, just... going to relieve myself, haha..." responsed Senri, getting a sense that he should definitely leave.

"Oh, do you have to go badly? I wanted to talk more." said Kasuka, stepping closer.

Senri squeaked before taking off down the hall. Kasuka stood alone, biting down hard on his bottom lip. Did his actions from the picnic drive the wedge deeper between them? Why was he even considering being nice to him? He's always distanced himself from people, yet Senri was the only person he wanted to hold so close.

Senri peeked from around the corner and saw a dejected Kasuka disappear around the corner he had bumped into him at. He couldn't stand the menacing aura coming off of him. He felt as if he said anything more, Kasuka would've had his head on a platter.

⋆‪♡⋆‪♡⋆

Shinya sat in the seat in front of Shigure and gave him a warm smile. Shigure returned said smile.

"Have you been avoiding me?" Shinya asked, getting straight to his point.

"What makes you think that?" he replied.

"Well for starters, your texts have been rather bland. You'd always give such detailed responses to big topics. And when I ask to hang out, you decline or pretend you didn't hear me." Shinya listed, looking him straight in the eyes. "What's going on?"

"It's all in your head. I haven't changed." Shigure said, not sure how he could make things better.

"Shigure, you're hiding something from me. I don't know what, but you are." said Shinya, his face becoming serious. "If you can't tell me what, then fine. But I'd like a reason as to why you can't."

"I'm not hiding anything." Shigure shot back, becoming a bit irritated.

"Shigure, I know you. How long have we been friends for, huh? You act as if I can't tell when you've got something weighing on your mind!" Shinya said loudly.

Everyone looked back at the two. Minato started to get up from his seat but was stopped by Yanagi.

"Stop acting like you know me! There's so much about me you don't even know! You don't know anything about me! And it's not like I can tell you either because if I do, it'll endanger my family!" Shigure shouted, standing up from his seat and heading towards the door.

Everyone watched as Shigure left. Yanagi looked at Shinya who was close to tears. Shigure started to cool down then felt someone hold him back by his uniform jacket.

"You didn't have to yell at him, Shigure." he said, a serious look on his face.

Shigure looked back at him with an annoyed look. His fierce look never wavered.

"Would he have understood otherwise, Minato?" Shigure asked, the fire in his eyes dying down. "He acts like he truly knows me..."

"But doesn't he? I've never seen someone know your preferences so well. And remember that time you lost your father's ring and he stuck by your side, searching long into the night with you when everyone else gave up and went to bed?" Minato mentioned, remembering he got up for a late night snack and seeing the both of them hugging and in tears.

Shigure deflated as Minato's hold on him loosen. Of course he remembered. How could he forget losing the ring his father gave him and having it found by Shinya?

"I don't know what exactly you feel you have to keep hidden, but Shinya's always been there for you. He's never spilled any of your secrets, right? Can't you trust him?" Minato asked, hoping to shed light onto the problem.

"It's not that I don't want to tell him. I can't tell him. It'll ruin our lives as we know it. We wouldn't be able to live in peace." Shigure said quietly, not wanting to imagine him and the others becoming scientific experiments or used to exhaustion. "I'll apologize to him later... Tell Mr. Inoh I wasn't feeling well and went to the infirmary."

Minato watched Shigure go with a sad look. Everyone in the class was aware of the rift appearing between Shigure and Shinya as of late, but it seemed to have stemmed from Shigure pulling away first. What was making Shigure keep his distance?

⋆‪♡⋆‪♡⋆

Yuma smiled happily as the cat from the night before had sought him out again. Shino looked at him then closed his book.

"You know Yuma, you've always had a way with animals. It's like they're drawn to you by some weird power." said Shino with a smile.

"Maybe I'm just approachable." Yuma replied.

"Wouldn't it be cool if we could talk to animals? Then again, I don't think I'd be ready to hear the shit they talk about humans." said Shino with nervous laughter.

"They don't necessarily need words to communicate exactly how they're feeling. Their body language, eyes and face tell you enough. Take this cat for example, she's saying she's feeling loved and comfortable." said Yuma, giving her head a pat.

"What makes you so sure?" Shino asked in disbelief.

Yuma started to explain how different animals show their thoughts and emotions in different ways than humans. Shino nodded along, giving input in the fascinating topic. He couldn't believe Yuma had such a talent like this yet wanted to have a boring desk job when he got older.

"Oh! I'm sorry, but I need to run to the supermarket. We don't have enough ingredients for dinner tonight." said Yuma, standing up from his squatted position.

"Oh, I'll go with you. It'll help make it go faster." said Shino, standing up as well.

⋆‪♡⋆‪♡⋆

Shino held the basket as Yuma browsed the shelves. Yuma picked up two different brands and compared them.

"Which do you prefer?" Yuma asked, showing him the boxes.

"Eh, doesn't matter to me, as long as I get to eat your delicious cooking~" said Shino with a grin.

Yuma nodded then went back to the shelves. Shino smiled softly as it felt like he was out shopping with his lover. He followed Yuma around who flitted about, searching for cheaper prices and wondering if replacements would work. Shino looked to his side then noticed someone staring from afar. He walked over to Yuma and gave him a nudge.

"Is there anything else we need?" asked Shino.

"Just these- Hey, what's the rush?" Yuma asked, having the vegetables ripped out of his hands and being dragged away.

"Someone has been watching and staring at us for way too long. It's creeping me out. Let's hurry up and get out of here." said Shino, ushering Yuma onto a line.

"Eh, what did they look like?" he asked, moving to put their items on the belt.

"That's not important." said Shino, wishing the cashier would speed up.

Shino finally paid for their items and hurried out the supermarket with Yuma in tow.

"Ah, wait! We left a bag." Yuma exclaimed, pulling back.

"Say it isn't so..." he said with a sigh.

"I'll get it." said Yuma but was held back.

"I'll do it." responded Shino.

They started to bicker until a stern, clear voice spoke from behind them.

"I have it." they said, holding the bag up in the air with two fingers.

Shino stepped in front of Yuma, recognizing them as the creepy person. Yuma peeked from behind him and felt a small smile form on his face.

"Maki, you're out shopping too? But why all the way out here?" Yuma asked curiously, stepping out from behind Shino.

"Don't give me that crap. I came here for you." said Chizuru as he seized him by his wrist and started dragging him away. "We're going back."

Yuma planted his feet and resisted. Chizuru fought with him and was on the verge of victory until Shino stepped in.

"I'm not letting a creep like you take my precious Yuma away." Shino barked.

Chizuru's eyes narrowed, staring Shino down. Immense scorn could be felt through his gaze. He was already pissed of from having to play fetch. It further irritated him to see Yuma clinging to another man so tightly. Who was this person? What was his relation to Yuma?

"Who are you?" Chizuru asked, his words dripping with hatred.

"I could ask you the same thing. Why are you trying to forcefully take him away?" Shino spat, seeing Yuma's dejected face.

Chizuru swiftly pulled them apart and pinned Shino down on the ground, holding his right arm behind his back. He was beyond pissed. Who was he to act as if he was high and mighty? He was going to complete his task even if it meant hurting a few people.

"Maki, stop..." Yuma said, pulling him off. "I just needed time away from school..."

"Why, huh? Do you know how worried everyone is about you? So worried that they slapped a death bearing bracelet on me and sent me to find you." Chizuru fussed, messing with the bracelet. "How could you just leave with such little word, thinking they wouldn't overreact? Do you think I wanted to be a fetch it boy? I could be at school right now, causing mischief but instead I'm here to bring back a selfish brat."

"Hey, that's enough o-" Shino started, but was stopped by Yuma.

"I did leave for selfish reasons, but I didn't intend to cause such a panic. I'm running away from myself. I've been working too hard to the point I'm seeing and feeling things." Yuma explained, remembering the kitchen incident. "I thought spending some time away from school would be good..."

It was his fault. His pranks were the cause.

"You idiot, do you really think you'd become loony after taking care of animals for so long? And why didn't you talk to someone about it, huh?" Chizuru continued to fuss. "Do you not trust them?"

Yuma remained silent as he stared back at Chizuru. It wasn't that he didn't trust them, he just didn't want to bother them with his problems. Yuma looked at Shino then back at Chizuru.

"Since you're so insistent on staying, give me the address of where you're staying and I'll go." said Chizuru with a heavy sigh.

Yuma typed the address into Chizuru's phone then watched him leave. He could never seem to find the right words whenever he talked to Chizuru. He didn't understand it.

"I can't believe you know someone so-" Shion started then watched as Yuma dropped the bag he was holding and followed after the person he called Maki.

"Wait!" Yuma shouted, getting Chizuru to stop.

"Now what?" Chizuru spat.

"I want to go back... with you." said Yuma softly, twiddling his thumbs.

Chizuru blinked as his mind started to process what just happened. Yuma wanted to go back. With him. The soft tone he had when speaking, practically music to his ears. The fidgeting showing that he was full of uncertainty. Why did he notice all of it? Why did it matter?

"Hey, could you... say that again?" Chizuru asked, his face heating up slightly.

"I want to go back with you." he repeated. "I shouldn't have just left like that..."

Chizuru hesitantly started to extend his hand to Yuma as they walked, only to chicken out. What was he doing? There was no need for them to be close. He was jerked out of his thoughts by something touching his hand. He looked and...

"So we won't get separated." said Yuma with a smile tightly holding his hand.

Chizuru looked at their hands then at Yuma who looked straight ahead. He was getting those feelings again, but much stronger. It felt weird. It made him want to hide. He couldn't take his mind off of how rough the palm of Yuma's hand was compared to how smooth his skin felt. Yuma met Chizuru's gaze and wondered why he was staring so intently at him.

"Is there something on my face?" asked Yuma quietly.

"Huh? Oh, no." Chizuru stammered, taking out one of Kasuka's charms.

Chizuru silently cursed himself for staring, for feeling the way he did, for noticing things about Yuma that he shouldn't be. It made it seem like he had feelings towards him. He didn't like that.