Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter One : Prologue

“Nee, Haruka.” A feminine voice calls his name.

She's the same age as him yet her hands are unscratched, kind in their gestures as she cleans his bleeding knuckles.

“I know what that guy said was annoying, but you shouldn't let a stranger’s words get to you.” The voice gently advises. “There will always be people ready to talk badly about other people…”

“He was saying mean stuff about you, Kotoha.” The little boy interrupts, mumbling. “I don't care if it's about me but he started calling you names and… I didn't like that. It made me angry.” He finishes lamely, knowing it wasn't a good enough reason for breaking someone's nose, but the guy had it coming.

The girl finishes bandaging his wounds before gently taking his hands, holding them in her delicate grasp.

“I'm glad you like me enough to care about what people say about me, but violence isn't always the right answer.” The girl, Kotoha, smiles at him.

Her kind expression only made the guilt Haruka felt grow stronger, bringing anger with it.

“I'm not like Umenii!” He suddenly blurts, guilt and anger confusingly mixing together. “I can’t stay calm and be nice to people when they're acting like scumbags and talking trash! Especially when it's about famil…”

The words suddenly stop as he realizes what he just let slip. Anguish takes over the anger and his hands start to tremble. But Kotoha’s hold on them never falters.

“Family, huh?” She finishes for him. Her soft smile grows into a grin as her cheeks take a slight pink color. “I'm really happy to hear you say that, Haruka. And you know, I'm not saying you should be more like Umemiya or stop defending what you think is important… I'm only asking you to not let anger dictate your life.”

She gently caresses his hands then, looking at the wounds with a soft expression.

“It's okay not to forgive the people that hurt you or the people you care about. But you should never let anger take over who you are and let it eat you.” She warns with a sad, knowing smile.

The boy ducks his head down in shame, the guilt coming back on his expression. Kotoha can tell he wants to apologize but knows it wouldn't change any of his past actions.

“It…sounds hard.” He says instead.

“I know.” Kotoha answers. She isn't gonna lie about it. “It may sound impossible but if someone can do it, it’s you Haruka.” She continues honestly.

Two mismatched eyes shyly raise to finally meet her gaze. They don't seem convinced but Kotoha knows what she is talking about.

“You can do it.” She repeats before grinning, releasing her hold to put one of her hands against her chest. “And if you ever need her, your big sister will always be ready to help!”

She knows her words found their goal when Sakura’s head raises abruptly, looking at her with disbelief. It takes a minute for the boy's trembling lips to smile feebly, his eyes shining with a multitude of unspoken emotions.

“We're the same age, you dummy.” He mumbles in a hoarse voice.

“I’m older by the school year system! So you better call me big sis from now on!” She defends with a satisfied grin.

She’s delighted to see Sakura scoff at her teasing instead of getting angry. But what surprises her most is the boy following words.

“Then I'm…counting on you…Kotoha…neechan.” He mumbles bashfully as his face grows progressively red.

Kotoha is stunned for a second before her smile makes her face beam with pleasure and pride.

“Leave it all to me!” She promises.

Chapter One : Back Home

“Anyone past this point who causes pain,
who brings destruction,
who holds evil in their heart,
will be purged by Bofurin without exception…”

The young man stands in front of the sticker covered sign as he reads aloud the inscribed warning. His eyes look up at the numerous chimes hanging above him, the breeze making them clink softly as petals float and fall all around the entrance of Tonpu Market Street.

“So he really did it, huh? That bastard…” The insult is softened by the smile gracing his lips.

A small sound, half a scoff, half a laugh, escapes him as he throws his bag back on his shoulder. His right hand comes to the back of his neck to check the scent patch resting there one last time before he enters the busy market.

As he walks through the street, mismatched eyes look discreetly around. It had only been two years since he was forced to leave Makochi but, from what he remembered, most of the shops appeared unchanged. It seems to be the same for their owners.

This observation makes him pull the hood a little lower over his two-tone hair as he tries to hide his face from the passersby in the hope of not bringing attention to himself.

It turns out to be hard not to look suspicious when every shop and restaurant, every side street, is bringing back memories, everything nearly making the teenager halt before he forces himself to move forward.

In the end, his efforts prove to be pointless when a familiar voice reaches his ears, successfully making him stop in his tracks.

“I told you to get out of my way!”

He didn’t have to search long to find the source of the voice. Right ahead of him, a group of five men is surrounding the figure of a recognizable woman. None of the passersby dare to intervene even if they sneak uneasy glances at them as they went by.

The man that seems to be the leader answers something he couldn't quite catch but it's not like it matters, his feet were already making their way toward them.

“...smash some eggs right into your ugly mugs, but my hands are full and… Hey! That hurts!!” The lady shouts when her arm is grabbed, interrupting her rant.

The douchebag pestering her is too occupied running his mouth sarcastically back to see that someone is coming up to them contrary to the woman that immediately notices another person approaching.
She narrows her eyes at him before a flash of recognition alight her gaze when she notices the well-used black hoodie he's wearing, the eye-catching white katakana printed on the front that spelled the fading word omurice looking awfully familiar.

His hand falls on the man’s shoulder as his voice speaks directly to her.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kotoha. That’d be a waste of eggs.”

The young woman, Kotoha Tachibana, stares dumbfounded as a set of well-known mismatched eyes meet her own.

Before anyone can react, the five men are sprawled on the ground, nearly unconscious, as the teenager stands above the man that had dared lay a hand on his sister.

“Ya’ve gotta have a few screws loose to even think you’re strong…” He grabs the beaten man by the collar to bring their faces closer. “Ya better start thinking twice before doing something that stupid ever again.” The hood had fallen down during the fight, black and white hair now visible by all passersby and shop owners that stopped to watch.

“The people of this town are under my protection, so ya better remember this face and name. I am…” Bicolor eyes fiercely stare down at the man as their owner releases his grasp, letting the body fall back to the ground with a self-sufficient smirk.

“...Sakura Haruka! From Furin High School!” He proudly declares.

Without further ado, the teenager then proceeds to wipe his hands against each other while he steps over the beaten men, making his way back towards the woman. She hasn't moved since the first punch and is now watching him with such a bewildered expression that Sakura feels his feet hesitate.

It had been two years since their forced, heartbreaking, separation at the orphanage. Two years since they haven't seen each other's faces and almost a year since Sakura's last letter…

Maybe…she forgot all about him, he thought, rubbing at his neck awkwardly.

“Yo, Kotoha... It’s been a whil-Oof!”

He doesn't have time to finish his greeting when a set of arms come around his neck, hugging him tightly as the shopping bags swing dangerously behind his back. The comforting Omega scent of his soul sister immediately fills his nose as she embraces him fiercely.

“O-Oi! Be careful! The eggs…!” He stutters, flustered by the sudden proximity.

Before he can say more, hands grab at his shoulders and start shaking him forcibly.

“When did you come back? Why didn’t you call?!” Kotoha’s voice accusingly yells at him.

“Hah?! I just saved your damn ass! Show a little gratitude!!” The teenager screams back reflexively.

That was enough to get the shock out of Kotoha and stop her manhandling as she blinks once, coming back to her senses.

“Ah. Yes, you’re right. Thank you, Haru.” She smiles, voice softening.

The earnest smile mixed with his old nickname and her familiar scent makes Sakura’s heart ache. A warm feeling, one that he thought may have been lost after those two years, immediately fills his chest, relaxing a tension he knew was there but didn't know how to get rid of.

“Y-Yeah, well. You’re welcome.” He mumbles, embarrassed despite himself. “Let me help you with that.” He quickly carries on instead, taking her shopping bags from her hands.

“Thanks. Gosh, I can’t believe you’re here and you didn’t warn me…” She says again but more good-naturally this time. “It’s been, what, two years now?”

Sakura only nods as they start walking away from the men still laying down.
He can feel Kotoha’s eyes watching him from head to toes as they walked, taking him all, watching how two years of growth and puberty made the little boy she must remember into the Omega he is now. He hadn't presented yet when he was taken from the orphanage and a sudden anxious feeling about what she would think of him, of what he'd become, made his chest constrict painfully.
He stubbornly ignores her stare.

“You look good, Haru.” She finally declares, her voice gentle and sounding a little proud, before she trots a few steps ahead, smiling expectantly at him. “Say, are you hungry?”

Next thing Sakura knows, they’re walking through the door of Pothos Cafe.
Even after two years, the place surprisingly hasn't changed much. Its atmosphere still holds the same comforting ambient smell, a mix of Kotoha's scent and ground coffee permeating the air. The familiarity of it makes the teenager’s eyes slightly sting with a heady feeling of safety.

“Come on, sit down, you can put the bags here.” She points at a free corner behind the counter, immediately putting on an apron and readying her utensils. “You still like Omurice, right?”

“Yeah…” Sakura answers distractedly.

His eyes are occupied darting around, looking at every small change he can notice while putting the bags down when the front door’s bell softly rings.

“Ah! Grandpa Yama! Welcome!” Kotoha announces when she sees who is entering. “Please sit wherever you want! I will be with you shortly!”

A well-dressed old man holding a small gift bag slowly walks inside. He softly closes the door and turns to smile gently in their direction.

“Hello Kotoha-chan. What a lovely morning it is.” He responds in kind, already making his way to his favourite place before stopping right next to Sakura, adjusting his glasses. “My, are my eyes deceiving me? Isn’t that little Sakura?” He asks with astonishment.

The fact that Sakura is recognized so easily makes the young Omega’s face flushed, his hand coming to rub at his neck as he mumbles a small greeting in return.

He talks a little with Grandpa Yama, timidly thanking him when the old man congratulates him on how well he had grown up and assuring the old man that he is alright and planning to stay in town, before being served the promise Omurice.
The first bite of rice and soft egg is bittersweet, so full of nostalgia and memories of their childhood shared at the orphanage that Sakura needs to close his eyes to really appreciate it. He wasn't about to cry over an Omurice, no matter how good it was.

It feels like he never left.

While he eats, Kotoha proceeds to ask him a bunch of questions, clearly wanting to know what the teenager she still considers family have been doing and how he was treated during these two years of absence, never once pressing for answers when Sakura only responses were non-communicable.

It really feels good being back.

“So… Does anyone else know that you've returned?” Kotoha asks, wiping her frying pan clean before hanging it.

The grimace her brother makes is all the answer she needs and she sights softly with a fond smile.
They both know which person Kotoha is suggesting after all.

“He doesn't know yet and I would prefer it to stay that way, at least until school starts…” He admits, mumbling a little as embarrassment took over. He isn't ready to face their older brother just yet.

“I see.” Kotoha simply says, not unkindly. “He won't know it from me then.” She offers him a reassuring smile and wink, her forefinger pressing against her lips, sealing the secret shared between a big sister and her little brother.

The gesture, small but again so achingly familiar, nearly succeeds in making him cry. He really has to get a hold on his emotional self soon, but every minute back to Makochi is getting more overwhelming than he could have imagined and prepared himself to.

“Thank you, Kotoha-neechan.”

The nickname fell from his lips almost naturally, like it did when he was a small kid. Kotoha seems taken aback for a second, before her smile returns, her eyes shining with an expression of deep affection.

“Ah! I can't believe you're still not eating your vegetables!” She points out suddenly when it's clear the broccoli and tomatoes in Sakura’s plate weren't going anywhere.

“Y-Ya know I've always disliked the taste!” The young man defends himself childishly.

They banter a little more, Kotoha trying to encourage her stubborn brother to try at least one of the broccoli, before Grandpa Yama interrupts them to bid his goodbye.
He would have forgotten his bag if not for Sakura, who hurriedly brought it back to him in time. The kind gesture seems to briefly take aback the old man before he smiles and thanks the teenager, quickly searching in his pocket to reward him with candies, like he did in the past when Sakura was younger.

“I hope you still like them as much as you used to, Sakura-chan.” The old man smiles and waves at him as he leaves, Kotoha politely holding the door for him before stepping outside to watch him safely walk away.

She smiles as she comes back, looking with affection as Sakura sits back in his seat and gently unwraps one of the offered candies to put in his mouth.

“I should be going too…” He mumbles around the candy but makes no moves to leave just yet.

Kotoha simply nods as she returns behind the counter. “You have a place to stay?” She asks out of concern for him.

“Yeah, a small apartment not far from school.” He evasively answers.

She smiles fondly and leans forward on the counter. “So, Furin, huh?”

She didn't need to elaborate.

“Of course. There’s no other place I'd rather be.” He answers honestly, earning a bright smile from the young woman as he gets up.

“I will be seeing you around, Kotoha.” He promises while walking away, a vague shy gesture thrown over his shoulder for goodbye.

“Haru.” The young man stopped mid-step when he was called. Already half out of the door, he turns back to a smiling Kotoha.

“Welcome back.” She softly says, voice and scent full of deep affection.

Those two simple worlds are the final straw that takes Sakura's breath away and makes his vision blur. He could feel something in him break and rearrange itself. All the remaining doubts that were weighing on his mind leaves him all at once, his body suddenly lighter with a dizzying feeling, yet he never feels more centered.

His mismatched eyes shine as the first honest, beautiful grin grace his lips since two years.

“Yeah…It's good to be home.” The Omega answers, meaning every word.

Chapter Text

Chapter Two : Prologue

“Here you are.”

Sakura doesn't look up at the familiar voice and squeezes his legs against himself a little more in a vain attempt to appear smaller. He sits directly on the grass, right under the bridge at the outskirts of the town.

An older boy comes to sit down next to him. His hair, white as snow, falls on his face. He cannot see much of the younger boy's face because of the way he hides it against his own knees. The hood Haruka often wears is pulled low on his two-tone hair, but it doesn't stop the oldest boy from inspecting him closely.

“You found quite the place, huh? I must admit the sun rays here are beautiful when they touch the river.” The white haired boy says as he looks at the horizon. “We shouldn't stay after dark though. A lot of bad guys tend to come under the bridge at night.”

He turns to the small figure with a brotherly grin as he continues, not deterred by the other boy’s silence.
“It's better if we come back home soon anyway. Kotoha-chan is making our favorite dish for dinner!”

The information doesn't seem to have any effect on Sakura but the white haired boy is patient. A comfortable silence falls between them for a time.

“Umenii…” He finally calls from the safety of his hideout, his voice a soft whisper .

“Hmm?” Umemiya asks, patiently waiting for the boy to find his words.

“...Is it always gonna stay like this?” The voice wonders worriedly. Before Umemiya could ask, the boy talks again. “I’m…happy now. I don't want things to change. The orphanage and town’s people…Everyone here is nice to me.” He thinks of another boy with long hair standing up for him and squeezes his legs a little harder. “Sometimes I'm scared it's all just a dream and I will wake up…”

Still fighting to keep his balance on the endless tightrope.

Alone.

A sudden pain flares up in his arm, making Sakura yelp in surprise. When he raises his head, he can see that the source of the sting has come from his older brother’s fingers. They had pinched his skin hard.

“Did it hurt?” Umemiya asks with a smile.

“What… Of course it hurts! What the hell…?!” Sakura screams.

His shouting only makes the white haired boy grin wider.

“Then you're definitely not dreaming!” He proclaims smartly, ignoring the dumbfounded stare his little brother gives him in response.

“You know, Haru…” Umemiya speaks over Sakura’s grumbling as he rubs his bruised arm. “I love when people are happy. I wish for everyone to always be smiling, you included.” He smiles at his little brother. “That's the goal I want to reach and for that, I plan to bring peace to the whole town...”

He turns to face his little brother with a sheepish smile.

“So I can't promise you things will stay as they are. But I can promise you this.”

Sakura’s confused expression morphs into one of silent admiration as his big brother stands, hands on his hips in a determined pose. His eyes shine with unwavering conviction.

“I will change this town into a place where you don't have to worry about dreaming anymore.” He grins at his little brother, his cheeks flushing with certainty. “A place where your heart-shaped bucket will always stay full!”

The boy stares at his elder in stunned awe. Could such a place really be built? It sounds impossible but…

Could it be? A place where the people he cherishes would be safe and happy. A place where Sakura never has to be alone ever again.

A place where even trash like him could matter…

If such a place can really exist…

His mismatched eyes start to sting.

Then he wants to be part of it.

“You always say the weirdest stuff…” The young boy complains falsely, voice hoarse as he rubs at his eyes with the back of his hand.

He stands as well, clenching his fists and meeting his older brother's determined stance with one of his own. His mismatched eyes hold a decisive glint.

“But if it's Umenii’s goal… Then I will help you.” He declares, expression showing a renewed strength.

Umemiya's grin couldn't possibly get wider as happiness overwhelms him.

“I'm counting on my little bro to help me a lot!!” He accepts, his hand going to the boy’s bicolor hair to ruffle them up.

“Oi! Quit it!” Sakura shouts as he tries to get away but only succeeds at having Umemiya hug him with both of his arms.

“Come on! Omurice awaits! We need to get home quick!!” The white hair boy shouts as he drags the younger boy with him effortlessly.

Home.

The word sounds strangely right in Sakura’s ears. It makes him smile.

“Don't drag people around like this!” He screams to keep up appearances.
“Eeh, but Haru you're too slow!” Umemiya complaints.

They banter all the way back until Furinen Orphanage comes into sight.

Chapter 2 : The place where I belong

Checking his outfit one last time in the entrance of his tiny apartment, Sakura nods to himself in self satisfaction.
The school’s opening ceremony isn't scheduled until later today but what is a few more hours of wearing the uniform when he’s gonna wear it every day starting tomorrow? It isn't as if it makes a big difference. Besides, he has no reason to hide his hair under a hood anymore, anyway.

It’s also the first time Haruka is impatient to wear a uniform.

He remembers when he had graduated from Makochi's elementary school to be registered at Dai-Ichi Junior High. He was only able to finish his first year before he had to leave but he could still remember how the idea of being forced to wear something he didn't particularly like was frustrating. He had only yielded to the school uniform because his older soul brother, Umemiya Hajime, had insisted it was an important part of the “youth’s experience”, whatever that had meant. Sakura had not wanted to deal with the foster care workers on his back every morning so he had made an effort to wear it properly.

A small smile grows on the young man’s lips as he recalls another boy with long hair that had also disliked his Junior High uniform. At least, Haruka's own outfit had been quite simple and didn't come with a tie to wear. The mope head Sakura remembers hadn't been as lucky.

“I wonder if he would like this one better…” The bicolor haired teenager asks himself aloud as he locks his apartment’s door.
Sakura certainly personally does.

So it’s freshly dressed as a first year student of Furin Senior High School that the young man starts strolling the streets, making his way toward Pothos Cafe.

The Tonpu Market street is quieter in the early hours of the morning, less crowded since most shops are still preparing to open.

Some owners appear to either recognize him or his uniform, waving at him with smiles, every worker wishing him a good day as he passes them by. Sakura makes an effort to shyly return their greetings, be that with a quick nod or a small wave of his own. He tries not to miss the safety of his hoodie too much and stubbornly ignores the way his cheeks slightly warm at the offered kindness.

The inhabitants' recognition throws him back to his earlier years when he was just an elementary school kid. He can see himself running through the street after class, eager to join his big brother and search for people in need of help. They often ended up sharing their rewards treats, all the while bantering with the lazy mope head who was always following them like a shadow.

It feels strange, remembering those memories.
It's like he never left.
Like he’s still part of the town…

“Oya, oya. Isn't that little Haru? You grew up quite fast!” A voice pulls him out of his thoughts.

Sakura stops in his tracks at the elderly voice on his left. An old woman is looking at him with a friendly smile, hands joined behind her bent back.
It takes Sakura a second too long to recognize her face.

“Huh? Granny Sato!” He suddenly remembers the grandma that used to ask for his and Umemiya’s help in carrying her shopping bags home. “You're still alive?!” He blunts before realizing how impolite that sounded.

Thankfully, Granny Sato's only reaction to his rude exclamation is a loud, hearty laugh.

“Why, you're still as wild as I remember!” She proclaims before waving him closer. “And you come along just at the right time too. I can use your help, boy, if you wouldn't mind.”

~

Kotoha is busy checking that every table is in order when the front door’s bell of Cafe Pothos rings and Sakura enters.

“Welcom- Huh? What's wrong, Haru? Do you have a tummy ache?” She asks worriedly, her big sister’s instincts rushing to the surface upon seeing the deep scowl and grimace on her little brother’s face.

“Hurry and get the hell off me! You've sure got some guts to use me as your damn horse!” Sakura suddenly screams, confusing her deeply before Granny Sato appears.

The old woman leans on the side from behind her brother’s back and waves her hand at Kotoha.

“Good morning, Kotoha-chan.” Chiyoko calmly greets.
“Granny Sato!” Kotoha exclaims, surprised.
“Oi!!!” Sakura shouts at them.

Granny Sato sighs exaggeratedly at the boy's wild behavior carrying her.

“Are you really telling an old lady to jump off your back from this height? Be more considerate of your elders, boy.” She scolds him, making the bicolor young man scream again.

“I’ll crush yer rusted bones, Granny!” He swears before feeling the weight on his back disappear as the old woman neatly jumps, landing in a perfect superhero pose.

“Goodness. You're so inconsiderate…” She complains while walking deeper into the Cafe, seemingly without any difficulty.

“Haaah?! Didn't ya say yer hips were hurting so much, ya couldn't stand?!” Sakura asks, pointing an accusatory finger at the old woman while still dutifully carrying her bags.

The accusation made Chiyoko freeze in her tracks besides Kotoha. She looks at the young woman with a conspiratorial smile on her lips and proclaims in a false tone.
“Aaah, owww. This is as far as I can go… My hips are in too much pain…”

“Don't go spouting that crap when you stick that landing like you're part of the damn Avengers!” Sakura interrupts her, offended to have been so easily manipulated.

He glares as Granny Sato sits heavily down at the nearest table, maintaining her act.

“You're still as rude and gullible as you were younger, I see. Really, you didn't change at all.” She states before smiling warmly at Sakura. “I'm glad you’ve grown up and become such a helpful Omega, Haru-chan. Thank you.”

Kotoha watches as the gratitude and acknowledgement are enough to bring a blush to her young brother’s cheeks.

This too, doesn't seem to have changed, she thinks fondly.

“I-I won't be your piggyback ride next time, Granny.” He warns with a pout, gently dropping her bags next to her seat.

“Yes, yes. We will see.” She answers with a knowing smile, quickly following before Haruka could protest once more. “Breakfast is on me. To thank you for your help, boy.”

That makes the young man clamp his mouth shut, swallowing back his comeback to simply rub at his neck, the familiar feeling of the scent pack under his fingers grounding him.

After a grumbled “Thank you”, Sakura goes to sit at the counter, just in time for Kotoha to put a fully packed egg sandwich with seasonal fruits on the side in front of him. His stomach growls at the sight.

“Your entrance ceremony is today, right?” She engages the new topic while pouring him a hot cup of coffee.

The teenager's only reply is a muffled “Mmgh”, his mouth already occupied chewing on his delicious breakfast. Kotoha's glad to see he still enjoys eating.

“But, wait… Isn't it supposed to start later in the morning?” She wonders, looking at the clock behind her to check the time.

When she turns back, her little brother was not so discreetly avoiding her gaze, sandwich still stuffed in his mouth. The adorable reaction makes her put her hand against her lips to hide her growing smile.

“I see. You're that excited, huh?” She teases sweetly. “Were you planning to go to school in advance? That would be a first!”

“S-Shut up! As if! I was just out for a walk before being dragged here by Granny Sato!” He slams his hand on the counter as pink embarrassingly starts to colour his cheeks.

“It's okay to be excited.” Kotoha reassures him quickly, even if she's still grinning. “You already know there are a lot of interesting folks there to be reunited with, after all.”

Her words surprisingly seem to settle the young man down as his mismatched eyes fall on the counter and his fingers start to fiddle awkwardly with his sandwich. Once more, the memory of an aloof boy with a mope hair head resurfaces in Sakura's mind.

“You…” He starts then halts himself, gulping a little on air before continuing, trying vainly to look nonchalant as pink slowly spreads to his ears. “You know if…he will be there…?”

Kotoha slowly blinks at him. He. It's clear that the teenager isn't talking about Umemiya. Their older brother's presence at the school is obvious since it was why Sakura decided to go to Furin in the first place. So who could he be talking…about…

Sudden realization hit Kotoha as the pink colour on her little brother's face slowly turns red. She leans on her elbow, closer to the young Omega, as her teasing smile returns, her eyelids falling a little on her knowing gaze.

“Eeh. I wonder who you're talking about, Harukaaa.” She fools around with a singsong voice.

Before Sakura can either scream nasty things at her or faint because of the blood flooding too quickly to his face, the front door bangs open, its bell ringing for the second time this morning.

“KOTOHA-SAAAN!!” A voice screams as the newcomer loudly enters the Cafe.

Sakura and Kotoha turn in unison just in time to see a blonde young man trip and crash down in the entryway.

“Oh, good morning, Nirei-chan!” Granny Sato calmly speaks into the silence that follows.

“Good morning, Granny Sato!!” The young man straightens up immediately, coming back to his feet like nothing happens.

“How does my uniform look, Kotoha-san?! It's dapper, ain't it?” He proclaims, spinning on himself with a self-satisfied smile.

The movement brings the newcomer’s scent to his sensitive nose but Sakura is too distracted as he watches the tags still hanging at the back of the uniform collar and pants whips up.

“You forgot the tags…” He warns, watching as the blonde panics, trying to see it for himself before crashing backwards.

The bicolor teenager stares as the weird guy starts wiggling on the floor, battling hard to get his hands on the offending tags.

What’s his deal? He wonders. With all these movements, Sakura can clearly smell, even from where he’s seated, that the guy is an Omega like himself. Their uniforms too were similar, indicating that he was a fellow first year student of Furin High School.

“Huh… So this guy’s in Furin too?” Sakura asks Kotoha doubtfully, nibbling on his sandwich while looking at the blonde.
“Yup.” She confirms with an easy smile. “You two will be in the same grade.”

The blonde guy - what was his name again? - then proceeds to piss Sakura off with a tantrum and a number of too personal questions the bicolor teenager prefers to ignore.
He still has half of his big sister's sandwich to eat before he can leave and Sakura hadn't planned to be pestered by a stranger while enjoying it.

“That hair! And those eyes!!”

Even after all those years, these words still fill the bicolor haired teenager with anger, quicker than he likes to admit.

“What about ‘em…?” He growls, the said eyes narrowing.

But as fast as it came, the anger dissipates when the blonde places his hands on his shoulders, freely putting his scent on Sakura as he talks about stress.
Haruka vaguely hears him but he cannot care, not when it’s clear the other boy isn't wearing scent patches, his scent fully hitting the bicolor teenager's sensitive nose clearer than before.

…A scent that is soft and oddly comforting. Similar to the ones Kotoha and Umemiya wear.

He's an Omega alright…

Kotoha's loud laugh makes him abruptly come back to himself. “Hey!!” He screams reflexively, slamming his hands on the counter once again as his cheeks start to heat.

“Sorry, sorry!” Kotoha says, still laughing and not appearing sorry at all. “Nirei, this guy here is my little brother, Sakura. He just came back into town yesterday.” She informs him.

Little brother. The term makes Sakura’s confusion and annoyance quickly recede. Kotoha has introduced him without a second thought, no hesitation in her voice. And even if Sakura still considers her as his big sister, it’s…nice to know she still feels the same way towards him. Enough to introduce him as such to strangers.

“Little brother?” The guy - Nirei? - repeats, dumbfounded. “L-L-Little brotheeer?!” He suddenly screams, searching frantically in the insides pockets of his uniform for something.

He gets a small notebook out of it, the two kanji Top Secret written on its cover, before browsing rapidly between the pages.

“I didn't know Kotoha-san had a brother! Never heard of a Sakura before either… Does it mean you two grew up in the same orphanage? Is that why some no-name kid came to Furin?” Nirei asks, mostly to himself at this point, ignoring the way Sakura angrily points at him while looking at Kotoha, who hurries to reassure him that it was normal behavior for the blonde.

“You know, Furin isn't just any other normal high school! The people of Bofurin stand up to protect the town. They defend the weak and crush the wicked, gender blindly. They're like heroes here!” Nirei proclaims, clapping his notebook shut.

Sakura looks at the other Omega for a time as he speaks passionately about Furin. He’d wondered how much his brother had succeeded in changing the infamous school during these two years… It seems like it was a lot already if people were now coming to Furin willingly.

He goes back to his sandwich when the blonde’s speech doesn't stop and goes on about his own motivation, excited pheromones starting to invade the bicolor teenager’s nose.

“And that's why I need to know why someone who's left town would suddenly be back and want to come to Furin?!” Nirei finally finishes, finger pointed at Sakura accusingly.

“Because that's where I belong.” Sakura simply states as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

He bites into his sandwich and ignores the way the blonde’s passionate attitude falters, his excited scent decreasing.

“It’s true I was forced to leave town two years ago, but it was never my choice.” Sakura explains, a weird serene feeling taking hold of his voice as certainty fills him. “Before coming here, my life was hell. Didn't think it would ever change.” He continues eating while talking, as nonchalant as he can be speaking of this topic.

He can feel Kotoha’s and Granny Sato’s eyes on him as he pursues, munching on the last bit of his sandwich. “But it did. And it was mainly thanks to Makochi’s inhabitants. I have a debt towards the people who accepted me as their own, into their precious lives and cherished town.” He licks his thumb clean with a fond smile that turns predatory when he looks directly at the blonde.

“So I will damn well do my best to protect it all.”

To protect the world Umemiya worked so hard to build. The space he promised his little brother could be safe, rest, breathe and simply be.

The place Sakura could call home.

“...If you planned to do that. You should watch yourself.” Nirei suddenly warns, voice rough from an emotion Sakura couldn't discern, making his mismatched gaze turn dangerous. “If you say that and you actually try for it…” Before he can move, hands are back on his shoulders. “...Then you will definitely go bald.”

While the bicolor first year is too stunned to react, Kotoha isn't. Laughter fills the Cafe as she slams her hand on the counter, making Haruka flushes as he raises angrily from his seat.

“All right, I've had enough! We're taking this outside! Both of you!” He challenges the blonde and his sister but Nirei is already waving his hands in surrender.

“Sorry, sorry. I'm just relieved!” He admits, smiling nervously when Sakura's comeback is an incredulous “Haah?!” making the blonde scratch at his own cheek in embarrassment.

“When I heard someone out of town was coming to Furin… I didn't know what to think. I thought you were probably bad news but… hearing you talk like you just did…”

Sakura's face changes from annoyance to surprise when the Omega’s smiles brightly at him, a sweet scent filling the space between them.

“Sakura-san, you're actually a nice guy, huh?” He declares, making the bicolor teenagers blush brutally.

“Wh-Why the sudden…?!” Sakura starts stuttering, only to be interrupted by clashing noise from outside the Cafe.

Loud crashing sounds of breaking glass are approaching, mixed with multiple laughter and false cheers, making everyone turn to the front door.

“What’s going on?” Granny Sato worriedly asks, shakily raising from her seat.

Sakura immediately turns to her. “Stay here, Granny. Don't you dare go outsi- Oi!” He shouts when Nirei runs past him. “Tsk! Kotoha! Stay here with Granny Sato!” He orders, looking directly at his sister before running to the door.

“Understood! Haruka!” She cries out before he can leave. “Be careful!”

Sakura looks at her and upon seeing the genuine worry in her eyes, nods quickly before going out of the Cafe.

By the time he’s outside, the noises had stopped, replaced by voices shouting mockery and wicked laughing. Not far from the Cafe, a group of men had amused themselves by wrecking store fronts and window displays, breaking plants and advertising easels, scattering bits of their destruction all around the street.

Anger towards the scums that dare to put their hands on the place he learned to cherish makes Sakura's blood boil.
He’s about to throw himself at them, beat their ugly mugs until none of them is left standing when he sees it.

Nirei is already there, trying to stop them, or at least fighting against the man that had been the closest to the Cafe. A baseball bat was laying on the floor not far from the two. The scumbag that had been in charge of breaking windows must have lost his hold on it when Nirei charged at him.

Sakura’s eyes fall back on the Omega as a hard punch sends the blonde tumbling down into the glass fragments scattered all over the ground.

Laughter resonates in the streets as red splatter the ground, glass cutting into the young man's hands, but that wasn't enough to deter him. The Furin first year raises himself up quickly, throwing himself at the man once more, grabbing him by the waist in a new attempt to stop him.

“...Those who cause pain, who bring destruction, who hold evil in their heart…” He screams at the top of his lungs. “...will be purged by Bofurin! Without exception!!”

Another wave of laughter echoes before the thug grabs the blonde hair painfully, making the younger man grit his teeth.

“You think yelling shit like this is gonna make you stronger? No matter what you saw on TV, you're just an Omega!” The man mocks, trying to get said Omega off himself.

It's obvious to Sakura that Nirei isn't about to back down.

For what he's seeing, it's true he is weak, even for an Omega, but it is also evident that he was serious when he proclaimed he was now a Furin's student and that meant protecting the people of this town and what they care about.

When it becomes clear that the blonde isn't about to release his grip, the thug starts punching him widely.

“That's enough! Let go, asshole! I've already told you you weren't the Furin’s Omega brat we were looking for so give up already!” He joins his hands together readying himself to crash them into the teenager’s back. “You know what? It's time someone put you back to your place!!”

Nirei braces himself for the incoming impact but it never lands. Instead, the thug is suddenly out of his grip, sent backwards with enough force that his own hold on the man falters. It makes him look up just in time to see the man's body being knocked a few meters away.

The loss of support, as sudden as it was brutal, throws him off balance and Nirei comes stumbling back on all four. A second later, Sakura is landing on his feet in front of him, straightening his uniform’s jacket and dusting his shoulder nonchalantly.

“Wh-Why did you…save me?!” Nirei asks as he sits back, stunned.

The bicolor teenager only looks at him over his shoulder, not responding before facing the approaching crowd.

“Well, well. The Omegas of this town really aren't right in the head, heh? I didn't think you'd have the guts to come at us, ya Furin punk.” One of the men wearing a bandage on his cheek smiles at Sakura.

It was the same asshole that had grabbed Kotoha by the arm yesterday.

Anger flares up again in Haruka’s guts as he advances forward without hesitation, coming close enough for the scum to grab his shoulder. The unwanted contact only served to make his hackles rise higher.

“What? You gonna ignore me now? You're the one going around, telling people to not forget your name and weird face but here you go forgetting mine.” He gloats.

More useless words fall from the bastard’s mouth but Sakura couldn't care less. He isn't about to listen to this pitiful excuse of an Alpha. Not when even his Omega’s instincts are telling him to get rid of the threat, the territorial trespassing making his blood boil his insides.

The scum snarks something about Sakura's hair as his face gets closer to the Omega. His smile turns flabbergasted when mismatched eyes rise to bore into his own, glaring. “Wait. Is that your real hair?! And you're not wearing any contacts either…” He realizes.

Behind Sakura, Nirei slowly gets to his feet. He looks at the scene unfolding in front of him, knees shaking and feeling powerless to intervene as wicked laughter and mockeries travel through the crowd.

“Huh? Seriously?”
“That mop is his real hair?”
“What is he? A cat?”
“Nya, nya!”
“What a waste of Omega.”

“Disgusting.”

Sakura lips slowly shape themselves into a humorless smile.

This was the reaction he had learned to be accustomed to when he was younger, before joining Furinen. The reaction he was forced to endure all over again after leaving Makochi.

After all these years, he’s still more used to people pushing him away, rejecting him, dismissing him than accepting him.

Sakura remembers when he first came to Makochi. His six years old self had already given up on others. He didn't really care about being rejected anymore but he had wanted to, at least, find some worth in himself.

So he started fights, punching whoever dared to mock him or his appearance, no matter their age, no matter their gender. Because if he beat the person in front of him, then it meant he was better than them. It made him worthy. It made him strong.

Or so he believed.

“I told you to think twice before bothering the people of this town ever again…” He reminds them, teeth showing as his smile turns into a snarl.

The scumbag only snorts, spreading his arms and looking at the men behind him, not sensing the incoming danger.

“You picked the wrong guy to slug. There ain't a team in this town who would stay quiet after getting a fist to the face. But you know what? I'm a good Alpha. I'm sure I can forgive you if you beg and apologi-”

A well-deserved punch cut him short, smashing his nose into his ugly mug.
As the Alpha falls backwards, the rest of the men are suddenly able to see the expression the smaller Omega is wearing.

It is one of a wild, furious beast.

Bodies start to fall as Sakura punches his way through the crowd restlessly.

In the end, it doesn't matter if people keep mocking him. It doesn't even matter if people keep rejecting him.

Sakura evades the punch destined to his face.

As long as he’s strong in a fight…

He smashes his knee into the closest opponent’s face.

As long as he isn't alone anymore…

His feet make contact with the side of another scumbag‘s head.

As long as he has something to protect…

Nirei watches with stunned admiration as the bicolor haired Omega takes the upper hand despite being outnumbered.

Then Sakura is never, ever, going to lose!

~

It was taking too long. Screams and crashing sounds could still be heard from the outside and neither Sakura nor Nirei had come back.

“Granny Sato, I need you to lock the door behind me, okay? Don't go outside.” Kotoha asks, determined to go help his little brother.

“Wh-What are you going to do, Kotoha-chan?!” The old woman asks, hands trembling around the key the young woman gives her.

“I don't know. But I can't stay put when my little brother may be in danger.” She answers before running.

Kotoha slams the door shut behind her as soon as she’s outside. She doesn't wait to check if Granny Sato successfully locks the door, her attention immediately going to her left where the fight is happening.

As her gaze searches for the familiar blonde or black and white’s heads, she misses the man running away from the crowd. Before she can react, the man painfully grabs her and a knife finds its way near her body, way too close to her ribs.

“What do you think you're doing?!” She screams, panic-stricken.

She can see Haruka now, as he freezes in his fight to turn back to them.

“Hey Punk! Ya better stand still!!” The man grabbing Kotoha yells at the teenager. “You Furin bastards can't do a thing if we…Argh!”

The knife clatters loudly on the ground as Nirei throws himself at the man, grabbing him by the waist and making him lose his hold on Kotoha.
Not a second later, the aggressor is thrown back away by a well placed kick from Sakura.

“Thanks!” Haruka shouts at Nirei as he puts himself between the two Omegas and the rest of the group.

“Y-you’re welcom- Watch out!” The blond cries out when another man tries to hit the bicolor haired teenager from the side.

Another kick sends the attacker to the ground.

They slowly start to get surrounded, forcing their backs against one of the shop’s closed iron curtains.

Sakura grits his teeth at the situation. His heartbeat hammers against his chest with a mix of adrenaline and apprehension, his nose and mouth full with the stench of fear coming from the two Omegas behind him as Kotoha helps Nirei stay on his feet.

“I told you not to come out!” He growls at her.

Before she can answer, a sickening noise reaches their ears and Sakura stumbles, looking angrily down at the man that had just used the knife previously thrown on the ground to slash at his ankle. A kick to the head sends him away from them.

“Sakura-san!”

Shit!

Sakura evades just in time the bat that was destined for his head. He slips, losing briefly his balance when his ankle flares in pain, back crashing into Nirei and Kotoha and blocking them against the iron curtain. He recovers quickly, straightening to protect their bodies with his own from any hit that would follow.

“Haru!” Kotoha's muffled voice calls worryingly.

Sakura can see the bat get raised again. There’s no way for him to dodge the hit without letting it land on one of the Omegas standing behind him and like hell he’s gonna let this happen.

It's all my fault. He thinks as he closes his eyes, bracing himself for the impact.

A loud thud reverberates through him but the pain never comes. Instead a familiar scent reaches his nose through the smells of fear, sweat and blood.

“Haaah… School hasn't even started yet and you’ve already got yourself caught up in trouble…” A well-known voice suddenly speaks.

Sakura's body jolts as he opens his eyes. Standing between them and their attacker is a man with short spiked hair wearing a Furin's uniform. A man Haruka recognizes.

“Shark teeth…” He breathes, heart hammering in his ears.

The old nickname seems to amuse the man since he smiles fondly at Sakura while grabbing the end of the bat that had landed on his right shoulder.

“Kotoha-chan, Haru-chan. Let's keep this inconvenience between us, okay? He doesn't need to know.” The Alpha kindly asks before knocking the man still holding the bat away from them with a well placed elbow to the face.

By the time their savior straightens and turns around, his expression has changed to glare daggers at what is left of the group of scumbags standing.

“Hey, ya little shits…” He raises the bat, showing it to them accusingly. “Don't go swinging this kinda stuff around town.”

Three more Furin’s students walk forward to join the Alpha that had protected them, supporting his sides. Two Betas and one Omega.

Sakura recognizes them all.

"Ya understand what doing this shit gets you, right?!” The Alpha roars, bending the bat in half under his strong grip before throwing it on the ground.

“Matsumoto, Kaji, Yanagida! Don't let a single one of them get past us! Send them flying!!”

Sakura watches as the three other students dashed into the fight as one, immediately beating up the men still standing, sending them crashing down one after the other.

A quick look behind him shows that the protective roar the Third Year had released had settled everyone's nerves, Omega’s instincts telling them that everything will be alright now that an Alpha is here. They are safe.

“T-That's…H-Hiiragi Toma!” Nirei feebly says from behind Sakura. “One of the Four Kings of Bofurin!”

“Yeah…” Kotoha’s sigh is heavy with relief. “Everything's gonna be okay now.”

The way they sound so reassured makes Sakura's heart clenches. He grits his teeth as he realizes bitterly that he hasn't been able to make them feel safe like this. That he’d failed at protecting them properly…

Momentarily lost in thought, the bicolor haired teenager doesn't react right away when the guy that had cut his ankle suddenly stood up, readying himself to punch the Omega hard.

Sakura's ankle flares in pain when he tries to move, immobilizing him momentarily once again. But his attacker has overlooked the fact that Hiiragi was close, the Alpha flying kick throwing the aggressor away from Haruka.

“If you're hurt then get back!!” The Alpha yells, scowling him.

“Shut up! Don't order me around!” The Omega immediately retorts, offended.

“Stay still, you moron! Keep wobbling around and I won't be able to protect your dumb ass!!” He shouts as he sends another man attacking his back flying away from them, making Sakura’s anger blast once more.

“And I'm telling you…” He screams, forcing his body to move and kick an opponent holding another knife away from the Alpha. “That I don't need protection!!!” He finishes, glaring at his Sempai while the inhabitants howl encouragement at them.

“Tsk!” Hiiragi isn't able to stop the grin spreading across his lips. “You haven't changed at all, have you? Well, try not to end up at the hospital, you brat!” He warns, going back to the fight.

“That only happened once!” Sakura shrieks behind him, fists and feet flying around. He isn't going to be beaten that easily.

Further away from the fight, Nirei is watching them, humble admiration in his expression.

“None of their opponents are getting past them. That's awesome… Hiiragi-san and the others are so awesome.” He clenches his fists, skin covered by scratches. “Even Sakura-san. He's my age and an Omega too, but I never thought…” The blonde bites his trembling lips when a hand gently touches his shoulder. He looks over at Kotoha’s soft smile.

“Haruka clearly doesn't let his gender hold him back and neither should you, Nirei.” She advises kindly before looking at the Furin's students punching the last few opponents down. “None of them does.”

Nirei's only response is to follow her gaze and swallow with difficulty.

~

With a last kick, the fight is suddenly over.

Sakura breathes a sigh of relief, grimacing when pain flares again as he tries to put more of his weight on his injured ankle. He distractedly hopes the cut isn’t too important and only needs some bandages. No way he’s about to miss his first day at school because some bastard succeeded in landing a lucky hit on him…

Mismatched eyes blink owlishly when a brown lollipop suddenly appears right in front of his face.

He stupidly looks at the offering hand then over at the silver haired Omega holding up the candy.
Kaji Ren is looking at him with a disinterested look, his headphones resting around his neck still playing their loud music.

“You did good.” The young man mumbles around the lollipop in his mouth.

So it was Kaji alright. Sakura had thought so when he arrived but the dyed silver hair had thrown him off. Gone was the black haired boy he remembered. Now, standing in front of him, is an even cooler looking teenager.

Sakura sends him a glare that could have been impressive if his cheeks weren't turning pink.

“Where are we? Kindergarten?” He grumbles but snatches the candy before the other Omega can take it away.

He fumbles a little with the wrapping. He can feel Kaji’s eyes on him, surely taking the way Sakura had changed too. Two years had passed after all so it was normal for people to stare. Haruka better get used to it sooner than later.

Their scents too aren't the same since the last time they have seen each other. Sakura's Omega senses had not yet awakened back then but he remembers that the boy’s presence was already comforting at the time. Now, his scent is even more reassuring, putting the bicolor haired Omega’s hackles at ease.

This scent fits him, Sakura embarrassingly thinks as he puts the candy into his mouth.

“...Ugh. What’s that?” He asks, getting the strange flavored lollipop out of his mouth to look at it suspiciously.

“Milky cocoa-vanilla.” The silver haired boy deadpans, as if Haruka should be aware of the latest flavor trend.

The candy was weird and not really tasty. But it was a gift from Kaji so Sakura only sighs before putting it back in his mouth.

“Thanks…Kajinii.” He mutters bashfully, mismatched eyes averted.

The old nickname takes the Second Year student aback, before his cheeks too, turns a slight pink color.

“It's nothing.” He grimaces, his low voice easily covered by another one as a shadow looms over Sakura.

“Yo, Sakura!” Matsumoto loudly welcomes him. “You just came back to town and you're already all pumped up to throw down, huh?!”

A hand starts hitting him heartily in the back, nearly making him spit his hard won prize. As disgruntled as he is with the taste, he wasn't about to waste it.

“Stop hitting me, ya gorilla!” The Omega screams. “Why must you always slap me so hard, dammit!”

He took a step away from the Beta only to collide against another body. Whispers reach his ears, too soft for him to understand their meanings. When Sakura turns around, Yanagida is standing close, looking down at him.

“Hah? If you have something to say, speak clearly.” The teenager asks, eyes narrowing.

Yanagida didn't bother to speak up.

“ …haven't changed at all…hot tempered…” The Omega discerns part of what the Beta is mumbling.

And hot tempered he still is. Sakura bites on the candy in his mouth, nearly breaking it in two.

“You're looking for a fight, is that it?!” The bicolor haired teenager shouts.

A hand quickly grabs his collar, holding him back while he hisses at his offender, hands trying to get a hold on the Beta.

“Stop moving around so restlessly, you idiot! You're still injured!” Hiiragi scolds him.

The familiarity of it all doesn't occur to Sakura until the inhabitants start surrounding them, thanking them for their help. Scents of relief and gratitude rapidly fill the air, so honest that the Omega actually stops trying to grab at the Beta.
As he turns over, he notices the residents’ appreciation isn't only destined to the other Furin's students.
Smiles and happy faces are looking at him fondly.

“Haruka-chan was also incredible!”
“I knew I recognized him!”
“You grew up so much!”
“Still good at fighting though! Those kicks were impressive!”
“You really helped us out! Thank you!”

Compliments continue to overlap each other so fast, Haruka isn't able to answer, awkwardness only making him look at everyone in a dumbfounded way.

A sweet, happy feeling blooms in the Omega's chest.

“I saw you getting hurt, we should treat your wound quickly. Come here.”

The bicolor haired teenager isn't in a state to resist when an old woman takes his hand and gently guides him forward. He's too occupied to not have his face burst into flame.

It definitely feels good being back.

~

Sakura is ushered to the side of the street and forced to sit down so Kotoha can treat his wound carefully.

“The blade didn't go too deep. That's a relief.” She says after cleaning the cut and examining the damage. “You will still have to be careful though.” She warns with a stern look, relaxing only when her little brother nods.

While he waits for his big sister to finish bandaging his ankle, the teenager looks at the Omega next to him.

Nirei sits in silence as the cuts on his hands are being treated by Granny Sato and the old woman that had previously guided Sakura. Now that he looks at her properly, he reckons she works at the pharmacy nearby.

“So… You also know Hiiragi-san, huh?” Nirei states, catching Haruka’s attention.

The blonde Omega's lips quiver, his eyes not meeting his mismatched ones. Sakura leans back on his hands, gaze falling on the group of Furin's students that is still surrounded by the inhabitants, laughing and joking together.

Safe.

“Yeah. The others too, actually. They were already hanging together when we met.” He explains, looking over at Kotoha when she finishes bandaging his injury.

He grumbles a quick “Thanks” that owes him a reprimanding slap on his calf from his big sister.

“I see…” Nirei says with a self deprecating smile. “You've always been around cool people, huh, Sakura-san. No wonder you're so strong…” He laughs a little, but it is a fragile thing.

Sakura's gaze loses itself far away but he seems to be listening so Nirei pursues.

“Thank you…for helping me.”

As soon as the recognition leaves Nirei’s lips, the bicolor haired teenager stands to dust his pants nonchalantly, ignoring the warning from Kotoha to take it easy.
The blonde Omega’s eyes dart to the floor as his vision blurs with tears, a sinking feeling taking place in his stomach.

“You must think it's a disappointment, isn't it? To have someone like me in Bofurin…or even in Furin…” He swallows with difficulty. “D-Despite being an Omega… I wanted to be cool, to be strong… That's why I've chosen Furin…But…” His tears were accumulating too much to stay contained. “I'm absolutely pathetic…”

“That's not it.” Sakura brusquely interrupts.

He’s still looking straight ahead with a hard look, not turning around as Nirei slowly raises his head to look at him.

“How ya look, what gender ya are, all this doesn't matter in a fight. What matters is for what ya fighting for.” The teenager turns then, mismatched eyes falling intensely on the blonde, making his heart quiver.

Silence has fallen around them. The laughter and easy jokes subdued by the serious conversation happening nearby. Sakura can feel multiple sets of eyes on them but it isn't important right now.

“Say… Do you know what color the coffee fruit is?” Haruka suddenly asks.

“Eh? Coffee…fruit?” The question clearly throws the blonde Omega off balance. “Isn’t it…red?”

Sakura nodded at his correct answer. “A lot of people think it's brown, like the grain itself. For a long time I did too... But someone told me they were smooth and red like a cherry and that their seeds were originally white before being roasted...” The teenager babbles, scratching at the scent pack resting at his neck.

He bites a little on the candy in his mouth as he looks over his sister for support.

She smiles encouragingly at him.

“What I'm trying to say is…” Sakura continues in a rough voice. “It makes me realize that ya can't know about something if ya don't really look at its true shape. So I tend to avoid making assumptions…”

Kotoha is looking at him, watching with a quiet pride as they both remembered the words she once told him some years ago.

“Give it a good look. Try to understand. And you'll figure out what someone is truly like.”

Sakura let his hand fall back against his side, his expression softening.

“A guy who's ready to fight to protect the things and people he cares about…” To Nirei’s shock, the young man’s cheeks start turning pink, a pout forming on his lips as the bicolor haired teenager’s gaze slid shyly away.

“There's no way… I'd find a guy like that…pathetic.” Haruka finishes, mumbling a little as embarrassment overtakes him.

Everyone around starts to smile at the touching scene in front of them. Nirei, for his part, cannot move, cannot talk. His head falls back down as fat tears finally escape his eyes, slipping on his cheeks and landing on the ground.

“To think…someone as cool as you doesn't find me pathetic…” He sobs a little, sniffing loudly and using his sleeve to wipe his face.

Kotoha watches as the blonde Omega wobblingly gets back to his feet, searching into his uniform and getting out his notebook and pen…before throwing himself at Sakura.

“Height, weight, blood type, birthday, hobbies, skills, best attacks, and what do you look for in a future mate?!”

The close proximity and the intimate questions, especially the last one, make Sakura tenses, a blush immediately creeping to his face.

“Wh-Wha-?! Hey!!”

He hisses when Nirei ignores him to continue, drowning him in a flow of words Sakura couldn't understand, not when the blonde’s hands were touching him everywhere, mixing their scents even more thoughtfully.

It was way too overwhelming for the bicolor haired teenager and the only appropriate response he can think of is to hit the blonde right on the head, none too gently.

“Don't touch me! Don't measure me! Stop scenting me!!” Sakura screams, his face beet red.

Nirei rubs his head sheepishly as he apologizes, people around them laughing fondly at their antics.

“I like gathering data on the people that I think are super cool…” Nirei explains, making the blush on Sakura's cheeks grow redder.

“Aw, you have an admirer, Haru-chan.” Hiiragi’s voice teases behind them.

“Shut your trap!” Sakura screams at him before turning away from everyone, answering the blonde searching puppy eyes. “Do whatever you want! I'm leaving!”

“Ah, okay!” The Omega stumbles back to his feet quickly. “I'll watch you up close! And while I'm at it, I will help you.” Nirei proclaims enthusiastically, following the bicolor haired teenager.

“Hah?” Sakura stops in his tracks. “Are you trying to imply that I can't get by myself?”

“Uhh, n-not at all! I might not be helpful in a fight… But I know all about the town and its people! And since you've been away for some time… Well, I will help you so you can protect everyone!” He declares with a bright smile.

Sakura stares at him with surprise, a pleasant, almost sweet scent escaping the two Omegas as they connect one to another.

“Come on! It's almost time for the opening ceremony!” Sakura’s arm is suddenly pulled as he’s forced to walk forward. “The school is this way!”

“Don't drag me! Hey! Are you listening?!” Sakura yells as he tries to dig his feet into the floor.

Kotoha sighs softly as she watches as the two figures walk away. Her fond smile and tender expression only shows the affection she bears for the two Omegas.

“It's good to have him back, huh?” Hiiragi stops at her side, smiling in a similar fashion.

“Yeah. Furin’s students don't know it yet… But they're very lucky.” Kotoha predicts proudly, crossing her arms on her chest. “And so is Haru.”

In front of them, Nirei and Sakura disappear around a corner, still bickering with each other.

“I can't wait to see what great things they will do together!” Kotoha grins up at the open blue sky.