Chapter Text
“Sakura-kun, why do you always wear a scent blocker patch?”
Sakura’s heartbeats stop right at that second.
His eyes are fixed on the tip of the glass bottle pointed at him. It’s the classic Truth or Dare. He’s foolishly chosen the truth. He should’ve known better—especially with Suo Hayato present in their circle.
He inhales deeply before muttering his answer, “Ain’t it polite to slap a patch on your neck?”
The room is quiet. Several people hum in agreement. Others wait with bated breath, seemingly expecting him to elaborate further. Yet, they will get nothing.
Sakura clenches his fists by his side. He’s all too familiar with Suo’s mischievous ploys to mess with people. But this one has gone too far.
Everyone in Furin knows by now that Sakura Haruka never takes off his scent blocker. There’s a reason, obviously. Thankfully, everyone is considerate enough not to ask him invasive questions. Everyone but Suo Hayato, as it seems.
“Sakura-kun, you can’t answer a question with another question. That’s one of our rules in this game.” Turning to face their leader with a faux innocent smile on his lips, Suo prompts their leader, “Isn’t that right, Umemiya-san?”
“Eh? Err…”
Umemiya laughs sheepishly, looking pretty much like a deer caught under a red light. He’s seemingly curious about it too, yet it’s not exactly a secret that Umemiya holds a soft spot for Sakura as one of his favorite juniors.
“Suo, just let it go,” Umemiya utters softly after a brief moment of pondering.
Sakura’s gaze slides towards Umemiya. Catching his senpai’s understanding gaze makes him feel a little at ease. He’s a bit embarrassed about having to rely on Umemiya to defend him, yet it’s not like he’s in any position to be complaining now. For once, Sakura smartly keeps his mouth sealed shut.
It’s not like he’s keeping some huge, dangerous secret.
It’s not like that at all.
The reason why he’s always wearing a scent blocker patch is a very personal one. It’s something Sakura never tells anyone. Ever.
He doesn’t get why Suo is suddenly curious. He doesn’t understand why Suo is suddenly interested in it. After all, he’s far from being the only alpha who constantly wears a scent blocker.
In any other school, it would be common courtesy for alpha students to wear a scent blocker in the school area. Given that Furin’s students are mostly made up of alphas and betas, the unspoken rule doesn’t really apply at Furin. Still, seeing an alpha going around wearing one shouldn’t be that weird.
Unless Suo has picked up on his reason behind it.
“Fine.” Suo unexpectedly relents with a sigh. “Let’s continue the game.”
Sakura’s gaze darts towards Suo and finds that lone eye is fixed on him. Suo’s unreadable stare somehow makes him shiver. For the first time since he’d arrived at Makochi, an all too familiar sliver of fear runs down his spine.
Just what actually Suo is after now…?
Sakura might never know. Suo is too unpredictable. Even now, sitting across from the other boy, Sakura gradually feels uneasy with Suo’s intense stare aimed at him. He tries to distract himself by staring at the spinning bottle in front of him. Even so, it’s still useless.
The empty bottle comes to a stop right in front of Kaji, who’s sitting just right beside him.
Sakura’s heartbeat speeds up once again. That was so close.
Fuck. Enough.
Enough of this stupid game. He can no longer enjoy it.
“Tsk. I’m beat-up. Gonna hit the sack now,” Sakura mumbles.
He abruptly gets up, ignoring people’s questioning stares and hastily makes his way towards his tent.
Cold spring breeze on the beach sends a biting chill down to his bones. It was Umemiya’s idea to hold a campfire at Makochi’s beach despite the remnants of winter still very much present. As always, what their leader wants, their leader gets. It’s not like any of them has any objection either.
With time ticking, and calendar turning into March, the third-years graduation is just a mere month away. Umemiya is getting emotional over it. So do his loyal followers.
Rumor has it that Four Heavenly Kings have decided on Kaji as the next leader to take on Umemiya’s spot. Rumor also has it that they expect him, Sakura Haruka, to fill in the very same spot the following year. Despite his own resolution when he first set his foot on Makochi, the current him, however, is not so sure if he will ever be ready for that kind of responsibility.
His musing is interrupted when he realizes there’s a set of footsteps trudging on the sands approaching his tent. His heartbeat speeds up as he unconsciously holds his breath.
“Sakura-kun…?”
Sakura grits his teeth. “Whaddya want?”
The footsteps continue to approach him until a hand lays gently on his shoulder.
“Easy now,” Suo says soothingly, “You forgot your scarf. I thought you might be cold without them.”
Sakura stays still as Suo wraps the scarf around his neck with much more gentleness than expected. That doesn’t change the fact that Suo’s actions have been a little jarring.
As if reading his mind, Suo offers him an apologetic smile. “Did I make you upset with my question?”
“……”
“I have my own reasons. But believe me, Sakura-kun, I have absolutely no intention of making you uncomfortable.”
The words are murmured as Suo’s hand reaches out. His fingertips lightly trace the paper-thin patch that’s blocking the scent gland on Sakura’s neck. It’s a little ticklish. Sakura’s heart races faster in response. His whole body tensed-up even though his instincts cannot sense any real danger. Suo is leaning so close that Sakura can feel his warm breath against his cold skin.
“Mm, you hate it, don’t you?”
Sakura freezes on the spot. The tranquil moment is instantly broken to pieces.
“…What’re ya talkin’ about?”
“Being an alpha,” Suo elaborates with a faint smile, “You hate it, right? I can tell, you know?”
“How…?”
Sakura shoots his hand out on reflex, catching Suo’s wrist in an iron-tight grip. His breathing speeds up. His throat’s drying as fear and shock rapidly wash over him. He almost fails to realize it when his grip nearly crushes Suo’s wrist.
“HOW DID KNOW?! WHO FUCKING TOLD YOU—”
“No one.”
Suo’s gaze softens. He doesn’t move, yet he doesn’t back off either.
“Sakura-kun, you are hurting me. Can you please let go of my hand? I promise I won’t run away or anything.”
Sakura unclenches his grip in a flash as if Suo’s skin burns him. His eyes are glued on Suo’s unreadable expression, desperately trying to decode his friend’s motives. Despite Sakura’s blatant stress, though, Suo appears as calm as ever.
“Can we have a talk outside? I think the others will be back soon.”
Sakura scowls. “You’re not answering my question yet.”
“I will give you answers, but not here. I’m sure this is not a conversation that you want them to hear,” Suo says quietly.
Sakura clenches his shaky fists, nails digging into his palm, drawing a thin trail of blood. Yet, it’s not like he’s got any other option here.
“Fine,” Sakura spits out.
Suo nods with a satisfied smile. “Alright, follow me.”
Sakura has no choice but to follow. His hands tremble slightly as he drags his feet several steps behind Suo.
For almost a year, Sakura has kept his secret.
For almost a whole year, ever since he stepped his foot on this town, people no longer give a crap about him being an alpha.
He can’t figure out what on earth has he done for Suo, out of all people, to suddenly back him into a corner like this.
He respects Suo as a friend. He cares about Suo too. What did he ever do wrong for Suo to get so upset and use his own secret against him?
Why the hell he always fucks things up and end up doing something wrong?
Sakura always hates doing something wrong. He hates making mistakes. Mistakes always mean pain. He hates it.
But most of all,
He hates the cold fear that comes with being kept in the dark.