Chapter Text
Atsuhiro woke up with the sense of dread in his stomach, more so than usual. Ayato just last night had asked their parents if his friend group could spend the weekend together before their graduation. Which means that the boy, actually now man, Hatano would be staying the night as well. Atsuhiro laid in his bed with a silent tear rolling down his cheek. He couldn't find an escape for the weekend, not even with the help of Minamoto and Mayama.
Slowly rising from bed, he sulked as he went downstairs to eat with his family. Ayato's semi-cheerful voice ringed out, "Morning niichan." While Atsuhiro glared at Ayato beside him and sharply stabbed his food. 'Damn brat. If it was any other weekend, our parents would have probably said no. But alas, it's the weekend before graduation.' His mind supplied but his train of thought stopped feeling a small furry body rub against his leg. 'Ahhhhh~~~ Miiko' He swooned over the small cat that cried for the food his owner was eating.
"So what time is your friends coming over dear?" Their mom asked as she looked towards Ayato who was typing, probably Toujou, on his phone. "They said they'll be here about 10." Ayato replied with a slight frown on his face. 'Did something happen with Toujou?' Atsuhiro questioned while chewing a large amount of food in his mouth. 'I kind of hope not, he would be a great in-law in the future. Knowing Toujou he would survive and thrive in any environment.' Their mom nodded while their dad opened his mouth as his wife fed him. Ayato made a semi-disgusted face at the action but Atsuhiro knew that both him and Ayato loved seeing how happy their parents are, no matter how they acted.
After eating, both brothers started to clean the off the table and to do the dishes while their parents left for the day, wanting to get a nice trip while the house is full and with Atsuhiro being able to watch after the younger men. Atsuhiro wished that he could have left with them but his mom's plead for him to watch over Ayato won over. Sighing softly he handed the last dish to Ayato for him to dry. Now having finished cleaning, Atsuhiro looked at the clock as saw that he had almost an hour left for the others to get at the house. 'Better go out to grab snacks and drinks just in case. Also better grab extra knowing Ayato.' He left upstairs to grab his wallet and keys, yelling to Ayato that he would be back in about 45 minutes.
"Aniki, could you grab some extra snacks just in case? Toujou said he would buy some with Hatano but I'm unsure on how much they're bringing." Ayato asked at the entrance as Atsuhiro walked down the street. Raising a thumbs up to show that he heard, he continued to walk towards the nearby convenience store for his items. Entering the store, he grabbed a basket and went towards the food section as he grabbed different types of food and snack bags. Going to towards the drink section, Atsuhiro grabbed drinks that he thinks that the boys would like. Grabbing ramune cause their still technically in high school, ocha (green tea) for Toujou and Hatano's taste, Pocari Sweat for Misato, and Calpis for Yanagi. Although he passed the alcohol section and pondered if he should grab a bottle of sake. 'Probably shouldn't since it could raise a flag between the big red flag, although it would be good to have on hand.' His hands reached slightly towards the sake but ultimately decided not to for his sake.
Going to the checkout line, he ran into Toujou who had his own large amount of snacks and drinks. "Ahh Ayato's niichan." Toujou said with a surprised expression, roses blooming behind him. 'How does Ayato not go blind?' Atsuhiro questioned as he raised a hand up towards his eyes. "Hello Toujou-kun. Are you getting stuff for this weekend?" Atsuhiro decided that it was safe to make some small talk while standing in line. "Yes, me and Hatano offered to buy snacks." Toujou smiled although it seemed to be fake. 'Probably thinking that Ayato deserves it but not Misato. Yanagi and Hatano are exceptions though for neither liking Ayato. Well to his knowledge at least. Wait speaking of Mr. Red Flag...' Atsuhiro heard a small gasp behind him and slowly turned seeing Hatano behind him, holding a bottle of amazake, his favorite. "H-Hello Inukai-san." Hatano bowed slightly as he went around Atsuhiro slowly to reach Toujou. Placing the bottle with the rest, he turned to look at the man he loved. "Ah hello Hatano-kun."
It went silent around the trio as Toujou tried to nudge Hatano to speak more with Atsuhiro, but he was too flustered and shy. He instead chose to pick at everything around him like his hair, clothes, and the objects at the cash register. Meanwhile, Atsuhiro just awkwardly smiled and looked at the stuff around the register, praying for the cashier to go faster. Toujou having dealt with it enough for almost two years forced out the next sentence, "Are you proud that we're graduating soon Inukai-san?" Being asked a question, Atsuhiro acted to think it through. "Proud of you guys but more surprised that my brother and Misato-kun are able to graduate." He joked with Toujou, feeling comfortable enough to do so but still awkward with Hatano witnessing their friendship. Hatano beamed at the praise and did a small chuckle, along with Toujou, at the joke. The cashier cleared his throat, "That'll be about 3,245 yen." Both Toujou and Hatano turned their heads and split up the payment between them.
Atsuhiro did a silent thank you as he told both that he'll see them at the house soon but Toujou interrupted, "I need to speak to Ayato alone. So Hatano, could you stay with Inukai-san?" Both of the males spluttered at the request as Toujou did a quick wink towards Hatano and walked out the store. Atsuhiro silently cursed Toujou as Hatano looked at him like a lost puppy. Both stayed silent until the cashier told him the price only for Hatano to quickly pay off the cost. "Least I can do for you Inukai-san." He explained as Atsuhiro's smile tightened. 'Great, now I'm supposed to feel indebted but Hatano would tell me not to worry, but be happy that I'm worried. Then if I don't, he would still be just as happy cause I accepted it.' Atsuhiro sighed but thanked Hanato, who quickly got flustered and told him not to worry. Beaming a bright smile that made others blush at seeing him happy. 'For a guy who is usually nonchalant and stoic-faced, he does have a great smile and face. Although I refuse to fall in love or even give him a chance.'
The walk back was awkward at least for Atsuhiro who could only try to give vague answers to Hatano's questions and to try and avoid other flags. 'Damn if only this brat would stop talking, it's not even a full 10 minute walk back but I'm tired of his way to try and get to know me.' Huffing a little and trying to walk a bit faster, he didn't notice that he bumped into another person.
'Great. It's the yakuza type who might try picking a fight.' Although the guy only started to talk until he paused at seeing Atsuhiro. Taking his facial features, bored expression, and messy hair, the guy took a quick liking to Atsuhiro. Blushing slightly the guy kicked his feet and apologized for bumping into him. Atsuhiro was going to try and quickly tear down this flag only to be surprised that the guy was apologizing until he realized. 'Oh no. I can't have another flag raised. Wait... Hatano's with me.' Looking behind him, Atsuhiro was happy to see the slight anger and dark cloud around Hatano. "Excuse me. Could you please step away from him. He seems uncomfortable." Hatano explained with a slightly deeper voice, anger directed to the yakuza guy.
The guy turned towards Hatano, "HUH? Who even are you?" Hatano stepped in front of him and with a leveled but seemingly bored stare, "I'm his friend." The guy seeing Hatano's subtle glare but also beauty, quickly backed off with a flush and rushed away. 'DAMMIT WHY ARE THEY BOTH PRETTY?!? ARE THEY PARTNERS?!?' Were his thoughts as he ran away.
"Thanks Hatano-kun." Atsuhiro commented with a light smile that made Hatano's imaginary tail wag with excitement. Both continued their way back with a calm, and surprisingly comfortable, silence until they heard yelling coming from Misato and Yanagi, who were entering on the opposite end of the street. Both sighed seeing the duo as Ayato waved with Toujou from the front of the house, although both seemed uncomfortable and tense around each other.
'Oh boy, this is going to be a long weekend.'