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His mother used to cook with the TV on in the morning to listen in on the cheesy romance comedy drama. She probably chose this particular time to cook just so Ritsu would be occupied by the show while she’s doing house chores, which requires her to be in a different room than her youngest son. Ritsu did not understand most things that were happening on the show, but he liked to sit on the sofa and watched the characters as they confronted one another or interacted in general. Maybe this was when his preference to drama genre started to bud.
Once, in a particular day when his mother’s favorite show was reaching their climax, he saw the two main characters gazing at one another before they pressed their lips to meet each other.
Ritsu tilted his head in confusion.
What are they doing? Why are they doing that for quite a while? Sure, the main character has just saved the other’s life, but what is this?
His mother ‘eep’ed when she entered the living room. She maneuvered around the sofa quickly to reach the remote and turn off the TV. With a resounding, “Mmmmmppphh-” the screen flicked off and his mother put the remote down, huffing.
Ritsu stared at her, confusion and bafflement merged into one unreadable expression on his face. “What they do?” he asked curiously. His mother didn’t seem ready for his straightforward question and blurted that they were kissing. “Why?” his curiosity couldn’t be sated with such simple answer.
“Ritsu, can you be a dear and prepare the table?” he puffed his cheeks at this order. Obviously, this was a distraction from his mother and no, he was having none of it. He’s curious and he wanted answer, “But why they kiss, mom?” he pressed, acting out the petulant child he usually wasn’t.
His mother sighed, “Alright, alright,” she lowered herself to his eye level and gave him this look that meant she’s serious –usually when she’s about to scold him for stealing a spoon from the kitchen, “…it’s a sign of gratefulness. They did it because the girl wanted to thank the boy for saving her life”
“Can’t she say thank you?” he asked.
“Yes, yes, she could, but she was really, really grateful for him and so she gave him a kiss” his mother finished, smiling when he nodded his head.
So it’s something you did when you feel thankful…
“Mom, can I give one?” he pointed toward his mother’s lips.
Somehow, his mother seemed surprised by this, “O-oh, what for?” he pouted.
How can his mother miss the obvious reason?
“You make food, I want thank you” he replied easily. His mother’s eyes widened for a moment before she laughed light-heartedly, “Of course you can,” she pointed to her right cheek, “…but it’s over such a simple matter so you should just kiss my cheek” his eyebrows furrowed at this remark.
“Why?” he questioned.
“W-well, kissing on the lips are also for someone you really, really lo-like,” his mother’s eyes darted around, “…I’m already happy if you kiss me on the cheek” once again, his mother pointed to her right cheek. Ritsu nodded and leant in to give his mom a small peck on the cheek.
“Thank you very much, Ritsu,” she gave him a similar one on his forehead, “…now let’s prepare dinner for your father and brother before they arrived home, okay?”
“Okay!”
……………………………………
The morning in Kageyama’s household wasn’t as rowdy as one would expect from a family with two sons. Kageyama Shigeo, the first son is a quiet boy who prefers to keep mostly to himself with the exception that the speaker is his little brother, Kageyama Ritsu. Following his older brother’s example, the second son is quiet as well, except for the occasional smart comments that they wouldn’t expect could come from a threey year old toddler.
So yes, the morning in Kageyama’s household is usually quiet and reserved. They still have conversation while they are eating breakfast, but most of the time, the two sons would be so engrossed in eating that the questions are usually be answered by a small noise of agreement or a hum of disagreement, both muffled by the food stuffed inside their mouth.
It was this particular morning, one of those morning when Shigeo’s occasional habit to bend his spoon happened again. And it surprised the boy enough that he dropped the eating utensil to the floor. His little brother was quick to duck below the table to retrieve it. With the bent spoon in his grip, Ritsu took the napkin and wiped the head before offering it to his older brother, a wide smile on his face.
“Ah, thank you, Ritsu” as always, Shigeo’s smile would only be blinding if it were for Ritsu. The endearing younger brother simply smiled and closed his eyes; expectation flickered on his face. Which was odd enough that his older brother stopped eating and stared at his little brother, confused. Ritsu opened one of his eyes for a peek and frowned when he saw his brother’s clueless expression.
“Give me a kiss!” he pointed to his lips.
His mother choked on the glass of tea, but Ritsu paid no mind to that. He wanted a kiss, shouldn’t he get one for helping his brother? Doesn’t his brother really, really like him? He kept on presenting his lips, waiting expectantly, yet Shigeo was still so perplexed by this predicament. He shot a panicked look toward his father who replied him by pointing at his own cheek, which he didn’t understand what it implied. His mother was shaking her head as if defeated and mouthed him a, “Just do it, dear…” which he couldn’t understand as well.
Shigeo was conflicted.
What is kissing anyway?
He had never heard of that word before.
Ritsu’s eyes turned glassy as he thought about that word, sobs started slipping out of the younger’s lips. Out of panic, he tried to calm his brother with a pat on the head, but the sobs just grew louder, “D-do you not like me?” Ritsu hiccupped between his frequent sobs.
In a desperate attempt to calm his brother, Shigeo threw his small arms around Ritsu’s torso and hugged him tight.
Maybe kissing is hugging?
(To his credit he tried).
Impatient by his brother’s innocent knowledge, Ritsu broke the hug and swiftly pressed his own lips to his brother’s in a movement so suave and smooth, you would never believe a toddler could do without clumsily missing his aim. His mother gasped and his father coughed loudly, spoon and fork clang against the ceramic plate.
Shigeo was utterly baffled and his eyes were so wide, he’s afraid they might pop out of the socket.
“That’s a kiss!” Ritsu exclaimed proudly like a three year old would.
“O-oh…” replied Shigeo, still puzzled.
Seeing his brother so pitifully clueless, Ritsu launched into an explanation about kissing that he just gained previously from his mother. The view of the older brother listening intently to the younger’s lecture was so adorable that their parents couldn’t even fix his beliefs. The mother could only observe the scene, an affectionate smile on her face while the father smiled warmly, sometimes correcting a few structural mistakes Ritsu made.
By the end of breakfast and with newfound knowledge, Shigeo replied the kiss with a peck on the lips – like his brother did- and smiled wider when Ritsu practically glowed with joy by his action.
Their parents simply remarked about how cute they were before the morning routine continued as if nothing had happened.
…………….
The kindergarten where they went to had someone who Shigeo really, really likes.
Tsubomi was indeed a cute little girl with fair skin and shoulder-length black hair like a Japanese doll. Her cheeks are brushed in hint of healthy red and her lips are always smiling brightly. Shigeo really, really likes her and that’s why he kept on trying to impress Tsubomi with his psychic power.
Which he just recently knew that she’s grown bored of.
It’s not like he had anything else to offer, being a five years old esper. A plain face and naïve disposition, that’s all he had with psychic power on tow.
But he really, really likes Tsubomi.
Yet somewhere in the back of his mind, he somehow knew that trying to kiss her wouldn’t mean that Tsubomi would really, really like him too. Beside it’s not like he’s thankful for anything that Tsubomi did – he was just told to get a clue and no explanation to go with it- so the kiss would be quite pointless.
As he struggled to choose between kissing her or not, he heard scramble of feet and managed to turn around to accept a full-blown tackle from his younger brother. Fortunately, he had enough balance –how?- to catch Ritsu in his arms and stayed stable on his two feet even as he staggered to the side for a few stumbling steps. Ritsu looked up, his eyes sparkling in pure delight and declared brightly, “Let’s go home, nii-san!”
He stared for a moment at his brother’s face, his mind processing the sudden intrusion of positive emotions between the conflicting turmoil in his head. His face brightened when the sincere affection that Ritsu exuded overwhelmed the mess of thoughts. With eased moves, he leant down and gave his brother a peck on his tiny lips.
Ritsu blinked, confused, but happy for the little kiss he was just given.
There were exclamations coming from the other kids: some yelped in surprise, some narrowed their eyes in distaste, and the rest threw themselves into a heated discussion of whether that was okay or nay.
The two brothers ignored them all though, lost in their own little world as Shigeo carefully released his little brother from his arms and grabbed the slightly smaller hand. They walked home, serenaded by murmurs and befuddled stares from the other children.
….
He woke up to white ceiling and smells of antiseptic. There’s a pounding headache banging against his head and he winced in pain. An IV drip stand stood silently beside him, the drip-drop of the odd colored liquid clashed with the monotonous tick tock of the clock. He glanced at his wrist, noticing the cold, sharp needle pierced into his skin connected to the tube, which transported the necessary nutrition he needs into his blood flow.
"Ri-Ritsu..." almost by habit, his eyes searched for the familiar source of voice and a smile tugged at his lips unwittingly at the sight of his brother right there across the IV stand. Shigeo did not meet his eyes, avoided them even, biting his bottom lip until the flush pink turned white around the teeth sinking down the plush.
The regret was so clear in his face it hurt him more than the pain inside his skull.
He raised his hand -the one without the IV needle- reaching out for his brother's cheek. It was wet and cold and the pale complexion told him more than any words Shigeo might have said. Slowly, gently, he raised his other hand, cringing as a slight pain shot through his wrist. But he forced his limb and softly pressed it against the soft pad of the other Shigeo's cheek.
"I'm glad you're fine..." he muttered, his voice rough and scratchy.
Shigeo shook his head, wary of his hands, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." he whispered, his voice trembled in fright. The air around them quivered, sadness and guilt flitted in the air.
Ritsu closed his eyes, the image was so clear in his mind: the specter that was his brother and also not his brother. When he opened his eyes, he saw a regretful brother who cried in guilty tears. He smiled. Affection flooded his body with warmth and want. There's something he might be able to do to soothe him.
"Can you lean closer, nii-san...?" he asked.
Shigeo hesitated, his whole body rocked in quiver, but after a few tensed silence, he leant closer, his lips mouthed silent apology after silent apology. Ritsu silenced him fully with his own chappy lips. It was gentle, comforting, a kiss that was meant to convey reassurance to his brother. That it was okay, that he's grateful his brother is fine and he was saved.
When they part, Shigeo let out a weak, weepy smile that looked really stiff and awkward on his face. But it's a smile nonetheless and Ritsu felt more accomplished than he'd ever felt.
...
It is a habit.
He wouldn't deny that it is not a habit that could be shown in daily lives, but he couldn't break from it. Beside it feels good and comforting and Shigeo doesn't hate how weird it sounds when he actually said it out loud. Ritsu himself keeps with it, says that it feels nice and it helps him.
Little ‘thankyous’ paid with little kisses.
There isn't a single day without them sharing a kiss. If there is, Ritsu would thank him for something as trivial as greeting him good morning at breakfast and gives him the daily kiss.
Their parents had given up to tell them off of the habit. They've grown used to replace their thank you with pecks on the lips or cheeks and forehead. His father is used to Shigeo who suddenly kissed him on the cheek after he brought him home when he was diagnosed with flu at school. His mother is used to Ritsu's shy kiss on her forehead when she made it to his parent-teacher meeting.
Kisses are just that quirk that differs the Kageyama brothers from everyone else.
Not that they would kiss someone in their school just to say thank you. Shigeo understands that he couldn't just express his thank you with kisses in class or even with his master in his workplace. It isn't appropriate manner since they don't know this odd habit of his. Ritsu told him that he doesn't do it either no matter how grateful he is toward anyone else.
Of course a habit could not easily be restrained. Shigeo had to stop himself when he first met and was taken under Reigen Arataka's guidance. Had to stop himself again when he first got his salary -despite how small it was. School hours are easier since he's being ignored most of the times. On the other hand, working under Reigen while the man poured words of wisdom is an ordeal.
Until, yes, of course he slipped.
It was over such a small thing, really small that he didn't notice that his habit had kicked in until Reigen was staring at him with wide, confused eyes, a hand slapped over his right cheek. That's when he realized what he had unconsciously done. Flustered, he waved his hands sporadically, explanation stuttered out of his lips.
"T-there's a sauce in, uh, y-your cheek!"
"I haven't even taken a single bite..."
"Uh, uh, it...splattered into your face when I ate it?"
"...You haven't eaten any as well..."
He shut his mouth before anything else could be out to make a fool out of him more than it already did. Reigen didn't say a word about it, merely studied him for a moment before he went to his takoyaki and ate with gusto. He didn't dare ask for one even though his master had offered some to him previously -which was the inciting habit moment.
"Oy, Mob!" he flinched, nervously glancing up toward Reigen, "...here, eat up!" the takoyaki was suddenly shoved right at his face. There were still four left and Reigen expectantly looked at him. There was neither hint of judgment nor disgust, only sincerity.
He ate the rest of the takoyaki with a small smile on his face.
....
Mob gave the Body Improvement club members a kiss on each of their arms after they saved him from Black Vinegar delinquents.
Nobody asked him why so he kept on doing so whenever he was overwhelmed with gratefulness toward their genuine appreciation for his effort to build stamina.
….
Ritsu doesn't really like how his brother had made it a habit to -also- kiss his fraud master. In cheeks or forehead, yes, but he still hadn't trusted the man quite fully yet, knowing that Reigen Arataka is a con man who uses his brother's power to gain money. Shigeo had explained that he more or less knows that his master wouldn't frown upon this weird habit of his and accepts it as easily like his parents did despite not knowing beforehand about this quirk of his.
Though he did notice the growing circle of friends that his brother had extended this habit for.
Kurata Tome is not a necessarily good student. At least she's not a delinquent. But Ritsu knows firsthand that she leads a purposeless club, which has an oddly insulting name for him. Telepathic Club had been popped out during the student council meeting in his first day as a member and had him gripped at the metal spoon inside his pocket with a speed he had never thought he's capable of.
He let go once the topic was over
Still, he wouldn't say that he likes the club nor everyone involved in that seemingly pointless activity -he's grown morbidly pessimistic about his chance of having the same power as his brother anyway. But when he passed a flushed Kurata Tome in the hallway, a hand over her left cheek, he understood almost immediately and sighed.
His brother confirmed his suspicion when he confronted him in their house.
It was over being taken care of by Tome-with the other member of the telepathic club- after he had passed out during the daily run for his body improvement club activity.
"That went well?" he asked bitterly. His brother pursed his lips before he nodded and told him that Tome-san was just surprised and she came back after she got passed the shock.
"It's fine, as long as I know when to or not to do so" he quoted the upperclassmen, a flicker of joy for being accepted appeared on his face. And apparently, that extends to the other club members as well.
There's a nudge of irritation as more and more people are breaching their privacy area.
And then there was Dimple.
Who at first he couldn't see, but had suspected had existed when he heard his brother speaking into air inside his room. Although his habit had made him not as bitter, he still couldn't shake that oppressing envy which aroused every time he saw his brother's power on display. And he had, shamefully, fallen into the lowest of the low in an attempt to break free from the labels forcefully plastered all over him.
Dimple had appeared almost out of nowhere in front of him.
Which turned into an all out war against a division in an evil psychic organization and his apparent awakening.
And also, one slip up moment from him. No, make that two.
He had allowed someone to see his odd habit -what can he say, he's overwhelmed by worry and relief to see his brother. And he even did it to someone else -right, that blond esper with weird haircut.
The first had Hanazawa Teruki raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but not questioning, seemingly accepting.
The second, had he given a kiss to the esper, after everything was over while his adrenaline had yet to be calmed down.
He had pulled him by the collar and gave him one to the side of his mouth, missing the lips by a fraction.
Only when his brother let out an, "Oh..." that he realized he had just slipped. Badly.
Hanazawa merely laughed it off, acceptance and appreciation was embedded into the clear, sincere laugh. "Don't worry about it, brother-kun," his lips tugged into a grin that was definitely not innocent, "...thank you for your gratitude, I appreciate it!"
Flustered, Ritsu grabbed his brother's hand and rushed home.
...
Hanazawa Teruki knows about Kageyama brothers weird quirk ever since Mob gave him one on the cheek after he brought him home.
"I don't think it's wrong to give you one," he had said, fixing the small crease on his shirt, "...you're a friend of mine...and I want to thank you"
"With a kiss?" he had asked, out of pure curiosity.
Mob nodded, "It's...sort of a habit..." he scratched his cheek sheepishly, blush tinting them in reddish hue. It's embarassing to say that out loud, he knew, yet it was surprisingly relieving to tell Hanazawa about this habit of his. The blond esper had this air about him that seems willing to accept this kind of bizarre habit and Mob trusts him enough.
Beside, this would mean one last person to hold back in front of should his habit starts to kick in.
True enough, Hanazawa smiled and told him that he doesn't mind that in the slightest, that he's fine with it.
This was probably why Hanazawa was not surprised when Ritsu kissed his brother right on the lips when they met in the confinement of Claws. And also when Ritsu gave him one at the corner of his mouth to Shigeo's bafflement. Though he's happy that Ritsu had finally opened up enough to kiss someone else aside from their circle of family, he asked Ritsu for the reason behind his kiss. With muffled words, Ritsu told him that it's just appreciation for Hanazawa's aid to rescue him.
"But you didn't kiss Reigen-san-"
"No!"
...
There is one unspoken rule that was known only to those who are close with Kageyama "Mob" Shigeo: do not question why the younger Kageyama always kisses the older on the lips like nobody's business.
It is a normal sight to see the two brothers kissing, something that shouldn't be pointed out nor cringed at. And everyone around them eventually sees it as a normal occurrent. Eventually though, as his circle of friends grew and mostly everyone around him knows of his habit, Mob unconsciously did so in public.
It was no big deal, really, nobody would really notice two boys kissing -brothers even- in the middle of the pedestrian road crowded with countless people walking back and forth each preoccupied by their own business. Ritsu doesn't mind it, no one really asked them to stop, and most of the time, people just turn a blind eye on them.
This was a different case altogether.
It was when Ritsu had just delivered his forgotten lunch. Maybe it's because he's grown used to being surrounded by his friends or maybe it's just the force of habit breaking through the thin glass he made to obscure himself. But after he accepted the lunch box, he pulled Ritsu down and captured his lips in a soft kiss that last for three seconds.
The silence in the class was so palpable and heavy with confusion and utter bafflement. Eyes were fixated to the two brothers, with the older had yet to realize the situation and the younger was too stunned to react. Everyone in the room actually halted to process what had just transpired. It took Mob about one full minute before he realized his action. With a yelp, Mob turned bright red. Muttering apology, he shoved his little brother out of the class. Another apology left his lips as he closed the door -softly- and retreated back to his seat the entirety of his face covered in red blush.
No one said anything and when the teacher coughed, their attention snapped back to their lesson.
That class is the most awkward class he had ever attended to.
When the bell rang, he stuffed everything into his bag in record time and scuttled out of the class, his cheeks were still flush. He could hear murmurs from the class he had just left and his chest tightened. The rumor mill in Salt Mid is pretty average. Not everyone likes to gossip about someone, but when something as juicy as 'Kageyama brothers had just kissed in front of 2-3 classroom' was the one spinning it, he couldn't help but worry.
It would be fine if it's just him who took the brunt of that gossip, no one really paid attention to him before so he wouldn't mind being a little more solitude in class. But Ritsu has reputation to uphold and if this gossip arrived to the student council desk...
"Ah, nii-san!" he flinched, "...are you going to your club today?" he turned his head slowly, his lips twitching, conflicted on what kind of expression he should make.
Ritsu was standing behind him, another student council member -judging by that blaring red armband around his arm- stood beside him silently. "Y-yeah, probably, I might," his eyes darted around, his nerves spiked erratically, "...a-are you going to come home late again today?" he tried diverting the subject to Ritsu.
Ritsu looked at him oddly, "Yes...are you sure you're okay to attend your club today?" there's a cool hand pressing on his forehead and he believed that his body temperature just scaled past boiling point. "I'll be f-fine!" he stuttered out, little waves of power gently nudge Ritsu's hand down from his head, "...see you at home!" with that he turned tail and ran.
Quite literally.
....
To be fair, Mob had the right to worry about rumors.
The moment Ritsu entered the student council room, someone's gaze trailed to his figure and followed him as he made way to his seat. He glanced toward the pair of curious eyes and wasn't surprised to see one of his brother's classmate's surprised face. Giving him a polite smile and a nod, he averted his eyes from the growing disgust climbing up the other gesture.
No surprise there.
The meeting went as planned and nothing was wrong until the guy finally spoke up, his voice wavering when Ritsu shot him a glare. "I think the rumor had arrived here as well, hadn't it?" he coughed, hiding the nervousness into the curled fist of his hand, "...that there's...an act of deviation in the school’s ground..." some made a hum of agreement, but their president raised an inquiry eyebrow at this.
"This is the first time I've heard of such rumor..." Kamuro muttered, curious, "...would someone enlighten me of what this rumor has to say?"
A few gazes were flicked his way and Ritsu dismissed it with a small frown. What a child.
"I believe Kageyama could...tell us the details of how the rumor came to be" the guy continued, "...he's right there in the scene of what we suspected as the start of the rum-"
"My brother kissed me in front of his class" he said nonchalantly.
There was an uproar that followed his admittance and both the president and vice president looked far more dumbstruck than anyone else. Ritsu glared at each of them, "Was that really what had caused the dry well of rumor mill to be replenished?" he asked, anger coating his words into sharp knives, "...the school is still full of narrow-minded individuals it seems..."
A few looked insulted so he digressed.
"Kageyama...watch your mouth," Tokugawa hissed, "...and all of you, shut up! This is a student council meeting, not the main counter for rumor to circulate!"
The room fell silent.
Tokugawa nodded, satisfied by the atmosphere before he threw a look toward the president who had been silent the moment the hubbub had begun. "Kageyama-kun," he addressed the young boy, his voice firm, "...I wouldn't judge you based on this kind of oddity, but may I ask you for what reason did you do it?"
"It's a habit, senpai...we exchange thank you with a kiss" he said calmly.
There were some disgusted snorts coming from the other, but they soon shut up when Tokugawa gave them the evil eyes. Kamuro hummed thoughtfully at his answer and he found understanding in his tired eyes. Then he smiled, almost too brightly for someone with as pale complexion as him, "That is one bizarre habit you have" he teased, something that surprised everyone in the room.
"Yeah," Ritsu couldn't hold the tug at the corner of his lips, "...it is indeed..."
...
Maybe all she needed was a little kiss on the cheek?
Unfortunately, even if Asagiri likes kisses, Mogami did not.
...
He immediately knew that something was wrong with Shigeo when he didn't kiss him after he came back from work. Ritsu stood in front of his brother's door, frowned at the pressuring emotions he could feel slipping out of the crack. Shigeo repressed a lot of things and he's quite certain that he would never talk even if Ritsu tried to ask him. Even with the kisses they exchanged, his brother was still a bottle of emotions ready to explode when shaken in certain ways.
He knew he'd be rejected, that Shigeo would not speak about what had happened at work. Yet still, he knocked onto his door, asking for permission to enter the room. There were murmurs from his brother's room; rejection most likely, but Ritsu swallowed and thundered through, his hands twisted the doorknob in a moment of courage from his part.
Nothing was floated when he entered.
Which was a good thing when you considered how freely Shigeo's power could become whenever he's emotionally unstable.
"Nii-san?" he called timidly.
There was no reply. His brother is silent, but he had never been this silent. He would reply Ritsu's call despite anything -a trait he loves from his big brother- and that's why this kind of silence is...concerning.
His brother was sitting on his futon, wrapping his arms around himself as if he wanted to make himself as small as he possibly could.
Gulping, Ritsu shuffled toward him, a hesitant hand reached out to touch the shivering lump that was his brother. Shigeo was trembling; his small form shook with sobs and sniffles. He bit down on his lower lip and slowly, gently, wrapped his arms around his big brother.
"I'm here..." it's important just to establish that fact, that Ritsu would always be there, would always be available for Shigeo to rely on. If only his brother would just...stop secluding himself from Ritsu's welcoming hands. "I'll always be here, nii-san..." his hands started to draw circles on his brother's back.
"Ritsu..." he heard the call and Ritsu heeded it, pulling away slightly to look at Shigeo's teary eyes, "...Ritsu....Ritsu..." his small lips quivered, his fingers grappled for Ritsu's arms, desperately clinging to them as if they're the only lifeline he had left. Slowly, ever so softly, Ritsu shifted to touch his brother's cheeks. He cupped them and leant in, pressing warm lips against cold, shivering ones.
It's a slow and gentle kiss, with Ritsu trying not to force his own affection and instead accepting Shigeo's sorrow and pain, absorbed them so his big brother could share his overwhelming misery. Shigeo sobbed into the kiss, clinging at Ritsu as he whispered his name between sniffles.
It's a painful sight, seeing his beloved brother poured endless stream of tears. His heart wrenched at this moment, his chest tightened with affection and protectiveness. His mind demanded his mouth to ask, to question his brother about what had transpired at his work. Yet Ritsu did not speak, only letting his lips convey what couldn't be conveyed in words.
You'll be fine, nii-san, I'm right here for you. Always will be.
Shigeo didn't say anything about what had brought tears into his eyes and sorrow into his heart, but Ritsu was contented to lay snug against his brother that night, keeping him soothed.
..................
Ritsu asked, once, if his brother would like to kiss Tsubomi.
A simple question, really, and one with what should be an obvious answer.
Yet Shigeo dismissed him with a peck on his mouth and said that it would be different.
..................
Reigen found himself missing his student, yet he couldn't decide which he missed the most: his presence or his kisses.
..................
Shou found himself in quite a predicament.
First, he thought he had snagged a door prize: the younger Kageyama whose power is steadily growing and would be the perfect bait for his almighty powerful big brother to do his bidding.
But it's all gone somewhat wrong when those brothers actually reunited with one another.
They kissed.
Yes, his eyes did not betray him, the Kageyama brothers did kiss; their lips did meet in a chaste kiss and they stayed like that for quite a while.
He was dumbfounded by that sight.
Not disgusted, but simply perplexed.
When they parted, the big brother simply told Ritsu to stay away from the fight and Ritsu obediently nodded before collapsing to the ground, panting. Holding his ground against Shimazaki had been an ordeal; it's even a wonder that Ritsu hadn't collapsed when Shigeo had arrived in quiet, burning fury to bring chaos and calamity for the poor blind esper.
When he threw a glance toward the other, no one seem bemused by the display, not even the blonde esper he only saw once inside the seventh division branch. The man Ritsu's brother called master was also unaffected. As if it's a normal thing to do, kissing your own brother. Right on his lips.
When Shigeo disappears into the building, Shou follows suit, driven by his own ambition and curiosity. He'd seen the older Kageyama fought Shimazaki and it was stunningly breathtaking. His power seemed limitless and a simple reason such as Shimazaki beating up his little brother senseless easily ignited his hostility toward the blind esper. In seconds, Shimazaki had become one with the ground, an artwork in a sort of twisted, sickening way.
Climbing the tower wasn't easy, especially when Serizawa suddenly appeared in the staircase landing to the rooftop, complete with his goddamn umbrella. The older Kageyama seemed unfazed when the curly haired young man started to speak of his past -why?- and declared that his life would be devoted to follow Touchirou to the grave -again, why?
Shigeo merely stated that he's just been being used and that Touchirou does not deserve his help. Friendship; something that Shou did not quite believe in. It's what made Serizawa realized his wrong doings. It's what made him doubt Touchirou.
It's what allowed them access to the rooftop where his father was waiting in solemn silence.