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Giyuu Tomioka.
Even his name sounded boring and flat.
Giyuu Tomioka, was an eighteen year old third year student in high school. He wasn't the best in sports with no real motivation to try. He was commonly ignored in favour of his more athletic classmates. He wasn't the best in academics either. He was borderline failing a lot if not all of his classes. If he was honest, he didn’t even have an excuse.
And social settings? He was in the most popular group in school., apparently. Some days it feels like he's only really there to be the butt of the joke. Even when he isn’t being bullied, he couldn't help this growing feeling that they just all hated him for some reason.
He didn't feel like he should sit with them. But every time he tried to leave or sit in his classroom to eat alone, one of them always came and fetched him. Typically Shinobu Kocho.
That woman puzzled him. One moment she’s insulting him, calling him stupid or empty, the next she’s encouraging him and rubbing his back? He just didn't understand it.
He never really understood anyone now that he thinks about it. So much has been going on at school this week he honestly feels like he can't keep up.
Kyojuro had invited that first year to the table. It felt weird having a child looming around them all day. He knows it isn’t his say what happened in the group but he really wasn't sure what to do around them.
It also left a pit in his stomach. That leaking paranoia. It really wasn't hard to be a part of this group. Then was he really good at anything? Did he have any worth at all?
He didn't know why, but suddenly checking his phone felt more impossible than ever. It kept buzzing on his bedside just out of view. He didn't even want to look at it, in worry that somehow the messages would hold the words he feared most.
So he stayed where he was. Laying in his messy, unmade bed in his cold dark room watching the rain fall outside. He watched as the water caused the buildings far off in the background to blur like a strange sort of mist. It was mesmerizing. That or he was just too tired to even look around his unkept room.
His bed was unmade as he tucked himself in a blanket without its sheets. There was a pile in the corner of his room of messy clothes, his school uniform sitting on top ready for Monday next week. His floor was littered with papers and items from school, hairballs from his hair brush and plates and cups tossed about.
He felt miserable looking at them, his body almost helped heavy when he did. He knew his sister had been asking for him to bring them out. He knows he's an adult and should do it himself, but even the thought of it made him just want to sink in his bed and die.
Buzz-buzz.
Giyuu looked at his phone. The noise was irritating and he just wanted it to stop. He wanted to be alone, he wanted quiet.
He picked it up watching a handful of them chat to each other back and forth like nothing was wrong. This seeping guilt continued to tell him that they didn't need him. They were happy without him. He bit his lip and put his phone on mute. Before tossing it somewhere around the pile of clothes, trusting the cover not to shatter it. He flopped back onto the bed, staring at the roof where faded old glow stars look back at him.
He watched the stars above, observing how they mustn't have seen the sun in a few days now. Losing the ability to glow.
“Giyuu! I’m home.” Tsutako called, the door to their apartment pushed shut behind her. He wanted to stay in bed and pretend he was asleep. People were exhausting, but she didn't deserve that. He pushed himself up from the bed and shuffled out of his room, not bothered to deal with his bed head like usual. He met her at the Genkan where she was undoing her shoes. She was soaking wet, her umbrella clearly didn't do a thing for her.
Giyuu watched her before walking off to get a towel. “How was it?” He asked not bothered by talking to each other through yelling through the apartment. He went to the bathroom fetching her towel and came back.
“Oh, Haru is well. The movie was really good. I think you would like it.” She smiled happily accepting the towel as Giyuu handed it over standing next to her. He didn't ask about her boyfriend, he wished she would stop telling him about him.
“Have you done any homework yet?” She asked while she took off her poncho and started drying her hair.
“No. I’m thinking of going to see Grandpa though.” He walked off not wanting to look her in the eyes because she knew what was going on.
“Giyuu, you can't keep avoiding your homework. You're just going to repeat last year's events.” She was quick to follow him in the house, not bothered by the trail of water she left on the wooden floors.
He tried to come up with an excuse, knowing full well she was right. “I did work yesterday with Shinobu in the library. I want a break to go get some fresh air.”
“If you wanted fresh air you could have come with us. You know he likes you.” His sister tried to insist. She didn't like Giyuu’s habit of sneaking out late hours in the night. She couldn't complain much now that he was a legal adult, but it still worried her.
Giyuu walked into the kitchen, starting some lunch for his freezing sister. “I don’t want to intrude on you two. You deal with me enough. You should get to have free time to yourself.” He huffed, still giving Tsutako the cold shoulder each time she tried to get close enough to look at him in the face.
Giyuu didn't mind that his sister had a boyfriend. It was strange but he was happy for them. Really he was. But it made him feel guilty, because he knew he was single-handedly the reason she couldn't move out. He was the reason why his sister couldn’t be happy. It is always his fault. She had to baby him because he was so incapable of taking care of himself.
His fault. It’s his fault.
He didn't deserve any of this.
“Fine. If you want to go see Grandpa so much you can go. But I want you home for dinner, please Giyuu?” Tsutako asked, finally pulling Giyuu’s shoulder to make him look at her to give him a pleading look.
She always worried how much he was eating since he never really put on weight.
“Ok. I’ll try to be home for dinner. For now, here.” He handed her a yet to be microwaved soup in a cup. They tasted rather gross, but when you were caught in the rain the two of them found it to be a much easier way to warm up. Rather than turning the heater on which they only reserved for after school to warm the apartment.
She took the cup with a smile. It had a cute little seal pun on it. Giyuu got it for her a few years ago. No gift was better than how hard the seal pun made her laugh on Christmas those years ago. “I’ll have lunch. You go get changed and pleaseeeee, brush your hair today. It looks like a rat's nest.” A common description of Giyuu’s hair when it was down and unkept.
“Ok.” Was all she got. Because she was the oldest Tomioka. She could read her little brother like a book. She knew he wasn't trying to be rude. He was just a bit too excited to go see his grandfather.
She was happy he had someone else to rely on. Considering their parents had yet to come home in months now.
She quickly shook her head of those thoughts, putting her food in the microwave and listening to her brother get ready. With a smile she watched the funny seal slowly spin, It took a bit of self control not to laugh reading the pun again as it slowly appeared.
After a few minutes she was leaning on the counter sipping on her food while her little brother was now dressed ready to fight the rain outside. “I’m heading out.” He told her as he walked past.
“I’ll let him know you're coming. Also, can I clean up your room?” She asked while using her spoon to scrape up the liquid from the top of the cup, letting the steam warm her face.
“You don't have to. I can do it later.” No he wouldn’t. They both knew that, but it wasn't a no. So When Giyuu left Tsutako decided to start getting to work. After a nice warm soak of course.
Giyuu took the umbrella his sister used and slipped on some sneakers. They were old and worn, the familiar ocean blue colour as well as the brand were close to being covered completely but mud and age. He was never really fussed about washing them so it never happened.
He walked out of the apartment to the balcony where the wind blew rain onto his pants. He let out a sigh putting headphones on and made his way along the hall of other apartments to the stairs along the side that took him to the ground.
Once in the streets he now stood in the rain of this gloomy spring day. It felt more like winter really.
Giyuu made his way along the streets where cars would come by. Once or twice the unlucky biker, pedalling to get home as fast as possible. It was already afternoon. Rush hour was yet to really start since it was a weekend but anyone who came out of their homes for lunch had already fled back to the safety of their warm houses and office buildings.
Giyuu made his way down the street to the train station. He collected his ticket to the rural area of the city where his grandfather chose to live, and hopped on. The train trip was empty and calming. A few old people and parents with children rode but he was left alone. Free to listen to some random music Obanai had recommended to him a few months ago.
When he got off at his stop it was a bit of a walk to his grandfather’s. He lived on a hill just by the town's shop. It was a nice walking distance away and he had a park a few houses down behind him. It was a good set up for the elder. Though he hadn't had neighbours in a long time. The last family that lived there moved away years ago.
Sabito along with them.
Giyuu shook his head out of the memory of his lost childhood friend. Walking through his grandfather's well cared for garden, there were small pools of water drowning the grass and the newly bloomed flowers as he walked up the worn marble steps to the door.
Before he could knock he heard a squeal of a child. They luckily didn't sound like they were in pain but quickly his head turned to Sabito’s old house. He realised there were lights inside though the blinds were closed. That's right. A new family recently moved in a few months ago.
Giyuu knocked on his grandfather’s door listening to the muttered chatter in the house next store, they seemed lively at least.
Soon though a click came at the door and his grandfather opened the door wearing a tengu mask. Giyuu was frozen, staring at the mask's angry cold eyes at a loss for words at what to say.
There was a silent pause before his grandfather, Sakonji Urokodaki laughed. He gave off that soothing old chuckle, where you could hear the lingering remains of smoke in his lungs from years ago but it still sounded so joyous. Like he still had another fifty years of life left in his old bones.
The old man pulled off the mask and snickered. “I didn't mean to startle you. I had forgotten I was wearing it.” His grandfather was an wrinkly old man. With scruffy grey hair that he kept neatly cut and grey stubble that littered his face and neck. He had that natural saggy skin of an old man mainly around his tired eyes. He seemed to still be in rather good health and he smiled at his grandson with kind sapphire blue eyes.
“It’s nice to see you're in good health.” Was all Giyuu could bring himself to say as the old man opened the door for him to flee the chilling elements outside.
“You keep saying that like I'm ready to turn to dust.” The old man grumbled more to himself. Sliding off his slippers and stepping up onto the wood. “Stay right there boy. You’re soaking wet.”
The warning made Giyuu pause where he stood from shaking off his Umbrella. Unlike his sister, he didn't wear a poncho, just another jacket so he hung that up.
Sakonji returned with a towel tossing it on the teen as he undid his shoes. “Why on earth you thought it would be smart to visit me in this weather? I can’t say I know.” The old man asked with a huff watching the boy dry his mattered and very clearly unbrushed hair.
“I worry about you.” He muttered back in response also more to himself, making the old man snort, hiding his smile by looking away.
“If you want to use my workshop you can just ask Giyuu.” He had a playful tone that made the teen smile, making sure to hide it behind the towel. Everything was just so much easier with Grandfather Urokodaki.
“That sounds nice. I have an idea for a project.” Giyuu spoke up, looking up to the man who watched him with his arms crossed. Despite the man's more aggressive posture he smiled relaxing at the talk of work.
“Oh and what would that be?” He asked as he watched his grandson get up and the two of them made their way through to the back of the house to the woodwork room.
“I don't really have a clear idea, but I was thinking of making graduation gifts for my friends. Like the Kitsune masks You made when I turned ten.” Giyuu hummed as he walked, staring at his feet noting how he would leave a wet footprint trail on the wood.
“That sounded like a splendid idea for a gift Giyuu. What would you like to make for them?” He asked pushing the door open and sat down at his table where paints and wood shavings laid discarded on the worn old work table
“I’m not sure, but I want them to be unique to each of them. Maybe sculptures?” He asked as he pulled on his dusty blue work apron and grabbed a notepad and pencil. Giyuu had been running off more of a feeling rather than an idea for the project.
“You are rather skilled with animal sculptures. Play to your strength, this will be a rather long term project after all. Best to not over complicate things too much.” The man explained, not bothered by his grandson taking the wheely stool beside him watching him put polish over his tengu mask.
“Maybe an animal I associate with them or they remind me of?” He asked, watching the man work. Letting himself relax in the warmth of the heater in the corner and the familiar quiet of their work.
“That sounds perfect. You will need to make a list of your friends, animals you wish to create, the scale you would like for them and pick the wood you would like to use.” They had this conversation making sure Giyuu did all preparation possible before starting a project for the best chance of success.
And like magic, Giyuu felt a small burst of energy and determination to work. He felt productive and he really did like it.
With the notepad in front of him and a phone up to do research. He looked up all sorts of strange animals and how they translate to wood. He wouldn't lie that he felt really productive here.
They stayed there for a while, going back and forth with short brief conversations. Something they both appreciated as his friends would always try and force Giyuu to talk more and Sakonji just liked the quiet.
“So a family finally moved into Sabito’s old house?” Giyuu asked while he scribbled down some things about the colouring of wood under the polish.
“Yes. They are a rather large family. They had moved because of some financial stress from what I have been told by the mother of the household.” The elder hummed as he had moved onto cleaning up his station before working on his next project. He would pause every now and then, seeming to forget where he put an item for a short amount of time.
“So you met them?” Giyuu asked looking up.
“Yes. Their mother and eldest son work at the local bakery. I told the younger ones to come to me if anything were to happen.” He explained loosely not seeming to care about giving the teen details.
That seemed to satisfy them though, as he went back to work. “I’m glad you have such a big family next store to keep you company now. It puts my worries to ease.” Giyuu sighed, relaxing out knowing if his grandfather was to somehow get hurt or fall there would be someone there to help him.
Urokodaki resisted the urge to hit his own grandson on the head. He knew he was old but he didn't wish to be reminded of it every time his quiet grandson came for a visit. However, it was getting late. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” He asked as he stood from where he was putting the last of his tools away.
“I promised Tsutako I would be home for dinner. What time is it?” He asked eyes going wide as he quickly moved to take off his apron and hang it up, packing everything away from the day.
“It's six twenty. You best call her and let her know.” He watched his grandson put all the things he used back before rushing out the door. There was a large thud somewhere down the hall followed by a short ‘I’m ok!’
Sakonji couldn't help but laugh walking to the door, much more aware of the wet floors. He watched his Grandson rush to get his shoes and jacket on.
Giyuu had become a completely different person after Sabito and his sister Makomo moved away. His daughter had become a busy woman years ago, so he tried to be there for the boy best he could. It was moments like this where he got to see sprinkles of that shy, emotional little boy from years ago. Who would get dragged around the neighbourhood into trouble all those years ago.
“See you later Grandfather! I'll stop by soon when I have set ideas for the sculptures.” He bowed before rushing out the door. The man could only wave with a smile watching his beloved grandson run off through the rain, right back to the train station where he came.
Giyuu was running through the empty streets, the rain seemed to have picked up over the afternoon. The umbrella was doing very little to keep him dry with the running and the wind but he dashed to the train station as fast as he could. He found the quickest train to take him back home and continued to run to the platform thanks to the adrenaline, even though it was still three minutes away
Waiting in the train station was irritating. He was soaking wet as he texted his sister.
Froggy- Sorry. I lost track of time with Grandpa. I’m on my way home now. I'm waiting at the train station.
Lily pad- I was just going to text you!! You had me worried! I just started dinner so you still have time, don't worry. Thank you for texting!
Giyuu still felt guilty as he stood in the chilly station. A puddle of rain water formed at his feet as he watched a train pass. He could feel some people staring at him, hearing their chuckles or huffs of annoyance.
Yeah he didn’t want to be soaking wet either.
He was left to stand in the cold subway station dripping with water. The trains were not really any better. Luckily this train was never too crowded.
The trip was long and boring; the shivering of his body left him acutely aware of how cold his body really was. Every now and then, he would catch himself feeling over his arms and the goose bumps on them. His fingers felt like icicles, only causing him to tremble even more. His eyes felt heavy but he kept himself away till he came to his stop and walked out.
It was dark by now. Most shops were shut and most people were home having dinner. Giyuu couldn't get off at his normal stop, the train changed directions from this point on. So he had to navigate the city a little before he could get back to his warm bed.
Giyuu took his time now. Shivering under the winds, the umbrella kept him as dry as he could be with his clothes clinging to him for warmth. Needless to say. This wasn't the best weekend.
“Giyuu?” A voice called him. Sounding just as shocked as the black haired boy was being spotted in this area.
Giyuu paused where he was in the rain, looking around the dimly lit street of the apartment complexes. The lighting caused the rain in his eyes to shine making him squint. There was a pause, nothing but a single car driving by on the road beside him. Looking over is where he spotted an eerily familiar mop of platinum blonde hair.
“Sanemi? What are you doing out in the rain?” He asked, staring at the teen. Sanemi was in nothing but a long sleeve shirt and pants wearing no real clothing suited for these rough elements. He stood in an alleyway that seemed to keep him dry.
“Was dropping my brother off somewhere. What about you?” He was shaking like a leaf as a strong gust of wind blew up his back and in Giyuu’s face.
“I lost track of time. I’m heading home right now.” Giyuu paused looking at the boy then up the street ahead. He hadn’t even realised this was around Sanemi’s area. Giyuu was confused why the boy was outside in the rain. Especially in such unsuitable clothing and not at home. He knew better than to ask. “Would you like to join me? At least to get dry?”
The offer was a simple one, yet so many emotions washed through the eldest Shinazugawa’s face. After some looking at the ground, and the sky, even the streets around. The teen caved, letting out a sigh. “Sure you don't have to worry about feeding me. I already ate.”
Giyuu had a sinking suspicion he was lying. “Alright, I’ll let my sister know.” He pulled out his phone from his wet pocket, ignoring all the water on the cover to text her. He didn't wait for the reply, knowing his sister well enough.
Sanemi was taken back by such a quick response, and just as quickly as the message was sent the umbrella was being held up for him. Offering him a place to seek shelter underneath it. There was a pause before he realised the idiot wasn’t going to take no for an answer. So silently he crossed the street moving with large steps to avoid getting any wetter. Which was basically pointless by now.
He kept his arms folded, standing next to an equally as wet and equally as shivering Giyuu. The two of them made their way through the streets with nothing to say. Sanemi wasn't really surprised by the quiet. It was uncomfortable, sure. But he knew Giyuu long enough to know he just wasn't good at knowing what to say. Besides he would like to avoid conversation as well at the moment.
They both shivered in the winds. They were both half in the rain thanks to the one person umbrella. Neither of them complained as they made their way onto Giyuu's street and finally to the Tomioka residence.
They were careful not to slip on the steps and Giyuu knocked on the front door waiting for his sister. “You don’t have a key to your own house?” Sanemi was answered with a shrug as the door let out a satisfied click of the lock and was pulled open.
“Giyuu, thank goodness you're alright, the weather has been really starting to pick up. Oh! Shinazugawa, It’s good to see you. Though I wish it could have been in better circumstances.” Tsutako greeted already in her pyjamas for the night. Luckily they were just wearing casual clothes so it was hard to tell.
“You and me both Tomioka. Though I doubt your brother would have let me be either way.” The boy in turn, just walked past the two of them and into his house.
“I’ll get a change of clothes for you, Sanemi. Go warm up in the bath.” Sanemi tisked at the other’s attitude, resisting the urge to comment on it in front of his sweet older sister. Tsutako in turn just chuckled at her brother's actions.
“It’s fine, you can stay here as long as you need. We don't have any futons but we do have a pull out couch. So you can use that.” The elder woman smiled, moving out of the way to let him in and lock the door behind them.
Sanemi couldn't help but relax at the warmth of the apartment as he kicked off his sneakers. His shoelaces weren’t even tied, so it wasn’t difficult to do. “Thank you for the hospitality. I’ll be out of your hair first thing in the morning. I have work anyways.” He explained stepping into the apartment properly with a bow and waved her off to head to the bathroom. Tsutako only giggled and got back to prepare the curry dinner that had been simmering for a while.
Sanemi had been over enough times to know which room was the bathroom. He could see Giyuu in his room wrapped up in something down the hall. He chose to ignore it in favour of warming himself up with a hot bath.
Sanemi started the bath sitting on the rim, watching it fill with steaming hot water. He already felt guilty knowing hot water costs a lot. However the thought was quickly interrupted by Giyuu pushing the door open. “Don't you know how to knock?” Sanemi glared not bothered to play nice when the other’s sister wasn’t around.
“I figured you wouldn't be undressed yet since the water only just started. Here's some clothes and a towel. The clothes are a bit big on me so they should fit you fine.” The boy didn't care for Sanemi’s annoyed looks. He was used to them and he had a job to do since his friend was a guest. “I'll have a bath after you so keep the water please.”
“Yeah, yeah I’ve stayed over enough to know the drill Giyuu. Now get out.” He hissed, turning the water off and got off the edge of the bath to start undressing.
“What's wrong with seeing each other nude? We’re both boys-”
“GET OUT GIYUU!”
That was enough to scare the other off, leaving Sanemi alone with a warm bath at his side. The white blonde sighed, looking at himself in the mirror by the sink. Face turned up a little as he pulled nothing but his keys and a few yen coins from his pocket. He left his phone and wallet in his apartment.,,
“It’s fine. I just have to wait it out again.” He muttered to himself, peeling off his shirt where he looked at all the scars littering his body. He checked over newer ones, to make sure they were healing. He was glad to see there were no fresh ones, though the aches on his body tell him he hadn't gotten out as clean as he thought.
Ignoring it for a moment, he finished getting undressed and sat down on the edge of the bath using the shower head to wash off his skin. He ignored the sting of the rapid temperature change and washed off his body of dirt and the cold. Being careful around the sore parts of his body. He decided to leave his hair for another night, not wanting to take up any more water than he already has.
After he was satisfied with how clean he was he stepped into the bath letting his body relax into the stinging steaming water. It was bearable now and he could feel his body temperature rise compared to half an hour ago. Still though, he didn't give himself too long to soak. Only till his muscles relaxed and it no longer hurt to be in the water.
When that was achieved, he got out and quickly worked on drying himself off. He was muttering to himself, pondering on how he was going to repay his friend for his hospitality. He got dressed and stepped out where there was nothing but a muffle of the TV.
Normally in his own house, he would just call out to Genya that the bathroom was free. However he didn't want to be rude, so he shuffled out to the lounge room that was conjoined with the kitchen where he saw the siblings.
Tsutako was in the lounge room setting up the pull out couch. Giyuu was wrapped in a towel eating at the stools by the kitchen bench. Since they didn’t have room for a dining table. “Oi, Giyuu. Bath is free.” He muttered sitting on a seat beside him watching the boy perk up looking at him.
“Oh right, thank you.” He took a moment to finish his curry and stood up leaving his plate. Sanemi could only watch in astonishment at the boy's lack of manners and quickly took his plate to the sink. It just felt wrong to leave it out.
“You sure you don't want anything to eat? I have some curry that was just going to be leftovers for lunch.” Giyuu’s sister called as she pulled out an old blanket and draped it over the pull out bed, after tossing some pillows on.
“No, no, I’m fine. I had an early dinner. I just want to get some sleep so I can wake up early tomorrow.” He waved as he put the dishes away and walked out to the couch.
“I understand, I’ll leave you be. I just wanted to thank you.” She smiled at him as if her words weren’t freakishly cryptic.
Sanemi didn't really know what to say, rather stunned at the conversational switch. “For what? I just put Giyuu’s dish away.” He scratched the back of his head looking over the girl's shoulder to not have to look her in the eyes.
Tsutako just giggled into the back of her hand, failing miserably to hide her smile. “It’s nothing. I’m just glad Giyuu has friends that care about him. Even if he doesn't realise it sometimes.'' She didn't wait around for some flustered response of the male pride of how ‘they weren't friends.’ Because they both knew they were.
Sanemi and Giyuu may be different as night and day, but they have been looking out for each other since middle school. Sanemi was left shocked and confused before groaning and flopped on the bed in defeat.
The springs of the mattress felt horrible on his back, but it was liveable for the night. Sanemi wriggled onto the bed properly and laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling for who knows how long. Soon his body had fallen asleep, he hadn't even noticed how heavy his eye lids were. Till he finally let them drop and let himself fall right to sleep in the warmth of the Tomioka residence.
It was only an hour or so later did the lights in the living room as well as the TV get turned off. All by the resident emo who now had neatly brushed hair that hung down just past his shoulder blades.
Giyuu watched his friend snore on the couch, seemingly without a care in the world. It was strange, he didn't know how to explain it but. Seeing Sanemi made him feel… needed? Like he really was helping someone. If he could find a bit of solace in helping his friends. Maybe they weren't as bad as he thought.
That thought helped put him at ease. If only for a bit, but it was a well welcomed feeling. Somehow, with Sanemi’s presence in the house. He found it easier to get some work done. Staying up a bit to work on his English and Japanese homework he inevitably fell asleep there at his desk. Accidentally ignoring the freshly made bed but he finally had made some progress. That was enough.