Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
=====
Releasing a large sigh, Shouyou opened the door to the flower shop, preparing to call out to his, mother, but instead freezing in shock.
Debt collectors. At the counter. Talking to his mother.
"I promise I'll have the payment by next week, it's been raining a lot lately, so people don't go out as often, and that means low busi-"
"Enough with the excuses, Ms. Hinata. We need that money today!"
A crying Natsu was curled up in the corner under one of the shelves, and Shouyou grit his teeth. Hastily digging through his bag, he pulled out the check he had received, marched over, and slammed it harshly against the large male's chest fearlessly.
"Take your money, and get the fuck out of here," he growled, glaring into the dept collector's eyes. Tucking the check away in his pocket (after observing it), he poked a finger into Shouyou's chest, pushing him back a step and turning around with his buddy to leave.
When the door chimed closed, he rushed over to his little sister, lifting her up and bouncing her, and trying to get her sobbing to stop.
"Shouyou... How much did you give them? Where'd you get that check?" His mother stepped forward, a questioning, guilty look on her face. "It wasn't that much."
"Bullsh- Crap! They were asking for nearly 100,000 yen!" Shouyou looked at her, then pursed his lips and looked away. His mother sighed. "I don't want to talk about this in front of Natsu. I'll make us some lunch."
She held her arms out to the sniffling Natsu and Shouyou reluctantly handed her over. "Will you run to the store and pick up a few things for me? I haven't got the chance to go yet."
Shouyou grabbed his bag off the floor, nodding. "And Shouyou?" He looked up. His mother smiled at him and pulled his head into her shoulder, hugging him. "Thank you so much..."
Smiling softly, he hugged his mother back, patting Natsu's fluffy hair as well. "It's not a problem. You know I'll always be here for you."
-----
After changing into some black pants and a baggy white tee, he slipped some shoes on and grabbed a clear umbrella since it had started raining again. The way there was quiet since it was hardly lunchtime and everyone was still at school and work.
"Today sucks," he whispered to himself, listening to the harsh rain pounding on his umbrella and the distant thunder rumbling solemnly.
-----
Shouyou awoke with a start, a hand darting out of his blanket to feel at his ribs. His breathing was uneven, heart pounding harshly in his ears and his eyes wide and teary. He quickly scrambled out of bed and grabbed at his phone to turn his flashlight on.
The air inside his room felt heavy, much like how it did at that time, in the alleyway, his ex-best friend's foot dug deep into his broken ribs...
A sob left his aching body, hands shaking so terribly in fear that shouldn't even be here anymore, since it happened so long ago. Tears rolled down his screen, and his phone dinged at the worst moment possible, the notification pops up.
He didn't want to travel anywhere in the darkness, so he chose to curl up beside his bed in the corner, holding his ribs in one hand, and his head in the other.
"H-Hello?" A voice called from his phone, and Shouyou gasped, turning toward it in sheer shock. It was the same person that had messaged him just a moment ago.
Sugawara, the name read, whom he had exchanged numbers with, in case they had any questions about the project. "No," Shouyou whimpered, wiping at his eyes and sniffling as he reached for his phone, small body trembling.
"What's wrong, Shouyou?" Shouyou shook his head, trying to take a deep breath and gain his bearings before he replied. "Sorry... Sorry, I didn't mean to call you..." His voice was barely a whisper. "Tell me what's wrong, Shouyou. I can help you..."
Sugawara's tone was soothing, and Shouyou found himself wanting to lean into his embrace and be comforted by those warm words. However, his pride and dignity would never allow that. "I'm fine. Thank you, though... Uh, good night..."
With that, he awkwardly hung up, taking a deep breath and wiping away his tears. Giving up on making his way to the bathroom, he accepted the fact that he'd have dark red splotches under his eyes come morning, and curled back beneath his blanket.
-----
Everyone eyed Shouyou, either laughing, pursing their lips, or looking away as he walked through the hall. When Francis closed his locker and spotted him he quickly rushed over, eyebrows furrowed in worry.
"Why do you look like you haven't slept in years?" Shouyou leaned into his chest, sighing softly and clutching at the back of his friend's jacket. Nothing was spoken between the two, at least until Shouyou was yanked away from him and into the chest of another person.
"I need to borrow your... friend here, for a bit," the deep voice resonated. A deep, purple circle rested around his eye, and Francis scowled. "No, not right now. He's obviously not up to any of your shenanigans, puta."
Pulling Shouyou back, he eyed up the male, daring him to backlash. "You're Francis, right? How come you allowed Tetsurou to take him, and not me?"
Shouyou peaked from behind Francis, sighing in some form of relief. "It's okay, Francis, it's just Akaashi. We have a project together, so I'll catch you later."
Rubbing at his eye, he smiled at Francis, who bit his bottom lip and pulled Shouyou close, bringing his mouth up to his ear as he eyed Akaashi suspiciously.
"Be careful with him, he gives me the chills... Text me if something happens, okay?" Shouyou nodded, moving his face to Francis's right cheek and giving him a soft kiss.
Francis watched Akaashi's body tense, and his eye twitched in annoyance and confusion. Though they don't do this in Japan, in Mexico, males often kiss females on their cheeks, or the other way around, and then to each other. Males, to each other, normally just bro hug, though.
Shouyou had gotten it confused once, and it's been a running joke with them ever since. Eye's locked onto Akaashi's, Francis bent down and kissed Shouyou a little too slowly on his cheek, thumb caressing near his ear gently.
"I'll see you at the next break. Bye." With a wave, Shouyou turned to Akaashi, who walked beside him with one last look at the glaring male.
=====
a / n :
we're at the 20th chapter guys!!
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc, feel free to tell me!
Also, thanks for sticking with me this whole time 🤧❤ i love you all, and make sure you stay hydrated!!
