counter,, drinking their beverages in silence. Maruki overall enjoyed his refreshing drink, having come from the gym it quenched his thirst perfectly. Though it looked milky and thick, Jikan thought that his tasted rather good it was just very misleading.


The silence was very enjoyable, though it got Maruki thinking about Aiya again, but peaceful thoughts. Unfortunately for the two friends in the quiet store, their silence was soon interrupted by a small group of peers who barged in the door. Looking up at the small crowd, a small groan of hate passed Maruki’s lips. Shiya and his friends Fumi and Kira barged in the small shop like it was a football field.


“Hey!” Shiya focused on Maruki, the one person he had been obsessed with since he moved to the city. “Look who’s here guys!” Still on about the sports thing from last year, Maruki was not happy to see him. “Ma-ru-ki! What are you doing here?”


Maruki’s sweet coffee eyes rolled the focused on the table. He lazily yet almost intimidatingly held his drink between his fingertips between his parted knees.
“Hello Shi-i-ya. What do you want?” frustration and a threatening tone laced Maruki’s natural sweet, childish voice. in a single blink, his focus moved from the table, beaming up at Shiya. A cold heartless glare cut through the air like a razor towards Shiya.


Fumi and Kira stayed near the door as Shiya strut towards Maruki in his macho wannabe stride. He was taller and bulkier then Maruki, but overall not stronger. Maruki stood up as soon as Shii stepped his way. The bulkier boy stepped inches away from the shorter, black haired boy.
“Ma-ru-ki. Don't push me” His macho attitude was nothing compared to his real personality. He knew his real personality and felt no threat from him. Staring coldly in the others eyes, both Maruki and Shiya didn't move nor breathe.


Maruki held a taunting grin in the corner of his lips whatever Shiya had planned he was ready for. Jikan curled his legs in close to his chest as he curled in a ball in the corner of the couch. One he didn't want to see Maruki hurt, two he didn't want Shiya touching him at all.
“Shi-i-ya. I’m not pushing anything.” It was like a monkey showdown, proving one’s dominance by mere composure.


Staring coldly in a threatening posture for moments longer, Shiya made the first move, grabbing Maruki in a choke hold, rubbing his knuckles on his head. The pain and the messing of his hair caused Maruki to push Shiya away quickly. First he fixed his hair then he snarled at Shiya darkly.
“Got you Kaore! How’ve you been?” Still fixing his hair, Maruki only grumbled at him. Shiya went to grab him again, but Maruki jumped away before he could be trapped in a chokehold again. Shiya snapped his fingers and gave Maruki a players finger point.


Maruki’s head still hurt, but thankfully his hair was put back into place. He looked up at Shiya through his bangs, annoyed at his personality already.
“Good until you got here.” Maruki folded his arms across his chest, having Shiya gone as quickly as possible would be a miracle. Looking over at Jikan cowered in the corner of the couch, Maruki stepped over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.


A simple touch, but it had a warming feeling to it, somehow giving Jikan courage. His stiff shoulders relaxed under Maruki’s warm touch quickly, the stress of seeing a possible fight diminished as well. The small hand that gripped his shoulder gently was much like a father to son touch, giving Jikan more confidence.
“What are you doing here Shiya> you have a knack for showing up places where you’re not wanted. “ Jikan stepped out of his comfort zone, he only realized it after he spoke. It was Maruki’s fault for his confidence booster.


Fumi and Kira quickly joined Shiya after that comment. They were like Shiya’s posy always following him everywhere, creating a bad boy image. Shiya puffed out his chest and placed both hands on his hips.
“Whadya say there Jii chan?” it was a small insult, and something Jikan had never heard before. “Saying I’m not wanted?” Shiya’s natural bigger body type made Jikan curl in a tighter ball, pulling Maruki in front of him like a shield. Maruki made a small shocked sound, his confused eyes glazing down at him questionably. First he was an item that could be owned and now he was a shield? What else could Maruki be to Jikan?


Maruki pried his arm from the vice of which was Jikan’s grasp, accidentally hitting himself in the process. That's it Maruki, great way to look cool.
“Shii calm down, leave him alone. And you, Jikan.” Maruki’s round coffee eyes narrowed down at the boy curled on the couch, “Stop taunting him, it’s not worth it.” Maruki was not used to being mediator between people. No one normally talked to him or his friends to require a mediator.


Shiya glared at Jikan, soon forgetting about him to focus on Maruki.
“So Kaore, what do you plan on doing in high school?” There was no general interest involved, he was just curious as to if he would join a sports team or not.


Maruki snarled at his question, even on summer break he was asking about that. This time he knew that Shiya would have been surprised.
“Actually I plan on going into the Soccer Club. Thought I might participate in something for once.” After pestering him for a year, Maruki finally agreed to it. Shii’s jaw was hanging to the floor, his dark, carefree