Tadashi and Takumi raised their heads in unison, their attention captured by the approaching figures. With swift motions, they rose from their temporary perch, ready to rendezvous with their companions.
"What the hell, guys? We agreed on 10:30!" Takumi erupted first.
"Sorry, we were still looking around and got lost," Haruki lied, a tinge of guilt weighing on his conscience. He couldn't disclose their encounter with Akihiro yet, nor mention their leisurely time at the café. Takumi wouldn't let him off the hook otherwise. "Did you wait long?"
"Yes, we—"
"No, we didn't. We arrived less than ten minutes ago," Tadashi truthfully interjected. "All of us were late."
"Damn it, Tadashi!" Takumi grumbled, but his gaze abruptly fell upon Ginger. "Hey, what's up with your eyes? They look puffy."
"Nothing, I'm fine. Tell me more about games and machines," Kentaro swiftly changed the subject, skillfully evading the two boys' inquisitive stares.
His diversion succeeded, as Takumi quickly forgot the matter and resumed his incessant chatter, leading Ginger away.
Haruki and Tadashi followed in silence.
"We were being followed, after all," Tadashi suddenly spoke, leaving Haruki baffled.
Them too? "By who?"
"Remember when that idiot Takumi boasted about having enough money to buy a restaurant?" Tadashi sighed. "That careless remark painted a target on his back and lured a couple of friends."
"Whoa, what happened to them?"
"I took care of them."
"Eh?"
"I figured they were the type to corner people, so I led them to a secluded spot and dealt with them there," Tadashi explained.
"Matsui, you actually initiated a brawl?" Haruki inwardly applauded.
Tadashi had always been the type to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Learning that he had willingly instigated the fight was more than shocking.
"It had to be done," Tadashi focused on the duo ahead. "You know how Takumi gets when things don't go his way. He would have been sulking if his day was ruined."
"Did he join the fight too?"
"What can that idiot possibly do? He doesn't know any street-fighting techniques," Tadashi spoke frankly. "He cheered me on from the sidelines."
"But how many people were there?"
"I didn't bother counting."
Ah? "Impressive," Haruki clapped lightly.
"I'm nowhere near your level."
"But I've never faced more than three people at once," Haruki nodded to himself. "Which means you're really something else."
Tadashi cast him a fleeting sidelong glance, thinking: You have no idea how intimidating you can be, Haruki. Not many would dare challenge you, even if they wanted to.
...
As the clock struck 5 pm, the four boys finally called it a day and headed home after an exhilarating time at the arcade.
They had engaged in thrilling competitions among themselves, with Tadashi consistently claiming the top spot, Haruki securing second place, Kentaro settling for third, and Takumi languishing in last. It surprised everyone that the one who had suggested the arcade outing ended up being the worst gamer.
Astoundingly, even Ginger proved to be more skilled than Takumi.
That had to be some kind of losing record, or perhaps Takumi's hands were simply paralyzed.
"You must be proud of yourself, Ginger," Haruki remarked as they strolled toward Ken's house. "There's actually someone worse than you at video games."
"Flattery or criticism? Pick one," Ken scoffed.
"You should know by now that my intentions toward you are always genuine. Of course, I'm praising you."
"It feels the opposite, so just stop."
"Tsk," Haru pouted and looked away.
Ginger smiled. He cherished these moments with Haruki. "Aren't you going home? I hear Auntie calling you for dinner," he teased.
Haruki fished out his house keys from his pocket and stuck his tongue out at Ken. "Your aunt and uncle aren't even home, wise guy. I might as well crash at your place until they return."
Haruki crashing at Ginger's place was no longer worth questioning, since half his wardrobe had already at that place. This person had practically moved in with his friend. Especially with his parents always on the go, traveling non-stop for days on end.
And it wasn't just the boys themselves who found comfort in being together. Maki and Akashi felt a sense of reassurance, knowing they could keep an eye on both of them at once.
"Any ideas for dinner? Let's see..." Haruki pondered, deep in thought.
"I brought some pastries from Tokyo," Ken suggested.
"Sure, but we've been snacking all day. We need a proper meal. The pastries can be dessert. I'm craving some meat," Haruki replied.
Kentaro grinned, his eyes lighting up. "Grilled chicken. Whatever we have, it has to involve chicken."
"Sounds good. So, chicken and..." Haru's voice trailed off as he squinted his eyes. "Hey, isn't that your bodyguard sitting on the porch?"
Indeed, it was. As they approached the house, Akihiro was huddled on the porch, looking like he might freeze to death. They also noticed an unfamiliar black Mercedes parked across the street, a sight that rarely greeted them.
"How did you find out where I live?" were Kentaro's first words as soon as he stepped onto his porch.
"I saw Young Ma—Mr. Kentaro leave this house this morning," Akihiro answered, his teeth chattering slightly. He was really freezing.
"Just 'Kentaro' is fine," Ginger corrected as he brushed past Akihiro and unlocked the front door, muttering a few complaints. "Let's not make this any more uncomfortable than it already is."
Meanwhile, Haruki paused and pointed at the car across the street. "Is that yours?"
Akihiro nodded. "Yes."
"Dude, why didn't you just wait in the car?" Haruki shook his head in disbelief as he entered the house. "You're suffering needlessly. Come inside quickly before you pass out. I'll get a warm bath ready for you."
That was a welcome Hiro hadn't anticipated. He had been certain Kentaro wouldn't allow him inside, or chase him away with a stone or something as soon as he spotted him.
I guess I owe Haruki for this; Akihiro thought. If his Young Master had truly been alone, Akihiro was sure he'd have spent the night in his car.
*
"Bummer. You got an apartment in Tokyo only to find out Ginger doesn't even live in the city," Haruki's hands moved swiftly as he spoke. He diced up ingredients for dinner, the three of them gathered in the kitchen. "Did all your clothes end up there too?"
"Unfortunately," Akihiro replied, wearing a set of Haruki's pajamas for the time being. Luckily, he'd found a size big enough for him, but given his larger build, they still looked a tad small on him.
Kentaro snorted at the revelation. He had remained mostly silent since Hiro joined them in the kitchen, occasionally asking Haruki what he needed and following instructions. Currently, he stood by the sink, washing chicken cutlets and placing them in a bowl.
"Which means you have nowhere to stay. I don't think there are any lodgings nearby, and the hotels are quite far. Besides, it doesn't feel right for you to stay elsewhere when there's a huge empty house right here," Haruki pointed out.
Kentaro shot him a glare. "I refuse."
"Come on, have a heart," Haruki cajoled.
"No."
"Do it for me?"
"He... can find somewhere else to stay," Kentaro hesitated.
Haru snapped his fingers. "Alright then, he'll stay at my place."
"No!" Ginger's objection was even stronger now.
"I won't tell my parents who he really is," Haruki assured. "I'll just say he's a friend. I'm sure they won't mind."
"No, I don't want him staying with you," Ken grumbled.
"Now you're just being petty."
Akihiro watched their back-and-forth, unable to suppress a smile.
In his eyes, Kentaro had undergone a significant transformation. Once cold and closed off, it seemed as if he would never trust anyone again.
I guess I was wrong. He's fortunate to have found someone who cares for him like this; Akihiro thought.
"Hey, good news," Haruki's voice jolted him out of his thoughts, "Ginger agreed to let you stay."
"Oh? Thank you, Kentaro," Akihiro nodded appreciatively.
"Thank Haru, you idiot," Ken grumbled, but Haruki immediately flicked him on the forehead for disrespecting their senior.
Haruki Fukuda was the one pulling strings, and really did deserve thanks.
So Akihiro expressed his gratitude towards Haruki as well, saying, "Thank you."
The flustered teenager, unaware of the true meaning behind Akihiro's gratitude, waved his hands dismissively. "D-Don't listen to this brat. No need to thank me..."
"I truly am grateful. Please, allow me to prepare the meal as a token of thanks for taking me under your wing."
Kentaro: "..."
Haruki was pleasantly surprised. "You can cook?"
Akihiro nodded, smiling. "I do my best. I grew up surrounded by workers, including the kitchen staff."
"Really?" Haruki beamed. "At least we can share the workload now."
Suddenly determined, Kentaro chimed in. "Then I also want to help!"
"Ginger..." Haru face-palmed.
"I'm getting better. You even said so," Ken complained. "I'll help too."
Akihiro chuckled. "Thank you both, but let me handle this. It's the least I can do for your hospitality."
And without further debate, the two boys allowed their guest to take charge of the cooking.
Haruki watched in awe, subconsciously mimicking Akihiro's hand movements as he sat at the table next to Ginger, who was doing his best to appear unimpressed. The kid was just too stubborn to admit defeat easily.
"So, Akihiro, how long will you be staying?" Haruki asked, observing the person working.
"I was told to stay for a month and assess how Kentaro is doing," he explained. "After that, I'll compile a report and submit it to the Head."
"What does he expect to find in that report?"
"Considering Kentaro's unknown life here, Mr. Harada won't have high expectations. He remembers his son as antisocial and detached, so I doubt he'd believe how much Ken has changed," Akihiro shared. "I plan to describe the past Kentaro in a few words and won't mention a word about this place. The Chairman won't know what he's not supposed to."
Kentaro felt a sense of relief hearing that, though his expression remained indifferent. He didn't want the Haradas to know where he was or risk his newfound happiness for them.
"I'll provide a detailed analysis of how cold, stubborn, antisocial, and moody Ginger was when I first met him," Haruki offered, earning a glare from the boy beside him. Then, he added innocently, "What? It'll help maintain your reputation, right?"
"You make it sound like my old behavior was something good," Kentaro hissed.
"Who says it's old?"
"Huh?!"
"Unless you finally let go of your grudge against Hiro, I'll believe you're still the petty, old you," Haruki teased, sporting a smirk.
Kentaro fell silent and looked away.
Feeling helpless, Akihiro pleaded, "Please, don't make him dislike me even more."
"He doesn't dislike you," Haru reassured him. "He's just being difficult."
Akihiro's gaze shifted towards Ken.
Coincidentally, Kentaro also glanced in his direction, causing their gazes to bumb awkwardly. Ginger mumbled an excuse and left the kitchen, leaving the other two alone.
With a sigh, Akihiro continued working with his hands. "He can't stand being in the same room as me."
"I'm sure it's guilt that drove him away. Once he starts feeling guilty, it's game over," Haruki leaned his head on his hand, grinning knowingly. "Just wait and see."
~~~~~~