Rei emerged from his slumber in nothing but his boxers, a yawn escaping his lips as his tousled hair framed his face. "Aooookiii, where are you? Bring me my breakfast, now!" he drawled lazily, stretching Aoki's name like it was a fine piece of taffy. The man seated next to Alexis sprang to his feet, exclaiming, "Rei, come on now, be a good boy and put some clothes on. It's not like I encouraged his behavior!" Still groggy from the previous night's escapades, Rei pouted, "You're so mean! I like it this way; it's comfy!" He looked every bit the petulant child. Aoki wrapped an arm around Rei's shoulders, steering him toward the couch. "Sit here. I'll fetch your shirt and trousers; we're going out." At the mention of 'out,' Rei's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? Where are we going?" he asked, his voice bubbling with childlike anticipation. Alexis, wearing a mask of concern, inquired, "Rei-kun, what's wrong with you?" Rei's eyes widened in surprise as he turned to Alexis, nervously chuckling, "When did you get here?" He quickly grabbed a pillow to shield his crotch area.
Alexis let out an exaggerated sigh, remarking, "I've witnessed that scene in person more times than I can count—trust me, you'd be horrified if I revealed the number. But tell me, who's this?" Just then, the handsome man strolled into the living room, clutching Rei's clothes. "Allow me to introduce my childhood friend, Aoki Ichige," Rei announced. Aoki offered a wave, apologizing, "Sorry for not introducing myself sooner." Meanwhile, Rei resumed his sulking, complaining, "Didn't you say we were going out?" In a flash, he dressed and leaned in so close to Aoki that one might mistake them for a couple. Alexis inquired, "What's Koji up to?" Aoki's face drained of color as he silently mouthed to Alexis, "Please don't mention him in front of Rei." Alas, it was too late; Rei launched into a passionate tirade about Koji, lamenting how he had been ignoring him for weeks. Alexis let out a soft chuckle, which only fueled Rei's irritation. With a firm grip on Aoki's hand, he pulled him toward the exit, declaring, "Come on, Aoki. My dear brother here is utterly clueless about the complexities of love." It was as if he a petulant child. Alexis trailed behind them, chuckling, "Apologies, but that was simply too hilarious. Watching you act like a child is giving me serious Shuji vibes—he's just like this when I give him the cold shoulder." Rei's irritation flared even more at this comparison. "Don't you dare liken me to that tramp. He's such a complete jerk!" Alexis stifled his laughter and replied, "Hop in the car." Aoki inquired, "Why?" Rei shot back, "Where are we going?" Alexis smirked, "To reclaim your dignity, your royal highness." Aoki couldn't help but laugh at the playful banter between the two brothers. Aoki chuckled at the lighthearted exchange between the two brothers.
As Alexis navigated the road, he casually inquired, "So, how old are you, Dage?" Aoki replied, "I'll be turning 35 this year." Alexis pressed on, "And what do you do for a living?" Aoki responded, "I teach at Nishiwaga High School." Alexis, taken aback, exclaimed, "What the hell?" Aoki, sensing a hint of rudeness, asked, "I'm sorry, what's wrong?" Alexis lamented, "Every single person I meet seems to have ties to that godforsaken school." Aoki raised an eyebrow, "Really? How's that?" Alexis smirked, "You'll find out. By any chance, do you know someone named Sota?" Aoki nodded, "Actually, I do." Alexis, weary of this déjà vu, sighed, "Yep, that's my brother," as if reciting a well-rehearsed line. Aoki remarked, "Ah, he truly was an exceptional student." To which Alexis replied, "Oh, you don't have to enlighten me on that." Aoki then inquired, "So, are we there yet? Rei's starting to get a bit cranky," leaning in to whisper the last part into Alexis's ear.