Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It is convenient, in hindsight.

Kotoha knows that on Tonpu Market Street, everyone knows her. The moment some thugs started approaching her, she anticipated someone calling Bofurin in the next few minutes.

Before one of the thugs could even utter one word, someone in Furin uniform punches him square on the face. "Uwagh!" he shouts and goes down.

"You–!" a shocked thug manages to yell, only to get kicked in the liver.

The rest goes down in a similar manner. The boy fights fiercely yet gracefully; something familiar in his movements, his momentum carrying all his hits. It sits on the tip of her tongue like liquid fire, but the thought evades her.

"Weak sauce," he comments as the last thug drops with a groan. Then, in a more casual manner, he calls out, "Oi, you all right?"

She starts as a blue and yellow eye turn to her. Woah. Like marble. "I'm fine! Thank you."

He quickly turns away. "Hmpf! B-Be more careful."

*

Somehow, she winds up inviting him to her café.

"Sakura, huh? Today's your first day here? Explains why I haven't seen you around," she says idly, trying not to stare too obviously at him as he gives the interior a piercing, nostalgic look. "Normally, people don't come to a town like this."

"Yeah, well, ain't like it woulda stopped me..." Sakura mutters absentmindedly, his attention glued to the greenery. "Furin is perfect for me..."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kotoha puts the spoon down. "A short time ago, Furin wasn't really anybody's dream school."

Sakura's eyes widen and his face reddens rapidly.  "I-I mean," he splutters, "I heard about t-their change and came to take the top spot!"

He digs into his omelette, red faced and shifty.

Kotoha does not comment on the blatant lie making neon signs on his face. If he does not want to tell her, she will not pry. Plus, he seems to enjoy the omelette quite a lot. "I'm Tachibana Kotoha, by the way," she changes the subject, dropping into more formal speech. "Nice to meet you."

His expression turns strange, but not polite nor formal. It is more like dread fills the crevices, surrounded by an unsettling familiarness. "Nice to meetcha," he returns haltingly.

So, he noticed that she is using formal speech but is ignoring it? Sakura is using casual speech since the beginning as if they have known each other since forever... It is weird. "Excuse me," Kotoha starts simply and leans a bit closer, "your eyes and hair are two different colors. It is certainly unique."

Instead of boasting or getting embarrassed, Sakura rolls his eyes at her, apparently not minding their proximity. "Ain't nothin' I haven't heard before."

"Where do you get contact lenses colored like that?" she pries.

He holds out his left hand, making her take a step back to avoid it. "Geh, back off. 'M tryin' to eat here. And I was born this way, stop pryin'! Hmpf!"

Disbelief fills her even though Sakura does not look like he is lying. More importantly, the casualness he is talking and behaving with her is even more unnerving; they only met today, right? This is not normal. To test it, Kotoha comments provocatively, "A strange look like that certainly grabs attention."

As expected, Sakura looks up with indignant eyes. "Hah? Ain't like there aren't weirder looks in Furin High!"

This is his first day in town. How does he know that? He told her he is not from a town nearby, so how? An icy numbness fills her. "You..."

"Anyway, I'd say the people here are more strange than me," Sakura continues quietly. He is not smiling, but the look in his eyes is soft like spring grass. The omelette is half-eaten. "Nobody looks at me weird and they're all so goody-goody. It's... heavy. I wanna take the top spot here."

Just as abruptly, the coldness leaves her. There is nothing but pure sincerity written on his face even if the fierce warmth in it leaves her confused. Sakura is looking at her. "You're... dreaming big, ain't cha?"

"There's somethin' I want to do," he says quietly. "Somethin' I wasn't sure how to do in the past. It's hard. But this is what I choose."

Kotoha does not reply.

It kind of feels like he truly understands what it means to take the top spot.

*

Later, when Kotoha runs out because of the loud commotion outside, she only sees the groaning bodies of the thugs from earlier and more, four confused Furin students and some chattering townsfolk.

"Um, Hiragi? What happened here?" she asks while approaching Hiragi.

Hiragi sighs as if the question physically pained him. "Hello, Kotoha-chan. Some thugs came and tried to vandalize the street. A guy came and beat them all before they could even touch anything. We got called to get 'em movin'."

"That's..." Kotoha trails off, at a loss of words. Over twenty guys are on the ground. To defeat all of them before someone could call Bofurin; it must have been over in a flash.

"Yeah," he says as if reading her mind, his shoulders slumping down. "The others said it was only one person in a Furin uniform, but who the hell beats up so many people? We go on patrol in groups for a reason, dammit."

One person in a Furin uniform?

'You're alone,' she had stated to Sakura.

'I know,' he had replied.

Did he... No, that is impossible. Some of these thugs are still unconscious, knives and baseball bats laying on the ground as if discarded.

"Anyway," Hiragi continues idly, "we ain't mad or anything. Just wanna know who goes around in our name and why he waited until these guys seemed to be vandalizin' stuff before doin' something."

Kotoha blinks at the words. "What... do you mean, 'waiting'?"

"Some witnesses report that he was observin' the thugs before," Hiragi explains succinctly. "As if waitin' for something. Bofurin is no 'shoot first and questions later'. We're protectors first and foremost. However, it's kinda obvious that group was up to no good."

So, why not act before? Or call for backup?

It is weird.

"Ah," she says in realization.

Someone who is new in town and runs around in a Furin High uniform conveniently being at the right place at the right time. Or is it? Waiting for the thugs to do a threatening move, only to swoop in before the act could be completed. Bofurin does not handle situations like that; instead, they do it openly and directly with no hesitation.

Why did he wait?

"It's very convenient," Hiragi comments, like a hammer striking on hot iron. "It's as if all of it has been an act."

Only a show to gain Bofurin's trust.

*

Kotoha tells Hiragi everything.

At first, she only tells him facts; his name, his appearance, that he is an outsider, that he saved her, that he likes her omelette, that he helped Grandpa Yama.

That he wants to take the top spot in Furin High.

It quickly proves not enough for Hiragi.

"Look," he starts patiently, "I get it, all right? We have no evidence, he ain't guilty of anything. It's just... Kotoha-chan, you're someone very dear to Umemiya. To get his trust..."

It is not rocket science. A spy knows that information is power. If one wants to get the trust of the top of Furin, one can get it easily by saving people under Bofurin's protection. From all of these people, Kotoha is one of the most dearest.

It is quite well timed that Sakura has been there for both instances; for saving her and the main street brawl. Such information would go quickly to the upper eons.

Still, Kotoha hesitates to tell more. Everything Bofurin already knows is painting a bleak picture. If she adds his strange familiarity, his inexplicable knowledge about Furin, his unbreakable resolution; it will look only worse. He is hiding something big and dangerous.

Sakura would fight to protect this town, Kotoha wants to believe.

If she were to sabotage his resolve, she would never forgive herself.

"...Sorry, Hiragi," Kotoha apologizes at last and shakes her head. "I think he's a good kid. To judge him before feels wrong."

Hiragi's sigh is long and deep. "I get it. You said he's alone, right? We'll keep an eye out."

"Give him a chance," she demands sternly at his stoic face. "I know it doesn't look good, so give him the opportunity to prove himself."

It is unreasonable, she knows. An outsider fighting to protect their town? After all they had to do to get their peace? It is only begging to invite a wolf in sheep's clothing, exposing their weak points for all groups to see.

All change can be bad and good. Kotoha hopes it is more of the latter.

*

Next morning, Sakura walks in with Grandma Satou on his back and several shopping bags in his hand.

"Mornin'," Sakura greets as if there is not a living human on him. "Is there grub?"

"Nice to see you, Kotoha-chan!" Grandma Satou says cheerfully on her perch before jumping down gracefully. "Haa, that was great!"

Sakura huffs in annoyance but still puts her bags to her regular seat. "Didn't you say your back is sore, huh?"

"Well, it magically disappeared because such a handsome and helpful young Furin student helped me," Grandma Satou giggles in jest. "Thank you!"

His face bursts into a blush. "Ugh–! Whatever!" he groans and turns to her, still red. "You got breakfast here, or what?"

One egg sandwich later, she off-handedly mentions, "Today is your entrance ceremony, right? How come you're up so early? It's starting at noon."

"Went on a walk to get familiar with the streets," Sakura replies and stuffs a sandwich in his mouth while pointedly looking away. Unfortunately for him, that makes his flushed ears on full display for her.

Kotoha blinks at his red ears and takes a moment to think. "You're excited to see everyone?"

"Gah, shut up!" he screeches in embarrassment. "S-So what if I am?! None of your damn business anyway!"

"Aw!" she coos, relaxing at his innocent excitement.

Sakura's scathing remark is cut off as the door is thrown open. "Kotohaaaaa!"

Nirei promptly eats wood.

Grandma Satou is unfazed. "Oh my, it's Nirei-kun! Good morning, dear!"

"Good morning, Grandma Satou!" Nirei greets hastily back and stands up from the floor.

The next few minutes are spent with Nirei gushing over his new uniform, fanboying about Bofurin, trying to get the tags off after her remark and showing off his new accessories. Sakura is strangely silent in front of her but he follows the conversation attentively.

"Also, did you hear, Kotoha-san? There's this new guy in town and we all got informed to..."

Kotoha looks up from her plate as Nirei trails off in a nervous whisper. His eyes are glued onto an impassive Sakura, almost double the size, with his mouth hanging open in shock and disbelief. Worried, she prompts, "Eh? Nirei–?"

Nirei begins screaming something incoherent. In an impressive display of speed, he rounds the bar and pulls her into the storage room at the back of the café before she can react to his sudden actions. "Kotoha-san! I-Is that Sakura?"

"Y-Yes?" she replies at his frenzied expression. "How do you know?"

"Everyone knows!" he explains nervously, looking around as if Sakura would jump out from around the corner. "Bofurin informed everyone that some nobody from out of town will come to Furin High and to keep our eyes peeled!"

Hiragi... Seriously? She hoped he would let it go and not still act on his suspicion. Is this really giving Sakura an opportunity if Bofurin will be on guard for the shoe to drop?

Sighing, she inquired softly, "Who is 'everyone'? I, as an example, didn't know."

"Uh, eh," Nirei stammers, looking awkward, "literally everyone. All of Tonpu Market Street, all of Furin High, all of M-Makochi. Some people were panicking 'cuz Grandma Satou, who doesn't know, was seen with Sakura..."

"Everyone?" Kotoha repeats incredulously, eyes widening in realization. "This is bad!"

Nirei nods sagely. "Yes, I agree! We should go out quick, Sakura is with Grandma Satou alone–"

"No, you idiot!" she interrupts him and whacks him on the back of his head, his glasses falling askew. "Sakura is a good guy! Why the hell are you judging him so early?!"

"W-We aren't doing anything!" Nirei splutters quickly and straightens his back. "Only looking! They said he could be a spy or something! We won't fight until we have proof!"

Kotoha wants to scream.

This is wrong.

What, 'only looking'? They are only looking at the situation from one angle; they will not get the full picture that way! Bofurin is already deeming him guilty with nothing but theories! For them, Sakura is practically guilty until proven innocent! 

Never talking, only assuming... Bofurin is too quick to judge. Understanding Sakura is impossible.

"Shit," Kotoha mumbles under her breath.

This is a mess. Not saying everything to Hiragi seems to have worsened the situation either way.

What is she supposed to do now?

Chapter Text

Nirei gets thrown out of Café Pothos.

There is no other way to explain it than that. After coming back from the storage room and taking a seat far away from a silent Sakura, Kotoha took Grandma Satou to the back to explain to her the situation regarding Sakura.

When they both got back, Grandma Satou had the most crushed, disappointed expression he has ever seen another person wear. And she was looking directly at him. Her stare was drilling holes into his conscience without him knowing what the cause was!

"Maybe you should go, Nirei," Kotoha told him, mouth set in a hard line.

Nirei had no other choice than to hightail it out of the café.

It was probably because of the thing with Sakura. In the storage room, she kept insisting that Sakura is a good guy who helped her and many others. Apparently, he defeated over twenty guys all by himself or something?

It is the first time he heard about that, though. If he had really defeated so many people in broad daylight, then Bofurin would have praised him, right? Instead, he heard that Bofurin told everyone to keep an eye on Sakura instead because of suspicion and manipulation.

When Nirei asked Kotoha if she had seen Sakura defeating so many people, she became stumped. The only thing she saw was her rescue and his help to the elderly. That fight with the twenty guys, the main street brawl, is, in the end, also under suspicion of manipulation as well as her rescue. Not very telling, in the end.

In addition, he did not want to tell Kotoha directly, but Bofurin also informed everyone that Kotoha seems to have a soft spot for Sakura because he saved her. Her opinion is biased, they said.

She's being used, some townsfolk whispered early in the morning.

Nirei can only hope Sakura will show his true colors soon, or else Kotoha will feel betrayed. Trying to convince her will hurt.

*

In an alley with five guys, knowing he will not win but finding himself that it does not matter because anyone with evil in their hearts will be purged by Bofurin without exception—it is the moment he hears a sound.

Over the laughter of the five guys, another voice drawls, "Karma is a bitch, I heard."

Nirei does not get the chance to react before the guy in front of him is ripped away with a choked grunt. "Guh–!"

Face planting on the ground, Nirei hurriedly looks up to spot the back of the outsider in a protective crouch and the other guy falling to the ground, totally out. "You...!"

"W-What the–?!"

"Haven't you heard him?" Sakura asks sarcastically, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. His other hand stays in his pocket. "Purged without exception. You've been warned."

"Hah?" the guy with the cap makes an incredulous sound, hands balling into fists. "What the hell? Bofurin now sends their reinforcements alone? You're nuts!"

Sakura takes his hand from his pocket. The atmosphere around him chills.

From his position, Nirei cannot see what face Sakura is making at the guys, but he is able to observe how their faces rapidly pale, beginning to sweat as if in front of hellfire. "H-Hey..." one of the others mumbles quietly, twitching nervously. 

"Bofurin are protectors first," Sakura states coldly. "Leave."

Miraculously, they leave.

Sakura spins on his heel, rapidly beginning to approach him with a blank face. Nirei flinches in fear when only five feet hold them apart, bracing for impact and clenching his eyes shut. "...!"

"Ah," the other boy says, sounding apologetic and... hurt? "...Sorry. Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine..." he manages to reply with a bowed head, shivering as no footsteps sound to indicate distance. Why is he just standing there? Is he expecting something? Gratitude, probably? "...Thanks for scaring 'em away."

"...You're welcome." A short lull in silence. "The way you declared that Bofurin will purge 'em was also... kinda cool, by the way."

Warmth rushes into his veins. "T-Thanks..."

Then, Sakura proceeds to not say anything and not go on his way.

Nirei feels his heartbeat roar in his chest as the minutes tick by in silence. Perhaps... the other was expecting something more than a thanks? Money? He saved him from these guys, sparing him lots of bruises. "I, um," he stutters shakily, "have no m–"

"Hey, Nirei," Sakura calls abruptly, voice rising in volume, "did you come back with me?"

"W-What? Come back to where?"

The other clicks his tongue. He emphasizes his next words with an almost pained, heavy undertone, "To here."

Nirei raises his head up in surprise and confusion.

Sakura stands in front of him with balled fists, body tense like a spring. He is scowling darkly, but not unfriendly or aggressive, more like... almost nervous. Scared. It is astonishing how easy he is to read. "Well?" he prompts impatiently and taps his foot.

Ah. Right. "I don't... know what you're talking about," Nirei admits slowly, instantly regretting his words when Sakura's previous expression falls into one of alarming blankness. Hastily, his survival instincts kick in and he blurts out, "Y-You probably meant going back to Café Pothos, right? I have something to do, so I can't!"

"...I see," Sakura replies softly.

Nirei takes the opportunity and books it out of the alley.

*

"Hey! You!"

Nirei whirls around in fear, only for the girl from before to take a hold of his shoulder. "Huh! It's you..."

"Are you all right?" she asks worriedly and squeezes his shoulder. "I didn't get to thank you!"

"Huh? No, yes, I-I'm totally fine!" He gestures wildly around, feeling his face warm at her gentle touch. Yikes! "S-Someone came and scared 'em away..."

She smiles, relieved. "Phew! Your classmate worried me for a second there! I thought, when I saw him watching you, that he will totally help you, but he waited so long!"

Nirei feels his blood turn to ice. "My classmate? He watched me and waited?" he questions tentatively, his own words feeling far away.

Sakura complimented him. Told him it was cool. Or was it only empty words?

She's being used, the townsfolk whispered.

"Yes, black-white hair, I saw him looking into the alley while I was searching for help," she confirms cheerfully. "I was scared he'll never cut in! What if you were injured?"

Nirei feels sick.

"I gotta go."

*

Standing in front of an unsmiling Umemiya Hajime is not how Nirei has envisioned himself meeting the Furin representative. And on his first day in Furin High, no less!

At least, the girl he helped is now able to go back to work after telling everything she saw to Umemiya.

"So," the upperclassman says neutrally.

"So?" Hiragi Toma, his catatonic inner fanboy screeches loudly, repeats flatly. "They say the third time's the charm, don't they?"

Umemiya sighs and scratches his head. "Don't bring superstition into this. Telling everyone about him already went too far."

"Tsubakino insisted," Hiragi offers in lieu of an explanation and pops some kind of pill into his mouth.

"It isn't right," Umemiya argues quietly, squeezing his hands together, "for us to judge him so early. Even if it is like that, everyone deserves a second chance, Hiragi."

"Are you saying this because he helped Grandpa Yama and Grandma Satou or because Kotoha-chan likes him?" 

The other snorts. "Can you blame me? Kotoha is a great judge of character."

Hiragi only wordlessly rolls with his eyes, expressing clear annoyance.

"Anyway." Umemiya turns to Nirei, suddenly all smiles. He gently slaps a hand on his shoulder. "Nirei, thanks for informing us over this. We would've never found out about this otherwise!"

Flushing, Nirei laughs awkwardly. "It was nothing...! I'm happy I could help!" 

"Having a reliable younger brother like you puts me at ease!" Umemiya brushes a hand through blond hair, ruffling the locks lightly. Nirei finds himself blushing furiously as the most respected person in Furin High praises him. It is no wonder he turns tongue-tied. "Leave the rest to us, yeah?"

"Y-Yes!"

Umemiya laughs good-naturedly. "No need to be nervous! What class are you in, Nirei?"

"Um." He takes a moment to think, remembering the blurry class distribution. Other than spotting his own name and class, he did not recall any other name. Finding someone from Bofurin took precedence. "It's Class 1-1, I think."

"That's Sugishita and Sakura's class, too," Hiragi throws in, worry bleeding into his voice.

Umemiya's smile is suddenly filled with silent trepidation.

"Let's go to the broadcast room," the other suggests with no room for discussion. Hiragi pins Nirei down with a dead look. "Nirei, go to your class and don't die."

Die?

*

Even before standing in front of his class, Nirei could hear the commotion inside from the hallway. Multiple voices are talking over each other, not even trying to be quiet.

"I'll kill you!" a deep voice growls.

"Aha, how nice."

"That ain't 'nice'!" another voice denies frantically. "Someone, stop 'em!"

Something makes a loud crashing sound. The windows rattle at the sheer impact.

"If this continues, we won't have a classroom anymore!"

"They're monsters!"

And in all that chaos, somehow Sakura's voice is unmistakable. "I haven't even said anythin' before he tried to punch me!"

Nirei gulps fearfully in front of the classroom door. If he goes in, he will probably die, right? From all Furin High students, he is the only one who cannot fight. What if whatever fight in there evolves into an all-out brawl?

This is probably what Hiragi predicted would happen!

Wait, why did Umemiya and Hiragi want to go to the broadcast room anyway?

"Stooooooooooop!"

Umemiya's voice blares out from the speakers in deafening volume. Nirei only has enough time to slap his hands over his ringing ears, his classmates managing to yell out surprised, "Yikes!" or "Shit!" in response.

"This is Bofurin's representative speaking, Umemiya Hajime! Stop fighting!"

Oh. That is their plan.

"You're too loud! We'll get noise complaints!" Hiragi scolds from the speakers. "Everyone can hear you!"

"Ehh, really? I thought if I'm loud that they'll stop faster, though..."

Nirei opens his classroom door. They actually stopped; it is completely silent in there.

Sugishita is staring at the speakers in a fascinated fashion, his nose bloody and looking painful. Opposite from him stands Sakura, unruffled. He is the only person who meets his eyes when he opens the door, everyone else focused on the speaker and standing in the back of the classroom.

The classroom, meanwhile, is a mess. Chairs and tables are overturned, the teacher's desk is in shambles and one window has a big hole. Though, if the hole has been there before or after is debatable.

"Nirei."

Nirei flinches as Sakura materializes in front of him, even if the other keeps a respectful distance between them. "Sakura...-san?"

"Where were you?" Sakura gestures to the classroom where Umemiya is talking about youth or some other in the speaker, bewitching the others. "You weren't here. The girl you saved and who asked for my help also searched for you."

Asked for my help, he says. She already saw him looking into the alley while searching for help. She did not ask him specifically for help.

What a misleading thing to say. If Nirei had not talked with her before, would he have been fooled, too? Played like a fiddle?

"I had something to do," Nirei replies shortly, squeezing past the other with a curtness that surprises even himself. Sakura looks shocked. "Excuse me."

He does not want to get used like that. It neither protects nor helps anyone. Such behavior will only get others hurt.

The moment Sakura shows his true colors, he will get purged just like any other.

*

The mood in the classroom is tense.

It did not get better even after Sugishita bit out a reluctant apology for attacking Sakura. And the only reason he even bothered is because Suo cited what Umemiya would think for doing the only thing he should not have done.

Nirei hears the others whisper between themselves, voices hushed. "These kicks were godly."

"He hit him twice! On the nose!"

Another one appears unsure. "Yeah, it's cool... but also bad, y'know?"

An outsider and potential spy hit one of the strongest guys in this school without getting harmed. Their worry is reasonable; currently, they only know about some cases of manipulation, but what about his fighting prowess?

In addition, everyone is clearly keeping their distance from Sakura. No one took their time to approach him, wary of the information they heard from Bofurin. The fact that Umemiya knew that someone is fighting without even being in the same room... It shows just how cautious Bofurin is against Sakura.

"Nire-kun," a gentle voice calls.

Nirei turns to meet a reddish-brown eye. That eyepatch and these earrings! "Y-You're Suo-san!"

"That's what everyone calls me," Suo informs cheerfully, stepping closer. "You arrived pretty late to the party, didn't you?"

He is so smiley and calm! This is not how he has pictured Suo at all! "Uh, yes, I was busy..."

"Busy? On the first day of school?"

"It was urgent," Nirei explains, finding himself sweating under Suo's perceptive gaze.

Suo hums contemplatively and folds his hands behind his back. "I see. I hope it didn't have anything to do with Umemiya-san?"

"Huh? How do you–"

The classroom door snaps open. "Hey, you guys!" an older student hollers. "Let's go outside, no buts."

Chapter Text

Suo heard about it, of course.

An outsider is going to attend Furin High with the goal to take the top spot; a boy called Sakura Haruka. Supposedly, he is under suspicion of trying to win Bofurin's trust by hiring thugs from the outside, pretending to save the day at the last second.

With this method, he has successfully charmed Tachibana Kotoha, the little sister of Bofurin's representative. Sakura also tried to get the public's favor by 'defeating' over twenty thugs all by himself.

Bofurin saw through this scheme—it is too convenient, suspicious behavior detected beforehand—and put the town on high alert, telling everyone to keep an eye on Sakura.

In a nutshell, Sakura has the whole school and town watching him. Literally. They are currently on patrol and the townsfolk' gazes could have cut through iron with the intensity they are being stared at. Talk about enemy number one, huh?

Next to him, Nirei Akihiko starts fidgeting with his fingers as the silence drags on.

Here is what Suo suspects: Nirei and Sakura have met before the school entrance ceremony. Not only did Sakura approach Nirei at the classroom door, but Nirei's reaction to Sakura is also interesting in itself.

He walked past him with an expression filled with contempt. There is obviously some kind of history behind them. Unfortunately, he was not able to glimpse Sakura's face in response to Nirei's dismissal. Sakura did not turn around for a long, long time, standing at the classroom door and staring into the blue sky.

Getting confirmation from Nirei that his absence had something to do with Umemiya and therefore, Sakura, had been easy enough. The timing had been perfect, really. Just what happened, he wonders.

"Hey, hey, hey..." Hiragi Toma breaks the silence over them, looking to the side where an elderly woman is about to climb a ladder. Everyone follows his gaze and then jolts as the third year breaks out into a sprint. "Grandma, that's dangerous! Hey, you guys come as well!"

Time later, everyone is decked out in painting gear.

"Thank you for your help," the Taiyaki shop keeper says sheepishly. He gestures to the graffiti filled wall currently being expertly painted over by Sakura. "Without you, this would have taken ages!"

"No problem!" Nirei replies bashfully, almost finished with his section.

"...I didn't think he'd be so good at painting," the shop keeper comments quietly and angles his head to him and Nirei. There is no question who 'he' is. "I heard about him from Bofurin and he seems pretty... quiet?"

It is because no one is willing to talk to him. Suo smiles benignly, passing more paint over. "We're all new, after all," he appeases and then playfully jokes, "Though I do wonder how he got so proficient at painting! Maybe he was a painter in his past life?"

The man laughs and goes on.

"Suo-san."

Suo dips his roller into the paint. "Yes, Nire-kun?"

"About Sakura-san... is it really smart to..."

Ahh, Nirei looks almost murderous. The poor roller is getting pushed onto the wall with more force than necessary. "Did something happen between you and Sakura-kun?"

"What?" Nirei squawks when he notices the roller getting squished, hastily straightening his posture as the others look over in confusion. He leans over to him. "How do you... uh, yes..."

Suo continues smiling encouragingly. "Would you tell me what happened?"

Nirei tells him. He is almost impressed by how crafty Sakura seems; not only the little sister of Bofurin's representative and the public, but also a classmate? It is enough to take notes.

"Um, yeah. Sorry for dumping all of this on you, Suo-san." Nirei scratches the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "I'm just not sure if what I did is enough. I mean, he's still here..."

"Don't forget; there is no evidence," Suo reminds him cheerfully, evasively. "Bofurin operates on a clear-cut case. Something subtle as this won't cut it. If Bofurin expelled Sakura-kun, it would be unjustified."

"How can that be? Bofurin protects this town!" Nirei sweeps a hand along the freshly painted walls, finally free of graffiti. "What he's doing is just plain wrong! It isn't justice!"

Suo does not reply.

Whatever he will say does not matter anyway; Nirei will not hear it. For him, shooting comes first and questions later. That is why he dislikes the types who push for an answer the most. There is more to a fight than beating someone up.

Not that he expected–

"Well, I guess he's right that Bofurin are protectors first..."

Suo's eye widens in surprise.

Nirei continues to be oblivious as he takes out a notebook, idly scratching some sentences into it. It clearly reads 'Top Secret' on the cover. "Observation... Information..." he mumbles quietly to himself.

"From whom did you hear that sentence?"

"Huh?" Nirei looks up as he puts his notebook away. "You mean with Bofurin being protectors?"

He nods.

"...Sakura-san said it."

Huh. How interesting.

Maybe admiration and contempt can go hand in hand, after all.

*

Here is what Suo knows: Sakura is strong enough to easily defeat Sugishita Kyoutarou, but chose not to.

Sugishita is no pushover. He fights aggressively, fiercely and strongly. One hit and the opponent will see stars or nothing at all. The title as one of Furin High's strongest is no mere bluff and the show against Sakura proved that.

And still, he was no match for Sakura.

In that short bout, Sakura turned momentum into a deadly weapon; the second he built up speed, there was no catching up for Sugishita. He made it look easy, weaving around, predicting movements, and parrying Sugishita's strikes.

Of course, Sakura himself has refrained from tapping into his full potential—against Sugishita, he only landed two powerful kicks on the nose. But to Suo, it was clear; Sakura saw the opportunities to counter, to leave the other in the dust, and chose to ignore them.

Why?

Suo is not sure. It can be anything between not wanting to cause trouble on the first school day, from wanting to hide the full extent of his abilities, to not seeing the point in humoring Sugishita. At this point in time, he did not have the chance to analyze Sakura's personality except for previously thinking he is stupid for saying he wants to take the top spot and feeling a reluctant respect for his mind and fighting ability.

Other than that, Sakura kept to himself and did not get approached by anyone. He wonders if Sakura even knows about Bofurin telling everyone to keep an eye on him.

"Stop, you brat!"

Everyone snaps to attention as a boy comes slowly visible on the other side of the tunnel. "A San Middle School uniform?" Hiragi whispers under his breath, then hollers for the boy to move quickly onto the other side of the tunnel.

"These orange jackets...! It's Shishitoren!" Nirei shouts, quickly identifying the pursuers.

The next events pass in a blur. Sugishita kicks one of the pursuers down. The two Shishitoren guys make fun of their unconscious teammate. Togame Jo appears on the scene which prompts Hiragi to step forward. They witness how Togame kicks out their teammate.

Until then, the situation is tense but not filled with animosity.

That is, until Sakura releases a loud yawn. "Huuuwah..."

Instantly, everyone's eyes zero onto him. Togame's expression quickly falls into one of neutrality. "Hooo? Someone seems bored... Or missed his beauty nap."

The other two Shishitoren members begin to titter.

Hiragi turns around to send Sakura a warning glance. He is probably thinking that, at this point, the situation can escalate, making Bofurin carry the consequences of Sakura's actions. As he is under suspicion right now, that can only spell trouble. "Sakura, don't."

Suo continues smiling. Falling back is not the right response, though.

Surprisingly, Sakura gives an understanding hand gesture. Unfortunately, the dismissive, bored look he is pinning on Togame seems to be provocative enough, because Togame sidesteps Hiragi completely to stand in front of Sakura with narrowed eyes.

"That expression... how irritatin'..."

Sakura only rolls his eyes with a silent scoff. Shishitoren suddenly stops laughing.

"Huuuuh... You've got some guts, Othello-kun." Togame's grin is wide and unsmiling; vicious and bloodthirsty. "I'll remember you, yeah?"

Togame strolls back to the pale, shaking Shishitoren members. Next to Suo, Nirei is in a similar state.

"Until then."

Shishitoren disappears behind the tunnel. That appears to be enough for Nirei, because he yells towards Sugishita and Sakura, "What the hell was that, you two?! This was their turf! What if they'll declare war?!"

Sugishita ignores him.

"Doesn't look like the kinda guy to let this go," Sakura argues dismissively and gestures to where broken glass litters the floor.

"Still! Your attitude didn't make it better–!"

"So, what?" Sakura crosses his arms, expression not showing an ounce of compassion. Rather, he appears almost disappointed. "Furin started this. You're gonna back down 'cuz it suddenly seems serious?"

Nirei flinches back. "No, I don't..."

"Sorry," Hiragi cuts in, looking nearly dejected as if he has been scolded and not Nirei, "I should have acted first. This is on me, so don't worry about it."

"Hiragi-san..." Nirei seems crestfallen.

Sakura's face does not change, but he seems to soften a tad. Or perhaps it does because he starts approaching the middle schooler. "Hey, you okay?"

"I-I'm Sasaki." The boy is still shaking from the adrenaline, face swollen and blue. "I'm f-fine. Thank you for saving me."

"Wasn't me," he says simply and points at Sugishita who blinks in surprise. "It was him."

Sasaki obediently changes course and thanks a slightly confused Sugishita.

*

It is interesting how Sakura does not even pretend to be surprised by the rooftop's strange look. Instead, similar to Sugishita, Sakura ignores most of it and glances to the side where a lone, white-haired boy is tending to the plants.

Hiragi approaches him and tries to mention what happened, only for both of the older boys to completely talk past each other. When Umemiya notices them, he proudly shows off his collection of plants to a fuming Hiragi, a nodding Sugishita, a nervous Sasaki, a fidgeting Nirei and an annoyed Sakura.

Sasaki, practically taunt with tension, speaks up and explains what happened. At the end of it, he bows down and apologizes for pulling Bofurin into a potential war with Shishitoren, though Umemiya is quick to reassure him and fish for more details.

Hiragi holds his stomach in pain. "I should've acted earlier... Now Togame will be going after Sugishita and Sakura..."

"Mostly Sakura-san," Nirei blurts out, then hastily looks away as Sakura turns to him with narrowed eyes. "Eep!"

"Oho? Why mostly?" an intrigued Umemiya asks Sakura.

"He didn't like my face," Sakura replies bluntly, meeting the other's eyes directly in a light scowl. "And he's so lame. It bored me."

Umemiya nods in understanding. "I see, I see. So, you thought that backing down is no option?"

Everyone sans Sakura blink in astonishment at Umemiya.

Nirei discreetly leans over and mumbles to him, "Um, how did Umemiya-san understand that from Sakura-san's words...?"

Suo smiles at Nirei and does not answer. He also has no clue.

"No," the outsider replies to Umemiya. "That ain't it."

Sakura's grin is pure, unbending resolve.

"I thought that this is somethin' I want to do."

Umemiya's eyes widen in shock. He is not the only one; the rest has their mouth dropped open, eyebrows rising from sheer disbelief. "You..." the Bofurin representative mutters slowly and does not break eye contact. "You're quite interesting, Sakura."

How selfish. Even worse than a grade schooler. Suo cannot believe that Umemiya has the self-control to refrain from expressing his disgust.

"Terrible..." Nirei whispers quietly.

For once, he agrees.

*

Shishitoren invading their turf makes all of them scramble down, Umemiya in the front and Hiragi at his back.

At the last stairs outside, Umemiya stops suddenly. "Hey," he utters loudly, "please don't interfere, all right?"

Suo wonders who Umemiya means with that request. Hiragi, probably? As the right-hand man of Bofurin's representative. Not that it matters; everyone sans Sakura nods determinedly.

The ensuing conversation between both leaders is certainly something different. Tomiyama Choji's unhinged smile and empty eyes feel instinctively revolting as if a moving corpse is dancing around, imitating life. As the entire Shishitoren shows up, Suo steps forward to stand next to Umemiya and sees Hiragi as well as Sugishita do the same, with Nirei hiding behind him.

"Oh, Othello-kun, what're you doin' standin' that far away?" Togame calls to Sakura, the only one who did not move from the stairs and stayed behind. "Don't tell me, you're scared?"

"You're already surrounded, dumbass," Sakura states evenly with a finger pointed skyward.

Everyone turns around to see the entirety of Furin High standing in front of the windows, gazing down at Shishitoren with dark looks upon their faces.

Suo wonders how Sakura knew about the students gathering.

Umemiya is quick to defuse the situation. Sadly, the same Shishitoren guy from before has to provoke Sugishita, prompting the other one from Shishitoren to throw his cents in. Suo gleefully shuts him down.

Togame calms Shishitoren down by suggesting moving the duel onto another day, then has to address Sakura again, "Also, when it's so dark, I won't be able to see your bruised and beaten faces, y'know? Right, Othello-kun?"

"Not like you can see much anyway. Glasses at dusk, huh?"

Umemiya quickly loses control over the state of affairs after that. The previous duel evolves into a group battle with the teams on the line. That Hiragi joins is the final nail in the coffin.

"Let's have fun together!"

Chapter Text

"Sakura, can we talk?"

Somehow, getting this one simple, plain request out is more nerve-wracking than asking Sakura not to interfere in the Shishitoren situation. Maybe, it is because he did not have to turn around. Now, however, he is pinned under that blue and yellow gaze once again.

They are alone on the rooftop, Hiragi running errands for the battle tomorrow.

"Umemiya," Sakura says simply.

"No, lemme talk first," he cuts in before the other can continue. "Just... What you said here on the rooftop earlier, did you mean it?"

Sakura scowls and crosses his arms. "Yeah. I didn't mean it like I'm crazy to provoke 'em, though."

That much he has gathered. For all intents and purposes, Sakura does not strike him as a battle junkie who only does whatever he wants, the consequences he brings be damned. Otherwise, Sakura would have ignored his request not to interfere.

"You said that it's something you wanna do. What does that mean?"

"What does it mean?" Sakura repeats with a raised eyebrow, sounding incredulous.

Umemiya stares at Sakura, but his expression stays openly confused. He honestly, sincerely seems clueless. Umemiya tries to paraphrase, "When you said it, what were you thinking?"

"What I was..." Sakura mumbles back.

Earlier on the rooftop, he was taken aback by Sakura's words. It almost seemed like he was saying he did it on a whim with no deeper thoughts behind it, only to sew unintentional chaos.

However, Umemiya realized that it could not be like that. 'Interesting' does not even cover it.

Seeing the raging inferno burning in Sakura, the unbending, fierce grin, clearly implies something deeper. No, something much larger than only a mere whim. In his eyes, he saw a heaviness transcending words, a responsibility that is in part lonely and fulfilling.

A resolve.

At that moment, Umemiya understood that he is not sitting in front of an outsider, or a spy, or someone who has much to learn about being a leader; he is, in fact, standing in front of someone who is already a leader, someone more experienced and even more resolute.

Telling Sakura not to interfere has also been an acknowledgement from one leader to another. 'Don't interfere,' he requested. 'I want to show you who I am.'

Sakura showed him. Umemiya does not quite understand it, yet, but he really wants to.

The next step towards it is this.

"I want to protect this place."

Sakura gazes on to the town, towards the horizon. The sun is on its last rays.

"All the feelings and the people. Shishitoren... They needed help. It's somethin' I wanna do."

Oh.

Sakura... seems like a good guy.

*

Umemiya calls Hiragi to go without him to Café Pothos for now.

"Are ya sure? You were the one who said to eat there, y'know?" the other points out. "Leavin' the first-years waitin' for you... your first impression is already shit."

"It'll be fine! I'm just gonna be a bit late!"

"Tch. Suit yourself." The call ends.

Sakura huffs next to him, tending to the tomato plant with surprising care. "Y'know, the sun has already set. Hiragi won't fall for your excuse."

"It's fine, it's fine." He waves his hand dismissively with a laugh. "Hiragi won't be too mad. Probably!"

"Ain't you I'm worried about. He'll kill himself with all these Gas-kun 10."

Umemiya agrees.

Though, he is wondering more along the lines of how Sakura can talk about Hiragi so familiarly when they have just met today? According to Hiragi, he has avoided being in contact with Sakura as much as possible.

Hm. Well, when in doubt, asking seems to be the key!

"How do y'know that about Hiragi?"

Sakura shoots him a panicked, wide-eyed look before whirling his head to the other side. "T-That... I saw him havin' Gas-kun 10 today! Also, it's none of your business!"

Uwah, what a terrible liar.

Is he really a spy, or– No, wait.

In the darkness, Umemiya spots a slow red climbing up to pink ears. It is not easy to discern, but because Sakura turned his head away, the lamp is exactly shining on the back of his head and hands. Even his fingers are blushing, holy shit.

"Are you... embarrassed?" is what leaves his mouth in disbelief.

Umemiya throws himself back as a punch narrowly whistles by his chin. Behind the fist, Sakura's blushing face is in stark light. "S-Shaddup! Tryin' to pick a fight? I'll kill you!"

"Sorry," he apologizes with a laugh, and then raises his hands placatingly when the other makes a threatening step forward. "Really sorry! Don't punch me!"

That strike would have left a very nasty mark if it hit. Embarrassed Sakura is scary, all right. Note to self: do not poke unless ready for combat!

"Anyway, you're just a bit strange, Sakura." Umemiya walks back and crouches down in front of the cucumber plants. "Ah, not bad or anything," he adds when he sees Sakura's frown. "You're just... a bit too familiar with this town." Smartly, he does not mention his frankly suspicious behavior.

Sakura tilts his head to the side. "How? I'm like always."

"How?" he echoes in disbelief. "You told me you wanna protect this town. Today's your second day here."

"What? You ain't believin' me, or somethin'?"

Umemiya shakes his head. "No, I believe you." Sakura's eyes widen at his words, and he appears to be blushing again. So easily embarrassed? He suppresses a snort, idly commenting, "It's just unusual. You don't know anyone here but proclaim to wanna protect them. What did this town do for you to make you fall in love with it?"

As expected, that panicked, lonely expression flits by again and Sakura turns his head away. "I-I don't..."

"What, you don't love this town?"

Sakura stays silent.

"The reason why I believed you," he continues calmly, "is because of how you gazed at the town when you told me what you're thinking."

'I want to stay here,' his gaze said. 'Can I?'

No one would make such a happy but longing face if they did not care about it at all.

"Sakura."

Umemiya looks at Sakura.

"I'm looking at you. I'm here, yeah?"

And miraculously, Sakura looks back.

*

This will probably be the last chance Umemiya has to talk to Sakura undisturbed before he will be swarmed with work. Shishitoren and the grade captains... Ah, being a leader will never be boring.

Anyhow, now is the best time to clarify if he truly is a spy with good taste but wrong behavior or an outsider with weird habits to observe people getting ganged up upon or about to vandalize stuff—in that case, he should probably stop before being accused as a pervert.

"Umemiya." Surprisingly, it is Sakura who takes the initiative first; he seems mighty uncomfortable, though. "I know you said you're believin' me and all that, but... aren't you bein' too soft?"

Umemiya feels his heartbeat accelerating, his hands becoming twitchy. Yes, it is hard to believe that an awkward, seemingly good guy can be a spy, but everything can happen in life... though it is getting increasingly harder to grasp.

Right now, if Sakura really is a spy, he is doing a damn good job about it.

"You want me to doubt you?" he teases lightly.

"Idiot, that ain't what I mean." Sakura kicks a stray pebble to the side, both of his hands stuck in his pockets. "I heard about it all. About me bein' a spy."

Umemiya stops walking. After a few seconds, Sakura stops as well.

His expression is neutral. It is hard to read, a complete contrast to earlier.

"So, you knew," he states solemnly. "Who told you? Or did you overhear?"

Sakura huffs a breath out. "Kotoha told me. The townsfolk wouldn't even look at me."

Betrayed by his own sister. Also, she was not supposed to know anyway! Seriously, this is not how he expected this conversation to go. He imagined it more like, 'You spy?' and Sakura responding with a, 'The hell, no!' or a 'Shit, how you know?' and him explaining 'Well, you weren't so slick!' in a dramatic fashion.

Or perhaps they would fight, and he would hopefully win.

"But you're lookin' at me." Sakura's eyes narrow and his lips pull back in a snarl. "Why? I never got to ask, so why're you so damn soft?"

Never got to ask? Never mind that, Sakura appears to shelf the whole spy thing altogether and concentrate more on... him. His personality and belief. This is so confusing.

"I'm looking at you, 'cuz you seem–"

"–Like a good guy, yeah, I know," the other finishes impatiently. "Not what I mean. Again."

...Can Sakura read minds? No, wait, that is ridiculous.

"I'm askin' you why do you always give second chances? Why believe in somethin' that has no proof, no evidence pointin' elsewhere?"

Umemiya sees an orphanage, full of smiling children. His unborn younger sibling. Them, calling him big brother. A vow not to fail again. His parents relieved smiles as they saved him. So much love that his heart is filled to the brim.

On that rooftop, the possibilities seemed so heavy, so hopeless. It did not change a thing.

"That kindness of yours will be your downfall!" Sakura yells roughly, as if it is a certainty, something he has seen and lived. He sounds like he is about to cry. "Sayin' you'll never lose—you're just protectin' what you're scared to lose again! And still, you don't... you don't watch the inside. It's only the outside you're watchin' for."

Like a coconut that is hard outside but soft from the inside, Bofurin is ill-equipped to identify or handle any breaches. Umemiya knows that, saw it in the way Sakura has been treated, and yet... There is always a chance.

"It's an illusion. It's empty. A false peace. What you're doin' is just puttin' the wool over everyone's eyes, pretendin' we're strong from the outside and inside."

Sakura's stare is full of accusation.

"Only acceptin' the good things and ignorin' the bad things—that ain't how it works, dumbass!"

The whole town is believing in him for guidance. They are waiting for Umemiya Hajime to show them the way, to lead them, to always know what to do. He is shouldering all of it.

It is heavy.

If... If Umemiya introduced the possibility of a mole among the townsfolk, a spy among Bofurin; would all of them still be able to eat together, happily and with a smile? Can he still enjoy the food to the fullest with them if not?

"You're gonna lose," Sakura declares and then, as he whirls around and continues towards Café Pothos, he adds resolutely, "And I'm gonna stop it, damn it."

Umemiya feels naked. That must have been the biggest, most confusing, most scathing scolding he has ever gotten in his life. He does not know what to do. Sakura's back is getting further and further away...

He finds Hiragi's figure overlapping with Sakura's. A voice from the past, his own, uttering cheerfully, '...beat me back to the right path!'

I'm not alone.

It is like waking up from a long but good dream.

"You said 'we' just now."

Sakura comes to a stop, his head tilting around. The streetlamp shines directly on him.

"You behave suspiciously and lie badly, befriend my younger sister and agree to have a chat with me even though you know we distrust you. You love this town and scold me for how I'm leading Bofurin." Umemiya purses his lips together, eyebrows furrowing. "Sakura Haruka, who are you?"

Sakura's face darkens.

Why is he making an expression like that? In front of him, he is fierce and open, easily embarrassed and earnest, but when that topic arrives, he appears so damn lonely? It is a hopelessness that seems larger than life.

"What the hell are you hiding?"

Sakura clicks with his tongue as his head turns away. "Drop it. It's none of your business."

No. If he drops it now, he will never get an answer, never get closure where this amazing person, who is in love with this town, came from!

"Tell me." Umemiya marches forward until he stands behind Sakura, staring at his back. "Hey, Sakura. C'mon."

"Leave me alone, Umemiya!"

"C'mon. I won't laugh or get angry."

As he is standing behind Sakura, he can spot the moment his shoulders begin to hike up. "Stop. I don't want to."

"Please."

"Don't beg!" he shouts angrily and turns around to strongly poke a finger against his chest. "You're a leader, you can't just beg a stranger, Umemiya! Damn it, why the hell do I have to tell you that?!"

Umemiya holds the finger poking him. Sakura snaps to attention immediately. "Sakura, please look my way. If you do, maybe you'll find what you want."

"No, I won't," Sakura denies quickly, keeping his head stubbornly lowered. "I tried to. I asked. I can't."

"Just maybe, a miracle will happen. You're here, aren't you? Someone so capable, so amazing."

Ah, he is blushing again. "Stop it... I can't, so drop it already..."

Fine. If compliments will not work, then bargaining it is. Swiftly, before the other can regain his composure, he cheerfully offers, "Try once and then I'll never ask again!"

"...Really?" Sakura asks suspiciously.

Umemiya nods quickly with his fingers crossed behind his back. What he does not know will not hurt him! Sorry, Sakura! He has to take advantage of his purity for a bit! After that, he will teach him not to get scammed!

"...Fine," he gives in and raises his head. Sakura locks eyes with him; a piercing stare as if he could see right through his defenses. "After that, you'll shut up, all right?"

"Yes! Great! So, feel free to–!"

"I'm from the future."

Chapter Text

Umemiya blinks. The words travel from his ears into his brain in a dizzying loop, without a hint of comprehension. "What?" he croaks out, throat dry.

Sakura's own expression morphs from its previous one to... confusion? No, surprise? The other's eyes widen like dinner plates, and there is a baffled sheen to them. "I-I said," Sakura whispers, insecurity lining every letter now, "I'm... I'm from the future..."

This time, the meaning of the words hit true. But... Future? That sounds...

"I'm from the future," the other repeats loudly in a dazed tone.

Somehow, Umemiya manages to pry his mouth open, "Y-Yeah, that's what you said–"

"I'm from the future." Sakura does not seem to realize he interrupted him; instead, his gaze flits from one end to the other, a breathless, tight undertone in his words that makes his whole face rigid. "I'm from the future."

The words sound like he is trying to convince himself.

"Sakura, you don't have to repeat yourse–"

"I am," he presses stiffly out between clenched teeth and even more clenched fists, "from the future!"

The words echo into the evening. The dark sky and he are the only witness as Sakura's expression crumbles. His eyes look wet.

"I'm..."

The voice peters out.

*

A while later, less time Umemiya would have thought it would take, they talk. About... the future. About a lot. About why Sakura scolded 'him'. Current and future him.

This... is one of the conversations that stays with him the longest.

"It ain't a problem how you lead or anythin'," Sakura assures roughly, leaning back and crossing his arms against the bench. Only his red-rimmed eyes give a hint of what occured minutes prior. "It's kinda... in this Bofurin here, you're irreplaceable."

Umemiya shakes his head. Perhaps, in denial or maybe, just to say anything. "Everyone is irreplaceable."

"That ain't how Bofurin thinks. For 'em, you're indispensable. You're the most important person in Bofurin." Sakura carefully does not look into his direction. Umemiya is sure that he can almost glimpse a hint of resentment if he tries hard enough. "If you fall, all of Bofurin falls."

It hits right in the heart.

He knows, he knows, all right, and that is why...

"That's also why you couldn't afford to lose." Sakura's words fall and rise. "And yet, you did. You lost."

"How?" he asks breathlessly, somehow a plea and a demand. "How?"

How did I fail everyone? he does not ask. He does not have to.

"Moles in Bofurin. Spies. They trapped you."

His words are swift, concise.

Umemiya clearly hears the things unsaid; his kindness, his trust, is his greatest downfall. Separated, trapped and with misplaced faith in the wrong people, he fell. He lost. Everyone, Makochi and Furin High, believed in him and he... fell short.

He almost wants to laugh. It is not funny.

Sakura appears hesitant at whatever expression he must be making. "They..." He turns around to meet his eyes, frowning. "They injured you."

"Oh."

A disbelieving laugh comes out. Sakura is not laughing.

"Everyone couldn't believe it. For a while, they were in denial." Sakura breathes out as if the memory physically hurts him. He looks like he is in pain. "They didn't... For a long time, they didn't understand."

Umemiya does not understand as well. What is so hard to understand? He failed! He lost! Even when he was not alone, with everyone's belief and faith in him, he still failed them all! And to top it off, he came back injured; a fall from grace.

He–

"That you're human, Umemiya. Just like everyone else."

Sakura's expression is filled with soft pity. And most importantly, with warm understanding.

Umemiya recoils. His thoughts run a million miles per hour, his mouth opening and closing without sound. In the end, what leaves his lips is a mere word.

"No."

Sakura ignores him. The words that should not be said and are said anyway leave without stopping, "You and everyone else put you on that pedestal. Umemiya Hajime's fall was a long one and... no one knew what to do with you gone."

It's an illusion. It's empty. A false peace. If you fall, Bofurin falls.

The outside seems strong, but the inside is weak. That chance, his trust, their expectations, it doomed them all. So much hard work all for nothing.

And Sakura is saying, This ain't how it's supposed to be. It's your mistake and everyone else's mistake.

"I know you didn't mean for things to come out this way. That you only wanted to protect everyone so that we could all eat together."

He has known the truth for a long time now. Sakura even yelled it; protection is what he always says, but what is underneath it all is also... fear. To lose it all again. He did. He does. He will.

"It wasn't sustainable, was it?" he sighs, resigned.

"Yeah," Sakura murmurs softly, sadly, his shoulders slumping down with a memory tearing him apart. "Everyone's expectations were on you. The moment you lost, Bofurin fell like a card house."

Umemiya tries to imagine it.

Hiragi running around, working himself ragged. Tsubakino standing so, so strong even if it kills him inside. Momose drawing until the paper bleeds, until the pen breaks. Mizuki aspiring to be a hero, to save the day, trying to hold Bofurin together.

Bofurin crumbling from the inside, fear and uncertainty lining the walls, poisoning the air. No one knows who to trust anymore.

He does not want to imagine it anymore. "What did you do, Sakura?"

"Got angry. Screamed at Hiragi, at everyone. I'm not you, Umemiya, I won't be their god."

Sakura squints at him and looks at him with a challenging gaze at these words, as if to say, What? If you have something to say, then say it now.

Umemiya cannot suppress the amusement from bubbling up, rising to the surface, pulling his lips up to form a smile. That young face and these resolute words...

"So, you stepped up. Rallied everyone together."

Sakura blinks at his deduction or perhaps his sudden smile, then grimaces. "...It ain't how you think. They followed me, sure, but it was a mess. I was a mess." His voice comes out strangled. "It was... hard."

It is heavy.

Shouldering all of it; it is a heavy, all-encompassing responsibility. No day passes where Umemiya does not feel like the weight of it all will crush him.

Sakura, who had to watch Bofurin shatter and then build it up again...

"I'll stop it," Sakura whispers and his eyes, his expression, lights up with something he cannot name, something he does not know.

Umemiya only knows that this knowledge, this curse, binds them together now.

For better or worse.