Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Algae covers the surface of the moat, concealing the depths and secrets surely hidden within. Like all people, all places have secrets, especially the kind of place with a moat around it. Moats keep secrets in and people out, with no way to get in--

A large, mahogany drawbridge falls to the ground, nearly crushing Akito's feet. Not the best start. He speaks up, generally irritated.

“What the actual hell is this?!” He gestures to the giant castle looming over them, as if it had personally offended him.

Tsukasa looks over at Akito, turning to the group who are now standing with their mouths agape at the sheer scale of the house.

“Well, this house will be perfect for a star like me! It's like Hollywood!”

A dumbfounded An finally comes to her senses. “We can't live here! This is a bloody castle, not a house! That's like saying Kohane is a little bit talented!”

“A-An-chan… stop…”

Toya, standing further back, was speechless, preferring to not comment on this whole situation and keep his thoughts to himself, not asking Saki how the hell she can afford this. He knows better than to ask questions.

...

After a while of arguing, discussion, and Tsukasa seeing a fly, they all go inside the castle, Toya clutching Akito's arm at the distance from the ground and the uncomfortable creaking sounds of the ancient wood.

Upon entering the castle, Tsukasa gasps at the sight, yet, even being the loudest of them all--

“THIS IS RIDICULOUS!! WHO FURNISHED THIS?! IS THIS HOW IT WAS AFFORDABLE FOR A YOUNG ADULT IN THIS ECONOMY?!”

“An-chan, please, calm down.”

Rui answers An's question, not quite picking up that it was rhetorical. “I’m not quite sure, but I wouldn't say it's bad. The pink is… bold, I'll say, and carpet on the walls is an interesting design choice, but it's better than moss covered walls, and the furniture looks incredibly comfortable... is all I can say.”

Tsukasa finds his voice again, and lets everyone know about it, much to his perturbed kouhai's annoyment, as the ginger side-eyes him poisonously. “Forget being fit for a star -", he says, turning to An and after all, the designer is the one and only yours truly - this place is fit for a KING OR QUEEN!”

As if on cue, the great doors at the top of the staircase swing open with a thunderous rumble, as if by a ghost.

"Well, well, welcome to my not-so-humble abode... Friends."

Chapter Text

“Quick, everyone, get out!” An screams into the cafe, smoke seeping out the doors and making her hoarse. Everything was burning and burning fast, burning down until it falls over, to an ugly black. It's best to run away and never look back. In hindsight, maybe Ken should have done more research and not have bought the cafe made of Aluminum Composite panels, and proceed to do yoga with incense in the back room. Just a thought.

“Everyone is out! An-chan, where are you? Please don't die! I love you, I've waited all my life for you, I just wanna hold you in my arms!” The singer's voice is croaky, and keeps breaking, as if she's crying.

“An, get out of there right now! I didn't raise you a famous singer so you could die at home! I raised you to be assassinated as a publicity stunt!” An would have shouted back, if her lungs weren't full of ash. That's when she sees it. The photo album. She dives through the flames, and grasps the folder with burnt fingers.

There's an ominous creak.

A rafter snaps.

A hand grabs hers.

Fresh air finally fills her lungs, but the moment is soon interrupted with coughing and choking as her partner pats her back, like that would help.

“(Cough) Kohaneeeee- (cough) you saved me, you're like my knight in a shining backwards cap-”

“An-chan, what were you thinking?! You just went back in! You could have been really, really hurt!”

An notices the burns on Kohane's clothes and skin, but she still doesn't regret saving the album. “I had to. It's got pictures of Mom and Aunt Nagi in it.”

Now it's Ken's turn to be pissed.

“I had those saved to iCloud. You had also better not have messed up your voice with that little stunt. I spent your college fund on the equipment in there.

“Well this is… sad.”, Toya whispers under his breath, a tear picking up the soot on his face

“Yeah. Just a bit.” Akito snapped back to him sarcastically, rolling his eyes at his partner's comment, before realising he's crying. “Hey, Aibou. We're going to be fine. We'll find another house. Ken-san can get one for us all.” “

Yeah, so, kids, I, uh, I spent my life savings on coffee beans.” The response to Ken's words is unanimous and simultaneous.

“Fuck.”

...

A couple weeks later, after recovering from the whole situation, Akito receives a message. Despite receiving lots of messages as he is somehow popular, this one sticks out to him.

~＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ 𝑆𝐴𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊~ >>hihihi Shinonome actually can I call you Akito yea hihihi Akito so I heard ur in a pickle which is not good!!!!! Verry sad (Tʖ̯T) but anywhay I have a house for u and ur freinds and aslo some ofb my frieends so tie9s will be good and im sure ull ascsept my ofer!!!!<<

Akito reads the message multiple times before letting out an audible sigh.

“That's Tsukasa-senpai's little sister that he's obsessed with, isn't it… looks like she's just as insufferable. But we really do need a house, I can hear the rats in the wall.”

“Akito. Saki-san has been a very good friend to me. I hold her very dear. I should very much like to take her up on this marvellous offer.”

“Whatcha talking about?”, An reads the message over Akito's shoulder. “Yes. The rats keep shit talking me and doing wheelies in a Jeep right outside the window. I hate motels.”

“An-chan, don't listen to them. They're meanies.”

And so, Vivid Bad Squad set off to the location sent by Tenma Saki, An never letting the photo album leave her sight.