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Toma swore his heart pumped faster as Tomiyama and Togame, and some of the Shishitoren members asked for their help in saving Sako.
His stomach felt that uneasy feeling again. Making him want to swallow a whole pack of Gas-kun 10, if only Kaji, who was equally panicked, hadn't stopped him. The junior threw away the candy he was eating, and took off his headphones that were blaring loud music. Now he, Umemiya, and Kaji, and some of the Shishitoren members were running towards the location they believed Sako was currently at.
God, it seemed like he would need 2 full packs of Gas-kun 10 after this was all over.
Let's take a step back, Toma, Umemiya, Mizuki, Momose, and Tsubaki were gathered discussing something that Umemiya said was important ─which was just about the growth of his tomatoes─ on the roof of their school.
Then, not long after that, Tomiyama, Togame, and a Shishitoren member he had never seen before arrived accompanied by Kaji. “Woah, Tomiyama, Togame! What’s wrong?” Umemiya happily asked his guest.
“Ume-chan, we need your help.” When Tomiyama said that with a serious face, Umemiya and the others immediately understood that something was not trivial. “Did something happen?”
A Shishitoren member Toma had never seen before stood nervously as Tomiyama stared at him, “He’s Inugami,” His face was covered in bandages, as were several other parts of his body such as his neck and knuckles. “So?” Toma decided to ask.
Inugami took a deep breath before opening his mouth, “I… Let Sako-san get kidnapped.” Usually Toma wouldn’t have been so worried if all he heard was Sako being beaten up. However, what he heard this time wasn’t that.
Kaji even took out the candy he was sucking on just to hear those words. Tsubaki looked at Inugami before asking, “Can you explain it in detail?” Although it sounded like an order, with Tsubaki’s soft tone, it still sounded like a normal question.
“This is a bit embarrassing.. But, there’s a gang we don’t know about that has started attacking us in the past few days.” Togame took over. “It seems like it’s because of the last Noroshi incident.. Several of our members had to be hospitalized due to being brutally and continuously attacked.”
“But, this time it was my fault. If I hadn’t been careless, maybe Sako-san wouldn’t have─”
“Inugami-chan, you were attacked too, you can’t blame yourself for that.” Tomiyama looked at his members. The dark-haired teenager denied it again, “Not only that.. I knew that Sako-san wasn’t feeling well, and let him fight them.. So─”
“Wait, wait. You said Sako wasn’t feeling well?” Hearing Toma’s question, Inugami looked at him doubtfully, “I told him to run, knowing he can’t even clench his fists. But—” Once again, Inugami was cut off.
This time, it wasn’t from Tomiyama or Toma, but from Togame’s phone. The phone rang and vibrated a few times, before he decided to open it.
Okay, Toma was really worried now. Kidnapped, not feeling well, not being able to clench his fists properly, kidnapped. Kidnapped. His beloved junior was kidnapped, and he was panicking like a chicken that had lost its head.
His hand moved to take out a pack of Gas-kun 10, intending to swallow everything left in the pack, before Kaji caught his hand. “Hiragi-san. The last time we visited Sako who was feeling unwell, he really couldn’t do anything. If Inugami’s words are true, then…”
“Fuck!” His attention was diverted to Togame who cursed, “They really finished Sako off.” He continued. Umemiya took over Togame’s phone, staring at the screen for a moment, before looking at Momose, Tsubaki, and Mizuki. “I need the three of you to watch the area around here. Just in case they attack us.”
Hearing that, Toma looked at Togame’s phone screen, an open message box, containing several threats ─Were they empty threats? ─ and an attached photo.
Sako, battered with blood coming out of her temple and unconscious, was tied up so he couldn’t move, left wet on the ground. He clenched his fists in annoyance. “Sako-chan..” Tomiyama muttered softly, before looking at Togame and nodding.
“They sent the location.” Togame said briefly before looking at Umemiya. “Umemiya, please help us.” The white-haired boy nodded, putting on his robe before walking down from the roof.
Toma remembered, the last time he and Kaji met Sako who was feeling unwell, Sako really couldn’t move. His body was really weak, as if he was dying. Whatever he felt, Toma and Kaji were sure that it was not pleasant at all.
He also remembered Sako's super hot body that he had to carry when the young man lost consciousness several times in a few minutes, damn. That day, Sako spent his day fainting dozens of times and being carried by Toma.
Shit, he's really worried.
If something happened to his Sako, he swore to finish off anyone who attacked Shishitoren, and make them wish they had never been born.
On the other hand, Kaji who followed Hiragi was just as worried as the older one. He remembered how many times he had to rub Sako's back who woke up and cried after the nightmares that everyone usually had when they had a high fever.
He remembered all the dreams that Sako told him, about how he was at fault that his parents divorced ─ Kaji's sure as hell Sako did nothing wrong.
He also remembered how Sako vomited the contents of his stomach, until he only released air.
Ah, at that time Kaji should have pulled Sako to come with him, because he knew that Sako would do whatever Hiragi told him with a confused feeling. Kaji also knew that at that time he should have accompanied Sako who immediately had a fever, but he preferred to follow his senior.
What kind of best friend is he?
Kaji will save his best friend, make up with him, and make Sako get back with Hiragi. Honestly, he was sick of seeing his two friends like a married couple who fought over trivial things, and chose to ignore each other.
The point is, save Sako, fix their relationship, and make Hiragi and Sako express their feelings to each other.
Inugami clenched his fists tightly. He should have been able to prevent Sako from intervening. If that had happened, maybe Sako wouldn't have had to be kidnapped by a gang whose name and origin he didn't know at all.
Besides, where did that nameless gang come from? Attacking them suddenly. Hey! So many of Inugami's friends had to be hospitalized, or even couldn't gather at the old theater that was their headquarters because they were injured.
Inugami hoped they would get well soon, but he hoped Sako was okay more. He saw his senior staggering several times, and holding his head. However, Sako still forced himself to walk, even asking Inugami to accompany him, because he wanted to get some fresh air while walking to the Shishitoren headquarters.
When Sako asked, he should have refused gently and told hiw senior to rest until he felt better. But what made him feel so guilty was letting Sako intervene when they were surrounded by people carrying iron and wood.
If only he could pull Sako.. Now, his beloved senior had to suffer being splashed with water that Inugami was sure was cold from the picture he saw. Tsk, he would really beat up those who hurt hos friends. Inugami bit his lip in annoyance.
Sako knew that he should have just stayed home. However, he chose to hang out with Shishitoren, discussing the gang that had started attacking them lately.
So, when he met Inugami on the street, and the younger one asked if he was okay, Sako replied that he was fine and just needed some fresh air.
He felt even more like trash after being exposed to the fresh air he wanted. You're dead, Kota, he thought.
Several times he staggered, making Inugami have to hold him, and tell him to go home and rest. The problem was, Sako himself was quite a stubborn person. Therefore, whatever Inugami did to get him back to his bed in his house, he refused everything.
And at that moment Inugami and himself were surrounded by dozens of people who he believed were from the gang that had attacked them. Inugami told him again to run, get away from there, but again he refused, raising his two hands that he couldn't even clench properly.
Sako could feel his own body was very hot, and no matter how hard he tried, his body really couldn't hold on any longer, and now he chose to fight with dozens of people? He really was stupid.
He blinked for a moment, and in the next second, he had moved somewhere. Both of his legs and hands were tied and thrown to the ground, Sako could feel a liquid flowing down from his temples.
Sako groaned, trying to regain his memory of what happened earlier. But his efforts instead made the people around him realize that Sako had regained consciousness.
"You finally woke up, damn Shishitoren." Ah, yes. That's right, he and Inugami were attacked. So, where is Inugami now? "It took you quite a long time to come back, a sleeping beauty are n'tcha?" Another voice was heard.
Sako was silent, unable to respond, but then, he heard another voice. "Hey, so arrogant?" Sako turned his gaze, looking at the people who caught him. "Hey, hey, i don't know there's a person in Shishitoren this beautiful?” Laughter was heard, “You don’t know? He’s that Sako, who is said to be the third person in Shishitoren. I don't know he was this weak.”
If he could, Sako would curse them, it’s okay for them to say Sako is weak? Just watch, when hisstrength returns, he will finish off those people one by one.
That is if his strength will return anytime soon. Because, he swear. It feels like Sako will really die right then and there. He really hates high fevers. The last high fever ─that he remembers─ was when he… Finished fighting Hiragi?
I don’t know, his mind is blank. Really, he feels like closing his eyes. It’s just that, he is in a place that he doesn’t know at all, and from what he knows, being surrounded by his enemies.
If he closes his eyes..
He gasps in surprise when his body is doused with ice water, his mouth opens, taking a quick breath. Shit, what the fuck? "Too bad, princess. We can't just let you sleep like that, we need you to lure Tomiyama, hahaha." Ah, so that's it. He was used as bait to call his leader, huh?
Sako clenched his jaw tightly, holding his body that was starting to shake. Sako really hated this. Black dots filled his eyes again, Sako hoped, he wouldn't lose consciousness again, or whatever would happen.
Sako wanted to run away from here, but maybe he should wait three days later, after his fever was gone. But, since he was in a place he didn't know, and was soaked with ice water, it seemed like those three days would turn into a week.
He could hear a soft clicking sound, other than that, Sako couldn't hear anything else.
The day Hiragi said to stop following him, Sako immediately fell into fever. It was a bit of an exaggeration, but he really couldn't move for the next three days.
He hoped, at least Hiragi would visit him, and see his really chaotic state. Or at least Kaji, because they were best friends, right? But no. Sako faced his fever alone, different from the previous fevers. Lonely.
He thought, maybe Hiragi and Kaji really left him, just like his parents who separated, and chose to leave him alone. Well, at least they took his little sister. Still, Sako hoped they would also choose to take Sako. Or at least leave him with other relatives.
Instead of choosing to leave him alone with only enough money for a few weeks, in a house that had once been Sako's heaven. That heaven now was nothing more than Sako's lonely hell.
At least, that's what he thought until Hiragi and Kaji came, both of them accompanying Sako, that's when Sako thought she wouldn't be alone anymore.
Then, Hiragi chose to kick her out. Kaji didn't even meet her. He was destined to be alone from the start.
And now, he would remain alone, holding back the feelings he wanted to express that day to Hiragi.
Sako woke up from a kick to his stomach, making him cough a few times. Ah, he lost consciousness again.
One of the kidnappers smiled slyly, pulling Sako's hair up, and bringing them to the same height. "You know, if we're lucky, we might get Umemiya too." His other friend laughed, "HAHAHA! is he a lucky charm? bringer of luck?" Umemiya? Ah, that's right. Inugami would definitely complain to their leader, and then Choji would ask for Umemiya's help.
His body was lifted forcefully with the pull he received on his hair, making him wince in pain. The wound on his temple was also pulled, damn it. "Well, since they've read our message, how about we go to the meeting place right away? You can't wait to see your leader get beat up, right?~"
He ordered two people to pull Sako, while he walked in a happy mood in front of them. So he was the leader.
"Heyyy, Sako..I can't accept your gang helping Bofurin defeat Noroshi. Shouldn't that be us? Why did Umemiya choose to ask for your gang help?" The leader asked him, hoping Sako would answer him. Seriously, just because jealousy? Remind Sako to beat him up.
“Hehe, if Umemiya really comes, that would be our chance to make him acknowledge us, boss? We might be able to lick him to stand right under him~” His subordinate said, holding Sako from the left.
“Of course, we can get a comfortable position.” The one holding Sako from the right laughed in satisfaction.
These fuckers. Hopefully Choji will go on a rampage and destroy all their ugly faces after this. They deserve it.
Sako didn’t want to think too much about this, but he was really cold. He wanted to go back home, hide under his blanket, and turn into a kebab there, covered with his blanket.
Ah, that’s right. Cats are so cute, huh.
Wait, why suddenly cats? Damn, his fever has really affected his head. He really wants to go back now, dammit. They stopped at the edge of a bridge, what kind of bridge, huh.. Sako didn't know.
"You can swim, right?" Sako stared confusedly at the leader who asked, before the leader said again, "Well, what do I care. Whether you can swim or not, it won't be of any use. Besides, we tied your hands and feet, right?"
Oh. That's right, this is the same bridge as that time, right? When they fought Banjo, as far as he could remember. He couldn't remember. His head really hurt, damn it. What did they hit his head with earlier? Or was it because of his fever? I don't know. His whole body was also in pain, either because of the fever, or even because of the blow he received before being hit on the head.
"Sako!!"
Hearing the scream, Sako lifted his head slowly, worried that if he did it quickly, the pain would increase. His legs shook, wanting to give up, but damn, he couldn't.
He could faintly see some people standing at the end of the bridge, but he couldn't recognize them at all, who?
Deep inside his heart, he hoped it was Hiragi who came.
"Woahaha! We're lucky, Sako! You really are a lucky charm! We got two Bofurin and Shishitoren officials at once!" The leader laughed hysterically. Two Bofurin officials, huh? Sako wanted to know who the Bofurin officials mentioned were. Was one of them Hiragi?
Ah, he really missed the hug that Hiragi always gave him when he had a fever.
Hiragi clenched his fists, staring at Sako's trembling body that was forced to stand by two people he didn't know at all.
Sako was there, with a soaking wet body and hands tied behind his back forced to stand, Hiragi could see the blood drying on his face, especially on his temples. From a distance of a few meters, Hiragi could also see how pale Sako's face was, and his eyes were unfocused when he looked at him.
"A Deal?" Umemiya asked calmly, although Hiragi was sure he could feel the serious intonation that Umemiya rarely uttered. Beside him, Tomiyama and Togame were not much different from him.
Both of them looked mad, with their fists clenched tightly, and their faces red with anger. Inugami and Kaji looked the same. The difference was, Kaji looked really angry, Hiragi could hear the grinding of his tightly clenched teeth.
"Yes, deal! Release your ties with the Shishitoren, and join us, then we will release this Shishitoren brat!" The leader forced Sako to look up by pulling the brown strands of his hair up. "And if I refuse?" The leader smiled broadly, pushing Sako towards the edge of the bridge, still pulling his hair. "Listen, Umemiya.. You have no choice. Accept, or we might kill him."
"Umemiya." Hiragi glared at Umemiya, glaring fiercely at his friend. “I know.” The white-haired man took a few steps forward, before nodding and saying, “Let’s make a deal. I’ll go, and you’ll hand over Sako.”
Umemiya nodded in agreement, “Sure.”
With that, Sako was dragged by the leader. They walked along the edge of the bridge. Umemiya walked, closing the distance between the three of them. Hiragi swore for the umpteenth time that day that his stomach was really like a spinning washing machine.
They're standing face to face, then suddenly the leader pulled Umemiya’s collar with an equally wide smile, and pushed Sako off the bridge’s railing. Seeing that, Inugami let out a muffled exclamation.
“Fucking bitch!”
Did he fall? Huh.
Where did he fall from? Was he pushed? Or did he fall himself?
What happened?
It was cold.
Was he going to die of fever? Huh, how ridiculous, really?
Ah, he really wanted to see Hiragi’s face.
It hurt, even breathing was painful for him. It was as if water was forcing its way in. Or was there?
He couldn't move, his hands felt numb. His lungs hurt. Everything hurt.
"..Ko!"
"Sako!"
He opened his eyes slowly, before closing them again quickly with a wince, damn, it hurt so much. He could hear a few sighs of relief, two hands hugging him tightly, it felt familiar. Who?
For the sake of that curiosity, he opened his eyes slowly, dazzled, but he still opened his eyes slowly.
Blond hair..? Huh, isn't Choji's hair not styled like this?
"Sako, can you hear me?" He knew that voice. There was only one person he knew who had a voice like that, but was it possible? "..Hiragi-san?" Once again, a sigh could be heard, "Damn, Sako.. You made me worry until you destroyed all the candy I just bought.." Another voice could be heard.
"Kaji?" He could see white hair, "Yeah, who else could it be?" Sako laughed softly, before wincing, his head hurts like shit. “Where does it hurt, Sako?” Ah, yes. Hiragi who turned out to be hugging him. It felt familiar..
Sako shook his head, before wincing again, fucking shit.. “Sorry.. My fault again..”
“The fuck you mean your fault? You’re the one who’s badly injured, and you say it’s your fault? Do you want me to force-feed you coffee?” Kaji said in an annoyed tone in front of him.
“I fucking hate coffee, bastard..” Kaji snorted, “I know.”
“Hiragi-san..” Hiragi nodded, listening to Sako’s words. “Cold..” Hiragi sighed, of course it was cold. How could it not be? The clothes Sako was wearing were really wet. “Your body temperature is getting hotter.” Hiragi chose to say.
“Really?.. I feel like shit.” Kaji rolled his eyes, “Of course.” He threw his uniform over Sako’s body, at least it could warm his body a little.
It was a good thing he didn’t choose to jump like Hiragi.
Sako's droopy eyes slowly began to close, however, he refused to fall asleep now. He wanted to ask Hiragi about this. He wanted to hear Hiragi's answer.
"Hiragi-san, will you hug me again, like you used to do?" Hiragi flinched, before letting out a small laugh and hugging Sako tighter.
"I will."
Hearing the answer he was waiting for, Sako slowly closed his eyes, smiling happily. Then, he fell asleep in Hiragi's arms just like he used to do.