Raising The Stakes

~Nine~

   "No, no, you are still performing the move wrong," Kamukura sighs, shaking their head, "Here, watch how Komaeda performs it."

   "Huh? Coming!" Komaeda calls, tightening the ponytail he had just tied in his hair. He trots over to where Kamukura and Hinata are standing. The human is hunched over and panting while Kamukura is standing straight as an arrow. "Come at me, Kamukura!" He chirps.

   Kamukura nods and moves rapidly towards the other demon. Komaeda grabs Kamukura's wrists, bending his knees and swinging them around his body before slamming them into the dirt, shaking the ground.

   "Perhaps Hinata simply isn't strong enough for it." He observes smugly.

   Hinata grits his teeth and throws a punch at him. Komaeda ducks easily and tackles him into a hug, Hajime hitting the ground hard as the demon practically purrs. 

   "Dumbass."

   "Are the two of you done flirt-fighting yet," Kamukura yawns, "Because the human needs to eat. And I am not sure that Komaeda Nagito is the right fit for you."

   "Just because we remembered we're twins, doesn't mean you get to turn into an overprotective older sibling or whatever."

   Komaeda's eyes widen. "What?! The two of you are twins? How? What?"

   Shit.

   "I will fill you in later, Komaeda, since my younger and dumber twin does not know how to keep his stupid human mouth shut."

   "Hey, who are you calling a stupid human, you stupid demon?!"

   "I feel like this is something I need to know more about straight away. . ."

   Komaeda climbs off of Hinata and pulls him to his feet. He smiles warmly at him before turning towards Kamukura.

   "Let's take a walk then." They suggest.

-

   "Look at how far this duster extends!" Hinata exclaims, waving it around in the air, "Now I can get tough-to-reach places like the very back of underneath furniture!"

   "I thought Kamukura-san said they would train you for no price though." Komaeda comments from his position against the wall.

   "I know," Hinata huffs, getting down on his knees to reach, "but I wanted to do it anyway. You're welcome to help, you know."

   "Is that an order?"

   Hajime rolls his eyes. "Of course not. But it's encouraged."

   Komaeda ducks his head. "Ah, might as well. It's the one thing I'm actually good at," He conjures up a broom and starts sweeping, "It's been a couple of days now. How are you liking training under Kamukura?"

   "To be honest. . .I feel like my skills have been strengthened but I'm still not that good. You should really be the one rising against despair and defeating them. You're obviously more equipped for it than I am."

   "No, Hinata-kun, I'm really not. I'm a talented fighter, fine, but I don't have half the powerful hope sleeping inside me as you do. See, lovely Hajime, my job here isn't exactly to train you; that is part of it, however, but it is to awaken the power that comes with that hope, do you understand?"

   "Not in the slightest."

   "That's fine, no one really does. Ever."

   Hinata pauses, sitting up and looking over at his demon companion. "I will be able to someday. I promise."