𝐺𝐴𝑁𝐺𝑆𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑆 // 𝑇𝑂𝐾𝑌𝑂 𝑅𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅𝑆

-7

[Third Person Pov]

"So, where's Benkei?" Naomi asked the two in front of her, lazily leaning her head against the couch, one foot propped up on the table as she took a sip of her soda.

"He said he had something to do," Wakasa replied, absentmindedly chewing on his lollipop while flipping through a book.

Naomi simply hummed, her gaze drifting around the room, clearly unimpressed. 'This place has changed so much... It feels like just yesterday you were still here, laughing with us, Shin,' she thought, a bitter smile forming on her lips.

"That idiot is gonna throw a fit when he finds out we hung out without him," Takeomi remarked, exhaling a puff of smoke as he studied the expression on Naomi's face.

This made Naomi chuckle because, knowing Shinichiro, he absolutely would. Wakasa smirked, closing his book.

"Then he'll whine non-stop until we agree to do it again," Wakasa added with a chuckle, setting his book down before grabbing a can of soda.

The three of them laughed as they reminisced about old times. "And then you four will get drunk, Shin will start rambling about all the girls who rejected him, and then cry about it afterward."

Laughter echoed through the room as they continued swapping memories.

"By the way, I heard you joined Toman," Takeomi said, raising an eyebrow at Naomi.

This caught Wakasa’s attention as he turned to her, intrigued. "I thought you were done with all the gang drama?"

"I'm not an official member yet," Naomi sighed, taking another sip of her soda. "But I was thinking about it."

Both men looked at her, surprised.

"Well, that's unexpected," Takeomi chuckled.

"So much for 'I'll never get involved with gangshit again,' huh?" Wakasa smirked, nudging her playfully.

"Forget I ever said that," Naomi groaned, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, is anyone staying here now?"

"Inupi crashes here sometimes," Takeomi replied, taking another drag from his cigarette.

"I heard he revived the Black Dragons, with Taiju Shiba as the leader," Wakasa added in a bored tone.

"Taiju, huh..."

"You know him?"

"Met him at church once," Naomi shrugged. "For someone who prays so much, he's surprisingly violent."

"I honestly wonder what Inupi was thinking..."

——————————————————

[Naomi's Pov]

"Where have you been?"

I froze. 'Well, shit.'

Turning around slowly, I saw my brother leaning against his doorframe, arms crossed. His blank expression made me want to dig a hole and bury myself in it.

"Haru-nii! Why are you still awake?" I let out a nervous laugh, hoping to lighten the mood.

He didn't respond. Just stared.

I sighed in defeat, looking down at the floor while fidgeting with the hem of my school uniform. "I'm sorry..."

I shouldn’t have stayed out so late.

He exhaled sharply, making me glance up at him. "Go change your clothes and come to my room after."

Then he walked away, leaving the door open.

'Eh? He’s not mad?' I blinked in surprise.

Shrugging, I hurried to my room, quickly changing into my pajamas. Grabbing my teddy bear, I made my way to Haruchiyo’s room, knocking lightly on the open door.

"Haru-nii?"

He flinched slightly before turning to look at me. "Oh, you’re done?"

I nodded.

He scooted over, patting the space beside him. A small smile formed on my lips as I shut the door behind me and skipped toward his bed, teddy bear in hand.

Lying down beside him, I felt his arms wrap around my waist. I nuzzled into his chest, my teddy bear squished between us.

"Nightmare again, Haru-nii?"

He just hummed in response, tightening his hold on me.

"Sorry I got home late," I murmured against his chest, snuggling closer.

"He already texted me, so don’t worry about it. Let’s just sleep," he sighed.

I hummed in response, closing my eyes. "Goodnight, Haru-nii."

I felt him press a soft kiss to my forehead before whispering a quiet, "Goodnight."

As the warmth of sleep took over, I silently thanked the universe for giving me a brother who, despite all his grumbling, never failed to make me feel safe.

-edited.