Hiding In Plain Sight

Another One Joins The Battle

Emetophobia warning.

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Shuichi sat aside from the rest of the group who were eating sandwiches in the middle of the studio. The boy recluded himself to the corner, reading a book he stole the day prior. His stomach growled, begging for a sliver of sustenance, but Shuichi continued to torture his body. "Hey, Shumai, grabbed you a sandwich, thank me later." Kokichi approached the boy, grinning as he shuffled next to the male.

"Thanks but I already ate," Shuichi mumbled, half-hearing Kokichi's voice as he swapped his focus between the male and his daydream.

"I haven't seen you eat, so therefore you haven't." Taking the spare sandwich in his hand, Kokichi held it up to Shuichi's lips, who scooted away.

"I already ate," the boy repeated.

"You also already said that. Eat."

"If I do, will you leave me alone?" Shuichi sighed, slipping his makeshift bookmark into the book, setting it down on the ground.

"Maybe," Kokichi grinned, shoving the bread against Shuichi's lips again. "Now eat." I shouldn't make him hate me more than he probably does. Shuichi sighed, taking the food and munching it down, his stomach praising God. He rushed the food down, keeping his eyes down as he felt his stomach expand at the calorie intake. "Are you going to tell me why you were reading the same page for the past half an hour?"

"You've been watching me read?" Shuichi stared at the other boy, confused. Whilst anyone on the outside would think he was reading, the bluenette had been creating an excuse to lose him in his self-degrading thoughts.

"Of course, Shumai!" Kokichi grinned, crawling so close to Shuichi that their bodies touched.

"Shumai? What's with you and Rantaro giving me nicknames?" Before Kokichi could reply, Shuichi continued. "Oh, I should go on my walk now, let's talk later Kokichi."

"Are you going to go on that stupid walk every day?" The purple-haired boy pouted, holding onto Shuichi's jacket sleeve. Not wanting to continue the conversation, Shuichi yanked his sleeve from its chain and left the studio, constantly checking behind him to ensure no one followed him.

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Attempting to shake away the burning sensation in his organs, Shuichi sighed. He felt his teeth erode every time he vomited, but at least I'm not getting fatter than I already am. Looking down at his almost flat stomach, the boy wrapped his hands around his waist, measuring the petite waistline. I still need to lose a lot of weight. "You're pretty thin, you should eat more, that's not healthy."

Flipping his body around, he noticed a blonde female standing a distance behind him, her aura radiating comfort and safety. Slipping from the wall, Shuichi crept through the overgrown grass towards an open area, allowing for a quick getaway if the need arose. He frowned, ignoring his heart cracking his ribs with its excessive beating. They're going to kill me, I shouldn't have left the bar on my own, I'm dead.

The woman's smile never faltered, her violet eyes sparkling with a glimmer of hope as if she found her saviour. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise I'm not an enemy. My name is Akamatsu Kaede." Akamatsu, a woman with blonde hair with a strand sticking up and violet eyes. I've seen her before, she's an Ultimate. Are all of the Ultimates in this area? No, don't assume she's safe, I'm always wrong so she's probably not an Ultimate.

Shuichi took slow, careful steps backwards, picking up a small rock to protect himself if the need arose. The bitter taste of gastric juices stained the inside of his cheeks as his brain whirred with terror. Akamatsu continued to smile, her outward appearance radiating optimism. She reached out her hand, Shuichi watched in awe as purple and white sparks emanated from her eye. Feeling his hand lighten, the male watched as the rock in his hand escaped his fingers, hovering in mid-air before zipping towards Akamatsu's outstretched hand.

"Have I eased your worries Saihara? Yes, I know who you are, a lot of people do after the shooting. Is there anything I can do to help you feel more comfortable?" Akamatsu took a careful step forward, moving slowly. She's probably being careful not to startle me. Fuck, I've been acting so rude, I brandished a rock at her!

"I'm sorry for how I acted, it's nice to meet you. As you already know, I'm Saihara Shuichi." He approached the girl, shaking hands with the woman as an introduction. The two stood in awkward silence, staring at each other as they listened to birds chirping in the sky above them.

"Tell me about yourself. I used to be a pianist before this whole situation, so I'm not exactly great with survival." Akamatsu started walking towards a building next to where Shuichi threw up earlier. Thank God, that'd be disgusting. "You're the first Ultimate I've met as well, so I'm not sure how to go about this," she awkwardly chuckled.

"Well, I worked at a detective agency," Shuichi rubbed the back of his neck as the two leant against a concrete wall.

"A criminal as a detective? That'd make a great story for a song!" Akamatsu clapped her hands, clearly enamoured by the thought of creating music.

"Heh, yeah. Oh, I've also met five other Ultimates, I think they'd love to meet you."

"I'd love to meet them too! After losing all of my friends and family, I'd love to make more! Especially since I'm the worst at being a criminal." Akamatsu pushed herself off the wall, taking Shuichi's hand in hers. "Where are they?"

"Before I take you there, you aren't working with anyone against us, are you?" Shuichi asked, wary of the fact betrayal was possible from anyone.

"No, I'm on my own, no need to worry Saihara." Something in the male's gut told him that he could trust the woman. He accepted it with no issue, wanting nothing more than to trust everyone in his life. Holding hands with the female, Shuichi led her towards the bar down the street from their meeting position.

Performing the secret knock the group had created, Shuichi entered the studio and greeted everyone, immediately attempting to calm them from their defensive manners. "Everyone, we have a new member."

"Hello! I'm Akamatsu Kaede, please to meet you all!" Akamatsu grinned at the group who lowered their guard at the lack of a threat. Shuichi smiled as everyone started conversations with the woman, welcoming her as their own. At least everyone's getting along, I think we'll all survive this.