Nanba Shorties!

Tsukumo's Secret

It's been one week since the incident.

Tsukumo had just been transferred to Nanba Prison one week ago, where he met 4 of his cellmates, which he had brutally embarrassed himself in front of.

Every time the memories storm through his brain, he can't help but wince, feeling sick.

It was that day Ninja Kamikaze made his appearance, challenging Jyugo to an escape battle in order to prove who's really best.

It was a sore sight.

After that, every pass in the cellblocks was torture. Tsukumo seeing all four of them laughing and having a good time, only to come to a complete halt when they caught sight of Tsukumo. He'd just put his head down and attempt to scurry in another direction out of embarrassment.

Every night Tsukumo lies in his head, staring at the bunk above him. He analyzed every last detail of the metal bars holding the mattress up on the loft. He counted 30 springs, 12 horizontal bars and 74 diamonds stitched into the bottom of the mattress. He lies awake because his thoughts race with the reminders of his actions that day.

I had one shot to make a good impression and Kamikaze had to ruin it all. Maybe if I explained myself, they'd understand?

Tsukumo quickly shook the thoughts out of his head. He ran his fingers into his hair and began pulling at it.

No! You can't tell them. Nothing can bring me back from that situation.

Tsukumo took a deep breath and rested his arms on top of his stomach. He felt sick just seeing the foggy replays in his head.

He went to curl up into a fetal position under his cozy quilted zebra print comforter when he perked up at the sound of keys jingling at the other end of the room.

The door creaked open, and Yamato bursted through the door. He had a bright smile painted across his face and wide eyes with a sparkle.

"Hello Number 99!"

Tsukumo slipped back under the covers and groaned.

Yamato ran over to Tsukumo's bedside and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I come with news! Remember your buddies in Cell 13?" Yamato asked cheerfully.

Tsukumo pulled the covers over his head.

"I don't want to remember."

Yamato gripped the covers and ripped them off of Tsukumo, revealing the boy curled up holding his knees to his chest. Tsukumo peered over his shoulder at Yamato, who was towering above him.

"Well! They want you to join them tomorrow night for a sleepover in their cell!" He practically yelled.

His voice rang in Tsukumo's ears like overlapping bell chimes.

Tsukumo's face drew pale.

-

That next morning was close to a nightmare.

Tsukumo woke up with a massive headache pounding in his temples. He propped himself up in his bed with one arm and rubbed the sides of his head with the other.

God, my head hurts like hell, he thought, seeing no relief in his future.

An image swiped into Tsukumo's head. He realized he woke up in a fetal position, knees touching his chest and his arms cradling his calves.

Thats probably why I have this headache, but why did I sleep like that? He pondered.

Whilst he was in the middle of contemplating his life and trying to massage his head to relief, the door clicked and creaked. Tsukumo peered up. It was Seitarou, he was holding a small Dixie cup.

"Hey, Number 99, Good Morning!" He cheered, a nice bright smile on his face but tired eyes.

He was probably tired of Cell 13 being jerks... Wait a minute.

Tsukumo's eyes widened and he stared like a deer in headlights right at Seitarou.

Seitarou tilted his head, backing up a little. "I-Is everything okay, Number 99?" He stuttered.

Tsukumo shook his head to clear his anxiety.

"Sorry, everything is fine. I just remembered that Cell 13 wanted to have a sleepover tonight, and I just don't know if I can do it after how humiliating our first interaction was. Like, seriously, I challenged him to an escape battle and totally got my ass whooped, isn't that terrible?" He ranted.

He winced at the throbbing of his head.

"You don't happen to have a painkiller in that cup, do you?" He asked hopefully.

Seitarou giggled a little. "No, I don't." He replied, walking over to Tsukumo's bunk and sitting down next to him on the mattress.

"But I promise you everything will be fine. They invited you for a reason! They probably know you've changed and want to give you a second chance." Seitarou said in an attempt to
put him at ease.

"Heres your medicine by the way." Seitarou added, handing him the small cup.

But they don't understand?

-

Tsukumo stood outside his window, placing his hands on the windowsill and peering past the iron bars to the calm waters out at sea. It glowed a variety of blues and reflected the moonlight, making the waves glisten under the stars. He smiled.

Maybe just be honest with them..

No, I don't have to owe them any explanation, just act cool.

These back and forth thoughts raced through Tsukumo's head. He contemplated which route to take. He was interrupted by the familiar sound of the door opening behind him. He continued to stare out at the water.

"Tsukumo?" A younger males voice emerged behind him.

That voice only sounds vaguely familiar...

Tsukumo spun around to see a boy draped in a black and white striped jumpsuit. He had black hair and—

Wait a minute.

"Jyugo?" Tsukumo asked.

"Yeah."

Tsukumo took a deep breath. "Hey, sorry I was just admiring the ocean. It's a beautiful view." He tried in an attempt at awkward small talk

"Yeah, but it gets pretty boring after a month." Jyugo said bluntly, breaking the mood. "Anyways, when are you coming over?"

Tsukumo stared.

"Uhm, yeah I'm not quite sure if I'd like to come over, I sincerely apologize."

He looked away.

"But why? I'm sorry if we treated you unkindly or something." Jyugo apologized.

"No, it's not that, it's just.."

Tsukumo looked up and shuffled closer to Jyugo.

"Don't think of me differently, but I'm a system." He admitted.

Jyugo stared blankly. "Whats that?"

"It's when you have multiple personalities, nowadays they call it Dissociative Identity Disorder. Doctor Otogi diagnosed me. Apparently I developed it from childhood trauma." Tsukumo explained, a look of regret on his face.

"So that really wasn't me you met that day. Can you ever see past this?" Tsukumo asked, looking down at his feet to avoid Jyugo's reaction.

Jyugo smiled. "I'm a little confused, I won't lie, but I'll get it. Whatever you're going through I'd just like to be friends."

Jyugo held out his hand.

Tsukumo smiled back, grabbing his hand lightly. They both drew closer.

"Of course, I'd love to be friends."