Misfit Together

Chapter 2

(I don't know if anyone's picked up on it yet, but I've already dropped a couple of hints of foreshadowing here and there~ Watch out, though, I'm leaving some red herrings around too ;p)

"Am I always gonna be the one who has to order?" Momoko let out a heavy sigh and placed a tray of food before the two boys, sitting down between them with an exaggerated huff.

"This is only the second time we've met up," Shizuka reminded her as he and Urushihara tipped the three boxes of fries into a pile and began to pick at them, "But yes."

They both smirked, but neither one looked up. They were too focused on eating. Momoko, however, chose to go straight for sticking her finger into the ketchup, sucking on it as she spoke.

"Why? Huh? Why's it gotta be me?"

Without missing a beat, Urushihara and Shizuka turned to her, their movements completely in sync, both wearing the same half-lidded, bored look, and said in perfect monotone unison; "You're the sociable one."

There was a brief pause then Momoko, who was now frowning, reached out, grabbed a handful of fries and shoved them all in her mouth. It didn't take much more to send all three of them into a fit of laughter.

About an hour ago, Urushihara had arrived at Shinjuku Station where Shizuka was already waiting, leaning against a wall with his shoulder bag hanging by his side and his phone in his hand. He had kept his head down the whole journey there, the only thought on his mind being to avoid any and all unnecessary interaction, but once he saw his friend he instantly perked up. Shizuka smiled and raised a hand in a small wave before reaching into his bag and pulling out his headphones. He offered Urushihara one earbud.

"I have a feeling she's gonna be a while."

With a light chuckle, Urushihara took the earbud and the two waited in comfortable almost-silence, the sound of Gorillaz drowning out the noise of the crowds.

It was another ten minutes or so before a flustered, scatterbrained Momoko hopped off the train and hurried over to join them, apologising and making excuses. Shizuka merely brushed this off while Urushihara raised an eyebrow at her cat-eared hat and the tiny gold bell attached to her choker, amused.

"Going for a theme, Mo?"

"Yup!" Momoko smiled. Then, just like when they had first met up, she placed a hand on top of his head. Urushihara's expression changed instantly. He gently removed her hand from his head with a sigh and shook his head.

"Is this gonna become a regular thing with you?"

They had wandered around Shinjuku for some time, mostly window-shopping and joking around, Shizuka getting distracted by books and manga, Momoko getting distracted by clothes and accessories and Urushihara getting distracted by games and gadgets he could probably never hope to afford even if he did get a job. It was going well.

And now he was sat in a MgRonald's near Shinjuku Station with them. For a brief moment, he had worried about the social interaction that ordering food required, especially since he knew Shizuka tended to clam up when faced with strangers. In becoming human, Urushihara had lost much of his intimidating confidence along with his wings, at least in these sorts of situations. Leading a troop of soldiers was one thing but having to speak to a bright-smiled, self-assured human he had never met before was something else entirely. The two boys were saved by Momoko's seemingly-boundless friendly nature.

Back on the streets outside, the trio strolled along towards the train station, already talking about what to do the next time they got to see each other. And as they chatted, a police car passed by. Neither Shizuka nor Momoko took much notice of it, but Urushihara watched it drive by. He casually moved over to Shizuka's other side, where he was mostly out of sight from the road behind his taller friend.

He wouldn't admit it, but he was just a little paranoid.

Momoko and Shizuka didn't seem to think much of this, most likely passing it off as him just being slightly uncomfortable now that the street was getting busier.

Well, he was kind of uncomfortable with that, but there was more important matters.

Urushihara's mind began to wander, drifting from the conversation.

... Was it worth telling them the truth?

He thought for a moment, then quickly shook his head, making sure his friends didn't notice. What would they say? What would they do?

I'd lose them...

And so soon.

But what if he only told them about th-

Ok, no, that's even worse. If I'm not telling them I'm a demon, I definitely can't tell them I'm a wanted criminal...!

"Hanzo? You alright?"

He suddenly looked up at Momoko's voice. He had fallen a few steps behind them and she and Shizuka had both stopped to look at him. And they both looked a little concerned.

I can't tell them.

"Yeah," he started walking again, his friends following suit, "Just feeling a little drained."

"Ah... Introvert time?" Shizuka smiled knowingly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Urushihara nodded distractedly but said nothing.

He was quiet on the train, but again Momoko and Shizuka must have assumed he just didn't feel like talking. Luckily, by the time he had said goodbye to them and made his way back to Villa Rosa, he was sure. He wouldn't tell them. At least, not yet. Not for a while.

"Oh, hey, welcome home," Maou glanced at him as he came through the door, "How'd it go?"

"... Good..." Urushihara shrugged, moving straight to his desk. In all honesty, he really did need some 'introvert time'. He just had more than one reason for being distant right now. His mind was on other things.

"Nothing... bad happened?"

"No..." rolling his eyes, Urushihara opened his laptop.

"In that case, I'm giving you permission to go out."

This got his attention. He turned his head, looking at Maou expectantly. There had to be something more.

"So long as you're gonna be with your friends and not running wild on your own, and you let me know when and where you're going. Got that?"

"Uh..." he was caught off guard to say the least, but he couldn't really complain. He wasn't being forced out, he wasn't being put in danger, so... "Yeah... Thanks, I guess..."

He opened Tumblr, still feeling slightly dazed and generally tired. Momoko had already posted a few photos from that day.

He smiled.