DiMENSIONS [IDOLiSH7]

08: The Start of Trouble

-Silica-

Yamato sighed loudly as he let his body flop onto a lab chair. His neck rested on the back of the chair. Energy was only leaving his body. Iori put his head on his palm at the lab table. The two scientists had been researching Mitsuki's whereabouts and 'Majabah'. They found nothing as expected. All other research was halted as this one took priority.

"Nii-san..." Iori felt like he was losing all hope. Yamato was trying his best to console the younger boy, but he himself was also discouraged. They just needed a single small clue, and they would be able to begin their search properly.

"Welcome home, Izumi" When Tenn saw Iori's sad expression, the magic user knew it was another day of failure. Tenn set the cups of warm milk with honey down on the table before going to grab Iori's arm. "Come with me."

Tenn led Iori into his room and sat on the bed. He signalled for Iori to sit down next to him. "Nanase-san?" As soon as Iori sat down, Tenn reached his hand up and patted Iori's head gently. "Fwah, what ar-" Iori was taken by surprise at first. A few seconds later, he stopped flustering and welcomed the contact.

It was a mutual benefit. Tenn wished he could do this to Riku, telling the boy that he loved him no matter the circumstances. Back in Majabah, touching Riku's head would mean a death sentence for Tenn. As for Iori, he missed the times Mitsuki gave him head pats whenever he was proud of his perfect little brother.

They both lost their brothers, and that tied them together.

Tenn had started earning money by performing in pubs. Since then, he had been spoiling Iori. When he saw Iori's eyes glimmering while staring at the cat cafe, Tenn pulled the boy's arm and dragged him in. "N-nanase-san, I don't-"

"Oh you do," Tenn spoke teasingly and told the staff they needed a table for two. "You're just one big Tsundere, Izumi." Iori went totally red. Even his poisonous tongue could not find words to counter Tenn. That day, Iori's cool and sharp image was destroyed by the fluffy cats inside the cafe. Those furry critters also warmed Tenn's heart. If Mitsuki was there, he would keep snapping pictures of Iori trying to lure cats with toys. Seeing as Iori was distracted, Tenn went to the counter to buy a cat treat, which was a yellow, thick liquid loaded onto a stick. He went behind Iori, tore open the treat, and shoved it in Iori's hand. Within 10 seconds, Iori was surrounded by 14 cafe cats, crying and cuddling his body. Tenn smirked before stealing Iori's phone and snapping pictures of the 'golden moment'.

Iori thought Tenn's kindness was unnecessary and even said so to the magic user. Then again, the scientist accepted any offers and opportunities presented before him. In return, Iori showed his gratitude passively. The other day, Tenn saw an amusement park advertisement on TV and he was clearly intrigued. Iori acted disinterested, but he silently went on his phone to buy tickets online. The next morning, the two rode the train out of the city to that amusement park. "Isn't today my day off according to your plan, Izumi?" Tenn asked, not having any idea where the manager was taking him. "It is, Nanase-san." Iori said no more.

Tenn acted composed upon arriving at the massive park. "Why did you take me here, Izumi? I have no interes-"

"Oh, you do." Iori cut Tenn off the same way Tenn did to him. "You're not very honest, Nanase-san."

Tenn's cheek was flushed pink before he argued. "You of all people have no right to tell me that." He huffed. "Well... can we go in now?"

Tenn grabbed Iori's arm and dragged him here and there inside the park. As mentioned before, the park was huge. It was a good idea that Iori and Tenn got here in the morning. Tenn was fascinated by the attractions, especially the extreme ones like roller coasters. Iori found himself looking at the adorable Tenn more than his surroundings. Tenn laughed when Iori freaked out and screamed loudly when they went on a 'tower drop' ride. (Actually, Tenn was so tense he could not make a sound.) Iori had to sit on the table with his head facing down on it after going on a roller coaster right after getting off the 'pirate ship' ride. The boy was starting to regret taking Tenn here. At this point, Tenn was too thrilled to feel the tension from the rides.