Ren quickly sat back down and ignored the student calling out to him. He pulled out his laptop, opening it and pretending to type into it. 'Nothing to see here…'
When any students did dip by, Ren made sure to pretend to use Akira's laptop that he had been unable to open like he was studying. Nothing suspicious here, mysterious student he'd never seen before.
"You're not doing any work, I can still see your screen saver." The student called with a cocky grin he could hear in his voice.
Ren huffed. This plan didn't work at this angle, even though the other student was so far away!
Ren's eyes widened. 'Wait. Distance? Maybe enhanced sight!?' He looked back to the student who was leaning against a tree to his left, just before the shore line where Ren was sitting. Even if the angle is perfect, how could he tell from that far? He needed to test it.
Ren began to write in his notebook. Then, he held it up for the other student to see. The boy raised an eyebrow.
Can you read this? If so, your eyes are annoying.
The boy began to laugh. "Well if you're gonna fake study out into the open, at least unlock the computer."
Ren smiled proudly. Eyes like that were superhuman. He rushed over to the student excitedly, so quickly they looked mildly surprised when his feet appeared in front of him.
"What are you?" Ren said in a hushed whisper. Ren was excited, if he was an omega, then he could finally have something that made them special, unique.
They raised an eyebrow with a humorous smile. "What am I?"
"Your, uh… secondary gender."
"Oh. Sorry, no one's ever had to ask me that before." The student then smirked. "Shouldn't you want my name first? Hirabayashi Yukihiro. Pleasure to meet you."
Ren sat in silence, waiting for him to continue. He then realized he was waiting for him to say his name.
"Uh…um…" Ren stuttered. D-Did he give him his real name or a fake one? Or his current idenity's name? With the counselor it was easy to lie!
"I-I'm…u-uh…"
"...Alright alright, don't strain yourself," Yukihiro waved a hand. "I don't need a name, but you can call me Yuki."
"Ah. o-ok…" Ren decided to accept it. It wasn't like this student specifically mattered, right? Ren patted his knees awkwardly. "S-So, your gender is?"
Yukihiro smiled with a playful air. "Can't you tell? Well, how about you guess?"
Ren pursed his lip. "A… Beta?"
Yukihiro chuckled, chittering with laughter. "No. I'm an Alpha, just so we're clear, alright?"
"Eh. Really…?" Ren drawled. Slowly he narrowed his eyes. "Don't believe it."
Ren knew every Alpha in the school, so he had to be lying. It's not like he could be hiding somewhere, right?
Yukihiro put a hand to his mouth, choking back laughter. "Ha! You're a little cheeky... Do you just believe what you want in life?"
"Are you really? Oh…" Ren's heart sunk. 'Another damn win for stupid Alphas! Don't they have everything!?' And he thought he knew every Alpha in the school; How was there more he missed!? Do they send new ones every month or something!?
"Actually…" Yukihiro said, smile shifting into a smirk. "You caught me. I'm not an Alpha. If you think eyesight is some kinda indicator, maybe lay off the tabloids."
Ren sighed. "Well, you got me… I hear being a beta sucks so I kinda get why you'd lie. So, it's not eyesight…" He muttered to himself.
Yukihiro nodded. "Yeah, but you seemed disappointed that I wasn't an Alpha. There some reason why?"
Ren shook his head and huffed. "Well the Alphas: they just get all the awesome stuff, it's not fair! Wish I got placed in a cooler body like Masanori or Ryusei-kun…"
Yukihiro chuckled. "You think so?"
Ren blushed. He didn't mean to say that out loud. "I-I mean. Yeah. Don't those guys have everything?"
Yukihiro crossed his arms and closed his eyes, contemplating. "Hmm… I guess so. But, there's a lot of merit in being a beta or an omega, isn't there?"
Ren's heart race quickened. 'Does he know something I don't?!' In his excitement, he sat down next to Yukihiro and leaned in close, eyes sparking with anticipation. "Please tell me!"
Yukihiro looked at Ren in surprise. He then smiled. "Well betas, aren't they lucky? They don't have to live with instincts. No power struggles or out of their control blackouts with hard ruts. Some don't even have to deal with scent, definitely more of a blessing than a curse."
Ren nodded vigorously. "Uh huh, uh huh, But why about Omegas?"
Yukihiro looked at Ren oddly. "Omegas… well, there's no beating around the bush there, most of the time it looks like it sucks."
Ren's mood deflated. 'Yeah, it does…'
"But. I guess there's something to be said about having a mate bond." Yukihiro continued.
Ren blinked. "Mate bond?"
Yukihiro nodded. "Yep. The most powerful bond in the world, fated or not. Its power has brought up and down kingdoms, raised nations, brings peace that ends wars, or starts them all over again… undeniably powerful stuff."
Ren was still confused, but it sounded exciting. This power, was it super ancient!?
'The power to do what? To do what!?' In his excitement he had stopped listening entirely.
Yukihiro hummed to himself. "It's not as romantic as the world wants you to think though. A lot of Alphas see it as a trap, omegas luring them in and making them lose control of themselves. But, I find that pretty pathetic. They should take responsibility for their own-"
"So how does it work then!?" Ren asked in a rushed excitement that had Yukihiro reel back. Ren kept inching closer. He was more than ready and willing to start blasting magic beams or whatever the "Mate bond" was, desperate even.
Yukihiro faltered. "Uh…"
"Yukihiro-san!" A voice called from above. They both look up. At the top of the hill, someone was waving over the gate at them. Yukihiro sighed and started to get up. "I'll see you around, then. Don't be a stranger if you see me around, okay? And you really should know, you hold more power than you know, so be a little more careful what moves you make around Alphas, alright?" Yukihiro then left.
As he did, out of Ren's line of sight, his mouth lifted into a much too pleased smile.
'Quick footed,' Yukihiro thought to himself. 'And I didn't smell him coming at all. Not to mention, zero sense of personal space... no wonder Nori's been hooked. He's unassuming at far glances but up close is a different story…'
Yes, he was just supposed to sit by and watch, but it had been three days and he was frankly getting bored - be it him to be good at stalking even an overly paranoid omega undetected.
So what was he supposed to do when the little guy started glaring into the water like looks could kill? He couldn't resist saying something, though he didn't think he'd ever come over to him with that fear of Alphas. Now that it was like this, he thought he might as well say something to help with those tendencies.
He wondered if his words would relax him or cause any more issues. Well, who was he kidding - it would work out either way, he was here to fix any problems. He had to keep stalking him anyway - it would be fun to see it get interesting.
Ren was left alone with his thoughts. None of Yukihiro's intentions went through to him at all.
'Incredible. What kind of bonding is it? Something so strong it could tear down nations! If it's that strong, no wonder the school had kept them around! Now all I need to do is figure out how to control it…' Ren had begun to scheme again, all thanks to a sudden new ally!
He rushed off, knowing exactly who to go to now about this.
Soon, Ren arrived at the entrance of the health monitor office, giddy on his feet and bursting with questions.
'Something that can work on Alphas! I just gotta ask, just this once, then-'
Ren froze just before he knocked, hearing a voice muffled through the door. He put his ear against it.
"You'll keep denying it then. You're helping that omega get away with school rules."
Ren inwardly gasped. 'That voice! It's Akagi! Oh no…'
He looked towards the door handle, ready to burst in and stop him before he could hurt Ryusei!
But he became paralyzed at the thought. He couldn't just burst in, what could he do?
"Keep saying I barely know the guy, why do ya keep coming by hounding me?" Ren heard Ryusei sigh. "Don't know anything about Takeshita at the beta dorm and you coming by does nothing to help you find out. Just ask the Alphas that were there that night, know you probably know a few that you haven't reported."
Slowly, Ren tried to pull the door open, able to stare inside just enough to see Akagi's side profile, and the sneering glower on his face directed ahead.
"That freak knows you by name, and he's taken some kind of interest in you. I know you're keeping something from me about him."
'What? How did he know?' Ren then slapped his forehead. 'My slip-up in the counselor's office!'
"Interest?" Ryusei lightly chuckled. "Figured Masanori already told you, and I agree - he's a little reckless but innocent as a lamb. Seems he's just lookin' fer somebody to give him validation."
Ren clenched a fist and smiled. 'Right! Thanks for defending me even like this Ryusei-kun! I'll accept you using me wanting validation as an excuse for a jerk like him! That sounds totally believable!'
Akagi, who had his arms crossed, clutched the fabric of his jacket into his fists, speaking through clenched teeth.
"That's why, I'm coming here and asking nicely. You're new," Akagi huffed. "And I don't want to see you taken advantage of. I've seen what he's been up to, what he's trying to get you to think, to get both of you to think. What other reason would he be there, huh? That omega is up to no good, whether you choose to see it or not." His scowl harshened. "No one minds your… bad habit, but if I have to prove a point to show you he's using you…"
"...I wonder who's not seein' things here. And I don't appreciate being threatened in my own office," He heard a chair creak loudly as Ryusei shifted. "If you think he's guilty then turn him in. That oughta solve yer issue with him, but maybe not every omega is out to ruin the world. Now… have some heart and believe in Masanori, won't ya?" Ren could hear the rugged smile but also the rattled nerves. Ren's grip on the door handle tightened.
That's when Akagi slammed a hand on the center table.
"Masanori's the problem! He's-!"
Akagi stopped and turned when the door to the room shook, as a startled Ren jolted back and yanked it open too far, leaving him eye to eye with Akagi's line of sight.
"So, see who's come to visit you? A troublemaker…" Akagi growled. He stomped over slowly with loud foreboding steps, or at least it looked and felt that way to Ren, as he shrunk back in terror.
Ryusei's hand landed on Akagi's shoulder, stopping him from moving further. Then, Ryusei slightly bend down and patted Ren's head. "Akira-kun, yer just in time. Let's get out of here."
"H-Huh?" Ren blinked.
Akagi growled. "Fujiwara-! Hey, wait-!"
Ryusei stopped and looked back. "I think that's enough fer today. You wouldn't pressure me when an omega's in the room now, would ya?"
Akagi froze. He flinched back with a furious glare, crossing his arms and scowling as Ryusei shuffled a stunned Ren out the door.
"Good timing. Office been getting too stuffy." He whispered to him.
"Where are we going?" Ren asked in a similar whisper, trying to glance back to see if they were being followed.
Ryusei let him go and faced him, putting his hands on his sides with a whimsical look in his eye. "Well, since I had to call Fumio out, how about tagging along for a quick errand run?
Ren gulped. "M-Me? Really?"
"Sure as rain," Ryusei languidly answered. "You'll make a good shield. Akagi Naoto's got a temper, but he won't get too crazy with you around."
'Why wouldn't he? Does he know something about Akagi?' Ren wanted to ask, but he stopped himself before he could form the words. To ask his questions now felt a little insensitive.
'Ryusei has been dealing with Akagi because of me. Right now I'll do what I can to help instead.'
So, Ren just nodded. "Yeah." He then scratched his head. "But what kind of errands are we doing?"
"Council errands, and a few other things," Ryusei answered "Just stick on by, I think it might help us both."
"Y-Yeah?" Ren stuttered, and followed after.
Some ways away, Yukihiro leaned against a wall holding his phone sideways, sucking on a lollipop as he watched security feed on the screen. He pulled out the candy with a loud pop and grinned.
"Ooh. Didn't think something would happen so soon…"
—————
Ryusei's errands seemed to consist of heading to several teacher's offices and club rooms, talking to them at the door. Ren always slid away out of sight, letting Ryusei get on with his errand.
'I'm on guard duty then!' Ren straightened his back and scanned the halls. 'I'll warm you ahead of time if that red-headed monster comes running through here!'
Though, his curiosity did strike him for what the errands were exactly, so when Ryusei and him next headed to an auditorium, Ren stealthily peeked into the room. That is until he was spotted. He quickly dipped away but Ren could hear that same student go talk to Ryusei. "Do you know that little guy?" He asked.
"Yeah," He heard Ryusei reply. "He's shy I guess… It's complicated."
It was after the third place that Ryusei took a moment, after closing the door after himself he crossed his arms and turned his head towards Ren with a frown.
"...Not my place but… you feelin' well?" He asked.
"Oh. Um…" Ren gripped the ends of his uniform, burying his head in his tensed up shoulders. He wanted to ask about what he was doing with the teachers, but he couldn't get the words out.
"M…Mostly." He mumbled.
Ryusei stared at him in a silence that felt like forever, then pointed his thumb down the hall. "Well come on. I've got one more stop. Only if you wanna."
Ren nodded and followed slowly after, feeling some trepidation. Why was it suddenly so hard to speak? If Masanori had asked the same question he would have told him. There couldn't be any reason to treat him differently… but thinking that, he felt his ears slowly growing hot.
Ren accompanied Ryusei to an inner passage in the school to a meeting room. Ryusei asked explicitly this time for him to wait outside. Through the door, Ren could hear voices speak up.
"It's been a while Ryusei-kun."
"Hey. Fumio's busy so I've come to talk to Murokawa." Ryusei said to them. Ren slid a peek through the windows to the side of the door. It looked like a meeting with teachers and students, along with Murokawa, who was his dorm leader. Murokawa could be heard quickly excusing himself and rushing towards the door to Ryusei. Ren could see through his face through the window in the door, how nervous Murokawa looked as he spoke to Ryusei.
Yukihiro switched the camera angle and huffed disappointingly. "Damn. How boring Nori, you said he was practically a menace. Figured he'd do something by now… hm? What's that….?" He squinted at the screen in full focus.
"Oho. What's he doing here?"
He zoomed in on Naoto, who was watching the two down the hall, hiding behind a corner with an angry grimace on his face.
"Akagi Naoto," Yukihiro said with intrigue. "He hates omegas doesn't he? So why's he following one? Hm, that guy's pheromones are powerful, like a tsunami wave on two legs. On top of that abnormal aggression, he'd be considered a deadly weapon in at least 15 countries," Yukihiro tapped his cheek and hummed. "Should I consider this an attack on Masanori's territory? He'll be an issue either way."
He uncrossed his legs and left the wall he was leaning against, beginning to move.
"Let's see, that's the northern hall I think?"
Meanwhile, inside the meeting room another of the other students could be heard through the door with an agitated sounding voice.
"Fujiwara-kun here is in the student council, isn't he? Have you seen that white-haired bastard? I'm sick of that lazy idiot skimping on so many meetings, and now he's vanished completely from the dorm!"
"Watch it Garyu," A teacher loudly scolded. "I won't have you disrespecting and bothering the security council leader during such a stressful period. Need I remind you who allowed the beta dorm incident in the first place? You'll get a chance to get yourself heard in the next major meeting next term."
'A guy that doesn't show up to meetings that's in the student council?' Ren silently pondered. 'Reminds me of that member who wasn't at their student council meeting. What was his name? My notepad got confiscated then but I swore I wrote it down…'
Moving closer down the hall Yukihiro spotted Naoto, seeing him watching with an expression filled with rage, and plausible fidgeting for someone on the verge of acting recklessly.
'Hm, around here is…' Yukihiro started to text someone. A few seconds later the door to a teacher's office opened up, looking around. When he spotted Naoto he rushed over, grabbing his shoulder.
"Akagi-kun, excellent to see you. I need a member of the student council to take a look at this report about that fire…"
"S-Sensei? Right now?" Naoto spluttered, but was quickly dragged away before he could get a word in. Yukihiro hummed to himself with a self-satisfied smile. "Too easy. I'm the only one in the business of spying on this omega." Yuki returned to his camera feed.
"Oh, wasn't I supposed to be by there today for something…?" Yukihiro's face pinched, ruminating it. He popped the lollipop back in his mouth, swirling it around.
"Eh, Nemura probably handled it."
Murokawa nodded quickly at Ryusei then was about to turn away when he spotted Ren through the small window. He paused a moment before giving him a friendly wave.
"What's that now? Murokawa's seems real friendly with Fujiwara." Someone chuckled.
Murokawa turned back into the room looking a little red. "Don't just say things like that! Someone might get the wrong idea!"
"Calm down, I'm only teasing," They laughed. "Ryusei-kun said he's not interested in stuff like that anyway."
'Not Interested?' Ren's eyes furrowed, before he closed them in realization. 'Oh… I see.'
He then quickly opened them again. 'Hm? Well of course he's not interested in guys, that's pretty normal. I mean what am I thinking, exactly?'
Before he could think on it further, Ryusei finally left the meeting room. He was now holding a small enclosed bag, which he quickly stuffed in an inner pocket, patting it before crossing his arms and leaning down towards him. "Alright, that's done."
Ren subtly glanced at his coat. "Is that it then?" He quickly turned away, suddenly feeling the urge to hide his face.
"You thought I just came by to say hi to him?" Ryusei bluntly asked. "Be an odd errand."
"Oh… no," Ren turned back and held his hands up flusteredly. "I didn't mean to sound rude. Sorry…"
"Yer not rude," Ryusei sighed. "Just confusin'," He crossed his arms and leaned down more with a furrowed brow. "And tough to read. That long face don't suit ya. Hmm, I guess he's out…" His eyes glanced away lost in a thought. "Not my business but…"
Ren went stiff from his shoulders to his toes, turning a small shade of red. Why did he get closer?! Why was his face getting hot!?
Ryusei's look changed and his frown widened, sending Ren's heart into a panic. Ryusei straightened his back.
"So. Know some spot to get away?"
Ren halted, his face going blank. "H-Huh?"
"Get away," He repeated again. "Like from the crowds," Ryusei then finagled a hand in front of him, like in a kind of magician's slight of hand. "Y'know. Something tells me you'd know a good place."
"Oh." Ren thought for a moment then meekly lowered his head. "I-I might…"
Ren led Ryusei to a field behind the school. He led him to a hill, where near the top was a section of light green bushes, covered in sharp yellow thorns along their branches. Ren tried to push past the bushes using his back pack as a shield.
Ren turned to him and noticed him take something out of his pocket and swallow it.
"Found this place when I saw some Alpha students come here. Never been inside, but it's surrounded on all sides, see? These bushes stopped blooming in April and since then people don't come by," Ren said, turning back to the bush. "But there's a quick path through here that-"
Ren then was lifted up by the waist, as Ryusei lifted him up and stepped through the bush and into the small clearing, where discarded trash sat in a pile. Ren could see the small tears in his coat, but nothing suggesting he was hurt by it.
"Thick lab coat." Ren muttered.
Ryusei put him down and brushed off his coat, before sitting down on the spotty grass patches.
"Yeah, you found a nice spot. Good job."
"T… Thanks." Ren blushed, and slowly sat down cross legged next to him. As a humid breeze brushed through.
Ren felt the silence stretch, and a question settled down into his shoulders.
'Why did he ask to come here? I keep getting this feeling…'
"I'm… I'm sorry he keeps bothering you," Ren spoke up. "I got caught before, and I didn't tell you…"
'Now we're hiding here, right?' At least, that's what Ren thought anyway.
"Oh, he's nothing to worry about," Ryusei replied easily, "Naoto-senpai has his own reasons to not say anything, so he won't. Not with any real proof of anything. So, just enjoy the peace and quiet fer a little."
"Oh…" Ren went quiet again.
Ryusei huffed. "...Yer more timid than I thought, huh? Used to be a lot more hot-tempered before…"
"Huh? That… that was before!" Ren rose up a little and shouted. "I don't mean to-"
"Forget that." Ryusei cut in. "I'm just sayin', It's better to be honest about how yer feeling, or you'll just end up with misunderstandings. Don't apologize for the past like ya did something wrong."
"R-Right…" Ren gulped, but quickly accepted it. Somehow, Ren found himself more at ease with his words. More that Masanori sometimes. Like Ryusei's promise. Ryusei's words felt more open and clear than the uncertainty Masanori could sometimes give off. He still trusted Masanori, but he never once thought of him, as confident. Was there a reason, or…?
Ren could feel his cheeks warming up again. Sitting in the sun was sure making him hot really quickly.
Meanwhile Yukihiro, now wearing a small-brimmed sun hat and sunglasses, squinted past the glare of the sun up the hill, pursing his lips troublingly. "Hmm… That's not good is it?" He smiled. "Talk about a real challenge."
His line of sight flickered to a patch of red hair stomping up the hillside.
"Ah, And company."
Yukihiro sent a text on his phone. "I think that should work…"
Not that long later Naoto stopped and pulled out his phone. His eyebrows pinched together and he scowled before running off.
"Student council members usually have work to do… even if in this case it's just a false alarm." Yukihiro sighed. "At least try to make it difficult…"
From within the bushes, a small bottle suddenly rolled from Ryusei's pocket. Ren picked it up. It was a clear plastic bottle with no , but Ren thought he recognized the shape of the pills inside. He remembered, he asked for omega pills before.
"Why do you take these?" Ren questioned.
Ryusei glanced over at him.
"Hmm... Want one?" He asked, a small mischievous smile flickered on his face. When Ren didn't respond, Ryusei dropped the smile and held his hand up, gesturing for Ren to give it back. When he did, Ryusei crossed his arms behind his head. "I'm just joking. You have your own anyway."
"Real? Why do you have them? Do you have to test them by taking them directly? Like for side effects?" Ren asked.
Ryusei gave him a curious glance. "...you think it's part of my job for the student council?"
"Oh… it's not?" Ren went silent, and the moment passed in silence. Well then, why? He said it had a weird side-effect before. Maybe, was that somehow bypassing the Alpha pills effects? If he took Alpha heat pills would that help? But that…
"These things, they help me relax," Ryusei continued." Can't imagine handlin' the real deal, but it helps fer the moment."
'Real?' Ren wondered, wanting to ask but losing his nerve. Why was he so nervous?
"Just talking now. That's it?" Yukihiro muttered. His vantage from the top of a tree with a pair of binoculars provided enough vantage. He frowned and lowered them. "Nori will be happy at least…." He paused when he noticed Naoto circling the bushes once again, as angry as ever.
Yukihiro sighed, annoyed with a tone lofily patronizing. "Back again already? Ah, what has him so huffy? Couldn't be tsunami-kun lost his scent trail because he lacks a working brain cell when he's angry? Good senses but bad attitude on that one…"
Naoto searched around the field leading down the hill, then suddenly looked up, locking eyes with him.
Yuki's left cheek twitched. "Uh oh."
"...You're too tense," Ryusei sighed, closing his eyes. "Lie down and breathe a little. Ya look like wolves dragged you outta bed this morning. Ain't gettin' enough sleep?"
Ren froze. He stared at Ryusei as he kept his eyes closed. Slowly, he laid down on the grass. "I… sleep just fine. I've just been stuck on a hard problem lately. I… don't want to bother you with it..." He trailed off.
Ryusei was quick to reply with a tired yawn. "Well, I don't wanna be bothered either, But, nothing wrong with speaking it out loud. I won't keep it to memory. Seemed like ya needed someone to talk to. Better to tell me if you don't have anyone - don't wanna give Masanori any more trouble than he's dealing with right now."
"W-What about Masanori-kun?" Ren shot up and looked over urgently. "I haven't heard from him, is he…"
Ryusei peeked one eye open, silent for a moment. "...If he didn't tell you, it's not my place to. I was just asking outta concern."
"That's… No. It's alright." Ren looked away, feeling his face getting hot again. Concerned about him?
"Hey!" Naoto shouted, sneering up at Yukihiro. "You bastard - you hang out in trees instead of showing up to class then?! You're all kinds of suspicious - I bet you know where that omega and Ryusei-kun ran off to."
Yukihiro ignored him, not acknowledging his presence. After a long silence, Naoto growled, loudly gnashing his teeth. "Hey! Is his fucking guy ignoring me!?"
'No point in speaking if you'll ignore my personal space anyway.' Yuki thought to himself. He focused back on the scene even as he saw Naoto climbing up the tree out of the corner of his eye, in time to see Ren covering his eyes with his arm, blocking his face.
"I'll tell you one thing then," Ryusei continued. "You look like you have too much on your mind. I can't help much, but if you don't find some place to wind down you'll twist into knots."
Ren slowly removed his arm, looking at him in awe.
"Y-Yeah… maybe, like… here?"
Ryusei fully opened his eyes and frowned.
"Nope. Don't come here by yerself again. Fer a little guy like you this place is a health hazard," He closed his eyes again. "But then again… I can't stop ya if you like it enough though. When you need to ease the tension off, sometimes what works ain't good fer ya. If it hurts, look for someplace that hurts a little less."
"Ah, right…" Ren wasn't sure what he meant. He laid in silence thinking of an answer.
"I uh, think the lake is nice. It's not as bright as up here, since it's down the hill."
"Funny. Know somebody who'd agree." Ryusei replied. "And I mean your escape from the world. From what's burdening you so much."
Ren's heart pounded as his heart sunk. 'Is… he suggesting I leave? Leave the school? But If I escape, I'd be giving up. But if I'm that much trouble…' Ren let out a somber, quiet sigh.
"...something tells me this ain't working out." Ryusei suddenly spoke, and quickly rose up. "We're done here."
An alarm went off in Ren's head and he shot up. Done?
"W-Wait!" Ren grabbed his lab coat's hem. "What do you mean by that?!"
He knew it: he brought him here to tell him he didn't want his help anymore!
Ryusei turned back and Ren saw the guilty look subtly etched on his face and his heart started to plummet. But he just wanted to help! Was he now seen as a liability?
Ryusei then scratched his head and let out a long sigh.
"Look, I hoped you'd get the memo like this, but I forget yer more than a little odd with scents. Gotta be candid. I'm not interested in datin' right now."
Ren froze.
"Huh?"
"Oi! Shit-head!" Naoto growled, body half sprawled across the branches like a cat on all fours. "Bastard - what the hell are you doing up here!?"
Yukihiro shushed him. "Can't you go bother someone else? I'm bird watching."
"Bird watching? As if!" Naoto lunged for the binoculars, ripping them from his hands.
"What the hell is going on?" He grumbled. He glared through them with a sneering scowl as he zeroed in on them. "That bastard; So he was hiding in those bushes with him - no wonder I lost his scent! Who left massive bushes like that on school grounds in the first place?"
"Good question…" Yukihiro muttered, sticking a finger in his ear from his ringing ears, knowing exactly who was in charge of school maintenance. He watched Naoto look through the binoculars, leaning farther out the tree.
Yukihiro glanced at Naoto with a muted expression, when something glinted in his eye. He considered it, before grabbing a thin branch from the tree, bending it back and releasing it. It springs forward and smacks Naoto hard in the back. He naturally loses his balance, and slips off the branch, falling face forward out of the tree.
Well, nearly. He managed to hold on, grabbing onto a branch by one arm wrapped around it. Yukihiro burst out laughing.
"Puhahahaha! What a move there Tsunami-kun!"
Naoto cursed. "Fucking crazy white-haired bastard, you did that on purpose! And who are you calling tsunami!? Don't fucking call me that!"
Yukihiro could feel his attempts at threatening him with crashing down pheromones but ignored it. He instead pulled out his phone instead to use the camera, just in time to see Ren flush red from top to bottom. Ren spluttered, visibly shaking.
"W-Whaaaat!?"
Yukihiro raised an eyebrow. 'Oho?'
Ryusei massaged his shoulder and looked away annoyed. "I ain't get it wrong did I? Yer not given' off the usual pheromones but yer not exactly subtle. Figured if I brought you someplace you like and didn't make any moves you'd get the memo."
"WAIT." Ren held back a scream. "I… I don't have a-any-!! A-Any-!!"
"If you say so, but you don't act like you don't have feelings," Ryusei bluntly interjected. "But that's not fer me. 'Sides, Masanori's kinda picked you even if he won't-"
"P-Pardon!? Why are you bringing him up right now!?" Ren squeaked.
Ryusei scratched his head. "Well I can't imagine why else he's got so much intent on keepin' an eye even with yer behavior. Just seemed like might-"
Ren desperately and feverishly waved a hand in front of him. "S-Stop stop! Stop talking about that! I-I was gonna ask if you're gonna stop giving me missions!!!"
Ryusei's expression shifted, looking a little impatient. Ren felt a twinge stab him in his chest and he finally let go. Ren looked to the ground, turning red with embarrassment. Had he given that kind of impression? He looked back up feeling a swelling behind his eyes. "I-I…!"
Ren didn't get another word in, as Ryusei suddenly lifted him up and carried him out of the bushes, dropping him down on the other side.
"Think it's time I head back anyway. I suppose I should say to watch out fer Naoto, but listenin' don't seem to be yer forte."
Ren stopped to possess what he said, then finally he turned red with anger.
"Y-You-! You're out of your mind! I'm a great listener - you're the one not listening!"
Ryusei frowned and gave him a long, hard look.
"...So you haven't been flirting then? To be honest I was hoping it was, cuz all the crying and kneeling proclamations ya do is gonna give people the wrong idea."
"W-Wrong… Huh?" Ren was stunned, too stunned to even register Ryusei's light tap on his shoulder as he turned to leave.
"Well if you still want missions, sure. Come by anytime. Think this'll do enough to keep him off yer back, at least." He then waved as he walked away. "Later then."
"W…W… Wuh?" Ren stuttered, but he was already gone. Ren gripped the sides of his head and tried to steady himself. In between the disorienting waves of nausea, suddenly a burst of unexpected anger erupted.
"W-What the heck even was that?! What just happened!?"
Yuki put the phone down, humming with uncertainty. He had the sense that whatever he just witnessed was a little more complex than what Naoto thought, but he also knew how to trust his eyes. And the glimmer of light in his eyes brightened as he saved the video. Yuki grinned wide, stretching to his ears. 'Oh, Masanori will find this interesting.'
"Tch!" Naoto hissed through his teeth, still hanging onto the lower branch. "Shit, I can't see anything from here! They left on the other side! Was this some kind of secret date spot he takes them?"
"You seem a bit too interested in the ongoings of this single omega, aren't you shameless?" Yukihiro hummed, leaning back against the tree against one of the larger branches.
"Puh. Don't try it," Naoto furrowed his brows with a threatening glare. "I know you're best friends with Masanori-kun. Did he put you up to this freakish psychotic behavior?"
"What does that say about you that you're doing the exact same thing as me?"
"I'm talking about pushing me out of trees!" He shouted.
"The tree did that. Well, the answer to your question is yes. Oh yes, in fact I'm Takeshita-kun's official bodyguard until further notice," Yukihiro smiled. "Someone has to watch his boyfriend when Masanori's busy."
Naoto growled. "What a shit lie - I thought you were supposed to be a genius or something. That makes no sense: If they were dating he wouldn't ask another Alpha to guard him, let alone a pasty shrimp like you. He'd ask a beta, or another omega."
"Oh I don't know about that. Masanori has to keep secrets from his father, and his guard is being investigated for corruption. I'm the perfect fit until he sorts things out." Yuki hummed.
Naoto's brow furrowed further. "Sounds like nonsense… Ha, He's alone. Maybe Fujiwara's got some sense knocked into him after all."
Yukihiro rolled his eyes and watched Ren walking away back in the direction of the omega dorm. 'Now what I expected but I got some idea of what Masanori's been putting himself through. Maybe he's finally coming into his own. His pheromones are so powerful but…" Yukihiro glanced at Naoto once more before standing up. Naoto glared up at him as he walked closer. "What are you-"
Yukihiro jumped out the tree. He hears Naoto fall out, no doubt due him shaking the branch he was clinging to. He held up a hand to wave him goodbye behind himself. "Be careful when climbing trees next time! You can keep the binoculars by the way."
Yukihiro heard a string of curses shouted at him as he quickened his steps to escape, wondering how Masanori was faring with his work.
______
Masanori glared down a student within a darkened room. He leaned forward, hands gripping down on the table's edge.
"Honest truth Wataru… were you involved, or not?"
Wataru submissively lowered his head, forehead a river of sweat. "Masanori-san, I-I would n-never. Please, I was just on my break…"
"Then where was your replacement? Are you a liar or overly incompetent? A decent Alpha would at least prepare a proper alibi if they took a bribe like you did, so where is it?"
"P-Please." Wataru wheezed. "I wouldn't... I'm just a little forgetful, I..."
"... Get out." Masanori grunted, and pointed to the door. The student rose to do a quick bow before bolting out the room.
Masanori groaned, and buried his head into the table. 'That's over half. No one's admitted to anything but it's not looking good… once he finds out the whole patrol needs to be replaced…'
The door slowly creeped open and a beta student entered. "Masanori-san. Not to intrude but, don't you think you're going a bit hard on them?"
Masanori tried to give an apologetic look. 'I'm not trying to. My pheromones are unstable right now. But you wouldn't know.'
Masanori was keeping his rut a secret until it hit. Besides knowing he would be unable to complete his interrogations otherwise, he also didn't want his father finding out how long it took for his rut to set in. How long an Alpha took for a rut to set in would no doubt be a point of contention his father would bring up in the future.
Instead of the expected result of silent agreement from the beta student they instead flinched back with a stiff grimace. Masanori twitched in turn. He realized he was glaring.
He rubbed his temples and sighed. That was his fault. His inhibitors were admittedly on a bit too thick as an added measure, to a point he felt somewhat little like he was suffocating, which wasn't deteriorating his mood.
"...I need you to send the next one." He got out calmly after a short silence. The student quickly nodded and left, slamming the door just a bit too hard unintentionally as they rushed out. Masanori sighed, scratching at the table. 'Just a few more days. Can't let anyone find out… least of all Takeshita.'
He couldn't imagine how he might accidentally confuse things. If he thought heats weren't real, what would he think of ruts? Maybe that they were given to him by aliens or radiation.
Masanori blinked, then quietly laughed. He then sharply drew a breath, and softly banged his head on the table.
"Yeah, maybe…" He sighed into a small chuckle, feeling his body burning up.