[QKazu/Ojizuki] Exit 9 “Q…” Kazuki called. His face was obstructed by his bangs, which were unusual for Q to see. Kazuki always looked straight and confident whenever he talked, so Q could sense something was wrong.

No, everything has been wrong since that day.

That day, Q suddenly woke up at the Ancient Sanctuary of Neo Chiyoda City with no recollection of what had happened to him. Suddenly, everyone called him by the name Oujiro, which confused him. When he asked Kazuki what had happened, Kazuki’s face… was a nightmare that Q couldn’t forget. He had never seen Kazuki so pale and so stressed. He looked like he was about to cry, and Q had never seen Kazuki cry.

“Yes” He walked closer to Kazuki. Kazuki looked so small with his shoulders slumped down. He looked tired and could use a long sleep. Q wanted to reach out his arms so bad, to wrap him in his embrace and tell him that everything will be alright.

But he couldn’t, he knew that he was partially the cause of this. It had something to do with what he felt was missing or changed in him since that day.

So he listened, he watched, and offered every little comfort he could to Kazuki as much as he could.

“Q, I have to go back to Minato for a bit… Can you promise me one thing” Kazuki didn’t look at his eyes. But Q nodded to him anyway.

“Of course, whatever I could do for you.”

“Then, until I come back, can you stay with everyone here at Hina cafe Don’t go off on your own. Make sure you always have someone with you. It’ll be better if you could get any of the Akiba siblings to accompany you.” Q thought that it was such a weird demand. It felt as if he was a fugitive who needed surveillance 24/7. But Q abides by that demand. Kazuki may have thrown jokes sometimes, but not when he’s using that tone.

“When will you come back” Q asked. He felt it was a bit unfair that Kazuki asked him to stay with someone while Kazuki ran off on his own. The can’t I come with you remains unasked. Q had a feeling that Kazuki wanted to stay away from him for a while, after all. It’s obvious how much Kazuki is avoiding his gaze right now. Though part of him didn’t want to believe that Kazuki was avoiding him.

“I’ll come back as soon as I can. I promise.” This time, Kazuki looked him in the eyes. Q could see how those clear azure eyes looked clouded. The shine in his eyes, which Q always admired and loved, was gone.

“Alright. Let me know if something happens, though… or if nothing happens, just to know that you are safe.” Q said. Kazuki squinted his eyes and made a single laugh.

“Ahah… alright, mom.” Kazuki replied with his trademark cynical face.

“I will wait for you.” Q promised. He wondered why he felt like he had to say it. Kazuki likes to do solo investigations on his own. And Q usually trusts him to do his thing. Kazuki always kept his promise. But this time, it felt like… it felt like if he didn’t tie him down with anything, even if it’s just words, Kazuki would disappear from him, forever.

Kazuki smiled at him, patted him on the shoulder, then waved him goodbye. And with that, Q watched as those tiny shoulders disappeared into the streets of Chiyoda.

The gloom in his face bloomed once again as Kazuki walked away from the crowds. “...If you can get worried like that for me, then why didn’t you tell me where you went at that time…” Kazuki muttered, but quickly dismissed the thought. It was his fault. He knew Oujiro wouldn’t tell anyone about his worries. Oujiro likes to keep things to himself. He should have known better. It was his fault.

It was entirely his fault.

With a deep sigh, Kazuki walked into the underground passage towards Minato. It’s not like he actually has business there. He just wanted… some time alone. He just remembered about one particular round grey cat that lives in Minato, and he just… used it as an excuse. Deep down, he knew he was just running away from Q. He couldn’t bear to look at him. He couldn’t bear to look at the absence of Oujiro.

How pathetic… Oujiro was able to face his sin. And here’s him running away from his.

Kazuki kept walking, unaware of his surroundings. The corridor felt long. The echo from his footsteps filled the room.

He kept thinking. What could he have done at that time If only he had noticed that Q had disappeared faster. If only he had realized that Q would immediately go to the U-DX robot sooner. If only he had been faster to reach the Plaza. If only he had…

But those are all the things he couldn’t change. Kazuki didn’t like dwelling on the past, on
something that he had no power in changing. He always kept a cool head and looked forward. That’s what he is. He had to remind himself multiple times that dwelling in the past couldn’t change anything.

He was able to get Oujiro back before. He could do it again.

Or can he

Oujiro is dead. He’s gone. Kazuki couldn’t revive the dead. Even the only person who could revive a person couldn’t get Oujiro back. Could Zero have done something else Could he use the Ultra reward to get Oujiro back

Kazuki made a single loud sigh that echoed in the hallways. “Ha.. I can’t believe that I ended up with that conclusion…” Oujiro would be mad at him if he thought of stealing the Ultra reward from Yo.

But what other ways could he use Should he really give up on Oujiro Should he let go of Oujiro… like how he should let go of the dead Did Oujiro really wish he’d be let go To disappear and be forgotten like the floating stuff in Neo Chiyoda City Gone to who knows where…

Kazuki stopped in his steps.

“No…” Kazuki refused. Even if he had to suffer with whatever nightmares he’ll face from now on. Even if he had to drag Q to hell with him again. Kazuki refused to give up on Oujiro. Oujiro sacrificed so many in his life. His heart, his name, his future, and now even his entire being. Like damn will Kazuki let all of those go into vain.

But still, he couldn’t find a solution yet. He needs something. Maybe Nekomaru’s soft belly will let his mushy brain work once again. Thinking of the round, fluffy gray creature, Kazuki moved his feet once again with a little more motivation.

Only to see a sight that he had never seen before.

“...” Lost in his thought, Kazuki didn’t realize that he had made his way to a hallway he had never seen before. It was bright, and the ceilings and the floor were white. On the walls are some posters and an Exit sign that says “To Exit 9.”

Did he make a wrong turn somewhere Kazuki thought as he turned around. But to his surprise, he couldn’t find the exit, even after walking backwards from where he came. He kept finding the exit sign and the same posters all over again.

“What is this…” Was it one of Zero’s doing？ Kazuki gritted his teeth. Then, as he turned backwards once again and moved forward, he found something new on the wall. A guide information panel.

Guide
Do not overlook any anomalies
If you find any anomalies, turn back immediately
If you don’t find any anomalies, do not turn back
Go out from Exit 9

“...Huh” Kazuki couldn’t understand what this guide meant. Thinking that he’ll disregard it for now and find another way to exit this never-ending hallway, Kazuki turned from the corner. But this time, he hears footsteps that were not his own.

There, from the end of the hallway, he saw a sight that should not have existed.

Otori Oujiro was walking from the other end of the hallway. He was in his Tenshin military outfit, except without the gas mask. His hair was short like it was two years ago. His eyes were red, just like from back then when he was still under Tenshin’s influence.

“...O…jiro” Kazuki called.

Oujiro stopped. His eyes were as cold as they were before. There was a hint of surprise. Neither was moving for a while.

This can’t be. This couldn’t be happening. Why is Oujiro here Why is he still in that outfit Why does he look like the Oujiro that kicked him away from back then.

A flash of the guide he had read earlier came to Kazuki’s mind. On bullet point number two, it says…

If you find any anomalies, turn back immediately.

And Kazuki bolted. Back to the corner where he found the guide. His brain was saying that this should be what he should have done. But in his heart, he knows. He’s still running away from Oujiro.

Ahh… in the end, I still couldn’t face him.

—

Oujiro looked down at the unmoving body underneath him. The blue-haired boy, Aoyama Kazuki, was his friend. Then he became his rival. Then he became his enemy. Now, he has become a loser. Kazuki had lost, and he had won. This never-ending game of deathly musical chairs is finally finished, and Oujiro had come out as the winner.

Tenshin had ordered him to break his arm, and he did. He crushed them until they cracked, and he had watched Kazuki writhe in agony. He had watched how Kazuki had called his name multiple times. Pathetic, he thought. And he remembered that he once admired the boy lying before him.

In the end, Kazuki was just another obstacle that he had to surpass. In the end, he was just like those other kids that Oujiro had crushed.

But still, Kazuki had been the only one.

In this cruel and cold facility where everyone is an enemy, Kazuki had been the only one who didn’t look at him as if they wanted to kill him.

Kazuki was his last spider thread, and he forcefully tugged it away. He didn’t need saving. He’s strong enough to protect himself now. He didn’t need Kazuki. He’s stronger than Kazuki now, and he’s proven that.

“Ou..ji…” He heard a faint sound. And perhaps, something was still left in his heart. Something that made Oujiro crouch down and attempt to reach down to the broken boy below him.

“Take him away.” But Tenshin’s loud voice echoed in the room. And in an instant, whatever small thing that was left had disappeared, and Oujiro watched as Kazuki was carried away by the people with those Hanya masks.

And just like that, Kazuki is gone from his life.

Perhaps, forever.

Oujiro had seen many other children go like this. Nobody ever knows where they’d gone. He had thought before that if they lost the XB game, they would simply return to where they came from. The orphanage where Oujiro and Kazuki grew up was a small orphanage that nobody ever paid attention to. The two of them getting “adopted” by the Otori family was their hope to become the greatest XB player that they wanted to be. Or at least, that’s what their younger selves thought.

Oujiro learned the hard truth the longer he spent his time here. That this is an elimination game. In the end, only one survivor can become the greatest. And that person was him, not Kazuki, not anyone else.

Was this worth it

Oujiro couldn’t answer.

But one thing that he knew, he was alive.

Oujiro was quickly guided to his new room. A spacious and extravagant one. He was given new clothes, new XB gears, and three retainers. All three swore their loyalty to him. Oujiro couldn’t care less. He didn’t need anyone. He could protect himself just fine.

Kamiki Yui, Tenshin’s secretary, congratulated him and then told him his schedule for his official ceremony as Otori Oujiro tomorrow and that he should take his time to rest.

As Oujiro sat on the bed and all those people left him alone, Oujiro felt like he could finally breathe.

His mind immediately thought of the blue-haired boy who was limp and bloody. What will become of him The thought strayed into his mind.

Oujiro started to become restless the more he thought of him. Why He didn’t care about this before. He didn’t care about any other opponents he had crushed before. He couldn’t care less about each bone he broke. Because if he did, then his heart couldn’t survive.

But Kazuki was different.

The scream of anguish echoed in his eardrums, and the sound of the bone breakings gave him a chill colder than any temperature he’d felt before. It’s as if…

He had killed Kazuki himself.

Oujiro sprang from his bed.

Why was he agitated He knew that the children who lost would get eliminated. So why is he… anxious now No… this is… concern He’s… worried

“What a foolish thought…” Oujiro told himself.

However, his body couldn’t lie. With a swift motion, Oujiro exited his room and headed towards the underground. His three retainers in Hanya masks appeared before him to stop him and advised him to sleep. But he ordered them to stay away and continued forward. Until he stopped and looked back at them.

“The children who lost the XB game, where were they sent to” He asked. He had the authority now. So he could find out, right

“My lord… they were…” The tallest of them seemed to hesitate to answer. But then the shortest one answered in his stead. “From what we know, they were kept in the underground cellar until Lord Tenshin used them as he wished.”

“I see. Good work.” Oujiro told them and turned around.

“My lord, please wait… The underground cellar might not be a good place for you to visit.” The middle one, a girl, Oujiro deduced from her voice, warned with a hint of concern in her voice.

“I will be the judge of that.” But once again, Oujiro disregarded them and then headed towards the underground.

Underground cellar… Oujiro thought of a cold and dark prison. He thought of one Aoyama Kazuki, with those bloody injuries, alone in such a cold and dark space. His heart was tinged with pain. He hadn’t thought of what he would do once he found him, but…

He wants to see him.

That much is true, at least.

Oujiro stepped into the long white hallway. He had never been here before. It was brighter than he imagined, despite being called underground. On the ceiling was a panel that said “To Exit 9.” Oujiro glanced at it once before moving forward.

Then, as he turned past the corner, a familiar blue-haired figure was standing at the end of the hallway.

“Ou...jiro” Aoyama Kazuki was standing there. He was wearing different clothes. However, something was odd. His face was clean. There was no sign of bruises, even if he looked slightly more… thinner Than how Oujiro remembered.

Oujiro stared at his left arm. What should have been crushed completely was… fine. He couldn’t see it under that jacket and glove, but he could see that Kazuki could move it just fine.

What is happening How is he fine Why does he look that scared

Maybe the last question wasn’t really strange. Maybe he did scare Kazuki after all those injuries he gave him. Maybe Kazuki hates him now.

Then, something else happened. Kazuki had turned away and run away. And it took Oujiro by surprise. Like a hunter chasing its prey, Oujiro’s feet started to move. He had to find out what was happening. He had to catch him. He had to get Kazuki.

Then he ran past the corner.

And Kazuki was gone.

—

Kazuki panted as he heard the footsteps approaching. Oujiro was chasing him. He should stop running and turn back. He had to find out why Oujiro is here. He had to ask him. But his feet wouldn’t let him, and he ran past the corner once again. It was then that he realized that the footsteps that were chasing him had disappeared completely.

When Kazuki turned back to look at Oujiro, he couldn’t find anyone but an empty hallway.

Was his mind playing a trick on him Was he that scared of Oujiro that he’s starting to see hallucinations

Or could it be…

“Zero Did you play another trick on me” He shouted. He could feel the anger in his voice as it echoed through the long hallway. But there was no answer. Not the sound effect of something round jumping around, nor the fluffy evil voice that loves to tease people into despair.

“Zero I know you can hear me Show yourself” Kazuki shouted once again.

What is this What is all of this Why is Zero not responding If this is not his fault, he wouldn’t stand for the baseless accusation and would have gotten mad at him. If this is his doing, he wouldn’t lose the chance to be able to tease Kazuki into despair once again. So why… Why is Zero not appearing

Unless… this is not Zero’s doing, and currently Kazuki is in a place where even Zero couldn’t reach him.

“Damn it” Kazuki slammed his right hand towards the wall.

Calm down, he told himself. If this is indeed his mind playing a trick, then he must have a clear mind. There’s no way Oujiro is here, let alone his past self.

It’s fine, he just had to find the way to the exit.

To go out from Exit 9.

He remembered the guide.

Fine, whatever game this is, he’ll play their game and win. Just like how he always does.

Kazuki turned around once again. The panel on the corner said Exit 0 and some other directions to places Kazuki had never heard of before. Just as he went past the corner, though, he bumped into someone and was sent a few steps backwards.

There, standing tall and firm before him was Otori Oujiro, the same hallucination that he had seen and run away from earlier.

“O…Oujiro…” Kazuki called once again. This wasn’t a hallucination. He felt the impact just now. Was it Neon’s hologram There’s no way Oujiro could be here right now. Not when Q is supposed to be safe in Hina’s cafe under the guards of his retainers.

So, how…

But as he was thinking, Oujiro had approached him and roughly shoved him into the wall. Kazuki gritted his teeth from the brunt of the impact and yelped in surprise. “It hurts…” As Kazuki looked up, he saw Oujiro’s face, which was very close to his. Oujiro’s tall and towering body pinned him to the wall.

Thump

Oujiro’s eyes had never been as intimidating as he saw right now. They were bloody red. Anger, Kazuki could feel. But why is he so angry

Then he felt Oujiro’s hands grab his jacket to pull it down roughly. “W-wait What are you doing” Kazuki tried to grab Oujiro’s hand to stop him, but an angry Oujiro was too strong for him to stop. And since he struggled to push Oujiro away, Oujiro decided to use his left hand to grab Kazuki by his neck and hold him in place.

“Kghu… Ou-ji…” Kazuki gasped. The hand had gripped him strongly enough to make him choke for air. As Kazuki was busy trying to remove Oujiro’s hand from his neck, Oujiro used the chance to inspect his left arm instead, now exposed as he had removed Kazuki’s jacket by force.

It was clean. Not dislocated in the wrong direction as he last saw it. Not bruised nor torn from the impact. Yet, there was a single long line of what looked to be a surgical scar. Something that shouldn’t have been possible, as it had not even been an hour since he broke Kazuki’s arm. Even the world’s skilled doctors will not be able to accomplish such a complicated surgery in a matter of minutes.

“What… did you do” Kazuki heard Oujiro’s voice, deep and lower than what he was used to, yet less tired than Q’s.

“H..hu…” Kazuki tried to answer, but Oujiro’s grip on his neck was too strong, and he’d start to lose consciousness from the lack of air.

Then perhaps, Oujiro finally realized that and released him, which made Kazuki fall to his knees and cough violently. He gasped for air now that it finally flowed to his lungs.

“Tell me, what did you do Was it one of your tricks” Oujiro growled as he looked down at Kazuki, who was crouching on the ground as he massaged his throbbing throat. An obvious, red, swollen mark was visible on his neck now.

“Kh… what… are you talking about” Kazuki sighed, finally catching his breath, and stood up against Oujiro. He couldn’t figure out why Oujiro was so angry, but he couldn’t bring himself to get mad. Somewhere in his heart, he felt this was the retribution for his uselessness for being unable to save Oujiro back then.

“Your arm… how is it not broken” Oujiro stared at Kazuki’s left arm. Then it finally dawned on Kazuki.

Ahh… You’re… The Oujiro from back then…

Kazuki shifted his right hand over the surgery scars. There’s only one explanation to this situation that popped into his head, but Kazuki is hesitating about how much he could say. Oujiro didn’t seem to realize yet, but they are probably…

“Ahh, this It’s been two years, so it’s already healed completely.” Kazuki answered with a smile. With that hint, even Oujiro should have realized something.

And he surely did, as his eyes widened in shock that made him take another look at Kazuki from top to bottom, examining every inch of his body.

“What” Still in shock, Oujiro just stared there dumbfounded. He still didn’t seem to believe in Kazuki’s words.

Kazuki sighed and picked up his fallen jacket. “Really, how long are you going to stare in shock, Oujiro Or should I call you Oujiro-kun I’m probably two years older than you right now.” Kazuki snickered. Somehow, seeing this Oujiro was refreshing, and he had the urge to tease him like a little brother.

“Here, you can even examine it until you’re satisfied. This should be enough proof, right” Kazuki approached him and offered him his left arm. Oujiro hesitated at first, but then he took the offer and started to probe Kazuki’s arm. He traced the scar with his thumb, then squeezed his arm tightly. Oujiro was trying to inspect his bones. And surely, they were intact.

It felt… less comfortable than when Q was holding him. Q was so gentle, perhaps, in fear of breaking him. But this Oujiro was different. His hand was rough and firm. The anger and confusion he emitted were so obvious. Kazuki couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

You were such a brat back then, huh

Once he was satisfied, he finally let go of Kazuki’s arm. “How is this happening” He asked, as if accusing. Kazuki just shrugged at him. “I wish I could tell you, but even I was surprised by this situation.” Kazuki sighed.

He was just on his way to Minato to pay a visit to Nekomaru in an attempt to free himself from stress, but someway somehow, he ended up in this never-ending corridor and met a version of Oujiro that he remembered from two years ago. The Oujiro who’s still under Tenshin’s influence…

What should he do in this situation

“Say, let’s trade information. I’m sure that you also want to know what is happening. Now, I know that you probably hate me right now, but why don’t we have a truce until we both get out of this situation and come back to where we came from, hm” Kazuki offered. If this Oujiro is the same Oujiro from back then, then he probably didn’t even care about him at all. This Oujiro was so blinded by power that he’d discarded everything around him.

If he’s lucky, then maybe Oujiro will listen to him this time. But Kazuki didn’t put his hope too far. He knows how it went, his words always fell into deaf ears. Not until a bloody XB fight, another broken bone, and an impact from Chiyoda’s train crash later, at least.

But unbeknownst to him, Oujiro flinched at his words.

Hate Does Kazuki think I hate him

Oujiro never considered the possibility that Kazuki would think of him that way. No, he never thought about Kazuki’s feelings before. All the things that were in his head were winning, winning, and winning. To be stronger, to be more powerful, until the day he can crush everything else with his hands. To survive…

He found himself staring into Kazuki’s face. It really didn’t look like Kazuki had aged at all, but Oujiro could feel that something was different. The Kazuki he knew was blindingly bright. To the point it’s hurting his eyes. There was fire in his eyes, and Oujiro was always afraid they would one day burn him alive. That’s why Oujiro never looked him in the eyes anymore. Afraid that those flames will consume him instead.

But this Kazuki was different. Despite the way he’s smiling like always, something was missing. His words were hollow. Even the way he just resigned and didn’t struggle much when Oujiro had grabbed his neck was also different from the Kazuki he knew. The Kazuki he knew wouldn’t give up that easily. He’s seen his matches, he’s seen how he fought. Kazuki fought his best even in their last XB battle.

What changed

“...Fine. But you better not be a dead weight.” Oujiro sighed with reluctance.

“Great. Then, I’m pleased to work with you, Oujiro-kun.” Kazuki offered a handshake, but Oujiro slapped it away.

“Call me that way once more and you’ll regret it.” He warned.

Kazuki shrugged once more and corrected himself. “Alright alright, Oujiro. No need to be so hostile, hm”

With their agreement established, the two started to walk forward.

To him, the boy of the past was not his Oujiro but a reflection of his most beloved person, whom he couldn’t save.

To him, the boy from the future was not his Kazuki but a glimpse of a Schrodinger’s cat’s future whose current fate is yet unknown.

As the two walked together in the corridor, their thoughts blended into one.

Ahh, I want to see the real him.

—

Otori Oujiro (from the past) and Aoyama Kazuki (from the future) had somewhat reached a silent agreement that they were not going to talk about their respective circumstances. Kazuki didn’t really mind too much since he knew how their life movie went anyway. Oujiro, on the other hand, refused to ask due to his pride despite his curiosity.

Kazuki noticed, by the way. Oujiro had stolen some glances his way when he thought he was not looking. But his principle was simple, he won’t answer if he’s not asked. He’s read enough theories about time-travelling and parallel universes to know that he’s not supposed to change anything in the past.

Well, he didn’t know what was happening to them, though. It looked like he time-traveled. It could be him who time-traveled to the past, or Oujiro who time-traveled to the future through unknown means. Or perhaps, even both.

In the first hour after they established their cooperation, they both inspected everything that existed in that long white corridor.

It was just a subway corridor with nothing out of the ordinary. On the walls were a few posters like warning signs, announcements, and notices. To the right side of the corridor was a no-smoking sign, a fire hydrant box, two vents that were too small for humans to go through, and a door that wouldn’t budge no matter what they did to try to open it.

Kazuki had tried knocking on almost all visible tiles while Oujiro had tried to break them by punching them. They weren’t hollow, and neither could they break. Kazuki figured if Oujiro’s raw strength couldn’t even break the tiles, then neither could he.

“I guess we can only try to solve that riddle to get out.” Kazuki offered. They’ve been making no progress at all, it’s about time to change their plan.

Seeing that there was nothing out of the ordinary, Kazuki proposed they march forward. They went past the corner and found the same guide and posters once again. Except, this time, the number on the Exit 0 sign had turned into 1.

“Huh Did this change” Kazuki mumbled to himself while Oujiro continued forward. But then stopped in his tracks when there was something out of the ordinary happening in the corridor.

“Oi.” Oujiro called and prompted Kazuki to come closer. When Kazuki approached him, he saw that the No-XB posters were plastered all over the corridors. Someone really hates smokes, huh

“Well, this is clearly… an anomaly, right” Kazuki mutters with a laugh. The two of them exchanged a glance. Then, without words of agreement, they both headed back at the same time.

The number on the sign turns into 2. Kazuki took it that it would continue to rise the moment they managed to do the correct answer.

“Fufu, it looks simple enough to solve. At this pace, we’ll be out in no time.” Kazuki hummed with confidence.

Oujiro ignored him, but Kazuki already expected that. It was nostalgic, in a way. Even if this Oujiro was harsh and cold to him, he’s still Oujiro. And a part of the Oujiro that he lost. Kazuki smiled at that thought.

Their third time wasn’t as simple, though. Even though they thoroughly examined everything in the corridor, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Just when they were about to unanimously decide that there were no anomalies, there was a small squeaking sound coming from the vent.

“Hm” Kazuki was the first to notice while Oujiro just stood there in stiff motion. A small brown creature had jumped from the tent and landed right on top of Oujiro’s head. It made a squeaking sound and didn’t seem to have any intentions of going away from there.

Oujiro stopped moving. To anyone else, it might look like a small and common thing. But to Oujiro, this thing is the most hideous and dangerous creature on earth that ever existed.

Yes, that thing was just a small rat.

“...Are you okay, Oujiro” Kazuki asked with genuine concern as he saw his companion frozen in place. He was painfully aware of Oujiro’s aversion towards rats. He tried to reach out his hand, but then he remembered how the current Oujiro would dislike to be touched without permission. So he glanced at Oujiro and waited for his approval.

“...................take it.” Oujiro did his best to speak while trying to control himself from panicking.

Without further ado, Kazuki quickly reached out his hand to grab the rat away from his head and set it free. The rat promptly disappeared to the corner of the room, and Oujiro finally felt like he could breathe again.

“...There, it’s gone now, Oujiro. Are you alright” Kazuki turned back to see Oujiro’s facial expression turn a little pale.

So Kazuki did what he always did to Oujiro when they were little. A head pat, though it’s a little harder to reach now. Kazuki had to stretch out his arm to place his hand on Oujiro’s head. “It’s okay, you’re okay. It can’t hurt you. I’m here.”

He felt like Oujiro might slap him for saying that. In fact, Oujiro might even slap him for giving him a headpat.

Contrary to his thoughts, though, Oujiro didn’t say anything. Was he too shaken by the rat Kazuki thought to himself. Kazuki remembered why Oujiro hated rats in the first place… It went back to when they were still in the orphanage. Apparently, there had been a rat outbreak once. Their rundown orphanage was one of the buildings affected by it, and sometimes a rat would appear in the corner of the room to steal crumbs from the children’s food.

One day, when they were asleep, Oujiro was woken up by the sound of something crawling around his head. Kazuki had been fast asleep, unbothered by the sound. By the time Kazuki felt like something was tugging him and stirred him awake, Oujiro had been bawling his eyes out because one of the rats had snuck into his bed. Kazuki ends up helping him take the rat away from his bed, but Oujiro had been too traumatized by the rat suddenly appearing near his face and begged to sleep together with Kazuki. So they end up snuggling and falling asleep together in Kazuki’s bed.

Kazuki chuckled at the memory. Oujiro was so cute back then. He remembered that Oujiro would often ask to sleep together whenever he got scared.

Then he wondered.

Does Q remember this memory

His smile disappeared.

Maybe not, he concluded, and looked away from Oujiro.

Oujiro stared at him as Kazuki stopped patting his head. It had been an embarrassing situation for him. He’s no longer the weak and crybaby child that Kazuki knows. He’s Otori Oujiro now, the man who will one day rise to rule over Neo Tokyo. And to have such a man fear a little tiny creature such as a rat was unacceptable.

But still, he felt relief.

Kazuki had been there. Kazuki had saved him once again. His gentle touch and warming smile remained the same, despite the many years that had passed. Kazuki remembered, and Oujiro felt his heart had been tugged by a non-existent thread.

Except, it quickly faded.

Oujiro watched as that smile faded and those azure eyes looked away from him. Oujiro had found a candle in the dark, and suddenly, the light on that candle had been blown away.

Oujiro couldn’t understand. It wouldn’t have been weird if this Kazuki had never been kind to him in the first place. He would understand if this Kazuki, two years later in the future, would loathe him, would hate him, would treat him unkindly. But what he found instead was just the same Kazuki that he used to know, but less durable. As if he would break any second from now.

So he sighed and pulled Kazuki’s hand away from his head instead of swatting it.

“Let’s not waste time.” He said and marched forward.

Except, they’re not exactly marching forward.

They stare at the big number 0 on the sign.

The rat had them. It was an anomaly.

“...We let our guard down, huh Who’d thought that it was an anomaly.” Kazuki sighed. In his right mind, he wouldn’t have missed it. Kazuki could only blame himself in this situation.

Oujiro, on the other hand, was annoyed that he was too distracted by Kazuki’s expression that it made him fail to remember that they were supposed to go back if they found any anomaly. Though, rather than getting annoyed at Kazuki, he was more annoyed at himself for being swayed by such emotions that he got distracted.

“There will be no next time.” Oujiro just commented and walked past the corner once again.

Kazuki sighed and followed him. “Yes sir~”

As they walk through the same corridor, the lights suddenly begin to flicker. In the next second, there was a blackout, and then it quickly turned on again with blinding light.

“It hurts, you know.” Oujiro had heard Kazuki’s voice. However, it didn’t come from his back. The Kazuki who was supposed to be standing behind him had now stood in front of him. He was not wearing the black jacket and white T-shirt like the Kazuki from the future.

This Kazuki… was his Kazuki.

He was holding his left arm, bloody and battered. There are visible bruises on his face. The training uniform he was wearing was stained with dirt and blood. Kazuki was smiling, but his eyes were empty.

“You were really merciless, Oujiro. Do you want to kill me that much” That Kazuki spoke, with a little ‘fufu’ at the end of his sentence.

Oujiro stared at him, with eyes wide in shock.

“Huh, why are you not saying anything” Kazuki asked him, then noticed that Oujiro was staring at his arm. “Ahh, this You did this, remember Look, you even made it twist backwards.” And Kazuki showed him how his hand got twisted so that it went the other way it shouldn’t.

“It huuuurts like hell. Ahaha Oujiro, it hurts so much that I’d rather have you kill me. Why didn’t you finish me properly that time I thought you were not the type to leave things half-assed Are you perhaps secretly a sadist Do you enjoy seeing me in pain that much” The barrage of words was sent directly at him. Kazuki had faced him with bloodshot eyes and an unhinged smile. Oujiro had never seen Kazuki speak like this to him.

“....stop it.” Oujiro found himself muttering. This is not Kazuki. Kazuki would never-

“You thought I’d never get mad at you” Kazuki spoke as if he could read his mind. “Really Even though you broke my arm to the point I couldn’t play our beloved XB anymore Even though you destroyed and trampled over our dreams so easily despite my effort to remind you of them Even though you’ve turned a deaf ear to my pleas and cries You’re amazing, Oujiro. I’m so proud of you, I could cry.” Kazuki clapped his hands together. His left hand was dangling but he kept clapping as if it didn’t hurt at all.

“...Stop it” Oujiro walked forward to grab him, but Kazuki kept walking backwards and dodged his grab.

“Do you want me to stop But I was just telling the truth. It was you who was looking away from me. You’ve already known this, no You were just averting your eyes. See, you even made a cute little shadow of me. An older version of me who’s willing to listen to you despite everything, who’s willing to forgive everything you’ve done, who’s going to stay by your side and love you unconditionally… Say, do you really think I’d do that for you” Kazuki pointed towards him, with sharp eyes staring at him as if he were looking right through him. As if he were judging him.

That made Oujiro stop his movement.

“You’ve known the truth, Oujiro. Where do you think I am right now What do you think is happening to me right now It’s cold in this prison. The bleeding won’t stop. My arm is hurting like crazy… Oujiro… Ahh, I wish you’d be here to end me.” Kazuki kept walking backwards while Oujiro stayed where he was.

“... Hey.” Kazuki called. “Help me…Kill me…Please…just end me. It hurts…(..jiro) it hurts…(Ouji..) it hurts…”

“OUJIRO”

Thump

An impact. Right into his forehead. It throbbed, it stung, and it woke him from whatever nightmare he was seeing.

Before him stands Kazuki, not the bloody version he had seen earlier, but the version two years from the future. Kazuki groaned in pain as he massaged his forehead, but then quickly looked straight at him.

“What’s wrong with you I’ve been telling you there’s an anomaly. The lights were flickering like crazy, so we should head back. Why do you keep walking forward, huh” Kazuki folded his arms and complained to him.

“Kazu…ki” Oujiro managed to mutter, while also unconsciously massaging his throbbing forehead.

“For your information, I tried stopping you. But you won’t budge and continue to walk, so you leave me with no choice but to pull you down and bump some sense into your monkey-like brain.” Kazuki sighed with an annoyed expression. Actually, he was more irritated at the fact that he tried pulling Oujiro back, but got dragged with him instead due to Oujiro’s inhuman strength. Just like a gorilla. But he’s not going to talk about that and embarrass himself.

“...” Oujiro was still processing everything that happened. Which of these Kazuki is the real one Or had they all been his hallucinations Looking back, there’s no way he could meet the Kazuki from the future. If this version of Kazuki is just an imagination made reality by his brain, then what the bloodied Kazuki said was true…

“Hey.” Kazuki called, then Oujirou felt a warm hand cupping his right cheek. “Are you okay You look a little pale.” Oujiro could feel Kazuki’s left hand on his cheek. There’s obvious concern plastered all over Kazuki’s face.

He mustn’t give in to temptation. Kazuki’s presence was very gentle and warm like a freshly made futon sheet. It made Oujiro want to jump and dive into it. To be told that everything will be alright. To be given a sense of security, to be wrapped in his kindness.

But he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

So he placed his hand on top of Kazuki’s and gently removed the hand that reached out to him.

“I’m sorry.” was all he managed before he turned his back on him.

This is enough, he thought. If this Kazuki is just an illusion, then he doesn’t deserve him. The real Kazuki should hate him, loathe him. He needs to find the real Kazuki soon, to get out of this corridor, then face his retribution from the real Kazuki.

Yes, he must properly face the fangs of revenge waiting to bite his neck.

“What was that” He heard Kazuki speak, then loud stomps came his way. Once again, blue head popped into his vision. This time with a pout on his face.

“You can ignore me all you want, but that’s not going to stop me from worrying over you, you know. You’re clearly not alright, and you’re going to weigh us down if you continue this behavior… Was it the rat Did it shake you that much Do you want a hug” Kazuki asked as he stretched out his arm openly to welcome Oujiro into a hug. He wasn’t putting any expectations that Oujiro would accept his suggestion, though.

As much as that tempted him, it annoyed Oujiro even further.

“Why” Oujiro glared at him.

“Why what” Kazuki tilted his head in confusion.

“Why…are you being so nice to me” Oujiro looked down. He was afraid that the bloodied Kazuki would appear once again and mock him once again. Afraid that this beautiful illusion would disappear the moment he answered.

“Why, you ask…” Kazuki pondered. There was a time when the leader of Minato tribe asked him the same question. Why go that far for the person who made his arm the way it was. Why go that far for the person he should have had revenge on And his answer still hadn’t changed until now.

“Because… Oujiro, you’re a family to me.”

Family

It felt foreign to Oujiro. He was an orphan before he was an Otori. He’s lost the meaning of ‘family’ years ago. Back when he lost his actual parents and became alone in the world. He has no blood relatives left. Therefore, he has no ‘family’ left. So why is Kazuki calling him a ‘family’

“Even if we’re not related by blood, Oujiro is important to me. More than anything in the world… You’ve stayed when nobody else would…You’re practically a family to me.” Kazuki smiled at the memory. “When you told me that you’d stay anywhere with me, it made me happy.” Even if that’s no longer the case, Kazuki thought to himself.

“Humans are social creatures, you see… they seek comfort from another person. And for me, that person just happened to be you. Nobody else can ever replace you.” Not now, not ever.

Oujiro stared at him, dumbfounded. Kazuki had just told him what sounded like a love confession with such a straight face that Oujiro was getting the secondhand embarrassment from listening to it.

But maybe it’s not that strange that Kazuki will say something like this. Kazuki was a child who’d wear his heart on his sleeve. It’s only after they had been taken by Tenshin that he started to develop his ability to twist his words, mixing reality and lies. It’s weird, but Oujiro was always able to decipher what he really want to say, which part is lies and which part is the truth.

“Such useless sentiments… Things like family, they don’t hold any meaning.” Oujiro rebutted.

“Yet I’m still alive and able to make it this far thanks to that sentiment.” Kazuki answered as he held his right hand to his left arm.

“Nonsense.” Oujiro thought, but it seemed to have spilled out from his mouth as well. “You’re just an imagination made by my foolish mind. The real you won’t say something like thi-”

“Huhh” Before Oujiro could finish that sentence, Kazuki snapped loudly.

“Oujiro… don’t tell me you’ve been thinking that I’m just a hallucination” Kazuki groaned. Well, he couldn’t really blame him. Even Kazuki thought that this Oujiro was just an illusion until he properly interacted with him. After all… the real Oujiro was… gone. And he left Q behind in Neo Chiyoda. But Kazuki could tell. This Oujiro is not a mere illusion.

“I broke your arm.”

“I got it fixed.”

“You could never play XB anymore.”

“Are you underestimating me” And with that, Kazuki grabbed Oujiro’s collar with his left hand. It was strong enough to pull him downwards to make him lose balance and pull his collar closer to his face so he could do a staredown at Oujiro’s face. Kazuki was grinning confidently.

“I can even beat you in a wrestling match with this hand. Want to try it Or maybe I should punch your head once, maybe that will beat some sense into your dull brain.” He said with a teasing tone before releasing his grip and letting Oujiro fall on his knees.

Oujiro was still staring at him in shock. After those long years in the facility, he had lost the ability to trust anyone. He could only trust himself. Because only then could he survive. He had shoved Aoyama Kazuki far in the back of his mind, put him inside a box, and locked it tight so he would never resurface in his thoughts.

Because only the strong can survive. They cannot be friends anymore. Because he will fight Kazuki one day, and fight they did. The time when Kazuki lost was the time when Oujiro lost every sense of himself that remained.

“The real Kazuki would hate me.” Oujiro stated. That made Kazuki turn around.

“...It’s not like I never resented you. But I can assure you that I have never, and will never, hate you.” Kazuki answered. He then reached out his left hand towards Oujiro. Kazuki’s warm smile made those memories of Kazuki that Oujiro buried deep inside his mind resurface.

‘I’m here’ He remembered how Kazuki used to reassure him. ‘It’s okay, everything will be fine’ The young voice echoed in his mind. It made Oujiro reach out his hand to Kazuki’s offered hand.

But he stopped midway.

Is this really alright He doesn’t deserve this kindness. He’s hurt Kazuki enough, and with his bloody hands, he could hurt him again. He could taint him, the pureness that stood before him.

Seeing how Oujiro hesitated, Kazuki pulled his hand instead. Kazuki has gotten used to this by now. Q had hesitated in the same way before he lost his memories of Oujiro.

“Trust me and you’ll be fine.” Kazuki reassured once again with a firm grip on his hand. “If you still can’t believe I’m real, then let’s find the exit, and then you’ll find out that I’m real. Well, sometime in the future, though” He grinned as he continued to hold Oujiro’s hand and lead him to continue their game.

Oujiro could feel that his back suddenly felt a little lighter. Kazuki used to do this too. When they were playing hide and seek and the sky turned dark, Oujiro had gotten lost while hiding. But Kazuki managed to find him. They’ll hold hands until they return to the orphanage so he doesn’t get lost anymore.

Remembering that memory, Oujiro let out a little ‘heh’ and let go of Kazuki’s hand. “I’m not a child, unhand me.” He had said, and Kazuki had laughed at his comment.

A few tries later on their game of find the difference, Oujiro found out that Kazuki had become more chatty than he remembered.

“Did you know they have XB gears that can make you float in Bunkyo The people in Bunkyo tribe don’t play XB that often, but they really have some mysterious powers.”
“Adachi is far from Chiyoda, but when you visit them, I bet you’ll be surprised. They can play XB while riding a bike. Maybe you should get a bike license first, Oujiro.”
“Cherry blossom trees are blooming in Minato when it’s spring. They’re beautiful, I think if you see it, you’ll love it too.”

Oujiro didn’t respond to any of them, but he was listening. Kazuki also seemed to understand that his words had reached him despite not getting any answers, so he kept talking.

The ice in his heart is melting. Maybe, if kept trying, then he could spark Oujiro’s love for XB back.

Yes, just like his solo little plan to ruin their last XB game in the facility that didn’t work back then.

Could something be changed this time They are in no rush for a game. If he could bring Oujiro’s love for XB back in this twisted universe…

Could the past be changed

Will he be able to free Oujiro before his hands get tainted with more sins Will Oujiro not be chained with his guilt for his sins Maybe… Oujiro will be able to live as a normal person. Maybe one day he’d even join another tribe. Even if Zero invades in the future, Oujiro won’t feel the responsibility he had to stop him. He won’t have to face the U-DX robot by himself. Maybe he’ll be safe in a shelter somewhere, along with any tribe members he could potentially have…

Will he be able to change the future

Maybe those stray thoughts are what made Kazuki talk even more to Oujiro. He had thought to be careful to not cause any butterfly effect. But perhaps, now is too late. Kazuki didn’t realize that he had taken a bite of the devil’s tempting fruit.

So when the number on the sign turned to four, Kazuki decided to become the anomaly for this Oujiro.

“Hey, Oujiro…” Kazuki called. “Shall I tell you what will happen to you in the future”

Oujiro stopped in his movement. Kazuki knows he had been curious. He was dangling a very tasty bait in front of Oujiro. Or so he thought. In fact, the image of a safe and happy Oujiro in his mind was the bait that was deliciously offered to Kazuki.

This is it, if he changes the past, then Oujiro will-

“Kazuki.” A low, deep voice called from his side. To his right, the door that had never been able to be opened before was now wide open. Behind the door was a dark room, and within the room, a tall young man with messy hair and large eyebags was staring at him.

Q.

“...huh” Guilt poured all over Kazuki. Q was staring at him with his innocent-like eyes. This is the Q who had lost his memories of Oujiro.

Suddenly, it felt like he was unable to breathe.

It will be fine. Kazuki told himself. If he does this, Q won’t have to be in pain, won’t have to live in hiding, and won’t have to feel guilty about losing something. Q doesn’t have to exist if it means Oujiro is safe.

“Kazuki…” Q called once again, then closed his eyes. “I see… It’s okay, Kazuki. If it makes you feel better.” He said with acceptance.

Kazuki understood what this implies. If he changed the past, then everything, their will, their determination, their feelings, their memories, their effort to fight Zero and realize their dream will be in vain. Trash tribe will not exist. And that also means Q’s entire existence will be sacrificed in vain. He’ll just do the same thing Zero did to Oujiro.

“...No…” Kazuki crouched down in front of the door. “I’m sorry…” The thought that he almost discarded Q for Oujiro scares him. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry…” He repeated, like a broken cassette tape. What was he thinking How did he even come to that conclusion How could he do that to Q, when he swore he’d do everything it takes to keep him safe

Q just stared at him as Kazuki slumped on the floor and repeated his apology. Then he whispered something before turning around.

“Please be happy, Kazuki.”

“NO” Kazuki yelled and ran toward the door. But before he could enter the room, he was caught by Oujiro.

“What are you doing Stop it” Oujiro yelled at him. He had turned around when Kazuki asked him the question. However, when he turned, he saw Kazuki’s face had gone pale and was staring at the open door.

Clearly, the open door was an anomaly. Oujiro had told him to go back, but then Kazuki suddenly fell and apologized to whatever he was seeing inside the room. It was pitch black, and Oujiro couldn’t see a thing. But Kazuki seemed to have seen something and is now in a state of panic.

“Hey, calm down” Oujiro yelled again when Kazuki tried to struggle away from him. He’s not listening. Kazuki was desperate, and he kept screaming.

“No Let me go I have to go to him I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry… please” Kazuki was screaming his lungs out as he struggled. He was stronger than what he looks, so Oujiro had to hold him in a chokehold. Kazuki wouldn’t give up, though. Seeing how he was held back so tight, he ended up biting Oujiro’s arm.

“Y-you” Oujiro groaned, but he kept his hold. Good thing his arm was fully clothed. If it hadn’t, then perhaps Kazuki had already bitten off a chunk of his flesh by now.

“Let me go I have to Q No Don’t leave me Please” As he was screaming, the door then shut by itself. Seeing that, Kazuki froze. It’s as if every cell on his skin were pricked with needles. He felt his stomach fall, and the world spun around.

“....h uh” Kazuki’s voice cracked. He had finally stopped struggling, but his reaction is alarming to Oujiro.

“No…” High-pitched cries and a choked sob came out from Kazuki’s mouth. “No…no….no…” Tears pooled in his eyes. His face was as white as a sheet. His irises were palpitating. His breath became much louder and shorter.

Oujiro was gone. The U-DX robot killed him.

And now, Q will also disappear. Kazuki had discarded him.

“Ah…hack- cough- khg….” Kazuki held his neck before he lost his balance and fell to his knees. Oujiro immediately recognized the situation and grabbed him by his shoulder to support him from falling to the ground.

He’s hyperventilating.

“Hey Calm down” Oujiro yelled at him. But Kazuki didn’t pay any attention to him. He’s in so much shock that he couldn’t control his breath. “Gah- cough” His breath had lost its rhythm. Every second felt like an eternity. It’s painful, he couldn’t breathe-

“Kazuki” For the first time in this corridor, Oujiro finally called him by his name. And only then did Kazuki flinch in response. Oujiro took the chance to cup his hands over Kazuki’s face to cover his nose and mouth. “Focus on my voice. Take a breath with your nose.” Oujiro instructed. It took a while for Kazuki to adjust his breathing, but he could feel that Kazuki was listening to his instructions.

“Good, hold it in…release it through your mouth.” Oujiro continued his instruction while properly counting the time for each breath. Gradually, Kazuki started to calm down. He could feel Kazuki starting to take deeper breaths and started to relax. Oujiro pulled Kazuki backwards to lean on him when he finally breathed properly.

Seeing that Kazuki probably needed a rest, Oujiro lifted him with less effort and then carried him to lean against the wall. Kazuki wasn’t protesting and just let his body get carried away. He wasn’t responding to anything. Just like an unmoving rag doll.

“...What happened” Oujiro decided to ask as minutes have passed since the last time Kazuki made any movement. He was leaning against the wall next to Kazuki, watching his every movement.

“I made a mistake…” Kazuki answered. Of course, it didn’t answer the hundreds of questions Oujiro had in his head. Like, what did he see that Oujiro couldn’t Why is he screaming like the world is ending Why is he so agitated Why is he crying What did he mean by don’t leave him

Who is Q

“What mistake” Oujiro settled with the most basic question.

“...I can’t tell you.” If I do, then Q will not exist… maybe. Kazuki thought to himself.

“...Then, I won’t ask.” Oujiro said as he rose to his feet and offered a hand to help Kazuki get up.

“How long are you going to stay brooding You’re not the kind of guy who broods over mistakes.” Oujiro waited, as patiently as he could. He’s this close to just grab Kazuki and carry him to finish this game, though.

Not because he wants to finish the game. Kazuki needed rest. He needed a room where he could place Kazuki safely in bed and tuck him warm.

“...You’re not curious” Kazuki slowly placed his hand on Oujiro’s and let himself be pulled upward to stand. It reminded him of the battle at Chiyoda. Despite Oujiro’s cold demeanor, he’s slowly returning to the kind Oujiro that Kazuki remembered.

“You’re not going to answer anyway. And I’ve decided that I will find the answer and see it to the future myself. I don’t need your help with that.” Oujiro answered, and Kazuki stared in awe.

“...I see.” It might only happen for a split second, but Oujiro felt like he saw Kazuki smile before they continued their game.

Since the door was an anomaly, they had to return to where they came from. But the atmosphere had become awkward since Kazuki stopped talking and just followed Oujiro from behind. He may have stopped brooding, but clearly, he’s still bothered by what he saw.

It’s bothering him.

Oujiro couldn’t stand the atmosphere. He could handle the silence between him and Tenshin and his retainers, but when it came to Kazuki… He’s not used to this silence between them.

So when he saw something on the poster, he decided to call out to him again. “Kazuki, look.”

What was on the poster was probably an anomaly since it didn’t exist before. But there was a picture of a round-shaped cat with fluffy grey hair curling around an XB ball. Its round blue eyes were staring at the two of them as if asking to play. It was a simple vet ad poster, but Oujiro knows Kazuki. If there’s anything that could cheer him up, it’s cats.

“Oh… yeah, it’s an anomaly.” Except that his reaction is not what Oujiro expected.

“...Just that” Oujiro had to confirm twice.

“What do you mean” Kazuki didn’t realize what he was asking, though.

“It’s… a cat.” Oujiro had to spell it out to him.

Only then did Kazuki finally realize what Oujiro meant. His face brightened from the thought.

“Eh Oujiro… could it be, you’re… trying to cheer me up” Kazuki’s smile gradually returned to his face. There’s even a slight blush visible on his face. Oujiro had to look away because it’s embarrassing that he’s being called out like this.

He had meant to just cheer him up a little. But apparently, Oujiro’s attempt to cheer him up managed to make Kazuki very happy to the point that he almost hugged him. Kazuki settled by putting his hand on Oujiro’s arm instead.

“Haha What’s that, so you still have some cuteness in you” Kazuki teased. Oujiro is pressing the urge to punch him back. But when he turned around to see how Kazuki was grinning like an idiot, the urge disappeared completely.

Oujiro felt himself sigh in relief, though he couldn’t completely understand why.

Then he felt something rub against his back. Kazuki had bumped his head on Oujiro’s back and clung his hand on Oujiro’s shirt. “...Thank you.” He heard a whisper from his back, and Oujiro replied with a hum.

They continued the game. Kazuki wasn’t as chatty as before, but he’d start a conversation sometimes to fill in the silence. It felt like he was back on his feet, and Oujiro was content with it.

For three times in a row, though, there have not been any anomalies, and it’s starting to make them feel restless.

“Isn’t it about time for something to change Well, the number did go up to eight, though.” They figured that once they reached Exit 9, the game would be over. The number on the display says eight. It won’t be long until they reach the exit, but the fact that they were unable to find any anomaly in this run made them feel nervous.

“Let’s… check from the back again. I don’t want to start all over from zero…” Kazuki suggested. They were already near the end of the corridor. Yet the posters, the vent, the door, the tiles, and the exit sign show no anomalies.

Oujiro nodded in agreement and started to check his surroundings. It was then they heard a rumbling sound. Like the sound of waves approaching. When the two turned around, a large volume of water was pouring from the end of the corridor. The water was red like blood, and it was pouring in so fast that it swallowed them immediately and pushed them away.

“Oujiro” Kazuki reached out his hand towards Oujiro, who was swept away from him. But then water splashed on him and swallowed him into the current.

“Tch” With his whole strength, Oujiro swam against the current and tried to grab Kazuki before he drowned in the wave. He could see the wall of the corner approaching at a rapid speed. Before they could both crash into the wall, Oujiro pulled Kazuki closer to his chest and curled his body to brace for impact.

Their vision went black once they crashed into the wall. Water kept pressuring them as if they were pressed against the wall. It lasted for about a minute until the water finally subsided.

Once it was gone, it was Kazuki who woke up first. Perhaps, thanks to Oujiro shielding him from the impact, Kazuki was unhurt. But Oujiro-

“Cough…hack…are you alright, Oujiro…” Kazuki shook him in an attempt to wake him up as he tried to stabilize his breathing. Water had almost entered his lungs. But Oujiro wasn’t moving, and worse, he wasn’t breathing.

“Oujiro” Realizing that water had probably clogged his respiratory system, Kazuki quickly moved Oujiro’s body to lie him flat on the ground and examined the situation. Time is crucial, but panic is his biggest enemy. So Kazuki put maximum concentration and racked his brain to do CPR.
He tilted Oujiro’s head back, pinched his nose shut, and then sealed his mouth over Oujiro’s lips. ‘Breathe, Oujiro.’ Kazuki prayed as he blew one slow breath. Then another. Oujiro’s chest rose faintly beneath him.
Next, he placed one hand on top of Oujiro’ chest. Pray his brain remembered correctly where to press. Then he pressed his other hand on top of it and started to press down — thirty compressions, each hard and fast, letting the chest spring back between pumps. Steady, do not stop.
Unyielding.
"Come on, Oujiro…” Kazuki grunted. “Come back, please.”
Two more breaths — careful, controlled — then back to compressions. His brain screamed with each pump.
Please,please,please,please. He pumped.
Not again,please,don’t let me lose you again… Carefully, another breath.
Please, Oujiro. He was trembling, but he didn’t stop.
Then — a cough. So slight he almost missed it.
Oujiro’s chest hitched, and a rush of water spilled from his mouth. He turned his head and gagged, breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps.
A sob escaped Kazuki’s lips. As Oujiro opened his eyes, Kazuki held him tight in a hug, followed by the wails of cries that echoed in the corridors.
“Oujiro Oujiro” He kept calling his name. So relieved. He did it, he didn’t lose him this time. Oujiro had come back. Oujiro had come back to him.
“Kazuki…” Oujiro didn’t realize what had just happened. But seeing Kazuki clinging so tightly to him, Oujiro could only place his hand on that tiny back that was trembling on his chest.

“You…stupid monkey. Why did you protect me if you could easily die from drowning, huh” Kazuki hurled. Oujiro rolled his eyes. “Don’t you know how worried I was I could lose you again And if that happens-” Kazuki gasped and immediately shut himself. But Oujiro didn’t miss it.

Again

“If I didn’t shield you, your puny bones would break already from the water pressure.” Oujiro
retaliated.

“Haaa Say that again if you’re not dying from drowning, idiot Why must you always choose the decision that will hurt yourself in the process” Kazuki snapped.

“Aren’t you the same If I hadn’t reached out to you, you would have done it for me. I saw you trying to swim towards me. If you say I’m an idiot, then Kazuki is also an idiot.” Oujiro didn’t yell, but he didn’t yield to it either. Before they knew it, they had returned to their banter from when they were a child.

“It’s different because I know what I’m doing. You On the other hand, you always act without thinking I won’t have drowned like you”

“Then, who was the person who had panic attacks and couldn’t control their breath earlier Even in our XB game, you were only thinking of ruining the game, weren’t you You lost because you weren’t playing seriously. Therefore, you’re the idiot.”

“I was trying to ruin the game so I could save you Because I cared for you”

“Then I was shielding you because I care for you too”

Silence.

Both of them could hear each other panting for breath as their real feelings were poured out and echoed loudly in the hallway.

“...stupid Oujiro.” Kazuki stood up and folded his hands before turning his face the other way, but his face was blushing madly red, to the point that it showed on the tips of his ears. Oujiro sighed. This is getting ridiculous. But he supposed he could understand why Kazuki got angry. He had worried him. Always had.

Oujiro stood up and approached Kazuki. “I won’t apologize.” Then, with one hand, he pulled Kazuki’s head to his chest. “But I suppose I should thank you for saving my life.” He patted Kazuki’s head lightly, as if to console him. His own little form of apology. Then he let go of Kazuki and started walking forward towards the sign. The current had swept them away from the corridor after all.

“......................you brat.” Kazuki was left speechless with a fuming face, but stomped his way to follow Oujiro.

The current made them restart from Zero. But, perhaps this little more time with Oujiro wasn’t so bad, after all, Kazuki thought.

Oujiro started smiling a bit more after that little incident.

On one occasion, they met a dancing cactus in the hallway. Oujiro seems so interested in it that Kazuki had to drag him backwards.

On one occasion, Kazuki jumped to climb on Oujiro like a cat when a cucumber suddenly fell in front of him.

On another, they both ran away in panic as a creepy man in a white suit suddenly emerged from the wall.

On another, they hugged each other as a creepy woman’s laugh echoed in the hallway. For some reason, Kazuki had a flash of an image of Tenshin’s old hag secretary in his mind when he heard the creepy laugh.

And then,

Finally, the number on the wall turned to 8.

“This is it…” Kazuki muttered as they finished checking the hallway the second time. They didn’t find any anomaly. They were wary of the water suddenly rushing in again, but there had been no sign of it even after they reached the corner of the hallway. Once they turn the corner, it will be the final run.

“...Are you ready, Oujiro” Kazuki glanced.

Oujiro had the look of determination on his face. “Yeah.”

Thus, the two marched forward. However, what they saw in the last run wasn’t a hallway.

It was a giant room, perfectly sized to the scale of a baseball field. The floor and walls were white, and the ceiling was so high that it’s enough to say there are at least five floors. There are large windows on top of the walls that connect to rooms beyond the walls. Some people with Hanya masks were staring at the two from beyond the window. And among them was someone they knew very well.

Ootori Tenshin.

Kazuki recognized the room immediately. So does Oujiro. This was their battlefield. The execution ground for the musical chair to determine Tenshin’s successor. The place where Oujiro and Kazuki lost each other.

They both stare at the room in shock. This isn’t possible. They had finished their fight. Oujiro had come out as the successor. And this isn’t how the game is played. This is not the corridor they’re used to.

Tenshin’s voice echoed in the room.

“Now, let it begin… number 31… number 74… show me who shall be the ruler worthy of Otori’s name”

On the field were XB equipment that they needed to carry out the game. Just like back then. The two glanced at each other. There’s no way they’re going to do this, right This is not the game they’re supposed to be playing. Clearly, this is an anomaly.

But when they turned around, the hallway connecting to this room was gone. There’s no exit.

“What’s...happening, what is this” Kazuki growled as he scanned the room for clues. Oujiro did the same, but to their avail, there are no other clues. They’re just replicating what they have been through. Except this time, neither is willing to play.

“What’s wrong Or are you thinking… of sabotaging the game” Tenshin’s voice echoed through the speaker once again. Once he raised his hand, the people with the Hannya masks jumped down from the open window. All of them carried guns, and they were aimed at the two. Threatening them to carry out the game.

“...It can’t be helped. I hate to do this, but let’s abide for now until we find new clues.” Kazuki suggested. Oujiro was against the idea, but seeing how he had no better idea, he finally gave a nod and proceeded to the pitching area.

It’s just like back then. Oujiro on the pitching ground and Kazuki in the batter box, a beam bat flared in his hand.

“Feel free to throw it.” It was a cruel recreation of their memory. But Kazuki had no choice but to abide as he racked his brain to think. How do they escape Should he have go on a rampage and kill Tenshin Think, what did it say about the game

Guide
Do not overlook any anomalies
If you find any anomalies, turn back immediately
If you don’t find any anomalies, do not turn back
Go out from Exit 9

Anomalies. This game was always about finding anomalies. There has to be an anomaly. Rule number one was not to overlook any anomalies. There has to be something, there has to be something

Kamiki was there next to Tenshin. Tenshin was watching them play. Oujiro was there on the pitching ground. The hannya masks were watching them…

Then it clicked for him.

Oujiro’s pitch went straight through him since Kazuki didn’t bat.

“...Kazuki” Was it too fast But he didn’t even put his all in that throw. It was an easy ball that even Kazuki could hit with one hand. He saw Kazuki’s face turn pale. Kazuki seems to have realized something.

Yeah, everything was the same, just like two years ago. Even this Oujiro.

The only anomaly.

Was Kazuki.

“Oujiro…throw it with everything you get. Play seriously.” Kazuki instructed. Something was strange, but Kazuki knew something. So Oujiro followed the command and then threw with everything he had.

To his surprise, Kazuki let the ball fly past him. That’s two strikes already.

“...what are you doing” Oujiro growled suspiciously. After three strikes, it will be a batter out. Kazuki would lose.

“Don’t worry, I will properly hit the next one. Don’t go easy on me.” Kazuki said as he tightened his grip on the beam bat.

Oujiro also tightened his grip on the ball. There’s an uneasy feeling in his chest. Something is wrong, something is wrong. What was it, find it…

“What’s wrong Number 74 Throw the ball.” The voice on the loudspeaker commanded.

“Oujiro, it’s fine, throw it.” Kazuki encouraged.

“...tch” Clicking his tongue, Oujiro threw the ball with full strength. Of course, Kazuki anticipated it. It’s just as strong as Kazuki remembered. And of course, his body remembered how to hit it.

It was a clean hit, the ball went flying far. Both Oujiro and Kazuki ran towards their destination. Kazuki easily passed first base when Oujiro ran to get the ball. Next, he had to tag out Kazuki. However, should he do it Kazuki will lose if he does, and then-

“What’s wrong, Oujiro Did you forget how to play XB” Kazuki was there, waiting at second base.

Provoked, Oujiro ran towards him with the ball. Kazuki made a little ‘heh’ and ran past the second base to the third. However, Oujiro managed to catch up to him before he could reach to the third.

Kazuki dodged Oujiro’s attempt to tag him out. He noticed that Oujiro had been pulling his punches and tried to deliver fake punches and kicks to him.

“Kazuki, what are you planning” Oujiro growled as he throw another fake punch, which Kazuki easily deflected with his arm.

“Nothing, just playing the game as it should. Don’t you love playing XB, Oujiro” Kazuki chuckled. Oujiro was flabbergasted.

“What”

“There’s nothing else we have to do. The guide already told us everything.” Kazuki answered. He could see Oujiro trying to connect the lines.

“You see, there’s one anomaly in this room. But we cannot turn back. We can only move this scenario forward. So what do you think we should do” Kazuki said, and then he pulled Oujiro’s arm towards him. Oujiro was taken aback that he couldn’t stop himself in time. By the time he realized what Kazuki meant, the ball in his hand had touched Kazuki’s chest.

It was a tag out.

“Game set The winner is… number 74” The announcer spoke, then Tenshin’s voice echoed again.

“Kazuki, I’m disappointed in you.”

No

"I thought he was the strongest XB player worthy of inheriting the name of Otori, but it seems I was overestimating him. "

Stop

"Number 74... No, Oujiro."

Don’t say it

"Break his arm so he'll never be able to XB again.”

“No…” Oujiro felt like his reality was crumbling. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to. He won’t. He’s not going through that nightmare again.

“Oujiro…” Kazuki reached out his left hand. And handed him the beam bat.

“If there are no anomalies, then you can proceed.” Kazuki’s voice cut him deep. The answer was clear. He had to… recreate-

He had to break Kazuki’s arm again.

“...No… I won’t. I refuse” Oujiro grabbed the beam bat and threw it to the ground that it made a loud crack and a small crater on the floor. “...Don’t even joke about it. What were you thinking I thought you said you cared for me, and you’re pushing me to do this to you” Oujiro roared.

“If I don’t, you’ll be in danger. Losing an arm to keep you safe is the more logical choice here.” Kazuki said as he watched the Hannya masks readying their guns. “You can just pretend to break my arm and it’ll be fine-”

“There’s no way it’s fine” Oujiro picked up the beam bat again and pointed it at Kazuki. “I didn’t think that your heart would be this weak… Kazuki, I thought you were the kind of person who would never give up in any situation Have you really changed to become such a disappointment” Oujiro growled in anger.

“That’s-” true. Kazuki didn’t like it, but… Oujiro was right. Normally, he would have thought of hundreds of other possibilities to get them out of this situation. But, to be honest.

He’s tired.

Tired of getting disappointed by his choices again. Tired of getting the consequences of wrong choices. Tired of losing Oujiro. If there’s a sure way to keep him safe this time, Kazuki would prefer to just stick to that option.

And Oujiro saw it. He finally properly saw it. What Kazuki was missing ever since they first met. What changed from the Kazuki that he knew Even if the puzzle pieces that he gathered were broken into bits, Oujiro was still able to see the bigger picture.

“If you can’t get yourself out from whatever that is binding you, then you can just stand there quietly and watch me destroy this place.” Oujiro answered as he raised the beam bat, then aimed it at Tenshin.

“Otori Tenshin, I will have you pay for your sins” He roared as he charged forward against the Hanya Masks.

“No Oujiro” Guns were shot. Oujiro managed to dodge the barrage of machine guns aimed at him, but it won’t be long until a few of them close the gap and surround Oujiro. He won’t be able to get out if he gets caught.

He should have known that Oujiro would do something like this. To take responsibility alone by himself.

Gritting his teeth, Kazuki raised his hands.

There’s no way I’m letting you fight alone.

Right before one of the Hannya masks jumped on Oujiro, A tall blue tower emerged in between them to stop the masked man’s movement. It was a deflect server. Oujiro felt light blue energies wrapped around him gently, like the feel of a blanket. It made him feel safe.

“...Yeah, this is anomaly alright.” Kazuki sighed. Something like a deflect server and deflect shield was only possible after two years in the future where people researched for ways to keep themselves safe from Zero’s invasion. It was something that did not exist in this timeline yet, and now that it has been exposed, there’s no way to stick to the scenario anymore.

“Have you come back to your senses” Oujiro asked as he positioned himself to stand behind Kazuki, covering his back.

“...You’re really like a monkey who always likes to get yourself in trouble, aren’t you” Kazuki pouted, but pulled out his weapon. Sly serpent, a modified blade from an XB gear. Oujiro had never seen anything like that. Was that a beam bat modified into twin blades Where did that even come from

“Despite everything, you’ll still come for me, won’t you” Oujiro jumped, with the bat on his hand, he crushed one of the Hanya mask charging to their way.

“How confident… I could just stop caring and let you die here, you know…” Kazuki did the same, blocking another Hannya mask swinging down an XB bat at him, then returned a barrage of slashes at him with rapid speed.

“I believe in you, Kazuki. If it’s you, then you’ll always be able to find a solution for us.” Oujiro swung his bat. The energy from the beam bat formed red thunders that zapped the enemies.

One of the hannya mask pulled a gattling gun on them, and Kazuki deployed his deflect server once again, the energy that enveloped around them blocked the bullets from hitting them. Oujiro noticed that Kazuki stopped talking back at him. Concerned, he turned back to Kazuki, but Kazuki was… smiling.

“Really… every single one of you is such a nuisance… You really can’t do anything without me, can you” Kazuki placed a hand over his forehead.

Getting tired That’s normal. He’s only human, after all.

But giving up Yeah, hell no. That’s not his style.

Oujiro let out a confident grin once he saw Kazuki’s eyes flare with the flame he admired once again.

There you are.

“...If I think about it, we’re already anomalies by not being enemies this time. My presence being two years from the future will not make a difference. We can’t go back to that time, and I cannot change the past…” Kazuki sighed. His first plan was a bust. He couldn’t believe he had made such a ridiculous plan that he wanted to laugh at himself.

“So… if we have to restart from zero because of these anomalies, I’ll do it again. I’ll do it no matter how many times it takes. You were right, Oujiro. Giving up is not my style. Perhaps that was the biggest anomaly here.” Kazuki said, then readied his twin blades to charge at the Hannya masks surrounding Oujiro. With lightspeed, he slashed his blades to break through the enemies’ defences. And when the chance arose, he called upon Oujiro.

“Oujiro”

“Time to end it” Like a chain, the two moved in sync to defeat enemy after enemy. Oujiro would take the attention from the enemies, then Kazuki would defeat them with lightning speed. The two would take care of each other’s back, and they could trust one another to the point they don’t even need to look back.

Before long, all of the Hannya masks were defeated, leaving only the two of them in the field.

“There’s only one guy left. I bet the other pathetic, nasty woman must have fled the scene already.” Kazuki said as he examined the old man fuming from the window.

“Then there’s only one thing left to do.” Oujiro said, aiming the XB ball that he held with his other hand at the old man. With one shot, Oujiro threw the ball upwards and then punched it as strong as he could. The ball flew like a gunshot towards the man and in an instant, made a hole through his chest.

However, the man didn’t bleed and just crumbled into black soot. As the man crumbled, so did their surrounding environment. Within a few seconds after everything perished, the two were sent to a completely white room with only one exit door in front of them.

Exit 9, it says.

“......I see.” Kazuki placed a hand under his chin. The world didn’t crumble because they defeated Tenshin. The world crumbled because there are no more anomalies left. They were able to proceed.

For Kazuki, the anomaly was the weakness in his heart that made him give up on himself.

For Oujiro, the anomaly was-

“After defeating you in our XB game… I felt like I lost you and my heart along with it.” Oujiro confessed. “It felt like nothing mattered anymore, and I would have surrounded myself with him. I would have let him use me as he pleases.” He added.

“But you won’t, will you” Kazuki smiled.

Oujiro had found himself again.

“Yes, thanks to you.” In Kazuki.

Oujiro was able to find himself when he was with Kazuki. After this, Oujiro will probably be back to the time when Tenshin still has control over him. But Kazuki had a feeling that he would be alright.

“What about you” Oujiro asked in return. “I may not know what happens in the future, and I don’t want it to change whatever decision I’m about to make. But seeing from your reactions, you probably lost me somehow, didn’t you”

“That’s…” He couldn’t say it before. But this time, right after everything they went through, right after Oujiro opened his eyes, this time, he could say it. “...It’s true that I’ve made a mistake and lost you in the process. But, it’s not the end yet.” Kazuki declared.

“I’ll get you back, I promise. And I’ll make sure to make it happen. So, no matter what decision you take later, you don’t have to worry because I’ll always be there to correct your mistakes.” Kazuki grinned. Yes, even if the ball he threw went out of the course, Kazuki will always make sure to catch it.

“Don’t be full on yourself. I don’t plan on dying anyway or anyhow… I’ll make sure to come back to you.” Oujiro stated. “Even if we forgot everything that happened here, or in any situation I’ll face in the future, I’ll make sure to find a way to come back to you. After all, you’re useless if I’m not around.” Oujiro said as he pinched the bridge of Kazuki’s nose and headed towards the exit.

“C-cheeky brat- Hold up” Kazuki chased him towards the exit, but Oujiro took the chance to leave first. He did turn around one last time towards Kazuki and gave him an honest smile, though.

“...Always leaving first without me.” Kazuki pouted, but he wasn’t in despair anymore. He knows what to do now. And someone is waiting for him at home.

Now, time to face it properly.

—

“Oujiro-sama Oujiro-sama Please wake up” A hand shook his body awake. Ichinosuke, the ninja from Akiba clan, as Oujiro remembered, was by his side. It seems that Oujiro had fallen on the corridors leading toward the underground prison. And judging by Ichinosuke’s reaction, it had been a while since he collapsed.

…

What happen

“Oujiro-sama Thank goodness. It was my mistake, Ichinosuke Akiba, that I was unable to notice your condition. It seems that you have fainted on your way. I will gladly accept any punishment, but please, we must return to your room and have you rest-” Ichinosuke bowed down in a very formal way for an apology. But Oujiro shook his head. There was something he had to see.

“No, I have to check on something first…” He muttered. “Can you show me the way to the prison” Normally, he would have had this retainer leave him alone. But for some reason, it didn’t feel bad to lean on someone’s support now.

“I- Y-yes sir, right this way” Ichinosuke abided and then led him towards the prison hall.

There are many empty cells. Most of them were already unoccupied, perhaps because the children who occupied them had already been executed… or sent somewhere else, Oujiro didn’t know and could care less.

But there was one cell, the Schrodinger’s box he was looking for, the one that Oujiro was anxious to open.

They stood in front of the prison cell where Kazuki was supposed to be held. The prison door was opened, and there was nobody inside the cell. There is only a pool of blood and some bloody marks remaining. But for some reason, Oujiro could tell that Kazuki was still alive.

The cat has escaped, huh

“Saizo You can hear me, right Find out what happen The prisoner has escaped Find him and get him-” Ichinosuke talks towards the security camera. But Oujiro held his hand up.

“No need. Let him be, he’s already useless to the king. We have no use for losers.” Oujiro stated.

“...If that is your wish, Oujiro-sama.” Ichinosuke nodded and followed him back. It was dark in the prison hall, but Ichinosuke spotted something he thought he would never see.

Oujiro was smiling.

—

Kazuki woke up to see the dawn arriving. He was back outside of Neo Chiyoda’s subway entrance. Did he ever arrive at Minato Or did he take a wrong turn and somehow end up back at Neo Chiyoda The cat treat that he prepared to give to Nekomaru was still tucked inside his pocket, so perhaps he never ended up in Minato.

For some reason, his shoulders felt light.

He had wanted to take a breather and pay a visit to Nekomaru because there were way too many things stressing him. He wanted to run away from his guilt for letting Oujiro die.

But Zero had said to him.

“You’ve seen it and experienced it many times before, haven’t you Isn’t it time to see the bigger picture”

The words echoed in his mind. Back then, he was too shocked to understand. But now that his head has somehow cleared up, he’s starting to see that they’re playing on a larger board than he thought.

He needs a new plan and a new strategy. The clues that Zero gave him were not for nothing. Zero gave him that clue for a reason, and he has to find out why.

Sighing, he pulled his legs back to Hina’s cafe.

He’ll start working right away. Maybe he’ll ask Hinagiku to prepare him a room where he could think in peace-

Or so he thought, but those thoughts soon broke down as soon as he saw Q, standing in front of the entrance. He looked slightly trembling from the chill, and his skin looked pale.

“Q” Kazuki rushed towards him. There’s a red tint on his face, he probably caught a cold. “What are you doing out here at this hour Where’s Ichinosuke-kun You… could it be, you’ve been standing here waiting for me” Kazuki immediately grabbed Q’s hands and tried to warm them up. Sure enough, they were cold as ice.

“Ichinosuke had been trying to get me inside the cafe, but I refused every time.” Q answered. Kazuki could see that Ichinosuke was inside the cafe, eyes bawling with tears as he plastered his face on the glass window. Hina was next to him, telling him that he’s gross and will scare any customers to arrive soon.

“Why did you do that…” Kazuki pulled Q’s hands and put them around his cheek to share some heat. He felt sorry for Ichinosuke. He probably got rejected and scolded so many times by Q if Q is this stubborn to wait outside.

“Anyways, it’s cold, so let’s get you inside-” Kazuki was about to pull him inside the cafe, but he felt large hands enveloping his body instead. Q had smothered him with a hug.

“Q, your pecs are killing me-” Kazuki grumbled with a muffled voice.

“You came back…” Q muttered, then hugged him tighter. “I was afraid you won’t ever return…” He added, with a voice that almost sounded like a sob.

“Of course I am, I promised, didn’t I” Kazuki patted his back… roughly. It was not an attempt to console him, but to warn him that he’s now losing oxygen because he couldn’t breathe when his face was pressed onto Q’s chest tightly like this.

Q finally realized that and released him, and Kazuki sighed with a chuckle. “I’m sorry, did I worry you A lot of things happened, and I needed some time to think. But I’m okay now. It won’t happen again.”

Q rubbed Kazuki’s face with his thumb, especially the area under his eyes. It was red and swollen, obvious marks that Kazuki had cried alone and didn’t want to tell anyone. Kazuki didn’t remember when he cried, though.

“Are you really alright, Kazuki I’m sorry… It’s my fault that you’re like this…” Q apologized, but Kazuki placed a finger to his lips.

“Stop there, I won’t let you apologize any further.” Then he looked at the rising dawn. “Q, did you remember the time we played catch” He asked. If his theory were correct, then Q would at least remember the times after Trash Tribe was formed.

“Yes, I was not good at throwing the balls to you…” Q answered.

“At that time, I told you that even if the ball went off course, I’ll make sure to catch it for you, right” Q nodded to his question. “It took me a while to get back on my feet, but I intend to keep that promise.” Kazuki said as he cupped Q’s cheeks and pressed their forehead together.

“So even if you lose something now, I’ll make sure to retrieve it back for you.” He thought of the many times he had lost Oujiro. It was painful, and sometimes it felt like his heart and body could crumble anytime. But he wasn’t alone. He’s gained as many as much as he lost. And he’s always managed to get Oujiro back.

And this time will be no different.

“Kazuki…” For a while, it felt like Kazuki had disappeared from him. When Q lost “something”, it felt like he lost Kazuki with it too. But… Kazuki returned. And Q will not let it disappear again.

“I’ll…do my best too.” Q wasn’t sure what he had lost. Wasn’t sure how to get it back, but one thing was clear to him. He wants to stick to Kazuki, wants to help him, wants to regain what he lost that made Kazuki sad. He wants to stay together with Kazuki, no matter what happens, no matter where they are.

“Haha… That’s the spirit That’s right, we won’t let anyone stand between us to achieve our dreams.” Kazuki smiled. The sun has finally made its full appearance.

—

Bonus

“Haawawawawawao” Q-sama Kazuki-kun Were they- were they k-k-kissi-” Hinagiku and Ichinosuke had been watching the two from inside the cafe. There’s a mixed feeling in her stomach that Hinagiku couldn’t tell whether this is happiness or anger. There’s a big blush on her face. In the end, she decides that she likes what she’s seeing and she wants to see the continuation of it.

“Q-sama I  Ichinosuke Akiba Had thought that you would stay single for your entire life… There is no possible woman that could ever match your excellency on this earth…but If the partner is Kazuki-dono Then perhaps BUT BUTT” Ichinosuke was losing it. He was biting on a handkerchief and had been running ten laps around the store.

“The two of you are so gross… leave me out of this… Isn’t it obvious how they were feeling for each other You’re so ridiculous… Also, look, they’re heading back.” Saizo commented from the corner of the room. He had confirmed that they were not kissing from the nearby security camera. But it’s hilarious to see the reactions of his siblings, so he decided not to tell them.

“What’s up, you two You look flustered. Q must have been giving you a hard time, huh I’m sorry that he’s a stubborn baby who refuses to take care of himself.” Kazuki had thought that they were frustrated because they couldn’t keep Q inside the cafe.

“It was Kazuki who didn’t take care of himself. You haven’t eaten anything since last night, haven’t you And you’re just as cold as I am.” Q had clung onto his back, that was his attempt to warm Kazuki up.

“N-n-not at all Right, Ichinosuke-niisama” Hinagiku pressed her gloved fingers together as she looked away.

“Y-y-yes, it’s our duty as Q-sama’s retainers to follow his every command” Ichinosuke may have nodded three times more than he’s supposed to.

“... If you say so. By the way, Hinagiku-san, do you know where I can rent a room Especially ones with less noise, if possible… It would be great if it’s also soundproof.” Kazuki asked, he would need one without any noise so he could concentrate. And if it’s soundproof, then it will reduce the risk of any information getting leaked out.

“A room, nya” Hinagiku blushed madly.

“Yes I would like to have some private time.” Kazuki answered. Kazuki had thought of locking himself inside a room to think about his next plans against Zero’s bigger agenda. But, seeing how Q apparently won’t leave him alone and clung to him like a giant koala on his back, maybe he had to revise his plan for today.

“I…I will prepare one right away.” Ichinosuke said with a face that looked like he was about to die.

“...Q, you should probably apologize to them. Ichinosuke looks like he’s dying.” Kazuki prompted Q to apologize. Q didn’t understand what he did that made them act this way, though.

“...I’m sorry.” But still, he apologized. And that was enough to make the two out of the three siblings bawl with tears.

Saizo sighed at the commotion and left the four of them quietly.

Later on, Kazuki received a keycard to a hotel room from Ichinosuke. Why the room he was given was an elite VVIP love hotel room was a different story.