As Isagi was thinking of something to say to resolve the situation, Rin's glare grew sharper, his arms crossing as he regarded Shidou with disdain. “I don’t have time for any of your guys's nonsense,” he said coldly, turning slightly as if to walk away.
Shidou’s smirk widened, his wild energy practically vibrating off him. “No time? Oh, I’ll make time, Itoshi. Let’s see if that smug face of yours can handle—”
Before Shidou could do anything unpleasant and finish his sentence, a sharp, sudden sound rang out.
BZZZZT!
Shidou’s body seized up as the shock collar around his neck activated, sending him sprawling onto the floor. He landed with a heavy thud, face down, his limbs twitching. For a moment, everything was silent except for the faint hum of the device winding down.
Isagi stared in shock, his jaw dropping. “What the—?!”
But Rin didn’t so much as flinch. He merely sighed, his expression darkening further. “Pathetic,” he muttered under his breath, stepping over Shidou’s prone form as though he were nothing more than a piece of trash in his path.
“Rin, wait—” Isagi called out, but Rin cut him off with a glare.
“Leave me alone, Isagi,” Rin said sharply. “You’re like a bug. Always buzzing around when I just want peace.”
Without waiting for a response, Rin turned on his heel and strode away, his movements tense with irritation.
Isagi stood there, dumbfounded, his mind racing to process everything. “A bug?” he mumbled, his shoulders slumping. “I was just trying to analyze you… to figure out how you’re so talented… That’s all.”
As his words trailed off, a low chuckle came from the ground. Isagi glanced down to see Shidou, still lying on the floor but in a weird pose on his side, very much conscious. His grin was wide, his sharp teeth glinting in the light as his gaze locked onto Isagi.
“So,” Shidou drawled, his voice hoarse from the shock but still dripping with mischief. “You’ve got it bad for Rin, huh?”
“What?!” Isagi exclaimed, his face flushing.
Shidou ignored his protest, pushing himself up slightly. His hair was messy, and the faint smell of burnt fabric lingered from the collar’s discharge, but none of that dulled his taunting demeanor.
“‘Daddy long- lashes,’ huh?” Shidou teased, his grin growing as he mocked Isagi’s muttered words. “Man, you’re even more obsessed with him than i am... Maybe I should tell Rin-chan about your little crush.”
Isagi’s face turned a deep red. “I didn’t say that!”
“You might as well have,” Shidou shot back, cackling despite his fried state. “Ah, this is too good. You and Rin—it’s like an depressing yet laughable show waiting to happen, and I for one, can't wait to see how it will go down.”
Isagi clenched his fists, glaring down at Shidou. “You’re impossible. And for the record, I don’t have a crush on Rin! I just… admire his skills, okay?”
Shidou smirked, resting his chin on his hand as if he were perfectly comfortable lying on the cold floor. “Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Yoichi.”
Isagi groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And you two are entertaining~,” Shidou retorted, his grin never wavering.
As Isagi turned to leave, he glanced down the hallway where Rin had disappeared. His emotions were a mess—frustration, curiosity, and something he couldn’t quite name swirling inside him.
“Why does Rin always get under my skin?” Isagi muttered to himself, shaking his head as he walked away, leaving Shidou still sitting on the floor all toasty, chuckling behind him.
End of Chapter 6
To be continued…
