Rain was pouring hard then was followed by a clash of lightning and a roar of thunder. Classes have ended and students have already gone home. Some clubs had cancelled their afterschool activities so that they would not caught up with the storm that was said coming.
A chubby cheeked boy was patrolling around the school building to check for students who stayed at school. He walked along the deserted corridors of the school building checking each room for signs of other students. He just finished his rounds when he decided to go home as well.
Yamada entered the classroom to grab his things when he noticed a bag on one of the desks. There were also unpacked books and school things that were messily scattered on the desk.
‘Who would have left it there like that?’ he thought.
He approached the desk and realized that it was Chinen’s desk. The chubby cheeked boy furrowed his eyebrows as he picked up a notebook lying on the floor and flip a few pages. He recognizes the squirrel’s handwriting. He looked around to see if there were signs of the younger boy but he was alone. Why would Chinen leave his things behind messily?
A flashed of lightning and a roar of thunder echoed outside. A sob. He heard a faint sob from inside the room. Yamada looked around to search for the source but still there were no sign of another person inside the room. He shrugged his shoulder and thought that he might be hearing things because of the loud thunder. He shoved everything inside Chinen’s bag and decided to find the younger boy. He also plans to scold the boy for leaving his things unattended.
As he made his way towards his desk, another set of thunder and lightning echoed. Another sob then a muffled voice was heard. It was clear enough for the chubby cheeked boy to hear despite the roaring thunder outside. He was now sure that he is not imagining things. There is indeed someone else inside the room. It was like a scene in a horror movie wherein something scary would jump onto him and scare him to death. He was frightened beyond imagination. He gulped.
As the low muffled voice continued on chanting incoherent words, Yamada followed its source. He ended up in front of the broom closet at the corner of the room. He furrowed his brows. Who would hide inside a broom closet?
Heaving a long breath, the chubby cheeked boy cautiously opened the door of the closet. When he did, another flash of lightning and clap of thunder conquered the raining sky. He was surprise to find a small figure sitting inside helplessly. The latter had his legs bent close to his chest, his head was half way buried against his knees, his small trembling hands covers both of his ears, his eyes tightly shut, tears fell on his chiseled cheeks and a low muffled chant that were saying, “Yuri is not scared. Yuri is strong.” Over and over again. The little squirrel’s voice was cracked from crying.
Seeing the younger boy in that state unconsciously broke the chubby cheeked boy’s heart. The small boy looked vulnerable and fragile. He wanted to put his arms around that trembling form and whisper words of comfort.
Another thunder and lightning lit the room. The small boy jumped a little and chanted louder convincing himself with words of comfort.
The chubby cheeked boy crouched down in front of the little squirrel. He gently placed his hand on top of the younger boy’s head. The younger boy tensed up a little on his touch but eventually relaxed. The younger boy sniffed and hesitantly raised his head from his knees. He slowly opened his eyes and was welcomed with two warm dark hues staring at him with concern and comfort.
The older boy could see the younger boy’s eyes were all red and puffy from crying. His eyes were glistening with tears. Those dark orbs looked at him expectantly as if he was waiting for someone to save him from his fear. The chubby cheeked boy felt a sting in his heart. The little squirrel looked at him a bit more before recognition flooded his eyes. The older boy smiled at the chibi warmly as he caressed those tear stained cheeks drying them from tears.
Another series of thunder and lightning occurred. The little squirrel lunged himself forward the chubby cheeked boy. Before Yamada could react, he fell back from the sudden tackle. Thankfully, he caught the smaller boy who clutched at his uniform tightly with trembling hands. He carefully sat up from the floor and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy’s waist. He could hear muffled sobs against his chest. He gently rubbed the younger boy’s back as he whispered comforting words against the latter’s ears.
“Ssshhh…Don’t be scared. I’m here, Yuri.” He cooed softly soothing the younger.
“R-Ryo-chan…” the little squirrel called his voice cracked.
Yamada could feel the squirrel had slowly stopped from trembling and his sobs subsided. After a while, he could feel the even breathing of the younger boy in his arms. The small boy had drifted to sleep.
“Really, Yuri, you can sleep anywhere.” Yamada chuckled as he let the squirrel snuggle closer in his arms.
He remained in that position to let the squirrel rest. Unknown to him, another boy with chubby cheeks watched silently that scene.
~***~
The sun peeked behind the clouds. Its warm rays hit the face of the squirrel. He stirred in his sleep as he felt something strong and warm underneath him. He could smell the familiar scent. Just like other particular days, he felt safe and warm. He lazily opened his eyes and saw familiar houses. He roused from his embrace and realized he was being piggybacked.
“Good you’re awake. Could you get off me already?” the older boy said as he halted. “You’re heavy.” He complained that earned him a whack on the head as the small boy climbed down his back.
“Hey! What’s that for?” the chubby cheeked boy protested glaring at the younger boy.
“Nothing. I just felt like it.” The small boy said with a sheepish grin on his face.
“What?” the chubby cheeked boy retorted as the younger was a few steps away already and stuck out his tongue towards the latter.
“YOU!” Yamada exclaimed as he ran after the younger boy. “Oi, Chibi! Come back here!” he shouted.
“Iyada~” the shorter boy shouted back giggling. “Catch me if you can, Yamabuta!” he ran faster as he turned and found that the older had fastened his pace.
“Hey! I’m not fat!” the chubby cheeked boy retorted with a smile on his face. He definitely liked how childish the younger is rather than earlier.
~***~
They were laughing all their way towards the bus stop. Both boys were panting hard as they reached the waiting shed’s bench. They both sat down.
The brown hair boy rested his head back against the bench. He closed his eyes to catch his breath when he felt something soft and moist on his left cheek. He shot open his eyes and saw Chinen retracting from him with a tinge of pink on his cheeks. As everything sank in, he felt his face burn. He unconsciously caressed his cheek where the younger boy’s lips’ touch still lingers. He stared at the chibi in a daze.
The bus pulled over as the younger boy stood up from his seat. He walked towards the bus and turned to the still shocked older boy.
“Ryo-chan, arigatou ne~” Chinen said with a very bright smile on his face.
The chubby cheeked boy just looked at him dumbfounded.
“Hey! Ryo-chan, are you coming or what?” the chibi called as he was already halfway inside the bus.
Yamada jolted up from his seat and hastily climbed the bus. He clumsily took out his student hand book and dropped it. He immediately picked it up and slides it through. He walked his way towards the opposite side where the chibi was sitting. He almost tripped on his own foot.
“Mou~ Ryo-chan sit here.” The chibi tapped the seat beside him when he saw the older was sitting at the opposite side.
Yamada just looked at the younger boy nervously and just turned away.
“Mou~” Chinen whined.
The chubby cheeked boy averted his gaze towards the shorter boy but hence regretted it. Seeing the younger boy pout just made the crazy beating of his heart worse and his breathing shallow. He could feel his face burning and his hands sweating. He turned away and looked blankly at the window. He could see the chibi was still looking at him with a pout through the window glass’ reflection. He took a couple of very deep breath to calm his nerves and his heart from doing somersaults inside his chest.
He cautiously transferred seat beside the chibi who just snuggled close to him with a very wide smile.
‘Oh Kami-sama, please give me strength.’ He prayed silently in his heart so that he could endure sitting beside the chibi.