Ryohei looked puzzled.

"Yeah, you said I remind you of someone." 

"Aah, right. It's my brother but - he doesn't look anything like you." Ryohei laughed out.

But the younger brother infact did resemble Azu, he thought. Their frames and the way they asserted themselves were slightly similar and he wasn't sure why he lied. 

An old wound from a couple of years ago was making its presence felt.

"Then?" 

"He's a student at Edasich."

"What?! He is? How old is he? Are we in the same class or is he senior or junior or something?"

Azu found himself drawn to the story of the stranger. He was imagining himself being an insignificant part of someone else's tale and the idea, was strangely comforting.

And his excitement brought a smile to Ryohei's face.

"He's younger than you. I shouldn't be telling you this and giving you reasons to gloat but yeah, I've heard a lot from him about the legendary Akira senpai and his beta senpai."

Azu couldn't help but smile. His heart swelled with pride, but not for himself.

"I can't help it that I'm cool." Azu joked, earning a smile from Ryohei.

"Aaaah, it can get so irritating at sometimes, you know. He acts like such a fanboy . ." Ryohei wiped a tear that had suddenly decided to appear, with his thumb. "We rarely get to meet and when we finally do, sometimes all he talks about is your duels."

"I told you I can't help it." Azu reiterated and they laughed.

 "Oh wait, is it Kota? Are you Yamauchi Kota's older brother?" Azu suddenly remembered. As far as he knew, the kid was a year or two younger than him but was pretty popular in the academy. He'd heard a gossip or two about him as well.

Yamauchi Kota was a high tier Alpha and word was that he's *bonded to a girl. The girl was also his beta.

"You actually know him?" Ryohei seemed surprised.

"It's not like we've talked or anything but I've heard his name floating around a few times. Hey, do you mind if I ask something personal about your brother?"

"You are curious about my brother now?" Ryohei elbowed him playfully. "Go ahead!"

"I heard he's bound  to - I mean he bonded with a girl in his class at a really really young age. Is that true?"

"A girl? Are you talking about Satomi-chan? "

"I don't remember what her name is but I think she's supposed to be his beta." Azu replied.

"Yeah, that's her.But they are not bonded or anything. They might in the future, though." Ryohei smiled, fondly remembering the two troublemakers. "We are neighbours and they practically grew up together so if he's gonna bond with anyone, that would be her."

Azu didn't know why, but hearing about young love warmed his heart. It brought back a few memories from high school and his early years of dating Akira. 

And like everytime, his faint heart, skipped a beat.

* Remember bonding from B&B?