Shoto followed cautiously behind Goro, his eyes trembling as he pondered, his pulse-pounding.  

This person he's so warm and inviting... It captivates my interest and makes me want to follow him. Maybe...just perhaps... In this case, I would be content if — 

Goro came to a halt as he cast a look behind him, his eyes following down and getting a glimpse of Shoto shoving his hands firmly into his pockets and exclaiming. 

“Keep up or you’ll be left behind.”  

Shoto's cheeks flushed with shame as he averted his gaze and spoke with a stammer. 

“I-I just have shorter legs okay!” 

He pushed ahead impatiently as he went by Goro, attempting to conceal his embarrassment as he sneered. Goro's gaze followed as he uttered a faint smirk. 

“He’s so sensitive.”  

Shoto's pulse raced wildly; he clutched his hands to his sides as his cheeks flushed. He walked towards the stadium's exit door; he didn't have to glance back to feel Goro following after him. Shoto groaned as he looked across to the parking lot and saw the basketball team's whole roster board the bus. 

“Phew...” 

Goro put his hand on Shoto's shoulder as he stood alongside him, lowering his gaze and saying. 

“Come on.”  

While staring at Goro, Shoto felt a tingle in the back of his neck, and his gaze briefly returned to the floor as he said something low before walking away, leaving Goro behind. 

“I’m going...” 

Incredulous, Goro clung to his duffle bag, which was connected to his shoulder, and stared blankly. He kept his thoughts to himself as he watched Shoto board the school bus, his eyes following his every step. 

Moments passed as Shoto sat in the bus's back seat, fondling his hands in his lap and glancing out the window, raindrops trickling down the glass as he disregarded everyone around him and thought. 

Gay... Is it true that I'm a 'Homo'... Considering I'm just thirteen, I'm not sure... If my daddy finds out about my fantasies, he'll murder me... 

Shoto leaned his head on the seat's side and gently closed his eyes, nodding out for the duration of the three-hour flight back to Tokyo. Shoto leaped when the vehicle unexpectedly came to a halt. He blinked momentarily; his gaze drawn to the night light that lighted the whole bus. Everyone groaned as they yawned incessantly, their body expanding in response to their coach's instructional voice. 

“Alright, we’re back; make sure you don’t leave any belongings on the bus.”  

“Damn gremlins.”  

Shoto shifted his gaze over to Hideki, who was still fast sleeping, and grimaced as he yanked on the boy's ear, muttering. 

“Wake the hell up man, seriously.”  

Hideki moaned as he yawned loudly, putting his palm at his mouth, and glanced across at Shoto, who remained locked on the opposite side of the seat, muttering in a drowsy tone. 

“Oh, we’re here already, that was quick!”  

Shoto smacked Hideki on the top of the head, frowning as he muttered. 

“Let me out, idiot...”  

Hideki grumbled softly as he touched the crown of his head, shouting as he arched his brow. 

“What the hell was that for?!” 

Shoto moaned faintly in irritation as he rose to his feet and reached for his duffle bag on the bus's floor, which was stationed between his knees. As he murmured, he pushed past Hideki. 

“You’re seriously so stupid...” 

“I’m going first.”  

“See you tomorrow.”  

Shoto walked to the bus's center as he fell over the cards of his loose laces; just before collapsing, he felt a stronghold on his arm and grunted, raising his eyes. 

“Ah!!”  

“Ow...seriously-”   

Goro looked down at Shoto as he tightened his grip on the boy's arm, lifting him to his feet and informing him solemnly. 

“You should be careful, it’s slippery.”  

"We wouldn't want you to get hurt now, would we?" 

Shoto's cheeks flushed as he locked gazes with Goro, his pulse racing as the brilliant hazel eyes locked on him, the hazel so dazzling it nearly resembled the sun. His heart skipped a beat and his body trembled, prompting him to stand firm and calm himself as he gently murmured. 

“Let me go..please..”  

“I’m not comfortable with people touching me...”  

Goro quickly loosened his hold as he apologized and inquired. 

“My apologies, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable; it was simply instincts.” 

“Do you need assistance with that?”  

He inquired, referencing Shoto's duffle bag, which the boy had slung over his shoulder.  

Shoto held onto the side of his arm as he quivered, his eyes wavered as he stared at Goro, thinking.  

Has he always been this nice to me... despite the fact that I don't believe I'm in danger, right now my body is screaming at me to get away... It’s telling me to run... 

Shoto shook his head as he declined the offer, anxiously excusing himself as his pulse raced and hurried off the bus. Goro's lifeless eyes followed Shoto's every step as he exited the bus directly after him. 

“No, it’s okay Captain!” 

“H-Have a good night...” 

Goro was puzzled as he saw Shoto head towards another guy who looked to be wearing a different school uniform than theirs. He glanced at them blankly as he pondered to himself before strolling towards the luxury automobile parked near the school’s parking lot. 

“Is he frightened of me?” 

“Perhaps I should spend more time studying how to convey human emotions...” 

“I attempted to be friendly as the book suggested, but my face isn't quite as inviting...” 

“I should study human expressions then, if I stand out too much, my parents will be displeased...” 

Goro's driver, Mr.Saitama welcomed him with a courteous bow and opened the vehicle door for him. 

“Young Master.”  

Goro directed his attention to Mr.Saitama while he spoke. 

“Saitama, please purchase several books on human expressions for me.” 

"I need them to study, so I don't stand out."

Shoto clutched his duffle bag as a small sigh welcomed him. Manda extended his arms while clutching his book bag, muttering sarcastically. 

“That took longer than expected.”  

“It’s 8 pm”  

Shoto glanced over at his brother as he smirked faintly, uttering.  

“I didn’t think you’d actually wait for me.” 

“How generous of you, Yasei-Ji.”  

Manda frowned as he stood before Shoto, informing, slightly annoyed.  

“Oi..seriously, don’t call me that, my name is Manda now.” 

“Man-da!”  

Shoto laughed slightly as he ruffled Manda's hair with his free hand, teasing. 

“Ha, there is no way I’m calling you that.”  

Manda pouted and rolled his eyes as he grumbled under his breath. 

“You’re the worst big brother ever.”  

“It’s my street name, you don’t think it's cool?” 

Shoto sighed as he teased.  

“Sounds like a girl name, that’s not even remotely intimidating.”  

“Why didn’t you go with something like ‘Scarface’ or ‘The beast’? 

“You know...something more dramatic.”  

Manda groaned as his sight fell on Goro as he entered his allocated vehicle, Manda's eyes steadily widening as he spoke to Shoto, who stood alongside him. 

“No way...isn’t that the basketball guy?”  

“The one topping the charts now?” 

“Damn he’s tall...” 

“Are you sure he’s your age? I mean...” 

Shoto cast a peek over as Saitama bowed and closed the door for the young man. Shoto responded hesitantly just as Goro's car window closed slowly. 

“His name is Nakamura Goro...and yes that’s him...”  

“Well..he is in our age group but he’s a year older...”  

Manda cocked his head slightly and whispered something unintelligible. 

“Hm...I didn’t expect him to be that dark though...” 

“Isn’t his father Japanese? How did he come out like-”  

Shoto scowled as he softly hit Manda upside the head, debunking the youngster before he could continue his statement. 

“Don’t say stuff like that about people...”  

“It’s ignorant and rude.” 

Manda mumbled as he rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. 

“Ack! What the hell was what for!”  

“It was just an honest observation! I wasn’t trying to be rude!” 

Shoto groaned as he turned to Manda, who was continually pouting and informing, as Goro's vehicle drove away. 

“He’s still Japanese.” 

“Just..don’t say stuff like that..not even around me...”  

“If I was to go by that stupid logic, mommy and daddy are both tan but I’m pale as snow...”  

“So..it’s normal...”  

Shoto's eyelids drooped slightly as he clenched the straps of his duffle bag, uttering. 

“It’s okay to be dark..or pale...or tan..it’s..normal...” 

Manda glanced at Shoto as his eyes narrowed, mumbling under his breath. 

“Blah...I never said he wasn’t Japanese...why are you getting so worked up for...”  

Shoto's cheeks flushed and his body quivered briefly as he rushed out to the closest sidewalk across from the school entrance, shouting in embarrassment. 

“W-what!” 

“I-I’m not getting worked up! Pfft!” 

“I was just saying...ugh...” 

Manda laughed slightly as he held onto his stomach, teasing Shoto as he walked behind his older brother.  

“Ha! No way...!”  

“You have the hots for a politician kid!”  

“No way! NO WAY! Father would murder you if you ever dated a politician's kid!”  

“You better aim for another gangster if that’s the case!” 

Shoto fumed as his cheeks flushed, oblivious to the taunting as he felt Manda stride behind him, eagerly responding. 

“I-I don’t! I’m not a fag either, I like girls you know...pretty girls too...”  

“Don’t be weird...alright..he’s just my classmate and captain..that's all...”  

Manda quietly chuckled as he clutched his bookbag, giving out a heavy sigh as he cast a glimpse at the moon in front of them, enlightening Shoto as they walked beside one another. 

“Well, I’m a fag.”  
“I think men are hot...” 

“Especially older guys, they are really the hottest.” 

Shoto's eyes widen slightly as he comes to a halt, staring at Manda and murmuring in a shocked tone. 

“What?”  

“You like guys?! Really?!”  

Manda stops as he glanced back at Shoto unfazed, owning it as he responded. 

“Yeah, I do, I find women disgusting actually...”  

“Well..just their privates...I never liked the texture...or taste.”  

Shoto remained stunned, stuck in place as he looked at Manda, somewhat apprehensive, and questioned softly. 

“Yasei-Ji...don’t tell me you’ve already...?”

Manda chuckled as he looked at Shoto, unmoved, nodding slightly as he responded truthfully, with his book bag draped over his shoulder.

“Hm, yeah, I did it with some of the women at the Brothel.”  

“Wasn’t my thing...”  

Shoto grimaced as he clenched his fist, furious, informed. 

“Are you insane?! You’re only 11...that's illegal!” 

“Do you even know what happened to you-”  

Manda huffed, flinging his head back and letting his hair dangle as he interjected, making a point. 

“Ah...spare me, big brother...”  

“For fuck sake, our father is a fucking Yakuza boss, everything is fucking illegal with what we do...” 

“So what...some fucking bitches gave me milk at one of the brothels we own and I fucking hated it.”  

“That's all that happened, period.”  

“Don’t make it such a big deal, it’s just fucking sex.” 

Shoto remained there, fastened as his eyes quiver slightly, his claws sinking into his palm as he thought staring at Manda. 

He doesn’t even know what happened to him...he doesn’t realize that those grown women actually took advantage of him...It is a big deal...it’s not just sex...I don’t want him...to end up like me...but I don’t want to project myself on him either...this is all father’s fault...the reason Yasei-Ji and everyone...joined the gang so young...it’s all his fault...for forcing us to follow in his footsteps...everything is his fault! 

As he went ahead, Shoto sighed, his eyes dropped in worry, informing in a rather concerned tone. 

“Just..promise me you won’t do stuff like that again... 

“It’s dangerous...” 

Manda laughed slightly as he nods, reassuring as they continued walking the path together.  

“Don’t worry, I already told you I like men.” 

Shoto glanced over at Manda as he questioned curiously.  

“H-how are you even sure about that...I mean...” 

Shoto stared at his feet as his eyes lowered, continuing.  

“Boys shouldn’t like..boys..it’s weird and wrong.”  

Manda felt the chill of the night's atmosphere on his skin as he grinned softly, revealing. 

“I just know..that's all...” 

“When I’m around this certain guy...my tummy feels weird and for some reason, my heart pounds faster.” 

Manda blushed as he shoved his hands down his pockets, continuing in slight awe.  

“Ah..and when he smiles, I feel even better...like nothing matters but just us..it’s nice...” 

“I don’t get that feeling when I’m around girls...it’s just different with him...”  

“I feel free around him, I don’t feel like a Yakuza boss’s son or a gang member..I just can be myself...” 

Shoto’s eyes widen as they quickly narrowed, thinking.  

There are two..people that make me feel like that...who are both boys....am I really...gay...? 

Manda stopped in his tracks abruptly as he glanced over at his older brother, reassuring.  

“Liking boys isn’t wrong or weird. “  

Shoto threw a gaze at Manda as he listened intently and curiously to the boy's continuation. 

“It’s just natural, we like what like.” 

“It’s better than living a lie, that shit must suck.”  

Shoto sighed as he smiled faintly, praising.  

“Well, aren’t you educated in that field..little brother.” 

Shoto continued walking as he kicked the little rock before his path, inquiring in a curious tone.  

“So... who’s the guy you like...?”  

Manda stared at the passing cars before him as they reached the intersection, smirking as he answered.  

“Ichiban-San.”  

Shoto jolted as he stared at Manda, yelling slightly to not cause too much attention to the crowd nearby them.  

“W-what?!  

“Are you insane? The 17-year-old, high school dropout with that weird scar on his face?!” 

“What do you even see in him?”  

“Also, he has two kids...already...that's insane...”  

“If father found out any of this, he would kill you!” 

“And him!”  

Manda laughed quietly as he shoved Shoto slightly, informing.  

“That’s why he’s never going to find out. Just keep your mouth shut.”  

“Also, Ichiban and I haven’t done anything, in fact, he doesn’t even know I like him, so don’t worry.”  

Manda frowned as he continued.

“And his scar is the favorite thing I like about him. “  

“His mom threw acid on his face when he was younger..that's why it's like that.”  

Shoto's eyes progressively widened and soon fell as he regretted his previous comment, feeling a twinge of shame. His gaze shifted as he lowered his head and regarded the concrete under his feet, pondering. 

What’s wrong with me...why did I say something so vile...it’s not like me...those kids at school are slowly rubbing off on me...I need to watch what I say...

“Oh...that sucks, I didn’t mean to say it like that-”

Manda grinned quietly as he reached deep into his pocket and extracted a pack of smokes, jabbing Shoto with his elbow as he spoke, immediately followed by a question.

“Ha..don’t worry about it, Ichiban doesn’t give a fuck about shit like that.”  

“I know you're around those preppy ass rich kids every day.”

“Want a smoke?”

Manda leaned forward as he continued to smirk.

“Father won’t know. “ 

Shoto regarded Manda as he quickly snatched the pack of cigarettes from Manda's grasp, concealing it from the view of the adult crowd around them as he fiercely yelled at Manda. 

“Where the hell did you get this?!” 

“Yasei-ji!”