A Book is but a Proverb

He knew as well as anybody Midorikawa wasn’t exactly the type to participate in these sorts of things, and he looks as neat and particularly paintless as usual. But still, it couldn’t hurt to be careful. 

Almost as if he was reading his mind, Midorikawa moved closer to Hiroto, glancing around quickly. “This paintball war seems to have escalated quite badly, a little bit too much competition if you ask me.”

And he wanted to solve it.

"Ah! I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Midorikawa Ryuuji. If we're going to solve a mystery, it's good to at least know each other's name, correct?"

"Ah. I’ve been here for about or week or two myself, give or take." The corner of his lips curl up into a small smile. "Well that’s nice to hear, I guess." 

"So you know your way around better than I do then," a small chuckle as he thinks to himself for a moment, "Also heard that Suzuno's joining us to this academy."

"You investigating too?" he asked in a hushed whisper.

"Jeez! You nearly scared me to death!" Although the words were pretty strong, his voice was meek and tone rather relieved that it was a person, not some ghost or something else.

"Oh~?" Looks like he hit the target dead on. Even so, Kariya’s smirk turned into a grin, flashing his teeth at the older in a mischievous way. "I won’t say a word, Ryuuji-nii. As long as you help me with some things, you’re secret is safe with me. Though I wonder how Hiroto-nii will react when you say that you love him. Ah~ I want to capture the moment when that happens! On video!” The perfect blackmail material.

"Ugh--!" It looks like Midorikawa had fallen right into Kariya's little trap. Either way, as long as Kariya stayed quiet about it, there shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully. " Fine. I'm guessing that would be schoolwork, correct? I know you enough Masaki, you wouldn't ask anything unreasonable from me." 

"Eh~?" Not all too surprised at Midorikawa’s answer as he casually leans forward to look at the tanned teen’s face, smirking all the while. "Hiroto-nii will be so disappointed if he ever heard you say that. I’m sure he would want more… heartfelt cookies coming from the person he oh-so-treasures and loves~” 

He was a total loss for words, mouth opening and closing like that of a fish as he struggled to keep the blush off his face. "I-- that's-- uh--" no matter how hard he tried to find the words, his tongue kept stuttering out stupid and incomprehensible responses. Kariya hadn't been wrong, but hearing the younger say it out loud hit him hard. Similar to crashing into a wall but less painful. "D-don't you dare tell Hiroto about this!" Midorikawa hissed out softly, voice lowering into a rushed whisper, "I want to surprise him with this gift. So keep quiet about it!"

Seemingly pleased with himself at this point. “I’m sure Hiroto-nii would love these cookies! You are planning on giving some to him, right?” 

"Ah--! Well-- erm--" a moment of hesitation as he flitted his gaze around, fingers playing with the hem of his shirt awkwardly. "Yes. I am planning to give some to him-- only because he's done so much for me in the past and since I arrived here! Nothing more, nothing less!" Turns his head away with a heated blush sporting on his cheeks.

Dismisses the glare and just smiles innocently. “Yes yes~ I promise I won’t try anything funny. But I can’t count on saying something though~”

"Why you little--" a click of his tongue as he briskly brushes aside annoyance rising in him. "Honestly, can't you at least not make any trouble for a whole day, that would be nice. Let's just get these cookies made, alright?"

"Eh~? You sure about that?" even more snickering behind his hand. "Anyways, let’s get started on baking!" Don’t worry, he’ll keep his teasing to a minimum. Maybe.

"....." Giving a pointed glare at the younger boy and grumbling something underneath his breath before sighing heavily. "Right. You better not try anything funny. Got it?"

"You sure? I know how spacey you get when you start thinking about certain things~” cue a small snicker behind his hand.

"K-Kariya..! Why you little..!" He just can't win with Kariya, can he? "I don't get spacey! I'm just in... thought. Thinking. It's natural to think, right?"

"Spaced themed huh. That’s a good idea. But I’m blaming you if we made a total mess in the kitchen."

"R-right, of course." Same old Kariya alright. "I doubt we'll make a mess as long as you listen to what I say and not try anything."

"Geh—! …. N-no, I’m not really good at baking… So I appreciate you helping me out, Ryuuji-nii."

So cute. "It's not a problem. I was planning to make some anyways. I got an idea! Let's make it spaced themed cookies, a little difficult since we have to get the shapes right and the icing right too."

"R-ryuuji-nii! Ah, erm, yeah…? I’m going to make them for Haruya-nii and Hiroto-nii."

"I'll help out then-- we'll be able to make more and eat some too. Besides, you're not very experienced in baking, are you?"

"Maybe I could make some biscuits or cookies and give them to Haruya-nii and Hiroto-nii…"

"Thinkin' about making some sweets, Masaki?"