“Umemiya-san has referred to the town as his family before,” Suo smiled. “Maybe that’s what he means?”

“Maybe!” Nirei nodded. “Apparently it’s an international holiday celebrated on May 24th. This says the holiday apparently started in America and is a day to cherish and celebrate brothers, wether biological or not.” 

The thought of acknowledging someone as his brother made Sakura’s face warm.

Suo tilted his head in thought. “I don’t recall any events being planned.” 

“And I didn’t get any messages about it this morning,” Nirei added, scrolling through his contacts. “Maybe we’ll find out inside?”

“TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY!” 

The members of Bofurin cried out, clapping their hands over their ears and jumping in alarm as Umemiya’s voice blared out of the loud speaker. 

“For fuck’s sake!” Hiragi shouted in the background. “Stop yelling into the mic!”

“Sorry! I got too excited!” Umemiya laughed. 

Sakura glared up from where he’d caught himself after Ume’s yelling had caused him to miss his chair. His face flushed at his classmates’ concerned looks as everyone righted themselves.  

“But today is a special day,” Umemiya said. “Today is a day where we appreciate the brothers in our lives. I consider this town my home and everyone in it members of my family. By extension, I consider all of you my brothers!” 

A blush framed Sakura’s face at the notion.

“Brothers are the ones we can count on and the ones we’re always there for,” Umemiya continued. “They are our friends, loved ones and family, and I feel truly in my heart that if you take a second to look around, you will find brothers in each other as well!”

Sakura felt eyes on him, but despite the warmth rising up his neck he chanced a look to see his friends grinning at him. Well, except for Sugishita. The pink on his face flared and he whipped his head back towards the speaker. 

“Today I want you all to do something fun or share a delicious meal together if you can! Know you have everyone here at Furin. You all are amazing and make me proud every day. I am thankful to have you all in my life!” Umemiya cheered.

By the time he’d finished yapping Sakura thought he was going to start sweating he was blushing so hard.

“Told you so,” Suo whispered, smiling at Sakura’s fluster.  

“You okay, Sakura-san?” Nirei asked. 

Sakura nodded, unable to look at them. Having brothers in his friends? The warmth and comfort in his heart at the thought was almost too overwhelming to bear. His friends and the others he knew at Furin, even the friends he’d made in neighboring gangs made his days. But how was he supposed to be brotherly? Was it spouting off his feelings to an audience like Umemiya? The mere thought had him wanting to crawl beneath his desk. Even if he did gather the nerve, he had no idea what to say without making himself sound stupid. And asking how to be brotherly seemed almost worse—the last thing he wanted was to admit how bad he faired to those who meant something to him. 

Why did Umemiya make a whole holiday out of this stuff?

“Sakura-kun?”

If he’d at least mentioned it before, he would’ve had more time to think!

“Sakura-san?” 

Nah, who was he kidding, he’d still be fucked.

“HEY SAKURA!”

He jumped in his seat. “OI! What?” He snapped, rounding on the voice to find Kurita waving a hand in front of his face. 

“You were totally zoned out,” Kiryu replied as Sakura smacked Kurita’s hand away. 

“You looked really worried, too,” Nirei frowned. “Are you okay Sakura-san?”

“If you’re feeling out of it, I can make you a protein shake!“ Tsugeura offered.

“M’ fine!” He grumbled, blushing slightly. “What’re you yelling at me for?”

“Well duh, it’s our patrol day!” Anzai grinned.

“Yeah, you were the one who reminded us this morning,” Kakiuchi added.

“Oh.” Despite himself Sakura’s blush got worse. “Right.”

“Goodness, Sakura-kun, I thought you’d have the routine down by now!” Suo smiled.

“I do!” He glared. 

Suo’s gaze took on a teasing glint. “Then why are you the only one still sitting at your desk?”

Sakura’s eyes widened and he glanced about the room. Everyone else had already left—well, except for his friends waiting for him. 

Pink dusted his cheeks and he jumped to his feet. “I’m not! Let’s go!” He yelled, only for an impossibly firm grip on his shoulder to stop him in his tracks. 

“Ack!” Sakura gasped. “Why?!” 

“Probably because something is still bothering you,” Kiryu said, brushing pink strands of hair into a bobby pin.

Sakura’s face warmed and he looked away from them but didn’t move to free himself. Anzai, Kurita, Takanashi and Kakiuchi looked at each other. Suo tilted his head and Kiryu and Tsugeura frowned.

Nirei’s eyes widened in realization. “Is it about Brother’s Day?”  

The blush spread to Sakura’s ears. Had he been that obvious? 

The knowing and concerned looks on his friends’ faces only made it worse. They exchanged glances as Sakura clenched his fists.

“You guys…are great…” he muttered, his group looking at him in surprise. “But…”

“But?” Suo asked, relaxing his grip. 

“I…don’t know how to be brotherly,” he finished, eyes dropping to avoid their disappointed gazes.

“What the hell are you even talking about!?” Anzai cried.

Sakura looked up just as everyone looked at him in amused bewilderment.

“Sorry,” Takanashi chuckled. “It’s just that you’re the most brotherly person here?”

“He’s right Sakura-chan!” Kiryu beamed. 

“Wuh-HUH?” Sakura cried, turning a bright scarlet. 

Nirei’s eyes glistened with joy. “You worry about us being safe more than we do!” 

“And are always there to have our back,” Suo smiled, patting his shoulder.  

All their happy faces felt like the sun to his soul, but the rate his blush was increasing he was going to catch on fire.

“Yeah! I’ve got to give it everything I’ve got just to keep up with you!” Tsugeura grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. “I want to be there for my little brothers too!” 

Kurita pumped his fist in the air. “Hell yeah to that!”

“Hey, what do you mean little brother?” Sakura said, his eyes narrowing as he batted away Tsugeura and Suo’s hands. “I’m no little brother! Nirei is the youngest!”

Nirei’s eyes widened. “What! No I’m not!” 

All eyes flew to him and he ducked his head under their gaze.

“But…Nirei-kun…you call us all so formally...” Suo frowned. 

“Oh, we-well,” Nirei said, fidgeting with his hands as pink framed his eyes. “It’s just that I look up to you guys a lot and you help me get stronger every day. It means the world to me…” 

Kiryu gave him a shoulder-hug and Anzai and Kurita gave him head pats as he giggled at their antics.

Sakura had almost turned just as pink as he watched the scene. Knowing that his friends and classmates felt the same as he did brought more comfort than he thought he’d known. 

“Awe this is all so sweet!” Kiryu said, patting Nirei’s shoulder. “But now I can’t help but be curious, who is the youngest?”

“Oh! Let’s see!” Nirei cheered, opening his notebook only to stop on the first page. His eyes widened and he looked up at Sakura. 

Everyone followed, making Sakura flush under their combined gaze. 

“…Sakura-kun?” Suo asked. 

“Huh?! No, the cutoff is April 1st!” He shouted, the color in his skin deepening as their surprise turned to awkward smiles and hushed snickers. 

“Is it correct to assume April 1st is your Birthday?” Suo said with his ever peaceful smile. 

Sakura squinted his eyes, flicking between his friends expressions trying to figure out sneakiness in his tone but finding none. 

“Yeah, so?” he grumbled. 

“Then that would make you the youngest,” Kiryu said, looking to Nirei. “Unless someone shares the same day?”

“Umm…I don’t think so,” Nirei frowned, flipping through the pages.

“That’s bullshit!” Sakura glared. “If the year starts on April 1st I have to be the oldest!”

“But it doesn’t,” Nirei blinked, squeaking and hiding behind his notebook when Sakura whipped toward him. “It starts on the 2nd!”

Would the others mess with him? Definitely. But Nirei? 

He turned the information over in his head until he turned his back to them and hid his face in his hands. 

“Awe, it’s okay Sakura-chan,” Kiryu smiled. 

“Yeah!” Tsugeura nodded. “Times and dates and stuff can be super confusing!”

“Is there anyone else even close to mine?” Sakura mumbled. 

“Yes, quite,” Suo said, smiling softly. “We are just days apart.”

“Three days to be exact!” Nirei seemed to sparkle as he flipped through the pages once more. “The rest of us have much larger gaps with me and Kiryu-san in September and August, and then Tsugeura-san being the oldest with a birthday in May!”

“What?!” Tsugeura cried. “When did you all get younger than me?”

Suo failed to stifle an annoyed glare, and Kiryu hid his smile with his sleeve.

“What day in May?” Anzai asked, looking over to Kurita. 

“And which in August?” Kurita squinted.

Takanashi and Kakiuchi grinned at each other as Nirei flipped through his notebook.

“The fifteenth!” Tsugeura cheered.

“Mine’s the nineteenth,” Kiryu replied. 

“Hell yeah! Still the oldest!” Anzai declared, holding up his hand. “I’ve got five days on you, Tsugeura!”

“Nice!” Tsugeura said, high-fiving him.

“And I’ve got–” Kurita squinted in thought before smirking at Kiryu. “Fourteen days!”

“I figured,” Kiryu shrugged. “It was the most likely outcome given the date.”

Sakura’s head span as he tried to keep track of who was older than who only for Nirei to pipe up.

“It looks like Kakiuchi-san and Takanashi-san are between Kurita-san and Anzai-san with birthdays in June and July!” Nirei added.

“What does all this stuff even matter?” Sakura groaned, his head beginning to ache. 

“Hardly at all,” Suo replied. “We’re all in the same class in the end.”

“Though you do have to admit,” Anzai grinned. “It is a crazy coincidence that us four out age you guys.”

“Oh!” Nirei gasped, writing frantically. “You’re right! Well, except for Tsugeura-san.”

“True, true,” Takanashi nodded.

“Well, with birthdays all clustered in late spring, summer and early fall, it’s not that surprising.” Kiryu blinked.

“Sure, but it did get me thinking on the holiday, and while we do a pretty good job of backing each other up, there’s one thing brothers do that we’re slacking on pretty hard,” Anzai said. 

“Uhh…” Sakura hesitated, looking between his friends. “What would that be?”  

A sneaky grin overtook Anzai’s face. “Messing with our little brothers of course!” 

His buddies mirrored his grin and Sakura bristled, narrowing his eyes but his friends only sighed. 

“I thought this is what you were trying to do, Anzai-kun,” Suo said, shaking his head. 

Kiryu put his hands up in a shrug. “Same, I’m not surprised at all.”

“What do you mean ‘try’?” Anzai asked, his smile growing as he crept toward them. “That’s absolutely where this is going!” 

“Watch out,” Kiryu beamed. “There’s not really anything you can do to us that we can’t do to you!”

“Well said, Kiryu-san!” Nirei nodded.

Sakura’s eyes darted around at everyone’s increasingly sneaky expressions as they shifted to ready positions.

“What the hell is going on?!” he shouted, raising his arms in defense. “What are we squaring up for?!”

“Pfft! We’re not squaring up!” Tsugeura grinned, shaking out his wrists. “We’re making up for lost time!”

“Alright, what should we do?” Takanashi grinned, scrunching his face up in an exaggerated thinking expression. 

“What if we catch them all and play with their hair?” Kurita smirked, only for Suo to stifle a laugh. 

“How old did you say you were again, Kurita-kun?” He asked, making the others snicker. 

“Who’s side are you on?!” Kurita cried, whirling on his buddies. 

“Heh, I know what we should do!” Anzai smirked. “How about something you never grow out of?” 

Sakura scrunched his face up in confusion and Suo blinked in curiosity. “And that would be?”

“No matter how grown up you get,” Anzai’s smile became wolfish, hands curling into claws with wiggling fingers. “You’ll always be hella ticklish!” 

Sakura’s face flushed and Tsugeura, Nirei and Kiryu’s eyes widened. 

“Oooh! Good idea, Anzai!” Kakiuchi said, tickling the air and grinning at Nirei and Kiryu’s nervous smiles. 

“Oh, I agree!” Suo replied, the others whipping their heads toward him. “But who’s to say we’re not going to be the ones tickling you instead?” He mused, smirking as Kurita and Kakiuchi shivered.

“Oh! You’re right Suo-san,” Nirei grinned. “We have the numbers!”

Mischievousness shone in Kiryu’s eyes as he wiggled his fingers back. “Come on, Sakura-chan!”

“What?! No!” Sakura cried, his blush growing. “Cut the shit, this is stupid!”

Before anyone could reply Tsugeura fell hard onto his knees. 

Everyone flinched as the ground shook and Nirei jumped in fright. “Ts-Tsugeura-san?” When Tsugeura’s didn’t answer he moved to his friend’s side. “Are you okay?”

Silence lingered and smiles disappeared. 

“Tsuge-chan?” Kiryu asked. 

Tsugeura mumbled something under his breath and he leaned closer. 

“What’d you say?” Takanashi frowned. 

“Yeah, man, you good?” Anzai asked, his hands lowering.

Tsugeura took a deep breath and yanked Nirei and Kiryu into a rough hug. “HA HA!” He cheered, jumping up with one under each arm. “I said: ‘GOT ‘EM!’” 

“Tsuge-chan! Why?!” Kiryu gasped, only for fingers to wiggle into his side. “Ahh! Ahahehehaha!”

“Ehehehe! Oho nohoho!” Nirei laughed, Tsugeura grinning as he gently scratched along his ribs. 

“Nice, Tsugeura!” Takanashi grinned, moving towards the remaining pair. “Looks like we might not be so outnumbered after all!”

“What happened to having each other’s backs and all that shit?” Sakura snapped.

“Oh we have your back all right,” Kakiuchi smiled. 

“Yeah, you guys are missing out on all the fun!” Anzai said, jabbing his thumb at Tsugeura.   

Nirei laughed brightly, kicking and twisting in Tsugeura's hold while Kiryu flopped over and giggled toward the floor. The sound sent butterflies fluttering around Sakura’s insides and he could feel the heat creeping across his skin. 

“That’s quite alright, I’m having plenty of fun spectating,” Suo replied. 

“Uh, oh, is someone nervous?” Kurita grinned, wiggling his fingers at them.

“Don’t–Dohon’t mess with me!” Sakura growled, his face tinting pink. 

“We don’t even have to touch him!” Kakiuchi smiled, repeating the gesture.

A bright blush and ticklish smile took over Sakura’s face. “Ahahassholes!” Sakura snapped, a few nervous giggles bubbling past his lips despite his efforts to look angry. Takanashi and Anzai joined in and he smiled helplessly. “You crehehepy mohotherfuhukers! Dohon’t doho that!”

“To answer your question,” Suo replied, smiling as Sakura clapped his hands over his eyes. “I am not nervous at all.”  

“And why is that?” Takanashi asked. 

“Because you can’t catch us,” Suo smiled. “Right, Sakura-kun?” 

Sakura started, whipping his head toward Suo and blushing furiously in realization. “Ah yeah, r-right.” 

“Awe come on, you guys want to play too!” Tsugeura grinned, speeding up the fingers tickling Nirei and starting to poke at Kiryu’s ribs.

Kiryu kicked in protest and Nirei squealed. 

“Nohohaha! Nahat the pohohokes!” Kiryu giggled, only to squeak as they were replaced with ticklish pinches. “EEK! NOhohoho! Thahahahat’s WOhohorse!”

“I can tell by both your smiles that you want some tickles too!” Tsugeura called, taking a sturdy stance and worming his fingers under one of Nirei’s and one of Kiryu’s underarms.

“Sakura~” Anzai taunted, him and his friends smiling at the simultaneous scream and newly hysterical laughter coming from the captured duo. “Time to laugh your head off!” 

Sakura blushed brightly and turned to tell off Anzai but he was already mid-pounce. Air caught in Sakura’s throat and a strangled shout left him as he grabbed Anzai by the shoulders and they crashed to the ground. 

Suo’s eye widened at Sakura’s swift takedown and Anzai laughed maniacally. 

“Can’t catch you my ass!” he snickered, hovering over Sakura and scribbling his fingers into his stomach, making the younger boy yelp and yank the tickling hands from his skin. 

“Neheheh! Noho!” Sakura grunted, trying to push Anzai off only for him to smirk and put his full weight onto Sakura’s legs. “You! Youhou bahahastard!” 

“Come on, I’m only trying to tickle your belly!” Anzai grinned, making Sakura turn as pink as his namesake. 

“Dohohohon’t cahahall it thahahat!” He cried, his strength lessening with each giggle. 

“Awe then what about tummy?” Anzai smirked, inching his fingers closer. “Tickles for your tum tum?” 

“Yohohou fuhuhucking weheheheirdohohAH! AHAHAHA!” Sakura cackled, throwing his head back as Anzai raked his nails down his middle. 

“See? All better!” Anzai teased, laughing at the wobbly half-glare his victim attempted before bursting back into hysterics.

“And then there was one.” 

Suo’s gaze snapped toward the voice to see Takanashi, Kurita and Kakiuchi sneaking toward him. 

“It’s your turn, Suo!” Kakiuchi said, grinning at how his smile became a little strained.

“Don’t think we forgot about you,” Takanashi added.

Suo forced himself to relax. “No need to trouble yourselves.” 

“Awe, but we’re feeling left out!” Kakiuchi replied, him and Kurita circling around to his right and left. 

His leg tensed to step back but that would trap him closer to the wall. He needed to go forward. 

The trio started to close in and he couldn’t help but death-grip his hands behind his back. He needed to wait until the absolute…last…second! 

His assailants hadn’t even finished reaching before Suo cut between Takanashi and Kurita and stood at the center of the room. 

“Oooh!” Kurita grinned. “Looks like Suo wants to play after all!” 

“Only entertaining you and your childish antics,” Suo replied, but he couldn’t tear his eyes from their hands. 

“We’ll see about that!” Kakiuchi snickered, trying a scribble to his neck only for him to duck back and narrowly sidestep Kakiuchi’s pokes. 

Suo chanced a glance toward the door only to yelp. The fingers that prodded his ribs were grabbed and before he could think he’d splayed Kurita flat on his back. 

“OKAY THATS IT!”

Nirei looked up amid his giggles to see Takanashi and Kakiuchi chasing Suo around the room with playful fierceness in their eyes while Anzai continued to tickle the daylights out of Sakura.

“Wait, wait, hold on!” Suo said, his peaceful smile overwritten by a wobbly one. “You were the ones who started this!”

“But you throw your brother to the ground!?” Takanashi asked, throwing his arms wide to block him in while Kakiuchi dodged around the desks Suo tried to put between them.

“Over a little rib tickle?” Kakiuchi smirked, wiggling his fingers. 

“N-Noho!” Suo replied, clapping a hand over his mouth a second too late.

Takanishi’s grin doubled in size. “Uh, oh, Suo! Was that a giggle I just heard?”

With more fluttering around his insides, Suo didn’t dare open his mouth. Until Kurita barreled toward him on all fours. 

“AH! WaHAIT wait wahait!” Suo cried, scrambling around and over furniture. 

“Wow, they’re going crazy!” Tsugeura awed, shifting his hands to Nirei and Kiryu’s sides.

“WAhehehahaha!” Nirei squealed, trying to twist away from Tsugeura’s fingers. 

Kiryu flailed, laughing at tickles and Kurita chasing Suo like a gremlin. “I’m dyhiHIHIHING! I’m dehehehehead I’m dyhyhyhying!” 

Tsugeura chuckled, his grip loosening slightly. “You’re okay!”

Nirei’s eyes widened in realization and he squirmed with purpose.

“I haven’t even gotten your worst spot yet!” Tsugeura snickered.

“Yehehehehet?!” Kiryu cried. “Tsuhugehehe!”

Tsugeura opened his mouth to reply and fingertips suddenly scribbled across his knee. The result was a squawk and a surprised jump. “WAH! Wahahahuh?” He looked down to see Nirei’s hand squeeze above his kneecap. “EEHehehe! Nirehehehei!” 

“Yehe! Yehehes!” Nirei cheered as Tsugeura’s grip loosened further, letting his other arm slip free and using both hands to lightly scribble behind his knee. 

“AHAHEE!” Tsugeura yelped, leaning to the side to pull Nirei up and away from the spot. “NOho! Dohohon’t tickle!”

“Yeheheah rihight!” Kiryu cried, pulling his arms from Tsugeura’s loosened hold and feathering his fingers on the back of his thigh. “Youhou tickled us first!”

“NAHAHE!” He laughed, leaning back the other way only for Nirei’s knee tickles to resume. “GUHUHUYS! NOHO! I’M GOHOHONNA–”

Nirei and Kiryu’s shouts joined his as all three of them crashed to the ground. They all groaned from the impact, Tsugeura just barely catching himself from landing on top of them.

Suo heard the guard drop from the exit and swept back toward it, not daring to turn his back to his assailants. He deflected all their scribbles, pokes and jabs like he would in combat, his smile becoming more confident as their attempts grew desperate. Suo was only one step from freedom when an impossible weight settled above his ankle. He looked down wide-eyed to find Tsugeura grinning up at him, his hand holding his leg in a firm grip. His gaze snapped up to three wickedly smiling faces and six sets of spidering fingers. Suo threw his arms up and his gasp ended in a panicked shriek as Kurita, Kakiuchi and Takanashi tackled him into the hall. 

“GOTCHA!” Kakiuchi yelled, trying to finally tickle Suo’s stomach only to be poked there himself.  “EHE!”

“You’re only making it worse for yourself!” Takanashi grunted, him and Kurita grappling for Suo’s arms as Kakiuchi gently scribbled his middle. 

“EhehEHA! NOHOhoho!” Suo cried, kicking his legs in protest only to loudly squeak when Takahashi spidered his hand up to his neck. “EEHEE! PLEHE! PleheheHEASE!” 

“After talking all that shit?” Kurita snickered.

“And causing all that trouble?” Kakiuchi added, lightly dragging his fingers up Suo’s side and making him hiccup in his laughter. “If you ask me you’re getting off easy!”

Suo laughed in reply, trying to kick at Kurita as he gently scribbled under Suo’s arm. 

“I’ll say! You fucking decked me!” He smirked. 

“Sounds like we got all of you!” Anzai snickered, poking and squeezing any tickle spot he could reach while Sakura just laid there, all energy to fight gone as giggles spilled out of him. 

Anzai looked up as Tsugeura wrapped Kiryu and Nirei into a big bear hug and wiggled his fingers into their necks and shoulders. The air filled with their giggles and Tsugeura’s chuckles added to the mix as they tickled him back in an attempt for release. 

“Well, I’d say it’s time for the big finale!” Anzai stilled his fingers and smiled with glee as he pushed Sakura’s shirt away from his stomach. “Ready?”

“Wuhuhuh? Whuhut thehe hehehell?” Sakura glared, only for Anzai to take a comically large breath and blow the biggest raspberry onto his belly. 

Sakura erupted into loud, desperate cackles as he pushed Anzai’s head away.

“Are you telling me you don’t like raspberries?” Anzai laughed. “You’re turning the same color as them so I figured you would!” 

Sakura clenched his blushing hands into fists and swung at him. “IHIHI’M GONNA KIHIhihill yohohohou!”

“Awe, you can’t do that to your big brother,” Anzai replied, flashing the cheekiest grin as he dug his fingertips under Sakura’s arms. 

Sakura didn’t deny it, but only because he was laughing too hard, and definitely not because of how happy it made him that someone wanted to be so silly and gentle with him. 

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!” 

Before Sakura could process the shout, the underarm tickles stopped and he was pulled up into a hug.

“Senpai!” Anzai cried, patting Sakura’s head. “Our little brothers were bummed out and we were just cheering them up!”

Sakura looked up to see Kaji fuming in the doorway and his face burned. 

“Guys have been worried and looking for you! ” Kaji shouted, making Nirei and Tsugeura flinch as he rounded on the Suo and the others in the hall. “Let him go and get off your asses!”

Sakura blushed down to his neck as he fought out of Anzai’s embrace. Tsugeura finally released Kiryu and Nirei and they helped him up. Anzai snickered in amusement as he stood, offering Sakura a hand. He huffed, but took it anyway. Kaji caught Sakura’s gaze and the slightest blush tinted below Kaji’s eyes as he turned to leave. Everyone moved toward the hall, dusting themselves off as they moved after their senpai to catch up with the rest of their team. 

“So,” Anzai whispered, flashing a grin. “That was fun.”

“Woah! That’s so cool, Suo-san!” Nirei gasped. 

“What the hell even is that?” Sakura frowned, though his eyes sparkled with curiosity. 

“Tea,” Suo said, his smile becoming a smirk. “And water.”

“Shut up, you know what I meant,” Sakura glared.

Kiryu raised his hand. “I also want to know about the magic pink color, Suo-chan!”

Several of their classmates voiced their agreement but Suo only shook his head and put a finger to his lips. “I’m not supposed to say, but…it’s magic.”

“Oooh, like you mean with your exorcist powers?” Tsugeura awed. 

Sakura raised his eyebrows while most his classmates gave varying expressions of amusement. 

“Just spit out what ingredients are in it,” Sugishita glowered. 

“I’m sorry, Sugishita-kun, afraid I can’t do that,” Suo beamed. 

“But…what if someone’s allergic to it?” Kakiuchi asked, eyeing the undeniably magical-seeming liquid. 

“Oh, no one is allergic,” Suo said with a knowing smile. 

“What the–how could you know that?” Anzai cried. 

“Ah! It was me,” Nirei said, putting a hand behind his head. “Suo asked for a list of everyone’s allergies and I–”

“You just gave it to him?” Kurita cried, pointing at Suo. “To that guy? With all his deviousness?!”

“Umm, yes?” Nirei replied, looking at Suo. “Suo-san said he wanted to bring a treat for everyone and wanted to make sure it was safe…”

“I’d be surprised if it wasn’t,” Takanashi grinned. “I’ve heard of this trick before but never seen it in person because this stuff can be hard to find. It’s really cool of you to share it with us, Suo!”

At Takanashi’s comment a lot of the hesitation dissipated, as he had brought snacks before and had grown a reputation of trust with food stuff. 

“Of course!” Suo beamed, taking out a corked spice bottle decorated with swirls. “This tea blend will help everyone stay energized throughout the night…” He uncapped the vial and gently poured the clear contents into the kettle. The liquid inside swirled into a brilliant emerald. “If you’re brave enough to drink it.”

“Oh wow! Furin green!” Nirei beamed.

“Wait!” Takanashi shouted, making Nirei and some others jump. “It’s not supposed to change that color! I have no idea what was in that vial.”

The class looked to Suo who only smiled as he set out paper cups. “It’s the secret ingredient.” 

Tsugeura, Sakura, Nirei and a few others took a cup as he poured the tea, but a lot of them remained untouched. 

Suo sighed, picking up a cup. “You all wound me. I would never give you something that would harm you in such a way,” he said, taking a sip himself. “It also definitely wouldn’t be by defacing tea. If you all grew to dislike tea because of me, it would break my heart.”

“Awe okay,” Kiryu smiled, taking a cup. “Thank you for the tea, Suo-chan!” 

Eventually everyone did take some, many smiling at the tasty mystery flavor. As they cleaned up the cups, Suo was pleased that all of them were empty. Though, some continued to ponder what the secret ingredient had been. 

Takanashi especially couldn’t shake it from his mind. All the things he’d ever made and he still couldn’t figure it out! He unconsciously eyed Suo as they moved things into place for the night ahead, though his gaze did not go unnoticed. 

“Really got his goad huh, Suo?” Tsugeura asked, literally poking fun at him as he wiggled a finger into his side. 

Suo jumped and smacked his hand away. “The phrase is ‘get one’s goat,’” he replied, trying to hide his surprise with a glare. 

The class finished putting away their things and began to disperse to get the school ready for the night ahead. A small line formed at the door as everyone drew from a large plastic bowl Anzai had found. Inside were envelopes for the game he and Kurita had roped them all into during lunch. Kurita stood beside him, the pair having agreed to draw last to assure fairness and douse suspicions of trickery. 

But when Suo approached, Anzai pulled the bowl away with a grin. “What’s the password?!”

“Oh?” Suo asked, smiling patiently. “Do I get a hint?” 

Anzai looked to Kurita who hunched his back and curled his hands into claws. “A mystical thing!” he rasped, bringing his uniform up to his face and peering over it. “It swirls and teems, casting green in magic tea!”

 Anzai and the classmates in the line behind Suo looked at Kurita with awkward smiles. He’d put so much effort into the performance he’d basically given Suo the answer. 

Still, those left in the room watched in interest.

“My, my! Really tangled up over that detail aren’t you?” Suo mused, placing his hands behind his back. “I really shouldn’t say though. Secrets are meant to be kept.”

“Nope!” Anzai yelled.

His classmates looked over to see his hand around Suo’s wrist which was inches from the bowl’s rim.

“Oh! You’ve gotten faster, Anzai-kun!” Suo said, his smile turning a little more sinister. “How wonderful.”

Kurita gasped in realization. “You dared try to trick the bowl guardian?!” He cried, pointing at Suo menacingly. “Now you have to face my wrath!” 

“I’m sure I’ll be fine–” Suo said, stopping short when arms wrapped around his middle and shoulders. “Hm. This isn’t the best time to be giving huHUGS!” 

Before any of them could blink Suo had pulled his arm back from Anzai, grabbed Kurita’s hand from his side and clapped his remaining hand over his mouth. Silence settled over the room. A mischievousness took over Anzai’s face as Suo looked at the ones holding him: both Takanashi and Kakiuchi wore knowing grins. 

Not good. At what point had he let himself be surrounded by these four?!

“Something you want to say?” Kurita asked, but the second Anzai moved to put the bowl down Suo’s pressed his fingers under Kakiuchi’s arms and pulled one of Takanashi’s knees out from under him with his foot. One squeaked and the other yelped, but neither let go as all three of them went crashing to the floor. 

Kakiuchi’s laughter filled the air as Suo fought to find purchase and escape their limbs. 

“Just!” Takanashi huffed, grabbing Suo’s ribs and making him jump. “Tell us what ingredient you added!” 

“As I said, it isn’t my information to tehehehell!” Suo replied, flinching as Kakiuchi’s fingers curled into his side. Suo pinched his upper ribs in retaliation, becoming more desperate as Anzai and Kurita stalked towards him.

“Hehehehe! Oh noho! Hehehehehelp!” Kakiuchi squealed, pulling his arms from around Suo to push at his hands. “Ihihihehe! I cahahahan’t!”

Suo quickly got to his feet and two sets of hands promptly grabbed each of his arms. 

“Going somewhere?” Kurita smirked, digging his fingers into his side. 

Suo clamped his mouth shut and willed himself not to move in hopes they’d loosen their grip. 

“Hmm…not talking huh?” Anzai grinned. 

Suo’s gaze narrowed in reply.

Anzai snickered and looked over his shoulder at their classmates. “You guys can take your cards. This is going to take a minute.”

“Yeah, you can go ahead of us too,” Takanashi said, helping Kakiuchi to his feet and wiggling his fingers into Suo’s stomach. 

Kakiuchi nodded in agreement as he dusted himself off. 

Some took their evolves and escaped the possibility of being dragged into the mayhem, while others stood healthy distances away to watch the spectacle. 

Suo only flinched at each edition of hands, even as Anzai wormed his fingers under his arms. 

“I know I heard him giggle,” Kurita said, poking up and down his side in search of a good spot.

“Come on, Suo,” Takanashi sighed, switching to sporadic squeezes. “We know you’re ticklish and that you know what was in that vial.”

Kakiuchi smiled. “It’ll be easier if you just tell them,” He said, gently scratching along Suo’s ribs only for him to jump so hard Anzai and Kurita almost lost their grip on him. 

They looked to him expectantly, and though he’d already swallowed down the smile, there was a certain sparkle there that hadn’t been there before. Each of them took turns repeating their most recent attempt. 

Suo braced himself as much as he could, but the second Kakiuchi resumed tickling his ribs his smile returned.

“Oooh, I get it!” Kurita smirked, lightening his touch. “Can’t take the soft stuff huh?” 

Helpless giggles bubbled past his lips which escalated to laughter as the others joined in. “Ahaha! Nohohoho wahahahait!”

“Nope, you didn’t wait and say the password, so now we’ve got to tickle it out of you!” Anzai grinned.

The tickles sparking through Suo’s nerves left him no room to think. “Ihihi! HEHE Ihihihi cahahaAHAN’T!”

“Sure you can,” Takanashi replied, gently dragging his nails down his stomach. “These little tickles take less energy so we could probably go for hours.”

“NAHAHahaha! PLEHEheheheheASE! Pleehehease DohohoHOHOhon’t!” Suo hiccuped, his feet tapping the ground as he tried to pull away. 

“All you need to do is tell them,” Kakiuchi grinned, wincing when tracing his upper ribs resulted in a burst of higher-pitched giggles. 

“IHIHihi cahahaAHAHAN’T” Suo cried, trying to drop to the floor to escape the gentle torture. “PLEHEhehehe! Ihihihi’ll tahAHAHAHALK! JuhuHUHUst stahahahap!”

The four gave just a few more gentle pokes before letting him catch his breath. 

“Plehe–Please lehet me ahahanswer ahahall the wahay,” Suo breathed, a few after giggles getting past as ghost tickles sparkled through his nerves. 

“Sure, sure,” Anzai smiled, barely scritching a finger under his arm to make him jump. 

“Ihi! I cahan’t tell yohohou whahat the ingrehehedient wahas,” Suo giggled, squirming as Anzai added another finger alongside his first. “Ehehehe! Ihihi’m nahahat dohohohone!” 

“Then keep talking,” Kurita smirked, drumming his fingers on Suo’s arm. 

Suo flinched at the touch. “Ihihi cahahan’t sahahay behecahahause I dohohon’t know eihehehehehither!”

“Wait, for real?” Takanashi blinked. 

Suo nodded. “The shohop owner said it was a surprise fohohor the holihiday.”

At that all their fingers stopped.

“But the allergies?” Kakiuchi frowned. 

“I showed thehem the class allergy list I got from Nirei and thahat is the one they said we could all have,” Suo breathed. “I didn’t eheven know what color it would turn into. He was pulled to his feet for what he feared would be more tickles only to be released. 

“Why didn’t you just say that earlier?!” Kurita shouted.

Suo took a step back so he could see them all. “I didn’t want to ruin the illusion of the mystery,” he said, his smile returning. “I also tried, but couldn’t get all my words in.”

“Eheh, sorry about that,” Anzai winced, offering him a cup of water. “I was  excited that we finally got you laughing and went overboard.” 

Suo politely took the cup. “Thank you, Anzai-kun, and it’s alright, but I will think twice before I bring any more tea to school.” 

“Oh, no,” Takanashi frowned. “We like your teas, Suo.”

“Yeah! Don’t not bring them because we were being stupid!” Kurita pleaded, clasping his hands together. 

Kakiuchi nodded in agreement and Suo hummed in thought. 

“Hmm…Maybe if I could borrow your services in the future,” he said, inching a finger at them. “Then I might be able to look past what has transpired.” 

Takanashi, Kurita, Kakiuchi and Anzai looked at each other in surprise before smiling at each other in ranging amounts of relief and mischievousness as they nodded. 

“I’ll let you know when the time comes,” Suo nodded. “May I draw my card now?”

“Oh, yeah!” Anzai grinned, grabbing the bowl. “Here!”

Each of them took an envelope from inside and put them away for later. 

“Now that that has been sorted out,” Suo smiled, turning to his classmates who had lingered behind to spectate. “Lets not keep the preparations for tonight waiting any longer, shall we?” 

The hint of darkness in Suo’s gaze had everyone, Anzai and his friends included, moving swiftly for the door only to freeze. 

Thuds echoed from the other side, slowly becoming louder and louder. Those closest to the exit slowly backed away for the door to slam open and a bright orange jack-o-lantern mascot to burst into the room. 

“HELL YEAH!” Tsugeura’s voice yelled from inside as he grabbed two of their nearest classmates under his arms. “Come on you slow pokes, time to get SPOOKY!”

“Tsuge-san, it’s okay! It’s just Kiryu-san!” Nirei cried in the darkness. 

“Yea, see?” Kiryu said, showing Tsugeura his smartphone and holding out his hand. 

Tsugeura’s hand shakily reached for Kiryu’s in the dim light and he sighed in relief when it proved to be solid. “Oh! Sorry…”

“It’s okay,” Nirei said, popping into existence from the light of his own phone screen and reaching his hand out. Classmates who had their devices on them glowed into view while those who didn’t cursed under their breaths. Sakura being one among them. 

“There’s no ghosts, only us!” Takanashi grinned. 

“And the rest of us are here too,” Kakiuchi agreed from the darkness. “And though we can’t see each other we are still plenty punchable!”

“OW!” Takanashi cried, whirling to his right. “What the hell!?”

“Just checking Kakiuchi’s claim,” Kurita replied with an audible smile. 

“And Suo-chan will protect us with his exorcist powers,” Kiryu mused. “Right, Suo-chan?”

“Oh, yeah! Ah…where is he?” Tsugeura frowned. 

Kiryu disappeared and his light swept to Suo, who’s serene smile became strained as Tsugeura clapped a hand on his shoulder. 

“You’re the best, Suo! Not gonna leave your side for a second!” Tsugeura relaxed and Suo’s gaze bore into Kiryu’s ever so happy smile. 

That is until he inhaled sharply and whirled around in his seat. Sakura and Nirei looked to Suo, but he hadn’t moved from his seat across the room. 

“What?” Sakura asked. 

“I…I thought I felt something grab my leg…” Kiryu whispered. 

“Oh come on,” Takanashi snickered, rolling his eyes. “Trying to scare us? Really?”

“Yeah, that’s like, the oldest trick in the book!” Kurita added. 

Nirei’s rising fear calmed a little at his friends’ clap backs, only to increase when another of his classmates spoke. 

“Hey…uhh…real talk though. How long has the classroom door been open?”

There was a beat of silence and a flash of lightning momentarily lit the space. The door was indeed wide open. 

They stared in the darkness until the sound of strained breathing filled the room. Several lights swept towards the sound to Sugishita, who was looking around in frazzled alarm. He wouldn’t mess around like this. Nirei’s stomach dropped.  

Someone slammed their fist on a desk and the class jumped and turned to see Sakura flailing in the dark. 

“No! You-You ahahass!” He cried. Phone lights found a grimacing smile on his face as a set of hands raked their wiggling fingers down his stomach. “I’ll! Puhuhuhunch you intohoho nehehext wehehehek!”

Classmates looked to the floor to see a smirking Anzai, who’s smile only grew when Sakura dissolved into laughter. 

“Stahahahap! Ehehehe! Knohohock it hahaha! Knahahahack ihihit ohohohoff!”

Everyone shook their heads, sighing in relief and amusement at their antics.

“Anzai, you crazy bastard!” A classmate shouted.

“What? I’m just messing around!” Anzai grinned, Sakura hitting the desk with his fist as tickles wiggled and pressed into his stomach.  

 Nirei put a hand on his chest, his color starting to return as Sugishita shoved himself up from his desk and stormed over to the pair. Before Sakura could blink away tears of laughter, Anzai’s hands were gone from his middle, wrapped in one of Sugishita’s fists and pinned to the floor above his head.  

Anzai blinked up in surprise at the figure looming over him in the darkness only to squeal when fingers gently scratched against his lower ribs before jumping to his underarm, then his stomach, then his neck. Laughter burst from his lips, his legs kicking wildly as he was tickled sporadically all over. 

“WHAHA! Wahahahait! WaHAHAHIT!” Anzai cackled. 

Sugishita shook his head, eyes narrow. “Scaring the crap out of everyone,” he growled. 

“Ihihihi thohohought yoHOHOU WEHE! Wehehere mahahad behehecahahahase I TIHIHICKLEHEHED yohohohou!” Anzai cried, only to scream as Sugishita shoved his free hand between him and the floor and curled his fingers into his back. 

Peals of laughter and pleas for mercy filled the room as the class watched  Anzai get absolutely destroyed by Sugishita.