#like... really long

Summary:

The nightly transformations were certainly taking some getting used to, but Sonic persevered with his ever-present determination and relentless optimism as he focused on stitching their broken world back together. Of course, it wouldn't be quite so easy without the support from his friends. His world couldn't be entirely broken as long as he had them by his side. Likewise, Tails is adjusting to using more of his tech in the field, still trying his best to keep up with Sonic, and keep him safe as the dark energy Eggman unlocked threatens all they hold dear. --- A Sonic Unleashed retelling with my own spin on the story. Each chapter is a different location in Sonic Unleashed. Focused mostly on the bond between Sonic and Tails, and also Chip. He gets to be here, too, as a treat.

Chapter 7 - Arid Sands (Shamar)

They hadn't gotten more than two steps—or two flutters, in Chip's case—through the doorway of Professor Pickle's office before Amy Rose ushered them right back over the threshold. Even with her arms laden with a stack of books, she didn't miss a beat as she got both Sonic and Tails to pivot and fall into step with her.

"It's about time, you two! We're losing valuable daylight!"

"You don't gotta tell me twice," Sonic replied, tapping his wrist comm pointedly. "But what's got you in a rush?"

Amy peered around her stack of books, cheeks puffed up. "Didn't you get my messages?"

Tails was quick to hold up both hands defensively. "Don't look at me this time! I was flying the Tornado. It was Sonic's job to check the messages."

"Yeah, and I delegated that to Chip." Sonic waved it off with a flick of his wrist.

"I got the messages!" Chip chirped, raising his hand eagerly. "You said that you and the professor found the next temple in Shamar!"

"Woah! Wait, seriously?" Sonic perked up, instantly flipping from flippant with a quick grin.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Tails asked.

"Well, you guys were in the middle of arguing about the right way to pronounce 'Holoska' again and then I forgot." Chip pointed at the Miles Electric. "But I did tell Amy we'd help pack up!"

"'Pack up?'" Tails canted his head to one side.

"Pack up what?" Sonic's head tilted in the same curious way.

Amy shoved her stack of books into Sonic's arms, nearly knocking him off his feet. "All of our research, of course! Professor Pickle has a car waiting for us at the school's entrance. You can take these there." 

As Sonic wobbled, Chip flew into his shoulder to help steady him, pushing against the bulk of his weight before he could fall over. "Wait, whaddya mean 'all of our research?'" Sonic asked, trying to peek around the books, but Amy was already skipping back into the office. "Hey! Amy!"

"That was the other part of the message," Chip piped up. "The professor and Amy are coming with us this time!"

let me start by stating the obvious - this chapter was delicious in so many ways. sensei cooked and ate and killed me. anyways -

from the first page i was already hooked. the way hirano sees kagi is so lovely - everything is so bright when he's around! the subtle blush Hirano has is so cute. hirano wondering why they've been running into each other so much lately then chalking it up to the fact that they are dating was fun, as readers know the schemes behind a few interactions...

and then the first bomb - hirano thinks of kagi as cute! the first time this is shown explicitly and it was so natural for him, so his pause when he realizes this is too funny. like come on bro you're barely getting this now?? i also liked the striped background, it comes up again later too. the fact that he thinks such a thought isn't something he would think... oh buddy i love you. so much.

a round of applause for the "you're not you when you're hungry" from sasaki!! 😂 i love him and their friendship. that being said, its interesting to see how hirano's become a lot more conscious of physical touch and how it relates to affection. he outright says that he doesn't need to think deeply about it when he and sasaki brush hands as he is interacting with a friend and nothing more.

and then he dives right back to his concerns of touching - he wonders if his desire to touch kagi is anything special, and that he feels the need to compensate in some way as he feels reciprocated feelings isn't enough. which makes me want to chew glass because HELLO y'all got it bad. so so bad for each other. y'all just gotta communicate 😭 but more on that later. moving on -

the fact that hirano agrees to wait for kagi for a whole ass hour after less than a few seconds of consideration and with a cute ass grin made me smile so hard. no hesitation!! and when kagi shows up his expression is priceless. and his hair! i love how his hair gets a mind of its own when hes thinking.

then how he notices the brief touch between Kagi and niibashi... the sudden bought of possessiveness??? 😯🥺 i was not prepared. hirano has a blank face in his pov as well, but at the same time the expression speaks volumes. his thought process here is similar to what kagi was thinking in chapter 27 - the way they both know the intent behind the touch of others is not the same as what they are experimenting with, yet it doesn't shake the jealousy.

when they are enjoying the mitarashi dango and hirano thinks "i love him" ❤️ again, so natural and easy for him. and again, the striped background- hes had a realization and is basically saying whoa there bud! to himself. funny cute stellar you go boy. i really like how he recognizes what kagi did was an act of love. they sometimes (maybe more than that but whatever) miss each other's intentions and/or thoughts so it was lovely to see that. i think it also makes something connect for hirano. he even says that it goes to show there are more ways to show love when you're overflowing with emotion. like come on!! 🥺😫 and then he wants to do something for kagi to reciprocate. as we know, hirano is always seriously trying - so im very excited to see how he chooses to express his love in future chapters. given the birthday gifts he gave and how he likes to spoil kagi, it might be tooth rotting sweetness... 🙏

when hirano wipes the food off of kagi's face... kagi's startled cuteness hits him like a shotgun and it literally made me squeal. hes SO flustered by this and hides this pretty well from kagi's pov, so it was delightful to see that hirano was definitely Not Chill after this moment. and again, the striped background!! so in chapter 24 nibashii wonders if hirano is falling in love in stages like kagi and that king fucking called it 👏👏👏 hirano is speed running through the stages it seems LOL and tbh i kinda hope the pace doesn't slow down just yet.

in the restroom hirano notices kagi's "weird" face and immediately tries to soothe him - what a lover boy. he's not sure if touching will make kagi happy but he wants to try - AND he admits he's antsy for the remaining seconds as well. i really like his blush here too. kagi doesn't notice it, and in turn hirano doesn't see kagi's blush in the previous chapter, when he asks hirano if he'd like to go into a stall (which was a Very Nice expression btw).

in the stall... oh girlie. I really liked this part!!! hirano thinks about how touching like they do doesn't necessarily make him as happy as it makes kagi again, and i wonder how long it will take for him to not worry about this as much as he does now. like kagi said in 33a, they can work through whatever hirano is worried about together ❤️ and then i share hirano's thoughts - just how will kagi change? i sure as hell can't wait to see! what feelings is he harboring?? please just talk to each other 😫😭 and then kagi's extra flustered face - LOVELY. he's too cute 😍 hirano wonders if he imagined it and i just. it feels as if hirano liked that and he's great at teasing kagi so... more super flustered kagi incoming hopefully? makes me think of the extra where hirano meets up with kagi, when he makes kagi stop just to stare and then smirk saying that he just wanted to see kagi as a pick me up. and then hirano wondering if they find other places were their feelings overlap would he be able to see more expressions... lover boy!!! UGH 🥹 then kagi's hug from behind. hirano has a brief moment of discomfort before being able to relax and realize he doesn't feel that discomfort anymore... wanting to see kagi's face... the lingering touch... the relief hirano has... his cute ass thinking about trying to give kagi a hug, initiating it for the second time... kill me 😩😩😩 and it gets even BETTER because hirano asks kagi if he's special basically. is it only me that gets 10 seconds ... and then he thinks of himself acting like a spoiled child for this. little does he know he made kagi explode with happiness.

so like can the 10 seconds die now that they're lovers? PLEASE? 😩 hirano thinking of leaving another hug for the next day drove me a little crazy ngl. thats your man now just do as you please. Please 🙏

niibashi finally snaps and does what we all wanted to do ourselves - KING SHIT. he's a good friend and he deserves a shout out for all the support he's given kagi, and to an extent hirano, like we see here. i like the fact that he used the word "lovers" as opposed to boyfriend. maybe its off base, but to me hirano seems the type to use the word "partner" when speaking on his relationship. because he's so not good with those sort of talks and seems rather private. anyway, hirano's faceeeeeee please help me. i love him so much 🥰 the first panel on that page reminds me of his blush in chapter 17, when he finds himself finally being needy by wanting to share a room with kagi the next year. then hirano and kagi bicker... they're so fucking funny i swear. hirano cracks me up here because you can see how he realizes he didn’t explicitly tell kagi he loves him, but there was no way he was going to admit that now. kagi being just a stubborn and insisting that hirano wasn't clear at all immediately was too funny. i adore these dorks

Sorry? What’s This Life Ruiner’s Name Again…?

Bonus: Because, well I just had to add this, okay…