#saneoba

Iguro's feelings were very confused at first. He thought he felt attracted to Mitsuri, but he soon realized it wasn't anything like that; he felt more of a strange connection with someone else...

'Shinazugawa-san?! Seriously! Oh my god!'

Yeah, it wasn't a good idea to tell Kanroji about it, but honestly, Iguro needed advice to finally understand exactly how he felt.

He didn't understand; his friendship with Shinazugawa had practically begun when they shared the desire to "hate" Tomioka, but it soon escalated more and more, to the point of becoming best friends.

'Okay, I understand it's complicated, but tell me, really, how do you feel? Let's put it this way, how different does it feel talking to him compared to talking to... Mmm... Oh, Rengoku!'

'Well... I like Rengoku, but... Talking to Shinazugawa is different. I stop to listen to him with extreme attention, I can't take my eyes off him, I don't even feel capable of interrupting him...'

'Well, it seems clear. You're attracted to him, but hey, there's nothing wrong with that, okay? Believe me, it's completely normal! Go ahead, ask him a few things and you'll see how you discover the truth!'

He wasn't entirely convinced by the idea... But Iguro was willing; he'd think of something to find out if the feeling was mutual... The feeling of fear was enormous, but after all, it would be worth it, wouldn't it?

If he was rejected, he could finally put those thoughts to rest, but if he was accepted, it might have been the best decision he ever made...

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'KYAAAAAA! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO! IT MAKES ME SO MUCH JOY THAT YOU TWO ARE SOMETHING!'

'Yes, thank you for that, I suppose. I wouldn't have had the courage to do it if you hadn't encouraged me, thank you, really...'

'Don't thank me! You're my friend and you know you can trust me! If you need more advice, just let me know and I'll gladly help!'

Of all people, he never expected a woman to become someone he could completely trust, but that hit him again...

Sanemi knew him, even crediting him with the honor of showing him his true self when he removed his bandages to share his first kiss, but... Could he be happy? Would those hands that held him and chained him to his past ever stop?

'Iguroooo! Heeeeey! Earth to Iguro?!'

'Ah, sorry, I got a little distracted, do you need anything?'

'HMPH!'

Mitsuri didn't like being ignored; fortunately, she knew a way to make him regret it, more or less...

'Here comes the tickle monster...~'

'Kanroji... No... Don't start with that...!'

'I'm gonna...-!~'

'Am I interrupting something?'

Was that unexpected or lucky? Whatever the answer, Iguro soon felt someone hug him around the torso, Sanemi...

Mitsuri stifled her shouts of joy; seeing her classmates like this, so in love, moved her deeply, and she longed to experience such an act of love someday.

'Don't worry, Shinazugawa-san, he and I were just playing. But it's alright, I'll leave you two alone, you must have something important to talk about, bye bye!'

They both watched her leave, running happily, while her braids moved, almost resembling a heart, but perhaps it was just a coincidence.

'Are you coming to my estate? We can train and chat if you like.'

'Okay, I don't see why not. What time should I go?'

'Now, let's go. Let's stop and buy some food along the way.'

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It was strange; Sanemi seemed somewhat displeased, but why? He ruled out that it was because of Tomioka, since he never misses an opportunity to tell him what he's done.

He immediately ruled out that it was due to a mission; he knew his schedule and he wasn't on patrol that night. After a while of thought, he finally spoke.

'You're too tense, what's wrong?'

'Huh? Me? What could possibly happen to me? But anyway, what were you and Kanroji talking about when I found you?'

'...Is it just me, or are you jealous?'

Sanemi burst out laughing. He insisted he would never be jealous, that he had no reason to be, but obviously, he was terrible at lying.

Of course he was jealous, but not of the closeness between those two, but because he doesn't like to share certain "privileges" with anyone else

'I didn't know Kanroji knew you were ticklish, how did she know?'

'Oh, damn it, I already told you I'm not ticklish, okay? And even if I were, I'd never tell you.'

'And what if you told Kanroji? Because it seems like you might.'

Iguro sighed resignedly; there was no way around it, Sanemi was stubborn and didn't understand.

'Oh, so that's a yes? Does she have more right to know you than I do?'

'Oh my gosh please, don't be jealous. You're my partner, right? So why the need for jealousy? And even if she knew and did it, it's not a bad thing.'

'I don't think you understand, Iguro. You know very well that I hate sharing, don't you?'

He thought about it, but finally shrugged and nodded. It was then that someone grabbed his calf and pulled him, somewhat roughly, if we can say that.

Perfect, just what he needed, now Sanemi was jealous over something stupid. But when he thought about it, Iguro chuckled inwardly; the mere fact that Sanemi was angered by something so childish was adorable to him.

'So I guess I will share something, I have to prove I'm the best, so you won't look for the same thing in someone else, right?'

'What the hell are you talking about? Hey... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO?! I'LL BEAT YOU UP IF YOU TRY IT!!!'

Sanemi knew about the threats Obanai made; it was always the same, even when they were friends. His threats were empty; he wouldn't be able to hurt him, he knew him.

Well, maybe he'd pull his hair, or not talk to him, or insult him every time he tried to talk to him, but nothing out of the ordinary.

'What's wrong? You didn't seem upset or anything with Kanroji, are you scared of me? I won't hurt you, I don't bite, you know?'

'SAME! GET OFF ME OR-! GRK...!!!'

'Really? Go on, keep threatening me... Oh right, you can't, because if you open your mouth, you're going to laugh, aren't you?'

Oh, how he hated that. He hated it when Sanemi was right, but he hated his older brother instinct even more. Well, not even instinct, more like skill, those that older brothers had to know exactly where to attack and achieve the best reactions

Even if Sanemi vehemently denied his younger brother's existence, the signs were obvious. He was experienced, he knew what to do, what to say, he figured out how to unnerve people, damn it.

'(fucking stupid Sanemi...! I won't give him the satisfaction... I just have to endure it...! This is nothing...!)'

'Oh come on, are you going to deny me those little giggles of yours? I suppose then I should do more? But which of all the spots you have...? Perhaps behind your lower back, scribbling so you don't discover what I'm doing? Or perhaps slowly descend to your feet, tracing your arc, playing with your toes because someone told me you liked it? Or-?'

'(ASH, HOW I HATE YOU!)'

It's not necessary, as Obanai's face turned bright red at the mere thought of what he could do to him. Oh, how he hated Sanemi's wordplay! He loathed it more than anything! There was absolutely no way he could like it; it gave him butterflies in his stomach, and that only made him more nervous.

But he was capable of that and even more. That son of a bitch, he let his guard down and revealed it, and Kaburamaru didn't help him at all by keeping his little secret.

'I think then I have to-'

'D-DOHOHON'T C-COME NE-NEHEHEHAHAR MEEEEEE, YOU I-I-IDIHIHIOHOHOHOHOT!!!'

'Aww, don't be like that, because you don't want me to get close, mmm? Is it because you know I can make you laugh uncontrollably? Because I know all your weaknesses and know exactly how to exploit them? Why do I, as your boyfriend, have more privileges than others to tickle you until you're so happy that your cheeks hurt, your stomach burns, and you cry tears of joy?'

Obanai covered his face. Stupid Sanemi, stupid taunts, stupid weakness, absolutely everything was stupid. How he hated that, how he hated that feeling, how he hated that tingling sensation!

'AGH?! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING NOW!?'

'I think I've played games with you enough. You must have prepared yourself mentally by now. You know what that means then? It means I can go straight for the kill.'

'(oh fuck...-)'

He, in fact, didn't have time for any of that at all. I mean, he thought he was already doing something, so all the effort he put in before was for nothing?! Damn it, damn Sanemi, damn sensitivity to tickles

'Aww, what's wrong? You seem nervous, don't you want this? If you'd like, cover your face and you won't have to see me tickling you, although you'll still feel it...'

That was the last thing he heard Sanemi say before Sanemi grabbed him, sat him on his lap, and began scratching both his back and his stomach.

Without time to think, he was relentless and straight to the point; did you expect anything less from him?

'W-WAHAHAHAIHIHIHIT!!! Y-YOU IHIHIDIHOHOHOT!!!'

'Your threats are in vain, you know why? Because I know you're ticklish, maybe too much for your own good, you can't help but laugh when I attack your most vulnerable spots, don't you? All you can do is laugh, throw a tantrum, insult me, but it all ends, and I know that when you can't take it anymore you'll regret insulting me and you'll start begging for my forgiveness... '

'Y-YOHOHOU BAHAHASTAHAHAHARD!!!'

He was right in a way; soon Sanemi left his belly and began scratching only his back, tracing scribbles, names, anything at random, without a fixed pattern, without movements or repetitions, simply doing what's necessary to make him hysterical.

To make matters worse, Iguro hated the baby voice Sanemi could use. He did it in a tone that drastically increased the ticklish sensation he felt! He hated it with a passion, he wanted to cover his mouth but...

'Oooooh, I almost forgot this little detail, you're ticklish in your hands too, aren't you?'

'STOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOP Y-YOHOHOU...!!!'

'Oh, I wasn't trying to threaten you. I know perfectly well that you love me and that you adore this. Besides, if you do, it will only make things worse. Do you want that?'

All this because of jealousy, BECAUSE OF JEALOUSY! Oh man, if Sanemi was like this with something as simple and trivial as tickling, what would he be like with other things...?

'Aww, how adorable, is there anyone who can't resist tickles? That's it~'

'NOHOHOHOHOHO!!! S-STOHOHOHOOOOOP!!! I-I-I GIHIHIHIVEHEHEHEHE UHUHUHUHUHUP!!!!'

'Mmm, I forgive you, but on the condition that if anyone else tries this, you will pay the consequences, is that clear?'

Well, Sanemi definitely knew how to mark his territory, but, Obanai wasn't much for physical contact with other people, so he agreed.

'I'm glad you understood the lesson. Come here, give me a hug, darling.'

'Bihihihitch...'