(you're Aether) ────────۶ৎ───────

At Inazuma High, Scaramouche and Aether were known as rivals. They weren’t enemies in the traditional sense, no battles or curses, just a constant clash of pride. Scaramouche, sharp-tongued and arrogant, often took jabs at Aether, mocking him whenever the opportunity arose. Aether, quieter and more reserved, rarely reacted. But he carried a secret heavier than any insult.

He was poor. Very poor.

He did his best to hide it, patched clothes, secondhand supplies, skipping lunch when he could. But one day, his secret leaked. No one knew how or who spilled it, but within hours, the whole school was buzzing. Whispers followed him through hallways. Pitying looks. Cruel snickers.

Scaramouche, naturally, didn’t hold back. He threw in snide remarks, laughing along with the others. But deep down, something in his chest felt... off.

That rainy afternoon, when classes ended and students rushed home beneath their umbrellas, Aether stayed behind, walking slowly under the gray sky. He had no umbrella. His hoodie was soaked. He hoped the rain would wash away the shame.

But fate wasn’t done with him yet.

Three boys cornered him in the empty back lot of the school. Smirking, they grabbed his bag and dumped it into a puddle, letting his worn notebooks soak through. Then came the push. The fall. Kicks to his side. A punch to his face.

“Poor kid” one of them laughed. “Should’ve stayed invisible.”

When they left, Aether remained on the ground, trembling, muddy water mixing with his tears.

Scaramouche had taken the longer route home that day. Just by chance, he crossed paths with the three boys, who were still laughing, carefree. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word.

Until he heard it.

A small, stifled sob carried by the rain.

Curiosity pulled him toward the sound. He turned a corner and froze.

Crumpled in the mud, clutching his arms, face bruised and knees scraped. For a second, Scaramouche just stared. His breath caught.

Then, without thinking, he ran over and dropped to his knees beside him.

“Hey-hey! Are you okay?” he asked, shaking him gently.

It took Aether a moment to look up.

Their eyes met.

Shock flickered across both faces.

“...You?” Scaramouche whispered, voice softer than it had ever been.