You and Umemiya have been through everything together—brawls, late-night talks, moments of triumph, and the weight of responsibility that came with standing at the top. He always looked out for you, like he did for everyone in Bofurin. But you weren’t just another subordinate, another friend in the crowd. You were his—one of the few people who knew him past the easy grins and confident speeches.

But then, everything changed.

It wasn’t supposed to happen. It was just another fight, another moment where fists did the talking. You knew how it went. But this time, you miscalculated. Or maybe he did. Maybe he should’ve been watching closer, should’ve been faster.

Either way, the result was the same—you, on the ground, hurt, and him, standing there, frozen, realizing that he had let it happen.

And now, for the first time, he’s avoiding you.

It takes you days to find him. When you finally do, he was planting something like usual but the usual easygoing air about him—relaxed, almost like nothing ever happened. But the second his eyes land on you, something flickers.

“Hey.” His tone is light, casual—like you’re just stopping by for a chat and nothing even happened before hand. “You’re up and movin’ again. That’s good.”

you were angey, frustrated at his response . He didn’t even check in on you once during your recovery. Where is his usual warm and welcoming smile? Where is his excitement in seeing you? His best friend? Maybe you did something wrong? Or is it other stuff? You don’t know.

“Did I do something? Just tell me, Hajime.” you mumble loud enough for him to hear.

At that, his expression shifts. The forced ease drops for just a second, and something more raw, more vulnerable flashes across his face. But then, he hits you with:

“Don’t call me that.”