t-t-troublemaker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
phonographs) wrote2021-05-03 06:37 pm
phonographs) wrote2021-05-03 06:37 pm
Entry tags:
untitled tadaai wip fic pt 2
One of Tadashi’s most cherished memories would have to be Ainosuke’s eleventh birthday. He was struggling with puberty, but was still… well… cute? He still had an innocence to him that hadn’t quite been tainted from how cruel the world could truly be, and boy he knew it could be cruel. Tadashi didn’t really know what happened between the young master and his aunt’s behind closed doors, but he knew it was never good. Ainosuke was always quiet, and kind of detached after their… usual meetings. It always made his stomach churn with uneasiness any time he thought about it too long. Which is why he wanted to make sure that he got Ainosuke something nice, something he actually wanted for his upcoming birthday.
Of course Tadashi knew this was no small feat. Ainosuke was the only child to such a prominent family. The kid had anything and everything he could ever want. Well, almost everything. Which was what made Tadashi uncharacteristically giddy as Ainosuke’s birthday got closer. Tadashi knew there was one thing Ainosuke would never ask his father or aunties for, and while he never tried to make assumptions, he was banking on being right with this particular one. He had been saving his allowance up for months, so he knew he wouldn’t have an issue with not being able to afford it. It was mostly just making sure that the, ah, present was still available whenever it came time to purchasing it??
Ainosuke never expected to get anything from Tadashi, but Tadashi still wanted to him a gift. Something he knew the other would appreciate. Because that’s what friends do was something he would remind himself constantly in an attempt to psyche himself up and not chicken out of buying the present. But once the day finally rolled around he had found himself coming up with every excuse in the book to not go out and buy it.
What if he doesn’t like it?
What if it ends up being sold out?
What if I can’t afford it?
What if I forget my wallet?
What if I lose my wallet?
What if he refuses to accept it because of his standing?
What if he hates it?
No… that’s silly. It’s not like he actually had any doubts of Ainosuke not liking his gift, or… hating it for that matter. It was just… He was more so nervous about trying to nonchalantly catch up with him and ask for a few moments of his time. The older Ainosuke got the more busier his schedule seemed to get as well. He didn’t want to burden the other by asking him to meet up at their secret spot after celebrating the festivities with his family. (Which is just plain silly now, thinking back on it, but alas what can you do?) You just don’t approach someone of Ainosuke’s stature and ask if he could spare him a few minutes. But anyways, the more time Tadashi spent dawdling on this meant that he was actually losing his window of opportunity to speak to Ainosuke without the prying eyes of his family.
Shucking up his courage, Tadashi approached the other and greeted him with a formal bow. This was mostly out of habit, but also just in case they did have an unwanted audience. “Good morning Ainosuke-sama”
Ainosuke always scrunched his eyebrows together upon hearing the suffix. It was kind of adorable, even though it probably meant that he was growing to hate hearing it. “Good morning” he replied back with a small smile and a nod. He looked like he was going to open his mouth to say something else, but before he can get it out Tadashi cuts him off accidentally.
“Do you—“
“Would it be— ah!”
Tadashi feels heat flush across his cheeks as he realizes he had cut the other off and bows even lower in an attempt to make up for it. “I’m sorry you, go first, please.”
“No, it’s—“ Ainosuke says with a small huff. “It’s fine Tadashi, there’s no one—“ he trails off uncharacteristically, frustratedly, which makes Tadashi feel even worse for some reason for stalling as much as he is.
“I was, uhm… Would you??” Tadashi flounders as he looks at Ainosuke for help. Not that the other really knew what he was wanting to say or ask, as evident to the confusion that colored his face. Goodness Tadashi, get your shit together you can do this!! “T- That is to say… I was wondering if you would mind meeting up with me at our spot?? L- Later tonight that is, not… we’re about to go to school, so not now. But after you’re done celebrating with your family?”
Ainosuke remains silent as he regards the other for a moment before smiling. “I would love that, what time were you thinking?”
Tadashi feels the relief melt through his core at hearing the acceptance that he almost doesn’t hear the question. “Whenever is good for me.”
Ainosuke gives a soft hum as he mulls it over. “Once dusk falls, I should be free to meet up with you at our secret spot.”
Tadashi finds himself nodding. “Okay” he pauses as a smile over takes his features. “I’ll try to not take as much of your time then.”
That seemed to only sour Ainosuke’s expression even more. But only for a bit. “Tadashi—“ he begins only to be cut off once again.
“Ainosuke” a tight shrilled and high pitched voice calls from the top of the stairs. “If you dawdle any longer you’ll be late to school.”
The two boys whip around in surprise Ainosuke looking up in confusion and surprise, while Tadashi gapes in shock. It only takes him a couple of minutes to register who it was. He dips into a very low bow.
“I’m sorry Auntie, Tadashi was only wishing me a happy birthday.” Ainosuke answered, dipping into a bow as well. “We’ll be heading off now.”
Tadashi, embarrassed, nods in agreement as he keeps his eyes glued to the ground. This was probably the last thing Ainosuke needed a scolding by one of his aunts on his birthday no less. The rest of his day goes on by as quickly as it can though. Much to Tadashi’s relief. He hadn’t forgotten his wallet, nor did he lose it on the way to the store. And thankfully luck seemed to be on his side for once, since the gift Tadashi had wanted to get Ainosuke was still in fact, in stock. A warm feeling fluttered throughout his core as he exited the building with the package. He even had enough to get it gift wrapped. Which was something the clerk was not used to hearing, but he handled it quite nicely at that!
Now all he had to do was wait for their fated meeting.
❤ ❤ ❤
“Aiichiro, you must do something about that… that boy” said Shouko, the aunt that had caught her beloved nephew dawdling around with the servant boy.
“He looks pretty meek, Ainosuke needs to be around stronger boys” she went on as she waved a dismissive hand the servant who was pouring them tea.
“Surely you know what would happen if he were around such a weak child like that all the time” Saki piped up chiming after her sister.
“If he’s around such weak boys he’ll present as a weakling as well. You know we can’t have that.” Saki went on as she looked at her sisters. Shouko and Rie (Aiichiro’s last and final sister) nodded in unison.
“We’ve had nothing but alphas born in the Shindou line, you we can’t afford to have our line being… tainted by an omega. Especially since Mikomi has been dead for five years—“ Shouko started to say.
“—Enough, Shouko.” Aiichiro said, his voice crackling with static over the phone. “Did you need to call me over this? Was it necessary of you to speak of my wife’s passing on the anniversary of it? I will look into this later, please don’t call me to talk about this again.” He said with a definitive tone.
The dial tone resounded dreadfully in their room.
Shouko pursed her lips in anger. “The absolute nerve!” she started. “We only have Ainosuke’s best interest at heart, he will get absolutely no where if he were to present as an omega. We would be the laughing stock at all of the galas! No one will ever take him seriously!”
“Shouko—“ Saki began as she got to her feet to console her (very) angry sister.
“I don’t think it was wrong.” Rie began as she stirred the tea around in her teacup. “Poorly timed, yes. But we do need to keep an eye on it. If it gets out of hand we’ll have to bring it up again. But we’ll also have to have proof. We all know how Aiichiro is, he prefers to have the cold facts and proof before we sling accusations at him.”
❤ ❤ ❤
Tadashi rocked on the balls of his feet as he waited patiently for Ainosuke to escape his family. He knew how much of a heavy day this could be, so he wanted to make sure he made it as pleasant as he physically could. He even managed to bake them a very small cake. He had his mother’s help using the oven since he wasn’t quite old enough to use it unsupervised, but for the most part it was all made by him! It was a very plain cake, vanilla, but it had a strawberry rose buttercream frosting. He was also able to get his hands on some party popping streamers and two party hats.
He stopped rocking the moment he heard rustling in the rose bush. He knew their secret place wasn’t all that much of a secret, but no one really paid it any mind so he figured it would be okay.
“Tadashi—?”
Relief washes over Tadashi instantly the moment he recognizes that the voice (and rustling) belongs to his friend Ainosuke. Unsteady hands reach into his pants pocket as he pulls out one of the party poppers he managed to… borrow. He tugs on the little string of the popper the moment he sees Ainosuke appear through the rose bush. “H- Happy birthday Ainosuke!!”
The combined popper and greeting causes Ainosuke to startle. He not only manages to get a mouthful of party streamers, but he also manages to lose balance and topples over on to Tadashi pretty easily. He’s not too sure how that happened, but we’re just going to blame uneven pavement and call it a night. They fall down together, a heap of limbs splaying every which way.
Ainosuke looks up at an equally bewildered Tadashi before he becomes overcome with laughter. He coughs out some of the streamers in between laughing. This only seems to stir something in Tadashi, and he’s quick to roll around and come to Ainosuke’s side. He puts a comforting hand on the other’s back as he tries to soothe his friend down. “I am so sorry Ainosuke-sama.” He says as he pats the other’s back.
“You actually—“ Ainosuke cuts off as he chuckle coughs into his fist. “You really scared me there, Tadashi.” He giggles out as he rubs at his eyes in an attempt to wipe away at the wet tracks of tears the laughter fit had caused. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting, my aunties kept me longer than I was anticipating…”
Tadashi shook his head as he waved his free hand. “You did no such thing, Ainosuke-sama.”
“Ainosuke.” Ainosuke says sternly.
Tadashi blinks in confusion at the off the cuff comment. “I—? Beg your pardon, Ainosuke-sama?”
“When it’s just the two of us, please just call me Ainosuke.” He says as he puffs his cheeks out. “We’re friends, so it’s silly to make you call me that when it’s just the two of us. It’s… it’s my birthday, and I’ve been told you’re supposed to do anything the birthday boy wants.” He says. More so like he’s telling himself than Tadashi.
Tadashi looks at Ainosuke in awe; a smile spreads across his face as he nods. “Alright… Ainosuke.” It felt weird to say, but it also felt… indescribably right at the same time? It was weird, and Tadashi understood that he might be too young to try and figure out the complexities as to why it makes him feel a certain way, so he’ll just settle at smiling fondly at Ainosuke.
“Oh! Right I have… uhm” he trails off uncertainly as he gets to his feet, he offers a hand to Ainosuke who accepts it greatly. “I have a present for you… I’m sure it’s— well… I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I figured it would uhm… be better??” he trails off uncertainly.
Ainosuke looks at Tadashi in confusion as he tries to make sense of the other’s rambling. Tadashi always seemed to ramble the more he was nervous about something. Or at least that’s what Ainosuke picked up on from spending time with the other. He shakes his head and offers a small smile “Why don’t I make that decision?”
“If… you’re sure?” Tadashi says as he pulls out a box that looks like it was wrapped by one of the younger kids at Ainosuke’s school. The moment Tadashi hands it over to the other, he begins to wring his hands anxiously. The thoughts that had plagued him earlier wash over him in waves as he watches Ainosuke make short work of unwrapping the present.
With the wrapping discarded and the box open Ainosuke stares at the present in wonder. His eyes widen as he stares at the slim black board that lay in the box before him. He touches it gently, as if expecting to explode or something if he jostles it too much.
“I- I figured it would… be better for you to have your own board? That… That way we can skate together instead of having to take turns on my board?” Tadashi explains quietly as he watches the other trying to gauge his reaction. “I… I hope this isn’t too dumb of a gift?”
Ainosuke, too enraptured with the present, almost doesn’t hear Tadashi’s explanation. It’s only when he hears the other say that his gift was dumb is when he’s shaken out of his stupor. “No!” He says as he lifts the skateboard up and brings it to his chest. “No I love it, it’s not stupid Tadashi.” Ainosuke says. And he means it. Seriously. He’s gotten practical gifts from his father and aunties, but none of them were ever as personal as this.
“When can we skate together?” Ainosuke asks, voice full of hope and wonder. Sweet and warm enough to bring yet another smile to Tadashi’s face.
“Whenever you want, Ainosuke.”
❤ ❤ ❤
Tadashi knew it was necessary to inform his employer of his newly presented second gender. He just… wasn’t expecting Aiichiro’s sisters to want to be present for the (brief) meeting he had with Aiichiro. It was a good thing his parents bought him all those scent blockers or he would have given himself away.
The room that was chosen for their meeting was absolutely stifling. He always knew alphas had a certain air to them, this was something that was taught at an early age. Even if most people don’t come into their secondary genders until they’re almost done with high school. Or in his case, are lucky enough to present early.
Of course he knew Aiichiro was an alpha, but he never realized that a majority of his sisters were as well. And with all of them in a very cramped room didn’t seem to really help. Tadashi fidgeted more than usual as he waited for Aiichiro to arrive. And for some reason he couldn’t help but feel like Aiichiro’s sisters hated him. He made it a point to not interact with them much, if at all. But anytime he did, he always made sure he was polite to them, so he’s not really sure why he feels their hostility rolling off in waves.
Unless this was some twisted tactic to “put him in his place” as an omega. Either way though, it was working. He kept his gaze trained to the ground as he clasped his hands together in an attempt to not fidget as much.
“I’m sorry I had a meeting that ran a little late” Aiichiro said as he stepped into the room. His scent was irritable and it was also rolling off in waves. “You needed to talk to me?”
“I- It’s okay Ainosuke-sama” Tadashi found himself saying. He felt the urge to bounce his foot to help take the edge off, but tried to squish that down. “Yes sir, I do if that’s okay.” he paused. He knew Aiichiro had a busy schedule so it would do him best to not keep him. “I was just wanting to let you know that I presented as an omega last week.”
Tadashi felt incredibly uncomfortable lying to his employer like that. But it was better than the alternative happening; whatever that really entailed. Besides his parents were right, he hadn’t really seen an alpha servant on the grounds, it was only omegas and betas that made up the Shindou staff. Neither he nor his parents were able to go without work, so if it meant keeping a facade… well then so be it.
He just… wasn’t expecting the news to be met icy cold glares and putrid smell. He looks at Aiichiro in confusion, who only seems to let out a curt sigh. Had he said the wrong thing???
“I see.”
Tadashi’s not sure which is worse, the smell of their absolute disgust or the fact that they’re all whispering at Aiichiro at once about… something he can’t quite make out over their shrill voices. At least this is making it easy to keep up the guise of him being an omega. A distant part of him thinks to himself as he keeps his eyes trained to the ground.
“How horrible—“
“This is exactly what I told you would happen, Aiichiro. You never listen—”
“He hasn’t presented yet, we should hopefully have time to correct this displeasure—”
“SILENCE.”
Aiichiro had also seemed to have had enough of his sister’s nagging. He was rubbing a hand on the bridge of his nose. Two of his sisters flinched at the tone. One looked like she wanted to reprimand him on his tone, but decided against it. Shouko on the other hand…. was not having it.
“Excuse me?” She bellowed out. “Just who do you think you’re talking to!?”
Tadashi felt himself sink further into the seat he was sitting in. Oh how he wishes he could melt through the chair and disappear from this sibling squabble. If he had to guess Shouko was most definitely an alpha, there’s no way she couldn’t be.
“I said enough, Shouko.” Aiichiro bellowed as he slammed his fist on his desk in frustration. Tadashi was too young to realize it at the time, but Aiichiro was definitely asserting his dominance over Shouko. Something he had no idea alphas could do to other alphas. If he weren’t so scared, or concerned with wetting himself he would be more fascinated by that. She seemed to give eventually and let out a very angry huff.
“I’ve heard from my sisters that you have been hanging around Ainosuke frequently.” Aiichiro said as he teared his gaze from his sister to Tadashi. “He hasn’t presented yet, but we, as a family, have a history of presenting early. It is in Ainosuke’s best interest if you stop hanging out with him.”
Tadashi slowly pieces the bits together. They don’t want the next Shindou successor to be an omega. He fists his hands together in anger, but quickly staves off of it and hopes that it comes off as him being too overwhelmed by everything. They would blame him if AInosuke presented as an omega. It was unorthodox, but apparently still evident that some families held on to that belief. He had heard from his teachers at school that people back in the day tried to separate those who had already presented just in case it would taint those who hadn’t presented. If you spend your time around an omega, you too would become an omega.
Tadashi swallows thickly. “I see.”
“And do you have anything to say regarding this matter?” Aiichiro asks, regarding Tadashi.
No he didn’t see, and yes he does have something to say about this, plenty actually. But he had to lie (again) and say that he did for the sake of his friendship with Ainosuke. …Would he even be considered Ainosuke’s friend by the end of this? Ainosuke was still too young to understand the heavy implications of all of this. Sure he wasn’t ignorant of secondary genders, mostly every child grows up knowing about it. But he wouldn’t understand why Tadashi had to stop hanging out with him.
Tadashi finds himself raising his head slightly as a million and one thoughts rush into his head. “I…” he begins, distracted by thoughts of Ainosuke’s disappointed and sad face. “I have no opinions on this, sir.” Tadashi says, voice resigned as he makes his way out of the office.
For the second time in his life he feels awful. He knew he needed to lie in order to protect his job working at the Shindou manor. But he didn’t know that this… this lie would cost him his friendship with Ainosuke. He staggers over to the nearest thing he can sit on and all but collapses onto it. He finds himself curling in on himself as he thinks of what his life would be like not being friends with Ainosuke. He practically feels his heart breaking at the thought alone. He wouldn’t be able to explain it to Ainosuke either, he’s still so young that he wouldn’t understand and then he would think that it was all his fault, and Tadashi would be so devastated. He couldn’t bare to think about doing that to Ainosuke. Ainosuke who had meant the whole world to him.
“—shi? Tadashi!”
Tadashi blinks startling out of his thoughts; he belatedly realizes that he’s being shaken. When he finally snaps out of his intrusive thoughts his gaze flicks up and over to— “Ainosuke?”
He hadn’t really expected that meeting with Aiichiro to take everything out of him, but here he is sitting on one of the benches in the hallway in a daze. His gaze flicks to— “Ainosuke?”
“I’m sorry” he offers apologetically as he pats his shoulders.
Tadashi blinks once more as he realizes Ainosuke had been shaking, probably in an attempt to snap him out of his daze.
“Are… are you okay, Tadashi?” Ainosuke opens his mouth, it looks like he has a question on the tip of his tongue, but he closes his mouth a few seconds later.
“I’m…” Tadashi begins. Oh, right. He has to keep his distance from Ainosuke now, doesn’t he? He looks around briefly before standing. He’s not too sure who could be around, after all. “You don’t need to concern yourself with me, Ainosuke-sama.” He feels himself flinch. That definitely came off more cold than he had been intending. “But I’m okay…” he adds quietly. Unable to take the hurt and confusion that flickers across Ainosuke’s face.
“But you—“
Tadashi bows at Ainosuke before he forces himself to walk away his fri— the other. “Have a good night Ainosuke-sama.”
He’s thankful he doesn’t have to see the hurt wash over Ainosuke’s face. He can practically feel it rolling off of him in waves though, so it’s not like he leaves unscathed completely.
❤ ❤ ❤
If Tadashi had to pinpoint when Ainosuke-sama started to change, it would definitely be around that point. He had badgered him relentlessly to skate with him for a year and two months before he finally gave up. Tadashi could always read the questions that seemed to roll off the teen in waves every time he got sent away.
Was it me?
Did I do something?
What can I do to fix this?
Please talk to me, Tadashi!
It always hurt every part of him any time he had to turn Ainosuke away. But it— he needed to do this. Not that it would make a world of a difference since he was pretending to parade around as an omega, but if Ainosuke’s family caught him still hanging around the other he would lose his job. And he couldn’t afford to do that. Not when he finally became Aiichiro’s secretary. He’s not quite sure how he managed to get his hands on this job, but he’s thankful nonetheless.
His eyes wandered over to the window as he found himself doing the menial task of tidying up Aiichiro’s desk. He never knew that from this office he had perfect view of the rose garden and the pool out back. He finds himself letting out a soft sigh as memories flood back to him of skating with Ainosuke.
Gods how he missed skating.
He had told Ainosuke countless of times over the past year that the reason why he didn’t want to skate anymore was to focus on his task of being Aiichiro’s secretary. That, and he also never really had the time anymore, which wasn’t really a lie. Aiichiro kept him pretty busy. The man always called him for any little thing that he was pretty much at his beck and call. And… as much as he would love to hop on his skateboard and skate the stress away, he refused every time. He didn’t want to get Ainosuke in trouble with his family.
Though… it looked like Ainosuke was doing a pretty decent job of that all on his own. He’s not sure when the teen started sneaking out, but he knew Ainosuke was. He stumbled across the other on his way home from the manor one night. It was late, but he wanted to make sure Aiichiro was ready for his early meeting tomorrow with one of the leads from the business committee. He was almost home when he had heard something shuffling in the rose garden.
It was easy for him to hide thanks to his pretty weak presence (that he can also probably attribute to his scent blockers) but he could make out a figure that suspiciously had Ainosuke’s blue hair and high school uniform darting out of the rose bush. He had passed by Tadashi’s hiding spot without any inclination that he knew someone was there. But even if he did, he highly doubted Ainosuke would have done or said anything to him about it. Regardless, it still didn’t stop his heart from hammering away in his ribcage. Tadashi idly put a hand over his heart as he watched Ainosuke’s retreating back slink up to the manor silently.
He ducks his head out of the way, just in case Ainosuke decided to do a quick check behind him, before finally moving away from his hiding spot. It didn’t look like anything was out of place though, he was just about to leave before something glittered under the moonlight. Crouching down, Tadashi parted the bushes a little and noticed that the board he had bought Ainosuke for his eleventh birthday was stowed away in the bushes safely.
Tadashi didn’t know what to think. A part of him felt warm at the thought that Ainosuke still used the board he had bought for his birthday to still skate on. Absentmindedly, he reaches a hand out to touch the rough, yet familiar feel of the grip tape on the old deck. From what he can tell, without disturbing it too much, there was some wear and tear here and there but overall it looked like it was being taken care of. The upkeep, although shoddy in some areas, looked pretty remarkable.
Tadashi withdraws his hand, he’s intruded long enough. And with that he dusts himself off and takes his leave.
Of course Tadashi knew this was no small feat. Ainosuke was the only child to such a prominent family. The kid had anything and everything he could ever want. Well, almost everything. Which was what made Tadashi uncharacteristically giddy as Ainosuke’s birthday got closer. Tadashi knew there was one thing Ainosuke would never ask his father or aunties for, and while he never tried to make assumptions, he was banking on being right with this particular one. He had been saving his allowance up for months, so he knew he wouldn’t have an issue with not being able to afford it. It was mostly just making sure that the, ah, present was still available whenever it came time to purchasing it??
Ainosuke never expected to get anything from Tadashi, but Tadashi still wanted to him a gift. Something he knew the other would appreciate. Because that’s what friends do was something he would remind himself constantly in an attempt to psyche himself up and not chicken out of buying the present. But once the day finally rolled around he had found himself coming up with every excuse in the book to not go out and buy it.
What if he doesn’t like it?
What if it ends up being sold out?
What if I can’t afford it?
What if I forget my wallet?
What if I lose my wallet?
What if he refuses to accept it because of his standing?
What if he hates it?
No… that’s silly. It’s not like he actually had any doubts of Ainosuke not liking his gift, or… hating it for that matter. It was just… He was more so nervous about trying to nonchalantly catch up with him and ask for a few moments of his time. The older Ainosuke got the more busier his schedule seemed to get as well. He didn’t want to burden the other by asking him to meet up at their secret spot after celebrating the festivities with his family. (Which is just plain silly now, thinking back on it, but alas what can you do?) You just don’t approach someone of Ainosuke’s stature and ask if he could spare him a few minutes. But anyways, the more time Tadashi spent dawdling on this meant that he was actually losing his window of opportunity to speak to Ainosuke without the prying eyes of his family.
Shucking up his courage, Tadashi approached the other and greeted him with a formal bow. This was mostly out of habit, but also just in case they did have an unwanted audience. “Good morning Ainosuke-sama”
Ainosuke always scrunched his eyebrows together upon hearing the suffix. It was kind of adorable, even though it probably meant that he was growing to hate hearing it. “Good morning” he replied back with a small smile and a nod. He looked like he was going to open his mouth to say something else, but before he can get it out Tadashi cuts him off accidentally.
“Do you—“
“Would it be— ah!”
Tadashi feels heat flush across his cheeks as he realizes he had cut the other off and bows even lower in an attempt to make up for it. “I’m sorry you, go first, please.”
“No, it’s—“ Ainosuke says with a small huff. “It’s fine Tadashi, there’s no one—“ he trails off uncharacteristically, frustratedly, which makes Tadashi feel even worse for some reason for stalling as much as he is.
“I was, uhm… Would you??” Tadashi flounders as he looks at Ainosuke for help. Not that the other really knew what he was wanting to say or ask, as evident to the confusion that colored his face. Goodness Tadashi, get your shit together you can do this!! “T- That is to say… I was wondering if you would mind meeting up with me at our spot?? L- Later tonight that is, not… we’re about to go to school, so not now. But after you’re done celebrating with your family?”
Ainosuke remains silent as he regards the other for a moment before smiling. “I would love that, what time were you thinking?”
Tadashi feels the relief melt through his core at hearing the acceptance that he almost doesn’t hear the question. “Whenever is good for me.”
Ainosuke gives a soft hum as he mulls it over. “Once dusk falls, I should be free to meet up with you at our secret spot.”
Tadashi finds himself nodding. “Okay” he pauses as a smile over takes his features. “I’ll try to not take as much of your time then.”
That seemed to only sour Ainosuke’s expression even more. But only for a bit. “Tadashi—“ he begins only to be cut off once again.
“Ainosuke” a tight shrilled and high pitched voice calls from the top of the stairs. “If you dawdle any longer you’ll be late to school.”
The two boys whip around in surprise Ainosuke looking up in confusion and surprise, while Tadashi gapes in shock. It only takes him a couple of minutes to register who it was. He dips into a very low bow.
“I’m sorry Auntie, Tadashi was only wishing me a happy birthday.” Ainosuke answered, dipping into a bow as well. “We’ll be heading off now.”
Tadashi, embarrassed, nods in agreement as he keeps his eyes glued to the ground. This was probably the last thing Ainosuke needed a scolding by one of his aunts on his birthday no less. The rest of his day goes on by as quickly as it can though. Much to Tadashi’s relief. He hadn’t forgotten his wallet, nor did he lose it on the way to the store. And thankfully luck seemed to be on his side for once, since the gift Tadashi had wanted to get Ainosuke was still in fact, in stock. A warm feeling fluttered throughout his core as he exited the building with the package. He even had enough to get it gift wrapped. Which was something the clerk was not used to hearing, but he handled it quite nicely at that!
Now all he had to do was wait for their fated meeting.
“Aiichiro, you must do something about that… that boy” said Shouko, the aunt that had caught her beloved nephew dawdling around with the servant boy.
“He looks pretty meek, Ainosuke needs to be around stronger boys” she went on as she waved a dismissive hand the servant who was pouring them tea.
“Surely you know what would happen if he were around such a weak child like that all the time” Saki piped up chiming after her sister.
“If he’s around such weak boys he’ll present as a weakling as well. You know we can’t have that.” Saki went on as she looked at her sisters. Shouko and Rie (Aiichiro’s last and final sister) nodded in unison.
“We’ve had nothing but alphas born in the Shindou line, you we can’t afford to have our line being… tainted by an omega. Especially since Mikomi has been dead for five years—“ Shouko started to say.
“—Enough, Shouko.” Aiichiro said, his voice crackling with static over the phone. “Did you need to call me over this? Was it necessary of you to speak of my wife’s passing on the anniversary of it? I will look into this later, please don’t call me to talk about this again.” He said with a definitive tone.
The dial tone resounded dreadfully in their room.
Shouko pursed her lips in anger. “The absolute nerve!” she started. “We only have Ainosuke’s best interest at heart, he will get absolutely no where if he were to present as an omega. We would be the laughing stock at all of the galas! No one will ever take him seriously!”
“Shouko—“ Saki began as she got to her feet to console her (very) angry sister.
“I don’t think it was wrong.” Rie began as she stirred the tea around in her teacup. “Poorly timed, yes. But we do need to keep an eye on it. If it gets out of hand we’ll have to bring it up again. But we’ll also have to have proof. We all know how Aiichiro is, he prefers to have the cold facts and proof before we sling accusations at him.”
Tadashi rocked on the balls of his feet as he waited patiently for Ainosuke to escape his family. He knew how much of a heavy day this could be, so he wanted to make sure he made it as pleasant as he physically could. He even managed to bake them a very small cake. He had his mother’s help using the oven since he wasn’t quite old enough to use it unsupervised, but for the most part it was all made by him! It was a very plain cake, vanilla, but it had a strawberry rose buttercream frosting. He was also able to get his hands on some party popping streamers and two party hats.
He stopped rocking the moment he heard rustling in the rose bush. He knew their secret place wasn’t all that much of a secret, but no one really paid it any mind so he figured it would be okay.
“Tadashi—?”
Relief washes over Tadashi instantly the moment he recognizes that the voice (and rustling) belongs to his friend Ainosuke. Unsteady hands reach into his pants pocket as he pulls out one of the party poppers he managed to… borrow. He tugs on the little string of the popper the moment he sees Ainosuke appear through the rose bush. “H- Happy birthday Ainosuke!!”
The combined popper and greeting causes Ainosuke to startle. He not only manages to get a mouthful of party streamers, but he also manages to lose balance and topples over on to Tadashi pretty easily. He’s not too sure how that happened, but we’re just going to blame uneven pavement and call it a night. They fall down together, a heap of limbs splaying every which way.
Ainosuke looks up at an equally bewildered Tadashi before he becomes overcome with laughter. He coughs out some of the streamers in between laughing. This only seems to stir something in Tadashi, and he’s quick to roll around and come to Ainosuke’s side. He puts a comforting hand on the other’s back as he tries to soothe his friend down. “I am so sorry Ainosuke-sama.” He says as he pats the other’s back.
“You actually—“ Ainosuke cuts off as he chuckle coughs into his fist. “You really scared me there, Tadashi.” He giggles out as he rubs at his eyes in an attempt to wipe away at the wet tracks of tears the laughter fit had caused. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting, my aunties kept me longer than I was anticipating…”
Tadashi shook his head as he waved his free hand. “You did no such thing, Ainosuke-sama.”
“Ainosuke.” Ainosuke says sternly.
Tadashi blinks in confusion at the off the cuff comment. “I—? Beg your pardon, Ainosuke-sama?”
“When it’s just the two of us, please just call me Ainosuke.” He says as he puffs his cheeks out. “We’re friends, so it’s silly to make you call me that when it’s just the two of us. It’s… it’s my birthday, and I’ve been told you’re supposed to do anything the birthday boy wants.” He says. More so like he’s telling himself than Tadashi.
Tadashi looks at Ainosuke in awe; a smile spreads across his face as he nods. “Alright… Ainosuke.” It felt weird to say, but it also felt… indescribably right at the same time? It was weird, and Tadashi understood that he might be too young to try and figure out the complexities as to why it makes him feel a certain way, so he’ll just settle at smiling fondly at Ainosuke.
“Oh! Right I have… uhm” he trails off uncertainly as he gets to his feet, he offers a hand to Ainosuke who accepts it greatly. “I have a present for you… I’m sure it’s— well… I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I figured it would uhm… be better??” he trails off uncertainly.
Ainosuke looks at Tadashi in confusion as he tries to make sense of the other’s rambling. Tadashi always seemed to ramble the more he was nervous about something. Or at least that’s what Ainosuke picked up on from spending time with the other. He shakes his head and offers a small smile “Why don’t I make that decision?”
“If… you’re sure?” Tadashi says as he pulls out a box that looks like it was wrapped by one of the younger kids at Ainosuke’s school. The moment Tadashi hands it over to the other, he begins to wring his hands anxiously. The thoughts that had plagued him earlier wash over him in waves as he watches Ainosuke make short work of unwrapping the present.
With the wrapping discarded and the box open Ainosuke stares at the present in wonder. His eyes widen as he stares at the slim black board that lay in the box before him. He touches it gently, as if expecting to explode or something if he jostles it too much.
“I- I figured it would… be better for you to have your own board? That… That way we can skate together instead of having to take turns on my board?” Tadashi explains quietly as he watches the other trying to gauge his reaction. “I… I hope this isn’t too dumb of a gift?”
Ainosuke, too enraptured with the present, almost doesn’t hear Tadashi’s explanation. It’s only when he hears the other say that his gift was dumb is when he’s shaken out of his stupor. “No!” He says as he lifts the skateboard up and brings it to his chest. “No I love it, it’s not stupid Tadashi.” Ainosuke says. And he means it. Seriously. He’s gotten practical gifts from his father and aunties, but none of them were ever as personal as this.
“When can we skate together?” Ainosuke asks, voice full of hope and wonder. Sweet and warm enough to bring yet another smile to Tadashi’s face.
“Whenever you want, Ainosuke.”
Tadashi knew it was necessary to inform his employer of his newly presented second gender. He just… wasn’t expecting Aiichiro’s sisters to want to be present for the (brief) meeting he had with Aiichiro. It was a good thing his parents bought him all those scent blockers or he would have given himself away.
The room that was chosen for their meeting was absolutely stifling. He always knew alphas had a certain air to them, this was something that was taught at an early age. Even if most people don’t come into their secondary genders until they’re almost done with high school. Or in his case, are lucky enough to present early.
Of course he knew Aiichiro was an alpha, but he never realized that a majority of his sisters were as well. And with all of them in a very cramped room didn’t seem to really help. Tadashi fidgeted more than usual as he waited for Aiichiro to arrive. And for some reason he couldn’t help but feel like Aiichiro’s sisters hated him. He made it a point to not interact with them much, if at all. But anytime he did, he always made sure he was polite to them, so he’s not really sure why he feels their hostility rolling off in waves.
Unless this was some twisted tactic to “put him in his place” as an omega. Either way though, it was working. He kept his gaze trained to the ground as he clasped his hands together in an attempt to not fidget as much.
“I’m sorry I had a meeting that ran a little late” Aiichiro said as he stepped into the room. His scent was irritable and it was also rolling off in waves. “You needed to talk to me?”
“I- It’s okay Ainosuke-sama” Tadashi found himself saying. He felt the urge to bounce his foot to help take the edge off, but tried to squish that down. “Yes sir, I do if that’s okay.” he paused. He knew Aiichiro had a busy schedule so it would do him best to not keep him. “I was just wanting to let you know that I presented as an omega last week.”
Tadashi felt incredibly uncomfortable lying to his employer like that. But it was better than the alternative happening; whatever that really entailed. Besides his parents were right, he hadn’t really seen an alpha servant on the grounds, it was only omegas and betas that made up the Shindou staff. Neither he nor his parents were able to go without work, so if it meant keeping a facade… well then so be it.
He just… wasn’t expecting the news to be met icy cold glares and putrid smell. He looks at Aiichiro in confusion, who only seems to let out a curt sigh. Had he said the wrong thing???
“I see.”
Tadashi’s not sure which is worse, the smell of their absolute disgust or the fact that they’re all whispering at Aiichiro at once about… something he can’t quite make out over their shrill voices. At least this is making it easy to keep up the guise of him being an omega. A distant part of him thinks to himself as he keeps his eyes trained to the ground.
“How horrible—“
“This is exactly what I told you would happen, Aiichiro. You never listen—”
“He hasn’t presented yet, we should hopefully have time to correct this displeasure—”
“SILENCE.”
Aiichiro had also seemed to have had enough of his sister’s nagging. He was rubbing a hand on the bridge of his nose. Two of his sisters flinched at the tone. One looked like she wanted to reprimand him on his tone, but decided against it. Shouko on the other hand…. was not having it.
“Excuse me?” She bellowed out. “Just who do you think you’re talking to!?”
Tadashi felt himself sink further into the seat he was sitting in. Oh how he wishes he could melt through the chair and disappear from this sibling squabble. If he had to guess Shouko was most definitely an alpha, there’s no way she couldn’t be.
“I said enough, Shouko.” Aiichiro bellowed as he slammed his fist on his desk in frustration. Tadashi was too young to realize it at the time, but Aiichiro was definitely asserting his dominance over Shouko. Something he had no idea alphas could do to other alphas. If he weren’t so scared, or concerned with wetting himself he would be more fascinated by that. She seemed to give eventually and let out a very angry huff.
“I’ve heard from my sisters that you have been hanging around Ainosuke frequently.” Aiichiro said as he teared his gaze from his sister to Tadashi. “He hasn’t presented yet, but we, as a family, have a history of presenting early. It is in Ainosuke’s best interest if you stop hanging out with him.”
Tadashi slowly pieces the bits together. They don’t want the next Shindou successor to be an omega. He fists his hands together in anger, but quickly staves off of it and hopes that it comes off as him being too overwhelmed by everything. They would blame him if AInosuke presented as an omega. It was unorthodox, but apparently still evident that some families held on to that belief. He had heard from his teachers at school that people back in the day tried to separate those who had already presented just in case it would taint those who hadn’t presented. If you spend your time around an omega, you too would become an omega.
Tadashi swallows thickly. “I see.”
“And do you have anything to say regarding this matter?” Aiichiro asks, regarding Tadashi.
No he didn’t see, and yes he does have something to say about this, plenty actually. But he had to lie (again) and say that he did for the sake of his friendship with Ainosuke. …Would he even be considered Ainosuke’s friend by the end of this? Ainosuke was still too young to understand the heavy implications of all of this. Sure he wasn’t ignorant of secondary genders, mostly every child grows up knowing about it. But he wouldn’t understand why Tadashi had to stop hanging out with him.
Tadashi finds himself raising his head slightly as a million and one thoughts rush into his head. “I…” he begins, distracted by thoughts of Ainosuke’s disappointed and sad face. “I have no opinions on this, sir.” Tadashi says, voice resigned as he makes his way out of the office.
For the second time in his life he feels awful. He knew he needed to lie in order to protect his job working at the Shindou manor. But he didn’t know that this… this lie would cost him his friendship with Ainosuke. He staggers over to the nearest thing he can sit on and all but collapses onto it. He finds himself curling in on himself as he thinks of what his life would be like not being friends with Ainosuke. He practically feels his heart breaking at the thought alone. He wouldn’t be able to explain it to Ainosuke either, he’s still so young that he wouldn’t understand and then he would think that it was all his fault, and Tadashi would be so devastated. He couldn’t bare to think about doing that to Ainosuke. Ainosuke who had meant the whole world to him.
“—shi? Tadashi!”
Tadashi blinks startling out of his thoughts; he belatedly realizes that he’s being shaken. When he finally snaps out of his intrusive thoughts his gaze flicks up and over to— “Ainosuke?”
He hadn’t really expected that meeting with Aiichiro to take everything out of him, but here he is sitting on one of the benches in the hallway in a daze. His gaze flicks to— “Ainosuke?”
“I’m sorry” he offers apologetically as he pats his shoulders.
Tadashi blinks once more as he realizes Ainosuke had been shaking, probably in an attempt to snap him out of his daze.
“Are… are you okay, Tadashi?” Ainosuke opens his mouth, it looks like he has a question on the tip of his tongue, but he closes his mouth a few seconds later.
“I’m…” Tadashi begins. Oh, right. He has to keep his distance from Ainosuke now, doesn’t he? He looks around briefly before standing. He’s not too sure who could be around, after all. “You don’t need to concern yourself with me, Ainosuke-sama.” He feels himself flinch. That definitely came off more cold than he had been intending. “But I’m okay…” he adds quietly. Unable to take the hurt and confusion that flickers across Ainosuke’s face.
“But you—“
Tadashi bows at Ainosuke before he forces himself to walk away his fri— the other. “Have a good night Ainosuke-sama.”
He’s thankful he doesn’t have to see the hurt wash over Ainosuke’s face. He can practically feel it rolling off of him in waves though, so it’s not like he leaves unscathed completely.
If Tadashi had to pinpoint when Ainosuke-sama started to change, it would definitely be around that point. He had badgered him relentlessly to skate with him for a year and two months before he finally gave up. Tadashi could always read the questions that seemed to roll off the teen in waves every time he got sent away.
Was it me?
Did I do something?
What can I do to fix this?
Please talk to me, Tadashi!
It always hurt every part of him any time he had to turn Ainosuke away. But it— he needed to do this. Not that it would make a world of a difference since he was pretending to parade around as an omega, but if Ainosuke’s family caught him still hanging around the other he would lose his job. And he couldn’t afford to do that. Not when he finally became Aiichiro’s secretary. He’s not quite sure how he managed to get his hands on this job, but he’s thankful nonetheless.
His eyes wandered over to the window as he found himself doing the menial task of tidying up Aiichiro’s desk. He never knew that from this office he had perfect view of the rose garden and the pool out back. He finds himself letting out a soft sigh as memories flood back to him of skating with Ainosuke.
Gods how he missed skating.
He had told Ainosuke countless of times over the past year that the reason why he didn’t want to skate anymore was to focus on his task of being Aiichiro’s secretary. That, and he also never really had the time anymore, which wasn’t really a lie. Aiichiro kept him pretty busy. The man always called him for any little thing that he was pretty much at his beck and call. And… as much as he would love to hop on his skateboard and skate the stress away, he refused every time. He didn’t want to get Ainosuke in trouble with his family.
Though… it looked like Ainosuke was doing a pretty decent job of that all on his own. He’s not sure when the teen started sneaking out, but he knew Ainosuke was. He stumbled across the other on his way home from the manor one night. It was late, but he wanted to make sure Aiichiro was ready for his early meeting tomorrow with one of the leads from the business committee. He was almost home when he had heard something shuffling in the rose garden.
It was easy for him to hide thanks to his pretty weak presence (that he can also probably attribute to his scent blockers) but he could make out a figure that suspiciously had Ainosuke’s blue hair and high school uniform darting out of the rose bush. He had passed by Tadashi’s hiding spot without any inclination that he knew someone was there. But even if he did, he highly doubted Ainosuke would have done or said anything to him about it. Regardless, it still didn’t stop his heart from hammering away in his ribcage. Tadashi idly put a hand over his heart as he watched Ainosuke’s retreating back slink up to the manor silently.
He ducks his head out of the way, just in case Ainosuke decided to do a quick check behind him, before finally moving away from his hiding spot. It didn’t look like anything was out of place though, he was just about to leave before something glittered under the moonlight. Crouching down, Tadashi parted the bushes a little and noticed that the board he had bought Ainosuke for his eleventh birthday was stowed away in the bushes safely.
Tadashi didn’t know what to think. A part of him felt warm at the thought that Ainosuke still used the board he had bought for his birthday to still skate on. Absentmindedly, he reaches a hand out to touch the rough, yet familiar feel of the grip tape on the old deck. From what he can tell, without disturbing it too much, there was some wear and tear here and there but overall it looked like it was being taken care of. The upkeep, although shoddy in some areas, looked pretty remarkable.
Tadashi withdraws his hand, he’s intruded long enough. And with that he dusts himself off and takes his leave.