Chapter Text
Golden Week was around the corner, and Hinata had an idea.
Since Ensemble Square was preparing for big announcements regarding the Megasphere, the agencies had decided to give every idol a short vacation. 2wink's practice room was filled with music, until a phone began ringing. Once, twice, then again.
Yuuta let out an annoyed sigh, pausing the song as the sound kept cutting through the rhythm.
"I told you to put your phone on silent."
“Sorry, sorry~”
Hinata hurried over, grabbing his phone from his bag. Glancing at the screen, his expression shifted.
“It’s Father,” he said. “Since it’s Golden Week, he keeps asking if we’re going home.”
A quiet hum was all he got in response.
Sitting on the couch, Yuuta let his gaze drift toward the ceiling. Just hearing about that man was enough to sour his mood. He wished his brother felt the same, but he never quite cut ties completely.
It wasn’t like they needed him anymore. Even if the age of majority for certain restrictions remained twenty, they were eighteen now. Legally adults in many ways, they could handle most things on their own now.
So why was he still involved?
“So?” he asked, looking away. “Are you going?”
"Hmm..." Hinata tapped his chin with his phone. "I already agreed to go camping with Tetsu-kun and my roommates. That’s why…”
Before Yuuta could react, he pointed straight at him.
“You’re going home.”
"WHAT? I don-"
"Father’s going on a trip," Hinata cut in smoothly. "Someone needs to take care of Yuki and Tama.”
A frustrated breath escaped from Yuuta as he ran a hand through his hair. Since they couldn’t keep the cats at the dorms, their father had taken responsibility.
And now he was just… leaving?
“Not my problem, he should cancel his trip."
“C’mon~"
The teasing tone in his twin’s voice only made things worse.
"You don’t have anything planned, right?"
"I do!" he shot back, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "Shinobu and I agreed to stay at the dorms together. I can’t go. I won’t go."
Hinata watched him for a second before his expression shifted into something more mischievous.
“Are you sure?” he asked lightly.
Yuuta frowned. “What does that-”
“I was going to suggest,” Hinata cut smoothly, sitting next to him “that you invite Shinobu-kun to come with you.”
“…Eh?” Yuuta blushed.
"I mean," Hinata leaned in "If he already agreed to stay here, I guess he wouldn’t mind going."
He rested his head against his twin's shoulder with exaggerated ease.
"It’ll be sooo romantic~ living together for a week, like a married couple."
“Shut up!”
Yuuta shoved him away, flustered, turning his face aside.
“He doesn’t even like cats. And besides…” he hesitates “...being completely alone like that… is that really okay?”
Hinata tilted his head as if the question itself didn’t make sense.
“Why wouldn’t it be? He’s your boyfriend. You’ve been dating for, what? Almost a year now?”
“Yeah, but…” his fingers grabbed firmly against his sleeve. “Are you sure that person won’t be there?”
"Absolutely, he already booked a flight."
A brief shrug followed, casual but reassuring.
“I would go if I could, but everything’s already set with Tetsu-kun, so…”
The silence stretched just long enough to settle the decision.
“…Okay,” Yuuta exhaled. “I guess I’ll go.”
Even as he said it, uncertainty lingered in his expression.
“I don’t know if Shinobu will agree, though… but I'll ask him.” he reached for his phone.
From his side, Hinata watched as he typed something, paused, then erased it. His fingers hovered over the screen again before trying once more, only to stop halfway and sigh.
“…What should I say?”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard, Hinata blinked.
“Just… ask him if he wants to come with you?”
"Ugh, you’re not helping!"
Hinata laughed at the frustration in his voice.
Was Shinobu some kind of angel?
Yuuta had always kept things to himself, pushing people away before they could get too close and brushing off his thoughts like they didn’t matter. It had been painful to watch, and Hinata had learned to give him space, pretending not to notice.
But then, Shinobu appeared in their lives. And little by little, things started to change.
Yuuta laughed more and even talked about his feelings instead of immediately changing the subject. He was still stumbling over the words, though. Now he was asking for advice, biting his lip in concentration as he rewrote the same message for the fifth time.
A subtle sense of pride filled Hinata’s chest. Maybe he wasn’t such a useless big brother after all. His little brother was finally letting someone in. It felt… strange. Not bad, just different.
After all, it had always been only the two of them.
Wherever Yuuta went, Hinata followed. Wherever Hinata went, Yuuta was already there.
At least, that’s how it used to be.
But now, Yuuta had someone else. Someone he missed, someone he wanted to make happy. Someone who made him hesitate like this.
He was walking a path Hinata couldn’t follow. It was a little lonely… but that was how it was supposed to be.
Just in time, Tetora’s smile crossed his mind. Right. He wasn’t alone either.
Maybe what Yuuta felt for Shinobu wasn’t the same as what he felt for Tetora, but it was real.
And Hinata chose to trust that. He felt lighter, and a small smile followed.
“He agreed?!”
The sudden voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
“That’s great!” Hinata said, grabbing his own phone. “I’ll tell Father you’re going, then.”
“Wait!”
Yuuta grabbed his arm, panic flickering across his face.
“Don't worry, I won’t mention Shinobu-kun,” Hinata added, smiling.
The tension melted almost instantly.
“…Thanks.”
After a moment, they both stood, stretching lightly before resuming practice. As the music started again, Yuuta moved in perfect sync, but his thoughts were a mess.
On the other side of ES, someone was struggling with his own thoughts.
A certain ninja was looking at his phone with a worried expression. He had accepted the invitation without thinking twice. Of course he had, Yuuta was worried about his cats, and even if he didn’t like them, the idea of being apart simply because of his weakness felt worse. If anything, he could treat it as training, a chance to overcome his fears.
But now… the weight of that impulse was settling in.
Being alone with Yuuta, without worrying about being seen. Living together for a week.
Each thought came faster than the last, tangling together before he could properly face any of them. His grip on the phone tightened as he walked, barely paying attention to where he was going until he tripped over someone.
"Whoa! Are you okay, Shinobun?!"
The sudden action snapped Shinobu back to reality as someone caught his arm. Looking up, he saw the worried face of his senpai, Nazuna Nito.
"I-I appreciate the help, Nito-dono," he said, adjusting his posture. "This ninja apologizes for not paying attention to his path, de gozaru."
“It’s okay, don’t worry,” Nazuna said with a small laugh."Were you going out?"
"No, quite the opposite. This ninja was going back to his room after a hard day of training, de gozaru," he said, adjusting his bag.
"Oh! I see." Nazuna’s expression brightened, and he clasped his hands lightly. "Then, if you’re free, would you like to have some tea? It’s been a while since we ran into each other."
The offer caught Shinobu off guard. His first instinct was to refuse, but the words wouldn’t come out. His head was a mess, maybe some tea would help him reorganize his thoughts. Or at least quiet them.
“This ninja gladly accepts the invitation, de gozaru.”
The cafeteria was nearly empty when they arrived. They sat across from each other, making light conversation about ES and the Megasphere until their order arrived.
“What are you doing for Golden Week?” Nazuna asked, lifting his cup. "Are you going back home?"
Shinobu stayed silent. The question hit too close to the thoughts he had been trying to avoid. He didn’t want to lie, but was it okay to tell the truth?
“T-This ninja…” he began, voice dropping, “will be staying at Yuuta-kun’s home.”
A brief pause followed. He observed his senpai, searching for any hint of negative emotion.
“Oh~ that sounds nice!”
The immediate warmth in Nazuna’s response loosened something in his chest.
"Y-yeah. Since his father is going on a trip, we will be caring for his cats together, de gozaru."
His voice softened toward the end, fading slightly as he realized he’d said more than necessary.
“I see,” Nazuna smiled "I'm also going back home. There are so many things happening right now, I really need a break."
Shinobu nodded.
For a moment, things felt lighter, but...
"So… what’s bothering you, Shinobun?"
He blinked.
"Nito-dono?! Have you perfected the art of reading minds, de gozaru?"
Nazuna smiled. "Nii-chan always knows~" he said with a wink. “I'll be happy to listen if you want to talk.” He felt confident, he was used to helping Ra*bits with their worries.
Shinobu looked down. His senpai was right, something was on his mind. But, how could he explain when he barely understood himself?
The silence stretched, he needed to say something.
“At Yuuta’s home… there will be cats,” he said slowly. “This ninja is… not particularly skilled with such creatures.”
He paused.
“It would be improper to become a burden de gozaru.”
Nazuna hummed, analyzing his words.
“Yuuta-kun doesn’t know you don’t like cats?”
“He does”
His gaze dropped to his cup.
“He sent this ninja many messages… asking if it is truly alright.” his expression eased. “Yuuta cares too much, de gozaru.”
“He’s probably worried about you feeling uncomfortable.”
“But there is no need!” Shinobu tightened his grip slightly. “This ninja has already explained, yet Yuuta…”
“Even involves other people for my sake” he sighs “This ninja does not understand why… he also makes me act without thinking de gozaru.”
Nazuna’s expression softened with a hint of amusement.
“Well… being in love does that.”
Shinobu froze. He hadn't said anything about his relationship, had he? Ah, the honorifics. He had failed, a ninja should never confess something so important without intent.
"N-Nito-dono, please forgive this ninja's carelessness, I didn't intend to reveal qualified information de gozaru…"
"You didn’t," Nazuna said with a small shrug. "I just connected the dots. As I said, Nii-chan always knows~”
Shinobu sank into his seat, caught between embarrassment and resignation.
“But that’s not the only thing worrying you, right?”
Nazuna's kind smile made him sigh. He couldn't hide it, his senpai was too clever.
“…Nito-dono… may this ninja... ask for more of your time de gozaru?”
“Of course~”
"Lately… when something involves Yuuta, this ninja finds it harder to…"
Focus? Breathe? Think straight? None of it sounded right.
“…S-Sorry, I'm… struggling with things that shouldn’t… be this difficult, de gozaru.”
“Did something happen?” Nazuna asked gently.
Shinobu hesitated for a moment, trying to find the correct words.
“I...used to scold Yuuta for acting recklessly… yet now, I find myself doing the same without thinking. Jumping to conclusions, assuming the worst.”
His voice lowered.
“…I'm...overwhelmed by too many thoughts.”
"Hmm… I think I get what you mean," Nazuna said. “Feeling things you didn’t expect, thinking about things you don’t fully understand.”
He rested his cheek on his hand.
“That’s part of growing up. Things change, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.”
He glanced at his cup before continuing.
“A relationship is built between two people. There are things you won’t understand unless you talk about them.”
“But… what if-”
“Shinobun,” Nazuna cut in, “Does he love you?”
“Of course he does!” The answer came instantly.
“And do you love him?”
“…With all my heart de gozaru.”
“Then try to trust that.”
Shinobu thought, for a brief moment, of Yuuta’s hesitant expression, the way he sometimes paused before speaking, as if choosing what not to say. And how he felt whenever he did it. Nazuna was right, avoiding it would only make things worse.
And a ninja should not fear a challenge.
“…This ninja will do his best,” he said, though the tightness in his chest hadn’t fully eased.
“Thank you for your guidance de gozaru.”
“I’m glad I could help,” Nazuna smiled. “And thank you for trusting me.”
They finished their tea not long after. The conversation drifted back to lighter topics, but his thoughts no longer followed.
By the time Shinobu reached his room, the noise in his head had dulled into something steadier. Not gone… but manageable.
He packed while chatting with his roommates. It seemed everyone was going out. He opened his suitcase and stared at it for a moment. Too many… or not enough? His hands moved without direction until his phone buzzed.
“Let’s meet at 6 a.m. in the hallway. We can have breakfast at my place.”
A small smile appeared. At least he wasn’t asking again if he’d changed his mind.
“Understood. 6 a.m. it is. Have a good night, de gozaru.”
He set the phone aside and reached for his bag again.
Should he bring training equipment? A sigh escaped him. It was only a week, and they were meant to spend it together.
Slowly, he checked what else he could take, then he paused and opened an inner pocket. Taking a delicate turquoise ribbon, attached to it was a small silver ring.
His phone buzzed again.
“Good night, I love you <3”
His gaze flickered between the message and the ring. The same one Yuuta wore around his neck.
A promise made without much thought, and yet so significant.
Even if things changed… he would face it directly.
His grip tightened before he placed the ribbon back inside the suitcase carefully. Then he reached for his phone and replied.
“I love you too.”
For a few seconds, he remained still until his roommates talked him back. He closed the suitcase, feeling anxious but excited.
Across the dorms, Yuuta lay on his bed, staring at his phone.
He read the message again and again.
“…It’ll be fine,” he whispered, though the words felt more like a wish than a certainty.
He let the phone fall against his chest. Absentmindedly, his fingers brushed against the ring on his necklace.
Seven days suddenly felt like too much time.