"Time was short, so it might not look that good. Please don't mind, Mukuro."
Onshin twisted her index fingers nervously, cheeks flushed red as she looked at the two of them.
The cake had been prepared in advance at Toji's request. She had put in great effort to make sure it tasted good. But the name and drawing on top were things she only thought of after seeing Mukuro earlier.
That made her uneasy, worried it might have some flaws that would make them unhappy.
"Let's eat together."
Mukuro didn't reply to her words. He simply picked up the cake knife, cut it into three even pieces, and handed the other two their share.
"Don't worry. This brat isn't the type to be honest, but he's not stingy either," Toji said casually. He reached out for his portion and immediately began eating in big bites.
"I see… but, shouldn't we make a wish first?"
Onshin pulled out a few candles she hadn't had the chance to stick in. She froze a little when she saw the cake already sliced.
"Wishes and such, I'll make them come true with my own strength. Doing is much more reliable than dreaming."
If making wishes really worked, then strength itself would be a joke.
Mukuro said those mature words, yet his face was smeared with cream, making him look like a messy kitten.
"This brat is pretty arrogant, just ignore it."
Noticing Onshin staring wide-eyed, Toji reached over and rubbed Mukuro's head roughly, messing up his hair.
"So cute, Mukuro!"
The sharp contrast between his cold words and messy cream-covered face made Onshin almost lose control, wanting to hug and kiss him.
At this time, the shop happened to be empty of customers. The owner who had been working hard in the kitchen all day looked up and saw the scene. Veins stood out on his forehead, but in the end, he only sighed, lit a cigarette, and stepped outside.
He flipped the sign to "Closed," then crouched by the door, smoking quietly.
Inside, the two men who carried the Zenin name seemed to feel something like the warmth of a home here.
* * *
Ten days later.
"About school, Onshin already got everything ready for your enrollment. You don't need me to take you there, right? Adults are busy, you know."
Toji sprawled in his chair, his expression practically screaming, "Ask me to take you to school."
"Don't treat me like an ordinary kid. And you? Busy with what? You're just a freeloader living off Onshin."
With his bag on his back, Mukuro mocked him without mercy before pushing the door open and stepping outside.
"Freeloader, huh? Guess I'll take that as jealousy."
Toji didn't mind. He yawned, pulled out his wallet, looked at its empty insides, and gave up on the idea of gambling. Instead, he decided to sleep.
But when Mukuro walked out the door, he stopped.
A woman was waiting there.
"Honestly… I knew Toji-san wouldn't send you. But this is your first day of school!"
Though she complained, Onshin's face carried the same gentle expression as always. She reached her right hand out toward him.
"Don't spoil that useless man too much. He's just a parasite in society now." Mukuro hesitated for a moment, but still held her hand.
In the past days following Toji, he had seen her many times. She was gentle and considerate. He couldn't help wondering what qualifications that bastard had to make a girl like her fall for him.
Was it just because of his looks?
"You don't understand, Mukuro. Toji-san is a truly remarkable man."
When she mentioned him, Onshin's eyes seemed to sparkle like stars. Her tone carried a sweetness that made Mukuro silent.
* * *
Just like that, listening to her chatter about things he didn't know or care about, Mukuro arrived at the school gate.
The area was filled with kids between six and twelve years old. His eyes twitched as he looked at them.
The worst part was that the school had what he thought was an unlucky name: Teitan Elementary School.
"Mukuro, do you want me to walk you inside?"
Onshin bent down so their eyes were level. Normally, kids didn't like their guardians following them into school.
"No need. I can go in myself."
As expected, her offer was rejected.
Hands in his pockets, Mukuro walked in with a grim look on his face.
"He really isn't like normal kids… Don't forget to find the principal first. I'll ask Toji-san to pick you up after school!"
Muttering the first half to herself, Onshin waved goodbye.
He didn't look back, only lifted a hand slightly.
* * *
After asking for directions, Mukuro finally reached the principal's office and stood before him.
"You're Mukuro Zenin? That surname… seems to belong to a big family."
The man across from him was middle-aged.
He flipped through the file in his hands. The information on Mukuro was brief. Not even the names of his parents were recorded, only that he had an older brother much older than him.
"So what? Which class am I in? When can I go?"
Mukuro ignored his mumbling and kept his expression stern.
"Well… hold on a moment. I'll call your homeroom teacher. In the meantime, have a candy."
The principal held out a sweet from his desk. Mukuro took it, but rather than eating it, he slipped it into his pocket.
Seeing this, the man became even more certain. He must belong to that clan. In Kyoto, people with the Zenin surname were rare. On top of that, a child with such presence couldn't be ignored. He quickly called the homeroom teacher.
"This is the new student. Please take care of him."
A few minutes later, a young man arrived. After receiving instructions from the principal, he led Mukuro away.
"So… Mukuro, right? Since you're new, I'll introduce you to the class first. Don't be afraid, everyone will be your friend."
The teacher smiled and reached out, intending to pat the boy's head. But for some reason, his hand missed at the last second.
He brushed it off, thinking the kid was just shy.
They soon reached the classroom door. Asking Mukuro to wait, the teacher went in first.
"Everyone! from today, we have a new friend in Grade 1, Class 3! His name is Mukuro Zenin!"
Speaking in a cheerful tone as if coaxing children, the teacher clapped his hands. Right then, Mukuro walked in slowly and stood at the front.
"He's so handsome!"
His cool expression, sharp features, and stylish hairstyle made a number of girls in the room whisper excitedly.
"What, I thought it would be a cute girl…"
The boys, however, were disappointed.
"Where should Zenin sit…?"
The teacher scanned the room with a smile.
"Here, here!"
Several girls without desk partners raised their hands eagerly, inviting him.
Mukuro began walking. As he passed, girls pulled their chairs aside, waiting for him.
But, to their surprise, he walked past them all and headed toward a corner seat. There, a boy with short blond hair sat alone.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Mukuro Zenin. What's your name?"
Dropping his bag, he sat down directly.
The boy blinked, stunned, but still answered truthfully, "Me? Nice to meet you too. I'm Kento Nanami."
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