Chapter Text
It started off like a normal day, really. Hayato had dropped off his idiot brother at the daycare like normal, sat through classes like normal, practiced baseball till sundown like normal, and went to pick up the idiot before going home cuz the old hag was still grading papers. Like normal.
What wasn't normal was seeing a dark-haired, soft-eyed, and startled boy in the daycare room instead of the usual pink-haired sleepyhead looking back at him.
That maybe made him stare a little too hard at the intruder. And maybe made him say "Who're you?" a little too harshly.
That or either Hayato's stare or his pheromones must have been intimidating because the boy started fidgeting and stuttering under his gaze as he spoke.
"I-I'm working as the new helper here starting today, Kashima Ryuuichi. Third year middle school."
It could've also been Hayato's naturally mean-looking face. Not that that's a reason to leave a bad impression.
"Kamitani Hayato, same grade. You must be the transfer student I heard about. Nice to meet you."
Before Hayato could think about what he was doing, he was already lifting one of his wrists and silently offering it to the other boy at the same time Kashima offered his own.
"Ah, th-the pleasure's all mine." The boy said, surprised at first before his face slipped into a small, soft smile.
The taller boy gently brought the offered wrist closer to his face and tentatively sniffed at the scent gland.
Scenting was a normal greeting when meeting people you'd be around with fairly often. Handshakes were done in more formal settings, but casual meet-ups were usually kicked off with scenting. Oftentimes, people would be very reluctant to exchange the greeting with Hayato because of his intimidating demeanor coupled with his strong alpha tendencies, but it didn't look like Kashima hesitated. He wouldn't admit it, nor did it show on his face, but Hayato was pretty happy about it.
Hayato wasn't prepared, however, for the scent that washed over him. He nuzzled a little more onto Kashima's wrist before he could realize, trying to get more of the mildly sweet, calming scent of the other boy—who was definitely an omega, now that he's scented him.
It smelled like cherry blossoms had been scattered in front of him, like freshly washed warm cotton blankets, a hint of sweet honey, and the subtle tinge of dew on grass early in the morning. It gave the feeling of being tightly wrapped in soft sheets as spring newly arrives after winter. It was such a comfortable, mellow scent that it almost had Hayato rubbing his cheek onto the wrist he was holding, hoping for more.
Almost.
Hayato was glad his self-control kicked in and let him peel his face away from the omega's wrist. He also then noticed said omega smiling happily, almost dazedly, as he finished scenting Hayato.
The taller boy was very glad his expressions didn't show easily on his face now. Otherwise, anyone would've easily seen that he was flustered. Hayato was quickly brought back to reality when a certain idiot piped up from behind Kashima's legs.
"I'm not goin home yet!"
The alpha looked down and glared at the toddler that was his brother.
"I 'ma play more wid Ryuu!"
A small part of Hayato may have been slightly jealous that little kids could do things like calling someone they just met by their first name, but mostly, he was just annoyed that the brat refused to go and was probably bothering the other boy. Where the heck was Usaida anyway?
Taka was wailing the next second from being hit on the head. The small omega gripped Kashima's clothes tighter while the older omega hurriedly released a calming scent, flustered.
"K-kamitani..! You didn't have to hit him..!"
Ah, this guy was probably one of those overly nice ones. Hayato picked up a snotty Taka as he noticed another toddler staring listlessly at a book. It wasn't as obvious because the kid was still small and well, toddler-y, but it looked a bit like Kashima. Most likely his brother, if the rumors about their situation were true.
"Mine's taken care of, pay attention to your own," the taller boy gruffly said as he tucked Taka under one arm. Hayato gave another glance at the quiet toddler. "He looks lonely all by himself."
"Right."
Looking back at the omega, Hayato uttered a quick "See ya" before walking off with a still-protesting Taka.
Kashima had looked up as he gave his thanks, still smiling.
This meeting wasn't part of what he had dubbed as a normal day, but Hayato really didn't mind. There was something about the omega's scent that really clicked with his alpha, and he was… looking forward to the next time they met. Since the other boy was going to be working in the daycare and also joining his class, they would be seeing each other a lot more. And Hayato wasn't sure why he was strangely happy about that.
The young alpha quietly wondered about their next meeting, even as his small omega brother continued to squirm under his arm.
Turns out, he didn't have to wait for long because they were barely out of the building before Kashima had chased them down in a fluster. He was holding the other toddler in his arms, asking about the nearest pediatric hospital in a hurry. His brother had a fever, even though the small thing had looked fine just a moment earlier.
On the outside, the young alpha had answered calmly in agreement, but Hayato's protective instincts had flared up at the obvious signs and scent of distress.
He quickly brought Taka to their mom's faculty room, only firing off a quick request to watch the toddler and a hurried "I'll be back" as he ran back to the Kashima brothers.
Hayato unchained his bike in a flash, telling Kashima to get on the back, and rode to the nearest hospital he knew. It was a challenge to ride his bike both carefully and fast enough for the situation, especially because the shorter boy's adrenaline was starting to get to him.
The alpha had felt his blood rushing when the omega ran to them in panic. Kashima was clutching tightly at Hayato's uniform, worry coming off of him in waves, a stark contrast to his comfortable demeanor earlier. The cool wind blowing against his skin was the only thing that helped Hayato calm himself during the ride.
When they finally arrived, the young omega had just about hopped off the bicycle, glancing back with gratitude at Hayato as he made his way into the emergency room.
Hayato, still sitting on his bike with one foot planted on the ground, inhaled deeply after Kashima disappeared into the building.
He looked up at the sky, loosening his grip on his bike's handlebars, as he thought about how very far from normal the end of this day had become. Hayato clicked his tongue as he realized how out of it he was internally. The alpha took out his phone, texting his mom an explanation, until he heard someone come out of the building.
There, a certain omega was looking back at him once again.
"Ah, you're still here…!"
Kashima briskly walked the short distance between them, before bowing deeply.
"Thank you so much for bringing us all this way! I don't know what I would've done otherwise..!"
Hayato wasn't sure how to feel about that, but he answered anyway.
"It's fine, it was an emergency." The boy thought for a second before adding, "Tell me how he is when we meet in school."
"O-okay…"
Just as Hayato was getting ready to go back to the academy, he felt a familiar warmth beside him and a light knock on his head. The alpha turned his head to see a slightly embarrassed Kashima smiling at him brightly.
"Again, just… Thank you so much!"
The shorter boy rushed back into the building, leaving an unmoving Hayato watching as he disappeared again.
Kashima Ryuuichi had knocked his head against Hayato's. It was a common show of intimacy between friends and family, but it was also a common gesture to express great gratitude.
Hayato absentmindedly rode his bike back to school that night, and had to deal with his mom and Taka pestering him with questions till they slept.