Replay

2-1 Opener

A/N: If I don't publish on time, check the announcements on my profile. 

Would you prefer weekly or bi-weekly chapters? I have this arc already fully written out, so it's not too big a concern for me. Releasing every two weeks would give me more time to work on the next arc in the meantime, and there'd be a shorter delay between arcs. If I don't get a response, I'll just publish bi-weekly.

Sorry for the delay, here's the start of the Moebius arc!

T/W for gang violence at the end, although you probably shouldn't be reading this story if it's an issue.

"To a new member of the 2nd Division!"

"Cheers!!"

I clinked my glass of orange juice against five or so others, and around me, other glasses were raised in salute. The twenty-ish members of the 2nd Division of Toman scattered over several tables of the family restaurant broke into lively chatter. The other customers pretended not to stare and the staff didn't approach us, likely because many of the boys were nearly an entire foot taller than me (and I was average height) and spouting distinctively delinquent perms. They were dressed in casual garb, but I assumed it still was a pretty terrifying sight from the outside--and I was smack dab in the epicenter of it.

Hakkai, sitting across the table, made eye contact with me. "Sorry about how rude I was last time, Frank."

I had realized at the last second when Mitsuya asked for my name at that ramen place that I couldn't just give my real one away; anyone who knew me beforehand could simply put the two together, and I'd instantly be exposed for being a girl. So I'd given my dad's name. It was quite bizarre to be addressed as such.

"It's fine, really. I probably shouldn't have been so upfront about it."

"A different gang's been acting up on our turf lately, so Taka-chan and I were a little on edge," he explained. "Seriously, sorry." Hakkai was surprisingly friendly despite his brazen appearance. It was a jarring difference compared to our first encounter, but it was reassuring to know there was someone easygoing enough to talk to in Toman.

"I'm Shiba Hakkai, the 2nd Division Vice-Captain. You can just call me Hakkai. If you ever need a hand, just hit me up."

"Same to you."

"Welcome, dude." A bald teen plopped down on the chair beside me, his dark t-shirt accentuating his broad shoulders. I had no idea who he was, but his wide smile gave him an amicable air. "Sick hair. I like it."

It was ironic to hear that from someone without a strand of hair on his head save for his eyebrows, but I wisely chose not to comment. Hakkai, on the other hand, chortled shamelessly.

"Hakkai... one day your hair's just going to start falling out until there's none left. Stop laughing at me!" the newcomer growled as Hakkai donned a shit-eating grin, but his own continued smile belied his annoyance.

"If it bothers you that much, Hayato, just get a wig," Mitsuya spoke up from an adjacent table, where he'd been talking with some other boys.

Another member joined in. "My sister's got some wigs, and I betcha you'll look amazing in them."

"Never!" the bald teen hissed at his captain before getting off his seat and leaving for the other member who had spoken up. "And shut up you, keep dyeing your hair and you'll be the one trying on your sister's wigs--"

I laughed with the members who were observing the spectacle (or directly fanning its flames). It felt like one big conversation, where nearby people could randomly jump in, and nobody took it seriously. The members of the 2nd Division were connected, be it by friendship or something stronger. I sipped my juice while I simply enjoyed the animated chattering.