The riverbank was quiet, except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the lapping of water against the bank. Oga trudged along, his fists clenched so tightly he could feel his nails digging into his palms. Furuichi trailed behind, muttering every few steps about how unfair life was, how Oga had "forced this whole mess" onto himself, and how he, Furuichi, would never forgive him for dragging him along on this wild goose chase. Oga ignored most of it, his mind focused elsewhere, haunted by the image of Kogen and Beel nowhere to be found.
"Oi, Oga!" Furuichi barked suddenly, breaking through Oga's tense thoughts. "You've been panicking about those two for days now. Don't tell me you're scared of losing the baby and Kogen. Is that it?"
Oga gave him a glare that could probably flatten a small building. "I'm not scared, idiot! I'm just—figuring things out!" His voice cracked slightly, betraying more worry than he wanted to admit.
Furuichi snorted. "Uh-huh. Sure. And I suppose you also decided to wander halfway across the district like a lost puppy, huh? Typical."
Oga ignored him, scanning the horizon for any sign of the familiar figures. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he froze. There, along the bank, were three silhouettes.
Beel clinging to Toujo's back, Kogen at his side, Toujo with that unmistakable smirk that could make anyone underestimate just how cunning he was. And then Oga's gaze locked onto it: Toujo's hands were wrapped around Kogen's waist. Not lightly, not politely—hands firmly holding Kogen as if claiming ownership in front of Oga.
Oga's blood ran cold, but not the cold of fear—rage, jealousy, and a flurry of emotions he refused to name or acknowledge washed over him. He felt his fists clench tighter, his teeth grit. "That bastard..." he muttered under his breath, voice low, sharp with fury. But the words didn't carry their usual punch. Usually, he'd follow it with some boastful, fire-stoking remark. Not this time. He was too stunned.
"Bastard... but... why am I..." Oga muttered, trailing off as his gaze flicked from Toujo to Kogen, to Beel, back to Toujo. He couldn't put it into words, didn't want to. And yet, every action by Toujo seemed designed to push him over the edge.
Toujo, of course, noticed the sudden tension. The smirk on his face widened. "Well, well. Look what we have here. Come to watch the family reunion?" he called out theatrically, his tone half-teasing, half-provocative. He gently lifted Beel from his back and handed him over to Kogen with exaggerated care, patting Kogen's waist and then Beel's head in a display of affection that made Oga's jaw practically drop.
Kogen stiffened for a moment, confusion flashing across his usually serene expression. He had agreed to go along with Toujo's plan, but the sheer theatricality of it—the way Toujo wrapped his arms around Kogen's waist and nuzzled Beel's head—was disorienting. His cheeks warmed slightly, a subtle flicker of embarrassment or bemusement crossing his features. He said nothing, though, silently complying with Toujo's act.
Oga could hardly breathe. His eyes darted between Toujo's playful smirk, Kogen's calm confusion, and Beel's tiny head peeking out like a miniature general. "No... way..." he muttered, fists trembling slightly. Rage boiled inside him, a mix of jealousy and helplessness. He wanted to storm forward, grab Beel, grab Kogen, and assert control—but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to admit why he felt that way. The words wouldn't come, trapped behind a wall of pride.
Furuichi's voice cut through the tension. "Oi, maybe it's not what it looks like, Oga! Maybe they're just... I dunno... pretending? Yeah, pretending. Just go ask!"
Oga snapped his head toward him, eyes wide with disbelief. "Ask? ASK?! You idiot, can't you see what's happening here?!" He gestured wildly toward the trio. "Toujo's got his hands around Kogen's waist, patting him like some—some..." He struggled for words, his voice cracking under the weight of his jealousy. "...like a husband! And Beel is—he's—! He is acting like Toujo is his father or something."
Furuichi froze. "...What exactly are you worried about again?"
Oga turned sharply, glaring at him with a mix of exasperation and silent desperation. "None of your business! Just... keep your mouth shut!"
Toujo chuckled again, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Oh, don't worry, I can see what you're feeling, Oga. Don't try to hide it; it's written all over your face." He winked, brushing Beel's hair back with a delicate hand. "But don't think I won't make you work for it."
Kogen tilted his head, still maintaining his composure but now slightly flushed, a clear mix of confusion and subtle amusement. He murmured softly, "Darling... just go along with it for now. It's... complicated."
Oga's fists twitched at his sides. "Complicated... my ass!" he muttered under his breath, rage and jealousy tightening in his chest like a vice. He wanted to yell, to storm forward, to reclaim both Kogen and Beel—but the weight of his own feelings left him frozen.
Toujo, clearly sensing the internal struggle, leaned slightly closer to Kogen, resting his hands just a little more firmly around his waist. "There we go," he said casually, still smiling, "just the way a happy family should be."
Oga felt his stomach churn. It wasn't fear. Not exactly. It was something heavier, a cold, gnawing dread mixed with an aching jealousy. Every affectionate gesture between Toujo and Kogen, every tiny pat to Beel's head, struck him with unbearable intensity. He wanted to claim them, to drag them back to safety, to prove he was their rightful protector—but the words "I care about you" or "I love you" could not, would not leave his mouth. Not yet.
Furuichi, still trying to reason, whispered, "Maybe... maybe we just fight him, Oga? If you win, maybe you can... get them back?"
Oga's eyes narrowed, a spark of determination flickering amidst his rage. "Fine," he muttered, jaw tight, "if he thinks he can play family with them, I'll show him it's not so easy."
The moment stretched, tension thick in the air. Beel, sensing the rising storm, let out a tiny squeak and clutched Kogen's arm. Kogen bent down slightly to adjust him, murmuring soothingly, "It's alright, darling. Nothing will happen."
Toujo grinned wider, noticing Oga's expression. "Ah, that's the look I was hoping for. Now, let's make this interesting." He shifted slightly, placing Beel securely on Kogen's back once more and patting Kogen affectionately on the head and waist again.
Oga could no longer suppress the storm inside him. "Rghhh...!" he growled, fists clenching, heat rising in his chest. He stomped forward, intent on confronting Toujo, on asserting his claim—not just for Beel, but for Kogen too. His steps were heavy, each strike against the dirt a warning of the rage he could barely contain.
Furuichi scrambled alongside him, waving his arms. "Oi, Oga! Calm down, maybe—maybe it's not what it looks like!"
Oga ignored him entirely. His eyes were locked on the trio ahead, chest heaving, mind racing. The air seemed to thrum with tension, as if even the river knew a confrontation was imminent.
Toujo tilted his head, watching Oga approach, the fake family display fully in effect. "You're finally here, Oga," he said, voice light, teasing. "Are you ready to fight for your little family?"
Kogen's eyes flicked to Oga, confusion evident, but he remained silent, standing poised, allowing Toujo to steer the performance. He murmured under his breath, almost to himself, "Darling... just go along with it..."
Beel clutched Kogen's back, tiny face scrunched in unease and excitement, unsure of what was happening but trusting Kogen completely.
Oga's breathing grew heavier. He felt a surge of determination, of something more complicated than anger alone. He would fight. He would reclaim them. He would—though he would never admit it even to himself—protect them, no matter what.
And then, without warning, Toujo stepped aside slightly, his stance relaxed but deadly, his hands still casually around Kogen's waist, eyes locked on Oga. "Come on, Oga. Let's see what you've got."
The stage was set. The river glinted behind them, the sunlight catching the tension in every muscle. Oga charged forward, Furuichi trailing in panicked disbelief, Kogen silent and confused, Beel clinging tightly, and Toujo smirking—ready to test Oga's limits.
And that was where the scene froze—the calm before the storm, a frozen moment of jealousy, rage, and unspoken feelings.
Oga's fists trembled, rage and emotion building like a pressure cooker. Kogen glanced at him, puzzled yet trusting Toujo's plan. Beel squeaked, holding on tight. Toujo's grin widened.
This was not just a fight. This was a battle of hearts, of pride, of unspoken attachments. And Oga, for the first time in a long time, realized how much he truly, unknowingly, cared for both Kogen and Beel.
The riverbank held its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.