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Kaji takes pride in his growth of controlling his temper; really he does. No longer was he quick to snarl and throw a fist at the slightest provocation or be consumed by his anger after a prolonged bloody fight. He does not want to be considered a stereotypical alphan beast who could not control his anger and flew into rages at the drop of a hat. While others outside his small group may still consider the alpha short-tempered (and for good reasons), those closest could see how Kaji has toned down his more violent tendencies and reined in his temper to be more acceptable. The blood and sweat he’s shed (quite literally) to be more than his anger is something Kaji refuses to let anyone or thing make him lose ground on.
Unfortunately, “anyone or thing” does not apply to Bofurin’s resident omega, Sakura Haruka.
The dual-colored omega always seemed to know how to just push Kaji’s boundaries without fully unleashing his wrath. Sakura never seemed to know when to back-down, let alone give-in, all while slowly chipping away at Kaji’s control. When expressing his irritation to Hiiragi, the third year only laughed and commented that they were both too stubborn for their own good. Kaji initially argued saying he was never this frustrating but one look from the other had him shoving a sucker into his mouth and grumbling.
This was not to say that Kaji and Sakura did not get along. In fact, much to Kaji’s chagrin, their mutual stubbornness was not the only aspect they shared. Both were strong believers in helping those who are defenseless, enjoying fights that left their muscles aching and knuckles raw, and getting annoyed at their pack alpha, Umemiya’s friendliness. But most of all, they both were striving to improve themselves: Kaji with his temper and Sakura with being vulnerable. Both boys wanted to be better and were trying to with the help of their packmates and that was something Kaji found he particularly liked in Sakura. Not that was the only thing to like about the omega.
It was obvious to anyone with a working set of eyes that Sakura was an incredible fighter. The way he agilely moved between opponents, effortlessly taking each one out with a well-placed kick or hit was a spectacle. Kaji could still see in his mind the way Sakura had seemed to sore over him and other Furin members during their first unofficial meeting. Not only was he physically strong, but he had a kind heart as well. Sakura cared so intensely about his packmates and the townspeople that it was hard to remember he had only come to town a handful of months ago.
Kaji could admit that these were just some of the reasons he has taken a liking to Sakura. It definitely didn’t matter that Sakura was insanely pretty as well. Hearing about the scorn Sakura faced for his appearance before moving to Bofurin always elicited a surge of rage and bewilderment in the alpha. How could anyone find Sakura not attractive? His dual-toned eyes and hair complimented each other and only heightened his natural appearance in Kaji’s opinion. And then there was the matter of his scent. Kaji had been around plenty of omegas before both in the town and his previous schools, but no omegan scent could compare to Sakura’s soft flower smell. While other omegas had stronger scents to gain attention from potential mates, Sakura’s was gentle, just subtle enough to be looked over if not paying attention. But once that scent was noticed, it was something that would be stuck in your mind the rest of the day (or weeks as Kaji has experienced).
Back to the matter at hand: Sakura and his ability to shake away any and all self-control Kaji has carefully crafted since middle school.
Kaji could (quite literally) feel one of his many restrains snap looking at the clearly in pre-fucking heat omega standing before him with an equally frustrated look to the one Kaji was sporting.
“What’s the big deal? You’re in the way.” Sakura said, attempting to move around the alpha and out of the alleway. Kaji didn’t budge, daring the omega to shove him out of his path.
“The big deal,” Kaji responds sharply, “is the fact I get a text from your vice-captains asking me to stop you from joining a fight you have no business being in.”
Kaji had been listening to the new album of a local band at a nearby park, when he received the panic texts from both Nirei and Suo. Apparently their first-year group chat reported a fight happening outside of Old Yamo’s bakery, and Sakura, ignoring the pleading of his vice-captains’ texts, decided to head over himself, despite being on his way home to deal with his upcoming heat. The alpha had practically torn a path through Makochi trying to intercept Sakura; thankfully, they both preferred back alley ways over main roads to get around so Kaji was able to limit his scope. It was by pure luck that Kaji was able to smell the sweet fragrance of flowers and track Sakura here.
“If another first year reports on a fight, ain’t it the captain’s job to step in?” Sakura frowned, clearly unhappy. Kaji could see the flush on Sakura’s cheeks, and slight sweat beading at his temple. His heat was clearly taking a slow but steady toll on him.
“It’s the captain’s job to decide the best way to handle the situation,” Kaji responded, his fingers subconsciously itching for a sucker as he attempted to keep his voice level. “Sending in someone out of breath from running down allies isn’t it.”
Sakura’s glare sharpened. “Just because I ain’t feelin’ the best doesn’t mean I can’t kick the shit out of some assholes.”
The alpha did believe Sakura could do just that, even in his current state, but it didn’t mean he wanted to let it happen. “Did you ever think it’s because your heat is going to kick-start in a few hours that I don’t want you fighting?”
That was clearly the wrong thing to say. The omega’s glare sharpened, and his hands clenched into fists. “Just because I have heats, I shouldn’t be able to fight? What does being an omega have to do with this!”
Everything! Kaji wanted to shout back. The only thing stopping him was seeing the omega fight against the glaze forming in his eyes, and the soft pink crawling down his neck. Sakura was clearly not feeling well, but trying his hardest to ignore his own body. It was dangerous for omegas not to properly hydrate or regulate their body temperatures. Some fevers got so high it wasn't uncommon for omegas to pass out from not cooling down while in pre-heat. Kaji was honestly surprised Sakura had never had a heat induced faint with how easily he was to fluster from the smallest praise, let alone when anything related to romance was brought up.
Kaji paused, an idea slowly piecing together in his head; while it wasn’t an ideal time to ask, he was out of options. Their conversation was going in circles, and Sakura’s scent was slowly getting sweeter with each passing minute.
Sakura continued glaring, his mismatched eyes fighting off the haze of his heat. “If ya got something to say, just say it!” His fists clenched at his side, while his shoulders rose in defense, waiting to hear whatever sharp retort his upperclassman would say.
Kaji would wager Sakura would prefer to hear his disapproval, over what he planned on doing next.
Kaji swiftly grabbed the omega’s hand, gently unfurling his fingers to slide comfortably into his grasp. (The fact that Sakura’s hand was equally as callous but still smaller than Kaji’s sent a rush of something in his chest). The alpha knelt, pressing Sakura’s head first to his forehead for a moment.
“Sakura Haruka,” Kaji locked eyes with the bewildered omega. Sakura appeared frozen in place, his hand limp in Kaji’s grasp and eyes wide, unable to look away from the alpha’s gaze.
“Be my mate.”
There was a pause between this moment and the next. Kaji refused to look away, fighting down the flush trying to make its way up his neck. Sakura continued staring at Kaji, his face expressing the shock of Kaji’s confession. Their standoff continued for another beat, before the weight of the alpha’s statement seemed to slam into him all at once.
“Y-You-I don’t und-what?” The omega began stuttering, unable to form a question as he quickly grew more and more flustered. Kaji watched in amusement as Sakura’s blush deepened and darkened to scarlet, his neck and face not unsimilar in color to Kaji’s favorite strawberry suckers. Kaji slowly brought Sakura’s hand down to press a gentle kiss on the back, sealing the deal of his hasty but seemingly effective plan.
Sakura squealed, his eyes fluttering shut and figure swaying towards the ground, his body finally giving in to the fever of his heat. Kaji swiftly intervened, catching the omega by his waist and holding him against his side. He snorted, gently nuzzling into the white locks of hair resting on his shoulder. “At least you’re finally resting, idiot.”
With a huff, Kaji swung Sakura into his arms, careful to keep the omega’s head secured on his shoulder. He took one long breath, letting the gentle scent of flowers fill his lungs before spinning on his heels and heading to Cafe Potos. As an omega herself, Kotoha would know how best to help Sakura and keep his temperature from rising even higher once he woke up and realized what happened.
Kaji smirked in anticipation; afterall, he was waiting on the omega’s answer to his proposal.