Study Sessions and Sneaky Tactics
A/N: These characters were requested by @otomiyaa. Yanagi is such a cutie and making him lee was out of question. So, I’m glad that you choose him as the one being wrecked (by his friends). Since you weren’t sure which ler he should get, I just decided to include all of them. Number 25 - Magic Word - of @vqler's Tickletober prompt list of 2025 ft. Yanagi, Miyamura, Sengoku, Iura and Ishikawa from Horimiya.
Words: 1,122 words under the cut
Sengoku’s room was quieter than usual, save for the soft shuffle of papers, light chattering, and the rustle of sleeping bags. The room was dimly lit by the morning sun filtering through the curtains, bathing everything in a warm, golden light. It would’ve been peaceful if they all weren’t gathered here with one very specific problem.
“Yanagi’s still out cold,” Miyamura mumbled, looking down at the slumbering boy, who was buried beneath a thick blanket, face turned away and hair slightly tousled. “He didn’t even stir when I called his name twice,” Iura added, kneeling beside him and giving the blanket lump a nudge. “I tried shaking him and all I got was a groan,” Ishikawa shrugged.
They’d stayed up late last night. What was supposed to be a study session had turned into a chaotic mix of card games, snacks, and laughing until past 2 a.m. Now, with Sengoku hovering nearby holding a tray of steaming mugs, trying to look productive, the others were focused on one task: Wake Yanagi up.
“Well, we could always pour cold water on his face,” Miyamura offered way too quickly. “No way,” Ishikawa said, shaking his head, “he’ll kill us.” “Do we even need him awake?” Sengoku asked a bit sleepily. “We could just study without-”
“We need him for our study group, since he’s our second-best bet for math and social studies,” Iura interrupted, glancing meaningfully at the pile of worksheets. “And besides…” he smirked, “I happen to know that Yanagi is extremely ticklish.” That made everyone freeze for a second, then look at each other. “Wait, seriously?” Miyamura said, his eyes lighting up.
Iura nodded. “He gets flustered just from poking his side, he's got the most dramatic reactions when being tickled.” A slow smirk spread across Miyamura’s face and Ishikawa blinked in interest. Sengoku hesitated. “Isn’t that a little mean?” The ravenhead was already moving toward the foot of Yanagi’s sleeping bag.
“It’s not mean, it’s effective. And besides, we’re doing it for the greater good~ Studying.” Ishikawa gave a small chuckle at that while Sengoku lingered at the side, unsure. Iura quickly joined Miyamura at his sleeping friend’s feet. Carefully, they pulled down the edge of the blanket to reveal bare feet sticking out. Yanagi shifted a bit but didn’t wake.
His face was still serene, lips parted slightly, lost in dreamland. “All right,” Iura whispered, “on the count of three.” Ishikawa got into position near Yanagi’s side as well, resting his hands lightly above the blanket. “One…” “Two…” “Three!”
In perfect unison, Miyamura and Iura each grabbed a foot - fingers digging into the arches - while Ishikawa darted fingers at Yanagi’s sides, wiggling his fingers into his flank.
At first, there was nothing but a twitch, then a tremble in his shoulders, followed by a crease forming between his brows… then… “Mnnh… nnnhehh- w-wha?!” Yanagi’s body jolted, his shoulders hunching as a loud, surprised laugh burst out of him. “AHAHAH W-WHAHAT?!”
His eyes flew open in shock, instantly filling with confused panic as he twisted in the blanket cocoon, but the three of them didn’t stop. “AhhAhahahahAH!” “Oh wow, he is ticklish,” Miyamura beamed, fingers wiggling faster along Yanagi’s sole. “Like crazy ticklish,” Iura corrected him, sliding his fingers over his heel, scratching at the sensitive skin.
“GUHUHUYS!! WHAHAHAT IHIHIS THIHIS?!” Yanagi was laughing uncontrollably now, arms flailing inside the blanket, completely unable to stop any of them. His face was flushed bright pink and his laughter had reached that high-pitched, breathless state that only the “truly ticklish” could produce.
“Our mission to get you out of bed,” Ishikawa said calmly, spidering his hands along the laughing teen’s ribs and up to his underarms. “IHIHIT’S NOHOT A MIHIHISSION!! STAHAHAHAP!!” Yanagi squealed, shaking his head. Sengoku still stood nearby, torn between amused concern and very real temptation. Iura looked up.
“Hey Sengoku, your turn.” Sengoku blinked. “My… what?” “You’re just standing there. What, you’re not gonna join?” Miyamura asked with a crooked smile. “I- well- I mean…” “If you don’t,” Iura warned, grinning, “you know we’re gonna tickle you next.” The other’s eyes widened. “You… You wouldn’t,” the redhead stuttered. Three pairs of eyes turned to him.
“...Fine!” Sengoku huffed, cheeks tinged pink as he awkwardly knelt down opposite Ishikawa. “Only because I don’t want to be the next victim.” Yanagi’s eyes widened dramatically. “NO! NOHOHO, NOHOT YOHOHOU TOO!!” “Oh, now that’s interesting,” Ishikawa said, raising a brow. Miyamura chuckled, scooting slightly to give Sengoku room.
“What? Special treatment for the student council president?” he teased. Sengoku rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips as he reached down and gently began poking at Yanagi’s ribs, joining in. A bit awkwardly at first, but it still caused the reaction it should - making Yanagi laugh even more.
“NOOOOO! S-SEHEHENGOHOKU!!” The sound that escaped Yanagi’s throat was half-laugh, half-wail of betrayal. He twisted under them, laughter pealing louder, face hidden behind his hands as his limbs flailed in every direction. “EhHEheh iHiit tiHihickles soOHoh much! AAHHHAhH p-plEhHEase s-stoHohop!
His usual composed demeanor was gone - all that remained was a red-faced, squealing mess of limbs and helpless giggles. “Plehehehehease!! I’m aWAHAHAKE!!” “You sure?” Iura asked. “Can’t be too sure yet,” Miyamura added, fingers scritching into his wiggling toes. Yanagi nodded furiously, the rest of him completely jelly.
Eventually, Sengoku pulled back first, face flushed. Something in Yanagi’s reaction - the fact that he’d shouted his name in particular - lingered in his mind more than he expected. “I… think we’ve made our point,” Sengoku said. Yanagi immediately gasped in relief. “Th-Thank youuu…” “But wait,” Ishikawa pointed out, “why did he only ask you to stop?”
“YEAH,” Iura chimed in, dramatic and smug, “Sengoku’s the only one he begged to spare him. I’m curious.” Yanagi groaned, burying his face into a pillow. “Sh-Shut uuuup…” Sengoku turned scarlet. “Wh-What?! Don’t read into that!” he mumbled, suddenly feeling very hot. But the others were already cracking up. Miyamura snorted, shaking his head as he stood up.
“Well, at least he’s up now.” “You are so ruthless, can’t even let a guy have his sleep,” Yanagi mumbled into the cushion, though the corners of his lips betrayed the ghost of a smile. The teasing slowly faded into friendly chuckles, and as the group gathered around the table again with textbooks and open notebooks, the mood was lighter than ever.
Yanagi, still red in the face, adjusted his seat, grumbling under his breath. He couldn’t stop glancing at Sengoku from the corner of his eye. And Sengoku? He couldn’t stop smiling either. The morning study session may have started with tickles, but it was shaping up to be one of their most memorable yet.
