…
"This is the final call for flight 00264 to Tokyo." A voice announced over the tannoy.
"I really should be going." Ai bit his lip.
"I know." Rin agreed, but instead of releasing his hold on Ai he just leaned in for another kiss.
The past month had been incredible, Ai and Rin had met by the poolside, discovering they were both from Japan, both had a lot in common and were both attracted to each other. They'd hit it off right away and fell for each other quickly, the month flew by in a blur of dates, kisses and love. It had been like a dream.
But like all dreams it had to eventually come to an end.
"I'm going now." Ai declared, committing the kiss to memory as it would be the last one they'd ever share.
Sure, they both lived in Japan but at opposite ends of the country so the chances of them meeting again was slim. They were different people and in different circumstances they probably wouldn't have meshed.
Ai was from a rich and somewhat snobby family, who expected the best from their son. Pushing him all his life until all he cared about were keeping up appearances and getting good grades. Rin was from a poorer background, his upbringing focusing more on surviving rather than excelling. He would strive through scholarships and good luck, unlike Ai whose future had been planned and paid for.
Slowly, Ai backed away from Rin towards the gate, not wanting to turn around because then he knew he'd lose Rin forever.
"Bye." He waved sadly as he reached check-in, handing over his ticket.
"Ai!" Rin called just before he slipped through the doors. "I love you!"
Ai smiled at the blushing boy, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. Granted they had only known each other for three weeks and four days but neither one could fight what they felt.
"I love you too!" He shouted back before he was ushered down the corridor.
…
Ai's daydream was ripped away from him by the harsh reality of a school bell. It had been a week since that day in the airport and he hadn't been able to stop thinking about Rin, he couldn't help but wonder what he was doing now.
He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts, he looked down at his new time table with a sigh. Another year, another new school. His parents were firm believers that schools got stale quickly, every summer they would check the league tables and send Ai to the best, regardless of cost or distance.
This year's model was Samezuka, a sports college that boasted the best exam results in the whole country. Sport wasn't exactly Ai's scene but when had his parent's ever cared about his interests before?
"I don't recognise your face!" Ai jumped as a blonde bounded up to him after yelling across the corridor at him.
"No, I'm new this year." He explained.
"I'm Nagisa." The boy greeted, furiously shaking his hand.
"Ai." He replied, desperately trying to release his hand from the vice like grip.
"So Ai, what brings you here?" He asked, snatching the time table from Ai.
"My parents bought a new house in the area." He shrugged, it was easier than explaining his parents were like groupies for an outstanding school.
"Oh, very fancy! I will have to come see it one day. Right, you're in my homeroom. Follow me!" Nagisa declared
"Oh right." Ai nodded, running after Nagisa as he powered down the corridor.
…
Rin sighed as he walked up to the school gates, Samezuka Academy looking as unappealing as it did every year. He was late but start as you mean to go on they always say. He had already missed homeroom so he'd have to go to the office to get his time table. He really didn't want to have to deal with the office staff, always far too superior considering they worked in a school.
It really was his own fault he was late, he'd got a little distracted in the shower this morning when he'd recalled many happy memories with Ai.
It had just been over a week since he'd seen that smiling face, since he'd kissed those soft lips, since he'd held that warm body and he missed him more than anything. It was only supposed to be a quick holiday romance but he found himself getting too attached.
But as much as he longed for him he knew it was never meant to be, he imagined bringing him around his friends. All their judgemental eyes watching the little innocent follow him around. How would Ai react if he saw Rin drunk, or high or if he discovered his piercing on a very intimate area?
He imagined Ai would run screaming, wanting nothing more to do with him for a moment longer. Well, he would never have to worry. Ai would never see the real him.
Unless the caring and slightly sappy boy he'd been around Ai was the real him.
…
"Come on Ai! Everyone is excited to meet you." Nagisa cried, pulling Ai by the wrist towards the lunch tables.
"Really?" He asked sceptically, he was sure Nagisa's friends didn't even know who he was.
"Of course! I told them all about you." He smiled, forcing Ai to sit down at a table with two large and muscly boys.
"Hello." Ai mumbled nervously.
"Mako-chan, Sou-chan, this is Ai-chan." Nagisa introduced them all.
"Nice to meet you." Makoto greeted with a smile.
"Hi." Sousuke said, letting his gaze rake over Ai and assess him.
Ai squirmed slightly under the look, he knew he didn't belong with this group. They were all shining, beautiful specimens and Ai, well he was average at best. He didn't doubt they never had to try in any of their lessons, just smile at the teacher and dazzle their way to passing. Ai worked hard to get to the top, he very rarely had a lunch that wasn't spent inside the library. But he made an exception for his first day.
"I better get some food." Ai announced, jumping up and out of Sousuke's eye line – finally.
"Where did you pick him up from?" Sousuke asked once Ai had shuffled out of hearing range.
"Found him looking lost outside the office." Nagisa shrugged. "Isn't he just the cutest?"
"I guess so." Sousuke agreed. "Very pure."
"There's nothing wrong with that." Makoto scolded.
"I never said there was." He defended. "I just don't think he's our kind of people."
"You don't even know him yet." Nagisa pouted.
"At least make an effort." Makoto told him.
"Fine." He rolled his eyes as Ai stumbled back to them. The boy really was a mess.
"That looks tasty." Nagisa gushed, helping himself to a mouthful.
"So Ai, what did you do with your summer?" Sousuke asked, shooting Makoto a subtle 'are-you-satisfied' look.
"Oh, I spent it in Australia." He blushed as he remembered.
"I know that smile, you met someone!" Nagisa screamed.
"Yeah, I did." He smiled.
"Tell us about it!" Makoto enthused, ever the romantic. Sousuke subtly rolled his eyes, it was going to be a long lunch.
…
Rin kept his head down as he ducked out the school gate, fishing a cigarette and lighter out his pocket the moment he was free. He took the familiar route that lead him down an alley and towards a clearing.
In the clearing was an old park with his friends waiting for him, two were sat on the grass while the other was playing on the rockers.
"Momo, you'll get your ass stuck one day!" Rin shouted as he let himself inside.
"Rin, nice of you to put in an appearance." Haru commented, not bothering to pick himself up from lying on the grass.
"I didn't see you in homeroom." Rei said. "I assumed you weren't in."
"I would never leave you hanging like that." He smirked as he sat beside them.
"You left us hanging all summer." Momo complained, finally pulling himself away from the child's toy.
"I was on holiday, I can't help that." Rin laughed.
"How was the holiday?" Rei asked.
"Incredible." He grinned.
"I know that look." Haru grumbled. "Let me guess, you fooled some poor sod into thinking you are a somewhat decent human just to get some."
"You know me so well." He agreed.
"Tell us about it!" Momo gushed, he was always eager for gossip.
"Come on, you don't want all the sordid details." Rin smirked, knowing he had captured their interest.
…
"I think it was the third day of my holiday that I actually met him." Ai thought back.
He was slightly amazed how Nagisa and Makoto seemed to hang on his every word, Sousuke however couldn't be less interested.
"He jumped in the pool right by my sun lounger, he got me completely soaked and almost ruined the book I was reading. I was all ready to shout at him for it but he managed to charm his way out of it and by the end of talking to him I'd forgotten I was angry at all." Ai laughed.
"Was it love at first sight?" Nagisa beamed.
"Oh, not quite. I liked him but I don't think I was in love straight away." He shook his head.
"He adored me." Rin boasted. "After that first meeting I couldn't shake him, not that I wanted to get rid of the sexy little creature. And he was insatiable, took him to the beach the next day and he couldn't keep his hands to himself."
"Did you get very far?" Rei asked. "From what I understand sex on the beach results in sand in the most uncomfortable of places."
"Rei, you know I don't kiss and tell." He winked.
"He was very nervous on our first date." Ai continued his story. "Wouldn't even hold my hand for ages. But he took me to the pier, the market, a restaurant. It was one of the best dates of my whole life."
"How much dough did he spend?" Makoto teased. "I hope he was a true gentleman and paid for everything."
"He was, despite my insistence." He blushed.
"After that we were spending every day together." Rin told them. "Barely saw my family after that which was a relief. The guy had a private room so what more did we really need?"
"Did he put up a fight?" Haru questioned. "He must have to let you near him."
"Haru, don't be jealous I have raw sex appeal that he couldn't resist." He smirked.
"He wanted to do things properly." Ai commented. "He wanted to introduce me to his parents and meet mine before we did anything intimate."
"He sounds like a drag." Sousuke rolled his eyes.
"He wasn't, he was a gentleman." He defended.
"By the end of the holiday I had really fallen for him." Rin admitted. "And the guy had it pretty bad for me, might have even loved me."
"You don't gotta brag." Momo pouted. "I've never even had a date let alone been in love."
"Pay it no mind, I'm over it now. It was just a summer fling." He joked. "Am I really the sort to fall in love?"
"Nah." Momo shook his head. "Why waste your time with one guy when you can have multiple?"
"Exactly." Rin agreed. Haru rolled his eyes at the conversation, being able to read the blatant lie his friend was telling.
…
"So, this special guy, does he have a name?" Nagisa questioned.
"Rin, Rin Matsuoka." He grinned.
At the name, Makoto and Nagisa nervously cast a glance at Sousuke. He and Rin had had an on again, off again relationship for over a year now. They were currently off but no doubt would be on soon, now Sousuke realised someone like Ai was his competition. And they both knew Sousuke would win, Ai wasn't exactly Rin's type after all.
"Well, it certainly sounds like a perfect fairy-tale." Sousuke finally broke the silence.
"Really?" Ai gushed.
"Yeah, and who knows maybe Prince Charming will show up again one day. Somewhere unexpected." He smirked. "See you later."
"What have you got planned?" Makoto nervously asked as he followed after Sousuke to their next lesson.
"Nothing at all." He winked.
"Do you think Sousuke is right?" Ai asked when they were alone.
"Maybe." Nagisa smiled uneasily. "I think we better get to class."
…