A/N: I said I'd expand it, and here I am expanding it. Soulmate AU, Saito-centric, lots of shenanigans and though I find it hard to believe myself, I started him off during high school. It took me a while to imagine him like a high schooler and I don't know if I succeeded or not but damn thing wouldn't get out of my head.
"Are you kidding me right now? Your soulmate tattoo is nearly as convenient as timer-guy's!"
"I take offense at that; no one's tattoo is as convenient as timer-guy's."
"But you certainly wish it was, don't you?"
"Well duh!"
He could swear this was the most common conversation he ever heard around the school and about himself lately. It hadn't even been two months since high school started and yet he was the timer-guy already. Even seniors knew about it, it was disturbing. And way more than half the people who would invoke his nickname wouldn't know his real one—or what he looked like. That just goes further to show how the whole thing had taken a life of its own.
He sighed. Yet another school, yet another three years of his life to expect to be treated like this. Despite the fact it had started since he was in middle school, at least people there knew who he was. Not that he ever appreciated being referred to like that. He'd much rather be recognised for his other qualities but no one ever really cared until it was test time. If only he had a hundred yen every time someone called him that, he could pay off tuition in a foreign country.
Well, he didn't need to study in a foreign country though, not really; his profession of interest had cemented itself in his consciousness last year: he'd become a police officer. He had thanked his father for always pushing him to be more athletic than the average kid of his age, taking him or runs with him – his dad was a bit of a fitness nut – and signing him up for judo. He had a good physical condition anyway, as he rarely fatigued and he had a high tolerance to pain so he was perfect. And his sensei was relentless; Kondo was well-known for his friendly but hard-working attitude anyway, attracting parents and students from all over the prefecture. So he was very glad he never gave up; he even extended to swordsmanship because he was so gifted. So, the past ten years of his life turned out to be more profitable than he'd expect and he was bound to be accepted in the academy.
"You've no right to step into this conversation with me unless you're timer-guy, Tokio-chan. And last I checked you don't have a dick between your legs."
"TAMA-CHAN!" two girls exclaimed scandalised – and the second one a little angry, too – upon hearing those words escape the girls mouth. It happened just as he was entering the class, so he went completely undetected.
"Don't say such things out loud, it's so uncouth." The brunette continued, red as a tomato and Saito noticed she started playing with one of her pigtails to relieve the tension.
The other one though, was having none of that. "The hell do you even mean, I have no right? We can't all have super convenient soulmate tattoos on our person, okay? And you're not the queen of soulmate tattoos, chill the fuck out." She flipped her hair and Saito noticed the dark blue highlights peeking between the black. Heh, alternative much…! "Besides, what's the deal with these inky hellish things anyway? Feels like I'm branded, I hate it."
"Ah! You didn't!" the other girl, Tama, now joined the brunette – Chiyo, if memory served him – in being scandalised and after a sharp intake of breath, they looked at each other as if agreeing about something silently.
"I didn't say anything world-changing, relax; I only said I feel like I'm branded. Don't you? Oh you're gonna meet this person there or there or then or tell him this or what the hell ever and all that comes from some ink on your body. Well, who cares?"
"You only say that because your soulmate tattoo keeps changing every month! Sometimes even more frequently." Tama accused Tokio, who gave her the "really now? Are you kidding me?" look.
"And why is it that she has no right to step into your conversation unless she's timer guy?"
Saito wouldn't have normally cared one bit for these girls' argument had the one not essentially bullied the other over this whole business. He was very touchy when it came to them, the dreaded tattoos, out of his own experience. He didn't like his timer one bit. No one's tattoo should be so convenient, certainly life never is. No one ever told him his father would die on his twelfth birthday, while driving to his own son's birthday party; no one ever told him his mother would follow half a year later, due to cancer! These are things fate should foretell you about—not a girlfriend. But life doesn't work that way. And how unfair it was to have soulmate tattoos—it'd be better if you had tattoos that counted down to the last moments of the people you love so you knew to be with them and keep them company or show them out.
What a farce.
But when Tama-chan looked at him like a bug, pigtails girl widened her eyes embarrassed and Tokio half-glared half-turned to him curious, he felt an odd sort of satisfaction.
"You've no right to enter the conversation either," was all the flippant girl snapped and tried to exclude him from their circle with her body language, but he stopped her from turning away when he expertly supplied:
"But I am timer-guy. That's me." Now he had the girls' full attention with wide eyes and shock directed at him. "Well don't look so surprised" there was annoyance there, too "I am in the same class as you. You should know."
"You mean to tell me the guy who entered third best and has the best records in PE is also the guy with the most famous and convenient soulmate tattoo ever? Really!? Aren't you a little OP? What else do you do? Your touch is healing and your tears bring back unicorns or some shit?"
Now, he wasn't sentimental, like ever, but one of the reasons he interjected was because she was being bullied – or so he thought apparently because at the moment she seemed perfectly capable of taking care of herself – and he did try to help her. A little bit of niceness could go a long way; but instead, she attacked him. So he curled his lips in a mocking manner and looked at her suggestively—even if her insults were actually funny.
"What is up with all the hostility Tokio-chan?" Even her ears turned red at the sound of the honorific. "Not so proud of your own academic and track achievements?"
"…not at all! If you must know, I placed first in the entrance exam. Though not as gifted in track, my scores are the nation's average, maybe a little more to some, a little less to others." She was very confident yet very shy at the same time, looking away. "But it pisses me off to see so many achievements on one person."
"So I take it your soulmate tattoo sucks, by the way you didn't even mention it?"
"You know what," suddenly she stopped looking offended and looked surprised "you're not too OP after all…your personality is horrible." She flashed him a condescending smile and immediately reverted back to being annoyed.
"It's kind of unfair though," he continued, despite the fact he really didn't care about these girls' conversation anymore and he was only trying to mess with Tokio – he didn't even know why he was messing with Tokio – "you all know my tattoo—everyone does but I don't know yours." It seemed all three girls were decent enough people to feel bad at that; this was going better than he hoped! "So what are they?"
"I have a name and a date right here," Tama went first, actually proud, showing him her elbow.
"…I—I have a dog breed written…on my thigh…and a name." Chiyo said shyly, not quite looking at him.
"I have-…I usually have a phrase on my neck." She inclined her head to the left and he could see letters under her ear.
"Usually?" he pressed. This was actually becoming interesting.
She pursed her lips. "Yes; usually. Sometimes it's a type of food, others a lyric." His eyebrow raised and she knew what he was going to ask or say because she rolled her eyes as she sighed. "Yes; it changes."
Now that's very interesting. "Why?"
"Would you stop pestering her?"
Despite Tama's interjection, he didn't let up with the inquisitive stare. Even the are-you-kidding-me-right-now glare Tokio shot him was not enough to deter him. She clicked her tongue with evident distaste and simply said "if I knew that, she" pointing to Tama-chan with her thumb "wouldn't be acting like I have no say in this tattoo conversation."
He could see this was making her very uncomfortable; he also understood these girls were and had been friends for a long time so he was being impertinent. And although there were many interesting things he could and wanted to ask, he decided to stop being an asshole. "Wait; you said you placed first in the entrance exam? You're that number one chick the teacher's been driving us nuts about?"
"Why yes, I am!"
"You mean to-…wait." He stopped the hands that were about to reach into his schoolbag and take the notebook he came here for "I'm not the class's representative. You and what's-his-face are; but I know for a fact he didn't place second. So what are the criteria for being the representative? I didn't think it was grades or performance since I was under the impression I was the best scoring student" all three girls rolled their eyes at his plainly-spoken self-compliment "but if you're better than me…"
Tokio explained that "we are chosen at random; if you volunteer you almost certainly get the spot since not many do."
"Why don't you know this dude? Where were you-?"
"He was absent first two days of school."
He smirked again. "Aren't you quick to answer? Been keeping tabs on me?"
"As if; don't flatter yourself." She answered very coolly. "I simply take notice of things; I'm observant."
She was lying, he knew. He could tell by the way she momentarily scratched her nose; he could tell by the short aversion of the eyes. If he weren't so observant he'd probably believe her though—she was very good at hiding it. "I see," was all he said.
Tama huffed. "So now that you're all up to speed, can you kindly leave us alone?"
He was about to snap he was heading for the door yet instead he stopped and looked at them. "Yeah, just a final question…does any of you write city names in kanji?"
"I do." Tokio admitted easily but became suspicious. "That's a random thing to ask, buddy."
He simply shrugged, as he disappeared behind the door, saying "I was just curious." giving them no chance to ask why.
When he left them alone, out of ear or eyeshot, he smirked. He thought he was the only one who did that, wrote city names in kanji, so when they gave him notes for the two days he missed, he was pleasantly surprised to find the person that gave them also had the same habit. They also had a very beautiful scroll and they even included haiku in some places, to make difficult things easier to understand. So he had gone on a little craze, trying to find who was the perpetrator – as they simply appeared on his desk, walking in to find them there when he arrived – but had come up empty handed. He'd asked every boy and two girls he was feeling comfortable with but they all said no and he actually peeked in some other girls' notes but he was still empty-handed.
And now she just admits it.
He should thank her…! Well, now it would be a little awkward to do so, so he decided to just do something nice for her. And butting in in their conversation before didn't count, that much he knew. Huh; this must have been the reason she knew he was absent—the teacher probably had her copy her notes for him, as one of the representatives. What a good person. And he might be a little sarcastic as well, he isn't sure.
.
.
"Yo, Tokio, lend me a pencil."
"What is this? The high and mighty Saito Hajime lost his?"
"That, or I'm selling stationery on the side."
She tried not to laugh albeit little unsuccessfully – she spit out before she could cover her mouth – and offered the pencil, accompanied by a rubber. "I'm feeling merciful," she added arrogantly when he pretended to be surprised by it.
"In that case can you lend me your notes, too? I'll only take a minute."
"Dude, you have to stop this; don't be lazy. Keep your own notes."
"I'm not lazy you just keep better notes than me. And you must be one of the few people whose notes I can easily follow, so keeping my own notes makes it automatically unproductive."
She made a face. "For you maybe!"
"Don't complain; I just paid you a compliment."
"Oh well, if you paid me a compliment, I'll just bake you a cake, too!"
"Now you're just being mean."
She rolled her eyes, but conceded, handing him her notebook. "Want it back today, okay?"
"When have I ever-?"
The question died in his throat at her knowing look, because they both knew he'd be lying if he kept talking. He had given them back late a lot of times these last three months. Ever since he found out it was her, he kept borrowing and borrowing notes and once or twice got her in trouble because he forgot it or didn't give it back in time – and she was far too mortified the one time he produced her notebook for the teacher in front of the entire class – . So he simply smiled at her, trying to act innocent.
"Before the break ends, yes?"
"I'll have them back before fifteen minutes are up." He stated as he was disappearing behind the door.
"Don't make promises you can't keep~!" she warned yet again in a sing-song voice. Seconds later, Tama-chan walked in, causing Tokio to smile. "Hey Tama-tan; how's the ankle?"
"Healing." She admitted bitterly.
"Told you; shouldn't have tried to do that backflip."
"It was supposed to be easier," she bit out annoyed.
"I still warned you."
"You always warn me; if I listened to you, I wouldn't do anything."
"And you'd have saved both face and an ankle—and many more things…"
"I hate you right now."
Tokio's retort never left her lips though, as two strange students walked into the class. Both were male and of the right age, but they both wore another school's uniform. It wasn't a gakuran like theirs, but a blue and red tie and a beige cardigan. The one looked younger than them but he wore the same clothes as the other, much taller boy who looked older, so they must have been both in high school at least.
Both girls looked at them hard, but Tokio reacted immediately. Seeing she was the class representative – at least one of the two – she stood smiling. "Hello; are you looking for someone?"
"Ah yes!" the shorter boy with the light brown hair replied and smiled back. "We're looking for our friend, Saito Hajime. We heard he's in this class."
"Oh! He is, yes; he'll be right back, just stepped outside. You don't have to stand at the door though, he's not even ready anyway. Come inside and-."
"I'm Kyouka Tama-chan," her friend interjected, locking on to the tall one. "Pleasure to meet you."
He was very tall – taller than Saito, and he was nearing 1.85 –; he had a serious face but a very handsome one, angular too. His features were very traditional in a good way. He was thin but she would bet not as thin as his buggier clothes made him look—Tokio could see his bare forearms and they were muscular. No wonder Tama-chan had jumped him like that! Especially when today was the day she was supposed meet her soulmate. Now if only his name was Matsuda…
"I'm Okita Souji, he's Hijikata Toushijou," the shorter, obviously the more chipper than the two, answered her brightly. "We're very happy to meet you, too. And you are?"
"Takagi Tokio," she informed with a slight inclination of the head, trying not to smile too widely at her friend's sour expression of disappointment when she heard the names – lest they interpret it as interest in them –.
"Oh! So you're Tokio-chan!" chan? "Saito's told us about you!"
"…he has-?"
"He has?"
Tama's question was heard before hers, full of interest and innuendo, in contrast with Tokio's suspicious one. She tried not to be too annoyed by her friend.
"Yes!" At the ever hyper tone and eagerness oozing off of him, Hijikata gave him a strict look and Okita coughed and turned the volume a little down, never losing the smile. "Yes, he mentioned you once because you scored better than him and since then we sort of ask him about you; he doesn't talk too much about school so it was interesting."
"Ah, he doesn't talk all that much in general."
"In fact, he talks so little about himself, we didn't even know he had friends. We always sort of supposed he socialised out of a sense of duty."
"Tama-chan," Tokio scolded "that's just his personality." Tama stuck her tongue out – in an attempt to be cute, because Tama never did that – and before Tokio could roll her eyes, she simply turned to the boys. After another polite smile, she asked "so how do you know each other? And what school are you from?"
"We're from the Nakano Technical High School,"
"Not too far from here, okay." Tama spoke her mental note out loud.
"-and we go to the same dojo."
"Dojo? That's very interesting!" Tama continued and Tokio this once did smile as she shook her head.
"An, not really; we just learn how to protect ourselves with judo and our sensei teaches us the sword, too."
"Wow, don't give that man more weapons! His gift of tongue is enough."
In a rare show of emotion, Hijikata smiled at Tokio's very natural remark when Okita laughed. "You do know him a little, Tokio-chan," he managed to say.
"Don't have to know him too well to figure that out."
"Too true-oh! Saito! You're here!"
That was how everyone was alerted to the boy returning, through his friend's exclamation. Both girls' heads turned to the door and was it her idea or did the attention made him uncomfortable?
"…I thought we said you'd wait by the gate." He said it uncaringly but she could tell he really cared.
"Well, break started earlier and we were already here and-"
"-you were curious."
Not perturbed at all, Okita smiled brightly. "Well, yes." Making his friend shake his head.
"No harm, we were just talking." Tokio supplemented when he handed her notebook back and awkward silence seemed to have filled the air between the five of them.
"I bet."
She continued like she hadn't heard him. "Didn't know you went to judo—though that does explain the good PE records."
"Don't be jealous, Miss National Average."
"I'm not jealous," she replied rolling her eyes "I just made a comment. I mean, I'm not good at sports but I'm not bad at it either and knowing it's an area I never put any effort in, I'm more than pleased. I just said it makes sense you are good since you've been involved in martial arts for…how long?"
"Since I was five."
"Ten years!? Okay, ten years; long time…do you guys ever go to, like, athletic meets or something? I mean if you trouble yourselves for so long, you're bound to make something out of it."
"Of course we do!" Okita announced. "Every year; and we place really well."
Tokio smiled; his cheeriness was contagious. "Really? That's great! Good for you."
"How well?" Tama-chan had to ask, out of curiosity.
"First-five-places-nationally well; we are very gifted! And our sensei, Kondo-san, he's young—30 maybe, so he knows how to teach us and everything."
"That's…that's really cool. Hope you do well this year, too."
Okita had that ominous glint in his eyes and Saito knew he was about to say something embarrassing and tried to stop him…but didn't manage to speak before him, so Okita suggested: "You know Tokio-chan our first meet is in two weeks from now; 28th of December! You should totally come see us, cheer for us; we'll be very happy to have you both. And it will be a big relief to finally have at least one girl on our side who isn't there for Hijikata-sempai!"
A smothered laugh escaped Tokio who knew exactly the type girl he was talking about – one of her best friends served as an example – and made great effort not to be disrespectful to Hijikata who was torn between showing amusement or offense that Okita dragged him into this.
"So that's why you're leaving early. And thank you for the offer, but I think it'd be awkward-"
"Nonsense! We never had one of Saito's friends there before! I mean, we are his friends but we participate, too so it's not the same. But you'll be one of the crowd so it's different."
"That day one of my best friends also has a meet she's asked me to go watch—she's in archery. If she's done by the time you start, I'll come cheer for you!"
"Great! We'll be at the main prefecture gymnasium around…8 pm?"
"Oh! I can make it; hers is there at 6. Alright; we'll come!"
"You're so nice Tokio-chan!"
Saito started to feel somehow boxed in by all the developments. He didn't hate the idea of Tokio being there per se, but it wasn't something he would expect and he hated the unexpected. "Yes yes, let's go now." He shooed both his friend and himself, pushing Okita from the shoulders to the exit.
"Don't forget to cheer for me, too, ne?"
A chuckle. "Bye Okita-san!"
Once they were safely out the door, Tama sat in front of her friend, fire in her eyes. "Why does Saito have such hot friends!? It's not fair!"
"There there."
"And they actually knew you, hah, what's up with that? Think Saito maybe have a soft spot for you?"
Tokio rolled her eyes but shook her head. "They said he considers me a friend so it's normal. I mean, he's always so snarky I don't know how he thought of me but apparently we are friends. That's nice; I do like him. He's a cool guy. Kinda scathing…but cool."
"Well, he's friendlier to you that's why. He's still mean to me; and he calls Chiyo-chan pigtails girl! Very embarrassing." But Tokio was already laughing and something told Tama she was probably in agreement. "Okay, she does always make her hair into pigtails but he doesn't have to be so mean."
"He calls me everything and anything that comes to his head so I don't care. I do relate however."
"Though you're cool too I guess; I mean, all the guys like you. I don't mean romantically but, like, "Takagi-san is a cool person" kind of thing. Maybe it's because you're like this."
"Maybe; or maybe because I don't make their ears go numb talking about my perfect soulmate or amazing grades…!"
"Just go be sassy with Saito, you prick."
The two girls laughter could be heard all the way from the hallway…exactly were Saito was standing. He had forgotten something but when he heard his name, he had stopped. And then they said all of that and knew he couldn't go back but…he listened. And without realising, he smiled. He just made a friend. How fortuitous Okita decided to invade his class because if he hadn't, he still wouldn't know what to call her.
Today was a good day.
.
.
"Tokio-chan, did you really have to drag me into this as well?"
"Shut up Chiyo, we're doing you a favour! You didn't see his friends; but when you do, I'm sure you'll change your mind about dragging you here."
"So it wasn't Tokio-chan who insisted, it was you from the beginning."
"Well duh."
"What does your soulmate say about it, I wonder?"
"What he doesn't know, won't hurt him."
Tokio huffed, taking a seat. "Just sit your asses down. Besides weren't we just watching An-chan, Chiyo? She even said she'd come meet us and sit through the judo competition because she likes it."
"They better be very good looking and very gifted," Chiyo warned, fixing her pigtails like it was a threat.
They sat there and waited in silence till the announcer made his presence known through the speakers, welcoming everyone to the competition and going along with the formalities; the lighting changed to allow the martial artists to make it on stage and bow to the audience and one another.
Meanwhile the three girls were frantically looking all around for them, through the throngs of identically dressed people. Tokio was very excited already, but she was also curious to see how Saito looked in that traditional garb. Tama-chan next to her was working overtime as well, but it was Chiyo who spotted him first.
"Wow, Saito looks very mature in his uniform," was her casual comment and when both girls started bombarding her with the question "where?" she showed the first row, tenth person.
Tama chuckled. "Heh, you're right; ah there's Okita, the small guy on his right. Ooooooh, see the gorgeous guy two places left? That's Hijikata!"
"The long haired guy?"
"Yes!"
"…He is gorgeous!"
"I know right!"
As her friends proceeded to make comments about Hijikata's fine face and how built he must have been underneath that uniform, Tokio was putting all of her energy into making their presence known to the three boys. Okita was the only one looking her way so she frantically waved till his eye caught the movement. When he did, she smiled brightly, teeth and all, but waved less enthusiastically in fear she'd poke anyone's eye out.
Saito glanced at his friend and saw Okita was trying not to smile while looking at the bleachers; he followed his eyes and spotted Tokio smiling and waving at him. When she realised Saito saw her, too, she turned to him and did the same, a little more animatedly. "Good luck" she mouthed and "do your best". When he mimicked something like rolling his eyes but not quite, she gave him a thumbs up, knowing he had seen her.
Just then, Saito felt something at his ribs and saw that Souji had elbowed him; the boy gave him a look. "She came," he told his friend in a hushed but devilish tone.
"Don't be too happy; now I'm compelled to do better than you."
"Just to show off to Tokio?"
"Her and the other two as well; I have a reputation to uphold at school after all."
"Right," he drawled teasingly.
"Shut up, we're starting."
.
.
"Oh my god! Did you see that!? Did you see it? He just…swung him over!"
"And he's even a foot shorter!"
"Okita is really impressive, especially because of his size."
Chiyo developed an easy crush on Okita so she was quick to gush over him once the fighting had ended; she would cheer and clap and whistle excitedly while the fighting was happening, but now she was free to detail her impressions. As much as she could anyhow. Tama-chan was quick to jump in the bandwagon because then she knew it wouldn't be too obvious when she gushed about Hijikata. And An-chan, their tallest and oldest friend, a girl of 17 years old, long brown hair and a non-committal gaze, ever the athlete, was happy to comment on these men's abilities.
"Right? Right?"
"I loved how Hijikata won every game so easily, too." Tama changed the subject – deflating Chiyo in the process – and giggled. "If he can throw men like those around so easily you can only guess how much easier he'd lift a girl up."
"You said Hijikata right? So I did see well. I knew about Okita but I had no idea about Hijikata; we go to the same school, all three. Hijikata is in my class, in fact."
"Really?" That was all news to Tama who was quick to lap it up! "How is he?"
"Well, you've seen him."
"Personality-wise, genius!"
"Mmm, he's okay; doesn't talk much, serious…like always. But he blushes a lot." After a moment of silence, all three girls burst out laughing, leaving their older friend bewildered. "Wha-he blushes! He does, very much so!"
"I can't picture that guy blush."
"I can, but not a lot; maybe a couple of times." Tokio offered. "But I can totally buy him being so serious all the time. He just has one of those faces. By the way, I swear to god, I had no idea judo was so intense. I never watched any before! And Saito is very skilled, like one hit k.o. every point. "
"Duuuuude, Saito was lethal! You couldn't even see how exactly he moved, he was so fast!" An commented impressed. "Hijikata was very good and Okita was visually impressive but Saito has some real skill—he's just not flashy, like his friends."
Tokio nodded, adding: "True; I'm kind of scared how easily he dispatched them all. Though this does explain why, when a bunch of delinquents from another school came for one of our classmates, they never managed to make any trouble. I had seen Saito intercept them at a hallway and I believe he led them outside…where he proceeded to beat the living daylights out of them, apparently."
"Hahahahaha I had no idea about that! Tokio how do you even remember or pay attention to these things, I never do I swear to god…"
"That's why I'm class representative and you aren't, Tama-chan."
"No fair!"
Two voices were heard saying the exact same thing but with many differences; the biggest one must have been one was male and the other female; the one came from next to them but the other from behind. And the complaining but cheerful tone made everyone realise it must have been Okita who spoke, so they all spun around together.
And they were right! The three boys were heading towards them, still in their uniforms. They were sweaty and tired but very happy. And how could they not be? They just advanced to nationals. Still, Okita was pouting at Saito who looked like the cat who ate the canary and Hijikata simply walked next to them, serious as always.
"You rarely beat me in these meets; it's no fair one of these instances was today. The girls were watching!"
"Maybe their presence distracted you more than you realised."
He puffed up his cheeks at his friend's satisfaction. "No fair; they were even cheering more for you and Hijikata." He averted his eyes – probably because that was a big lie and he knew it – and that's when he spotted them. "Ah! The girls; we reached them. Hey Tokio-chan, Tama-chan…An-sempai! Wow what are you doing here? Are you, girls, friends? And who is this lovely girl?"
At the sight of her, Hijikata's eyes became just a fraction wider and seemed to…turn a little red. Did he just blush? "An-san," he said anyhow, always polite, inclining his head a little.
"This is Chiyo, Okita-kun, Hijikata-san! Hello, hello; I had my own competition just before and since the girls said they'll be sticking around for more, I decided to join them. And yes, we are friends! Been living in the same apartment complex since ever. Though I didn't know your meet was today; and I had no idea Hijikata-san participated, too."
"…I wasn't hiding it…it just never came up."
"Hahahaha, you weren't broadcasting it either though! Anyhow, anyhow, don't think I'm accusing you of anything. You do whatever you want!"
"…I really wasn't hiding it."
"I believe you, don't worry; really."
He spoke no more; he gave a little nod and returned to his silent mode, though the faint pinkness on his cheeks remained. Tokio gave a strange look and then looked at the pair of them twice; what was going on here? Hijikata had barely uttered a single word when they met him—he was being…verbose with An-chan though. Now that was interesting. Saito must have caught her at it because he smiled in a knowing way.
Chiyo coughed to cover for the awkwardness creeping up on them and took the lead. "So why are you here? Came to tell us something or…?"
"Before that," Tokio started, her tone scolding to her friend "congratulations for advancing on the next stage! You guys were amazing; you are very good at what you do and you should be proud. It was very kickass."
"Thank you," they chorused, bowing altogether – exchanging slight smiles at their synchronization – "you are too kind."
"We are not judges, geez don't lower your heads!" Tama-chan said in a tone that implied she actually liked what they did.
"We are here to thank you for coming. Thank you for accepting our invitation and thank you for taking the time to watch us to the end." Okita spoke for all of them and once more they bowed. "And we'd love to go somewhere with you and grab a bite but we have a tradition that-"
"Don't explain yourselves, please!" Tokio seemed mortified at the thought they were under the impression they somehow had to "make it up" to them. "We came because we wanted to, no one forced us. So please, do whatever you normally do after competitions, please." All of the girls murmured their agreement – others less willing than some –.
"Then please accept our thanks and if you'll excuse us…"
"Ah, Saito! Can I ask you a question before you go? I'll only be a minute." She saw him look back at her and then at his friends, seeking permission and when both motioned it was fine, only then did he go to her side. Tokio at the same time turned to the girls saying "just go, I'll catch up."
When both teams of people were out of earshot, Tokio's expression turned devilish. "Does Hijikata-san like An-chan?"
The smirk on his face said yes, but his hands crossing in front of his chest said no. "And where did you get that impression I wonder?"
"He blushed!" Saito tried not to smile. "And he even spoke to her without being goaded into it and he blushed before his name was even brought up! He likes her, doesn't he? They go to the same school, same class, both athletic…he likes her."
"…it's a little more complicated than that but yes, I too believe he likes your friend. He talks about her in a positive way."
"Heeeeh; how is it complicated?"
"…" He was reluctant to speak, but something inside him drove to confine in her; he leaned a little further in. "She's his soulmate." Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped a little. "But he won't tell her because her tattoo wasn't gone the day he met her as his was; so in fact, one could say Hijikata is-."
"Afraid to tell her. Who would have thought he of all people wouldn't have confidence with women, huh? Alright…but does he actually like her or is it just because she's his-"
"He likes her." he cut in full of confidence and he found he actually liked the way she differentiated between liking someone because you liked them or just because they were supposed to be your soulmates. It matched well with his own beliefs and he appreciated that.
"Aww that's cute; but tell him to have confidence. I know for a fact her soulmate tattoo was erased that day—she just redid it. She said she didn't want the guy to know because they are too young and he seemed very serious so who knows what he'll do?" she mimicked her friend almost perfectly. "And if that doesn't scream Hijikata I don't know what does." That seemed to make him feel better because he genuinely smiled at the sound of that. "So…our friends are soulmates. That's nice. Just make sure he doesn't propose to her tomorrow; she'll probably kick his ass. Or try to anyway—he doesn't seem the type to take a beating."
Saito laughed; really actually laughed. She chuckled surprised and looked at him wondered but surprisingly in a good mood. "I'll make sure. Bye Tokio; and thanks for coming today."
"You're very welcome," was all she said while waving goodbye.
All she could think about though was what she just found out. Who would have thought two people so different – the proper and serious Hijikata-san – soulmate and in love with her loud, very improper and always unlady-like An-chan.
Opposites attract after all…
.
.
.
The incident of them going to see their meet, set a precedent between the group and ever since, every time they had to go to a thing like that the girls would follow; it gave an excuse to Hijikata to flirt with An and vice versa – as they still didn't have the nerve to confess for one reason or the other –. It also gave a good ground for the five of them to really become friends and get to know each other much better. Though Tama-chan would at times bring her boyfriend slash soulmate it usually was just them but it became sort of apparent who were the ones who matched better: besides the obvious Hijikata – An, who had a good relationship despite their so different personalities, Okita seemed to get better along with the shy Chiyo by trying to get her out of her shell. It worked for the most part, as Chiyo was becoming more sociable and open as time went by and Tama-chan was a good third addition to that party.
But what really was unexpected for the girls, though shouldn't be really – if you asked the boys – was how well Tokio and Saito seemed to get on. They were being very snappy to one another and would usually argue about the smallest of things, but they never really seemed to mind. It was odd—but was it? Both people were very confrontational and actually enjoyed the back and forth. There was also the fact they were so smart, they could hold conversations for a long time. Also, they seemed to appreciate and respect each other's opinion without it being said as just a formality.
That of course led to both being class representatives once the other boy said he'd quit and poor souls the other classes' representatives if they ever decided to ask for something these two were championing for their own benefit; they were impossible to win against. Also, their study sessions became famous in a heartbeat; once Tokio realised why he kept asking her notes, they decided to study together whenever they could. If one saw them at the library together, hunched over a notebook and speaking in fervent but hushed whispers, that was it; saw them walking to a park together, they were going to study there.
So far so, once Tokio invited him over to her house, with the girls.
That was it. Ever since, they never studied elsewhere other than her place. With her parents usually there – her father continuously checking on her and her mother laughing at her husband in her hand – and sometimes her friends present, they would always do homework in her room, him on the floor, her on her bed. It was one of those study nights she finally decided to ask.
They'd just finished solving a difficult math problem, finally getting it right. So exhausting it was, they both refused to do anything else even remotely related to schoolwork. They melted into the surroundings, taking long breaths and sighs.
"Saito," she drawled "you've been gone from your home too much; your parents must hate me."
"…if they were still around, maybe; I lost them when I was twelve. Accident; illness."
She was left staring. She expected a snarky remark, a sarcastic response or something, but he just came out and said something so personal, so easily. And without even looking away. That couldn't be normal…she realised he must have personal circumstances to be this far from home so many hours every day but she didn't see that coming—not the actual answer, but the bluntness of him. She felt like an asshole, too.
"I'm sorry…I didn't know. M, my condolences."
"Thank you."
She decided not to let the silence go on for long in fear it'll become too awkward for her. "…so you live with another relative or…?"
"Gran's been taking care of me but I don't live with her, no; she lives in Yokohama."
"Ah. That's not too far."
"She visits every two days. Cooks me something nice, helps with the cleaning…it's alright."
"…if you have an apartment all to yourself then why in earth are you putting up with my dad and don't just tell me to come over?"
He chuckled at her simple-mindedness, maybe even the way her brain worked; but he chose to smirk instead and close his eyes. Leaning back on the soft fabric of the blanket, he rolled his shoulders. "Exactly because we'd be all alone, I thought it prudent not to invite you over; I also bet your father would have a heart attack, if he ever found out and you don't look like the type to be able to keep a secret."
"Oh hush! I can keep a secret if I so desire."
"Cannot."
"Oh yeah? Then how-?" She was about to snap something, but clearly decided against it. It piqued his interest but said nothing. "Change of subject," she stated "did you know you scored second best on the last test?"
"I haven't beaten you yet that's why I didn't mention it."
"Heeeh, you won't be able to beat me Saito; not once."
He chuckled. "We'll see next test; I'll take first seat."
"First of all, you'll never be able to overtake me. Ever. Secondly, you're first at everything else, don't be greedy. Even your bloody tattoo is better than anyone else's."
Ah. She said it. She finally said it. She mentioned the tattoo, one on one, in his face. And what's more, it was done in a bitter way. It clearly showed some sort of jealousy. He hadn't pegged her the type, too—maybe something happened to her pertaining to that. He decided to ask.
"Are you jealous Tokio?"
"No…!"
Oh, she sounded honest. Then "what is it?"
"Nothing, it's just…this is not about you, it's about me, my tattoo. It…it drives me crazy."
"How so?"
Somehow, both people felt it; his guarded tone, his much more careful approach. He was shielding himself, he was ready to judge her, or more accurately, he was about to judge her views and the status of their relationship. They could go from friends to acquaintances with just one wrong word; or they could go from friends to being better friends, all depending on how she'd answer. She felt it clearly…but she wouldn't say anything she didn't believe in. She liked him, yes, but what's the point of lying to someone just so you can have them around? Then they don't like you for you, but for some version of you that matches their interests. And then you can't be yourself.
So she preferred being disliked for what she believed in than the opposite. She took a deep breath.
"The damned thing is always changing. I don't know why it does it…Tama-chan once said fate can't decide who to put me with, so till the day that happens, it'll keep on changing. I don't believe that because frankly it sounds a little moronic and too fatalistic but…I frigging hate the attention it brings. And lately people have been noticing it a lot; it always happens when exams are close—probably has to do with the way I incline my head when I read or something. And usually it's fine, I don't care all that much but…the older I get, the nastier the comments. And I feel so disgusted."
She hid her face in her hand but ended up pinching the bridge of her nose. "Grown ass men, you know; don't they have anything better to do? And the venom on some people's mouth…so yes I'm jealous of your tattoo, I'm jealous of the fact everyone only has good things to say about it, because that distances you from them personally. You're just timer guy. I'm…that frivolous girl with the tattoo that's always changing. And that's being extremely nice."
She let out a strangled scream of desperation as she fell flat on her face on her cushy bed. "I hate soulmate tattoos."
All his life…all his life he hadn't realised. There was not a single person who didn't want to be him—they were all jealous of his infinitely convenient tattoo and how lucky he was to get it. He never had any positive feelings towards it and they turned negative once he saw just how much more attention people paid on that, rather his own achievements and then his parents died and it all sort of spiralled downwards from there.
But he never realised he was lucky. It could have been so much worse—all the attention could be negative, the tattoo different. He could be looked down upon, instead of overlooked; he honestly could tell, right in that moment, he finally saw his predicament in a whole different light. He saw Tokio in a whole different light.
"…don't worry," he comforted her without even thinking "I hate them, too."
She raised her head to find his only centimetres away; the way they were positioned, she'd look directly into his, so she could tell: he was being honest with her. He accepted her. That resounded so deep within her, the echoes brought tears to her eyes. After so many years, someone understood but what's more, agreed. He sympathised. Battling to keep the tears back, but failing once or twice, she buried her face in her blanket and covered it with her hands.
"You may be the only one," she managed to get out, though the crying could be heard in her voice.
So for the second time that night, he did something he nearly never did: comforted her again. "…It goes without saying, but you're much more than some dirt on your skin. You're you; and even if you couldn't be you exactly like this without it, it still doesn't define you. It's just another part of you."
She stopped crying, ears burning. He was being so kind, it made her blush. "…you, too; the Saito I know is ten times better than timer-guy."
His heart did an odd thing where it skipped a beat; he was suddenly knocked figuratively back by an unprecedented warm emotion and felt he couldn't breathe properly. Without realising, he spoke the words he wanted spoken to him and…she returned the favour and actually told him: he was much more than what others would stereotype him as. Collecting himself fast, he smirked at her and snorted.
"Even the snarky part?"
She giggled, feeling giddy from all the excitement. "Especially the snarky part."
A/N: Part one is over and I'm really thinking hard on how to post this. Meh, never mind. No matter what choice I make I'll feel like it's the wrong one. Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this little prelude and hang on to your seats for the rest. Do tell me what you thought of it.