Note – For the gx_100. Not set at any specific point, but probably Pre-GX during Ryo and Fubuki's first year.
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There was only one shop at Duel Academia.
This shop sold what was vital to all students' lives – food and cards. Granted that most of the food tended to be sandwiches, but with such a large variety of flavours of sandwiches as Tome provided this was hardly a setback.
But even so, a lot of the people who lived on the island for most of the year were teenagers, and teenagers have needs.
It was seen as a test of character. Though returning to the mainland wasn't impossible it was impractical to go there and back on a regular basis just to get a few items of luxury. Sensible students would make that trip once every few months, or even during holidays, with set goals in mind about what they wanted to buy before returning to the island. Sensible students who had more will power did without the shopping.
Ryo had to credit Fubuki that while he was materialistic he did withhold and went without for a long while before he eventually took a trip to get things from the mainland. However, the sorts of items Fubuki brought back were usually… odd.
Fubuki was an unpredictable creature. He probably found a lot of joy in picking out whatever he thought would surprise others and bringing it back. "It seemed like a good idea at the time" was a quote that could be applied to Fubuki.
The reasons he gave Ryo for these spending habits usually went along those lines. But this time Ryo didn't initially notice what it was Fubuki had bought as the boy hopped off the ferry and made his way over to the lighthouse where Ryo was standing.
He seemed to be empty-handed.
But when Fubuki got within ten feet of him suddenly Ryo knew exactly what it was that Fubuki had brought back.
A strong will prevented him from doubling over, but even that couldn't stop him from lifting a hand to cover his nose. The smell was awful!
"You've noticed I see," said Fubuki, grinning obliviously.
Surely he couldn't have mistaken that reaction as one of approval, Ryo wondered.
Out loud he said, "That… isn't my sort of…" Sort of what? Was it cologne? Was it perfume? He wouldn't put perfume past Fubuki.
"What do you mean not your sort? All the high-class men back in Domino are wearing this," commented Fubuki. Which meant that he'd bought it from an expensive shop, not that he had any actual evidence that high-class men wore it, Ryo knew.
"They must all smell very bad then," replied Ryo, before he could stop himself.
Fubuki's face did a double take. It was hard to tell if he was acting or not but he certainly looked offended.
"Maybe your nose just can't pick up on style," was the response.
Despite himself, Ryo smiled a little and said, "Perhaps my nose just has more sense than money."
"Look Ryo, this is what men smell like and you're just going to have to accept that," Fubuki answered in a finishing tone, folding his arms to emphasise that.
"Men who probably won't be dating anyone for a long time to come?" Ryo said, determined to, if not win the argument, at least convince Fubuki to get rid of the stench.
"It's going to affect my love life?" This hit home with Fubuki, who took a step backwards, "I cannot have that. The idol of all romance at Duel Academia must always have a date."
"So will you go take it off then?" asked Ryo, feeling relieved.
"I'm washing it off right now," Fubuki said firmly.
"But how can you- …oh."
The last things Ryo saw of Fubuki were his legs as they disappeared into the water below the docks. That explained how he'd take it off then.
At the end of the day there was only one shop at Duel Academia. And sometimes, Ryo concluded, that could drive a few students a bit crazy.
