Day 24 – Rejouissance

The following Monday the comments Hotsuma received got even more hostile and he started to bite back. Only verbally for that moment but he felt his temper rising and his patience dwindling.

Of course it was only him the teachers scolded although this time it was not him who started it. But he was already used to this treatment. Somewhere occurred trouble – it's Renjou's fault. That's how it went. He didn't mind anymore.

Everything escalated after school when Hotsuma started his way home. Shuusei for once stayed behind. A teacher wanted to talk to him after lessons ended so Hotsuma had to go home alone when what felt like half the females of this school and some of the guys stepped into his way.

"You stay away from Usui-kun. Got it?" one of the girls from Shuusei's class started.

"You don't deserve his friendship." Another girl from the third year added.

"You should stay away from this school."

"Best you joined your parents in their graves"

"We don't want you here!"

Hotsuma was completely taken aback. He knew most of the other students didn't like him but he didn't expect them all to unite against him. Soon he was surrounded and unable to get away.

"Leave me alone you shitheads! I've done nothing to you!" he demanded.

"You've done more than enough! I wonder why Usui chose you of all people to be friends with... Why are you even friends?" one of the guys provoked him. "Are you secretly fucking him?"

"Keep away from him! He sure doesn't want that. That's rape!"

"Wai..." This was so ridiculous Hotsuma didn't even know how to react, but the choice was taken from him when someone shoved him from behind into another guy's arms.

"Ugh! Stay away from me faggot! Rape someone else!" And that was for Hotsuma the sign to stop being nice. Those people were here to humiliate him. He did not stand a chance but he would not be the only one injured today.

He was breathing heavily, a split lip, his ribs ached but he stood his ground fighting five guys at once.

But suddenly behind him the group fell completely silent. Someone had joined them and when Hotsuma dared to turn around he found Shuusei standing there expression more than just icy. Not even a smile was visible. His friend was furious.

Without a word Shuusei stepped through the crowd to stand by Hotsuma's side. No one was daring to step into his way. Everyone was sensing that it would be a very bad idea to oppose the collected boy right now.

"29 people against one. I've never seen such cowardice before." His voice was calm but filled with revulsion. He seemed to look at everyone, noticing every small movement. "You don't dare to scratch my reputation so you choose to lash against my best friend? And what did you fucking bigots hope to achieve with that behaviour? Gain my respect? That's disgusting! You're disgusting! Let me tell you something: None of you scums will ever be able to distance myself from my friends. And now get lost! All of you or I'll forget myself completely. You fuckwits piss me off!" His voice was now filled with venom he seemed ready to attack anyone who dared to provoke him the slightest.

Most of the girls and boys indeed left the scene. No one had ever seen Shuusei in such a mood and none of them doubted he would make empty threats.

"U...sui-kun" His classmate from earlier started but he looked as her coldly

"Which part of get lost didn't you understand? Shall I spell it out for you? Oh... And don't think I don't know who was participating. When I see any! of you near Hotsuma again don't count on my empathy."

She gulped and backed off as well as the rest of the people.

"Are you okay?" Shuusei turned to Hotsuma and looked at him worriedly.

"Y...yeah... I'm fine. But... Shuusei... that was scary... I never want you as my enemy."

"No... you don't. Believe me. No one does. Just because I prefer to stay out of trouble doesn't mean I can't defend myself or the ones who are important to me."

"So... you know how to fight?"

"Of course I do." A small smile crept on Shuusei's lips. "I had to gain my grounds in America. A small polite Asian is not considered someone to take seriously. And sometimes you need to get a bit rough for the others to understand they can't fuck you over."

"I'm not used to such bad words from you."

"As I said I prefer the peaceful way. But a smile and please and thank you would not have done here. Come, you have to see the nurse... Your poor victims fled as I see." Shuusei said and returned to the building.

"You pity them?" Hotsuma asked trying to keep up. His ribs really hurt and his lip bled.

"I pity them for their injuries. Not the reason they got them. They deserved what they got. That's out of question. Do you want to lean on me?"

"Thanks I can walk quite fine..." Shuusei snickered. Of course Hotsuma would bear his injuries with pride.

Soon after they reached the infirmary and the nurse sighed deeply when she spotted Hotsuma.

"Again?" The woman asked. "Sit down."

"This time he's innocent. He just defended himself." Shuusei said and waited for the nurse to finish examining his friend.

"I know. I've seen it all." She pointed to the window before switched her attention to Hotsuma's lip.

"You're hell of a lucky guy Renjou-kun. Nothing's broken your lip will also need no stitches. Just keep it cool. Have an ice cream or two and you'll be fine. And try to stay out of trouble."

"I haven't done anything this time. They came to beat me up..." Just because he was Shuusei's friend.

"Yes... do you know the reason?"

"When the most popular student is best friends with the least popular it attracts problems", Shuusei replied.

"I see... Don't let them ruin your friendship." The nurse looked at Shuusei. "He needs someone to ground him."

Shuusei smirked. "You don't have to tell me how I should deal with this hot-head. I know him far longer than you."

An hour later both of them were sitting at their favourite spot under the Sakura trees eating an ice cream to cool Hotsuma's lip.

"I have to say I really like what you're hiding from the world." Hotsuma smirked looking at his best friend proudly.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean? Everything. Your taste in music, this... dark side you've shown today. All the deep things one would not think you'd like or do. I like it."

Shuusei smiled. "And I really like the gentleness you're hiding from the world. I guess I'm the only one who can see it", he confessed. "When I look at you I can still see the bright boy you used to be. And I like it in combination with your harsh outside."

He put his hand on top of Hotsuma's.

The blonde boy was again a bit surprised but then he turned his hand around so that their fingers could intertwine.

"Thank you for being here Hotsuma. I'm not the only one who keeps you grounded. I also felt lonely over there and I'm glad to have my best friend back." Shuusei said quietly and looked into Hotsumas eyes.

"I... don't know what to say..." Hotsuma said and couldn't turn his eyes away.

"Then say nothing." Shuusei whispered when he closed their distance and let his lips gently slide against Hotsuma's. It was just a short tender touch as if to test the waters but also to pass on sincere feelings.

"Ouch." Hotsuma pulled away. Of course that contact had hurt his lip.

"I'm sorry..." Shuusei seemed a bit insecure. He looked at his best friend anxiously.

Hotsuma fell silent seeming to figure out what had just happened.

"Don't be..." he said quietly. "Just... I don't want to lose my best friend..."

Shuusei smiled. "You won't. Hotsuma... Even if this fails... I'm convinced our friendship will survive. Believe in your own words. Bestest friends forever."

"Bestest friends forever." Hotsuma repeated as if to taste these words he had spoken so many years before. Then he nodded. "If you stay my friend... then it's okay."

Shuusei smiled happily and soon sat directly next to Hotsuma leaning his head on his shoulder.

"But Hotsuma..."

"Hm?"

"I have one condition."

"Which one?" Hotsuma looked at Shuusei carefully waiting for that condition.

"Never kiss me right after you smoked."

"What?"

"You heard correctly."

"That's all?"

"That's all." Shuusei smiled and kissed Hotsuma again this time looking out to not hit the injury.

THE END(?)