Asano Gakushuu has a problem.
The problem's name is Akabane Karma.
Why is... that... the problem?
Well.
"A- sa- nooooo..." The Devil whines.
Gakushuu ignores him.
"I'm booooorreeeedddd," it drawls.
"Go play with Shiota," Gakushuu says.
"But he's not here."
"Text him."
''But you're right in front of me."
"I'm busy."
"All you're doing is studying. You always study."
"Education is important."
"Not if studying is the only thing you do all day."
"Studying helps broaden the mind."
"You can't study all day. You should take a break."
Gakushuu sighs. Yes. His problem is an extremely frustrating fly that refuses to just leave him alone.
"Akabane," he says flatly. "Shut up."
Akabane gasps dramatically in mock horror.
"Asano Gakushuu! Just! Cursed!" He says.
"That was not foul language," Gakushuu says.
"Asano Gakushuu just told me to shut up," Akabane pretends to sob.
Gakushuu imagines wringing his neck.
"Akabane," he says instead. "Please stay quiet so I can study."
"Okay!" Satan hums, before skipping off.
Gakushuu sighs in relief.
He goes back to studying.
The Demon skips back to him while drinking a carton of strawberry milk.
Gakushuu resists the urge to groan in annoyance.
The Sadist sits down and stares at him.
Gakushuu does not look at it.
The Spawn Of Evil does not deserve to be called a he. The Spawn Of Evil deserves to be called an it.
The sound of slurping interrupts the silence. Gakushuu grits his teeth.
The Vile Entity pouts. Gakushuu ignores it.
The Utter Irritating Pest lays its head on its arms. Gakushuu does not turn to look.
The Insect lifts an arm to poke him. Gakushuu raises his arm as a warning.
It lowers its arm.
Silence.
(Later, Gakushuu turns to look at the Revolting Hyena, only to see it sleeping peacefully. The light from the sun through the window and the room lights above cast a small halo in his hair and his arms under his head twitch every once in a while. Puffs of air leave his lips and his lashes seem so long up close. Gakushuu stares. His arm raises and his hand twitches and it falls on the head with red locks. He pauses. Snatches his arm away. Gakushuu stares with a flush on his cheeks.
He turns away.)
The Abusive Parents Club
Raspberry: guys i just had an awesome idea
Raspberry: hear me out
Blueberry: Yes Karma
Raspberry: for our next meet up
Raspberry: which will be this saturday btw
Raspberry: asano will be bringing entertainment
Raspberry: also wear the matching shirts i got
Strawberry: Wait, why me?
Raspberry: well we take turns
Raspberry: it's a circle
Raspberry: every meet up someone else brings stuff to do
Raspberry: last time i brought the matching shirts
Raspberry: it's ur turn
Strawberry: What? Why can't Shiota go next?
Raspberry: i said it's ur turn fucktard
Strawberry: Fine. But why this Saturday?
Raspberry: cause i said so
Blueberry: Guys, don't fight
Blueberry: We'll be there Karma
Blueberry: And we'll wear the matching shirts
Raspberry: hell yeah
Asano and his Idiots
Idiot 1, The Highest Honor of Idiot: Asano, we were planning on studying together this Saturday. Are you coming?
Asano, The Idiot Tamer: Apologies, Ren. I'm afraid I am occupied that day. I've already made plans.
Idiot 1, The Highest Honor of Idiot: That's alright. Would you be up for Sunday instead, or are you busy then too?
Asano, The Idiot Tamer: I am fine with Sunday.
Idiot, English Sir: That's great!
Social Studies, Ha! I Know More, Idiot!: We'll see you then, right?
Asano, The Idiot Tamer: Yes.
Memorization is Science, Eyebrows, Idiot: What are your plans for Saturday anyway, Asano?
Asano, The Idiot Tamer: I will not say.
Idiot 1, The Highest Honor of Idiot: That's alright, Asano, you don't need to tell us.
Asano, The Idiot Tamer: Thank you, Ren.
Gakushuu arrives home. He greets his father. He gets no reply, and he is not punished. He enters his room, closes the door, and places his bag down. Then he sits on his bed. He thinks.
It spirals into another thought about the Abusive Parents Club that Akabane had presented to them (although they were unwillingly dragged along). Gakushuu has no idea why Akabane thought it was a good idea. First of all, why just the three of them? Should it even be a club? Gakushuu's pretty sure every child has been hurt by their parent. Doesn't everyone get hit by their mother and father? Second thing, why keep it a secret? Akabane seemed to leave that hanging in the air. What reason is there to hide it? None that Gakushuu knows. He'll do it anyway, of course, but still. Also, his m-
His friends.
Ren, Araki, Seo, and Koyama.
They're getting suspicious lately.
They also ask how he's suddenly become friends with Akabane, somewhat.
Gakushuu doesn't know.
Akabane's also been acting weird.
He's been bothering Gakushuu a lot more and pouting and whining. He's been clingy, and sometimes Gakushuu doesn't understand some of the things he's saying, which cause Akabane to give him an unimpressed look. Gakushuu should be the one who's unimpressed! He's the one who should be giving Akabane that look! Not the other way around! Who does Akabane think he is? He's the one saying confusing things! What does studying is bad for you, but don't worry, I'll help because I'm good for you mean exactly? Why does Gakushuu's reply of you're never good for me Akabane, you're a terrible influence and you should be studying too, not going out to play in the park or whatever suddenly cause Akabane to give him such a deadpan look? It doesn't make sense! Akabane doesn't make sense!
His friends had choked hearing that from Akabane, though Gakushuu doesn't understand why. He also doesn't understand why they'd given him such a bewildered yet unimpressed look when he'd replied, either. What was so wrong about his answer? He just said the truth! He should be studying, not having whatever fun Akabane intended.
Also, Shiota.
There's something about Shiota that makes Gakushuu's skin crawl and makes everything in him scream to back away, although Gakushuu will never admit that. It's not the boy himself, but... something about him... or around him? Gakushuu doesn't know. Gakushuu's not sure.
There's also his father. His father, who he loves and admires and he just wants his father to love him the board chairman the principal the-
Ahem. Moving on.
The school. His class. The other classes. The senseis and staff. Everyone.
He still needs to tutor students after school tomorrow, and he promised he'd go to the class get-together for a movie marathon. The hostess, Kinoshita Asuka, promised to make sure everyone was there and accounted for before they started, so he couldn't exactly skip out- not that he would, it would be detrimental to his reputation and the good, pure image the other students had of him. Speaking of, most of the school had been a little more hostile to Akabane lately. If Gakushuu had to pick a certain time it started, he'd say it happened a little after Akabane had said that thing in the library- the studying is bad for you, but don't worry, I'll help because I'm good for you. He doesn't know the reason the school would be so hostile and agitated towards Akabane, but, well...Also why do his thoughts always eventually stray to Akabane? It doesn't make sense. What does Akabane have to do with anything?
It doesn't matter what he'd be thinking of, Akabane will always pop back up in his thoughts. Why is that? Gakushuu doesn't understand. Akabane is so frustrating! It must be because of that. Yes. Akabane is such a pest.
Gakushuu can't help himself. He can't stop thinking about Akabane. Why? Why is Akabane always intruding his thoughts? No matter where Gakushuu goes, he's always bothered by Akabane!
It makes him want to tug his hair and rip it out from his scalp.
Gakushuu flops on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhh! His mind screams. He's nice, his heart comments.
No. NO. Gakushuu thinks. Akabane is not nice.
Gakushuu stops. He pauses. He quickly thinks of something else.
He thinks of his educational subjects.
Science, Japanese, English, Social Studies, Math...
Akabane was always good at math.
No.
Science...
Koyama is quite commendable at science. Really though, Gakushuu is better. Okuda Manami from last year's E Class seemed to have taken his expertise of that, too.
Japanese.
Ren is quite extravagant with that subject. Of course, Gakushuu is still the best, although Kanzaki Yukiko from last year's E Class was quite impressive too.
English.
Seo always likes to brag about the fact that he went to Los Angeles. He likes to brag about his English skills. Well, Gakushuu is more fluent than he is, and Nakamura Rio from last year's E Class surpassed him as well.
Social Studies.
Araki is quite confident, and holds one of the top spots in that subject. Gakushuu always holds top, though, and Isogai Yuuma of last year's E Class held quite strong, too.
For Math...
Gakushuu holds that title rather well. Or, he did, until last year with Akabane.
Akabane and his stupid red hair.
Akabane, who is actually a challenge and holds well against Gakushuu, who makes it a competition and who excels at Math more than Gakushuu does. Someone on par with Gakushuu.
Akabane, who is a rival and acquaintance, a sort-of-friend.
Akabane, who is intelligent and strong.
Akabane-
NO.
Change of subject.
Gakushuu comes to school the next day, exhausted.
Akabane approaches his desk.
"Yo, Asano," he drawls.
"Akabane," Gakushuu greets.
"You know, you seem pretty tired," Akabane says. "Not getting enough sleep? You could hurt your pretty face."
"Yes, well, thank you," Gakushuu says. "I'm quite flattered you think my face is pretty."
"Everyone thinks your face is pretty, Asano," Akabane deadpans.
Gakushuu hums in faux surprise. No one can tell except Akabane. Maybe also the other Virtuosos, but that's because they know him. (Although, Gakushuu will admit to himself, that Akabane knows him more than they do, and Gakushuu talks to Akabane less.)
"Oh," he says. "I didn't realize."
Akabane hums, a disbelieving tone in it that only Gakushuu picks up.
"Well, Asano," Akabane starts. "I'm sure you have it in you today to get lunch with me."
Gakushuu hums. "Sure. I'll invite Ren and the others."
Akabane gives him another deadpan look. What did Gakushuu do?
The classmates around him give similar looks, though most are glaring at Akabane. Some are squealing and laughing, though Gakushuu doesn't know why.
Ren sighs. "It's- it's fine, Gakushuu," he says. "Just... go with Akabane."
Akabane looks at Ren in surprise, before looking at Ren like he was some deity.
Gakushuu doesn't understand.
He doesn't even realize that Ren called him by his given name (because the boy was just so done with Gakushuu's obliviousness and Akabane's flirting, no matter how subtle).