Hello to everyone! This is my first fanfic for KHR! I'm not a total fan to know every little detail about the anime, so there might be some canon mistakes. I also write their names in the "last name, first name" order.
I'm glad I finished this chapter in time for Yamamoto's birthday. Happy birthday Yamamoto a.k.a. ideal boyfriend material!~
I do not own KHR or its characters. I only own my OCs and the fanfic.
Warning: Story contains light yaoi = boys' love. There may also be some triggering content, like mentions of suicide and depressing thoughts. You have been warned.
The story is told in first-person POV. POVs are indicated by / *character name* / and it stays in that character's POV until a new POV is introduced.
Enjoy!
/ yamamoto /
A new school year.
The sakura blossoms are still in full bloom this time of the year, huh? The breeze felt refreshing against my skin. I let my light steps become a sort of soothing rhythm for my ears. I still had time before the bell rings for the start of the class. We're third years now. It's kind of nostalgic.
"Tsuna! Gokudera! Good morning!"
I waved as soon as that familiar mop of orange came into my view along with the almost-inseparable silver hair that trailed beside. That familiar feeling of being able to do anything with these two swelled up within me as I jogged to catch up with them.
"Good morning, Yamamoto!" Tsuna waved back at me. I barely recognized Gokudera mumble something but quickly shrugged it off. "Did you finish with morning practice?"
"Today, the club let us off the hook. Something about enjoying the first day? I wouldn't know." I chuckled as I swung my bag over my shoulder.
"Just because you don't have morning practice doesn't mean you get to bother Tenth!" Gokudera commented, looking ready to throw those dynamites in his hands. I cheerily laughed as Tsuna tried to calm his Storm guardian.
"Hey, hey, did you hear?" I glanced at a group of girls huddled up together. They looked excited and giggly. They were wearing Namimori Middle's uniform too. Schoolmates, I guess.
"There's a hot transfer student in the juniors that will be attending today! I heard he'll be transferred to 3-C."
"Really? What's he like?"
"He's super cool and handsome! I only saw him once, but I think I'm already in love!"
"Ehh? More handsome than Gokudera-kun?"
"Definitely! I heard that his previous classmates used to call him 'Prince' because he looked like a prince!"
"I thought they were exaggerating when the rumors said he looked like a prince, but I almost fainted when I saw him myself! Kyaa~"
All the other girls squealed in unison, even making Gokudera flinch from his ramblings to Tsuna.
"Tch! Don't they have anything better to do?" The Storm guardian glared at the group.
"Well, they were talking about a transfer student, so I guess it's expected?" I lightheartedly chuckled while I scratched the back of my head. Well, if he already has fans during his first day, he must be someone cool. I wonder if he likes baseball?
"Well, that's everyone in the attendance roll."
Luckily, the three of us are in the same class this year. Class 3-C. I can already tell this year will be interesting. That reminds me; those girls said the transfer student will be-
"Now, I know most of you don't recognize him, so I'd like to give him a proper introduction to the class. Itsuki, please come to the front."
My classmate seated in front of me stood up, and that was actually the first time I noticed him. Average build and height (He's a little taller than Tsuna, I think?), limp blue hair, blue eyes that looked like he's not looking at anyone in particular. He's wearing the navy-blue blazer that goes along with the winter uniform and a blue necktie.
"My name is Itsuki Johan. I transferred from my previous school for personal reasons. I look forward to working with all of you."
His voice snapped me back to reality as some girls squealed as he bowed in front while some of the guys grunted or just scowled. Note to self: don't absent-mindedly stare at new transfer students. I guess that girl gossip from earlier had some effect on me as I eyed him again back to his seat in front of me. Guess it's time for Mr. Prince to meet his first friend in this school! I patted his shoulder which made him turn to face me.
"Hi! I'm Yamamoto Takeshi. I hope we get along!"
My voice was soft enough to not attract the teacher's attention but audible enough for Itsuki. He looked at me as I plastered my signature grin. Mr. Prince just kept staring before settling to reach into his bag. He pulled out a book and focused his attention on the board. I blinked for a bit before realizing that the teacher was already discussing the lesson material.
Did he just ignore me?
"Did you see how he answered that question?"
"Handsome AND smart. What more can you ask from a guy?"
"I want him to father my children." I heard one of the girls sigh dreamily, which made the other girls huddled sigh too.
I made my way outside, tailing Tsuna and Gokudera who also rose from their desks. We were in the same class, but our desks were far away from each other. I guess you couldn't have it all your way. The bell for lunch time just rang, so the hallways were slowly becoming flooded by students.
"Tch, that kid ain't special. I could've done the same thing you know!" Gokudera assured himself.
"Calm down, Gokudera-kun. I'm sure you could've answered that too." Tsuna tried motioning his right-hand man to calm down.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Itsuki pack away his belongings. Well, I do admit it was kinda cool.
Flashback
I was trying my best to keep myself awake. It was Mathematics class currently, a number of students groaning about not understanding anything. Right now, the teacher was discussing something that's too complicated for me to understand. When the teacher was finished writing, the equation was shown as follows:
x2 – 6x + 9 = 43
x - 3
I yawned, not taking interest at the lesson. If there was one thing I could hate, it's Math. I mean, who doesn't hate Math? Nobody would ever say "Can I buy x + 3 = 2x - 5 pieces of candy?" in any ordinary situation. How would anybody apply this in the future? It's miscellaneous junk they want to stuff everybody's heads with.
A hand being immediately raised caught my attention, snapping me from my daydream. It was from the person sitting in front of me, Itsuki Johan. I blinked a few times, trying to process the current situation. The teacher just finished writing the problem and he's already solved it? All eyes were on him, faces expressing awe and disbelief.
"Yes, Itsuki. Do you know the answer?"
"Yes. It's x = 46." His tone was monotonous yet respectful. He still wore that 'disinterested' look. The people around him had that 'he'll-never-get-that-right' look on their faces.
"That's correct."
Uproar suddenly emerged after that statement. I'm shocked myself. He seriously solved that problem just by looking at it? He's really smart! I think my mouth was somehow gaping as the bluenet took his seat, not minding the praises that can be heard left and right. There were some "That's impressive, Itsuki!" and "You've got to tutor me, Itsuki!" from his classmates. There were also some who grunted and had that 'that's-just-beginner's-luck' aura all over them, especially a certain silver-haired teen. Itsuki continued to ignore them, not even uttering a word or a simple sigh.
End of Flashback
Okay, maybe the rumors are kinda accurate. He's cool, handsome and smart. I think Itsuki joining a sports club would be the icing to the cake. Imagining him in a sports match while fangirls flock around the sidelines cheering. The thought was funny but not really far from reality, I think. I still can't shake the feeling that Mr. Prince would purposely ignore me earlier. An idea popped in my head.
"Go on ahead without me! I left something at the classroom." I sprinted towards the classroom, leaving a confused Tsuna and Gokudera.
"Itsuki-san!" As I made it back to my classroom's door, I saw Itsuki already standing up to leave. I approached him again after I caught my breath. He didn't seem to notice my presence, so I tried calling out to him louder.
"Itsuki-san, would you like to have lunch with me?" Wait, what kind of shoujo manga protagonist question is that? Takeshi, fix yourself! "I mean, since you're kinda new and all, I thought you might like some company on your first day and- ah, you're gone."
I looked around for the bluenet as soon as I realized I was rambling on by myself in embarrassment. Luckily, my classmates didn't notice my embarrassing moment. I went out of the door and searched for him in the hallway but didn't catch sight of him. I inwardly sighed as this marks another defeat in my scoreboard. Well, third time's the charm! I'm not out until the third strike! I decided on catching up with Tsuna and Gokudera in the meantime, since I'm pretty sure I won't be finding Mr. Prince until lunch is over.
The day ended without much problem, if we completely ignore all my failed attempts at conversation with Itsuki.
"Every chance I get to talk to him, he completely ignores me! He even has earphones so he can pretend not to hear me." I playfully whined to Tsuna, much to Gokudera's dismay and irritation.
"Who even told you to make friends with the guy? It's obvious he doesn't want to." The Storm guardian said as he tried to remove my hands on Tsuna's vest. "Just give it up already. And get your hands off Tenth!"
Tsuna looked at me with concern. I remember that look. My best memory of that look was when it was mixed with determination. I will never forget how he looked cool with that.
"Why do you want to talk to him so badly, anyway?" Came the question of my friend-slash-boss.
"Ah. Do you think he likes baseball?"
"What kind of shitty excuse is that, baseball freak?"
"I mean, the thought of him joining a sports club is kinda cool. I want to recruit him before anyone else does!"
"While I understand where you're coming from," Tsuna began as he tried to restrain his Storm guardian's rage. "I think Itsuki-san's the kind of person who would join the club he wants to join without being told by others."
… Huh. I guess that kinda makes sense. "You think so?"
Eh, I'm sure the guy is just shy and he'll come around eventually.
/ itsuki /
"Hello? Yes, I've received it. I've been going over it since yesterday and have made progress. I'll be sure to size up during the evaluation. Yes. Yes. Thank you for your hard work."
A sigh escaped my lips. Having this song stuck in a loop has been a pain for the whole day. I can't really focus in class. I look more groggy than normal. I barely even managed to answer that question asked to me during Math. Good thing I raised my hand early. Though I wasn't paying attention after that, the teacher already fell under the illusion that I knew the topic and didn't bother calling me again. I want to sleep in as much as possible, but I don't want any of the teachers to give me a hard time for the whole year just because of a bad first impression. Honestly, I'm just glad it's lunch time so I can go somewhere and nap for a while before going back-
"Itsuki-san!"
Ah, he's back. I thought he would already leave me alone when he went with his friends outside. Who was he again? Yame, Yama, Yamo… Can't remember. All I know is I need to get out as fast as possible. I won't even bother to look back. I zipped my shoulder bag, getting ready to leave.
"Itsuki-san, would you like to have lunch with me?" Yep, definitely not looking back. I slipped on one of the earphone buds on my left ear and stormed off. I could vaguely hear him babbling something else, but top priority is sleep. Go, my feet! Onward to sanctuary!
I maneuvered my way through the students in the hallway to finally arrive at my destination: the heaven's sanctuary (more commonly known as the library). It was a modest space with few students who actually came with good intentions (in my defense, I came with pure intentions).
Making my way through the shelves, walking fast, faces pass, and I see a wooden table in the far end beside a window. It wasn't really the best hiding spot, but it's quite a distance from the entrance so it would have to do. The sunlight shone down on the table, kind of like those perfectly angled desks in manga where the protagonist sits.
"I dub thee, my sanctuary."
I pulled out the wooden chair beneath the table and took on my sleeping position: resting my arms at the front and leaning my head on my arms. I let the sound of heavily-tuned EDM drown out the library's white noises as I prepared my journey to dreamland.
"Where am I?"
I opened my eyes, only to be greeted by complete darkness. I could barely see my own figure as I looked down. It's so dark and cramped, literally leaving me no room to move. Eh? Well, great. I actually can't feel my limbs. It feels as if I have no power to do anything about my current situation.
I harshly gasped.
"N-No."
A sharp heat penetrated my whole body. Only short breaths escaped my lungs. I couldn't focus on anything. My mind was drawing to a blank, only registering the pain I was experiencing.
"N-No no no. It hurts."
I didn't realize I started tearing up. I couldn't do anything. My eyes closed or open, it was the same darkness. Wherever I looked, it was the same. I was sweating in addition to crying. I couldn't breathe properly.
"Someone… someone h-help…"
As if responding to what I said, a ray of light suddenly appeared. More like a slight crack, but it's there. Light. Light in the middle of darkness. Hope in the middle of despair. My eyes adjusted to the foreign sensation, making sure to open my eyes carefully and not flat out burn my retina.
"Jo..n."
I can barely make out a figure extending their hand to me. I want to reach out. I want to get out.
"Johan…"
I can't make out whose voice it belongs to. All I know is that the presence is warm. I want to keep feeling this warmth.
"Johan!"
The voice draws louder. Wait, I think I've heard this voice before…
"Johan!"
I jolted awake, noticing the annoying heavily-tuned EDM still playing in my ears. Lazily wiping my face with my uniform's sleeves, I looked up.
"I knew I would find you at the library, but I didn't think I'd see you like a sloppy sloth!"
Rei Misaki, also a third year. She was enrolled here in Namimori Middle during her first year in middle school. She's actually part of the reason I was transferred here. As much as I appreciate having a familiar face in this new school, hers is not really a fully welcoming sight. I sighed. Better than nothing.
"I've been given a new assignment. I barely got any sleep." I stifled a yawn before removing the earphone bud in my left ear. She looked like she wanted to punch me or something. I should be the one punching her for disturbing my sleep. "And don't you dare think I forgot about these useless rumors that you spread before I arrived. Everyone has been staring at me since morning!"
"Well, it was to add spice to your school life!" Her angry expression suddenly shifted to an excited school girl in a shoujo manga. "It was effective, right? Many girls have been eyeing you!" She was making kissy noises as she became lost in her own world.
In what logic would this be a good idea? I sighed without contradicting her line of thinking. I don't want to be dragged to her nonsense train of thought, if there was any.
"Oi, you're thinking I'm dumb, aren't you?" Her dagger glare obviously seeing through my mind.
"That easy to read, huh?" I chuckled sarcastically while fixing myself. Well, her sense of detecting when she's dumb has gotten kind of sharp. May it be self-awareness? "By the way, what are you doing here?" I kind of regret asking that question.
Misaki had that smug look on her face. If I were to put a specific name, it would be the "Huh-you're-too-dumb-to-figure-that-out?" look. It was the obvious mocking and teasing I rarely acknowledge because I'm usually confident in reading her actions. It's the kind of face she would only pull when she knew she was completely the victor. I narrowed my eyes at her.
"How far the mighty has fallen!" Her exaggerated actions and speech adds fuel of irritation. "Have you even bothered to check the time?"
The time? The time… And suddenly the world made sense.
"Lunch is almost over!" I panicked as she laughed at my misery. I'll get her someday. "Thanks for waking me up, I guess." I mumbled lowly so she couldn't hear. Why she was born with ears fit for a gossip, I wouldn't know.
"Hoho, you're most welcome, my dear blue bird. Now, onward to youth's peak!" I will never understand that quote in my lifetime. I already dashed (read: brisk-walked) outside the library before I could even muster a groan at her antics. I guess she's useful once in a while. And did she just call me a bird!?
"Thank you for your patronage! Please come again!"
I just exited a small grocery mart having four bags in my hands. I can already feel my upper arms cry out in pain. Living alone was hard enough as it is. While I do love shopping, even if it's just for groceries, tending to get carried away results in my suffering of having to carry many bags. I sighed, trying not to think of the circumstances and just focusing on getting home. Trudging my way through the neighborhood, I noticed it wasn't as crowded during this hour as I thought it would be.
Through the afternoon-transitioning-to-evening glow of the town, I can recognize uniforms from other students. Maybe from other middle schools? Or high schools? I haven't explored much of the other schools. All I know was Namimori Middle which was conveniently suggested by a certain evil brunette. Oh, how I would do so much to get rid of her presence.
BAM!
I reacted too late when I saw a man's figure zooming past me. I was shocked for a while. Checking the damages was the first thing I did as I regained myself. Well, no damage on me. Just stumbled back a bit, able to quickly regain my balance. My groceries… The bags in my right hand was seemingly unharmed. The ones in the left, though… Let's just say I hope someone's willing to pay. Before I was able to think up of various torture methods that are legal by law, the other person's voice snapped me back to reality.
"Oh crap, I'm extremely sorry! Are you hurt?"
My eyes fell on the perpetrator. A white-haired male with a plain white shirt and… is that red training shorts? His gray eyes eyed me with worry and guilt for what he had done. At least he has some semblance of conscience.
"Well I am fine." I fixed my gaze on my damaged groceries that rested on the ground. Sigh. It's the one with the ripe mangoes and chocolate snacks. There goes my sugar rush. He seemed to notice what I was implying as he made some sort of sound acknowledging the discarded bags.
"Ah, I'm extremely sorry. I can pay for it as compensation!"
"Oh, my extreme sister is also in Namimori Middle in her third year! I graduated from Namimori Middle last year too!"
Mr. Extreme helped me carry three bags of my groceries while I carried one bag on each of my hands. We went back to the grocery mart and mysteriously got one more bag than the original bags I had before, definitely not because of impulse shopping where I saw snacks that caught my attention. Nope.
"Oh, I'm also in my third year. Maybe I know her? What class is she in?" Remind me why I'm engaging in small talk with a stranger who just bumped me out of nowhere and is now my errand boy? I don't know why, but something about the guy just makes me feel… not tense. Maybe it's because I don't feel any judgment from his eyes. The way he looks at me doesn't have any hint of anything uncomfortable. Sincere. Warm.
"I extremely forgot to ask her!"
He even sounded so confident saying (shouting) that. I awkwardly chuckled. It's definitely hard to notice his mannerism of shouting 'extreme' or just throwing it around when he can along with his loud shouting. Maybe I need to get ear plugs… I'll have to note he's extremely (oh no, he's rubbing off on me) strong. He's not showing any signs of fatigue from carrying those bags. I even got the two lightest bags and I'm still somewhat struggling. He's just carrying those like it's nothing!
"Ah, we're here." I stopped in front of my apartment unit. I feel bad for having him carry all those bags back to my unit, but he did propose the idea, and I wouldn't want to reject any help I can get. "Do you want to hang around? I can offer some snacks and tea as thanks for helping me out."
"It's extremely no problem! And I still have to go back to extreme training, so I'd have to say no." … Training? Do I even want to ask?
"Ah, that's no problem, then. Thank you for helping me… uh…"
"Oh, I extremely forgot to introduce myself! I'm Sasagawa Ryohei! Nice extremely meeting you!"
"Nice meeting you too, Sasagawa-senpai. I'm Itsuki Johan."
"I'll go now to resume my extreme training! See you around, Itsuki!"
I waved at him as he retreated further down the corridor. What a crazy first day. If it's that eventful every day, I won't get much of a break, will I? Please don't let me jinx myself.
That wraps up the chapter! I really don't think there's any development in this chapter. Tell me what you guys think in your reviews!~
Itsuki: I hate you.
CG: Eh!? Why?
Itsuki: Every fiber of your being.
CG: Aww, come on. Don't say that! *pinches cheek*
Itsuki: I'm seriously holding back my urge to incapacitate you.
CG: You really don't have to sugarcoat words, you know!
Itsuki: *utters un-sugarcoated words*
CG: I stand corrected.
See you next update!
~~ Cry Girly ~~