TITLE: Painful Interjections

PART: Side Story 3 to Who Says College is Easy?

PAIRING: Akutsu Jin x Shishido Ryou

GENRE: Shounen-ai (Humour/ Continuation/ Angst / Romance)

DISCLAIMERS: The series I'm referring to does not belong to me… only this weird story does.

NOTES: Blah or Blah is for emphasis. /Blah/ is for conversations over the phone or flashbacks (if any). /Blah/ is for the conscience or whatever inner voice there is talking. Blah is for thoughts or random Japanese words. Some of these words are footnoted at the end of every page (I'm beginning to understand the need for footnotes in fiction. Thank you dear friend, you know who you are. XD).


Side Story 3 (Part Seven): EVIL MINION NUMBER ONE


Akutsu kicked a loose stone from the pavement. His brows were knitted, eyes briefly scanning the broad expanse of the dimly lit plaza. He was making his way to the university, his feet involuntarily moving towards it, involuntarily bringing him to the place where he and Sengoku had their fight this morning – no, yesterday, since it was already past midnight.

He frowned even more, the dark cloud hanging over his head darkening even further. He was inches away from turning violent, and he knew it was something he should control before he got expelled. It was one thing to get out of the university and disappoint his mother even more, and another to be expelled and face the lectures of his stepfather. The latter, in his opinion, was more horrible, but very possible. No, he did not want that – at all.

It didn't make any sense, going back to the 'crime scene'; maybe his mind was going to try process what exactly went wrong and why. Sometimes, his brainpower surprised him to such great lengths that it made him feel as if he was nuts. It was a good thing that he knew he was still sane – and he was sure of it, since he wasn't being delusional about lots of things going on around him.

Except maybe, believing that he and Sengoku truly were friends.

But that was another story.

He shook his head as if to clear it and trudged on. And then that Shishido made things even more complex. He groused inwardly, slipping his hands in his pockets. Why is it that I can't stop thinking about him? Am I... in love with him? He thought in absolute horror. That couldn't be! He remembered what his mother told him in senior high when they had 'The Talk'. She said that when he falls in love with someone, he could never pass a day without seeing that special person. She also said that his heart would beat wildly when upon sight of that special person. And then there was the thing about him blabbering like an idiot at times when he talks to that special person. And then there was also the 'always thinking about that special person' part.

Why was his mother being vague anyway? Why did she say special person instead of girl? Was she implying that he was... Akutsu shuddered. Gay? He stopped in his tracks. After the initial shock, upon such realisation, he should be revolted, right? His black cloud faded immediately, and in turn, thoughtfulness reigned. So why was he not? Did it mean that he was really...

He shook his head. No, that was way too weird. After all, no one turned gay overnight, right? And he only had sex with women after all – most of them older than he was. He closed his eyes and sighed. What his mother told him about how he would know if he were in love... the only thing that matched was the 'thinking of that special person constantly' thing. And it can't be counted, since the image just turned up in the most opportune moments... like when he was feeling... troubled.

The feeling of satisfaction over winning against the girly idiot in a battle of wits and mouth was soothing – even for a small while. It made him relax, and his body responded with eagerness.

Like right now.

He let a small smile permeate his lips. It was entertaining to say the least. After all, with that idiot, he could never guess what would happen next. Yes. Total unpredictability. That was quite exciting, or rather, his was quite exciting. In comparison...

Akutsu frowned. Sengoku's brand of unpredictability made something violent and untoward in him rise. It was not a good thing, like he said before.

Maybe his mind was just conjuring the image of Shishido to counter the unpleasant sensations he felt bubbling up whenever he had a row with something... or someone, in this case. Maybe that was it...

Maybe that was only it.

He let out a bated breath and continued on, kicking another loose rock and sliding his hands deeper in his pockets, body slouching a bit as he stared upwards, to where the starry night stared right back at him.

He cleansed his mind, slowly, surely, and thankfully, the homicidal urge deep inside him before was quelled. Ahh... peace at last... maybe I can go sleep deeply to – Oomph!

It didn't take a few moments for him to fall flat on his face. It actually happened so quickly that right after the pull on his leg, he felt the grains of asphalt grinding on his face.

"What the –"

Embarrassed, he quickly picked himself up and looked around. After seeing that he was alone, and no one would notice him in the dim light of the lampposts anyway, his eyes combed for the source of his fall. It was when he saw a pair of leather shoes.

His eyes surveyed the area around it and realised that the shoes were connected to slender pants... then there was the edge of a wide-necked shirt... and then long hair.

It was the sudden familiarity that made him wince.

It was the groan that gave it away.

It was...

"HAJIME!"

Mizuki Hajime. Akutsu thought, wincing as he looked up at the source of the horrified cry.

And there he was, wonder of all wonders.

The girly guy.

Shishido Ryo.

Slowly, he straightened up and dusted himself unconsciously, slipping his hands in his pockets again. "Nice to see you around these parts." He quipped conversationally. The lurid glow of the nightlights dimmed the rising redness of anger on Shishido's face, and Akutsu only saw it when they were merely a meter apart. He was about to say something more when Shishido beat him to it.

"What did you do to him?" Came the angry query. He was probably filled with either adrenaline or fear for his friend, and that made him solid enough to stand up to him.

"Nothing." He said airily, as if to insinuate that he did something but he wasn't telling. "Nothing at all."

"Don't you dare lie to me you evil –"

"Ah, Ryo, I can't find him any – eh? Is that Hajime?" Akutsu groaned inwardly. Another one he had to deal with. Seriously, the Gods were intervening too much on his fun.

"Sadaharu! Yeah, it's him alright!" Shishido called out, forgetting his anger and answering the newcomer's call.

Inui Sadaharu's height was phenomenal in fact, that it made Akutsu feel a lot shorter even if there was just a couple or less inches between them.

Inui stooped down and hefted Mizuki up, carrying him like a child in his arms. The scene was almost touching... if not for the sudden burst of ire from Shishido. Eyes spitting fire, his hands clamped on Akutsu's wrist, jerking him forward, dragging him as he tried to match Inui's rapid pace.

Akutsu was just unsure now why he didn't even protest as he was led almost roughly away.

And he was even unsure of the fact that he was somehow feeling...

Amused.

X o X o X

"Okay, you evil person, what did you do to him?"

It was the telltale signs of a fight on the white-haired devil's face that made him sure he did something nasty. Mizuki had scratches on his shoulder and the same scratches were mirrored on the guy's face. So it was logical to think such, right?

"I didn't do anything."

Irritation buzzed in him. His temper was flaring once again. Akutsu was being all too calm about this. It was probably the frustration and the worry that made him so suspicious all of a sudden. But that was not something he should be dissecting now. He wanted to prove that what he was thinking was right.

Then maybe he wouldn't think of Fuji as something of a monster for what he had done.

He closed his eyes and counted to three before opening them again, his gaze connecting straight with Akutsu's own golden stare.

His eyes were altogether too amused for Shishido's liking.

He felt a shot of self-consciousness attack his insides, turning them to mush for a short while before hardening once again at the sudden picture of his defeated flatmate – his poor friend.

His brows furrowed. "What are you looking so amused about?" he spat angrily.

"Ah, you look quite... different." Akutsu murmured absently, still eyeing him. There was something strange in the depths of those golden eyes that made Shishido's breath glitch momentarily. It was like... well... he knew it was a stupid description, but it was the only thing he could use.

There was a semblance of fondness in those eyes.

It disturbed him, and yet his cheeks flushed, reacting to such unpredictable display.

"You look like you've been harassed by your professor... that's probably because you look like a girl. What did you say to him, hmm? Did you go along with it?"

Okay, so maybe he was reading to it too much. It was that or Akutsu did not know that he was actually fond of him. If he were, then he wouldn't be this annoying!

Although of course, that would be kind of creepy.

Okay, okay. VERY creepy.

A vein popped on his temple. Eyebrow twitching, he grabbed a handful of Akutsu's shirt and shoved his face up near his, in an effort to intimidate. It didn't seem to work, but he was inwardly satisfied by it. It showed that he wouldn't hesitate to pound him straight to hell if he made one wrong move against him – and his friends. It showed courage at least, something he was sure he had not the lack of since he was young... except for circumstances like... he blinked twice and glared up at his nemesis.

"I was not molested, okay?" He said gruffly. "I was worried over my friend! So, now... back to my original question... DID YOU or DID YOU NOT... do anything bad to Hajime?"

Akutsu stared back at him calmly. "I didn't. I already said that, didn't I?"

"Well, from the looks of you, you seem to have done something to him! As if he had not suffered enough!"

Two large capable hands grabbed his shoulders and pushed him calmly away. It was new to him, this sort of politeness. Maybe Akutsu was high on something... or maybe he was just being nice... but this was Akutsu Jin, the infamous freshman Oni of his university! "I said I didn't. I got these scrapes from... an earthly fight." There was something about the way Akutsu said it that made him reconsider. He was a bit flushed, and that was a first. Was he really telling the truth?

Shishido dropped his hands to his sides. "That's a lie." He declared unconvincingly.

"No it's not. Ask your friend."

"Then what are you doing there?"

"I was... thinking."

Thinking? What kind of stupid alibi is that? "I thought you're not capable of that."

It was Akutsu's turn to get irritated. It showed on the way he shivered, it was as if he was holding his ire inside. It made him a mite nervous in fact. Maybe he should just ask Mizuki the moment he woke up. "I am capable of it. That's why I didn't become a ronin1."

Oh, that's right. He took the test and passed it like I did... the first take too... "Fine. But I'll know if you're lying you jerk." He conceded, turning away. "Hajime just had the worst moment in his life, and I hope you didn't add to it even more." He huffed, crossing his arms in disdain.

"You bet. He looks like hell. Besides –" He felt something move behind him and it was all too late for him to realise and act on it. By the time it registered in his mind, his nemesis was clutching his shoulders, breath blowing hotly at the nape of his neck.

He stiffened, breath stuck in his throat, body shivering in anticipation. What was going on? He did not know. His knees felt weak so suddenly that he absolutely knew that the other guy was the one holding him up.

The trail of scorching air trailed up to his ear.

"Besides..." Akutsu breathed directly to his ear. "Why would I play with someone else when I have you to play games with? After all, you're much more interesting than your friend is... ne, ojou2-chan?

At that, heat raged inside him and he turned, arms lashing out as if to knock the evil guy unconscious. Unfortunately, he only hit air for the other jumped out of reach – laughing. Ano yaro... he thought crossly, cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Clenching his fists, he took another swipe, however, it seemed as if his mind was being read. Akutsu was used to hand-to-hand combat. If he wasn't sure of it before, he was sure of it now – with outstanding clarity.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch, ojou-chan, I'll just let myself out." Akutsu ducked as another fist lashed out at him. He was laughing.

As the door slammed behind the white-haired psycho, Shishido threw one of the couch pillows straight at it, shaking with anger as the laughter echoed not only in the corridors of his condo, but in his brain as well.

"Damn you, Akutsu Jin!"

X o X o X

Akutsu walked happily home.

Ah, seemed like he didn't need to sort out his problems with Sengoku anymore.

Shishido Ryo... what a great diversion you are.

X o X o X

Shishido clomped straight towards Mizuki's room, nerves still ringing.

"UGH! I HATE HIM!" He shrieked, throwing up his arms in irritation. "I HATE HIM!"

"Seems like it." Inui quipped from Mizuki's bedside.

Shishido stopped short, beads of perspiration sliding down the sides of his face. Oh shit, I forgot, Inui's still here! He gulped at the manic gleaming of the shiny spectacles. "Ah... you've seen... erm... heard... every... thing?" he asked stiltedly. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit...

Inui raised his infamous notebook with a sly smile. "Ii data3."

I'm dead.

X o X o X

"Are you okay?"

Silence.

It was clear that Mizuki was still agonising over what happened the night before. Who wouldn't when he was dumped after being put down so callously?

It turned out that Fuji was only playing him – a revenge of sorts for what happened concerning his otouto4 back in junior high. He knew that there was something amiss when the tennis prodigy decided to go out with him willingly. He did not want to say 'I told you so', because frankly, he had just kept his suspicions to himself, seeing how happy Mizuki was then. It made him feel horrible now that he didn't say anything before. But then, the huge question would be, knowing him, would he have listened? Probably not. But as a friend, he still should've tried.

He winced. And Fuji had the audacity to call him...

/ "Shishido-san, it's me, Syusuke."

"Oh, hey, Fuji-san. Hajime isn't here... wait, isn't he with you?

"Well, that's why I called."

"Is he staying with you again?"

"Contrary, Shishido-san. I called to say that he went out quite disoriented, and I am hoping that you could go find him before he kills himself."

"What? What are you saying? Why? What happened?"

"I'm through with him. Good night, Shishido-san." /

And then, after that, the line went dead. He couldn't be angry at Fuji much though... after all, he called to find Mizuki. Maybe he was not happy with the way things ended up. Maybe, just maybe, there was a small measurement of care that ended up in his heart after all the months they had been intimate.

He shook his head and sat down beside Mizuki, placing a comforting hand on his head, fingers twining with the soft curls that fanned out on the pristine pillow. Mizuki looked small... smaller now when he shrank into the virtual shell that seemed to envelope him. He seemed fragile now that ever before.

The Mizuki he had been for almost a year now was lost... and he did not have the faintest idea on how to get him back. If only Inui was here, then maybe he wouldn't feel so miserable... maybe the frustration in him wouldn't be this great with someone who could comfort their mutual friend. He left half an hour ago, saying he had to sleep for a short while in order to ace his final exam tomorrow – later.

Shishido turned away, eyes stinging with tears as he felt the waved of agony radiating from his friend. His eyes settled on the glorious sunrise that was beginning to burst through the horizon, starting to peek over the tops of the seemingly distant buildings of Tokyo.

It was a new day, and it should be embraced with happiness.

It pained him to think that Mizuki wouldn't be able to embrace his subsequent mornings with gusto anymore.

It made Shishido sick, just thinking of the lonely days afterward for him.

He was still staring at the dramatic play of rising light outside when a sudden pressure was exerted on his hand. Surprised, he turned back to Mizuki's supine form, and what he saw made him allow a small smile to curl upon his lips.

Mizuki's fingers were twined with his, and dark slippery locks broke through the crevices. An almost infinitesimal grin turned his lips up, and even though his eyes were still glassy with suffering, he was staring at the sunrise with something akin to wonder.

Shishido's smile widened.

There was hope after all.

It was almost insignificant...

But it was there.

X o X o X

Summer vacation was but a day away. The joyous occasion was evident, for everyone seemed to be in high spirits, now that the worst of the semester was through. Yes, the dreaded final exams were over and every single student was jubilant, amazed even that they still had not dropped dead yet.

It was really something one should celebrate.

Akutsu was no different.

Idly, he sauntered towards his home, eyes surveying the broad expanse of grassy lawns. Joyous days like this made him feel nostalgic. Silently, he longed for the days when he was young, when he was the terror of the neighbourhood. Well, it wasn't as if he wasn't at present, but back in those carefree days when he got in trouble, his mother would come running to rescue him. He felt needed then... something he hadn't felt for such a long time.

Akutsu was lost in his reverie so much that he did not see the speeding object hurtling towards him. All he saw was a dizzying image of blurry yellow, and down he fell, right smack in the middle of the quadrangle, forehead aching, most of all at dead centre, where the thing hit him squarely. "Ow." He muttered in irritation, rubbing the infinitesimal swelling that seared his senses whole. He would have a nasty bump tomorrow, all thanks to the... His eyes scanned the area around him and found the offending object.

Ball.

I hate tennis players. He cursed as he tried to get up. Brows knotted, he searched for one who hit it towards him. Sure enough, there was the idiot, running straight towards him, features filled with much concern that it made him relax a bit. It was quite nice knowing that the ball hitter did not want to brain him after all. He shook his head. He was getting soft. Slowly, he held up the tennis ball. "This yours?" He called out in mock annoyance.

The other guy ran faster now, and finally, when he reached him, Akutsu saw that the guy was almost as tall as he was. "Yes, I'm sorry!" The other said, bowing deeply in sincere apology. Akutsu was amused. And if not for his momentarily blurred vision, he might've enjoyed the feeling of seeing the guy's floundering features.

Silently, he wondered if the guy was a pro. After all, the ball came at him so fast that it nearly knocked him out. He rubbed a hand on both his eyes and blinked multiple times. His vision was clearing now. Still, the guy was bowed down, as if waiting for him to say something that would alleviate the guilt he must've felt.

Such a heartfelt display deserved forgiveness.

Contrary to popular belief, he wasn't that evil at all.

"Straighten up you idiot." He retorted gruffly. He noticed something peculiar... something familiar. It was the hair, he was sure of it... His eyes focused on him as he straightened up.

The moment he saw those worried eyes, he knew.

He was...

As if on cue, someone, undoubtedly Shishido, called him.

"Choutarou!"


TSUZUKU


A/N: There would only be counts with fingers six more chapters left. Hope you like this one! I'm writing the next chapter already, so it would come earlier than the gaps between the past updates, I guess.

1 Student who has to take a year off to study for the college entrance exams. The grades do not qualify or the student failed the first entrance exam. . .

2 Small girl: Akutsu was being evil. XD

3 Inui's infamous line – "Good data" in rough translation. XD I love it when he says this. XD

4 Younger brother