"What?"
She looked at him dumbfounded. Well, who could blame her? That was the last reaction she expected from him. Who would thought Karma would invite him anyway? Does he even know Okuda personally?
"I said he invited me," Asano replied nonchalantly while he opened his car and slouched on the driver's seat without closing his door. He glanced at her, his face still unreadable.
"Get off your car," he commanded indifferently. And as if reading her mind, he added, "I was invited because I knew them both as a couple since after middle school. Now get off there."
With her question answered, she just nodded and followed what he said and got off her car.
"Now what?" She asked as she closed her car.
"Lock it and get in here."
She had to confirm if what she heard that he wanted her inside his car is correct. "I'm sorry?"
"Lock your car and get in here, Nacchan. We're going somewhere," he explained.
With the nickname calling, Rio definitely knew what he meant. It means that the Friday night out they planned will be moved tonight (and probably, although he doesn't want to admit, he wanted to vent out about his broken heart). She laughed out loud.
"Wow, saying my nickname like that, you sounded like a high-schooler-wannabe adult," she managed while laughing and locking her car. She tucked the keys inside her bag and walked over his car.
"I'm riding shotgun!" She declared as she opened the door to the front seat, he almost rolled his eyes. He closed his door, then started the engine.
"So where are we going?" Rio started, fiddling over the empty compartments of his car.
"Somewhere we can talk," he replied dryly.
"How come these compartments are empty? You don't put anything here?"
"I just don't want to." The conversation ended once again.
They drove silently but Rio couldn't help but get distracted by how flashy the guy next to her was.
"Seriously, though, Asano, have you ever been scouted by modelling companies before? I mean, you look too flashy. I think next to you I look like your manager or stylist or something," she randomly started.
"I have. But I rejected all of them. I have other goals in mind," he replied.
"I see. Way to go our conversation again, thank you very much. Just so you know, you can start talking now. I'm ready to listen," She fiddled the straps of her bag to make her feel at ease. Somehow, the fact that she was sitting there in her handsome-but-gender-confused boss' car is something so unusual that it made her feel uncomfortable. And not to mention that the last time they were together inside one car, he was completely wasted, she was slightly tipsy and unspeakable things happened.
There was a moment of silence. After what felt like a full minute, she heard him sigh.
"I don't know where to start. Ask me," he said as he scratched his head with one arm, the other steadied on the steering wheel.
"As long as you won't answer me as dryly. It feels like an interview, you know. I don't feel the 'friends' vibe here," she said stubbornly.
"Fine, I don't know if I'm going on Friday."
"Oh, interesting. Are you jealous now?" She sat up straight, ready to listen to his rant.
"Upon proper evaluation, I think. He's getting his shit together. I hate that. You know I used to like the rivalry and competition. But as we get older, I realized a lot of things." He paused as if thinking twice.
"Like?"
"Well, I'll be honest this time, I wanted to meet that octopus teacher you had. I was jealous ever since I knew all about it from Akabane. He seemed like a great teacher. I remember how awful the school system is to you guys," he snorted in embarrassment, Rio noticed. She just scoffed. "I was a kid back then, just following the rules. I really thought the school system was a great chance to beat my father. It was how I was raised, thinking that everything is a competition. Even he is a competitor. Then I heard about the teacher you had that beat him, it just caught my attention. When we talked about it, Akabane seems to respect that teacher of yours. He even admitted that without that octopus, class E in our batch would end up like any of the previous class E's."
She laughed, "That's true though, what Karma said. Korosensei is definitely one in a million, literally and figuratively. He was the best teacher I've ever met. Imagine, using the concept of killing as a teaching scheme. Weird right?" She heard Asano hummed in response. "But it was very effective, to tell you. It was too effective that when the day came when we finally had to kill him, which is the day of graduation, it was literally the day in my entire life that I shed the most tears. I don't think I can cry over something that hard again." She looked at the road, where they were going seems familiar. Actually, it was too familiar. She looked at Asano incredulously.
"Whoa, there. Are we...?" She asked in disbelief.
Asano smirked, his eyes still on the road as they turn to a narrow pathway that seems like a private property. "You're actually one of the owners, right? So it's okay going here as long as you're here, too."
She laughed. She's sure that the pathway leads to that specific mountain where she just said she shed the most tears. Class 3E and Korosensei's mountain. Just seeing the familiar pathway lit up her mood.
She excitedly grabbed his arm. "You sneak! Stop right here! Although there's a road for cars, I want to go there by foot! Or," she removed her hand and gave him a suspicious look, "Can you handle going there by foot? It's too dark." She grinned, teasing him. He just shook his head.
"Challenge accepted," he smirked once again. He parked his car under a big tree. As soon as the engine stopped, Rio jumped out. He noticed she left her bag inside so he left his, too, then he locked it.
She suddenly sprinted straight to the trees, if one does not pay attention she quickly disappeared.
"Here!" He heard her yell as she kept on running. He was quick enough to keep up. Not long after, they reached an open area that looked more like a cliff. He had to stop because of how beautiful the sky looked from his view.
"Pretty, right? Let's sit!" She sat down on the grass, he also followed. She removed her coat.
"It is really nice here. Quiet, peaceful and the view's nice," he stated as he scanned the location. The moon was shining brightly above them, the only audible sounds are the hum of crickets. He noted that the only things that he had to be careful for are insects that bite.
"I know, right? Why did you decide to go here?" she laid her coat and lied down on top of it, crossing her arms above her head.
"My father wouldn't be here, besides no one would go here at this time, right?"
She smiled. "That's true. But going back, that was funny though, you admitting that you did horrible things to us before."
"Do you want me to apologize?"
She can feel the sarcasm in his tone. She laughed loudly. "Probably the me in middle school would want that. But now, it doesn't make sense anymore. You were a kid. We were kids. We're okay now. Plus, it was because of your dad. What's with that relationship with him, if you don't mind answering?"
There was a pause. Rio felt the uneasy vibe from him.
"He was more of a strict teacher than a father to me. Back when I was a kid, I saw other kids play with their dads. They looked so happy, it looked so fun so I thought I wanted to play with him too. But then, he told me that he will only play with me after I finish my worksheets for that day, which turned out that the game he was talking about was a boring mind game I couldn't even remember and nothing like those games that I saw other children and their dads play. I was just four back then. Everyday, he trains me, drills into me a lot of lessons. Truth be told, I hated him back them. I was a whiny child, I throw tantrums when I don't get what I want."
Rio was just about to say something, but Asano continued.
"But he wasn't the terror kind of strict. He does not hurt me, at least not physically. He never even yelled at me. In fact he always praises me. Saying I'm a genius, a prodigy. I have to keep up with that name. At first it didn't make sense, but when he started the incentive system in which whenever I do something well, he gave me something in return, I started to believe that, yes I am a prodigy. When I went to school, I was six, I was the smartest kid. Always the number one, the most popular. Then I started to believe him," he paused then turned to face Rio, as if to emphasize something to her. "He told me that every one was not born equally. There were people who suffer to be a reminder for those who are not to work harder in order not to be like them. Sounds familiar?"
Rio frowned. "What a fucked up logic, but yes, very, very familiar." He looked up once again.
"I believed it until middle school. That was when my belief started to waver. It was too cruel and wrong in many aspects. But rules are rules, and that's the only way to play with him and who knows I might beat him. Plus it was also my pride that got stroked every time I see that I am still the number one. You know it took me until I started working to realize that all this time that I just wanted to win the game that my father started. One day when he was tutoring me before I went to a proper school he just told me to do my best to beat him so one day I can finally play with him. It was a childish goal but I didn't realize that I still hold on to that challenge until now that it became a mantra for me to be number one and beat him. It some sort of became a trauma. It was my dream to beat him and make him my personal servant. Talk about fucked up logic," he chuckled.
"Your mom... You never talked about her," Rio murmured. The revelations were too heavy. She suddenly thought that had Asano met Korosensei, he could've been better. He could've freed himself from the messed up way he was raised. But she thought it was weird that his mom never knew about his and his dad's relationship. Unless of course, if his mom was never in the picture. She almost felt bad she asked.
"Mom?" He paused. "Mom... Is the one who spoiled me a lot. She didn't know. Gakuhou never told her about how he raised me. She just knew that he was the one teaching me a lot of stuffs. She usually say that it was just natural, I am a boy so I tend to spend time with my father a lot. She was the one who told me that I am the best student, son and kid. Every time we go out, she tells me that I'm cute, then when I was undergoing puberty, she told me that I could be more handsome than my dad. I love her, that woman," he paused again. Rio felt the uneasiness. He must have love his mother. She couldn't help but wonder how come his mom never knew? She decided to just wait for Asano to explain.
"She kept up with that man for so long, I pitied her. I wanted her out of his life. She's too good to be with him. She never did any work, he never lets her. She's just at home, insisting that she'll cook our meals for us. I personally think she was being controlled by him. Brainwashed just to be with him as his trophy.
"It was a good thing, though. That she finally got her rest five years back. Maybe she's watching me now. She'll definitely tell me that I should always do my hair like this."
Rio gasped. "Asano, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm really sorry for asking."
"Why are you apologizing? Her rest is never something to be sorry for. I am thankful that that wonderful woman finally got rid of that leash that was suffocating her. It was all for the best. She was tied by the neck since I was born, I'm just glad she's free now."
He stood up. "It's getting cold. Let's get you home."
She stood up and removed the dirt from her coat before wearing it. "Asano, I didn't know you had it that bad. I am sorry."
"Don't be. I had the fair share of being an arrogant ass. That was just a punishment." They started walking down the hill.
She hummed. "Couldn't argue about that. But still, being a student from your father's institution is hell, how much more being his son."
"That bastard's too proud of me. He insults me but when other people ask about me, he couldn't stop talking. He's too proud that his own son-student is an achiever. Probably thinks that it was all thanks to him. It stroked his ego as a teacher."
"I see," she replied. She didn't know what to say next.
"I am going on Friday. That Akabane has his life together, I can't accept it. I will go there to congratulate him. I have to keep up with him somehow."
Rio glanced at Asano. His face is still unreadable. "You and Karma are really alike but really different." She started. "He's neglected by his parents, while you're overly attended. You're both striving to be on top to feed your egotistical whims. Not to mention you look alike, but you're all serious and he's all pranks. Your contrast is very interesting." She said in a light manner. She had the urge to at least lift up the mood. He talked about the sensitive topic that is his parents, she has to change the mood.
"I know. But at least he's free to do anything he wants. His parents does not necessarily neglects him, they just let him do what he wants. That spoiled brat. Good thing he met that teacher of yours, I've heard his horns were cut short because of that."
Rio wanted to tell him that it would also be better if he met Korosensei. But then, the conversation would turn gloomy again and she doesn't want that.
"He's still a devil. It's in his name, he's his enemy's 'bad Karma'," she paused. "That's a good start, Asano. Just don't do anything stupid on Friday," she joked.
"I am not like you or Akabane. I don't do stupid stuff." There was a moment of silence. Rio noticed they were about to reach Asano's car.
"You're insulting me now, huh?" She chuckled.
"Maybe." They walked over his car. As soon as they were both inside, Asano started driving.
"Tell me your address when we get to the main road."
"Okay."
The ride was quiet, but it was comfortable for Rio. Somehow she felt at ease that Asano opened up to her just like that. She felt like his friend that time. Without proper explanations, she still understood Asano. She was somehow amazed by the fact that he realized everything on his own, and he was trying to change. It's also amazing how he can downright admit his mistakes. Rio couldn't help but admire his courage and intellect. Although an 'arrogant ass' Asano knew his place. He's confident of his abilities but he's aware of his mistakes. He was a scarred person raised from a mentally and emotionally harsh environment but he's doing his best to squirm his way out of it.
"Directions?" She heard him ask. She realized they were already on the main road.
"Asano-kun, just drive me back to the company. It's nearer to your place, right? I can drive myself when I get my car."
"Kun?" He laughed sarcastically . "What happened to 'Gakucchi'? Stop looking down on me. Just because I had a childhood like that doesn't mean you can pity me. You're smart, Nacchan. You know better than that."
"Nacchan, huh?" Rio was taken aback by what he said. "Fine, I'm sorry. I forgot you're still an arrogant unit boss that everyone avoids."
"That's better. Fine, I'll drive you back to the company."
"Thanks, Gakucchi."
The rest of the ride was quiet once again. Little by little, she was getting the hang of that so called friendship that she has with Asano. He's not a bad person after all. She knew it ever since middle school but at that moment she realized that Asano is better than what she knew. She was deep in thought that she hadn't noticed they arrived at the parking lot where her car is.
"We're here," he announced as if to wake her from her thoughts.
"Ah, yeah. Thanks." She was about to remove her seatbelt when she felt him tap on her shoulder.
"Nakamura-san," he called her. In an instant her heart raced unreasonably. She turned her head to face him. He was looking at her with serious expression on his face.
"Yes?" She nervously answered.
He smiled, probably the most genuine smile she's seen of him yet. "Thank you. I couldn't talk about my mom to anyone lately and I'll be honest, that time when I bumped into you in the bar was her death anniversary. Everything was too heavy for me that time that's why I became like that. Thank you, for that night and for tonight." He bowed.
Rio was shocked. "I-it's okay! Really. I am... I am your friend after all. Even if it was unwanted and uncalled for. We can talk about anything." She laughed slyly. Her heartbeat hadn't slowed down a bit.
She finally unclasped her seatbelt. He faced her. "Then, thanks, for being my unwanted friend." He smiled again. Rio just half-assed smiled back. She can't concentrate with her racing heart.
"Yeah, thanks too. I'll go now. Thanks for the ride." She opened the door and quickly went out to walk over her car.
He rolled his window. "Take care, Nacchan. Thank you."
After that, he drove out of the parking lot, leaving her dumbfounded. Asano Gakushuu is a man of surprise after all. She went home shortly after that and realized that she was looking forward for Friday.