Title: New Beginnings
Author: Darkfireblade aka Hellsfirescythe
For: heroes50
Prompt: 02. Life
Characters: Ando Masahashi and Hiro Nakamura
Notes: Inspired by technosage's comment about why would Ando be so unreceptive to being different.
"In real life, unlike in Shakespeare, the sweetness of the rose depends upon the name it bears. Things are not only what they are. They are, in very important respects, what they seem to be." -Hubert H. Humphrey (1911 - 1978)
"One's real life is often the life that one does not lead." -Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), L'Envoi, 1882
"Nya, nya! Masahashi's sister ran away with an American dog!"
"What a slut."
This was stupid. It's just cram school. It's hundreds of miles away from home, no one knew him here.
"Hey look, it's baka-Masa."
"Oi Ando, quit scribbling all over your notebook and get back to work."
Everyone here had one thing in common with him: they all wanted to to pass and or had failed the Tokyo University entrance exam. That's all anyone else would know about each other. It was a new beginning here.
"Ando, I want you to bring the family back up. Don't let us down."
"Keep you head in your studies,"
"Try to pass the entrance exam this time, alright?"
Here he would find his way to success and college. He'd shove away all past incidences and troubles. Here was where he would re-make himself to shine in the standards of his peers and family. No longer would he stick out like a sore and ugly thumb among others. This was like a heaven-sent.
A rough prod jolted Ando from his thoughts. Dark eyes loomed towards him behind glass lenses causing Ando to stumble backwards a few steps.
"Hiro! Don't do that!"
The aforementioned young man stared at Ando quizzically. "What are you doing?" Hiro walked a few steps back towards the building looking as if he'd rather be elsewhere before glancing back at Ando. "I wish mom and dad let me join the rotary club."
Ando snorted as he walked forward resolutely and stopped at Hiro's side. "Why is that?"
"They were having an exchange program to America for a year."
"Quit moping, we're going to be late for class," Ando muttered as he clasped Hiro's arm firmly. The smaller man protested as he was pulled through the doors of the cram school. "Liven up, Hiro. It'll be fine. We'll make it into Tokyo University in no time, and you know how many women dig men who can get into Tokyo U."
Hiro peered at Ando and sighed, his whole entire frame loosened. "If you say so."
The pair made their way through one crowded hallway before coming to their assigned class number.
"Are you sure about this?" squeaked Hiro's voice as Ando slide open the classroom door.
"Why wouldn't I? This will be fine, a 'piece of cake', right?" Ando answered, striding boldly in. Somewhere behind, Hiro reluctantly trudged after him.
Ando had learned a long time ago that being different was never a good thing. The kids in middle school who acted different were avoided and ignored at best. Those who weren't intellectual or outstanding in anything else were passed over with a cursory glance. The children who defied their parents wishes were stricken from the family memory.
He'd make sure to fit in fine here.