"We're in the same class," Minako said during their break. She sat in front Shinjiro and at the right side Ryoji. Her eyes were brimming with happiness. Ken was at the very back of the room, beside the window and Shinjiro, and behind Ryoji.
"Yeah," Ryoji said with the same level of delight as the girl.
The Ryoji in front of Ken looked similar to the Ryoji he knew. The only difference was that he was wearing the school jacket, which was not zipped close. He's hair is slightly shorter and not swept back. There were two barettess, above his ears, keeping his hair on his right side in place. His bangs, styled to his left, covered most of his forehead.
"I thought the world was going to end since you two haven't said a word ever since class started." Shinjiro slouched on his chair.
"That's because we're such good students, right Minako-chan?" Ryoji beamed at the girl as he waited for her to answer.
"I never knew you were so conceited, Ryoji-kun." Minako looked at him in mock disappointment.
Ryoji replied by putting a hand over where his heart is supposed to be. "You wound me!" he said dramatically. The two laughed then turned to Shinjiro with a sly smile. "I didn't expect you to miss our voice that much," Ryoji started.
"You must really love us, Shinji," Minako ended what her black-haired friend began. The two laughed again when they saw their friend's face turn beet red.
Ken watched them in amusement. He looked over at his seatmate who struggling to cool down the blush on his face. Glancing at his seatmate, Ken noticed that this Shinjiro also wore a black turtle neck inside his school jacket, which was also not zipped. His hair was shorter than the hair of the Shinjiro he knew, but it was long enough for him to tie it to a ponytail. His side bangs were styled to the right. He also looked healthier.
"I wonder how long I'll be stuck with you two idiots," Shinjiro said. Despite what he said he looked really happy.
"Will you guys be joining any clubs?" Ken asked.
Upon hearing this Ryoji and Minako stood and placed a hand on each of Shinjiro's shoulders. "He would like to join the cooking club," they said in unison with a straight face, "and is willing to cook everything sold in the school cafeteria."
Shinjiro gave them a glare which sent the two cowering at the corner of the room. "I won't ever cook for any of you idiots again."
"WE'RE SORRY!" they said in unison bowing with tears in their eyes. They look as if they were by a murderer.
"Please keep cooking for us," Minako begged, her forehead touching the floor.
"We promise to be good," Ryoji said, his forehead also touching the floor.
They raised both of their heads to look at Shinjiro. This caused the boy some discomfort. "Your heavenly cooking is our life."
"Shut up you morons," Shinjiro said annoyed. He tried to hide his embarrassment by scowling at the two, but failed. "Look at the scene you're causing."
Ryoji turned. He saw some girls staring at him. He gave them a charming yet humble smile causing all the girls to swoon.
Minako on the other hand waved at the people who were still conscious and politely said, "Sorry for bothering you." The boys watching them blushed while the girls shot daggers at her. She quickly hid behind Shinjiro. "Shinji, scare them away with your creepy face."
The eyes of the said boy twitched. The air around him suddenly became dark. He turned to the girl behind him with a face more terrifying than that of a raging demon.
"What did you say?" Shinjiro was clearly losing his cool. Ryoji used Ken as a shield from the pony-tailed boy's face. "They're gone," Minako said, looking oblivious to what she created. "Thanks, Shinji."
Shinjiro sighed, looking like his usual self again. "Whatever." He stood and placed his hands on his pockets. "I'm gonna go and grab some food, you guys coming?"
"Sure," Ryoji said from his place. "Let's go Minako-chan, Ken-kun."
Class ended. Since Ken was free, he decided to accept the invitation of the three to walk home together. He watched their interaction, which consisted of jokes and light bickering, from behind with smile. They look really close, he thought.
"Ken-kun," Minako stopped walking. "Would you like to go to Wakatsu?"
Before Ken could respond, Shinjiro spoke. "Don't, she'll empty your wallet."
"I'll pay you back when I find my wallet," Minako said, sounding desperate.
"If you ever find it."
"I'll look part-time jobs, then."
"Wallet..." Ken said. He felt like he forgot something. Then it clicked to him. He dug out an orange object from his bag then handed it to Minako. "Could this be yours?"
Minako took it and caressed it to her cheek. "My wallet..." she said. The three boys watched her act like a mother finally reunited with her long lost child. "I'll never let go of you again."
Ryoji sniffed and wiped a tear in his eyes. Shinjiro stared at her with a deadpan expression. And Ken laughed awkwardly.
She opened it to check its contents and sighed when she saw that nothing was lost or out of place. She then turned and smirked at Shinjiro. "I guess we're going to Wakatsu."
After their strangely quiet meal, the three decided to walk back to the dorm. Ken laughed when he heard the girl say "I want ice cream." Watching her eat reminded him of Makoto's gargantuan appetite. Though the girl's personality greatly differs from the boy, Ken can't help but see some similarities that they have, like their liking for music and the headphone they use.
"No," Shinjiro said sternly
"But I'm still hungry."
Shinjiro stared at her deadpan. "Go eat a carrot then," he said. "It's good for you." The girl to groan.
"We haven't met the seniors at the dorm yet," Minako said trying to forget her unsatiated stomach. "When will we meet them?"
"They sent me a message yesterday. They said they needed to finish some school work. I asked them when they'll come back but they didn't answer."
"Aren't you worried?" Minako asked. Ken noticed the air around the girl change slightly. But the way she asked him made him wonder whether it was just his imagination.
"They always do this so I'm kinda used to it," he replied. "Besides, they're really busy during this time of the year."
"I see..."
"We're home," Ryoji said. Koromaru ran to them, barking happily.
"I have to finish some paperwork and homework," Ken said. "If you need me, I'll be in my room."
"Sure thing," Ryoji waved.
When the three transfer students heard a door closing, their expressions changed into a sober one. "If I remember right, Ken lives here with four third-year students," Ryoji began.
"Could it be them?" Shinjiro gruffly said with a frown.
"Whoever they are we need to get them out of there." Minako threw her bag on the table before standing in front of the TV to examine it. "It looks big enough..."
"How will we explain it to Ken if he sees us?" Shinjiro said as he anxiously looked at the TV.
"Do you guys have a TV in your room then?" Minako asked nonchalantly.
"You shouldn't enter a boy's room, Minako-chan," Ryoji said. Shinjiro looked at him not believing what the boy just said. Then Ryoji opened his mouth again and said happily, "But if it's my room, you can come whenever you like." This earned him a punch from the taller male.
Minako was either oblivious to what Ryoji said or simply didn't care. "Ken might hear us," she said. She picked up her bag then said, "We'll do it in my room. Come on, we need to hurry."
The two nodded and followed the girl. At this point, everything was serious. Ryoji's sudden silence was proof of it. One by one they climbed the stairs to the third floor, and entered the room and the TV. Unbeknownst to them someone was watching them, listening to their conversation.
"Hello, Mitsuru-san?"
I'd like to thank everyone reading this, to InnocentSerenade, NaruSaku1995, and Ravenext for following, and Monolaymoo for commenting. It makes me really happy.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this and I'd really like to know what you think so please leave a comment.