Wednesday, May 26th
Akira's eyes snapped open with an intensity it could scare every woman in the Niijima clan.
OH MERCIFUL BUDDHA WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS FEELING?!
Akira's hands instantly wrapped themselves around his stomach, clutching it with an intensity that could even impress the most dedicated of nuns.
Sweat started to slick his face as he rolled off his bed, hitting the cold floor with a sobering thump.
The pain? He couldn't care less. The real pain was forming in his stomach, and it's origins were an enigma.
Wh–What the hell did I eat?!
Oh my god, it was those fucking mints at the concert!
HOW THE HELL DO MINTS CAUSE THE LINING OF MY STOMACH TO–
Akira couldn't even finish the thought in his head as the pain intensified, causing him to writhe in the pain on the tile floor. A few muffled groans of suffering slipped his lips as he willed himself off the ground.
As comforting as it theoretically could be–then again it was a hard tile floor–Akira had one objective on his mind.
He needed to reach his throne.
His home.
The comforting realm that could offer such solace from the destructive deacon that had a vice grip over his intestines.
The Royal Toilet.
Slipping from his room, Akira slid weakly on the wall, using it as support as he continued clutching his stomach.
Only a few more steps until he reached his realm…
Before he knew it, he already had his boxers slipped completely off with his bare ass against the cold porcelin.
Sure, it was an uncomfortable feeling at first. Such was the norm of his throne.
However, the sheer ecstasy that materialized from his seating outweighed any discomfort.
At least it did for a brief second before he hunched over the bowl, his stomach's intensity multiplying ten times so.
Shakily, Akira reached for his phone from his pants pocket.
If he was to suffer, he needed the comfort of his best friend.
Akira: Dude.
Akira: DUDE.
Ryuji: What the hell do you want bruh it's three in the morning. We have practice in two hours?
Akira: NEVERMIND THAT BULLSHIT MAN MY GUTS ARE TEARING THEMSELVES APART.
Unbeknownst to Ryuji, Akira breathed out another strained grunt of effort that required him to take his shirt off.
Truly, he was too far gone.
His shit had him…in the Shadow Realm.
Akira: RYUJI I TOOK THE SHIRT OFF MAN.
Akira: I TOOK THE DAMN SHIRT OFF AND ITS JUST LAYING ON THE FLOOR, LAUGHING AT ME AS I SHIT MY GUTS OUT.
Akira: BY BUDDHA'S LEFT NUTSACK I AM NOT MAKING IT OUT OF THIS BATHROOM ALIVE.
Ryuji: Dude…what the hell did you eat?
Akira: THATS JUST IT
Akira: NOTHING
Akira: ALL I HAD WERE THEM DAMN MINTS
Akira: AND HOW MY GUTS ARE TWISTING AND CONTORTING AS IF I'M IN A EIMI FUKUDA VIDEO
Akira: HELP ME
Ryuji: Dude how the 'eff am I supposed to help you when all the trains stopped?
Ryuji: And are you sure you JUST had mints?
Ryuji: That aint no mint man.
Akira: I DONT KNOW AND I DONT CARE JUST TELEPORT.
Akira: THE SCAT DEMONS ARE ABOUT TO HAVE THEIR WAY WITH ME.
Ryuji: Dude…that's a gross ass visual.
A few moments passed with no response.
Ryuji: Dude?
At the moment, Akira was hunched over the sink. His pants were still around his ankles, his shirt was still wrinkled on the ground, laughing at his efforts, and his boxers were halfway up.
He took a gaze at himself in the mirror, the only light source being his unlocked phone screen.
He was tired. Drained. Defeated. There was palpable exhaustion laced within his eyes that seemed to forget his usual feistiness.
Akira didn't care, he was just happy for the moment it was over.
Ryuji: DON'T TELL ME THE SCAT OVERLORDS GOT TO YOU MAN.
Ryuji: NOOOOO
Akira: I think…
Akira: I think I've defeated this Digestive Demon…
Akira: And why the hell are you up dude?
Ryuji: Ancient Halo.
Ryuji: Why else?
Akira: Fair.
Taking a shaky breath, Akira made his way to the door, his freedom finally in sight—
He nearly doubled over in pain again.
Sleep wasn't on his agenda for the rest of the night it seemed.
As expected, Akira didn't get any sleep whatsoever.
His plights on the toilet continued until it was time for him and Morgana to get ready.
Even Ryuji went back to sleep, giving him the illusion of his throne room becoming one filled with reflective solitude.
Getting to Shujin, Akira quickly swapped into his gym clothes to prepare for practice. While Morgana went to speak with Ann, Akira went straight to his locker.
Yay…second day of practice.
Still exhausted from all that running last night…
As Akira dug around in his locker for his sheet music, a thought materalized in his head.
Oh shit…I hope Sojiro doesn't find out about…all of that, actually.
Nah…I doubt it.
It was Yusuke that did that shit, not Madarame. So I doubt he'll find out.
I'm perfectly fine…!
Akira felt the grasp of Sojiro's arm wrap around his shoulder, "You uh…you had fun last night, kid?"
Oh, fuck me.
"Y-yeah…I mean, besides the whole investigation tid-bit, it was rather fun. I think. It's been so long I kinda forgot what fun can even feel like or be described as.."
Sojiro snorted, "I think you also forgot the touch of a woman as well."
"Oh come on, that was so unwarranted."
"Kid, nothing in any situation with you is unwarranted. You're like a magnet of just…shit happening to you. You're drawn to it and it's drawn to you."
That's just wonderful for my self-esteem.
Let's be real, that shit is never being saved…
Sojiro straightened himself out, stretching as he started walking to his office, "Mind following me?"
Sweet merciful God, will you ever give me a break?!
Upon stepping into Sojiro's office, he was met with the sight of a snoring Ryuji with a side of drool.
Ew.
Does…does he drool at the apartment?
Sojiro snapped his fingers in front of the blond, quickly pulling him into the land of the living, "I'm u-up! I'm up!"
Snickers came from Sojiro as he plopped down into his desk, "Lock the door behind you, Akira."
Here we go…
"Okay. Let's get the important shit out of the way. Did you guys learn anything?"
Wait–
Ryuji yawned, "Is this really what you woke me up outta my sleep for, Sakura-sensei? Just ask Akira…he was the one who cornered Yusuke…" Ryuji kept trying to readjust in his chair, hoping to reclaim to the sweet spot he had moments earlier.
Akira's guardian turned to him, "So?"
"Well, when I brought it up to Kitagawa-san…he uh…pretty much flipped out on me. So, I think that's enough proof to show there are nuggets of truth in Nakanohara's story."
Sojiro stroked his beard while maintaining a face of deduction, a clue that he might've learned something as well, "What about you? Your hunch worked out for you?"
He bounced his head around for a bit, "You could say that. Basically supported your claim of Madarame taking the work of his pupils. Nothing we didn't already know. Although…I think he bribes his pupils too. At least the ones who try to go public with the truth."
Akira nodded mindlessly as he pondered the implications, "Right…bribery, another charge as well." In the corner of his eye he kept noticing Ryuji nodding off as he tried to focus on the conversation.
Ryuji…just give up bruh. Get all the sleep you need man.
Sojiro clapped his hands together, unintentionally causing Ryuji to jump in fear, "Alright, I think that settles things. Now…you two can focus on the performance ahead."
"Wait a minu–what do you mean? This shit isn't over Sojiro."
Sojiro nonchalantly waved away Akira's words, electing to open his back of candy while kicking his legs up on his desk, "Yeah, it's not, but again…like I said at the house, you need to leave things in the hands of adults, okay?"
"Sojiro–what the hell does that even mean?" Akira scoffed, oblivious to the fact Ryuji was covering his ears using his shoulder and drum pad, trying his hardest to the sound of the ensuing argument, "You think we're just gonna leave it in your hands–"
"I expect for you to listen to your guardian for once and act like normal kids. You and your group of friends shouldn't be dealing in matters of life and death every other week, kid."
"Well, congrats, we do. We haven't had the chance to actually be normal kids for a long time." Akira grit his teeth as a memory replayued, "...far before Madarame appeared."
Sojiro's eyes trained themselves onto Akira, "Those were situations beyond your control, Akira...but this…this is one where you finally have control. Where you have a choice! The both of you! It's not Shido–"
Akira snapped at Sojiro, "Keep that damn name out of your mouth, Sakura-san. Don't act like you know anything about me."
For once Sojiro showed an emotion–one devoid of sarcasm or wit–and maintained a mask of regret, "Right. Sorry."
Akira could give anything less of a fuck about Sojiro's remorse. Shido was…a trigger for him. Something that broke his cool.
A weakness that was allowing his emotions to the reigns of his rationality away from him, "And if you really gave a shit about us having control, you would let us do what we need to do." A bitter laugh slipped from his lips, "The hell are you gonna do? You wouldn't know shit without the two of us! You think going to the police or media outlets are gonna help? We just established he can wipe all of it away with his damn bribes!"
Sojiro didn't have a retort, "I'll find a way, and you're stuck in the same rut as me, Akira. Don't act as if you have some great trick under your sleeve." He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "But that shouldn't be your responsibility. None of this is your responsibility."
"You think I can just sit on my ass while–"
"Sometimes the best choice you can make in life is to just sit and let things pass you by."
The two lingered in each other's eyes, Akira's eyes blazed at Sojiro with a sickly gleam that was beaming with rage.
It was a standstill until Ryuji rose up and grabbed his best friend, escorting him to the door "We're gonna…go start PT. Anything you want us to tell the rest of the kids?"
Sojiro waved him away, "Just tell them to start the same as before. Laps around Shujin, push-ups, marching practice in the Practice Building."
Ryuji pushed Akira through the door, closing it behind him.
A sigh came from Ryuji as he matched Akira's pace, "You just…ruined my sleep, huh? Revenge for the lack of sleep you got while you were on the can huh?
Akira awkwardly rubbed his nape, "Sorry. That was pretty dickish of me."
"When are you not a dick? Serious question?"
"When are you not an idiot?"
Ryuji corrected him as Akira stepped on the podium, garnering everyone's attention, "Aye, I'm a loveable idiot. Get it right."
Akira gave a brief snicker before turning back to the congregation of instrument players and auxiliary, "Alright, it's time for PT…again. Starting off, let's just do some laps in Shujin's buildings, okay? Three laps, 'till we all return here. Then we'll fall into formation and practice marching again, okay?"
There were a few grunts of…less than stellar enthusiasm as everyone started falling out in droves.
Akira caught sight of Morgana and Ann starting their laps together, "Seems Mona and Ann don't want to be the very last like last time…"
"...we were last though?"
"Shh…that doesn't count."
"Won't we have to be last again though, so we can make sure everyone is actually doing their laps?"
Akira thought about it for a moment, "That…may be the case…or we could just…you know, stay here and make sure nobody else tries to cheat us."
"Wait, but ain't–" Akira gave him a nudge in the rib, making him double over, "Ow! What was that–oh…oh, you sly asshole."
The two of them watched as the room emptied itself out, eventually deciding to stand outside of Shujin.
Mishima was at the very end, straggling unintentionally. It seemed he was already winded.
Akira groaned as he remembered Chihaya's predictions, "God, I can't believe we're seriously going to argue with that little shit over his PAAG."
"Nice! My PAAG thing is gonna stick, huh?"
"As much as I hate it, yes, it's the only accurate description." Akira slouched as he partially surrendered to despair, turning to Ryuji, "Was she seriously that fine…?"
Ryuji, similarly, slouched in his lust-oriented despair, "She's so 'effin hot man. So…hot…" Ryuji clenched his teeth, "No way that little shit is existin' happily with his PAAG man…I…I'm goin' to cuck Mishima."
I bet Mishima would like that, somehow.
Akira snickered, "You'd cuck him, I would kill him. We are not the same, Ryuji. Also…shouldn't the single one say that?"
"Shuddup."
Akira turned back to the building, "Right."
After a few moments of silence, Ryuji cleared his throat to set the tone, "So…you okay?"
"Yeah. I just uh…don't like it when people bring up that name. Don't have too many good memories associated with it."
"Right. Like I said, you don't have to tell me until you're ready man. Not gonna push or anythin'."
"I know. I know."
There was a brief pause as they heard the panting of their fellow bandsmen and the scuttle of their footsteps. At least until Ryuji spoke again, "You know Sakura-sensei was right, right?"
"Oh, God not you too."
"No, not the sittin' aside shit. You know I can't sit aside either. I'm talkin' about us not havin' any idea on what to hit next. Sure, we know for sure there's somethin' wrong with that asshole…but how do we let the whole world know about the old bastard?"
Akira gazed at his Secretary of Cream with a giddy smile, "Oh, I already know what we can do next. Kinda."
A yawn ripped itself from Akira's lips as the bell dismissing Kawakami's class reverberated throughout the soon-to-be-filled hall of Shujin Academy, though he wasn't the only one exhausted since Kawakami echoed a similarly girthy yawn as she struggled to spit out her last words to the class.
I know she's usually tired but…damn isn't this overkill or whatever?
Showing this much worry for Kawamomm–
I thought I said I wasn't going to do this anymore?!
Have some shame!
…It ain't good to lie, Akira…
Pulling himself from his desk, he shuffled himself in front of hers, "Kawakami-sensei? Are you okay?"
Akira's attempt at sincerity was met with hesitation, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "What do you want, Kurusu-kun?"
"Woah, woah, I just wanted to be nice? You know, the defining trait that people know me for?"
She groaned, "Don't waste my time if you're just going to be sarcastic…"
…Control it Akira…
It's like I can never control it when I'm around pretty women.
Huh, I knew it was a defense mechanism, but its in overdrive when i'm around women…
Considering it's never actually helped with women and usually just results in them baring their fangs at me, I think it's wise to call it a cock blocking mechanism.
Yeah, that's accurate.
"I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. Well, not about making sure you're okay. That was actually sincere, for once."
Kawakami paused for a moment, gazing up at Akira, "You tryna get a free grade out of me?"
Though that would be nice, I don't need that right now.
"Nope. Being 100% honest."
For a moment, Akira saw a grin on her face, "Huh. Well, I'm okay, Kurusu-kun, thank you for asking."
Bullshit, but I shouldn't press on it.
…
Oh, who am I kidding I'm going to press.
This is ME, I'm talking about.
"Are you sure? You seem to be more exhausted than usual, Kawakami-sensei. I'm not asking you to spill your guts to me or anything…I just want to make sure my teacher is alright, or whatever."
"I promise. Just had a…long night."
Akira gave a huff of humor, "Guess we could say the same…"
"In any case, it doesn't serve as an excuse for me to slack, which is why I came in today. I appreciate your concern, Kurusu-kun." She paused for a moment, "Actually…if we're being concerned…have you gone to see Maruki-san, yet?"
Akira's lack of a reply—nor his willingness to meet her eye—gave her the answer she was looking for, "Kurusu-kun—"
Akira put his hands up in defense, "Okay, okay! I promise I'll go before the end of this week."
She sighed, her features softened as she gazed at him sincerely, "Akira…I'm not asking you to go because I'll get a bonus in my paycheck or something. After the last month, I think you'd really appreciate it. Just try. Or I'll give you an F for the rest of the semester."
"What?! You can't jump from sincerity to that! That's even worse than me!"
She chuckled for a second, "I'm only joking. Partially. But the end of this week, okay?"
A sigh came from him, "Yeah, yeah. I hear you sensei."
As Akira neared the door, her voice rang out once more, "Oh, and Kurusu-kun?"
"Yes?"
"How have you been coming along on your group formation? The finalized version is due on Saturday, remember?"
"Oh, right. I was talking about that yesterday…it's…it's coming along well."
Sure, besides the fact that my brother ABANDONED ME.
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BROTHERLY LOVE? THE BROTHERHOOD? THROUGH AND THROUGH?!
"Akira–"
"I'm being serious! It's fine. Just…need to find our final member."
"You can't ask your brother?"
He sighed, "I wish that I could, but the little asshole already has his group. Somehow…"
She smirked, "Mad that your brother has a life outside of you?"
"If I had a nickel for the amount of times I've heard that in the last twenty-four hours…"
"In any case, just make sure you get something in. I would hate for Kobayakawa to get on you or Sakura-san about this…"
Akira couldn't help but surrender a snort, "You sure love to mention Sojiro…y'all got a secret thing going on that I don't know about?"
"Out."
Akira nodded as he slipped out the door, "Right. Yeah."
As Akira slipped from the doors of Kawakami's classroom, he saw a group of men in Shujin's gym uniforms seemingly waiting for him.
Of course, they were blocking his way.
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
"Jeez, here I thought everyone hated me enough to not encircle me…" Akira snickered a bit, thinking of a way to screw with the group, "Ah…gives me real flashbacks to the last time I had an uprising with the Infant Fight Club…"
One of the lackeys towards the back gasped, his voice lightly stroking Akira as familiar, "I knew he was a ring leader! You nasty freak!"
Akira waved it off, instantly firing back, "Woah, how did you know that was your mom's nickname for me last night?"
You…you probably shouldn't do this when you're surrounded and outnumbered with no Ryuji or Morgana.
This…
This ain't good…
Why the hell am I even being a snarky little shit right now?
Normal student, Akira…normal student.
While the first part of the Delinquent of Shujin Academy mentally scolded himself for giving into his jokester antics, the target of Akira's insults tried making his way through the group, seeking to lunge at him, "You little asshole!"
But, luckily for Akira, a hand held him back, "He just wants you to be provoked. Don't fall for it…you'll just be as bad as him."
Uh…who is…that?
Confusion was rife on his face, "Uh…mind revealing yourself, whoever the little organizer of this stalker party?"
A disgustingly sinister laugh came from the back of the group, eventually reaching to the front to reveal his face, "I know it must be a surprise to see me with the volleyball team, aye, transfer student?"
Admittedly, some part of Akira hoped it would be some really climactic reveal, but…
Akira had no idea who the hell this guy was.
He tilted his head in further in confusion, "Uh…who are you?"
The kid looked around, chuckling nervously as he tried working off of Akira's reply, "You think you can pretend that you don't remember me after I utterly destroyed you last time we talked?"
Talked…
Either he's bullshitting or I actually did talk to someone outside of the group.
But…I never talk to people.
Well, I kinda do but I don't think shit talking and one-off remarks count.
He probably counts it though…
Let's see…
It has to be recent right?
Okay…the only time I would probably shit talk someone would be if it related to Kamoshida or Niijima-senpai.
Hmm…wait, he has a bowl–
OH.
"Oh! Oh shit, it's you, the Sperm-bowl guy! Or did I call you a Cock-tip…and what the hell do you mean you destroyed me? Didn't I embarrass you in front of the entire bandroom?" Akira looked around for a moment, "Where's your little lackey–"
A surge of impatient anger exploded from the freshly-remembered Shigeo, "Oh, fuck off."
"Lovers spat? See what you have to do to get him to forgive you, you have to freshly polish his balls–"
Another gym uniform-clad volleyball member strolled up, although his uniform was tight against his form—he was built. That much was obvious. He sported a buzz cut that only strengthened when looking at the rest of his body. He had a slight tan which meshed well with his brown eyes, "Oh for the love of GOD, listen Shigeo, if you aren't gonna relay the message the captain asked you to do, we're gonna kick you and your boyfriend off the damn team! It's the rite!"
Shigeo snapped his head towards him, "Okay! Jeez! And stop saying that, for the love of God!" Shigeo jabbed a finger in Akira's direction as he turned his attention back to him, "Now you…the leader wanted me to say that we heard all about your meeting with Madarame. We don't know what you…degenerates have planned, but the volleyball team is up next. Not you miserable bastards. Just lay in the dirt and stop trying to make a comeback."
Akira rolled his eyes, "So…you go from sucking off Kamoshida to…sucking off a random who tells you to give me villain speeches right out of a fanfiction? Right…but we're the miserable ones." He snorted a bit as he eyed the rest of the team, "So this ragtag group of Haikyuu rejects are supposed to become the crowning jewels of Shujin…? Jesus, I didn't think shit could get any worse."
Seemingly, that was the final straw as the one who reprimanded Shigeo earlier went up to Akira, throttling him by the collar, sandwiching Akira between Kawakami's door and his less than impressive foe for lunch, "You want to say that again, you little shit?"
By now, Akira noticed the group of sparse Shujin students starting to congregate, a few whispers forming here and there.
"It's about time that smug asshole got what he deserves!"
"I can't believe he went this long without an ass-whooping, did you hear about what he did to the pie the bakery club made?"
I'm not even smug!
And we have a bakery club?
WHO FUCKS WITH BAKING?!
That's like, 1000% evil! Who fucks with FOOD?!
Well…Mona.
Wait, Akira focus you might get punched in your shit—
"I said you guys are a bunch of losers scared by a group of nerds playing instruments. Scared so much you're relaying a message for some guy who can't even say it to me himself." He snickered, "The ball polishing must be insane in your practices."
Gee.
I'm definitely getting my shit punched in.
I can't just go A SECOND without being a snarky bastard?!
It's a blessing and a curse.
Well, he'll punch me in the face, probably the nose. Judging from his beefiness, maybe a broken nose?
Shit…not another broken nose…means another Takemi visit.
Akira couldn't help by find it comforting that he could make himself snicker in even the worst situations. Especially if they were avoidable.
More terrified of Takemi's fucking thunder thighs and absolute unit of an ass than getting my nose broken right now.
Shame she doesn't have mommy milkers like—
That's it!
"What did you say? Yeah, we polish balls, the hell does that have to do with anything?!"
Akira sighed, "Jesus Christ I'm right in front of you! Stop fucking yelling!" A sly grin formed on his face as another insult slipped from his lips, "Though it makes sense my words didn't get through, I know ball polishing takes a lot…of head coordination that jumbled up the brain."
For a moment, Akira's foe didn't have anything to say. In fact, he paused, giving the insult room to really take a hold of his brain.
His face lit up like a lightbulb.
My Eastern brother-in-Christ, he's not that smart is he?
He plays volleyball for fucks sake, that should explain everything.
His face turned from confusion to fury with ease, "You bastard!"
"Oh wow, I thought you might've needed a diagram to explain that! Congratulations!"
It seemed that was enough to send his rationalities–if he had any–out of the window and send him careening over the edge.
The muscle head reeled his hand back, readying to throw a punch as Akira did one simple motion.
Time for someone other than me to finally get in trouble..
He knocked on his homeroom.
Though the knocking didn't stop the impending blow
It did seem slower though as it careened through the air.
3.
It moved closer.
2.
Closer.
1.
Mere centimeters from his face.
KAWAKAMI, HURRY UP! I DON'T LIKE THIS!
While the door didn't open up behind Akira to give him a euphoric sense of relief, a similar feeling manifested as a voice reverberated through the air, forcing his fist to stop.
"Excuse me, but just what do you all think you're doing?"
Akira felt his balls shrivel up.
Wait, no, don't feel relieved you dumbass–
Makoto shoved her way through the mass of gawking Shujin students, making her way to the sight of Akira almost getting manhandled.
As expected, she was less than steller to see Akira in any capacity, but it seemed the brunt of her anger was directed to the man grappling him, "What are you doing?"
The boy loosened his grip on Akira, causing him to drop the floor as he turned to Makoto, a fake smile plastered on his face, "Nothing, Niijima-senpai. I promise, it's just that this…delinquent said some snide remarks about the volleyball team and one of our newest members." He pointed to Shigeo, "I was just…trying to get him to apologize."
Makoto kept her eyes trained on the boy, then on Akira on the floor who was straightening out his ruined collar.
She sighed before turning around, "Alright, alright! Disperse! Get away from here! Get to your next classes early!"
A few murmurs of disappointment came from Makoto's intervening, but she brushed them all off. Finally, she returned her focus to the volleyball team, "I don't know what was said, but you can't just put your hands on someone…" She leaned on her last word, trying to get his name.
"Kazuhiro, just call me Kazuhiro."
An inquisitive gaze formed on her face, "You're Ren Amamiya's little brother, aren't you?"
He nodded, "I see you know of us."
"It's my duty to know the authoritative figures of clubs, Amamiya-kun. Which is why I'm disappointed you would stoop to a level to attempt to put your hands on Kurusu-kun." She pushed forward, "You're better than this…but…I won't make a fuss out of it. Just ignore him, and he'll ignore you."
Wait…is she implying I'm–
Oh who am I kidding, why am I surprised.
Shigeo, in the corner of Akira's eye, almost had a fit about this but seemed to control himself.
Heh.
No doubt he still thinks I'm her little lapdog or something, huh?
And Ren Amamiya sounds like a stupid ass name.
Makes sense he's the one who would send a message as stupid as that.
Kazuhiro sighed, giving a bow to Makoto as he walked away, his underlings following him. Before parting down the stairs, Shigeo gave a vicious stare to Akira–who was still on the floor, mind you–to which the Kurusu youngling replied with simply flipping of his finger.
Akira sighed as he pulled himself off of the ground, still partially surprised to see Makoto standing in front of him, "You know…I would've thought after last night you would've loved to see my face get mashed into potatoes."
She sighed, "Don't make this longer than it has to be, Kurusu-kun, what did you say to them?"
He rolled his eyes, "Are you really going to believe that I would randomly pick a fight with them?"
"Is that not what you did to Kitagawa-kun last night?" For the first time, a huff of condescending wit came from her.
"I…"
Shit.
"Uh-huh. That's what I thought. Consider this the first and last time I'm going to help you in any capacity, Kurusu-kun."
He waved his hands in nonchalance, "Yeah, yeah. Though…I wonder how you magically knew I was in trouble…stalking me again?"
Her face went a little red, although that was quickly replaced with anger infused with her scintillating stare, "I'm not playing your childish games, Kurusu-kun." She turned around, "Good day."
Akira watched as she ascended up the stairs, "Huh, that went better than I expected."
At the same time, Kawakami finally slid her door open, a little bit of drool on the side of her dazed face. She gazed at him, her mind was clearly everywhere, "Wha…?
He chuckled at her, "Long night is kicking your ass, sensei."
She rolled her eyes and slid her door shut.
After the subtle chaos that was the last couple of minutes, Akira went downstairs to pick up his usual nutritional diet, a parfait, mochi bread, and–for the sake of not being chewed out by Haru–a bottle of water.
I know for a fact this is probably still unhealthy…BUT I can weasel my way out of this using the water bottle.
A text message later and a signature flight of stairs released Akira to the rooftop, revealing Ryuji recanting yesterday's events to Ann and Haru. It seemed, depressingly, that Morgana was probably hanging out with his group of friends.
I'm not jealous.
Why the hell would I be jealous of my little brother finally getting out of my hair?
I should be happy I don't have to have him in my ear constantly.
Ryuji's ear picked up on Akira opening the rooftop door, turning his sight from the girls to his best friend, "See, Akira can just tell you himself."
"Tell them what, Ryuji? Alot of shit happened yesterday man…"
"Y'know? C'mon Aki-chan."
Oh, so we're bringing this back huh.
Alright.
Yeah, lemme tell them something, alright.
Akira rolled his eyes as he stood beside Ryuji, "So, Ryuji said to a guard he was a twink and he wanted to eat him."
Ann snorted as Ryuji pulled his hands to defend himself, "Hey! I didn't mean it like that!"
"No, no I believe you Ryuji, totally and 100%." Ann had to steel herself in order to not snicker in his face, something that infuriated Ryuji to no end.
"Oh, screw you Ann–"
Haru, as usual, raised a hand, "What…exactly is a twink?"
Just as quickly Akira's enthusiasm evaporated rapidly from his face.
Oh…oh shit.
Maintain her innocence?
MAINTAIN THE INNOC–
Ann snorted and turned back to Haru, "Basically, a twink is…young lookin' guy that's like…slim and stuff. Real submissive and breedable. I think gay men use it alot."
ANN–
Haru's face became flushed as she returned back to Ryuji, "I…I see. I never pegged you as the type, Sakamoto-kun!"
Did…did she do that on purpose…? Holy shit–
Ryuji jabbed his finger in Akira's direction, practically screaming at the two girls, "That's some bullshit! I didn't know what it meant, and Akira was the one called a twink!"
Oh you little–
Akira jabbed Ryuji in the ribs, "Oh screw you, man! Don't you think it's sad Yusuke knows what a twink is and you don't?! Have some shame!"
While the two were arguing back and forth over the semantics of Ryuji's pride, Ann and Haru both examined Akira intensely, with the former speaking first, "Hmm…you think Yusuke was right? I can kinda see it."
Haru, with her limited knowledge, tried her hardest to manifest an answer, "Considering I just learned the meaning, Takamaki-kun…I think he might be right. Aki-chan is young…rather skinny and lean. I don't think he'd…fit the last part of the description you said, though."
Akira whipped his head to the both of them, "Can we not do this?! For the love of God, I already had enough trauma yesterday from being called a twink and encountering that damn ass sniffer!"
The girls paused, "Ass…sniffer?" Akira couldn't tell if Ann was saying that from a place of confusion, disgust, disbelief, or just all of them.
Even Ryuji gave him a weird look, "Don't tell me he was sniffin' your seat man…"
Akira's face darkened in shame.
"Um…what else happened at the event that wasn't emasculating or traumatizing?" Haru tried her best at lighting the mood.
Ryuji went first while giving Akira time to recover from his renewed disgust at the previous 24 hours, "Well, this was before the Tokyo Dome, but we met with Nakanohara, the douchebag we found yelling in the alleyway? He was at Crossroads and Akira was able to get him to spill the beans."
Akira sighed as he repressed some of the memories from the day before, also electing to repress the predictions as well since the mention of Crossroads forcefully brought them to the forefront, "Madarame's a fraud who abuses, manipulates, and seemingly sells his students. I…asked," Yeah, perfectly normal way of putting it, "Kitagawa-kun about it, and his response…pretty much confirmed it. And…he also bribes people as well, so…"
Everyone's expressions darkened, "So…what can we do now?" Ann's voice had a sense of determination to it.
Ryuji shrugged before pointing at Akira, "Actually, me and him were talkin' about it this mornin'."
"So that's why you two assholes were sitting in the bandroom while we were running?! Oh, come on that's not fair!" Ann stomped her foot on the concrete, drawing a wince from Akira while she didn't show any emotion, "You could've at least told me and Morgana so we could get out of running…"
Akira shrugged, "Honestly, we came up with it last minute but…eh, me and Ryuji got a couple of ideas on how we can actually bust Madarame. Nothing too illegal."
The trio chuckled at the idea while Haru, expectedly, shot a perplexed gaze at them, "I'm joking of course…"
Ryuji slouched into his chair, "All this Madarame shit over the last couple of days been givin' me a headache, can't we just talk about somethin' else?"
Ann took a sip from her juice box as Akira finally laid into his parfait, getting a disappointment-filled gaze from Haru, "When do exam results come out again?"
Haru, much to the dismay of Ryuji, answered with ease, "They come out on Monday, posted first thing in the morning when we all walk into school."
Somehow, Ryuji slouched deeper into his chair, "The same day we have to do that damn cleanup? Ugh…my mom is gonna kill me once she sees my scores…at least I won't be alone, right Aki-chan?"
Akira briefly took a moment from devouring his parfait and bread to shoot Ryuji an awkward stare before continuing to satiate his hunger, "Dude! Don't tell me you actually, y'know, tried?!"
Akira simply continued to eat.
Ryuji desperately turned his head to the other blond in the group, "Ann?!"
She gave him a nervous chuckle, "Right…let's talk about…um…the group project! Akira, did you talk to Morgana yet?
Akira's face soured, "Man…he already got a group…"
Ryuji sighed, "Aw man…so it's still just the three of us?"
Haru's hand rose, "You guys are talking about the Shujin Fair, correct? With only three members at the moment?"
Akira nodded his head, "Yeah—"
Haru paused before excitedly jumping at the opportunity, "Then can I join?"
Wait what?
"Huh? Haru don't you…y'know, already have a group?"
Her energy dwindled a bit, "Actually…I don't. You know, being the heiress to one of the biggest record labels in Japan makes people…view me different." She gave a chuckle, "But it's alright. I try to not let it bother me too much. Plus, I've met you guys!"
View her different…
Shit…everything really is pointing to her being the one in the prediction.
Hm…I have an idea.
Out of the corner of his eye, Akira saw Ryuji's eyes dart to his.
For the second time in twenty-four hours, the two of them were thinking the same thing.
"Well, in that case, why not! It'll be fun!"
Haru gave a big smile, "Ooh! Then have you decided on a name yet?"
Akira groaned, "Oh come on! You even have to think of names as well?! That–"
Ryuji shot up from his chair, "Aha! We're the CPTL!"
YOU ARE NOT FUCKIN SERIOUS RYUJI.
Akira's eyes darted to his best friend, laced with both a startling amount of anger and disbelief.
Haru raised her hand, "Ryuji-kun…? What does that mean, exactly?"
"Oh…uh…" He looked at Akira, seemingly wanting some sort of help, but none was to be found–at least willingly. "...It means that we're the…Celestial Producers of Turbulent Longing."
Oh my god.
Ann simply shrugged it off as Haru gave it some consideration, "What an…interesting name. Any ideas for the project?"
"Yeah...no–"
"Numerous! But we're centerin' on…uh…this one idea involvin' shoes! Yeah, I think everyone's gonna love 'em!"
Akira simply couldn't believe what he was hearing.
But…it was probably best to make Haru believe that this group wasn't going to crash and burn miserably before she actually fully committed to joining them and registering with them.
Speaking of crashing and burning…
"Did you guys know we have a volleyball team?"
Ryuji chuckled, "Yeah, they're a bunch of losers though. I remember last year when we were making our finals run, all they ever did was try to ruin our practices and shit. Real bitter weirdos."
Okay, got it. So…this isn't my fault.
"Yeah, I can gauge that. Some of them appeared outside of Kawakami's class. Guess they're reforming into a fan club these days."
"Oh…that makes sense. When I was leaving I thought it was kinda strange to see a couple of them just…looming around."
"Did they say anything to you, Aki-chan?"
Goddamn it Haru.
"Uh…nothing much besides a threat…something about Shujin being theirs for the taking…yada yada, just a lot of ball polishing."
"Ball polishing?"
"I'll tell you about it later." He turned to Ryuji, "Oh, and those two weirdos I embarrassed in the bandroom? Yeah, they're apparently a part of the team now. Somehow."
Ann groaned, "Gross. Those two are such weirdos, especially how they used to worship Kamoshida…"
Unluckily for the rest of them, the bell for their next period rang.
"Shit. I gotta actually go to Ushimaru this time…dude's been bustin' my balls lately."
Akira and Ann squinted at him, with the former speaking, "Why the hell would you skip Ushimaru man?! Do you like the chalk or something?!"
A yawn slipped from his lips, "I've been sleepy man…"
Ann rose from her chair, grasping Ryuji and escorting him down the stairs, "Don't worry, I'll make sure he's actually…y'know, on time."
With that being said, the door closed as Haru and Akira tried finishing some activities before leaving.
Finishing the last little bit of his parfait, Akira spat out a question, "Haru?"
"Hm?" She was tidying up the garden a little.
"Are you going to be busy today?"
"Well," She then gave a grunt of effort as she pulled a root from the garden, "I was going to work on the garden…possibly the ones out in front of the school as well, why?"
"I uh…was thinking about asking you to…sit in on one of our practices. I still feel bad about just leaving you yesterday, even if it was for the greater good. I think you might like it."
"Hm…maintaining my beautiful plants or watch Akira Kurusu play an instrument for a few hours…Gosh, such a hard choice."
Akira's expression flattened, "God, I truly do think my dry wit rubbing off on you might be the best and worst thing in the Universe since the creation of avocado…"
"You don't like avocado? Really?"
"Yeah, it's…like fucking gross and stuff."
Her face went flat, "I truly do worry for your body…but I wouldn't mind sitting in. Should be fun, right?"
He shrugged, "Hey, if I'm suggesting it then it has to be fun in some capacity, right?"
Plus…it should keep you busy and all that.
Surprisingly, Sojiro had relocated practice to the gymnasium instead.
While everyone filed into the gym, Akira elected to visit Kamoshida's old office to see if Sojiro had decided to temporarily take up residence there for the moment.
His assumption, unsurprisingly, was correct as he knocked on the door, "Come in."
Considering Akira had bad memories of the last time he took a step inside of the faculty office, the permanent scowl on his face made sense.
Sojiro, on the other hand, didn't know about this, "Jeez kid, I know our argument this morning was bad, but do you have to scowl at me like I murdered Haruki and Hotaru?"
"What? Oh. Nah, that's not why I'm looking like this…I just have bad memories in this place."
He paused for a moment, "Kamoshida, huh?"
He sighed, "Yeah."
"You…want to talk about it?"
"We just argued this morning dude–"
"Oh please, we've had worse when you were younger."
Akira rolled his eyes, "Let's save this story for another time, I wanted to ask a favor."
"I don't know if I should be granting you favors considering this morning and," Sojiro grabbed a piece of paper off the desk, "the fact you and Sakamoto-kun were running from security last night…"
Fuck.
"…so—"
"Madarame waved it off but Jesus Christ you two are idiots."
"Responsible idiots."
"Idiots nevertheless. What's the favor, kid?"
"Oh right, do you mind letting Haru Okumura sit in on our practice today?" Sojiro visibly froze for a moment, which elicited a sort of worry from Akira, "Uh…Sojiro? You okay?"
Akira's words must've shook him back to reality, "Yeah, I'm fine kid. Okumura can sit in. Just make sure she doesn't disturb practice, okay?"
Akira nodded, "Course, course."
As he went to leave the office, Sojiro spoke up once more, "Hey kid?"
"Hm?"
"We're okay, right?"
Akira gave a chuckle, "When have we ever been okay?"
Sojiro retorted with a chuckle before nodding, "Fair point."
Stepping outside of the faculty office, Akira pulled out his phone.
At first, his mind threw itself at the app that reappeared on his phone from last night.
While he tried to delete it multiple times ever since he saw its unwanted appearance, none of the attempts worked at all.
It was infuriating.
Akira shook his head as he went into his messaging app, taping on Haru's chatroom.
Akira: Yeah, he said it's okay for you to come
Akira: Just y'know, don't disturb the practice and all that.
Elite Milk: Of course! You guys are in the gym today, correct?'
Akira: Mhm.
Akira: I'd say for you to stay by Sojiro during the entire practice, Haru. He'll probably talk your ear off or something.
Elite Milk: Course, I'll see you there!
Making it to the gym was a relatively easy ordeal for Haru. Gazing around, her eyes latched onto Mona and Ryuji chatting it up while warming up for practice.
Getting closer to the duo revealed their conversation, "Okay, look I'm just saying I think you'll like it."
Ryuji sighed as he took his attention away from his snare, "Okay, okay I'll give it a watch if you agree to stop slanderin' me for two weeks."
"But…my slander…it makes me…me."
"You're not Akira man. And just agree to the 'effin deal, I'll leave you alone as well! Ain't that a win-win?"
Mona placed an inquisitive hand on his chin, considering it as he aimlessly gazed forward, "Okay…but if we do this, wanna just increase the slander with Akira?"
"Oh, I was gonna do that with him anyway. So, deal?"
Mona gave a snarky grin as the two shook hands, "Deal." He took a hearty inhale, "Ah…I can just smell the beautiful misery of Akira now…but remember to peep peak fiction in the form of Code Geass, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah." Ryuji's eyes wandered a bit off as he recognized Haru, "Oh shit! Haru! Whatcha doin' here?"
"Um…Akira invited me here to watch you guys. He even said Sakura-sensei wouldn't have an issue with it as well!"
Ryuji and Mona eyed each other, faint grins on their faces, "Well, I think Sakura-sensei is in the faculty office, y'know where that one door is at upstairs?"
Ryuji pointed upwards, revealing the railings and the stairs, "I think if you knocked and stuff, he'd probably open the door and you'd get a chance to say hello and all that."
As usual, Haru gave a respectful bow as she gave her thanks, making her way up the stairs.
Mona looked at Ryuji, "Maybe this is the month of wooing he's always going on about."
Soon enough, Haru knocked at the side door for the faculty office. After a few brief moments, the door opened with Sojiro Sakura on the other side.
Ever since Sojiro's first day on the job, Haru had seen glimpses of him here and there. Most of the time she was able to know if she was actually looking at Sojiro Sakura through his signature white suit jacket with the pink undershirt and his beard.
His hair did help sometimes, but he usually swapped his lengthy hair between a ponytail and being unleashed normally.
In any case, with her standing right in front of him, there wasn't any way she could mistake him for someone else. She gave a bow, "H-Hi, Sakura-sensei. I'm—"
Sojiro aimlessly gazed at the girl, "Haru Okumura. I know who you are. We've met before."
Haru quickly rose from her bow, "We have?"
"Yup. You were really small though…I remember you kept hiding behind your mother's leg…"
Mother's leg…?
Slowly, she tried piecing things together, "Sojiro Sakura…ah, that's why you're so familiar! Eternal Sunshine!"
He gave a brief nod, "Yup. Though these days I try to put that era of my life behind me as much as possible."
She gave a chuckle, "I can imagine. Father still talks about your group fondly."
Sojiro didn't give a reply, he only gazed into Haru's eyes before talking past her, leaning over the railing to his musical program below.
Haru thought it was strange but instead elected to join him at the railing as he cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention.
"Alright! Time for our second practice! But before we actually get into the nitty-gritty, I have an announcement to make!" Sojiro eyed the crowd, getting a peep at his band council huddled together in the center, "As you may have heard…I had a meeting with Ichiryusai Madarame yesterday! The subject of this meeting was a Battle of the Bands between Shujin Academy and Kosei on the 6th of June!" He purposely paused, giving the reveal a dramatic berth, "Now…I know it may be…a little out there in your heads, considering we've only had one practice together…but off of that one practice, I can tell this group has so much potential. Even with the adverse events that have been tugging at this program and its members of it…you all have the potential to be the best band in the land! Even to recapture the spotlight at the JMBA Championship! It's just that this moment, this opportunity will be the first building block towards that goal."
Sojiro paused, finally giving himself some breathing room, "But if we're going to capitalize on this…then we have to hit the ground running. These next eight practices over the next week…we can't afford to waste any of these minutes! If you check the band group chat, you'll see I uploaded six new songs as well. These will be our book. We have to perfect these songs, okay?"
The rest of the band replied, seemingly feeding off of Sojiro's energy, "Great! Now, everyone grab a stand from the bandroom and pull out Movin'on Without You."
Haru, from her time shadowing Sojiro and just watching the practice take its natural progression, could tell that he was a competent teacher and musician.
Not only that; it seemed as if his speech from earlier did properly ignite everyone to give their all.
Except…for Akira, it seemed.
Over the course of the rehearsal, he was obviously struggling. Be it sight reading, slotting the right notes, playing certain phrases in the music—he was performing at a low level.
Perhaps to everyone else it wasn't noticeable, but considering she had seen him in person at Nationals…something was holding him back.
And from the look on his face towards the end of rehearsal, it was frustrating him to no end.
Sojiro had sent everyone to take a five minute break before they powered through the final measures of the song, a chance for his students to regain their bearings.
While everyone else kept socializing or took water breaks, Akira just sat against the gym wall, gazing at his trumpet.
Almost sorrowfully, Haru gazed at him from the railings—something Sojiro noticed himself, "If you keep staring at him, you might burn a hole in his head."
Her face went slightly red, "Sakura-sensei…you've known Akira for a while, right?"
"Sadly."
"Then you'd agree, this behavior of his…it's not normal, correct?"
Sojiro sighed as he leaned over the railing with her, "...No. It's not, Okumura-chan. I'm not sure what's causing it though…" The alarm on Sojiro's phone went off, alerting the two of them to the expired time limit, "But...the only way forward is up."
Sojiro pushed off of the railing, standing firm as he strolled back to his position before that allowed everyone to see and hear him properly, "Okay, everyone look at measure…"
His voice started to fade away as she kept focusing on Akira, whose line of sight was trained steadfast on the PDF of the music before him.
Throughout the final run of the music, she could see his frustration hit a boiling point–especially with the fact he was being outplayed by one other person…Shiro Nishikawa.
From the little she could remember of the boy, he did have a talent with musical instruments in junior high, but instead of pursuing it once they came to Shujin…he elected to follow the path of academia. Eventually settling into the position of secretary on the Student Council.
With all of that being said, Haru couldn't understand why he would wait until his final year to throw his hat into the ringer.
Then again…don't keep all your eggs in one basket, right?
Before she knew it, Sojiro had wrapped up the final run of the music, capping off the rehearsal with a speech commending everyone's efforts. Though, before letting everyone go, he spoke up once more about wanting to meet Akira and Mishima in the faculty office.
Oh great, I get to have Sojiro scold me over how shitty I played today.
And I have to be in the room with a PAAG Banger…
Yay…
Akira eyed Mishima, a sight that scared the blue-haired percussionist.
Grabbing the nearest chair he could reach, Akira sat in it as Sojiro closed the door.
Focusing his eyes on them, he spoke first, of course, "I know the two of you are probably wondering why I have you here…it's…kinda weird but I need to ask a question of you two."
Akira slouched deeper into his chair, "Shoot."
"So, with this Battle of the Bands, I have no doubt musically you guys will be fine, especially after today. But…" He paused as he rubbed his nape, "You see when I marched in college…we had a drum major. While he didn't exactly keep tempo and all of that, he led the band…eased tensions, and helped out as best as he could. Served as a role model. A leader and example for all of the other bandsmen to follow. With that being said—"
"No. I'm not doing it." Akira rolled his eyes as he tried to stand up.
To which Sojiro easily forced him back down into his seat with a little bit of force. For an extra measure, he kept his hand on Akira's shoulder, "Not you did." He spun the office chair in the direction of…
Yuuki Mishima.
"Him."
What the fuck?
EXCUSE ME?!
"What?! Why him?! And why am I here then!?"
"For one…he has a marketable and memorable appearance so…? And you're in here because you're the only other person in power in this band, genius."
"You see that's where you keep confusing me, whether I do or don't have power…and you really wanna hand power over to…him? Just because he looks pretty?"
Sojiro groaned, "Yeah, I know it isn't the most…rational reasoning, but it's the first step in actually molding him into a role model. I'm gonna need your help as well."
Akira chuckled, unsuccessfully attempting to rise from the chair again, "Look, you can do that but leave me out of this."
It's one thing I'm attempting to stomach him because of Haru, it's another that I gotta argue with this fucking asswipe over his PAAG
BUT I WILL NOT MOLD THIS PIECE OF SHIT INTO A GOOD PERSON
HELL NO SOJIRO
Sojiro waved Mishima off, letting him know he was dismissed, "We'll talk about this more, Mishima-kun." Once the door clicked shut, he took his chair and stared Akira in the eye, "What the hell is your problem with him?"
"What the hell is your problem trying to give power to him? You don't even know Mishima at all to try and trust him with that responsibility."
"It can't just be me and you with straight power. We can't teach everyone, discipline everyone, see everything to sort it out! Any other figures of authority I can see are crucial in their section. You…Mona, Takamaki-kun, Sakamoto-kun? All too important." He took a breath, "And besides, if we're going to be working on this program for the next year, eventually there needs to be a sense of trust between us and them."
Akira had a reply in mind but he bit it back. Regretfully, the old man was right.
A sigh loosened itself as he drooped his head.
Sojiro rolled closer, letting a softer touch infect his voice, "Kid…I don't know everything. And you want to know why?" He let a beat pass before pushing forward, "It's because you aren't telling me anything. I know we…have never been close, but in Tokyo…in Shujin? We have to be. Me, you, and Morgana are all that we have. So please…even if we argue, or fight, or whatever the hell else, just remember I'm here. That there's someone here you can depend on."
"I can be someone you can depend on, Kurusu-kun. Don't forget that."
Akira felt shivers run down his spine.
Deflecting Sojiro's words, Akira gave a nod as he stood up, retreating to the door and closing it behind him.
He didn't get a glimpse of Sojiro's face as he left, and he really didn't care.
As Akira stepped outside of the gym, electing to ignore his brother and friends, he was met with the sight of Haru…though she wasn't alone.
It was this one guy uncomfortably close to her. His face wasn't anything overwhelmingly remarkable. Though he did have a grossly overcooked tan that was accompanied with greasy black hair and slit-like eyes.
He seemed to be a bit taller than Akira, which was…something he wasn't used to.
Great, more volleyball dickheads.
And…of course, nobody in Shujin is trying to help.
Great.
Akira cleared his throat, "Yay…more volleyball dickheads on the prowl, huh?"
The one harking at Haru, as expected, turned to the fledgling Band President with the most repulsed face imaginable, "Volleyball? That miserable group wishes they were Giga-chads like the basketball team."
Grown-ass man saying Giga-chad unironically.
Yup, I'm definitely in hell.
Or a hallucination.
Akira pinched himself and, upon feeling pain, sighed, "Yup…I'm dealing with an incel."
Aw man…
"Who the hell are you calling an incel?"
Why does everyone want to pick a fight with me today…like yeah, I'm snarkier than usual but still…
"I'm talking to the guy that's clearly pushing onto Haru when she doesn't want to be around you, jackass."
Haru tried to voice against Akira's agitations, "Akira, it's not worth it…"
Hearing his name, a smirk graced his face as he moved away from Haru, slowly making his trek to Akira.
It wasn't a bit taller anymore.
It's not THAT bad of a height difference.
Subconsciously, Akira stood straight up.
Upon getting incredibly close to Akira, he stared down at him with disgust as his voice dropped, "So…you're Akira Kurusu, huh? I never thought it would be important to learn the name of a piece of trash like you but…considering I keep hearing rumors of you fucking Niijima-san or Okumura-san…" He paused as he peered into Akira's eyes, tension clearly taking a hold of the both of them, "I think it's a little important. And no honorifics huh? Interesting."
Ah.
I knew it was a matter of time before those types of rumors started popping up with Haru.
Another reason why I didn't want Haru to be around me but...Therapist Milk Goddess Haru objects so.
Akira didn't indulge in the quieting of his voice as he narrowed his eyes with rebellion, "I guess if you're so quick to believe those rumors and make Haru that uncomfortable, you really are an incel."
Unbeknownst to the two of them, Haru had maneuvered beside Akira as she cleared her throat, "Noyama-san…I don't think this behavior is suitable for you. Think about what your mother would think."
Noyama broke his contact from Akira to Haru, examining her up and down before he sighed, pulling away from Akira, "Okumura-san, this is very unbecoming of you."
Haru shuffled her feet uncomfortably as she bowed, "Sorry. Good day."
Excuse me, WHAT?!
HARU, ARE YOU—
"—A shy soul."
Akira gritted his teeth as Noyama walked away, "Hey, Noyama?"
He seemed annoyed as he turned around, "It's Noyama-senpa—"
Akira had a giddy grin as he pointed to his shoes, "Your Jordans are fake as fuck."
Surprisingly, instead of beating the shit out of Akira—as he logically expected—Noyama just stormed off.
"Huh. Strange." He turned to the heiress, "So…what was that all about?"
Haru sighed, "That was Yuujirou Noyama…captain of the basketball team and…son to the general manager of Big Bang Burger. As you can tell…he has strange feelings about me."
Akira made a tsk sound, "Ah, so a weirdo? You never gave him a chance but he's been stuck on you like a simp?"
She didn't relent to his attempt at humor, "In a way."
Jeez, she didn't even laugh or anything.
…shit man.
He gently tapped her on the shoulder, "Wanna go catch a movie? If you're free, that is."
She mulled over the idea in her head for a few moments before a faint smile formed, "I'd love to."
Baby steps.
A/N:
This chapter kinda stumped me. I'm not gonna lie, it was rather boring but it's one of those subtle throwaway chapters that don't seem important to the plot but are important to some characterization and set-ups, etc. Plus, kinda been busy with some last-minute dorm shopping, and...I've kinda been busy drafting probably the most important chapter in Marching Phantoms, well at least the first half.
Sure, we're at least 10 or 15 chapters out from when it actually happens but it's so girthy and important I need to draft it now lol
Anyway, should have a chapter out next week, it's been one I've been looking forward to. After next week...? I'm not really sure if I'm gonna be able to be consistent with uploads since I have to get to college early but we'll see. In a worst-case scenario, it'll either be hella inconsistent with chapter drops happening here or there, or I'll shift to a bi-weekly format until I have a lot of free time.