Trust
"Are you going to Roppongo?"
"Kai didn't tell you?"
"Actually I forgot to ask. Heh. It's my fault."
"We are. Here's a word of advice. Don't believe everything that comes out of Kai's mouth," Tala had whispered with his mouth close to his ear. "He is fucking with you."
Dr Valkova calls the entire student body to the main auditorium that morning for an impromptu meeting. "It has come to my attention that certain students are engaging in brute fights off campus grounds and I have also received several reports of hazing, spreading malicious rumours, gossip mongering and substance abuse." She keeps her cool for all of two minutes before all hell breaks loose. "What is happening in this campus? In all my twenty years of teaching I have never seen such blatant disrespect for rules from the students..."
The meeting goes on for about a total of twenty minutes, during which Professor Valkova chews out everyone present in the hall for breaking rules and bad behavior in general. She also announces that from now on, strict regulations will be put in place to avoid such fights from breaking out in the future and to nurture more love between all the students in general a love exercise will be carried out at the end of each day in which all the students must participate enthusiastically. The love exercises will change every month and Professor Daitenji will be put in charge.
As soon as the meeting is over, Tyson finds Kai among the crowd and sneaks him into an empty lecture hall.
"What happened to the guys?"
"They got jumped, but you should see the other guys. Hiruta and his goons look way worse."
"You seem awfully proud."
"Only a little. I'm mostly mad I wasn't there."
"How did they get them?"
"They were on their way back from the club, got attacked in an alleyway."
"What club?"
"A night club."
"Woozy's?"
"Can't remember"
"You remember"
"That's enough questions" Kai kisses him.
"Mmph" He thinks of Roppongo. He pushes him away. "Are you going to cheat?"
"What are you talking about?" A frown mars his brow. His back rests against a wall. Right next to the door.
Tyson touches a stray lock of his hair. "I know you guys are going to Roppongo. Tala told me."
Kai tilts his head back. Looking at him through hooded eyes. "Tala doesn't like you much, Tyson. You should stay away."
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much. Now back to Roppongo."
"What about Roppongo?"
"I don't know." He pulls at a metal zipper on Kai's jacket. "Wouldn't you be tempted by all the boobs and the beers?"
The lower half of his upper teeth show in a crescent when a faint smile curls on his face. "Is someone jealous?"
"Kai" he admonishes. Wanting him to be serious.
He gets kissed again. Strong hands enveloping his cheeks.
"Stop" He breaks apart.
"Yes"
"Yes what?"
"I will be tempted." His thumbs caress his face. Tyson stares at him with disappointed eyes. "But I'll think of you," says Kai, before leaning into him again.
Tyson smiles against his lips.
Kai wraps his arms around his upper back, hugging him closer.
There's a sudden ruckus outside the door. The bells rings. The door opens.
They pull away from each other.
Students walk into the room, chatting obliviously, unconcerned about either of them.
Tyson looks at Kai. From three feet away.
"I'm not supposed to be here," he says, sliding away. "Bye" He gives Tyson a quick wave before ducking out the door.
Tyson watches him, grinning. Pink around his mouth.
Hilary walks in as soon as Kai walks out and she catches his expression.
"Hey" he greets her.
"Why are you so happy?" she asks as they move to their seats.
"I'm always happy. This is my default mood."
"No, it's not." She sits down, shrugging her bag off. Tyson lowers into a chair next to her. "Your default mood is-" She holds out her hands in front of her and lets her head lol to the side, making a hideous bleating sound.
"Shut up" He pushes at her arm. Laughing. Hilary giggles but Tyson doesn't notice that her smile doesn't reach her eyes. Or the hurt look she gives him when he glances away. Her eyes taking in what the other students do not. His slightly swollen lips. The mussed hair at the back of his head like a hand had lain there. And the overall bright energy radiating from him. "Your zombie impression is good."
"Thank you"
"That wasn't a compliment." He grins cheekily.
"No couple survives Roppongi," Emily says, cutting her burger in two halves. The cafeteria is bustling with activity around them. "That's why Michael and I are taking a break. Because I know when he gets there and meets some busty bombshell he will forget all about me."
"Men" Hilary says disapprovingly. Pushing the salad around on her plate.
Tyson shoots her a look.
"Precisely," Emily continues. "It's in their nature. They like to get around. Spread their seeds."
"Excuse me?" he interrupts. "I'm sitting right here. Not every guy likes to sleep around."
"Well, not every guy," says Hilary. "There are some like you, but most of them are like him." She points across the cafeteria toward Kai, where he's sitting among the Blitzkriegs, talking about something. A very pretty Kristina comes up to him as they watch and taps his shoulder, making him turn his head around to look at her. They talk. She touches his jaw.
"Come to think of it, isn't he dating someone right now?" he hears Emily ask. "Someone who is not that girl he looks very chummy with?"
Tyson frowns as the Blitzkriegs move to make space for Kristina in their midst. She takes the seat right next to Kai who slings an arm over the back of her chair.
"They do like to keep their options open. I feel bad for whoever he's dating," comments Hilary.
"Any wise girl would keep her man away from other women. It's what Salima's doing with King. She keeps him on a tight leash and she's smart to do that. If I was a tiny bit more selfish I would have done the same with Michael and not let him go, but I want him to live. I want him to experience things. You know? I just wish it didn't make him so fucking happy," she hisses the last part, glaring across the cafeteria where Tyson's bro squad sits goofing off.
"You okay, Tyson?" asks Hilary.
"Huh?" He glances at her. "Yeah" He looks at her plate. Where she has barely touched any of her food. Then at his own. Two measly french fries and a coke is left on his tray. He sighs and picks up a fry.
During Michael's baseball practice, Tyson texts Mariam.
16:51 to Mariam: Hi
16:52 to Mariam: I'm sorry I forgot about our date. I didn't mean to be an asshole. It just slipped my mind.
16:53 Mariam: You didn't mean to be, but you are one.
16:53 to Mariam: I'm sorryy. Can we meet? Where are you?
16:55 Mariam: Look up
Tyson turns around, his eyes scanning the empty bleachers. Someone taps him on the right shoulder.
It's Mariam.
"Oh hey" He smiles. "You appeared out of nowhere."
"I'm good at that," she says, joining him on the bench. "Blending in with the scenery."
"Mariam" He takes her hand. "I didn't mean to stand you up. You're a really smart and pretty girl. I was lucky to have you agree to go on another date with me and I- I blew that. I'm an idiot."
Mariam stares straight ahead. Her blue bangs drifting against her forehead in the breeze.
"I like you. A lot." His knees nudge against hers. "I messed up. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"
She looks contemplative. She shakes her head, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. Sure. I just don't understand what you want from me. Do you want me to be your friend or your girlfriend? You have to be clear with me because I like you too. And it really hurt when you blew me off."
"I'm sorry" he says again, whispering. "I don't want to string you around. You're a really great girl. I just..." He looks down at his sneakers for a moment. "I just think we'd be better off as friends."
Mariam sucks in her lips. Her face growing upset. Then she nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I think that too."
Tyson smiles. A small smile. He squeezes her hand once more before letting go.
They watch the players on the field. Michael takes a shot. The ball flies to the other end of the stadium. "Homerun!" he screams before taking off.
"Where were you? Have you been here this whole time because I didn't see you when I got down."
"No, I just got here. I'm here for my friend actually."
"Who?"
Mariam points. Tyson looks. He hadn't noticed before but Mathilda is on the track. Jumping hurdles. All by herself. Damn, that's just sad.
"You guys friends?"
"Yeah"
"Damn"
At the end of the day, as Tyson and his friends are walking back to the dorm, professor Daitenji comes up to them and tells them to stop and participate in the love exercise.
"Oh no" Eddie groans.
Daitenji stops several other students as well. The Blitzkriegs also get roped in. They have mandatory attendance for these activities.
"Gather around, gather around," he calls.
The students make a haphazard circle around him.
"Alright. It's time for our first love exercise."
"Excuse me, Professor?" Eddie raises a hand.
"Yes, Mr Wheeler?" Daitenji grinds out.
"Are students other than those present in the current crowd also being put through similar torture?"
Daitenji stares at him. "Yes, and this is not torture, people!" he addresses the students around him. "What has been happening in this campus lately? Why are you all so hostile towards one other? Gossiping, cat fighting, hazing, juniors insulting seniors, hiding marijuana under your pillows," Kai tries to sneak off as he's speaking. Daitenji catches him by his sleeve. "Gang fighting" He drags Kai back into their midst. Looking him up and down. Daitenji is a short and stout man, next to tall and effortless Kai, he looks comically harmless as he scolds him. "Young man, where are you sneaking off to? Your participance is compulsory. Jesus, look at you. Why can't you smile?"
Kai clenches his jaw. Looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"What is wrong with you children? I have brought roses. Stand there." He tells Kai to join the students at the front. "I want to see you. So, today! We are going to choose a soulmate for each of you. That is this month's love exercise. Each of you will pick a person randomly, and they will be your soulmate for about a week. Starting from this Friday till the next. Soulmates will get to know each other, learn to tolerate each other's presence and become friends or at least try to be till the next Friday, when you will get to pick again. Now, I will hand each of you a rose and you will close your eyes and throw that rose at someone in this circle. The person the rose falls on will be your soulmate of the week!"
The students grumble. "But we're going to Roppongi this coming week!" someone shouts.
"I'm talking about when you come back."
"I hope I get a girl," Eddie prays. "Preferably hot"
"I want to leave," says Tyson. Daitenji hears him.
"Mr Granger," he calls. "Why don't you be a good sport and go first? Come on. Come on."
Tyson goes to him. He gives him a rose.
"These rascals could learn a thing or two from you," Daitenji makes Tyson close his eyes and spin in circles. "I hope you pick someone nasty. They could really use your help."
When Tyson finally stops spinning and throws the rose somewhere behind him, the Professor cheers. "Bravo! Bravo! Perfect! We're off to a great start!"
He hears the students gasp. Some laugh.
Tyson turns around, praying he got someone nice or someone he knows. He would like Hilary. The person standing behind him is Kai, who is staring at his feet, where the rose lies. Tyson gapes. The flower had fallen directly on top of his head.
Daitenji is still clapping. "Pick up the rose, Mr Hiwatari, and say hello to your soulmate of the week!"
Tyson fights a smile as Kai bends to take the rose off the ground. He's very aware of the other students around them. Watching and laughing. They find it hilarious.
Kai brings the rose to Tyson and gives it to him. Meeting his eyes for the briefest of moments.
He accepts the flower hesitantly. Almost dropping it. He was not supposed to hand the flower back to him again. He was supposed to keep it and say hello instead.
Kai turns away, not looking up, walking back to the crowd.
"Yeah!" hoots someone in the group.
Eddie loses his mind.
Hilary's forehead wrinkles.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Miguel starts a chant.
"Now, now!" Daitenji interrupts them. "There's no need to be juvenile. Stop that! Mr Miguel, that's enough!"
He shuts up.
"Mr Granger, please join Mr Hiwatari at the back of this crowd. You don't need to stand at the front anymore. Next!"
Hilary steps up.
Tyson squeezes out of the group of students and almost bumps into Kai.
They have to stay. They can't leave yet. Their friends are still doing the love exercise.
Tyson meets Kai's eyes, bringing the red rose to his nose. His own cheeks turning into a matching colour. "Smells good" he tells him.
Kai's words desert him.
Tala swears a few feet away. "Fuck me. Fuck me..."
"I wouldn't even if you paid me," he hears Hilary's voice reply.
She had picked Tala.
