Tohno had a seat by the window, meaning that Arihiko could always tell whether he was there or not immediately upon entering the classroom.
It was noon. He was late, as usual.
"Tohno." Tohno got back slapped, friendly-like.
"Arihiko." Arihiko got a wry stare, nothing he wasn't used to seeing out of his best friend. "I suppose you were due to show up sometime."
The red-haired delinquent ignored this comment and changed the subject. "My discerning eye tells me that the last few days for you haven't been so bad. Nice job, man! You're on the up and up!"
"What, your eyes have some mystic power or something? Give me a break." Shiki Tohno chuckled softly and dug himself into his chair a little further. His lunch date would have to be postponed until tomorrow. "And what's with this diagnosis of yours? Have you become my doctor now; is that it?"
"I've been your best friend for a long time now, Tohno. Safe to say, you're the expressive type. You know, the one who lets their emotions play out on their face. But only if you can read it right. And I can. I know when you're in a funk, and I know when you're feeling good." Arihiko spread his arms in a theatrical manner. "On this bright fall day, my dear friend, you are feeling good!" He placed his hand on Shiki's shoulder and raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Admit it... you went and did things with one of your maids, didn't you? At the mansion?"
"Shut up," Shiki said aggressively. His smile dropped for a second, but gradually returned. "However, you're not wrong. I do feel good. The last few days have been a little stressful, so..." He sighed and stretched himself out. "I'm glad to have the chance to settle down and relax."
Inui put on a sarcastic grin just as two familiar girls approached them with warm smiles.
"Good afternoon, Inui-kun." Ciel, the ever-loved, ever-loving senpai said to Arihiko with a glowing face. "It's wonderful to see you'll be attending the rest of class today."
"Ah, h-hi guys," Satsuki Yumizuka shyly greeted the boys while half-hiding behind her senpai. "D-do you wanna maybe g-go eat in the cafeteria? It's gonna fill up soon."
"C'mon, Tohno," Arihiko sneered, clapping Tohno on the back again. "You know you want to."
"Heh, no thanks." Shiki kicked up his feet, and his friends' shoulders slumped in disappointment. "I had a big breakfast, so I'll pass."
"Are you sure, Tohno-ku - " Ciel started, but was cut off by Shiki's surreptitious wink. She quickly changed her attitude. "Well, I suppose there's no talking a stubborn boy into eating. Come, we shall eat without him."
Arihiko turned to look back as the three of them departed. Shiki met his gaze in time to give him a shrug and smile.
Heh. Just like always, Tohno. Arihiko's knowledge of his friend's behavior patterns led him to think quite blindly and blissfully about him at times.
To make up for lunch, Shiki decided dinner was on him.
Arihiko was overjoyed. He didn't have any money.
"Man, this is some good stuff. Thanks, Tohno." The boy in the white shirt easily slurped up the rest of his curry udon and took a huge breath of relief through his opened-up nostrils.
"Don't worry about it." Shiki started in on his Sansai udon. With this, he was out of the house and did not have to worry about his double life. No Arcueid, or Ciel, or Akiha, or even the maids... just some guy time. Let him live a little, huh? "So, how are things over at your house?"
"Ha, you're one to ask that question," Arihiko retorted. "Although I don't often see you making such a considerate statement towards me. Yeah, I'm doing fine. My sister's still doing her own thing, of course. I can hardly keep track of her and myself at the same time. Still, that's nothing bad." He leaned over and poked Shiki's arm. This was obviously his way of trying to reset the mood or get some attention. Not like he already had it. "How about your, oh, how should I put it... home life? Your sister doing okay, lady killer?"
"It's not like that," Shiki breathed murderously, performing one of the most flawless lies of his entire life. "I guess I'm kind of in the same boat as you. She's gone a lot, very independent. Of course, it's for a whole different reason..."
"No kidding."
"With her being in charge of who knows how many corporations, and school, and violin. But we still get along pretty well."
Arihiko pondered this for a minute. "Do you ever get lonely? You know, living in that huge house, sister gone a lot, does that bother you?"
Shiki gave another chuckle. They both knew that was coming. "Trust me, it's never boring in the mansion. Not for a second."
"Guess you always find a way to get by." The two of them laughed together. Then, Arihiko stared down at his empty soup bowl. "Man, I wish it was that way with me."
"That way? What way?"
"You live in a mansion and you seem to have the time of your life. I go back to my small place and feel like the life has been sucked out of me. That's what I mean."
"You never have anyone over?"
"You're my only real good friend, Tohno." Suddenly, Arihiko stiffened. "Okay, well, technically, there's this one girl..."
"Oh? What's this, now?" Shiki turned into the predator this time. It was a role he was most familiar with.
"If you'll allow me to use your own words against you, it's not like that. She's kind of annoying, small, short. Er, really short. She, uh... likes carrots?"
"I thought Yumizuka had eyes for you."
Inui stopped again. "You thought what?"
"You haven't noticed? The one girl in the school who could give you a chance, and you have just gone and ignored her?" Shiki facepalmed and shook his head. "Seriously, what am I going to do with you..."
"W-wait." Arihiko was attempting to control himself. "Y-you're actually serious? Her? She's just a friend, and besides, I don't want that kind of thing!"
"Too busy staring at Ciel-senpai?"
"..."
Shiki knew how to rub it in. Well. And Arihiko literally didn't even know the half of it.
"You're a weirdo." Shiki laughed again and sat up straight in his chair. "Hey, Arihiko. I'm here for you, man. You need me for something? I'll be right here for you."
Arihiko's face softened, his embarrassment disappearing. "Thanks, Tohno." He took a quick look around, then turned back to his best friend. "And if you don't mind me taking you up on your offer right away... can I finish that udon you're nursing?"
"No."
THE END.