Disclaimer: I do not own or have rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! or any related characters.

Summary: New school year, new school for Haga. Why did he even listen to Ryuzaki about attending Domino High?

Random Talk: I saw this art Viviraptor_art did on Instagram and fell in love with the idea of the two going there. We got talking about how it would work out, especially since who's older does change between anime and manga. I went with manga ages where Ryuzaki is 15 and Haga is 14 during the events of the manga. So this would take place in the main gang's final year of high school.

Call me Senpai!

Haga played with the collar of his school uniform. He moved to Domino just last year around the same time as Ryuzaki did. While there were a few high schools he was eyeing before the move, the idiot dinosaur duelist basically forced Haga to go to this one. Why Ryuzaki picked this one out of all the schools was beyond Haga's understanding. With Haga's internal pondering filling his mind he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. The bug specialist jumped as he felt someone slap him on the back. He turned around to glare at his so-called friend.

"Hey! I'm glad you decided to come here!" Ryuzaki yelled with a grin. "You look pretty good in blue! Dunno why you're wearing it buttoned-up all the way. You look all stuck up like Kaiba when he actually does comes."

"Why you thought going to the same high school as our enemies was a good idea is beyond me," Haga sighed. He took in Ryuzaki's appearance. It was weird seeing the other without his iconic beanie. Plus his rumpled uniform gave a relaxed feel to the point he reminded Haga of that idiot Jonouchi, right to the open jacket that showed off Ryuzaki's plain shirt. While the look was annoying on the blond, it somehow fit Ryuzaki.

"What better way to keep tabs on them!" Ryuzaki snickered as he wrapped his arm around Haga's shoulder. "Now, as your senpai I have the responsibility to show you around."

"As if!" Haga yelled as he shoved the arm off. "You might be a year older, but who do you keep going to for help with homework?"

"Not my fault I have a hard time with math," Ryuzaki grumbled and looked away to sulk. Haga narrowed his eyes before making his way to Domino High School.

"It wasn't just math," Haga pointed out, "it was every subject but science. How you can actually be good at science and nothing else is actually a miracle."

Haga heard Ryuzaki squawk followed by the sound of him running to catch up to him. He could see Yuugi and his friends up ahead, all gawking at the sight of him in the same school uniform as them. Passing the group, Haga gave them a smirk while fixing his glasses and nothing else. What he heard made the whole thing worth attending the school.

"First dino boy last year, now bug freak! What did we do to deserve this!?" Jonouchi yelled.

A few weeks had passed and Haga was getting used to the school. While he did have to deal with the looks from the friendship brigade when they saw him, it wasn't too bad. What he didn't expect was the bullying problem. He had seen a few of his classmates get picked on by various third years. Of course, it was all done in secret as he had seen the Jonouchi and the brunet muscle idiot put a stop to any they saw. The only safe days seemed to be when Kaiba actually attended, something Haga found peculiar.

"Why does it feel like everyone behaves when Kaiba comes?" Haga asked Ryuzaki one morning as he changed out his shoes. "I get that he basically runs Domino, but why make an exception for those days. Heck, why does even come? It's not like high school is required..."

"No one knows," Ryuzaki yawned as he stood next to Haga waiting for his friend. "He has been on friendlier terms with Yuugi and the others. That's part of the reason why everyone is nicer. Last year, someone disturbed Kaiba talking to Yuugi about a new game. Like, the guy was a third year and was picking on some random kid in their class. Guy never returned after that and no one knows what happened."

"No one?" Haga asked in a deadpan tone, raising an eyebrow in question. "A kid just stopped attending school one day and no one knows what happened?"

"Well, I think Yuugi's gang knows," Ryuzaki said. He scratched his head as he thought about the incident. "At least Jonouchi does because him and Kaiba didn't talk for a week, not even to insult one another. No one noticed it until I pointed it out, but was just chalked up to coincidence."

Haga thought about the information that was just revealed to him. Everyone was probably thankful that the two weren't at each other's throats for a week. As a duelist who had seen their interactions over two years, he noticed how it had changed since the days of Battle City. Storing the knowledge for another day, Haga walked off to head to his classroom.

"Hey, why do you keep walking away from your senpai!?" Ryuzaki whined following after the bug specialist. "Especially since I just gave you good info!"

"When will you quit it with the senpai thing?" Haga growled, twitching his eyebrow. "You are probably the worst senpai there is! I mean, you still come to me for help with class work despite me being a year behind you. Not to mention I have to keep reminding you of how things work at this school and you were here last year!"

"Oh come on, just once!" Ryuzaki pleaded with a grin. "Just call me senpai once!"

"NEVER!" Haga yelled, turning to point at Ryuzaki. "Why should I call you that when I am clearly superior!?"

Snickering could be heard from behind the pair. Looking to see who it was, Otogi was leaning against the wall with a smug smirk on his face with the rest of the group not too far from him. Even Kaiba was there, only he had a look of exasperation compared to everyone's looks of amusement.

"You two are such an old married couple it's kinda cute," Otogi joked as he walked away to join his friends.

Weeks turned to months since the school year started. Haga noticed the bullies were starting to get bold with when they attacked their victims. His careful tracking of their strikes since day one was basically useless at this point. With the old adage of "strength in numbers" in mind, the bug duelist tried to stay close to Ryuzaki as best as he could to at least have some sort of makeshift colony for protection. Up until that point, it worked out well.

One day, Ryuzaki was absent from the front gate where he would normally wait for Haga. Thinking it was odd, Haga still headed towards the school building as the short walk shouldn't be too much of an issue. When a shadow passed over him as he opened his cubby to change out his shoes, Haga realized the mistake he made in that thought.

"Well, well, the little insect doesn't have his big bad lizard around to protect him," Haga heard a voice from behind say. "I'm shocked you haven't been eaten by lizard brain since they love to eat bugs like you." There was snickering at that, probably from the bully's lackeys.

Haga sighed and turned around to see which moron he was dealing with. To his horror, it was one of the third years that didn't scare easily from the threat of dealing with Jonouchi or Kaiba. He never bothered to learn his name since he thought he had been successful on keeping off his radar. Evidently, he was wrong.

"What do you morons want?" Haga sighed as he tried to act brave. He turned around to grab his indoor shoes in an attempt to ignore the bullies. "I don't want catch your stupidity, so if you would please let-"

"Oh no, we've been waiting for this," the leader chuckled, grabbing Haga's arm. "Why don't we have a little talk out back?"

Before Haga could say more, the leader pulled his arm fast making Haga stumble to follow. Out of everything he had been through, that moment gave him the biggest sense of dread he had ever felt. As he was dragged out of the building, he managed to get a glimpse of a familiar face with a worried expression.

It wasn't long before Haga was thrown to the ground, followed by laughter from the bully's so-called friends. The bug specialist fixed his glasses and glared daggers at his assailant. He should have known better than walking around Domino High by himself, especially when everyone knew the two big deterrents would be absent due to sickness since yesterday.

"We let you slide on paying us the nerd tax for way too long," the lead meathead said. He started to crack his knuckles as he spoke with a sinister smile. "Only reason why we did was because we thought you were close to Jonouchi and Honda. We find out that you guys can't stand each other. So guess what? It's time to collect it with interest."

"Not on my watch!" Haga heard a familiar voice yell from beyond the wall of bullies. Everyone turned to see who it was, yet Haga didn't need to see who it was.

"Oh, lizard boy thinks he can rescue the tiny bug," one of the minions laughed.

"Like he would be able to!" another yelled. "What makes you think you can take us on?"

"Because what kind of senpai would I be if I don't at least try!" Ryuzaki yelled. Haga went lower on the ground just to look between the legs of the bullies to see what was going on. What he saw made his eyes widen in disbelief. Somehow Ryuzaki had enough courage to fight as he actually raised his fist.

"You idiot!" Haga yelled. "You're going to get yourself killed!"

"He's right, Ryuzaki," Honda's voice made everyone stop. "I thought me and Jonouchi told you to knock off the bullying, Ishii."

Haga could make out Honda and Otogi walking up behind Ryuzaki, both with serious looks. One thing he had learned since he had met Yuugi and his friends, when they got serious someone was in trouble.

"Not to mention all duelists are under Kaiba's protection," Otogi chimed in. "Now run along before I make a call to a certain business partner that is very sick. I'm sure he would love to hear about this."

It was obvious that statement scared those who were about to beat Haga up for money. They slowly left grumbling the whole time. A few even gave Otogi a glare who just smirked in return as he played with his earring. Ryuzaki ran over to Haga to help him up from the ground.

"You are so lucky Otogi ran into me!" Ryuzaki sighed. "I had to have a talk with a teacher and was heading back to meet you by the entrance."

"I saw you being taken against your will and went to get Honda," Otogi said. "I just happened to find Ryuzaki first. Good thing since he helped stall the idiots long enough for us to get here. Still calling Kaiba, though. Not like he wouldn't find out eventually due to a certain loud blond."

The two duelists watched Honda and Otogi leave, both with their cell phones in hand to make calls. Haga narrowed his eyes at what the dice boy just said, suspicions growing about the whole situation. His thoughts were interrupted by seeing Ryuzaki squirm in the corner of his eye.

"What?" Haga sighed. "I'm still not calling you senpai just because you think you saved my ass."

"No, it's not that!" Ryuzaki yelled, shaking his head while making an x with his arms. He calmed down a bit before looking off to the side. "I'm just glad you're safe."

Half way through the school year and things got better. Haga was surprised with how cordial Yuugi and his friends had been. While he still didn't care for them, he at least was "nice". There was no way he would be friends with any of them, just the idea gave him a rash. Ryuzaki didn't notice the change, but that might be since he had a year head-start to be used to them. There were two that still annoyed Haga: Otogi and Kaiba. Otogi kept giving him this knowing smirk that he couldn't figure out when he saw Haga and Ryuzaki together. Kaiba, who had basically ignored them until now, would have a calculating stare that just unnerved him. Everyone else would at least say hello when they passed each other.

The bullying problem also stopped for everyone. The ones who tried to attack Haga that day stopped coming to school. Whispers about what happened spread, but those who knew weren't telling. Someone tried asking Haga if he knew anything, but stopped mid question. When the bug duelist turned around all he saw was Kaiba and Jonouchi talking about plans or something, only Kaiba was looking at the retreating form of the other student.

That particular day, Haga found himself smirking after school. The day started out cloudy with no sign of it supposed to rain, at least to the average person. Haga learn to read the subtle signs nature had and brought an umbrella. Sure, he got strange looks, but it paid off as it started pouring soon after lunch. Many tried to make a run for the nearest store to buy one, but some were trying to wait it out.

"Why did it have to rain?" Ryuzaki whined at the building entrance. "Do you think it will let up soon?"

"Don't know, don't care," Haga said as he opened his umbrella to get ready to leave. He gives Ryuzaki a smirk in response to his shocked expression. Waiting for a few seconds to let it sink in, Haga turned to start walking away only to be stopped by a hand reaching out to grab his umbrella.

"Hey! Why don't we share?" Ryuzaki asked with a smile on his face. Haga's eyebrow twitched at Ryuzaki being so bold.

"If you must insist," Haga muttered with a slight blush. He knew it was a bad idea, but Ryuzaki was a friend of sorts. If Haga remembered correctly, friends help one another.

"Great!" Ryuzaki said as he tried to snatch the umbrella out of Haga's hands. The bug specialist refused to let go, glaring at the other.

"What do you think you're doing?" Haga asked. Ryuzaki took a slight step back at the hidden rage in the shorter one's voice. "I agreed we could share, not for you to just take my umbrella."

"Yeah, but you're so short," Ryuzaki whined. "It would be easier if I hold it. Plus it's going to be cramped under here because it's so small."

"Well, it's not my fault you didn't think to plan ahead!" Haga yelled, trying to grab control of the umbrella. "And I'm not that much shorter than you so it shouldn't matter!"

"Man, Otogi was right, they really are an old married couple," Haga heard Jonouchi say from behind. The two turned to look to see both Yuugi and Jonouchi staring at the two.

"Oh please, like you are one to talk!" Haga yelled at the blond. "Did you know people have been making bets on you and Kaiba for a year now?"

"Screw you!" Jonouchi yelled as his face turned bright red. "What goes on between me and Kaiba is no one's business!"

"So you don't deny it?" Haga asked with a Cheshire grin.

"Honestly, I like how Haga-kun and Ryuzaki-kun get along so well," Yuugi said with a smile to try and stop Jonouchi from attacking the younger duelist. "At least their hate stage was shorter than yours."

Haga had enough at this point. Ryuzaki had started to argue with the blond about non-exsistant relationships while still holding his umbrella. He just wanted to go to the bookstore to pick up this new insect book that came out and go home to read it. Maybe even make a cup of tea to go with it. An idea then flashed in his head making him smirk slightly.

"I thought you wanted to leave, Ryuzaki-senpai?" Haga said loudly to combat the bickering between the two idiots. Ryuzaki stopped mid-sentence in shock and turned to look at Haga.

"D-did you just..." Ryuzaki tried to speak as his mind worked to comprehend what was just said. His grip relaxed enough for Haga to act. With a quick yank, Haga got full control of the umbrella and started to leave.

"I guess not," Haga said with a smug look. "I will see you losers tomorrow."

He left the school without Ryuzaki. Maybe calling the dino duelist the term he desperately wanted to hear broke his brain. It didn't matter as it got the job done.

The rest of the school year passed without incident. How Haga managed with people genuinely being nice to him he didn't know. In the past, everyone would either avoid him or were trying to get close to him for whatever reason that suited them. To experience someone wanting to be nice just because made him paranoid a bit. He did admit he did get used to being friends with Ryuzaki and was slowly accepting the other duelists in the school. Though, his classmates were a bit harder to trust.

Haga's mind went back to Ryuzaki. After the umbrella incident, the dino duelist stopped trying to get Haga to call him senpai. Though, he would have this expectant face every so often as if he was waiting for him to say it again. He never thought that word would have such an effect on Ryuzaki.

"So, school's almost over," Ryuzaki pointed out one morning at Haga's desk. "We won't be seeing the others as often anymore since they're graduating."

"Good riddance," Haga said as he turned the page in the book he was reading. "I honestly can do without the drama around their weird love lives. Why sneak around when everyone basically knows they're an item?"

"That's because they're waiting for graduation day to exchange second buttons," Ryuzaki said in a low tone so only Haga could hear. "Gonna do it in front of everyone. Both couples at that! I overheard Jonouchi and Honda talking about it."

"That's a weird way to come out about it," Haga said. "What is the significance of the buttons?"

"How do you not know!?" Ryuzaki yelled in shock. He looked around as all attention was on him. Haga gave everyone a glare that took eyes off them.

"Honestly, I never understood human courtship," Haga said with a slight blush. "I'm guessing it deals with romance with what you are saying."

"Yeah, guys give their second button to their crush or the person they are dating when they graduate," Ryuzaki said. "Sometimes girls confess their love by asking for it from guys."

Haga thought about the concept more. Such an interesting ritual he had to admit. His eyes shifted to Ryuzaki, specifically on his second button. The idea of seeing Ryuzaki give the button to some random girl didn't feel right. At least he still had a year before that day would happen.

"You're thinking about who I would give mind to, aren't you?" Ryuzaki slyly asked. "I have someone in mind but not sure still if they're right. I'll tell you if you call me senpai again!"

"Don't know what you are talking about," Haga said twitching. "I never called you that."

"Fine, I guess I'll have to give my second button to someone else," Ryuzaki said.

Haga froze at that as realization came. He blushed at what was just implied and it didn't bother him like he thought it should. Sighing, there was only one thing Haga could say at this moment.

"I expect that button in a year, Ryuzaki-senpai."

END

Random Talk: I wanted to include more scenes, but that would just stretch it out with unnecessary scenes. I honestly wanted more sassy Otogi and Kaiba being protective from the shadows, but they weren't the focus of the fic.

When trying to figure out details, Viviraptor and I were questioning how the two would act in school. If we went off anime where Haga and Ryuzaki were the same age, Haga would be boasting he was older by a few months plus he would help Ryuzaki with homework and such (still happened here though in a throwaway line). For manga, Ryuzaki would keep trying to get Haga to call him senpai. The idea of that was just too appealing thus the fic was born.