Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

In the room, it was just Poe and Ranpo.

The boy with the lollipop in his mouth was making himself at home on Poe’s small bed. Leaving Poe to sit on the floor beside it.

Poe’s head felt so light, there was a tingling sensation going throughout his body. Poe began to write, as the other rambled on about his classmates that he deemed stupid, they were all babies Ranpo put it. The air was filled with the sound of classical musical Poe always had playing, Ranpo had gotten used to it at this point.

The dim sunlight piercing through the curtains, the yellow hues spreading all around the room. The room that smelled of rustic paper mixed with the scent of raccoon now.

Marinating in each other’s company.

“Did you know Karl hates you” Ranpo said, his voice in an echoey tone.

“W-what” Poe jumped. Karl wasn’t in the room at that moment, he was probably napping on the couch or chewing on Poe shoes. “Why would Karl hate me?”.

“Because Karl is homophobic” Ranpo deadpanned. The word seemed to echo in Poe’s mind.

“But I’m not gay”

Gay, he voices whispered

“Is that so…” Ranpo opened his eyes, flinging himself off the bed to face Poe.

“What gave you that idea?” Poe asked.

“I just can tell” Ranpo said in a hushed tone “The way you look at me. I noticed you looking at my lips a lot, that’s not very straight if you ask me”

Not very straight the voices whispered to him.

“B-but th-that-“ his tongue twisted.

Ranpo shushed him, placing his finger on Poe lips.

“If you’re not sure” Ranpo removed his finger, pressing it to his own lips before saying “You could just kiss me and find out how you feel~”.

Poe was a blushing wreck, while his rival narrowed eyes to Poe’s lips. He could feel his rivals thumb brushing them. They were so close, Ranpo could probably hear Poe’s shaky breathing. His heart was beating so fast, it felt like it was about to ran out of his chest.

“Would you like that?” Ranpo said in a seducing tone. Poe’s insides were screaming, he wasn’t sure what to do.

Ranpo inched closer,

Poe swallowed

and there it was, the warmth of his lips overwhelming Poe’s. Poe flinched at the touch. He could feel the others fingers tangling in his hair, pulling gently which made Poe want to gasp, to scream, to explode, to whimper at the touch. Poe was so hopeless; all he could do was try to clumsily return the kiss.

Their kiss was soft, gentle but mostly unsure. Their lips familiarizing themselves with each other. Hesitant at first, but gradually starting to melt into each other’s.

Poe’s soft moans were muffled by the others lips. Ranpo tasted so sweet. He loved the way his lips moved, clashing together like lovestruck waves. It felt like he was dreaming.

The kiss ended, and Poe was left speechless.

And there was Ranpo, on top on him now, they were both on the bed. Ranpo was so beautiful, the way the tinted sunlight made his face glow, his hair cascading down. There aren’t enough words to describe it.

“Where did your shirt go?” Poe noticed, he felt really hot.

“What shirt?” The other replied tilting his head. Poe could’ve sworn he had a shirt on. “So does this mean you like me?”

Poe couldn’t reply, he knew anything that came out of his mouth would be gibberish.

“Now that I know you are gay, I can obviously tell that you like me” Poe wanted to interject, but he couldn’t lie; he enjoyed that kiss. His stomach felt weird thinking about it. “Everyone knows you like me. Both our schools know you like me, I know you like me, even Karl knows you like me-”

“I’ve known from the beginning!” A deep voice came from beside them; it was Karl. Karl sat there eyeing the both of them “Now be freaky somewhere else! Saiki is trying to eat his coffee jelly in peace!”

Sitting beside Karl was a pink haired boy who wore green glasses staring at the two with the most disgusted expression.

“You gays-I mean guys are traumatizing my coffee jelly!” The boy telepathically spoke, as the coffee jelly starts crying excessively.

“Poe!” A tall man with white hair and sunglasses, breaks the door down “Stop being gay! You will be the first to present your speech, come and do it right now!”

“But he’s busy” Ranpo whines.

“I don’t care, the other students are waiting!”

The white-haired man ripped off the blanket that randomly appeared on Poe and Ranpo. For some reason Poe was only wearing an embarrassing pattern ed underwear. Poe tried to cover.

Karl screamed.

The pink haired guy screamed.

The coffee jelly screamed.

Ranpo screamed.

The sunglasses guy screamed.

Poe screamed.

And then Poe woke up, he breathed heavily.

He sat there for a second, letting his eyes adjust to the light. Contemplating what had gone on in his mind. He felt himself cringing with embarrassment.

It was windy, the rain banging against his window. His fingertips felt cold. He hesitantly lifted them to his lips, he thought back to his dream.

His rival had kissed him there, he had kissed him so softly and so passionately. Ranpo had looked so beautiful in that dream, the sunlight made him look so lovely and kissable. Poe wanted to burn the image into his mind.

How could Poe think like that they were rivals.

And then it came to him… Oh, He thought.

Poe’s body was tangled in the blanket on top of him, he looked beside him to see Karl peacefully lying next to him.

A bolt of lightning from outside filled the room with light, a loud BOOM coming after it. Karl jumped awake to find Poe starring at him, he moved to the boys’ side, his body shivering a bit.

“It’s okay, Karl” Poe gently stroked Karl’s fur “The storm will be over soon”. Karl squeaked before trying to fall back to sleep.

The fur ball eventually did, snoring peacefully at Poe’s side.

Poe didn’t fall back to sleep though, no matter how hard he tried he just couldn’t. There were too many things to think about, he felt so guilty for dreaming of Ranpo that way; rivals don’t dream about kissing each other.

He glanced over to his note book rested on his nightstand. It had been untouched for weeks now, ever since he started working on the script. He could still remember the last thing he wrote in it, how could he ever forget, especially now.

That dream had awakened something within him… Poe had fallen for Ranpo.

How could this happen? Why did it have to be his rival of all people? Ranpo would surely not return his feelings; look at him they were two completely different people. He hated his mind for teasing him.

Ranpo was so self-centered, overconfident and childish. He was so awful, how could Poe like him. He was annoying and so much more, he always put him in situations that pushed his boundaries.

But thinking back if Ranpo didn’t push him the way he did, a lot of things wouldn’t have happened. But he wasn’t completely selfish, the other day he had given him the lucky sweet.

Poe sighed loudly into his pillow.

Poe doubted the crush could be easily suppressed.

People who were self-centered and cocky were the worst kind of people, Poe despised them… but Ranpo didn’t seem that bad.

______

“ADA students are the worst!” Mushitaro grunted, standing next to Poe.

Poe’s eyes felt so heavy, he could fall over any minute now. But his eyes were fixated on his rival, who was now sitting over there concentrating on his chess match.

It was a few weeks before the sports and cultural festival, and since not all the activities would be able to compete on the day, they moved it a few weeks a head. That included the chess teams matches, Poe wasn’t surprised that Ranpo was in it.

The Academy chess team had come to their school to verse the Primrose students along with other clubs. Ranpo seemed in his element, from a far it looked like he was wearing glasses, a cheap pair at that. But he looked so smart, his rival looked so handsome when he was concentrating.

Poe and Mushitaro were standing outside the room where the tournaments were taking place.Peering through the glass into the room .Poe saw Ranpo’s lips move, checkmate, he seemed so say with a childish grin looking at his opponent who was a boy Poe couldn’t remember the name of, but he had dark hair with white tips. They shook hands and the Primrose student was dismissed.

Ranpo leaned back in his chair, a lollipop in his mouth, still smiling.

“Who does he think he is?” Mushitaro’s jaw clenched “Like seriously! He better wipe that smile off his face”.

Poe looked through the glass at his rival, the person he should despise, but hatred wasn’t the feeling that came to mind. With those glasses on, his facial features didn’t seem so childish, Poe imagined how Ranpo could effortlessly take them off while giving him that mischievous glare.

Wait no-Rivals don't day dream about eachother like that. He snapped out of it.

Poe’s stomach churned. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see is his rival. Ranpo filled his mind from top to bottom.But still, why his rival of all people?

“Just because he’s the highest in the ADA” Mushitaro scoffed “Doesn’t mean he has to be so high and mighty. I mean you have the highest score in both schools so he should be bowing to you!”

Mushitaro clicked his tongue “Stupid cocky brat, with that stupid cocky smile”.

 Poe only knew Mushitaro because they were in the same home room, but this was the first time they actually talked. His rival did wear a stupid cocky smile, but it was Ranpo’s cocky smile. Only his cocky grin made his heart flutter. Only Ranpo had that soft smitten kissable smirk, that Poe wanted to capture.

“Yeah, that cocky smile…” Poe smiled, his mind drifting off. Mushitaro noticed, his eyes going back and forth between him and his supposed rival. That look in Poe’s eyes can’t mean anything good.

“Umm, if you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing here?”

Poe had completed the script for the play, although he didn’t expect Ranpo to be here, he had planned to hand it to him later that day, but it came in handy now. Poe realized it was a dumb plan, there were too many people around that would question him. Poe would probably be accused of switching sides. He had been so excited to see his rival all logic was throw out the window.

 He couldn’t tell Mushitaro, so he dug through every crevice of his brain to find an excuse.

“I-uh-I wanted to see my rival, for the, for the first time” Poe tried to put on a convincing smile, a droplet of sweat falling down his face.

“Right…”

“Anyway” Poe changed the topic “Why are you here?”

“Umm, I guest really like watching people play chess” Mushitaro avoided eye contact, nervously facing the other direction “I’m no good at chess so I just… watch people play”. An obvious lie, there must be more then what he was leading on.

Poe opened his mouth to press a question when-

“What’s going on out here?” asked his rival.

Mushitaro’s face scrunched up at the sight of the boy “Nothing you should be concerned about" Poe could hear the hatred in his voice. Pure unfiltered loathing.

Why couldn't he feel that same way about his rival?

The boy barely regarded the ADA student, seeing him as a waste of space.

“What do you want?” Mushitaro said in his most unfriendly tone.

“Nothing you guys can surely give me” Ranpo said jokingly, continuing to suck on the lollipop.

“Don’t talk like we’re friends” Mushitaro scoffed, unpleasantly glaring at him.

“Wasn’t planning on it, glad we’re on the same page” He commented, coming of sassy than he intended to.

Ranpo’s words seemed so blunt, so off putting compared to how he spoke with Poe. Yet it felt exciting getting to see this new side of his rival, it had him thrilled, part of him wishing those words had been meant for him. He tried to push his delusions a side, but he couldn’t, Ranpo had spared the love-struck man a small glance, a small upward tilt on his lips, and that was all that was needed to makes Poe’s world stop.

But Poe shouldn’t be thinking like that; they were rivals!

Mushitaro was harshly glaring at him, he probably expected Poe to remark back at the ADA student. But how could he bring himself to do it. Uneasy silence staggered between them. Poe stared blankly between the two trying to not make it obvious, but his eyes kept catching on Ranpo’s.

Mushitaro was agitated, not only had he caught on about Poe possibly having interest for an ADA student because of how he kept gaping his way, but he felt humiliated since he was unable to come up with a comeback, the tall idiot beside him who was supposed to be on his side had left him high and dry. And the other idiot in front of him was still smiling with that superior expression. He was so over with these two, he was going to be sick. He hit the two with a discussed glare before walking away bumping against Poe’s shoulder, hard. Mumbling how he was surrounded by idiots.

“That guy looks familiar, I feel like I’ve seen him before” Ranpo squints his eyes

“Maybe he just has one of those faces” Poe shrugs, rubbing his bruised arm. Trying to not melt at the thought of being near Ranpo.

He had no problem being this close to his rival before it felt frustrating now, it seemed he couldn't function, he snapped out of it reminding himself of their rivalry.

“What’s going on out here” A voice intervenes, a familiar voice he forgot the name of, but he knows it from the last time he was on the ADA premises.

“Oh, Dazai you’re done” Ranpo said.

“Yeah” Dazai started “To be honest I could have finished a lot sooner, but I wanted to fool around with my opponent, he’s blind but he didn’t have a problem with seeing the chess pieces… maybe next time I should try eating the pieces when he isn’t looking”

“I won’t be surprised if you choke to death on one of them”

“That’s the plan, in fact maybe I should try swapping normal pieces with random objects”

“I didn’t know you liked toying with disabled people as a hobby”

“He’s not blind! I just don’t have anything to prove it” Dazai’s eyes moved to Primrose student, squinting everything he can out of him. “You look familiar…”

“I just have one of those faces” Poe spat out, patting his hair down in attempt to hide his identity, his arm still burning from the impact.

“What happened to your arm?” Dazai noticed, still suspicious of the boy’s face.

“Oh umm, Mushitaro bumped into it earlier”

“Who?”

“The guy that left when you arrived” Ranpo added context, assuming that his name was Mushitaro, he took a mental note.

“Damn” Dazai commented, trying to make conversation “If it’s still hurting, he must have bumped it hard, does he hate you or something?”

“Why would he hate me?”. The way the conversation was going seemed familiar,

Poe got déjà vu.

“I don’t know there are plenty of reasons people hate each other, it could be anything maybe he just hates people or maybe he just doesn’t like your hair”.

"What is wrong with my hair?"Poe questioned.

“It’s kinda stupid to stoop that low just because you don’t like someone’s hair” His rival commented.

“People always hate each other for stupid reasons that’s why there are things like sexism, racism, or even homophobia”

“But I’m not gay” The words seemed to slip before he could think.

“It was an example- You’re not!”

Because of last night Poe had realized something about himself he still was hesitant to believe to be true. His mind jumping to deny any of it, especially him being in love with his rival, the one person he should hate and best at everything.

 But how could he live up to the title of rival when he could barely look at him. Why did his mouth have to spit that out, it only made him more suspicious if anything else. Poe knew it was only downhill form here If only there was a way to change the subject-

“DAZAI!”

Poe breathed a sigh of relief that the focus wasn’t on him anymore. They all turned, it was Chuuya.

The boy with red hair, everyone in this school knew who Chuuya was no matter if you had classes with him. He was one of the school’s sports prodigies, an impressive one at that. But his rambunctious personality made Poe shudder away.

“Oh Chibi~”

“What do you think you’re doing here?!” He stormed up to the bunch, his eyebrows knitting together.

“For the chess tournament obviously, it’s like you have no brain up there” Dazai points a finger to the shorter man’s head “All this time and your brain still hasn’t grown an inch… speaking of growing an inch” He chuckled, looking the boy up and down.

Chuuya swatted the hand away “Lay off my size jackass, this is my turf, you ADA pricks can’t just go around picking on people”

It took a moment for Poe to process that Chuuya thought that those two were picking on him, from an outsider’s perspective it would make sense. Poe probably looked timid from the ADA students bullying him.

Chuuya surprisingly tugged Poe away to consolidate him more privately. Which seemed strangely sweet. Leaving the ADA students to process what just happened, well there wasn’t much to be processed other then what the writer had said.

“Denial is a river in Egypt” Ranpo commented.

“That Primrose student is gay” Dazai agreed.

He felt a buzzing sensation in his pocket, it was his phone, he answered and lifted it up to his ear.

“Hello-“ he listened in “Hold up, let me put you on speaker”

“Who is it?” Ranpo asked. Just then Yosano voice came bustling through the speaker.

“That person is hella’ gay!” she announced, making the two jumps at her voice.

“How did you?” Dazai questioned, being interrupted.

“My gaydar was tingling, whoever they are I’m getting a sense of closeted gay, with a hint of… sugar daddy?”

They both glanced at the shy boy, nervously talking to the rambunctious red head.

“I don’t see it” They both said to the last comment.

“So, there is someone! lay off of them Dazai! You had your turn with helping Atsushi and his awakening” she reprimanded.

“I wouldn’t say that” Atsushi’s voice came from behind them “Dazai didn’t help much“

“How dare you!?” Dazai gasped “I vividly remember you seeking to me for advice”

“Rooky move” Ranpo remarked “Never go to Dazai for advice”

“Hey?!” Dazai said in dismay “-wait, Atsushi, you’re not in any of the clubs here today, why are you here?”

“Some club mistook me for someone and accidently brought me here” He gave an awkward laugh.

“Back to me!” Yosano yelled “Ranpo! Dazai! I swear if you guys do what I think you’re gonna’ do, I’ll make sure all your chargers don’t work, you always get slow WIFI and that both sides of your pillow are warm”.

“Why is that so specific?” Atsushi shivered.

“Unfortunately for you those all sound like fun~”

“Dazai I swear you psycho-“ He hung up.

But the two geniuses ignored her wishes, eyeing each other.

“You know what I’m thinking?” Dazai smirked.

“We could-“ Ranpo suggested, putting on his glasses

“But then the-“

“And it will-“

“How about-“

“Hm, did you think of-“

“Right, it so that-“

“Exactly”

“I like how you think, Ranpo”

“What are you guys talking about?” Atsushi intervenes, confused.

“Okay” Dazai claps his hands “Here’s the plan, Atsushi you’re going to help us, help that Primrose student realize his gayness”

“When did I agree to this?”

“You didn’t” Ranpo adds, fixing his glasses “But you have no choice in the matter”.

However, when they all looked back to where the primrose student was previously standing, he was nowhere to be seen. The red head most likely took him away, they all deduced.

“But we need to find someone first…” Dazai sighed.

______

Poe was a bit timid being with the red head.

He had a reputation of starting fights as well as being loud and easy to anger, but people were always drawn to him. It made Poe curious as to why. But his thoughts were overtaken by the rush of anxiety he got from realising that he didn’t give Ranpo the script.

That was the main reason he was there in the first place. He glanced at the red head silently walking beside him, he was cautiously looking around, making sure there was no ADA students in sight.

Poe would have to make up an excuse to go back there, but he knew that Chuuya wouldn’t let him. For some odd reason he had become strangely protective over the tall writer, doing so much as to escort him out of the school premises, it seemed a bit much.

It was probably his strong school pride leading him to take action.

Or that Chuuya felt obligated to, since Poe was their academic prodigy.

“You don’t have to escort me” Poe commented “You probably have other important stuff to do”

“There is no way in hell I’m letting you out of my sight, especially, with that ADA prick around”

“Do you know him? T-the guy you were yelling at”

“Dazai? He was-“ Chuuya caught himself, he paused before saying “We used to go way back, before he became such an asshole” the boy snarled at the thought.

“Oh…”

“Yeah” Chuuya started “I just didn’t think he would stoop this low, and pick on you-”

Poe wanted to correct him, but there isn’t a logical way of explaining that situation. He also didn’t correct him when Chuuya pulled him aside and asked what they were talking about, Poe just went of the assumptions the red head made.

“-I hate that bastard. He’s so annoying and loud, every time I see him, I just want to ripe that smile off his face. I wish he could just go and die in a pit somewhere, uhhhhhh! I never want to see his stupid face again!

I hope every time he eats popcorn, he gets a kernel stuck in between his teeth that he can’t get out. I hope every time he washes his hands there’s always a paper cut. I hope that there I always an eyelash stuck in his eye!

 I swear the next time I see him, I’m gonna’ punch him in his stupid face, with that stupid cocky smile, that smile that needs to be punched… with my… Umm that hair! I will pull every strand of his hair out … one by one… Until he begs me to stop…”

Poe stared at the boy with confusion; Chuuya sounded like he hated Dazai guts… But why did Poe get the sense that there was something else behind it.

“You seem to really hate him” Poe spoke.

“Yeah…” Chuuya scratched his arm “And he’s an ADA student at that”

“Is there any reason why our schools are rivals” Poe asked, this question had been brewing in his mind ever since he first came to this school, he was too embarrassed to ask anyone about it, but right now seemed like the perfect moment to ask.

“Huh?” Chuuya made an annoyed sound “Does there really have to be a reason the schools are rivals? People hate each other all the time for the littlest things, you know? It’s not uncommon for schools to be rivals, every PM student hates every ADA student, and vice versa” The red head lifted his arms, his head leaning back on them.

“But Dazai- I mean that ADA student didn’t seem to hate you”

“Yeah, but that’s… We’re two different people, okay?”

“Well, you guys are quite similar” Poe added without thinking, he hoped the other didn’t hear him.

But Chuuya heard his comment, and Poe jolted at the darkened stare Chuuya gave him.

“What did you say?” his face contorted with discussed.

Poe hands became uncontrollably shaky. The red head was most likely going to beat Poe to a pulp, he shouldn’t of spoke out of term.

“I-it’s just that” Poe scrambled to find words, even if they weren’t true “You guys really seem really passionate about your schools, that’s all”

Chuuya clicked his tongue, annoyed “I have nothing in common with that bastard… It a miracle we dated-“ He tried to catch himself but it was too late, the words had already slipped out of his mouth.

“You guys-“

“Shut up! You didn’t hear that, and if you tell anyone I’ll slip your throat open” Chuuya threatened.

Poe nodded, not saying another word.

“…I mean I can’t believe I actually dated him” Chuuya started “He has no redeeming qualities at all! He’s lazy, forgets stuff easily and he’s a pain in my ass! He was lucky to have dated me!”.

Maybe the two of them had more in common then Poe had originally thought. They both had fallen for the person they hated, or were supposed to hate.

“You say you hate him, but how could you hate him if you once liked him” Poe started to fiddled with his hair “You talk about all his bad traits but there must have been a time where he made you happy, does saying you hate him mean that you hated those times too?”

Chuuya kept quiet, not sure how to answer that “…I don’t know…”

They didn’t speak for the rest of the way.

Once they made it out through the main entrance, they parted ways, he decided to wait over by the wall that separated the schools; it was the most likely place Ranpo would find him.

Poe was left with his thoughts.

_______

“Can someone please explain to me what we’re doing” Atsushi asked. He received no answer.

The corridors were empty, everyone seemed to be preoccupied with the other club activities. The hallways were chilly, the cold seemed to single out those who didn’t belong. The ADA students were roaming through the hall, looking for someone.

“Are we looking for the closeted person, you guys were talking about” Atsushi asked again.

“Nope, we’re looking for this other guy” Ranpo finally answered.

“Why would we look for that tall looking nerd? Jeez Atsushi keep up, it’s like you weren’t listening to us at all” Dazai whined, closing the door they passed.

“Well can someone actually explain the plan, because I’m lost”

The two geniuses looked at each other, deciding who would have to explain their logical plan to the innocent Atsushi.

Ranpo sighed “It’s very simple so listen up” Atsushi leaned in “The easiest way to make someone realise that they are gay, is to make them realise that they like the same gender. That’s what we’ll be doing”

“I’m still confused” Atsushi added.

“Ranpo deduced that this Poe fellow, definitely likes this other guy that punched him in the shoulder” Dazai pointed out.

Ranpo nodded “Yeah, he definitely liked him. You should have seen the lovestruck look of his face, well you can’t really see it because of his hair, but he defiantly looked head over heels, that guy must be really lucky to have someone like him so passionately”.

“So, what we are all going to do is, basically set up a K-drama ass scene where this Primrose student realises that he is gay”

“Isn’t that kind of wrong” Atsushi commented “I don’t think it’s right to force someone to realise their sexuality, it takes time, don’t you think”

Ranpo sighed “This isn't a slow burn,Atsushi,we don’t have 5 seasons and 3 movies worth of time” he remarked.

“Besides” Dazai added “It’s not like we’re forcing them to kiss or anything, we might just push them into each other, and then they will look into each other’s eyes passionately and the taller guy would say-“Dazai changing his voice now, lower “ ‘Sorry about that, let me help you up’ and then the other guy would be like” he changed his voice higher “’Oh its fine’ and then he giggles-“

“Why are you making Poe like that? He doesn’t seem like that at all” Ranpo said, he tilted his brow.

“What are you talking about, the guy is defiantly giving more top energy”

“You’re just saying that because he’s tall, if he was shorter, you’d say he’s a bottom.This isn't the first time you characterised someone like that”

“We don’t even know for sure that he is gay, how do you guys just assume” Atsushi intervenes, barely paying them much mind.

“It’s called a gaydar Atsushi” Dazai remarked “this Poe guy is definitely gay”

“Wait you said Poe?” The name grabbed Atsushi’s full attention “The Poe, you know the one that has the highest score between both Primrose mastery as well as AD academy. T-that Poe!”

“Yeah, I guess” Ranpo answered bluntly, he shrugged.

“Ranpo!” Dazai whined “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that was your sworn arch nemesis we were talking to? I wouldn’t have intervened! You guys could have had your hatred infused stare down, which would lead to sexual tension between you two, and then it would be the start of your guy’s enemies to lovers” he fantasized

“Dazai your brain needs to be scientifically studied to find out what is wrong with you” Ranpo sighed.

“Guys!” Atsushi realized, making the two jump “If we go after Poe, then wouldn’t that put a conflict between schools, I mean there already is but when they find out what we’re doing they will think we are bullying him! We’ll definitely get in trouble for it, maybe even beaten up”

Dazai shrugged “I don’t see the problem, it can’t be as bad as getting beaten up by my ex, that guy was a real pain in my ass-“

The door at the end of the hallway slammed open, only to reveal an angry red head, starring daggers into the bunch. Especially Dazai.

“I take that back… why does the universe hate me” He exclaimed, letting out a sigh.

The Primrose student stormed up to them, locking eyes with Dazai who just gave a frightened smile. It was just then that Atsushi manage to connect the dots of what Dazai meant.

“Dazai he’s your ex-“ Atsushi wanted to ask but Dazai seemed busy being held by his collar.

“You jackass” Chuuya snarled under his breathe “What gives you lot the nerve to go picking on people, huh? To think you’d stoop that low”

“Oh, I’ve stooped lower~” He mocked,

but Chuuya just ignored it “What are you going on about, we weren’t bullying the guy we were just having a normal conversation, right guys?”

Ranpo and Atsushi tried to nod convincingly but the Primrose student didn’t buy it.

“Listen Dazai” Chuuya brought their faces closer, which in Ranpo’s defense did look a bit suggestive “I’m done with whatever you guys are getting at, get your head out of your ass and head back to the bus you came from so you can go back to your shitty school so you can be your shitty self somewhere else”.

Ranpo noticed that Dazai didn’t looked unfazed, in fact it had seemed that he was enjoying himself, his eyes discreetly fixated on the others lips as Dazai swayed to Chuuya’s voice. Ranpo gagged at the sight, Dazai had never looked at anyone in such a way, it was a sight Ranpo wasn’t used to.

“Are you listening at me jackass!?” Chuuya shook him, knocking Dazai out of his fantasies.

“Hm?” He smiled, dreamingly looking at the red head “Has anyone told you how hot you look in red” Referring to the maroon of the Primrose uniform.

“Huh?” Chuuya’s voice now annoyed and agitated.

“The least you can do when someone compliments you is to say thank you~” Dazai scoffed, his eyes still fixated on the others lips.

Ranpo internally cringed at the sight, he would have looked away if Dazai hadn’t gestured something with his hands. He was a bit hesitant to look considering what was going on, but then realised that Dazai was suggesting they’d get out of there while the Primrose student was distracted.

Ranpo looked at Atsushi, the boy still seemed in shock to learn that Dazai’s ex was the angry boy bickering in front of him. Ranpo couldn’t care less of Dazai previous relationships, but from the first time he saw them interact, how they acted around each other, Ranpo had a feeling that they used to date.

Ranpo gently nudged Atsushi, before signaling to him that they should go. They quietly left the two to bicker. Ranpo hadn’t noticed before, but there was some cat hair on the front of Atsushi’s uniform. Atsushi didn’t have a cat. Before the question could escape him mouth, the memory of Fukuzawa scolding him for being in others people’s business shut him up and beside he had to stay focused on the main objective.

The look on Atsushi’s face, made Ranpo wonder if this was really a good idea. The white-haired boy looked like he missed the familiar warmth of his own house; instead, he was greeted with the coldness and unfriendly nature of their rival school’s hallway.

He had the misfortune of being here, not only was he mistaken for another student and was brought to the rival school, but he was also got tangled in the genius’s shenanigans.

Ranpo had a good reason for doing this of course, or else he would have turned a blind eye and deemed the idea stupid. Ranpo unlike everyone else was always right in his predictions, they never fell flat and were always on point. All of the exception of Poe.

Everything he predicted about his ‘rival’ was wrong.

All wrong.

And every prediction he made around the other seemed to fall flat, making a fool of himself.

Poe was nothing like he imagined, not even close. Someone that could outmatch Ranpo’s academic would surely understand Ranpo in a way no one else could, right? Wrong. His rival was nothing like him.

Ranpo had never been wrong, but lately it had been the opposite, and Poe was the reason.

If Poe was gay then Ranpo would have been right, meaning he hadn’t fully lost his grip.

Ranpo and Atsushi were out of the enemies’ sight, and although they had lost their fellow comrade, they were not going to stop the search for the key to discovering Poe’s gayness.

The two of them made their way to the auditorium  of the school, here there was more students bustling about. The navy blueness of their uniforms stood out amongst the bloodlust of the Primrose red.

Ranpo could feel hungry eyes carving their way in through his back, Atsushi could feel it too. They were all probably there for the debate about to happen up on stage, but they both could feel the focus on them.

They both maneuvered the crowd, trying not to bump into anyone. Ranpo’s eyes sharp for any familiar face.

But Atsushi being his clumsy usual self, found himself muttering ‘sorry’ to every person he brushed passed. But the rival students just glared and clicked their tongue in disgust, their gaze eating away at both of them.

The glares didn’t bother Ranpo as much as it did Atsushi. What did bother him, though, was the everything around him, the noise shattered his focus. He felt like he was hyper fixating on every single detail around him.

He felt itchy, his clothes became more uncomfortable by the second, and the sweat dripping down wasn’t helpful.

From the sound of people’s feet, to the strong perfume some students would wear. It was all suffocating.

People were too close, pushing and brushing passed him like he wasn’t important enough to make space for, Primrose students were awful. Ranpo couldn’t take it anymore.

He stiffened his shoulder, making him and the next person he bumped into nearly fall back. Ranpo couldn’t focus on their face but the person was angry, well angry enough.

He could hear Atsushi apologies on his behave, all Ranpo could do was try to calm himself down. He glanced at the student to find that it was the same boy who he had went against in the chess torment.

He seemed angrier than he should be, maybe he was still hung up about it, but that didn’t make sense. The guy had seemed content with their match at the time, but then why was he still upset. Ranpo didn’t understand people at all.

The guy stopped rudely talking to Atsushi as Ranpo felt himself move along with the boy. Atsushi had just noticed Ranpo’s discomfort and wanted to say something when the same student stopped Atsushi.

Ranpo wasn’t paying attention. The Primrose student was mad about something on Atsushi’s uniform, probably the cat hair Ranpo had seen earlier. And then they were talking about something called a ‘Rashomon'? It was all too confusing, and the white-haired boy said that he would help him for some reason.

Which wasn’t the plan, they were supposed to find The Primrose student, Mushitaro, so that Ranpo can prove he was right. Why wasn’t Atsushi not going with the plan.

Ranpo started fidgeting with the cuffs of his uniform, he tried to recall Fukuzawa’s words for situations like this. Then remembered that the man had told him to find somewhere quieter where he can quiet down.

Ranpo’s eyes ventured to the door, but caught on a spot of green amongst the red. Maybe it was because green was comforting colour or that his curiosity took the better of him, but Ranpo started to follow the speck of green.

The person wearing green left through the door, into the hall. He could hear Atsushi’s shouts from the behind him, but Ranpo’s mind was working on autopilot mode.

When he became conscious of his surrounding, he found himself in a quiet classroom.

Finally, he sighed. A place where he could gather himself back together again.

He noticed on one of the window sills, sat a black cat, whom had just noticed Ranpo’s existence.

Ranpo was used to being around cats, he would often go with Fukuzawa to feed the strays. So, it wasn’t a surprise when the feline meowed curiously at the sight of the student. Ranpo lightly started to pet it, resulting in a small purring sound.

The cat had a collar on, ‘Rashomon’ it read.

So, this cat must have been what Atsushi and the Primrose student were talking about. And judging from the fur on Atsushi uniform, the boy must have stopped and held it before he met up with him and Dazai. This cat must have belonged to the student.

“Your owner is probably looking for you” Ranpo mumbled, being answered with a kind meow. A light breeze moved into the classroom.

He noticed that the cat was sitting on some papers, but Ranpo decided to ignore it.

“Yeah” he chuckled, digging in his pocket for any sweat he had left over “I also need a break from everyone, just a little break”

Ranpo reasoned that a little quiet time in this classroom would be nice. Just 10 minutes. It was all he needed to gather himself together. For 10 minutes he wouldn’t think about the plan or who the person in green was. Besides what can happen in ten minutes 10 minutes.

_______

[a few minutes before]

A lot can happen in 10 minutes, Poe realized.

His mind kept going to his rival, to his dream.

Ranpo had been running marathons through the boy’s poor mind. 10 minutes felt like aggravating centuries. What would his rival think of his script? Would it be good enough? Was it interesting enough? Or was it too complicated?

His mind tortured him with his rival’s reaction. What would he say? Poe blushed at the thought of his rival complementing his work. But he couldn’t put his hopes up too high; it had been a while since Poe had written anything with creative freedom.

Well, there were a few things he was specified to add, but other than that Poe could write anything. At first it scarred him, since it had been so long. But Ranpo really came in clutch the other day when he helped Poe.

It was strange how after that interaction Poe felt a burst of inspiration, he didn’t know how to explain it, but it felt good being able to write again.

If it weren’t for that, Poe wouldn’t have finished this piece, nor would he have been able to help Higuchi with her love letter.

He was glad he was able to help her, she seemed excited to give it to who it was meant for. It was nice that she was doing a love letter; in America students considered love letters cheesy and outdated. But here in Japan, it was a norm to confess your feeling through love letters.

Poe found it quite romantic, maybe one day he could write one for Ranpo. The thought of his Rival leaking into his mind again. Even if he did what would Poe write about? Helping someone write a love letter is one thing but doing it yourself Is a different story.

 Realising how embarrassing it is to spill out you’re feeling onto a page, he thought of how brave Higuchi was to ask for Poe’s assistance. She must have trusted Poe quite a bit. But she probably came to him because he has the highest score in their literature class (and the whole schools).

But no matter how much he tried to think of other things, his mind always circled back to his rival.

Everything about him made his world stop. How was he supposed to act normal when his heart just wanted to scream his name?

It felt so strange, Poe could recall the days his name or even the mere mention of Ranpo tasted like poison, but now would get all flustered and blush at the thought of his rival

But if anyone asked him, he would have to deny with his every being, of course. Even if his heart said otherwise.

Poe remembered the conversation he had with Chuuya before they separated. The red head had admitted that there were some traits he disliked about Dazai however he went silent when Poe asked if that meant he hated the good times. Although the question only somewhat applied to him.

Poe just couldn’t admit to people that he had fallen for his rival, it would be too humiliating.

Poe peered down at his watch to check the time, but

It had only been 10 minutes.

He let out an annoyed groan.

Ranpo had stolen this writer’s heart, no doubt about that.

“Oh Karl…” He muttered to the raccoon walking around his legs, picking him up to stare at him intently “What am I supposed to do?”.

The fur ball squeaked in response.

“I wish I could understand you” He sighed before Karl climbed onto his shoulders.”Maybe then you could help me find out what I am supposed to do with these feelings”

Then Poe heard a rustling in the bushes, his body jolted. What if Ranpo heard him? He would defiantly know Poe’s romantic feelings for him.

Poe’s body tensed as the figure approached him, but the he relaxed to find out it wasn’t his rival.

It was an ADA student, who was dusting themselves off. Closer inspection made him realise it was a girl with a bob and a butterfly hair pin, he didn’t know who she was. Poe wondered how many students knew of the secret hole, maybe it was only people Ranpo knew, but if that was the case-

“…Oh, hey there” The girl spoke, a bit startled “uhm don’t mind me” She moved passed.

All Poe could do was watch as this suspicious girl strolled passed; neither of them questioning why the other was there.

As soon as the young lady was out of sight, Poe let out a sigh relieved it wasn’t who he thought it was.

“Umm actually” Her voice came again, turning around to talk to him “I was just wondering if you’ve seen an ADA student, or students, they’re hard to miss. They're two boys,one of them is tallish, has a black mop for hair, always seems to talk about suicide. The other is shorter and has weird eyes acts like a smart ass. So have you seen them?”

“…Yeah, I’ve seen them” Poe replied cautiously.

He needed to be careful with his words, to make sure she couldn’t link anything to his rival.

“Really?” She gave a questioning stare “When last did you see them?”

Although Poe told her when last he saw the two, it became painfully obvious that she didn’t know the terrain of the school. He then tried his best at giving her directions and then she was off.

Or Poe would assume she should be, but mid stride she stopped in her tracks.

Something seemed off, Yosano couldn’t put her finger on it, but something about this Primrose student didn’t sit right with her.

Maybe it was how suspicious he was, but she didn’t question him scared that he might do the same. Yosano was on a mission, find that Primrose student that she had sensed over the phone with the others before those dumbasses make them realise their gayness, she couldn’t let this student stop her, but something about him made her curious.

“What time exactly did you last see them?” She raised an eyebrow.

Poe began to sweat, why was she questioning him further? He gave her the directions where he had last seen them, what more could she want? Had she begun to be suspicious or was she trying to get the scope as to where her friends might be?

 Poe thought “Around 20 minutes ago, perhaps”

Yosano thought for a second, the last 20 minutes had been a blur. From her getting angry that Dazai hung up on her, to her sneaking through the wall, to now this.

She had definitely felt her gay senses tingle around 20 minutes ago, when this Primrose student had supposedly bumped into Ranpo and Dazai. It was a strong hunch, but if the possibility of this Primrose student being the one, she was looking for… She had to make sure.

“This might be a random question but” She began “What is your type?” She eased into the conversation, she couldn’t just ask the random student if he was homo, he feel way more comfortable if she started talking like this.

“My type?” Poe repeated, his insides screaming.

Why would she possibly want to know that? And what exactly would she get out of knowing a random Primrose students type?

Poe had no idea what was going through the young girls’ brain, all he could do was say the most basic thing in the most unsuspicious manner.

“Well...” Poe started “I guess I like a, someone smart” he said in an unsure tone.

She made a sound at the back of her throat, which made Poe question his answer.

Would saying he liked someone smart make her suspect he liked Ranpo? No, it would be unlikely. Poe would just have to throw another basic thing to like about someone.

“Uh I also like someone with a nice smile” he admitted.

The look on her face, made Poe even more unsure of his answer.

There would be no way she would be able to connect what he is saying to his rival. Ranpo did have a nice smile, Poe admitted, but would other people feel the same.

Earlier Mushitaro described it somewhat annoying, while Poe couldn’t help but be captivated by it.

“I see-“ The girl spoke “But I’m talking, about physical appearance”

Physical appearance? Poe’s mind swirled.

“W-why do you ask?” Poe’s voice quivered.

“Nothing specific, I just… want to see a Primrose students’ opinion, everyone I’ve asked didn’t mind answering, unless you have something to hide” he raised an eyebrow, an obvious lie.

He was screwed, he knew that as soon as he would describe his ‘type’ the girl would put two and two together. He was doomed, but then it hit him.

Poe didn’t have to describe his rival, he could just lie to her, he would tell her the exact opposite description of his rival, this would definitely throw her off whatever trail she was one.

It was a perfect plan, but would it suffice considering the girl had been glaring questioningly at him this whole conversation, as if she were suspicious of him.

 But Yosano knew this Primrose student was lying, it was something about his body language as well as in his voice that made her question if he was hiding something, she had her suspicions of what.

All his answers were too blunt and universal, which seemed oddly questionable. Someone who was smart and had a nice smile, could refer to both genders, but him being suspicious didn’t help his case of what Yosano thought he was.

All she had to do was listen to his descriptions, and if anything led her to believe that he was gay she would question him further.

“Well…” Poe begun “I guess I like someone taller than me, maybe more muscular, deep voice… oh and someone very humble not over confident and cocky at all”. Poe felt confident in his answer, with this description this ADA student wouldn’t know that he likes his rival.

Gay, way the only thought Yosano had.

She had begun to realize that this student was the one she sensed, it was defiantly him. She couldn’t mistake that shiver of closeted gay with a hint off sugar daddy.

But there was still a possibility this Primrose student really liked masculine girls, only one question could solve it.

“Just one more question” She dragged out the word trying not to seem suspicious “Are you… you know?” she tilted her head.

“What?” Poe replied dumbly.

“You know” She gestured with her hand, waving it in a suggesting manner.

“Pardon?”

“…Gay?” Yosano said it, getting aggravated that the primrose student wasn’t getting what she was implying.

“What?!” Poe gasped, “of course not, why would you even suggest such?! But not in a homophobic way, I love gay people- wait not like that I simply admire them, as a straight person. I’m am the straightest person I know- I may not know a lot of people but I’m definitely the straightest there is! It’s really hot in here?” Poe huffed pulling at his collar, averting his eyes.

“We are outside” The girl commented bluntly.

“Crazy weather- oh a cat!” Poe changed the subject to a random black cat strolling by “It seems lost”

“It seems like are avoiding the question” Yosano spoke “It’s almost as if you have something to hide”

“Me, Hide?!” Poe rebuked “I don’t have anything to hide, but what shouldn’t be hidden is how cute and lost this cat looks, don’t you think”

“You’re still avoiding the question” the girl pointed out.

Poe deflected her statement and went to pet the cat, trying to look unfazed even though he was sweating buckets.

Was it actually that obvious? If some random ADA student could find out he had no hope of keeping it from Ranpo.

“Such a cute cat” His mind raced. He could feel Karl bite at the leather of his shoes with each praise. She continued to ask but her voice was muffled by Poe’s heartbeat and the sound of his own breath.

But as soon as his hand landed of the cat, it hissed at him, scaring Poe to drop the papers, Poe became frantic.

She placed a hand on his shoulder “You know there isn’t anything wrong with being gay-“

“My papers!” Poe shirked, an arm extended, seeing the cat run off with such important papers “That cat is running off with my script!”

“Now you’re making up with excuses-“

“No, actually, give me back my script!”

Poe began to clumsily chase after the cat, he could hear the girl yelling after him. And soon they all began chasing each other.

It only took 10 minutes, for Poe’s script to get stollen by a cat and for a girl that questioned him too much to chase after him.

What was he going to do with himself?

________

Ranpo could hear shuffling somewhere in the room, he became weary.

His only company was a cat, and the noise made him curious. Perhaps it was a bad idea to go snooping around enemy territory, but he already found himself into this room, he was in too deep now.

“I know you’re there” he announced bluntly.

The sound stopped; silence greeted him instead. Whoever was there was probably freaking out about being caught, Ranpo had an idea of who it was.

From his blurs of memory, the spot of green stood out to him, a familiar green he had definitely seen before- but where?

“It’s pointless to hide, I already know you’re there” He slowly made his way to the corner of the classroom where the noise was coming from.

At the back of the class there were tables with stacks of books on top, a perfect place to hide.

“At this point if I were you-“ He turned the corner of the tower of books.

To see person sitting down on a chair, leaning against the wall of text books with a book in his hand. He wore green. Turning his attention to Ranpo.

“…hello?” He spoke, his voice had a hint of nervousness.

He regarded Ranpo for a second, noticing his uniform, his face scrunched his tone turning sharper. “What are you doing here?”

Ranpo knew his face, he was the guy they were looking for. Mushitaro, he remembered his name. But there was something else he couldn’t put his finger on.

“I’d ask you the same thing” Ranpo remarked.

He scoffed “I’m obviously reading” he brought attention to the book in his hands.

“The book is upside down”

“That’s not the point-an ADA student shouldn’t just roam around the corridors, unlike me a Primrose student I can go where ever I want and do whatever I want without being questioned”

Ranpo starred at the boy, his statement was true but that did not stop him from asking about the elephant in the room.

“But you’re wearing green, isn’t it strange that you’re not wearing the uniform”

“And!? That doesn’t make me any less of a student, if anything you’re just changing the topic to seem less suspicious”

“I’d argue you’re the only suspicious one here”

“And I’d argue you should mind your own business”

“I would if you didn’t question mine”

“But you’re an Academy student!”

“We are really bringing the schools rivalry thing into this, you guys are all like six year old”

“At least I don’t look like a six-year-old”

“That’s better then what ever you’ve got going on”

He gasped “What’s that supposed to mean!?”

“You should be smart enough to figure it out yourself’

“Says the-“Out of frustration the boy stood up, but in doing so let an object fall from behind him.

The object rolled on the floor between the two, drawing both of their attentions. When it stopped Ranpo saw a trophy rocking on its side, a trophy he had seen before. He recalled seeing that prize for whoever had won the chess match, and it was quite obvious why Mushitaro had it.

“Are you really trying to steal the trophy even though us Academy students clearly won it? How horrible are you Primrose student to stoop this low?”

“You take that back”

“You’re right” He scoffed “Sorry, rhetorical questions are stupid, you Primrose students are horrible”

“You act like you ADA students haven’t stooped lower” He recalled “Remember Valentine’s Day, when ADA student sneaked in the school to place love letters in every locker to release havoc on couples”

“Well, it isn’t as bad as the time on white day when a Primrose student blew up our bathrooms with lemon shaped experiments”

“But still, me taking a trophy that is rightfully ours isn’t as bad, it isn’t even that serious”

“And what does wearing green fit into all of this?” Ranpo looked up and down at the boy’s attire

“I just have a super cool ability if I wear green”

“It sounds fake to me”

“Does not!”

“Totally does”

He scoffed “Ever since I was young, I have noticed that when I wear green no one ever finds out that in did the crime”

“So, is now an exception?”

“No! because you were snooping around on property you shouldn’t be”

Pieces clicked in Ranpo’s head, there would be no way this guy would willingly go with Dazai’s and Ranpo’s plan, but a memory surfaced that would be perfect for blackmailing.

Before Ranpo could bring it up they heard heavy footsteps outside by the window, they both peeked over the wall of books curiously to see Poe running over to where the cat was sitting.

He was screaming something, but Ranpo couldn’t hear.

“What is he saying” He asked.

“It sounds like he’s saying-“

“Stop the cat!” The writer shouted.

But at that moment the black cat stepped away from the papers it was sitting on, and let the gust of wind blow them into the corridor.

Poe crushed into the open window and tumbled into the classroom, as the cat jumped down elegantly without a scratch.

“Perfect timing Poe!” Ranpo admired, putting on his glasses.

Poe greeted him with a tired groan.

“What happened to you?” Mushitaro questioned.

“You have no idea” he managed to sit upright, and fix his disheveled appearance “My script” he let out a tired cry.

“Well that’s too bad I guess you’re going to have to look for it” He started to inch out the room with the trophy “Good luck with that-“

“Not so fast Mr.Once-ler” Ranpo grabbed him “Do you perhaps remember passing by the library on one of your heists”

Ranpo recalled the day him and Poe had gone to the library, he remembered a figure in green who seemed very suspicious.

“What?”

“Well, I do, and unless you want me to expose your shenanigans to the ADA, I’d advise that you help find the papers.

Mushitaro grew annoyed, this ADA student was dumb to believe he could blackmail him.

“You have no proof”

“The camera footage in front of library and the street you passed is enough proof”

“hah? I just told you, when I wear green I can’t get caught, no camera in this whole city can catch me”                                                            He scoffed, having a satisfied look on his face “no matter how many people saw me, it better that you forget since there is now way of proving that I stole any trophies from the school, the only proof you could get is if you had me openly admit I stole the chess trophy as well as all the pens I can find-“

Mushitaro noticed the phone in Ranpo’s hand, and how it was recording their whole conversation.

“You’re going to use my words to black mail me, aren’t you?”

“You already know how I feel about rhetorical questions” Ranpo gave his signature smile.

“You better delete it when I’m done helping you”

ADA students were truly insufferable.

_______

For the longest time, Ranpo has always hated the wind, it always seemed to be Ranpo’s foe, however now it proved quite useful, scattering the papers that Poe was very needily after. It was because of the wind that they were all in this situation.

It would be easy, a piece of cake in fact to set up the romantic k-drama scene the boy had envisioned. This would prove the Ranpo was right, all he needed was for a slither of opportunity to present itself.

Him, Poe and this Mushitaro student persistently checked around the halls. Well, the other two persistently searched, all Ranpo did was hang back and think.

“Found one!” Mushitaro yelled, his head popping up from under a desk to give Poe the sheet.

“Thank you” Poe exclaimed, counting how many pages they had already found “There still are 12 more to find”

Mushitaro groaned, wanting for this to be over. They continued.

There were a number of ways to go about this, Dazai voice rang in Ranpo’s ears. Pushing them into each other was the easiest and most familiar option to Ranpo, but he would have to make it look not so intentional.

That would probably prove quite difficult.

But Ranpo didn’t know any other way, he wasn’t much of a fan of those kind of drama or reality TV shows Yosano and Dazai watched, so thinking of other methods wasn’t in his list of abilities but it shouldn’t be that hard.

All he had to do was get into their mind set… Yeah, no Ranpo ditched that idea, scrambling for a new one.

It was quite odd that Mushitaro didn’t remember that Poe was also there at the library, if he did, he could have used that card against Ranpo, but he didn’t question it too much since it ended up in his favor.

They were now back at the auditorium where the debate torment was going on, everyone seemed fixated on the discussion taking place, while the three of them were silently searching for papers.

It felt quite strange experiencing an open auditorium compared to the indoors one at the Academy.

The debate seemed vaguely interesting to Ranpo but he could sense the passion that each person spoke with, he didn’t expect less from Kunikida. The boy held himself upon his ideals and well researched facts, he would surely make a good opponent towards the Primrose student who had white hair with red tips.

Ranpo turned his attention back to the other two, Mushitaro was somewhere in the crowd while Poe was standing next to him counting the papers in his hand.

“How many more do you still need” Ranpo asked in a hushed tone.

Poe finished counting before answering “We found most of them, we just need… One more”

That news wasn’t good, Ranpo didn’t think they would find them that quickly. He had to do something, and he had to do it now.

Something caught his eye, a single piece of paper dragging under a random Primrose students’ shoe. He couldn’t let the others see it.

He slid his way through the crowd bumping into someone.

“Sorry-Oh Ranpo!” He was met with a familiar voice, he looked up.

“Dazai?” He replied bluntly “Aren’t you supposed to be with the red head”

“I lost him a while ago- so did you find who we are looking for”

“Yeah, I found him, and Poe is somewhere here-“

They both felt a blood curdling chill down their spins.

“Found you” They heard Yosano’s voice before they both were pulled down by their ears.

They started crying in pain, pleading for her to stop.

“May this be a lesson to the both of you, that anything I say you don’t take lightly. Got it!”

“We got it” They both said, wanting the pain to end.

“Now can you please let us go” Dazai yelped as Yosano pinched harder.

“Apologies first!”

“We’re both sorry!”

“Sorry to who”

“We’re sorry, Yosano!”

“Why are you guys sorry?”

“We’re…” They looked at each other “Sorry, Yosano, for ignoring you?”

“And what will you do next time”

“Listen to you?”

Yosano released both of them, making them relieved as they rubbed their ears.

“Yeah, as if” Dazai murmured under his breathe, unfortunately for him she heard and knocked him up the head.

“I don’t have time for you guys, I have someone to look for” She turned her attention elsewhere spotting the person in the crowd “Perfect timing”.

Oh no, Ranpo thought. He had looked away for a moment and now Poe had already found the last paper he was originally after. If it weren’t for the paper being stuck under the other Primrose students’ shoe Ranpo’s opportunity would be over before it even started.

Poe was about to tap the other Primrose students’ shoulder, probably to ask to remove his foot. Time stopped Ranpo had to do something, but seeing Yosano already making her way to the boy, she seemed quite determined. Ranpo figured he should lay back and see how things would play out.

Sifting through the crowd, Yosano laid her eyes on the target, and things couldn’t be more perfect. After losing him to the maze of the Primrose school grounds, her only goal was to find him again and perhaps talk things out.

Her first attempt might have been too head strong, she noted for next time, but at that moment when she noticed who he was standing next to in the crowd.

Someone tall, a bit muscular, humble looking, and when he turned to regard the boy after touching his shoulder he spoke “Yes?” in a calm deep voice.

Exactly as the Primrose student had described, it was too perfect.

“Excuse me?” Poe tried recalling the boy’s name “…Tecchou do you mind moving your foot? I need the paper right there”

He regarded the other for a moment, stopping from munching on a banana with the peal on, before looking down to see the paper under his shoe. “Oh sorry” bending down to pick it up.

“Hey!” Poe’s pulse dropped at the sound of that voice, all his instincts were telling him to get as far away from there as possible. His rival and this girl in the same room wasn’t a good mix, he would surely act up and blow his cover.

The girl seemed to be hurriedly making her way to him, scared he would run.

Without thinking he bent over in the rush of the moment, just as Tecchou was already doing.

The writer bumped into the boy leading them both to tumble down.

Poe panicked, trying to get up, apologising profusely. He could feel the eyes, not just from the crowd but from the debate on the stage. Why did this have to be such a scene?

For a second Poe managed to stable himself, but the banana that was in Tecchou's hand had and fell where Poe stepped making a even bigger scene then it was.

Students couldn’t help but laugh to themselves, some trying to stay composed while others didn’t.

“Sorry” Poe tried to mutter, but his words hung in his throat. Although he knew this wasn’t Ranpo the way his hair wrapped around Tecchou's face made his heart believe for a second that it was his crush.

 “Its fine” He groaned annoyed, sitting up.

One laugh stood out from the rest though, Dazai. Clenching his stomach through the pain, the boy seemed to laugh like there was no tomorrow.

“It’s not even that funny” Poe heard Ranpo say.

Before Dazai could even attempt to explain himself, a familiar voice thundered to make itself heard.

“There you are!” Chuuya yelled untangling himself from the crowd, his eyes caught on the ADA student making a mockery of their prodigy. This would not do; his school pride would not allow this.

“Not you again-“ Before he could even finish his sentence, Chuuya’s fist had landed on Dazai’s face so unexpectedly he didn’t prepare himself for the hit after that and the following ones.

Not only did such a display draw everyone’s attention but it made a bigger scene then it already was.

“What’s all the fuss about!?” A teacher finally intervened, but it was too late the kids where rowdy over Chuuya punching an ADA student and couldn’t help themselves to drink it up.

“Put him in his place!” They chanted “Fight! fight! fight! fight!”

The crowd circling around the two made it almost impossible to ease the crowd, kids joined cornering the ADA students. And it became a whole mess.

Ranpo and the others trying to slip their way out of this.

But sooner or later the principle of Primrose Mastery stepped in to put a stop to all of it. All the Primrose stopped at the sight of him, bowing their heads in respected.

“What is the meaning of this?” Mori spoke, the crowd parted to show the two idiots in the middle Chuuya being able to land a final hit before noticing the head master.

“He started it sir” Chuuya admitted “He was picking on one of our students”

“Is that true?” He turned to the other.

“This is just all a misunderstanding sir” Dazai argued.

“Misunderstanding my ass” the red head murmured.

“With all due respect sir” Ranpo spoke out, pushing through the crowd to stand next to Dazai “The red head was the on to started the fight first, so its obvious who should be punished so you can just let us go-“

“You’re not going to be let go so easy, especially since I caught you bullying our academic prodigy” He gestured over to Poe.

Everyone turned to him, as if a spotlight was on top of him. People began to whisper

“Oh-no I’m not- I did- I wasn’t being bullied” Poe’s tongue kept slipping.

“See, we weren’t bullying him” Dazai said.

“Objection” Chuuya spat out “He probably feels embarrassed to admit that he was picked on, so we can’t fully tell if he is saying the truth, it’s not like we can trust anything that come out of a Academy’s students mouth-”

“Silence!” The principle finally spoke “This is quite a situation, just because our schools are at odds with each other doesn’t not excuse bullying nor violence for the time being all roaming ADA students head back to the buses to wait until the end of the day”

Without another word all the ADA students roaming about ,found themselves at the area where all the buses were parked. One by one others of the same school were herded up into the area, to avoid any further complications.

“Well… I rate that experience a 7/10 could use more mentions of suicide, though” Dazai kicked a nearby rock.

“How long do you think it’s going to be until we can go home?” Ranpo asked.

“Longer then I would like,should I just go?it’s not like I came with the buses anyway”

“Why did we even use buses for this trip? The school are right behind each other” Ranpo commented.

The sound of footsteps came from behind “Hey guys” They heard a drained voice approaching.

Dazai turned “Oh hey Atsushi, it’s been a while since we have last seen you-“ His voice faded out at the sight of their friend.

His clothes seemed messy and dirty, thin scratches could be found along it as well as his skin. His hair resembled a bird’s nest and his eyes draped down, the only sparkle in his eye was the comfort of the day being finally over.

“What happened-“

“Don’t ask” the wounded boy managed out

“Well, someone lost” Ranpo pointed out..

“I’ll fix you up when we get back” Yosano assured.

“Thank-“Atsushi began but then questioned why the girl was here “You know what I’m not going to ask” He decided with a sigh.

All Yosano did was smiled innocently.

“Did you guys manage to find the person you were looking for” Atsushi asked his voice raspy.

“Yeah” Ranpo admitted placing a candy in his mouth.

“And did you guys get to do what you wanted to do?”

“Kinda, I guess, I don’t think that there is any full proof evidence of him being gay”

“What are you talking about Ranpo?” Dazai spoke “Did you see the way they looked at each other? It might have been for only a moment but it was so obvious~”

“Sure…”

“So, my instincts were right on who you guys were targeting” Yosano intervened “Unlucky for you guys, since it obvious that I will be the one who helping him, you guys lost to me” She snickered flicking her hair.

“Since when was this a competition?” Atsushi couldn’t help but ask.

“How are you so sure you won?” Dazai asked.

“That’s a secret” She winked, placing a finger over her mouth

“I doubted we would win or get anywhere with Dazai’s plan”

“I vividly remember both of us coming up with it”

“Nope that was all you, I was just feeding into whatever you were spitting out”

Their conversation ran, thoughtless laughs being thrown about. Time passed as the shadows stretched along the gravel, they were all rounded up into the buses, and Yosano was sneaked on for the thrill of it.

A sense of unsureness washed over him as he stepped into the bus, for the possibility of him being wrong was still in the air tormenting him.

How were they supposed to be rivals when Ranpo was clearly not at his full potential?

Ranpo starred out the window, annoyed. He felt stupid for feeling this way. He should be better-no he is better…

Why can’t he be better?

________

Poe starred at the ceiling, very awake.

He blinked so every so often to make sure that today wasn’t another dream… he was terribly mistaken. His mind hadn’t been tricking him, everything actually happened and the embarrassment overwhelmed him.

He made a fool of himself in front of everyone, those ADA and Primrose students and worst of all his rival who he was in love with. What would the boy think of him now? Actually, Poe didn’t want to know especially after whatever today was.

Poe had seen him laugh, though just barely he still did, after all that he could never show his face to his rival again. How could he prove that he was a worthy opponent after all that? even if it was an accident.

After the incident when everything was set back to order, it felt so weird being confronted to see if he was actually bullied, it was so embarrassing and awkward to explain the ADA students weren’t bullying him and that it was all a misunderstanding.

 None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for that dream and these strange feelings.

It made him wonder, how could Poe be a worthy opponent if he was in love with his rival?

Poe lifted his clenched hand, the back of his palm starring at him. Upon opening it, there was a single piece of paper he was given by that ADA student with the butterfly clip in her hair.

Recalling the memory, while all the ADA students were sent away, she had sneakily propped up next to him, slipping the note in his hand with a request that if he ever needed any advice or moral support then he should contact her.

And before he could even protest, she had left. He opened the note to find a name along with contact info.

Yosano, it read in a messy handwriting as though it was written by a doctor.

It was definite Poe would have no use for the note. He tossed it onto the small trash can next to his bed, and tried to get some shut eye

But his thoughts continued to degrade him. Reminding him of all that had happened, Poe knew he would get no sleep tonight, he laid with Karl snuggled up beside him trying to let his eyes black out all of his thoughts.

But little did the writer know, in the heat of the moment he had forgotten something very important…