Chapter Text
“Oh God, he’s here.”
“Why?! I thought he was banned from the school’s premises?!”
“I hear that they did, but even the teachers are too scared of him to do anything if he appeared…”
“At least his goons aren’t with him.”
“They’re probably causing extra trouble in his absence.”
“Let’s just leave him alone. As long as no one makes contact, he’ll leave faster…”
The chatter amongst the students of Tsukino Private Academy continued as they moved out the way of the Academy’s well-known hoodlum. His golden blond hair bounced with every step he took, ignoring the whispers and gossip around him. Especially since whenever his amber eyes looked one way or the other, the entire side of students would instantly stop talking.
Despite his tiny stature, Shiwasu Kakeru was one feared teenager. It’s not surprising as he was always cladded in leather, a skateboard under his arm, and bandaids plastered over his body. He’d always ditched classes only really appearing at the school for two reasons: to skate around with his crew and to see a certain person.
Kakeru remembered the day he saw that person, how his heart stopped and everything in the world slowed down. He was completely smitten by this mysterious new pink-haired student. He was a lovely sight, but also a temporary one. Kakeru’s skateboard hit a rock and the skater was met with a face full of asphalt.
Upon seeing the student, Kakeru surprised his peers and his teachers by going to class after that fateful day. He needed to know more about the handsome stranger who had stolen his heart, and he did. Kakeru had to push himself to attend the last class of the day and was thankful as it was there he met…
‘Koi!’
Kakeru’s eyes lit up as he spotted the pink-haired student at his locker exchanging his things. The skater unconsciously picked up his pace and headed toward his fellow student. He slid behind the locker door and rested his elbow on the metal while his hand rested on his cheek. When Koi closed his locker, he jumped a little to see the skater with a huge grin on his face.
“How are we doing today Princess?” Kakeru teased.
Koi frowned, “You know I don’t like your nicknames. Just call me Koi…” He said then hid a little behind his books. “Or just don’t talk to me at all…” He mumbled the last part, looking around at the eyes glued on his exchange with the skater.
Kakeru noticed his beloved’s discomfort and sent a glare across the hallway. Instantly, the crowd of onlookers hurried away in fear of what the delinquent would do to them.
“Alone at last.” Kakeru was beaming once more as he looked back at Koi. “Doing anything after school today?”
“Yes.” Koi lied.
“Bummer. Guess we’ll just have to keep having our little hallway dates, my Giselle.”
“I wouldn't call this a date. Usually, the date actually remembers the other’s name and doesn’t call them by main girls in ballets.” Koi huffed. “Maybe if you attended our class, you’d learn the name is Koi.”
“Even if I was in class I wouldn’t learn anything. I’d be too distracted by you~” Kakeru winked.
Koi blushed a little. “A-Anyway, I should be heading to my next class.”
“That time already?” Kakeru glanced at the clock hanging above the lockers. “Alright, if you must. A kiss goodbye?” Kakeru puckered his lips.
“I feel a normal goodbye will do.”
“Fine.” Kakeru pulled away from the lockers and started walking back down the hallway. “I’ll see you again tomorrow Ballerina Boy!”
“Don’t bother until you learn my name!” Koi finally yelled out.
He turned his back to the retreating skater and made his way to class with his cheeks puffed out in annoyance.
—
“There’s a lot of talk about you and Kakeru,” Haru mentioned at lunch, earning a groan from Koi.
“I honestly don’t understand why he keeps talking to me! I only met him once in a class that he doesn’t even attend!” Koi rubbed his head. “I really don’t need people thinking I’m hanging out with that type of crowd given my circumstance.”
“You shouldn’t hang out with that type of crowd period. They only bring trouble.” Haru proclaimed. “Why haven’t you done anything about it?”
“I don’t know. Everyone is scared of him, so I’m sure the teachers are too.” Koi said with a shrug. “Plus, he hasn’t done anything to harm me...he just likes to call me names and see how I’m doing.”
Koi paused to think a little, realizing what he said doesn’t make Kakeru sound as bothersome as he thought. ‘I wonder why he’s considered a delinquent anyway? All he does is ditch school and skates around the courtyard. Not once have I seen him fight anybody.’
“I feel the adults here are a lot more put together than what rumors say. I’m sure at least the principal will help if you asked.” Haru advised, breaking Koi from his train of thought.
“Oh, yeah. You’re probably right.” Koi replied half-heartedly, staring down at his sandwich. “Hey Haru-san, has Kakeru done anything super bad to anyone?”
“Well, there are rumors but factly no one knows if he has done anything extremely wrong.” Haru raised a brow. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. If he hasn’t exactly done anything wrong, why do we treat him like such an outcast.”
“Whether he did something wrong or not isn’t the point. He behaves and portrays himself as a ruffian by the way he dresses, by the people he hangs out with and by the way he excuses himself from his classes. It’s unacceptable and is tarnishing Tsukino Academy’s good name.” Haru explained.
“I see…” Koi took a small bite of his food.
Haru placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “You have a good heart Koi, it’s nice you’re trying to give this hoodlum the benefit of the doubt. But when you go to a prestigious school like this one, you have to worry about your image just a bit.”
Koi nodded. “I guess you’re right. Besides, with my grades, image is really all I have.”
“Speaking of which, you really need to get those up before you lose your scholarship here,” Haru recommended. “You’re an amazing ballerina but your talent will only get you so far.”
“I know, I know! But Haru-san won’t tutor me and you know I’m not smart.” Koi whined.
“You are smart Koi, you only need some extra help,” Haru comforted his friend. “And you know I’m an official tutor for the school, I am available to you if you signed up.”
“I already checked your hours, they run through dance practice.” Koi pouted. “Is Haru-san sure he can’t squeeze me in the morning?”
“I can’t, student council meetings are before school.”
“Ugh, I’m helpless.” Koi slumped onto the table, his face flat on the surface.
“Aw, what’s wrong Koi?” A kind voice asked.
Koi looked up to see his other friend Aoi looking down at him with concerned eyes.
“Is it because of those rumors about you and Kakeru?” Aoi wondered as he sat down beside the pink-haired student.
Koi let out a loud groan and face planted into the table again while Haru laughed.
“And we have come full circle,” Haru chuckled, “No we’ve addressed that already. Koi is now upset about his grades.”
“Ah, I see.” Aoi bit his lip. “I really do wish I could tutor you but I’m working under my dad to get some vet experience before college.”
Koi let out a muffled ‘I know’ before his head shot up. “I almost forgot! I have an exam after lunch!”
“And let me guess, you didn’t study.” Haru chided.
“No, that’s the thing! I did study this time!” Koi beamed. “If I can pass this test, then maybe there is hope for me! Maybe I can do this by myself!”
“I wish you the best of luck then Koi-kun!” Aoi smiled.
“As do I. Do us proud, Koi,” Haru added in with a smile.
Koi gave his friends two thumbs up. How bad could he really do?
—
Bad. He could do really bad.
It was a new week and Koi groveled as he made his way outside. ‘At least this D has a plus with it.’ Koi thought to himself to try and cheer himself up.
Still, adding another failing grade to the stack made him even more worried about losing his scholarship.
‘Ai knows a few smart people. Maybe I can ask her friends to tutor me.’
“Hey! The school railings are not for your kickflips!” A student yelled.
‘I hope it’s not too late into the semester to raise everything up.’
“This is not your personal playground to do stupid tricks! Go 180, 360 whatever somewhere else!” Another student shouted.
‘It shouldn’t be! Maybe I could ask for some extra credit too.’
“Hey!”
Koi let out a shout and dropped his papers when Kakeru came skating in front of him. Kakeru flipped his board into his hand and leaned down to help pick up the papers.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Kakeru apologized. “I've been trying to look cool for you but it seemed like everyone at the school except you has noticed.”
“Sorry I have more important things to think about than your tricks.” Koi snapped and tried to grab his papers from Kakeru only for the skater to dodge the advance.
“What has my Ballerina so distracted?” Kakeru hummed and took a look at the papers.
“Kakeru!” Koi tried for the papers again but Kakeru moved out of the way.
Kakeru pursed his lips. “You’re not doing too well in class, Sylphide.”
“Yeah, I know! Now give me back my papers!” Koi lunged again only for Kakeru to dodge the attempt. “Kakeru, please!”
The skater blinked and looked away from the exams to see the pink eyes he loved so much having tears pricking the sides.
“Oh hey, don’t cry…” Kakeru frowned and handed Koi his papers.
The pink-haired student sniffed before snatching the tests from the blond. He stuffed them in his bag and glared at Kakeru.
“Leave me alone.”
“Koi, look I know you’re upset…”
“My grades already suck, I don’t need to be around the likes of you and make things worse.”
Kakeru felt his chest tightened at the words of venom from his crush and watched as he went on his way. However, Kakeru took a deep breath and decided not to take the words to heart. He jumped back onto his skateboard and followed Koi on the path to his dorm.
“You may want to hang out with the likes of me because I know how to raise up your grades.” Kakeru declared.
“Really? What, are you going to tutor me?” Koi laughed at the idea.
“Matter of fact, I am.” Kakeru wrinkled his nose and skated his way in front of Koi. He jumped off his board and puffed out his chest, invading Koi’s space. “You have a problem with that Ballerina?”
“B-But you're…” Koi held back his words. Marshmallows could be toasted on the burning fire in Kakeru’s intense amber eyes as he waited for Koi to say something. Koi figured his situation was already bad as is, calling his attacker dumb could only make things worst.
“I’m what?” Kakeru’s brows furrowed.
Koi remained quiet, only looking down at the sidewalk to escape Kakeru’s intense stare. The blond clicked his tongue and backed off Koi, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“Coward,” Kakeru grumbled and shrugged his shoulders. “If you don’t have anything to say, then I’ll see you at the library tomorrow after school. Got it?”
Koi nodded and watched as Kakeru jumped back onto his skateboard.
“If you don’t come, I’ll come to you,” Kakeru smirked and continued on his way.