Chapter Text
You’d think that a math class is nothing more than numbers and letters. Adding them, subtracting them, dividing or multiplying them. Right? No other math class that Miya had been in, had ever had to do some stupid project that seemingly strayed completely from what math actually was. Once they had to draw for a separate project, though it was through a scaled graph. He supposed that had some math to it, it required calculating certain measurements. But the current project the teacher was explaining made no sense. ‘Plan a Future on a Budget’ was what she had called it. This meant having to think about what he wanted to be in the future, having to see how much his career choice would make him monthly and yearly. That was a lot to think about for a kid who was merely fourteen. Nonetheless, he supposed this was better than having to learn anything new.
The one thing that would be difficult about this whole project was that it’d be a paired-up task. Now, it wasn’t private knowledge that Miya didn’t exactly have many friends. Don’t think he could count the three adults and two high schoolers he’d been around his buddies. That was a little odd when you tried to tell any other adult, and got him a few questions. He couldn’t just flat out say, “Oh yeah I met them at this illegal skating thing that happens really fucking late at night.” now could he. No. At school he had none either, that whole story had been something he’d already talked about. It was a little upsetting that his group had parted off without him for simply improving. As much as he’d missed the joy he felt when skating with them, he wasn’t going to beg them to be around him once more.
Mindlessly tapping the eraser of his pencil lightly against his bottom lip, he hadn’t been paying attention to the teacher pairing them off. Not until the loud smooth voice called out his name, bringing his focus to the front of the class once more. Oh, he was getting paired off now, it wouldn’t matter who he was with anyway. He’d more than likely not have talked to them, or he’d offer to do most of the actual math portion of it. It made things easier if he just did the work, saved him the trouble of small talk or having anyone else dislike him for a seemingly stupid reason. Pencil being set down gently while he scanned her roll list to see who he’d have as a ‘fortunate’ partner. A bored sigh passing his lips that quickly got sucked back in the second he heard her speak again. Of all people he could have possibly been stuck with, it just had to be the one person who’d priorly ‘abandoned’ him. At least in Chinens’ mind that's how he viewed it, didn’t think much about how Takashi had felt. Obviously, he knew he was upset not being at the same level as him anymore, but that wasn’t necessarily his fault now was it. Still that feeling of his breath being stuck in his throat was becoming even more notable. Heart nearly sinking into the pit of his stomach, it made him uneasy. He wasn’t one to get nervous most of the time, yet he couldn’t remember a single time he was far more nervous than he was right about now.
Gaze looked around till it landed on the familiar brunette, who looked almost unreadable. He didn’t seem happy or thrilled, but he didn’t look completely burdened by this. That was a good thing he supposed, right? Yeah. Humming gently his pointer finger pushed his pencil to and fro, watching it roll with ease between his finger pad and the desk. Well, it wasn’t a bad duo. He was good at math, it had always been one of his better subjects in school. Takashi seemed pretty good at it as well, with his participation in class at least it seemed that way. The project would drag out for about two weeks, he’d have to find a way of talking to Taka. This was an opportunity to rekindle, he could show the other that he wasn’t as impertinent as he’d made himself out to be. The palm of his hand resting over the pencil while he listened to his teacher finish off pairing people.
Chair legs screeched loudly against the tiled floor once she’d finished off, watching everyone hurriedly go to sit with their friends and begin this god-forsaken assignment. Moving to gather his things so he could go over to Takashi’s sitting area. Though while he was doing that, the soft thud of a bag falling next to him made him jump the slightest bit. Following to see where that had come from he was only met with the brunette pulling a chair up so he could sit by the raven. Hand moving up to wave as a greeting before he’d grabbed his notebook and pen.
“Been a minute hasn’t it.” he’d stated, not in a questionable tone. Rather a statement, letting them both know it was something to acknowledge.
“Yeah. I wonder why that could be,” the noirette remarked. Words slipped out a little too easily, there was his shot at trying not to come off rude. Good job, Miya.
“Touché.”
That single word shouldn’t have made his lips tug up in the slightest. Yet, it did. A warm feeling washing over him. The few words they had just exchanged were small, yet it brought back that nostalgic feeling of how they’d gotten along prior to their friendship ending. Something about how well Takashi had taken that remark, and only merely acknowledged he’d dug himself that one was pleasant. No bickering back and forth like he did with Shadow or Reki, just shot down fairly quick. Though, Taka had a habit of always seemingly humbling Miya. Usually, and he was always thankful for that. It had stopped him from becoming a snobby brat for a long while, up until recently that is. But, that was probably because they weren’t exactly on speaking terms. Biting the insides of his cheeks to hold back the stupid grin pulling at the corners of his lips, he grabbed his own notebook and pencil once more. Placing it on his desk, he leaned back on his seat. Gaze locking to maintain eye contact with Takashi, one of his legs resting his ankle on his other knee.
“Aren’t I just the luckiest? Got paired up with Japans’ Candidate for the National team, how’s that working for you?” there hadn’t been any hint of sarcasm behind that last bit. It felt like a genuine question.
“You should feel honored to be graced with my presence, you are lucky,” a small laugh interrupting what he was about to say. Shaking his head to dismiss that, to let the other know he wasn’t being serious. “Fine I guess, I mean there’s definitely a lot of other talented skaters who have more of an upper hand than I do. I still got a shot though, been practicing my ass off to improve though. I’ve learned not to slack, the hard way but I did.”
“What’s this, the Miya Chinen feels inferior to others? What happened to being the ‘hero’ of this story?” if there hadn’t been that slight chuckle at the end of what he said, Miya would have assumed Takashi still believed him to be too good to be around still. But there was a clear joking overtone to that, which almost brought relief to the boy.
“I’ll remind you, I never saw myself as the hero of this story. You’ve just titled me that, I never thought I’d been better than any of you..” voice soft and quiet while he spoke. It still felt like walking on nails with this subject, he’d never properly moved on from it. Yet, there was no reason to be hung up on what had happened months ago. “Least not until now, I haven’t seen anything new from you. Have you even been trying to improve?” he asked, a smug smile plastered on his face. Just cause he was a little nervous didn’t mean he’d dismiss his usual mannerisms.
“You just remember everything don’t you, Chinen? But, for your information I actually have, and I bet I’m not that much behind you.”
“Well, we’ve got just about two weeks for you to prove that. We also have two weeks to finish this assignment, so we should probably actually get to discussing that now. I’m not the fondest of letting work pile up and having to half-ass it all last minute. I’m sure you of all people would know that.”
“I’m more than aware of that, you’re really going to stay on my ass about this aren’t you. Actually, don’t answer that. I know you will.”
The noirette only nodded, hand moving to fix the beret placed on his head. Leaning a bit closer so he could see what the brunette was doing. Merely Going over the smaller things of the assignment. Who was figuring out the living cost, who would figure out the school budgets if either went to college, who was doing the transportation cost, and who would figure out the food budget. Discussing their future career choices as well, that would give them an idea of how much they’d collectively have monthly together. A doctors’ salary and a professional skaters' salary promised them a good budget. Both of them exchanging numbers once the bell had rung and parting ways after. It wasn’t the worst start, but it would get them somewhere. Nothing felt forced or heavy, it seemed both boys were pretty much ready to ignore what had been said and try to fix things. Or maybe they were both just acting that way to get a good grade. Either way, there could only really be a good result from these events.
Making his way out of the campus Miya went to the bus stop nearby, waiting until it arrived and stepping in. Mindlessly playing a game on his phone until he’d gotten to his stop, and once off he had a small walks way to Joes’ restaurant. It’s usually where he went now, to get some sort of snack and keep the older male company when he wasn’t busy. At least that’s what Miya said, in reality, it was more of Joe keeping Miya company. ‘Least today he had something to tell him, not that they gossiped.. But they both definitely talked about their days, and problems, or annoyances. A completely normal routine.