Chapter Text
With the sound of the door opening, long after the bell rang, he stepped in the classroom and sat down in his seat. Only a few eyes turned to him, the others knew who it was and knew who was the one who would always come in late. Even the teacher began ignoring his late entrances, she didn't even bother to pause the lecture to confront him about it, to ask what was his reason today.
Yeah, he's troublesome. He barely passed his first year. I doubt he'll pass this one. To be honest he's... well, an idiot.
And he knew teachers were saying things such things, he was aware of his fate this year. It's not like he cared. It's not like he ever even tried, he didn't see the point in it. What will happen will happen. He'll do whatever with his life, he planned it out this way before he even started the four years of high school.
He sat down in his seat and pretended to pay attention. The only thing he ended up paying attention to was the piercing gaze, which was pointed directly at him. Whenever he came late to class, he'd feel this gaze. It was annoying, but he couldn't do anything about it. He knew what will happen after this class. There was no point in trying to avoid it. He just sighed and tried to focus on the lecture, but as always the words the teacher was saying didn't make any sense.
"School camp," were the only words that didn't fly past his ears. In a few seconds the teacher was handing papers around and he was ver confused about what was going on. Were they really going to a school camp? Or did he mishear something? There was a list of the thing, which he was guessing they needed for the camp? He wanted to lean back or forward to sleep through the rest of the lecture, but the bell rang. The teacher left and withing seconds, someone was standing in front of his desk. "You were late again today, Mondo. You know it's-" "-against the school rules so be late, unless I have a good reason. I get it, you push that into my face everyday. I'd love it if you minded your own business, dude. I really don't care." "It could affect the way you end this school year you know? I'm not saying this out of empathy, but it seems like you aren't self aware enough to reconsider your habits." "Whatever, it's all bullshit anyways. Why don't you tell me what's the deal with all this school camp shit?" "You'd know if you came earlier. Or if you payed attention a little while ago. We're going to a school camp in two weeks. The rest of the info should be on this list." "Why don't you just tell me all of it?" "Because I don't suppose you ever listen to anybody, besides the voice in your head telling you that you should barge in in the middle of a class, distracting everybody." "Whatever, I guess I'll read it when I start caring about this nonsense." Taka rolled his eyes and walked away. Mondo was sometimes getting on his nerves and he couldn't stand him. What an idiot he was.
Maybe their relationship wouldn't be so troublesome if Mondo didn't know this one certain thing about Taka. That's what Taka thought. He was hiding his well, but luck was not on his side one day and now Mondo knew.
If Mondo decides that everyone should know what he does, they'll know. And I should be worried about it, right? But should I? I should. There are awful people here and if they find out, if Mondo tells them, I'll be bullied. I certainly don't want that. Taka felt as if his stomach turned around every time he stepped into the classroom. Barely any eyes turned to him and even if they did, they immediately turned back away. The only eyes that would be looking at him for longer than a second were Mondo's. They turned away after Taka saw him pacing out.
"Miss Ishimaru! Please come give me a hand!" one of the teachers called for Taka. "Coming!"
Taka got up from his seat and set a foot out of the classroom. "Mr Ishimaru," he heard someone whisper behind him right before the bell rang. He turned around in fright, to see it was only Mondo. "You think you're funny," said Taka and rolled his eyes. "You're not." "I'm not trying to be funny," said Mondo. "I was just wondering if you'll respond to that." "And I did, good job, go back to class." "Calm down, it's not like I'll tell anyone." "I'd love to believe you, but I just can't bring myself to do so."
"What if I told you that I have a secret too?" said Mondo the moment Taka wanted to leave. "Doesn't everyone?" said Taka, facing away from him. Mondo rolled his eyes at Taka's comment. He made a step closer. "And what would you think if I were to tell you it's almost as big as yours?" "I would not care. Good for you. Or bad for you. Do what you want with yours." "I'm telling you, Ishimaru, what if we aren't so different after all?" "I really have to go, I promised-" "I won't tell anyone," said Mondo, causing Taka to turn around. "And I promise- I swear on my name-" "You don't give a damn about your name," Taka rolled his eyes. "I'd be surprised if you ever gave a damn at all." "Oh, you think you're so tough," Mondo frowned at him and stepped closer looking down at him, staring directly into his eyes. He was trying to intimidate him or make him back off. Taka had no intention of doing any of that.
"I'll be leaving now," said Taka and waited for Mondo to back off. Of course, none of them intended on doing so. "You didn't let me finish before." "Well, do that now, I have to get going." Mondo leaned closer down to Taka. "I'll keep your secret to myself. I won't tell anyone who you really are. And that is a promise. But I might reconsider that if you keep getting on my nerves, tough guy." They stared at each other for a while. "... Just kidding."
Mondo turned around and went to class without saying a word. Taka stood there, motionless. "So, he really knows all of that. Damn it."
"Miss Ishimaru! Oh there you are! Will you help me with these- oh my are you okay, were you crying? Did that Owada boy say something mean to you?"
Taka shook his head and wiped his tears away with the edge of his sleeve. "I'm fine... Would you mind if I go to the restroom for a minute or two?" The teacher nodded. "Take as much time as you need. Then you can come help me if you want to. I'll excuse you from class for this period alright?" She patted Taka's back and then left. Taka went to the restroom and locked himself in one of the stalls. He leaned against the wall and let out a deep sigh.
Tears were gathering in his throat and he just wanted to go home and disappear forever. It was awful. Everything Taka knew about himself, Mondo now knew too.
How did it even come to this again?
"Why couldn't I be more carful, this is awful, if only I was careful- it's too late now." He sighed and covered his face, feeling his hands wet up from the tears that had finally escaped his throat.
The only reason he was crying in a bathroom stall right now was because he ended up irresponsibly leaving his journal open while Mondo was next to him. It was not just because of that, Mondo also decided to get handsy and snatch it from Taka's hands and read the one specific paragraph where Taka went in detail about how uncomfortable is he with how people see him. A paragraph that only he and he alone should know about. Well, now Mondo did too.
"So you' want to be seen as a guy?" Mondo said in an unexpectedly calm and quiet voice. Taka snatched the journal out of Mondo's hands. "I- I believe that doesn't concern you." "Whatever dude," Mondo said and shrugged. "It's not like it's important to me or anything." Mondo turned around and left. Taka watched him leave. This is gonna be a disaster, he thought to himself.