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He had never seen him before, that was obvious. Not in that class, or in the university at all. If he had, he would recognize him. That hair, those clothes that were undoubtedly expensive, that porcelain skin that didn't fit there at all.
He had many questions. First, why was he there all alone, sitting at the desk, while various groups of students were meeting and chatting with the rest of the class.
While thinking about this, Ryunosuke realized two things. First, that he had been looking at the boy longer than was appropriate. Second, that he didn't have a seat to sit in when class started.
That led him to go sit down next to that boy.
“Good morning” Ryunosuke said.
The boy's reaction was to jump, surprised. Ryunosuke was about to back off.
“Excuse me, is this seat free?”
Those nervous eyes didn’t stop looking at him. He saw him open his mouth a little, as if he was looking for something to say, but he couldn't find it.
Ryunosuke looked at him with curiosity. Was he shy? Did he not want anyone to sit next to him? If he was like that, he would understand and leave him alone. But he still wanted to help that student who looked so lost.
“Are you new here?” he finally dared to ask. But the reaction to all his words was the same. A shrug, as he pursed his lips, a weak shake of his head.
After a few seconds full of doubts, Ryunosuke had a sudden idea.
“Do you speak English?” he asked, and the reaction came immediately. His eyes widened, his face lit up, his shoulders relaxed. And Ryunosuke smiled too when he noticed what such simple words had caused.
“Can I sit here?”
"Yes, yes, of course," the boy replied, with a cheerful voice.
When he had taken his place, the stranger spoke again.
“This is English literature class, right?”
“Yes, it is. From English Studies.”
“Is this your degree?” he asked, and Ryunosuke nodded. “I see. Your English is very good.”
Those words, for some reason, felt like the best compliment he could receive. He might had smiled a little.
"My name is Naruhodo Ryunosuke," he said, and that made the boy introduce himself with a slight bow.
“My name is Barok van Zieks.”
Was that a nobleman's surname? He didn't have the chance to ask, because the class started. Ryunosuke had to spend the lesson full of doubts about that boy, the reason for his presence in this place.
When the class was over, he saw Barok picking up his notebooks, some Japanese books that he had barely touched, and his mind was asking questions again.
“Do you have any classes now?”
“No, until the afternoon... I was going out to the garden, to read.”
Ryunosuke's plan had been to go to the library and finish some essays that were quite urgent. However, he found himself there, following him to the garden of the university, sitting under a tree with that peculiar student.
They did not read, nor did their homework. They spent a long time talking, Ryunosuke asking all the questions that were on his mind. This way he discovered where this young man came from, this second son of a Lord who had come to Japan on a student exchange. Actually, that exchange was for his older brother, but he had wanted Barok to accompany him in this experience.
"I still don't really know what I'm doing here," he confessed, his soft hand caressing the grass. “I haven't finished my studies, I don't even speak Japanese… And I don't know anyone…”
And Ryunosuke knew, instantly, that he would take his arm and lead him through this new country, and he would not let him go.
***
As he was leaving the university, he saw Kazuma in the distance, and immediately went with him.
“I know we were going to have dinner tonight, but do you mind if I bring someone else?”
Kazuma looked visibly surprised.
“Who?”
“You don't know him. He is new at the university. But you'll like him, you'll see!”
When Kazuma went to the meeting place that night, there was a certain doubt in him. He was waiting for them, arms folded. He didn't like the idea of anyone joining the night he was going to spend with Ryunosuke.
When his partner finally arrived, and he saw the young man who was with him, Kazuma was surprised. He didn't know what he had expected, but it wasn't that western boy, with too-fancy clothes and a shy expression. He walked following Ryunosuke, not wanting to move away from him. Barok was surprised when Ryunosuke saw Kazuma and ran towards him.
"Good evening, partner," Kazuma said.
“Good evening!” He then gestured to the boy, and switched to English. “This is Lord Barok van Zieks. He is on a student exchange.”
Each of those words made Kazuma's eyebrows rise higher. When he spoke to Ryunosuke, he did it again in Japanese.
“Lord? Is he an English aristocrat?”
“Yeah. And…he doesn't speak Japanese very well, so we'd better switch to English.”
Kazuma looked at him from the corner of his eye. A half smile appeared on his face. And immediately headed towards him.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord van Zieks. My name is Asogi Kazuma. I'm glad you're joining us tonight.”
“It is an honour. I thank you for this welcome. And… there is no need to call me by the title. The lord van Zieks is my brother.”
“So be it... Barok.”
He held out his hand, and the aristocrat took it after a few seconds. A blush had appeared on his cheeks.
“Thank you. You Japanese are very friendly and welcoming.”
“Why don't we sit down? I'm sure we have a lot to talk about.”
They ended up sitting on an outdoor bench, with Ryunosuke in the middle, and trays of sushi in front of them. Barok had the chopsticks in his hands, fiddling with them, unable to find a way to make them work. He was looking at the food with curiosity, a plate he had never tasted before.
Kazuma looked at him, and leaned closer to whisper in Ryunosuke's ear:
“Admit it. Have you brought him with us because of how adorable he is?”
“No!” he exclaimed, surprising Barok. He apologized quickly, and leaned in to whisper to Kazuma. “He was alone in class and he doesn't know anyone. And he seems very nice.”
Barok had been looking at them, not understanding. Trying to break the awkward moment, Ryunosuke took one of the rolls and handed it to Barok.
“Here, try this.”
The gesture took him by surprise, and caused him to blush even more as he stuffed the sushi into his mouth. He subtly covered his lips with a handkerchief as he chewed on it.
"It's delicious," he finally said, making Ryunosuke smile.
"There's something you should try too" Kazuma said. That half smile had returned. “Give me a second.”
Barok and Ryunosuke waited for him, eating from their sushi trays, until Kazuma returned. He had a bottle and some cups in his hand.
“What is it?” Barok asked.
"A traditional drink that you have to try on your visit to Japan," he said, and didn't add anything else as he poured him a cup of it.
Barok smelled the drink, finding that familiar aroma of alcohol that, at the same time, was unknown to him. He raised it to his lips, and took a sip.
“What is it?” he asked. “Some fermented liquor?”
"It's sake," Ryunosuke replied. “It's rice wine.”
Kazuma also poured himself a cup, and another for Ryunosuke. So, he raised his so that the three of them could toast.
They kept drinking, until the bottle ran out, and they went to ask for another. Barok seemed to be enjoying discovering this new drink. And the alcohol seemed to help loosen the tongue.
"The art of wine is so beautiful," he said, starting a new toast. “My family has vineyards, I have tried many wines, but there is always something new to discover...”
"Of course your family has vineyards," Kazuma murmured, who was also beginning to suffer from the effects of alcohol.
“It does. I wish I could show you…”
“Why not?” Ryunosuke said. “You could take us on a visit to England. Show us your manor, your gardens, your vineyards...”
"Take us on a wine tasting session, like the one we've given you now…" Kazuma added.
"Sounds like a good plan," Barok replied, seeming to lose in his thoughts. “We could see the vineyards... and then we'd go to the manor for the tasting... Oh, you should come in September, at grape harvest time.”
“Have you heard, Ryunosuke? We have a trip to England to do.”
The night went on like this, between talks, laughs and sips of sake. And when it seemed that they had had enough to drink, Ryunosuke and Kazuma exchanged glances and understood that it was better to take Barok home.
“Will the wine tastings in your vineyard end like this?” Kazuma asked, as he watched Barok walk leaning on Ryunosuke because he was starting to lose his balance.
“What? Not at all… They are sophisticated…” he murmured. The alcohol had exhausted him so much that he seemed about to fall asleep on his feet.
Thanks to his knowledge of the city and Barok's vague directions, they managed to reach the hotel where he was staying. Kazuma looked at it with raised eyebrows.
“You are staying here? Next time you should invite us to come here.”
"I'd love to," Barok said. Then he muttered something unintelligible. But it seemed to Ryunosuke that there was a certain emotion in his eyes, at the thought that there would be a next time.
He entered the hotel, and an employee at the service of his family took him up to his room. Although Barok had already left, Ryunosuke found Kazuma leaning against the column at the hotel entrance, looking at its doors.
"I like him," he murmured. “Let's keep him.”
Ryunosuke wondered how much the sake had affected him. But he smiled just the same, and put an arm around him as they headed back to their rooms.