Chapter Text
“Jeez, where is he…”
Akito pouted, one eye on the school gates, and one on his phone. It was mere minutes away from his first class, but he didn’t feel like attending without hearing anything from his friend, Toya. Usually he’d arrive unreasonably early, and Akito would be the one getting a scolding for lacking in punctuality, so a situation like this instilled deep concern in him. As time went on, he kept waiting, and waiting, until the school bell rang. He had English today anyways; might as well just skive.
Akito sat on the concrete outside the school gates scrolling on social media for about ten minutes, before hearing distant familiar panting sounds. He turned his head to see Toya, slowly walking towards the school while completely out of breath.
“Oi, Toya! What took you so long!?”
Akito shouted across the street, but his words seemingly fell on deaf ears. Worried, he picked himself up and ran to check on his friend.
“What’s up? No offence, you look… awful.”
Toya’s hair and clothes were messed up and far from the perfect honour student vibe he usually gives off, his face was flushed red out of exhaustion, and his expression…
“A-Akito… Am I-I late?..”
Toya asked between heavy breaths and sniffs. His words were barely audible, but Akito knew him well enough to make out his question.
“Uh… Well, yeah. It’s 9:12.”
This information struck Toya like a bullet directly to his heart. His legs gave out and he dramatically collapsed to the floor in obvious mental anguish, like he’d been casted in a Shakespeare play. Finding the whole situation rather extra, he reluctantly kneeled down to console him.
“Hey, uh… What’s gotten you in such a state anyway? What happened?”
The blue haired boy lifted his head up at Akito’s interrogation, and revealed his shiny silver eyes were bloodshot and slick with tears.
“...”
“Was it…”
“.....”
Akito diverted his eyes and sighed.
“Tch… That bastard…”
“Akito...” Toya growled.
“Yeah, yeah, I know, sorry. You’re just tryna make things work, I get that. But look what he’s done to you, man…”
Akito placed a hand on Toya’s shoulder and helped him stand back up. He allowed Toya a chance to regain his breath and calm his composure before speaking again.
“...Akito. Why didn’t you just go in?” Toya’s voice stung with a hint of sadness and disappointment.
“...I was worried about you. You weren’t respondin’ to my texts or anythin’.”
“But…”
“Hey, Toya. Look. We’re gonna be late anyways if we go in now. I’m sure with your perfect attendance they won’t care if you miss just one day. Hm… Ah. I’ve got it.”
Toya perked up slightly and directed his gaze towards Akito’s subdued olive eyes.
“My parents took Ena to see some art gallery across the country today, why don’t you crash at my place tonight? You won’t need to see that prick again until tomorrow. Sounds good?”
The offer left Toya deep in thought. Akito made an enticing point, but the thought of rebelling against his parent’s words, like always, shook him seriously to his core…
“But… My fath-”
“To hell with him! C’mon, Toya! Let’s just have some fun!”
Akito swung his arm round Toya’s neck, and began effectively dragging him across the street. Toya’s head still wasn’t fully clear, but he seemed to have no other option. Maybe he should just embrace it, and enjoy getting to spend time with Akito outside of school and practice.