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If you asked anyone at Hope's Peak about Kiyotaka Ishimaru, the ultimate moral compass, it would be one thing.
He works far too much.
Whenever class wasn’t in session, he would be studying or cleaning the classrooms or many Hopes Peak hallways. He took pride in his morals committee as well, often doing jobs like tutoring other students as well.
When class was in session he always gave it his 100% and always followed directions to a T. To Kiyotaka, an assignment either was a 100% or a 0% for him. Any other grades or percentages didn’t exist. A pure perfectionist who did exactly what he prides himself most on. The ability to work hard.
Whenever someone asked him if he could handle all the work, he would do a salute and assure them he was handling things just fine!
Though..he always came in clearly missing some sleep and even missing some meals.
Mondo Owada was not a fan.
Even a few years ago when they hated each other, Mondo still didn't like seeing him overworking himself this much. Maybe it was because he was a gang leader and had to look after the gang, which while Kiyotaka definitely wasn't, he was a classmate of his. It was always concerning even then. Even if Mondo always tried to ignore those feelings by complaining about Kiyotaka having a stick up his ass with how stern he was.
He stopped using that excuse however, after the experience in the sauna competition they had. Where they talked about themselves and realized they had more in common than initially believed. From that day forth they became bros! And..only a bit later that developed into a romantic relationship.
If Mondo worried about Kiyotaka even when they were enemies, that worry only increased the closer it got. Kiyotaka was a strong, ambitious man who could care for himself. Mondo knows this, but Kiyo is still human. He needs to relax and take breaks. It ain't healthy. Thus he did his best to convince Kiyotaka to take it easy once in a while. There..are still a lot of steps to go. He knows it isn't easy to suddenly change your entire lifestyle.
Mondo ended up walking to Kiyotaka’s dorm. They called each other earlier and agreed to hang out at this time. Maybe go on a little date. Kiyotaka did agree to go out on a motorcycle date with him and Mondo couldn't help, but be excited to feel the wind on their faces and his boyfriend's arms around him.
He knocks at the door and only a second later he hears Kiyotaka’s booming voice. “Come in!”
Mondo opens the door and has to hold back a groan. There was Kiyotaka Ishimaru, hard at work once again. His red eyes pierced onto what looked like millions of assignments he was working on. He was completely focused on his studies.
Usually Mondo loved seeing that focused look on his boyfriend’s face. But when he has been doing this all day with no breaks most likely knowing his boyfriends bad habits?
Oh hell no.
For now, Mondo made his way to peer over Kiyotaka’s shoulder. “How long have ya been studying for?”
“Oh about..” Kiyotaka thinks before biting his lower lip. “Ah! Only for about two hours! O-one hour earlier and one hour now!”
Mondo raised an eyebrow. Yeah…he did not believe him. At all.
He knew his boyfriend was a honest person who detest lying (He had come across him scolding Kokichi for that multiple times), but Kiyotaka knew about Mondo worrying about him over working like a mother hen. Thus Kiyotaka was trying to hide how much he was working which showed in his face. He had a large awkward grin with him advertising his red eyes back and forth.
“You…are a terrible liar..”
“Huh!? N-no I am not! I am only being completely truthful to you!”
Mondo sighed. This could go on forever..he couldn't help but be relieved that his patience has grown over the years. “You aren’t fooling me, Kiyo. You have been studying nearly all goddamn day, huh?”
Kiyotaka pauses before shaking his head, still intending to keep up his lie. “I-I have not! I have been taking breaks and had a fulfilling freetime!”
Damn his boyfriend’s stubbornness. But one thing..Mondo was stubborn too.
“Then why are you stuttering and sweating like you're a young schoolgirl with a damn crush?”
Kiyotaka blinks a little and thinks even more. Trying to think of more excuses. “I am simply…n-not feeling the best!”
“That's just another reason why you shouldn't be working this intensely and resting, ya know?” Mondo REALLY wanted to call Kiyotaka a hypocrite for this, Mondo got a small cold once and Kiyotaka stopped him from doing gang business to rest.
Kiyotaka pauses once again before grumbling to himself looking rather frustrated. He turns back to his work. “I am feeling good enough to study as I am used to!’
Mondo rolled his eyes. These excuses again? Mondo could tell Kiyotaka had some light bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and the like.
It frustrated him so much. Kiyotaka worked so damn hard! Sure it was admirable, but humans needed a break dammit! Mondo’s patience was getting better, but it wasn’t perfect.
But dammit he felt it break seeing his boyfriends stupid, stubborn face to keep unhealthily working.
“Alright! I had enough!”
Mondo took a few steps and lifted Kiyotaka up from his shoulders, making the short man gasp. “What do you think you're doing!?”
“You are taking a break and that's goddamn final!” Mondo exclaimed back to him. He thought of taking Kiyotaka on that motorcycle date..but that wasn't the main idea on his mind now. What was on his mind was getting his boyfriend some damn relaxation and care! And he was going to like it!
“Unhand me you..you heathen!” Kiyotaka struggles and he tries to get out of Mondo’s grip. They were about equal in strength, but the way they were positioned it was difficult for Mondo to stop him.
Eventually, Mondo sets him down on his best giving him a glare. “Now! You stay right here!”
Kiyotaka blinks before glaring. “I'm not a dog, Mondo!”
Mondo only glared right back at him, already beginning to put Kiyotaka's studying materials away. He never cared to organize his own stuff, but gladly would organize Kiyotaka’s (number one cause of love reasons and number two..cause he would be scolded if one thing of Kiyotaka was out of place. He always needs his things to be organized to study he guessed).
“I aint saying ya are! I know that! But I want ya to stay there!”
Kiyotaka huffed at Mondo, bossing him around clearly, but Mondo didn't really care right now as he walked off to Kiyotaka’s small dorm kitchen.
After about ten minutes, Mondo came back out and sighed in relief seeing Kiyotaka still sitting on the bed. He still looked a bit upset..and a bit awkward just doing nothing..but hey.
Mondo hands him a cup of tea. He wasn't the..best at making tea..but it was certainly passable. Kiyotaka blinked in surprise before taking it and giving a sip. Mondo clearly gave it a bit too cool. He nods a little. “This..is very good. Thank you, Mondo.”
Mondo smiles a bit, already calming down, seeing Kiyotaka sit down with a nice, hot drink. “Anytime. I know I’m not the best with tea making..but I hope ya like it.”
Kiyotaka nods. “I do..”
Kiyotaka takes a few more sips as the two go to silence. After their short little..argument they guessed you could call it..it was rather awkward.
Once Kiyotaka finishes he goes to get up. “Alright! I had a refreshing drink! Time to go back to my studies! After all, working hard is the key to succ-ESS!!”
Kiyotaka was cut off by a gasp as he was pulled back down by Mondo. “Kiyo..ya have been studying all damn day..you can take the rest of the short day off.”
Kiyotaka blinks slowly. He should have expected this..but Mondo sounded very sincere and concerned when talking to him this time. He..wasn't used to people actually worrying about him so much..other than his father. So having someone like Mondo in his life..he still wasn’t completely used to.
After a few more moments of thinking..he sighs. Maybe..the other was right..
“Very well. On one condition.”
Mondo quickly nods, not taking one second to think about it. “Right what is it?”
Kiyotaka grabs his hand, squeezing it giving a firm squeeze. Mondo’s hand felt rough from all the years of biker activities..but Kiyotaka still loved the feeling. After all, his hand was rather rough from all the writing and work from the years. Mondo looks at him with a small blush making Kiyotaka hold back a chuckle. Mondo, despite his attitude, was still easy to fluster.
“You stay here tonight!”
Mondo immediately grins. “Already planning on that. After all, I got a great date idea with you tomorrow morning!”
Kiyotaka smiles. “I look forward to it! Thank you, Mondo!”