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“Owada!” His teacher shouted at him, causing the whole class to turn their heads and face him. He was scribbling and drawing on his paper when he was called on, his head shot up to stare at the teacher thinking of a quick response. He took a glance at the board and quickly came up with an answer.
“X equals forty two?” He guessed. The teacher as well as a few of the smarter students looked a bit puzzled as the rest of the class processed his answer.
“Correct..” The teacher muttered and wrote down the answer on the board, explaining how to reach that conclusion with the equation on the board already. Mondo sat there in confusion, wondering how the hell he even got that correct in the first place.
He zoned out for so long that the teacher had finished explaining and started passing back grades from their last test back to everyone. His attention was quickly grabbed by a piece of paper slowly tossed on his desk.
Mondo grabbed it hesitantly, looking through the pages seeing how many he got wrong before looking at the actual grade.
C
There it was, circled in big red ink. It wasn’t the absolute worst, he knows his mother surely expects worse from him but it's okay for him. He’s happy. He knows the School definitely is more lenient with the less smarter ultimates, he's passing with that information for sure.
Mondo distracts himself by looking up at the clock, waiting for class to be over so he can retreat to his dorm room. Thirty minutes remained and he internally groaned, Thirty more minutes of the worst part of his day. He should have just skipped it when he got the chance, but if he skipped now that would involve taking his stuff with him so he wouldn’t have to retrieve them.
“I hope that you all have had time to review your tests, because the last thirty minutes of class is dedicated to talking about an upcoming project and festival,” Their teacher announced, writing down ‘Festival’ on the board before sitting down at the teacher's desk. “Now, everyone please be respectful while Kiyotaka explains the festival.”
The mentioned boy stood up, looking as serious as he always did and walked up to the front of the class.
Mondo almost let out a scoff at his classmate. Ishimaru always found a way to get under his skin, with his classmate whenever he was on hall monitor duty always sniffing him out and sending him back to class while Mondo tried to skip. His opinion of the man was… Less than tolerable.
To put it lightly he’s a prissy ass bitch who is too stuck up for his own good with a G.P.A higher than Togami’s total net worth.
“Hello, all!” The ultimate at the front of the class smiled, with no response from the others he looked around nervously and continued. “The time has come for this year’s annual Ultimate Festival. A festival led by the headmaster with the help of the school’s Moral Committee and Council. As this class representative from the Committee and the head, I have taken it upon myself as well as the other members from each class to explain the project and festival.”
Mondo raised an eyebrow, and the rest of the class had either nervous or thoughtful looks on their faces. Everyone knew this day was going to come, after all they all attended the sample one made for up-and-coming students before they started their first year. Now they have to help in the festival for the whole school.
Mondo finds it fitting that the one to run this event would be the Ultimate Moral Compass, though that would just mean him and all his friend’s ideas would get rejected. Maybe expect for Chihiro’s, cause how can the dude fuck up showcasing programming?
He started trying to think of Ideas that wouldn’t get rejected by the committee, or in this case, Ishimaru.
“The festival’s time slots are as follows; First years will roam around all the showcases, then when their time is up head back to theirs for the second years to roam. That would include this class. By the end of their time, The third years shall go and look around, Just so everyone is looking at an active station. Reserve course students will be permitted to wander the whole time.” The teenager in front of them explained, but Mondo wasn’t paying attention.
What does the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader do for a ‘display your ultimate’ presentation?
“Your project needs a 100 word minimum description of your ultimate, and then bring in something to do with it or have a presentation ready. You could have a stand or a booth somewhere on the school’s outdoor field.”
He could show off some cool tricks?
“Please be aware of other students around you, do not get too messy and ideas will get checked over by a committee member, in this case it is me you would come to. Most importantly, have fun presenting and getting in your element!” Ishimaru smiled and looked up from the paper Mondo didn’t even realize he was reading from. He looked around the class but when he got no reaction or even slight facial expression change he went to sit down back in his seat.
Give out free rides?
Their teacher cleared their throat and announced, “The next few minutes left of class will be used to brainstorm ideas, please don’t get too rowdy.”
Teach kids, possibly?
As Mondo got lost in thought trying to come up with something, kids like Byakuya, Celeste, and Kyoko all lined up next to Kiyotaka to get approval. They unsurprisingly had gotten it and all went back to their respective seats. Although kids like Yasuhiro and Leon immediately got rejected and sent back to their seats.
“Uhm, Taka? I have a question.” He heard Makoto behind him ask the other.
“Yes?”
“How am I supposed to, you know, show off my talent?” Makoto was dealt an unfortunate hand in his time at Hopes Peak, with having no real talent other than getting lucky.
Ishimaru went silent for a moment before responding, “Well, what about a presentation about how being selected for Hopes peak has affected you? How it has changed your life and plans for the future?”
Makoto thought over options for a moment before humming in agreement. “That's a good idea, I’ll do that. Thank you, Taka.”
“Of course!”
“You know, If you need an idea you can just ask Kiyotaka, right?” A soft voice came from behind him, scaring Mondo.
“Oh– crap!” Mondo shouted and turned his head to look at Chihiro who was giggling slightly.
“Oh but you probably don't want to do that,” Chihiro said, almost sadly. “I’m just concerned how you didn’t come up with an idea at the beginning of the year. Almost everyone was wondering what they would do as soon as they heard the festival existed.”
Mondo rested his head on his desk, shaking his head. “I dunno Chi! I wasn’ thinkin’ ‘bout it!”
Chihiro just sighed and patted his back in an attempt to comfort him. “It’s okay Mondo..” She chuckled and then retreated to her seat.
–
Mondo sat in his dorm, sitting at his desk at 5 P.M. Idealess. He rarely sat down here, when he actually decided he would do homework he just used his binder as a hard surface and did it on his bed.
That didn’t matter though. Ideas were due the next day, and Mondo was too full of himself to ask for help. He had a bunch of ideas written down, but him being him he overthought everything and every choice. He doesn’t have much time left to choose.
He goes over his options again. But over and over no matter how many times he goes over them the same voice in his head keeps nagging him.
‘That won't get accepted!’
‘That won’t work!’
“These aren’t even good ideas.’
Mondo runs his hands through his hair, he’d had it down because he did not expect to go out again today. He was focused on getting the job done finally. With a sigh he looks at his list. A list of the same three ideas he had since the beginning and stood up. He’s submitting these whether they get approved or not.
He gets up and grabs his jacket on the hanger of his door, covering up the white tank top he had on and leaving to go have a chat with a certain hall monitor to get him to accept his ideas.
Kiyotaka Ishimaru’s dorm resided on the far end of the hall, while Mondos was closer to the middle. He grumbled to himself about the size of the stupid hallway, all it did was just build up pointless anticipation. This exchange was going to end only one way, with either Kiyotaka accepting his ideas or Mondo forcing him to.
Mondo is exactly wanting to talk to the hall monitor, he's afraid of this interaction turning into a screaming match just like all the others. And when hes afraid, or nervous, or any emotion really his voice raises and scares the other person.
Once he reaches the other man’s door he waits to knock on it, weighing his options.
Does he really want to do this?
Oh fuck this shit, yes he does. He bangs on the door as hard as he could, trying to get the man inside’s attention.
He hears a sliding of a rolling chair, footsteps, and finally, the doorknob of a door twisting.
“Oh gosh, stop that awful banging. Who is–” Kiyotaka opens the door. He’s wearing glasses and still in his uniform for some odd reason. Wait glasses?
Mondo stares for a moment before Kiyotaka snaps him out of it and grabs his attention. “Owada! I assume this is about your festival idea? I’d assume so because you’re the only one who hasn’t brought one to me!”
Mondo nods, and holds out the list he has, handing it to Kiyotaka. “Are these your ideas?” The shorter one looks up at him and asks.
“Yes, that's all I got. Couldn’t choose.” Mondo muttered.
Kiyotaka looked over the options and then nodded, handing the paper back to him. “These are good, just, be extra careful with your motorbike Owada!”
“What?” Mondo hadn’t expected this to go so easily.
“You’re good to go, Owada. Start working on your project now. I know I’m surely working on mine.”
“Y-yeah, yeah. I’ll do that.” Mondo whispered, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
“Owada?”
“I need help!” Mondo blurted out, his voice raising just a little. Kiyotaka looked up at him in surprise.
“Mondo Owada? Needing help? Are you okay? Do I need to bring you to the nurses?”
“No! No, I'm fine, I just need help. Makin’ it be all good ‘n stuff.” Mondo mumbled. Kiyotaka brightened, opening up his door.
“I’m always happy to help.” And just like that, Kiyotaka led them in. He can’t believe it, why would he help him?
“Because I'm more than happy to. Sit down now, I'm sure I could help you with planning in one night.”
Oh, did he say that out loud?
“Sit!” Kiyotaka brought out a notebook, adjusting his glasses and scribbling some things down.
Mondo snickered, “Fuckin’ nerd.”
Kiyotaka looked at him and glared. “Language,” He said blankly, then went back to writing.
Mondo just rolled his eyes and he watched the ultimate rip out the page he was writing on and hand it to him.
“This,” Kiyotaka started, “Is an idea for your ultimate introduction. You know, the 100 word paragraph you need to write?”
Mondo snatched it from his hand and read over the idea.
‘Being the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader is a hard job, but..’ He read and immediately crumpled it up, throwing it at Ishimaru.
“Yeah, no. I am not writing that.” Mondo scoffed, crossing his arms.
“Well what do you suggest? You came to me for help after all.”
Mondo help his hand out, asking for a piece of paper. Once the other teared out another piece, he snatched it and started writing.
‘My ultimate is…’ Mondo started to write, but Ishimaru shook his head and mumbled to himself.
“That won't do. No first person, Owada.”
“No first person? The hell am I supposed to do!” Mondo exclaimed, his jaw dropping and gaping up at Kiyotaka.
“Laguage, and, have you ever written a proper essay in your life?”
Mondo grunted, and turned away from Kiyotaka. “Some people have better things to be doin’ in like other than stupid fuckin’ school work, Ishimaru. Maybe if you took that stick out from up your ass you’d know a thing or two ‘bout havin’ a good time!”
Kiyotaka looked at Mondo in offense, then scoffed and crossed his arms. “My time is money, I don’t have time to do what your twisted idea of fun is. My fun is sitting inside studying and helping people grow academically.”
“I don’t know what I expected your response to be, but you really are fuckin’ sad aren’t ya?” Mondo laughed at him, and shook his head. “I bet you don’t even know how to interact with someone outside of a school setting.”
“And I bet you don’t know proper responsibility if it hits you in the head, Owada.”
Mondo gasped, such blatant disrespect to him. To his gang! He leads that shit everyday, what does this guy know about ‘responsibility’?
“I have plenty o’ responsibility!” Mondo retorted,”I lead a fucking bike gang for cryin’ out loud!”
“You round up a bunch of uncultured ruffians to do your bidding, more like.”
“How dare you. You wouldn’t last a day around my guys! Or, even on a bike for that matter!” Mondo yelled, and Kiyotaka grew angrier.
“And you couldn’t be in a civil and respectful environment for more than 20 minutes before you turn it on its head.”
“Wanna test that, you bitch?”
“Gladly.”
“Fine,” Mondo laughed. “Get on a bike with me, you wouldn't.”
Kiyotaka hesitated, deep in thought. This is more like how he expected the night to go, and for once he's actually happy it didn’t deviate from normality.
“Alright.”
Mondo’s eyes widened, he wasn’t expecting that answer. He definitely wasn’t.
“But,” Ah, a catch. He should have known. “You need to attend a Morals Committee and Council meeting.”
Ishimaru has gone insane, he thinks. “No way in hell will I ever attend your glorified student council meeting filled with kids who think they’re better than everyone else because they help make the rules.”
“Then you’ll never catch me on a Motorbike.” Kiyotaka crossed his arms and sat down on his bed.
Mondo thought it over, it would be pretty funny to video the guy freaking out on his bike. Though, going to the committee meeting isn’t really his style. He guesses that's the same for Ishimaru now that he thinks about it.
“Fine. I’ll go to your little club meeting. But you have to get on my bike.”
“It’s a deal.”
“A man’s promise?” Mondo raises an eyebrow at Kiyotaka.
“What's.. A man’s promise?”
“A promise between men. That you cannot break.”
“Alright then, a man’s promise.”
Kiyotaka held his hand out for Mondo to shake.
–
Mondo stood outside Kiyotaka’s dorm the next day at around three, just thirty minutes after school had ended. Mondo thought he looked fine, but Kiyotaka decided that he had to clean up a bit. The meeting didn’t start until after school for whatever reason, but everyone lived in the dorms so it's not like he cared.
He waited for a few more minutes before Kiyotaka emerged from his dorm, he didn’t look all that different to him but whatever. He didn’t care that much, because Kiyotaka looks good anyway he is.
Wait what?
Kiyotaka cleared his throat, tilting his head up to look at Mondo. “Owada, stop staring. We have somewhere to be.”
Mondo shook his head quickly, shaking away all the remaining thoughts he didn’t want.
“Yeah, lets just fuckin’ go.” He muttered under his breath and let the other lead the way to the meeting room, thus began the awkward walk.
The walk there was silent, and he wasn’t willing to talk to the person next to him all that much. Every other word that comes out of his mouth is a swear and he’s not quite in the mood to hear the man scold him and shout language over and over.
Mondo did a number of things he usually doesn’t do when walking through the school’s halls. For example, he admired the walls, nothing too interesting there. Stared at the floor, not entertaining either. He did anything but look at Ishimaru
But soon enough, Kiyotaka stopped walking in front of a door. Mondo hadn't realized the other stopped and bumped into him. He muttered a small sorry, looking at the door.
Before he realized the shorter was opening the door and gesturing for him to follow. Mondo did slowly, and when he peeked inside he saw only a few students, maybe just a handful. Some of them he recognized and some he didn’t.
“Hello, all! My apologies for the tardiness,” Kiyotaka started, and Mondo tried his hardest not to laugh at the language he used. “I have a new member with me, I am not sure for how long as it is for,” He hesitated, contemplating what to say. “Disciplinary reasons.”
Mondo looked around to look at the rest of the room’s reactions. Unsurprisingly no one from his class was in it, but he could easily identify some from class 77 and class 79. Although he couldn’t identify most, he knows he’s seen their faces before.
“That's alright, Taka. What matters is that you’re here.” The green-haired one said while calmly smiling.
Kiyotaka nodded, “Thank you, Rantaro. Now, Shall we get started?”
Mondo looked around, and to his surprise people were actually reacting to Kiyotaka. The man in charge just clapped his hands like a judge’s gavel and anyone, if they were still talking went silent.
“Does everyone have the list of students who came to them with their ideas yet?” Everyone but one kid with stupid purple hair and a fucking goatee raised their hands.
“Alright, bring the lists to me and I’ll count the total number of people. And Kaito, Is there a reason you do not have your list while the others in your class do?” Kiyotaka crossed his arms, questioning the kid.
“Listen, man, the way we did it is we split the class into fourths for everyone to take their ideas to. Kokichi is the only one left who hasn’t got any idea and’s given’ me a really hard time here!” The kid, Kaito, explained. As he did he spoke with his hands, waving them around everywhere and almost hit the blonde girl next to him. The girl, in response, caught one of his hands and put it back down on the table.
“It’s true, Kokichi Isn't much of a… Thinker.” She said as the silver haired chick next to her it chuckled slightly.
“Alright, Keade, Kaito, Kirumi, Rantaro, please do try and help him. Everyone else, thank you for the lists.”
The three nodded and all said some form of ‘okay’ before going back to silence.
Before Kiyotaka could get started on the next order of business, another blond girl raised her hand.
“Yes, Miss Nevermind?” Kiyotaka called on her.
“What will we be doing? Are we going to present our ultimates as well?” The girl tilted her head, and the bright pink highlighter boy who Mondo’s sworn seeing rampaging through the halls running from something on multiple occasions agrees quickly by nodding his head rapidly. The girl with the short red hair on the other side of ‘Nevermind’ looks as if she's confused by the question, as if the answer wasn’t obvious.
“Well, I mean, I’m sure you have something to present because you’ll have to. Just like the rest of us.”
The highlighter boy next to her looked surprised by this information, panicking slightly.
“Is something the matter, Kazuichi?”
“Nope! Just fine!” The highlighter man laughed nervously, hiding behind the girl. Kiyotaka just sighed and looked at the rest of them before asking, “Anymore questions?”
Everyone shook their heads no and Kiyotaka went on with the next topic, something about entertainment at the festival, and how they want it to be fun and not just another boring project for something their classmates to begrudgingly get through.
It was a thoughtful attempt, but really nothing sounded that fun to Mondo. And if it sounded stupid to Mondo, it was sure to sound stupid to everyone else. Everytime Ishimaru suggested something fun to add Mondo would laugh, then apologize, then explain how that idea would just not work.
By Kiyotaka’s third attempt at suggesting and Mondo disagreeing with him, it was beginning to look like another one of their fights. Before a fight could officially start, thankfully, one of the other Committee members got fed up.
“If you keep denying everything, why don’t you just come up with something!” The purple boy from earlier shouted, Mondo thinks his name is Kaito, then crossed his arms.
Mondo huffed then glared at the boy.
“And you couldn’t be in a civil and respectful environment for more than 20 minutes before you turn it on its head.”
The memory of the fight that even led up to this moment flashed through his head, the words that Kiyotaka shouted at him ringing through his ears.
Shit, if he couldn’t keep it together that’d make stupid Kiyotaka Ishimaru right about him. That's the last thing he wants.
He looked over at the man that invited him here, his face a mix of disappointment and nervousness. He also, despite how much of a dick he might be, doesn’t want to ruin this for the guy as well. So, with a deep breath he stopped himself from yelling at the guy and responded calmly.
“Well, ‘could start with providin’ food for everyone. I sure as hell know any normal person doesn’t wan’na stand outside for hours with a bagged lunch that could go bad in the next 40 minutes,” He paused, thinking about what he would say next before continuing with his ideas “And then ya’ could get maybe like a live band or something’ like that.”
He looked at Kiyotaka again to see his reaction, the Committee head looked like he was thinking it over for a moment before seeing a small smile on his face, something he hasn’t seen before. Mondo thinks the smile suits him, he should try it more often. It's very pretty.
For him. pretty for a boy, not like that no– no. Its like when you– no that’s even worse don’t even finish that thought.
Mondo turned his increasingly red face away from him before the other noticed. Ishimaru then started speaking. “Those are excellent ideas, Mondo. I’ll ask Headmaster Kirigri sometime before our next meeting.”
Then he clapped again, the noise echoing throughout the room. It makes him wonder how much force he has to put into it to make it that loud. “Alright everyone, I’m afraid that's all we have to discuss today. If nobody has any questions, everyone is free to start heading out!” Kiyotaka smiled again, and Mondo, to avoid looking at him, just watched everyone leave.
As everyone left, Kiyotaka walked up behind him tapping on his shoulder. Mondo jumped and turned around, now facing the man.
“I underestimated you, I thought for sure you were going to ruin the meeting.”
“Thanks?” Mondo wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Oh, my apologies. That was supposed to be a complement.”
Mondo laughed slightly, covering his mouth as he did so. Kiyotaka looked at him confused, then the man looked around the room. “I don’t understand, what's funny Owada?” He panicked.
“Nothing, Nothing, It’s just..” Cute, he wanted to say.
Kiyotaka just sighed and started walking, gesturing for Mondo to follow. “I’m sorry about Kaito, he could be a bit argumentative. He doesn’t mean any harm.” He said as he lead Mondo back to their dorms.
“”S chill.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
–
Mondo is not ‘chill’, as he put it yesterday. How long ago was that meeting? A day ago. And how awful is the awkwardness created by his stupid unwanted thoughts? Pretty goddamn awful!
He really wanted to ignore the small passing thoughts that crossed his mind every once in a while, but the guy sits in front of him for christ’s sake!
Everytime the guy stood up to grab go to the bathroom, walk up to the board, or did anything really, mondo would be staring like a fucking’ creep.
He knows for sure that if he were caught doin’ that to some random chick like that his mother would beat the crap outta him, is it really any different if he’s a guy?
Well, of course it's different because Mondo’s a guy as well, right?
No, it’s still just as creepy ‘cause of what he thinks. But, it’s not like he wants to think this way! He’s into Kiyotaka, alright fine, but it's just one guy. He’s not fucking gay alright? No offense to those guys but he’s just not one of ‘em.
Alas, here he is. Last few minutes of class and he’s watching the way the man in front of him writes with his pencil without even realizing it. And then the thought hits him.
He’s gotta get on a motorcycle with this guy. This guy’s gonna be on the same bike as him.
He’s absolutely cooked.
He’s gotta’ get over whatever the fuck he feels about Ishimaru before than because he cannot be caught blushin’over the fact a guy’s holding on to him on his motorcycle. A guy!
Yeah, fuck this shit. He really cannot be in a worse situation.
Just as he was fed up enough, the final bell rings and everyone starts packing up their items. Mondo quickly collects his shit, trying to rush the hell out of there. Unfortunately his plan is foiled by a well meaning Leon.
“Aye Mondo!” The baseball star shouts to catch his attention, and Mondo’s head whips to look at him
“Yes?” Mondo sighes.
“You busy tonight? Was hoping you, me, Chi, and Hiro could try and hang out tonight. Got some new games earlier and we could test ‘em out!” Leon smiled at him and Mondo thought it over nervously. He was hopin’ on asking Kiyotaka to ride with him tonight, just to get it over with, but the man in question was already almost out the door. When he looked back at Leon, Chihiro and Hiro were there with him, looking at Mondo.
“I’ll see. I may or may not gotta do somethin’ before but I’ll double check.”
“Alright!” Leon gave him a thumbs up and finally let him leave to wherever he was planning on going.
Mondo basically ran out the door to catch up with Kiyotaka, hoping to catch him before he went into his dorm room.
When he left he saw the man take a left down the hall, so Mondo quickly ran down the same one to catch up to him.
“Taka!” He shouted, the nickname doesn’t usually come out of his mouth but he found that his full name was too much of a mouthful to shout in a rush.
Kiyotaka turned around to a Mondo who was almost running to him at full speed, the man jumped and yelped in surprise, moving out of the way quickly. “No running in the halls!”
Mondo slowed down as he stopped in front of, taking a moment to catch his breath. “Wait, Taka.” He panted.
“Well, I’m not moving so technically I am waiting. What’s wrong, Owada?”
“You, me, this afternoon. You’re getting on my bike.”
Kiyotaka looked taken aback, his eyes widened in surprise as the taller one mentioned it. “Ah, Yes. I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.” He muttered under his breath.
“No way! A man’s promise, remember?”
“A man’s promise.” Kiyotaka sighed. “This afternoon? Really?”
“There’s no time like the present!” Mono laughed. “Meet me outside my dorm room in an hour or two!” Mondo then ran off, leaving a very confused Kiyotaka Ishimaru in the hallway alone.
Mondo hears a banging on his door, he’s mid eyeliner when he hears it. Mondo doesn’t open it, instead shouting “It’s open!”
He hears the creak of the door open, and sees Kiyotaka peek his head in through the small mirror he used to do his makeup.
Mondo got up lazy today, only spending time to do his hair in the morning as he got up, but if he’s going out on his bike today he’s gotta look presentable. He turns to the man and watches as Kiyotaka’s eyes flip between looking at his face to the eyeliner in his hand.
“Somehow it didn’t occur to me how you managed to get that under your eyes. Now I see it’s eyeliner and I feel a bit silly for not realizing that.” The shorter whispered and Mondo barked out a laugh, taking a moment to collect himself after.
“I’m not even going to question it,” Mondo said as he did one last stroke of the eyeliner pen before putting it down and standing up, grabbing his jacket and slipping his hands through the sleeves.
“You ready to go, Hall Monitor?”
“Please don’t make me regret this. Or make me die, actually. I wouldn’t like that either.”
“Yeah right, this is literally my ultimate. I’ll be fine.” Mondo scoffed and walked with Kiyotaka out the school and to the garage where the people with ultimates that have to do with mechanics and cars and large items like that kept all their stuff. He skimmed past the room for a moment to find his motorcycle had been right where he left it. He grabbed Kiyotaka’s wrist and pulled him over to have Kiyotaka officially meet his baby.
“Kiyotaka, this is my girl.”
“You’re… Girl?”
“Yeah! My bike! My girl!”
“Okay then.” The shorter looked confused, but Mondo just ignored him while trying to get his motorcycle out the way of other’s cars and belongings and bring it outside.
“It doesn’t look like you have helemts, do you?” The man next to him asked hesitantly.
Mondo shook his head, a silent no. “Why would I need one? I’ve basically been doin’ this since I could walk!”
The other gasped and looked at him in shock and horror. “Mondo! That’s the mentality that gets someone like you killed!”
Mondo just scoffed and stopped walking once they got outside, immediately taking a seat on his bike. “Well, cmon.”
Kiyotaka just stared at him. “I don’t know if I can get on with you out of good faith. I don’t have a helmet.”
Mondo just groaned. “Well I ain’t got one and we’re already here, so there's really no choice.”
With a heavy sigh Kiyotaka slowly got on, situating himself behind Mondo.
“Alright. Just hold on, all you gotta do is hold on to me.”
“Disgusting…” Kiyotaka muttered and wrapped his arms around Mondo’s waist.
“Hey!” Mondo gasped in offense and just rolled his eyes. “Whatever, get ready.”
“I don’t think I ever will be, actually.”
“Too bad, three, two–” Mondo didn’t even make it to one before he shot off, making the man behind him hold on even tighter and scream while Mondo laughed at him.
“IHATETHISIHATETHISIHATETHISIHATETH–” Taka screamed, it just made Mondo laugh harder as he raced through the streets of Hope’s Peaks private land. They hadn’t even made it off the property yet and he was already being a baby about it. Mondo didn’t care though, he found it amusing at the very least how Taka would get louder at every sharp turn or everytime they hit a bump in the road.
When they finally made it off the property of the school Mondo was forced to slow down, as he didn’t want to get arrested with Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes hanging onto his back. Once he slowed he could feel everything again, the thrill of it was over and he noticed how Kiyotaka was shaking as he held onto Mondo tightly.
A part of him felt sorry for scaring the guy, but another part of him said ‘hell yeah’ for the fact that Kiyotaka’s arms were around his waist, and his head was buried into Mondo’s shoulders.
Minutes after that though, Kiyotaka seemed to lighten up, his grip on Mondo slowly fading until he was just holding onto him out of necessity and safety. The shaking didn’t seem to stop, but Mondo stopped focusing on the man behind him as he tried to do a sharp turn.
He didn’t plan on being out for long, just take Taka on maybe a ten minute trip around town then head back to Hope's Peak in time for him to make it to Leon’s. Mondo was nearing the end of their route and he’d have to turn around and circle back again.
“You havin’ fun?” Mondo said loudly, making sure the other could hear him.
“Oh god no, but the fresh air is nice!” Kiyotaka responded, he sounded a bit sick but he was sure it was nothing. Mondo just laughed and continued their nice little joyride around town.
As they approached Hopes Peak again Mondo sped up a little, causing Taka to hold on just a little bit tighter. Mondo wanted to revel in it, enjoy the other’s hold. Maybe when they had more time they could do this again. Though, Taka definitely seemed against it from his reaction while on the bike.
Maybe they could do something else while being this close, if they could hang out more often, if they could talk more. They could be closer, Mondo could be closer to him.
“Mondo, Mondo the school!” Taka shouted, since when did Mondo call him Taka? Mondo was snapped to attention and took another sharp turn, bringing them into the lot of the school. They slowed to a stop and he waited for Taka to dismount.
Though, Taka stayed there for a moment. His hands were tighter around Mondo’s waist again and his forehead rested against his back.
“Ah, Taka, you can get off now.”
“Oh, yes, sorry.” Taka slid off carefully, trying not to trip and fall to the floor. Mondo got off not long after, then the two slowly started to walk it back into the garage.
“So, that was fun, huh?”
“Not really, but spending time with you was the more fun part.”
“Oh.” Mondo laughed. “Would you ever, perhaps, do it again?” He asked, it was a shot in the dark really. Kiyotaka paused for a moment, thinking it over.
“You mean, ‘hang out’? Like friends?”
“Like friends, yeah.”
“Of course I would, Owada.” Kiyotaka smiled brightly at him, his smile was wide and it brightened up his whole face. He could stare at it for hours.
“Just say Mondo, alright man?”
“Yes, alright.”
–
Mondo leaned on the table he had for his project. Everyone was out and about today, the festival was booming and everyone's project was on full display. Today, Mondo Owada will be showing everyone how to ride a Motorcycle. Of course, he felt the need to buy a helmet or two for the people coming up to him. No other reasons.
He looked around to the people next to him, Chihro on one side and some random guy from another class on the other.
Him and Chihiro specifically set up early just in case they got bored and needed someone to talk to. In fact, he was about to shout his name when someone on a microphone announced his year could go explore now.
He tapped on Chirhiro’s shoulder, grabbing his attention and asking if he wanted to walk around with him. Chirhro agreed happily, and they started walking and visiting multiple other people’s booths and tables.
At one of the projects they stopped out they found Leon absolutely freaking out and screaming like a little girl over holding a beetle, while when Chihiro offered to hold one was completely calm even if a bit frightened.
Mondo found this hilarious, naturally. So his first reaction was to record it and send it to all his and Leon’s friends.
Chihiro laughed at it while Leon was pissed, but Mondo ignored the latter person’s reactions mostly in favor of making fun of him.
After, Mondo and Chihiro invited Leon to walk with them, but he politely declines saying he needs a chance at impressing some chick. The two just shrugged and walked on, stopping at more tables and stands before landing themselves at the food area.
Turns out, when Mondo suggested that there be food the Ultimate Chef stepped up for the job with some help from others.
Mondo and Chihiro grabbed a small paper plate and started grabbing the food. Pigs in a blanket, small muffins, sliders, all types of small foods were on the table.
Just as he was about to reach for another sandwich another hand was on top of his aswell.
“Oh, My apologies–” The voice said. Mondo looked up to notice it was Taka.
“Taka?”
“Ah! Hello Mondo!” Kiyotaka smiled and moved his hand away, letting Mondo take the one he just had and grabbing a different one.
“Hey.” Mondo smiled back, putting his sandwich on his plate and then taking something random from it and stuffing it in his mouth.
“Careful, don’t choke–!” Kiyotaka said immediately, almost on instinct seemingly.
Mondo held back a laugh, “Yeah, yeah.”
“Hey Mondo, look what I found– Oh hey Taka!” Chihiro smiled at Taka, waving slightly.
“Hello Chihiro.”
“You two are friends?” Chihiro questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, we are!” Taka responded happily, with Mondo nodding in agreement.
“I wouldn’t expect that from… you two..”
“Hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing!” He squealed and the two men laughed.
“Hey, Taka, why don’t you walk with us?” Mondo suggested and Kiyotaka brightened instantly.
“I would love to.”
Then they explored, all three of them together. They looked at more booths and projects and even visited some of Taka’s friends from the council who he recognized immediately. By the time they had to go back and their own booths Mondo could say he had a fun time, which is not something he thought he would have today.