Chapter Text
Asano Gakushuu and Karma Akabane trudged through the crowded streets, the crisp evening air biting at their cheeks. They were en route to the local convenience store, and despite the apparent normalcy of their outing, their interactions were anything but typical.
Asano grotted his teeth. The sheer risk he had taken by coming here was stupid. If his father found out...
"Do we really have to do this every week?" Asano grumbled, adjusting his blazer. His eyes flitted nervously around, wary of being spotted. "I swear, this place is becoming your second home."
Karma, red hair glinting in the dim streetlights, chuckled lazily. "Well, considering you’re the one dragging me here every time, I’d say the real question is why you’re so invested in my addiction."
Asano scowled, his brow furrowing. "It’s not an addiction if it’s just a drink, Karma. It’s a bad habit."
Karma’s golden eyes gleamed with mischief. "Ah, but you’re the one who decided to become my personal strawberry milk chauffeur. Did I ever tell you how much I love that you’re so dedicated to making me happy?"
Asano’s face tightened. "Spare me the sarcasm. I’m just here to make sure you don’t collapse from malnutrition because of your bizarre taste in beverages."
Karma strolled ahead, pushing open the store door with a smirk. He twirled a lock of his stupid red hair around his finger, smirking at Asano. "Don’t worry, your precious reputation is safe. I’m just here for my fix. And you’re here because…well, I’m charming, unlike you, Second place~"
Asano followed, his hand tightening around the door handle at the nickname. The bell above the door jingled as he entered. He scanned the aisles with practiced efficiency, zeroing in on the refrigerated section. "Charming isn’t exactly the word I’d use. Annoying might be more accurate."
Karma leaned against the cold drink display, a smirk playing on his lips. "Annoying? I’m flattered. At least I’m making an impression. And you know, making it onto the leaderboard at first place~"
Asano ignored the quip with great effort, but it was worth it to see karmas annoyance. He grabbed a carton of strawberry milk and held it up with disdain. "Is this really what you want? This stuff is so cloyingly sweet, it makes my teeth ache."
Karma’s eyes lit up. "Perfectly sweet. You wouldn’t understand—too busy being all stiff and boring. Here, let me show you how to enjoy it."
Karma reached for a carton, and as he did, their hands brushed briefly. Asano’s face flushed a delicate shade of pink. He pulled his hand back sharply, glaring at Karma. "Don’t think this makes you less of an irritating presence. I’m just trying to keep you from embarrassing yourself further."
Karma’s smile widened, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, Asano, you’re too kind. I’m sure your selfless dedication is truly admirable to someone…somewhere."
Asano rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "I’ll be the judge of that. Let’s just get this over with. I need to get home before my father decides to interrogate me again."
Karma chuckled as he took his milk and headed towards the counter. "Paranoia looks good on you, you know. It’s almost as charming as you trying to act like you don’t care."
Asano’s gaze darkened. "Keep pushing it, Karma. One day, you might just find out how much I really don’t care."
Karma paid for the milk and walked out, Asano trailing behind, a grim expression on his face. The night air was cool, and Karma sipped his drink, letting out a contented sigh.
"So, what’s next on your agenda of making my life miserable?" Karma teased, breaking the silence.
Asano’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve got my own problems to deal with. You’re just a convenient distraction. And a pain in the ass."
Karma’s laughter was rich and full of amusement. "Aww, little shuu is learning how to swear, huh? Good. I’d hate to think I’m anything more than a distraction to you. Now, let’s get back before you start worrying about your father finding out that you’re willingly spending time whit a delinquent."
Asano’s lip curled into a reluctant smile. "Enjoying is a strong word. I’m just enduring."
"Enduring with style, I’m sure," Karma said, the sarcasm dripping from his tone. "Lead the way, oh mighty President."
Asano’s expression softened slightly, though he would never admit it. "Let’s just get this over with before I change my mind."
They walked on in companionable silence, the bitterness of their banter momentarily replaced by the understanding that, despite their constant bickering, they were still together—if only to prove a point to themselves.
+++
The next day, almost twenty minutes after the bell has rung for the end of school, not a soul lingers, except for Asano Gakshuu.
Asano paced at the back of the school, his sharp eyes scanning every possible corner as if someone might jump out at any moment. He was paranoid, as usual. Paranoid that his father, Principal Gakuho Asano, would suddenly reappear out of nowhere despite being in the next town for some board meeting. Paranoid that some student would still be lingering around, waiting to catch a glimpse of their not-so-secret meeting.
Why did he even bother with this? His father would kill him if he ever found out. The risk was too high, and Karma was a liability.
But, as always, Asano couldn’t bring himself to *not* show up.
Karma strolled up casually, hands in his pockets, a lazy grin spread across his annoyingly pale face, wearing that disgusting black excuse of a blazer. Asano shot him a glare as soon as he saw him.
“You’re late,” Asano muttered, clearly irritated.
Karma just shrugged. “So?”
Asano huffed, arms crossed tightly across his chest. “*So*—you could’ve gotten us caught. I told you to be careful.”
“Relax, Gakushuu,” Karma said, rolling his eyes. “Your dad’s off being boring in some stuffy meeting. Nobody’s here to catch us in the act of this sordid affair.”
Asano’s frown deepened, his paranoia flaring up at Karma’s flippancy. “You never know,” he snapped. “There could be cameras. Security. Hell, even stray students who could—”
Karma cut him off, waving a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. You’re terrified of Daddy finding out. Same old story. You want a pat on the back for surviving another day in his madhouse mansion?”
Asano narrowed his eyes. “You’re insufferable.”
“I know,” Karma said with a smirk. “But you love me anyway.”
Asano’s face flushed slightly, more from irritation than anything else. “Keep telling yourself that,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Why do you look like death, by the way? You’re even paler than yesterday.”
“Oh, that?” Karma asked nonchalantly. “Apparently, I’m anemic or something. Visited the nurse today. Got the whole spiel about iron deficiency.”
Asano raised an eyebrow. “You’re what?”
“Anemic,” Karma repeated, like it was the most uninteresting news in the world. “Means I’m low on iron. Guess that explains the ghostly complexion, huh?”
Asano stared at him, completely unimpressed. “And you’re only mentioning this now?”
“What do you want, a cookie?” Karma quipped. “It’s not like it’s a big deal.”
Asano pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the onset of a headache. “Of course it’s a big deal. You’re clearly not taking care of yourself, and now I have to drag your ass to the pharmacy to buy iron supplements.”
Karma grinned. “I’m touched by your concern, Shuu. Really, I am.”
Asano glared at him. “I’m not concerned. I’m just trying to prevent you from keeling over in public and drawing unwanted attention.”
Karma laughed under his breath, clearly amused. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Let’s go get those iron pills or whatever before you have a full-on breakdown.Yoh should probably pick up those anxiety meds or whatever while you're at it."
Asano sighed, knowing full well that Karma was mocking him, but he was too tired to fight it. “Get in the car,” he muttered, marching toward his parked vehicle. Karma followed, still grinning like he found the whole situation hilarious.
They got in, the tension between them thick with their usual bitterness and sarcasm. Asano drove in tense silence, his grip on the wheel tight as he tried to calm his nerves. Karma, of course, had no such qualms. He leaned back in the passenger seat, fiddling with his phone and smirking at the occasional glance Asano shot him.
“Y’know,” Karma said suddenly, breaking the silence, “I never pegged you for the type to play chauffeur.”
Asano scowled, eyes still on the road. “I’m not playing chauffeur. I’m making sure you don’t collapse on the street.”
“How noble of you,” Karma quipped, feigning awe. “The selfless Asano Gakushuu, good old second place, sacrificing his precious time to save his academically inferior *boyfriend*.”
Asano’s jaw clenched. “I will literally kick you out of this car if you don’t shut up.”
Karma snickered. “That’s the spirit, Prez. Always so loving.”
The rest of the drive was filled with a tense silence, punctuated only by Karma’s occasional chuckles at Asano’s damn evident discomfort. When they finally reached the pharmacy, Asano parked the car with a sharp jerk of the wheel, and they both got out.
Inside, Karma was completely uninterested in the rows of medicines and supplements, while Asano marched straight to the aisle they needed. He grabbed a bottle of iron supplements and shoved it into Karma’s hands.
“There,” Asano said flatly. “Take these. Try not to die before midterms.”
Karma glanced at the bottle, then back at Asano with an exaggerated look of appreciation. “Wow, you really *do* care. Maybe I’ll survive long enough to beat you in the next exam.”
Asano rolled his eyes. “Not likely.”
Karma just shrugged, tossing the bottle into his bag. “Guess we’ll see. Didya get the anxiety meds?”
"Yes, you little shit."
As they walked out of the pharmacy, Asano couldn’t help but glance at Karma’s pale face again, that ever-present knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. He hated how much he cared—hated how much Karma got under his skin. But as usual, he pushed those feelings down, locking them away behind his usual mask of bitterness and sarcasm.
“So,” Karma said as they reached the car again, leaning against the door with a sly grin. “What now, Prez? Gonna drive me home like a proper boyfriend?”
Asano glared at him, his expression as cold as ever. “Don’t push your luck.”
But even as he said it, he opened the door for Karma to get in, and they drove off into the evening with their usual mix of tension, bitterness, and the occasional hint of something neither of them would ever admit out loud.