Chapter Text
Saiko ran a comb through his hair, trying to get his hair to look perfect. He cursed under his breath, grabbing a bottle of hairspray and messily spraying it around his hair.
Summer break had just ended, and while most students would dread having to go back to school, Saiko couldn’t help the excitement he felt. He’d been cooped up in his house all summer, and although he would never admit it out loud, it was starting to bore him. He yearned for the attention his classmates gave him when he flaunted his riches. He wanted to see his classmates gawk at him as he vaunted his beautifully tailored fur coat.
He wanted to see Kuboyasu’s face as he showed off his designer boots..
Saiko began coughing uncontrollably. He accidentally sprayed himself in the face with the hairspray, waving his hand vigorously in an attempt to get the fumes away. He let out a few final coughs as he caught his breath, getting his thoughts in order.
Kuboyasu?!
Out of all the peasants in his class, why did he care about his reaction specifically?!
He looked at his reflection in the mirror, his expression turning sour as he saw his red face looking back at him. He quickly grabbed his comb and stood up straight, as if trying to get his composure back. He cleared his throat as he ran the comb through his hair, trying to make sense of his thoughts.
It wasn’t like he cared about what Kuboyasu thought of him or anything. He just enjoyed seeing how mad he got at the most trivial things.
Sure. Sometimes when purchasing brand new clothing, Kuboyasu would cross his mind, and he would think about how he would react upon seeing him dressed up.
And yes. Every time he rolled out the red carpet and walked theatrically into the classroom, his eyes immediately darted to that brute to observe his reaction.
And okay. Maybe he lingered around the peasants desk a little more often than he’d like to admit.
But all of that was because it was amusing seeing just how irritated that peasant would get. The guy always acted like he was one snarky remark away from going completely mad, and that entertained Saiko to no end.
When Saiko first moved to the school, it took Kuboyasu less than a day before he started picking fights with him and his bodyguards. That brute ending up in jail was one of the funniest things he’s ever seen.
Sure, he bailed him out later, but…
Saiko scoffed, practically slamming his comb back down on the bathroom sink before walking back into his room. That cheap-ass middle part didn’t deserve to be occupying the mind of the heir to the Saiko Corporation. So he quickly focused on more important things, like which of his expensive jackets would get the best reaction out of his fellow classmates.
After looking through his selection thoughtfully, he pulled out a beautiful fur coat and didn’t hesitate before draping it over himself. The fur coat was the vision of luxury, and Saiko knew it would cause people to turn heads as soon as he stepped outside.
He couldn’t wait to see his classmate’s reactions when he walked in the classroom dressed to the nines.
He couldn’t wait to see Kuboyasu’s face when he-
He shook his head. He needed to get himself together. He took a deep breath before stepping out of his room, awaiting the day ahead of him.
—
Nobody was happy to be back at school. Nobody except the cocky rich boy sitting in the back of his limousine. As much as he hated to admit it, he was bubbling with excitement and anticipation upon seeing those peasant’s reactions.
He felt eyes on him as he walked down the school hallway, the sound of his heels clicking against the marble floor echoing throughout the halls. He had a few guards accompanying him on his way to class, which most certainly wasn’t helping to stop the stares and whispers from other students.
He had to admit, he loved the attention. He was sure the students he was passing in the halls were bubbling with jealously, and that made him proud. He wanted, no, he needed everyone at this school to understand who their superior was.
As Saiko approached his classroom door, he gave a snap to his bodyguards to prepare the red carpet he liked to roll out upon entering a room. He didn’t do this every time, of course; it would lose its effect overtime if he did. He did it when he was especially greedy for that sweet, sweet attention. And today was one of those days. Saiko pushed the door open, one of his guards rolling out the red carpet into the classroom. All eyes were on him as Saiko stepped through the door.
“Greetings, peasants.” Saiko said in the most nonchalant voice he could muster, wafting a wad of cash in front of his face to act as some sort of fan. His eyes darted over to Kuboyasu, who was sitting at his desk and staring at Saiko with an irritated expression. His friend Kaidou was standing next to his desk, patting Kuboyasu’s shoulder as if to try and calm him down. Saiko couldn’t stop the smirk that spread across his face.
This was exactly what he had hoped for.
He found himself strutting over to Kuboyasu’s desk, leaning down and slamming a hand in front of the angry peasant. He looked down at boy, his smug smile only growing wider as he watched him get increasingly annoyed.
“Hello, middle-part peasant.” Saiko said casually, standing up a little straighter. “I need a laugh, so why don’t you tell me what you got up to this summer?”
“Like hell I’m telling you that! Get lost!” Kuboyasu said, exasperation clear in his tone. Kaidou placed a hand on Kuboyasu’s back.
“Calm down, Are-“ Kaidou was rudely interrupted by Saiko’s laughter.
“Is what you did seriously so pathetic that you’re ashamed to even mention it? You were probably spending the whole summer on the streets begging for money like that gluttonous peasant!” He said with a laugh, pointing to Mera, who was sitting across the room. She was too caught up in her own thoughts to notice.
Kuboyasu, however, looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel.
“Hell no! I spent the whole summer fixing up my old bikes, if you must know! Probably a lot more productive than what your privileged ass was doing!” Kuboyasu spat, gripping the side of his desk like it was a lifeline. Saiko let out a chuckle, crossing his arms across his chest.
“Over the summer, I took lessons to learn how to sail, then took my yacht to my gorgeous private island. On top of that, I learned how to ride horseback, went to Paris, and constructed my own personal mini golf course in my backyard. I’d say that’s plenty productive, middle-part peasant.” Saiko sneered. Okay, sure, he was bluffing a little. But he wasn’t lying. He did do all those things before. Maybe just not over the summer.
Kuboyasu’s face went pale, clearly taken aback by that answer. Saiko chuckled, standing up straight and beginning to walk to his own desk. He had won, he thought.
“O-oh, yeah?? W-well at least I wasn’t alone while being productive-! Because I know for a fact nobody wanted to be around your annoying ass all summer!” Kuboyasu snapped back, causing Saiko to stop in his tracks.
He was not expecting Kuboyasu to say something so…weirdly hurtful. Usually he would brush off a comment like that, but for some reason, the fact it came from that disgusting former punk made it sting more. He had no idea why.
“Tch.. you peons just don’t get it.“ Saiko mumbled as he continued his journey over to his desk.
He never needed anybody, and people know he never needed anybody. He went out of his way to make that a well known fact. He sees no point in friends, in building useless relationships that will just end later anyways.
And yet, why did he…
Saiko sat at his desk, cursing under his breath. No. He didn’t need anybody. This weird peasant was just messing with his brain. The brute just said that because he couldn’t think of a better comeback. He chose not to hang out with anyone this summer. He could have if he wanted to, but he was too good for friends.
Saiko internally cursed at himself for feeling a pit in his stomach. He had absolutely no reason to feel upset because of what that peasant said.
He didn’t need anybody. Especially not that former punk.
—
During break time, Saiko sat down on a bench in the school yard, reading a small book he carried around with him. Most students would usually use the break to visit their friends, but Saiko didn’t have time for such things. He admittedly enjoyed spending break bragging about his riches to that dirty middle-part and his friends, but he suddenly wasn’t really in the mood for partaking in such activities.
“Hey.” A voice said, causing Saiko to jump a little in surprise. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t even notice someone walking up to him. He looked up, seeing Kuboyasu standing before him. He was avoiding eye contact, his brows furrowed and his hands shoved in his pockets.
Saiko swore he could feel his cheeks getting warmer.
“Where’s that little peasant that follows you around like a lost puppy?” Saiko snapped, looking back down at his book. He tried his best to appear uncaring of the boy standing in front of him, but his pink cheeks were saying otherwise.
“Listen, I guess I feel kinda bad seeing you sit out here looking all pathetic.” Kuboyasu began, still avoiding eye contact. Saiko felt a strange feeling in his gut as he was spoken to.
“So, if you want.. you can come hang out with us during break, or whatever.” Kuboyasu spoke in an almost hesitant voice, warmth creeping up his neck as he finally made an effort to make eye contact with the rich boy sitting in front of him.
Despite Saikos attempts to appear uncaring of this peasant in front of him, he couldn’t deny the fact his stomach was doing flips. He’s never seen the former delinquent act so… nervous. The fact Kuboyasu was attempting to be kind towards him didn’t help either. Saiko stared at him like a deer in headlights, the redness in his face most certainly more visible now. It took him a few moments before he was even able to respond.
“Tch. I don’t need your pity, you dirty plebe.” He said more quietly than he would have liked, looking down at his feet as he shut his book closed. “However, I have nothing better to do. So I will accept your offer.”
Saiko took a deep breath as he stood up from the bench, clearing his throat as he brushed the dust off his fur coat. He needed to get himself together. It was utterly pathetic how nervous he was talking to this guy. He had no reason to be acting like this.
Why did he even accept his offer? It’s not like he wanted to hang out with them. Especially not Kuboyasu.
It was just so he could grace them with his presence. That’s it.
The two walked side by side in silence for a while, but Saiko didn’t mind. He was more focused on trying to will away the noticeable redness in his cheeks.
“Did you seriously build an entire mini golf course in your backyard?” Kuboyasu mumbled, looking away. Saiko almost let a surprised squeak escape his lips. Why the hell was this commoner acting so uncharacteristically nice? He was probably just trying to get on Saikos good side to go after his money. As if he’d ever let that happen.
He wasn’t going to give up the opportunity to brag, though. Obviously.
“Of course I did. It’s the most extravagant mini golf course ever built.” He said with a smug smile, crossing his arms across his chest.
“That’s pretty cool.” Kuboyasu said.
Cool?
“Tch, obviously. It’s more than just ‘cool’. It’s magnificent.” Saiko said, waving his hand dismissively in Kuboyasu’s direction. He heard the former delinquent scoff a little in response, but he didn’t say anything further.
Did Kuboyasu think he was cool?
That made him a lot more happy than he would like to admit.
He couldn’t control the genuine smile that crept on his face.