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Ritsu didn’t consider himself someone who easily lost control of his emotions. In fact, he was excellent at holding them back, accumulating them, and hiding everything in a large cocoon.
In this aspect, Shigeo, his older brother, was like him. Maybe it was a matter of genes, or maybe it was psychic influence over time – even though Ritsu had only awakened his powers at the age of thirteen. But there was a difference between them, which was easy to pinpoint if someone observed them closely.
Shigeo didn’t allow himself to feel. Any feelings of anger, sadness, even the slightest discomfort, he pushed down and suppressed so much that only a boring, monotonous emptiness remained. On the other hand, Ritsu felt everything, let every inch of his skin tingle with the consequences of unpleasant emotions, but he covered and masked it with perfect posture and a student council armband.
Therefore, Ritsu wasn’t concerned about his mental state in relation to his psychic powers when he imposed a new rule on himself.
It would be a slight lie to say that he came up with it on his own. Ritsu was somewhat inspired by his brother's sense of morality, by Teruki's former delinquent history – Ritsu definitely couldn’t let him find out about that – and by Shou, who tried to stop his father from taking over the world, like bullies dominated nerds.
The rule in question was simple to follow. After all, Ritsu had followed it for thirteen years.
He couldn’t use his psychic powers on school matters.
After the incident with the student council president, Shinji Kamuro, the reputation of the council didn’t look very good. Ritsu was obviously largely at fault in this regard, which is why his powers had to be absolutely prohibited.
Furthermore, Ritsu still felt like he was on the path to redemption with the school. If he used his powers to solve problems with delinquents, Salt Middle School would get a bad reputation and would be remembered just like Black Vinegar was in the days when Teruki Hanazawa terrorized students.
At first, the rule stopped there. Nothing too complicated. However, the situation changed when Ritsu, as vice president of the student council, was threatened after giving detention to two delinquents for repeated tardiness.
The blame wasn’t on Ritsu. School rules existed, and his duty was to make sure they were followed. He didn’t give the boys detention because he disliked them, but because that was the consequence of their actions. Ritsu was just the messenger.
They said something about getting Ritsu after school one day, or some other cliché threat that Ritsu dismissed in no time. At first, Ritsu thought that outside of school, there would be no problem defending himself.
That’s when the new rule came in. Ritsu couldn’t use his powers on any student while in uniform.
He remembered, just seconds after mentally mocking the threat he had received, what happened when he used his powers outside of school, even with students from other schools. Ritsu had accumulated a few enemies, and the blame fell on Shigeo. He was even given a strange nickname, “White T-Poison” , by the delinquents.
So, Ritsu couldn’t risk bringing more problems to his brother. Shigeo had enough to worry about and didn’t need to relive that horrible day. He chose to ignore it and move on.
However, it was difficult to stay calm and hold back when the idiots, a few days later, thought it would be a good idea to wait for him at the school gate, just as they had promised.
“Hey, Kageyama!” Ritsu felt a headache just hearing the voice of the delinquent calling him when he arrived at the gate.
He turned and saw the duo who had been given detention a few days earlier. These delinquents were different from Onigawara and his friends before he joined the Body Improvement Club. While Onigawara only picked fights with other delinquents and disobeyed the rules without threatening the student council – even though he sometimes tried to argue – these two intimidated anyone they could.
The voice’s owner, Satoru Moriyama, was a year older than Ritsu, wore the uniform incorrectly, had black hair that reached his neck, and a scar – which Ritsu was almost a hundred percent sure was fake – on the corner of his mouth. Being tall and stocky, Moriyama easily gave off the impression of danger and arrogance that he seemed to enjoy.
His companion, Miyako Kuroda, was shorter and chubby, but his shoulders were broad enough to push shy students against the wall. His hair was dyed, but the lack of care made it faded and in an odd contrast of colors.
They were the typical delinquent stereotype. Ritsu even found it a bit funny and comical.
“How can I help you?” Ritsu asked reluctantly as the boys approached. Moriyama had his hands in his pockets and a wide grin, while Kuroda crossed his arms and shot him a look up and down
They chuckled amongst themselves, as if they’d shared a joke Ritsu hadn’t gotten. The most it affected Ritsu, however, was the impression that he was wasting his time.
“You’ve been acting too cocky for our liking.” Moriyama shook his head, using a soft but provoking tone. “Getting involved in things that aren’t your business, Vice President Kageyama”
Ritsu sighed and closed his eyes for a second. Everything would be easier if he could drag the two idiots into an alley and use his psychic powers.
But he couldn’t. Ritsu had promised himself he wouldn’t do it.
“Any violation of school rules is a matter for the student council. If you have any complaints or believe there’s been any injustice, you can file a formal complaint with President Kamuro.” Ritsu replied, gathering all the calm he could muster.
The disgust on the delinquents' furrowed brows and twisted lips almost made Ritsu feel like it was worth the time he’d wasted. He almost followed the cruel impulse to smile but opted not to lose his composure.
Kuroda moved forward with heavy steps and grabbed Ritsu by the collar, pulling their faces close. Ritsu fought an intense internal battle with all his demons not to throw the idiot to the other side of the school.
“You think you can hide behind your crappy title forever?” He growled as Ritsu grabbed one of his arms in a half-hearted attempt to break free. “Outside of school, you’re just a kid who thinks he’s more mature and know-it-all.”
“We’re at school.” Ritsu declared in response and pointed to the line on the ground.
They were exactly at the gate, stepping on the white line that marked the school’s boundary. Ritsu hadn’t stepped outside before being called by the delinquents. Some students were still around, silently witnessing everything.
So, theoretically, Kuroda and Moriyama were committing intimidation inside school territory with other students nearby, and Ritsu, as vice president, could punish them again for this.
Kuroda froze his movements, and Ritsu took advantage of that to free himself from the grip effortlessly. He gave his uniform a light pat to smooth it out and adjusted the strap of his bag, which had nearly slipped when he was grabbed.
Moriyama took his hands out of his pockets and clenched them tightly. He was considering whether to drag Ritsu out of school or not.
Even if he did, it would be too late. A violation had been committed, and Ritsu could use it to his advantage.
“Intimidating students is against school rules.” Ritsu began. “But if you leave now, I can overlook it, since I was the target.”
“Oh, you…” Moriyama shrugged and tried to move forward, but Kuroda stopped him.
Ritsu’s face remained impassive as he continued holding the strap of his bag. He didn’t intend to fight, but he also didn’t intend to be beaten up for nothing, even if he needed psychic powers to dodge or protect himself from blows. Ritsu wasn’t altruistic like Shigeo.
“Forget it, we don’t need another detention.” Kuroda grabbed his friend by the arm but gave Ritsu a glaring, threatening look. “We’ll get this idiot another day.”
Amidst grumbling, complaints, and growls, the two turned and walked away. The remaining students who had witnessed the confrontation scattered.
Though it seemed like it was all resolved, Ritsu wasn’t stupid. He knew there was a possibility of a trap if he left now. And while it was humiliating to back off because of two idiots Ritsu could beat up at any time, he couldn’t risk using his powers while in uniform.
So, Ritsu began to think of a solution. He didn’t want to wait forever there – seriously, Ritsu was hungry and wanted dinner soon – and hoped that the two had really left. Something more practical and quicker was necessary.
That’s when his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Ritsu took the phone with a raised eyebrow and saw unread messages. Clicking on them, the open contact was Shou Suzuki.
How convenient.
Shou was an interesting person, to say the least. Ritsu wasn’t exactly sure why they became friends. He was almost certain it wasn’t normal to become friends with the guy who gave him a concussion when he was kidnapped – not to mention that Shou theoretically kidnapped him again later and set his house on fire. But Ritsu didn’t have any close friends other than his older brother – and even that hadn’t been the case until recently – so he couldn’t really say what was normal or not.
Anyway, Shou was someone fun to hang out with. He laughed easily, his smile was wide and bright. Shou reminded Ritsu of fire, and not because of his pyrokinesis or spiky red hair – that would be too obvious – but because he was warm and bright.
Ritsu didn’t expect to get along with someone so loud, impulsive, and clueless, but he never liked the cold.
“Ritsu
Ritsuuuu
RitRitRit
Hey, Ritsu
I’m in your city now bro
Came to buy stuff for my hamsters
Can I invade your house?”
Ritsu rolled his eyes as he read the messages but also let out a small smile.
“Don’t invade my house.” Ritsu replied, even though he knew that, if not for the current situation he was about to tell him, Shou would probably invade anyway. “I’m at school.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you at your house :)” Shou replied immediately – did he type that fast?
“Actually, I have a better idea. Come meet me at school.”
Ritsu’s reasoning was quite practical. Besides pyrokinesis, Shou could turn invisible and – probably – make others invisible with him by touching them – Ritsu had seen that in Hunter X Hunter, but no one needed to know that. So, as soon as he spotted the two idiots who were probably waiting for him, Ritsu could shake them off. And even if there was no one, he could spend some time with Shou.
This was the ideal plan.
As expected, Shou was excited to meet him at school. It was about time Ritsu invited him to hang out or go to his house instead of Shou simply dragging him around or committing home invasion.
The only issue Ritsu hadn't considered was: "How do I ask Shou for help?"
Ritsu was someone who, by nature, didn’t like asking for help. If possible, he would handle things on his own. Plus, Shou seemed like the type of person who would demand payment for his help and brag about it for weeks.
In fact, this was a great solution. Ritsu could suggest a favor exchange! That way, it wouldn’t be asking for help.
Of course, Ritsu had no idea what Shou might ask for, and while Shou wasn’t there yet, he came up with a few possibilities, though nothing too concrete. He would worry about that later.
The first thing Ritsu noticed when Shou arrived was his signature green and beige jacket. Honestly, Ritsu had no idea where Shou had gotten another identical one after the fight with Shou’s dad, but he knew how attached his friend was to that jacket.
“Yo, Ritsu.” It was always how Shou greeted him.
“Hey, Suzuki.” Ritsu nodded. “I was waiting for you.”
“Why do you still call me by my last name?” Shou asked, giving Ritsu a light punch on the arm when he finally stepped out from the school gate. “We’re like best friends now, get it?”
Shou had called Ritsu by his first name before Ritsu even thought about socializing with him for more than a day, so Ritsu didn’t think being friends should change anything. However, if Shou preferred being called by his first name, Ritsu would let him be comfortable with it.
“Alright, Shou.” Ritsu agreed. “Can we go?”
Shou smiled sideways and put his arm around Ritsu’s shoulders, even though he was shorter. He started rambling while they walked, and Ritsu mostly listened, responding now and then.
Ritsu was good at multitasking. Half of his mind was listening to Shou, while the other half was paying attention to the route.
If Ritsu had to guess, he would say the most the delinquents would do was a block away. They didn’t know where Ritsu lived, and he’d taken a bit of time to leave.
They probably went home. Ritsu didn’t need to worry about that today. Maybe another time, since Moriyama and Kuroda promised to get him another day.
“Ritsu?”
Ritsu blinked, realizing that the part of his brain focused on Shou had merged with the part paying attention to the route. He was letting this affect him more than he should.
It wasn’t fear; Ritsu wasn’t scared. Just a little concerned. He didn’t want to hurt the student council’s image, and he also didn’t want to commit the same atrocities again, but if he got cornered, Ritsu couldn’t promise he wouldn’t use his powers.
Preparing an excuse on the tip of his tongue, Ritsu turned his face to look at Shou.
“Sorry, I…”
His words died when, out of the corner of his eye, Ritsu saw two silhouettes on the street they were about to turn onto. He immediately recognized them.
Moriyama and Kuroda.
Ritsu grabbed Shou’s wrist and took a few steps back, pressing himself against the wall of a building on the sidewalk. Moriyama and Kuroda had their backs turned, so they hadn’t seen them.
Shou widened his eyes and raised an eyebrow, confused. Oh, right, Ritsu still had to explain that to him.
Going over the quick plan he’d made earlier, Ritsu sighed and looked at Shou.
“Let’s make a favor exchange.” He began, swallowing. “I need you to lend me your invisibility.”
“Hey, hey, hey!” Shou looked at him up and down. “What’s this? You’re just asking for stuff without explaining?”
Ritsu didn’t want to explain. He didn’t want to tell him that he was hiding from two idiots who weren’t worth the effort, because that would be too humiliating, and Shou was the type to mock him for it.
“It doesn’t matter. Just do this for me.”
“Ritsu, if you think I’m going to let you get away with not explaining what—”
“I’ll do anything you want.”
From the way Shou went quiet and his eyes gleamed, Ritsu assumed that wasn’t the best decision. At least he avoided someone else finding out about his embarrassing situation — small victories.
Letting out a deeper sigh than necessary, Shou nodded and extended his hand. Ritsu didn’t pay attention to the warmth rising to his cheeks when he intertwined his fingers with Shou’s and started guiding him.
(Hunter X Hunter was right).
The two turned the corner, and Ritsu felt his body tense for a few seconds, his heart hammering against his ribs, until his mind fully realized that he couldn’t be seen. A sigh escaped his lips, and he strangely felt Shou’s curious gaze hovering over his back.
Everything was going according to plan. No fights, no psychic powers from Ritsu, no explanations to give; Ritsu had avoided it all.
Except for damn fate.
“That coward Kageyama must’ve taken another route.” Kuroda huffed, crossing his arms. “Or he’s still at school, with his tail between his legs.”
“Damn it, I was dying to punch that cute face of his.” Moriyama complained, cracking his knuckles. “Guess it won’t be today, huh?”
The two had all the time in the world to talk about Ritsu. They had any other place to go and talk about Ritsu. Hell, they could talk about Ritsu right in front of Ritsu!
So why the hell did fate put Ritsu and Shou in the exact spot and time when those assholes would reveal why Ritsu was using Shou’s power?
Ritsu felt Shou stop in his tracks and was forced to stop as well. He held his breath, ready to deal with Shou’s teasing and jokes.
However, when he turned to face his friend, Ritsu found Shou with a deep frown on his face. He also noticed how his grip was tightening painfully.
Shou’s expression reminded Ritsu of the day his house had burned down. Shou had the ability to make his blue eyes painfully noticeable to the point Ritsu had considered buying brown contact lenses — though he kind of liked the heavenly blue he found everytime he met Shou’s gaze — which created a disturbing contrast with the rest of his face, which darkened.
Ritsu didn’t understand what was happening until Shou, in the blink of an eye, let go of his hand and threw Moriyama into an alley across the street in one blow.
"Just like the overwhelming majority of psychics, Shou's powers included incredible superhuman strength. Ritsu still remembered the crack in the floor and wall that Shou made at the base of the Seventh Division of the Claw when he considered ignoring Shou.
So Ritsu assumed Moriyama’s nose was no longer in good shape.
Kuroda’s eyes went wide, and he froze, confused and dazed. All he saw was a black blur before his friend was thrown at an alarming speed across the street, making an unnecessarily loud noise.
Shou stopped behind him, gave his shoulder a nudge, and when Kuroda turned his attention to him, kicked him in the back. Now both Kuroda and Moriyama were in the alley.
Ritsu was still standing with his eyes wide open, alternating between Shou and his victims. What was happening.
Why did Shou just start punching two random guys? He was impulsive and a bit of a troublemaker from time to time, but not to that extent!
When Shou stepped forward and walked into the alley, Ritsu felt forced to snap out of it and follow him quickly. He needed to avoid a disaster.
“Damn…” Moriyama groaned, wiping the blood dripping from his nose — which, as Ritsu predicted, was in no good shape. “Who do you think you are?”
Shou let out a bitter, mocking laugh before snapping his fingers like an unspoken threat.
Ritsu was right behind him, and Kuroda saw him. With difficulty, the delinquent stood up, holding his stomach.
“Look, it’s Kageyama!”
Moriyama’s eyes widened, and a theory that would make sense in other cases formed in his mind.
“You went to ask for help, you cowardly piece of shit?”
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the idea of it being two against two?” Shou grinned, raising an eyebrow.
“Shou,” Ritsu called, trying to put as much determination into his voice as possible. “Let me handle this.”
Shou turned his face to look at Ritsu with wide, confused eyes. Ritsu knew he owed some explanations — which he tried to avoid at all costs — but this wasn’t the right time.
Besides, he didn’t need someone to fight his battles. Ritsu was perfectly capable of handling this on his own.
Ritsu shook his head at Shou and looked at Kuroda, but he was already advancing again. It only took seconds for Shou to intervene again and throw Kuroda into the alley wall.
That wouldn’t work, Ritsu smacked his hand against his forehead. Shou was uncontrollable when he wanted to be.
“Now you’ve got a bodyguard, Vice President Kageyama?” Moriyama taunted. “Can’t fight your own battles?”
“I don’t have a battle with you.” Ritsu raised an eyebrow. “Out of school, I’m just Ritsu Kageyama.”
“And Ritsu Kageyama is my best friend!” Shou declared proudly, putting his arm around Ritsu’s shoulders again and pulling him close. Ritsu might have blushed in the process. “So, I suggest you take your asses out of here if you don’t want an even worse beating!”
Kuroda spat blood and stood up again. Moriyama did the same. The two delinquents stared at each other for a moment before huffing and putting their hands in their pockets.
“Tsk. Not worth it.”
Faster than Ritsu expected, Kuroda and Moriyama started backing away, staggering from the powerful blows they’d received — Shou probably had still been gentle, or else those two wouldn’t be alive.
However, before they completely left, Kuroda turned around for a moment.
“This is not over, Kage—”
The words died in the boy's throat, and, judging by Kuroda's terrified expression, Ritsu assumed it had something to do with the strange grimace Shou was making. Out of the corner of his eye, Ritsu saw sparks of fire escaping from Shou's fingers, which only added to his threat.
“It's over.” Shou declared firmly. “If you try anything with him again, what will be over is your life.”
In the end, it was Moriyama and Kuroda who truly fled with their tails between their legs. Ritsu sighed in relief – both for being free from fight and for Shou not having killed anyone - when the two disappeared.
However, the relief soon gave way to embarrassment. Ritsu didn’t want to have been caught in such a situation. Kuroda and Moriyama were just as human as anyone else from a psychic perspective; Ritsu shouldn’t need help with that.
Shou knew that.
“So, Ritsu,” Shou’s expression returned to normal, and he put his hands on his hips. “Are you going to explain why you were hiding from those two idiots? I didn’t feel any psychic power coming from them.”
“They’re not psychics.” Ritsu answered simply.
“Exactly. So, why didn’t you just beat them up yourself? I’ve seen you take down people way stronger than them.”
Ritsu easily would’ve done that if he weren’t the vice president of the student council at Salt Middle School and if his fight history weren’t already tarnished enough. Now he needed to explain this to Shou.
“I’m trying not to use psychic powers in school-related matters.” Ritsu summarized. “I’m the vice president of the student council; I can’t get into fights.”
Shou snorted and rolled his eyes, probably thinking about how stupid rules and formalities could be.
They stayed silent for a moment longer.
“I didn’t need your help.”
“I know you didn’t.” Shou wasn’t surprised by his statement. “But since you can’t beat up assholes like that, let me do it for you.”
Ritsu widened his eyes and felt an inexplicable warmth rise in his cheeks. Shou was smiling confidently to himself, almost like he was making a promise.
What was Shou talking about? Why was he smiling like that?
Why was Ritsu’s heart pounding so fast?
Shou didn’t seem the least bit affected by his own words.
“By the way, I already know what I want from you.”
Oh.
Reality hit Ritsu.
Now Ritsu owed Shou a favor! He felt like banging his head against the wall. Of course, Shou wouldn’t have done what he did without expecting something in return. In fact, Ritsu wondered if anyone would.
“What do you want?”
“Give me a kiss on the cheek!”
The night was coming, and the sun was setting. The mix of red, orange, and pink was already giving way to a dark blue and purple sky. However, Ritsu’s face began to burn so much it felt like the sun was at its highest point in summer.
He simply froze and didn’t respond.
A kiss on the cheek? Why did Shou want a kiss on the cheek? Ritsu clenched his fists, feeling his heart racing in his chest, making it hard to breathe.
A few seconds passed since he’d entered this state of almost exploding, and Shou began laughing.
“I’m just kidding. You should’ve seen your fa-”
“Alright. I accept.”
The words left Ritsu’s mouth before he could stop them. He immediately looked away.
Ritsu didn’t want to be indebted, of course, or else he’d be admitting that he needed help! And if that was the price to pay, fine! Ritsu was ready for the sacrifice!
He lifted his face, determined to fulfill his mission, when he found Shou with wide eyes and a flushed face.
What was that expression? Ritsu raised his eyebrow, confused. He’d never seen Shou like this before.
“What’s wrong?” Ritsu asked.
“No, I...” Shou stuttered – how did this happen? “Are you serious?”
Ritsu felt like he was going to burst a vein.
“Of course, I am! It’s what you asked for, and I promised I’d do anything!”
“Ah...” Shou fiddled with his fingers and blinked, his cheeks still red. “Well, okay then...”
Ritsu took a deep breath and approached Shou with clenched fists. It was just a kiss. Nothing major, something quick and simple, Ritsu wouldn’t even feel it!
There was a moment of silence. Ritsu stared at Shou’s cheek for a few seconds before holding his breath and closing his eyes.
His heart was screaming and racing back and forth. Ritsu could feel the nervousness coursing through his veins, heating his face.
When his lips made contact with Shou’s soft and warm cheek, a firework display of emotions exploded in Ritsu’s chest.
He heard Shou hold his breath and felt the tension in his body connecting with his. Their heartbeats were racing, and both could barely breathe.
It lasted only a few seconds, but as Ritsu pulled away and opened his eyes, it felt like it had lasted for hours.
“Done.” Ritsu murmured, looking away. “Your favor is paid.”
Shou blinked for a while, as if still processing what had just happened, before breaking into a wide grin.
“Look, when you want to beat someone up but can’t use your psychic powers, remember there’s a psychic here who can.”
“Shou!”