Chapter Text
Upon entering the great Blue Academy, Yamamoto Shinichi never imagined that besides studying, he would find something far more thrilling here.
The morning began with excitement. He woke up early, got himself ready, and left the dorm room provided by the academy. Crossing the bridge that led to the main building, he encountered a guard who, as it turned out, loved to ask riddles.
After solving the riddle fairly quickly, the guard let him through.
The Blue Academy was majestic. Gothic architecture with tall arches and stained-glass windows, long corridors with soft carpets underfoot, paintings of legendary graduates… all of this inspired respect.
At the entrance to the main building, his homeroom teacher greeted him.
— Good morning, Yamamoto. I’ll help you get to your class.
He nodded, following her. Everything here seemed different, new, although he had already been to the academy for registration. But back then he was only a guest, and now he was a full-fledged student of the academy, and this vast complex of ancient buildings, linked by winding corridors and imposing staircases, had become his new reality.
Walking through the building, Shinichi noticed a strange detail — narrow-gauge rails laid right along the wall.
— Is that… a train?
— Correct, — the teacher nodded. — The academy is too large, so we have our own railway. The train runs between the main buildings, helping students get where they need to go.
Shinichi watched as a small train passed by - something between a retro locomotive and a futuristic vehicle like the ones he had seen in movies.
— Impressive…
When they reached the classroom, the teacher stopped.
— This is your class, — the woman said, pausing at the door.
— Thank you, — Shinichi bowed politely.
It wasn’t necessary here, but he couldn’t help himself - Japanese tradition was in his blood. Fortunately, the teacher said nothing about it.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. Just as he reached for the doorknob, ready to step inside, the teacher stopped him.
— Wait, I want to introduce you to someone.
Shinichi followed her gaze and saw two boys.
The first was tall, with dark hair, flawless posture, and piercing blue eyes. He moved unhurriedly, confidently, as if he knew the whole world revolved around him.
The second - a brunette with soft-looking hair and kind eyes, who instantly drew Shinichi’s sympathy.
— Good morning, Ron, Totomaru, — the teacher greeted. — Isshiki, I’ve been waiting for you.
— Good morning, — the brunette smiled. — Did something happen?
Shinichi almost chuckled - this guy looked like a fluffy hamster. Innocent and silly. He scolded himself silently; one shouldn’t judge by appearances.
— This is your new classmate, Yamamoto Shinichi. He’s Japanese, just like you, Isshiki. Please help him settle in.
Shinichi’s eyes lit up.
There’s another Japanese student here?
He was thrilled. He wasn’t the only Japanese in this academy - it was a relief.
— Oh! Nice to meet you, I’m Isshiki Totomaru! — the brunette exclaimed cheerfully, bowing low.
— Pleased to meet you as well, — Shinichi replied, bowing in return. — I’m Yamamoto Shinichi.
Suddenly, he felt a heavy gaze on him. Looking up, he met the cold eyes of the second boy. Those blue eyes seemed to analyze every feature of his face, sending a strange chill through him.
— That’s all from me. Good luck, Yamamoto, — the teacher said before leaving.
— Thank you, — Shinichi bowed respectfully once more.
Isshiki beamed at him:
— Let’s go, after class I’ll show you around the academy!
— That would be wonderful! Thank you, Isshiki.
— Oh, you can just call me by my first name, if you’re comfortable with that, — the brunette said with a shy smile.
— Uh… — Shinichi hesitated. He wasn’t used to calling someone by their first name so quickly. In Japan, that was usually reserved for close friends or loved ones. — Alright.
The dark-haired boy still hadn’t said a word, just watched silently.
— How long have you been studying here? — Shinichi asked.
— Not too long. Almost two years, — Isshiki replied thoughtfully.
— That’s a long time… — Shinichi said in surprise.
— He might not stay much longer if his grades and reports remain this terrible, — came a mocking voice from behind.
Wait, this guy knew Japanese? He definitely looked British, but his Japanese was flawless.
Isshiki flinched and glared at him.
— That’s not true! I’m not that bad! — he protested. — And anyway, I wasn’t talking to you, don’t butt in so suddenly!
The dark-haired boy smirked, clearly enjoying Isshiki’s irritation.
Totomaru huffed and turned back to Shinichi.
— Don’t mind him, — Isshiki said gently. — He’s just a bore.
Shinichi nodded silently, not wanting to interfere.
— Ah, — came a cough from behind.
— What do you want? — Isshiki snapped.
— How long are you going to stand here? Class is about to start, — the dark-haired boy scoffed. — I thought you swore never to be late again.
— I’m late only because of you! — Toto grumbled, fists clenched.
— Is that so? — he smirked indifferently.
— Ugh, whatever, — Isshiki sighed. — Let’s go inside.
Shinichi nodded, and they entered. He sat next to Isshiki, who insisted on it. And no, it wasn’t because he was afraid to sit alone - it was only because Totomaru insisted! That’s the truth! …Well, maybe not the whole truth. But who cared? What mattered was that he sat next to Isshiki.
— Who was that guy? — Shinichi whispered. — The one you started arguing with at the door.
— His name is Ron Kamonohashi. He’s our classmate… and a real arrogant bore, — Isshiki huffed.
Shinichi’s eyes widened.
Ron Kamonohashi? He’d heard that name before! That was the genius, the prodigy with inhuman deduction skills, capable of solving the hardest cases…
The top student of Blue Academy!
— Well, that’s not a very flattering introduction for someone as brilliant as me, Toto, — Ron chuckled from behind. — Ah, yes… nice to meet you, Shinichi. — he added with a touch of disdain.
But Shinichi hardly noticed. All he cared about was that he was in the same class as a living legend! Ron Kamonohashi himself! How could Isshiki dare to call this great man a bore?
— That’s rude, addressing him by name without his permission! — Isshiki scolded.
Ron ignored him.
— Kamonohashi, it’s an honor to meet you! — Shinichi blurted, eyes shining with excitement.
— There, that’s the normal reaction of an ordinary person, — Ron’s grin widened, clearly enjoying the praise. — You could learn a thing or two from him, Toto. — he teased, casting a glance at Totomaru.
Toto? That was his nickname? It sounded cute.
— Oh, shut up, Ron! — the brunette rolled his eyes. — Enough, class is about to start.
Shinichi sat quietly, watching them bicker like an old married couple. Their dynamic was unusual — charged with rivalry, tension, and something deeper he couldn’t quite define.
What kind of relationship did they have? Shinichi wondered.
Whatever it was, one thing was certain — it was far more complicated than it looked.
And when Ron threw one last smug glance at Toto, and Ishiki’s eyes sparkled in response, Shinichi thought that studying in the same class with this pair would be very entertaining.
As soon as the lesson ended, the classroom filled with chatter and laughter. Still overwhelmed by the impressions from the first class, Shinichi packed his bag.
— Yamamoto, want to have lunch with me? We could eat in the garden, and I could show you how to get there, — Isshiki suggested with a smile.
Shinichi nodded happily. He felt wonderful, filled with all sorts of emotions — in a good way. Totomaru was truly a kind person, and talking with him was easy and pleasant. Thanks to Isshiki, Shinichi hoped the school year would turn out easier than he had expected.
But at that moment their conversation was suddenly interrupted by Ron. The dark-haired boy looked extremely displeased. The gaze of his blue eyes sent chills down Yamamoto’s spine; he couldn’t understand what he could have done to deserve such hostility.
— I thought you’d have lunch with me, — Ron growled, placing his hands on his hips and fixing Toto with a demanding look.
— I already eat with you all the time. You’ll manage just fine without me! — Toto muttered, clearly not wanting to stay in Ron’s company. He spun around sharply and quickened his pace toward the classroom door. It seemed as if Toto hoped to escape Kamonohashi this way.
But Ron, unwilling to be left behind, followed him, continuing to fill the space with his self-satisfied grin.
— You can never run away from me, Toto. Admit it, you’d miss me if I weren’t around.
— Only in your dreams, — he snapped back, glancing over his shoulder. Yet his cheeks burned red with embarrassment at Ron’s teasing.
Quietly, Shinichi followed them, watching their bickering. Their interaction sparked curiosity in the other students as well.
Yes, they really were an interesting pair - one always looking for a chance to poke fun, and the other trying to ignore it, though his reactions betrayed that Ron’s words did affect him.
And yet, at the same time, it didn’t look like bullying.
Finally, Toto and Shinichi left the academy, and before them opened the view of the school garden - greenery, bright flowers, and cozy benches inviting them to spend time in this beautiful spot. Shinichi breathed in the fresh air, feeling his mood rise even more. He was glad that, despite Ron’s displeasure, he had still found support in Isshiki.
— This way, — Isshiki pointed, walking past blooming bushes, — You can often be alone here to think, or just enjoy nature, — he suddenly began telling him about the garden.
Shinichi listened with delight, soaking in the atmosphere of peace and comfort.
The Blue Academy garden was like another world - far from the noisy classrooms and strict teachers. The air here was fresh and filled with the scent of flowers, and a gentle breeze playfully stirred the leaves of the trees. Shinichi walked behind Isshiki, while Ron, like a shadow, followed Totomaru, not hiding his displeasure.
— Wow… — was all Shinichi could whisper, glancing around.
— Beautiful, isn’t it? — Isshiki asked with a warm smile.
— Yeah… — he murmured softly, feeling his heartbeat slow down, adjusting to the tranquil atmosphere.
Isshiki pointed ahead:
— Let’s go, there’s a gazebo up front. It’s usually empty, so we can have lunch there in peace.
Shinichi nodded and followed him, but suddenly caught a whisper ahead.
— Hey, you want to show him that place? — Ron’s voice was filled with hurt.
— And why not? — Isshiki whispered back in the same tone.
— But that’s our place… — Kamonohashi pressed insistently.
Shinichi felt his curiosity flare up again. Their place? What did that mean? He tried to listen more carefully without giving himself away.
— Oh, come on, don’t grumble. We’ve got plenty of other special places.
Other places? It was getting more and more intriguing.
Shinichi glanced at the two of them and suddenly thought he had just witnessed something forbidden.
The way Isshiki and Ron looked at each other… There was something deep in it, something Yamamoto couldn’t understand.
Shinichi felt a faint tension in the air. What exactly was their relationship?
He silently watched as Ron clenched his jaw, but then unexpectedly smirked, as if unconcerned.
— Well, well, let’s see if he likes it, — he drawled with a lazy grin.
Isshiki only sighed.
Shinichi couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had touched on something personal—something he wasn’t supposed to touch, something hidden deep beneath their light squabbles and smug grins.
And yet, he was curious to know what would happen next…
The gazebo was hidden in the garden greenery, sunlight breaking through the leaves and playing on the wooden tables, giving the place a spring-like coziness. When they stepped inside and sat down, Shinichi felt the air between Isshiki and Ron grow tense again.
Kamonohashi leaned casually against the back of the bench, smirking, and then lazily threw out:
— Well, Totomaru, even here you can’t get rid of me.
Isshiki sighed heavily, folded his hands on the table, and muttered:
— I’d be very happy if you just ate instead of indulging in your favorite nonsense.
Ron ignored him, watching with mild interest as Isshiki set out the lunch, and then took his share.
Wait, why was Isshiki preparing a separate bento for Ron?
Shinichi felt like the odd one out. Ron completely ignored his presence, as if he were just a shadow in their conversation. And yet, strangely enough, that only fueled Shinichi’s interest.
Their teasing seemed like more than playful rivalry. Ron’s words carried something personal, while Isshiki’s responses held a suppressed blush and a light irritation that didn’t feel like genuine displeasure.
At some point, Shinichi couldn’t take it anymore.
— You two… — he hesitated, choosing his words. — What’s your relationship?
Ron only smirked at that, his gaze lighting up with a sly, mocking spark.
— What do you think, Yamamoto? — he asked, leaning in a little closer, his voice sweetly venomous, dripping with self-satisfaction.
Shinichi felt his heart skip a beat. That look, that tone… It was as if Ron were deliberately trying to confuse him.
Isshiki, on the other hand, suddenly tensed up and nearly shouted:
— We’re just acquaintances! Just friends… Nothing more!
Ron instantly scowled, his smirk vanishing, and puffed his cheeks, turning away like a sulky child who had just been deprived of attention.
Shinichi couldn’t help but notice the way Ron’s lips pressed into a displeased line, his fingers curling into a fist on the table.
Just friends?
Shinichi wasn’t sure he could believe that.
After classes, Shinichi walked down the long academy corridors, mentally digesting everything that had happened that day. The tour of Blue had gone well - Isshiki was very kind, explaining details thoroughly, showing him around the building, even offering a few tips about academy life.
Ron Kamonohashi, as expected, followed them. Sometimes he added something to Isshiki’s words, and sometimes - just to tease him.
Those two… They definitely had some unusual connection. Shinichi still couldn’t figure it out, but one thing was certain: watching them was fascinating.
However, at some point during the tour, Ron left. He said he had important business. But just before disappearing around the corner, he turned back and… that look…
Shinichi shivered at the memory - it was as if a cold wave had washed over him. Kamonohashi had looked at him as though… he hated him? Or maybe he simply didn’t want him near Totomaru?
«Maybe he just doesn’t like me,» — Shinichi had thought then. — «But why?»
Though why should he even care?
After Ron left, the atmosphere changed noticeably. The tour went smoothly without him, but… felt a little dull.
One thing Shinichi knew: he liked spending time with Isshiki. His sincerity, kindness, even his slight foolishness - it all made him… interesting. His personality drew people in, almost enticing.
— Come on, I’ll walk you to your dorm, — Isshiki offered at the end of the tour.
— Sure, I’d appreciate it, — Shinichi smiled.
Shinichi’s room was on the second floor, number 207.
— Nice room, — Isshiki noted, looking around.
— Thanks. Too bad my roommate isn’t here yet.
— Don’t worry, you’ll meet him soon, — Isshiki encouraged.
— And where’s your room? — Shinichi asked.
— In another wing. If you want, I can show you, so you’ll know where to find me.
— Of course, let’s go.
They left the room and headed toward the other wing. On the way, they exchanged phone numbers.
— Here, if anything happens — call me, — Isshiki said with a smile.
— Got it, thanks.
— You haven’t been to that part of the dorm yet, right?
— Yeah, it’ll be my first time there, — Shinichi replied, adjusting his backpack strap.
The corridor stretched long, bathed in soft, warm light. Blue Academy truly was an elite school - you could tell by how much attention it paid to student comfort.
— The second wing is a bit quieter, — Isshiki continued. — Not only top students live there, but also those who prefer solitude.
— Hm, and are you one of them?
— Me?.. — Isshiki thought for a moment, then smiled. — I don’t think so, I’m the type who likes company and noise.
Shinichi nodded, though he found the answer a bit odd. If Isshiki liked noise and company, then why was he placed in the second wing?
Could it be that Totomaru was actually one of the academy’s top students? But that was strange - he had never heard of him before. Then again… If he was one of the top students, it would explain why he was so close with Ron Kamonohashi!
Shinichi’s eyes gleamed with renewed curiosity.
— You could also move to another wing in the future, if you wanted, — Isshiki said. — Once you get high grades and prove yourself, they might offer you a transfer.
— Uh-huh… — Shinichi muttered uncertainly.
High grades, huh… yeah, right!
He probably won’t make it…
Honestly, he didn’t care which wing he would live in. He hadn’t come to the academy for status - what interested him most were the studies themselves.
But still… the thought that he could live among great people stirred a strange, pleasant feeling in his chest.
When they walked into another part of the dormitory, the atmosphere changed slightly. It was really quieter here, fewer students were bustling through the corridors, and the furniture looked more expensive.
— Here we are, — said Isshiki, stopping by the elevator.
Oh god, they had an elevator! Now he wanted even more to become one of Blue’s top students…
They went up to the second floor, where the corridor was wider and the doors looked more massive than those in the regular rooms.
— My room is 13, — said Isshiki, stopping in front of one of the doors.
Shinichi remembered that. Now, if something happened, he knew where to go.
— Thanks for showing me.
— Don’t mention it.
They were about to say goodbye when the door in front of them suddenly opened.
Ron Kamonohashi was standing on the threshold.
Shinichi hadn’t expected to see him here, and judging by Ron’s slight blink of surprise, he hadn’t immediately understood what was going on either.
But a moment later, his face was expressionless again.
— Oh, I was just about to look for you, — he said to Isshiki, ignoring Shinichi.
— Did something happen? — asked Isshiki, tilting his head slightly.
Ron chuckled and lazily leaned his shoulder against the doorframe.
— Better talk about it inside, — he said, looking at Totomaru.
Isshiki frowned a little but nodded silently.
Shinichi, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke up:
— You… live together? — The question slipped from his lips almost automatically.
Isshiki tensed slightly, as if he didn’t know how to answer correctly.
— Uh… yeah, — he said, smiling uncertainly.
— But… — Shinichi frowned. — I heard that the best students of the academy live on the third floor. In single rooms.
This time Ron snorted but said nothing, leaving the right to answer to Isshiki.
After thinking for a moment, Isshiki said:
– Well… Ron was bored being alone, so he wanted to move in with someone. And in the end, they transferred him to me, so now we live together.
Shinichi immediately realized that was a lie.
He didn’t even need to think hard.
But he decided not to ask any unnecessary questions.
Suddenly, Ron looked at him, his eyes narrowing.
His gaze…
Sent shivers down Shinichi’s spine.
Kamonohashi’s icy, piercing stare seemed to say: Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.
– I see, – Shinichi muttered, feeling the tension in the air.
He no longer knew what was worse: this cold indifference or the threat, the clear warning.
– Alright… got it. I should go, – he added, taking a step back. – See you tomorrow, Isshiki.
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked away.
Shinichi walked down the corridor, but his thoughts wouldn’t let him go.
What exactly is going on between these two?
Why did Ron look at him as if he were an obstacle?
And most importantly… why did Isshiki lie?
There was an unpleasant feeling left in his chest.
There were no answers yet, but Shinichi knew one thing: he wanted to find out more.