Chapter Text
Poe’s heartbeat raced.
Why was he here? The room felt colder than it should be. The older man’s gaze fixed on him. Yet the room felt hot, or maybe it was just him. Poe couldn’t look directly at the man, thankfully the hair covering his face hide every ounce of nervousness he had.
The principle sat in front of him.
He was petting a blonde cat with the scariest blue eyes, that lasered into his soul. Poe felt his body building a cold sweat. Anticipating the next words that would come out of the principles mouth. Why was he here? Not just in this room, but in this school. Poe always felt like the ode one out, never being able to fit in. He felt everyone was cruel here, it never was welcoming nor friendly.
No one knew him. Which is why he was so surprised when he was called to the principal’s office, over the intercom. What had he done? Had he been accused of something? why, why, why-
His fingers felt cold, he couldn’t hear what the principle was saying over the sound of his heart beat, and the sound of the clock.
Tick…
Tick…
Tick…
Why was it so loud? Why was everything so loud? Why was there a cat here? Poe could see the headmasters thin lips move but only muffled sounds came out of it before Poe could hear the rest of what he was saying.
“-Congratulations!” Principle Mori had interrupted his thoughts.
Poe stared blankly at the man. So, he was not in troubled?
“Why so quiet you should be over joyed?” the principle scanned his face looking for a pinch of excitement.
“Over joyed for what, sir?” Poe still couldn’t make eye contact; he was too busy worrying that he hadn’t heard what Principle mori had said.
“You my student” he quickly looked at his computer screen “Edgar Allan- “.
“You can refer to me as Poe, sir”.
“-Poe, I received the results for the exams and...” The man smiled “not only do you score the highest among your year, but you also managed to beat our rivals school top score!”.
Poe’s eyes lit up, his hair no longer curtaining his eyes, now reveling the surprised expression Mori was looking for.
“Are you curtain it is me, sir- “
“I am very sure”
“I don’t know what to say- “ Poe started.
“Your face says enough. Go spoil yourself with books or whatever you nerds like. OH! and you should probably watch out for those Ace Delegancy kids. They’re really possessive over their academics, so watch out for them” the principle got up, slowly edging him towards the door.
“Sir are you sure? you must be mistaken, you might want to check again, it must be a- “ the door had slammed in his face, leaving him to stare for a moment.
Before opening the door, again, to revel the principle was gone, the window behind the desk opened with the curtains dancing with the wind. Poe stood confused for a moment, not sure what to do, before looking out the window.
There was no principle to be seen. Where had he gone? Where was the cat?
But that was the least of Poe’s problems, recalling what the principle had said he had the highest academics in the whole of Primrose Mastery ,the results haven’t been put out to the public yet, but the thought of people swarming him in a circle of fake congratulations and jealousy made him feel sick and overwhelmed already.
What was he going to do? He didn’t want to think about it for too long, so instead he made his way to the classroom he had left his bag in.
The hallways were empty, since everyone was outside. Poe didn’t want to be alone with his thoughts, but what the principle had said had him shaky.
What did he mean by the Ace Delegancy Academy students being possessive over their academics?
It was true that Primrose Mastery had a heated rivalry with the other school that ran very deep, no one knows how it started.
But what they do know is that they hated each other, and nobody was afraid to put the other in their place by any means necessary.
Poe shivered at the thought of one of those students hunting Poe down because he scored higher than them in a test.
Poe opened the door to the class.
“You!” a figure on the other side of the door shouted, pointing to Poe’s face.
Poe jumped. “Me!?”
The person seemed shorter than him but the way they had shouted told him either Poe did something wrong or Poe was about to you get in deep trouble.
“You.”the other growled.
“Me?” Poe could see them now.
The person was a short boy in a Ace Delegancy Academy uniform with-, wait an ACE DELEGANCY ACADEMY UNIFORM.
What was a person from that school doing here?
Poe had only been joking of a Ace Delegancy student hypothetically hunting him down, oh why did he have to jinks himself.
This was boy here to get revenge on him for getting the highest score. It couldn’t be, Poe doubted that the scores even in the ADA hadn’t been released yet. But why was this boy here then?
The boy opened his mouth to say something, when a familiar voice Poe knew spoke to him.
The figure moved towards Poe, he recognised them as a school faculty member.
Poe slid the door shut before turning to see his home room teacher, Francis, standing next to him, how much did he see?
What would he do if he knew an ADA student were behind these closed doors?
Would they chase him away with fire and pitchforks?
That might have been over exaggerating but Poe had to make sure no one knew he was here, they might suspect that he had something to do with this ADA student being on Primrose premises.
“Sorry to interrupt but I need to- “ the homeroom teacher spoke
“You weren’t interrupting anything” Poe lied through his teeth.
“But weren’t you talking to someone?”
“Nope ,nobody’s here” his voice projected a bit too loud, it echoed in the halls.
“Okay...” he paused, giving Poe a questioning glare “well I need to get some papers on my desk so- “
“I’ll get them!” he rushed out the words, he was glad his hair was covering his eyes because if they weren’t his home room teacher, Francis, would know something was up.
“Okay” his homeroom teacher dragged the word out, his mind wandering about the student’s weird actions.
But since Poe didn’t have a bad reputation, he wouldn’t question it too much “Just make sure it’s on my desk by tomorrow morning, got that?”.
The teacher walked off, paying no more mind to whatever the student was doing. It’s not like he was hiding a rival school student, besides Francis assumed Poe would be the last of his students to do such things.
As soon as his homeroom teacher had left Poe opened the door again.
“That was rude” he was met with the rival school kid’s voice, it sounded more annoyed then mad this time maybe he didn’t want to beat him up. “you’d think Primrose students would have some manners- “
“What are you doing here?” Poe entered the room closing the door behind him.
He was unsure whether to leave it opened or closed considering that things could go bad.
If he left it open and things went south, he could make a run for it.On the other hand if someone saw him with an ADA student it would end very badly. Whatever was going to happen Poe had to do his best to deescalate the situation.
“I’m here to meet my rival of course” the others face now serious, eyes stoic.
Poe wanted to jump out the window. Not even 5 minutes after being told he was an academic prodigy he was going to be jumped and beaten by this shorter boy. He could get a head start if he ran, since he is more familiar with the school. But he would have to sacrifice leaving his bag that he had come there for, but it was a choice Poe was willing to make.
The boy burst out laughing, leaving Poe confused.
“It feels so weird saying that, you know” the boy still laughing trying to catch his breath before saying “I mean we are rivals but it’s just not a normal thing to say to someone the first time you meet”
So, this boy wasn’t going to hurt Poe, but that just added to his questions, why didn’t he want to hurt him? “So, you don’t want to fight me?”
“Why would you think I would do something so stupid” the boy sat down on a nearby desk “And here I thought you were the smartest person in both our schools”
“How did you know that?”
“I blackmailed my principle, obviously” awkward silence followed that statement, Poe still wrapping his mind around this whole situation “it’s a joke. Why are you so serious? I don’t bite”
“But, the other students will if they find someone like you here”
“What do you mean someone like me?’
“Someone of the ADA, if they find you who knows what would happen”
“They’d probably burn me, and make my skin in to a flag”
“Really?”
Poe wasn't that familiar with all the customs of Japan, as strange as this might be the possibility of such a thing didn't seem that far fetched.
“Obviously not, I’m just pulling your leg here, you take stuff to seriously”
Poe began playing with his hair nervously, his fingers still cold “Oh…”.
A big sigh left the shorter man, scratching his head “You’re not what I imagined” he said in a low tone as if he didn’t expect Poe to hear it. The intruder then began to fling his legs around.
“What does that mean-?”
“It doesn’t matter” he eyed Poe “We are going to be rivals anyway whether I like it or not”.
He let out a big sigh again that shook Poe a bit.
Poe had disappointed any expectations he had of him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed at himself, before turning that annoyance to the other boy.
Who did he think we was, coming to Poe’s school and saying he wasn’t good enough to be his rival.
This guy wasn’t good enough to be his rival.
Look at him, the boy was clearly childish and self-centered. Are all ADA students like this, no wonder why they all hated them, they probably think they're so up on the ladder that they do is look down on us.
“It’s not like I want to be your rival” Poe muttered softly, he didn’t realize the words were escaping his mouth, but it was too late, the boy had heard him.
“Exactly” the man jumped off the table, his feet thudding in front of Poe.
Poe could see his face clearly now, the others eyes were almost fox like, staring mischievously at him with a grin to match it
“I don’t get this whole rivals thing. Why should I care about some other school? I just think it’s ridiculous that because we are in rival schools that now we have to be rivals now, don’t you think?” the other leaning closer to him waiting to the answer
“I-I guess but if you think it’s silly then why did you want to meet me, a person of that rival school” the boy leaned closer, Poe tried to create some distance by inching away.
“Because no one has managed to score higher than me, except for you of course, and because of that I think you’re worthy of being my rival” the boy now extending his hand to him .
“What do you say, do you think you can live up to such a title?” .His words were contradicting.
This boy seemed to despise this rivalry thing, but was willing to see it through since Poe scored higher than him.
Who did this guy think he was? Did he really expect Poe to be so gullible and take his hand? What would he get out of it if he approved their rivalry? This guy clearly underestimated Poe.
Poe shook his hand.
If Poe had become this boy’s Rival, he would be able to prove himself better, and put him in his place. Poe would be the one looking down on him and all the other ADA students, not the other way around.
“Your name’s Poe, right”
“How did you- “
“doesn’t matter, it’s nice to meet you, Poe” his grip tightened over Poe’s hand, he returned the hand shake with equal force.
The way the other had said his name ‘Poe’ made him grind him teeth, he had never had a rival before but Poe was going to be the best rival ever,and put this student in his place.
There was a moment of silence, before Poe asked “And your name is, Mushita- “
The boy shook his head.
“Rue- “
The boy shook his head, again.
“Sorry I’m really bad with names" Poe admitted.
“Why are you saying sorry? This is the first time we’ve ever met each other”
“But you know my name so I felt weird not knowing your name”
“Call me Ranpo”
“Ranpo".
The word felt like poison between Poe's lips.
Their hand shake ended, and so began their rivalry.
Ranpo, Poe recited in his head making sure that he wouldn’t forget the name of his new rival.
----------
Had Fukuzawa gone too hard on Ranpo?
The head master of Ace Delegancy, had to admit that boy was extremely talented and yet so very childish.
The boy had always hung out in his office after school, or whenever he had free time.
He would mostly talked about random stuff about his day and although the principle hadn’t minded it, today he had been in a very bad mood.
The department had come by and said that the Academy was starting to become a lesser performing school, and they pushed the blame on the head master.
In the Fukuzawa’s defense, last semester had been a complete mess. A student had started a gambling club, and during the exams someone had let loose rats across the whole school as well as printing the test answers at the back of the test papers.
The three students had been caught and suspended, of course. But Fukuzawa hadn’t told the board about it, scared that they might consider expelling those kids.
But he didn’t want to think about that now, his mind went to his and Ranpo’s interaction before the boy had stormed out.
Ranpo had asked to see the results of the exam, of course, his was the highest, Fukuzawa had praised him for such an achievement. But when the boy had found out that someone in Primrose, a boy named Poe, had gotten a higher score than him, he became extremely nosy.
Which began to annoy Fukuzawa, adding to his bad mood. He had scolded the child for being too noisy and had told him he should find something to do, find a club to join. That seemed to make Ranpo go quiet, and then the boy had stormed out.
Fukuzawa had felt bad that he took out his frustration on Ranpo. He hoped the boy didn’t hate him too much.
Fukuzawa heard a knock, but it didn’t come from the door.
It came from the window behind him.
A familiar shadow fell over him.
Oh no
“How’s it been Fukuzawa?” a voice that seemed all too familiar spoke, muffled through the glass.
Fukuzawa let out a loud tired sigh, before proceeding to look through the window.
Mori.
The head master of their rival school. Stood outside Fukuzawa’s office window, a blond cat rested in his arms, stroking it gently.
“Can’t you use the door for once” Fukuzawa deadpanned, purposefully not making eye contact, instead looking at the cat.
“I prefer to be outside; you know, its tuff being cooped up in your office all day”
“That doesn’t explain why you’re standing outside my window two floors above the ground”
“Well, it’s not like I can just walk through the school without causing suspicion, am I correct?”
Their eyes met for a second “What do you want, Mori”
“To tell you the truth” he petted the feline “I didn’t expect the results of my school would beat yours”
“And?” Fukazawa’s eyebrows furrow.
“Well, it’s not everyday something like this happens” Mori smiles, it wasn’t just any silly smile. It was a smile of absolute hatred, a smile that wished the downfall on Fukuzawa and the academy, a smile Fukuzawa knew too well “Let’s make a bet, Fukuzawa?”
“No.” Fukuzawa answered bluntly.
“You didn’t even get to hear me out?”
“Why would I want to make a bet with you” He clenched his jaw “especially after last time” His eyes narrowed towards the cat placed in Mori’s arms.
“Because I’m betting with something you can’t refuse”
“And that is?” Fukuzawa raised his eyebrow.
Mori held up the cat placing it in front of the glass that separated them “Remember Elise?”.
How could Fukuzawa ever forget?
Elise was the stray they both found a long time ago when they were both in college, living their youth. He remembered that they both fought over who would keep her, they settled on a stupid bet that would determine who owned her.
Unfortunately, Fukuzawa lost, so the poor feline was in the care of Mori, which Fukuzawa couldn’t stand. He believed himself that he was obviously the right choice; Mori lacked the love and competition for others that Fukuzawa had so much of.
There would not be a day that went by that Fukuzawa did not think of that cat.
“We both know you cheated back then” Fukuzawa grumbled.
“You’re still salty about it, huh?” he teasingly waved the cat on the glass “Well if you really think I did cheat, how about we make a bet again but with a much higher price?”
Fukuzawa sighed “What bet are you trying to make?”
“It’s a simple one” The rival head explained “There are some upcoming events for this semester that our school will be competing against each other. I suggest that whichever school accumulates the most points will win”
“And you’re saying I would win Elise?” his eyes darkened “What do you want out of this bet?”
Mori pointed up, but not at the sky. He was pointing at the katana displayed above the window, one of Fukazawa’s most prized possessions.
“Anything but the Katana” Fukuzawa grunted.
“But I don’t want anything but the Katana” Mori’s smile faded "it's the only trophy that I would value"
“Then the deals off”
“Oh, you hear that Elise~” He said in a baby voice “Fukuzawa doesn’t want you, he doesn’t care about you. OH ,well when we get home, I’m going to make you put on all the outfits I bought for you~”
Fukuzawa stayed quiet, suppressing the urge to grab the cat through the glass out of Mori’s arms. He didn’t deserve the affection of such a cute cat, he deserved to be bitten and peed on for the rest of eternity.
“Fine then…” Mori grinned “I heard that the department was upset about last semesters results for your school.They were bragging to me how my school is making it up the ranks.At that rate they will most likely decrease the budget for this year’s prom.
Wouldn’t that be so sad? To think all those students who would have been looking forward to such a grand event, that marked the end of high school and the beginning of adulthood.
How about this, if you win the bet, I’ll give you half of my schools’ budget to you so you can spoil your students on top of giving you Elise, what do you say?”
Fukuzawa thought of Ranpo.
The boy had worked so hard, he had put in so much effort for his grades. Yet Fukuzawa felt the boy had missed out on the whole high school experience, he felt a bit guilty that he was the reason the boy prioritized grades over his high school life.
Prom was the last opportunity Ranpo had to live his youth and he didn’t want to disappoint him.
At that moment Fukuzawa didn’t just think of Ranpo as one of his students he thought of him as his son.
And fathers always think what is best for their sons, Fukuzawa wanted what was best for Ranpo.
He sighed.
“Is that a, yes?”
“If you cheat this time, I’m burning your school down” he said with a serious expression.
Mori chuckled “I will get the contract ready for you to sign tomorrow, and get the announcement emails out as soon as possible.Although this is more of a deal then a bet”
“It’s a bet” Fukuzawa said “because I know my students will destroy your excuse of competition”
“A bet it is, because my students will mop the floors with yours” Mori added.
And so, it was set, with a Bluetooth hand shake. The competition between Ace Delegancy Academy and Primrose Mastery seemed to be set in stone. Surely this semester they can set out who is the superior school.
Athlete verses Athlete.
Genius verses genius.
The schools finest will go against each other, surly nothing bad can happen.