Chapter Text
It isn't exactly a secret for their classmates or anyone else in school that Gundham and Kazuichi absolutely despise each other, though it's mostly Kazuichi who makes it more apparent. If those two even slightly glance at the other, they'll argue and fight over something whether it's the other's appearance, on how the other talk, their personality, or anything that comes up on their mind at that moment. Kazuichi is usually the first one to throw insults about Gundham’s dramatic way of speaking or his strange fashion choices. Gundham, of course, never backs down, calling Kazuichi a “mortal fool” or mocking his cowardice.
And unfortunately, today it isn't any different for the students of class 77-B.
“I don't even understand on why Miss Sonia hangs out with you so much! I'm way more interesting and funnier then you'll ever be!”
Kazuichi slammed both of his hands on Gundham's desk. A deep scowl twists across his face as he leans forward, invading Gundham’s space until they’re nearly face to face “What do you have that i don't to make Miss Sonia likes you huh? Is it because you didn't grow out of your emo phase or something.”
Kazuichi doesn't realize that there's barely an inch between their faces.
But Gundham does, of course he does, why wouldn't he?
He notices the warmth of Kazuichi’s breath. He notices the faint scent of metal and oil that always seems to follow him. He notices the way Kazuichi’s voice cracks slightly when he talks to him.
And most of all, he notices how dangerously close their lips are.
Gundham remains seated, but he slowly lifts his head. His expression stays composed and unreadable. Only the slight tightening of his fingers against the desk betrays him.
“How pitiful,” Gundham replies smoothly. “You are not worthy to compare the Supreme Overlord of Ice to a mere mortal like you. Your insecurities are louder than a lion's roar.”
Kazuichi’s fists tighten. “What the hell are you talking about!? I'm not insecure, you're–”
“You say you aren't,” Gundham cut off Kazuichi. “Yet you constantly scrape for approval,” Gundham continues, voice softer now, sharper. “You chase validation like a starving hound, begging for scraps of attention from anyone who will spare you a glance.”
Kazuichi instinctively recoiled. He took a sharp step back, the sudden distance leaving a cold void where his heat had just been. Gundham felt the loss of that proximity like a physical blow, though his face remained a mask of stone.
“Shut up! You don’t know anything about me!”
Gundham goes on, eyes locked onto his. “You boast of being interesting, you proclaim your superiority over me at every opportunity. And yet… you sound less convinced of it each time.”
Kazuichi opens his mouth to argue again but he hesitates.
“You fear being second choice. Not just to her. To anyone.” Gundham says, almost gently now. “You fear that no matter how likeable you are… no matter how hard you try… someone else will always be preferred.”
Kazuichi’s fists tremble again, but not with anger this time. His breathing grows uneven, his shoulder stiffen, jaw tightening as he forces his usual scowl back into place. “Whatever,” he mutters as he turned his back towards Gundham, though his voice is quieter now. It hits too close.
Gundham realizes too late that he has gotten too far, regret flickers in his eyes. He did not mean to say it like that. It was not his intention to hurt Kazuichi.
“Kazuichi...” Gundham starts, and for once there is no dramatical tone, no grand declaration. Just his name. It sounds unfamiliar coming from him like that. Kazuichi stiffens slightly at the sound, but he doesn’t turn around. Gundham’s fingers curl faintly at his sides. “I did not intend—”
“Save it.” Kazuichi doesn’t turn around. The bravado was gone, replaced by a hollow, quiet tone that hit harder than any shout. “I get it, okay?” Kazuichi mutters, forcing a short laugh that didn't land at all. “You win. You’re cool, mysterious, whatever. Everyone likes you. Especially Sonia. Have fun with her, since apparently, you’re the only one who doesn’t have to beg for a glance.”
Without another glance, Kazuichi walks back to his desk. Each step is quick, just fast enough to escape before anyone can see too much. His shoulders are rigid, his hands shoved into his jumpsuit pockets to hide the faint tremble still there. He drops into his seat harder than necessary and stares down at his desk, jaw tight, refusing to look up.
Gundham stood frozen where he is, staring at Kazuichi’s back. He could say more. He could explain. He could admit that it was never about Sonia that it never has been. But the words caught in his throat, tangled by his own pride. Instead, he watches as Kazuichi drops into his seat, not looking up from his desk.
Gundham lowers his gaze slightly, jaw tightening as he sat back down on his seat. “Foolish mortal...” he murmurs under his breath. But it lacks it's usual bite, only regret.
Chisa came in to class not shortly after, she began teaching something about history or at least that's what he think it was. To Gundham, the words were nothing more than a distorted, underwater hum. Everything felt like a blur. The word's on the chalkboard looks like an ancient forgotten language that he had never learn, everyone's faces smudged together like some abstract art.
All was a haze, except one... The neon-pink silhouette of the mechanic a few rows In front. That sharp flash of color was the only thing his eyes could lock onto, a jagged thorn in his vision that always refused to smudge together in the sea of faces.
But before he could dissociate further, a sharp, tiny pressure nipped at the skin of his palm.
The Four Dark Devas peered up at him with a bead like eye, twitching their nose as if sniffing the dissociation radiating from their master. Gundham’s hand went to stroke their fur with his unbandaged hand, The sudden, grounding sensation of their fur brought the world back into a narrow, shaky focus. But even with the Deva’s warmth against his skin, his mind remained trapped in a suffocating loop, replaying the sight of Kazuichi’s retreating back over and over again.
—————————<×-+★+-×>—————————
“Earth to Gundham,” He suddenly snapped back to reality when he realized that someone had called for him. His gaze focused on the hand waving In front of his face, and then looking at the person that was attached to it. Ah, it was the Dark Queen herself, Sonia. “Are you okay?” She said, her voice soft but echoing in the now quiet room. “I've been calling out your name for the last 5 minutes. Class had ended a while ago and you've been spacing out when you're usually already gathering your stuff up, are you ill? Perhaps i should take you to Mikan for a check up?”
“A-ah... I apologize.” Gundham stammered out as he quickly try to gain his persona back, forcing his voice back to the dramatical act “I was merely... communing with the astral plane! I was calculating the alignment for our next ritual. You needn't worry for my vessel, She-Cat. I, the High Overlord of Ice, cannot be felled by the measly pathogens of this mortal realm!” even as he struck a dramatic pose and his booming declaration, his eyes betrayed him. His gaze instinctively flickered toward the desk that had been the center of his universe.
It was empty.
His heart sank, then spiked again as he caught a glimpse of the mechanic through the doorway—slumped and silent, being dragged into the hallway by Fuyuhiko’s stern, impatient scowl.