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Ryoma Hoshi wasn’t expecting a phone call, especially not one so late in the night. He wasn’t exactly the type of guy with many friends and truthfully that’s the way he liked it after everything that’s happened. It was damn too easy to get people hurt. So, to say he was both surprised and annoyed when his phone rang at 3 am was an understatement.
He sat up and answered it, a hand rubbing his face trying to push back the feeling of a headache. “What do you want?” Ryoma asked rather coldly into the phone, as he felt his cat curiously jump into his lap.
“Shit man, I….I probably deserve that for trying to drag you into this.” The voice on the other side of the phone started. “But I didn’t know who else to call. It’s Oowada, Mondo. We did some time together.”
Ryoma’s hand slowly fell down from his face as he processed this information. He paid no mind to the tom cat that was now rubbing against his stomach. Images of the past flooded the ex convict’s mind.
-
Mondo Oowada’s reputation was probably the only thing that saved him while he was in jail back then. It would be mean to call him stupid, but he wasn’t always the smartest with who he chose to pick his battles with. Ryoma couldn’t exactly remember when he started to look after the other in there and he definitely couldn’t remember why. It would be so much easier to just let a dumb kid learn their lesson, but perhaps his heart was softer than he wanted it to be.
He gave the other advice rather Mondo wanted it or not. They kept it real with each other, a hard thing to find in jail. Yes, he remembered Mondo Oowada.
-
Ryoma’s mind was reminiscing on one of their many smoke breaks together when Mondo’s voice came back through the phone. “Come on, man. Tell you’re there. You know I only get one phone call and that they time this shit.” The man’s voice sounded a mixture of annoyance and pleading.
“…..I’m here. You expecting me to bail your ass out?” Ryoma asked, a growling quality to his voice as he was still fighting off sleep. His free hand finally reaching out to pet and acknowledge the cat in his lap.
“Yeah….Like I said I’m sorry man, and I’ll pay you back. I just didn’t have….” Mondo cut himself off and cursed underneath his breath. Ryoma could just mentally picture the other male tightly gripping the phone to the point of veins popping out. “Listen, I can explain more after you get me out of here. So…..are you coming or what?”
The short man sighed as he stood up, his cat jumping from his lap back onto the floor. “Right. Just tell me where you’re at and I’ll be there soon.” The conversation ended shortly after that and Ryoma got ready to go pick up a half friend from jail.
-
Things were awkward after Mondo was bailed out. The taller man reminded Ryoma of a little kid who got caught sticking his hand in the cookie jar. Embarrassed and needing to explain, but not knowing where to start. The pair stood outside the police station silently for several minutes, before eventually Ryoma suggested that they get something to eat.
Ryoma led the way to this really small hole in the wall restaurant that seemingly was open 24/7. The place was barely big enough however to fit maybe more than six people within it at a time, maybe that’s why the former tennis pro liked it. However Mondo’s huge form seemed a little cramped in the small space, though he surprisingly didn’t complain. The bigger still had this kicked puppy expression to him.
After placing their orders, Ryoma once again sighed. “You said you owed me an explanation, so you better get to talking.” The shorter man stated bluntly.
Mondo awkwardly reached to rub his neck, a habit he always did when he felt uncomfortable. “You never were one for small talk.” He grumbled. “I didn’t even do anything that bad, it was a stupid public disturbance charge.” He tried to defend himself.
“Hmm.” Is all the shorter man said in response as he picked up his drink and brought it to his lips. The silence returned but this time it was more comfortable. The tension between the two started to lessen.
Finally Ryoma spoke however.
“That doesn’t answer why you called me.”
Mondo’s face became more stern as he thought about his next words.
“I walked away from The Crazy Diamonds, man.” The bigger man confessed. “You don’t exactly have a lot of friends when you walk away from something like that.”
Ryoma reached for a toothpick so he’d have something to fidget with in his mouth while they waited for their food. The former tennis pro knew Mondo had dreams outside of the motorcycle gang, but he doubted that the guy would ever have the balls to follow him. Shame on him for underestimating the other.
“I see, so what are you doing now?”
“I’ve been trying to become a carpenter, but I’ve been doing a lot of construction work while I do my carpentering apprenticeship.” Mondo explained.
“That’s nothing to laugh at. You keep at it and you’ll have something stable in no time.” Ryoma could feel some coach-like feelings come out. Before Mondo could respond, their bowls of food were brought out and replaced in front of them.
The two men began to eat. The meal went fast as if the two men were on autopilot. Before the both of them knew it, they were standing back outside the restaurant. Exhaustion seeping into both of them.
“Guess this is goodbye.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.”
Ryoma felt like he was going to regret the words fixing to come out of his mouth. “So, I don’t want to see your ass in jail again.” He started sternly. “But if you ever need someone in your corner again, I’ll be there.”
Mondo smiled and laughed before reaching out to playfully slap and grab the others hand. “Right! I’ll hold you to that, Hoshi!”