Chapter Text
It was cold, and I hated it. Well, maybe hate wasn’t the right word.
I mean, I’ve never liked January very much, even if you ignore the fact that it’s freezing and you can’t go anywhere without a scarf. The atmosphere annoys me most– emotionally, not physically. There are just way too many morons wrapped up in the “new year, new me” mentality.
Like… right. You’re suddenly gonna get your life together and make it into Keio Medical School just because you didn’t get hypothermia and die between 11:59 and 12:00 on New Year’s Eve.
Still, I couldn’t say I hated January. To me, it had become less of a platform for change and more of a… promise. A promise that no matter how the world turned, some things would stay the same, year-to-year.
Beautiful, warm things that cut through the cold. Things that were virtuous. Princely. And so, so cute!
If I had to be specific? Hirose Aiki.
Hirose was the epitome of virtue. If you need proof, just look at how everyone clings to him like overgrown brambles.
But, I was his childhood friend– his best childhood friend, if you considered credentials. I was the only one who remembered his pudgy face bundled up in that wizard costume, and his lovely eyes, swollen after he secretly cried in the corner of the classroom during graduation!
Hirose was, and always would be, perfect! Hirose was the World’s Number One, Grade A–
“– cutie! Fancy running into you here.”
“Oh my gosh, girl, quit it! You’re so embarrassing.”
… These girls again?
“Ah, hello. Can I help you?” I graciously flashed a smile in her direction. Not because I wanted to, but because she had obviously never received any sort of attention while growing up. Poor thing.
“Sure you can. You’re from Kita High, aren’t you? Sooo… why do you keep showing up here?” As she began to invade my space, I leaned back. “Are you waiting for someone? Someone like… me?”
Hah.
Oh, you wish. I wouldn’t be caught dead at a dump like this if it wasn’t for Hirose.
“I’m flattered. But no, I’m waiting for a friend. We’re going out for lunch this afternoon.” The corners of my mouth held rigidly, and I placed a hand between us. I wish I could’ve smacked it against her skull instead. Like a volleyball. Pow.
“Aw, really? Ugh. I guess I can’t hold you up then.” Her eyes flitted down at the ground before she craned her neck up at me again. “I’ll see you next time, Mr. Once-a-Month Prince!”
With that, she grabbed her friend’s arm and ran off.
“Ew, that was so cringy!”
“Shut up!”
I didn’t bother looking over my shoulder. Though, if they had made me miss Hirose coming out of the building, I would’ve chased after them and really spiked her head off.
Offhandedly, I picked at a small hole on the hem of my blazer. The trickle of students had waned, leaving the sad yard empty. Was Hirose running late again? He must’ve been helping a teacher. Such a nice guy. No wonder he had so many pests flying around him. Like Todoroki. I burned that shirt, by the way. Or Nakamura.
Suddenly, a lone figure pushed out of the doors. Finally!
Wait.
Did Hirose get taller? And dye his hair black? And chop his bangs off? And start wearing beady black contacts?
“Pfft– ahaha! Nakamura-kun, is that you?! Great forehead! I mean… haircut!” I cackled as he bumbled towards me.
In typical Nakamura fashion, he flared crimson and glared at me.
“You! W-what are you doing here?!” He spat, jabbing a finger at my chest. “I bet you’re here to perv on Hirose again!”
“Hah! I don’t have to stoop to your level.” Clearing my throat, I leaned down so he could properly meet my eyes, ignoring the way my back screamed. I could indulge him for a bit. Even paltry pups deserved treats once in a while. “Hirose and I are eating together today. It’s scheduled.”
Nakamura’s forehead flushed like a sun-dried tomato.
“You– you– you– you!” He gaped, his tiny eyes blown up surprisingly wide. “Why?!”
“What do you mean ‘why?’ That’s just something friends do together.” Of course, that clearly wasn’t something Nakamura was familiar with.
I snorted, rising upright and digging into my bag. “Actually…”
Snap!
“Since you won’t be there, I’ll show this to Hirose on your behalf.” In my hand was a perfectly captured photo of Nakamura’s idiotic expression, which I courteously turned to show him on my phone. “He’ll like it, don’t you think?”
“He will!” Nakamura stepped forward with misplaced confidence. “He said I look cooler without bangs! He said he might cut his because of me, too!”
“Of course he did. He’s so pure…” If Hirose cut his bangs again, he would look exactly the way he did in middle school…
A cloud suddenly drifted overhead, casting a brief shadow over the two of us. I blinked dreamily at it. “Woah. That cloud kinda looks like Hirose.”
Hirose’s lesser friend furrowed his eyebrows, looking up. “H-huh? Oh. You’re… right.”
We both frowned as the fluffy figure merged with another sheet of atmosphere.
“Anyways. What did you end up getting him for Christmas?” I crossed my arms. Actually, I didn’t care. But, one should never brag without properly setting the stage first. The Americans call it: A humblebrag.
“For Christmas?” Nakamura muttered, reaching into his pocket. “Uh, this. But a pink one.”
I looked down to see what he was holding. It was a blue pen with an octopus figure at the end of it.
That was… surprisingly tasteful. Did I just get out-humblebragged? Nakamura got Hirose something practical? Not just practical, but with a cute octopus figurine attached to it? Small, but functional and endearing, just like the cute shiba eraser Hirose gave me for my birthday in middle school?
That… was a really good gift! Now, whenever Hirose saw that pen, he’d think of Nakamura! Nakamura, whispering, ‘H-Hirose, here’s an Oku-to-Pass! Good luck with your studies!’
No! NO..! No. Hah. There’s no way someone as dull as Nakamura would’ve ever considered the implications of that pen. Plus, it wasn’t as if Hoshimi High was anywhere near Kita High’s level in terms of academic culture. Odds are that no one in these classrooms had ever uttered the words “Oku-to-Pass” before. They probably didn’t even study.
“That’s cute.” I scoffed, pushing his hand back towards him with a single finger. “Mine’s a little bigger, though. Since I couldn’t get an Aquapet t-shirt…”
With a flick of my wrist, I whipped a superior tee out of my bag.
“It’s a Smash Fighter shirt. Limited edition.” I shoved it closer to his face, since he seemed to like sniffing shirts so much.
Heh. If I had a 50 yen coin for every time I completely dominated Nakamura with a Hirose-related article of clothing, I would have two realistic eyeballs to make a life-sized replica of his pitiful, defeated expression. I should look into that.
“Um… Why would Hirose want to wear a shirt with two bloody guys on the front?”
“Because he likes the game. Obviously.”
“I know. He told me.”
“He told you?”
“Yeah. He told me.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, ‘why?’ That’s what friends do!”
I could feel my blood pressure rising as Nakamura prattled on ignorantly. Especially around my ears. Keep it cool, Kousei. Don’t jeopardize your cardiovascular health over an uncultured loser.
“Tch. Well, it’s for Hirose, not for you.” I pointedly folded the shirt back up to set into my bag. “I know he’ll like it.”
“You know I’ll like what?”
Nakamura jolted. Maybe I did too, but Nakamura jolted more.
“H-Hirose?” He sputtered, face flushing for the umpteenth time that day. So smooth.
“Hey, Nakamura.” Hirose beamed, tossing him a wave before turning to me. “Were you waiting long, Kou-chan?”
“Not at all.” I blinked placidly. Kou-chan. “Were you helping a teacher again?”
“Nah. Oomori and I got dragged into being mediators for some upperclassmen, haha! I think he’s still working things out between them.” He leaned towards Nakamura. “Apparently Tamura-senpai’s asking Aokiyama-senpai to help with his next film. Unreal, right?”
“Seriously? Those two working together..?” His face went as pale as milk. Actually, no. That would be offensive to milk. It went as pale as his prospects for the future in every area of life. “Wait, d-did they mention–”
“Hirose! We really should get going before it gets dark.” I stepped between the two of them with a slight head tilt. I felt Nakamura glower from behind me. And he thought he was subtle.
“That’s true– The diner’s kinda far from your house.”
Then, Hirose looked at Nakamura. Again. “Are you heading home now? Or were you waiting for someone?”
“N-no. No one.”
No one wants you here, Nakamura. Go away, Nakamura. Say you’re heading home, Nakamura. Leave us alone, Nakamura. Leave!
“Come on, Hirose.” I pursed my lips, digging a fingernail deeper into the hole in my blazer. “I’m excited to exchange our gifts.”
A smack echoed through the empty lot as the brunet slapped his head. “Oh, shoot! I totally forgot we were doing that today! I left yours at home.”
I locked eyes with Nakamura, static crackling dangerously.
I had expected that from Hirose. He was just too scatterbrained and cute. But for this intruder to overhear…
“Hah! Hahaha!” I whipped around, locking my eyes onto the road. “That’s okay. We can schedule a follow-up exchange soon.”
“I dunno, I’m pretty busy this month…”
“Let’s talk about it over food, alright?”
“Uh, sure.”
Clapping my hands together, I treaded away from the gate. A second set of steps confirmed that Hirose was following me. Good.
“See you around, Nakamura!” He called out.
I swallowed, pushing down the churning in my stomach.
I must’ve been hungry because I had skipped lunch.