บท 24: My Gift
After watching Akira's back disappear, I headed to Ranimer.
I wonder what Ryuu's got planned? Maybe it's just a free drink from the cafe? Whatever it is, I doubt it's anything extravagant.
"Welcome, Yamamoto's friend." The coworker from before greeted me as I walked in. "He's been expecting you." He grinned as he guided me to a counter seat.
"Oh? He told you?" I was confused on why he knew.
"Well, he did need to prepare, so I did the heavy lifting while he was." He explained before walking off to attend to another customer.
Prepare? He needs to prepare something? Eh? Is this gonna be more than I thought it'd be?
I looked around the store for Ryuu, but there was no sign of him. I wonder if he's still preparing my, uh, gift?
"Haruka-kun." I turned back to the counter to see Ryuu pop his head out from the back.
"Ryuu-kun! I'm here." I smiled as I did a little wave.
"Mm, I'll go get the stuff then." He nodded before disappearing again.
Stuff? Hmmm???
When Ryuu walked back out, he was holding a dark chocolate cake and a cup that looked like a sundae?
"Here." He placed the desserts before me. "I hope it's to your taste."
Oh, it looks very much to my taste. Don't worry.
"Ryuu-kun, did you make this?" I asked in awe as I pulled the sundae closer.
"I made the sundae, but I bought the cake from a nearby shop." Ryuu admitted.
"All this for me?" I couldn't help saying it.
I mean, I could understand the sundae, but he even went out of his way to buy a cake. From someone who doesn't have the best income, that's a pretty big deal.
"I didn't know any other way to repay you. Is this no good?" He asked a bit sullenly. I immediately shook my head.
"No! This is way more than I expected. Thank you!" To show I wanted it, I took a bite of the cake.
It was surprisingly bitter. I guess it's dark chocolate? Ohhh, it's probably to counter the sweetness from the sundae!
Geez, what a smart combo.
"How is it?" Ryuu looked like he wanted the question to come off casually, but the way his eyes beamed at me showed he was nervous. I smiled.
"It's delicious. I like how the cake's bitterness counteracts the sundae's sweetness." I said as I took spoonful from the sundae. "It's really good."
Ryuu's features relaxed, and I could see the tiniest hint of a smile on his lips.
Agh, how adorable.
"That's good." Ryuu simply stated as he started wiping down the counter.
As he got back to work, I enjoyed my treats. I wasn't finished talking with him, but I wasn't the only customer around. I couldn't impend his work, so I took my time and waited for an opportune moment.
Turned out the moment was when Ryuu finished his shift.
I hadn't noticed how much time had passed until I saw Ryuu come out the back in his casual clothes. I looked at my phone and saw it was near 10 o'clock.
Oof.
"I'll walk you home." Ryuu, ever straightforward, grabbed my grab and slung it over his shoulder.
Man, why is he so cool?
"Okay!" I grinned as I got up. "Oh, and good work today." I patted his shoulder.
"Mm, thanks." Ryuu muttered as we walked out the cafe.
Well, now's the best time, huh?
"Hey, Ryuu-kun?"
"Mm?"
"Would you happen to be avoiding me at school because you don't want your delinquent image to hurt my image to our fellow classmates?" I bluntly asked without hesitation.
Ryuu stopped dead in his tracks.
"Ryuu-kun?"
"...Haruka-kun, you're really too smart." Ryuu seemed a bit bitter about the fact as he looked at the ground with a slight frown.
I couldn't help but laugh. It's was too cute!
"Ryuu-kun, it's fine! I don't mind! If anything, now's the perfect time! With all the class bonding because of the preparation for the Sports Festival, it's a great time to get to know everyone." I merrily explained as we continued walking.
"If I stayed in the classroom, I'd only ruin the mood." Ryuu solemnly said. I frowned.
"How do you know if you've never tried?" I pouted. "Besides, you need to help with practice. Everyone's relying on you for strength!"
"..." Ryuu looked hesitant.
"Okay, I have a plan." I stood in front of him to make sure I had his full attention. "From tomorrow onward, you're not allowed to avoid me or being seen with me."
"But—"
"Nuh-uh, you will not avoid me." I finished with a reprimanding look. Ryuu sighed in defeat. "Next, you will have lunch with me."
"Bu—"
"Hey! Listen!" I slightly glared at him. He shut his mouth. "Finally, you'll stay for the last period's preparation time. I won't force you to stay the after school hour since you have work and all, but you have to stay for the stay last period. Understood?"
Ryuu stood as still as a brick wall.
I sighed.
"Ryuu-kun, this is all to get you accepted. If things don't go well, we can meetup and try again. I don't want you spending your high school life all alone." I said with concern.
"...—more."
"Hm? What was that?"
"But, I'm not alone. Not anymore." Ryuu's eyes and words pierced my heart.
Damn sly capture targets!
"I-I mean, yeah, but wouldn't it be better to have more friends?" I turned away as a slight heat rose to my cheeks.
"Hm." Ryuu answered noncommittally. "It wouldn't hurt to try." I lit up.
"Yeah! Don't worry! I'll be there to help! Leave it to me!" I proudly proclaimed as I puffed out my chest. "I'll make sure everything goes according to plan."
"Pft."
...
I know a cheesy grin's on my face.
The man just laughed! How could I not smile?
"Anyway, if all else fails, I'll always be your friend." I reassured as we approached my street.
"Mm." Ryuu nodded with his little smile.
Agh, how I wanna squeeze his cheeks!
"Here's my home." I announced as we stopped in front of the gate. Ryuu nodded.
...
"Uh, Ryuu-kun?"
"Hm?"
"M-My bag?"
Ryuu blinked before hastily pushing my bag to me.
"Er, sorry." He awkwardly apologized. I laughed.
"No, thank you." I reached up and ruffled his hair. "Good night!"
"...Good night." Ryuu bowed slightly before leaving.
Hehe, what a good boy.
Tomorrow's Thursday, so I won't be tutoring him. Well, that's fine. We'll have lunch together for the first time, after all! Ah, I really hope it doesn't turn into a disaster with Akira and Yuu.
Wait, tomorrow's Thursday. That's Tatsuya's day. The contract for keeping my gender a secret is probably gonna be ready by then...
Please, God, I'm begging! Don't let that contract be ridiculous!
I mean, Tatsuya's reasonable, right? Also, he'll let me negotiate some of the conditions, right? Like, for practice or as a test or whatever like before.
Ah, I really hope it's nothing crazy.
And as the next day came around, I mentally steeled myself.
When I entered the classroom, I looked around for Ryuu, but today was a day he'd be late it seems. I have no choice but to wait for lunch then.
"Morning, Haru." Akira greeted me as usual.
"Morning, Akira." I sighed as I sat down.
"What's up? Who were you looking for when you walked in?" Akira, scarily sharp, nonchalantly asked as he looked around.
"Oh, don't worry about it. Though, I guess I should tell you." I contemplated as I looked at him doubtfully.
"Ooo, is Haru finally gonna let me in on something?" Akira's eyes sparkled as he leaned over. "What is it?"
He's going to find out soon enough. Might as well let him know ahead of time, right?
"Er, you remember how I tutor Ryu—the Raging Dragon, right?" I mentally cringed at my stupid mistake.
Akira didn't seem to notice, though.
"Yup. Doesn't seem like he's beat you up yet, so I assumed you're doing a good job." Akira nodded. I glared. "So? What about it?" He easily ignored it.
I huffed.
"So, it's been about a month since we started, and I've found out that he's not so scary." I started off. Akira just raised an eyebrow in response. "And, well, we sorta, kinda became friends." I mumbled at the end.
Akira bursted out laughing.
"W-What?" I glanced around with embarrassment since Akira's laugh caught the whole classroom's attention.
"Sorry, sorry." Akira waved his hand around to dismiss the stares as he wiped a tear away. "Ah, you work fast, huh?"
Hah?
Work fast? Does that mean he expected it to happen?
"I see. You're friends with the Dragon. What about the King?" Akira asked with an amused expression.
Huh? What does Tatsuya have to do with this?
"Uhm, I don't think so?" I managed to answer through my confusion.
"I thought I'd ask since you managed to tame the Dragon, but I guess a King is still a King, huh?" Akira answered some of my confusion as he settled back into his desk.
"Uh, I guess so?" I peered at said King to see if he overheard anything, but it didn't seem like it.
"So, you were looking for Mr. Dragon?" Akira's gaze zeroed in on Ryuu's empty seat as he asked. I nodded. "What for?"
"Uhhh, you'll see." I vaguely answered.
I can't exactly explain the plan around the people it's suppose to effect, can I?
"Ehhh? Another secret?" Akira sulked as he slumped over his desk in disappointment.
"Not really! You'll see by lunch. I promise!" I reassured.
And the bell rung for first period.
"Fine." Akira grumbled before the teacher walked in.
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SkyHighLimits
SkyHighLimits Aye! I managed to write a decently long chapter today! Woo!
Uhm, I have some news, but I’ll be putting it in the comments. I don’t think it’s something I should write here nor would it fit, haha.
Thank you for your patience! I don’t know if I’m completely fine writing again, but this chapter’s a good sign. :)
I hoped you enjoyed! <3
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