Man, I got called to the student council room again!" Ryuji loudly complains as he slams his lunch tray on their table. The clacking sound of the tray is lost in the sea of voices around them.
"Uh… why?" Ann warily questions.
"I was late one time, and the prez was all in my face about it!"
"Makoto?"
"Yeah…" Ryuji's grumble almost gets drowned out by the rest of the students chatting in the crowded lunchroom.
Akira normally would have avoided the lunchroom altogether (there's just TOO many people), but he wanted to eat with Ann and Ryuji. The first time Ryuji was called to the student council room, was because Makoto had found him on the school rooftop. They had been taking turns to feed a stray cat they dubbed Morgana, and Ryuji just so happened to be bringing him food that time, and predictably had been caught. So now that that was off limits, the lunchroom was where they had to reside… for now.
Akira IS going to pick the lock on that door so they can go back on the roof, whether the student council approves or not. He had a cat to feed. And Ann already gave him a bobby pin, so there was no going back now.
"Well at least she's the lesser evil of the two of them… if you had gotten the vice president --" Ann makes a displeased face that speaks enough on its own.
"-- he was there too, but he seemed distracted - thank god. I only had to get an earful from Makoto… but geez, one tardy and I get yelled at! Come on, that's not fair at all!"
"It's because you have a reputation," Ann says, tilting her head as if that will soften the blow.
"Hey, I'm not the only one with a reputation," Ryuji winces the moment those words leave his mouth. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that…"
"It's alright, you didn't mean any harm," Akira quickly reassures. "Although I'm kinda surprised they haven't lectured me yet." and Akira WAS honestly surprised he hasn't heard anything from either of those student council members. Especially since they are notorious for always keeping 'problematic students' in check.
"Maybe they're intimidated by you?" Ann says easily.
"...I highly doubt that."
"I mean you are really quiet, maybe they're afraid you'll snap and stab them or something?"
"Ann…" Akira laughs a little. "I would never do that…"
"I know! I'm just trying to think of reasons why they haven't cornered you yet… it's weird, and knowing Akechi he probably would've as soon as those rumors started."
"You haven't been here that long, I'm sure they'll get around to it," Ryuji adds in a tone Akira isn't sure he likes.
Get around to it? Is Akira's death warrant already signed, and now he's just waiting for his executioner?
"Oh great, looking forward to it," Akira says, completely devoid of emotion.
Afraid isn't the right word for how Akira feels, it's more like annoyed. The idea of being dragged to a room and sternly talked to settled uncomfortably in his stomach.
Also, it would be a complete waste of time. Especially when there are actual bullies that need to be dealt with. So anyone that thought Akira was the nail that needed to be hammered down, out of everyone in the student body, should probably schedule an appointment with their optometrist.
The bullies weren't very discreet either. Students, who may have had questionable behavior, were found with bloody and broken noses in dark alleyways a few times every week. And for some reason no one decided to do anything about it. A part of Akira thought that maybe that was intentional; that these students were being used as examples, paths you shouldn't dare follow. But if that was the case, who was instigating the violence? And if all it took was a single slip up to be targeted, wouldn't Akira have been on their radar immediately? A wrong that needed to be corrected as soon as possible.
If someone was going to beat Akira up he'd rather they just get it over with. All this anticipation is driving him nuts. Exchange a few punches, say a lesson was learned, and move on.
A majority of the students have started to stand up, putting their things away, and disposing of any garbage. He must not have heard the bell.
"Hey Akira, you ready to get back to class?" Ann asks as she pokes his shoulder.
"Mhm…" Akira hums, shoving part of the cream bun he was eating into his pocket. It probably wasn't good for Morgana, but either way the cat would appreciate it.
"See you later Ryuji!" Ann waggles her finger at him.
"You know, I wish we were all in the same class. That would've made this year much more bearable," Ryuji sighs, standing and following them out into the hallway.
"Haha, yeah… but we've really never been known for being lucky!" Ann says at probably the worst time possible.
"You can say that again…" Ryuji mumbles in a bitter tone.
In front of them, Akechi Goro, student council vice president, was standing in the middle of the hallway practically glaring at the three of them as they left the lunchroom. His light brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, leaving shorter locks of hair on either side of his face and another that fell perfectly between his eyes. The deep scowl only lasted for a few seconds before Akechi schools his expression into something more pleasant.
Akira already didn't like him very much, and it wasn't just because Akechi had been looking at him like he was a stubborn hangnail. No, it was more of the implication that all Akira was, and ever could be, to Akechi is a stain that needed to be bleached out of their schools' pretty record.
"Should I be worried?" Akira whispers.
"I don't know…?" Both Ann and Ryuji respond.
"Should I turn around and go the long way?"
"No… He's staring, you don't want to be followed and cornered somewhere." Akira is not going to comment on how suggestive Ryuji made that sound.
"Mmm… wish me luck then?"
"Yeah man, good luck - imma head to class so I don't have to deal with that," Ryuji laughs awkwardly, and you know what? That's fair. That is very fair and definitely the preferable option… if Akira had an option, but he doesn't.
"I'll watch from a safe distance. Just in case you need to be rescued," Ann says because she's an angel.
"Thanks…"
This can't be that bad.
It won't be that bad.
There is absolutely no way this can be as bad as Akira thinks it's going to be.
"Hello there Kurusu-kun, mind if I steal a moment of your time?" Akechi says with an overly honeyed voice that completely betrays the expression that was on his face just seconds before he spoke.
It's going to be that bad, isn't it?
Akira shakes his head. "I don't mind, what do you need?"
"Just wanted to ask how you've been faring at our school. You are a new student after all, and I'm obligated to check in on you as student council vice president." Despite his kind smile, Akechi seems like he wants to be literally anywhere else.
"I'm doing as well as I could be." Akechi nods but doesn't leave, so Akira continues, "um… thanks for asking." Akira awkwardly adjusts the glasses atop his nose just to give his hands something to do. Try to work off some of his nervous energy so it didn't spill into his voice.
"Oh, you're welcome." Akechi looks off to the side, where Ann is still standing. Then looks back to Akira, nods, and says: "Well if there's anything you may need, please do not hesitate to ask for help."
"...sure, thanks."
"Don't mention it." Akechi smiles again, and stalks away.
Weird.
"Oh my god - you're alive," Ann sings while lightly punching his shoulder.
"...that was… that was weird, right?"
"Akechi being nice? Yeah, that was very weird… especially because you're the spooky delinquent kid everyone's afraid of."
"After everything you've said, I guess I wasn't expecting him to be..." tired. tense. so utterly exhausted and unenthused about the authority he apparently wielded over the entire student body.
"Kind?" Is what Ann chirps after Akira trailed off, only to get lost in his own head.
"...yeah, kind," Akira echoes. "Is that a red flag?"
"I want to say no, and chalk it up to the fact that maybe he just likes you… but also, maybe you need to be worried." Ann grimaces, which is the furthest thing from reassuring.
"Noted. Continue to be weary of the vice president… got it."
After a few long, boring hours of listening to a teacher explain strange details of their life as they give lessons, Akira can finally try to unlock the door to the roof. Silently hoping that Morgana will be there.
Akira made sure to look as inconspicuous as possible as he moved through the hallway. Even though, through all of the rumors he's heard about himself, he was arrested for much more than assault--so looking inconspicuous was probably impossible for him at this point, even with the fake glasses.
There were three kids loitering outside one of the classrooms, the only things that stood out about the group is one kid has silver hair and that they reek of sweat and summer heat. He feels their eyes burning into him as he passes by, although their gaze only follows for a short while. They don't seem to be too interested in whatever Akira is doing, so he figures he's in the clear.
Taking the stairs two at a time, he quickly reaches the door that leads to the rooftop. Just as he suspected, it's still locked. Akira digs the bobby pin, courtesy of Ann, out of his pocket, and fiddles with the lock. One satisfying click echoes through the enclosed space, and relief fills Akira as the door gives way.
He opens the door slowly, knowing it has a tendency to creak very loudly when the hinges are strained. He doesn't want to risk getting caught after getting this far.
"Mona?" He calls out hesitantly, then walking further out and letting the door close behind him.
An adorable little meow comes from under one of the desks. Shortly thereafter the little tuxedo cat with bright blue eyes shimmies over to Akira, weaving between his legs as a greeting.
"Yes, hello," Akira says and kneels down to scratch the cat behind it's ears. Morgana purrs and flops over onto his side, earning a few giggles from Akira.
"I've got something for you." Akira reaches into his pocket and retrieves the bread, setting it in front of the vibrating ball of fur. "I know it's not sushi, but I thought you might like it anyway."
There is no warning before Akira hears the door fly open behind him, the hinges protesting loudly, followed by a sharp intake of breath.
Akira looks over his shoulder, and thinks to himself--not for the first time--that this could be really bad, as his eyes lock with an incredibly irked looking Akechi. His body looks tense, on the verge of trembling from vexation.
The door shuts behind Akechi, the hollow click echoing in the open space around them.
"I didn't expect anyone to be up here, I apologize for startling you…" Akechi says evenly, trying his best to shed his previous look. It doesn't seem to be working too well. "I could've sworn that this door had been locked… ah, nevermind that, what are you doing up here Kurusu-kun?"
Morgana chooses that time to circle around Akira's kneeling form, meowing loudly at Akechi's presence. Providing an answer from both of them.
"I see… are you feeding that cat bread?"
"He seems to like it," Akira informs him.
"That can't be good for him," Akechi sneers and runs a gloved hand through his hair. His pout evolves into a frown when his fingers snag, pulling roughly at his own scalp.
"So… what are you doing up here?" Akira questions, not sure whether he should bolt or pretend he has the ability to disappear.
"...I was hoping to get some fresh air, some… students, have been getting on my nerves recently. It's been kind of a pain to deal with in all honesty."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't apologize, it's not… it's not your fault."
"You hesitated," Akira points out flatly.
"I- okay, so maybe it kind of is…" Akechi relaxes, but doesn't lose the upset curve to his mouth. "The student council has been getting a lot of push back against you being allowed into the school. Imbeciles, all of them. It's not like student council has literally any say in the matter if the school's board members agree to let in a new student - ha, as if they care what we think."
"Do you feel the same way they do? About me being at Shujin?" Akira asks, genuinely curious.
Akechi eyes him thoughtfully for a moment. "...no. The files the school received regarding your arrest looked… strange--"
"--Are you even allowed to look at those," Akira deadpans, but Akechi ignores him.
"And I don't believe someone who goes out of their way to feed cats cream bread from the cafeteria has any malicious intent. So no, I do not agree with the majority of the student body. And, if anyone should be apologizing it should be me, the amount of ludicrous rumors I've heard about you, are… well… no one should have to listen to that."
Akira hums, then smiles at Akechi while rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, thanks, I guess?"
"There's no need to thank me." Akechi turns his head to the side, there's an unmistakable pink creeping up his neck. "I haven't stopped the rumors, just kept them from escalating beyond that."
Morgana nudges the back of Akira's hand with his forehead, a gesture that means he wants ear scratches--and Akira is more than happy to oblige.
From behind him, Akira thinks he hears the sound of light and breathy laughter that's too easily swept up in the summer breeze.
"He seems to like you…"
"His name is Morgana - and I promise his diet isn't solely carbs… just mostly, as far as I know."
"Well at least you have taste. The jam and fried ones pale in comparison."
"I haven't tried the jam bread yet… but I guess I won't be now if they're really that bad."
"It's not that bad it's just…" Akechi shakes his head, and pinches the bridge of his nose but Akira can still see hints of a slight smile in the corners of his mouth. "How did we get to talking about bread?" He laughs. "I need to get back to the student council room. Don't stay up here too long. Unless you want Niijima on your case - but if that's what you're striving for then by all means do as you please." Akechi opens the door, turning to go back down the stairs.
"You're not going to ask me to leave?"
Akechi just gives him a look over his shoulder. "Are you planning on causing trouble?"
"...no," Akira says simply.
"Then I don't see a problem," is the last thing Akechi says before going back down the stairs, letting the door close with a heavy click behind him.
Morgana nudges his hand again, bringing his thoughts back to Morgana and the forgotten cream bread next to him. Akira rubs Mona's chin absently and thinks about what Akechi said… 'I haven't stopped the rumors, just kept them from escalating beyond that.'
An irritated mewl tears Akira away from his thoughts.
"Sorry, just thinking," the cat huffs and nudges his hand again. "You're a needy kitty aren't you?" Akira mumbles and boops the cat's nose.
And if Akira didn't know any better, he'd think the cat was giving him a little scowl at being called 'kitty'.
***
The next day at school Akira tries his hardest not to dwell on what Akechi said, and more on the fact that he wasn't eviscerated on the spot. And could very much still walk to school, even if he was sneered at by students he didn't know by name when he had walked through the school gates.
It was manageable. Annoying, yes - but manageable. Akira could take care of himself if need be, but he'd rather not start the fight. Knowing that that would only throw more dirt over his name that really didn't need to be there.
"Hey, you doing okay?" Ann asks him as she swivels around in her chair.
"Yeah, why?"
"Those rumors… kinda intense, aren't they?" There's a palpable anxiety emanating from Ann as she tugs at one of her pigtails.
"Have they been getting worse? I really can't tell."
"I heard something about Akechi, oh what was it… I can't remember, darn it. But just be careful...okay?"
"Thanks for the concern, but I don't think I need to worry about him." Ann raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. "I talked to him on the roof yesterday, he caught me feeding Morgana."
"Oh! …he didn't... say anything, did he?"
"He said he was sorry? And he didn't say I had to stop feeding Morgana, so… I honestly don't think he's as scary as everyone else seems to think he is. Just stressed… and tired."
"...huh, maybe he…" Ann cuts herself off and looks around the classroom. "Does the room seem quieter to you?"
Akira nods. The classroom does seem oddly silent. He looks up from his desk, noticing that most students were looking at him, most likely right after gossiping about him and his record as if it were the new and hottest tabloid.
"Is there something on my face?" Akira asks Ann.
"No, you're good…"
"Ah, Kurusu-kun!" an easily recognizable, joyful voice comes from the far end of the room near the door. And unfortunately it's getting louder.
Akira lowers his head onto his desk until his forehead is flush with the cool wood, the frames of his glasses digging uncomfortably into the skin around his eyes. Disappearing would be good right now… disappearing would be great actually.
"I was going to try and catch you this morning, but it seems you beat me here," Akechi laments after closing in on Akira and Ann's corner of the room.
Akira turns his head, squishing his cheek against the desk and making his glasses sit crooked on his face. "Can I help you?"
"It's more like I'm here to help you, apparently I was seen threatening you yesterday?"
Akira sits up, peeling his face off the desk. That's… that's not what he was expecting to hear. "Why did you phrase that as a question?"
"A group of students saw us on the roof yesterday, and are now convinced you are more trouble than it's worth. And I thought… well, maybe if we're seen on good terms you won't be targeted as much…" Akechi does the same gesture he did on the roof, sighing deeply and tugging a hand through his hair. "You know, you're starting to become quite the thorn in my side."
"Ah… is this my warning then?" Akira asks sheepishly, finally fixing his askew glasses.
"I suppose you can take it that way. I can't hold your hand through the hallways so please just stay out of trouble." Akechi holds his hand out and drops something into Akira's palm. It's a key to the rooftop? "Be more discreet if you're going to go up there again, and maybe feed your feline friend something other than cream bread."
Akechi gives a curt nod to Ann, and turns away from them. Quickly marching out the door, unperturbed by the many students staring holes into his back. Luckily they seem to forget about Akira momentarily… or enough so that they don't immediately snap their necks back in his direction.
"I have several questions," Ann whispers as the teacher finally decides to show up and begin class.
"And I'll be happy to answer them later," Akira whispers back.
"Yeah, later… I think Ryuji'll get a kick out of this."
Ann whips her head around, almost slapping Akira in the face with one of her blonde pigtails. The key was a comfortable weight in Akira's palm. He slips the piece of metal into his pocket, and prepares himself for another day of mind numbing lessons.
***
"Okay wait, so… he came to your classroom, and didn't want to kill you?" Ryuji says way too loudly, his voice nearly a shout. Luckily they were taking refuge near the vending machines in the courtyard so no one should hear Ryuji's yelling.
It's a nice little spot that's tucked away from everything else. Sporting a few different vending machines, a few benches beside them, and a random table with no chairs partially taking up the middle of the floor.
"That's what I've been saying… yeah. Why does everyone think Akechi is so violent?" Akira asks in a tone much softer than Ryuji's own, in hopes that Ryuji will get the memo and lower his volume too.
"...Dude, I know he looks like the vice council president--"
"He is the vice council president." Both Akira and Ann say in unison.
"...yeah whatever, but he's totally a troublemaker too."
"You keep... hinting at that? But you haven't told me what it is that he's done. Why is everyone so scared?" Akira questions, watching Ryuji as he scuffs the ground with his shoes.
"... He like - is the reason why there aren't as many bullies…" Akira gives him a flat look, hoping it conveys to Ryuji that that isn't an explanation. "I mean the way you're being treated is shit, don't get me wrong; but no one's thrown a punch yet, right?"
"...so, that means…" all the kids with fractured noses, everyone assuming Akechi had been threatening him, the disarming pleasant boy charade, and the offhanded 'i haven't stopped the rumors, just kept them from escalating beyond that'. "Huh…so, hypothetically speaking; if I say… started a fight? He would have to intervene?"
"I mean if he saw it, yeah Akechi would probably intervene."
"And that would also, hypothetically of course, get me on his bad side?"
"Yeah dude, that's what I've been saying this whole week."
Ann facepalms, and the sound alone makes Akira think it'll leave a nasty red mark. "Oh my god, Ryuji. Akira you are NOT starting a fight just so you can piss off Akechi."
"I was speaking in hypotheticals, didn't say I was going to do it."
"Yeah, I don't believe you for a second."
"I mean… if the opportunity arises, who's really to say what I'll do?"
Ann stands from one of the benches she was seated at, turns to stare directly at Akira, and with a force Akira didn't know she possessed, shakes Akira's shoulders. "THAT. IS A BAD. IDEA," She says sternly in between shakes.
"Okay! Okay! I got it! I won't be starting any fights."
"You know…" Ann lets go of Akira's shoulders, and crosses her arms. "For some reason I don't believe you."
Akira places his hand on his chest. "Honest, I will not start any fights."
"Mmm… alright," Ann says skeptically, utterly unconvinced. "At least you won't get suspended if it's self defense… probably… maybe. You just aren't allowed to get expelled! You have to suffer through two years of Shujin with us!"
"Of course, I wouldn't dream of transferring anywhere else." Akira slips his hands into his pockets, feeling the familiar cool metal of the rooftop key. "Oh, have either of you seen Morgana today?"
"Nope." Ryuji mutters, crouching down, and peering into a vending machine. Ann shakes her head.
"He must be on the roof then…"
"Are you headed up there?"
"Yeah, I want to go check on him." Akira smooths his thumb over the key in his pocket.
Ryuji waves him off, "Don't get hounded by Akechi on your way there!"
"If I had control over that, then I would avoid it!" Akira shouts over his shoulder, before making his way up to the rooftop.
Akira ignores the pointed stares from passing students, and he ignores the muttering of false rumors that for some reason keep on increasing in severity.
"I heard he had affiliations with Yakuza."
"Didn't he get busted for drug trafficking?"
"I thought Akechi was going to deal with him soon, there isn't room in Shujin for people like him."
Akira keeps his head down, having no idea how he would be able to even refute any of the things they've been saying if they're willing to believe any garbage tossed their way. He keeps silent, hiding behind his fringe as he turns a corner and travels up the stairs, stopping short when Akira realizes the door was slightly propped open.
Akira can just barely hear Akechi's voice beyond the door. "... it was Morgana, right? I can't fathom a reason why you'd want to hang around Shujin."
A loud meow is Morgana's response.
"For a cat you are quite cute, I can see why he likes you."
Another meow, sounding slightly angrier than the last.
"Mhm… you know, despite all those rumors, I don't think I'd mind getting to know Kurusu, he seems--"
Akira doesn't hear the last bit of that statement, as he silently goes back down the stairs only to go back up the stairs--although this time, it's as loudly as he can to make sure Akechi hears someone approaching before he throws open the door.
Akechi is seated on one of the desks on the roof, with Morgana on the accompanying chair. They look up simultaneously when Akira steps out onto the roof.
"So much for telling you to be discreet for the next time you come up here," Akechi immediately grunts upon seeing him, mouth quirked in a small pout.
Morgana mewls happily, jumping off the chair and prancing over to where Akira stands. The cat winds between Akira's legs until he crouches down to scratch behind the cat's ears, but Morgana must have other plans, since instead of nudging his head against Akira's hand, the cat crawls painfully up Akira's back and settles himself along his shoulders.
"Well aren't you two quite the pair," Akechi snickers as Morgana headbutts Akira's cheek.
"Have you been antagonizing him?"
"I don't believe so. And if I was, he could've left at any time. It's not like I was holding him hostage."
"Hmm… what's gotten into you Morgana? Kitty having a bout of existential dread?"
"Or maybe it's that he hasn't gotten his promised cream bread?"
"...well if that's the case, I'm sorry to disappoint you Mona… but I don't have any more with me."
"Maybe that's for the best, who knows what it does to his poor stomach."
Morgana makes a sound that's close to a whine and hops off Akira's shoulders. He prances back to his desk chair, settling himself underneath it to save himself from the burning sun.
"Needed another break?" Akira asks Akechi while tilting his head.
"Something like that, it's a welcome change of pace. And the fresh air certainly is nice."
Akira nods, allowing himself to look around the rooftop. Many desks and chairs are tucked together until they press against the wire fencing. The one that Akechi is sitting on has a tendency to rock back and forth. One of the legs must be broken. Leaning against the far side of the desk legs is a first aid kit; a few stray pieces of dirty gauze lay in a wad next to it.
When Akechi says he needs a break… he isn't talking about student council duties is he? Or at least not any part of it that deals with paperwork.
Akira clears his throat, drawing Akechi's attention back to him. "I forgot this earlier, but thanks… for the key. You didn't have to do that."
"Oh right, it's really no problem… just don't make me regret giving it to you," Akechi says, sliding off the desk and heading for the door. Their shoulders barely brush when he walks past. Akechi smiles, but not kindly at Akira and disappears behind the door.
Akira waits until he can no longer hear Akechi's footsteps going down the stairs.
"I have no idea what I'm getting myself into…" Akira mutters.
Morgana gives him a displeased meow, and flops over onto Akira's feet.
"Yeah, I think I could use a nap right now too."
Akira's eyes drift back to the first aid kit, and the bloodied gauze nestled near the desk. Distantly, Akira wonders if that has anything to do with why Akechi wears black leather gloves when the sun, on summer days such as this, scorches every living thing in sight.
***
Each morning is riddled with whispers whenever Akira shows up to the school gate, no matter what, and without fail, it happens every single morning. The only thing different about this morning is that both Makoto Nijiima and Goro Akechi are standing at the front gate, except they are not speaking to one another. They watch Akira like a hawk as he approaches. It makes his stomach twist into multiple knots, each one aching with an acute dread.
Akira has never been good at being the center of attention, so this is bound to be a wonderful time for all of them.
"Good morning, Kurusu-kun. How are you?" Makoto says the moment Akira is within earshot.
"Fine… is something wrong?" Akira shoves his hands into his pockets, in hopes that it will hide his nervous fidgeting.
"No, it's nothing…" Makoto says a little too quickly, brushing a stray strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. "Akechi-kun here is going to walk you to your homeroom, is that alright?"
"Walk me to my homeroom?" Akira wearily glances between the two of them. "Are you sure there isn't something going on?"
"It's nothing to be concerned about," Makoto stiffly reassures. "You don't mind, do you? I would accompany you but I am needed somewhere else…"
"Uh, yeah… that's fine," Akira mutters.
"Wonderful… Well, I'll leave you to it then!"
Akira watches as Makoto spins around, and walks back into the school, posture ramrod straight as she enters the building. If that was meant as reassurance, Akira's nerves are going to fizzle out of control.
Akira moves his gaze back to Akechi, to find him staring everywhere but Akira. "Am I allowed to ask what this is for?"
"Keeping up appearances, to put it shortly," Akechi says curtly, following Makoto's example and moving towards the building.
"I'd prefer the long version," Akira murmurs. "If you don't mind."
Akira follows him up the stairs, lengthening his own strides to keep up.
"... Do you remember when I said there were… certain individuals that didn't appreciate you being here."
"Uh-huh."
"It's because of that."
"Are you my bodyguard, then?" Akira teases.
"Sure, although I'm technically not allowed to do anything unless they harm you, or me, first."
"Are you worried?"
Akechi shrugs. "No… this is just annoying, some small fry thinking their tough shit."
"If they're just small fry, why is there a need for this?"
"Well they're still third years, so they'd pummel you into a pancake…" Akechi looks down at Akira and grins. "But I am not concerned about them, meaning that you shouldn't be either."
"Okay, firstly, ouch… I'm pretty sure I can hold my own, and secondly, why hasn't the school done anything about them?"
"They normally don't get physical on school grounds, and Shujin is exemplary at sweeping things under the rug and eventually forgetting they're even there."
"What a wonderful school, I'm so glad that I was accepted into such a loving and caring community." Akira rolls his eyes.
They stop just short of Akira's classroom, but still close enough to be seen by his classmates. Akechi turns to him, adjusting his gloves until they fit snugly on his hands, and tight enough that when he flexes his fingers there's an audible creak of the leather straining against his skin.
"Try not to draw too much attention to yourself." Akechi smiles at him, and if Akira isn't mistaken he'd think the sharpness of his smile isn't meant to be as charming as it is.
"I think it's a little too late for that, but thanks," Akira mumbles, hunching his shoulders as he enters the classroom.
The whole room is staring. Eyes locked onto every single movement Akira makes: The shuffles of his feet along the floor, the unsteady breaths that leave his chest, and the way the light reflects off his glasses to hide his eyes.
He feels like he's being dissected. A frog in science class, being pulled apart and examined for everyone to see. He absolutely hates it, and can't help shrinking in on himself as he slinks his way over to his seat
"So... what was that about?" Ann questions steadily as Akira sits stiffly in his chair.
"I think I am in danger, or something? I couldn't really tell you what's actually going on," Akira hears his voice whisper far too calmly.
Hushed whispers come from mouths he can't put faces to. They fill the room and bear down on Akira's eardrums. Ann eyes him wearily and taps the top of Akira's desk to get his attention.
"Hey, Akira…" She starts softly, creating a small reverie for Akira's poor ears. "I know I joke a lot… but if you need anything, you know you can talk to me right? I know it hasn't been easy, and I know Ryuji and I try to lighten the mood… but really, if anything's bothering you and you want to talk, I'm all ears. And I know Ryuji feels the same way too."
Akira slowly looks up to meet Ann's eyes, she's worrying her bottom lip harshly with her teeth, while anxiously twirling a pigtail between her fingers.
"...Thanks Ann," Akira nods, unsure of what else he wants to say. "I'll… keep that in mind."
"And that offer doesn't just stand today." Ann gives him a bright smile. "It stands all the time. It doesn't have an expiration date."
"Thank you," Ann gives him a pout, "I mean it! You're a good friend, I… don't know what I would've done without you two when I first got here."
Kawakami chooses that moment to walk in, her presence alone hushing the other students whispers before she glares around the room.
"Impeccable timing as always," Ann groans. "I'm busy after school, but we should all do something this weekend. There's a new café that opened up recently and I really wanna go!"
"I'd be into it," Akira says easily, welcoming the topic change. "We'll just have to convince Ryuji."
"Maybe we can trick him by saying we'll go on a run first or something."
"You know if you do that he will hold you to it."
"...shoot you're right, hmm… well, maybe it'll be worth it. Especially if the sweets are as good as they claim to be," Ann winks, and turns back around in her chair. The cheery mood may have been forced, but he appreciates the effort to put him at ease.
He's almost certain they've both zoned out during Kawakami's lesson, so Akira doodles a cute cartoon Morgana on a sticky note and flicks it onto Ann's desk. An attempt to distract himself from whatever else this day decides to throw at him.
Ann scribbles something over top of his drawing and passes it back, careful to avoid Kawakami's stare.
When Akira unfolds the paper, he's greeted with his drawing and the new addition of a sleek top hat settled on cartoon Mona's head. He hides his laugh with the back of his hand, and vows to make sure Morgana gets to see the drawing of himself in all his fancy top hat glory.
***
It's a few minutes after the final bell had rang, and Akira finds himself in the same spot nestled in the courtyard they'd been in yesterday. He's hoping to find a treat for Morgana in one of the vending machines to make up for the lack of one just the other day.
There are too many choices in the vending machines, Ryuji would argue that there isn't enough--but to be fair, Akira's old school didn't have a working vending machine so even one choice would've been considered a lot by Akira's standards.
Akira shoves his hands into his pockets and feels for the yen that lays there.
Morgana would most likely prefer something fish flavored, but those options seem limited… and by limited, Akira means nonexistent. They'll really need to invest into actual cat food and treats at some point, feeding him human food every chance they get is going to give him health problems eventually. And Akira would really like to avoid that.
Akira hears a set of heavy footsteps from behind him, closing in on where he is hunched in on himself in front of the vending machine. They stop just short of where he is standing. A shoe is tapping the concrete under foot impatiently, and Akira wonders why they didn't just go to a different vending machine if they had been in a hurry.
"Someone like you getting all buddy-buddy with the vice president, it churns my stomach. What exactly are you trying to do, Kurusu?" Someone snaps behind Akira.
He turns around, albeit slowly, unsure whether or not he really wants to know who is behind him as he seems to be at a disadvantage since they already knew his name. Huddled together are three battered looking students, one with an unbuttoned blazer loosely hanging over their frame, another one had oddly shiny shoes, while the cuffs of their pants were torn up. And standing between the two, was a kid with short silver hair. It's not as messy as Akira's own, but it's still disorderly.
They aren't here for the vending machine, Akira's brain unhelpfully supplies.
Akira doesn't know their names, but thinks that maybe he's seen them somewhere before?
"I'm sorry, you're talking to me, right?" Akira asks, dumbly pointing at himself.
"Who else?" one of the jeers.
"Just wanted to make sure," Akira mutters, losing his patience a little too fast for his own liking.
The kid with his blazer unbuttoned takes a handful of steps forward, not completely encroaching on Akira's space, but it's getting close.
"Are you being snappy?" The kid juts out their chin, and Akira can see the bob of their jugular when they swallow.
The concrete is hard beneath Akira's feet, It makes his heels ache. The slight breeze brushes his fringe out of place and further into his eyes, almost covering the other boys from view.
"Hey, we're talking to you!"
The shade is nice. In the back of the building, most of the other students have already left. He was going to get a snack from the vending machine for Morgana, is he still waiting on the roof?
"I'm gonna give you to the count of three."
Morgana seems like the type of cat to have an extremely expensive taste, like fatty tuna, or maybe eel… but that would be too harsh for Akira's poor wallet.
"One…"
"Dude he's not listening, skip the counting and sock him in the jaw."
Rice crackers will have to do.
Akira was given plenty of time to prepare himself for what was coming, but he didn't react much when one of the kids punched him square in the nose.
One punch was all it took for Akira's glasses to go skittering to the floor in pieces.
He felt the sting deep throughout his sinuses when he lowered his head, letting his bangs cover his face while crimson spills out his nose.
He can feel the blood collect by his chin, rolling down his neck, no doubt collecting into a rusty patch around the collar of his shirt.
That's going to stain, isn't it?
The second strike is just as predictable as the first, but this time Akira moves. Looking up just in time to sidestep the kids outstretched arm. His form is all wrong, it leaves him too open, too easy to take advantage of. Akechi had been right, for third years they didn't seem to know what they're doing. But maybe Akira should've let him strike his jaw. As the kid's fingers were curled around his thumb, so if he had landed a good hit it's likely that thumb would have snapped.
Although Akira didn't intend to be a punching bag.
He thrusts his knuckles forward into the bridge of the kid's nose. Earning a satisfying crunch of cartilage as it gives way. The kid shrieks, hands scrabbling at his own face to stop the gush of brightly colored blood.
The other two, that Akira assumes were providing backup, use that moment to crowd Akira. Slapping at his face, and shoving his shoulder blades harshly against the wall next to the vending machines.
Akira can't really help but laugh as these two try their utmost at messing up his face. At some point Akira accidently bites his tongue when his head hits the wall a little too forcefully. The taste of copper fills his mouth.
This... probably isn't good… and he still needs to get back to Morgana…
Akira jerks out one of his legs and strikes one of their shins, a head of short silver hair drops to the ground clutching their leg.
It's weird to think that these bullies most likely have the same motivation as the ones back in his hometown. People stop caring about you when you mess up, leaving you at the mercy to the cruel wonders of the world. Akira understands that point of view, although now he knows that that 'mercy' has different ways of making itself known. You could be lucky, and people could look past your flaws, giving you another chance - or; you could be given an anger that is neither quenchable nor righteous, leaving you to take out your frustrations on whoever has more desirable circumstances.
He really shouldn't be getting existential when someone is getting dangerously close to knocking him unconscious, or maybe that's precisely why this is happening. But hey, at least someone gets to vent their anger out.
The other kid that was still standing, the one with very new looking shoes and torn up pants, grabs Akira by the collar of his shirt, pulling him up until Akira felt blood guzzling in his throat, then pushing Akira down until he was sitting with his back digging painfully into the wall. Apparently the kid wasn't quite yet satisfied with the work they had done on Akira's face. They cock their arm until their elbow disappears behind their back, giving Akira plenty of time to discern how agonizing this will feel in the morning.
A familiar voice calls out before the hand in front of him can even think about colliding with Akira's face. "Pardon me, but… am I interrupting something?"
Never in a million years would Akira think he would pair the sound of that voice with an equal feeling of both relief and paralyzing dread.
"Akechi-san! What are you doing here?" The ragged kid stammers.
"Breaking up a fight apparently," Akechi says calmly.
Morgana walks out behind Akechi's legs and looks at Akira, letting out an annoyed meow as if the cat was upset that Akira had been late with his snacks.
"I found your little companion in a bit of distress up on the rooftop, he seems fond of you so I thought we'd go out searching… can't say I'm happy to see where you've ended up though," Akechi continues, making eye-contact with Akira, and grimacing at the bruises that were probably peppering Akira's cheekbones.
"It was his own fault, he was asking for it!" The kid still holding Akira's collar yells out.
"Oh, I'm sure… he's just a magnet for trouble it seems."
The kid with blood dripping out of his nose like a broken faucet finally tries to speak his mind, slurring terribly over his words, "We were jus' helping you out 'kechi-san, washin' out the stains and such."
The silver haired kid on the ground finally pulls himself up. You'd think Akira did something more than just kick him in the shin if he was incapacitated for that long. "We were just getting rid of useless--"
Those last two syllables seemed to strike a chord within Akechi, making his face twist and his maroon eyes burn with a suppressed fury.
"I'd watch that tongue of yours," Akechi's voice dips down, out of the saccharine tone when he cuts the kid off, and into something much richer and full of danger. "Unless, of course, you wanted it separated from the rest of you?"
The student that just finished pummeling Akira's face finally lets go of his collar and makes a disgruntled expression, backing off a little to eye Akechi hesitantly. "Creep... we were just doing you a favor, shouldn't you be grateful!?"
"Doing me a favor, hmm? How so? If there was something I wanted done don't you think I would've asked first?"
"Oh come on, Shujin doesn't have a place for trouble like him."
"With that logic," Akechi taps his chin impatiently, pretending to be in deep thought. "It doesn't have a place for you either then, does it?" Then Akechi smiles, a sharp, jagged grin that's laced with something lethal. "I suggest you leave, before I regret letting you off with only a warning."
That seems to register on some level for the trio, as they quickly dust themselves off. Grumbling and glaring daggers at Akira the entire time they stumble away on shaking legs.
"...thanks," Akira mumbles, now feeling the pain tenfold as it blossoms angrily across his face while the rush of adrenaline fades.
Akira moves his palms and tries to push himself up with the heels of his hands, feeling them protest and complain every time he shifts around too sharply.
"Wait a minute, don't try to move!" Akechi comes to his side in an instant, putting a hand on his shoulder and peering into his eyes. "You might have a concussion, you fool. Let me help you."
Akira groans, "I feel… not great."
"I can tell… let's hope the nurse is still here, you need to lie down somewhere… that isn't outside in a pool of your own blood. Do you think you can walk?"
"I can try?"
"Put your arm around my neck, we'll see how this goes. If I need to carry you then I will, but I'd rather not deal with your blood staining my blazer."
"No one'll see it."
"But I'll still know it's there." Akechi huffs. Gently, Akechi takes Akira's arm and slings it over his shoulders. Slowly, he rises from his crouching position so that Akira can find his feet underneath himself to stand properly. "You are such a fool," Akechi mutters.
"Mmm… does this mean you're going to have to deal with me too?"
"...I'm… making an exception. Just this once though - so you better not get on my bad side," Akechi grunts as they stumble out of the courtyard.
"Is that a challenge?"
Akechi looks at him for a moment, then grins. "Take it however you will. But first we need to get you some painkillers - can't have you going delirious on me."
"Mm… do you think that was enough to get them suspended?"
"That's seriously what you're thinking about right now?"
Akira nods, immediately regretting the motion as a sharp pain splitters through his skull and starts to throb in his temples. He thinks he can feel his heartbeat flutter in a syncopated tune.
A harsh force of air, likely a snort, leaves Akechi's nose. "Maybe even expelled. It's also enough to breed even more false rumors about you…" Akechi looks back at him, grinning stupidly. "And unfortunately I don't think you'll be framed as the hero."
"I think I can work with that," Akira slurs, sagging into Akechi's hold as an overwhelming darkness envelops his vision.