Chapter Text
Dark brown eyes glare out the window, closely watching the groups of people who were outside of the man’s university. He watched as all of them were talking, having fun with friends while he was stuck in class. Not to mention friendless.
‘So loud’ his eyes landed on one person in particular. Jamie Adeyemi, His number 1 enemy. his polar opposite. Popular, kind, everyone loved him, everyone was friends with him. everywhere he went he would have a group of people trailing behind him following him like they were mindless zombies. Everyone adored Jamie.
“Ryo” A female voice called out, his cold eyes moved from the window, following the sound of the voice. Ms Sabine Callas, otherwise known as ‘the viper’
“yes?” His voice came out harsher than intended
“pay attention while you’re in my class”
His eye twitched ‘whatever’ “sorry” his apology came out sarcastic. At hearing his ‘apology’ Sabine simply her eyes and turning back to the board. ‘at least this is the last class I have. I can’t wait to go home’
Ryo turned his head back wanting to observe the people outside once more. ‘when is this stupid class over with? I need a smoke.’ Ryo’s head slowly sank down, resting on top of the desk. A hand pushing his gelled hair back into its original position before picking up his pencil to write the most important notes on the board.
“alright. that’s all for today. please hand in last week’s assignments as you leave” Sabine called out, her voice coming out in her usual tired and irritated tone. Sabine’s green eyes watching as each student walked up to her desk, turning in their assignments. Ryo did the same, swiftly leaving to take his smoke break
digging into his coat pocket he took out his trusty pack of cigarettes, taking one out and letting it hang free from his lips, teeth clenching once he realized he had forgotten his lighter, “tch”
‘should I ask someone?’ his brown eye’s watched all the people who walked passed. Ryo shoved the cigarette back into its pack ‘I’ll just buy a new one’ shoving his hands into his coat, walking to the front gate, the tiniest smile on his face once he saw his bike, sitting himself down on the bike.
“Jamie!” A woman’s voice called out from behind him, Ryo’s mood instantly darkening at hearing the name. the bitter man turning his head, only to glare daggers into Jamie and Han Sunwoo (jett)
“Sunwoo! what’s good?” His lips curled to form a huge smile, Jamie’s eyes moved from Sunwoo to Ryo’s bike for a second, something which was easy to miss if you weren’t paying attention.
Ryo placed his helmet one, deciding to leave as quickly as possible.
walking into the Store Ryo looked around, grabbing the lighter at the counter top as well as a pack of gum “just these”
“2.40 please”
‘geez’ Ryo tapped his card onto the screen in front of him, still slightly irritated about the fact Jamie was looking at his bike ‘boke (fool) was that ass hole judging me bike?’ the thought of his sworn enemy looking down at his precious bike infuriated him.
The man stormed out, taking his packet of cigarettes out of him pocket and lighting one, taking a long slow inhale, trying his best to calm himself down before riding home.
Ryo stomped out his lit cigarette, the ride back was peaceful, he felt a lot more at ease now that he had his cigarette. the feeling of the air against him felt calming. One of the rare times Ryo Kiritani felt at peace. Like the world wasn’t out to get him, he was free when he was on his bike, no matter the destination (if there was one at all).
soon he arrived back to Uni, the peace he had felt disappearing as soon as he took off his helmet, fixing his multi coloured hair one he got off, the moment he opened his apartment door he was met with nothing but silence.
He was completely alone. His parent’s were back in Tokyo. He only moved here because he wanted to prove to his parent’s he was interdependent! that he didn’t need anyone to look after him, but as much as he hated to admit it he missed his family, he felt completely isolated. He had no one to turn to, but that was what he wanted. right?
His routine felt like a loop. get up, do his hair, go to uni, come back, and work his ass off every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. maybe call his parents to check up on them (and to actually talk to someone)
Ryo laid in his bed, staring up at the ceiling above him. ‘ahh this is dumb.’ he sat up, grabbing his laptop and opening it on his bed to watch a random show.
He felt pathetic, feeling somehow less alone now that there was a voice inside his apartment, one that wasn’t his own.
the more he watched the more he enjoyed, He felt like he could relate to the main character, he was this cool guy, independent and strong just like him. he smiled reminding himself that he didn’t need anyone. He could always find a guy to hook up with if he was really that lonely, or just hang out with Reyna and Gekko if push comes to shove.
An alarm blares next to him, startling him awake. ‘did I fall asleep?’ eyes widening once he noticed the time. Immediately Jumping up from his bed. Ryo trying his best to get himself dressed, running out the door once he was done, he didn’t put as much effort into his appearance today’s, just some ripped jeans, a grey shirt paired with his favourite jacket.
Jumping onto his bike speeding his way to the only class he actually enjoyed, history, he was even more excited since they were going over the Edo period. A chance where he could learn about his family’s heritage, the only downside? Jamie was there.
Ryo managed to get there just as class was about to start. “alright everyone, good to see you’re all in” as Varun (Harbor) spoke, his voice echoing through the room. While Ryo walked to his usual spot at the back of the class he couldn’t stop messing with his hair. He didn’t have any time put any gel on like he usually did so it was down in his face.
His professor spoke once more “just so you know next week we’re going to be doing an assessment. One Where you and your partner get to talk about a time period of your choice” Ryo’s brown eyes glared at the board in front of him a brow raising in annoyance ‘partner? Really?’
“I’m letting you know now so you can clear time in your calendars. I understand that you have other classes as well as jobs so I thought I should give you a heads up, this is not optional and will take 2 weeks for you to hand in I will assign your partners next week”
The man let out a groan, the idea of having to work work someone he didn’t know for 2 weeks annoyed the shit out of him. Ryo had better things to do! (Probably)
“Anyway” the muscular man clapped his hands together, discreetly showing off his strong biceps “the Edo period” Ryo rested his head into his hand. ‘Finally.. something good’ Paying close attention to whatever his teacher was saying.
Half way through the class his eyes shifted away from the board for a moment. His eyes locking with Jamie. ‘What the fuck is he staring at’ Ryo sat up straight, glaring at Jamie with Pure distrain.
Clearly noticing the hate on his classmates face, Jamie turned back around to face the board once more ‘shithead. What’s issue with me?’ His eyes still burned hole’s into the other man.
As much as Ryo wanted to go and punch the shit out of Jamie he couldn’t. He had promised his parents he wouldn’t get into at arrested (again) especially if it would risk him getting kicked out. No way would he give Jamie that satisfaction.
Once the class was over Ryo grabbed his things, storming out before he could do anything he’d regret (getting kicked out)
‘Dickhead. What the fuck is wrong with him!’ Completely distracted by his rage he bumps into a women, “hey watch it-“ he looks up, noticing it was Zyanya (Reyna) one of the rare people he talks to and actually respects. Almost everyone knew about her little sister being terminally ill and how she does her best to juggle looking after her sister, work, school and social life. He respected that.
Zyanya brushed some of her purple hair out her face “careful where you’re going cariño” Her eyes study his face for a moment “¿qué te pasa?”
“Nothing. Just going out for a smoke”
She squints her purplish pink eyes, not exactly happy with the answer she received “Mm. Alright. Don’t smoke to much. Don’t need you smelling” she laughs as she walks away
‘I don’t stink..’ he stands there for a moment, watching Zyanya walk away, her purple hair flowing in the wind. Ryo stood against a wall, pulling his pack from his pocket before pausing, remembering what Zyanya said earlier. He brought his sleeve up to his nose ‘oh.’ He looked at the cigarette in his hand ‘I’ll quit tomorrow’ he brought the flame closer to cigarette, inhaling once it was lit, letting himself relax before exhaling a cloud of smoke, ‘I should eat something’
Ryo’s mind instantly thought if his favourite food. Zaru Soba (aka cold soba) his mouth instant began to drool at the thought. ‘I think. That because I was oh so kind as not to punch Jamie I should reward myself’
He swept back his hair (which was in his face for the hundredth time) and hopped on his bike, going to the one place where (he thinks) makes the best soba.
Once he stepped in he was instantly greeted, he tilted his head, a nod of acknowledgement as he sat down on one of the stools, “one zuba soba please and some water”
He scrolled on his phone as he waited patiently, a message from his mother coming in “Ryo, just wanted to know how you’re doing”
He hesitated for a moment before opening the message, sending a quick “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, how are you and dad?” ‘I hate it when you worry’
“Your father is still being stubborn about throwing away his bike. He’s saying how he can fix it but honestly I don’t see any way he can!” She sends a other message “maybe that’s were you for your stubbornness from!”
He smiled for a second. ‘Yeah. As if you’re not even more hard headed as dad’
“And you?”
“I’m alright. I was sick the other night but excluding that, I’m okay”
His lips pursed, he loved his parents, they were incredibly important to him. Even if he acted like they weren’t, so it pained him finding out his mother was sick
“When you can come back to Japan. I’ll make that dessert you like so much”
The waiter came out with his food, placing in front of him “thank you” mumbling before sending one last message “alright”
He took his first bite, the familiar flavour melting in his mouth. ‘So good’ once again pushing the hair out his face as he slurped his food.
Once he was finished with his meal he let out a yawn, the food in his stomach making him feel a lot more relaxed than usual. He paid for his food and swiftly left, going back home to his apartment.
Feeling a lot less lonely than he did yesterday, stripping himself before stepping onto his shower. The feeling of the cold water pouring onto his skin felt amazing, he needed this. Especially since someone noticed how much he actually smelled of cigarettes.
A week passes and Ryo was back sitting in his history classroom, his head resting in the palm of his hand, (Im) patiently waiting for his professor to call out his name so he could know who he’s partner was. “Jamie and Ryo”
his eyes widened, ‘no. NO! what? that guy? out of all people?!’ but before he could protest Jamie was already standing next to him. His large hand’s fiddling with one of his locs, it was almost like he was nervous. “what’s good man?”
Ryo immediately shot up from his chair which was followed by a loud scraping , his voice echoing through the classroom “Mr Batra! can I change switch partners?”
“No” Varun’s voice came out stern clear he was not willing to argue on this matter
‘what! why the fuck not!’ His brain short circuited for a second “I don’t want to—”
“Sit back down. I will not be repeating myself”
Ryo’s gloved hands curled into a fist, the blue haired man turning his head to face his enemy, now partner. ‘i bet that he’ll just leave me to do all the work. dickhead. wait. if he does that.. I can just take all the credit and he’ll fail’ Ryo’s lips curled up into an almost sadistic smile. “what?”
the taller male flashed an awkward smile “what era do you want to do?”
Ryo’s eyes avoided the man in front of him, ‘I’ll just end up doing all the work..’ sucking his teeth for a moment “Edo” his eyes shifted to the notes laying on the table in front of him
“sound’s good” Jamie paused for a second his dark brown eyes fixated on the man in front of him, “um. can I sit next to you?”
Ryo’s brows furrowed, “fine.”