[RYO/UCHI] Alma Mater (29/?)
ALMA MATER
BY: nana_murakami / osakaromanesque
GENRE: College AU/Angst/Crime/Drama
PAIRING: Nishikido Ryo / Uchi Hiroki
A/N: I actually wrote this chapter and the next two chapters on paper. I got too bored while studying so yeah. You can't blame me. I didn't really plan on going to the cybercafe actually but it got too boring in the room and I just decided to come here and kill time and my wallet. This chapter is all about concepts. Blame Haruki Murakami and Kafka on the Shore. ENJOY.
"So how are we going to do this?" Shingo asked Subaru as he checked his ammunition. Subaru had told him they were going to take the law into their own hands. Shingo wasn't sure how Subaru planned on doing so.
It was dark outside. They were in Subaru's car - the only place they knew Ohkura's 'people' can't get to.
"I'm thinking of something. I haven't planned something big in a long time so cut me some slack alright?" Subaru replied.
Shingo adjusted his seat and leaned back. He heaved a heavy sigh, somewhat worried about their roommates back on campus. Maybe they should have brought the both of them along after all. But Ryo refused to 'run away'. And the two of them had a quiz to sit for in the morning so they were most likely studying for that.
Shingo was amazed how the boy could think about studying at times like that.
"I feel bad," said Subaru.
"About?"
"Getting you involved. You and Sanada. I shouldn't have asked for your--"
"Stop. I've heard that a million times before, Subaru. Like I told you before, don't be too hard on yourself. I'm your best friend, quite obviously. Helping you is the least I could do after what you and your family had done for me in the past. This is really a small favor."
"Even if your ass hurts like a bitch?"
"Even if my ass hurts like a bitch. Look, the point is, I don't have a family to tell me I can't do this shit. Sure my scholarship might be on the line because of this fight but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it alright?"
"You always work things out. Somehow, right?"
"Damn straight."
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm too pampered."
"There's nothing wrong with being pampered. That's just your good luck and having a good friend like you is my good luck."
"Luck, huh?"
"Luck is a concept. If you think it's good luck - even if it's something bad - then it is. It changes, depending on the situation."
"You... have been reading Murakami Haruki's books, haven't you?"
Shingo smiled.
There has never been a night without a knock on Ohkura's door. His visitors came in various shapes and sizes and characters, but nothing like the one he had that warm night.
"Yokoyama-senpai! My, this is definitely a surprise," said Ohkura. "What can I do for you?"
"I have an offer you can't refuse," said Yu, smiling.
Ohkura pushed the door open to let Yu into the room. Yu walked in and Ohkura locked the door. Yu looked around the room, studying every inch of the room. Ohkura sat down on his bed and waited for Yu to begin talking.
"I heard about everything's that happened," Yu began.
"Everything?"
"The fight, your operation, who you really are. You're not some run-of-the-mill drug pusher now, are you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Yokoyama-senpai."
"You should know that Kaneda's goons are my classmates. Well, at least two of them. And for some reason the both of them had to resign from the course because they were going blind. And apparently from photograph developing chemicals. So far there has only been one fight that has happened on campus involving the photography studio."
Ohkura laughed. "Alright, alright. You got me. Of course you know all this. You are, after all, Shibutani-senpai's and Murakami-senpai's best friend."
Yu chuckled. "Hardly."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"This is going to sound rather childish of me but I can't see them as my best friends anymore. They hardly talk to me about anything lately. To tell you the truth I am rather jealous."
"And your point is...?"
"I don't really like that Nishikido kid myself."
"Go on..."
"Kaneda's got a big mouth, you should know. And I think it's about time you got yourself a more reliable help."
"So you're saying you want to help me and turn against your best friends."
"In simpler terms, yes, that would be it."
"And you expect me to trust you at a drop of a hat?"
"Think about it, Ohkura. I know everything about Subaru and Shingo. They will never suspect me to affiliate with you at all. I'm not as smart as either of them, but I have my talents. It's an advantage, Ohkura Tadayoshi."
"You do have a point there, senpai."
"I'm not as dumb as I look, Ohkura. So what do you say?" Yu held out his hand. "Partners?"
Ohkura stared at the open right hand and smiled. He stood up and shook that right hand. "Partners."
Uchi went through his cupboard and drawers and he still couldn't find his crown necklace. It was the only accessory he brought from home and it was given to him by his sister. He doesn't want to lose it.
Ryo looked up from the paper he had been writing the lyrics to his and Shota's new song. The competition was on the next day. After all that's happened, that was the only time they could actually sit down and get it off the ground.
It had been only two weeks since Ryo was poisoned. Somehow it seemed longer to all of them.
"What are you looking for?" Ryo asked. "You've been pacing the room for the past hour."
"I can't find my crown necklace. Asuka's going to kill me..." Uchi muttered as he continued looking for it.
"Crown necklace?" Shota quipped in. He had been hanging out at their room ever since that day.
"Have you seen it?" Uchi asked, hopeful.
"Tacchon... has one..." Shota muttered.
"Why is it with..." Ryo and Uchi looked at each other.
"Ryo-chan and Hiro-chan are hiding something from me," Shota spoke up. "How come everyone's hiding everything from me? Is it because I'm not reliable?"
"Shota, it's not that--" Uchi tried.
"Then what is it? I'm tired of secrets! I'm tired of being kept in the dark about everything. I may act like a kid but that doesn't mean I'll blurt everything out at the sight of candy or whatever!"
"He's right," said Ryo. "Yasu, you are absolutely right! You shouldn't be kept in the dark. Ohkura is, after all, your boyfriend, right? So you MUST know what happened." Ryo snapped.
"Ryo, please, don't--"
"No, no, Uchi. He has to know. That's what he's getting at. He HAS to know." Ryo was already standing up. "Listen carefully okay, Yasu? I'm gonna tell it to you once."
And Ryo began his story. From Ohkura's initial moves on Uchi that began in the library to him kidnapping Uchi and raping him. He even told Shota about Ohkura's drug dealing and family background and what he had done to Subaru and Shingo.
He also told Shota about the bottle of medicine Shota returned - the one that was mixed with heroin and almost killed him.
Shota looked like he was about to cry.
"Ryo, stop! You said too much!" Uchi grabbed Ryo's arms.
"You wanted to know everything," said Ryo, coldly. "Stop crying like a child and get over it. Being naive isn't going to get you anywhere. This is the truth, Yasuda Shota. Whether you like it or not."
Shota bowed his head and his sobs grew louder. He began apologizing. Uchi wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, hoping he would stop crying. Uchi shot Ryo a piercing look, as if telling Ryo to apologize for being a little too direct. It didn't seem like Ryo was going to apologize. Uchi didn't really expect him to.
He only hoped he did.
"He'll find out the truth eventually," said Ryo.
"But you said too much," Uchi retorted.
"Fine. Ryo-chan's right. Being naive isn't going to get me anywhere right?" Shota rubbed his eyes. "Acting like a kid isn't going to get me anywhere right? I know sorry is not gonna cut it for almost killing Ryo-chan. But at least, in my naivety, I'm happy. I choose to forget and not keep a grudge."
Silence.
"Ryo-chan has too much hate in him. From the way he speaks, I can tell. That's because Ryo-chan chooses to be full of hate and bitterness. Both of those feelings are concepts anyway. Just like everything else."
No answer.
"I'll leave." Shota packed up his guitar and walked towards the door. "If Ryo-chan wants to drop out of the competition, it's alright. I understand."
"Yasu, wait." Ryo held up the paper with the lyrics. "You forgot this."
Shota stared at the paper. "Eh?"
"Can't enter a songwriting competition without lyrics, can you?"
On top of the slightly crumpled and heavily scribbled paper was the title: Endless Sky.
Shota smiled.