Wish We Were Older
Title: Wish We Were Older [Chapter 11]
Author: carcrashheart_8
Pairings: RyoDa, Ryo/OC, PiDa, KameDa [friendship], Akame, PiTakki [one-sided], RyoKame, JinNo, Toma/????
Rating: PG-13 [strong language and sexual references]
Summary: When his parents go overseas to work, Ueda is forced to go to an all-boys boarding school for his high school years. There, he meets Ryo Nishikido, a stubborn, strong-willed boy who ends up becoming his roommate. Ueda quickly falls for the other boy despite Ryo's rude words and bad attitude. Trouble starts up, however, and soon this seemingly one-sided love ends up becoming a love triangle and eventually a love square. Despite it all, Ueda must overcome these obstacles in order to maintain his spot at the elite high school.
Disclaimer: Title taken from "Wish We Were Older" by Metro Station
Chapter 11
Ryo tossed and turned. He could hear breathing noises but he was sure that he was just dreaming. Then he heard a whisper.
“Ryo-kun. Ryo-kun.”
He opened his eyes and saw Ueda’s face only mere inches away from his. He jumped back and crawled backwards until he was in the corner of his bed, against the wall where there was no escape. Ueda smiled widely.
“Good morning,” he chirped.
Ryo blinked a couple of times, his vision getting clearer. He could see that Ueda was dressed like he was going out and it seemed like he was expecting Ryo to do the same.
“W-Why are you all dressed up? Do you have plans?”
Ueda giggled.
“Yep! You and I are going to hang out today. I know this really good ramen shop about two blocks from here. It’s got the best food you’ve ever tasted!”
Ryo felt his heart beat quicker as Ueda smiled and giggled. As he stood in the sunlight that was pouring into the room, he appeared to shine; or maybe it was just Ryo’s imagination that made Ueda appear to be glowing.
He laughed nervously, “W-Why would I want to hang out with you?”
Ueda started to frown, “Oh come on, don’t be like that. For once, I want to hang out with you without the two of us fighting. Is that too much to ask?”
He was pouting now and Ryo could only gulp as he felt his chest about ready to burst. He jumped out of bed and without making eye contact with the other boy, muttered his response.
“I guess not. Let me shower and get ready first,” he mumbled, grabbing his toiletries and heading out of the room.
Ueda smiled and nodded, watching as Ryo practically ran out.
He smirked to himself, “If today isn’t the day, I don’t know when I’ll get my chance.”
Clearly, he was referring to his plan for getting Ryo to notice him. He twirled and hopped on Ryo’s bed as he awaited the other’s return.
Ryo went into the shower and jumped when he saw Toma and Yamapi going into the stalls next to his.
“Why are you guys showering as the same time as me?!” he yelped, unaware of the stupidity of such a question.
“Um-we live here? We have the right to use this shower too,” Toma replied in a sarcastic tone usually reserved for Ryo.
“Yeah, Ryo, it’s not like you own the showers-just because your grandma owns the school,” Yamapi snickered.
“You know that my grandma doesn’t own the school. She’s just headmistress-moron,” he grumbled.
Yamapi and Toma laughed as they lathered up. Ryo could only feel annoyed being near his friends in the shower. A quick glimpse at Toma’s lower half was enough for him to shower as fast as he could before running out of the shower. He made his way into a bathroom stall and closed the door, breathing a sigh of relief before shuddering at the image he just had.
After drying off and getting dressed, Ryo went to the sink to brush his teeth and wash his face. After doing so, he looked in the mirror to see Yamapi and Toma on either side of him, smiling widely.
“Holy sh-” he coughed, “What is it with you two? You’re acting like such creepers.”
Toma chuckled half-heartedly, “As if you didn’t know-”
“Know what?”
“You do realize what you’re getting ready for, right?” Yamapi asked.
Ryo turned around and looked at his friends, his eyes darting back and forth between the two grinning idiots in front of him.
“I’m going to hang out with Tat-Ueda today?”
“Mmmhmm,” the pair responded.
Ryo continued to look confused but then it hit him.
“OH MY GAWD!”
“YOU GET IT NOW?!” Toma replied, enthusiastically.
“OH MY GAWD!” Ryo repeated.
“He gets it now,” Yamapi laughed.
“Are you telling me-” Ryo attempted to ask, “Are you telling me that I am going on a d-a d-d-d-a d-”
“A date?”
Ryo’s back hit the sink, his hands naturally falling on the hard marble. He started to pant a bit, feeling like he could pass out. He started to sweat, and it wasn’t because of the steam from the showers that were just shut off.
“It can’t be a-what you just said. This isn’t a-thing. He and I are just hanging out-it’s nothing, really. WHY’D YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT?!”
Yamapi started cackling now, sounding very evil. Toma joined him and it was then that Ryo looked at the two with the anger that they were used to.
“I will kill you-both-and you will suffer-and when you die-I’ll tell everyone it was an accident!”
“Oh come on, Ryo-you should’ve known that’s what he meant.”
Ryo started blinking rapidly, hoping that it would somehow rewind time or at least his memory. He could see Ueda’s smiling face and could hear the words he had said.
“This isn’t happening!”
“What, why not?”
“BECAUSE WE’RE GUYS! IT’S NOT RIGHT!” Ryo growled.
Yamapi and Toma stopped laughing and were now not amused one bit.
“You’re seriously going to say that-after you went on that date with Kamenashi?”
“And when you found out that Yamapi and Tatsuya were dating-you’re telling me, you weren’t jealous?”
Ryo tightened his lips, frustrated. He then burst.
“I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT! That date was not a date-it was a sham. And me? Jealous? As fucking if! What do I care if Ueda dates someone else?”
Toma fake laughed.
“So if I told you that I liked Tatsuya-a lot and that I want to date him, you wouldn’t even blink?”
Ryo blinked.
“No, I-I wouldn’t!”
Yamapi looked at Toma and whispered, “You’re just joking, right?”
Toma shook his head, “Of course, I’m just joking! Besides, I’ve already got someone I like-I guess.”
“Really?! Who?” Yamapi asked, nosily.
Toma blushed and looked away from his friends, “T-That’s not the-WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ME! Now-Ryo-if you are so STUPID, that you’re actually going to say something like what you just said, then I might just have to beat the crap out of you.”
“Me, too,” Yamapi added, crossing his arms and attempting to look menacing.
Ryo groaned, rubbed his eyes, and said, “OKAY! I get it. I just-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything-just know that if you don’t go on this date with Tatsuya, Toma and I will kick your ass,” Yamapi batted his eyelashes and smiled innocently.
Ryo shuddered before shaking his head furiously.
“No-there’s no way I can go through with something like this. It’s not like-”
“Not like what?”
Ryo looked at Toma and Yamapi seriously. He started leaning forward and moved slowly, prompting the other two boys to walk back in response. Ryo somehow managed to corner the two on the wall opposite the sink that he left running. He continued looking at them, not saying anything as if he was thinking deeply, trying to figure out something.
He finally whispered, “What makes you guys think this is a date?”
Then Toma and Yamapi looked at each other, indicating that they had been caught. Neither expected that Ryo would figure it out, but apparently, he had.
“Does Ueda like me?” he continued speaking in a whispered voice, as if hiding something.
Toma cleared his throat. Yamapi looked away.
Ryo stared more intently until Yamapi finally cracked.
“We don’t know anything! We just made up this whole date thing! It was all just to get you all uneasy so we could have a laugh! Right, Toma?”
Toma looked at Yamapi, confused but when Ryo turned his attention towards the taller boy, Toma nodded in agreement.
“That’s exactly what we were doing! Yes, it was all just a joke!”
Ryo was either too distracted or too blind to notice how uneasy his friends were now becoming. They were practically shaking against the tiled wall but Ryo let his eyes wander and his head turn towards the mirror. He walked over to the sink and looked at his reflection. His eyes were fixated and he had his hand on his chest. He was feeling that same unusually rapid heartbeat that he had felt just the night before and he was sure that there was something wrong with him.
“I think I’m getting sick or something. My heart won’t stop beating and I can’t stop sweating. I think I might have the flu,” he mumbled to himself.
Toma stifled his laughter and Yamapi’s mouth did a weird clicking noise.
“You’re sick? Does your stomach feel all queasy?”
Ryo thought and then answered, “Yes?”
“Hmm,” Toma put his hand under his chin as he walked over to Ryo’s side, “Do you sort of feel like you have a fever? Like do your cheeks get hot sometimes?”
“Yes!” Ryo said while putting his hands to his cheeks.
Toma and Yamapi continued to play along, occasionally giving each other looks and smiling.
“It sounds like you do have ‘the flu’, Ryo,” Yamapi stated while putting his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
Toma just nodded and looked at Ryo’s reflection.
Ryo tightened his lips and made a weird face.
“Well, what should I do?” he asked earnestly, “Do you think I should just stay and not hang out with Ueda?”
“OH NO! NO! NO! NO!” Toma warned.
“Huh?”
“See, Ryo,” Yamapi continued, “The best cure for ‘the flu’ is to go out with friends. Being around people you like is the best way to relieve this sickness, especially people like Tatsuya.”
“Um-wait-what?”
Yamapi smirked, “Don’t question it. Just do it.”
“Yes, Ryo-do it,” Toma winked.
Ryo was absolutely sure that he had no idea what was going on at that moment. Before he could question it, he found himself being pushed back to his dorm room by Toma and Yamapi who disappeared before either Ryo or Ueda could ask what they were doing. Ueda looked up at Ryo and smiled.
“Are you ready to go?”
Ryo blinked a few times.
“I guess so.”
The two hadn’t made it very far before the awkwardness became overwhelming for the both of them. As they stood outside the front gates, Ryo started scratching head continuously and coughing to himself.
“Are you alright?” his roommate asked him.
He looked at Ueda oddly, “Of course, I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me-it’s not like I have the flu or anything,” he scoffed.
“Um-the flu? Are you sick, Ryo-kun? Do you want to go back to the dorm?” Ueda started to worry.
Ryo smiled stupidly, “Yamapi says I have the flu. I asked him if it would be wise to go out if I’m sick and he said it was. Sometimes I wonder why I hang out with him.”
Ueda’s eyebrows rose.
“He told you to go out-even though you’re sick?”
Ryo laughed, “I guess so.”
Ueda scratched his head.
“I’m not sure what he’s thinking. What I think would be wise is if we just stayed in the dorm room and I took care of you. It’s the least I could do,” the older man smiled cutely.
Ryo’s heart just about exploded in that moment. His eyes started to twitch and he felt his forehead drench itself with sweat. He started to shake furiously as his limbs turned to jelly and he found it hard to stand. He would’ve fainted but Ueda prevented him from doing so.
“Ryo-kun! Are you alright?!” the older boy cried as he grabbed Ryo’s arms and pulled him up.
Ryo opened his eyes and looked at a concerned Ueda staring back at him. He’d woken from sleep this same way and it still didn’t seem the least bit real to him.
“Tatsuya-kun-,” he whispered.
“What is it?”
Ryo’s eyes fluttered. Ueda wasn’t sure what the other boy was about to say at that moment, but he knew that he, for one, was about to crack as the two stood close, practically in each other’s arms.
“I think I have ‘the flu’,” Ryo shuddered as he nearly passed out.
“Ryo-kun!”
About 20 minutes later, Ryo barely opened his eyes and looked around the room, trying to find another soul standing or sitting somewhere near him. But, unfortunately for him, he was alone. He felt his forehead only to find a cool washcloth and he turned to see a bowl of food sitting on a small table near his bed. He was sure it was the work of Ueda and it was that which made his heart beat even faster.
Of course, Ryo still believed it was all due to the flu and was unaware of the real “sickness” behind it. He sighed to himself, lifting the covers and making his way to the bathroom to wash up. He stopped when he saw Ueda standing outside of the room, facing someone Ryo couldn’t quite see.
“He’s pretty bad. I don’t think you should see him just now,” he heard Ueda say.
The other person replied in a biting tone, “I don’t think that should be your concern. You don’t own him.”
Ryo moved his head slightly and saw that the other person was actually Kame, who was holding a small container of some sort, quite possibly full of food.
“Look, Kame, I’m aware of the trick you pulled on Ryo-kun last night. Now is not the time for you to apologize. He’s sick and I really doubt he wants to see you.”
Kame glared at his former best friend as his grip tightened on the container in his hands.
“Why don’t we let Nishikido-kun decide that, shall we? Or have you already monopolized him completely?”
Ueda laughed, “I didn’t realize you knew such a large word. And to answer your questions, I don’t think that would be a good idea seeing as how Ryo-kun is sick. And to your other question, I have not monopolized anyone. You’re just paranoid.”
“Oh, I’m paranoid? What about you? I know you probably think that Nishikido-kun actually likes you. Talk about paranoia,” Kame scoffed.
Before Ueda had a chance to respond, Ryo lost his balance and collapsed to the ground. Ueda turned around suddenly and saw the distressed boy fall to the floor.
“Ryo-kun!” he gasped, running to the aid of his roommate.
“Nishikido-kun, are you okay?” Kame called out after Ueda.
As the two crouched down, Ueda frowned at Kame.
“I don’t need your help, Kame, so just go back to skulking. You’re not needed here.”
Kame was practically foaming at the mouth, “No one asked you your opinion. I’m here to help Nishikido-kun-not you!”
Ueda had Ryo’s arm around his shoulders but let it fall as he lunged to take Ryo out of Kame’s arms. Kame retaliated by pushing Ueda’s shoulder back in order to make the other boy lose balance.
Ueda stood up suddenly, “What do you think you’re doing!?”
Kame stood up as well, leaving Ryo on the ground without any help whatsoever.
“I could ask you the same question! You act like you’re the only one who is allowed to help Nishikido-kun! Who made you his caretaker?!”
“I’m his roommate! It’s my responsibility!”
Kame laughed heartily, “Your responsibility?”
“Yes-and besides, he’s my friend. It’s what friends do, but you wouldn’t know that would you, Kame?” Ueda said in a biting tone.
Kame just glared and watched as Ueda took Ryo back in the dorm room, on his own and without Kame’s help. Ueda was about to close the door but Kame stopped him from doing so.
“I just want to give him this food. Is that too much to ask?”
Ueda replied, “I can give him the food myself. There’s no need for you to be here when he eats it.”
“What the hell is your problem anyways?”
“My problem is you, Kame! You’re such a jackass and for what reason? Huh? Just because Ryo-kun rejected you-”
“It’s not because he rejected me!”
Ryo could barely open his eyes. His vision was cloudy and he wasn’t too sure what he was hearing but he knew it was the voices of Ueda and Kame. He attempted to wipe his eyes so he could clearly but found it too hard to move. He could only make out the words exchanged by the two bickering ex-best friends.
“Then what is it? Huh?”
“You know damn well it’s because of you. You and your selfishness-it pisses me off!”
Ueda no longer seemed angry but instead concerned and a bit tired of Kame’s griping.
“Look I’m sorry, Kame but what happened between us was inevitable. I don’t feel that way for you and I’m sorry if you got the wrong impression. I love you but only as a friend-but I’m not even sure if that’s true anymore.”
Kame looked hurt and found it difficult to retaliate.
He could only manage to mumble, “You’re so cold, Tatsuya,” before running off, tears streaming down in his face and in the most dramatic state he could possibly pull off.
Ueda just sighed, as if this was nothing new. Kame was always overdramatic, in his mind, and Ueda, frankly, would never expect any less. He finally managed to close the door and placed the container Kame had earlier on his desk. He opened it up and saw a small heart made out of meat sitting on some neatly placed rice.
“Oh, Kame, you’re so girly, it’s sickening,” he laughed to himself. He then looked at Ryo who managed to close his eyes in an instance.
Ueda walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, thinking Ryo had lost total consciousness. He put his hands in his lap and stared at the floor. He didn’t notice Ryo watching him.
Ueda said nothing, which was fortunate since Ryo would have most definitely overheard. Though no words were exchanged, Ryo’s mind was full of thoughts. Had Kame confessed to Ueda and if he did, why did Ueda reject him? From Ryo’s point of view, the two seemed to have an unusually close bond and if anything, Ryo felt a little jealous of their relationship. He wasn’t sure why he felt that way but he was sure that he wished that he had such a close relationship with someone; maybe with someone like Ueda.
Ryo sighed in his pretend sleep and turned away from Ueda, who patted his head before going to his own bed and lying down.
The next morning, after a night of fake sleep on the part of Ryo, Ueda woke up to find an empty bed awaiting him. He was curious to know where his supposedly-sick roommate was so he went exploring. He got dressed and went down to the cafeteria, hoping to find Ryo sitting at the usual table but instead only found Maru and Koki.
“Tatsuya-kun! Where have you been?” Koki cried.
“We haven’t talked to you in such a long time,” Maru lamented as he patted the chair next to him, indicating for Ueda to sit down.
Ueda complied, looking nervous as his eyes darted around the room for some sign that Ryo had been there.
“So how’ve you been lately, Tatsuya-kun?”
Ueda wasn’t listening; he continued scanning the room. Hoping for Ryo to pop out, sniffling and still sick, waiting for his roommate to take care of him. Ueda smiled dreamily when someone came up behind him and scared the life out of him.
“YOU!”
Ueda turned around suddenly.
It was a very angry Jin, escorted by a very anxious Junno.
“Me? What’d I do?” Ueda squeaked.
“That’s what I’d like to know! I heard you made my Kame-chan cry, you asshole!” Jin yelled above all the noise of the cafeteria.
Junno mouthed an apology to Ueda without being seen by Jin. Ueda was feeling nervous but he was sure this was going to be one of those times when Ryo would pop up to save him before Jin would beat Ueda to a bloody pulp.
Ueda waited, closing his eyes while doing so.
Nothing happened.
He opened his eyes and saw Jin’s fist just about ready to fly towards his face when he heard a voice.
“Oh for the love of all things that are holy!”
“Are you ever going to stop torturing Tatsuya-kun?”
Jin released Ueda, who turned around to see an annoyed Toma and an irritated Yamapi stomping over to save their friend.
Toma came over and pushed Jin aside while Yamapi made sure that his ex-boyfriend was all right.
Jin started gaping, looking at Junno, who merely shrugged his shoulders.
“What the hell is this!?” Jin squealed.
Toma looked at the older man, glaring, “I’ve had about enough of you and that Kamenashi. You two are nothing but trouble. And you-“ he said, pointing at Junno, “you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine coming in here!”
Junno was surprised, shocked was more like it. He was always just a helpless bystander in Jin’s attempts at getting even with Ueda.
Toma’s rant continued.
“I swear I could just kill that Kamenashi-where is he anyways?! He should be here, getting ready to neuter his hormonal boyfriend,” Toma pointed at Jin, who did resemble a feral dog at that moment.
“Who the hell are you anyways?” Jin bit back.
As the two started arguing, the door opened suddenly.
“Is someone looking for me?” asked a brazen Kame.
“Yeah, I am, you little bag of crap!” Toma griped, stomping over to the shorter boy, completely leaving Jin annoyed as ever.
“What do you have against me-I’m sorry, I didn’t even bother learning your name,” Kame laughed sadistically.
“My name is Ikuta Toma and I’ve had just about enough of your crap! You come here causing trouble for everyone because you’re such a gawddamn drama queen! First, you come in between Yamapi and Tatsuya and now you’re causing trouble for Ryo. I don’t exactly like it when people mess with my friends!”
Kame tightened his mouth but was quick to rebut Toma’s claims.
“I’m no drama queen! I can’t help it if I get entangled in the drab little lives of your ‘friends.’ Besides, it’s not like Tatsuya, over there, doesn’t deserve it. He’s a lot more selfish and narcissistic than you think.”
“If anyone is selfish, it’s you!” Toma defended, “What right do you have to talk about Tatsuya like that? You and he aren’t friends anymore-but it’s obvious why that’s occurred,” Toma crossed his arms and made a face like a young boy who stupidly thinks he has won an argument.
“You think he doesn’t deserve my insults? Huh?” Kame growled. He then looked at Ueda, who was clear across the room from him.
“Why don’t you tell them why I’m so angry at you, Tatsuya?” Kame yelled at him.
Ueda just looked nervous; it was obvious that he wasn’t going to reply.
Kame chose to do so instead.
“You’re oh-so-great Tatsuya rejected me when I confessed to him!”
Almost everyone looked shocked at that moment, most of all Jin who started stumbling backwards before falling into a chair. He put his hand to his heart as if signifying that it had broken. Junno rushed to his side but was batted away by Jin’s hands.
Toma wasn’t too shocked for some reason.
“So?”
Kame blinked.
“What do you mean so?!”
“What I mean is-so what? Who cares if he rejected you? It’s not like you’re the first person to be rejected, smartass! And you’re certainly not the first person to be rejected by Tatsuya, that’s for sure.”
“TOMA!” Yamapi shouted in a vain attempt to let their breakup be brought up again.
Kame continued blinking as if it would help him comprehend Toma’s words.
“It’s just that-he-he and I were friends and he still rejected me! How can I not take my anger out on him? He broke my heart!”
Toma laughed, shaking his head repeatedly, “Oh, you’re so naïve, it’s cute. I doubt that he meant any harm whatsoever. He’s just a little dumb when it comes to sensitive matters.”
“TOMA!” Ueda was now the one to shout at the other boy.
“I’m sorry, Tatsuya, but it’s true,” Toma turned his head to defend his remarks to the person he had insulted. He then looked back at Kame, “You can’t exactly change his feelings. If he doesn’t like you, he doesn’t like you. It’s as simple as that. Just give up and move on-it’s the best advice anyone can give you especially since Tatsuya already likes-”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Ryo had only now popped up just before Toma could go on any further. He came walking into the room and stood next to Yamapi and Ueda who were shocked to see him there.
“I thought you were sick,” Ueda gasped.
Ryo smiled, “I was but then I woke up this morning, completely refreshed. Whatever was in that food you gave me really helped.”
Ueda blushed furiously.
“So where were you then?” Yamapi asked.
“Oh, I went to go see my grandma. She had some stuff to do around her house and I went to help her. And now I’m back. So what’s going on?” Ryo put his hands in his pockets and looked at all the shocked faces surrounding him. No one was going to say anything, or at least, that’s what it seemed like.
“I tell you exactly what’s going on-Nishikido-kun,” Kame smiled
Ueda looked at Kame and with a desperate expression, he mouthed the words, “Please don’t.”
END CHAPTER 11
A/N: I've been meaning to post this for the past few days now but I only now have the time to do so >.< I hope you all are enjoying reading this ^^ it's been hard for me to write because I've been dealing with school stuff as well as a horrible case of writer's block D: but I think that I'm over it and hopefully I can continue to write and update quickly ^^ thanks to everyone who has been reading and commenting! I really appreciate it ♥
Author: carcrashheart_8
Pairings: RyoDa, Ryo/OC, PiDa, KameDa [friendship], Akame, PiTakki [one-sided], RyoKame, JinNo, Toma/????
Rating: PG-13 [strong language and sexual references]
Summary: When his parents go overseas to work, Ueda is forced to go to an all-boys boarding school for his high school years. There, he meets Ryo Nishikido, a stubborn, strong-willed boy who ends up becoming his roommate. Ueda quickly falls for the other boy despite Ryo's rude words and bad attitude. Trouble starts up, however, and soon this seemingly one-sided love ends up becoming a love triangle and eventually a love square. Despite it all, Ueda must overcome these obstacles in order to maintain his spot at the elite high school.
Disclaimer: Title taken from "Wish We Were Older" by Metro Station
Chapter 11
Ryo tossed and turned. He could hear breathing noises but he was sure that he was just dreaming. Then he heard a whisper.
“Ryo-kun. Ryo-kun.”
He opened his eyes and saw Ueda’s face only mere inches away from his. He jumped back and crawled backwards until he was in the corner of his bed, against the wall where there was no escape. Ueda smiled widely.
“Good morning,” he chirped.
Ryo blinked a couple of times, his vision getting clearer. He could see that Ueda was dressed like he was going out and it seemed like he was expecting Ryo to do the same.
“W-Why are you all dressed up? Do you have plans?”
Ueda giggled.
“Yep! You and I are going to hang out today. I know this really good ramen shop about two blocks from here. It’s got the best food you’ve ever tasted!”
Ryo felt his heart beat quicker as Ueda smiled and giggled. As he stood in the sunlight that was pouring into the room, he appeared to shine; or maybe it was just Ryo’s imagination that made Ueda appear to be glowing.
He laughed nervously, “W-Why would I want to hang out with you?”
Ueda started to frown, “Oh come on, don’t be like that. For once, I want to hang out with you without the two of us fighting. Is that too much to ask?”
He was pouting now and Ryo could only gulp as he felt his chest about ready to burst. He jumped out of bed and without making eye contact with the other boy, muttered his response.
“I guess not. Let me shower and get ready first,” he mumbled, grabbing his toiletries and heading out of the room.
Ueda smiled and nodded, watching as Ryo practically ran out.
He smirked to himself, “If today isn’t the day, I don’t know when I’ll get my chance.”
Clearly, he was referring to his plan for getting Ryo to notice him. He twirled and hopped on Ryo’s bed as he awaited the other’s return.
Ryo went into the shower and jumped when he saw Toma and Yamapi going into the stalls next to his.
“Why are you guys showering as the same time as me?!” he yelped, unaware of the stupidity of such a question.
“Um-we live here? We have the right to use this shower too,” Toma replied in a sarcastic tone usually reserved for Ryo.
“Yeah, Ryo, it’s not like you own the showers-just because your grandma owns the school,” Yamapi snickered.
“You know that my grandma doesn’t own the school. She’s just headmistress-moron,” he grumbled.
Yamapi and Toma laughed as they lathered up. Ryo could only feel annoyed being near his friends in the shower. A quick glimpse at Toma’s lower half was enough for him to shower as fast as he could before running out of the shower. He made his way into a bathroom stall and closed the door, breathing a sigh of relief before shuddering at the image he just had.
After drying off and getting dressed, Ryo went to the sink to brush his teeth and wash his face. After doing so, he looked in the mirror to see Yamapi and Toma on either side of him, smiling widely.
“Holy sh-” he coughed, “What is it with you two? You’re acting like such creepers.”
Toma chuckled half-heartedly, “As if you didn’t know-”
“Know what?”
“You do realize what you’re getting ready for, right?” Yamapi asked.
Ryo turned around and looked at his friends, his eyes darting back and forth between the two grinning idiots in front of him.
“I’m going to hang out with Tat-Ueda today?”
“Mmmhmm,” the pair responded.
Ryo continued to look confused but then it hit him.
“OH MY GAWD!”
“YOU GET IT NOW?!” Toma replied, enthusiastically.
“OH MY GAWD!” Ryo repeated.
“He gets it now,” Yamapi laughed.
“Are you telling me-” Ryo attempted to ask, “Are you telling me that I am going on a d-a d-d-d-a d-”
“A date?”
Ryo’s back hit the sink, his hands naturally falling on the hard marble. He started to pant a bit, feeling like he could pass out. He started to sweat, and it wasn’t because of the steam from the showers that were just shut off.
“It can’t be a-what you just said. This isn’t a-thing. He and I are just hanging out-it’s nothing, really. WHY’D YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT?!”
Yamapi started cackling now, sounding very evil. Toma joined him and it was then that Ryo looked at the two with the anger that they were used to.
“I will kill you-both-and you will suffer-and when you die-I’ll tell everyone it was an accident!”
“Oh come on, Ryo-you should’ve known that’s what he meant.”
Ryo started blinking rapidly, hoping that it would somehow rewind time or at least his memory. He could see Ueda’s smiling face and could hear the words he had said.
“This isn’t happening!”
“What, why not?”
“BECAUSE WE’RE GUYS! IT’S NOT RIGHT!” Ryo growled.
Yamapi and Toma stopped laughing and were now not amused one bit.
“You’re seriously going to say that-after you went on that date with Kamenashi?”
“And when you found out that Yamapi and Tatsuya were dating-you’re telling me, you weren’t jealous?”
Ryo tightened his lips, frustrated. He then burst.
“I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT! That date was not a date-it was a sham. And me? Jealous? As fucking if! What do I care if Ueda dates someone else?”
Toma fake laughed.
“So if I told you that I liked Tatsuya-a lot and that I want to date him, you wouldn’t even blink?”
Ryo blinked.
“No, I-I wouldn’t!”
Yamapi looked at Toma and whispered, “You’re just joking, right?”
Toma shook his head, “Of course, I’m just joking! Besides, I’ve already got someone I like-I guess.”
“Really?! Who?” Yamapi asked, nosily.
Toma blushed and looked away from his friends, “T-That’s not the-WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ME! Now-Ryo-if you are so STUPID, that you’re actually going to say something like what you just said, then I might just have to beat the crap out of you.”
“Me, too,” Yamapi added, crossing his arms and attempting to look menacing.
Ryo groaned, rubbed his eyes, and said, “OKAY! I get it. I just-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything-just know that if you don’t go on this date with Tatsuya, Toma and I will kick your ass,” Yamapi batted his eyelashes and smiled innocently.
Ryo shuddered before shaking his head furiously.
“No-there’s no way I can go through with something like this. It’s not like-”
“Not like what?”
Ryo looked at Toma and Yamapi seriously. He started leaning forward and moved slowly, prompting the other two boys to walk back in response. Ryo somehow managed to corner the two on the wall opposite the sink that he left running. He continued looking at them, not saying anything as if he was thinking deeply, trying to figure out something.
He finally whispered, “What makes you guys think this is a date?”
Then Toma and Yamapi looked at each other, indicating that they had been caught. Neither expected that Ryo would figure it out, but apparently, he had.
“Does Ueda like me?” he continued speaking in a whispered voice, as if hiding something.
Toma cleared his throat. Yamapi looked away.
Ryo stared more intently until Yamapi finally cracked.
“We don’t know anything! We just made up this whole date thing! It was all just to get you all uneasy so we could have a laugh! Right, Toma?”
Toma looked at Yamapi, confused but when Ryo turned his attention towards the taller boy, Toma nodded in agreement.
“That’s exactly what we were doing! Yes, it was all just a joke!”
Ryo was either too distracted or too blind to notice how uneasy his friends were now becoming. They were practically shaking against the tiled wall but Ryo let his eyes wander and his head turn towards the mirror. He walked over to the sink and looked at his reflection. His eyes were fixated and he had his hand on his chest. He was feeling that same unusually rapid heartbeat that he had felt just the night before and he was sure that there was something wrong with him.
“I think I’m getting sick or something. My heart won’t stop beating and I can’t stop sweating. I think I might have the flu,” he mumbled to himself.
Toma stifled his laughter and Yamapi’s mouth did a weird clicking noise.
“You’re sick? Does your stomach feel all queasy?”
Ryo thought and then answered, “Yes?”
“Hmm,” Toma put his hand under his chin as he walked over to Ryo’s side, “Do you sort of feel like you have a fever? Like do your cheeks get hot sometimes?”
“Yes!” Ryo said while putting his hands to his cheeks.
Toma and Yamapi continued to play along, occasionally giving each other looks and smiling.
“It sounds like you do have ‘the flu’, Ryo,” Yamapi stated while putting his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
Toma just nodded and looked at Ryo’s reflection.
Ryo tightened his lips and made a weird face.
“Well, what should I do?” he asked earnestly, “Do you think I should just stay and not hang out with Ueda?”
“OH NO! NO! NO! NO!” Toma warned.
“Huh?”
“See, Ryo,” Yamapi continued, “The best cure for ‘the flu’ is to go out with friends. Being around people you like is the best way to relieve this sickness, especially people like Tatsuya.”
“Um-wait-what?”
Yamapi smirked, “Don’t question it. Just do it.”
“Yes, Ryo-do it,” Toma winked.
Ryo was absolutely sure that he had no idea what was going on at that moment. Before he could question it, he found himself being pushed back to his dorm room by Toma and Yamapi who disappeared before either Ryo or Ueda could ask what they were doing. Ueda looked up at Ryo and smiled.
“Are you ready to go?”
Ryo blinked a few times.
“I guess so.”
The two hadn’t made it very far before the awkwardness became overwhelming for the both of them. As they stood outside the front gates, Ryo started scratching head continuously and coughing to himself.
“Are you alright?” his roommate asked him.
He looked at Ueda oddly, “Of course, I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me-it’s not like I have the flu or anything,” he scoffed.
“Um-the flu? Are you sick, Ryo-kun? Do you want to go back to the dorm?” Ueda started to worry.
Ryo smiled stupidly, “Yamapi says I have the flu. I asked him if it would be wise to go out if I’m sick and he said it was. Sometimes I wonder why I hang out with him.”
Ueda’s eyebrows rose.
“He told you to go out-even though you’re sick?”
Ryo laughed, “I guess so.”
Ueda scratched his head.
“I’m not sure what he’s thinking. What I think would be wise is if we just stayed in the dorm room and I took care of you. It’s the least I could do,” the older man smiled cutely.
Ryo’s heart just about exploded in that moment. His eyes started to twitch and he felt his forehead drench itself with sweat. He started to shake furiously as his limbs turned to jelly and he found it hard to stand. He would’ve fainted but Ueda prevented him from doing so.
“Ryo-kun! Are you alright?!” the older boy cried as he grabbed Ryo’s arms and pulled him up.
Ryo opened his eyes and looked at a concerned Ueda staring back at him. He’d woken from sleep this same way and it still didn’t seem the least bit real to him.
“Tatsuya-kun-,” he whispered.
“What is it?”
Ryo’s eyes fluttered. Ueda wasn’t sure what the other boy was about to say at that moment, but he knew that he, for one, was about to crack as the two stood close, practically in each other’s arms.
“I think I have ‘the flu’,” Ryo shuddered as he nearly passed out.
“Ryo-kun!”
About 20 minutes later, Ryo barely opened his eyes and looked around the room, trying to find another soul standing or sitting somewhere near him. But, unfortunately for him, he was alone. He felt his forehead only to find a cool washcloth and he turned to see a bowl of food sitting on a small table near his bed. He was sure it was the work of Ueda and it was that which made his heart beat even faster.
Of course, Ryo still believed it was all due to the flu and was unaware of the real “sickness” behind it. He sighed to himself, lifting the covers and making his way to the bathroom to wash up. He stopped when he saw Ueda standing outside of the room, facing someone Ryo couldn’t quite see.
“He’s pretty bad. I don’t think you should see him just now,” he heard Ueda say.
The other person replied in a biting tone, “I don’t think that should be your concern. You don’t own him.”
Ryo moved his head slightly and saw that the other person was actually Kame, who was holding a small container of some sort, quite possibly full of food.
“Look, Kame, I’m aware of the trick you pulled on Ryo-kun last night. Now is not the time for you to apologize. He’s sick and I really doubt he wants to see you.”
Kame glared at his former best friend as his grip tightened on the container in his hands.
“Why don’t we let Nishikido-kun decide that, shall we? Or have you already monopolized him completely?”
Ueda laughed, “I didn’t realize you knew such a large word. And to answer your questions, I don’t think that would be a good idea seeing as how Ryo-kun is sick. And to your other question, I have not monopolized anyone. You’re just paranoid.”
“Oh, I’m paranoid? What about you? I know you probably think that Nishikido-kun actually likes you. Talk about paranoia,” Kame scoffed.
Before Ueda had a chance to respond, Ryo lost his balance and collapsed to the ground. Ueda turned around suddenly and saw the distressed boy fall to the floor.
“Ryo-kun!” he gasped, running to the aid of his roommate.
“Nishikido-kun, are you okay?” Kame called out after Ueda.
As the two crouched down, Ueda frowned at Kame.
“I don’t need your help, Kame, so just go back to skulking. You’re not needed here.”
Kame was practically foaming at the mouth, “No one asked you your opinion. I’m here to help Nishikido-kun-not you!”
Ueda had Ryo’s arm around his shoulders but let it fall as he lunged to take Ryo out of Kame’s arms. Kame retaliated by pushing Ueda’s shoulder back in order to make the other boy lose balance.
Ueda stood up suddenly, “What do you think you’re doing!?”
Kame stood up as well, leaving Ryo on the ground without any help whatsoever.
“I could ask you the same question! You act like you’re the only one who is allowed to help Nishikido-kun! Who made you his caretaker?!”
“I’m his roommate! It’s my responsibility!”
Kame laughed heartily, “Your responsibility?”
“Yes-and besides, he’s my friend. It’s what friends do, but you wouldn’t know that would you, Kame?” Ueda said in a biting tone.
Kame just glared and watched as Ueda took Ryo back in the dorm room, on his own and without Kame’s help. Ueda was about to close the door but Kame stopped him from doing so.
“I just want to give him this food. Is that too much to ask?”
Ueda replied, “I can give him the food myself. There’s no need for you to be here when he eats it.”
“What the hell is your problem anyways?”
“My problem is you, Kame! You’re such a jackass and for what reason? Huh? Just because Ryo-kun rejected you-”
“It’s not because he rejected me!”
Ryo could barely open his eyes. His vision was cloudy and he wasn’t too sure what he was hearing but he knew it was the voices of Ueda and Kame. He attempted to wipe his eyes so he could clearly but found it too hard to move. He could only make out the words exchanged by the two bickering ex-best friends.
“Then what is it? Huh?”
“You know damn well it’s because of you. You and your selfishness-it pisses me off!”
Ueda no longer seemed angry but instead concerned and a bit tired of Kame’s griping.
“Look I’m sorry, Kame but what happened between us was inevitable. I don’t feel that way for you and I’m sorry if you got the wrong impression. I love you but only as a friend-but I’m not even sure if that’s true anymore.”
Kame looked hurt and found it difficult to retaliate.
He could only manage to mumble, “You’re so cold, Tatsuya,” before running off, tears streaming down in his face and in the most dramatic state he could possibly pull off.
Ueda just sighed, as if this was nothing new. Kame was always overdramatic, in his mind, and Ueda, frankly, would never expect any less. He finally managed to close the door and placed the container Kame had earlier on his desk. He opened it up and saw a small heart made out of meat sitting on some neatly placed rice.
“Oh, Kame, you’re so girly, it’s sickening,” he laughed to himself. He then looked at Ryo who managed to close his eyes in an instance.
Ueda walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, thinking Ryo had lost total consciousness. He put his hands in his lap and stared at the floor. He didn’t notice Ryo watching him.
Ueda said nothing, which was fortunate since Ryo would have most definitely overheard. Though no words were exchanged, Ryo’s mind was full of thoughts. Had Kame confessed to Ueda and if he did, why did Ueda reject him? From Ryo’s point of view, the two seemed to have an unusually close bond and if anything, Ryo felt a little jealous of their relationship. He wasn’t sure why he felt that way but he was sure that he wished that he had such a close relationship with someone; maybe with someone like Ueda.
Ryo sighed in his pretend sleep and turned away from Ueda, who patted his head before going to his own bed and lying down.
The next morning, after a night of fake sleep on the part of Ryo, Ueda woke up to find an empty bed awaiting him. He was curious to know where his supposedly-sick roommate was so he went exploring. He got dressed and went down to the cafeteria, hoping to find Ryo sitting at the usual table but instead only found Maru and Koki.
“Tatsuya-kun! Where have you been?” Koki cried.
“We haven’t talked to you in such a long time,” Maru lamented as he patted the chair next to him, indicating for Ueda to sit down.
Ueda complied, looking nervous as his eyes darted around the room for some sign that Ryo had been there.
“So how’ve you been lately, Tatsuya-kun?”
Ueda wasn’t listening; he continued scanning the room. Hoping for Ryo to pop out, sniffling and still sick, waiting for his roommate to take care of him. Ueda smiled dreamily when someone came up behind him and scared the life out of him.
“YOU!”
Ueda turned around suddenly.
It was a very angry Jin, escorted by a very anxious Junno.
“Me? What’d I do?” Ueda squeaked.
“That’s what I’d like to know! I heard you made my Kame-chan cry, you asshole!” Jin yelled above all the noise of the cafeteria.
Junno mouthed an apology to Ueda without being seen by Jin. Ueda was feeling nervous but he was sure this was going to be one of those times when Ryo would pop up to save him before Jin would beat Ueda to a bloody pulp.
Ueda waited, closing his eyes while doing so.
Nothing happened.
He opened his eyes and saw Jin’s fist just about ready to fly towards his face when he heard a voice.
“Oh for the love of all things that are holy!”
“Are you ever going to stop torturing Tatsuya-kun?”
Jin released Ueda, who turned around to see an annoyed Toma and an irritated Yamapi stomping over to save their friend.
Toma came over and pushed Jin aside while Yamapi made sure that his ex-boyfriend was all right.
Jin started gaping, looking at Junno, who merely shrugged his shoulders.
“What the hell is this!?” Jin squealed.
Toma looked at the older man, glaring, “I’ve had about enough of you and that Kamenashi. You two are nothing but trouble. And you-“ he said, pointing at Junno, “you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine coming in here!”
Junno was surprised, shocked was more like it. He was always just a helpless bystander in Jin’s attempts at getting even with Ueda.
Toma’s rant continued.
“I swear I could just kill that Kamenashi-where is he anyways?! He should be here, getting ready to neuter his hormonal boyfriend,” Toma pointed at Jin, who did resemble a feral dog at that moment.
“Who the hell are you anyways?” Jin bit back.
As the two started arguing, the door opened suddenly.
“Is someone looking for me?” asked a brazen Kame.
“Yeah, I am, you little bag of crap!” Toma griped, stomping over to the shorter boy, completely leaving Jin annoyed as ever.
“What do you have against me-I’m sorry, I didn’t even bother learning your name,” Kame laughed sadistically.
“My name is Ikuta Toma and I’ve had just about enough of your crap! You come here causing trouble for everyone because you’re such a gawddamn drama queen! First, you come in between Yamapi and Tatsuya and now you’re causing trouble for Ryo. I don’t exactly like it when people mess with my friends!”
Kame tightened his mouth but was quick to rebut Toma’s claims.
“I’m no drama queen! I can’t help it if I get entangled in the drab little lives of your ‘friends.’ Besides, it’s not like Tatsuya, over there, doesn’t deserve it. He’s a lot more selfish and narcissistic than you think.”
“If anyone is selfish, it’s you!” Toma defended, “What right do you have to talk about Tatsuya like that? You and he aren’t friends anymore-but it’s obvious why that’s occurred,” Toma crossed his arms and made a face like a young boy who stupidly thinks he has won an argument.
“You think he doesn’t deserve my insults? Huh?” Kame growled. He then looked at Ueda, who was clear across the room from him.
“Why don’t you tell them why I’m so angry at you, Tatsuya?” Kame yelled at him.
Ueda just looked nervous; it was obvious that he wasn’t going to reply.
Kame chose to do so instead.
“You’re oh-so-great Tatsuya rejected me when I confessed to him!”
Almost everyone looked shocked at that moment, most of all Jin who started stumbling backwards before falling into a chair. He put his hand to his heart as if signifying that it had broken. Junno rushed to his side but was batted away by Jin’s hands.
Toma wasn’t too shocked for some reason.
“So?”
Kame blinked.
“What do you mean so?!”
“What I mean is-so what? Who cares if he rejected you? It’s not like you’re the first person to be rejected, smartass! And you’re certainly not the first person to be rejected by Tatsuya, that’s for sure.”
“TOMA!” Yamapi shouted in a vain attempt to let their breakup be brought up again.
Kame continued blinking as if it would help him comprehend Toma’s words.
“It’s just that-he-he and I were friends and he still rejected me! How can I not take my anger out on him? He broke my heart!”
Toma laughed, shaking his head repeatedly, “Oh, you’re so naïve, it’s cute. I doubt that he meant any harm whatsoever. He’s just a little dumb when it comes to sensitive matters.”
“TOMA!” Ueda was now the one to shout at the other boy.
“I’m sorry, Tatsuya, but it’s true,” Toma turned his head to defend his remarks to the person he had insulted. He then looked back at Kame, “You can’t exactly change his feelings. If he doesn’t like you, he doesn’t like you. It’s as simple as that. Just give up and move on-it’s the best advice anyone can give you especially since Tatsuya already likes-”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Ryo had only now popped up just before Toma could go on any further. He came walking into the room and stood next to Yamapi and Ueda who were shocked to see him there.
“I thought you were sick,” Ueda gasped.
Ryo smiled, “I was but then I woke up this morning, completely refreshed. Whatever was in that food you gave me really helped.”
Ueda blushed furiously.
“So where were you then?” Yamapi asked.
“Oh, I went to go see my grandma. She had some stuff to do around her house and I went to help her. And now I’m back. So what’s going on?” Ryo put his hands in his pockets and looked at all the shocked faces surrounding him. No one was going to say anything, or at least, that’s what it seemed like.
“I tell you exactly what’s going on-Nishikido-kun,” Kame smiled
Ueda looked at Kame and with a desperate expression, he mouthed the words, “Please don’t.”
END CHAPTER 11
A/N: I've been meaning to post this for the past few days now but I only now have the time to do so >.< I hope you all are enjoying reading this ^^ it's been hard for me to write because I've been dealing with school stuff as well as a horrible case of writer's block D: but I think that I'm over it and hopefully I can continue to write and update quickly ^^ thanks to everyone who has been reading and commenting! I really appreciate it ♥