The sun was shining in the morning through the classroom windows and long shadows were seen over the desks. Students were buzzing in small groups prior to the commencement of homeroom. Ryuzi had come in with his heavy stride, his blazer thrown over one shoulder, his tie slack about his neck.
The whispers began nearly as soon.
"Isn't that the guy who--?"
"I heard at his last school--"
Keep off, he is a troublemaker.
Ryuzi clenched his jaw, but he did not even look in their direction. He sat down in his chair by the window, leaning his chin on his hand. Same as always. Different school, same damn whispers.
"Good morning, Ryuzi!"
The voice was too loud, too joyful, and too clearly directed toward him. Suki sat down in the seat next and smiled like he had never heard a rumor pass through the air.
Ryuzi grunted indifferently.
You look weary," Suki said, bending over. "Stayed up too late? Don't tell me you were playing the games all night--
"I don't play games."
"Studying, then?"
"No."
"Brooding?"
Ryuzi turned his head slowly. "...You're really annoying."
Suki only smiled wider. "I'll take that as a 'yes.'"
Their conversation was interrupted with a laugh on the other side of the room. A crowd of boys were leaning against the far wall, and were whispering too loudly, on purpose.
"Takeda, right? My cousin informed me that he was transferred due to some girl.
"Yeah, heard he made her cry."
"Wouldn't surprise me. Look at that face. Total delinquent."
This stabbing of the words that Ryuzi knew well felt like it was burning in his chest. He looked out of the window, unwilling to respond.
A loud voice interrupted the classroom, before he could close it out.
"Hey!"
Every head turned. Suki was standing, with his hands set squarely on the desk of Ryuzi. The bright smile that had been on his face was gone, and in its place was a rare glare.
None of you know anything about him, so stop running your mouths, Suki said. When you have no better thing to do than litter, go bother somebody.
The boys blinked, taken aback. One of them grinned in the nervous way. "What, are you his guard dog now?"
Perhaps I am, Suki replied without any hesitation. At least, I am not a coward hiding with gossip.
The atmosphere was filled with tension. It was broken by the entrance of the teacher, whose voice was brisk as she clapped her hands. Ok, all right, everybody back to their seats.
The whispers died away reluctantly.
Suki sat down once more, and his face flushed up brightly as though it had never been. "So, what were we talking about? Oh right--brooding."
Ryuzi stared at him, silent. His chest was tight, but not the normal suffocating type.
"...Why did you do that?" he muttered under his breath.
Suki blinked innocently. "Do what?"
"Defend me."
Because you deserved it, Suki said simply. And friends have each other backs.
Ryuzi returned to the window, concealing the bewilderment that swept his face. Friends. He continues to repeat that... it is so easy to say that word.
The first time, however, Ryuzi did not despise the sound of it.
On the same night, Ayumi knocked gently at the door of Ryuzi at the Takeda household.
Come in, Ryuzi said hesitantly.
She went in, carrying on her hand a plate on which she had a small, neatly cut slice of cake. I... I saw you did not take dessert before. Thought you might want some."
Ryuzi looked at the plate and looked away. "...Thanks."
She placed it on his desk and hovered a moment. Did you make any friends to-day?
The question startled him. His lips were opening, but there was nothing to say. the recollection of Suki, fists on his desk, eyes flashing in his defense, came flashing through his mind.
"...Maybe," he said finally.
Ayumi smiled and it was a little but promising smile. "That's good." She walked away and stopped at the door. "You deserve friends, Ryuzi."
Ryuzi took the fork when she had gone and gazed at the cake. Sweetness was not his bag, but this night he was able to take every bite.