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For all his abilities to predict and analyze his opponents, a flush and visibly sick Ryuuen Kakeru is not what he expected when the door opens.
‘He still hasn’t come...’
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is a patient person, the ability to rationalize and understand the correct amount of time to allude to different situations ingrained in him in the earlier stages of the white room. If he was a normal person, perhaps he would’ve started a fuss and stormed out after the first 30 minutes of the absence of the person he was waiting for. But because Ayanokouji is far from one, he merely twitches his eyebrow slightly and continues to wait for Ryuuen Kakeru for another hour at their normal meeting place at the bridge. It’s when the snow starts falling in higher quantities does he begin to take his leave, not having the necessary clothing for out waiting what he predicts to be a snowstorm.
In the past hour an a half, Ayanokouji has spent the time contemplating all the possible reasons that the other wouldn’t show up on time. It couldn’t be a class related problem, having seen his usual lackeys head out without him, and it couldn’t for malicious purposes, the pair having already settled their differences and moving into a comfortable.. acquaintanceship. It makes his disappearance all the more out of character then ever. The class dictator was far from a model example for punctuality, but still despite that Ayanokouji knows that he wouldn’t miss anything that could even offer him an edge over the rest or serve his own interests.
‘This is unusual, even for Ryuuen,’ is the thought that leads him straight to Class C’s portion of the dorms, swiftly and subtly interrogating the lady at the desk whether she’s seen a boisterous teen with long magenta hair, who’s about this tall and carries himself with the attitude of someone who’s always balancing something on his chin with the way he looks down on other people.
The lady smiles and giggles to herself when she mentioned that she hasn’t seen “Ryuu-kun” leave the dorms at all, and even offers him a wish of good luck as she spills out the directions to his room. The interaction leaves him feeling around 10 years older, and he distantly thinks about the interaction he had with Hoshinomiya-sensei about couples and dorm rooms. A shiver runs down his spine as the repeating beep noise signifies that the elevator had reached the third floor.
It’s quiet and deserted, allowing him to walk through the hallways without worry about being recognized by any other class C members who’s suspicions and tendency to punch first and think later would certainly require him to exert some energy. He inwardly is grateful for their shared meetings being set on the weekends, a suggestion made by Ryuuen taking into account of how almost every student has better things to do then hang out at a shrivelled park in this weather. He comes to a stop at the room number given to him, 402, and reminds himself that he can just turn back any moment now if he doesn’t want to go through.
‘I already came here, might as well go through with the plan,’ he thinks absently, fingers rapping on the generic door that hides the person of his interest behind it.
A few seconds pass when it finally creaks open in response to his casual knocks. Instead of the image he expected of Ryuuen sneering at him for taking the effort to crawl to his doorstep, he is met with practically a different person. Ryuuen’s smooth magenta hair now hung over his face at some parts and his eyelids almost seemed to be struggling to keep themselves open.
“…Ayanokouji," Ryuuen’s voice was hoarse, with an out of place rasp that should not belong to the confident dictator of class C. He looked like he was going to stumble over as he goes to lean against the door frame, skin looking particularly pale and weary. “What do you want?” He adds on with suspicion, eyeing the class D member up with the lack of shame that seemed to be present despite his current state. Suddenly as if an invisible switch had been flipped, he uncontrollably started to cough, noise sounding more rough then Ayanokouji would appreciate.
Analyzing the situation and figuring out a solution, he takes advantage of this moment of weakness by placing his leg in between the gap offered and swiftly entering the room, clicking the lock behind him. It’s a testimony to how out of it Ryuuen truly is that he doesn’t even try to stop him from further entering the dorm room. Guiding the sickly teen to one of the seats at a table, it appears that he finally has the mind to question the presence of his former enemy and current rival.
“Hey genius, don’t ignore me! Why are you here!” He says rather weakly, although the agitation was still present, judging by the glare being sent his way. It is clear that his usual sharpness has been dulled by the haze of what he assumes to be a rising fever. Ayanokouji ignores him briefly to head to the miniature kitchen that all dorms have. “I was wondering if I was being stood up,” he says stoically, focused on methodically searching the cabinets. “I was slightly worried when I didn’t see your face. I didn’t expect to find you like this.”
He doesn’t need to turn around to understand the others reaction. Ryuuen blinks slowly, similar to what he thinks a cat would, before going back to his generic narrowed eyes. “You worried? As if. You probably have a some backhanded reason,” He hears muttered in between coughs in the area behind him.
‘He’s not wrong,” distantly Ayanokouji thinks. He doesn’t feel an once of pity or concern for the other teen. But still, there wasn’t any reason or motivation behind coming here, beyond a slight whim to check on Ryuuen. Horrifically, he suddenly recalls what the desk worker was insinuating when he entered. Could it truly be-
Before he could spiral further, his hand finally lands on the lemon teabags that were given to each student at the beginning of the year. ‘Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, contain high levels of flavonoids and vitamin C necessary to fighting an illness’, his brains rattles out to him from his biology notes.
Ayanokouji personally had already finished his batch, but based on what he knows about the other, it is a reasonable assumption to make that the hothead wouldn’t have even touched it. He simply lacks the patience needed to properly enjoy a nice cup or tea and like most things in his life, simply prefers the quicker route, judging by the almost empty coffee filter box.
With the kettle already turned on, and cups prepared, the class D student heads back to where the subject of his thoughts lays disturbingly quiet, head leaned back on the edge of the chair and sweat starting to glisten on his forehead. Judging by how his eyes have glazed over, Ayanokouji wouldn’t be too shocked if he struggles to remember him even being here. With this thought in mind, he heads forward and places his hand on the others head to get a touch estimate of how bad the fevers gotten.
"Go away," Ryuuen protested weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t need help... I’m not some pathetic weakling. Just... leave."
But despite that, he continued to lean into where the cool hand moved to his cheek, tryning to chase the coolness of the perfect human’s hand in order to settle the burning fever inside of him. His eye closes as he does so, leaving a peaceful picture of the usual hyper individual before him. What he would do to be able to take a photo without alerting him, but he instead just settles with the live visual instead, trusting that his photographic memory would be able to burn this sight permanently into his brain.
“Well..this is interesting,” Ayanokouji finally said in response, no longer bothering to mask the slight amusement in his tone as the only other soul in the room is too out of it to even catch the tilt to his voice. It’s the most accurate statement he could make about this situation. It was truly fascinating to see someone so obsessed with being in control and taking charge being so helpless and, dare he say, vulnerable.
If he truly wanted to, he could snap that neck of his in a second without resistance. But the thought of even harming him permanently strikes a chord in his dead heart.
“What’s so funny?” Retorts Ryuuen, finally seeming to get his wits together. The relaxed face of his is slowly giving away into the usual tense way he carries himself. Such a shame good things don’t last forever. The rebellious student goes to lift his head up again, and Ayanokouji virtually mourns the loss.
“I never thought I’d see the day when you of all people would need my help with something like this.”
Almost instantly, Ryuuen slowly raises himself from the chair, swaying dangerously as he does, and grabs onto the collar of Ayanokouji’s sweater almost as if to maintain stability. “I told you, I don’t need any of your help,” Ryuuen practically growls, words a reminder of the discussion they had after the special exam. He lets go and takes a step back, staggering as the effects of rushing up so quickly disorients him.
At this he sighs, and says “I know.” In fact, he already anticipated his reaction from the second he revealed himself at the door. Ryuuen Kakeru is not the type of person to accept help, especially not from a former adversary like himself.
Ryuuen seems to see something in his face, despite the blank exterior, and gains a look of understanding that doesn’t help but make the genius intrigued by what he could’ve understood. ‘It is slightly interesting how fast he’s evolved from the rooftop’ Ayanokouji mentally notes down. ‘I wonder.. Would he be able to bury me? No, not yet.’
“Than why are you here?” The magenta haired teen asks bluntly, tired of the roundabout way this conversation has been going. He looks confused and Ayanokouji feels like telling him his real thoughts this time. Telling him about how it’s easier to be with someone who already knows what type of monster he is, and doesn’t have any expectations for him as a result.
"Because you weren’t where you were supposed to be. And I was curious why." Is what he says instead, having a completely neutral expression. It’s the most honest response he could fabricate but Ryuuen seems far from placated at this reply and seems like he plans to grab his collar once again.
The kettle chooses the perfect moment to shriek, providing an easy escape for him. It takes a couple minute to set things up, finding a set of cups and pouring the tea, but when he’s done, there is a sense of satisfaction as a result. Pushing a cup towards him, Ayanokouji takes a seat directly across from the self-appointed ruler of Class C, taking the chance to look more clearly at the other.
The person in question looks suspiciously at the cup, no doubt thinking about how not long ago he poisoned half of class B, but takes it not a second later, coming to the conclusion that if Ayanokouji wanted to harm him, there were many moments in this night alone that would have been a better opportunity. For a moment there is silence between the two as they drink, the time having already passed, marked by the darkness peeking from outside the window in his room.
It would’ve been a normal interaction between friends if the cold sweat on Ryuuen’s neck didn’t betray his clear discomfort. Silently, Ayanokouji wonders whoz, or what particularly who is causing it. The sickness or his own presence in Ryuuen’s personal place?
“Don’t think I’m going to be grateful for this, Ayanokouji,” the long haired teen muttered, before lifting his cup up to take his final sip. His own cup has been empty for quite sometime, but he still waits here for the purpose of watching the other. In the past hour or so, Ryuuen’s burning fever has seemed to have simmered down into slight inconvenience compared to before. Pushing his chair back, he goes to stand up, no longer having a socially acceptable reason to stay any longer to observe. But in an act that momentarily surprises him, it’s Ryuuen that stops him from leaving, grabbing onto his sleeve as the last moment.
“It’s late outside, wouldn’t it be suspicious if you were seen leaving my room at this time? Many students from not only Class C should be hanging out at the hallways by now..” Grumbled Ryuuen, not really believing even half of the words he’s saying.
He does have a point though. Since the special exams just ended, and with Ichinose’s own defeat at that, it would be bad if any reports of him being seen with her former opponent were to circulate. It wouldn’t be damaging enough to ruin the tentative relation that Class D has built with Class B but it would certainly further delay his own plans with the leader herself.
“So what do you suggest I should do?” He asks, having a faint idea of were this could be going.
Ryuuen, just liked he predicted he would from the moment he knocked on the door, offers up his own place to sleep over.
“Crash over at my place for the night.” He suggests, voice laced with feigned annoyance at the offer. “No one would suspect you coming here, and you can leave early in the morning without any witnesses.”
Ayanokouji doesn’t respond immediately, allowing his eyes to wander enough to the exit in order to not seem too eager to take him up on the offer. “Fine,” he says after the pause, “but I rather not sleep on the floor.”
This provokes a laugh from Ryuuen, familiar smugness returning to his somber expression. “Alright then. But this an one time offer only, and don’t think about telling anyone!” Without another words, Ryuuen heads for the door to his bedroom, beckoning Ayanokouji towards it with just a tilt of his head. Ryuuen’s room is just like his own, same format and an evident lack of any family photos. He heads straight for the far left side of the bed, having already eaten before Ayanokouji’s arrival.
He takes a moment to take of his sweater to reveal the undershirt he has, and considers all the actions he took to lead up to this moment. Although he soon goes to move when Ryuuen’s glare at him for staring becomes to prominent. “Kukuku...You gonna stare all night?” Ryuuen mocks, as he stretches languidly. Ayanokouji makes sure to mute his phone, 7 messages from Kei and a miss call from Horikita, before heading under the covers, situating himself on the far right.
The bed’s big enough for both of them to spend the night without even touching, but he can still feel the warmth of the other by his side. Ryuuen shifts slightly, settling in a more relaxed position, clearly not bothered by the proximity. “Don’t expect me to give up on beating you just because of this,” the class tyrant says, voice riddled with sleep. It is a couple minutes after he hears the soft snores from his companion does he offer his own response;
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
The next day at Class D’s homeroom is melancholic, wounds still raw from their recent defeat against Class A. Ayanokouji is slightly late today, and looks tired when he walks in the classroom. Horikita is thinking about question him about ignoring her calls but decides against it after realizing that he must’ve also needed a day to collect his loses, after all he did lose to Sakayanagi directly. When he sits beside her, his demeanour is seemed to be slightly off, but she decided to just mind her own business and let everyone have a day to recuperate without thinking of the future.
“Achoo!”
Hmm? Who did that come from? To her surprise, it was Ayanokouji himself who had sneezed. She blinked, eyes flickering towards him to double check. Ayanokouji rarely showed any signs of weakness, and foolishly Horikita had naturally assumed that it applied to his health as well. To be fair on her part, she’s never seen him remotely sick even when the class collective got the flu, or when they had to walk to the dorms in the rain.
“You shouldn’t have come if you were sick, Ayanokouji,” she offhandedly comments, thinking about telling him to go to nurses office. “Achoo,” he sneezes again, slightly louder then before, when a quiet “bless you” sounds from the side of the class.
“Jeez, if you get sick easily, then you shouldn’t have been careless in the snow yesterday!” Pipes up Ike halfheartedly.
“Or maybe some else gave it too him, don’t assume anything!” Says Shinohara from right beside him.
Horikita watches slowly as he stiffens up at Shinohara’s statement but ignores it in order to express her worries. “You should stay home tomorrow, and I’ll send you any notes you might miss.” She says before thinking about how taking care of yourself while you’re sick isn’t too easy, regardless of Ayanokouji’s competence. “Would you want anyone to stop by? I think I could or maybe someone in the class,” she finishes off with an open ending, keeping an eye out for how Karuizawa Kei perks up at the mention.
“No, it should be fine. I know someone who owe me a favor.”