Chapter Text
Chapter 6
“Now, Souda, I’m removing the stitches, but still, be a little careful,” Mikan was trying her hardest to keep Souda’s hand still as she removed the threads from his stitches. “You seem to have done a good job making sure they didn’t break, though, so that’s good. Hehe…”
Once they’d all been removed, Souda looked at the newly formed scars from his cuts. “Thanks for making these little visits, Mikan. I know you’re awfully busy working at the hospital and all.”
“N-no it’s quite alright, don’t worry! I-I mean my shift hasn’t even started yet so it’s not like you were interrupting or anything…”
“Alright, but still, thank you. Who knows what coulda happened if I hadn’t have contacted ya when it happened.” His face wore a warm smile as he said those words. “Have a good day, Tsumiki-chan.”
“A-alright, you have a good day too, Souda-san!” Mikan left the store feeling rather cheerful, and Souda could finally get back to his work like normal. No hand injury holding him back. It was a relief to him.
However, he found himself getting a little upset as he looked at the scars on his hand. Although he knew they would fade in time, it was a reminder of how his emotions got the better of him. A deep breath. Calming the mind. He just had to use that experience and think, “no, I will NOT let my emotions get the better of me again.” He wasn’t hopeless; there was a lot out there for him. He just had to keep looking. For now, he just needed to find the time to go over and talk to Gundam. It wasn’t like he hated him, and he didn’t want what happened in the last week to make it seem like he did. But when to do-
“Eh hm?” Souda, who had just been staring at the scar on his hand for the last few minutes, failed to have realized that the door had opened or that the buzzer had rung. And, although he would have prefered to deal with this later, standing before him was Byakuya Togami. Souda didn’t expect much of him. He was here for the cars, right? He wanted to believe that, but a certain unease in Togami’s usually condescending demeanor. It was as if he’d lost his edge. “Yes, Souda?”
Souda’s eyebrow rose. “Yeah? Something wrong, Togami?” Togami was having difficulty looking at him. If it weren’t for the fact that Souda could relate to this awkward nervousness, he would have made a wisecrack at this.
“Well, don’t tell anyone about this, but… I didn’t just come for my cars. I… wanted to apologize. Not just for last night, either. You were right, I wasn’t giving you a fair shot or anywhere near the respect that you deserve. I just… have a reputation to keep. I already know there is a fair chance that I’ll need to prove myself further as a member of the Togami family once I admit to my father that I am not interested in women. He’s probably going to still expect me to produce an heir… Oh, none of that is important right now. What is important is that I wish to give you my most sincere apologies for my behavior these last 3 years.”
Souda’s mouth hung agape. Never, in his entire life, had he expected to receive such an apology. Thinking back on it, he couldn’t actually recall any of the bullies or supposed “friends” he had in middle school ever apologizing to him. This was new. “Uh… wow Togami. I’m glad you learned somethin’ from all this. But yeah, I accept your apology. It means a lot that you went out of your way to say sorry.”
“So… you think maybe… you could give me another chance?” Souda did a double take. Was Togami… smiling a little?
“Uhhhh… Dude, remember what I said last night? We just aren’t meant for each other.” There was visible disappointment in Togami’s face when those words slipped from Souda’s lips. “Woah there, don’t be upset. You said yourself that dating you might start a shit storm when you take me to see your parents since they have no idea you like guys. And you’re kinda rich and snobby and that kinda clashes with my personality, I may have a bit of money now that I’m working, but I know they probably won’t like my poor back ground, my piercings or my hair color. I’m also quite a bit younger than you... And I just… I don’t know. I don’t think our personalities are exactly compatible either. Just… I don’t want a repeat of last night. You’ll find someone better, I know you will.” Souda have him a nervous smile. “So, sorry?”
“... Fine. But Souda, thanks for working on my cars anyway. Can you bring them around?” Togami’s tone was returning to its usual harshness.
“Yeah, of course, Mr. Togami.” Souda turned back to the garage and brought all 5 cars around one by one, making sure not to go too fast or else he’d ruin the upholstery with his motion sickness-induced vomiting.
He walked back into the garage with the keys, and entered the office. “Here you are, Togami-kun!”
The cheeks of the blond reddened. “S-shut up.”
A snort passed through Souda’s hand covered mouth as the heir’s teeth clenched, but all fell silent when the little bell above the entrance let out a small chime. “Huh? Naegi?”
“Uh, yeah, Hey Souda-san… I know you are probably really busy, but I was wondering if you could look at my bike? I’m having some issues with the chain… Oh, hey Togami!”
Togami was a little in shock. “H-hello Naegi.”
A rather confused Souda shook his head. “Uh, alright, well, here’s your keys, Togami, and okay Naegi, I can look at it, no charge. It’ll probably just take a moment to fix. How about you two catch up~?” The mechanic shot a wink and Togami, who in turn attempted to repress a blush and mutter ‘fine.’
Souda was quick to fix the issue. The chain was loose, there wasn’t too much to do except adjust a few things. The entire time he heard nearly inaudible whispers and mumbling, but he could guess that they were at least having a good conversation. “Alright, it’s fixed.”
“Thank you, Souda-san. I really appreciate it.” The smaller brunette took the bike and walked back over to Togami.
“So, what are you gonna do now?” Pocketing the wrench, the pink haired mechanic grinned at yet another job well done.
The two looked at each other before Togami opened his mouth. “Tell him, Naegi.”
“Hehe… Well, we’re going to go out to lunch and catch up on what happened since graduation. Thanks for your help, though!” Naegi walked his bike back outside to move into Togami’s limo.
Togami was still avoiding eye contact with Souda. “... Thanks for the date.” He lifted Souda up slightly by his jump suit, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “See you in 6 months for my next maintenance visit. There really aren’t any mechanics better at repairs than you.” With a turn on his heel, Togami exited as well, helping Naegi with his bicycle.
The two left, leaving Souda with a satisfied feeling in his heart and a bright red blush gracing his cheeks. “He’s gonna be just fine.” The limo drove away as he watched, restoring his view of the pet shop across the street. “... I should really apologize to Tanaka-san…. He’s probably really concerned about me, and hell forbid he come here and start the conversation.”
This trip across the street Souda had made many times before. The familiar smell of the pet shop was a warm enough greeting for him. He pushed open the door, the meow of the buzzer ringing out, shortly followed by the familiar boot steps of a certain someone he had been neglecting for the last week. “Haha! Welcome to my- Souda?” The breeder was in shock. “I am surprised to see you return to my place of business. It feels like it has been ages!”
“Yeah… sorry about last time. I just wasn’t really up ta talkin’ much. I really owe you and Miss Sonia an apology… Where is she?”
“She had to return to Novoselic, important political matters. Be that as it may… I wish to enquire what happened to your hand?”
“Oh, that. Haha… just a little accident at the shop, it’s not a big deal… Did slow me down with my work, though...” Souda sighed, attempting to repress the memories of his last visit.
“I do believe I have something I can loan you. Such an unsightly defect is unbefitting of one such as yourself!” Tanaka walked to the back office, and returned with a rubber padded fingerless glove. “Here you are. This shall disguise the mark without hindering your work.”
“Wow… Thanks, pal!” Pulling it on, Souda tested it out by doing a simple reflex test with his wrench, twirling it in his fingers, not once dropping it. “Wow, this is great!”
“Speak not of my actions, although I appreciate your gratefulness.” A smirk formed on the self-proclaimed ‘ascendant ruler’s’ face. “I cannot converse for long, comrade. I am tending to some of the creatures.” Holding up his arm, a small green garden snake was slithering up his bandaged appendage.
“S-snake? SNAKE!” Souda quickly jumped behind a table, quivering with such intensity that the table shook.
An audible sigh was followed by the breeder lifting Souda up by the back of his jumpsuit. “Mortal, you must surely jest. This creature means no harm to you or anyone else other than its small rodent prey. Let me show you. Hold out your arm.”
“O-Okay….” After regaining his footing, Souda extended his right arm. “I’m trusting you.”
“Now… just stay still.” Gundam carefully placed the small reptile’s head on Souda’s arm and it slowly wrapped around it, slithering up towards his face. “Do not flinch lest you startle it.”
Souda began his deep breathing exercises as the snake inched closer and closer to his face, closing his eyes until he felt a slight tickle. “Hehe, hey, quit it!” He opened his eyes to see the snake’s tongue darting out and licking his cheek. “That tickles!”
“Do you understand now? This creature is more tame than even my dark lords. How would you mortals say it. They are just as afraid of you as you are of them. This one is shy. All it needs is a small amount of caring and trust, and a companion for life you shall have. Not scary in the slightest!”
“Yeah-- I guess you’re right.” A chuckle was let out as Gundam took the snake back into his arms before returning it to it’s cage.
“So, is there anything else I may assist you with?”
“N-no. But, thanks man. This was fun. I’ll try to visit more often now that my hand’s all fixed. Have a good day, Tanaka!” Souda waved and received an approving nod from Tanaka before departing from the pet shop. That visit, he considered, was the best thing that had happened in the entire last week. The fact that Tanaka still considered him a friend after the whole ordeal last Sunday was reassuring. “Well… better call up Ibuki. Probably wonderin’ why I never got back to her after that date with Leon...”