Chapter Text
Akira ponders the ceiling tiles in the hallway. A hair’s length away from his back, the classroom moves on from the very slight disturbance caused by the one mistake the young man made today of forgetting to silence his cell phone. His heart is still racing, blood still pumping as a reaction to the strict look his teacher gave him upon hearing that tireless jingle. Every single word he heard, from his teacher’s criticisms to his classmates’ whispers still echoes in his ears like the back and forth of a creaking door.
“Now, Kurusu-kun, I know you just transferred here, but please be aware of our expectations…”
“New guy got expelled, and he’s already trying to get in trouble here?”
“Can’t believe they let a criminal come to this school.”
He ducks his head and shudders until his breathing returns. None of this was a surprise, and he already made the decision to play it cool and keep to himself until the end of the year. However, even Akira felt discouraged and frustrated. Who wouldn’t be, when everyone believes he’s something he isn’t?
Suddenly, he hears a door slam open and shut, so he naturally turns his head over only to immediately look away. Staring brings attention he didn’t need.
Wait, he pauses, and looks again. It is a familiar face.
“Sakamoto-kun…” The name slips from Akira’s lips before he can stop them, and the bleached blonde boy looks at him with big, brown eyes. He is slouched over again, hands in his pockets, and he gives Akira the biggest grin he’s ever seen someone make.
Ryuji turns back and stares straight ahead, but his eyes wander to Akira’s form. “Don’t look distracted. Your teacher’ll catch ya.”
The other boy straightens and looks down again, but his lips start to move. “How did you get in trouble?”
Ryuji chuckles. “Chewing gum. You?”
“My phone went off…” He frowns down at his pockets, where his phone used to be. First it was downloading suspicious apps, and now going off in class.
Ryuji clicks his tongue and sighs. “Freakin’ teachers here. They always punish me for the tiniest little shit.” He laughs then, and Akira feels eyes on him. “I guess you’re in the same boat as me, eh?”
Akira flashes back to just earlier that day, when the two of them wound up in an alternate Shujin Academy, the typical school exchanged for a castle instead. The way that king Kamoshida treated Ryuji, it was no surprise he had it out for him. Then, Akira… he, well, he didn’t quite understand what he did. Someone, or something, called out to him, and before he knew it, the guards were taken out and Ryuji and him were running. It seemed like some wild dream, but at the same time, ever since then, Akira has felt different. As if the weight of his soul has become heavier. As if he acquired some new purpose in that other world. In a way, it all started because of the boy standing next to him.
“I think you’ve got a point there. It’s my first day and I’ve already been kicked out,” Akira laments, and leans back gently against the wall.
“The two of us could get along real well.”
Akira shakes his head. “You probably shouldn’t get involved with me, if your reputation is that bad already.”
The other boy laughs again, and Akira half-wishes the teacher would come out and chastise him. “Now I’m even more interested. See, Kurusu-kun, they don’t mind the trash hanging out with the trash, as long as they don’t get caught in the crossfire.”
Akira gazes, bewildered, as Ryuji shows off another prize-winning smile. It’s crooked, but he’s got a nice set of teeth, Akira can’t help but notice. “Are you suggesting we become partners?” he asks, straightening up again.
“After what happened this morning, Kurusu-kun, there’s no way you’re getting rid of me,” he says. “You remember, right?”
“Kept thinking I was dreaming.”
“Well, wake up, because I have a feeling that… other Shujin was real. And the only way we’re getting to the bottom of this is if we stick together.”
Akira stares up at the ceiling tiles again. For a moment, he envisions medieval high ceilings, columns, and red tapestries. He hears the distant, muffled voice of the teacher in the classroom behind him, still continuing with the lecture. A door creaks somewhere in his mind. He hesitates a moment, but moves to speak again. “Sakamoto-kun, I feel like I’m going to be swallowed by this school.”
It is Ryuji’s turn to look confused. His voice is questioning when he responds, “Strange words coming from the guy who shoved it up Kamoshida’s ass and saved my life.” He scratches the back of his head. “If the castle’s gonna swallow ya, Kamoshida’s gonna regret it in seconds.”
“That’s…” Not what I meant, Akira begins, but his voice trails off. Once again, he has to admit this new guy has a point. There’s something in him that doesn’t like to just sit around and watch another person suffer injustice. Something he never knew he had until a year ago. Perhaps he’s full of other surprises, as well.
Ryuji cuts through his thoughts. “Don’t forget, we’re meeting up again after school. I gotta see what that bastard Kamoshida’s doing to those kids, and then I’ll beat his ass.” His voice is firm, aggressive, and so sure of itself, Akira almost wants to commit it to memory.
He looks over at Ryuji, who is making a fist at his side and staring at the ground with an indignant frown. While he doesn’t know too much about him yet, Akira has no doubts that he is a good guy, and he is glad it was Ryuji that followed him to the other world.
“Kurusu-kun,” a sharp, cold voice interrupts, and the hairs on Akira’s neck stand up as he is faced with his teacher. “What are you staring at? Come back inside.” She pushes the door open and retreats while Akira sneaks one last glance at a snickering Ryuji before sticking his tongue out at him and slipping inside the classroom.