Chapter Text
Friday, August 21st
“Knock knock.” Goro jolts from his thoughts just in time to watch his visitor’s foolishly redundant hand gesture.
With an irreverent amount of energy for any time before 7, the latest thorn-in-his-side moseys across their now shared homeroom to lean against Goro’s solid wood desk. He chooses not to say anything, where there is silence, Ren Amamiya will fill it.
“Good morning Mr. Akechi, I hope you're in the mood for more.” Ren’s sincerely cheerful look beams ever brighter as he brandishes a familiar cardboard caddy with 3 to-go cups of coffee.
“Again? You shouldn’t have.” Really. You didn’t need to. “However, I will always accept coffee at this hour.” Goro makes sure to feign just enough civility to maintain his reputation, by no means approaching the outrageous zeal of his cohort, who happily pulls one of the cups out and sets it down on the crowded wooden desk.
“It's no problem. Hm.. I’ve still got one more delivery to make” Mr. Amamiya glances at his remaining two cups briefly before returning his smiling gaze to Goro. “I’ll be back before you know it!” As if that is the concern.
“Please don’t rush, you still have 45 minutes until the first bell. Unless you are planning a visit to Ms. Takamaki, in which case you will be 15 minutes late.” Ren laughs at the low hanging fruit Goro knows he presented.
“No, I’m gonna hand this off to the Doc. Special delivery from her pops.” With no further explanation, Goro soon finds himself once again in silence. The emptiness does little to soothe his persistently looming headache while giving his brain the space to run rampant. With the start of a new school year came all sorts of distractions to consider and lessons to plan. Despite all that, the thing that is yet to stop gnawing at Goro’s mind was Demiurge Academy’s newest faculty member.
From his charming button downs and floppy dark curls to his winning smiles and thick glasses, Ren Amamiya has everyone fooled. Goro knows a fake when he sees one, he’s been acting his whole life and can smell the lies a mile off. It is despicable to take advantage of the blind optimism of the masses and their tendency to take things at face value.
Yes. Goro Akechi is a hypocrite.
His ability to - pretend to - smile through most things is a weapon he’s kept sharp (a side effect of a less than gentle upbringing). Provided they are kept at an arm's length, he can be courteous and relatively genial with almost anyone. However, these are unprecedented circumstances, and never before has he been forced to share a space with and mentor someone he decidedly dislikes and distrusts.
Before the first school bell rang on the first day, Ren had buddied himself up to the entire faculty, save Goro. Surely one of the many fast friends the newbie had charmed could double up with him. Really, anyone but the handsome, well-dressed history teacher with a chip on his shoulder.
It was as good as a death sentence. Goro would have loved to protest, but alas, when one Haru Okumura tells you to do something in these halls, there is little choice but to comply.
The idea of spending 20 minutes with that man , first thing in the morning, every day, for the next 8 months was nightmarish.
The worst kind of dream to come to life.
Goro didn't even notice the trickle of students entering his classroom until one greeted him plainly. Looking around he sees groups of two or three chattering quietly. It's still quite early, and he is grateful that the excitement of Friday hasn’t completely settled in yet. He returns the greeting and finally breaks free from his thoughts long enough to read one paragraph before one pain in the ass returns.
“Hello again, Mr. Akechi.” The prodigal son has returned, two coffee cups poorer than he left.
“I see you made it, Mr. Amamiya.” Goro doesn’t look away from his book (on principle).
“Sure you won’t call me Mr. R?” The exaggerated pout in Ren’s voice stands the hair on the back of Goro’s neck on end.
“Quite sure.” He replies, exhaustion in his words. “I won’t be referring to you with such an unprofessional title. Ask Ms.Takamaki, she can attest.” This is the 5th day in a row Goro has repeated those same phrases; he can feel his spirit dwindling with each repetition.
The monotony is broken by a flood of students, all freshmen by the look of it. Goro muses to himself that fresh blood must be magnetic as he watches Ren be engulfed in the gaggle of new high schoolers.
His quiet morning is gone. His haven invaded.
Goro had accomplished nothing starting the moment Ren arrived, and now his room has fallen into disarray by the same catalyst. He looks on, face unchanging, skin crawling, temper roiling as his classroom is overrun with a surplus of hormonal teens.
Ren shooed them away with surprising efficiency, but by the time he returns his gaze to Akechi, the damage has been done. The brunette teacher is irritated beyond recognition behind his façade, but he can tell it’s not really hidden from the way conversations tapered off amongst his homeroom students.
“Ah sorry about that.” Ren’s body language communicates shame, his hand swept to grasp the base of his neck, face slightly flushed, as it should be. “It's just because I’m new. The excitement will wear off soon.” There is nothing but goodwill and sincerity in his tone, but Goro is sure they both know it was a lie.
By the time the bell chimes that morning, signaling the start of the first Friday of the school year, Goro can confirm 2 things beyond a shadow of a doubt:
- Ren Amamiya is a threat
- This year will significantly shorten his life
The new teacher is full of shit. Goro felt it the moment he laid eyes on him, but now it’s an established fact.
Ren Amamiya will be the death of him.
Friday, August 28th
Ms. Haru Okumura, Headmistress at Demiurge Academy, is a passionate and capable person. As much as she and Goro don't see eye to eye (and they really don't), he can’t help but respect her. Along with that recognition came the knowledge that when she suggests all teachers attend the annual welcome back party, an innocent smile on her face, it is not optional.
Luckily, as far as school sponsored events are concerned, this one is relatively painless. Essentially, the faculty adjourns in the scarcely decorated cafeteria for a small catered dinner to kick off the new academic year. The entire cafeteria is open seating, which is why Goro is seated as far as possible from where Haru preaches.
“I’m bored...” The slumped-over woman to his right mumbles. Her posture is terrible and her attire often… aggressively casual, but Dr. Futaba Sakura is good company. “Well, guess I’m glad I’ve got this!” She quietly declares as she pulls a switch lite out of her backpack and resumes whatever game she was probably playing during lunch. Goro appreciates her taciturnity and cognitive aptitude, it provides him with a sense of kinship, even if they differ so thoroughly.
“Futaba, is it truly wise to do that while Ms.Okumura is still addressing us?” The young art teacher sitting across from them turns over his shoulder to whisper, betraying a splatter of orange paint on his angular cheekbone.
“I never claimed to be wise. I’m a high int, low wis build. Thats just another reason I don’t go out much.” Futaba replies, flopping further over her game.
Polite applause scatters through the cavernous room, and Goro joins as if he knows why. Most likely, the Headmistress is done lecturing, which means they are that much closer to being fed.
Say what you will about her (and Goro does), Haru has good taste, and is quite generous when it comes to catering at her functions. The smell of rich Italian food wafts through the linoleum tiled lunch hall, and frankly, Goro is famished.
As everyone stands to line up for their food with Pavlovian efficiency, Goro is mentally mapping out a seating chart, plotting the course of least resistance. It is unfortunate, he laments, Goro hasn’t caught up with Ann in such a long time, but she’s mingling with Ren. And while he isn’t as horrible to be around as Goro originally feared, his homeroom buddy is still positively draining. He would much rather continue in his current company.
“Do you want me to grab you something while I’m up?” Goro asks Futaba, securing her companionship for the evening.
“Garlic bread. So much garlic bread. And maybe lil a ‘ghetti? As a treat.” Goro nods and stands to go retrieve their fare.
“MORE BREAD THAN ‘GHETTI.” Futaba shouts not a minute later, desperation thick in her voice, despite Goro being only a few steps away. He doesn’t turn around or acknowledge that her plea was aimed at him, he knows she's not looking up anymore anyway. Instead he shoulders up to Ann, who is a bit ahead of him in line.
“Hey there stranger.” Goro greets the blonde, paired with a small hip bump.
“Oh hey Goro, how are you! I see you everyday and I still miss you!” Ann reaches up, poised to pinch his cheeks, but Goro swats her hand away playfully with the back of his own.
“I’m doing well. Busy. About to be busier.” Goro knew there were risks involved when he approached Ann, and the subject of that apprehension is quick to ingratiate himself in their conversation.
“Hi Goro!” Ren offers his greetings keenly, as if that enthusiasm would be enough to distract from the casual use of his name. Goro detests navigating convention and titles based on situational aptness, but more than that, he loathes unsolicited informality. Ann must sense the strain as well, he sees her jaw become tense.
“Ren.” Goro offers his terse acknowledgement through pleasantly gritted teeth. Either this bespectacled man has never met a room he can read, or he just doesn’t care . Goro’s money is on the latter, as Ren has more than proven his social prowess.
Just to spite him, Goro says nothing more, passing the proverbial torch of small talk or whatever to Ann and Ren. As if they didn’t have it monogrammed already.
With a carefree smile and gently wrinkled eyes, Ren moves on after only a moment of hesitation.
“I heard you say you were about to be busy, anything exciting?” If this excitable man-child thinks that talking about how slammed Goro will be by October is the topic of choice, maybe he can’t read the room.
“I’m chair of the theatre department here.” Something about Ren smothers the enthusiastic over-sharer inside of Goro. A small relief.
“Oh?” Ren asks, ever so innocently, as Ann’s face falls. She is painfully aware of how Goro can get when it comes to theatre, and consequently she is extremely well versed in making sure the topic doesn’t come up. Generally, Goro does not know how to stop gushing about his baby; Lucky for her, this is not one of those times.
“Yes. We have two shows during the school year and one over the summer.” He almost feels guilty for how reductive he is, however, they are fast approaching the food, and Goro is going to walk away as soon as is almost-polite.
“Wow, Goro. Usually you have a lot more to say about it.” Ann goads. “No mention of how you made it to theatre fest last year? Or the shows for this year? How talented the kids are? How much work it is? ” She dons a mocking pout aimed at him.
“Will you just keep going if I let you?” Goro halts her heckling.
“You’ve provided more than enough ammunition.” Ann nudges him fondly with an elbow.
It feels as if they have been trudging towards their oasis for an eternity, but the plates are finally in reach, and Goro’s exit from the conversation could not be better choreographed. He acquires a tray and helps himself, sure to include a precarious tower of garlic bread bordered with a moat of ‘ghetti. Goro has never been one for sculpting, but he might just count this as artistic expression.
The history teacher returns to find Yusuke is in the midst of enthusiastically demolishing a piece of lasagna, a Pollock of sorts in his wake. The blue toned man eagerly swallows his mouthful, obviously glad that someone other than Futaba is present again, someone who might actually make eye contact or acknowledge his mad ramblings.
“Goro, how have the first weeks back treated you? If I recall correctly, you have a lot going on behind the scenes at this time of year.” Yusuke is a bit eccentric, as Goro finds art teachers are contractually obligated to be. He is fastidious, and often obsessive to a degree when it comes to his work. Yusuke’s meticulous attention to detail extends to shroud his friends and loved ones, though otherwise he is rather oblivious.
“Ah, yes Yusuke, you are correct.” Goro loathes few things more than having to retell stories or repeat himself, so he oft basks in the glow of his friend’s selective memory. “It has been an...irregular few weeks thus far, if only because I’m still not accustomed to Mr. Amamiya being everywhere I turn.”
It is odd, at least a bit. The school is small, certainly, but almost any time he leaves his classroom, Goro catches a glimpse of the raven. Sometimes the sightings are mutual, but more often than not, Ren is facing away.
If he were in one of his mystery novels, he would say that it is no coincidence, but this is a high school, not a train heist.
Not that Goro would give Ren the time of day in any case.
“Do you know why he was hired? I wasn’t aware we had any vacancies, let alone offered a psychology course.” Goro inquires of his cohorts, finally unloading the concerning amount of garlic saturated starches in front of his senior (in experience only).
“Nyeheheh” Futaba puts away her crossing animals for a moment, gracing the rest of the table with no additional attention, instead shifting her focus to plowing bread into her gob.
“I i a bi swange” she chokes out, then gulps down her far too big of a bite. “I said, it is a bit strange. I mean, it's like he speedran the hiring process. Psych is in the science department, so just approval for the course alone should have taken months of red tape with my full involvement. Haru only brought it up to me a week before announcing the whole thing.
“I’m department chair, so she needed my endorsement to hire. Ren’s certainly qualified and he’s nice enough, so it doesn’t bother me. Plus, Haru vetted him so it wasn’t really a choice. I could have vetoed it, but I doubt she would have let me without a fight.”
Futaba pauses to stab a meatball. “He’s smart. Smarter than he lets on. It makes sense that we hired him, but the why and what for are unclear. I don’t really mind since he's competent. The hiring process is a joke anyway.” she shrugs, glancing at Ren’s table across the room. “Plus he’s cheap entertainment.”
Novel. Ren Amamiya is certainly novel if nothing else. A rushed hire, all for a professional jack of all trades who teaches three courses, all electives with no common thread. Ren remains an enigma, and while most of the faculty finds the shroud of mystery to be intriguing, Goro knows the newcomer is more than suspicious. All he needs is concrete evidence.
“I find Ren to be quite fascinating. After discovering my captivation with crustaceans, he began to pepper in bewitching tidbits about them into our conversations.
"Did you know Lobsters eat voraciously after molting, and often consume their own recently vacated shells to hasten the hardening of the new one? Quite curious. Nature's enchantress.” Yusuke’s tender smile doesn’t match the absurd words spilling from his mouth, which isn’t unusual, but jarring nonetheless.
Goro can tell from that the man across from him is completely adrift amongst fantasies of twirling arthropods, any additional feedback on the newest teacher lost in the tide.
“What about you?” Futaba poses, “You’ve never been much for gossip, Goro. Why are you so interested?”
A lesser man would have done a spit take directly onto the artist facing him. Goro Akechi, however, is strong enough to choke back his unfortunately timed mouthful of food.
“Excuse me?!” He shoots up from his seat, both hands flat on the table in front of him. A hush falls upon the crowd, most looking over and around shoulders to find out what was amiss. Goro gives his most abashed smile at his unintended spectators as he slides back onto the bench.
“I know I didn’t stutter, Futaba. We can ask the audience if you would like.” Goro was not interested in Ren Amamiya. The mere suggestion was preposterous.
“You heard me.” Futaba leaned forward, chin framed by her petite hands. “I’m not saying that you wanna bone him. You just seem very inquisitive. ” She is right about at least one thing, Goro isn’t usually one to ‘dish the hot goss,’ but there's a first time for everything.
“My inquiries are driven solely by the fact that I have to spend every morning with this person. It's a fact seeking mission, in your terms.” Nothing more, nothing less.
“In that case, you should just ask him directly.” Yusuke offers. “You have a surplus of time together, do you not?” Not a trace of mocking in his voice.
“He has a great point.” Futaba agrees, sardonically clapping a weak hand on Goro’s back.
“Yes he does.” He concedes, drawing their conversation to an abrupt end.
It's not every day that Yusuke outwits Goro, and it is very rarely deliberate, but this is one of those times.
Now, is Goro going to confront Ren? Ask him about his questionable employment? Get some wacky facts about salt water creatures?
Absolutely not.
Wednesday, September 16th
When you work at a high school, there is a 99.9% chance you will get roped into doing some kind of extracurricular, and Goro is not outside of that likelihood. However, when he first began to traipse these geometric halls, the theatre department was practically dead in the water.
A single glance at Goro could deduce that he had been an active participant in theatre when he was younger, and he has never been shy about it being a highlight of his high school experience. With his hand-eye coordination and general physical prowess, he could have easily joined any athletic team, but the choices bored him, and the company left him unimpressed and unstimulated.
The stage was different.
It was no secret that the history teacher hates to share the spotlight, but it's always been more than that. Goro can still vividly remember the first time he stepped onto the stage. He was far from the lead, just another piece of dancing tableware in a castle, but he thrived . At one point he might have pursued the passion, but the reality of, well, reality, disillusioned him before he got too far.
Directing was somehow even better. He still got that rush, that spike of adrenaline when the curtain drew, but it was sandwiched between layers of sheer pride.
Goro looks on from the lip of the stage at the pool of about 35 students seated in the otherwise empty auditorium. He is pleased with the turnout, it’s just an interest meeting for the fall show, which generally attracts less attention than the spring musical. A light shiver runs down his spine as he surveys their eyes, and can find a hunger in most. There were several familiar faces, vibrating at the idea of being able to fill the shoes of recent graduates.
Orientation meetings are required for all after-school activities. Goro hates them, quite honestly. They feel forced and unnatural, but he is obligated to speak about responsibility and the time commitment that they are agreeing to (should they be cast), so he does. About halfway through his spiel, the doors squeak open and close once, but he is too busy maintaining Natural and Relaxed Eye-Contact to pay it any mind.
Goro hops from the stage and begins to move up the aisle, passing a small stack of handouts to each row. He tucks a loose piece of his chestnut hair behind his ear as he returns to his place on the stage. Goro’s eyes sweep across the room, studying reactions and waiting for any questions. What he doesn’t expect to see is a pair of grey eyes belonging to one Ren Amamiya watching him intently from the back of the theatre.
As usual, Goro is more than happy to ignore him and continue his sermon.
He fields a few rouge questions before sending them on their way. As the stream of students flow out of the auditorium, Goro turns from the seats to organize and gather his things before following suit.
Nothing stops him.
He turns back to an empty theater.
It's unnerving.
Where did Ren go? Why didn’t he say anything? What was he doing there in the first place? Goro didn’t know where to start, but found himself unable to ignore the fact that Ren’s absence was at least mildly troubling to him.
Whatever. It's good Ren left. He would have just annoyed Goro and poked and prodded at his worn down patience.
Try as he might, Goro couldn’t stop hypothesizing about why Ren left like he did.
*
As he sits in his thankfully empty classroom the next morning, nursing bad coffee and enjoying a book, a cheery greeting slaps him from his sense of peace.
“Good morning Mr. Akechi!” Goro chills with the sudden realization that Ren isn’t the worst person to start his day with. Haru Okumura’s presence somehow overshadows Ren’s, who is standing behind her, despite her being a good head shorter.
“Ms. Okumura, to what do I owe this pleasure? Or to who, I suppose?” His tone is civil and maybe a bit stiff, but it's early.
“I just had a favor to ask you.” She beamed. A favor , of course. As if he could say no.
“What is it?” Dread pools in his stomach at the sheer excitement in her face. While it is yet to be plainly stated, Goro knows that the headmistress reciprocates his distaste for her.
“Well I’ve heard you mention in the past how much work managing the theatre department is for one person,” No. Goro’s blood ran cold. “so I’d like to introduce your new co-director.”
Haru probably gestures to the man hovering behind her, but Goro doesn’t need to see that to understand. He doesn’t need to be a mind reader to pin all the pieces together. That's why Ren was at his meeting. That's why he left. He probably left to go pull his ever-suspicious strings with Okumura.
Was the faculty not enough?
Were the students not enough?
Is the whole school not enough for Ren Amamiya?
Is that why he has to take the one thing that Goro holds precious, the one thing that makes him feel confident and proud of where he is in life, the one thing that makes him feel special, the one place where he is wanted, needed.
As Goro’s eyes meet Ren’s smug, slimy, smiling face, he burns with a hatred he hasn’t felt since he left home so many years ago.
Goro knows 2 things beyond a shadow of a doubt:
- Ren Amamiya had officially declared war on him
- This was going to be the worst year of his life
Monday, September 14th
Over the years of his relatively short tenure, Goro has cultivated the ability to maximize his productivity, one that requires his full and complete attention.
Which apparently, is too much to ask for.
Goro’s head swivels to the door when he hears a knock against the glass pane. He hardly needs to guess who it is. Anyone would be dismayed from knocking on a very closed door, discouraged from entering through said door by the lights being off. Or, almost anyone.
Ren Amamiya was persistent, Goro would give him that. The concept of someone not buying into his bullshit must sting, because since their (Brief? Stunted? Awkward?) conversation at the welcome back event, he had been especially stubborn.
Resigned, the history teacher motions for his visitor to enter. Only after Ren shuts the door behind him does Goro notice the armful of papers he's lugging in. He gulps back air and dread with sudden clarity-
“Hey Goro, I noticed that we have the same free period, and I was wondering if I could set up camp in here! I work better when the people around me are being productive, and I figured you would be the perfect candidate.” He chuckles lightly, a rattley thunk echoing as his paperwork hits a desk.
When Ren's eyes search Goro’s stony face for a response, shallow panic sets in.
No. Absolutely not. Get out and don’t return.
“As long as you don’t disturb me, you may stay.” Saying no has never been something Goro was skilled in, nor was dealing with whatever moping a rejection might bring. It was the lesser of two evils, he tells himself. In the same breath he knows he's just a coward.
“Thanks. I promise I’ll be good!” Ren flashes a big grin and brings a single finger to his lips. With that vow hanging stale in the air, the younger man situates himself across the three metal desks directly facing Goro. He is quick to dive into his work and though he chose to sit in his line of sight, Ren hasn’t glanced up at Goro once.
To be completely fair, Ren is being quiet, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still a distraction.
As he grades, the enigma bops along to the music in his ears. It's a toss up, Goro isn’t sure what is bothering him most of all; it could be the faint sound of unintelligible music, lyrics that Ren is mouthing, but not speaking. Or possibly the occasional squeak of the chair under an unsurprisingly fidgety teacher.
Neither of which are really awful enough reasons to banish Ren.
Goro knows there must be a way, something non confrontational, to get the newbie to leave him alone. Otherwise one of them would be left crying, and it wouldn’t be him.
For some reason, the thought of tears staining Ren’s cheekbones isn’t unpleasant. Goro imagines the slight shake of slender shoulders and the tremble of uncertain fingers roughly tugging at thick black hair. Upon the realization that the hands Goro envisions are gloved and his own, he ducks out of that fantasy, mildly disturbed.
Had he really become so sadistic? Ren certainly brings out the worst in him.
As the younger teacher informs him that he will be heading back to his own classroom, Goro only parts with a vacant nod in response.
Thursday, September 24th
“-and I told her, it's just a game.” Goro heard Ann’s voice as he entered the teacher’s lounge, ready to eat lunch and stop thinking. He didn’t need to hear the beginning of the story to piece together that this was not the correct response to her conversation partner at the time. Surveying the faces of her audience, namely Yusuke and Sumire, conveyed a pretty grim prognosis.
“So of course she threw a volleyball at my face! In retrospect I totally deserved it, but it was my first week here, Shiho didn’t need to be so cruel from the get go.”
“As if you wanted her to coddle you.” Goro murmurs under his breath, just loud enough to be audible at the table he pulled a chair to.
“Hey!” Ann blushed from her ears down, reflexively smacking Goro with the back of her hand.
“Wow Ann, I never imagined you two met like that. It's kind of cute if you overlook all the aggression.” Sumire smiles sweetly. Could she even smile disingenuously? If so, Goro had never witnessed it.
Sumire Yoshizawa joined the staff the year following Goro. As the music teacher, she also oversaw the choir and band. Despite the years they’ve spent working together, whenever Goro imagines her singing, she always tweets like a finch. Sumire isn't extraordinary or special in any way, but that sort of thing stopped mattering to him a few years ago. She had become like a younger sister to him, whenever she enters a room, Goro feels his protective instincts flare.
“It's certainly poetic, perhaps prophetic?” Yusuke comments placidly.
“Guys lets save this discussion for after school please.” Ann stabs aimlessly and violently at the fruit-topped salad in front of her.
“Then what would you rather discuss, if your love life is off the table.” As the words fall from his lips, Goro receives a look from Ann, a smug grin that tells him he will regret asking.
“Fine. Let's talk about what you and Ren. What is your deal with him?” Maybe Goro would start eating in his classroom. No, he would still be too easy to locate. Perhaps he could implore Shiho to hide him in her office? Unlikely, but he should still stop by sometime soon-
“Goro!” His head snaps up. Right, not the time to get lost in the thoughts of escape.
“Apologies, I was simply thinking about how much I don’t want to discuss this.” Goro gives his professional smile, but really should be saving his stamina, this crowd knows how he is, he can drop the act. “What makes you think I have a problem with him? I do, but I’d like your insight.”
“Uhhh every time I see you two talking, there's like 4 feet between you, your left eyebrow twitches slightly, and I can see you clenching and unclenching your fists. To name a few. I can keep going-”
“Not necessary, I already admitted you were correct. Wow you are more observant than I give you credit for, impressive.”
Ann snorts a laugh “Yeah no. Ren told me all that. You’re not subtle.” Shit.
“So you’ve been talking about me?”
“I hope that doesn’t surprise you.”
“It doesn't.” Goro exhales. It is at least partly true, Ann has always been a harmless gossip, even in high school, but he really didn’t think that Ren was the type, guess he was somehow giving the man too much credit. Goro looks at the plain clock above the door. There are only about 7 minutes remaining in the lunch period, if he can bullshit for 5 minutes, he’ll be able to duck out without issue.
“If you are expecting a well thought out reason with supporting evidence and a thesis, you will be disappointed.” He tucked a piece of chestnut hair behind his ear. “It's most likely due to the circumstances. You know how much I hate sharing attention-”
“And space and information and food” Ann interrupts him.
“Do you actually want an answer?”
“Lips zipped!” She tosses away an invisible key.
Another exhale leaves his slightly parted lips “Anyway, as Ann detailed, I’m territorial and he is not only in that space, he is far more social and popular than I would ever want to be.”
“Ah I see. It's jealousy.” Yusuke says as if commenting on the weather, or what he thought about eating for breakfast.
“Oh Goro, don’t be jealous!” Sumire says encouragingly, the lack of ill intent slightly grating. “You have your own appeal, plenty of students admire you.”
“I’m NOT jealous.” He isn’t. Truly, he doesn’t envy Ren Amamiya in the least. Goro just wishes he had his own space, and that he didn’t have to constantly hear about how great ‘Mr. R’ is. “I simply can’t escape him and it's tiring. That's all.”
No one at the table has anything to add, and they sit in silence for a moment. Only Sumire seems bothered, if her fidgeting is any indication, then again she's never been good at sitting still.
“Ah.” Yusuke pierces the silence calmly. “This weekend I was hoping to break in a new set of oils I acquired. Might I convince any of you to model? I will provide the most inexpensive wine I can locate.” Goro doesn’t think the quality of the wine is a real selling point, but who is he to say no to both free wine and weekend plans?
“I think I might have some time.” He offers.
“Yeah I’m free on Saturday!” Ann raises her hand, fork and all.
“Oh I don’t think I will be able to. My sister is visiting from out of town, so I’ll be busy.” Sumire’s ever-present smile spread bigger and she seemed to radiate joy.
“I don’t believe I knew you had a sister.” Goro muses.
“Yes! We’re twins actually!” Sumire pulls out a chunky purple phone and quickly pulls up a photo of them. “Her name is Kasumi. She's amazing.” The awe in her voice warms Goro as he looks at the phone being passed around the table. Kasumi looks like the spitting image of Sumire, her hair is a bit darker, her eyes a bit lighter, but there was no way to deny the resemblance.
The red-head’s excitement is contagious and Goro is almost smiling as he opens his mouth to inquire further. His thoughts are interrupted by the intercom buzzing. While he had been so eager to escape their interrogation, now that freedom is being handed to him, it feels premature.
Goro fends off his mild disappointment with the promise of future plans. “Should I expect to hear further details from you on your artistic venture this weekend?”
“Yes I will reach out to you both.” Yusuke replies with a slight bow of his head.
As Goro weaves his way through the sea of students, he feels a lightness that his heart has been lacking without his knowledge.
Tuesday, October 6th
The auditorium is the same cavernous room as always, but on days like today, there is an extra layer of tension swimming through the air. Goro arrives immediately after 8th period, setting up shop in the 5th row, his personal favorite, armed with a notepad and a water bottle.
Auditions are today, and he is about to get an idea of what he had to work with this year--in more ways than one. As if summoned from the depths of hell itself, Goro is shaken from his thoughts by a boisterous laugh behind the closed doors. He clicks his tongue with disdain as Ren opens the door to join him.
“A big day, huh?” A genuine enough smile hangs from the other teacher's face, and Goro quickly averts his eyes.
“Yes. Quite heartbreaking as well.”
“What do you mean?” Ren asks.
“There are always students who don’t make the cut.” A memory flips through his head, a cold rush of shame and sadness. “It hurts.”
Ren gives an understanding nod. “That's probably a good thing.”
Brown hair whips against his face as Goro turns to face Ren, an incredulous look on his face. “In what way.”
“Not that you have to pick and choose, but that you feel something about it. Rejection is never easy, but the fact that you care enough to feel the pain of the students is kind of incredible.” Ren weaves his way to the seat two down from Goro’s. “I know we didn’t ever discuss this after I took this position on,” a scoff involuntarily escapes his lips, eliciting a brief pause in Ren’s train of thought “but I’m not completely inexperienced in showbiz, or whatever you call it.”
Goro isn’t sure if that comes as a surprise. While he doubted Ren had much interest in the program itself, the younger teacher is also a public speaking instructor, so it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Inexperience is not the reason that Goro is pissed off by the situation.
“I know how it feels to be on the other side.” Ren continues. “Most of the directors I worked with were burnt out and bitter. They took personal grudges with parents out on their kids. It was a shame.”
That was a frightening thought. Goro’s relationship with his parents was rocky at best, and his horrid father was outspoken in the worst ways.
“I can’t even imagine being so petty or detached.” The thought alone made him shiver.
Ren simply smiles. “I can’t either. You’re opinionated and strong-willed, but you’re also passionate and fair. Well. For the most part.” Goro’s brows drew together, but he’d let that one slide. “So. Um. What's the set-up here.”
“Of course. Just a moment.” Goro rises from his seat and makes his way to the exit. After slipping out of the doors he quickly pulls two pieces of paper from the nearby bulletin board before returning. Ren looks more confused than expected, his head tilted slightly. Like a god damn puppy.
“They each signed up for a time slot.” He places the papers between the two of them, quickly jotting down the first few students’ names, leaving a few lines for notes between each. “They will come in, one by one, and they should have prepared a monologue. We listen, take notes, rinse and repeat. The real work comes after.”
Ren nods. “Seems straightforward. Are we ready?”
Goro looks at his phone for the time, 2:57, 3 minutes to the first time slot. “Just about.” He quickly stretches his arms, preparing for several hours of sitting in borderline uncomfortable seats. Without looking at the list, Goro knows who signed up for the first slot. “Would you like to go grab Mitsuru?” A more experienced actress with a decent shot at a lead role. “She always likes to be first.” Ren’s eyes consult the paper to double-check before giving a single, deliberate, nod.
The hours ticked by, as dozens of students came and went. Finally the last hopeful, a first year named Marie, leaves the stage after her audition with a shrug. Goro drops his head to rest on the back of the seat in front of him, defeated. He flips his face to look at Ren, flattening his cheek in the process.
“Alright. It's been a long day, but we should do this while it's still fresh.” The words are a groan as they escape, slightly muffled by his position. Ren’s eyes reflect a similar exhaustion, but he agrees before looking down to consult his notes.
They go back and forth, and for once, Goro is grateful to have another person to consult. It's an arduous process, but it goes rather quickly. Ren has insights that he hadn’t considered, and is more than willing to listen to Goro’s counterpoints.
A couple hours later they have a cast, and are ready to post the list.
While he would never admit it to anyone, Ren and himself worked rather well together. However, that was an uncomfortable thought, so he chose not to process it, instead focusing on the relief of having completed casting as he walked into the chilly October air.
Saturday, October 31st
If one had been watching closely enough during the week leading up to the 31st of October, they might have been able to detect the correlation between the proximity of the weekend and the frequency at which Goro was vibrating.
Halloween is the best day of the year in Goro’s (entirely correct) opinion, and he has always made a point to share the excitement. Of course for him, this takes the form of a few cute window clings in the shapes of ghosts and pumpkins and the occasional distribution of fun-sized candy bars. He had to remain sensible, especially this year.
When Ren came across Halloween decorations in their homeroom that first day he put them up, he made no attempts to mask his excitement, much to Goro’s dismay. He couldn’t help but curl his lip in distaste upon knowledge that the excitement he felt was shared by his nemesis.
Ren obviously did not reciprocate this feeling, as once he was armed with the knowledge of Goro’s fondness for all things spooky, his enthusiasm soared to new heights. Each day was a new trial.
Bad Halloween puns
Bad Silly Pranks
Good Pumpkin treats
Still spending free periods with Goro
Despite all of Goro’s efforts to ignore him, Ren was as unwilling to take a hint as ever. As the date grew near, he became more and more insistent, and Goro found himself even more eager for October’s conclusion than ever before.
*
This year, Halloween blessedly fell on a weekend, and while he is a business professional, Goro would never say no to some spooky partying. Well, party might be a generous term, considering there would be less than 10 guests, all teachers.
Goro is happily situated on a chaise lounge, a tasteful piece with dark woods and neutral floral patterning, a blanket thrown over his legs, and a half-empty glass of deep red wine swirling in his hand, the rim coated in his lipstick. He is running on autopilot, a compliment to his current company, and maybe the wine.
“I just don’t understand why Christmas gets two months, and Halloween barely gets one.” He says to the slender back facing him as he takes a small sip from his glass “If I wanted to deal with consumerist propaganda, I’d go to church.”
“Goro, you're ignoring the fact that Halloween is def a consumer holiday.” Ann dabs a loaded sponge against her cheek rhythmically, evening out her already near-flawless complexion. “You have some oddly specific rose-colored glasses here.”
Goro hums in consideration through a long sip before shrugging in surrender. “I can’t fault your logic, but at least Halloween has a good color scheme. I don’t need Yusuke’s expertise to tell you that red and green are not the best combo.”
“The colors are complimentary.” He sees her reflection roll its blue eyes, along with a fond shake of the head. Ann fingers through her hair at the roots, pleading with the golden locks for volume. When it seems fruitless, she spins around on the small bench facing her vanity and meets Goro’s gaze. “Anyway...are you about ready to go?”
Ready to go is an understatement. Goro is acquainted with several people deeming themselves Halloween enthusiasts, but none can hold a torch to the Halloween Master herself, Futaba Sakura. Her decorations were always top notch, and while she hid the ability quite well most of the year, she knew how to throw a party. His excitement was in good company, and when the topic had come up in the lounge the other day, she quipped “I spend 6 months of the year preparing for this, and the other 6 recovering.”
His finger traces the outline of the rectangular invite sitting on the cold marble table in front of him. Goro looks at the invitation sitting on the coffee table in front of him, it has the aesthetic balance of a 2nd graders valentines. Glittery black bats and big googly eyes adorn orange construction paper. The first year he was invited, the invitation actually had words on it, but apparently, it was implied at this point.
“I'm glad you decided to go this year, all things considered.” Ann says to Goro with a small smile.
His eyebrows drew closer together. “What do you mean? It's Halloween at Futabas, of course I’m going.” He hadn’t shut up about it all week.
“Yeah, but I know how you feel about Ren.” Oh right. Forgot about that one. He probably received an invitation that had more than three words on it. A peculiar thing to feel jealous over.
“To be perfectly honest, I forgot he was invited.” Goro stands from the chaise, shifting his focus to his own reflection. “This might be the only time that his attendance wouldn’t deter me. I do appreciate the reminder, it provides me a chance to steel myself.”
“Oh my god, Goro you are so dramatic.” Ann pushes out through light, chiming laughter. “Ren is nice! I’ve known him for years, and if you just give him a chance-”
“Any opportunity he had for a ‘chance’” Goro interrupted, “went right out the window when he decided to use Haru to step on my toes.” He punctuates his point with a gleaming, fake smile, sending a chill up his friend’s spine.
There had been a few rehearsals since then, Ren hadn’t misbehaved or tried to steal the spotlight yet. Actually, he’d been quite respectful and almost helpful, maybe once or twice. That was the only thing keeping Goro Sane and only just barely.
“Did you ask him why he did that?” Of course Ann would ask that. It's the reasonable, mature, adult thing to do. Any logical person would do so immediately, prevent the festering of negative emotions, so of course he hadn’t. He was also avoiding spending any significant amount of one on one time with the other man. Which was a challenge considering their morning arrangements.
“Can we drop this?” Goro’s evasive lack of a reply answered louder than intended.
“OMG Goro, you haven’t brought it up? You have to ask him tonight.” Ann briefly broke eye-contact with her reflection to give him a look of awe tinged disappointment.
“I don’t think that's a good idea. For several reasons.” Most of which being he doesn’t want to, and that he should probably be sober for that kind of conversation, not that it will ever happen.
“Fine. I won’t push you, but you won’t be able to avoid him all night.” Ann almost certainly does not mean that as a challenge, but Goro is more than willing to take it as one. Instead of voicing this, he just drains his glass.
There has always been something familial in the way they bicker, its warming, but that also might be the wine. “Shall we?” He gestures towards her foyer as he presses the confirmation button for a rideshare.
*
There isn’t a doubt in Goro’s mind that Futaba has a lucrative side-hustle. No teacher's salary could afford the modern loft that she lives in. The sleek, angular exterior and sheer size are no longer a shock to him, but the way it is decorated this year is.
It isn't...traditionally spooky or halloween-y, per say, but it is extravagant. If his brain squints, he can see the spirit of the holiday, but in an almost abstract, familiar way. Cobwebs and fake spiders are scattered abound, but clearly their efforts went into the dark colored fabrics and laces draped from every surface imaginable.
Yusuke’s influence is palpable.
“Whats up, little man!” A high pitched voice yells the minute one foot crosses the threshold. “And the pretty lady! A treat.” Futaba slides over to her guests and links her arms with both of theirs. “I’m psyched as hell if you couldn’t tell.” She tugs them in with a surprising amount of strength, as if they need coercing.
Only after reaching the kitchen does Goro fully take in Futaba’s costume. Every other year she makes a new cosplay wholecloth, but it’s an off year, so she's taking it easy. Her limbs look warm in long yellow fabric layered under short blue overalls, topped off with a yellow, googly-eye beanie.
Goro sneers in her direction. “A minion? Really?” Futaba snickers mischievously.
“Oh hello, pleased to see you made it, Goro.” A placid tone fills his ears with comfort. “You and Ann never do anything halfway, huh?” Makoto leaves her dignified post near the pretzel bowl to get a better look at their costumes.
He and Ann are especially proud of their costumes this year, both together and separate. The Cat That Ate The Canary; Ann their lovely feline, and Goro their dashing bird. Of course Ann is definitely not eating him, so it’s a bit of a stretch, but they are just as pleased.
Makoto is reliably the least enthusiastic about this sort of shindig out of the younger staff, but she always shows up anyway, sans costume. She fiddles with the braid in her hair absently “Have you seen Ren’s costume? I think you might enjoy it. I know Futaba did, and I’m pretty sure all her neighbors could hear as well.”
“No, we only just arrived. Where is he?” Goro sees an opportunity: pretend to be interested, acquire his location and avoid that area.
“Oh, actually.” When Makoto gets on her tiptoes to look around him, Goro knows that he miscalculated. When Makoto’s hand shoots up to wave as she calls for Ren, Goro is a statue, and his brain is in a wind tunnel.
At least Ren does not come alone. A (hopefully) purposely disheveled Yusuke follows close on his heels. Goro has no idea what his costume is intended to be, but it's dramatic? He looks like the halloween decor, personified, or perhaps a car mechanic’s used towel.
Yusuke is almost distracting enough to keep his attention away from Ren, who is dressed as 90% of Featherman Red, just without the helmet. Goro refuses to outwardly acknowledge how well that costume fits him, personality-wise as well as physically. He is freaking out on the inside at least.
It checks out that Futaba lost her mind, and is still losing her mind, as she approaches again, this time dragging a brightly blushing Sumire wearing a bumblebee dress and some antennae on a headband. Maybe the two of them color coordinated?
When Ren asks Makoto what she needed, for the first time in his life, Goro feels thankful for Ryuji Sakamoto. He's unsure of whether or not the gym teacher has even made it into the building before letting out a resounding “What’s bonkin, people!”
It is not likely to be his most convincing act, leaving the comfort of his close friends to go welcome Ryuji. It certainly surprises the latter, judging from the clear confusion on his face.
“Oh hey, Goro.” Ryuji greets, pulling himself together just a smidge.
That’s fine, Goro is relieved that he won't get the wrong idea, thinking that they are good friends or something asinine like that. “Don’t worry, I just needed an excuse to...leave a conversation.” Ryuji nods as if that was a close second on his list of hypothetical scenarios.
“So uh...” The gym teacher turned…homeless pirate(?) hesitates. “Should we go back into the room ya just left?”
“Mmmm...I suppose we must.” Goro gestures towards the rest of the group. “After you.” Ryuji saunters down the hall and into the room and all he hears is the echoes of indistinct shouting.
By the time he checks his phone about 3 times, and walks back to the party, Futaba is ushering everyone into another part of the loft. “Alright my sexy party people, grab some goods and get out of my kitchen! If you're lucky, you might just find some chairs that you can sit in.” Everyone helps themselves to a variable amount of food and bev, Makoto abstains.
Goro purposely hangs back a bit, to marvel at Halloween as a concept, and enjoy watching a bumblebee and whatever Yusuke thinks he is share a loveseat. He smiles fondly as they try to tempt Futaba’s cat, Morgana, to come get pats.
“Nobody feed the demon baby! He is not starving, no matter how much he tries to convince you otherwise.” Morgana looks at his owner as if he understands true betrayal before scurrying away to hide once again. “Little dummy will be back when our judgement is compromised.” Futaba mutters, knowing that battle is already lost.
While he is good at playing the part, Goro is not as extroverted as he lets on, and the act grows exhausting. As everyone starts a new round of Fibbage, he takes the natural break to make a break to nature.
The sun has long since set on Futaba’s back porch, but there are some purple twinkle lights casting light from where they were artfully thrown into trees and bushes. Goro takes a seat on her bench swing, noting the thick cushiony layer of cottony webbing draped over it. He closes his eyes and takes a deep inhale. The fall air is crisp and the light breeze knocks a quick shiver through his body.
“Cold?” A deep voice asks from behind, startling Goro’s eyes open. “I’d offer you an extra layer, but then I’d probably get arrested.” He generously humors the approaching Featherman with a brief chuckle, he was funny enough to have earned that.
Ren’s face is lightly flushed from alcohol, and Goro is grateful for his own restraint. On the other hand, sobriety is a great way to ensure he will remember everything about tonight. Goro will be able to recall with startling clarity his fleeting lust over the color red, his momentary desire, recognizing Ren as physically attractive and finding pride in the way he has not so subtly watched Goro throughout the evening. There is a 90% chance that shame will find him in the morning, but right now, he can’t find the energy to chide the peanut gallery within.
After a quick glance at his phone “It’ll be November soon.” Ren notes.
The banality of it all strikes Goro as he rolls his eyes. “Yes. Time keeps moving, and soon we’ll all be dead.” Tides of immaturity and pettiness roll off the brunette, as he maintains a smug look aimed at ren.
“All the more reason to enjoy it while you can.” Ren challenges Goro’s smugness with a face that is equally flirty and haughty. Involuntarily, the curl of his lips and the power in his eyes are added to the Ren is Sexy list. Rather than acknowledge that he even has that list, Goro looks away, admitting defeat. So what if the other man took that as a win, the score was already so skewed in Goro’s favor.
Right?
No. Goro has never been a quitter. “Are you trying to imply that I don’t?” And maybe he was enjoying himself a bit. As long as Ren didn’t notice.
Ren laughs, surprised for some reason at Goro’s impertinence “I think I might be the least qualified person to answer that.” His tone is...wistful?
“Why?”
“Because you hate me.” Definitely wistful.
Well he has a point. What is Goro supposed to say? Deny it? Tell him not to take it personally? Acknowledge it?
“You sound awfully morose.” He murmurs instead.
Ren seems just as conflicted on how to proceed. Goro watches attentively as the superhero in front of him chugs the rest of his drink with determination and places his empty cup on a nearby table with care.
“You never even gave me a chance.” Ren’s has a smoldering grin again, laced with what Goro deems unfounded confidence.
“I don’t believe I am required to.” For some reason, Goro’s pulse is quickening, as if he's racing someone. It feels familiar. It feels good.
“I’m not a homework assignment.”
“You are a home room assignment. One I didn’t ask for.”
“I plan to change that.” Ren winks and Goro realizes this feels more like flirting than fighting, and the man in red seems very encouraged.
“Oh yeah?” Goro says with a smile, the sentiment predictably stubborn but surprisingly provocative. In that moment, his mind is all but fixated on the flames of rivalry Ren set alight beneath him.
Mercifully, as Ren steps forward and opens his mouth again, a head of blonde curls pokes out onto the porch, and they all freeze, eyes wide.
“Am I interrupting something?” Ann asks, unsure. To be fair, she most likely expected that Goro would be strangling her other friend by now, and was not prepared to enter on whatever weird interaction that was.
Naturally, Goro recovers quite smoothly and stands up to return to the party. “Not at all, dear. I was headed back soon anyway.”
Ann follows shortly behind him “Hey what was that tension about? I didn’t know if you wanted to strangle him or make out with him.” His brain supplies Would both be so bad? but he has enough awareness to gulp that thought down.
“We were discussing my dislike of him.” Enough of an answer that she wouldn’t find anything suspicious. Ann nods but doesn’t press further.
He glances through the door he just entered and sees Ren, turned to face him, but totally frozen, a confused expression adorning his begrudgingly sexy face. Goro is digging himself a pretty deep grave, it would seem.
*
After several hours of ‘partying’ people slowly began to disperse. If one can look past the unfortunately numerous times Ren caught Goro looking at him, especially since their encounter , the party went fairly smoothly. Of course, Ren's costume was to blame for the ogling, Featherman red had such a bright suit, it just magnetized everyone's attention. Goro assures himself it has nothing to do with the fact that it is tighter than it is attention grabbing.
Almost everyone has left already, the only remaining guests are him, Sumire and Ren. Goro is alone, outside again, but this time in the front, waiting on the ride he ordered. He hears the front door close and approaching footsteps. Goro deduces they are far too quiet to be Futaba, but feel too big to be Sumire.
A nondescript car pulls up in the street fronting Futaba’s abode, and Goro breathes a sigh of relief. Before he can take a step forward, he feels a (large) warm hand gently grip his shoulder.
“I’ll see you Monday.” Ren whispers into his ears before walking away. Goro wants to scream. Instead he moves towards the car, looking back to glare daggers at his personal space invader.
As the car pulls away, Goro lets his forehead fall into his hands, exhausted. He had been careless, but if he can glean something of value, maybe it will have been worth it.
- Ren Amamiya has great taste (in anime)
- Ren Amamiya has terrible taste (in men)
Goro hopes he’s being narcissistic.
