Chapter Text
Sojiro frowned as he glanced up from his newspaper, his eyes landing on the clock just across the room. He was supposed to be here by now, so where was the kid?
Internally, he hoped that he didn’t get lost. A boy born and raised in the country… The big city could be a lot for him to take in. But, it’s not like Sojiro really cares, the brat has an assault charge. Though…
He’s still not entirely sure if it’s the real deal.
The way his parents described him, Ren seemed like a quiet kid, someone who knew how and when to stay out of trouble. So why the sudden drive to do the right thing and throw himself in the middle of two adults?
If what the parents said are true, then the kid was just protecting a woman from a man forcing himself on her, which… Hell, the world truly has gone to shit if that’s really the case.
Nonetheless, it still doesn’t answer the question of where he is. It’s already getting late, even Futaba would start to worry if he’s not home soon. And it’s not like he can just let the kid show up to a closed shop without a place to sleep.
He was freed from his thoughts as the bell above the door rang out. He glanced over, his gaze landing on a boy with unruly black hair. Sojiro stomped down the bit of relief that flowed through him and put on a scowl.
“It’s about damn time you showed up, you know how close I was to…” His lecture trailed off as his eyes landed on a… cat? That had popped up out of the kid’s bag. The feline looked to be a tuxedo, with a yellow collar and bright blue eyes.
Eyes, which were currently glancing around the cafe curiously. That was, until they landed on Sojiro, he shrunk and his ears flattened back as he let out a quiet meow, nuzzling his head towards the boy’s neck.
Sojiro held his gaze for a moment longer before he let out a terribly long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Kid… Why do you have a cat with you?”
Ren shot Sojiro with a charming smile, one he was surprised the kid possessed. “He’s my service cat.” He said softly. “My parents should’ve told you about him before I came over…” He trailed off, frowning suddenly. “Did they not?”
Sojiro resisted another sigh. “No. They didn’t.” He glanced up at Ren. “Listen, kid, this is a restaurant, I can’t exactly have…” He trailed off as his gaze landed upon the feline’s eyes, which were so soft, so full of hope and… Dammit. “Alright, he can stay with you, and I’m not gonna give you any problems as long as he doesn’t cause me any.”
Ren smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, Morgana’s very well trained.” He said, scratching the cat behind his ears, Morgana purring all the while.
Morgana, huh? Cute name for a cute cat, he supposed. “Alright, kid. Let me take you to your room.”
Ren nodded happily. “Of course, sir!”
Sojiro groaned quietly. “None of that, kid, just call me ‘Boss’, everyone does.”
“Gotcha, Boss!”
Sojiro ran a hand over his face as he started his way towards the back of the store. After showing Ren the attic, he can honestly say he was… surprised at how well the kid took it. He didn’t seem surprised or shocked that Sojiro was sticking him in an attic, but genuinely happy to be there.
Yeah, Sojiro thought as he placed his hat and prepared to leave the store, he’s definitely a strange kid.
The next morning turned out to be even more strange, considering the kid was up bright and early before Sojiro had even entered the shop. But no, he, and his cat, were there, broom in hand and sweeping the floor like it was his everyday job.
At the sound of the bell, Ren had looked up from his work, and he greeted Sojiro with a kind smile. “Good morning, Boss!” He chirped brightly. “I hope you don’t mind, but I woke up earlier than I normally do, so I decided to clean the cafe while I waited.” He paused briefly before looking sheepish suddenly. “I-If that’s okay, of course.”
Sojiro glanced around the shop, blowing out a quiet breath as he noticed that it looked cleaner than he’s ever been able to make it. “Yeah– Yeah, that’s alright, kid.” He let out a small laugh before catching himself. “You, uh, did a good job.”
Ren noticeably brightened at the praise.
Sojiro stomped down the feeling of his heart beginning to thaw as he shook his head. “Are you ready to go and introduce yourself to the school?” When Ren nodded, Sojiro waved a hand. “Alright then, come on.”
As the two began making their way towards Shujin Academy, Sojiro realized the kid had barely said a word since leaving. He seemed like a completely different person, and his cat took notice, which Sojiro found a bit strange, but not too strange, since he was a service animal.
The cat would sit in his lap and curl up, allowing the boy to idly run a hand down his back. Sojiro would’ve cracked a smile if Ren’s lips had at least twitched while he was doing it. But no, he seemed dead set on maintaining that barely noticeable frown.
Arriving at the school, Ren’s mood didn’t falter, and now Sojiro was starting to get worried. As they entered, he couldn’t help but notice that the kid always seemed to be glancing around, eyes shooting to different parts of the hallway, as if he was looking for something.
Sojiro put aside his small worries for now, as the meeting with the principal got underway. He’ll be the first to admit, he didn’t really like the guy.
And, before you ask, it’s not because he seemed to have it out for the kid.
Ren, meanwhile, just stood by him, feet constantly shifting subtly as his cat purred quietly into his neck. He was starting to feel bad for the kid, considering the hand life dealt him, it’s probably likely he hasn’t even processed the whole thing.
“Ah, that reminds me, Sakura-san.”
Sojiro resisted a sigh as he turned back to the principal. “Yes?”
“About Amamiya-kun’s… cat.” The principal frowned and shook his head. “I’m afraid that we have strict policies about pets.”
Sojiro ran a hand over his face. “Yeah, sure, except the cat ain’t a pet, it’s a service animal.” He explained gruffly. “If you want to call up his parents and explain why the kid had a panic attack in your school because you took away his cat, then be my guest.”
Ren chimed it quietly. “M-Morgana won’t cause any problems, I promise.” He murmured softly. “He’s a well behaved cat. Aren’t you, Mona?”
Morgana let out a mew as he put his front paws on Ren’s shoulder, and Sojiro swore he noticed the feline puffing out his chest.
The principal was silent for a moment before he sighed softly. “W-Well, considering we’re already taking a big risk in accepting you, the least we could do is come off as accommodating.” He narrowed his eyes and lifted a finger. “But, I warn you, the first sign of trouble from you, you will be expelled immediately.”
Ren nodded. “I understand completely, sir.”
Once the two started their way back out to Sojiro’s car, the older man couldn’t help but make a comment.
“You alright there, kid? You’ve seemed a bit out of it since we’ve arrived.” He paused briefly before turning to him fully. “So, what do you think? Think you’ll be alright?”
Ren smiled softly. “Yes, Boss, I think I’ll be fine.” He shrugged. “It’s just a new school, I’ll be okay.”
Sojiro nodded. “Right, well just keep your head down, and this year will fly by.” He said, placing his hat back on his head. “C’mon, let’s get going.”
Absently, while Sojiro drove home, he couldn’t help but think that maybe he really did make the right choice in accepting to be the kid’s caretaker during his probation.
Surely one kid won’t be too much trouble.
Ann frowned to herself as she made her way through the sprinkling rain. Her twin-tails were uncomfortably tucked into her hoodie, a feat she’s quite proud of in itself. But unfortunately, it only managed to distract her a tiny bit from her current mood.
It didn’t help that it was still the beginning of the new school year, so that certainly didn’t help. Kamoshida was, quite literally, the bane of all her problems, and he was starting to become more demanding as of late.
She could still taste the bile on her tongue from vomiting last night after some string of messages he had sent.
She feels trapped, like a mouse in an endless maze with a cat after it. She wishes there was something she could do, for her, for Shiho… maybe even Sakamoto if he were to accept it.
But for now, she just has to put up with it. If she’s lucky, maybe a miracle will suddenly appear from the skies, offering her a way out of this hell.
She sighed softly as she ducked under an overhang, absently watching as some students passed by, covering their heads from the light rain.
She hesitated briefly before pulling off her hood, letting her twin-tails finally breathe. She shook her head softly before letting out a quiet sigh. She glanced out into the street, eyes flickering back and forth before she felt someone else’s eyes on her.
Her gaze turned to her right, blue meeting gray. She blinked before she started to fully take in the person standing next to her.
It was a boy, around her age, with messy black hair and glasses that seemed just a tiny bit too big. His gray irises seemed to burn into her own, but it seemed to lessen when he realized he was staring.
He smiled softly, genuinely. “Uhm, sorry for staring.” He murmured quietly, gazing away sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.
She blinked again before she shook her head with a small smile of her own. “Oh, you’re fine.” She then noticed his uniform. “A-Are you a student at Shujin? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before…” And she knew she would recognize him too, he’s just a tad bit too good looking to fly under the radar.
The boy shook his head. “A-Actually I’m a transfer student, my first day is today.”
Oh. He’s a transfer student? She’s heard a few rumors about one or two that were arriving, though she hasn’t really paid them any mind.
“Do you think you could show me the way to school? I wouldn’t want to be late.”
Ann was taken aback by the sudden request, but she saw no reason to decline him. But just as she was about to accept, she noticed a very familiar black car pull up. Her smile flattened as Kamoshida rolled down the window, a slimy smile, which was more of a smirk than anything, on his face.
“Hey there, you’re going to be late if you don’t get going. Would you like a ride?”
She swallowed lightly, her stomach beginning to turn in knots before suddenly the boy from earlier took a step in front of her, a smile brighter than a thousand suns on his face.
“I’m sorry, sir, but she’s actually giving me directions to Shujin.” He shrugged softly. “I’m new, and I still need to learn a route.”
Ann had to actually try to keep her jaw from dropping. This boy, unknowingly but that didn’t make a difference, has just painted a target on his back the size of a building, and for her?
Kamoshida seemed caught off guard for a moment before he smiled uneasily. “Not a problem, just make sure to get to school on time.” He said before rolling up the window just barely hiding his almost evil scowl.
Ann let out a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding before turning to the boy with thankful eyes. “You didn’t have to do that.”
The boy shrugged, his bright smile now replaced with a sharp grin, and wow if that just didn’t make him seem ten times more good looking than before. “Well, I just assumed you didn’t want to get in the car with that guy.”
The fact that he read her and Kamoshida that easily was scary in itself, but she was thrown from the moment when the sound of thudding footsteps came from just a little bit away from the two.
She leaned over, looking over the boy’s shoulder, only to see a very familiar head of bleached hair. She swallowed again as Ryuji Sakamoto came to a skidding stop with a snarl on his face, eyes narrowed in a glare at where Kamoshida’s car just was.
“Damn it! Screw that pervy teacher!” He growled before he noticed the two other people next to him. He narrowed his eyes again at Ann, who met his gaze head on. “What’s wrong with you, Takamaki? Not going to get in your boyfriend’s car?”
Ann thought she hid her flinch pretty well. “You don’t know what you're talking about, Sakamoto.”
“Woah, woah.” The boy took a step between them, putting on a charming smile. “I think it’s still a bit too early for all this hostility, don’t you?” He asked, glancing between them with a little glint in his eyes.
Ryuji frowned and took a step back. “Who’re you?”
The boy flashed him a smirk. “I’m Ren. Ren Amamiya.” He introduced quietly before his bag started rustling. He shifted the bag before a cat popped its head out with a quiet meow. “...And this is Morgana.”
“What the eff?”
The boy, Amamiya, smiled softly and started scratching behind the feline’s ears. “I’m sorry for cutting this touching reunion short.” He teased. “But could you guys show me the way to school? I’m still new to the city.”
If Ryuji was bothered by the sudden request, he didn’t make it obvious, just shrugging softly before scowling at the ground. “Yeah, sure, I know a shortcut.” He suddenly clutched at his head with a wince.
Ann did the same, feeling a sudden sharp headache shoot through her. She heard Ryuji mutter something about wanting to go home and, for once, she found herself agreeing with him. She did not want to see how Kamoshida was going to react after what just happened.
She let out a soft sigh escape from her lips as she followed Amamiya and Ryuji from a short distance away.
What a great start to the school year.
Shiho wasn’t exactly having the best day.
Now, that’s not to say that it’s a bad day, at least for her. To other people, they could… probably consider the day she’s had to be below acceptable. But unfortunately that’s just been her life so far.
Practice was hard, but no harder than it normally is. Kamoshida seemed a little bit more agitated than normal when he arrived, not that anyone was going to question him about it.
But, that wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary.
She’s heard a few whispers and murmurs throughout the day about a criminal transfer student, one who apparently assaulted some guy, and also had a murder cat? She wasn’t believing any of it, considering both Ann and Ryuji went through the same shit.
Speaking of her two blondes, they seemed to have arrived late to school… along with the aforementioned transfer student. Now that wasn’t entirely out of the question for Ryuji, who has been known to skip morning classes sometimes, but Ann? She was almost always impeccable when it came to attending classes.
…Studying said classes, though? That was a different story.
But nonetheless it’s sparked a few more ignitable rumors for the Shujin population to grip onto for the foreseeable future.
She frowned to herself as she hugged her papers to her chest. She was definitely going to be questioning Ann and maybe even Ryuji later about what happened. But first, she has to find them. They don’t exactly blend in, but they can hide really well when–
“Oof!”
Okay, maybe she should’ve paid more attention to where she was walking.
She held her head and shook it lightly before opening her eyes, finding her gaze landing on her pile of papers on the ground in a mess. She looked up to see who she had run into…
Only to blink.
Because standing in front of her was a boy with messy black hair, a soft smile and a pair of dorky glasses. She knew who he was, even if this was technically her first time seeing him, she’s heard plenty about his looks from the student core to draw a picture.
His smile was kind, gentle, as he bent down to start picking up her papers. “Sorry about that, Suzui-chan, I should’ve paid attention to where I was going.”
She blinked again, taken aback by a number of things, but mostly, “You know who I am?” She asked softly.
The boy laughed quietly. “Oh yeah, Ann wouldn’t stop gushing about you on our way to school.”
Huh, that’s odd, first names already, she thought, you work fast, Ann.
She was pulled from her thoughts as he handed back her stacked papers with a gentle smirk. “Next time, put a clip around them or something.” He said softly.
She was silent for a moment before she finally found her voice. “W-Wait.” She said, catching his attention. “I-I don’t know if it’ll mean much, but…” She shook her head. “Don’t worry about what other people are saying about you, okay?”
Something changed in his expression, before he suddenly took a step forward towards her. Not in her personal space, but close enough to where she could reach out an arm and lean over to tap his chest.
“Y’know what, I just had a great idea.” He said, a small grin growing on his face. “Let’s get out of here.”
Wait, what. “H-Huh?”
“Yeah, I know a great town, just a bit outside of Tokyo actually.” He continued on like he hadn’t just shattered all of her working brainstems. “Place called Inaba, you’d love it there, the weather’s great almost all the time, and–”
“W-Wait, i-is that, like, a proposal?” She said, still trying her best to keep up with the conversation.
He shrugged with a smirk. “Maybe, but it’s a nice place, really. Think you’d enjoy it, it’s nice, quiet, safe, totally a place where you could live a nice, healthy and non-traumatic life.”
“Uh…” She pursed her lips before holding up her hands worriedly. “A-Are you sure you’re okay?” She asked, taking a step closer in case he suddenly collapsed.
He grinned, and this time it was all teeth. “I’m feeling great, never better. Well, okay, that was a lie, I’m not okay, probably won’t be for a while, but hey.” He shrugged carelessly. “I have a cute cat that keeps me company so I’ll count that in the ‘wins’ column.” He paused briefly before turning his grin onto her.
“By the way, wanna go on a date?”
She sputtered and felt her cheeks redden. “H-Huh?” She squeaked.
He shrugged again. “Yeah, I mean, c’mon.” He motioned between them. “You’re beautiful, I’m the most handsome guy on the planet, we got this synergy going on right here.” He grabbed her hand and she froze.
His touch was so soft and warm, so gentle, like she was a priceless artifact that was meant to be kept safe at all times. He shot her a charming grin that managed to worm its way towards her heart.
“I know a great place, you’d love it, it’s an all you can eat buffet. I’ve actually been meaning to go ever since I’ve arrived in Tokyo.” He said before softly pulling her along. “C’mon, it’ll be fun.”
Her mind was still trying to catch up, but she found herself nodding anyways. “Y-Yeah, o-okay.”
His expression brightened, his grin turning into a big smile. “Great! Yeah, alright let’s get going.” He winked. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”
Oh jeez. ‘Don’t fall for the delinquents’, her mother always said. Yeah, she never really was good at listening to her parents.
Ann is so going to kill her.