Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Are you ready?”

Eiji wanted in his whole chest to say no. He didn’t want to leave everything behind, it made him feel like he was just running away from his problems. He didn’t want that, but after what had happened this year. He hated this year, and he did want to runaway.

“I know you’ve made many friends here, but please. This is for the best. For this family’s sake, please cooperate,” Eiji’s mom with guilt and sadness.

She always had a way of making him feel guilty like he shouldn’t express his emotions. It made him feel uneasy. They were never close, he was closer to his father. It was never her tone or voice that was the problem, it was always her choices of words; manipulative.

His words felt hurtful to him. It felt as if he couldnt be upset, not with her, not with his father, not at anything.

He knows he has the right to feel angry. To be angry at her for divorcing his father with no warning. To be angry at his father for cheating and leaving everything behind, leaving him behind. To be angry for moving across the world to a city he didn’t know anyone. To a city where it’s said to be dangerous and mean.

Eiji clenched his fist as hard as he could— his knuckles turning white in the process. He wanted to say “No, I’m not ready,” or “No, I don’t want to move with you, I want Dad.”

But he thought against it, he knew it would hurt her heart. He would disappoint her again, and he’d see that face she wore.

The face he saw her have when his family came through the hospital door. The doctor said he needed to take a break with pole vaulting. It was all the same face, the face of disappointment and failure. She had that face when he broke down in front of everyone. Tears in his eyes as he told Ibe-san, his father, his mom, his sister. “no I can’t do it! I’m scared.”

Letting go of the pole and left it behind, he knew his mother didn’t want that. She needed him to be successful with the things she wanted.

“Are you okay? Eiji speak to me,”

Blinking a few times he had realized that he zoned out for more seconds than he wanted. Seeing the worried look in his mother’s eyes, holding bags of their old things she planned to throw away.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he started, “Let’s go, we might miss our flight.”

His mom nodded with hesitation, but there was a hint of satisfaction on her face. Leaving him alone as she walked out of his room.

Eiji sighs with a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Taking one last look at his now empty room. Used to be filled with shelves of trinkets, posters, mangas, and pictures he took with Ibe-san, now empty and lifeless. Most of his things were either donated to cousins or in the trash.

Grabbing his suitcases he stood in front of the doorway. Looking back once again, a bed with white empty sheets, and empty shelves, was all gone. His comfort place stripped of the coziness, vibrant feeling, and full of life, now turned dead and dull.

He scoffed at his bitter thoughts. He knew this was for the best; running away from his problems was for the best.

Marching down the stairs with 2 heavy suitcases and a backpack on he didn’t realize his little sister, Keiko, standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Before walking past her, he felt a little tug at his grey shirt. Looking up at him with hope and confusion. Hoping he’d answer all the questions in her small head.

Questions like: “Why are we leaving Dad?”, “why do we have to move far away?”, “Why doesn’t Dad come home anymore?”, “do you miss Dad too.?”

Though despite every single question she had only one came out.

“Ei-chan, will Dad be okay on his own? What if he misses us and starts crying.?”

Eiji froze at her question. How can she still be worried about him? He left them because he was nothing but a selfish man who was a coward.

Still, Keiko loved him even when he left, when he got a girlfriend despite being divorced for only 2 weeks. She loved him.

“So what if he does? He doesn’t need us, he wouldn’t have done this if he really did love us. He’ll just forget us,” Eiji spoke with much more coldness than he ever intended.

Keiko who was shocked by his cruel answer dropped the stuffed bunny their father had given her as a goodbye gift.

As soon as the words had left his mouth he had already felt guilty, but the shocked expression on her face made the guilt hurt even more. A punch in the gut he deserved.

Keiko’s eyes were filled with tears that threatened to spill over while her lower lip trembled with sadness. She didn’t deserve his cruel words, she didn’t deserve the anger he felt towards his parents at all.

She was just a child, a child who had just lost her father; her role model. She didn’t deserve the bitterness, the shit talk towards her father. Even if he left them Keiko still loved him.

“I- I’m sorry.” Eiji quickly picked her up and pulled her to his chest, “Ei-chan is just stressed. I’m sure Dad will miss us and call us from time to time.”

Keiko clung to him, burying her head in his shoulder for comfort. Eiji felt horrible, but his unconfident words would be useless in this situation. All he could do was rub her back to soothe her sorrows.

None of them wanted any of this. They didn’t want to leave their childhood home and their country behind.

Eiji had wished every day for the past 2 weeks that his life could go back to normal. Going to school with his best friends, when school ended he’d go to practice, and then come home to a lively home with his father and mother cuddling on the couch.

There were times at night he’d lay awake thinking maybe the divorce was his fault.

Got caught with a group of bad people, his grades gradually declined, and worst of all quitting pole vaulting.

Maybe if he wasn’t a coward, maybe if he did try to go back to pole vaulting. Would that help his home life? His reputation at school?

——————-

Sitting on the plane with a heavier heart than before, Eiji wanted to cry but no way would he cry right now, not now.

Sitting on the window seat sat his little sister, Keiko. She was immersed in the little screen in front of her that was showing some cartoon that was popular in the States.

“Can you even understand that?” Eiji chuckled softly and pressed a button to turn on the Japanese subtitles.

“Thank you, Ei-chan,” she giggles and rests her head on his arm.

Eiji smiles to himself and turns to his mother who is sleeping on the aisle seat. She looked tired, more tired than usual.

Of course, she’d be tired, she packed everything, filed paperwork to sell the house, and threw most of the things away; her now ex-husband’s things.

Eiji knew he couldn’t be angry, after all this wasn’t any of her fault. What happened at the airport today made him hate his father more.

Waiting for his father to show up, to say his final goodbye. However, he never came. Never even sent a shitty text message, he just couldn’t wait to get rid of them.

It hurt Eiji, he was supposed to be his role model. Can anyone be called a role model for leaving his family behind? Leaving everything behind even though his two kids begged him to stay? No. Never.

He tried to sleep, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t sleep sitting up, it was uncomfortable, it was too cold, and it didn’t smell good; it smelled unfamiliar.

How could he pass the time? He still had 10 hours to spare. Thinking for a bit he realized he could get familiar with his school.

“Manhattan Central High School,” Eiji mumbled under his breath. He thought the name was a little weird as he’s not used to saying it, yet.

Opening up his phone he pressed the Instagram icon. It took him a few seconds to type out the name of his new school into the search bar, but the very first profile he was sure it was it.

He wasn’t very sure why he was doing it nor what he was trying to find. Maybe he just wanted to see what he was getting himself into, though it’s not like he had a choice.

Clicking the profile with the user as “MCHS.LIONS” it had around 3,500 followers and around 2 hundred posts.

The following it had was enough to make Eiji’s eyes pop out of their sockets because, in his old school, there were barely 1,000 people attending.

The most recent post was from a spirit week this October. The caption read, “October 2024 Spirit Week!!” Which was followed by a list of the themes from the past week:

Harry Potter houses, dress up as your class colors. Freshmen: Ravenclaw, Sophomores: Hufflepuff, Juniors: Slytherin, and Seniors: Gryffindor.

Horror Movie Day, dress up as your favorite horror movie character!

Zombie Day, dress up as a zombie (no ripped clothing allowed)

Matching Wednesday, match with your friends!

Costume Friday, pull up in your costume!! Remember it’s also activity day so no large backpacks!

Eiji swiped through the photos and admired the creativity of the students who were following the theme. Seeing the pictures made his mood light up a hundred times more; forgetting about everything.

While looking closely at the pictures two people had caught his attention from matching Wednesday. It was 2 guys dressed up as the undercover spies from the movie White Chicks.

One wore a pink jacket while the other wore a denim jacket. Both guys were wearing cheap blond wigs that made their natural hair peek through. As well as wearing matching skirts that also matched their jacket color.

The male in pink was scowling, his natural blond hair peaked through the shining fake wig, and jade green eyes pierced through the camera intimidatingly. His face showed nothing but pure irritation and hatred, having his arms crossed across his chest.

His friend next to him was much more happy looking than he was. His purple-dyed hair peaked through the blond wig as we posed for the camera gangsterly. His legs were apart, hands throwing gang signs that were being covered by emojis.

Eiji who was amused at the picture caused him to let out a small, rare chuckle. Maybe his school wouldn't be as bad as he thought it would be. Maybe he’d give the change a try.

The boy with natural blond hair had piqued his interest as he checked the comment section:

wong.short3r: @alynx.nyy you ruined the mood for that pic yk?

- alynx.nyy: @wong.short3r shut the fuck up

- MCHS.LIONS: @alynx.nyy please no cussing in the comments

Eiji chuckled at the embarrassing comments. Though thanks to the comments it was easy for him to find the Instagram account of the attractive blond male.

“Taking a sneak peek won’t hurt..” he mumbled happily as he clicked on the profile.

Luckily the account wasn't private, so it’d be easier for Eiji to do a little stalking. The account had 376 followers, 2 highlights, and 3 posts.

Eiji’s finger hovered on top of the first batch of highlights. He was wondering if he should be doing this, what if the highlights were posted 3 hours ago? This Ash guy could catch him red-handed.

Deciding against the thought and quickly pressed the highlight which was dedicated to collections of food. Though every time his friends would eat other food all Ash ate was Avocado Shrimp Salad. In every single picture, there was always shrimp and avocado salad in front of Ash. This made Eiji wonder if this guy was a picky-ass eater or was just obsessed with the salad.

The second highlight featured photos of his friends: hangouts at rooftops, sleepovers, and random visits to abandoned buildings. The photos consisted of the same people every single time: the purple-haired guys from the Spirit Week post, a young looking but with short black hair, a dark-skinned male on the larger side, another boy with long pinkish hair with fangs for teeth making him look like a cat, and lastly a guy with light brown hair.

Though noticing the sleepover pictures there was another person. A beautiful woman who had long black hair.

“Probably his girlfriend,” Eiji muttered under his breath once again, a hint of disappointment in his tone.

Even with the disappointment in his body, he couldn’t control himself from looking at his posts. Most of the photo dumps were sky pictures, candid moments with his friends, and at the end, a video of their shenanigans.

However, if you looked closer at the pictures and video you could catch a glimpse of the beer and wine bottles, as well as used cigarettes in the background. Which made Eiji’s eyebrows rise a bit.

“Delinquents?” He thought to himself.

His small little stalking activity had come to an abrupt halt. Holy shit it was now that he realized that he had liked one of the boy's posts. The red heart appearing on his screen gave him a heart attack.

“Huh.?! What.?? Nonononono.. no!” He whispered frantically.

Trying to redeem himself he quickly unliked the post. However, when he was panicking his finger slipped once again, but this time he hit the follow button. His heart sank, boy did he want to kill himself right now?

“クソ! Oh my god! クソ” Eiji yelled under his breath, looking around the plane and hoping no one saw or heard his pathetic screams of horror.

It was too late, the blond had probably already seen the notification. Horrified at what he had just done he just sits back down in defeat. Not bothering to unfollow the account he accepts his death.

His life in Manhattan hadn’t started yet, and he was already making an amazing fool of himself.

Chapter Text

“Sing, I'll give you ten bucks if you shove all these marshmallows in your mouth,” Shorter snickered with a mischievous grin. He held a full bag of freshly opened marshmallows “Come on don’t be a puss, it’ll be fun.”

“Bet.” Sing replied without any hesitation, reaching and snatching the bag of marshmallows away from Shorter. He started to eat the marshmallows one by one but got too impatient and just started shoving handfuls. As his cheeks puffed out with every handful, a hand reached out and snatched the bag away from him.

“This is how people choke and die.” Yut-lung glared at both Shorter and Sing.

Sing sighed but when Yut-lung let his guard down Sing quickly tried grabbing it away. Though Yut-lung’s reaction skills were far greater than his grabbing skills.

Holding the bag of marshmallows far away he flicked and slapped at any hand that tried to grab it away from him.

“Give it back, I was just getting started,” Sing groaned. Wiping his mouth with the saliva and sticky marshmallow which earned him a disgusted “ew” from Yut-lung.

This was their third sleepover this month, though no one was complaining of course. Almost every one of them didn’t have a beautiful home life, their homes were never really a place of comfort. The sleepover they continuously had was an escape from their families that would always nag them for better or for worse.

This escape was a place where they could relax, have fun, and forget about any sadness they had in their lives. Thanks to Yut-lung’s massive house they could keep having these sleepovers.

His house was grand, with more rooms and doors than any shopping center. Stepping a foot into the house would make you want to speak with absolute proper grammar they only spoke in movies. The house was so big it made it easy for people to forget how many people were living in the house: his brothers, the maids, butlers, anyone. This made Yut-lung’s house perfect for playing video games, eating without judgment, and even doing skincare (which Yut-lung insisted on)

Yut-lung’s constantly insisting on having a “rest day” today because yesterday they spent the whole afternoon school at the beach. Their skins were damaged and peelings as a result of forgetting to bring any form of sun protection. They couldn’t come to school peeling like snakes, so Yut-lung is trying his damn hardest to make all their skin as smooth as a baby’s behind.

Ash sat down on Yut-lung’s lavish carpet on the ground, laser-focused on the huge flat-screen TV Yut-lung owned in his room. Playing a first-person shooting game that he was already winning despite it being his first time playing. Yut-lung’s gaming setup is seriously insane, and the fact that he didn’t even play games was more insane. He had a pc that would power his whole house just because.

Heck, he even had games that were nowhere near their release date; a privilege only his ass could ever get.

Ash’s thumbs were practically smashing the controller’s buttons as he dominated the whole server filled with little kids and 50-year-old men who should be working right now.

A notification buzzed on Ash’s phone that was lying face upwards right next to Ash, but was quickly shut down and was ignored by him.

Ash did look at it for a few milliseconds before deciding against it. Thinking it was just Max or Jessica bombarding him with messages. They were probably going crazy because, in typical Ash fashion, he had forgotten to tell them that he was going to a sleepover tonight.

Though he didn’t want to lose his winning streak just because of a little frantic message. Maybe he should’ve just blocked them like what he was thinking a few days ago.

Shorter, who was lying on his stomach watching him play saw his phone light up with the Instagram notification. “Yo, your phone,” Shorter spoke while he tilted his head to take a better look.

“It’s probably Max or Jessica,” Ash quickly responded without moving his head or his eyes; too locked in.

However, after Ash finished the game a few seconds later he stretched his arms up high and looked at Shorter who was still looking at his phone.

“But it was from Instagram,” Shorter pointed it out. This had gotten everyone’s attention.

Ash never really uses Instagram to text anyone which is why the app was dry on his phone, though his phone was very dry. If his phone was the world Instagram would be the Atacama Desert. Though to be honest his social media apps would be different types of deserts; his phone is that dry.

Even though he did have a lot of followers on Instagram he’d literally overreact when someone follows him. If he was a mafia boss he’d ask his workers to do a background check on every single follower he had.

Just right now they were all overreacting. This was a very normal instance where Ash tells his friends he just got a notification from Instagram and they all go to detective mode.

Maybe Ash never got play that’s why he overreacts whenever someone follows him, or maybe he’s just lonely.

Within a span of a second there in the middle of the table was Ash’s phone. Everyone surrounded it like it was a piece of ancient artifact that could sell for millions.

“What if it’s a baddie?” Shorter pointed it out, eyes widened with excitement. Knowing Ash never got any play, this would be very inspirational.

“Or it’s one of those porn bots who gets banned a week later?” Alex mumbled as I shoved a handful of chips into his mouth.

Ash rolled his eyes, knowing it might be true since he did get many of those. Sighing with disappointment he responds with, “Yeah, it’s probably nothing. We need to chill.”

“Stop with the suspense and just open it already!” Yut-lung huffed with irritation, but he shifted closer to Ash. Out of everyone in the room, he might have been the most intrigued by the notification.

With an exaggerated grumble, Ash snatches his phone away from the center of the table. Shorter and Yut-lung leaning right next to him; clearly very very interested in Ash’s Instagram notification.

Unlocking his phone as slowly as he could to make fun of his friends though it earned a small pathetic slap from Yut-lung. Ignoring a failed attack Ash pressed on the Instagram icon on his phone and analyzed the screen.

“Someone named Eiji Okumura followed me,” He mumbled under his breath.

“Like as in Edgy or Eggy?” Shorter looked at the phone screen with interest.

“Dumbass it’s Eiji, the name sounds Japanese.” Yut-lung stared at the phone as intensely as Ash.

A collective of “who?” echoed through the entire room. No one recognized the foreign name and nor did they care anymore.

Everyone else going back to their phones, playing video games, and eating. However, the people who were still interested in the mysterious person were Shorter and Yut-lung.

Moving to Yut-lung’s massive bed they sat there in the shape of a triangle as Ash clicked on the new profile that just followed him and liked his post.

“Do they have posts?” Shorter mumbled

“How many followers?” Yut-lung asked as well. His natural curiosity for “the truth.” Always the first person who knows whatever drama is happening. A true detective, and he really just loved gossiping with people.

“Uh… they have like around 2,500 followers and seven posts,” Ash showed them the profile for a few seconds before going back to stalk the page once again.

“Damn, 2,500? That’s like half of the school population,” Shorter shoved a marshmallow into his mouth.

Before anything else could happen he abruptly stopped mid-scroll. Ash’s grip on his phone became loose as his phone fell on the bed. The screen was still lit up as it showed the profile picture of this Eiji Okumura.

A young Japanese male with a hint of tan on his skin. Warm brown eyes that looked as innocent as a baby and fluffy black hair. Don’t get started with his smile, his smile was literally why the profile picture was so vibrant and amazing. An inviting smile that made Ash feel warm though a screen separated them.

Ash’s exact type.

“Oh my gosh,” Ash’s voice was barely a whisper as a small pink tint was plastered on his face.

“Woah, lowkey cute.” Yut-lung grabbed the phone and analyzed the profile picture.

Ash didn’t need to say anything, he knew that boy on his screen was cute.

Poking his side Shorter gave him his signature mischievous grin, “So… are you gonna follow back or.?”

Ash thought about it. I mean would he really be stupid enough to let the beautiful man on his screen go? Maybe. He wasn’t really desperate for anyone at the moment, but the fine shyt right in front of his eyes.

Staring at his phone like it was a bomb he needed to defuse in a few seconds his finger hovered over the “Follow Back” button. Haunting him for his pathetic uncertainty.

“Wait, what if it’s like a catfish?” Yut-lung stopped Ash right before he could press the button that seduced him.

“I mean look at the pictures, they look like they were professionally taken. Would people really do that?” Yut-lung explained.

“Yeah I know many people who did that, look at the bio it has ‘I heart photography’ right there,” Shorter dismissed Yut-lung.

Looking at the pinned picture closer. It was the same guy but this time he was flying in the sky with his hair flying in the wind. The picture was absolute art, breathtaking.

Pole vaulting? He’s never met anyone who plays that sport before. The curiosity he was fighting in his heart, and right now it was winning.

“What if it’s like a fan account? I mean the guy looks like a model.” Sing came from behind Ash and pointed at the picture.

“True,” Yut-lung hummed in agreement as he also plopped a marshmallow in his mouth.

“Maybe you should DM him,” Shorter suggests.

“Dude don’t be crazy.” Ash was literally about to push this guy off the bed.

“Okay then just follow him,” Shorter looked at Ash.

“Okay yeah just follow him back, it’s better than DMing him. Like what if he’s literally your soulmate?” Yut-lung chuckled.

“Or a creep,” Shorter chuckled as well.

“Oh my god what side are you guys on? Do I follow or do I message him?” Ash groaned at his unhelpful friends.

“Okay okay!! Just follow him back!” Yut-lung threw marshmallows at him.

“Okay okay..” Ash put the phone on the bed as his finger hovered over the follow button once again.

“Fuck, I’m fucking scared,” Ash mumbled under his breath too scared to press the blue follow button.

“God Ash, just go it!” Yut-lung’s patience was wearing thin with Ash’s uncertain decision. Yut-lung reaches out and grabs Ash’s trembling finger tightly; making sure he doesn’t escape.

Pressing Ash’s finger down on the “follow back button.” The button didn’t make a noise but Ash did. Nothing could’ve prepared everyone for the blood-curdling screech that escaped Ash’s mouth.

His legs quickly pushed him off the bed which led him to stand on top of the bed like a panicked cat surrounded by water. Ash grabbed his phone his widened eyes were now glued onto the screen.

Staring at the screen in pure horror as the familiar blue “follow back” button was now the terrifying “following” button.

There. It was done. No take-backs and no do-overs.

“No.. nonononono.. oh god I’m gonna puke,” Ash mumbled in defeat. “Noo noo!!! Oh, God!!” Ash’s voice climbed a pitch or two.

His brain is beginning to short-circuit. Without any rational thought in his now broken brain, he hurled his phone on the nearest wall as if it were a bomb that was going to go off in a few seconds.

“AHH!!” Clutching his head in a desperate attempt to disappear.

In his frantic panicked state, Ash lost his footing on Yut-lung’s mattress. With a short-lived yelp, Ash topped off the bed and landed on his ass with a thud. Now in the pose of a starfish.

For a moment everyone in the room was silent but it was short-lived as everyone let out a laugh that filled every corner.

“God, Ash,” Shorter laughed, “This is the most pathetic I’ve seen you.”

Ash groaned as he rubbed his back. His pride— and maybe tailbone as well—would never recover from this.

Chapter Text

“Mommy? Is our house going to be bigger than the one with Daddy?” Keiko smiled up at her mother. Hoping she’d get an answer back she held her older brother’s hand tightly.

“Not house, apartment.” Eiji’s mother muttered under her breath quietly, but it was loud enough for both of them to hear.

Eiji’s mother didn’t spare them a single glance as she just clutched the phone from the phone booth begging that the 30-year-old phone still works.

Seeing how stressed his mother was at the moment. The tension from her shoulders was a clear sign that his mother was close to a full breakdown. Her fingers drummed impatiently against the wall while muttering some Japanese keep calm quotes she’d often post along the walls of their old house.

Eiji’s mother had been restless all week; worrying about paperwork, her job, and the snobby landlord who threatened to sell the house to another client. Eiji could tell she needed space without his litter sister bombarding her with questions every five seconds.

“Come on, Keiko.” Eiji smiled fondly at his sister as he gave her hand a small and gentle squeeze. “Let’s go explore.”

Keiko hesitated for a small bit. Looking back at her stressed mother still at the phone booth now bitting her fingers out of anxiousness. Though before Keiko could go back to her mother, Eiji tugged her hand gently. “Mommy will be fine, we’ll be back sooner or later.”

Keiko nodded at Eiji happily, “Okay! Bye, mommy!!” Keiko waved at her mother and with a relief sigh from their mother, waved goodbye as well; trusting Eiji to take care of his little sister.

Wandering around the airport looking at the various shops around. The airport was silent except for the occasional sounds of announcements on the speakers and the sound of luggage rolling on the ground.

Both of their eyes darted to see the overpriced coffee shops as well as souvenir stores that were much more overpriced.

“Who was Mommy trying to call?” Keiko looked up at Eiji with her big brown innocent eyes while still holding onto his hand.

“Someone named Jessica,” Eiji replied while looking down at her with a gentle smile. “She said her family will help us move our stuff into our apartment.”

“Do you think she has little kids like me?” Keiko smiled happily; hopeful for a new friend in a new environment.

“Maybe,” Eiji replied while looking back around the airport.

Without making another response since something had caught his attention. Over to the corner of the airport stood the store with a red sign. His favorite store in the whole world: is Miniso. The moment Eiji had spotted the red signed store gleaming with all its might, Eiji’s eyes lit up. The store had seduced him.

His heart skipped a beat, he now knew what he needed to do with the 350 USD his mother had given him the night before their flight.

“Keiko, look!” Eiji smiled down at her as he pointed at the store.

Keiko’s eyes scanned the store happily. Letting out a small squeal of delight as she tugged on Eiji’s arm; dragging him to the store.

It was seriously no secret that they both loved Miniso with their whole being, to them Miniso was sacred. The white wooden shelves were filled with a variety of cute little trinkets that they absolutely did not need but trinkets that they absolutely wanted.

It wasn’t the cute stationery, the cute keychains, and not even the plushies they were obsessed with. Their true obsession lies within those absolutely overpriced blindboxes.

Keiko adored the Hello Kitty-themed blind boxes, her eyes widening with joy every time she saw a new blind box figure that wasn’t in her collection just yet. Though between you and me, we both know Eiji had loved them more. Sure, Eiji pretended he was more into the “masculine” figures like for example his growing Smiski collection as well as the anime figurines he had bought on an impulse after finishing the anime series, but if you observe him really closely you’d see him admiring the Hello-kitty blind box collection his sister had in their shared room in Japan.

After walking into the familiar store he grabbed a handheld cart, Eiji led Keiko down the aisle where they had stored the cute blind boxes on top of the white shelves.

Rows upon rows of colorful designed boxes with adorable characters imprinted onto them.

“Ei-Chan, can I have this? I don’t think I have this one yet.” Keiko reached for a blindbox which had my melody printed onto the box.

Eiji didn’t look nor pay attention to whatever she said as he just grabbed the box from her hands and placed it gently onto the handheld basket.

——

“I’m so sorry we’re late! Ibe and Max got lost on the way!” Jessica brought Eiji’s mom into a warm and tight embrace.

“It wasn't us, it was this little brat for not telling us where he was last night.” Max had elbowed the edgy blond teenager who stood right next to him.

“Don’t blame it on the kid, besides your fault too. You didn’t check if the truck was working beforehand.” Ibe sighed as tried to pry Max away from annoying the teenager even more.

“Okay enough with the blame game. They’re jet lagged the sooner we help them unpack the sooner they can explore the city!” Jessica scolded all three of them as Eiji’s mother stood behind her chuckling nervously.

“Oh, that reminds me, the other two went off to explore on their own,” Eiji’s mother clasped Jessica’s hands. “I should go look for them.”

Before Eiji’s mother could say anything more Jessica had cut her off, “No no! Sit down, there’s a cafe nearby. Let’s wait there while Ash looks for them, hm?”

“Me? Why me-“ Ash tried to protest before quickly being shot down by his adoptive mother’s glare.

“I don’t know what they look like,” Ash grumbled under his breath while fiddling with his phone; probably texting his friends.

“I have a picture,” Eiji’s mother smiled as she took out her small phone.

After looking for a picture of both Eiji and Keiko in the same frame Eiji’s mother faced the phone to him.

.

.

Ash was speechless, utterly stunned. There in the picture was the same beautiful, godlike, innocent-looking man he had seen the night before. Ash couldn’t say anything as he just analyzed the pictures, but knowing he couldn’t just thirst over the boy when his mom was literally in his face, he covered his shock.

Taking a quick picture of the phone for the reason of looking around the airport for them and nothing else. I mean it isn't like Ash to take a picture of the most beautiful man ever just to save it in his gallery for eternity and look at it every night hoping for nothing more than to be that guy’s “friend”. Totally not! He isn’t a weirdo pathetic little guy.. seriously.

With a small shrug on his shoulders, he puts his AirPods into both of his ears and silently walks away nonchalantly.

“I’ve heard Ash had many friends at school.. do you think he’d take Eiji as his friend.?” Eiji’s mother looked up at Jessica hopefully. “After that happened I’m scared it’ll happen again.”

Jessica smiled down at the worried mother, “Knowing Ash he’d never let that happen.”

Ash stood in the middle of the airport looking at the picture on his phone. It didn’t take him long to send the picture to the group chat and start going ballistic.

Ashypoo: holy shit my prayers have been answered?!?!?!

Ashypoo: Look at this beautiful man GUYS I KNEW HE WAS REAL.

Longer: Nonchalant ash doesn’t exist anymore 😭

Yue: seriously I get he’s cute but calm down??

Ashypoo: no like you don’t understand? he’s real.

Ashypoo: he’s in New York.

Ashypoo: HES GOING TO ATTEND OUR SCHOOL ON MONDAY

Ashypoo: ARE YOU GUYS READING CORRECT?? THIS IS INSANE.

Singer: our school?? Like the school with 300 fights a day?? The school that had 5 shooting threats in its first semester alone?? Our school???

Ashypoo: YEA ISN'T THIS INSANE??

Yue: how’d you even get that pic? Did you resort to stalking now? 🤔

Ashypoo: Okay so Jessica and Max have this friend named Ibe and Ibe is close to this woman. This woman is moving here to this hellhole for some unknown reason. This woman is a mother to two kids. One of her kids is this beautiful man Eiji.

Longer: Bro explained like we kids.

Ashypoo: you wouldn't have understood if I used whole sentences.

Longer: I hope you fumble his ass 🙏🙏

Ashypoo: I've never fumbled before.

Yue: okay then who’s Ivy Garcia?

Ashypoo: okay I fumbled once.

Longer: Samantha?

Ashypoo: twice.

Singer: Amelia?

Alex: Olivia?

Bones: Flynn?

Ashypoo: ok first of all I didn’t fumble Flynn, he wasn’t into guys. Second stfu this is assault.

Longer: enough joshing, 100-dollar question. Why are you like meeting up with this man??

Yue: Yeah you never really act upon guys you lust over online.

Ashypoo: I don’t lust over him. He’s cute to look at.

Ashypoo: besides I have to help him unpack, he just moved here remember? Our family is like tight.

Yue: Ouhh

Longer: no for you it’s oo oo ah ah

Yue:?

Longer: because you’re a monkey.

Ash put his phone away as he grumbled under his breath at how unhelpful his friends were.

To be honest he wished he was still at Yut-lung’s house right now like everybody else. The only reason why he was at the airport was because Max had threatened him by cutting off his data until Ash could pay for it himself. Of course, Ash could pay for it himself, he’s near his adult years.

But like everybody else at the age of 17, he just wants to have fun with his friends. Though that was his excuse for everything, deep down it was because he couldn’t be bothered. If he did have to get a job he’d apply to work at Chang Dai.

Pressing the play button on his Spotify playlist he walks around the airport looking for the black haired male and his little sister. Every now and then Ash’s eyes would drift back to look at the picture in his phone.

“Damn, why’d I follow him back?” Ash mumbled, “I’m not desperate the fuck..”

Ash’s head was a mess, he was arguing with himself at the moment. The thought of going up to Eiji and having a conversation with him was insane. What was he even going to say to Eiji?

“I don’t care the fuck?” Ash scoffed.

He didn’t care about Eiji, of course. This was totally casual. Just helping Jessica and Max out. Nothing else, I mean it’s not like Eiji will stick around him. With how Eiji looks it’s clear he’d have a bunch of friends and maybe even fan girls if he starts playing sports.

Letting out a sigh of agitation from the battle that happened in his head, Ash stopped for a moment to look over at the airport map which was posted on the wall. Scanning at possible areas where the siblings could be, his eyes caught the bolder letters which said “Tourist attractions” Having a hint at where the siblings could be, he moved at a slow pace to go to the tourist attractions area.

He wasn’t walking slowly because he wanted to, he needed to. No way is Ash in the right mind to have a full-blown conversation with an absolute angle right now. He fumbled his words and wished he was deceased.

Following the directions on the map, he took another turn and there they were. Inside the well-lit store was Eiji wearing a red hoodie with a small bird print on it. His hair was sticking out in odd places but it suited him well, especially with the glasses he was wearing at the moment. The unfamiliar glasses Ash never saw on his Instagram profile, didn’t matter because they suited him. Oh, and Keiko too of course.

The sight of this beautiful man caused him to stay in place, a small ‘damn’ escaping his mouth. The word slipped out of his mouth without him even realizing it. Leaning closer to find a better view of Eiji, his palms pressed against the store’s glass wall. Anyone who passed by him thought he was a creep staring into the store like that, but Ash didn’t care at the moment. He was dead set on Eiji’s lethal face card.

After a long while Ash finally got back to his senses. The embarrassment finally caught onto him as he hurriedly did a jog of shame into the store.

Every time he took a step closer to Eiji he could feel his feet begin to wobble, his heart beating so fast. It’s not like he was going to tell this man he was the love of his life, all he had to say was that his mom was looking for him.

He gently tapped the boy on his shoulder. Slowly turning towards Ash he took a step back from shock.

Holy shit did this American hunt him down after he sent that following request on Instagram? Was he stalking him? What did he get himself into?

Eiji’s guard shot up and his first instinct was to protect his little sister. Gently shoving her behind him as he starts to get defensive.

“Hello?” Eiji stared Ash down with a scowl.

Ash being caught off guard, took a small step back.

“Oh, Jessica called me to get you guys. We need to start helping you unpack.” Ash mumbled softly avoiding Eiji’s gaze as his cheeks were slightly tinted pink, either from embarrassment or something else.

Realizing what Eiji just did he quickly lowered his guard.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!!” Eiji quickly bowed 5 times per second which left Ash to chuckle to himself.

Chapter Text

After walking out of the airport and into Max’s very big van, they agreed on a seating plan. Max would be in the driver's seat, and Ibe would be in the passenger seat. Eiji’s mother and Jessica would be in the middle row sleeping, and all three kids would be in the last row. Eiji on the left, Ash on the right, and Keiko in the middle.

Max had warned everyone that the traffic would be terrible at this time of night, especially during a busy Saturday night. Their estimated time of arrival would be around 3 hours, unfortunately.

Only 30 minutes had passed since they got on the road and the traffic didn't ease one bit. Keiko had given up and had started to doze off with her head on Eiji’s lap.

Eiji on the other hand was having a hard time staying awake. He hadn’t slept a wink since the airplane ride since all he did was silently panic after accidentally following Ash’s account.

During the plane ride, he had come up with every possible excuse and every possible interaction with Ash when he got to school. Unexpectedly they had met up so much earlier than to both or their liking.

Eiji had recognized Ash immediately, it did not even take him a second. His messy blond hair, the several piercings on his ears, those beautiful green eyes, and that smirk on his face while reading Instagram comments screamed trouble.

Everything about Ash screams gangster! His voice, the way he dressed, and the way he was sitting right now!! (He is overreacting)

Not that Eiji was scared or anything. Back in Japan Eiji was considered ねこをかぶる. Which was the Japanese version of saying a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Eiji had such a cute face that no one would ever suspect him of doing some not very school-friendly things, but that’s a story for another time.

Jessica was mentioned by his mother many times especially how she and her family would help them move into their new apartment.

From the multiple stories about Jessica from his mom and Ibe-San he would not expect that Ash would come out of Jessica. Maybe he had Max’s genes, or maybe he was even adopted.

Eiji sat as still as he could, trying very hard to not wake up his little sister who was sleeping on his lap. His hand absentmindedly brushed through the little girl’s hair as he was about to doze off himself.

Ash stayed silently on his side of the seat, doom-scrolling on Instagram and quietly chuckling evilly at some of the comments.

Though sometimes he would take a small peak at where Eiji was trying hard not to doze off. Ash had to restrain himself to not taking pictures of the beautiful male who was now asleep next to him.

Ashypoo: god he's so fine.

Yue: dude shut the fuck up

Longer: srsly no one wants to hear you pathetically gushing over a man.

Ashypoo: jeez what’s got your panties up in a bunch???

Singer: you. For the past 30 minutes, you had been giggling and kicking your feet like a girl.

Ashypoo: like hell, I would

Shorter: You’re probably sighing all dreamily like you’re the main character from a 2016 romance movie.

Yue: watch he's gonna write Eiji’s last name with his.

Ashypoo: good idea.

Ashypoo: Eiji Callenreese or Eiji Lobo?

Singer: I hate it here

Alex: same

Longer: You srsly haven’t even talked to him 😭

Ashypoo: me when I’m dumb

Ashypoo: love at first sight hello??

Yue: like that even exists

Ashypoo: you wouldn't understand because you’re heartless and were made in the fiery pits of the underworld.

Yue: you haven't even known him for 2 hours.

Ashypoo: an hour is all I need

Singer: I hope Eiji sees these one day and runs away from you 🙏🙏

Ashypoo: I’d kms

Yue: we can only hope

longer: CLOCKKEDDD

singer: one point for yut-lung

——

They had gotten him at around 2 in the morning. Luckily all of them had slept through the whole ride, except for Max. They decided that they had plenty of energy to start unpacking now. Though the second they set up the couch Max had quickly fallen asleep.

Ibe was unpacking the bathroom. Jessica was unpacking the living room. Eiji’s mother was packing the kitchen.

With the adults preoccupied with unpacking a designated area the kids’ only job was to unpack their own rooms.

Eiji looked at the size of his room, it was a lot bigger than the one in Japan; he was very thankful for that. Not only was the room a whole lot bigger, but he didn’t have to share a room with Keiko anymore!!

Staring at the mountains upon mountains of unpacked boxes he let out a small sigh and started with the biggest box. Though within a few minutes later his bedroom door swung open.

Having no time to turn around as Jessica had just shoved Ash into the room scolding Ash to be more useful and help out. Before Ash could complain Jessica had already slammed the door shut.

Eiji was already annoyed the second Ash’s presence stepped foot into his new room. He didn’t particularly like people entering his personal space, especially someone like Ash.

I mean he had nothing against Ash, just after moving he wanted to be someone new. Being associated with “gangsters” would just bring him back to square one; erasing every bit of his change.

But Eiji did like how Ash looked; hella fine. Maybe Eiji has a type.

Chapter Text

It was 2 in the morning. Eiji was sprawled out on his bed looking at the ceiling at 2 in the morning.

Spending his whole Sunday studying on how to speak English properly. That and he was practicing a smile and his whole introduction the whole day.

He thought he was ready to go to school in just a few hours, but he wasn’t ready at all. He had to start getting ready in only 4 hours.

“くそ” Eiji cursed under his breath.

Being defeated by the change in timezones he sat up straight. Rubbing his hands on his face in a stressed manner.

After a few seconds his eyes landed on the built in closet in his room. Debating whether he should take it out or not. Anxiously biting his fingernails he stood up and walked towards the closet.

Slowly opening the closet door he searched around to look for the tiny box he shoved in there when Ash was helping him unpack.

Pushing aside some tshirt he had bought in Japan he found a small white plastic container that was sitting on the floor.

Quickly grabbing the box and going back to his bed. Opening the plastic cover revealed a lighter and 2 packs of cigarettes.

It was a surprise to him that the airport security had not uncovered the contraband that he had shoved into one of his moving box. Either way he was glad they didn’t find it since he really needed one right now.

Grabbing a cigarette from an already opened pack, he debated once again. Should he relapse now he would feel a lot guiltier in just a few hours.

He tried to put it away but the anxiousness and stress in his stomach was holding him back from getting better. He never wanted to be the kid who grew with a bad habit, but bad habits die hard.

Lighting up the cigarette that was in between his fingers, the smoke was now already floating lazily within the space of his bedroom. The fog and the smell contaminated the small space within just a few seconds.

For the rest of his hours he sat in a room with the intoxicating smell of smoke. He didn’t even realize in just an hour he had already finished his 5th cigarette.

Looking around his room as the smoke from the cigarettes casted a grey fog in his already dark room. Slowly standing up and pushing the fog away with a small waving motion of his hands as he walked towards the window.

He quickly opened the window, releasing the fog that haunted his room and as well as a big and long sigh from his chest.

Looking outside the window hoping to see a great veiw of the city only to be hit by another apartment complex. In front of his was another window just a few feet away.

Safe to say Eiji was too nervous to the point he didn’t care about going to sleep that night. Though he did get around 1 hour of sleep.

The second he woke up from his bed there was a horrid banging in his head like his thoughts was trying to escape his brain physically.

Trudging to his bathroom to get ready and at least try to look like he had a proper amount of sleep that night.

Bavk in Japan Eiji never really cared about what he wore, not that he needed to anyways since his school had strict rules on the uniforms.

But this is different. This new American school didnt require uniforms. Standing over the built in closed with only a towel around his waist, he looked over every since shirt he had.

He couldn’t just go to school with a random tshirt and some worn down vintage jeans. That won’t do.

——

“Okay everyone! Before class starts, I’d like to introduce you a new addition to our class!” The overly optimistic teacher motioned Eiji, who was right next to her, to introduce himself.

He looked through the class and noticed a familiar blond, fuck. So much for trying not to be near delinquents.

Eiji stood in front of the class. He wore black slacks with a white button up tshirt, and over the tshirt was a white sweater knit vest with dark blue accents. He wore his glasses, because of the headache, he couldn’t be bothered to put on some contacts.

“I’m Eiji Okumura. I came from Japan.” Eiji couldnt be bothered with trying to act nice now.

The teacher nodded in acknowledgment and then pointed at an empty seat right in front of Ash.

Thankfully Ash did not try talking to him since his friend with a purple Mohawk was keeping him from talking to Eiji.

Shorter knew how much Ash wanted to talk to Eiji, but for the sake of Ash’s peace Shorter couldn’t let him embarrass himself from talking to Eiji. Not now, not when everyone seemed so intrigued with the cute Japanese boy.

Gosh this day was an absolute nightmare for Eiji, not only did he not have any energy to do his full introduction, he also did not have the energy to talk to all of these people bombarding him with questions.

“Is Japan beautiful?”
“Yea.”

“Are you fluet in Japanese?”
“Yes.”

“Can you say something in Japanese right now?”
“放っておいてくれ、醜い雌犬”

“Oh! What’d you say?”
“I love America”

“That sounds off because I watch anime and-“
“That’s how we say it in Izumo”

Eiji does not want to have the same conversation over and over again. It’s already 3rd period and this is the 3rd time he said all these dialogues.

Eiji’s third period was Art and unfortunately the kids taking this class were people who were heavy Japanese enthusiasts who thinks they know everything with just watching a few animes.

Not that Eiji didnt like his country, he just thought it was annoying. Just because Eiji was Japanese it’s like hes a whole different breed— which he thought was pretty racist. He couldn’t even do anything about it since they meant no harm.

“Oh my gosh, a Japanese! Now imagine a whole country of them, you might lose your cool,” Yut-lung who was sitting behind them let out a sarcastic remark which Eiji thought was hilarious.

“You’re just mad because no one thinks you’re cool,” their classmate grumbled

“Woah careful dude, your ignorance his showing,” Yut-lung let out a mocking chuckle.

Now that the weird classmates finally stopped bombarding Eiji with questions and left him alone, Eiji turned his seat towards Yut-lung.

“You have a way with words, you didn’t have to say anything. But seriously, thank you.” Eiji let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s whatever, at least they were treating you better. When I first met them they asked me if I knew kung fu, or if I ate dogs, and even if my family ran a grocery store.” He scoffs

“That’s awful.”

“It is, it’s hella embarrassing for them to not know how racist they’re being.” Yut-lung chuckled.

Though the whole class had assignments to do, no one really did them. They were too focused on talking with their friends— like Eiji and Yut-lung.There were already times where the teacher had told both of them to be quiet and do their work.

Yut-lung may not seem like it, but he was surprisingly easy and fun to talk to. Though that’s because both of them had already spent half of the class time gossiping.

“How long do you think it’ll realize no one gives a fuck?” Yut-lung chuckled at the guy who was trying to explain ‘true art’

“You just call that guy an it?” Eiji chuckled.

“Yea, it doesn’t look human and it doesn’t smell like one either,” at this point both of them let out a loud laugh.

“You’re awful,” Eiji let out another small chuckle.

“Thanks.”