Work Text:
It was a normal day in Kunugigaoka High school.
Until it wasn't.
Asano's eyes flickered towards the redhead sitting next to him (the teacher wanted everyone to sit roll number wise or whatever) who somehow managed to get a his favorite milkshake from the vending machine down the hallway. The strawberry blond didn't ponder much upon how the other was able to get the drink if he didn't even get up from the seat since the past 2 hours. This was a common occurrence, no one was surprised about this fact.
What wasn't normal was the way whenever the sharp golden eyes, which usually glint with danger every two seconds, were examining the Japanese question when the line of sight was obstructed due to the front bangs or how a small huff of air was blown upwards to get it out of the face or the way the other's left hand absent-mindedly played with the pen.
What was unusual was the way Asano Gakushuu now noticed every little thing Akabane Karma did.
The way the sunlight from the window falls at the perfect angle to give Karma's hair a soft reddish orange glow; the way his eyes seem a little less bright than usual as he studies the subject he is weak at; the way he sometimes hums a tune unconsciously when solving math problems; The way his face slightly twitches whenever he is arguing over something ridiculous with the him.
The bewitching manner of how soft his lips look around the straw he's slurping at even if the juice inside is finished.
This must be a curse - Asano thought as he lowered his eyes to not be caught by the other student who seemed obvious to his blatant staring. Asano never acquired such a sickness before but he was sure this had was some serious disease. He was now hyper aware of every move Karma did which he never did before. Or at least 5 months before - Before their cruise trip in May.
Did the sickness of disembarkment feel this way? He wasn't sure.
The chatter of everyone around him was calming in a way Asano didn't expect it to be. He assumed the trip would be draining and while it does feel tiring, it also borderlines on enjoyable. The food was good, everyone were adhering to the instructions given to them, the teachers were relaxing in their respective rooms with the cruise staff watching over the children. All in all, it was alright.
In hindsight, what did he expect? This was planned by the former principal ages ago and the new one didn't bother to change anything in it.
He quickly threw away any thoughts regarding his sperm-donor into the ocean. He didn't want his time here to be plagued by the him anyways. The book in his hand was more tempting than the previous option. Attention back to his beloved book, he slightly shifted in his chair and went back to reading. Luckily everyone was too busy to disturb him and why shouldn't he grab the opportunity of continuing where he left off? It would be good to bask in this (loud) peace before it was interrupted by a certa-
A loud cry caught him off guard as he watched Koyama get hit by a ball. It would have been okay if he wasn't standing next to the railings. Panic broke through the students and before Asano could even catch his breath to quickly handle the chaos, a dash of red passed him and jumped directly into the water. This caused more shouting and whatnot but the strawberry blond froze when he realized who exactly went to leapt into the sea.
He was startled when someone pushed past him to look down and he remembered just what was going on.
The next few minutes passed in a blur. He had ordered a few students to quickly inform the one piloting to pause for a while as a few staff helped to locate the 2 students down there while Tomoya went to call the teachers as he sent Ren & Teppei to get the towels. Asano quickly went to the students crowding the railings and got them to back off as more staff arrived. In a span of 7 minutes and 38 seconds, Koyama & Akabane were out of the ocean which was so, so deep.
Asano started explaining what exactly had happened when the teachers appeared at the scene but his eyes were not on them. He peered straight past Koyama as he almost sobbed onto the staff who were drying him while twitching all over, muttering something about how cold the water was. His eyes flitted over Ren & Teppei as they were calming the students who were almost, or full on, were crying.
He stared directly at the redhead who without caring for his life jumped to save the life that was in danger. Akabane was sticking his tongue out to the few staff who were scolding him for jumping into the water even if he had rescued Koyama.
"Please," he could hear the slight tint of mischief in his voice as he continued, "Bad teethes would have died if I didn't jump, he doesn't know how to swim."
Asano didn't even want to know how Akabane knew that Koyama was a bad swimmer. Nonetheless, he found huge joy in the way the redhead's whole face frowned when Koyama tried to hug him for saving his life. Makes sense, he thought dryly, he couldn't imagine Karma getting a hug from the other either.
Ever since that dreadful day, he could feel himself paying more attention to Karma than he wanted too. Heck, he even started referring to the devil spawn by his name in his mind for a long while now. Though, the student thought with a bit of hesitation, was this truly a bad thing?
Just then, Karma threw the juice box into his bag as he quickly started jotting down some point he understood in his notebook. His eyes glazing over the words as he stuck his tongue out in an unconscious manner to lick away any remaining drops of drink. Then, he suddenly smiled like he just solved the equation to how this universe was created and now had a self-satisfied expression on his face.
Asano felt his throat dry as he quickly diverted his eyes back to his book. He cursed in his mind in every language he knew. Yes, this is the worst thing that ever happened to me after having Gakuhou as my 'father'. Perhaps if he went to a doctor he can cure this? God, is he really that much in denial? But he seriously can't believe that he, Asano Gakushuu, has developed a crush and that als-
"Do you hate ethics that much or are you still brooding over the last exam results, Number two?"
Speak of the devil and the devil appears. The strawberry blond looked over at his deskmate only to find him staring amusedly in his direction. Fuck you, he wanted to say, Why the fuck did your parents think it was a good idea to reproduce? Instead, he just narrowed his eyes and spoke while trying to keep all the frustration he felt at bay.
"For your information, Akabane, we both tied for the first place. That title is no longer valid."
The redhead just chuckled as he looked the other boy in the eyes with a smirk. This shouldn't be half as hot as it seems, the latter thought much to his dismay. Karma hummed as he stared at Asano, as if trying to read his mind. Then, he said in a playful way,
"Please, my name was written before yours. That is a good 2nd place for you from me, One mark less-kun."
Asano took a deep breath in before he opted to ignore that comment.
"How did you get that juice box anyways? You haven't gotten up since first period."
The other raised his eyebrow in a teasing way that had the strawberry blond wanting to take away that confident stance of his. How would he look wiped off that smirk which was ever present in his face? How would he look if-
A loud slam of a book closing echoed in the room as almost everyone turned to look at the duo sitting in the first bench with curiosity & apprehension. Only a handful of students were present and almost all of them rushed out of the room for the remaining of the break than to be in a room with the other two.
The strawberry blond opened his eyes as he stared at the book he had shut in a very, incredibly, loud manner. He didn't have to look up to see Karma staring at him curiously or tauntingly at catching him off guard by doing absolutely everything without moving a muscle.
"Gee, second place," He could hear the purr in the other's voice, "I never knew you paid so much attention to lil' old me."
He doesn't know if the redhead is ignoring his action purposefully or what but he is glad to not get a comment on it even if the golden eyes staring at him speak volumes of the other's amusement. Glad to know someone's having fun. He sighed as he started gathering his books for the next class since there was only 13 minutes left. He could feel the exhaustion he gained from speaking with his deskmate pile up in a way not even his academic reports do on his desk.
Bright laughter filled the room as he grumbled something about "Delinquent," under his breath. His eyes rose from there place on his bag and caught the other's which was full or mirth. Then he was graced with a teasing smile as the other responded to his question which he thought he'll never get the answer of.
"Brought it in the morning before classes. Did you know we have a vending machine near the bathroom as well? They installed it yesterday, junior."
Making a quick note of checking the place to verify if it was true, Asano glared up at the other boy as he spoke in a low tone to convey danger.
"I was born not even a week after you. Stop with these childish nicknames, Karma."
He realized his mistake a bit too late as Karma's eyebrows went up and he stared at Asano in surprise. Then just as quickly a smile graced his lips as he leaned closer and said in a curious tone.
"I don't recall giving you permission to call me by my first name, Asano."
Fucking hell, the latter thought while internally groaning, I should have seen the signs today. A black cat crossing your path actually seems to be bad luck. He wryly answered the statement posed as a question.
"This doesn't hold a candle to your nicknames for me, Akabane."
He watched as the other let out a curious sound as he leaned back on his chair. Perhaps he crossed a line he shouldn't have, so he just sighed as he made sure to keep his voice leveled.
"If it troubles you too much, I won't. Unlike a certain someone I'd rather not call names individuals prefer not to use."
In response to his statement Karma just looked up at him and gave him a small smile that, secretly because he wouldn't let anyone know yet, took away the air in his lungs. Karma always smiled with teeth, it was rare to see him do so without it.
"Nah, I'd prefer you call me that. Only my enemies should fear me enough to not even dare think of my given name."
He just nodded, even if he was flabbergasted at the permission. Slowly, he looked away as he opened his book for the next class. After 3 minutes he heard a whine and turned right when he felt a body being draped over his left side.
"Number twooooo, Give me permission to call you by your forename too!"
He couldn't help the chuckle that left his throat as he raised an eyebrow at the childish behavior.
"I didn't know this was an exchange contract."
Another grouse was heard regarding his statement before he sighed and just resigned to his fate. He should have seen this coming.
"When did you even care about permission? Doesn't one of your nicknames for me include 'Shuu-chan' or something no matter how many times I threatened you to drop it?"
"But!" Wasn't that a loud exclamation, thank god only 5 students were barely here, "Consent, Shuu-chan! Consent!"
This would have sounded so wrong if Asano didn't think he would burst out laughing if Karma continued it any longer.
"Alright," He was sure his tone conveyed his unwillingness, "You can call me Gakushuu."
And suddenly he felt like he was staring directly at the sun. Karma's eyes brightened in a way Gakushuu hadn't seen before and his smile grew but didn't look like his usual devil grin he wore. Then, a chatter of students was heard as they all hurried into the classroom, saying the teacher was here. The strawberry blond looked away from his sun as he focused on the person who entered and tried his best to get his thoughts arranged.
It was no longer a normal day.