[Fic] - The Hard Way - chapter 8 part 2
Chapter 8 part 2
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Yamato stared at Ren who was walking in front of him, his eyes dropping to Ren’s well shaped hips and then back up to the boy’s silken neck where the strands of hair was blown by the wind. The day had almost reached an end and the sun lights were disappearing. They had waited until the senior Odagiri get back home so they could all talk with him. Yamato was composed as most of the time; Odagiri-Senpai looked similar with a slight edginess. Hayato-nii was clanging his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white and Ren seemed awfully relaxed but Yamato knew better how tensed he really was; the scary smile he wore gave him away.
Yamato wondered for a second who it would be to reach the limit and land the first punch. It was like walking with a couple of ready to explode bombs. Yamato shuddered. If only they had a grown up with them but they were alone and had to go through this themselves.
He focused on the people around him to avoid building up tension. Hayato-nii was gazing at Odagiri intently almost on the verge of grabbing his hand to sooth him but he didn’t, he couldn’t. Not when Ren who was oblivious to the heavy intensity between the two boys, was standing so close. He felt sorry for the oldest of them all; he was sharing his sympathy; how badly he wanted to just corner Ren and bite his smooth neck marking him his after snatching him away from Odagiri.
In less than five minutes they reached the lion’s den where they were greeted by a man who was busy installing a new security system. Yamato heard Odagiri gulp and walked pass by the man and into the house. He hesitated before finally ringing the bell. Mrs. Odagiri answered the door and her eyes widened at the sight of his son, his boyfriend, his best friend and a stranger. Her gazed lingered on Yamato and decided to let go apparently as she made way to them.
The four boys found the head of the household in the living room. The middle aged man raised an eyebrow and turned off the television. Ryu wanted hide behind someone... his father got up... anyone. “Sit down” he barked at them. Ryu didn't move and felt a hand on his lower back gently rubbing his back as if to encourage him in speaking up.
“Father, I came to talk.”
“I see. If we are to talk then why are they here? He -pointing at Hayato- of all people.”
Because I am scared shitless?
“Dad, I... I want to...”
“No, you got into a fight with your employee, you were hospitalized and you caused unnecessary ruckus. Not only that but you also ran away from your house. You don’t get to want anything.” Ryu was about to back away when the hand scratched his back and kept him in place.
“Odagiri-san, please listen to what he has to say first” said Ren trying to surpass his raising anger.
“Father, please”
“Go on then” He gestured for him hurry up.
“I know you want to expel my friends but please forgive them.” Ryu bowed down and Yamato was taken aback with hearing the request. He was certain Odagiri was going to ask forgiveness for himself.
“I have already decided. They have committed crimes and will be punished accordingly.”
“But Dad, they did it for my sake.”
“Do not argue with me. My word is final.” Ryu was longing for the support that the hand has given. His head was low and he felt helpless similar to when he was locked up in his room.
“If you want to punish us, do so. I am not going to deny nor let my friends take all the blame.” Hayato moved forward “But please, do not take it out on Ryu or these two here. I will be glad to accept punishment in their name.”
“Hayato-nii, you have done nothing wrong.” yelled Yamato. Senior Odagiri noticed his existence as he diverted his attention to the younger boy. “And you are?”
“Ogata Yamato”
“Ogata-sensei’s son is it?”
“Ye-yes” The man didn't press on to the subject further more.
“You” he said instead meaning Hayato “You and your gang are responsible for this. How are going to compensate?”
“Dad, no!” Ryu jumped forward “I will not go to school and I’ll do whatever you say so forgive him, forgive them. Please.” He bowed down once again. Senior Odagiri was not convinced and he furrowed his eyebrows, evaluating.
“Alright” he said “You’ll do as I say and for you not to fail, I’ll plan your future perfectly. First thing is that you are not to see them again.”
“I understand” Ryu whispered defeated.
“But I don’t.” It was Ren “I don’t understand how you could so blindly ignore Ryu’s wishes. Can you not even see what he really wants?”
“Calm down, Ren” Yamato said reaching out for him but stopped mid-way.
“I won’t accept this. Ryu tell him! Make him listen! Or are you ok with being separated from us?”
“I...” The light brunette fidgeted where he was standing and felt his father’s curious gaze on him. It was the moment he thought, either he expressed himself or was never going to be with his friends. His knees gave up on him, buckling and falling on the cold surface. Tears were welling up with the force of need in courage to speak up. “I want to be by their side. I want to go back to school.” He blurted out.
“To spent time, to goof around and to graduate with them. I never thought much of school or anything before but after having to leave them once, I learned how important they have always been to me. At those times when I was at the bar or in my room, all I could think of was them; or the graffiti on our classroom wall, or my classmates and that I don’t want to lose them. It won’t last long until the graduation but if I have a chance to spend time with them, I wish to do so.”
“And we want him by our side.” Hayato added before falling down on his knees too and bowing down.
“Yeah” agreed Ren and together with Yamato they followed Hayato’s pursuit even when Yamato wasn’t sure why he was doing it. But seeing Ren’s determined face, his will to protect someone precious to him has made Yamato to help him even if it meant to bring Odagiri together with Ren.
“We all care about him, Odagiri-san. Can you not see how great those two are? They will take in everything you throw at them just to make Ryu happy. And against all the odds and danger Hayato-nii still came in here, not leaving Ryu. They wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to help him if it wasn’t true. But you already know this, don’t you?” Ren send an appreciating smile at Yamato because of his support.
Senior Odagiri was in obvious dilemma. He was surprised to see Yamato there, let alone witnessing him defending his son so eagerly. Yes, he was aware of Ryu’s misery; the boy had made the change in his character quiet distinguishable when he dropped school temporarily. It wasn’t easy to deal with a problematic youth after fighting with his precious friends. And he believed Ryu meeting with Kazama might have improved his spirits and it did so but up to a certain level. Ryu was still missing a certain something in his life or rather- a certain someone. Older Odagiri didn't want to admit it but it may as well be this; Ryu going back to where he belonged -as much as his home- and back to his best friend.
He sighed deeply, a frightening image crossing his mind; he saw his only son with that certain someone. He took a breath in and hoped that his son would not sway to his imagined way if he let him be and he nodded.
He never guessed his son would be grinning so happily at the small gesture. He watched as the Yabuki kid and Kazama held Ryu sharing his joy. He let a small smile going unnoticed by the boys- save for Ogata- and sat onto his seat.
“But,” he started causing the boys to freeze “you are turning in early today and promise me you will not run away again.”
“Yes, father” Ryu answered enthusiastic “I promise.”
Saying goodbye to the Odagiri family, Ren, Hayato and Yamato left Ryu to rest.
“This solves one problem.” said Hayato as his words were drown in his yawning.
“Yeah, it does.” Suddenly, with realizing what the other problem is and that it involved the two of the boys, Ren hastily mumbled something about being tired and wanting to sleep. He was gone in the next corner.
Hayato groaned “How the hell am I gonna get Ryu back?”
“You never had him, idiot-nii.”
“If you say that, then you are the real idiot, Yamato-brat.” Countered Hayato smirking.
“What?”
“I’ve never lost him; only confused him at times. The trouble is to clear that confusion once and for all. Isn’t it similar to you and Kazama?”
“Whaa? No, nooo. We are nothing like that. Not anymore.”
“You can’t hide it from me, brat. So come clean and I might help you out.” Hayato patted Yamato’s head assuring him.
“You can’t even forma a simple plan, nii-san. I don’t want Ren to hate me you know.”
“Don’t worry about the details. We’ll get them, trust me.”
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P.S: I am really sorry the way to late update. My uni has started and I’d to choose between sleep and writing many times, ending up asleep even if I tried to write. ^^
This chapter concluded one problem and there is more to come. For some reason when I rewatched the episode I felt Ren was the one who carried Yankumi’s role in his own way and Yamato ended up with the Granpa’s side of the talk. I took a part of their talk as it was because Ryu’s father’s character is a bit beyond me; hope it wasn’t too bad of an adaptation on that part.
Thnx all of you for being patient with me and for lovely comments so far. I will update as soon as possible -next time I manage to stay awake-.
Chapter 9;
http://shiroakuma.livejournal.com/4830.html