Work Text:
Asano Gakushuu and Akabane Karma.
Two rivals competing for the top spot in test scores, as well as a handful of other things.
At least, that’s what it used to be.
“A game of cat and mouse,” as Korosensei once called it.
But Korosensei is no longer here, and two years - two high school years - have passed.
Two years is plenty enough for several things to change. After all, all their study sessions, ‘meaningless’ competitions, and mutual friendship didn’t come from nothing.
And so, underneath all the tension and manic laughter (courtesy of Karma), meaning is the one thing this ‘petty rivalry’ ensures.
“Shuu-chan~” Karma almost coos, leaning over Gakushuu’s shoulder as the bell rings in the background. “What’cha doing?”
If he was Asano Gakushuu from a few years ago, a vein would’ve popped out of his head and he would’ve thrown something - most likely his hands - at Akabane. But this very much present and tired Gakushuu only sighs. “Going home,” he half yawns, half mumbles, slinging his bag over his shoulder. He looks over at Karma, eyes asking: Are you coming or not?
As expected, Karma follows the strawberry blond out the door, matching his pace. “To study right?” The red head barks out a laugh. “Typical Shuu, still studying even after finals.”
“Who said I was going to study?” Gakushuu retorts. (Karma smirks. They both know there was no bite in that.) So he lets it go. He learned a while ago that fighting back would only make Akabane more annoying.
Click! Clack!
The sound of their shoes hitting the hard concrete becomes a rhythmic, steady pattern.
Gakushuu isn’t sure when it happened, but some point in their first high school year, they developed a routine: they bicker at school, the dismissal bell rings, and Karma follows Gakushuu home, most likely to study until the moon comes up, then leave like he was never there.
“To think it’s already been two years..” Gakushuu hears Karma mutter halfway home. He glances over, taking in the redhead’s unusually bittersweet expression.
He looks.. vulnerable.
For a reason he can’t quite explain, Gakushuu’s heart feels like it's been crushed into a million pieces.
“Wait here,” he says to Akabane the moment a convenience store comes into sight. Gakushuu doesn’t actually care if he stays there or not; he just hopes that no fires are lit in the time he looks away.
Gakushuu scours the drink section in search of the redhead’s favorite. His eyes flick unsuccessfully from package to package until he finally catches a glimpse of soft pink.
Aha.
“Just this please,” he says to the cashier, handing over a pack of strawberry milk.
He quickly pays for the sweet drink, sprinting out of the convenience store and frantically scanning his surroundings for Karma.
And there he is, the delinquent Akabane Karma looking quite cute un-delinquent-like leaning against a blooming sakura tree, its flowers landing on his head as he scrolls on his phone.
Gakushuu dashes towards the redhead and pushes the pack into his chest, only turning his face away when Akabane’s face lights up.
“Ah,” Karma breathes, looking down at the gift. “Thanks, Shuu-chan. Actually.”
Gakushuu only grunts, turning his eyes toward the road. He feels his cheeks turn an unsightly shade of red, but one glance at Karma’s crooked little smile as he sips the drink makes it worth it.
Wait a damn second.
Gakushuu walks a tad faster, eyes tracing the cracks in the sidewalk. If Karma notices, he doesn’t say anything, letting the thoughtful quietness stay.
When did I start thinking stupid, sappy things like that?
His house comes into view faster than he’d like, but he opens the door anyway, letting Karma in first.
The redhead goes up to Gakushuu’s room, turning all the right corners. (Later, Karma tells him that he’s been here often enough to be able to find it with his eyes closed.) Gakushuu himself follows in close pursuit, eyes trained on the floor.
With a squeak, Akabane opens the door, and promptly plops onto Gakushuu’s bean bag.
It’s almost like..
“To think it’s already been two years..”
Two years of bickering. Two years of spending every summer day together. Two years of competing so closely he begins to doubt-
“-shuu? Earth to Gakushuu?”
The strawberry blond shakes his head, train of thought broken. “What.”
Karma raises an eyebrow at him. “You’ve been standing at the door for three minutes now.”
Ah.
He quietly closes the door behind him, setting his bag down and sitting at his desk like nothing happened.
Silence replaces what’s supposed to be the flipping of pages. Strangely enough, Gakushuu genuinely can’t think of anything to study.
Guess our study sessions really did pay off.
And apparently, Karma thinks so too, as his eyes droop to a close, his soft breathing filling the room.
Gakushuu pulls out a sketchbook - a hobby that resulted from one of their competitions (that he won, obviously).
He flips through its pages, taking in each painting of red hair and orange eyes.
Smiling to himself, he adds another in the blank space: Karma sleeping soundly on his bean bag, head sprinkled with sakura petals that he didn’t bother removing. Gakushuu draws a thought bubble while he’s at it, filling Karma’s dreams with strawberry milk.
Satisfied, he closes the sketchbook, propping his head on his hand.
He chuckles to himself, looking out the window. Wow. I’ve really changed, haven’t I?
If you told Asano Gakushuu two years ago that he would be peacefully coexisting with Akabane Karma, he would’ve laughed in your face, then proceed to list all the unattractive qualities of him.
But now..
Now he feels himself sitting up straighter when Karma enters the room. Now he can count the splatter of stars on his face. Now he can look into Karma’s eyes and point out the flecks of yellow in his irises. Now..
I think I know why.
He’s known for a long time now.
Gakushuu feels his eyes soften, lips quirking up into a smile.
“I love you, Akabane Karma.”
A whisper and a confession, now manifested into words.
And apparently, Akabane isn’t as asleep as he appears to be, as his ears turn as red as his hair, and he turns onto his side, hiding his expression from Gakushuu.
This time, knowing he’s awake, the strawberry blond repeats louder with a smirk: “I love you, Karma.”
Akabane murmurs something into his arm, curling up into a ball.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” Gakushuu gets up, walking over to the bean bag. He puts his head near Karma’s face. “I’m not sure I heard you correctly.”
A pause. Karma finally turns to look at him. Gakushuu’s breath hitches in his throat.
His eyes..
To anyone else, his eyes would be a plain and emotionless shade of orange.
But to Asano Gakushuu, his eyes are the color of passion, of adoration, and right now-
-insecurity.
“..Again.”
“I love you.”
Karma uncurls himself so he’s facing Gakushuu completely.
“Again.”
Gakushuu leans in closer.
“I love you.”
Karma looks at the other’s lips.
“Again.”
Gakushuu presses his lips to meet Karma’s in a short, sweet kiss.
“I love you, Akabane Karma.”
Maybe this whole ‘relationship’ thing was easier than he thought.
extra:
“Shuu?”
“Hmm?”
“..do you want me to stay?”
(The two are currently lying on Gakushuu’s bed, with the strawberry blond’s arms wrapped tight around Karma.)
“I think it’s kind of obvious, Aka.”
extra #2:
Class 3-E group chat:
karma: guys
karma: i finally did it
karma: i kissed asano
rio: HAHA
nagisa: dammit
rio: WHERE’S MY 10 BUCKS NAGISA
karma: YOU BET ON THIS??