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02 - Bad Blood
U N E D I T E D
"The decision is mine for the choosin',
but I can't understand what i'm losin',
Cause I been this way, it's not a new thing"
— The Beautiful & Damned by G-eazy
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"Can you stop?"
"Well hello to you too Ren."
Rensuke rolled his eyes at the sarcastic response of his sister but at the same time understanding that she probably didn't know what he was here for since he decided to suddenly just drop by.
"Julian. Stop talking to him."
He sees his sister purse her lips, looking at him and seemingly thinking of an answer— probably not expecting that to be the topic of conversation.
"Why? I like him."
Rensuke couldn't help but roll his eyes again. He knew his sister better than that. While she was often good at hiding the truth, she was however terrible at lying on the spot. She did mention beforehand that lies were something she had to practice and think of— they weren't something she could say on the spot.
And other than that...
"You don't like guys younger than you."
"You don't know that." The older firmly replied, making the younger deadpan.
"Nee-san, I know what you're doing. Julian didn't tell me, I accidentally saw it."
Rensuke observed as his sister looked away, probably not wanting to answer and be confronted right now. He does regret his chosen time and location a little bit. After all, he was disturbing her while at work.
"Just stop talking to Julian. You don't need to know everything about me, i'm no longer a kid."
"I know that. I'm just worried about you Ren."
"I can handle myself just fine, you know that."
"You barely talk about anything now. No updates, no nothings. Even Rina's getting worried about you."
Rensuke pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He certainly knew about how his younger sister had been feeling and it being used against him did nothing to help that. He felt bad yet at the same time, he couldn't have it in himself to do something about it. He loves his sisters, he really does but he also admits that they were no longer in the forefront of his mind like before.
That doesn't mean he could care less about them. Far from it. He cares about them but at the same time, he wants them to stop caring about him. To stop asking and wondering about the happenings in his life. He knew it was unfair but for him, it was better that way.
"That still doesn't give you a right to ask about me behind my back!" Rensuke angrily whispered. The least he could do for her right now is not make a scene in her workplace so he didn't raise his voice.
He was angry but that didn't give him a right to possibly embarrass his sister in public. That's the last thing he wants any of his sister to experience.
"Look Ren, the only way I'd stop asking Julian about it is if you at least give us something to work with. Just something! You can say you're fine, you're tired or whatever. Just something, Ren." Y/n practically begged.
"You're on first name basis?"
"That's the only thing you got from that?" Y/n groaned in frustration.
"Nee-san, look. I'm fine, okay. I'll- you'll guys know if i'm not. All that matters is I'm passing all my classes and practices are going as usual."
"That's BS. You know that's not what I meant. I care about all of those, of course, but you know that's not what i'm asking for."
"Nee-san."
"Kunigami Rensuke."
Not the full government name. Rensuke deadpanned.
"I'm 19 already. Stop expecting me to share every little thing with you like before."
"What does age have to do with this? Like I said, you don't even have to share everything, just something."
Rensuke was getting frustrated and even more annoyed. It felt like he was talking to a brick wall— which happens to be the same thing his older sister was feeling. He knew this wasn't the appropriate time and place to argue so he looked away from her for a second to try and cool off.
He also looked around to make sure that they weren't getting any attention— which happens to be the case seeing as all the current customers are focused on their screens, some yelling and shouting at one another.
However as he looked around, he suddenly felt a bunch of eyes on him. When his eyes finally landed on the direction that gave him that feeling— his option to cool off seemed to have disappeared. Moments from his highschool suddenly flashed through his head. Immediately forgetting the current issue with his sister, he stalked over at the people who now seemed to be whispering nervously about him.
"Ren?"
Disregarding his older sister calling him out, he went over the man who made his highschool a living hell.
—
"Holy shit... Kunigami, huh?"
Ryusei can't help but scowl at Oliver who only playfully whistled after saying those words.
"Dude you have no chance."
"Especially if someone like Kunigami's her type."
"Can you guys shut the fuck up? We don't even know if they're actually together?!" Ryusei argued.
"They seem to be arguing though." Kenyu pointed out, making all them glance at the direction of the two once more.
And true to his words, the pair seemed to be arguing— a frown both on their faces as they hastily whispered amongst each other. Ryusei can't help but wonder what it is they're talking about. But most of all, he was wondering about their relationship. Was she really Kunigami's girlfriend? Relative? Maybe a friend?
He could accept any of those as long as it wasn't the first one.
It made him nervous, he won't lie. If Y/n happens to be someone who cherishes Kunigami then he's in deep shit. While he doesn't know the entirety of why— he was still aware of the fact that Kunigami loathed him. The orange haired made it pretty damn obvious in all their matches against each other.
He wasn't the best senior and teammate to the younger to say the least.
Ok, maybe that was an understatement.
To be fair, he was in a sort of rebellious phase during his high school years and he could definitely say he was much better now. He'd like to think so at least. Was that an excuse though? He admits it isn't and he knew Kunigami's anger was justified to a certain extent.
It just so happens that he doesn't know the entire story from Kunigami's side hence why he couldn't understand why the orange haired's grudge on him ran so deep.
"Don't do anything to aggravate him again." Sae warned him, glancing at his red haired friend, he couldn't help but scoff.
"Between him and I, why am I always the issue?"
"Cause you are, you dumbass." Tabito snickered.
"I'm serious Ryu. The last match and four years ago was enough."
"You make it sound like i'm gonna beat the guy, Sae-chan~" Ryusei playfully responded.
"I wouldn't do shit if one, he doesn't do anything to annoy me—" He paused before returning his gaze to the younger who still happens to be arguing with the woman he admires.
"And two, if it isn't fun. Just too bad, he happens to fall under both."
"You're such an asshole Ryu." Oliver chuckled before playfully hitting the blonde's head. Despite the carefree attitude of his friend, he knew there was still a hint of warning on both his actions and words.
"Stop it. Do you really want to fight with Kunigami-san in front of the girl you like?" Kenyu reprimanded, making Ryusei shut up.
Oh shit. Of course.
The last thing he wanted was to give a bad impression towards her. But fate seem to have other plans as Kunigami seems to have finally noticed their presence. The familiar expression of fury covering the younger's face. As if he wasn't already aware that shit was about to go down, Eita just had to be such a sweetheart and remind him.
"Oh fuck, we're screwed."
"You mean Ryu's screwed." Thanks Tabito.
Ryusei watched as Kunigami stalked off to their direction, leaving the h/c haired woman confused. He hears her call for Kunigami's name— his first name to be exact— but the orange haired seemed to have nothing his mind but anger.
She called Kunigami out by his first name, not only that, but with a nickname even.
Oh he was so ready to brawl with the younger man. If it's a fight he wants, it's a fight he'll get.
"Ryu—" He heard both Sae and Kenyu calling out, probably to reason out with him. To tell him not to respond on what Kunigami's about to do or say. But the only thing in Ryusei's mind right now is the expression he'll manage to get from him.
After all, the main reason why Kunigami stood out to him the most, amongst all his juniors back then, was simply because Kunigami was the complete opposite of himself. From his beliefs to his attitude and for some reason, it irked younger him. A lot. It annoyed him even more when the younger made sure to get in his way back then. Kunigami made sure Ryusei knew his stance on things and how firmly he'll stand for it.
So his solution? Annoy the shit out of Kunigami. Piss him off and make sure that the orange haired bastard was never happy within his presence. Which was pretty often since not only did they share the same team but the same school as well.
And it's safe to say, Ryusei was successful.
So while he did mellow down compared to his younger self— though he still annoyed others— he can't deny the fact that Kunigami's anger gives him certain satisfaction and, dare he say, some sort of happiness.
He could just apologize to the woman he admires later.
He hoped so at least.
"What the hell are you doing here you fucking pest?"
"Hoooo, not even a hello, Kuni-chan?" Ryusei pouted at Kunigami who just reached him.
He could see Oliver, Tabito, and Eita watching in a more carefree manner— the other two, not so much.
"Don't call me that, you cockroach!"
"Oh! Did you get that from Rin-chan? You need to have some originality Kuni-chan~"
Ryusei teased even more and he couldn't help but laugh mentally at the livid expression of the orange haired. He can almost see a vein popping from the younger's forehead.
Not expecting Kunigami to move, he laughed as the younger grabs his collar, making the latter scowl even more.
"You better start taking me seriously cause I swear to god—"
"Or what? You gon beat me in a fight? You can't even lift a finger against me! Beat me in soccer...? Oh wait— you can't do that as well!" Ryusei playfully said, eyes widening as he itches his face closer just to annoy Kunigami even further.
But before Kunigami could continue or throw a punch— seeing as his hand was already in the air— someone pulled the orange haired away.
"Ren! Stop that!"
Ryusei watched as Y/n worries over Kunigami, looking at him frantically both to check on him and to look for answers. But her worry was soon replaced with frustration as she glances over Ryusei's direction.
And for someone like him, he didn't expect that to shake him of all things. He didn't like her having that sort of expression towards him.
Shit. This isn't how she was supposed to know him.
Ryusei watched as the woman turns around before saying an apology to the other customers— who he now noticed was looking at their direction. After apologizing briefly, he then felt a smaller hand wrap around his arm and before he knew it, he was being pulled out the internet cafe. His friends immediately following after them.
"If you're gonna fight, do it outside. You're disturbing the customers." The h/c haired woman said sternly, looking over at him and Kunigami.
"Ah. I'm sorry... miss." Ryusei apologized in such a low voice, he's not even sure if the woman heard. Apparently she did as she now stared at Kunigami, who was too busy staring at Ryusei with a puzzled expression, hints of anger still evident on the younger's face.
"You—"
"Ren. Go home, we'll talk later." Before Kunigami could even continue, the h/c haired woman cuts him off. Turning his gaze away from Ryusei, the orange haired looked at the h/c haired woman before letting out a scoff.
Look at this little shit disrespecting her. Ryusei wanted to taunt him again but he also didn't want to worsen the already terrible impression he gave Y/n.
"Rensuke."
"Fine, I'll go first then... nee-san."
Right now Ryusei could care less at the brief glare Kunigami gave him and the rolling of his eyes that followed after.
Because at that moment he froze.
Nee-san???
She's Kunigami's sister?
Between the butterflies he had at the brief moment she touched him and then Kunigami's words that clarified their relationship— he didn't know which one to focus on.
Better yet, he didn't know what to do seeing as he just pissed off his future brother-in-law.
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