Love as rich as chocolate ~TodoBaku~

Chapter 9: exactly as I suspected

Akio Todoroki

It's funny. Yesterday, while hanging out with Ryo at his place, I'd had the though that I preferred his company to Kei's. Although, at the time, I brushed it away as being to do with recent contact, and told myself that if I spent time with Kei alone, it'd be the same.

Turns out, I'm a genius.

Kei had dropped me a quick text inviting me back to the same cafe as on Monday, wanting me to help him study for our upcoming test. Needless to say, it was in three weeks, so I wasn't the most enthused about revising this early, but I did want the chance to talk to him. More than anything, I wanted to make sure that everything went ok with his family yesterday, having recalled the outcomes of a few previous meetings. There had been days on end where he hadn't spoken to either myself or Ryo, and neither of us would ever see him eat, which of course worried us to hell and back. Ryo would usually manage to cheer him up by making a fool out of himself, one of his charming qualities, but I could tell it wasn't something he enjoyed doing. Especially when it was fabricated.

Thus, it was actually good news to receive an invitation to meet with him just the day after, even if it was with intention to appease the stupid people he called family. Kei had it rough, of that there was no doubt. Fun was practically outlawed, and he'd had to beg and plead to be allowed to live alone, and even then it was conditional that he would have to report back to them in frequent intervals. The whole reason behind it was that his father owned some big tech company, and he wanted to make sure Kei was suitable to take over when the time came. Kei was adamantly against the idea of running the company, but would never disobey his family's rules, the losses too great should he dare to.

Although, that doesn't mean he isn't allowed to bitch about them to me!

"They are so selfish! God, I show them perfect grades and all they can wonder is when I start my extra classes! Can they not see that I'm doing everything they ask and more?!"

"Obviously not. I've told you, one of these days you need to say no to them, otherwise your life will be swilled away as their pawn"

"I know..I know, but it's not that simple. They control all of my money, so if I just up and leave, I'll have nothing. The best way to go about it is to humour them until I have control of the company, and then either sell it, or reduce my role to as minuscule as I can."

"But you could be 40 by the time that happens! That's half your life as your family's errand boy, do you really want that?"

"No, of course I don't! I'm making the best out of a bad situation here, and that's why I wanted to talk to you about it, because I figured you'd be a rational head!"

Woah...he's never really snapped at me like that... I guess it makes sense though, he's gone through some crazy shit. Ryo had told me of times Kei had been harsh with him after previous meetings, and I hadn't truly known whether to believe that. I trusted Ryo, but...Kei was always so calm. So sophisticated, self-assured...anger really didn't suit his image at all.

"Thanks, I guess...but I'm not really sure what to say. It's your call at the end of the day, but it doesn't sound like an environment you should stick around, especially considering that this" I said, gently tapping on his forehead, "is more important than this", followed by a wave of my wallet.

"Yeah, I know...I did think a while ago that I could open a savings account and put any money I get given in there...especially since my 18th is next week..."

Totally remembered. Definitely. Mhm.

"It's a difficult situation, but I think that's a good idea. Just as long as they don't find out, of course"

"Yeah...anyway, we came here to study, so we probably should..."

"Ok then...want a drink? I'm getting something, I can't study without coffee"

"If you don't mind. Just the usual"

"You got it!"

What kind of weirdo doesn't like coffee? Hot chocolate is for winter ONLY!

Walking up to the counter, I remarked with a frown that it seemed as if no one was there. Sure, the coffee shop was unusually quiet for a Saturday afternoon, but that doesn't seem like a reason. Just as I was about to give up hope, a familiar face came barrelling through from the back, a flurry of activity going on around him as he tried to compose himself in front of me.

"Hisirsorryaboutthatwhatcanigetforyou!" he practically screamed at me, and I must've looked pretty worried, since he didn't meet my eyes once while waiting for a response.

"...just a latte and a hot chocolate"

"Comingrightupsirsorryonceagain!"

...this kid...

It was rather amusing actually, seeing him stumble around trying to calm down, and I cut him off when he started apologising again while handing me the drinks.

"Hey, it's cool. Why were you in such a rush"

"The girl that was meant to work this shift called in sick...five minutes ago"

"Yikes, you deserve a medal for even being here. Anyway, thanks!"

"Thank you sir!"

Kei was looking over at the two of us, slightly confused-looking, but I didn't broach the subject with him. Instead, I put my textbooks out on the table, and began hell.

At least I wasn't on my own
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Just out of curiosity, how are you guys liking my OC's at the moment? I think Akio is my favourite, he's quite nice to write spontaneously.

Fact of the Day: hot chocolate is for all weather goddamnit.