What you're name ?

Chapter 19 Princess

Made by @cataclysmiceve1 on Twitter!
-

It's only a week later when it's time for Chuuya to start back to school—a week filled with talking on the phone every morning and every night, awkwardly taking pictures of himself on his morning runs to send to Dazai. But now Chuuya has to start his third year at a new school, and he has to do it by himself. The new uniform feels stiff and unfamiliar—a buttoned up black jacket instead of his usual coat and tie.

Mori gave him a rushed pep talk on the way out the door—but it wasn't the same. Chuuya's mother always made the first day an event.

His neck feels oddly naked and uncomfortable without the bandages—the bruises faded weeks ago, and one small scar remains—but he liked having them there. It made him feel a little less exposed. But he can't really do it like Dazai does, so why bother?

He's introduced during home room.

"Everyone—this is our transfer student, Nakahara Chuuya. Please make him feel welcome."

Chuuya bows politely, and he can feel every single eye on him. Transfers aren't common. Third year transfers are rare. And in a competitive school like Keio? Almost unheard of.

Everyone greets him quietly, and Chuuya moves to take his seat. "Pssst! Chuuya! Chuuya-kun! Hey! Hey! Over here—!"

Chuuya turns his head from his seat to see a familiar blonde waving at him enthusiastically—and from beside him, a redhead who is also waving, but more subtle. "...Kenji?" He bobs his head, beaming eagerly.

"I can't believe you're in our class!! 3-B is gonna be the coolest one in the school now!!"

Chuuya smiles, reluctantly beginning to feel a little better. "I don't think one person makes that sort of difference."

"Are you coming to practice today? Oh—oh my GOD—" Kenji clutched his hands over his face with excitement, "you could just join the team for real now!!"

"I've never really played before—" Chuuya frowns, "it wouldn't make any sense."

"But you were showing us what to do at the end of last season!" The blonde protests, staring at him with big puppy dog eyes.

"Or are you gonna join judo?" Tanizaki offers, tilting his head to the side. "That was your specialty, wasn't it?"

"I—" Chuuya is a little overwhelmed, "honestly, I didn't think past the first day."

"Well—find us at lunch, okay? We've got so much to talk about!" Chuuya nods, and the teacher silences them after that.

To Chuuya's surprise—he actually likes Dazai's school...a lot. The teachers are attentive, the classes are interesting—and when lunch rolls around, he's swarmed with boys he already knows. It's just...really nice.

"Nakahara-san," Atsushi sniffles when he embraces him later, during practice, on his knees and hugging Chuuya around the middle. "I—I'm s-so glad you're h-here—"

"Atsushi." Chuuya blinks, patting his head awkwardly. "You know you can just call me Chuuya, right...?"

"He's lost it," Ranpo sighs, adjusting his cap. "He took Dazai's graduation pretty damn hard."