Matchablossom: Lifegurad

Friend zone

Kaoru? Kojiro shook his head. He had known that the tall beautiful boy was out of his league. He knew all about Kaoru Sakurayashiki's fall from grace. Kojiro had chosen not to say a word about it. Money had never meant that much to him. Yeah he liked to have it to do things, but come on, Ainosuke Shindo!

Kojiro fumed he had to treat the heir as if he were a fucking God, while at work. The well mannered teen wasn't going to allow his uncles restaurant to be tarnished because of him. It had been hell getting through the hour the two were there. The way Kaoru looked at him! Kojiro punched the pole as he waited for the light to change. Why had he made the choice to ignore the pink haired vixen? He sighed.

The light changed, Kojiro crossed the road. It was late, nearly midnight. He had school the next day. Trudging along, Kojiro walked up to the back door of the closed shop. He pressed the almost hidden button. A tinkling bell rang through the deserted shop. It took another three minutes before the door opened.

Golden eyes peered up at him. A wide grin under a flop of ruby red hair. Kojiro found this kid a delight. He was free. Reki never let the problems of the word hold him down, or so it seemed. Kojiro smirked back at him. It was a half hearted attempt.

"Man, what's got you bummed?" Reki asked as he pushed the door open wide enough for the other to enter.

"You know that person I told you about?" Kojiro asked.

"Yeah?" Reki looked back.

"They came into my uncles place...." Kojiro looked away from the he shinning eyes. "... with another guy." He muttered.

"Oh, ouch." Reki led the way through the dark hall. In the back he had a workroom. He took Kojiro there.

"I'm sorry." He patted the teens shoulder.

"Yeah, like what do I have to offer?" Kojiro bemoaned.

"Well, a rad new Reki Kahn special board!" Reki beamed holding up the freshly finished cruiser.

"Oh, wow, love the design. Did you paint this?" Kojiro took the board from the other teen.

"Yeah, um well it, the colors, they remind me of you. You're always so bright like the start of a new day." Reki turned away to hide the flush on his face.

"Reki, you out did yourself on this, man!" Kojiro set the board down. He tested it out a little.

"How much do I owe you?" he asked. Reki glanced away.

"Oh, um well I mean it was my fault your board broke..." Reki muttered.

"Kid, you suck at business." Kojiro pulled out his wallet. He handed several bills to the teen.

"Have Langa let me know if its more." He stated.

"Thanks Joe." Reki whispered. He had begun calling the older teen Joe about a year ago. Kojiro chuckled at the nickname. He slapped Reki on the back.

"I have to be going, don't stay up too late." He cautioned. Reki muttered something about studying but Kojiro was already headed out the door.

The next day they had school. Kojiro made sure to arrive earlier than usual. He stored his new skateboard in his locker. Moving through the halls he tried not to look for the flash of pink hair. Several girls came up to him to ask about the race for class president. Kojiro smiled as he talked with them.

Just before the final bell for classes to start rang, Kojiro saw Kaoru. The pink haired skater wasn't alone. Following tight to his side was Ainosuke. Kojiro turned away. He rushed into the bathroom so the couple wouldn't see him. He was late to class.