Divinity | MxM

Chapter 15

"Raiden," Seki's soft voice stops the younger, as he hurriedly tries to get his shoes and jacket on to go to school. After the awkward interaction yesterday, Raiden is still embarrassed. It's not like anything crazy happened, but he still can't believe he touched Seki out of nowhere.

But the elder seems to have planned to get a hold of Raiden, otherwise he probably wouldn't have joined him at breakfast. 

"What?" Raiden asks, still not turning towards the other. 

He throws his jacket over his arms and grabs his bag. Before he swings it over his shoulder, he finally manages the courage to turn towards the other. Seki stands there with his hands behind his back as always, but this time it seems like he's holding something there. 

"Do you... have any plans for the last Friday of the ranking month?" Seki asks. 

Raiden thinks it over. He remembers planning something together with the guys as they always do, but he guesses he can hear Seki out. It's not like Kei and Misaki aren't spending this day with him next year if he skips one.

"Depends... but why do you ask?" Raiden settles on replying.

Seki hums a little and removes his hands from his back. In one of them is an envelope, and it doesn't take long before he sees the queen's stamp on it. He frowns at it, seeing that both his and Seki's names are at the front.

"I suppose you are familiar with the party at the palace where the top 10 supremes will know of their rankings?" Seki questions.

Raiden grabs the envelope and turns it over to study the pretty paper, "Yeah, I guess."

The party and the reveal of the ranking is the whole reason why people usually go to the square the last Friday. Usually, a lot of supremes are invited, but only the top 10 get an official presentation and acknowledgment from the queen.

"As per usual, I'm invited as an anticipated top 10 candidate," Seki informs, "All endears of anticipated candidates are invited to the party too."

Right, Seki is expected to be number one. Still, with all the hatred he's apparently under, it's surprising he's always invited to parties like those. It seems Misaki was right, the queen must like him.

Raiden opens the envelope gently and looks at the invitation. Indeed, his name is just as much present as Seki's, inviting him to one of the biggest parties in the country. Misaki would literally die to receive an invitation like this. 

Before the younger can comment on it, Seki talks.

"Of course, it's totally up to you. I'm sure you have more interesting plans," he states and looks to the side. Raiden observes the supreme nibble on his lips a little, almost as if he's nervous. But it seems he manages to regain his confidence as he adds; "Even though... I would like it if you came."

Raiden looks down at the invitation, and then back at Seki again. It seems the elder wants him to come, but it's not exactly like Raiden has forgiven him. Even though he's trying to lighten up towards the other, publically presenting himself as Seki's endear might be a big step. Sure, a lot of people already know, but Raiden is yet to publically acknowledge it.

Still though... there's a part of him that's extremely curious about these parties. Misaki has been talking about them like they are the absolute peak of occasions occurring in the nation. Maybe he's exaggerating but...

"Uhm..." Raiden scratches his neck a little and folds the invitation, "I'll think about it."

Seki can't help but show a little smile at that, and he nods as he receives the invitation back from the endear. Raiden then turns around and walks towards the door. As he grabs hold of the handle and opens it, he turns his neck to look back at the elder.