Grading Chemistry (GenMui)

The Ride Home

The end-of-day bell echoed through the halls, and students scattered like leaves in the wind, their laughter and excitement for the weekend filling the air. Genya and Muichiro walked side by side out of the school building, matching each other's pace with an unspoken ease. The late afternoon sun bathed the lot with a warm glow.

Genya slung his bag over his shoulder, glancing over at Muichiro, who was squinting against the sunlight. “You ever notice how Fridays feel different than any other day? Like, the moment you step outside, it’s just… freedom.”

Muichiro grinned, his gaze lingering on Genya’s relaxed expression. “It’s probably the only time in the week we’re not thinking about ‘tomorrow’s lessons.” He chuckled. “Feels like we’re actually living a little.”

They reached Genya’s car, and he unlocked it with a click. “Guess that’s true,” Genya said, opening the passenger door for Muichiro before moving around to his side. “It kinda feel like those old cartoons, y’know? Like we’re running out of school like kids with our backpacks in the air.”

“Speak for yourself,” Muichiro replied with a smirk, settling into the seat and tossing his bag onto the floor. “I don’t think I was ever that kind of kid.”

“Yeah, sure,” Genya teased, buckling up. “Don’t act like you weren’t one of those kids with their face pressed to the bus window, daydreaming about the weekend.”

Muichiro laughed, tilting his head back against the headrest as Genya started the car. “Maybe a little,” he admitted, eyes gleaming. “Except, I’d stare at the clouds and try to figure out what they looked like instead of daydreaming.”

Genya glanced over with a grin as he shifted into drive. “Oh, so you were one of those cloud-gazers, huh? What was the weirdest thing you ever saw in one?”

Muichiro thought for a moment, eyes drifting out the window as the car rolled forward. “A chicken drumstick, I think. At least, that’s what it looked like to me. It was all fluffy on one side and tapered at the end.”

“Alright, alright,” Genya chuckled, tapping a playful beat on the steering wheel as they drove down the familiar streets. “I’ll keep an eye out for cloud drumsticks next time.”

They turned onto the main road, where the sun filtered through the trees in shifting patches of light. A soft tune played on the radio, and Genya turned it up slightly, nodding along to the melody.

“Ooo, I know this song,” Muichiro exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement. He hummed along, his fingers tapping lightly on his thigh.

Genya raised an eyebrow, giving him an amused look. “Didn’t peg you for the type to know indie rock. You’re full of surprises, Muichiro.”

“Oh, there’s a lot you don’t know,” Muichiro replied with a sly smile, his eyes sparkling. “Like the fact that I’m really good at whistling this solo.”

Before Genya could respond, Muichiro launched into an enthusiastic whistle, hitting every note with surprising precision. Genya laughed, joining in with an off-key hum, and the two of them filled the car with a harmonic duet that somehow sounded perfect in its imperfection.

As the song faded out, Genya tapped the wheel thoughtfully. “Alright, since we’re sharing talents, here’s one for you: I can recite almost any commercial jingle from memory.”

Muichiro raised his eyebrows. “Oh really? Alright, prove it.”

Genya took a deep breath, then launched into the overly enthusiastic tones of a detergent commercial, complete with hand gestures as if he were actually selling it. Muichiro stifled a laugh, trying to maintain a serious face, but by the end, he was clutching his stomach, wiping a tear from his eye.

“I gotta say, Shinazugawa,” Muichiro managed between chuckles, “if this teaching thing ever falls through, there’s definitely a future for you in late-night infomercials.”

Genya snorted, feigning offense. “Oh, come on. You don’t think I could make it as a game show host instead?”

Muichiro tilted his head, considering it with exaggerated thoughtfulness. “Hmm, maybe. But only if you wear one of those sparkling suits and give overly dramatic commentary.”

They laughed, and the cityscape outside the windows shifted to more suburban streets, dotted with rows of houses and the occasional shop. Genya slowed at a stop sign, glancing over at Muichiro. “You ever think about what kind of life you’d be leading if you weren’t teaching?”

Muichiro turned, surprised by the sudden seriousness in Genya’s question. “Honestly… no, I haven’t. This just feels right, I guess. Like, whatever else I’d do, it probably wouldn’t feel as… fulfilling.”

Genya nodded, a soft look in his eyes. “Yeah, I get that.” He was quiet for a moment, as if gathering his words. “Sometimes, it’s like there’s just certain people who are meant to be in your life, you know? Like everything that led you here had a reason.”

Muichiro glanced down, feeling a warmth rise in his chest at Genya’s words. “Yeah. It’s strange… but in a good way. Like, how did we end up here, of all places? Driving around like this?”

Genya shot him a soft smile. “Who knows? Maybe it’s fate.” He reached over and nudged Muichiro’s arm playfully.

The playful touch lingered a moment longer than usual, and they shared a brief look—one that seemed to hold something unspoken.

“By the way,” Genya said suddenly, changing the subject with a grin, “you’re in charge of snacks. Glove compartment’s stocked; knock yourself out.”

Muichiro opened the glove compartment, grinning as he pulled out an assortment of candies and granola bars. “A man after my own heart,” he said, tossing some licorice at Genya, who caught it effortlessly.

They spent the next few minutes trading bites of snacks, passing each other wrappers, and singing along to random songs on the radio.

When the next song ended, Genya glanced over, his eyes shining with laughter. “You know, you’re a lot of fun to be around, Muichiro. Like, genuinely.”

Muichiro was a bit taken aback by the sincerity in Genya’s voice. “You too. I mean… I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in a while.” He held Genya’s gaze for a beat longer than he intended, feeling a strange, fluttery feeling in his stomach.

As they neared Genya’s neighborhood, Muichiro turned to point out something through the windshield—a bird swooping low over the road, gliding gracefully before vanishing into the trees. “Did you see that?”

Genya nodded, his gaze still on Muichiro instead of the bird. “Yeah, I did.”

They both fell silent. The playful banter had faded, replaced by a quiet understanding. The world outside the car seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them in the gentle glow of the fading sunset.

After a few more minutes, Genya turned into his driveway, cutting the engine as they sat there in comfortable silence. Neither of them moved, neither wanting to break the moment.

Finally, Muichiro let out a soft sigh, a small smile playing at his lips. “Thanks for the ride… and the, uh, unexpected concert.”

Genya chuckled, his voice low and warm. “Anytime. Guess we make a pretty good duet.”

They shared one last look before stepping out of the car, both feeling that, somehow, their drive had taken them somewhere that neither of them could have expected—somewhere closer than they’d been before.