A Whale Shark's Ray (Free!)(SousukexOC)(Boyxboy)

Chapter 5

8 years later

Flights were boring. I wish there were things like underwater bullet trains rather than flights. You sat in a cramped space (especially when you're twice the height of everyone else..) with random strangers, trapped 10,000 ft up in the air, with nothing but a headache and unlimited peanuts.

God I hate peanuts. Which would be anyone's reaction after eating their 9th bag.

Half-way through my first year of high school, my grandparents had both died. I was forced to leave the country to go live with my aunt and uncle in Egypt. Satoshi had seen me off, and we'd kept in touch a lot over the years. Apparently the club closed down for a while after I left, but the next year they got a whole bunch of freshman, and it started back up with Satoshi as the Captain. After high school, we'd both moved out. He went to college and got a degree in something I don't care about, and became an author.

I stayed in Egypt, not having the money at the time for a flight back to Japan. I went to college and got a degree in Business Organization, and started my career as a dancer. Everything went smoothly, until I got into an abusive relationship.

Which would certainly explain the bright purple bruise spreading across the right side of my cheek and temple, wouldn't it.

My aunt and uncle found out and called the police on him. I quit my job at the current company I'd been working for, and booked a flight home, back to Japan and my grandparents' house. They'd given it to me in their will. Besides, I was well-off now. By my calculations, I'd made enough money to support a family of six for their entire lives. But I'm not an extravagant person, hence why I'm sitting in business class on a plane that could crash any minute.

I really hate peanuts...

>>>>>>>>

I never really noticed it before, but Egyptian and Japanese people are very different. In Egypt, nobody would care if you walked around with a bruise on your face, but Japanese folks would right-out stare. I just hope they don't think I'm some sort of terrorist.

"Muuuuunnntoooooo!!"

For the umpteenth time in my life, Satoshi to the rescue. I greet him with a small smile.

"I swear, I'm going to die if I eat another bag of peanuts. Anything I've missed recently?"

He walks by my side happily as we leave the airport, and get on the bus that will take us to the general area of my home.

"Rin just got back from Australia. He and Haru have been dating for a while, but you already knew that. Nagisa and Rei just moved in together, and are doing fine. Let's see... Makoto's still a teacher, and Sousuke is in the police force. He looks pretty cool when he's in all his gear. Have you found a job yet?"

"No, I haven't. I have the liberty not to, but I don't want to be bored. Maybe I'll be an artist of something."

"You won't dance again?"

"I didn't just quit because of the whole punching bag thing. I hurt my foot. I could try and get rehab and therapy to fix it, but I really don't think I want to. I'd rather explore the other things in life than spend my time trying fix something that may not be fixable."

"Heeeeeh, that makes sense... So you're staying by yourself in that house?"

"Mhm. Why?"

"Would you consider taking a roommate?"

"Satoshi, this better not be the part where you try and come live with me."

I shot him an amused look, and he hit me playfully on the shoulder.

"Of course not! That face of yours is what got you in trouble, you know! I was asking because Sousuke's apartment complex is closing down. Rent around here is pretty high, and it's worse in the city. Since you have that extra bedroom, and live not too far from the police station, I thought I'd at least ask."

"Hmm... I don't really know him all that well. Well, he can't be all bad if he's a policeman. Fine, if he wants to, he can live with me. Besides, I like his eyes. Getting to see them everyday would be a bonus on my part."

"Heh heh heh, I sense something~"

"Whaaa- oh you shut it with your matchmaking stupidity!"

"I ship it! Musuke!"

"Ugh, you sound like a teenage girl, you bum!"

He continued to tease me the entire time, until he said goodbye at my door. He invited me to Rin's 'Welcome Back' party, but I declined. I just got here, after all. I need time to get over my jet lag and peanut death.

>>>

Inside the house was just as I'd left it, except without my grandparents' things. A quick glance in the cupboards told me my own things had been left behind. Makes me glad I had bought an entire dish ware set shortly before they died. My room was the same, but like the rest of the house, dusty. I plopped my suitcase down on the bed and continued exploring the rest of the house. My bathroom was fine, as was the other one for the second bedroom. I did need to change the sheets on that bed if Sousuke decided to take me up on the offer.

I don't think he'd appreciate floral print..

I threw my own sheets into the wash, and began the cleaning the whole house. After a few hours, the place was good as new, laundry done, and dust eradicated. I'd checked the yard while drying sheets, and was pleased to see that someone, probably the neighbors, had at least kept it weeded and the grass cut. I really don't like yard work. Maybe Sousuke likes to garden..

Look at me, already assuming he'll be living here. It's like I'm asking for another abusive relationship or something. Though I'm pretty sure he's not into that. Guess you get used to things after a while.

Leaving the house, I walked to the store. The house didn't have any food after all, and while I don't have a huge appetite, I still like to eat. By the time I had gotten all the necessities, it was dark out. Placing my things on the kitchen counter, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
It was a text from Satoshi.

'Just told him and gave him your number. I'll let you two figure out the details. Have fun~ I'd tell you to wear a condom, but you're a guy, sooo... Yeah!'

On second thought, I'm going to need to more peanuts...