Unmatchable

Unmatchable (Plastic Tree) Chp. 03 / 06

The following day Tadashi was quiet and he hardly talked to anybody. Not that he ever talked much but the absence of mind was almost palpable. He never thought about this kind of nonsense but something seemed to work in his head. He couldn't really name it but it had a lot to do with Ryutaro and his behaviour.... Tadashi always knew that he was a funny fruit but all this caring for him and them meeting every day.... Somehow everything seemed to develop onto a new level. But Tadashi had no idea where this possibly could lead. All he knew is that he felt kind of embarrassed which made him angry again at himself because he never felt embarrassed.

Besides, other people seemed to have realized 'it' as well. The fight yesterday was about them mocking Tadashi for being together with Taro too much. Which in the end was all true but Tadashi couldn't stand the names they had called Taro. So he beat them.

The punk woke from his daydream when his mobile started buzzing silently in his pocket. He was still at school but pulled out the mobile anyway. He looked at the name underneath his table. It was Taro, surely wanting to tell him when his lesson would be over.... Usually he left the classroom to answer the call but he switched it off. Tadashi didn't know why he did that. Maybe because he was confused, not only about him acting like that but what to think about everything.

He didn't dare think that thought but maybe... maybe one party cared too much. Or maybe they were both depending too much from one and another. It was ridiculous. He was a police-known punk and Taro from a ridiculously rich house. Soon they would be separated anyway because of changing schools so maybe ending it now was more merciful than hurting the little one at the bitter end. Yeah, that's it. He protected Taro from those assholes at his school and made his statement clear. Taro should be all right now. Now it was time to slowly withdraw.

... but he promised to watch his dances and in return Taro had appointed him for bass lessons.

Tadashi gripped into his hair and looked out of the window. He would have loved to attend both but he couldn't.

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Taro looked surprised and hurt at the same time at his mobile phone. Tadashi had hung up on him! That was unusual. He always answered his mobile, even in class... maybe he was really busy right now. What if... what if he was with some girl? Taro felt how cold sweat crawled down his spine. The mere thought killed him and the pain which followed afterwards was a totally unknown feeling. Depressed about what to do he went to his training lesson anyway but this time all alone. And he felt even more alone than he ever did before.

Out of curiosity, Taro called Tadashi after his training again but this time the mobile phone was completely switched off. Taro was dead concerned about that foolish punk. He decided to try it the next day again.

After Taro found out that the mobile phone was still switched off even the day after, he decided to skip his daily dance lesson and he waited in front of the school gate of Tadashi's school. He was so embarrassed, waiting all alone in front of a strange school. Moreover, only freaks seemed to attend this school but Taro didn't care about freaks, as long as they ignored him. A lot of dangerous looking guys left, some laughing dirtily at the petite dancer... that's when he saw familiar blond hair, surrounded by other rowdies and punks. It was Tadashi's friend Takashi who spotted Taro first.

"Tadashi, isn't that your little friend over there?"

"What are you talking about? I don't know this guy."

No stroke could have hit him harder, no words could have hurt him deeper. Taro stood on the spot frozen. And Tadashi.... didn't even a glance into his direction. Taro's lips started to tremble and before Tadashi was around the corner, he broke into tears and ran down the opposite side of the road. Tadashi didn't turn around but he heard the heartbreaking sob coming from behind.... And the mere thought of it broke his heart and yet he didn't turn around. He told himself NOT to turn around and run behind him, comforting him....