Prequel: Daring Dog Daichi (OHSHC)

7. Passed the Test

The door of the limo shut, and Daichi's demeanor changed instantly to one of fear. Yukio sat on the plush black cushions across from him, a stern expression on his face.

"What the hell do you think you've been doing?" he asked in a low voice once the car started moving.

Daichi sunk back into the seat, trying to get as far away from his father as possible. "W-was study—"

"Maybe you were at one point, but I saw that little stunt you pulled outside." Daichi's head fell. "I don't give a damn what you do outside of my company as long as it doesn't affect business. I'm going to tell you this once. No one wants to hire a fag that walks around in dog collars and football jerseys. That means I don't want to see it anymore either, understand?"

Daichi nodded numbly. "Y-yes, sir."

Yukio scoffed. "And fix the damn stutter! No one will hire you if you don't have any confidence."

"B-but I don't need a job!"

Daichi looked up at his father in the silence of the car. All they could hear was the sound of tires flying over the streets. Daichi noticed, unfortunately for him, there was no escaping the situation.

"What did you say?"

Daichi's ears turned redder than a fire engine. "I-it's just — I'll get — I get — job — your job — if you — when you—"

Daichi was rudely cut off with a slap to the face.

His hand flew to his cheek in shock and hurt as his father settled back down into his seat, flexing his hand.

"If you're going to talk, do so intelligibly. Just because you wear dog collars does not mean you should act like an untrained mutt. I don't want anything of that sort with ties to my family."

"'M your f-family," Daichi muttered, letting his hand fall to his lap.

His father didn't seem to hear.

"When we get home, I'm having Akino quiz you on the study materials. If you score anything less than 90 percent, you will no longer be seeing that boy. I don't care how reputable the Ootori family is. If they don't serve you, then don't waste your time on them!"

The rest of the ride home was silent. When Daichi got home, Yukio went off to his office. Daichi couldn't remember the last time he'd seen his dad go anywhere else. He never came to the dinner table, not that Daichi did much either.

Akino was waiting just inside the door, a solemn look on his face. "Master Daichi, I've been instructed to monitor you throughout the evening," he said. "If you'd follow me, sir..."

Daichi nodded. "Akino, what time is it?" he asked quietly.

"Barely a quarter after five, sir."

Daichi nodded.

He had a long evening ahead of him.

Akino ended up taking him to one of the many unused offices in the mansion. Daichi took a seat at the desk while Akino pulled up an armchair and asked all kinds of test questions.

Daichi noticed halfway through that he wasn't just asking about math and science, which were the things he and Kyoya had studied the most. There were questions about history and languages.

After only a minute or so of the barage of questions, Akino revealed Daichi's grade.

He gave a tight-lipped smile to the paper. "Congratulations, Master Daichi. You achieved an 89.5 percent, which, when rounded up is, 90."

Daichi felt a great weight lift from his shoulders. "I can still see Kyoya," he whispered.

Akino grinned just a fraction wider before setting the paper down on the desk. "It appears so... Now, it's seven o'clock. However, I've been instructed you aren't to have any dinner. I'm... terribly sorry, Master Daichi. All you can do is go to your room. If you're seen outside of your room and not in the company of another butler or maid, I am forced to bring you to Master Yukio."

Daichi nodded, feeling his stomach growl. Just then he remembered the food Kyoya had packed for him.

Sweet Kyoya who had been so gracious to the boy and had made sure he was going to be fed.

So Daichi let Akino lead him to his room, and the butler left him there alone. Daichi was quick to pull out the bento box from his backpack. He opened it to find a pair of chopsticks, some rice, and even pork.

Daichi's eyes lit up like it was Christmas as he dug into the food. He ate as quickly as he could. For one, he was starving. For two, anyone could walk in at any minute and take it away from him. He didn't want to risk that in case he wouldn't get another chance to eat.

That night Daichi went to bed with a full stomach for the first time in what felt like forever. But it wasn't the food that made him feel warm and cozy inside. Only Kyoya could give him that feeling.