common enemy [Ryuji Sakamoto x Reader]

chapter five: acceptance

Ann led you up to the rooftop of the school. You couldn't refuse her kind offer to hang out with her. Besides, you didn't want to look like a complete loser on your first day.

Although there was a sign on the door saying that entrance was prohibited, she went through anyway. You followed behind her, coming out onto the rooftop only to find that the "friends" she had mentioned had been Akira, Ryuji, and a girl with short, brown hair. The three of them were lounging around on the unused desks and chairs left on the roof.

"Didn't expect to see you again so soon," You joked, sitting next to Ryuji and Akira. They both looked as surprised as you were.

"Ann, who's this?" The girl whose name you didn't know looked at you with suspicion. Her red eyes seemed to bore into you as if she were a teacher. She seemed a lot more uptight than the rest of her company. "Why did you bring her here?"

"This is the new girl, (L/n)!" Ann wore a sly smile as she thought of the reason why she was introducing you to her friends. "I heard the rumor that Ryuji had a girlfriend, and I just had to see who it was so I could ask her what she was thinking."

Ryuji took no time in getting angry as Ann laughed at him. "What the hell?! I could totally get a girl if I wanted to!"

"It's just a rumor. Chill." Akira sighed, but the smirk on his face showed he was clearly enjoying Ryuji's reaction. You wondered how long the group had been friends for.

Why are they trying to befriend me, anyway?

"Don't pay too much attention to them," the brunette interjected, holding her hand out to you. "I'm Makoto Niijima, student council president. I hope you've been finding your way around the school without a problem."

No wonder she seemed pretty stict; she was the student council president. This fact debunked all of the rumors you had heard about Akira and Ryuji. What kind of idiot delinquent would hang around her?

Then again, Ryuji did kind of seem like an idiot.

You gave her outstretched hand a high-five since you seriously hated handshakes. Ryuji and Akira instantly burst out laughing.

"Holy shit! Look at Makoto's face!" Ryuji managed to say in between laughs, holding his stomach as he struggled to breathe. It was fun to watch.

You snuck a glance at Makoto, who just seemed surprised and not at all angry. She's probably just confused as to why they're laughing, you thought.

You reached into your bag and pulled out a bottle of iced tea, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip. You waited for Ryuji and Akira to calm down before speaking.

"So, why do you guys want to hang out with me anyway?" You asked, curious to hear the real answer. You weren't used to making friends this fast.

"Well, you've heard the rumors about us by now, right?" Akira responded. You thought back to the countless conversations you had overheard that involved any of the four people sitting around you.

"Yeah, I have. They seemed pretty unbelievable."

"That's just how this school is. Do one thing differently and nobody stops talking about you, no matter how unrealistic the rumor is."

"We just know what it's like to be talked about," Ann added. "I know people have already started spreading rumors about you. It's easier to deal with them when you have other people who go through the same thing."

"Hang out with us and they'll probably spread more, though." Makoto wore a wry smile. "It's your choice."

"Please, as if the rumors ever bothered me." You laughed it off, taking another sip of your drink. "Of course I'll join you guys. Nobody has ever asked me for something like this before."

"Nice. Welcome to the group," Akira smiled. Everyone nodded approvingly at you.

"Besides," you continued, pointing at Ryuji. "Now that we're friends, it's easier to tell you that you're dumb and you need to try harder on our project."

"Ouch. There's no need to be so damn harsh about it!" Ryuji complained.

"You guys are doing a project together?" Ann gave you an apologetic look. "Rest in peace, (F/n)'s grade."

"I hope you're smart enough to make up for him." Akira laughed.

"My condolences," Makoto added, hoping she understood the joke this time.

"Do you want to meet up tonight?" You asked Ryuji. The four friends shared a determined look when Ryuji glanced at them. You pretended not to notice that something was going on between them.

"Sorry, (L/n), I'm busy tonight." He answered, turning his head back to you.

"Alright, but we have to meet up soon. Preferably before the project is due." You responded. The group jumped back into small talk.

They were nice enough to be considerate of your situation, and were willing to support you as a friend. This had never happened to you before, and you were glad you would have friends to talk to, even though you wouldn't admit it out loud.

You wore a pleased smile.

This might actually go well for me.