The Big Book Of Amaguji

Sweet & Sour Boy

I've passed him the first few times when I walk to Hope's Peak. He doesn't seem dangerous so I spared anything I forgot in my pockets, I always smile when he thanked me so formally. One time, it snowed and I let him borrow my sweater until he doesn't need it anymore, which I assumed was going to be a long time from now.

A few months back, I've started actually buying canned food and cooking it for him, you wouldn't believe me when I say it took a solid HOUR to try and get him to accept it. The people that walk past me probably think I'm a weirdo but a good deed is a good deed.

How did he afford that military-looking uniform? Considering that he looks around the same age as me, he must've been convicted at a really young age or was he always living on the streets? But I've heard him talk, so I'm leaning towards conviction. Doesn't that mean he hasn't been there long? His clothes were a little bit torn...

Up until recently, the Shinguji Institute's founders have disappeared recently. The only evidence is the signed bills and notices that were already there, I wasn't one for news but it seemed to affect my homeless friend. He had his head down and his mask directly under his eyes, arms around himself like the hugs he missed for probably months.

He declined everything I've offered him and almost refused to talk to me. I tried to sit down and talk to him but he insisted I get to class, not wanting to interfere with my education. I made a silent promise to myself to ask him out to dinner to get to know him better.

"You want my salad Rantaro?"

Shuichi slid his tray over to me and I shoveled put the salad with a spoon. Shuichi wasn't a fan of veggies or anything healthy for the matter, he usually sustained himself with dry ramen and cinnamon buns but still manages to stay thin. As a successful detective, he probably walked around the city many a time.

"You have to eat some vegetables once in a while."

"Well a tomato is a fruit, and you don't see anyone gnawing on tomatoes like apples now do you?"

"Ha, I guess you have a point."

The embarrassment sweat pricked at my neck, giving an itching sensation. A smile on my lips formed with flawless grace, but with a hint redundancy.

"The officers say that they've spared a day for me, want to go somewhere?"

"Ah, I have something to do after school. No offense to you of course."

"It's fine, but that's a better chance for Kokichi to ask me to hang out for the 1 millionth time."

"You go deal with that. I have Ms. Hina in the gym and I can't be late this time."

"Shoot, you better hurry up then. Wish me luck."

"Nah you've got this."

I laughed as I walked away while Shuichi had an angry blush on his face. Shuichi had a hint of stubbornness in his psyche under the ocean of eyeliner he uses everyday, it's not one of the first things you seen in him but it's there.

In between the first and second floor, there is our assigned washroom were the boys already removed their uniforms and making gay jokes for just looking at each other. I found it annoying when people pestered me the most for it, roll your eyes and take everything you need before going down.

The reserve course boys are usually the least responsible, taking advantage of the building merge. It was no secret that some Ultimates aren't as mature as they should been but they got their titles for a reason.

"Don't stress yourselves today! 20 laps around the pool and 40 push ups before equipment time!"

Today was a lucky day for us, the laps and push ups flew by compared to pacer test training. Picking a jump rope from the rack, I jumped roped in the corner of the gym while Ishimaru yelled out inspirational quotes with Ms. Hina.

After school, I took up Shuichi's offer but only for a little while. Having a softer atmosphere might be better for him anyways. Shuichi waved at me goodbye before I walked back onto Iruka Ave., not to far away from my house but still a good 20 minute walk from there to my house.

He was curled up into a ball, a can of olives half empty laid spilt onto the concrete sidewalk. I shook his thin figure softly and he woke up instantaneously, as if he wasn't even asleep.

"Ah, it seems that tricking my body doesn't allow me to get a bit of rest."

"What do you mean?"

"I've become an insomniac every since I spent my first night on this sidewalk. My paranoia has... really affected my time here but I'm just rambling. What brings you here?"

Upon closer inspection, his fair skin has yet to be effected by anything. He doesn't smell as bad as you would think and his hands were bandaged. His paranoia is really out of control.

"Well, we've been doing this for a few years. It might have been small donations but I know I have lost at least 600 yen to you already."

"Then why do I smell like I haven't showered in decades?"

"Well you don't smell that bad but that wasn't my question. You wanna get to know each other? You know, a nice dinner would hurt no one."

"Where?"

"A French restaurant called Beauté Couronnée, good food for low prices."

He sighed "Sure, I wish my parents could take us somewhere better but I guess this is fine."

"Nice! Come on!"

"Don't you ha-"

"No time! I'm so excited!"

We sat at the table closest to the exit and ordered some small appetizers as I crossed my arms. The evening light was really comforting and with the cool breeze... It's perfect.

"So, why are you alone? You did mention that you did."

"They've went missing when we got separated. You see, I was the child of millionaires before my father was involved in a scandal, pretty much tarnishing our image and tanking our company sales. Protesters drove out of our mansion and threatened to even kill us if they see us around that area again. I want to completely change my appearance but these are the only clothes I have. What a idiotic tall tale, isn't it Amami?"

"How do you know my name?"

"It's on your Hope's Peak issued bag. I was going to be enrolled at that school as the Ultimate Anthropologist, it's completely unrelated with the work circle but I used to buy fairy tale books with any money I saved."

Small bowls of soups were placed in front of them. They borrowed the waitress' pencil to mark the foods they wanted and handed the menus to her.

"I read for hours on end until I went to bed."

"Interesing, I haven't seen your name flitted around anywhere. Maybe you can tell me so I can know?"

It was a stupid question but considering the restaurant was nearly empty it's worth a shot.

"Korekiyo. Maybe if you do this again you can look more presentable and I could consider it. I might not have a home but I know when someone irons their clothes."

"That actually kinda hurts. What's with the attitude?!"

A few sandwiches were packed into a to-go bag and Korekiyo picked it up, heading towards the entrance.

"It was good to let a few things off of my chest. Maybe next time you can tell me more about yourself? I won't decline obviously but I have to go now, see you."

He walked out with the food, leaving me with a turkey sandwich with cheese. He was definitely more mysterious than he thought. It would hurt to rack into him a little more, now would it?