My Roommate Oga Tatsumi

Chapter 6

"I'm sorry Furuichi-san, but Oga cannot stay."

"Why not, Himezawa-sama? Can't you see he's actually trying?"

"All I see is that he is completely unfit for this campus, if not kindergarten."

The dean, Itsuo Himezawa, wore an ill-fitting blue starched suit that reeked of cigarette smoke. Balding and fat, the third button of his dress shirt was missing, leaving his hairy belly exposed for the world to see. When Furuichi first walked in, Himezawa provided him with a greasy handshake and a forced smile. Furuichi guessed that no one would come to see this man unless they really had to. "Please sir, I can help Oga prove that he is worth his acceptance letter."

"The decision from the board was final. If you can do anything for your roommate now, it's to help him pack."

The silvernette sat back and weighed each option of how to persuade Himezawa to ask the board to reconsider. If he continued to grovel, Himezawa would only relish the desperation and still wouldn't help him. If he threatened Himezawa, Furuichi might as well kiss his own spot at the university good-bye. Besides what could he possibly threaten this man with?

"Himezawa-sama, I understand that board's decision but there is one question I'd like to ask."

"Well then get on with it, I am a very busy man you know."

Furuichi held back from rolling his eyes. Busy playing with your dick under the table.

"Right. Sir, I was wondering why the board went straight to expulsion, instead of academic probation." Himezawa shifted slightly in his seat before clearing his throat. "The board heard of Oga's behavior outside of campus and felt that the other students would be safer without him."

"There's no record of his behavior outside of campus. He's never been arrested. How can the board be so sure?"

A light sheen of sweat formed on Himezawa's forehead.

"Witness accounts."

"How do you know that they aren't false? That they aren't personal vendettas to get Tatsumi Oga expelled?"

Himezawa looked as if he wanted nothing more than to force Furuichi out of his office forever. Looking around for some sort of sign to further his argument, Himezawa caught sight of his cellphone. Himezawa turned back to Furuichi with a slow, sharp smile spreading across his face. "There is record of his behavior. A student recorded a video of his antics at the local ramen shop in the college town. Yes," Himezawa leaned forward to level his eyes with Furuichi's, "I can show you if you'd like."

"I'd like that very much sir."

As Himezawa searched on his phone for the footage, Furuichi was wracking his brain for anything he could get an angle on. Damn you, Oga! How the hell am I going to help you now? Furuichi hoped that the footage had either been lost somehow or that this old man didn't know how to use a smartphone, but he had been deeply disappointed. There was Oga in all his glory, fighting on the day Furuichi saw him for the first time. Himezawa looked terribly pleased with himself.

"...or the merciful beating I just served!"

Furuichi's ears perked up.

"With all due respect sir, but could you please rewind the video and turn the volume all the way up?"

Himezawa reluctantly did as Furuichi asked. Obviously, the old man hoped that this would be the end all of their brief conversation. "You haven't paid for your meal or the merciful beating I just served!"

"Himezawa-sama..."

The color drained from the dean's face.

"How much of this recording did the board hear?"

...

Himezawa planned for an emergency meeting the next day. Furuichi was given a chance to plead his case directly with the board. "I hope you know who you're defending," were Himezawa's parting words of caution. Furuichi hoped he knew too. Morning on the day of the appeal, Oga still hadn't woken up. The brute had no idea of what was going on in the world and how Furuichi was fighting on his behalf. The board took notice of this very quickly.

"If Oga wanted to attend this campus so badly, where is he?"

"He's unable to leave our shared apartment out of shame, your honor."

It was partially true, and it seemed to garner favor with the board.

"So, we've come to here today to appeal a student's academic future who can't make it to his own appeal, let alone his own classes?"

"Yes your honor, because his expulsion is unjust."

"Oh, and how do you figure that, Furuichi-san?"

Needless to say, when Furuichi provided his evidence, the school board looked just as uncomfortable as Himezawa did. If it hadn't been for Furuichi, they would've gotten rid of the black spot on their campus much easier. "You present a strong case, Furuichi-kun. We will allow for Tatsumi Oga to remain on campus with academic probation; however," Furuichi kept his back straight to keep from slumping in relief, "We have some conditions."

...

"You did what?"

"Look all you have to do is not get into any fights, that aren't instigated, and pass your classes. How hard is that?"

"What the hell did you do, Furuichi?"

"I went up to bat for you, moron. Somebody had too! Now stop talking and let me finish!"

"Why did you act without my permission? What kind of guy does that for another guy?"

"Listen while someone is speaking to you!"

The two men bickered at each other until the neighbor's downstairs tapped their floor with a broom handle. "Do you want some of this too?"

"Are you crazy? I just got you out of the mess you created!"

Oga's temper was as effective as industrial grade ear plugs. The brute charged for the door, and without thinking, Furuichi blocked his path.

"Move." Oga took another step forward.

"Just listen to me-"

"I said move."

"No."

Furuichi felt his braveness collapse in his chest as Oga took another step forward, effectively closing the gap between them. The heat that radiated off Oga's body forced Furuichi to step away from Oga until his back hit the front door. "This is your last chance." The silvernette knew that if he didn't diffuse Oga fast his skull would be plastered on their front door for decoration. "I'm trying to help you moron. Trust me."

Oga moved until he pressed up against Furuichi's body. "What makes you think I want your help or your trust?"

Furuichi clenched his hands and stared straight into Oga's eyes. The silvernette wasn't going to be a weakling now. "Because you would've pummeled me into the ground as soon as I told you."

Oga growled but said nothing. The darkness of his eyes bored into Furuichi's grey. "And if you really didn't want to stay here, you never would've moved in."

After what seemed like an eternity, Oga stepped off Furuichi. "Fine. What do I have to do again, Annoyichi?"

"Don't get into fights needlessly and pass your classes."

"Piece of cake."