You'll Be Just Fine (BxB Budo x Taro Next Gen Main Ship)

Chapter 18 - No, Do You Hear What I'M Saying?...

-Monday April 27th 2037, 7 am, Cloudy-

Ryukon arrived at school with everyone else during an overcast this morning. He headed to his locker on the far right and unlocked it. He just watched two fresh notes tumble out of his locker and onto the ground. He picked them up and opened the white one.

"Ryukon,

I know... old fashioned, but you didn't pick up this morning. Do not follow the other note... That's Eri trying to communicate with you. It's not worth it if you're trying to go with your sweetheart approach... Report to the Info Club room...

-IW"

He folded the note in his hood pocket and opened the blue note this time. He tilted his head at the message.

"Hey, Ryukon!

I know this is a bit informal, but I really wish to talk to you up on the rooftop... near the fans? I'd like to properly talk to you about a few things regarding the boy you like. I would really appreciate it if you met up with me as soon as you get this. Please don't hesitate!"

-E"

Ryukon gave a hard blink at the note, rather tired of her antics. He folded the note and changed his shoes. He then ran up the stairs to the rooftop.

_____________________________________________________________

-7:10 am

Ryukon made it to the roof and looked around for Eri. He then walked over to where students would usually go to meet up. Ameko was sitting on the roof charging her phone in her hands when she saw Ryukon walking around alone. Something creeped up her spine, telling her to go stop him. She almost stood up, but then remembered that he could fight. However, the question was will he...

He walked behind the fans and saw Eri, standing against the wall with her hands folded. She gave a smile of welcome to Ryukon, which then turned sour when she noticed Ryukon not returning the face. They mimicked each other's suspicion.

"Stop following me around," Ryukon demanded.

Eri's eyes widened a little from the demand, "I'm here to speak with you about Keito... and how you don't know what you're doing with him..." she walked up closer, "I've had my eyes on Keito ever since we were young... but ever since he met you, he seems to forget what we had together..."

"I'm trying to be sweet, but based on how he acts around you, I highly doubt you had anything..."

She stared at him with her jaw dropped. Eri's throat burned from the anger boiling inside her. She clenched a fist, fighting the urge to punch Ryukon, who seemed to be relatively relaxed. She noticed and paused.

"....You're not scared of much are you?" Eri asked, "you seem so... calm in danger, and yet you can't even ask to go to the bathroom without your face turning red... Why? Why are normal things so scary for you to do, but when it comes to actual danger, you seem fine?... That's... backwards." she turned around and went back to leaning against the wall, "the group finds it unsettling."

Ryukon held a hand up to pause her, "okay, who is this group? Does it have to be a secret, or is this info I really could have asked for earlier?"

"...Why didn't you ask before then?" she tilted her head to the side, "too shy around him?"

Ryukon remained silent since she was correct about that assumption. Everytime he was around Keito, he wanted to ask, but feared that it would make his walls go up. Eri straightened her posture.

"We are the Saikou Secret Enforcement Gang, or SSEG... well... kinda..." Eri started, "we worked for the Saikou Corp to be their undercover enforcement, but after that Aishi girl ruined the school's reputation all those years ago, the Saikous pretty much left us behind..." she paced around in an oval, "we used to be several families, but now it's down to five main families in power... well, four after that one event killed Tameko... There's the Tasseis, the Senshis, the Sunobus, the Yamakikens..." she glanced at Ryukon, "and the Shidesus..."