Archive of Our Own

Mondo Owada hated his friends.

There were a lot of other important points in this story, with important emotional significance and healing and romance and the like, but he was pretty sure that was the main moral. His friends were all little shits.

Leon was the worst, probably. It’d been his idea to organize a road trip, so the rest was almost certainly at least partially his fault, too. A few weeks before school ended, he’d sent a text to a new group chat with himself, Mondo, Chihiro, Hiro, and, of course, Taka:

Leon: Heyyyy fuckers

Leon: Schools out in a couple weeks and im basically stuck on my own all summer

Leon: SO

Leon: I had an idea

The way he proposed it, it would be a bonding exercise. The five of them had grown decently friendly over their first year at Hope’s Peak Academy (with one notable and important exception), and, according to Leon, this was just the kind of thing that friends did.

Mondo: Five bucks says he bails within a week

Leon: Ha ha very funny big man ive actually planned this one out

Leon: Got a route and everything itll be sick

Leon: Plus i asked makoto and he got byakuya to foot the bill so were basically rich for the whole thing ;P

Shut the Fuck Up: I think it sounds like a fantastic idea! I’m so honored you reached out to me, Leon. How long would this trip take?

Leon: Two weeks tops. Depends on how long we spend where

Leon: Here ill drop the route

Mondo: This looks like some touristy bullshit

Leon: OK SIR HAVE U BEEN TO ANY OF THESE PLACES

Leon: THEY ALL FUCK

Leon: MAYBE TOURISTS HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA

Chihiro: I’d be down!!!! :D

Hiro: Hell yeah, dude! Y’all need a designated driver, anyway

Mondo: Ohhh fuck off we are Not letting the pothead drive

Hiro: Why r u like this ;-;

Shut the Fuck Up: While I’m tempted to dismiss anything Mondo says out of hand, he has a point. Hiro, can we guarantee that you won’t be driving intoxicated?

Hiro: Im not a total idiot. Ill be the responsible one for this trip

Mondo: God help us all

Leon: U in, Mondo? Im pretty sure ur the only one with a big enough car,,,,,, so,,,,,,,,

Mondo: I have to check with my gang first

Leon: Ill take it

Mondo knew he couldn’t have avoided it if he’d wanted to. The minute he mentioned a trip with friends to the gang - most of which was older than him, despite him being the leader - it was like fifty Daiyas, descending from all sides to tell him how great it was that he was making friends, how excited they all were, blah, blah, blah. Sure, it was a comfort. It was also a pain in the ass.

So, he shot the group a text. It’d probably be fun, anyway. He liked Leon fine, dipshit though he was. Chihiro was a goddamn delight. Hiro… well, Hiro was entertaining.

And, of course, there was Taka. Mondo pushed two fingers against his temples to ward against the oncoming headache that was Kiyotaka Ishimaru.

It wasn’t exactly a secret that Mondo didn’t like Taka. He just seemed to exist to piss him off; the kind of guy he met all the time, who hid behind the veil of moral superiority to disguise the fact that he was just a selfish bastard with an agenda. The worst part was how fully everyone seemed to buy it. Taka was practically the fucking darling of the whole class, just because he was dorky and friendly and a little confused on the finer points of friendship. Mondo had way too much experience with that kind of false kindness.

The only saving grace was that Taka seemed to hate him in return. Mondo couldn’t stand the guy anyway, but he’d be tempted to actually murder him if he’d tried the sweet act on him. Thank god, Taka was just as ready to unconditionally despise Mondo as Mondo was to despise him. It was a shitty relationship all around.

So, yeah, it’d be rough to spend two weeks in close proximity with the guy. But he wouldn’t be alone.

Or, at least, that’s what he thought at first.

Then Chihiro bailed, citing an unexpected commission that was going to take nearly the entire summer.

And Leon (despite orchestrating the whole thing) had to go “do a family thing” and cancelled, too.

By the time Hiro told them that he’d gotten a pretty good job offer and couldn’t pass it up, Mondo was ready to call the whole thing quits. There was no way he was spending an entire road trip with Kiyotaka Ishimaru.

Shut the Fuck Up: It’s just us now, then, is that right?

Mondo: Yeah, bud, youre a fucking math genius

Shut the Fuck Up: I don’t appreciate the profanity. You’re going to have to tone that down if you expect me to be alone with you for so long.

Mondo: ??? Do you seriously expect this to still happen???

Shut the Fuck Up: I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Are you busy?

Mondo: Dude i dont Like You though

Shut the Fuck Up: I assure you, the feeling is mutual. However, I was under the impression that this was something of a requisite for the ‘teen experience’, as our friend Leon put it?

Mondo: I mean maybe? Leon says a lot of dumb shit

Shut the Fuck Up: In any case, my father is so delighted that I ‘finally have friends’ that I believe cancelling now would be deeply distressing to him. I believe you mentioned your gang members having a similar reaction?

Mondo groaned. Fuck, he was right. The guys would fucking hate it if he cancelled.

Mondo: You get that i really hate this right

Mondo: Like how clearly do i have to spell it out

Shut the Fuck Up: You’re doing just fine, I assure you! I’ve been able to glean your contempt from nearly every text you’ve sent!

Shut the Fuck Up: However, I’m tempted to agree with my father: spending the entirety of this vacation alone in my room would likely be “depressing” and “not beneficial to my overall mental health”. I suspect you’re much the same. Would you be amenable to helping one another seem less desperately lonely?

Mondo: God your a nerd

Shut the Fuck Up: *you’re.

Mondo: Yes ok fine i will go on a hell road trip with you

Mondo: Without weed man we are going to be breaking the law vis a vis driving you do realize this

Shut the Fuck Up: Trust me, I have lost a sufficient amount of sleep over it and have determined that this is one step in “pulling my head out of my butt”, as you so aptly put it.

Mondo: I didnt say butt

Shut the Fuck Up: While I’m incredibly disinterested in becoming a common criminal, I trust myself to stay under the speed limit and simply not get us pulled over. I don’t hold the same conviction in you, however, which is why I’m going to be driving.

Mondo: I drive a fucking motorcycle and you think i cant handle a car

Shut the Fuck Up: I’m quite certain that, should you ‘handle’ the car in the same way that you ‘handle’ your motorbike, we will die.

Mondo: Fine. You drive.

They hashed out the details, got everything sorted, and, before long, were meeting outside of Hope’s Peak, bags packed and car ready to go.

“You’re sure about this?” Mondo asked, pulling the door open to let Taka inside.

“Yes.” Taka got into the front seat and didn’t elaborate. Prick.

Mondo sat shotgun, pulling out a map. “Alright. It’s about an hour to Kyoto from here-“

“I know the route,” Taka interrupted. “I appreciate you attempting to help navigate, but I’m going to be just fine.” His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. Almost unintentionally, Mondo reached up and placed a hand over Taka’s.

“Dude. Chill out. I’m not doubting your fuckin’ abilities or whatever, I just want to make sure we don’t wind up dead in a ditch.”

“I’m going to make absolutely sure to avoid ditches.” Taka’s hands unclenched slightly, and he let out a shaky half-laugh. “I apologize. I’m… this is a lot of new things at once.”

“A lot of new things?” Mondo asked.

“Driving for long stretches,” Taka said immediately. “Extended one-on-one time. You.”

Mondo rolled his eyes. “Just because I run a gang doesn’t mean I’m gonna off you in the middle of nowhere.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Taka mumbled.

“It isn’t?”

“I mean, it wasn’t, until you said something.”

Mondo snorted. “C’mon. Let’s get going.”

The first fifteen minutes, blissfully, passed pretty quietly. Mondo only tried to turn on the radio once, and had immediately stopped when Taka had tore his eyes away from the road to give him a sharp look. After that, he just stared aimlessly out the window and hoped he’d fall asleep.

After those fifteen minutes, though, he’d reached his limit. “Are we gonna sit in silence this whole trip, or…?”

“Are you bored?” Taka asked immediately.

“I mean, yeah.” Mondo shrugged. “I get kinda restless on car rides.”

“Understood.” Taka tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “I’m unsure how to proceed.”

“Dunno, man. Just start a fucking conversation, ain’t that hard.”

Taka continued drumming his fingers, eyes glued to the road. “I don’t have anything I want to talk about. Did you have questions for me?”

Mondo sighed, irritation creeping into his voice as he spoke. “Yeah, were you born with the stick up your ass, or did your boyfriend ram it up there for you?”

Taka stiffened. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“That’s what you’re focusing on?”

“I don’t,” Taka repeated. “And, to answer your question… born, I suppose, although I don’t think I sprung fully-formed from the womb like this.”

It had been a rhetorical question, and Mondo was half-tempted to tell him as such, but… well, now he was curious. “Okay, then, which traumatic childhood experience tipped the scale?”

Taka almost looked offended. “My childhood wasn’t traumatic, it was just structured. That’s something you’ve clearly never experienced, so I’m sorry if it seems a little foreign from your end.”

“Don’t patronize me.” Mondo felt his fingers tighten against his knees. “And don’t insult my fucking upbringing.”

Taka didn’t pull his eyes away from the road, but he blinked in clear surprise. “I wasn’t attempting to insult you. Am I wrong in imagining a more lax childhood for you?”

“In comparison to the finishing school you call growing up? Yeah, I’d say I got the more relaxed version.”

“I don’t understand why you’re upset.”

“I grew up fine, alright?”

“I didn’t say you didn’t.” Taka sighed. “Look, if you don’t want to talk, say so. But don’t complain about the quiet, either.”

“Fucking… fine.” Slouching back against his seat, Mondo resigned himself to a silent ride. “Can we at least put on music?”

“I’m trying exceptionally hard to concentrate.” Taka pursed his lips. “If we can agree on a station, I’m willing to make an attempt. I just worry.”

“Driving doesn’t take brainpower.”

“I’m very dedicated.”

Mondo rolled his eyes and clicked on the radio, filling the car with shitty music. “If I tell you it’s a fuckin’ staple of cheesy road trips, will you feel better?”

“Yes, actually!” Eyes still glued to the road, Taka offered a bright smile. “That means we’re doing well.”

Mondo let the conversation die, content to bop his head a little too enthusiastically to truly horrendous songs (bemoaning the fact that his phone was dead and he couldn’t play anything decent) and watch Taka drive. In the back of his head, it occurred to him that the guy drove the same way he studied: eyes narrowed in focus, expression nearly angry, a habitual lip-chewing the only sign of life above his arms. He looked at the road like it was a particularly challenging problem, and he was deeply frustrated that he couldn’t immediately solve it.

Mondo wondered when he’d gotten to know Taka’s thinking face so well.

The drive wound up being a little longer than either had expected (which made Mondo all the more certain that he was going to hate this entire experience), but eventually they were pulling into the parking lot of their hotel. Mondo, being an asshole, left Taka to check in.

“And you’re sure we don’t have, like, three rooms to pay for?”

“Leon assured me that he cancelled all the unnecessary reservations,” Taka said, eyes scanning the doors for their correct number. “Here.”

Their room was decently-sized, clean, and relatively unfurnished. Two beds sat on opposite sides of the room, with a desk and a light to go between them. Privately, Mondo wasn’t exactly excited about staying in the same room as Kiyotaka “What Is Sleep” Ishimaru, but at least Taka had promised him that he hadn’t brought along textbooks.

“Aight. What time is it?”

Taka checked his watch. “It’s approximately six o’clock. There are plenty of restaurants around here that I’ve been looking into, if you were interested in going out for dinner.”

Mondo sighed. He’d been hoping to get time to chill - maybe take a nap - but, somehow, he sensed that Taka wouldn’t like that idea. “Yeah, that works fine.”

Taka scouted a little further, and they wound up at a restaurant not too far from their hotel. After ordering, the uncomfortable silence of the car seemed to settle over them again. Mondo fidgeted with the underside of the table, wondering if the entire trip was going to be this awkward.

“May I ask you a question?” Mondo looked up to see Taka staring at his water glass.

“Yeah, shoot.”

“Is there a particular reason why you dislike me?”

Mondo felt his heart drop. It wasn’t like it was a secret - hell, he’d said as much in the texts between them - but it just… it didn’t sit right with him, hearing it straight from the guy’s mouth. He had the irrational urge to disagree.

Instead, he snorted. “I dunno, man, is there a ‘particular reason’ that you can’t stand me?”

“Yes,” Taka said.

“Care to share?”

“You’re impulsive. You have little to no regard for your own safety, or the safety of others. You gamble with the rules.” Taka swished his glass around, watching the water. “You aren’t predictable.”

You have little to no regard for your own safety, or the safety of others. “Sorry I’m not a fucking robot like you, dude, but I-“ Mondo broke off as Taka set down his glass a little too hard. “What?”

“Don’t call me that.” His eyes were still focused on the table.

“Dude, it’s a fucking figure of speech, chill out.” Mondo shrugged. “And… I mean, can you blame me? You’re kinda…”

“What?” Taka looked at him for a half a second, red eyes boring into his own, before flicking back down to the table and exhaling as though he’d been holding his breath. “What am I ‘kinda’?”

“I mean, you’re a stick in the mud? The fun police? C’mon, man, you’ve gotta get why someone like me wouldn’t be down for that.”

At that, their food arrived, and the tension broke slightly. They ate in silence for a second or two, before Taka spoke again.

“Rules,” he said carefully, “are important. They set a standard. They give fair expectations. They protect people.”

“Yeah, they protect the right people.” Mondo gestured with his fork. “Alright, how about this for why I don’t like you: you’re the most fucking fake person I’ve ever met. Your rules don’t give a shit about anyone who really needs protecting. Every piece of do-good bullshit that you pull out of your ass on the daily means nothing if you’re just gonna sit around and let the ‘rules’ drag everyone through the mud. You want to play it like you’re a good person, but I know your type, and I want no part in it.”

“I’m not fake,” Taka said fiercely. “And I’m not sitting around.”

“Right.” Mondo rolled his eyes. “Listen, just because you’ve never done an honest day’s work in your life-“

“Don’t say that!” Taka raised his voice to an uncomfortably loud degree, and a few nearby onlookers put their forks down. “You can challenge my ethics. I encourage that. But don’t tell me I haven’t worked hard, when you’ve… when you’ve consistently taken the easy way out of every situation you’ve ever been presented with.”

Mondo looked around. “Taka, people are staring.”

Taka stiffened. “Oh. Yes. I… I didn’t mean to…” His eyes dropped back to his food. “Just don’t say that.”

“Fine.” Mondo waited a moment. “Don’t say that kinda shit about me, though, either.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

They didn’t speak for the rest of dinner, or the way back to the hotel. It was early - around eight - and, after a few minutes of unbearable tension, Taka announced that he was going out to get a better lay of the land. Mondo let him go, electing instead to lay on the bed and stare at the ceiling.

This had been a mistake. He was going to have a miserable two weeks, hanging out with a guy that he despised, and then go home and have to lie to his gang and tell them it’d been great. He fucking hated lying.

He could’ve strangled Leon. Why had he thought it would be a good idea, to plan something and ditch last-minute? Even if it had just been the three of them, it would’ve been better. He felt trapped with Taka, pinned under the weight of the space between them. It was… annoying. Taka was annoying.

And he was wrong, too. Mondo cared about doing the right thing, he just didn’t need a stupid fucking rulebook to tell him how. He was just prepared to do what’s right, no matter what was allowed.

Or do whatever it took to get ahead, regardless of what was right.

Rolling over, Mondo erased the thought. That was different. Everyone had regrets, even boys with crisp white uniforms and loud voices and intense red eyes. Even boys who knew who they were.

When Taka finally came back into the room, he didn’t speak to Mondo. He just grabbed pajamas - plain and gray and fucking boring, just like everything else about the guy - and took off his shirt.

“Are you going to just sleep in your clothes, or do you plan on changing?” Taka asked, buttoning his top.

“I’ll sleep in whatever I want.”

“Did you bring pajamas?”

Mondo felt his face flush. “None of your fucking business.” He hadn’t. He definitely hadn’t, because he was an idiot who didn’t plan ahead.

There was a moment of silence, and then something soft was being thrown at his head. Lifting up to look, Mondo found a large t-shirt and a pair of soft shorts. “What the fuck, dude?”

“Sleeping in those pants sounds wildly uncomfortable,” Taka said, eyes trained on the opposite wall. “It’s important that you’re well-rested, especially if we want to poke around the city tomorrow. I’ve got a few spots I’d be interested in checking out.”

Mondo froze, confused. “I thought you were pissed off.”

“I’m reasonably upset with you,” Taka said carefully. “That doesn’t change the fact that I think you deserve a good night’s rest.”

“…Right.” Mondo took the makeshift pajamas, changed quickly, and laid back down. Taka didn’t say anything, so Mondo didn’t, either.

…

The next morning came bright through the exposed window. Mondo blinked spots out of his eyes to see Taka, standing shirtless in front of the window, having clearly just drawn the curtains back.

“Dude, what the fuck?”

“Getting too much sleep can be just as dangerous as getting too little!” Taka turned, grinning. “It’s a little ways after 7 in the morning, so I figured that I’d wake you.”

Mondo groaned. He hadn’t even considered this aspect of the Taka Experience. “Is this how it’s gonna be for the whole trip?”

“Hopefully, yes! Even I was surprised that you woke up so quickly.” Taka stepped away from the window. “How do you take your coffee? There’s a little machine in here.”

“Black,” Mondo lied.

“Me as well,” Taka said (clearly also lying), making his way to the coffee machine.

It was at this moment that Mondo’s brain made the unhelpful note that Kiyotaka Ishimaru was ripped.

It was a stupid thing to notice - it wasn’t as if he was jealous of the guy - but it startled him, somehow. It didn’t match the Taka in his head.

It made sense, of course. Taka was pretty much guaranteed to be a workaholic in fitness, just like school and the ‘teen experience’. He just hadn’t thought about it before (obviously).

Shaking off the mental tangent, Mondo sat up. “Alright. What’s the plan?”

Brightening, Taka took out his phone. “There’s really far too much to do in this city for a day and a half, but I’ve picked out a few highlights. I’m guessing you’re not much of a museum person?”

Mondo scoffed, suddenly irrationally offended. “What makes you say that?”

“You don’t seem the type. Am I wrong?”

“Hell yeah, you’re wrong!” No, he wasn’t. “I’d be fuckin’ down to do whatever it is you think I can’t handle, no question!” Oh, he was such a dumbass.

“Your machismo is inspiring,” Taka said dryly. “Alright, that works for me. I’ve been wanting to go to the Kyoto National Museum for a while now, so… as long as you’re sure, you can tag along.”

“I’ll be there,” Mondo… threatened? The intention was getting away from him. He just didn’t like being told not to do something.

“Aside from that, there are temples I’d be interested in taking a look at. Unfortunately, I doubt we’ll get to all of them, so I’ll narrow it down and we can ‘hit the road’, as they say!”

After grabbing a quick breakfast, they found the nearest subway station and sat down to wait.

“Okay, dude, I’ll bite.” Mondo eyed Taka from the side. “What is this place?”

“Oh!” Taka straightened, clearly trying to hide excitement. “I did my best not to look too far into the actual contents of the museum because I wanted to experience it firsthand, but it boasts a vast collection of art, costumes, ceramics-“ Taka talked a lot with his hands. Mondo had noticed it before, but it was usually more of a ‘finger-wagging’ thing than anything else. Now, though, as he continued listing off what they might see (which had somehow led to a rant about the history of pottery and was going way over Mondo’s head), it was like his enthusiasm was bursting out of his hands, too big to fit inside his body. Despite the lecture, Mondo kinda liked Taka more when he wasn’t being such a pain in the ass.

The train came, and Taka was still talking. Mondo nudged him to indicate that they should get on, but, otherwise, he let him go. It was the most pleasant conversation he’d had with the guy since… well, honestly, since they’d met. There was no way he’d disrupt it, even if it was getting confusing.

“And, I mean, it’s all incredibly fascinating stuff, but I’ve only ever done external research. I’ve never actually seen any of it for myself.”

“Yeah, I was actually wondering that.” Mondo fiddled with his hair, checking for nonexistent loose curls. “Kyoto isn’t that far away from home. We did the drive in an hour. Why don’t you come here more often, if you’re so into this shit?”

Taka shrugged. “Busy, I suppose. I have been to Kyoto before, but at the time I didn’t know enough to suggest visiting the museum. My father isn’t particularly interested in art history, so we’ve never been.”

“Okay, then, why didn’t you ask when you were older?”

“I tend not to indulge in pastimes unrelated to my educational and political pursuits,” Taka said. “I felt guilty enough just spending time researching, unless it was specifically for a class. Taking an entire day off of school, however intellectually motivated that day might be, seems… sort of impossible. The only reason this trip is any different is because I’m doing it with friends.” He eyed Mondo. “Was doing it with friends, that is.”

Ouch. Fair, though. “Why didn’t you bail, if you’re so ‘educationally motivated’?”

“I mean, I’ve mentioned believing it to be necessary for my development as a teenager, but, mostly, it seemed impolite to abandon you.”

“Dude, I only came because it seemed like you wanted to.”

Taka’s eyebrows lifted. “I only came because I believed the same of you.”

Mondo felt a laugh rise in his chest. “Dude, we fucked ourselves over so bad!”

“You wish you hadn’t come, then?” Taka didn’t sound hurt, just legitimately curious.

“Yeah, don’t you?” Mondo shrugged. “You might actually hate me more than I hate you.”

“I don’t hate you,” Taka argued, “I just don’t like you.”

“Same difference.”

“I think you could be brilliant! Everyone has the capacity for passion and motivation, and… honestly, that’s why it frustrates me so much that you’ve instead chosen to be a criminal burnout.”

Irritation flickered. Mondo fucking hated the whole ‘you have so much potential!’ act. It was just insulting. “Yeah, well, maybe if you tried doing something because you enjoyed it instead of feeling like you have to, people’d get to see the whole… excitable nerd thing more often.”

Taka frowned. “Exactly. We’re in agreement, there.”

“No, dumbass, that’s a good thing. That’s a fucking personality that doesn’t revolve around studying. I’m saying that if you weren’t such a prissy idiot, maybe I wouldn’t mind this trip so much.”

Taka huffed. “Can’t change our stripes, I suppose.”

“Nope.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence. After seeing Taka at his most animated, the quiet felt sort of… empty. It was like something important was gone, as tangible and noticeable as if all the seats or passengers suddenly disappeared.

It felt less alive in the train car. Mondo hated that he almost missed it.

By the time they were at the museum, though, Taka seemed to have bounced back. He didn’t actually drag Mondo from exhibit to exhibit, but Mondo could tell how badly he wanted to. Occasionally, he’d list off a few fun facts about something in a display case, or comment on the era an exhibit had been collected from. Mondo didn’t respond - after Taka calling him a criminal burnout, he wasn’t feeling all too chummy - but Taka soldiered on with remarkable enthusiasm.

And, loathe as he was to admit it, the museum was fascinating. Taka had been right to assume it wasn’t his thing, but it was still a celebration of knowledge that he really didn’t pay all that much attention to in his daily life. He hated even thinking the thought, but Taka probably made it better. Mondo wasn’t good at staring at a stationary object for more than a few seconds, but, with Taka next to him, describing the potential history of the object, it felt less like a prison and more like an adventure.

Mondo glanced at Taka suspiciously. Don’t you dare make me like you.

The day passed surprisingly quickly, and, perhaps even more surprisingly, without another outburst. The two boys finished up at the museum and, by request of Taka, checked out a few temples (which, apparently, Taka knew nearly everything about as well). The air was warm, the sky was clear, and it was very difficult to stay in a bad mood, even with Taka there reminding him why he’d been upset.

“Okay, I’m starving,” Mondo announced. They were back on the train, traveling back towards their hotel.

“We did skip lunch,” Taka said regretfully. “I pride myself on maintaining a healthy diet. We’ll have to make up for that.”

Mondo eyed him dubiously. “You’re a workaholic. I can’t believe that you’re so hung up on sleeping and eating and shit.”

“Just because I suffer from bad habits doesn’t mean I can’t work to break them!” Taka crossed his arms. “I’ll admit, pulling all-nighters and forgetting to eat are… unfortunately common in my day-to-day - which I am working on - but they shouldn’t also be common in yours.”

Mondo rolled his eyes. “Yeah, alright, big guy. No need to give me a speech, I said I was hungry.”

Taka offered a half-smile. “We can grab dinner before we go home. No fighting, though, alright?”

“If I’m remembering right, you were the one to start shit last night.”

“You escalated.”

“Escalated, my ass, I had to tell you to-“

“Mondo!” Taka interrupted him. “This is exactly what I’m talking about.”

Oh. “Right, yeah, okay, I get you.”

“So we’re in agreement?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Cool beans.”

Mondo snorted. “Hell yeah.”

Over dinner, Taka explained (again) the plan for the next few days. They’d stay in Kyoto for the night, then drive to their next destination - Nagoya - in time to check into the hotel, grab lunch, and try to squeeze in an activity or two before dinner. From there, they’d spend two days in Nagoya before moving on to their next location.

“Did Leon actually plan all this shit out?”

“With a little help from me, yes!” Taka said. “He’s surprisingly dedicated to tasks of this sort, and… surprisingly, he takes well to planning events. It might be because of the time he spends with Sayaka, but I’m not entirely sure.”

Mondo hummed. “For real, though, how’d you get to know all that shit about what we saw today? I can’t even remember what I learned last semester, and that was, like, three days ago.”

Taka shook his head. “If you applied yourself more, that might be different, but… in a sense, I understand. There are things that I struggle to grasp, too. School just doesn’t happen to be one of them.” He picked at his food for a moment. “To answer the question… honestly, it just interests me. I’ve always had a proclivity for history, if you will. Being interested in law and politics kind of demands that you be passionate about where societies came from.”

Mondo nodded slowly. “I mean, I guess. I just didn’t think you could get excited about shit, really.”

Taka glanced up briefly in confusion. “How do you mean? I’ve been told that I have a tendency to be over-excited, actually.”

“There’s a difference between bursting a fucking blood vessel over someone running in the halls and having an interest.”

“I suppose.” Taka shrugged. “It’s also probably worth noting that I don’t talk to you, outside of… well, as you so succinctly put it, bursting a… a freaking blood vessel over something. I’m sure that your fellow classmates would be… less surprised. In fact, I can confidently say that I’ve been told to shut up by nearly all of them!”

Mondo cocked his head. “What for?”

Taka snorted. “Mondo. My voice is quite literally sore from talking. I’ve been told that it’s grating.”

“Dude, that’s bullshit,” Mondo said. “This is, like, the first thing you’ve ever done that I didn’t hate on principle.”

“Trust me, you’ll be entirely done with it within a week,” Taka said. He didn’t even sound sad, just calm. Like he was rattling off school rules.

Bizarrely, Mondo realized that he didn’t like Taka feeling that way.

“You’re a shitty, annoying, weak-ass son of a bitch that I’d rather never talk to again,” he grumbled, “but it’s not because you talk too much about fucking history.”

“I appreciate that, Mondo.” Taka narrowed his eyes. “I think. The first part was rude.”

“No shit.”

“This is just how you are, isn’t it?” Taka took a bite of food. “You aren’t actually specifically upset with me.”

Mondo considered. “Huh. No, I guess I’m not.”

“Good to know. If you could make it clearer in the future, I’d be incredibly grateful.”

“Will do.” They ate in silence for a moment, before Mondo spoke up again. “Can I say another half-rude thing that’s ‘just the way I am’?”

“Yes.” Taka looked up, eyes focused on Mondo’s hair (Mondo resisted the urge to touch it self-consciously).

“Today was the least I’ve hated you since I met you, and it kinda makes me wonder why you’re such a dick all the time.”

Taka hummed, fiddling with his collar. “I don’t notice much of a change. I try to avoid outbursts in a professional environment, but even still, it’s still just me.” He shrugged. “Maybe you just never looked.”

“Okay, asshole, same to you.”

Taka raised his eyebrows, apparently considering. “That’s fair. I hadn’t thought of it.”

“Me neither, I guess. Still a dickwad, though.”

“And you’re still a delinquent.”

Mondo found himself grinning. He hated Taka, but maybe that didn’t mean he couldn’t get along with him for two weeks.

…

That evening, Taka went straight to his bag, pulled out a sheet of paper, a clipboard, and a pen, and sat down on his bed.

“So, I’ve been thinking about what we discussed over dinner. It’s occurred to me that, if we are to make this situation livable, we’re going to want to set some ground rules. As such, I propose a contract.”

It took a moment for the words to register in Mondo’s head (and then another moment to keep his mind from jumping immediately to Fifty Shades of Gray). “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Looking back across our relationship-“

“Don’t call it that, that sounds…” Mondo tried to think of the right word, and found that he wasn’t sure.

Taka nodded. “Looking back across the time we’ve known each other, you can pretty easily trace the things that irritate us about one another. There are certain ‘buttons’ that you have a tendency to push that I’d prefer you to steer clear of. Am I safe in assuming you have a few as well?”

“Yeah, no shit, but I don’t need a fucking fancy contract to tell me about them.”

“It’s just a formality,” Taka agreed, “but, in my opinion, an important one. At the very least, to me. If you wouldn’t mind sitting next to me and offering up some clauses?”

It felt stupid, but Mondo sat down and, over the course of the next thirty minutes, wrote out a contract with Taka.

As Taka had promised, it was just a fancy way of saying “don’t be a dick”. Mondo had been banned from inhuman comparisons, Taka agreed to chill out on Mondo applying himself, etc. They agreed that any time a conversation was taking a turn for the worse, they’d bring it up, and move on. No judgement.

“Should we have a signal? If it’s difficult or embarrassing to say out loud, I mean?”

Mondo snorted. “Yeah, dude, let’s pick a safe word.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking- oh.” Taka looked to Mondo suspiciously. “That was an innuendo, wasn’t it?”

“Guilty as charged,” Mondo said, not guilty in the slightest.

Taka looked down at the contract. “I should really add that sort of thing to the list.”

“Veto, man. That shit is, like, half my personality. You don’t fuck with that.” Hyperbole (mostly), but if Taka tried to take away Mondo’s ability to make sex jokes, he thought he might actually strangle the guy.

“Fine, fine.” Taka thought for a moment. “In all seriousness, though, a safe word isn’t a bad idea. I can imagine several situations in which having a single word that could excuse me from explaining myself would be helpful.”

“Yeah, tracks.” Mondo mulled it over in his head for a minute. “Kumquat.”

Taka frowned. “Why?”

“Sounds good in my mouth, I dunno. Isn’t something we’ll say a lot.”

Taka narrowed his eyes. “It’s another sex joke, isn’t it?”

“Wait, why-“ Mondo stopped as he realized. “You little shit, you’re worse than I am!”

“You established a precedent!” Taka squawked. “I was just going off what I know about you!”

“Okay, now we have to use kumquat, that’s fucking hilarious.”

Taka grumbled about it, but he put it on the contract. “Alright. Do you want to sign first, or should I?”

“This is stupid.” Mondo signed the contract, and Taka wrote his name neatly underneath. “There. Done. Can we go to bed now?”

“Yes! Thank you, this is a serious relief.” Taka sighed, looking at the contract. “I don’t want to spend these weeks with someone I don’t like. This, at least, works to make it survivable.”

In that, at least, they were agreed.

…

They set out for Nagoya early the next day. This drive was longer, but Mondo was at the very least less horrified at the idea of being trapped in a car with Taka. The guy was irritating, but he was manageable.

“So, run it by me again. What do we have to look forward to in Nagoya?”

Taka brightened. “Oh, plenty of things!” Pulling over for a moment, he pulled out his phone, scrolling through a checklist. “Sightseeing spots, a theme park, a castle… oh, and Legoland.”

“Sorry, what.”

“Legoland?” Taka flashed a photo for Mondo to look at. “It’s another theme park. A bit childish, I know, but-“

“Why, and I cannot stress this enough, the fuck did you show me anything else from this place? We’re spending both days there. Exclusively.” Mondo was mostly joking, but he couldn’t deny that it sounded genuinely fun. In a kiddish, stupid way, of course.

Taka started the car again, getting back on the road. “I’m glad we share enthusiasm! I think it’s going to be an incredibly enriching experience.”

“Try again.”

“It’s going to be fun as heck!”

“Bingo.” Mondo pointed a finger gun at him in mock praise. “I’ll check out your other stuff, but… for real, we aren’t skipping out on fucking Legoland.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Taka said, deadly serious. Mondo snorted. Taking a hiatus from despising Taka was paying off. This trip would be a nightmare otherwise.

“Alright, sounds like we’ve got a busy couple of days ahead of us. Shouldn’t be a problem for the Ultimate Overachiever, though, right?”

Taka shrugged. “I’m optimistic, but I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch.” He glanced at Mondo, smiling. “Glad to see that you have faith in me, though!”

“Not what I meant, dipshit,” Mondo grumbled. “Don’t get cute, alright? Nothing in that fuckin’ contract says I can’t insult you.”

“True.” Taka frowned. “Should’ve added a clause about that, but, well. What’s done is done, I suppose. I do reserve the right to tell you to stop if I choose, though.”

“Are you?”

“No. It’s funny that you think you can offend me. Entertaining in a depressing, Schadenfreude kind of way, if you will.”

“Fuck right off with that shit.”

“Language.”

By the time they made it to Nagoya, they had set up tickets to Legoland for the next day. It was only noon when they checked into their hotel, so they settled in to discuss plans for the rest of that day.

“I want to save Korankei for after Legoland. Would you be interested in checking out Nagoya Castle today?”

“Is this another thing that you’ve memorized entire books about, or…?”

“That obvious?” Taka flushed. “I can try to tone it down if it’s an annoyance.”

“Nah, man. I barely listen to you as is, feel free to spout off.” It was only then that Mondo realized something slightly worrying:

He was lying. He wanted to hear about the castle. More to the point, he wanted Taka to tell him about the castle.

Shrugging it off, he shoved the instinct deep into his chest. It was stupid. All the ‘play nice to get through the trip’ shit was getting to his head. He’d spent one day with the guy without a massive fight breaking out. Big fucking deal.

The castle was gorgeous. Even Mondo wasn’t enough of a dickwad to pretend otherwise. And, naturally, Taka was fucking psyched, bouncing on the balls of his feet and saying something about how he’d “recently read this fantastic article about-“

It was a strange thought - one that probably belonged in the same ‘stop it’ box as the one about wanting to hear Taka’s thoughts on Nagoya Castle - but Mondo found himself almost irrationally angry at whichever son of a bitch told Taka that this was the problem with him.

“Seems more like a military base than a castle,” Mondo said, eyeing a tall watchtower.

“Actually, you’re right on the money! The castle - including the palace, the rest of the grounds, et cetera - functioned as a military facility, and was about as well-maintained and protected.”

Mondo didn’t feel proud of himself for having guessed something right in front of Kiyotaka “Walking Encyclopedia” Ishimaru. Not in the slightest.

After exploring the grounds for a while, they resolved to head out and see what else there was to check out in the city. They wound up hanging around downtown Nagoya for a little, window-shopping and exploring the city, and made a stop at the Science Museum (which, for once, was something Taka wasn’t all-knowing about). Science really wasn’t Mondo’s thing, but, being high school students, they got a free look at the planetarium, and he couldn’t deny that it was pretty fucking cool. Mondo could’ve sat in that room for hours, staring up at the whole universe surrounding him.

Daiya would’ve loved it.

The thought hit him like a truck (internally, he winced at the comparison). It was true, though: for a guy who ran the scariest biker gang in all of Japan, Daiya had been something of an astronomy nerd. Mondo could almost hear his voice, pointing out stars and planets and shit that Mondo’d never paid as much attention to as he should’ve. Daiya had never been to this place, as far as Mondo knew.

Now, he never would.

“Can we…” Mondo cleared his throat. “Uh, do we need to stay much longer?”

“Softer, Mondo, the lecture’s still ongoing.” Taka was enraptured by the pleasant voice filling the room, detailing the goings-on of the solar system.

Throat tightening, Mondo nodded. He looked up, trying to pay attention. It was a losing game - the box sealed in his brain labeled ‘Daiya Stuff’ had a lot more than fuzzy memories of space, and, once opened, it didn’t close easily - but he tried, honest to god. He wanted Taka to know he was interested, even if it was just so he didn’t sound like a baby.

He didn’t realize how tightly he was clenching his fists and his jaw and his arms until he felt a hand on his bicep and nearly jumped out of his skin. When he turned, Taka was looking at him like he was a puzzle.

“What?” Mondo choked out.

“You need to leave?” It seemed like a genuine question. Mondo had never wanted to say yes so badly in his life.

It was stupid. Daiya had never been here, and Mondo had told himself a million times that he didn’t have the right to mourn. He shouldn’t ruin Taka’s day because he was a weak idiot who couldn’t handle a space room.

And, anyway, Taka already thought poorly of him. If he wanted the guy to respect him in the slightest, he wasn’t gonna bail on this bullshit ‘experience’. He was fine, damnit.

“No, I’m good. Just getting bored, is all.”

Taka hummed in understanding. “You can step out if you’d like. I’m going to stay for the rest.”

Mondo wasn’t a coward. He’d handled his brother’s death, and come out better for it. He wasn’t gonna give up the ghost now, and he wasn’t gonna let Taka win this challenge, small and arbitrary though it was. He stayed by his side for the rest of the presentation, listening to Daiya describe the constellations and replaying the night of the crash over and over in his head. And he was fucking fine.

…

“Dinner next?” Taka and Mondo left the Science Museum, the former with a pep in his step and the latter trudging a step behind as though he were wading through snow.

“Yeah, fine.” Mondo was still shaken, and, as a result, was probably a little snappier than usual. It wasn’t his fault, though. The planetarium should’ve just fucked right off when it figured out who it was messing with.

Taka chattered on as they hopped on the train to find food closer to their hotel. Mondo had to admit, the background noise wasn’t unwelcome - or, at least, it wouldn’t have been normally - but… it was just a bad time. Taka should’ve known to shut the hell up. It didn’t matter that he’d told Taka he was fine (which he was), he just… should’ve known.

“But, see, what’s really interesting is-“

“Are you an only child?” Mondo interrupted. Taka looked up in surprise. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to break the… sorry.”

“No, it’s… fine.” Taka stared into the middle distance for a moment, focusing, as if trying to process the question. “Yes, I’m an only child. Honestly, aside from my father, I lived a relatively isolated existence until… well, until Hope’s Peak.”

“Oh.” Mondo couldn’t deny a little disappointment, although he wasn’t sure what he’d have said if Taka did have a sibling. Listen to what they have to say. Don’t treat them like an all-knowing god. Don’t accidentally make them get run over by a truck and smash their head open on the concrete.

“How about you?”

Mondo nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got a brother.” Had. Had a brother. “He’s a couple years older than me, used to run the gang before I took over.” Before he died. Before I killed him. “Pretty cool guy, all things considered. Practically raised me, along with the rest of the gang.” A half-smile traced itself across Mondo’s face. “Hell, all of those guys might as well be my siblings, too.”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean, they were always there for me, yeah? If we needed anything, we had each other’s backs. Still do. If that’s not family, I don’t know what is.”

Taka sat quietly, considering that. “I don’t think I have any of those, either. Friend-brothers, I mean. Not yet.” He shrugged. “Too busy for that sort of thing. Or too odd, I haven’t decided which one.”

Mondo nodded, barely listening. He hadn’t told Taka that his brother was dead. Obviously, he didn’t want to, but the point was still that he hadn’t. He couldn’t say it.

Fucking coward.

They ate dinner in silence. Taka tried starting up conversation, and Mondo really did put effort into adding to it, but it just wouldn’t stick. Mondo was distracted.

As they were getting ready to turn in for the night, Taka sat down on Mondo’s bed. “Something’s bothering you.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you aren’t.” Taka frowned. “You’ve been quiet for hours, which is unlike you, to say the very least. You’re snappy, which is commonplace but which I thought we were making an effort to get past, and-“

“Fucking chill, there’s no need to psychoanalyze me.”

“See, that. That isn’t fine, Mondo.”

“Leave it, Taka, okay? Kumquat, or whatever.”

Taka pursed his lips. “Alright. If there’s anything I can do, tell me.”

“Why the fuck do you even care?” Mondo gave a little half-laugh. “We can pretend for the trip, but we’re not magically gonna become best friends just because we can’t escape each other.”

“Firstly, I don’t think you’re as bad of a person as I initially believed,” Taka said easily. “And, more to the point, I don’t think anyone deserves to be unhappy alone.”

Mondo sighed. “Get to know me first. And you’re still a dick.” Even in his mouth, the words didn’t have any bite. He was tired, tired of being sad and being lonely and hating himself and hating Taka. He didn’t have room for anger, in that moment. He just wanted to go to sleep.

Taka left him alone. Mondo wasn’t sure he wanted him to.

…

Mondo woke up late.

He looked around his hotel room, eyes adjusting to the brightness of the morning, to find himself entirely alone. Taka wasn’t here.

Looking to the left, Mondo spotted a note on the desk. Unfurling the paper, he found a message in neat, uniform handwriting:

I’m getting breakfast downstairs. Feel free to join me if you wake up in time.

Mondo stared at the note for a moment, uncomprehending. Taka had let him sleep.

He pulled himself out of bed.

…

Mondo found Taka finishing a cup of coffee in the lounge area. He visibly brightened at Mondo’s approach, setting his mug down to wave. Mondo waved back.

“Good morning! Did you rest well?”

“Yeah, dude, slept fine. Thanks for not… yeah.” Mondo gestured vaguely. “Sorry for being an idiot yesterday.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Taka asked. “Everyone has bad days. I certainly have more than my fair share.”

“I was fine, I was overreacting.”

Taka nodded, letting it go. “Are you feeling well enough for today’s activity?”

Mondo grinned, settling in across from Taka. “Dude, I will be dead in the fucking ground before I skip out on Legoland.”

Taka let out a truly undignified snort. “We go to massive archives of endless historical treasures and scientific wonders, and all you want to do is spend the rest of your life at Legoland, huh?”

“Can you blame me?”

“Not in the slightest,” Taka assured him, “it’s just… funny, I suppose. I didn’t peg you as someone who played with children’s toys.”

“Uh, first of all, Legos are for all ages.”

“Mondo, I fidget with Legos on the daily, you’re not telling me anything I don’t know.”

“Second… I’m not? It’s just the kind of goofy thing I always sorta want to do.” Mondo shrugged. “I kinda put a lot of effort into being a scary guy, so I don’t really get the chance to go to Lego-themed amusement parks and shit.”

Taka seemed to think for a moment, before brightening. “In this regard, I think we can actually relate! I’m coming from the opposite side, but we’re- we’re meeting in the middle, if you will.”

“Hell yeah, guess we are.” Mondo offered Taka a wide grin. “Careful, dude. Relate to me too hard, and I’ll get you on the back of a motorcycle, wearing black and staying out past 9:00 PM on a Tuesday.”

“I will never ride one of those things, and I don’t have a curfew.” Taka adjusted his clothes. “I just don’t have a reason to be out late.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Mondo reached over to gently shove Taka’s shoulder. “I’m gonna turn you into a little monster by the end of these two weeks if it’s the last thing I do.”

Taka glared at him. “Not if I get you straight-edge first.”

Mondo gasped in mock-offense. “I would never!”

As they finished breakfast, conversation continuing between the two of them, it struck Mondo that he felt better. Genuinely better, not the bullshit that usually passed for better in his life. Taka had let him sleep in, and was laughing with him, and had cared enough to check in but hadn’t pushed, and… he’d been kind. Somehow, Mondo hadn’t expected kindness from Taka.

Taka had always sort of been a pretentious douchebag in Mondo’s head: the kind of guy that manipulated people to get ahead, playing the innocent card for all it was worth. The fact that he was no longer sure it was an act either meant that he’d been a real dick to the dude or that it was suddenly working on him.

Across the table, Taka laughed so hard that he nearly spilled his coffee. Mondo decided that he didn’t like disliking him.

“When do we have to leave to get to Legoland?”

Taka checked his watch. “Actually, we should be setting off fairly soon. Shall we?”

“Shall we,” Mondo mocked, standing up. “What are you, a goddamned old man?”

“Logically speaking, that would make you an older man,” Taka pointed out. “Which I’m not inclined to disagree with.”

“Wh- hey!” Mondo balled up a napkin and threw it at him as they walked out of the hotel (after a glance from Taka, he picked it up and threw it into the trash).

The bickering continued on the subway. For all his professionalism, Taka could be fucking petulant when he wanted to be. It was kind of hilarious.

“Man, you have got to get down off that high horse sometime. See what life’s like from the bottom.”

“I’m not on a ‘high horse’, I just have expectations for myself.”

“Yeah, alright, Future Prime Minister. Some of us are just trying to make it through the week.”

Taka shook his head, sobering significantly. “That’s just it, though. I never want to be the kind of politician who forgets what it’s like to be a person. The more I study laws and traditions and politics, the more I understand how much needs work. I want to be able to do that work, you know? I’m not like you, I’m never going to be able to advocate for pure anarchy, but… I can do this. I can fill at least one slot at the top with a person who hates corruption just as much as the citizens he works for.”

Mondo whistled. “Damn, dude, that’s a pretty hefty responsibility.”

“I don’t expect it to come easily,” Taka said, almost a hint of reverence and excitement in his voice. “With that being said, I’m quite confident. Nearly every advantage I do have, I’ve gotten through sheer elbow grease and spite.”

“And your dad being a cop,” Mondo grumbled, old irritation rearing its head.

Taka nodded vigorously. “And my father being a cop, and my grandfather being a former politician, yes! I plan on being better than both of them.”

“You’re really out to do good, huh?” Mondo meant it as a slight, but it almost came out like praise.

“I am.” Taka smiled at him. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted, really. That, and… I mean, friends would be welcome.”

Mondo rolled his eyes. “Yeah, lemme know how that one goes.”

Taka looked like he wanted to say something, but he just nodded once and looked out the window. “Our stop’s approaching.”

For all his teasing, Taka lit up like a fucking kid on Christmas when he spotted Legoland. Not that Mondo was any better. While Taka was half in danger of slapping himself (or Mondo) in the face from flapping his hands too hard, Mondo just power-walked until the excitement didn’t make him want to scream.

“God, we’re fucking dorks.” He couldn’t bring himself to be upset over it.

“It’s Legoland! I think we’ve earned it!”

And… yeah, it was dorky. That was the best word for the whole place. Dorky, and clearly geared towards little kids, and pretty fucking touristy. Mondo had (partially for recognition, partially for heat) shed his long coat, but he still looked like the kind of guy that could probably punt one of those little toddlers into the sun, so the two boys got a pretty wide berth at the park. If Mondo had been with literally anyone else (including, come to think of it, Chihiro, Leon, and Hiro), he probably would’ve grumbled and complained and pretended to fucking hate the whole experience, but it was difficult to feel embarrassed when Taka was just as excited as he was. Maybe it was that he didn’t care what Taka thought of him, or maybe it was just that his enthusiasm was infectious. Whatever the case, Mondo wasn’t complaining.

As it was, they went on nearly every ride in the park, had to talk each other off of several cliffs every time they saw something cool in a gift shop (they did wind up with a few souvenirs), and grabbed delightfully unhealthy lunch that nearly made Taka burst into tears. It was fun, more fun than Mondo had really had in a long, long time.

“That looks remarkably dangerous for a theme park geared at small children!” Taka shouted over the sounds of kids shrieking, pointing at a rollercoaster.

“The fuck are you, scared?”

“Scared? Ha!” Taka crossed his arms. “I’ve never been scared of anything a day in my life!”

“Alright, asshat, prove it!”

It became a sort of game: they’d take turns finding the thing that seemed a little out of their comfort zone, and challenge the other to try it with them. The result was that Mondo got on a couple rides that he probably wouldn’t have touched if he didn’t wanna impress the shit out of his not-really-rival (even a biker had limits: namely, going upside down in a spinning wheel like some kind of goddamn hamster). Still, it was fun afterwards, when Taka looked slightly ill but was gasping with laughter at how Mondo’d ‘screamed louder than the kids in the wheel ahead of them’.

After a couple of hours, though, Mondo was nearly certain something was up. Taka was becoming increasingly quiet, fidgeting with his shirt and tapping his fingers against walls and looking down at the ground as though it were the most interesting thing in the world. A couple of times, Mondo asked if everything was cool, and Taka had just nodded hard, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to believe him.

“I’m kinda beat. Do you think we could get outta here and hit up the next stop soon?” Lies (Mondo meant it when he said he could spend the entire vacation here), but Mondo wasn’t enough of an idiot to miss that Taka wasn’t gonna leave unless he initiated.

It seemed to be the right move, because Taka swallowed hard and nodded once more. They left the theme park quickly, a question on the tip of Mondo’s tongue but not falling out just yet.

As soon as they were a little ways away from the park, Taka collapsed onto a bench, breathing hard. Mondo nearly jumped to catch him, before realizing how fucking stupid that was and just sitting next to him.

“Dude, are you okay?”

Taka’s lips tightened, and he pulled out his phone.

Shut the Fuck Up: Very loud in there.

Shut the Fuck Up: And bright. And full.

Shut the Fuck Up: Just need a minute.

Frowning, Mondo discreetly changed Taka’s contact name (seemed rude, now), before texting back.

Mondo: Is this the kind of shit that happens often or

Mondo: Like should i be concerned

Taka: No, it’s fairly routine. All the other places we’ve gone thus far have been pretty ‘chill’, so this was bound to happen eventually.

Taka: Like I said, I’ll be okay. Just give me a moment to catch my breath.

In reality, it took a fairly decent stretch of time before Taka was able to offer Mondo a quiet “all good!” and a thumb’s up. Mondo hadn’t counted, but it had felt long.

“You sure? I don’t mind waiting.”

“This,” Taka said, standing up, “is exactly why I requested that we save Korankei for after Legoland. I imagined something quieter might be in order.”

“If you want, we can just go back to the hotel.” Mondo wasn’t sure what was up, but he didn’t want to force Taka to go on another mini-adventure just because he was allergic to quitting anything. “We can visit Korankei tomorrow.”

“No, I’ll be alright.” He sounded better, straightening his clothes in what Mondo was becoming increasingly aware was more of a nervous tic than anything else. “Besides, there are a couple of temples I want to check out tomorrow. It is our last day in this city before we head out again.”

“Almost feels like we aren’t spending enough time in each place, doesn’t it?”

Taka sighed regretfully. “That’s what happens when someone like Leon organizes the trip, I suppose. I’d say we could stay longer, but…”

“But you’re addicted to sticking to schedules, I get you.”

“I’m not addicted, they just… they make sense. And it’s easier to stay on track that way.”

“Dude, I really do get it. I wish I was better at schedules.”

Taka hummed in absentminded understanding. “We can work on it.”

The implications of that statement - a ‘we’ that extended beyond those two weeks - was… something. A good something, maybe. Mondo wasn’t sure.

Whatever the case, they jumped back onto the train to head up to Korankei Gorge (a long train ride, but hardly unpleasant). The way Taka had described it, it was supposed to be a gorgeous sightseeing spot in Nagoya. Normally, Mondo wouldn’t go for that kind of shit, but, at this point, he might as well have gotten that line tattooed on his fucking forehead.

“I just wish we weren’t doing this in the summer,” Taka said regretfully. “Korankei is apparently famous for the leaves in autumn.”

Mondo winced. “Yeah, sucks. Guess we’ll have to come back sometime in autumn, yeah?”

Taka’s face melted into one of contemplative surprise. “I suppose we will.”

The one upside of it not being autumn: the gorge was significantly emptier than it probably would’ve been. There were still people, of course - it was still beautiful, even without the oranges and reds that made it so well-known - but there was space. There was room to breathe.

Taka and Mondo walked along paths and through trees in relative silence. Mondo sensed that Taka was still a little overwhelmed, so he did his best to keep distance, stay quiet, and hope Taka didn’t need anything else. Meanwhile, he looked around.

It really was beautiful, lively and green and bright. He was sure it’d be fucking spectacular in the fall months, but that shit was just dying leaves, anyway. Largely overrated.

“There’s a…” Taka waved his hand for a moment, looking for the word. “A village. Sort of. We can go over there at some point, if you’d like.”

Mondo shrugged. “Maybe later. Map says there’s a nice spot to sit up ahead, near the river.”

Taka shot him a grateful look. He pretended not to see it.

Mondo and Taka sat down next to each other on the riverbank, looking out at the clear, sunny day in front of them. For a moment, things were sparkling and crystalline and more-than-real, beautiful in the way a shimmering heat wave is beautiful. Like a mirage. They sat in silence, and reveled in the sounds of life all around them, quiet in their closeness.

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Mondo pressed the issue as lightly as he could.

Taka shrugged. “There really isn’t all that much to say. I apologize if you’re looking for a sob story, but, really, I just… got overwhelmed. Happens to the best of us, I suppose, although it does present problems when trying to fit in with your peers.” He laughed, a dry and humorless chuckle that seemed so different from the boisterous laughter Mondo had come to associate with him. “I don’t get invited to parties anymore, and- I mean, I’m certain that some of it is due to my particular aversion to alcohol, drugs, et cetera, but it’s also this. Inevitably, I end up needing to leave, or I snap and act out, or…” he made a vague gesture that could’ve meant anything. “I just stay home, now.”

“I mean, that’s okay. You don’t have to be that kind of teenager. Most of them are fucking miserable, take it from me.”

Taka smiled faintly. “They aren’t alone, though. I wish I could have that.”

“Bullshit! You aren’t alone, dumbass, the whole class fucking adores you.”

“That’s fair, I suppose, although I suspect it’s in more of an ‘isn’t he so funny’ kind of way.” Taka laughed. “I know it’s silly, but I really do envy you, Mondo. I’m never going to love the idea of a gang of petty criminals, but- but it’s like you said, isn’t it? They’re your family. Your closest friends. People that you can always rely on. I don’t have that. I don’t know how to make that.”

Mondo got a feeling, deep in his chest. A sharp, familiar feeling that meant he was probably about to say something he couldn’t take back. Impulsiveness, maybe. “I’ll be that.”

Taka looked up sharply. “What?”

Immediately, Mondo realized how stupid that sounded. “Shit, sorry, I- obviously, not me, not- I didn’t mean- well, obviously I did ‘mean’, I fucking said it, didn’t I, but…” Mondo took a deep breath. “Sorry. Just kinda popped out.”

“Did you…” Taka’s eyes, somewhat horrifyingly, filled with tears. “Did you actually mean it? Or was it just a nice thing to say?”

Jesus. “Dude, I don’t just say nice things, alright? When I make a promise, I fucking stick to it. I just… I didn’t think you’d like the idea of actually being friends with me.”

“Why not?”

Mondo looked at him incredulously. “We spent the first semester of high school fighting. I commit crimes so well that I’ve literally become the best at my chosen field of acting out. I’m an idiot. And you’re…” he gestured at Taka, as if that explained everything. In his mind, it did. Taka was Taka. And Mondo was only ever going to be Mondo.

“You’re not an idiot,” Taka said sharply, wiping away tears. “Not in the slightest. If anything, I’ve been the foolish one. I- I misjudged you. And I’m sorry for that.”

“Nah, dude, you were right. And either way, I kinda fucked up with judging you so harsh, too. Call it even?”

“Yes.” Taka took a deep breath. “And, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like very much to be your best friend. Or, at least, for you to be mine.”

“For real?” Mondo couldn’t fight off a surprised grin.

“You listen to me,” Taka said quietly. “I don’t get listened to very often. You are impulsive, and rude, and irritating, and I don’t think I dislike it, and I want to be your friend.”

“Yeah, man, right back at you!” Mondo bumped shoulders with Taka.

“Which part, the part about being friends, or the part where I called you impulsive and rude and irritating?”

“Yup, got it in one,” Mondo said, shooting Taka a half-smile. Taka returned it, rolling his eyes, before staring out at the river and sighing happily.

“I have a friend.”

“That you do.”

“I have a friend!” Taka said it as though it had finally dawned on him, joy seeping into the cracks in between his words, hands balling into fists in excitement.

“Dude, if you get this excited every time you make a friend, your head’s gonna blow clean off before you turn eighteen,” Mondo joked.

“Yes, I know!” Taka laughed, wiping away more tears. “It’s just nice to say.”

“Yeah, it is, huh?” Mondo caught Taka’s hand on the way down from his face, squeezing. “From this moment on, we’re fucking family, got that? That means something. I won’t hesitate to die for you.” Or, a tiny, cruel voice in the back of his head whispered, the other way around.

Taka eyed him dubiously. “That’s hyperbole, right?”

“Yeah, probably. For real, though. You’re my bro, got it? You need anything, I got you.”

“Okay.” Taka smiled nervously. “Okay, bro.”

Mondo snorted. “Hell yeah.”

It was funny, how quickly he’d done a 180 on his whole opinion of Taka. There were a lot of bullshit reasons he could ascribe to it - pity, a desperateness for this trip to be livable, blah, blah - but, mostly, it was because he was becoming increasingly certain that the guy he disliked so intensely just didn’t exist. That Mondo had made up a character in his head, affixed all his least favorite traits to him, and just despised him without looking any deeper. Then, in just four days, Taka had crumbled that entire fake image. It was impossible to see both of them at the same time. The real Taka was kind, and funny, and smart, and dorky, and didn’t match the guy Mondo had tried so hard to dislike for so long.

It should’ve made him mad. He hated being wrong.

Taka’s smile was brighter than the sunlight glinting off of the river, and Mondo wasn’t mad in the slightest.

…

After hanging around Korankei for a short while longer, they resolved to go back to their hotel and chill out until dinner. Taka seemed to still be riding the high of having an actual honest-to-goodness real-life friend, and Mondo certainly wasn’t gonna be begrudging the guy his enthusiasm (especially since it was endlessly endearing, which was the kind of thought that Mondo could have now because Taka was his friend). They collapsed back into their respective beds at the hotel room, cackling like idiots.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Mondo tried to regain composure (this was undignified, damnit). “Run me through that one again?”

“It’s embarrassing, I know, but it stuck with me!”

“But why- why that?”

Taka sighed, still laughing. “It’s- I just didn’t want to lose!”

“It’s fucking Minute-Math, nobody wins that shit!”

“I did!”

“You just confessed to cheating!”

“Looking at the questions through the upside-down paper is not cheating, and I still feel intensely guilty for it!” Taka sat up. “Worst thing is, I still couldn’t complete one. Even with pseudo-cheating.”

Mondo sat up, too. “I never finished those things. Ever.”

“Yes, well, at that point I was… reasonably competitive about it.”

“Reasonably?”

“I started sobbing in the middle of class.” Taka winced at the memory. “The fact that I sort of cheated only added salt to the wound.”

“You,” Mondo said, pointing at him and pausing dramatically, “need to chill.”

“In my defense, I’m well aware of that!” Taka shook his head. “It’s always been hard to separate the big problems from the little ones, you know? Like, the difference between a failed Minute-Math and being told point-blank that I was an idiot.”

Mondo nodded. “Okay, that one I actually really do get. Everything’s high-stakes.”

“Exactly! It’s exhausting.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for, right? Carrying a little bit of that exhausting shit?”

Taka flashed a grin. “Yes, I should hope so! Fair warning to you, it’s incredibly heavy.”

“Right back at you, big guy.”

The rest of the evening passed quickly. Taka and Mondo grabbed dinner, still chattering about whatever dumb shit came to mind, before returning to the hotel room and passing out on their respective beds. At least, Taka seemed to pass out. Mondo laid awake for a while, practically giddy. He was on a road trip with his friend. Not a douche, not a narc, but a person that he was friends with.

God, he was fucking pathetic.

It was awesome.

…

The next few days passed in much the same way. Mondo and Taka woke up early, spent their last few hours in Nagoya, took the drive to Yokohama, and checked in. They were only staying one night in the city - mostly because there was less there that had interested Leon - but they still made the most of it, exploring gardens and finding the best restaurants and lamenting the fact that it wasn’t cherry blossom season. Mondo was incredibly glad to discover that Taka was as ride or die as he was, once they’d buried the Friend Hatchet. It helped that Mondo pretty much liked Taka more every time he talked. He wasn’t sure how he’d hated him for so long.

Taka was smart, and passionate, and vivacious, and endlessly enthusiastic for any given event. Doing things - anything from the simplest meal to the most out-there adventure - was just more fun with him. It was a new experience for Mondo, not that he’d have told Taka. He wasn’t used to having friends that he wasn’t worried about acting ‘right’ around. It was refreshing.

From Yokohama, they drove to Tokyo, the longest stop in their journey (mostly because the city was fucking massive). They’d both been to the city before, but hadn’t gotten the opportunity to really check out everything it had to offer.

“Doubtlessly,” Taka had said, “we won’t be able to do that in three days, either. It’s just as much as we can squeeze in, and then we’ll have to save the rest for another time.”

Nevertheless, they checked into the hotel with twin excitement. Tokyo was a legitimately awesome city, and Mondo was going to be dead in the fucking ground before he wasted any of his time there.

“Uh, Mondo?” Taka had gone into the room ahead of Mondo, and had apparently frozen in the doorway. “I think there might have been an issue with room cancellation.”

“What? Did we wind up with four beds, or something?”

“Definitely not.” Taka stepped aside to let Mondo in.

Ah.

The room was nice, neatly furnished, and clean. It came complete with a TV set, a desk, a lamp, and, of course, a bed.

A singular, large bed, in the middle of the room.

“What the fuck?” Mondo frowned. “How does that kind of thing even happen?”

“It’s possible that we were all booked separate rooms in Tokyo, and, when it came time to cancel all rooms except for ours, Hiro just… forgot?” Taka stepped in further, placing his suitcase on the floor. “It was likely just an honest mistake.”

“Yeah.” Mondo felt weird. Awkward, and charged, somehow, like a current was running through the air. Like he was a live fucking wire.

It was because he and Taka had only just gotten over their rivalry. That was all. It wasn’t like he hadn’t slept in the same bed as his friends before (granted, it was usually an accident, and it was also usually followed with an abrupt and confusing distancing between him and the friend, but Taka wasn’t like that), and it wasn’t like he had anything against Taka.

It was just because it was new.

Irritated, Mondo pulled out his phone.

Mondo: Motherfucker did u put me and taka in a one-person room

Hiro: OH SHIT DID I

Hiro: Sorry man fully forgot haha

Hiro: You’ll be fine right

Mondo: I hate u so much

Hiro: I mean what do u want me to do about it, man????

Hiro: Hands are tied whims of fate have spoken blah blah

Hiro: Sucks you’ll have to be that close to a guy you hate so much tho

Mondo looked at his phone for a moment, at Taka’s back as he messed with his suitcase.

Mondo: Eh. Ill live

Hiro: Glad to hear it bud. Have fun!!

“Yeah, Hiro fucked up.” Mondo shot an apologetic look over at Taka.

“It’s quite alright, everyone makes mistakes.” Taka sighed. “You can take it.”

“What?”

Taka looked at him like he was an idiot. “The bed. I’ve fallen asleep in worse places.”

Oh. Mondo felt a flush creep across his neck. Right, yeah, of course someone would wind up on the floor. “No way, dude, I don’t wanna make you do that.”

“I assure you, it’s no trouble!” Taka took the comforter off the bed, folded it a few times, and placed it on the floor. “I’ll sleep there, and you can have the bed. It’s too hot for the comforter, anyway.”

“Dude, c’mon. Don’t be a fucking hero.” Somehow, this felt like another challenge. Mondo had to be the bigger person here.

Or he just really wanted to do something nice for Taka. He wasn’t sure.

“Okay, how about this: we compete for the floor spot?” Taka leveled a finger at him. “We each pick an activity for today, try them both, and whichever is more fun gets to shove the bed unceremoniously onto the other. Deal?”

Mondo shrugged, his competitive streak catching fire. “Deal.”

“Excellent!” Taka reached out, shook his hand firmly, and then practically fucking sashayed over to his bag to pull out his phone and start scrolling through options.

Mondo tried to find something reasonably close to their hotel—and, more importantly, something that catered to Taka.

I am a nerd. I like reading and books and studying. I lost my virginity to a protractor. My eyebrows are thicker than Mondo’s hope for the future.

Finally, he found something that seemed promising: The Edo-Tokyo Museum. From what he could see, it was right up Taka’s alley: a museum documenting the history of Tokyo. And, from what Mondo could tell, it was more interactive than the other museums they’d gone to, with town replicas made from models and figurines. That could be fun.

“I’ve got mine.” He stuck his tongue out at Taka, who was on the other side of the room against the wall.

“I do, too!” Taka bounced to his feet. “You first? Or are you chicken?”

Mondo rolled his eyes. “Yeah, alright, I’ll go first, come on.”

They took the subway over to the museum. Taka, Mondo suspected, had figured out where they were going, because he was bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Sure enough, he practically tackled Mondo into a hug when he saw it.

“I was going to force you to come here anyway, but it’s… I like that you thought of it!”

“Yeah, figured you’d be into this shit. And I wanna hear all your thoughts, okay? I’m not here to learn from some random tour guide.” Mondo gently flicked the back of Taka’s head, who turned pink and nodded.

From the moment they stepped inside, it was the same routine. Taka had so much to say and look at and think about, and Mondo got to sit with a warmth in his chest and listen to all of it. It was a deeply mutually beneficial relationship. Symbiotic, or whatever. Mondo suspected he was getting the better end of the deal, but he wasn’t going to tell Taka.

“So… what, this is the entire history of Tokyo?”

“Well, technically the Edo period that it’s meant to capture ends in 1869-“

“Nice.”

“-but,” Taka continued, shooting him a look of mock-irritation, “there are exhibits with things from later decades, too. Up till fairly recently, in fact. There’s a ton to explore.”

And explore they did. It was all genuinely interesting stuff, and the models were detailed in painstaking beauty.

“Man, I wish I was better at fine details and shit.”

“Are you interested in art?” Taka looked up from a mini to raise his eyebrows at Mondo.

“Not exactly? I’ve kinda been kicking the idea of carpentry around, actually.” Mondo brought a hand to the back of his neck, scratching at the blush that was spreading across it. “It’s just… I wanna make something of myself, y’know? The gang’s cool, but it’s not adding much to the world. I like the idea of doing shit with my hands.”

Taka’s eyes shone with pride. “That’s incredibly admirable of you, Mondo. For the record, I believe in you.”

Mondo’s heart did something that left him a little dizzy. Exhaling out a sigh-laugh, he looked to the next model, and put it out of his head.

They spent longer than they probably should have in the museum, looking at exhibits and either rambling (Taka) or listening (Mondo) with enthusiasm. Taka was just a good speaker. He’d make a great politician, someday.

“Alright. Did I win?” They were finally exiting the building, standing close but not quite touching. Mondo thought about Taka grabbing his hand. He shoved the thought away. He was being an idiot.

“You haven’t even seen my attempt!” Taka protested. “It’s not quite so personalized, but I like my chances.”

Unlike Taka, Mondo hadn’t been studying the maps like he was gonna be tested on them at the end of the week, so he really had no clue where they were going until they were standing in front of the Tokyo Skytree.

“This is pretty vague, dude, does that count as cheating?”

“While I’d be happy to poke around pretty much any part of this particular location,” Taka said, still walking, “we have a specific destination in mind!”

Mondo followed Taka into the Skytree and through hallways until, finally, they stopped in front of the large doors to the Sumida Aquarium.

“Oh, shit!” Mondo grinned. “Bro, this’ll be sick.” He wasn’t particularly emotionally invested in fish, but he was particularly emotionally invested in potentially knowing more about a topic than Taka (Mondo had gone through a pretty intense marine biology phase in elementary school, and, while he’d long since dropped that interest in favor of other shit, he still had a plethora of random facts rattling around in his head).

“I’m glad you think so.” Taka took Mondo’s hand in his own. Mondo stifled an inhale of surprise, and let Taka lead him further into the building.

Before long, they were both lit up with glowing blue. Taka’s eyes reflected it brilliantly, shining starkly against the red and giving him a nearly inhuman look. He stopped in front of the largest tank, face filled with reverent awe as a seal slid by.

He also wasn’t letting Mondo’s hand go. Which was irrelevant.

Mondo waved at the seal, a smile spreading across his face. They were just underwater dogs. He’d always been kinda fond of them.

“Mondo! Mondo, Mondo, look!” Taka tapped his arm frantically, pointing at one of the rocks above the water, where a collection of penguins took turns diving off into the water.

“Aw, hell yeah!” Mondo snorted. “You’ve kinda got penguin energy.”

“How so?”

“Dunno, just vibes. They all kinda look vaguely horrified at everyone else’s demeanor, maybe. Plus, emperor penguins have those fucking wild eyebrows, y’know?”

Taka shoved him good-naturedly, letting go of his hand in the process (Mondo felt weirdly empty without it). “Don’t tease!”

“Hey! Emperor penguins are hot!” Mondo protested, elbowing him in return.

Taka wrinkled his nose. “Worse.” His eyes drifted back to the tank. “Hang on. Don’t seals eat penguins?”

Mondo tilted his head, contemplating. “Those are fur seals, right? Only some species actually eat penguins, and they’re generally the ones down south. These guys are probably more interested in the little fish next tank over.” Mondo gestured at a glowing tank across the room, where countless tiny silver shapes swarmed.

Taka was looking at him with an undefinable expression. “I didn’t know that.”

“I’m not dumb all the time,” Mondo said. Joking. Mostly.

“I didn’t say you were.” It was contemplative, maybe. Like Mondo was some kind of jigsaw puzzle, and Taka couldn’t find the last corner piece. Like he really, really wanted to see the full picture. “I’m just interested. Do you know anything else about these guys?”

Mondo, as a matter of fact, did. It was an old interest, the kind that didn’t spark the same ranting monologue that Taka always seemed ready with, but he still knew enough to tell Taka about all the fun facts about seals - and then penguins, and then cephalopods, until he was pretty sure he was exhausting his entire knowledge of undersea creatures - that had so deeply fascinated him as a kid. There had been something comforting to him about the endless depth of the ocean. No room for not fitting right with fish.

As he spoke, they walked, looking at exhibits detailing the ecosystems of several sections of nearby ocean. Occasionally, Taka would interject with a thought or a question, but mostly he was just looking at Mondo, studying him for all he was worth.

Mondo wanted to take his hand again. It was an odd impulse, one that made no more sense now than it did the first time he thought it, but he did.

“How’d you find out about all this?”

“Uh, it really started in third grade. Daiya put on some underwater nature documentary to keep me busy for an hour or two, and I was gone.” Mondo snorted. “I used to brag about how the ocean is more mysterious than outer space, how the whole world’s so obsessed with aliens that we fully ignore all the cool garbage left fully undiscovered on the ocean floor, dumb shit like that.”

“Sorry, who’s Daiya?”

“Oh!” Mondo felt himself catch back up. Shit, he’d gotten carried away. “Daiya’s my brother.”

“Right.” Taka nodded. “I remember you mentioning him. Has he ever been here?”

“Not as far as I know,” Mondo said. “He was pretty busy with the gang, and…” and then Mondo killed him.

Taka slipped his hand into Mondo’s. “Hey, what kind of fish do you think those are?”

Mondo knew he’d been caught. He wasn’t sure what Taka thought was going on, but he knew a distraction when he saw one. It was, all things considered, pretty clumsy.

It was sweet.

Mondo took a closer look at the fish, Taka’s hand warm in his, and let himself stay there, in the aquarium, with his friend. He had all the time in the world to be heartbroken and guilty and filled with crippling shame, but, right now, he was busy. Daiya could wait a minute.

Ultimately, Mondo had to admit that Taka had won. The aquarium was so lively, and the two of them could’ve spent an eternity watching jellyfish or seals or fish dart around in tanks, conversation flowing easily but silence feeling somehow comforting in the space.

And Taka was still holding his hand. Which was nice.

If Mondo thought about how pathetic it was that a friend holding his hand was filling him with so much warmth, he’d probably spontaneously combust from embarrassment. As it stood, though, he wasn’t gonna complain.

“So?” Taka asked, watching Mondo’s face closely.

“…Yeah, you win,” Mondo grumbled. “But I still don’t think it’s fair to make you sleep on the floor. It’s unhealthy, bro.”

“I assure you, I’ll be just fine.” Taka’s eyes flicked down, focusing on the floor. “And, if we don’t come to a decision, we’ll just keep going around in circles. No one’s going to end up truly happy.”

Mondo sighed. “I’ll take the bed tonight. But you get it tomorrow, got it? I’m not fucking around.”

“I’ll accept that, I suppose.” Taka smiled, swinging their joined hands slightly. “We’re about halfway through this trip, do you realize that?”

He hadn’t. It seemed like no time at all (or, maybe, it seemed like it had been months already. Mondo wasn’t sure). “Damn. Whole week of you. Fucking miracle I haven’t gotten sick of it by now.”

“I could say the same to you!” Taka said, grinning. “Don’t push your luck, though. I could probably turn on a dime if you aren’t careful.”

“Ha, ha. C’mon, let’s get food.”

…

Mondo fumbled with the lock on the door, finally yanking it open and letting himself and Taka in. It was late - they’d spent a while looking around, seeing the sights, all that good shit - and, while neither of them were going to admit it, they were both fucking exhausted.

Mondo eyed the bed regretfully. “You sure I can’t convince you to switch?”

“Nope.” Taka was already pulling off his shirt, reaching for his pajamas. Something in Mondo’s chest tightened.

“Yeah, alright.” He dressed in his (or, rather, Taka’s) pajamas quickly, and collapsed into the bed. “Night, bro.”

“Night, bro!” Taka laid down on his patch of comforter and closed his eyes. Mondo rolled over to look at him.

Compared to his usual stiff posture, Taka looked remarkably relaxed while sleeping. His face was less severe, eyebrows no longer furrowed in such intense concentration. As Mondo watched, he curled into himself slightly, sighing in his sleep. Mondo had the sudden, irrational urge to see how well he fit around his friend, curling from behind, arms wrapped around his chest. He wondered if there would be any awkwardness - limbs not adding up, maybe, or Taka’s head being in the right spot to get hair in Mondo’s mouth - or if they’d fit perfectly, comfortably, safely. He wondered if Taka moved a lot in his sleep, like Mondo did, and if them being together would change anything about that.

What in the fuck was he thinking? Rolling over to stare at the ceiling, Mondo felt his heart flutter. Fucking flutter, like was some kind of girl.

Some kind of girl, who thought about holding her best friend. Her male best friend. Whose heart sped up because she was thinking about her fucking male best friend.

Mondo’s heart sank. Fuck.

Suddenly wide awake, sick to his stomach, heart pounding, Mondo got out of bed as quietly as possible. He managed to remember to slip on regular clothes - changing out of Taka’s pajamas, he was wearing his fucking clothes, oh, god - and opening the door as silently as possible. Taka didn’t stir. Mondo tore his eyes away from him and slipped out.

He walked through the hotel, eyes landing on nothing at all, directionless and aimless, head buzzing. It wasn’t possible. He’d never felt that way about a guy before (he shoved away childhood memories that hadn’t made sense at the time, memories that left him confused as to why his friends had abandoned him, memories that he’d asked Daiya about and been generally immediately shut down), and he’d definitely had crushes on girls. Right?

Yeah, he’d liked a lot of girls. Just because he’d never had a girlfriend didn’t mean he wasn’t into women (by that logic, never having had a boyfriend- Mondo shoved the thought out of his head). Girls were fine. Great. He couldn’t wait to actually be in a relationship.

Mondo pressed his lips together. For something that was so true about himself, convincing himself about it was showing to be pretty fucking difficult.

It had been a week. One fucking week with Taka. There was no way he could’ve developed feelings that quickly, right?

Mondo was booking it through the halls of Hope’s Peak, laughing way too loud as Leon shouted obscenities behind him. Clutched in his hand was a bottle of bright red hair dye. Leon’s hair was wrapped in tin foil.

“Mondo!” Mondo slowed to a walk, groaning. Of fucking course.

“What, asshole?”

Taka walked briskly up to him, eyes practically on fire, already lecturing him about the ‘dangers of running in the halls’ and the ‘disruption of the classes going on - which you should be in - being utterly unacceptable’. Even then, Taka never made eye contact. He never had, really, with the exception of a few glances, and eventually Mondo’d just accepted it. All that being said, he could still feel Taka’s eyes boring into him.

“Yeah, alright, why don’t you fuck right off, okay?”

Taka made a face, although whether it was at the language or the demand was unclear. “You can’t keep acting out forever. It’s unbecoming, Mondo.”

Mondo didn’t understand why, but those words - the blatant indication that Kiyotaka Ishimaru disapproved of everything he was - sat hot and painful in his chest. He hated it. He hated that Taka didn’t like him. He hated that, maybe, he wished he did.

He wound up shouting, and Taka sent him to the principal, and he forgot about the pain entirely.

Oh.

Mondo sat on his desk, deliberately ignoring the rest of the class and fiddling with a keychain instead. Taka had practically ordered them all to engage in some kind of dumbass team bonding exercise - some stupid fucking party game that Mondo wanted no part of - and Mondo had basically flipped him off and refused to participate. Yeah, Mondo hadn’t exactly been thrilled to see Taka’s face fall, but that didn’t mean anything. He just wasn’t a total dick.

Mondo heard laughter from across the room. He turned to see Taka, having fallen on the floor - were they doing fucking trust falls? What were they, three? - with Chihiro standing over him, clearly on the verge of horrified tears. Taka was losing his mind laughing, and, after sitting up, reached out and patted Chihiro on the shoulder, telling her that it was fine, he wasn’t mad, it was just surprising.

Taka looked so different laughing. So much lighter.

Mondo felt his heart jump. Looking away, confused, he went back to fiddling with his keychain.

Oh no.

Mondo walked into his first day of Hope’s Peak Academy late. He wasn’t surprised, exactly - honestly, the biggest shock was that he was nowhere near the last person here - but he could already feel judgement coming off of his classmates in waves.

One classmate in particular, actually. A guy with short, dark, spiky hair and brilliant, intense red eyes was glaring in his general direction. A flicker of challenge rushed through Mondo’s chest. He wanted to antagonize that guy. He knew a stick in the mud when he saw one.

The dude stood up, giving a smile that was clearly practiced. “Hello, there! It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kiyotaka Ishimaru, and I-“

“Yeah, alright, cool.” Mondo walked right by him, and sat down. Kiyotaka, clearly not getting the hint, followed him.

“I’m the Ultimate Moral Compass. May I have your name?”

Mondo rolled his eyes. “Mondo Owada. Nice to fuckin’ meet you, or whatever.”

“Taka, don’t mind him!” A girl a few rows in front of him, with dark hair swept up into a ponytail, warm brown skin, and bright blue eyes, addressed- Taka? “I’ve done enough research, that guy’s, like, a professional criminal. He’s probably made a brand off being prickly.” She waved to Mondo. “Hi! Aoi Asahina, Ultimate Swimmer.”

Mondo glared at her for a moment, before turning to Taka. “Yeah, she’s right on the money. Ultimate Biker Gang Leader. Got a problem with that?”

Taka pursed his lips. “Hardly ideal, but it isn’t my school. I don’t get to say who’s admitted and who isn’t.”

Mondo rolled his eyes. This kid was fucking full of himself. Irrationally, Mondo found himself really wanting to piss him off. Wanting to see what he looked like mad. He wondered, absently, if he’d lose the straight posture, or the controlled expressions, or the general air of superiority.

He probably thought about it for longer than he should have.

That wasn’t possible. It wasn’t fucking possible. It didn’t matter that Mondo had fixated on him from day one. It didn’t matter that he’d put so much goddamn effort into getting a rise out of him. He hadn’t liked Taka, and he still didn’t like Taka, because he couldn’t be fucking gay, and that was the end of it.

He wished he had his motorcycle. Normally, when he needed to blow off steam - and he needed to blow off a lot of steam - he’d hop on the bike, go for a spin, cause some mild disturbance in neighborhoods, that sort of thing. Everything seemed so much smaller on a bike. Taka might actually like it, if he’d let Mondo take him along for a-

Oh, god fucking damnit.

It wasn’t even that Mondo had an issue with gay people. They were fine, as long as they weren’t named Mondo Fucking Owada. Hell, he was pretty sure half his homeroom class had already come out, and he didn’t give a shit. But he was the head of a biker gang. He was the quintessential man, the strongest person in any given situation, the guy that was supposed to set a fucking example for the rest of his gang. He was strong. He was strong enough to get over what happened to his brother. He had to be straight. He had to be.

Mondo finally went back to the hotel room at nearly 4 o’clock in the morning. He didn’t even glance at Taka, just dressed back in his clothes and curled up in bed. He didn’t cry, because he wasn’t a fucking pussy - except, apparently, for the fact that he was - but he didn’t get sleep, either.

What would his gang say?

What would Daiya have thought?

God, what was he going to do?

…

“Good morning!” Mondo was woken up from uneasy half-sleep by what was now a fairly familiar picture: Taka, shirt off, pulling back the curtains to let the sun in.

Only, now, the knot in his stomach at the sight made him want to throw up.

“Yeah, morning.” Mondo willed himself not to be shitty. It wasn’t Taka’s fault that he was… whatever. And, anyway, he didn’t want Taka catching on. Whatever happened, Taka couldn’t know. “You got a plan for today, or…?”

“As a matter of fact, I do!” Taka flipped through his phone. “I was thinking we could look at this botanical garden? It’s not too far from here, and it’s supposed to be lovely.”

“Sure. Works for me.” God, he sounded like a fucking idiot. “Uh, you wanna go grab breakfast?”

Taka nodded. “I should put on a shirt first, but, otherwise, yes!”

“Yeah, do that.” Mondo pulled on his own clothes, eyes down. Just ignore it. Have a nice day with your friend, who you like the normal amount in the normal way. You’re fine.

The two of them ate breakfast quickly. Mondo was trying to act normal, but it was hard when he could see that he thought everything Taka did was fucking adorable. He was fucking adorable! Who allowed that? Who gave Taka permission to show excitement with his whole body, to laugh so loudly it disturbed people a table over, to wisecrack with a little smile on his face that sent Mondo’s stomach into a damn acrobatic routine?

There should be licenses for this shit. Just another failing of the government that Taka’d have to fix.

At least the gardens were nice. Neither Taka nor Mondo knew a lot about tree species, so they spent a lot of time reading nearly every plaque they came across. Mondo reveled in not feeling stupid or nerdy for wanting to look at everything, for being curious as to what kind of tree they were in front of, for thinking random fun facts were interesting. It was another reason that he liked spending time with Taka so much.

God, how had he not recognized it sooner?

Taka had, regrettably (and wonderfully) picked this moment to get a lot more liberal with the hand-holding, and Mondo spent most of the outing having mini-heart attacks every time Taka took his hand and looked up at him with a smile. After a little while, it became incredibly clear that there was no use denying it anymore: Mondo Owada had a crush on Kiyotaka Ishimaru. A weird, spur-of-the-moment fluke crush that didn’t mean anything for his identity, though. Obviously.

Taka, bless his heart, didn’t realize anything was wrong. A part of Mondo wished he could shake him and beg him to wake up and smell the fucking roses, but most of him was relieved. No matter what Taka meant to him, he liked having him as his friend first and foremost. Ruining that might actually kill him.

After the stop at the gardens, the two of them grabbed lunch and discussed the next couple of days.

“We’ve got the rest of today, tomorrow, and the next day before we need to head out,” Taka said. “So far, we’ve stayed mainly in the Northern part of Tokyo, so I imagine we’d want to expand our horizons a little for the next few days?”

“You’re the plan guy, bro. I’m along for whatever you wanna do.”

“I’m flattered.” Taka shot him a grin. “Alright, then, I say we hit the last few things on the list that stay close to the hotel today, and then go exploring tomorrow. Deal?”

“Deal.” Obviously deal, have you seen your fucking face? Asshole.

They wound up spending most of the rest of their day at Ueno Park, which was blissfully filled with historical significance and museums and things for Taka to lecture Mondo about (some of which he actually remembered from their trip to the Edo-Tokyo Museum). Mondo could’ve smacked himself in the face for not recognizing the feeling he got when Taka was enthusiastic about something. He was the dumbest son of a bitch on the planet.

The park also, to both of their delight, had a zoo. In fact, according to Taka, the Ueno Zoo was the oldest zoo in Japan. Mondo and Taka spent hours looking through the exhibits, trying to pretend they were retaining even a shred of their dignity as they lost their collective minds over the animals. In the back of Mondo’s head, he could totally see himself becoming that dork-ass tourist dad that kids were endlessly embarrassed about.

Not with Taka, though, he didn’t think about being a dad with Taka, because he wasn’t a fucking idiot who thought about that kind of shit a day after finding out he liked someone.

By the time they got back to the hotel, it was late enough that they agreed to just get dinner at the hotel and eat in their room. They sat on the floor as they ate, Mondo leaned against the bed and Taka near the wall.

“Mondo, may I ask you a question?”

Uh oh. “Yeah, dude, what’s up?”

Taka took a bite of food. “How did you and your brother get involved with the gang?”

Oh. Mondo relaxed. “D’you actually wanna know?”

“Yes, I do.” Taka said seriously. “I want to know most things about you.”

Mondo flushed. “Just kinda thought you hated the crime stuff.”

“I don’t love it, but it’s important to you, and you’re my friend.” Taka shrugged. “I’m also curious, I admit. You don’t have to share, I just figured I’d ask.”

“Nah, dude, it’s cool.” Mondo thought about where to start. “I mean, my brother practically built the gang. Got it together, and shit. I was the one who brought it up to the level it is now, but he made the damn thing with his friends.” Daiya should’ve gotten his title. He was just a thief parading around in stolen fucking finery.

“If it was your brother’s friends, then why did you become a part of it?”

“Idolized my brother,” Mondo said through a mouthful of food. “Couldn’t stand the thought of him not being proud of me. He was the one who actually taught me to ride, and the other guys liked me, so I wound up joining in. Those guys practically raised me.”

Taka nodded. “So, they’re all high-school age, as well?”

“Most of them, yeah. Now that we’ve expanded so much, it’s kinda hard to say we’re all the same age, but we’re all young.” Mondo snorted. “Actually, I’m kinda terrified of what happens when we all grow up.”

“Why?”

“I mean, I can’t run the gang forever, right? That shit doesn’t pay, and I’d rather not spend the rest of my life running from fucking pigs. But after that…” Mondo put down his plate. “I mean, I’m an idiot, so college is out.” Taka opened his mouth to argue, but Mondo interrupted. “I know I said I was interested in carpentry, but it’s… I mean, I’ve got a lot of trouble with motivation, and I just worry I won’t actually do it, and I’ll just peter out. It feels like the gang’s the only good thing I’ve ever done and ever will do, and I didn’t even fucking make it.” And the person who did make it was fucking dead. “I hurt people, Taka. That’s fine and dandy and shit when you’re a delinquent high schooler, but it’s… I’m realistic, y’know? I don’t know what comes next.”

Taka looked at the floor. “I’m not particularly well-equipped to comfort people. You probably already know that, but I just… I hope you understand that I am not underestimating your intelligence when I say that I politely and firmly disagree.”

Mondo looked up from his food in surprise. “You don’t have to say that, bro, I get it.”

“No, you don’t.” Taka shook his head. “Mondo, first of all, I don’t think college is out of the question at all. Firstly, because no one is undeserving of a higher education and the fact that opportunities are denied to those who have it harder is frankly stupid, but-“ he paused. “That isn’t my point. My point, Mondo, is that you are hardly unintelligent. You have interest in learning when you’re passionate about the subject - or, even, when I am - and you make excellent points, however wrapped up they are in curse words and stuttering.”

“Yeah, sure. That’s why I’m such shit at school.”

“If someone believes themselves to be ‘bad’ at school, it’s often far more likely that school simply isn’t giving them the resources necessary for their success.” Taka finally looked up in Mondo’s direction. “I struggled significantly in school, for a long while. I needed to learn the tools that let me succeed, and, sometimes, they just weren’t the tools that my teachers were offering.” He gave a rueful half-smile. “My ‘hard work above all else’ ethic only works if everyone is given the chance to work their hardest.”

Mondo looked down. “I, uh… thanks, dude. Seriously.”

“Not a problem. And even if you don’t want to go to college - which, while not a choice I’d ever make, is, I suppose, fair - I firmly and unconditionally you can succeed in whatever field you choose to pursue! I think that, if you like working in carpentry, you’ll be more than able to apply yourself. You’re brilliant, Mondo. There’s no world in which you don’t succeed, I swear it.”

At this point, Mondo was pretty sure he’d start actually crying. “Taka, you’re… I mean, you know that you’re the fucking best, right?”

“I didn’t,” Taka said seriously, “but I appreciate you telling me.” He stood, and went to sit next to Mondo. “Would you like a hug?” Mondo nodded, and Taka wrapped his arms around him, squeezing tightly. “You’re an incredible friend, and a wonderful person, and you have so much to add to the world.”

This wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair, that Mondo was lying to Taka, that he was making him believe that he was worth a damn. If Mondo was any kind of real friend, he’d say “no, I’m not. I’m a murderer, and a coward, and I’m using you to forget all that and make me think I can be anything more.”

But Mondo wasn’t a real friend.

He laid down on the floor, wincing at the uncomfortable position and wondering how Taka had fallen asleep. Taka seemed to notice, because he stuck his head over the edge of the bed to look at him.

“Are you sure you don’t want to switch?”

“No way. I’m not making you do this shit again.”

Taka chewed on his lip, deep in concentration. “Mondo, would you like to just share the bed?”

“What?” Mondo practically yelled, sitting up so fast he wound up lightheaded, causing Taka to jump in surprise.

“I apologize! But it is big enough, and- I mean, we’re friends, aren’t we?”

It was so fucking stupid. He’d been fine with the idea of sharing the bed with Taka yesterday, dumb realizations shouldn’t change that. He was Taka’s friend.

“Yeah, sure, dude, no problem.” Willing himself to act normal, damnit, Mondo stood. Taka wriggled away to leave room, and Mondo laid down.

And that was it. The world didn’t explode, horns didn’t blow, no one burst into their shared room to declare Mondo a Massive Homo, it was just… quiet. Uneventful.

Mostly. Mondo’s head was very, very not-quiet. He could see Taka out of his periphery, hear his breath out of one ear, feel a presence next to him. His heart was pounding out of his chest.

“Are you alright?” Taka whispered.

“What?” Mondo turned to look, and found Taka staring. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You aren’t going to sleep, though.” Taka frowned. “If I’ve made you uncomfortable, I’m truly sorry.”

“You didn’t, I just…” Mondo waved his hand. “I sleep alone, usually. Kinda weird to have someone over there.”

“Weird.” Taka repeated the word, as though testing it on his tongue. “I think I understand what you mean.” Slowly, as though he was afraid of rejection, he reached for Mondo’s hand, taking it impossibly gently. “Is this more or less weird?”

Mondo couldn’t breathe. “More, probably.” Taka moved to take his hand away, but Mondo grabbed it. Neither spoke. They just stared at each other, unmoving.

Taka seemed to come to a decision, and moved closer, pressing his face to Mondo’s chest.

“Definitely weirder,” Mondo choked out, wrapping an arm around Taka.

“Good.” And that was it.

Mondo was sure Taka could hear his heartbeat. There was no way that he couldn’t. He just prayed Taka wouldn’t understand what it meant.

He was warm, and firm, and fit perfectly under Mondo’s head. An arm snaked around to wrap around Mondo’s body, and they lay like that, silent and safe and, in the case of one, absolutely ridiculously terrified.

Mondo wanted to do this again. Hell, he wanted to do this forever.

And he had absolutely no idea how to break from that.

…

Their final two days in Tokyo passed largely without consequence. Taka took them to see museums and gardens and attractions, Mondo lost his mind every time Taka smiled, usual shit.

Fuck, he liked him so much. He hadn’t even known that crushes could feel like this, like an overwhelming urge to be close to the person and talk to them and do all sorts of dumb mushy shit that Mondo would’ve scoffed at a short while ago. Former crushes - all on girls, a tiny part of his mind reminded him - had felt more like live landmines that he needed to run from or risk panicking. He didn’t think he could stay away from Taka if he tried.

Which, he hadn’t forgotten, was bad. He was lying to Taka. Deliberately. That was a ‘bad friend’ thing, and it was certainly a ‘bad boyfriend’ thing.

Not that he wanted to be Taka’s boyfriend. That was a step too far.

They slept in the same bed again the next night, and, then, again the night after. Each morning, they woke up tangled together, and Mondo would nearly tell Taka everything.

It was also really fucking nice, because he liked Taka so much (and because he apparently liked hugs. Who knew?).

They left Tokyo with a ton that they still could’ve done - adding it to the list of “places we’ll have to come back to” - and got on the road for their longest drive yet, a whopping four and a half hours to get to Sendai.

“Bro, do you mind if I drive for a bit?” Mondo asked. “I get kinda bored on these things.”

Taka narrowed his eyes, considering it. “Yes, I think that would be fine. Don’t speed, though.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Mondo grinned, popping open the door and sliding into the driver’s seat. Taka sat next to him.

As they drove, Mondo blasted music through the speakers (until Taka begged him to turn it down because “people can hear that!” and he set it at a more reasonable volume), singing along as loudly as he could. Taka apparently knew no good music whatsoever, so Mondo was taking him through every good song that had ever been written.

At a lull in the music, Taka turned to Mondo. “Is your brother keeping track of the gang while you’re gone?”

Mondo stiffened. “Why?”

“Just curious, I suppose. It seems like the kind of group that would be difficult to maintain without a leader.”

Mondo really, really didn’t want to directly lie to Taka’s face. “No, I, uh… I put a friend of mine in charge temporarily.”

Taka frowned. “I thought that your brother was the former leader. Would it not make more sense to reinstate him temporarily?”

“Kumquat, dude, alright?” Mondo shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay.” Taka was silent for a moment. “Is- you don’t have to answer, but is something wrong between you and your brother?”

“I said-“

“I know what you said, but, as your friend, I’m concerned for you.” Mondo could see Taka getting frustrated beside him. “That’s what friends do.”

“Yeah?” Mondo’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Well, sometimes, friends give friends a little fucking space.”

Taka stiffened. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Mondo.”

“You never ‘mean to’, and yet…” Mondo felt awful as soon as he said it. It was a horrible thing to say, especially given all that Taka had told him. But he just wanted the guy to stop asking him questions about Daiya.

Taka stiffened. “I’m- if I’ve hurt you, you need- I need to be told- I’m sorry, I didn’t-“ his voice broke. Immediately, Mondo pulled over, stopping the car and turning to a sniffling Taka.

“No, bro, I’m- I didn’t mean that, I’m sorry. It’s just a touchy subject, alright?”

“But you said it,” Taka said. “And you’re- you’re right, I don’t mean to hurt people, and I don’t mean to confuse or irritate anyone, and I never, never mean to make anyone feel stupid or small or inferior, but I do, and I- I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” Mondo said, anger draining away. “Anyone who says that shit is a moron who doesn’t know what the fuck they’re talking about.”

Taka wiped tears off his face. “You’ve said all of those things. Within a week ago.”

“Yeah, fucking exactly.” Mondo reached out a hand for Taka to take (he did). “Sometimes people are assholes when they’re really just scared, or stressed out, or angry at something else. And that’s… yeah, it’s shitty, but it’s how it is.”

Taka shook his head. “I’d vastly prefer if people would just say what they meant.”

“Yeah, it’d make everything a hell of a lot easier, but… saying what you mean gets hard sometimes, man.”

“I’m well aware, trust me.”

Mondo sat in the silence for a while, heart pounding, words on his tongue. After a moment, he steeled himself and took a breath.

“My brother’s dead.”

Taka didn’t say anything, but he squeezed Mondo’s hand so tightly it nearly hurt.

“He’s been dead for years. He didn’t step down as leader, I took it after his death.”

“I’m…” Taka searched for words. “I know it isn’t always particularly helpful, but I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” It’s mine.

“Forgive me for not clarifying. I’m offering condolences, not apologies. I… it’s horrible, to lose a loved one. Especially one as close as that.”

“It was.” Mondo shook his head. “He’d hate me moping like this. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“You’re still allowed to grieve.”

No, he wasn’t. “Yeah, alright, but… I mean, I’m fine, dude. Fucking sucks, but I’m okay.”

Taka looked genuinely sad, but he nodded. “I won’t… I apologize for making you talk about it at all. Do you want to sit here for a while longer?”

Mondo shook his head. “Nah. Just wanna get where we’re going.”

“Works for me.”

Mondo turned the radio back on, and got back on the road. At least he wasn’t lying to Taka anymore (except for the fact that he’d conveniently left out the part where he’d murdered his brother). It felt… startlingly okay, to open up about that part of his history. He hadn’t died. Taka hadn’t freaked out. He was okay. For now, at least, he would be okay.

…

By the time they made it to Sendai, the conversation was a distant memory, and they were laughing and talking like normal. Taka had taken the information in stride, and Mondo was just grateful not to have to talk about it more.

They only had one night in Sendai, so they’d gotten up early enough to make the most of their first day. There were several locations dedicated to the Date clan, which Taka was (unsurprisingly) pretty stoked about. They checked out a temple, a shrine, and the ruins of Aoba Castle before they had to check into their hotel room. 

Their hotel room, which had two beds. Like they were supposed to. Like normal.

Mondo wasn’t sure how to press the issue. He knew he should just get back into regular bed, not sweat it, go back to being Just Regular Friends with Taka. He just really didn’t want to sleep alone.

Lying down in his single bed felt lonely as hell. It was stupid - he’d spent three nights sleeping with another guy - but it was true. He missed having Taka’s arms around him.

God damnit, he really was gay. Or queer somehow, anyway. He liked men.

A pit of shame burrowed itself into his stomach as he thought the words. He, Mondo Owada, liked men. It was so fucking stupid. He shouldn’t feel like this. He just hadn’t wanted another reason to be a disappointment.

He glanced over at Taka, who was still lying awake. Absently, he wondered what Taka thought about gay people. Given his obsession with rules and customs and his family history, Mondo was worried that the answer might not be what he wanted to hear.

Taka noticed him staring. “Did you need something?”

Mondo sighed. “Can I go over there with you?”

Taka blinked. “Oh! I was under the impression that… we wouldn’t be doing that anymore.”

Fuck. “Yeah, no, that’s- shit, dude, that’s fine, sorry-“

“No, no!” Taka sat up. “I’m not- it’s just that I assumed we’d started sharing a bed out of necessity. Did it cross over into a ‘friendship thing’, or did I misinterpret from the start?”

“Neither, dude.” Mondo wanted to die. “I just sort of miss it.”

“Oh.” Taka pursed his lips. “If I say that I miss it as well, does that ‘make it weird’?”

Mondo shook his head. “Nah. Bonding’s important for guys, isn’t it?”

Taka lit up. “I couldn’t agree more! If that’s what this exercise is, I’d be happy to continue sharing a bed with you!”

Mondo rolled his eyes, getting up. This guy would be the fucking death of him.

Still, if he got to spend as much time with Taka as possible, maybe he could deal with having less than platonic feelings. Those could be buried. He was happy being around the guy, whatever the context.

Mondo fell asleep, safe in his convictions and in his denial and in Taka’s embrace.

…

The next day, the two of them agreed to check out the nearby aquarium. It was supposedly one of the largest aquariums in the region, so they figured they’d spend most of their day there (hence why they’d looked through as much of the other sightseeing stuff the day before). They were right to have done so, because the place was massive and they were hardly known for staying places the normal amount. Mondo got to flex his obscure fish knowledge again, which was sick as shit, and Taka got to nearly kill Mondo every time his eyes lit up with interest over a fact.

After a dolphin show - which they mostly spent discussing the ethics of dolphin shows - Mondo and Taka took to wandering through the aquarium, drinking in the atmosphere and talking, hands interlocked between them. Mondo very deliberately didn’t think about how much it looked like a date from the outside.

“And… yeah, that’s the tenth time I got rejected.” Mondo laughed awkwardly. “I think I might just never look at a girl again.”

“Don’t tell the girls in our class you said that! I think everyone wishes you were closer friends with the group.”

“Yeah, no, dude, I mean specifically for dating. I wanna be friends with the chicks in our class, too, don’t sweat it.”

Taka nodded thoughtfully. “Right. Yes, I suppose that would make sense.”

“What, you’ve never had a crush on someone who didn’t like you?”

“Yes, I have!” Taka said defensively. “But I wouldn’t stop talking to an entire gender for it.”

Mondo rolled his eyes. “You’re braver than I am. Girls are scary, man.” He felt stupid, for repeatedly mentioning girls over and over, but he just… he needed Taka to not get suspicious.

Taka looked confused. “I wasn’t talking about girls.”

“Sorry?”

Taka stopped walking. “Mondo, I told you that I was gay, didn’t I?”

Mondo nearly fainted. “You’re what?” Wait, shit, that sounded upset. “Sorry, immediately garbage reaction. No, you didn’t tell me.”

Taka, to his credit, didn’t look offended. “I was certain that I’d come out to the entire class! I suppose we weren’t on great terms, so it makes some sense, but…” he continued rambling, as if Mondo’s whole fucking world wasn’t falling to shreds.

Taka was gay. Taka liked guys. Obviously, that didn’t mean Taka liked him - Mondo wasn’t that much of an idiot - but it was different, damnit.

A crush on a straight guy was a hopeless endeavor. There was nothing to want, because it was already impossible. But if Taka was gay, that made everything significantly too real for him. Ignoring his feelings seemed suddenly impossible.

He was so, so fucked.

“Mondo?” Taka looked at him, concerned.

Mondo forced a smile. “Sorry, dude, a little out of it.”

“Is…” Taka took a breath. “Is it cool?”

“What?” Mondo did a double-take, surprised. “Yeah, dude, of course it is! I’m not a fucking asshat, I wouldn’t be upset over a dumbass thing like that.” Except when it was him, apparently.

Taka smiled in clear relief. “Thank goodness. I would’ve been extremely upset about ending our friendship over something like that.”

I wanna end our fucking friendship, you have no idea. “Obviously, bro. You’re fine by me.” Mondo took Taka’s hand again, and they continued walking. The pit in Mondo’s stomach grew.

…

Their last stop in Sendai before driving to Akita was the Ichibancho Arcade, a shopping district in the downtown area. They were still using Byakuya’s money, so they resolved to get souvenirs, eat food, look for clothes (well, Mondo would look for clothes, Taka was sticking to his uniform even now), and make the most of their last few hours there. The whole area was covered, and the ‘roof’ was filled with plants, giving the place a clean, pleasant energy. Mondo and Taka walked through throngs of people, checking out anything that caught their interest. If it felt a little touristy, it was no one’s business but their own.

“So, Taka, I gotta ask.” Mondo spoke as they were walking, eyes trailing over storefronts. “If you weren’t a student, and you never got to be a politician, what would you be doing?”

Taka pondered the question for a moment. “Do you mean right now, or in general?”

“In general, I guess. Nothing would change from right now, would it?”

“If I wasn’t a student, I wouldn’t have met you.”

“Fair. Lemme rephrase: if you weren’t such a good fucking student. If you were just a normal guy, who didn’t give a shit about school. What would you wanna do with your life?”

“I’d be less tired, I expect.” Taka shrugged. “I’ll be the first to admit that my work ethic is stressful. Necessary for my goals, but still stressful.” He tilted his head. “I think I’d go into farming.”

“Farming?” Mondo laughed. “Sounds fun, bro.”

“Yes, it does! And I think I’d like to have something tangible to give people. Politics are good, but it’s easy to let everyone down.”

Mondo nodded. “Yeah, I get that.” He nudged Taka. “Still, though. A carpenter and a farmer? We’d be a hell of a squad, dude.”

“You’d make me chairs, I’d bring you food.” Taka’s smile grew.

“I’d make you the best fucking chairs you’d ever seen.”

“We could cut out the middle man, put your workshop in my farmhouse,” Taka suggested. “We’ve spent two weeks living together already, no reason to stop now.”

Mondo smiled at the idea, heart warm. “Yeah, that sounds fucking awesome.”

“Honestly, I’m not serious about the farming aspect - I still have my eyes on the Prime Minister’s seat - but I wouldn’t be opposed to moving in together, once we graduate and move out of our parents’ homes. It’d likely be easier, paying rent with someone else.” Taka looked nonchalant, but, at this point, Mondo could recognize when his friend was nervous. Nervous of what, though?

“Hey, that sounds great.” He was sure Taka wouldn’t always think so, but, for now, it was nice to pretend. “Plan set, dude. We’ll take on the world together, you got it? Family doesn’t fuck around.”

Taka squeezed his hand. “No, it doesn’t.”

…

They were on their way to the last stop on their journey. After Akita, it was a day-long drive home. They had just two more days before then, and Mondo was, admittedly, nervous.

He told Taka as much on the drive to Akita.

“Why?”

“Dunno,” Mondo said. “Just kinda… worried our friendship won’t survive past this trip, I guess? It’s fucking stupid, I know.”

“It isn’t stupid,” Taka argued, “although it’s deeply inaccurate. I would be endlessly saddened to see our friendship end, and I trust you’re the same way?”

“Yeah. That’s the whole worry.”

“Well, if I don’t want it to end, and you don’t either, I don’t see the problem.”

Mondo glanced over at Taka, grinning. “You’re pretty smart, y’know that?”

“Yes.”

They made it to Akita late, just in time to check into the hotel and crash. At that point, Taka just crawled into bed next to Mondo, and neither of them said anything about it.

The main draw of Akita for the two of them - and the biggest reason that Leon had scheduled the trip the way he had - was the Kanto Matsuri. The celebration lasted for three days, and Mondo and Taka were there right in the middle of it. Their plan was to check out the daytime events, head back to the hotel to eat dinner (and, in Taka’s case, cool off from the crowd), and then head back to watch the Night Parades.

As it turned out, that middle break was fucking important, because Taka wound up needing to leave early and rest in the hotel room. Mondo wasn’t too bothered - he was happy to sit with Taka until he felt better - but he was just glad the plan had included a break, so there was no issue of rescheduling or changing anything.

“How do you deal with this shit all the time, man?” Mondo asked. “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it, it just seems tough.”

“It is,” Taka admitted. “Generally, I avoid things like this. However, I really did want to see the show, so…”

Mondo nodded. “Yeah, bro. I’m not your fucking dad. If you say you’re good with it, you’re good with it.”

Taka smiled. “Thank you.”

After having dinner, they headed out to find a spot to sit and watch the performance. They ended up squished pretty close together, shoulders touching, Taka leaning against Mondo in a way that didn’t set his heart on fire even a little bit.

The actual parade was fucking gorgeous, but Mondo spent most of it looking at Taka. His face was bathed in the gold of the lanterns, turning the tips of his hair a warm brown and lighting up his eyes like stars. His whole face was lit up with joy at the sight of the performance, wide and open and bright, emitting a light all his own.

Mondo wasn’t sure when he’d fallen in love with Taka, but he was pretty sure it had happened again right then. He couldn’t even bring himself to be upset about it, because it was Taka, and you’d have to be an idiot not to love him.

He almost told him right then. Tilted his face over and kissed him and promised him that he was worth so much more than anyone would ever know.

He didn’t, of course. He sat and watched the festival and watched Taka and didn’t say anything at all.

But it was the first time he’d wanted to.

…

It was the last full day of their vacation, and Mondo and Taka were spending it at the Akita Museum of Art. They hadn’t really gone to a lot of art museums during their trip - wasn’t either of their areas, really - but, as it turned out, they should’ve been doing so, because it was fun as hell. The two of them spent hours looking through the place, making up stories to go along with the paintings and trying not to laugh loud enough to disturb everyone else who was there.

In the end, though, it was… kind of underwhelming. Not the place, exactly, but the feeling. It wasn’t the ‘right’ way to close out the trip.

“I agree,” Taka said, when Mondo mentioned it. “But I’m not entirely sure what else we can do. There are other attractions in Akita, of course, but…”

“I just kinda want to close it out with a bang, y’know?” Mondo shrugged. “I’m up for whatever you want, bro.”

Taka thought about it for a moment. “Oh!” He went for his phone, scrolling quickly. “Would you be interested in Nyuto Onsen?”

Mondo frowned. “Dude, it’s the middle of summer.”

“Not for the hot springs, obviously,” Taka chided. “There are a few lovely hikes there, too, and it’s supposed to be beautiful in summer.” He considered. “Although, if you wanted a challenge…”

“Bro, please don’t finish that sentence, I don’t want to actually die.” Mondo shoved him playfully. “We can check out the fucking sauna at the hotel if you’re that desperate to see me shirtless and sweating.”

Taka turned pink. “Mondo!”

“Kidding!” Mondo laughed. “Swear to god, dude, just kidding.”

“You’re awful,” Taka said warmly. “But… how about it?”

“Sounds good to me, bro!”

They’d left the museum fairly early, all things considered, so they had time for a short hike through the area. As they walked, the two boys messed around, laughing and insulting one another and telling stories. An accidental shoulder bump turned into a shoving match, which turned into a chase, which, when Mondo caught up to Taka, turned into a tight, spinning embrace.

“I’m gonna miss this shit, bro.”

“We’re going to see each other every day,” Taka reminded him.

“I know, but there are gonna be other people, and a ton of school shit, and… you’re probably gonna give me detention, and that’ll be weird…”

“If I give you detention, I’ll make sure I’m the one supervising it. It’ll just be another opportunity to ‘hang out’, as it were.” Taka smiled brightly.

“Dude, that sounds like the beginning of a porno.”

“I hate you so, so much.”

Mondo let go of Taka, fanning himself dramatically. “Oh no. How could it be, that I’m stuck with the hottest detention supervisor? Oh, and it’s just the two of us? What could possibly-“

“Mondo! Don’t tease!”

“Don’t get flustered so easily, then.” Mondo nudged him with his shoulder, laughing. “C’mon, dude, I’m just messing with you.”

They wound up sitting on a rock overlooking lush greenery and a little waterfall that pooled into a river. The air was bright and fresh, warm on their skin. Mondo sighed, interlocking his fingers with Taka’s.

“I’m sorry I was such a dick to you.”

“It’s alright. I’m sorry, as well.”

Mondo laughed. “Yeah, it’s- uh, it’s kinda funny, I… I don’t think I recognized it, but I wanted you to like me so goddamn bad. Somehow, I thought getting under your skin would do that, but I- I mean, I should’ve tried talking to you first.”

“Oh, I thought you were incredible!” Taka said earnestly. “Awful, and irritating, but incredible. The dedication to one’s own self-destruction was, in my eyes, some sort of miracle. I was impressed, truly.”

Mondo’s eyes slid over to Taka. “Thanks,” he deadpanned. “Means a lot.”

“Well, obviously I don’t still feel that way,” Taka said, “but… my point is that hating you was significantly more difficult than liking you is.”

“Same to you, bro.” Mondo squeezed his hand. “I, uh… you make me happy. You got that?”

Taka looked down. “You make me happy, too. Truly. I, ah… I wasn’t expecting to be well-liked at this school. And, before this, I’m- I’m not sure I was? I put a lot of effort into being the ‘right’ kind of person, and I think I managed to mess even that up.” Taka turned to Mondo. “Thank you for letting me be me.”

“No problem. I like ‘you’ a ton, man.” Their faces were so goddamn close, and Taka was really looking at him, without a hint of discomfort or effort, and Mondo wasn’t sure what to do or how to act or if his hands were in the right spot or-

Taka, evidently fed up with the tension, leaned in and kissed Mondo firmly on the mouth.

It was awkward. Mondo hadn’t been expecting it, and Taka had almost immediately pulled back to apologize - “I’m-so-sorry-I-acted-without-thinking-and-“ - but… Mondo touched his lips, head buzzing.

Oh, god.

Holy shit.

Taka had kissed him.

Which meant Taka liked him.

Which was…

Good? Mondo’s heart, beating wildly out of control, certainly said so. He felt lighter than he could ever remember feeling. He looked over at Taka, who seemed on the verge of tears, and…

Froze.

You think you’re worth this?

You think you deserve this?

You have no future. You’re going nowhere. He is so different from you.

So worthy.

Look at him. Look at everything he wants to be. Look at everything he has every right to be.

You would take that from him. You would ruin him.

You ruin everything you touch.

You ruined your own future.

You ruined your gang.

You murdered your own brother.

You’ll kill him, too. One way or another.

Mondo looked at Taka. His best friend. Who he loved so goddamn much.

“I can’t.”

Taka looked stricken. Mondo felt his eyes sting.

“I can’t,” he repeated, before standing up and bolting.

…

Mondo heard Taka approach before he saw him. He’d found himself near a stream, and curled up against a rock. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He ruined every good thing that came his way. He was never going to be genuinely happy, not with himself or with anyone else.

Good. That was what he deserved.

“Mondo? Mondo!” Taka ran to his side, sitting down beside him. “Are- I’m-“ he had been crying. Mondo had done that.

“Hi.” Mondo’s voice was thick, too.

“I’m so sorry,” Taka said quietly. “I thought you- and then I- I’m an idiot.”

“No, you aren’t.” Mondo’s voice filled with a fierceness. “No, you fucking aren’t.”

“But I misinterpreted. Like I always do.”

“No, y- goddamnit, Taka, you didn’t fucking misinterpret. You were dead on.”

Taka looked positively taken aback. “Pardon?”

“I like you,” Mondo said miserably. “I might even fucking love you. That’s the problem.”

Taka nodded slowly. “Mondo, I… I don’t mean to intrude, but if your problem involves your own identity, I- I know how you feel.”

“It’s not that,” Mondo said, throat tightening. Hating himself for what he was about to do. “I mean, that’s- yeah, that’s a pretty big fucking issue, but- you can’t. You deserve so much better. You deserve the whole fucking world, Taka, and I can’t- I won’t do that to you.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Taka protested. “Mondo, I have never once been happier with anyone in my entire life- I’ve told you, Mondo, I- I feel like a liar in my own skin, and you-“

“Yeah? Well, I am a fucking liar, so that makes two of us!” Mondo stood up.

“What?” Taka stood up, concerned. “What do… what are you lying about?”

Mondo took a step away. “I- I’m a bad person, Taka. You shouldn’t have to be with a bad person.”

“You aren’t bad.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Why?” Taka demanded.

“Taka, please.”

“Because you’re the head of a gang?”

“No, I-“

“Because you think poorly enough of yourself to call yourself stupid?”

“That’s not-“

“Because you lost someone you loved and didn’t know how to say-“

“No, because I fucking killed him!” Mondo shouted, the words tearing themselves from his throat, hot and sharp and horrible, slicing into the clean air and turning it dark and acrid.

Taka took a step back, shock clear against his face. “You… what?”

Mondo took a shaky breath. “I killed my brother. That’s the big fucking secret.”

Taka shook his head. “No. No, you… you wouldn’t.” Taka’s eyes filled with tears. “Tell me you wouldn’t, Mondo.” Mondo was quiet. “Tell me!” Again, he didn’t speak. “You aren’t a killer! You can’t- you wouldn’t! There’s no way, just- just- just fucking tell me!”

Mondo felt himself take a sharp inhale. Taka’s voice had risen to a shout, tears streaming down his face. When Mondo spoke, it became clear to both of them that he was on the verge of crying, too.

“I challenged him to a race. Because- because he was better than me, and I couldn’t take it.” A tear slipped down his cheek and dropped onto the forest floor. “I was reckless, and stupid, and… and Daiya saved me. He pushed me out of the way of a fucking truck, and he took the fall, and he’s dead, and I killed him, and now I’m- I’m wearing his title and his Ultimate and his gang and his life, and everyone thinks he fucking ran away, and I’ve wanted to die for it every day since but I can’t because I promised him I-“ he broke off with a sob. “I promised him I’d keep going, and I’d keep the gang together, and- and someday I’m going to fuck that up, too, and I- I’m so sorry, Taka, I’m sorry that I lied and I’m sorry that I love you and I’m so goddamn sorry that I can’t be good enough for you.”

Taka stared at him, eyes wide. Horrified. “You… this was how long ago?”

“A few years,” Mondo muttered, trying to stop himself from sobbing.

“This happened when you were in middle school? And you- you’ve carried it with you-“ Taka’s face fell. “God, Mondo, I’m- I’m so sorry.”

“What?”

“I can’t even- I can’t imagine.” Taka’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Mondo took a step back. “Are you making fun of me, or what?”

“No!” Taka said, shocked. “I- it’s a horrible thing to go through, I would never mock that!”

“I didn’t ‘go through’ it, Taka, weren’t you listening? I fucking murdered him!”

In two strides, Taka had his arms around Mondo, holding him so tightly he could barely breathe. “No you didn’t,” he said firmly, desperately, like he was pleading Mondo to understand. “That is an accident, Mondo, a horrible, awful accident, that shouldn’t happen to anyone. But it isn’t your fault any more than it is Daiya’s, and it certainly doesn’t make you a killer, and it certainly doesn’t make you unworthy of anything. Including me.”

Mondo felt something in him break, and he wrapped his arms around Taka, finally giving in and letting out a sob. “I- I don’t want you to-“

“You aren’t making me do anything. I’m incredibly fond of you, and this doesn’t change that. Are we clear?” He pulled away to stare at Mondo, gaze determined and fierce.

“…I love you.” It was all he could say.

A half-smile spread across Taka’s face. “I love you, too. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize.”

“Yeah.” Mondo wiped away tears. “Yeah.”

They sat there for a while longer, not speaking, just holding one another. Mondo thought about what Taka had said.

He wasn’t sure what he believed. But, with Taka next to him, he wondered if moving forward wasn’t possible either way.

They eventually returned to their hotel room, and fell asleep pressed against one another. Mondo looked down at a sleeping Taka, fondness settling in his heart. They were going to need to have a proper talk.

…

That ‘proper talk’ came in the morning, before they left for home.

“I meant what I said, in case that wasn’t entirely obvious,” Taka said, a little awkward. “You are… truly remarkable, Mondo.”

“I, uh… yeah, I meant it, too. All of it.”

Taka looked up sharply. “Some of what you said yesterday was very, very wrong.”

“Yeah, but I still meant it.” Mondo shrugged. “I… Christ, Taka, I’ve hated myself for years.”

Taka’s face melted into one of intense concern. “I understand. And I wish I could will it away for you.”

“I know you do, bro. And you- I mean, you help. But I dunno if you can just… fucking wish it into oblivion.”

“I know.” Taka chewed on his lip in frustration. “What can I do, then?”

Mondo cocked his head, smiling. “I dunno. You could try kissing me again?”

Taka flushed, scrambling in surprise. “I- what?”

“Just a thought. Figured you’d wanna do better than yesterday. It’s cool if you aren’t down, I just th-“ Mondo was cut off by Taka pulling him down.

Frankly, they spent more time in the hotel than they were probably meant to, talking and kissing and doing a fair bit of crying. It was worth it, though: they walked out of the hotel and to the car holding hands, and Mondo was sure that it looked like exactly what it was.

The drive home was long, but not boring in the slightest. Mondo and Taka allowed themselves to just exist in that shared space, laughing and flirting and making fun of one another (“so, when you told me to move in with you-“ “Shut up, you said I wanted to see you naked!” “Shirtless, actually, although I’m glad you filled in the rest.” “Stop it!”) as they drove. Mondo squeezed Taka’s hand, and Taka squeezed back.

“I’m proud of you, Mondo.” Taka glanced at him, an earnest half-smile on his face.

For once, Mondo let himself be proud of him, too.

…

Leon: Soooooo

Leon: How was the trip

Mondo: Awesome route

Mondo: Really cool sights

Leon: Mhm mhm

Leon: Anything else

Mondo: I can feel your fucking eyebrows waggling from here, what is it

Leon: How was taka?

Mondo: Great actually. Reconciled and everything, no more issue

Leon: Really

Leon: Is that all

Mondo: ???????? What are you trying to get at, man???????

Leon: DID YOU KISS HIM

Mondo: Did i WHAT

Leon: DUDE YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS RIDING ON THIS SHIT HIRO’S A FUCKING INSANE GAMBLER DID YOU FUCKING KISS HIM

Mondo: You BET on me and taka KISSING

Leon: Or other things

Mondo: DUDE

Leon: Im sorry im sorry im sorry

Leon: In my defense u guys definitely should

Leon: Like i could cut ur sexual tension with a fucking knife

Mondo: I mean we DID but its none of ur business, asshole

Leon: WHAT

Leon: WHAT WHAT WHAT

Mondo: I WAS GONNA TELL YALL BUT APPARENTLY I DONT NEED TO ://////

Leon: HELL YES DUDE, HIROS GONNA GO FUCKING BANKRUPT

Mondo: Wait

Mondo: Did u all actually have reasons to bail or

Leon: Oh dude ofc not

Leon: U think Hiro could Get A Job

Mondo: Im going to fucking kill all of you without hesitation in your sleep

Leon: <3 <3 it worked didnt it

Mondo: Fucking die

“Who are you texting?” Taka glanced over at Mondo, who at this point must’ve looked like he wanted to crush someone’s skull.

“No one that you’re going to need to worry about ever again.”

Taka hummed. “Don’t kill anyone.”

Mondo snorted. “No promises.” He pressed a kiss to Taka’s hair.

God damnit, Leon was such an asshole.

Mondo was gonna have to thank him. Right after he got done beating the shit out of him.