Outside Aokusa High School, most students were already heading home, the buzz of conversation and footsteps filling the early evening air. It had technically been the first real day of school—one that also marked the beginning of Minazuki Rotation.
Timeo was making his way toward the underground station, ready to head back to Sombra Café, when a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Yo, dude!"
Leo jogged up with a grin plastered across his face, as if the events of the day had completely slipped his mind. "Rough first day, huh? C'mon, let's grab somethin' to eat. I know a killer ramen spot we can chill at."
Timeo adjusted the strap of his bag, one hand tucked into his pocket. He didn't seem to be in a rush—and honestly, a break sounded pretty good.
"I don't know if you've seen it yet," he replied, "but Yamabuki's got this insane ramen stand. Rokurou's ramen? Top tier."
Leo cut in before Timeo could even get a word out. "So? What d'ya say? You down for some ramen or what?" he grinned, full of reckless excitement, one hand yanking at his bag strap like he couldn't stand still for another second.
Timeo gave a calm, almost tired nod—but there was something in his eyes. Maybe relief. Maybe just glad Leo was still acting like himself, like the madness from earlier hadn't touched him.
Leo caught the nod and immediately lit up. "Heh—hell yeah! Let's move before I start eatin' my own damn arm!" he barked, already strutting ahead like the choice was obvious from the start.
It didn't take them long to reach Yamabuki. Timeo, having already explored the district the day before, knew exactly where they were headed. He remembered the ramen stand well—though he hadn't expected to return so soon.
The stand wasn't just a tiny corner stall—it had a cozy little indoor space attached, with enough room for a few tables, a long counter, and a proper kitchen behind the scenes. The air was thick with the scent of rich broth and sizzling toppings, the kind that hits your senses and makes your stomach grumble before you've even sat down.
They stepped inside, brushing past the curtain as steam greeted them like an old friend. The place was warm, the kind of warmth you feel in your chest more than your skin.
Leo plopped onto a stool at the counter with zero hesitation, his grin wide and unbothered. "Dude, I've been thinking about this place all day," he muttered, leaning forward with both elbows on the wood. "You see that menu? Look at this stuff."
Timeo sat beside him, quietly observing while Leo scanned the chalkboard above the kitchen window.
"Alright," Leo said, pointing like he was plotting a mission. "They got the spicy miso, the fatty pork belly bowl, garlic overload, and yo—the Rokurou special. That thing's like a flavor bomb straight to the soul."
He glanced at Timeo, still grinning. "You want that? Or you feelin' like takin' a shot at the pork belly stack? Don't overthink it, man—first-day ramen's gotta be big."
Timeo gave a faint shrug, resting his hand on the counter. "I'll go with whatever you're getting."
Leo leaned back with a satisfied nod. "Nice. Two Rokurou specials, extra egg!"
The cook behind the counter, a broad man with rolled-up sleeves and a steady hand, gave a curt nod. "Got it. Two specials, double egg."
As the kitchen lit up with clinks and steam, the smell of simmering broth and sizzling meat filled the room like a spell being cast.
Leo turned to Timeo with a smirk. "Just wait, man. This stuff's legit. You'll forget all about blood ghosts and near-death crap the second you taste that broth."
Timeo glanced at him, calm as ever. "We'll see."
Leo gave a light chuckle. "You will."
Steam curled from the pots behind the counter, and the gentle clatter of cooking filled the room like a heartbeat. Timeo sat quietly, one hand propped under his chin, eyes on the steam rising from behind the counter—but he was listening.
Leo stretched in his seat, rocking back slightly. "Man… I swear, they need to install one of these ramen joints right next to the school. I'd never leave campus."
Timeo gave a subtle nod. "Beats cafeteria food."
Leo grinned, but it faded quickly. His fingers tapped restlessly on the counter. "Hey, uh… you probably already heard some stuff about me, right? People talk."
"I've heard things," Timeo said simply. "Doesn't mean I believe them."
Leo's gaze dropped, like he wasn't used to that kind of answer. He gave a low snort. "Hmph. You really don't buy into rumors, huh?"
Timeo tilted his head, watching him. "You brought it up. Might as well finish it."
Leo hesitated, shifting his weight. "It's nothin', really. Just old crap. Not worth digging into."
Timeo's voice didn't rise, didn't pressure—just remained steady. "You don't strike me as the type to care what people think. So why bring it up?"
Leo's jaw clenched for a second. He looked away, exhaled slowly, then leaned forward on his elbows.
"…It was Nishizawa," he said finally. "He's the reason I got the rep."
Timeo didn't flinch. He just waited.
Leo's voice dropped a notch. "Back when I joined the school, he was the one in charge of the Minazuki Rotation tryouts. I wanted in, so I worked my ass off. But he kept pushing. Harder and harder. Didn't matter how much I gave—he always made it out like I wasn't trying hard enough."
He paused, staring at a knot in the wood counter.
"I was already runnin' on fumes, but I didn't wanna quit. He had this way of makin' you feel like if you stopped for even a second, you were worthless." He shrugged bitterly. "Eventually, I pushed too hard. My knee snapped. Couldn't walk for two months."
Timeo's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did you tell anyone?"
Leo shook his head. "What was I gonna say? 'Hey, the golden boy overworked me'? I'd be the one getting kicked for being weak or unfit. He'd just deny it. And everyone else worshipped the ground he walked on."
"So you covered for him."
"Yeah," Leo muttered. "Said I slipped in the rain. Took the hit. Next thing I knew, I was branded the reckless one. Got sick of explaining, so I stopped trying. Just leaned into it."
Silence stretched for a moment.
The cook walked over, setting down two bowls of hot ramen in front of them. Rich broth, grilled pork, soft eggs, and the perfect swirl of spice filled the air between them. He gave a nod and moved on.
Leo stared at the steam, not touching his chopsticks yet. "But today…" he said softly, "watching you stand up to him, shut him down in front of everyone… it felt like something snapped back into place. Just a little."
Timeo glanced over. "He shouldn't be in a position to do that to anyone."
Leo nodded. "Yeah. I know."
There was a beat of quiet.
"You should've said something back then," Timeo said.
Leo let out a quiet, dry laugh. "Well… I'm sayin' it now, aren't I?"
Timeo looked at him for a moment, then finally picked up his chopsticks.
"Good."
Leo gave a crooked grin. "Damn right it is. Now hurry up and eat before the egg overcooks, man."
They both dug in, steam rising between them—maybe for the first time, not as a barrier, but as something shared.
They both leaned over their bowls, chopsticks in hand, the rich aroma practically daring them to dive in.
Leo was the first to slurp up a mouthful of noodles with zero grace. "Hot damn," he muttered, mouth half-full. "This broth's illegal. I don't know what the hell Rokurou puts in it, but if it's drugs, I ain't complainin'."
Timeo took a more controlled bite, eyes closing slightly as the flavor hit. "It's good," he said plainly, which for him was the equivalent of a standing ovation.
Leo narrowed his eyes at him. "That's it? 'It's good'? Man, if this bowl doesn't make you hear music, you're dead inside."
"I'm eating, aren't I?"
"That's not the point," Leo said, dramatically lifting his bowl for a louder slurp. "You gotta respect the art, Timeo."
Timeo wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I respect not inhaling my food like a vacuum cleaner."
Leo smirked. "What, scared I'll beat you to the bottom?"
"You're turning this into a competition?"
"Everything's a competition," Leo grinned, already halfway through his bowl. "C'mon, let's go. Loser pays next time."
Timeo raised an eyebrow. "You already ordered first."
Leo froze mid-slurp, then waved a hand. "Details. Rules bend for ramen gods."
They both ate with a quiet rhythm after that—Leo fast, chaotic, and clearly enjoying himself, while Timeo moved steadily, savoring each bite. The contrast between them was almost comedic, like a storm next to a calm sea.
Eventually, Leo slowed, leaning back with a satisfied groan. "Damn… I needed that."
Timeo set down his chopsticks, his bowl still half-full but methodically emptied. "Told you I could keep up."
Leo chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Calm and deadly. I'll give you that."
There was a brief lull in the noise. Outside, the sun had dipped lower, painting golden streaks across the foggy windows. The ramen shop had quieted, leaving only a few other customers murmuring in the background.
Leo sat up straighter then, gaze shifting from relaxed to serious—not dramatic, just honest.
"…Hey," he said, voice quieter now, "for real… thanks. For listenin'. For not laughin'. Or judgin'. Or actin' weird about it."
Timeo looked at him. "You're not weak, Leo. You didn't do anything wrong."
Leo nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just… nice to actually say it out loud. Not even sure why I did, but—guess I knew you wouldn't treat it like gossip."
"You're not the only one who's been forced to carry something alone," Timeo replied, voice soft but firm.
Leo looked at him for a long moment, then let out a breathy laugh.
"…Damn. You really are the calm sea guy. Dangerous as hell, but you got anchor energy."
Timeo blinked. "Anchor energy?"
Leo grinned, wide again. "Don't worry, it's a compliment."
Timeo smirked faintly. "I'll take your word for it."
They both stood slowly, the weight of earlier conversation lingering between them, but not heavy anymore—just there. A part of the past, finally shared.
Leo stretched with a yawn and slapped a few coins down on the counter. "Alright, but next time, we're hittin' the curry place. You better bring that same poker face when the spice kicks in."
"I'll bring milk," Timeo said.
Leo snorted. "Coward."
They stepped out into the early evening, side by side—two students, walking home from ramen like nothing had happened.
But something had. And they both knew it.
To be continued...