Leo passes by Frostheim on his way to the Chancellor's office and makes a pitstop outside of Kamiyama's door with a basketball he found in Sho's room. He distances himself from the door and throws the ball at the concrete, and it bounces back up and slams into the door before gliding back into the vice-captain's arms. Leo keeps a rhythm going for a while until he gets bored.
Once Leo's done with that he walks over to the convenience store and purchases a carton of eggs and comes back. He sits cross-legged about fifteen feet from the door and starts tossing them-- attempting to aim for specific squares on the door's engravings. Like a fun little game.
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9:19 PM
"Guess I should probably head to the office before he packs up for the day..." Leo shrugs to himself. "Ah, this is more fun anyway."
The vice-captain attempts an underhand throw and lands right where he intended to. God, he's just that good.(edited)
*It's all so fucking stupid.
Whatever. He's done worse. Said worse. Why should he give a fuck that he upset some dipshit online? Why should he give a fuck that he was a dick? Why the fuck does everyone else suddenly care, suddenly feel like they have some sort of goddamn authority about it all? He's not sure what's worse, Jo being public about it or Zero being private about it.
It should've been fine. How many times had he said stupid mean shit to Chihiro anyway? How many times had he done nothing but antagonise and criticise, said worse fucking shit than what he already said, done worse shit than be mean online. How many times? And how many times had Zero seemingly gave a fuck?
Whatever. He's online. He's willing to play the stupid fucking game that he would've rejected anyway, because he really wasn't feeling up for it after Zero's stupid fucking comment. But Zero hadn't wanted to, and it pissed Tomo off, and then it pissed him off more that he changed his mind again, and the only way to burn off all the energy he had gathered was to kick Zero's ass so goddamn hard he never sat down to play again. That was the plan, at least.
Until his connection sputtered. His game lagged. His servers stopped responding. He knew from the way Zero's voice remained level through the choppy call that he had done something, and he knew that it was related to what he said to Chi, because for some reason it mattered now. Because being an asshole is fine until it's in a way that he doesn't like. Because it's just a goddamn game.
Just the stress of the week.
Right. Tomosei is so fucking stupid. So fucking dumb.
He blocks Zero. Blocks him on every goddamn account but one, because he has one fucking rule that he broke for a braindead idiot, and now he's reaping the consequences for it. Not anymore. He won't. It doesn't matter anyway.
He has to get ready for the stupid fucking event anyway, the stupid ass cafe that'll attract only the worst people.
9:01 PM
Where he'll have to sit through the stupid fucking thoughts of everyone he can't stand. Please come. left unsent in his messages to Gen, something that could be so fucking simple. Known. Familiar.
He won't give a fuck about games. Won't give a fuck about what the stupid fucking line is when it comes to being an asshole. Zero wanted him to be a goddamn princess? Fine. He'll play by those rules. He should've known anyway.
And then it's Leo pissing him off anyway. A voice chat, because text is unsecure. He knows that. Still pisses him off that this is seemingly too important to just give him a fucking break. So he bites, because he needs to focus on something before he does something he regrets, and then...
.......
It's a simple call. They have no need for idle chatter. So different to the one between him and Zero, a three hour call that passed as though it were one. But it was good. Leo was, infuriatingly, helpful.
Tomo got dressed. Put on the stupid makeup for the stupid walk he was about to take. Shame that Zero blocked him, he thinks, opening his door into Zero's room. He's wordless and efficient as he tosses the artefect at Zero and walks out after, perfectly composed, a proper princess. If students whisper he ignores it, and if they stare he smiles back. Most don't bother him.
Sinostra to the infirmary. Annoying, tedious. He hands a letter off to Nicolas and doesn't respond when it's questioned. My sincere apologies in the delayed response. I would be utterly delighted to accompany you to lunch. Regretfully, there is a fundraising event I am set to attend. The day after, however, remains free, and I have recently been enlightened to an establishment I am sure you will enjoy. And, though I am curious as to how you are privy to such a thing, I can confirm that Gen is interning at Darkwick at the moment, and we have spoken on multiple occasions.
9:03 PM
Infirmary to Frostheim, which is worse than the previous trip. He just wants to be back. To resume the stupid shit he should've been doing in the first place. He's cordial to all who pass. He's fine, perfect, princess-y, polite.
Greetings, mon ami.
(Damn, that Waker chick's brave. I'd drop dead before I publicly admitted to messaging that asshole.)
It's a beautiful day, mon ami.
(Oh, a concert? How wonderful. I wonder if I have the time to attend...)
How are you doing, mon ami?
(You hear about Kurosagi's bet? Over whether that Sinostra guy and the Vagastrom dude will split? What's your bet?)(No shot. You seen some of the shit they've posted?)
He stumbles. His body feels heavy and weak and he realises he can't remember the last time he actually ate a meal. He'd been spending too much time as someone else. A student helped him up, concern lacing their features. Are you alright, Tomosei?
He smiled softly. Their voice seemed so far away.*
... Oui. I fear it's just the stress of the week eating at me. I apologise for the scare. Please do not trouble yourself any further.
*The student nods. Escorts him back to the dorm anyway. He promises to return the favour. He doesn't wait for their response.
It doesn't matter anyway. He locks the door behind him. Practically collapses into the bed.
Sleeps.
Dreams of the tree.
The fall.
Orange bleeding into red.
The colour of maple.*
He blinks for a moment before stepping through the artifact connection. He hadn't seen Tomo since Jo's poisoning episode. Since then, he'd gotten a haircut and replaced his prosthetic. The teal eye was still somewhere in the infirmary.Shit, he probably looks like... well, shit. He swipes the back of his hand under his nose and looks at it. Nosebleed. Seiya had told him as much but he hadn't been worried about it until now. God damn it. Not the best way to greet a guy you just asked out.
What the hell did that even mean anyway? He'd asked Tomo out but what? Did that mean they were dating? Did that mean they were gonna go grab dinner somewhere?JFC Zero, focus.
"Okay so, what were you going to say before you cut yourself off? I'm not 'over the phone' anymore so you can't use that as an excuse."
*The first thing out of his mouth when he sees Zero is simply, Holy shit.
He didn't actually think he'd go and get the damn prosthetic Tomo suggested. He feels almost bad about it, or he would, if it didn't work out for this idiot in some strange fucking way. He briefly wonders if it glows in the dark, but he decides he's not equipped to learn about that just yet. He flicks on the light to the room as Zero fully steps through, just so they wouldn't be in the total dark. It does not help his headache, but it could be worse.*
You look like shit.
*He stares. Nosebleed? really? If he bleeds on Tomo's floor, he swears to god they're going to have a problem.*
Holy fucking shit, how many times do I have to tell you? Holy shit. I cannot believe you right now. You're bleeding and you're concerned about what fucking word I wanted to say?
"It's literally just a nosebleed? I have been through far, far worse."
He takes another step forward and takes in his surroundings. Towel. Spilled Drink. Et cetera.
"Thanks for the fast-travel home by the way. Really did not want to take the galaxy express."
He doesn't smile, doesn't grin. Just looks at Tomo squarely as he chooses his words carefully.
"Uh but yeah. Very much would like to know what that word was gonna be. If you 'have to see' my 'stupid fucking face,' you swear you'd...?"
He lets the question hang but finishes in his head. Kick, Kill or ...Kiss me? You've got permission for all three, Tomo. But I'm fairly certain it's not the first two.
Yeah, that shit sucks ass, doesn't it.
*He's fine looking until he isn't, in which case he looks away, embarrassment seeping onto his face, which annoys him, which makes him mad. Holy shit. He should've just travelled to wherever Zero was and found the first entrance to the train to jump off. That would've been easier than this.
His hand twitches a little as he resists the urge to tug on his hair.*
...........
*He literally cannot say it. Just imagining the stupid fucking look that would appear on Zero's face is killing him. What other k words are there? Kill? Surely. Kick? Tempted.*
You're such a pain in the ass!
Zero's eye flicks to the twitch of Tomo's hand. He catches him by the wrist with two fingers.
"Pain in the ass, but you haven't kicked me out yet. And you said yes when I asked you out so...."
Pain in the goddamn ass!
*He knew Zero would do this shit. Every time he tried, Zero would grab his hand, like it concerned him so fucking much. Tomo glared at the fingers holding his wrist because if he looked too hard anywhere else, he might go crazy. This is so fucking stupid. This is the stupidest shit of all goddamn time.*
Is it too late to take that back? I take it back. Fucking stupid asshole. Pain in the ass. Always causing me goddamn problems, even now, because you're the goddamn worst.
*He only means some of it, but none of it holds any real venom. Idiot. Dumb. Stupid. Dumb. Idiot. Motherfucker. Cute. Stupid. Idiot. Dumb. Idiot. Fuck.*
Close your goddamn eyes or I'll kill you.
*Stupid. Motherfucker. Idiot. Asshole. The goddamn worst. Having to see his stupid fucking face that's bleeding and gross as hell and stupid and fucking dumb and he had to come all the way here like a fucking stupid braindead kicked puppy with his stupid fucking eye and stupid fucking face and stupid fucking lips and stupid fuckin—
He can't take it anymore. He takes a step forward and grabs Zero by the front of his shirt and yanks him into his own face, just close enough for Tomo's breath to tickle Zero's lips.*
I'm choosing the stupid fucking date then.
*He murmurs, and closes the gap.*
He opens his eyes briefly and then quickly shuts them remembering Tomo's command.He hadn't expected the shirt grab, that was ... well, it made him a bit weak in the knees to be honest.For once, Zero's mind is blessedly clear. No smart retort springs forward. All he can think about is Tomo as he slides his hand down Tomo's wrist and interlaces their fingers. And hopes to whatever deity is listening that Tomo doesn't pull away.
*He doesn't, at least, not at the intertwined fingers. He does when he feels as though his point has been made and gives Zero's shin a weak little kick for good measure.*
Stupid fucking idiot.
*He's so fucking glad his bangs are so goddamn annoyingly long. So goddamn glad.*
He smiles at Tomo. It had been a nice first kiss for the two of them but there was something... uncoordinated about it. The shirt grab had been very confident, but the kiss... had almost been... hesitant? No that wasn't the right word. Tomo had gone for it. But it was like...
"Been a while since you kissed someone?"
He can't help it, He knows it will piss Tomo off, but he smirks. He assumes it had been a while since Tomo had kissed Gen,
*It works. It sure did piss him off. He genuinely gave that kiss his best shot. It's not his fault he hasn't kissed anyone since---no, it is. His fault, that is.*
Fuck you. Last time I kissed someone was the damn maid cafe.
*But it wasn't on the lips, which. Means it probably doesn't count. He sneers and looks away, wanting to cross his arms, but not wanting to let go of Zero's stupid ass hand. God!!!*
You're such an asshole! Who the fuck gives a shit how long its been, huh? How long has it been since you last kissed someone, dipshit?
"Hold on... you were at the..."
He forces that image out of his head. Much as he'd like to keep it there, he had a more pressing issue.He weaves a hand through Tomo's hair and kisses him again, taking the lead this time. Just the right pressure, just the right insistence, just the right tilt of his head...And then he pulls back slowly.
"Been a few seconds since I last kissed someone, actually."
*HE HATES THIS MOTHERFUCKER!!!!
He takes a small step back and forces the blush on his face to simmer down a little. Stupid stupid stupid... Why the fuck is he so good at kissing?*
You know that shit doesn't count.
*He's so mad. He cannot believe Zero is better at this than he is.*
It's cheating to have more goddamn experience than someone else. Motherfucker.
"More experience is... Cheating?"
He closes the space Tomo had put between them.
"So it's cheating every time you headshot me when I don't see it coming?"
He kisses Tomo again, and then pulls back but keeps so close he can feel the heat rising off his lips.
"Is it cheating when you still beat me even when you don't play your main?"
He kisses him again, a little more lingering.
"If that's cheating, than I'd hate to play against you when you actually do break some rules."
One final kiss, this time pulling away with just the slightest tug of Tomo's bottom lip between his teeth.He steps back and heads for the door.
"Text me when you decide where you want our first date to be. Or..."
He taps the roses on his neck.
"Or if you wanna try filling these in with more color. Last time you only got a few petals."
He gives Tomo a wink and leaves.
At first glance, there’s one single file on it:
For_KAMIYAMAs_Eyes_Only.exe
The moment Tomosei tries to open the file, he’s met with a password prompt.
Underneath the entry field, there's a dialogue prompt:
It's clear at this point that Zero has gone out of his way to make this an actual challenge, purely to annoy Tomosei.
The .exe file needs a password to open.
The .txt file is simply a text file that looks like random bullshit.
The text in the file is encoded in a modified Caesar cipher with a custom shift value. The clue is the filename:
"Lemon Boy" (The shift value is number of letters in "Tomosei")
Solving the cipher will result in a meaningless string of characters (save for a little 'fuckyou' tucked away in the middle)
Entering the string of characters into middle_finger_emoji.exe ...?
Damn that's crazy, he didn't even have to solve the cipher, the filename was literally the password...
middle_finger_emoji = 'fuckyou'
Yet another detail to piss off Tomosei.
The file opens up into... another meaningless block of text. But it looks corrupted. Don't worry though! It's not!
It's a Steganographic Puzzle – Embedded within that seemingly meaningless block of text, there’s a hidden message in zero-width characters that requires special software to detect.
The hidden message? A Base64 String –
*Don't make him change his damn locks.
........ He's playing the april fools update. He actually looks like he's enjoying himself. hehe. heh. heheheheh. get fucked. heheheheheheh.*
He enters very respectfully.Gives Tomo a non-game-interrupting kiss.Stands behind Tomo and lowers his arms down on either side of his head so his hands are now resting on Tomo's chest. They're tied together with Zero's uniform tie.
But it seems Tomo is just so focused on that game. Shame.Zero withdraws. Careful to not block Tomo's vision for too long when he lifts his arms off. Kisses Tomo again. On the place right where his jaw meets his neck. Makes his way down until he finds the pulse in Tomo's neck, and sucks a bruise, perfectly aligned with his carotid.He walks over to the bed. Not quite so luxurious as the Princess' bed, but still a bed nonetheless.He kicks off his shoes. Undoes the tie so he can shrug off the blazer....
*Raw.
... He doesn't think that. He does think Zero is looking for a low fucking blow. Tying his own hands together? Giving him hickeys?
He's right. It pisses him off. Almost as much as losing the match does, though it's through no fault of Zero's.*
You got shit to do tomorrow?
*He asks, back still turned.*
"Nope. Got all my homework done for today and tomorrow so I could dedicate my whole night to pissing you off."
His shirt joins the rumpled blazer on the floor.(edited)
Reply to: @Zero Yōgai (@mis)
"Nope. Got all my homework done for today and tomorrow so I could dedicate my whole night to pissing you off." *His shirt joins...
Damn, I'm surprised.
*The match ends. He won.
He immediately shuts off his computer. Still doesn't turn around.*
Pretty fucking bold to assume you'll piss me off first. I'm a stubborn bitch.
Oop. There go his trousers.Zero yawns.
"All I ever do is assume. If I was never bold, I'd never have gotten anywhere in life. Probably in the same family of good skills as being a 'stubborn bitch'"
Dressed down to his briefs, he climbs into the bed and pulls the covers over himself.He tucks his hands under his head in a mock sleeping position but his ass is not sleeping.
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