1 The Calm Before The Storm

---THE PRESENT---

In front of a desk is Ryunosuke Atsushi, writing the first chapter of his book and beside him is a man named Kyouya is staring at him.

"What is my Prince writing?" He asked and Atsushi stopped and slowly turned around to look at him.

"Nn, That endearment really gets into my head, it makes me happy to hear it" Atsushi told him and smiled,

He then turned back and focused writing.

'Atsushi was a kind person, he never gets mad even when someone insulted him nor bullied him, for his heart was too much of a gold.

But that golden heart slowly dissolved into a stone, he became cold and distant as he experienced multiple tragedies and misfortunes, as all of these experiences became bad memories that he had to hide under his cold facade.

He had known betrayal and even experienced a near-death situation, but he didn't show anything nor expressed his pain, he endured them alone but what he didn't know was, someone has been watching over him and protecting him from behind the shadows.

That person saved and schemed on him at the same time but it doesn't change the fact that this man became his savior.'

"Heart of gold? That's funny"

Atsushi mumbled as he chuckles as if he heard the most ridiculous word ever, Kyouya who is next to Atsushi leaned in to spy on what Atsushi is writing.

"Hm, the memories are flooding in"

Kyouya said and Atsushi turned to look at him, spotting a chance, Kyouya leaned in and kissed him.

"You bastard!"

Atsushi yelled blushing when Kyouya pulled away but he responded with a soft chuckle

"I'll never get tired of your cute reactions" He said smiling but Atsushi glared at him in return

"Go out, I have to focus in writing" Atsushi told Kyouya who is beside him and the latter quietly walked away and out of the room.

Atsushi looked back, smirking as he focused on his book.

"The memories are flooding in, how exciting" he whispered with that gentle smirk.

---THE PAST---

Walking toward his class, some people greeted him as they passed by, others stopped walking and spoke with him for a bit, while some of his classmates walked with him toward their room.

As for our protagonist, Atsushi, he just replied back to them with a smile and gently spoke with them.

Some people around him thought that he was an angel while others thought that he was a devil in disguise but they'll never know.

While walking to their room, a group of three containing a girl and two guys were walking toward their direction.

"Atsushiii, good morning" The girl in the lead greeted him cheerfully.

"Good morning guys" Atsushi greeted back with a smile.

"Morning" One of the guys greeted casually and gave Atsushi a fist bump.

"Morning Atsushi" The other guy greeted cheerfully, his fox-like eyes, which are always closed, smiled sincerely as he head over to Atsushi's side and wrapped his arm around Atsushi's shoulder.

"Haha" Atsushi chuckled as Rin just rested his arm on Atsushi.

The latter just smiled at them and this group of friends walked together toward their room as they spoke with one another.

"Atsushi" The guy who gave Atsushi a fist bump called out.

"What is it, Yuu?" Atsushi asked with curiosity.

"It's just very strange"

"Nn, what is?"

"That you're so popular but you don't have a girlfriend yet?" The guy named Yuu told Atsushi with honesty and reluctance.

"Oh, that is-- Well, I haven't found anyone that interests me" He answered truthfully.

'Do I have to tell them that I'm not interested in girls?' Atsushi thought to himself.

"Good morning guys" All of a sudden, a voice was heard from behind them and they all looked at the person.

"Good morning Jiro" Akane and Atsushi greeted with a smile.

"Morning" The others greeted casually.

Akane ran toward him and soon pulled him toward Atsushi and the others meanwhile two pair of eyes are watching their holding hands.

"Tsk"

Soon enough, all of them are walking toward their room once again, some people glared at Akane while others just don't care.

'What a slut'

'Shut your trap as if she can seduce Atsushi'

'I know right? he is the kindest guy of our university, bearing the title as our School Prince, no one deserves him!'

Some people agreed while some tried to retaliate as they spoke quietly over the sideline.

After a few minutes, Atsushi and the others have arrived in the room, most of the people in the room stopped what they were doing and greeted Atsushi.

"Good morning" The latter replied with a smile and went toward his seat beside the window, The seat on his right is Rin's, in front and behind are his classmates.

Behind is a lady named Yuki who he rarely speaks with and in front is a guy named Leo who would casually start a conversation sometimes.

As for Akane and the others, they are on the right side of the room, the three of them are not too far from one another.

Soon enough, the teacher has arrived carrying equipment regarding their current subject.

"Sensei! that seems heavy, looks like we are gonna be studying wild today" A guy in the middle blurted out, some students grunted while some just chuckled.

"Well yes, I am going to teach you chemistry, listen well, because I'm sure a lot of you would be confused, that means I have no time to come for your aid but I know you guys are smart, considering that you, my dear students are part of the Class A" The teacher said in a cheerful voice, the students just smiled at him.

But the pressure of being a part of the highest class is heavy, the students have to maintain their grades to stay in this class, once they fell down to Class B, no one can assure if they will receive hospitality or hostility.

"Well then, seeing that you guys are shaken up, you would have to do your best to pass my class" The teacher chuckled and started distributing the equipment.

He gave one full equipment to Atsushi, Yuu, Akane, Leo, and Maki.

"Form your group, it would be 4 members each group, the people who got full equipment are the leader, watch over your team, leaders" The teacher told the students loud and clear.

"If you have any question, raise your hands" Seeing that no one raised their hands, the teacher went over to his table and sat down, watching over his students as they gather their own teams.

"Atsushi" Rin called.

"Of course" Atsushi chuckled, knowing that Rin wants to join his group, now two more left.

"Would you like to join us Yuki?" Rin initiated as he looked behind Atsushi, Yuki looked up to Rin.

"Sure?"

Oh well, one more student left to find, Rin and Atsushi looked around to check if there's someone that would attract their attention, suddenly, a girl who always seems unreachable walked toward them with a neutral expression.

"Hello Mina" Atsushi greeted with a smile.

"Atsushi-kun, will it be alright to join your group?" She asked in a small voice.

"Of course" As per usual, Atsushi replied with a smile.

Once the group is complete, all of them sat them in front of a grouped table.

After a few minutes of chatters and movements, the teacher finally stood up.

"It seems the grouping is done, You guys will have to finish this project until the 5th chemistry class but first, I will show you the proper way of how to do it, so watch and listen carefully" He said unconcern, as he began to explain and show his students of what to do.

Half an hour passed with the students raising their hands when they couldn't comprehend what the teacher has said.

"That's all for today, don't worry, the project won't start until I taught you all the things regarding this subject" The teacher said and packed up his things and the equipment before leaving with another student from his next class.

The rest of the morning passed with Atsushi just sitting and listening to the teacher while occasionally being called by the teachers.

Lunch came and Atsushi's gang gathered in the cafeteria in a big table.

"What would you guys like to order?" Rin asked.

"Rin, chocolate cake" Atsushi answered with sparkling eyes, seeing how eager he was, Rin chuckled and wrote on his notepad.

" Melonpan pleaseee!" Akane followed up, the group can see the imaginary drool drooping from her mouth, clearly eager as Atsushi.

"Mantou but if they don't have it then any kind of brioche is fine, thanks" Yuu bluntly answered and Rin just nodded then his eyes turned to look at Jiro.

"Chocolate brioche or just the plain one, thank you" Jiro answered when he noticed Rin looking at him.

"Coming right up" Rin jokingly said and went to line up in the counter.

Atsushi just watched Rin till he reached the counter while the rest spoke with one another.

All of a sudden, Atsushi's attention was brought back when they heard someone's stomach going wild.

"I'm hungry" Akane said embarrassed, crocodile tear evident in her eyes, Atsushi couldn't help but smile while Yuu and Jiro laughed.

"Well, I'm also getting hungry" He said and turned to look at Rin's direction who is walking toward them.

"Food is here" Rin informed as soon as he arrived at the table.

"Let's eat!"

Akane took her own share of food and ate, clearly not waiting for them, seeing Akane eat made the group hungrier and so, everyone took their shares and happily ate.

Unsurprisingly, Akane was the first one to finish with Atsushi being the last, he just couldn't help but savor the chocolate in this cake.

Rin who has fox-like eyes which are firmly closed, as usual, is looking at Atsushi with a smile, seemingly satisfied that Atsushi liked his food and took his time to eat it.

"Shall we go then?" Atsushi asked and everyone gave their positive answers.

Atsushi stood up and head for their class with Rin's arm rested around his shoulder and the group in tow.

The rest of the day passed with them attending their classes and going home.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow" Akane said and run off with Jiro toward her driver, looking back as she entered the car, she saw them waving goodbye and she returned the favor.

Seeing that they're gone, the guys looked at Atsushi, Yuu then bid Atsushi and Rin goodbye and Yuu walked toward the bus stop.

"How about you Rin?" Atsushi asked and an idea came into his mind.

"Can I sleepover today?" Rin asked, his sealed eyes are not smiling but seemingly worried.

"Sure" Seeing that Atsushi's guess was right, he just agreed and Rin became happy that he agreed to let him sleepover.

"Let's go home then" Atsushi said and Rin went toward his car, he has a driver license so he can freely drive.

Atsushi entered the passenger seat and Rin went to the driver seat, soon enough, both of them were comfortable.

It only took 20 minutes for them to reach Atsushi's place.

"Let's go in-- I'm home!" Atsushi took his shoes off and put on his slippers.

"Excuse my intrusion" Rin said as he also did what Atsushi just did.

Atsushi then led Rin to the lounge and told him to wait before changing, it only took a few minutes before Atsushi came back.

"Would you like some coffee? or maybe tea?" Atsushi asked and Rin just shook his head, he seems kind of distracted.

"Atsushi"

"Mn?"

"Aren't you lonely in this mansion?"

"Eh?"

"I mean, you're the only one who lives here"

"It's fine" Atsushi replied with a smile.

"Why did you ask though?"

"I was thinking of asking you this for a long time now but I only have the courage to say it now" Rin answered truthfully.

"Pray tell"

"Is it possible for me to live here with you?" Without hesitation, Rin told Atsushi what he truly wants.

"Seeing you alone every day in this mansion and no one provides for you" Rin said.

"But you occasionally sleepover here" Atsushi chuckled.

"I do but I'm still worried"

"Then please take care of me Rin" Atsushi smiled sincerely.

"I'll do my best" Rin replied with confidence.

The night came and went with Rin cooking healthy food, eating deliciously and then both men going to sleep after taking a warm bath.