False Advertising
Fifty-Five
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"Courier New";color:black'>Fifty-Five
The bell above the doorway rung twice as Hasukawa and
Shun entered a local convenience store, smiling winsomely at each other. They'd
been talking non-stop for the walk home, their boisterous conversation working
up dual appetites. Shun was tempted to suggest a romantic dinner, but knew it
was probably unwise since the only dress he owned was a tad formal (and not, of
course, actually his). They compromised on junk food, naturally, Shun's
appetite for destructive food surpassed only by Hasukawa's ability to forget he
had a health problem.
They spent a few minutes hovering around a display of
chips, chattering away, before a strange anxiety seized Shun. He glanced over
and found that the same had not affected Hasukawa, who was busy debating on
getting the extra spicy or the cheddar flavored variety of snack he had in his
hand. Shun looked around cautiously, feeling an onerous disturbance cloud the
small store. He tried to ignore it, but it crept over him like a shadow, making
him unable to concentrate of the questions Hasukawa was asking him. He looked
over his shoulder and immediately understood what was wrong.
Oh no, Shun
whimpered a little in thought, as three Ryokuto boys – not of Greenwood's
accepting halls – were looking at them. No, not just looking. They were
staring. Please don't, Shun silently
pleaded. He knew the boys, and knew well that that they weren't friends with
Shun for a reason.
"Oi, homo."
Shun froze, color draining from his face as he casually
glanced up at Hasukawa. He seemingly hadn't noticed and was currently engrossed
in a comic book that was lying nearby. Shun held steady, pretending to read
along as the three voices grew louder.
"Kisaragi, you faggot, look at me." The tall,
slender one of the pack, likely the clique's leader, called out again. This
time, Kazuya looked down at Shun with a strange though concerned glance. He
didn't speak, but his eyes were asking more questions than words ever could.
"Don't ignore me, you fucking homo."
Shun ducked with a cry when a box of toothpaste nearly
clipped him in the head. Shun wanted
nothing more than to turn and yell back at them, maybe even lash out at them,
but with the fear of being outted in front of
Hasukawa present in his mind, he was paralyzed to do anything. He looked at
Kazuya, pleadingly, eyes beginning to water.
Please don't cry.
This isn't fair. Just make them leave. Please.
. .
"Courier New";color:black'>
"Courier New";color:black'>Kazuya turned and caught the can of tofu just as it
would have smacked Shun in the ear. He ducked behind Hasukawa, unable to
breathe, his eyes screwed tight.
"What do you think you're doing?" Hasukawa
asked sternly, growling a little.
"Stay out of this, faggot," the nameless boy
spat. "I'm talking to your little boyfriend." Shun's eyes went wide
as he began to back away from Suka and toward the door. Without missing a beat,
Kazuya began to walk up to the three, a murderous glare on his face.
"Suka-chan!" Shun suddenly cried, hand
outstretched. He turned for just a moment; just long enough to see the pallor
on Shun's face and the anguish that had finally taken over his features. Before
he could inquire, Shun made his move.
What happens next? :
[Shun flees, shamed, and heads
for the park.] – Go to Chapter Fifty-Six
(56)
[Shun grabs Hasukawa and drags
him away.] – Go to Chapter Fifty-Seven
(57)