Chapter Text
“W-Wait! You’re going to too fast—uwah!” the boy huffed from exhaustion. His lungs and body cannot keep up. He fell to the ground feeling the dirt all over his body and face. He flinched on the impact for not keeping his pace and balance to catch up. He slowly gets up hoping that he didn’t harbor any injuries from falling.
The boy looked up to see his friend who stopped and turned his head around. He ran towards him. He offered his hand out, face blurred out but his mouth was visible. He puts on a wide, cheerful smile. “You gotta keep going, otherwise you will never be able to become one of the best XB player, Ojiro!” the boy teased.
Ojiro pouted his cheeks, taking his friend’s hand as the latter pulled him up. “Don’t laugh. I know you are making fun at me...”
The boy spurted out into a fit of laughter. “Sorry, sorry. Your face looks silly just now,” he said honestly.
Ojiro frowned in annoyance as he wiped the dirt off his face. “Haha, very funny… One day you will be bested by me. I will grow taller and stronger than you so that you can’t tease me anymore!” he declared.
The boy laughed again, unbelieving as he walked backwards with his hands behind his head with a carefree smile. “Sure. I’d like to see you try. But you may still end up becoming my sub regardless of your height.”
“That’s fine. As long as you let me be the one who gets to take care of you!” he replied with determination. Oh, he will show him.
The boy smiled softly. “Okay,” he accepted with no complaints.
Someday. It will be Ojiro’s turn who will look after—
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
Q slowly opened his eyes to see the bright light illuminating from his window by his bedside with the alarm still echoing the room. He kept his comfy position in his bed as he pulled the blanket covers over his head to block the brightness to his eyes.
He feels like he doesn’t want to get up but not because he’s tired from his sleep. No, his energy was rejuvenated after that dream he vaguely had. It was the blindness of the sun he didn’t want to deal with.
When was the last time he had quite a vivid dream like that? He doesn’t remember any of that from his memories. Then again, his memories of his childhood were a blur. Q doesn’t know if that dream was real or not. It could be that it was all made up due to his own subconscious desires of attempting to fill the missing memories. What triggered to have such a dream like that? If these were real in the past, then perhaps he is getting his childhood memories back? Or maybe he is overthinking it. The only memories he recalled when he was young were when he was ten years old or at least it was around there.
He grabs his phone on his nightstand to turn it on to see he has two messages—both which he wasn’t surprised on because they were from his father and his fiancée respectively.
His father, Tenshin Ojiro, is the current King of Neo Tokyo. He rules and governs all 23 cities. He had ruled for about ten years and is still going strong. His father is strict with him as he wants Q to be the next supreme ruler. He wants Q to continue his father’s reign of keeping the Otori Clan as he calls it, to never be overthrown by anyone else—or particularly anyone with a lower status than theirs. He worked hard to obtain the highest status in this society.
His father had many restrictions and controls on Q’s upbringing. He forbids Q from having any friends that aren’t of high status or if they are not well-known. His communication was cut off from the outside world for Q to focus on his education privately, taking extensive, selected classes that would help benefit the family. Q was put under intense physical training to ensure that his appearance appears strong and intimidating to the eyes of others. Q’s height was no concern as he already is tall than the average male. He is currently 192 cm. His dietary was restricted for high class cuisines only. Any type of food below standards would disrupt Q’s physique.
His father also wanted a future heir when Q takes over, so he invested in an arranged marriage with the Kamiki Clan who has been in support with the Otori Clan for many years. Yui Kamiki is Q’s fiancée and is currently working under his father as his personal secretary. Yui Kamiki is as beautiful as the Goddess of Venus is what most people say about her appearance. Her intellect, hardworking diligence, and confidence had made her the perfect candidate to rule alongside with Q.
Q didn’t mind it at all. Since this is all what he knows and has grown up in this household. It’s all what he remembers—following his father’s orders and becoming the next ruler. He doesn’t know anything else other than that victory is what matters and to become superior to the rest of the world. Power is everything.
He didn’t mind being engaged, but… He doesn’t know anything about marriage and the feelings that comes with it. His interactions with Kamiki weren’t exactly hostile, nor it is intimate. Their conversations were always kept in a minimal and professional manner. They treat each other with mutual respect.
For Q, he sometimes wondered if he is truly okay with being engaged. There is a small part within him that just feels like something is missing. He never figured out what was missing or why he thought that something is wrong. He ended up not doing anything about it as he never had an answer to that strange feeling.
When Q stared at his father’s message, it was a detailed message of reminding him that he should stay focused on his classes, to grasp upon any ideals that don’t align with the Otori family’s rule. His father never gives him a simple good morning, a hello, or even a question of how he is doing—he just goes straight into business. That’s how it’s always has been between the two of them. Q isn’t concerned about it. Not one bit. He just feels indifferent.
Then the next message he looked at was from Kamiki who actually does greets him.
Kamiki: Good moring Ojiro-sama. I hope all is well with you. Everything is running smoothly over here. Your father is working going over international business affair with meetings he must attend today. I am joining in as well, but I wanted to send you a quick message to see how you are faring over at your university. I still don’t agree with your decision to educate yourself in a public university that may not be useful to your father’s cause, but because you coveted it, I won’t go against you. Anyways, I must go back to work. Talk to you soon.
Q yawned, knowing that he needed to get up to get ready for his classes in the morning. He replied with a quick message.
Q: Good morning. I am doing fine. Thank you for reaching out. Talk to you soon.
Q looks to see that was all the messages he had been waiting for him. He was a bit disappointed because he had one more contact on his phone that his father and Kamiki don’t know about. However, this person has not messaged him for a long time. He pulls the contact under the name of “A” to read their last message.
A: Hey, I want to let you know that I won’t be available for a while. I don’t know when the next time I can message you or perhaps this could be the last time we will interact. But please remember everything I taught you. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to answer any more of your questions, but I’m sure you will find your new “A” that will guide you through life. Take care.
That was six months ago, and A has not messaged Q. He encountered A one day when this person messaged him anonymously when Q was sixteen. He doesn’t know how he was able to get a hold of Q’s number. He thought that perhaps A had the wrong number thinking it was for a different friend he meant to message, but since then, they have been chatting throughout Q’s adolescence in his teens. They were on and off messaging each other about mundane life activities and mostly about A sharing their knowledge on various life facts they picked up learning. To which, Q finds his information fascinating since he was limited to closed doors. It’s nice to hear what the world is like outside of his family’s home.
Q never found out who exactly A was—whether they are some rich person or if they were a random commoner. Whether if this person was a girl or a boy. Or how old they are. A never shared anything directly personal in relation to them. What’s special about A was that they never judge Q of being the future heir of the Otori family.
A decided to treat Q as a normal person with no hidden motive of wanting to use Q just because he was an Otori. Q was happy that there was someone out there in this world that wouldn’t judge him because of his status. That he wasn’t being used for their own personal gain. If his father hears about this person, he will forbid Q to interact with them due to their unknown status or that this anonymous person would ‘poison’ his mind. Because of those types of reasons is why Q wanted to keep his communication with A—a secret between just the two of them.
A suggested the nicknames of how they would refer to each other since A never wanted to reveal their identity. Ojiro being “Q” for asking many questions about the knowledge he doesn’t know due to his father’s restrictions he placed. Then the mysterious person being “A” who will always have an answer to Q’s questions.
Speaking of their last communication, this wasn’t the first time that A went radio silent. The first time A had gone MIA was three years ago, a year after they known each other. But when they had finally reached out again which was earlier this year, A messaged as if nothing happened. No explanation was given for their long absence. Q didn’t bother pestering wondering what happened as it seems like A didn’t want to discuss it. He was just content that A came back.
Then after a few conversations upon A’s return, A had recommended for Q to at least attend a local university to see what life can offer him. He was insistent that Q is missing out on life and the experiences of a regular student that Q would want to learn about the outside world. A had quizzed him on what Q would like to study. Q wasn’t certain until A had brought up on things Q liked throughout their history of texts they had shared. The one that stood out the most is studying plants—botany.
Q was reluctant at first as he knew that his father would never agree to let him enroll to a public university and to study botany. Fortunately, A brought in a lot of beneficial reasons that could convince his father to allow Q to attend and study with his choosing. Q did what A suggested and it was successful. However, his father has one condition—to change his identity and appearance so that no one knows that the future supreme ruler is attending the university. He wants his son to go undercover to obtain any useful information that will help the Otori family and their future endeavors.
He decided to go under the alias as “Q” in honor of his anonymous friend that he hadn’t heard from for months.
Q had only attended Chiyoda University for only about a year. He enrolled as a second-year transfer student. With classes, he’s learning a lot. School work is no joke and that they hit him with a ton of work and partake exams. He didn’t dislike learning, in fact, he was enjoying it as he was studying his favorite subject. Because of that—he learned so much on how to take care of plants and all kinds of plants that are out there in the world.
He does, however, come across a problem in his university life—social interactions and making friends.
To say that he hadn’t made any progress in making friends here is a huge understatement. He definitely does not have any friends. He could consider three specific people he knows as friends but Q himself hasn’t told them regarding his university life, nor do they know where he is attending. He promised his father that it must be kept under wraps at all times besides his father and who he chooses to know the truth.
He would consider A his friend, but he lost contact with them again. Their last text message even stated that they may not even speak to each other again. Q was saddened to hear that as he never knew what was going on in their life, and he wanted to express his thanks for all their help. All he has left now is his father and his fiancée. But his relationship with them doesn’t really make him happy. Not like how he felt towards A.
Why did A have to disappear again?
Q didn’t want to continue to fester his longing for his missing friend. He finally decides to get up from his bed to get ready for his classes. He scanned his room to see how messy his side was. His room was mainly covered with his clothes everywhere since he always had maids tidying up his room. He had zero experience on how to maintain on keeping his room clean. There is one thing he knows how to care for, and that is his plants that he accumulated in his room and his living room.
Because of the weather becoming chilly being November, Q can maintain his plants with a little less attention, but he still checks on each of them every day.
Now comparing his side of the room with the other which was completely clean and empty. Q currently lives by himself with no roommate. Perhaps he was lucky to not have a roommate so he can remain quiet on his identity, but at the same time it’s unlucky as if he were to have a roommate then perhaps, they could be friends.
Friends huh… A had always encourages Q to make friends when he attends university. It’s not that he avoids people from not wanting to be friends. It’s more like he doesn’t know how to approach people. Every time people acknowledge Q’s existence, they look like they are afraid to interact with him and run away. Perhaps he overtrained his physical body a little too much, but his father insisted on continuing to build up. His physique is out of the ordinary compared to most people after all that training. He doesn’t know how to turn off his scary outlook when it was not his intention to emit that kind of appearance.
Or perhaps he looks like a mess. Q never really cared too much on his own appearance, just as long as he gets around that he thought it would be fine. Plus, he had to hide himself so that no one knows that he’s Ojiro Otori. He grew out his hair for that reason.
If only A was still around that Q could ask for any helpful tips that would help him make friends. He sighed. There is no point in continuing to be depressed about his looks.
He glances at the clock reading that it’s 8:33 AM. He ought to get ready and start his day then.
~~~~
“Hey, hey! Did you hear?”
“What?”
“There is a new transfer student enrolling here and I heard that he is handsome!”
“Like hot, hot handsome?”
“Yes!”
“Eeep!” The two girls gossiping outside the corridor were squealing as Q was walking down the hallway.
“A new transfer student? It’s the end of November though?! That’s absurd!” one male student exclaimed in disbelief.
His friend beside him snorted. “Heard that he’s a real smart guy. I wouldn’t be surprised that he is some rich asshole.”
“Ugh… I hope he’s not like Todoroki-san. As if we need another one of him!”
“Hey, maybe he can outshine him!” the male student said, trying to sound optimistic, giving his friend a nudge.
“Maybe.” His friend shrugged. “As long as I don’t get insulted like the way he does…”
Q continued to walk past the students, then he heard more on his left side.
“I heard that he’s… Mr. Catman,” the female student whispered.
“Huh? What is that?” a girl laughed.
“He is always surrounded by cats! I’m not joking! I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes home every single stray cat he sees!”
“No way!”
Then another pair of girls from his right commented on the same topic. “Ever heard about him before?”
“Nope, I don’t think he’s famous,” the girl answered.
Two boys were walking down the corridor heading in the opposite direction Q was heading. “Did you know that guy likes to rummage through trash cans?”
“What? That’s weird!” his friend ridiculed.
Apparently, the gossip in this school is about the new transfer student. Though Q doesn’t get it as to why this information is so vital? Students transferring into schools is not an uncommon occurrence. He transferred to this school last year. Though his timing was during the beginning of the semester, so guess that makes sense for it not being too odd about it while this new student is transferring almost towards the end of the year. Don’t they have exams coming up too?
Well, this type of talk isn’t something pertaining to Q in any way. He decided not to let this gossip bother him as he goes on about his day.
~~~~
When Q came straight back to his dorm, he plopped himself in his bed. He’s ready to just sleep his day away since there isn’t anything for him to do other than doing his homework or studying. But even so, he doesn’t have the motivation or energy to even do it at this second.
Sometimes he wonders if he should have attended a local university. So far, he has only experienced the life of studying and attending classes. He never considered participating in any extracurricular activities or clubs. He could always walk around and explore the city, but he would get lost so quickly and the people around him would get so scared, they wouldn’t be able to help Q navigate. He struggles in an attempt at making friends, so there isn’t really much Q can do for himself other than living and surviving through his daily life. He isn’t seeing the same view as what A had told him so much about.
Q sighs in his pillow. He turned his whole body around facing the ceiling. Maybe he should try harder in attempts to make friends here. But he wouldn’t know where to start. Everyone in this school already formed their groups and cliques. He doesn’t think that anyone would want to invite Q for any social events and activities from his earlier concerns he had with his appearance and demeanor. No one was willing to give him a chance…
He slowly closes his eyes, letting the exhaustion take over.
He doesn’t know how long he slept or if he took a nap instead, but everything was a complete black screen for him. He’s not certain if his brain can process if he did dream or not.
Knock. Knock.
Q opened his eyes. Did someone knock on my door? The audio from his ear could have misinterpreted thinking that it was his neighbor’s door instead—or they have mistaken that his room was theirs. That must be it. He closes his eyes again with that conclusion.
Knock. Knock.
Again? Q doesn’t recall anyone planning on visiting him unless it was Kamiki who decided to come see him. But she has not once visited him as he advised her to refrain from coming in order to keep his identity a secret. If any students see her, they would wonder why Yui Kamiki is here. She is a well-known person with her connections to the Otori family. To avoid from causing a huge commotion, it would be best if he gets no visitors in relation to Ojiro Otori.
Therefore, the most likely scenario would be a person who mistook this room as theirs.
Q got up from the bed to walk down the hallway to head towards the front door. He might as well get it over with for the interaction of them being frightened by his appearance, then for them to apologize for knocking on the wrong door and immediately run away. That’s how it has always been, he thought to himself, trying to not grimace. But at least he would be mentally preparing for the outcome.
When he finally reached the front door, he turned the knob. He didn’t bother with checking the peep hole to see who it was first. He opened it, revealing a blue-haired young man who had his right hand on the handle of the small black suitcase he dragged behind him. The man in front of him smiled kindly at Q, raising his left hand wearing a black glove over it. “Hello, my name is Kazuki Aoyama and I am your new roommate,” he introduced himself. “Wow, you look different than what I had expected—almost like a dog. I am more of a cat person actually, but you’ll do.”
Q ignored everything the young man in front of him is saying. He is now wide-awake hearing upon this news that nobody had told him nor even warned him about having a roommate who is moving in. But how? Unless— “Are you the new transfer student?” That would be the only explanation and just somehow all that gossiping from people he heard from—it all goes full circle back to Q.
“Oh? Am I famous around here already? That was quick. Word gets around like lightning.” The way this person talks sounds smooth and pleasant that people can easily be charmed by. Bonus points for that alluring smile of his. He does after all, have that ‘handsome’ appearance to what a few girls had described about him. Then there were his sharp, blue eyes that can be interpreted as intimidating or mesmerizing. Even his hair sticks out like a sore thumb. If he were to be lost, he’s the most noticeable person to find with the brightness of its color and how it looks from the way his strands just stick out. Is it natural or does his hair just defies gravity? And… Does he have a buzzcut style on the left side of his head? It’s almost hidden but it’s noticeable.
Q couldn’t stop himself from continuing to stare at him as he is also slightly dumbfounded, trying to comprehend what is happening right now. He didn’t end up responding to his greeting in the end. More like he didn’t know what to say.
“Well, are you going to allow me to come in? Otherwise, I will be standing out here until you let me. I can wait all day if you need me to,” Kazuki spoke with patience with no hint of annoyance that lingers in his tone. In fact, he sounded like he was just teasing. “Although, I would prefer not have my legs sleep while standing.”
Q was still at a complete loss. He did eventually however, finally stepped aside to allow his new roommate in even though he didn’t know about it.
“Wow! This place is a mess!” Kazuki bluntly says when he stepped in. From where he stood, he could see all the plants by the windows, trash everywhere, and clothes lying on the floor and on the sofa. He instantly could tell how disorganized the place is. He scanned the place as he pulled in his luggage for closer observation. “Hm, I might have to tidy up as it feels like I am entering a jungle!”
He turned to Q who was following behind. “You are not hiding any monkeys in here, are you? I hope not because I have already dealt with a bunch of them once upon a time,” he teased.
Still uncertain on how to… Act towards him? He didn’t say anything. Instead, he ends up noticing how short Kazuki is compared to Q.
Kazuki pouted a bit, slightly offended as if he could already read Q’s expression. “I can tell what you are thinking just now from the way you are staring at me... Excuse you, but I am not that short. It’s just that you are extremely tall—lucky you,” he replied with a playful sarcasm. “I just couldn’t believe how much of a growth spurt you have.”
Q cocked his head in silence. He was about to open his mouth to apologize, but Kazuki turned his head around and continued with his venture of the place.
“How kind of you to leave this open space for me!” Kazuki found his side of the room when he walked down the hallway. The empty second bedroom is right across from Q’s. Kazuki turned around. “I look forward to being roommates with you.”
Kazuki seems to be like the epiphany of an excited child on their first day going to school. He already is the opposite of how Q behaves. He can’t tell if that is a good thing or not. He’s still not even sure how he should feel. Actually, Kazuki wasn’t afraid of Q or even afraid of his unruly appearance—he just treated him like a normal person. He then realizes that he never told his new roommate his name. “My name is—”
“Q… I know,” Kazuki replied. “Very unique name I’d say. Not even a last name was shown in the paperwork of who I am rooming with.”
Q tries to not feel anxious about the fact that he is hiding his actual name. No one is supposed to know except for him, his father, and his fiancée.
When Q looked at Kazuki, he noticed that there was something hidden beneath the smile he presented to him just now. This time, his smile wasn’t exactly friendly. It was more so like there was some sort of information he refrained from saying. There was something sinisterly regarding what he was going to say next.
“Even though you go by the name Q… That would mean you are hiding your true identity, am I right?”
Q felt a lump stuck in his throat, like he was caught red-handed. He kept his stoic face, trying not to panic. This person is cunning and smart. There’s no doubt about those rumors about him. It doesn’t help with the way his eyes just pierce into Q’s like he is dissecting information out of him. It’s… Rather tough to look away from such captivating eyes.
Kazuki cocked his head, knowing how correct he is. “Ah, but I already know who you really are. Isn’t that right, Ojiro Otori?"