Detention Duties

Ren leaned against the cafeteria wall, a worn-out rag in hand, as he watched Yuto scrubbing vigorously at a stubborn food stain on one of the tables. The cafeteria would have been completely empty if not for the three of them—Ren, Yuto, and Mr. Hideo, the school custodian who supervised detention with a quiet authority.

Mr. Hideo, a middle-aged man with a weathered face and graying hair, observed them from a distance, occasionally nodding in approval or issuing a terse instruction. Ren could sense Yuto's frustration simmering beneath the surface, evident in the way he attacked the cleaning with a mix of determination and pent-up energy.

Ren glanced around the cafeteria, its normally bustling atmosphere replaced by a somber quietude. Tables were wiped down, chairs were stacked neatly against the walls, and the tiled floor gleamed under the fluorescent lights. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the cafeteria earlier today, where tempers had flared and fists had flown.

"So, Yuto," Ren ventured carelessly, breaking the silence that hung heavily between them. "Why did you come at me out of the blue yesterday?. "

Yuto paused mid-scrub, his jaw tensing before he let out a sigh. "It's stupid, " he muttered, not meeting Ren's gaze. "I just... I don't like punks who think they can waltz in here and disrupt the order of things."

Ren nodded, understanding Yuto's perspective a bit clearer now. "I get it. But sometimes, things aren't always what they seem. "

Yuto shot him a skeptical glance, his expression guarded. "Yeah? Like what? "

Ren hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Like me. I know I came off as some hotshot outsider, but... there's more to it. "

Yuto raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued despite himself. "Oh? Do tell."

Ren chuckled dryly, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Let's just say, this isn't exactly my first rodeo with trouble. But I'm trying to turn over a new leaf here."

Yuto's gaze softened slightly, a hint of understanding flickering in his eyes. "Fair enough. We all have our troubles, I guess."

They fell into a momentary silence, the only sounds the occasional scrape of chairs and the soft swish of the rag against the table.

As Ren wiped down another table, his mind wandered to Shiinchiro, the unexpected ally he had found. Shiin's loyalty and easygoing nature had been a surprising comfort to him.

"So, Yuto," Ren's voice cut through the silence. "What's your deal with Hasegawa anyway?. "

"None of your business. " Yuto grunted, focusing back on his task.

Ren knew not to ask further.

Hours passed in relative quiet, broken only by the occasional instruction from Hideo or the scraping of chairs as they rearranged the cafeteria layout. By the time they finished, the cafeteria gleamed with a bright sparkle.

"Alright, you two," Hideo spoke up, his thick voice breaking the silence. "Detention's over for today. Remember, stay out of trouble. "

Ren and Yuto exchanged a nod of mutual understanding before gathering their belongings and heading towards the exit. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the now-empty tables.

Outside, Ren took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Detention hadn't been fun, but it had given him a chance to reflect on his actions and their consequences. He glanced at Yuto, who met his gaze with a fiery scowl.

"Thanks," Ren said, a genuine smile touching his lips. "For not making this any harder than it had to be. "

Yuto shrugged, a faint smile quirking at the corner of his mouth. "No problem. Just... try not to stir up too much trouble next time, alright?"

Ren chuckled softly, his shoulders relaxing. "Deal."