Don't Judge A Book By It’s Cover

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[-Continuation-]

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ME, Huh?

…well, that's a Reasonable Reason I suppose.

Hmm, did I just agree with my Father?

Maybe I did.

But it is not like I am gonna listen to him.

[-Flashback End-]

…

[-Back To Present-]

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'Hey, come on, Son. He looks shady to me.'

The words of the Old Man echoed in my mind as I stood there, contemplating his advice.

You know, maybe you are right, Old Man.

Maybe I should've given your words a bit more thought.

Maybe it's true that anything I am part of just can't turn out right.

....Like hell, it IS.

Just you wait and see. I am going to prove you wrong AGAIN…

"Hey, Hachiman…."

As these thoughts consumed me, a familiar voice broke through the silence.

And there he was – Arigoro Ryota.

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Immediately, I did a full body scan of his features, stats, and traits.

Ryota stood at 6 feet tall, giving him an imposing presence.

Yeah, I don't know why, but tall guys always have this advantage.

But luckily, his messy, jet-black hair fell just above his piercing, dark brown eyes, making him look rather unkempt. His facial features are sharp and defined, with a strong jawline and a faint, well-groomed beard. His skin is fair, hinting at a mix of urban and outdoor lifestyles.

While not overly bulky, the dude has a perfectly toned physique under the baggy T-shirt and knee-length shorts he is currently wearing.

Attention - He is a gym freak(:stay away if possible)

He also had a knack for being a rude, selfish, and forceful man who jokes around on serious topics and has a specialised forte for getting on my nerves.

Moreover, the dude has some crazy mood swings. Sometimes his tired demeanor instantly changed to a happy one at the sight of his interests.

Ahh, and no, he is a straight guy.

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Anyway, as you might have guessed, he is the same guy who handed me that visiting card that day and also the one who gave me the short end in [Candy Crush] deal.

After completing my scanning of him, I moved onto the room.

The 'room' is a stark representation of a household without the presence of women.

There isn't much furniture to begin with in the hall, with, like, five pillows scattered around the room. A lone laptop sits atop a stack of papers in the center of the room, with a small table fan whirring at its side.

…maybe not…

"Hachi….Man…" Ryota called out to me again, catching me in a moment of spacing out, standing in the middle of the room, and looking around like a total goof.

"...yeah. What is it?" I responded with an irritated tone, annoyed that he was adding unnecessary pauses to my name.

Did he honestly believe I wouldn't catch on just because my mind was distracted?

Maybe it might have slipped by if this were the first time he pulled that stunt.

"Where is the copy of the designs?" He inquired, staring at my empty hands.

"I already sent it over the mail. Why would I bother bringing a physical copy?"

I shot back after a brief pause, grasping the implication. "Wait, don't tell me you haven't checked it until now?"

No way, he couldn't be that careless. Surely, he wouldn't pull a move like that.

"Oh, what are you stressing so much about? I was just kidding, kidding, hahaha…" He chuckled, casually placing a hand on my shoulder and giving a 'hearty pat' on my back.

I repeat a 'hearty pat'.

Darn it! I let my guard down.

I immediately recognized my mistake, but I knew it was too late to avoid the unthinkable.

All I could do was brace myself…

–thud!thud!(:pat)

"...*cough…*cough…" I endured the pain, doing my best not to show it on my face.

But I think calling it a 'pat' would be the understatement of the century or more. It felt like a sledgehammer, and I was pretty sure a crimson palm print was now etched into my back.

I will have to inspect the [Damage] when I get home and have some privacy.

"I said don't do that…"

Naturally, I intended to return the favour tenfold, and I did attempt for a bit.

–tik!

But there was no thud sound this time around, and it produced another sound when you hit a solid brick wall.

After a few futile swings, my hand was the one throbbing in pain, while he stood there like an unyielding monolith with his massive, muscular build.

Fucking hell, maybe I should hit the gym every now and then…

Yeah, who am I kidding.

"Hah, that tickles, Hachiman." He said, moving his body away from me.

Well, at least he removed his hand from my shoulder while doing so.

But tickles, huh? Isn't life being a little too unfair here?

"Is it now…" I said with a smile that irked with irritation on the corner.

"But why don't we stop goofing around and get to work?" I said I was already moving forward, implying his response did not matter.

"Yeah… let's do that." Ryota said that without complaining and with an actual serious face, for the first time since I entered the room.

I spoke no further and began to work… going straight towards the table in the corner of the room with a window view. 

On the table, there were many things piled up, like papers, pen drives, various hard disks, and other stuff, and finally two laptops.

Taking one laptop that was 'assigned' to me I walked over to the bed….. and began to work.

I located everything I needed swiftly, implying that it was not the first time I did so.

Looking at me doing all this from behind, Ryota gave a mischievous smile and also took his laptop… following me.

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[-One Hour Later-]

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A 'said' person once quoted - Don't Judge a Book by its Cover.

And you know what?

I think this quote is something I will never forget in my life.

Not because it was some profound words of wisdom or because I was impressed by the speaker.

In fact, if I were to ever cross paths with the person who quoted it, I wouldn't give them a sh*t.

I would treat them just like any other ordinary person.

Nah, maybe I would shoot them a skeptical look - Are you an Idiot?

Yeah, I would definitely do that.

It is the type of reaction people would have when someone educates you stating - Earth is round. Not flat - in this day and age.

Especially wearing the expression of a 'wiseman' who is acting like educating you with the undiscovered universal truth.

Yep. That's the exact same reaction.

Talk about the 'obviousness' look people would have. Like - duh~!

I mean, when it comes to certain people in my life like Komichi, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, Ms. Hiratsuka, Zaimokuza, Toutsa, and even Hayato.

....and let's also include me. Come on!

None of us are actually what we appear on the outside.

Yeah, even Yuigahama and Yukinoshita, one might give off this vibe of always being happy-go-lucky and a bit goofy. She's the kind of person who likes to make others smile and has many secrets. But underneath that cheerful exterior, she's actually quite timid, reserved…. and selfish.

Yukinoshita is smart and sophisticated, always in control. But here's the thing – behind that composed facade, there's a vulnerable side that she fiercely guards.

Her sharp intellect and distant attitude are like a shield, a tool to protect herself from potential emotional hurt.

Understanding Yukinoshita is like peeling back layers to reveal someone who is more complex and emotionally intricate than what meets the eye.

Anyway, people usually have their own unique persona when viewed from the outside, but it's only when you take the time to get to know them that you see their(:my) true self.

Hurtful might be, but the said names are also the only people I know off.

So, naturally, the quote isn't just a choice for me.

It's a rule I live by.

For me, the quote is engraved in me to remember whenever I meet new people or whenever I actually want to make an effort to learn about them.

…though, it is very RARE for me to make that effort.

Why am I spouting all this?

Well, recently, I found myself making that 'effort' to get to know someone new. And it was indeed a rare occurrence for me.

In fact, I am currently sitting in a small bachelor room with the same individual.

He is lying on the ground, his muscular frame taking up most of the space. One hand props up his head, while the other turns the pages of a file he's reading.

His hands are long and calloused, matching his equally lengthy legs.

Yep, he is clearly in the wrong line of work... I thought.

"You sure I could trust you?" I asked unapologetically.

Ryota first gave me a look that said, 'Isn't it too late for you to ask something like that?'

And one point is true - I am already too deep into the water to check its depth now.

Anyhow, despite the initial spectacle look he gave, he did respond to my doubt.

"Hoo! Of course you can." He replied, oozing confidence as he continued to scan through his papers without looking up.

But under his breath, he muttered loudly, as if talking to himself. "Umm-hm, isn't that what 'everyone' would say before scamming someone?"

I studied him for a moment before asking. "So are you part of the 'everyone'?"

A sly grin tugs at his lips as he responds. "Now, why are you asking me that? That's for you to find out. Haven't you already come to some conclusion after all this?"

I couldn't help but smile softly at his attempt to maintain an air of mystery. "Do you think I would be here if I hadn't?"

His response was quick and dismissive. "Then shut it and sit down. Also, stop pretending to talk seriously all of a sudden. You are creeping me out."

"Am I now…*chuckle." I said playfully, settling onto the floor with my legs crossed.

It seems like my act of putting pressure on him is working. But then again, I am learning from the best - Yukinoshita Yukino.

"You are…" He admitted.

Well, nothing surprising, as I could tell by now that he is never one to put up false fronts for long.

.

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[To be continued….]

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