Clubs

In the end, they all decided to discuss this in detail after the announcement party, which was going to be held after a month. For now, Isshin decided it would be best for both of them to stay quiet on the matter and resume their normal lives before the announcement. Isshin further agreed to have guards follow them at all times in secret to protect them and their friends.

"I didn't think, this matter would escalate to such extent." Teppei sighed, "But I really admire the fact that you were really calm in handling it."

"Was I?" Ryota said scratching his head, "But it was a total surprise for me as well, I mean, just an hour ago I was learning to ride a bike and now here I am with my surname changed."

"Tell me about it." Teppei said.

Ryota noticed Shizuka waiting for him in front of her car looking quite pissed, "Let's meet again at the party then. Be careful."

"You too." Teppei said as they both shook hands.

Though now they were legally brothers and were still cousins, it was too soon for them to act close. But this amount of closeness was already good enough for starters.

"Get in!" Shizuka said coldly entering her car as Ryota soon followed after.

They began driving away as Ryota got more tensed. He expected Shizuka to yell at him but her silence was killing him more.

"I am sorry." He said seriously.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I know that you're worried about my safety. But I had no other choice, you know." Ryota explained, "Today as I was unable to escape from the cars that were chasing me which made me realize that I am still too weak to protect even myself, let alone look out for others. If it were the enemies, that were chasing me, I was dead meat and I would have dragged Onizuka sensei with me as well."

"Truth be told, I am afraid. I am afraid that I'd end up weak, a failure and again lose everything around me. But with this opportunity, I think I'll get enough power to protect you and the things that I love." Ryota continued,

"Sigh! I am not angry at you." Shizuka said, "I am angry at myself for not being able to protect you, even when I'm your guardian."

"It's not your fault." Ryota said shaking his head, "After all, we all know who the father of the year award is going to."

----------------------------------------------------

"Kise-kun, are you alright?" Onodera came over towards him and Raku as they were talking, "I met Onizuka-sensei yesterday, and he told me about what had happened."

"What happened?" Raku questioned as he didn't have the slightest idea about what Onodera was talking about.

"Well, this is going to be easy since you two are the only friends I have, you two should begin practicing calling me by my first name." Ryota said, "It might be too confusing for you when the time comes."

"Call you by your first name? I kinda feel weird calling you Ryota all of a sudden." Raku said, "I have been calling you Kise as long as I can remember, after all."

"What are you? My girlfriend?" Ryota said with an annoyed expression, "I felt comfortable with everyone calling me Kise as well, but things have become weird."

"Are you changing your surname or something?"

"Yeah, something like that." Ryota said, "I'll tell you both when the time comes."

"Ryota-kun..." Onodera said awkwardly, "So are you really okay?"

"I don't know what that bastard Onizuka told you, but you can rest assure that I am more than fine." Ryota said, "But Koasakicchi, now that I look at you, you've really become quite cute. I wonder if you'll look the same as Nanako-san when you grow up."

Onodera had already started blushing as Raku smacked him in the head, "Stop trying to change the subject."

"You got me." Ryota said trying to act cute, when he noticed someone staring at him again, "Do you think I should go talk with her?"

"Do you mean Akane-san?" Onodera asked as Ryota nodded, "She did ask about my relationship with you."

"What did you say to her?"

"I just told her that we were childhood friends." Onodera said, "But she didn't seem to be satisfied with that answer. Does Akane-san like you?"

"Obviously she does." Raku answered, "If not why would she even ask that."

"Stop saying lines that go against your character." Ryota said, "Why is it when it comes to my matter that you aren't so dense anymore?"

"Because it's so obvious."

Seeing the cheeky Raku, Ryota was just holding back from giving him a beating. 'But I should really talk to her. If Onizuka-sensei is correct then, she might have a fight with Kosakicchi.' Ryota thought for a while but just thinking about the feeling of getting stabbed Ryota quickly discarded his thoughts.

Onodera looked towards Akane and back at Ryota thinking it would be a really good match for them to be together. After asking her mom for details, Onodera was hugely relieved and more clear about their relationship. According to her mom, she and Ryota were always fighting with each other, with Ryota making her cry and him also being the one to cheer her up, like siblings. And as a matter of fact, it turned out that her little sister was the one crazy for Ryota, always chasing him around. Thinking about her blushing sister, Onodera couldn't help but smile.

"So have you two planned on which club you want to join?" Raku asked.

"I don't know." Onodera said as she woke from her thoughts, "What about you Ryota?"

"Maybe I'll join the kendo club but honestly I don't want to with all the practice I have been doing."

"You should do basketball, after all, you're quite good with it, aren't you?"

"I- I guess I don't know as well." Ryota said scratching his head, "I don't really have anything in mind for now. What about you, Rakucchi?"

"I was thinking about joining the cooking club." Raku answered, "Maybe I'll get to learn more."

"You should have gone to Tōtsuki Culinary Academy, with your interest in cooking." Ryota said, "Maybe you would have ended up as a great chef."

"No way, I heard the selection process are too hard and strict." Raku said as he threw a glance at Onodera, "But I am glad that I'm here, after all, it feels like its meant to be."

"I think I am rubbing off too much on you," Ryota said, uncomfortable with the cheesy dialogue Raku just spouted.