( One year earlier )
The Sun rose in the Eastern sky like a golden egg ready to hatch and it's light bathed the city of Hawaku in a lustrous splendor . It was a relatively small city but had homey suburbs and a busy centre . Many people came to it as a move from the Western rural lands .
One such person was Milo Saki .
...
Milo brushed his teeth slowly , his subconscious mind controlling his movements whilst his conscious mind was thinking about something else . Something very important ; Graduation .
That morning was his last day at Satori highschool and in a few weeks , he would be in college . He was supposed to be excited and he was , but a few things were dampening his mood .
" Milo , honey , " Mrs Saki , Milo's mother , called from outside the bathroom , " Are you done ? You might be late if you stay in there fixing your face ."
" Mom , I'm not fixing my face . " Milo called back and spat out his spitttle . He looked at the mirror infront of him and gave himself a reassuring smile .
Today would be okay , he thought optimistically , no ... He hoped it would .
He came out of the bathroom and went to his room to change . He put on his school uniform and added his graduation gown , it's blue and black color's bringing out his own blue and black eyes .
" You look amazing . " Mrs Saki said when she saw her son , " I'm so proud of you , I could cry . "
" Mom , please don't cry , I'm only graduating . " Milo said as he sat down on the dining room table , " Dad , are you going to cry ? "
Mr Saki lowered the newspaper in his hands and looked at his son with a smile . He was used to being the middle man between his wife and son .
" No , but I am very proud you . Graduating is a very important thing . If your mother feels emotional then it makes sense . " He said pacifying them both .
" Okay , breakfast first , then you get to school . We'll be there for the assembly and I'll be taking photos of everything . " Mrs Saki said with the widest smile Milo had seen in a long time . It was so infectious that Milo smiled despite himself .
" Do you think I could take the graduation gown off before I take the bus ? " Milo said tentatively as he ate breakfast .
" I thought Ryomen was taking you to school . " Mr Saki said after eating a piece of lettuce .
" He ... changed his mind . Something happened and so he's going to be waiting for me at school , because he - " Mrs Saki chuckled at her son's sad attempt at lying and even Mr Saki had a grin on his face .
" Honey , what is wrong ? " Mrs Saki asked him .
" Well it's just that - " Milo was cut off when a knock sounded on the door . Mrs Saki smiled as she got up and went to open the door .
A moment later Ryomen Yashi walked into the Saki dining room . He stood tall , with his tattoos hidden by the graduation gown he wore . Only the ones on his face gave him away and showed the menacing person he could be . Or it was his rusty brown eyes that held a look of disdain and amusement . Maybe they showed he was tough as nails on glass shards .
" Hello Mr Saki , how are you today ? " Ryomen asked and it was still strange , even after all that time , to see Ryo so civil . Atleast for Milo it was , his parents took it as his real self .
" I am fine , how are you today ? Are you excited about graduation ? " Mr Saki asked the tattooed boy and he nodded his head with a smile .
His eyes then turned to Milo who had been trying to focus on his food but Ryo's eyes drew his head up . When they're eyes connected the tattooed boy smirked like the devil he was .
" Milo , are you ready to go ? " Ryo asked and Milo knew it was a question that was only meant to give a yes response .
" Yes , I'm done . " He said whilst his soul shuddered at the satisfactory smile that Ryo put on his face .
" Okay , you two go on ahead . Me and your father will join you later . Goodbye honey . " Mrs Saki said giving Milo two kisses on the cheek and the boy groaned at his mother's displays of affection .
Ryo took the moment when it appeared , quickly grabbing Milo's hand , he pulled the boy outside whilst saying goodbye to the two adults . As soon as they were outside the door , Ryomen pounced .
He grabbed Milo by the waist and pulled him close . Milo raised his face and gave himself away to the man infront of him . Ryomen swallowed his lips and drew back to bite his top lip and then his bottom lip . Soon Milo's body began to burn with a tingling fire and he let himself be decimated by the rough man before him . Sensing his lack of resistance , Ryo took his mouth whole again before abruptly letting him go .
" Why aren't you fighting back ? " Ryo asked him , " What's wrong ? "
Milo licked his bruised lips as he tried to think about what he could say that wouldn't make Ryo angry . Who was he kidding , when Ryo heard what he had to say he'd be furious .
" There is something I have to tell you before we go . " Milo said slowly and Ryo narrowed his eyes already guessing he wouldn't like what he was going to hear .
" I got a scholarship . " Milo said and Ryo nodded his head but his eyes were still narrowed .
" It's a scholarship for filming and directing ... in Uzike university . In Namitohabu . " He said and the look of rage and frustration that he had feared came in a flash but just as it appeared ... It vanished .
" Namitohabu ? In another city . " Ryomen said thoughtfully and then he smirked , " You're going to be staying by yourself ? "
" Yes . My own dorm room . " Milo said feeling confused about why Ryomen wasn't upset about him leaving .
" Great . " Ryo said and he pulled Milo over and consumed his lips once again . This time however Milo did not succumb , instead he resisted until Ryo finally let him go .
" Why aren't you angry ? I won't see you again . Don't you ... care ? " Milo asked and Ryo gave him a condescending look .
" I knew you were going there . You're mother told me when you got the acceptance letter . " Ryo said and then he moved his face closer to Milo and his eyes held danger , " What I should be angry about is that you didn't tell me for four months. That will cost you dearly . "
Milo swallowed heavily , his body expecting an attack but instead Ryo took his hand and led him down to the small lawn . Milo turned his head and looked at the empty dog house where Gou used to play . He hadn't wanted it to go or to get a new dog , so his parents had accepted his wishes .
" We're going to be late . Hold on tight or you'll fall and I'll have to punish you while you're down . " Ryomen said as they climbed onto his bike . The morning air was humid and warm outside and the sky clear blue with not a single cloud .
" Here's your helmet . " Ryo said holding a blue bike helmet for Milo . He'd gotten it months ago after Milo kept complaining about the dangers of riding without a bike . Ryomen himself wouldn't wear one but he was okay with Milo looking after himself even if he found he it lame . And cute .
" Thanks . " Milo said as he fastened the helmet onto his head .
Milo put his arms around Ryomen's waist and the other boy started to race across the streets . Soon Milo's eyes were closed , because he hated looking out when Ryo road his bike . He had no control on his speed and loved going faster and faster , until Milo's heart felt like it would explode .
It had been nearly two years since Ryo and Milo had gotten together . A relationship that was both a blessing and a curse for both boys . Milo had to deal with Ryo's ego , narcissistic personality and his taunts all the time and Ryo had to be more low key with his anger because Milo didn't like it . But what they both struggled with most was moving from being bully and bullied to becoming boyfriend and boyfriend .
Heaven knew it wasn't easy . But somehow the two of them had found a way to make it work . And even when they had falling outs ( which happened alot of times ) they'd always manage to fix things and get back together . Because they cared about each other and they knew it .
" Milo , are your eyes still closed ? " Ryo said and Milo nodded his head , he wouldn't talk because one day he had talked whilst Ryomen was riding and a fly had landed in his throat .
Milo had been horrified as if he had eaten meat . He was a vegetarian .
" Okay , I just wanted to tell you something ." Ryo said as they moved near a turn , " I'd never be angry for you doing what you wanted . You'd be good at that film and directing university . Do you understand ? "
Milo nodded his head happy to hear Ryo was supporting him . He had been so nervous about telling him for months but never could he imagine his boyfriend would take it so well . It was Ryo after all .
" But , I'm never going to let you leave me . " Ryo continued and Milo frowned , " That's why I applied at Uzike university for a culinary arts program . Which means , I'll be with you and you'll be with me . Just us . "
" What ?! Ugh ! " Milo coughed as a big bug landed in his throat and Ryomen laughed heartedly .
...
Ryomen held his graduation certificate in his hand and smiled to himself . He looked into the crowds of people who had come to support the other students . He was looking for someone and for once it wasn't Milo .
But he didn't see that person and after a while he gave up . He should have known not to hope .
" Hey man , who are you looking for ? " Katsuda asked him , " If it's Milo he is - "
" I know where the hell he is . You think i can't look afyer my boyfriend ? " Ryo asked him with a glare in his eyes and Katsuda grimaced realising his mistake .
But in fairness he was still not over the fact that his best friend was dating that guy . Heck , no one at school had been more shocked than him and alot of people were shocked . The bully became his victims boyfriend ! Honestly , what the heck !?
But if anyone thought about making fun of them Ryo put them in their place . He stopped bullying Milo but attacked anyone who dared insult their relationship . And sometimes it wasn't even insults that made Ryo mad. He just had a bad temper . I wonder how Milo copes , Katsuda thought fleetingly .
" No , Ryo . " Katsuda said placatingly , " I just saw you glaring and thought you were looking for him . I didn't mean - "
" You're so dumb . " Ryo said and as he moved past him , " You can't even tell when I'm making a joke . "
A joke ? Katsuda turned to Ryo who was smiling amused and Katsuda gave a sigh of relief before smiling aswell . Hell , his best friend was so intimidating , how was he supposed to tell when he was joking and angry ?
" Ryo , I was looking for you . "
The boys turned to the third person who approached them . Milo came up with a smile on his face , his eyes shining as they landed on Ryo . Katsu took his cue and left , he knew Ryo preferred to be alone with Milo .
" Are your parents here ? I didn't see them in the crowd . " Ryo said and Milo gave a shrug .
" I don't know . Maybe something kept them busy . But I'm sure they'll be here . " Milo said looking at the throng of people around them .
Students walked in graduation gowns , mixing amongst themselves and with the parents , relatives and friends who had come to celebrate with them . Some were taking photographs and others were even getting gifts from friends . But most of the students had smiles on their faces , knowing that highschool was finally over .
" Where's your dad ? " Milo asked and Ryo gave him a condescending smile .
" Somewhere , but not here . " Ryo said and Milo gave a frown .
" He ... didn't show up ? " He asked the taller boy .
" He's probably busy . He usually never comes to these events anyway . " Ryo said casually but that made Milo frown more .
" But ... this is graduation . I thought he'd be here for sure . I-I-I wanted to meet him . " Milo said slowly and Ryo gave him a knowing look .
Even though they had started dating , only Milo's parents were aware of it and Ryo's dad was not . Ryomen did not want his father to be involved in their relationship at all but Milo , who was sweet and naive , believed that his father would approve of them .
God , Ryo thought , I love his dumbness .
" We've talked about this , " Ryo said and he put his arm around Milo's waist pulling him closer . Milo tried to resist but gave up when Ryo showed no sign of letting go .
" The only person I need , " Ryo said softly , looking into his eyes , " Is you . Not my dad , not my friends but just you . I love you , Milo . "
" I love you too , Ryo ." Milo said and he gave him a quick peck on the lip . But he soon realised his mistake when Ryo's eyes darkened .
" You asked for it . " Ryo said slowly , but just as Milo was about to say he didn't , that was when the other boy devoured his mouth again .
Soon they gained the attention of a few other students who smiled and others even cheered . It seemed everyone loved these two .