@phantomthiievery - cont. from [X]
“Oh; yeah, guess it is that late.” His voice was more subdued than usual. Ryuji just...couldn’t find the energy at the moment to brush off what had happened.
Even when he attempted a lighthearted laugh, not wanting Akira to worry, it sounded wry, weak, and strained. “Yeah, they really did, huh?” Pressing fingertips gingerly to one cheek, Ryuji winced a little; damn, it would probably end up bruising. He’d have to find a way to hide it from his mom. “Not the worst I’ve had,” he shrugged one shoulder, then relented. “Still feels shitty, though. Like, it’s different; I deserved it from the track guys, and Kamoshida was just a dickbag. But this time, I can’t...” Ryuji trailed off, sighing heavily. His hands fidgeted for a few moments before he spoke again. “D-Don’t tell the girls I said that, okay? They probably wouldn’t like me blamin’ ‘em.”









