Tristan ate his lunch alone and in silence, hidden away in one of the smaller classrooms that weren't used as often. He usually took this time to make a start on his maths homework, since the material was still fresh and recent, but today he found himself looking at Hibiki's texts more often than he looked at his exercises.

H: So what do you do at debate?
Do you just argue topics?

T: Sort of. There is a topic each week that we debate about. As the prime minister I'm the first to speak, but I also do things behind the scenes. Such as organise our team for the international debates.

Tristan explained to Hibiki, while trying to figure out the solution to one particularly difficult exercise. He used a chewed on pencil to write, but then erased half of his answer again.
His phone buzzed, and he put his pencil back in his mouth, chomping on it mindlessly as he took a moment to chat with Hibiki and distract himself from his maths.

H: Oh cool
You’re sort of a manager then?

T: Something like that

H: Do you really like that?

T: It's not so bad, I like being organised.
It's neat and tidy, and it prevents any bad surprises.

H: I'd get bored really quick
Sometimes you just need to do something reckless
To shake things up, live a little?

T: Are you going to be that one bad friend that turns me into a petty criminal? The kind they warn you about on the telly?

H: I've never done anything illegal.

T: That's what they all say ;)

H: No, really
I do want to be a cop

That answer sort of surprised Tristan. He knew Hibiki's interest was in criminology, but he didn't know he actually wanted to work for the police.

T: Wouldn't you be a bit overqualified?
And if you’re rich, why would you?

H: Well, I used to want to be a cop
When I was a kid
So I could catch all the evil criminals
Make the world a safe place?
But then I realised that it doesn't matter if you catch criminals if they go free again

T: How do you mean?

H: In Japan the courts only prosecute cases they are absolutely certain of, so very few cases ever go to trial
I figured that if I want to catch criminals and make a difference, I need to make sure the net is strong?
That maybe I can change the system a little instead, so more criminals get caught

T: That sounds like a good goal to have
I hope you’ll manage to do that :)

He texted back, pleasantly surprised to hear Hibiki had such grand ambitions – especially ones that would improve the world. Although he was sure Hibiki wasn't the only one with good intentions, he also knew a fair amount of students who simply wanted secure their parents wealth, or carve out their own chunk of status.

H: Thanks (^_^)
What about you?
Are there any things you want to do?

T: Not that specifically.
I suppose I want to make this a better world in general? I'm not sure how I will get there yet, but I want to make sure everyone is taken care of, and safe.
I know it’s probably just silly, unattainable ideology, but everyone needs to start from some principle, right?

H: It’s not silly to try and do the right thing
As long as you don’t forget what’s wrong

T: Yeah, that's a good way of looking at it

H: So is this the part where we overdose on the marijuanas?

Tristan chuckled with the pencil still in his mouth, causing it to bob up and down a little. It made him awfully aware that he was still chewing, instead of actually doing his homework.

T: This exercise sure makes me want to.

He texted back, giving his fruitless calculations a frustrated look over as if hoping some bout of genius would suddenly whisper him the right answer – it didn't.

H: You’re still stuck on the same one?

T: Why do you think I'm talking to you?

H: Lol
For me it helps to put the exercises away and come back to them a few hours later, or the next day.

T: It's just that I have work in an hour, and I wanted to start an essay tonight.

H: I can try to help you out?

T: No, that's fine. I'll ask Liz if she knows.
Thank you though :)

H: That’s okay (^_^)
What kind of work do you do?
I bet you’re secretly a super spy →_→
You can tell me
Because I literally can't tell anyone else

Hibiki's silly question elicited an eye roll from Tristan, but he decided to play along.

T: Yep, you got me. I'm a double agent in her Majesty's Secret Service.
I've been sent to infiltrate Japan and claim it as part of the commonwealth.

H: (゜-゜)
I will never surrender my matcha cake!

T: What's that?

H: It's like, cake with green tea.
It's delicious.
I could bring some with for you Friday
If you want?

T: You don't have to just for me?

H: I'll bring some for myself, and then you can try it (^_^)

T: I suppose I'll have a bite :)

H: See
Nobody can resist matcha cake
But now I'm really wondering what your job is.

T: I just told you didn't I?
I'm a spy ;)

H: Who can't figure out math?

T: Hey!

H: Jk jk (ﾉ´∀｀*)

T: I work for a political party, same as Liz. We organise the fundraising events and rallies.

H: Oh cool!
Does it pay well?

T: It's sort of voluntary?
I'm hoping it will look good on my CV once I'm done studying.

H: Ah, alright
Which political party is it?
You have Labour and the Tories, right?

T: It's the Greens, actually
They're not in charge, but I prefer working for something I can get behind.

H: Of course
You’re pretty left leaning then?

Although he didn't really like ascribing to left or right, he figured he'd let it slide for Hibiki since he doubted he was used to political terminology.

T: I suppose so yeah.
It tends to be the rarer stance at Oxford, but thus far I haven’t really had issues with that.
Quite a few people just disagree with me...

H: I get you
Japan is pretty conservative as well.
Luckily my parents aren’t too traditional.
I mean, it’s good that they want to preserve things?

T: Just not when you’re in the group that shouldn't be preserved?

H: Yeah (¯―¯٥)
I’m relieved that you’re open to, you know
Those sort of things?
You are, right?
(・_・;)

T: Yeah, of course
Just so we're clear here, you’re talking about being gay?
That's fine

H: Yeah
I was really glad you guys didn't react badly.
I wasn't sure if I should have said anything.
It just happened?

T: It's fine :)
I also think there is an LGBT club?
If you want somewhere that's safe.

He had seen flyers stuck to information boards and on tables at his college, but for some reason hadn't really dug into it. At that point he had already been roped in for debate and his work, and although he supported from a distance, he didn't really feel like it was his battle.

H: Well
I didn't come out to my parents?
If I would go there, they would definitely know
I don't think they would mind
But then my whole family would find out
And I'm not sure about that?
I've heard stories about people getting disowned for these sort of things
I wouldn't know what to do if that happened

T: Ah, that's awful
Don't worry, none of us mind.
And if there's something you can always talk to me.

H: Thank you
I didn't want to distract you from your math like this

T: I can always do my maths some other time, you’re more important
And it sounds like you've been worrying about this for a while?

H: Yeah, I have
Back in Japan, in Junior high, I used to get bullied for it
That and a few other things
I got so many mean comments, just because I was “weird”
It's why I moved to America
I really want to avoid that here

Tristan could feel a slight soreness radiate in his chest, even if it wasn't his story or his issue. He still remembered that drunken hug Hibiki had given him, but now he had some context to it, he could understand why he had been so happy to have someone to talk to; or why he was still so keen on talking to him right now. If he were to be honest, he had assumed someone as rich and seemingly fun and outgoing as Hibiki would have had plenty of friends, but really he seemed rather lonely.
For some reason that didn't feel fair at all.

T: Hey, you don't have to worry, okay?
I know it's strange and easy to get spooked, I was too when I first got here.
Nobody is going to bully you, and even if they do, I won't. So you've nothing to be worried about.

For a while he didn't get any reply, and a nagging feeling in the back of his head told him he'd somehow said something wrong, or that perhaps he'd come over too strong and scared him instead of reassuring.
As he waited, he saw the clock on his phone crawl closer to the time he had to leave for work. Luckily it wasn't that far, but that didn’t mean he wanted to hurry, or to be late. Not quite sure what to do he just closed his notebook with the unfinished maths exercises, and put it in his bag. Halfway through, his phone buzzed again in rapid succession.

H: You’re so nice
I’m really glad I can talk to you
Although I didn't mean to get this serious so quickly (´-﹏-`；)

T: It's fine, I don't mind
We can talk a little more while I'm on the bus?
But after that I have a meeting at work, so I won't be able to respond as fast.

H: Then I'll just type quicker (^_-)-☆

T: Haha, if you'd like

H: ʕ•ٹ•ʔ
That smiley has nothing to do with this
I just wanted to use it because it's cute

T: Is it a bear?

He texted with one hand, before laying his phone away to put on his coat and sling his bag over his shoulder. Another few messages caused it to lit up before he could pick it up again and reply.

H: I think so
The Japanese keyboard has lots of weird emojis
Like this one
ヾ(｡>﹏<｡)ﾉﾞ✧*。

T: Is that a sparkly fart?

H: I wasn't sure
But now it definitely is
There's this one too
(*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡

T: That one is sort of happy?

H: It looks like a fart as well
Just a way nicer one drifting away?

T: I think it's handing over a heart

H: Oh yeah, that makes more sense

T: I am going to the bus now though
So I'll be quiet for a while

H: Good luck with the weather

T: Thanks

Tristan threw a quick glance out the window to the grey skies and drizzle, then sighed and locked his phone to put it in his pocket. He plucked an umbrella from his bag and opened it as he walked out the room so he would have it at the ready for when he went outside.

The bus stop was packed with students. Not keen on squeezing his way in between the mass, he opted to stand away a little bit and instead hold his umbrella up against the drizzle. The soft patter against the synthetic fabric, combined with the rush of cars passing by and the students talking amongst themselves made for a pleasant, albeit rather monotone murmur.
As he waited in the rain, he could feel the back of his legs get increasingly wet as a chill breeze blew the drizzle up and sideways. He shuddered slightly and tightened his shoulders and core instinctively against the cold. In an attempt to distract himself, he took his phone up again and texted Liz.

T: Hey, I’m on my way

L: Dreadful weather, isn’t it?
Shall I get a cuppa ready?

T:  That’d be great, my hands are just about freezing off.

L: When’ll you get here?

T: In about twenty, tops.
The bus ought to be here any minute.

L: You want office English breakfast
Or office something fruity?

T: I could go for something fruity.

L: Take any sugar or milk with that?

T: Whatever hides the ‘fruity’.

L: Will do.
Anything else?

T: No, that’ll do.
You’re a real hero.

L: Where’d you be without me ;-)

T: At home, studying.

As he texted it, he saw the bus come around the corner, causing him to quickly send another message.

T: The bus is here.

L: Yeah, probably
I’ll see you in 20 then
Xox

He read the message as he put his phone away, to instead fumble with his umbrella and wallet to get his bus card out. By the time he had everything, a queue had formed before the doors, meaning he’d have to go in last – and stand. With a soft sigh he resigned to his fate and joined the back of the line.

With one hand Tristan held the side of a seat, while at the same time trying not to fall into the lap of the person behind him. At least there was nobody pressing against him, but the intense, wet smell of body odour, bad breath, of the moist yet somehow dusty bus chairs and something acridly metallic he couldn’t ignore despite his best efforts. The inside of his nose attempted to crawl up and away from the stench, like a shell-shocked soldier trying to hide from the horrors of the battlefield.
So he tried to distract himself by continuing his back and forth with Hibiki.

T: I’m on the bus right now, but it’s so crowded.
It smells horrible when it’s raining, it gets so… moist?

H: Does it?
I have never been on a bus?
You saw when I got picked up Saturday

That genuinely surprised Tristan, causing him to blink a little at his phone.

T: You know how when you’re somewhere packed, and you can smell people’s breath, and sweat, and all their perfumes.
It’s like that, but with a smelly bus added.

H: Ew (>-<)
That sounds horrible

T: Being driven everywhere sounds great, to be honest.

H: I hate it
I have to tell where I am going
Every single time
My parents know everywhere I go
I feel like a little kid getting carried around
It sounds super spoiled, I know
But I can’t wait until I have my driver’s license converted
So then I can drive myself

T:  No I think I get it.
It's awful when you can’t go where you want.
At least I can take the bus by myself, that’s worth something too, even if it smells.
But are your parents really that overprotective?

H: I mean, they have a point
A little bit
Rich kids get kidnapped all the time
Sometimes revenge killed
So I get why they’re scared for me
But it sucks
Because I can’t tell if I’m protected from a terrible world
Or imprisoned by their fears

T: Well, at least it sounds like they care for you.
But I get why it would drive you mad when you have to live with it.

H: It does
Sometimes I just want to run away
And do everything I want
Just for a day
Without anyone there to tell me I can't
Or that I shouldn't

T: Don't go and run straight into trouble though.
Maybe start off easy and go to the park.

H: I wouldn't do anything bad
Just something without them looking over my shoulders.
Anything, really
I guess, it's a stupid idea

T: It's fine, I get why you'd get fed up.
I have to go now though, this is my stop.
I have a meeting, so I won’t be able to reply.

H: Good luck (^_^)/

Although he really wasn't keen on going outside again, he knew it was inevitable. He braced himself against the cold and wet, but the chill already gnawed at his face and hands in the time required to open his umbrella. He set to walking the last few hundred yards through the rain.