"Hello, darling~"
Rai had just turned off the stove after finishing cooking when he heard Zade's voice.
Yesterday, Zade ended up scaring the shit out of him, but today, Rai had already heard the sound of the gate opening and Zade's car entering the driveway.
So he knew Zade was back.
The trouble was back.
So he said nothing.
He simply wiped his hands with a towel, keeping his back turned because he felt like being silent today.
"Why are you giving me the silent treatment? You're acting toxic, you know."
Zade continued talking when he saw that Rai was completely ignoring him. Wasn't this just perfect? Rai's silence always meant he was very annoyed, and when Rai was annoyed, it was much easier to make him lose control.
Rai almost gave in and turned around to argue back, but he stopped himself when he noticed that stupid smirk on Zade's face...the one he always had when he was being a jerk on purpose.
That expression alone was enough to make Rai restrain himself.
"Darling~"
Zade dragged the word out playfully.
Rai rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and walked into the living room, finally escaping from Zade when he went to shower. For almost an hour, Rai enjoyed the rare peace and quiet.
But of course, it didn't last.
As soon as Zade returned, freshly washed and looking far too relaxed, Rai's way to his room was blocked.
"Why are you trying to run into that den now?" Zade asked lazily. "Are you scared of me? No need, actually. I'm a good guy."
Rai rolled his eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh before trying to push Zade aside. Maybe he shouldn't have even tried, because he already should have known it was impossible. And, unsurprisingly, Zade barely moved.
Rai felt a little embarrassed when he realized he couldn't budge him at all, and he knew Zade would definitely use this to tease him later.
"Come here," Zade said. "Let's get to know each other."
Before Rai could react, Zade wrapped an arm around his shoulders and easily dragged him toward the sofa. Since Rai didn't feel way to stressed or annoyed today like he thought he would be, he decided to tag along for the moment.
But when they came to the sofa, Rai immediately sat as far away as possible, pressing himself into the corner.
Zade's eyes shone with amusement when he noticed.
It reminded him of something.
A memory from years ago.
Their yearly school trip.
Rai had been a year older than him back then, which made him a senior. On top of that, Rai had been a prefect, so he always carried more responsibilities than others.
Every year, the twelfth and thirteenth graders shared one bus. By the end of the day, not everyone would go on the trip, but the bus was always noisy and chaotic.
The back seats were the worst.
That was where the troublemakers gathered.
And that was where Rai sat.
Not because he liked it.
Because it was his duty.
He needed to observe the students who sang loudly, danced in their seats, and caused unnecessary trouble and keep them under control to not go too far with whatever they are doing.
Zade had been part of that group.
So when he saw Rai sitting alone in the back, serious and alert, he immediately decided to sit beside him.
Right next to him.
Too close.
Rai had been squeezed against the bus wall as more students crowded onto the seat than allowed.
Rai tried to move away.
Which only made Zade more excited.
He would brush their hands together, and Rai would stare at him as if he had grown horns on his head.
Then Zade would rest his head on Rai's shoulder, and Rai would flinch like he had been stabbed. But he stayed patient because it was a fun moment for others and Rai knew many of these students hated even seeing him. He didn't want to ruin the fun for them by causing a scene.
Zade knew his so 'kind-hearted' actions but he, Zade was not so kind anyway. And, he kept going on.
Zade would squeeze Rai's thigh, pinch him, act like he was going to vomit, talk nonsence, disturb Rai's sleep, all while completely ignoring the sharp glares directed at him.
Honestly, Zade had enjoyed sitting next to Rai far more than anything else on that trip.
But for Rai, it had been nothing but torture.
Zade knew he had practically harassed Rai for two whole days, but who was Rai supposed to complain to?
To the teacher Rai had reported Zade's cigarette packet who then punished Zade by forcing the school to remove Zade from the debate team where Rai got the chance to replace him?
To the teacher who scolded Zade for his careless behavior when Zade's book were actually not forgotten to bring but stolen by Rai?
To the pretty young teacher Rai secretly disliked after realizing she liked Zade in a way she shouldn't have and then went onto anonymously support the dating rumours of the two to ruin Zade's reputation ?
To his so-called friends who didn't really care and only stayed because they had to?
To the principal who always seem to favour Rai so much for whatever the reason?
To who?
Zade wouldn't have cared even if Rai had complained.
He wasn't afraid of anyone.
Rai was nothing but annoying and he wouldn't hesitate to return the favour. That also even more generously...
Now, years later, Zade stared at the grown-up Rai sitting beside him.
Zade would admit.
Rai was always handsome.
He was now even more handsome than his teenage self. The mature figure honestly look less annoying to the eye too.
Yet, at the same time, Zade would say Rai was still very ordinary.
Black hair.
Black eyes.
A slim figure.
Good posture.
Clear skin.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing dramatic.
but…
So close to perfection.
If only his personality wasn't so bitter, Zade wouldn't have hesitated to consider him perfect.
But Rai wasn't friendly, so kind like he is showing off at all...
Still, that wasn't a problem for Zade.
What mattered was the long rivalry between them. But he does feel sorry for the people who get fooled by Rai's hypocritical behaviour...
"Why are you sitting so far away?" Zade asked. "I'm not going to eat you."
He sprawled comfortably across the sofa.
Rai didn't reply.
Didn't move.
Didn't even look at him.
Zade smiled faintly at that.
If Rai wouldn't speak, he would make him speak.
Slowly, Zade slid closer.
Inch by inch.
Rai noticed, his brows furrowing, but he didn't stand up. He simply watched Zade move closer and closer.
Then Zade leaned in.
He rested his head on Rai's shoulder.
Rai flinched immediately.
But then, he froze.
For a brief moment, he didn't react at all.
Because Rai felt the warmth.
Zade's hair brushing his neck...
Zade's weight against him...
And for just a split second, it felt strangely comforting.
Maybe he had been so lonely.
Then Rai snapped back to his senses and grabbed Zade's hair, pulling hard.
"Ow!" Zade groaned.
But he laughed right after.
"Is that all you can do?" he asked sarcastically, ignoring the pain on his scalp.
Meanwhile, Rai was fuming.
He was angry at Zade.
Angry at himself.
Angry that he had waited that second.
He valued his personal space more than anything, yet for that brief moment, he had enjoyed the warmth on his shoulder.
He hated that.
He hated that it was Zade.
So he turned away again.
Silent.
Unyielding.
He wasn't going to speak to Zade today.
No matter what.
He hadn't planned to in the beginning, either.
But now, he understood.
Zade wanted to play.
He wanted to force him to react.
To make him talk.
And now, Rai was part of that game.
He wasn't going to lose.
Not to Zade.
Not ever.