Oh, how much Ryunosuke loved that beautiful smile of Mei. He moved his eyes to look at her while she spoke to him, blushing faintly as she said that she really enjoyed having dinner with him and Koko. She also added that she would love to repeat it, but it will be her time to cook something for them. That sounded really nice for Ryunosuke as he was curious to know how good Mei's cooking was. She looked like that kind of girl that makes good food, so he bet he would enjoy it. Just by the thought of eating Mei's food made his blush darken a little bit and he hoped Mei didn't notice it.
Before entering her apartment, Mei thanked him for consoling her during the storm. Scoffing with a little awkwardness, Ryunosuke looked down at the floor while rubbing the back of his head with his right hand.
"A-Ah... Yeah, don't worry about it," he replied.
"I just did what anybody should've done. Besides, you really looked like you needed somebody to help you, so..." Realizing that he maybe was talking too much and that wasn't the correct reply, Ryunosuke sighed and nodded, slowly looking back at her.
"Well... You're welcome, Mei."
Then, Mei entered her place and gently closed the door behind her, not before their eyes met for the last time, and once again, she was smiling at him. Smiling, Ryunosuke mumbled something and turned around. It was quite surprising seeing him so cheerful after eating dinner with the person that supposed to be his worst enemy, but the truth was that he didn't know anymore if she really was his enemy at all. This was the second time they walked back home together like friends after all. He also invited her to eat at his home with her aunt after feeling sympathy, knowing that her father wouldn't be home until later this night.
There also were these strange and awkward feelings he has been experiencing when he was around Mei that made his heart beat fast and strong. He was so confused, yet excited about these new experiences he has been living that he never had or felt before. And it was all thanks to this rebellious Bunny.
He didn't hate her at all. He didn't dislike her at all either. He was just kind of... Angry that she refused to follow his orders and rules in the school, but, honestly, there was a side of him that also enjoyed that. Probably because of the fact that Mei was the very first person that made a stand against him since the very beginning she realized he was just a bully that's terrorizing an entire school. He felt like a predator that just realized that his prey could fight back at him.
"I... I like her."
Ryunosuke stopped in front of the door of his apartment, his hand touching the knob. His whole face was blushing deep red as he realized what he just thought. However, he didn't know what type of liking he meant. Did he like her guts for going against him or he actually liked her by romantic means? Sighing deeply and frowning with embarrassment. the Dark Wolf shook his head and quickly opened the door, stepping inside his home. A lot of stuff happened today, so he probably was just tired, so maybe his brain was just being weird. That's what Ryunosuke thought.
Time Skip - One Week Later
A lot happened in Ryoo High after that dinner night between Ryunosuke and Mei. First of all, Ryunosuke changed quite a lot. Instead of being totally mean to everyone, he decided, for once, to act nice and cool. At first, everybody was skeptical about this change of attitude in the almighty and scary Dark Wolf, but with a little bit of time, mostly the whole school got used to the new Ryunosuke. He even waits in line at the Cafeteria like everybody does and treated kindly his teachers and the Cafeteria Lady. Ryunosuke was enjoying this new change too, especially after hearing a lot of people calling him by his name instead of "Dark Wolf". Honestly, he was pretty tired of hearing such a scary nickname, and secretly, he didn't like it that much.
Sadly for him, this new change of things wasn't that welcome among a couple of people among his gang, especially for Kei. He hated this new Ryunosuke, thinking he looked too weak and sensible. He was mad at it and he only blamed one person for it: Mei Akimoto.
"This is not the real you, Ryu-kun," Kei said with a frown as he stopped Ryunosuke in front of his locker while he was getting the book for his next period. He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"I don't know what the hell got into you, but just should just drop it, man. It's just plain weird." Ryunosuke scoffed at him before rolling his eyes and closing his locker while holding a book.
"Relax, Kei-kun, I'm still being me," he replied and sighed.
"I don't know what's your problem, man. Just because I decided to try this thing called "Being nice and stop being a dick" doesn't mean I'm suddenly a different person." Kei blinked in confusion.
"Um... I'm pretty sure that changing the way you usually act practically makes you a different person, Ryu," he replied, shaking his head.
Smiling awkwardly and feeling stupid, Ryunosuke chuckled and shrugged.
"Well, in that case, um... Say hello to the new and improved version of Ryunosuke Aisaka." Growling with anger, Kei punched a locker that was on his left and looked down, his red hair covering most part of his face.
"You... You must be fucking joking right now," he said with a calm, yet creepy tone.
"This is not the Ryunosuke I want. You need to stop this fake act. I... I need the old Ryunosuke that promise me that he won't allow anybody to hurt us again. Bring that version back. Bring the Dark Wolf this school needs."
Blinking, Ryunosuke smiled and placed his right hand on top of Kei's head.
"This school doesn't need a Dark Wolf anymore, Kei," he replied.
"And I haven't forgotten that promise either. I will still keep it. You know I will. I just want to make things different now, that's all." Without anything else to say, Ryunosuke gently patted his head and began to walk away from him. Growling, Kei quickly turned around and lifted his head to glare at him.
"This is because Mei finally managed to change your mind, isn't it?" he asked him and chuckled with a psychopath expression. Ryunosuke stopped on his track but didn't turn around to look at him.
"I knew she would be trouble since the first time I saw her. I should've to get rid of her after I had the chance."
"For your own good, my dear Kei," began to say Ryunosuke, looking down at the floor with a frozen smile.
"Don't you ever dare to lay a single finger on Mei. I warned you." After that, he began to walk away again, leaving a really pissed Kei.