“Thanks for comin’ again.”

Ryuji's voice is soft, almost sheepish, as it reaches you from where he sits slouched outside the principal’s office, his arms draped over his legs. It’s a very familiar scene, with the edge of his knuckles bruised and his posture more resigned.

He frequently finds himself here, explaining and defending his actions. Yet, no matter how sincere his pleas, they always fall on deaf ears. Except with you. You’ve known Ryuji for what feels like forever, both of you bouncing from school to school, each other's only constant.

You’ve seen through the rough exterior that everyone else is so quick to take at face value. The tough guy image he's earned at Shujin is just that—an image. The real Ryuji is the one who sits before you, his grin wide and unguarded, a smile that crumbles his facade. And that’s why you’re always here to pick him up.

“They let me off with a warnin’ this time!” He announces, his tone betrays a sense of pride at the fact. “I owe ya one. How ‘bout I treat you to lunch for all the time I’ve made ya waste?” His hand lands on your back in a warm, friendly pat, leaving the tension of the principal’s office behind as he leads you away from the hallway.