Love/Hate (Lemon GarouxReader 🍋)

Bad Blood

"So children, how's school going?" Your father beams at you over breakfast, all stubble and crumpled shirt.
"I drew dinosaurs!" Ryo yells gleefully, sputtering milk all over the table.
"Be careful while you're eating," you shake your head and unsuccessfully try to smooth down his permanent cowlick. "And that's amazing. You better bring some of those drawings home so I can admire them too."
You smile at him and he grins back, cereal stuck to his little teeth.
"And what about you, my pride and joy?" Your dad takes a sip of instant coffee.
You hate it when he calls you that. Partly because you feel like he's trying too hard but partly it's because you feel like a fraud, an embarrassment, alway bringing back those report cards with conflicting messages. 'Excellent effort but unable to achieve to full potential.' 'Very knowledgeable but needs better study habits.' Oh, f only they knew. Your study habits are, in fact, better than most. Outstanding you might say.
"It's only been two weeks," you tsk tsk back, hiding your face behind a long sip of juice. "What's there to be proud of?"
"You know I'll always be proud of you," he says, finishing off the quickly cooling coffee in one gulp.
"I'll always be proud of you too," Ryo looks at you with his big six year old eyes. He doesn't quite understand what he's saying but it chokes you up a little all the same.
"Really? Why is that?" you ask, nonchalantly as possible.
"You make the best pterodactyl noises when we play dinosaurs."
"Oh." Well, there's something to put on the resume. "That is an important skill to have. Now hurry and go get your backpack or we're going to be late."
"Ok!" he slips off the chair and runs to his room.
"I got a job," your dad beams, watching Ryo disappear down the hall. This doesn't impress you.
"A job job, or working for some guy, at a place and getting paid under the table job?" you fix him with your exquisitely black-lined deadpan stare.
He seems to flounder for a moment.
"I got a job!"
"Yeah, ok, good luck with that," you say, finishing off your oj and getting up from the table. "Might want to iron that shirt."
"Aye aye captain," he salutes you, grinning as you shake your head, unamused and go fetch Ryo.

You drop your little brother off at the school gate and watch him run inside before continuing on your way. If only you could go back to primary school. It was so easy back then. You too would like to draw dinosaurs all day. Actually, speaking of drawing dinosaurs, you might ask Tsukiko to draw some for Ryo.
It may not be immediately apparent, but Tsukiko has turned out to be quite the artist. And it might be the only thing that makes her bashful. Despite constantly sketching and doodling on any available surface, you find it sweet how flustered she gets when complimented on her drawings. You are pondering which dinosaurs might be easiest to render when Sho, one of the class reps, calls out your name from behind. You turn around to be greeted with his infectious, sunny smile.
"Good morning!"
"Hey Sho-kun," you return the smile, slowing down and waiting for him to catch up.
"I just wanted to ask how you're doing," he shakes his fair-haired head, his long bangs sweeping his forehead. "I know you probably feel kinda new since we all know each other but we're all here to help so please don't hesitate to ask anyone for anything." That beatific smile again. "And I'm really sorry about Garou," he adds, his eyes clouding over a bit.
"Oh, don't worry about it," you tense a little at the mention of his name. "It's not your fault he's a dickhead. There's always one."
"Yeah," Sho laughs nervously, "I guess you're right."
"Well, besides him...I'm having a great time," you reassure your classmate just as you spot Tsukiko in the distance.
"Hey!" she calls out, waving.
You wave back, grinning.
"Thanks, Sho-kun," you say, appreciating his sweet concern. "I think I'll be fine."

High school has turned out to be more of the same bullshit. Not that it surprises Garou. The popular always win, the weak and unpopular relegated to the bottom of the pecking order. Well, not that anyone has dared to relegate him anywhere recently. All that training with the old man is paying off. But the injustice is everywhere. And no one else seems to care.
You. You're the perfect fucking example. Trying to make his life a misery from the moment you met him. That's how people fucking are. Judging, trying to get one over you before they even get to fucking know you. Little do you know, your antics don't bother him at all. You're merely a nuisance. He's got bigger plans. Doesn't quite know what they are yet, but there's a vague determination, a goal, obscure but crucial, hanging over him. He'll show you all. But in the meantime, even nuisances have to learn. You won't get the last word. Let this battle continue.