Rain pattered against the car windows, soft and gentle. He didn't want to consider how cold it would be outside, or inside his badly heated college halls for that matter. Kazuo drove, and thus smooth jazz was the music of choice.

Hibiki had put his laptop down beside him to read over the preparations he had done for his tutorial on contract interpretation. It was a bit daunting, since he wasn't certain what to expect: his previous classes had been listening and taking notes, and perhaps an essay or exam, but the tutorials sounded more involved.

He had done everything he could, sifting over the texts and making sure that he had answered all the questions. But no matter how well-prepared he was, he could never prepare away his inability to speak. It would be slow and tedious to communicate the complex ideas.

He closed his laptop and rested his elbow on the ledge of the window, looking at the buildings appearing and vanishing again in the dense, misty drizzle.

「If you wish, I may be able to arrange an exemption from these classes?」Kazuo suggested, tuned in to his behaviour enough to understand that his lack of energy meant something was bothering him.

He sighed softly and shook his head. Instead he focussed on the view, as dreary and oppressive as it was.

「I did update your schedule and made certain all your readings for next week have been prepared.」The words made him smile, glad that even if he couldn't change anything about his disability, Kazuo was on top of everything else.

With all his classes it was a requirement to keep oversight. Kazuo figured out his schedule, necessary readings and deadlines. It was one of the biggest benefits of having a personal assistant, although he still did all the actual work himself.

'I will start Sunday morning. Tristan is staying over tonight and tomorrow.'

He signed through the rear view mirror.

「Understood. Do you wish for me to allocate spare Saturdays to him?」Kazuo suggested, and he considered it for a moment, but then shook his head.

'He will be busy with debate tournaments too. But I can ask about his schedule'

The fact that he'd have to plan meetings beforehand, rather than being able to be together whenever he liked did bother him – at the very least he would like one day a week just to see him. It wasn't his fault they were both busy, but he had been spoiled by their holiday. He shouldn't have to pull out his agenda to plan a meeting with his boyfriend.

There wasn't anything he could do about that though, and with all his classes he had to focus too. So begrudgingly he accepted that it would be this way for a while. At least he still had the evening and the next day to look forward to.

Kazuo parked the car in one of the side streets near the law college. While Hibiki hastily read through the last paragraphs of his papers, Kazuo stepped out and grabbed an umbrella from the back. The door was opened for him, and he stuffed his papers back in his bag before getting out. He grabbed the umbrella, since he was perfectly able to shield himself from the drizzle.

It was cold outside, and even though he had wrapped himself up in a grey woollen coat, black gloves and a knitted scarf, he could still feel the cold seep through. With a huff he braved it, his cheeks already getting cut by the sharp winds – and he took that as a challenge.

He stepped forward across the grounds confidently. Kazuo and two bodyguards, who had joined them in the time it took for him to finish up reading, were never far behind.

When he had to move through the students that clogged the entrance hall, one bodyguard moved in front of him to clear out a path. People veered out of the way of the burly man, leaving a space where he could comfortably walk through. Kazuo walked beside him, holding on to the damp umbrella.

He glanced up at the people in the hall. There was a buzz of excitement in nearly all the conversations he picked up on: laughter between friends, or discussions about the material and the course itself. A part of him wished he could join in, since he had many remarks to make as well and things he could share.

At the same time, it overwhelmed him: although he wanted to talk to anyone who would listen, he knew nobody ever could. And if something happened, he wouldn't be able to make a sound. He'd vanish, before anyone could help him.

The students had turned to look at him, now aware of the odd convoy working their way through the crowd. He knew he wasn't the only one that came from wealth, but having bodyguards went well beyond just being well-off. It was obvious, from the way they looked and moved.

Which meant that they all knew he had money. And he didn't know who glanced at him in awe and who in envy. Curious, or calculating.

He took a step closer to Kazuo, staring at the back of his bodyguard. If anything happened he could hold on to either of them. As long as they were close he'd be safe.

Kazuo noticed that he was uncomfortable, and gently laid an arm around his shoulder. He would be able to move away if he didn't want the reassurance, but it was only for a few moments. The crowd already thinned out.

「We can leave through a less busy exit when your classes are done.」

The idea of having to sneak out, as if to hide from his own ungrounded fears, snapped him out of his fright. Rather he adamantly shook his head and straightened out his back. He didn't want to be scared, not of his own classmates.

'I don't need that'

He signed in return, as they reached the stairs. Kazuo's hand left his shoulder.

「Very well.」

He smiled back at the man, pretty proud of himself for managing despite his aversion to crowds. Even though the idea of a tutorial group still worried him, he felt a bit more confident that he could figure it out. If he was bold enough, he'd surely be able to get in a few answers.