31_days | [April 19] [Gokusen] Swamp Rice Patty

Title: Swamp Rice Patty
Day/Theme: "go someplace you've never been."
Series: Gokusen [Manga]
Character/Pairing: Sawada Shin, Uesugi Ritsu
Rating: G

:::

“Are you seriously expecting me to go into that house,” Uesugi said, tone dubious; “Just like that.”

Sawada toed off his boots. “Yeah.” He reached down and picked them up. “Good evening!”

Greetings came from further inside the modest little house. Uesugi watched from the open doorway as Sawada moved into the main room. He heard him talking to the residents in a familiar manner. Uesugi shifted on his feet and looked back over his shoulder. He could still turn around and head back home. He wasn't that far the train station. Sawada would give him hard time, but he wouldn't hold it against him.

“Oi!” Sawada shouted from the other room; “either go home or come in. You're letting the cold in.”

A woman's voice sounded, scolding him for being rude to his friend. An older woman with a comely face came into the room, and greeting him with a surprising amount of warmth considering he was complete stranger. “Oh, please come in. Just ignore the Young Master. He's usually a very polite young man. I don't know what's gotten into him tonight.”

“I'm always polite, Okasan.”

Uesugi stepped out of his loafers and allowed the woman to usher him inside. He greeted the woman's husband. He eyed Sawada, who was seated on the floor playing with a toddler. “I'm sorry for the intrusion.”

“No worries,” the man said, waving the apology away. He poured Uesugi a drink and nudge the cut toward him. “Here, have a drink.”

“We're actually expected somewhere else,” Sawada said. He gave the toddler one last tickle, making the child giggle, and got up. “But I'll drink to your good health.” Sawada grabbed the cup and drank it in one go. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a white envelop. He placed the cup on top of the envelope. “Please excuse us.”

The man reached for the envelope. “No, wait, Young Master, that is not necessary.”

Sawada grabbed the man's hand. “Take it as a gesture of our gratitude, for your continued patience.”

The man hesitated and then nodded. “Thank you, Young Master.”

Sawada smiled slightly. “Good man.” He looked at Uesugin and jerked his head toward the back of the house. “Come on, you. Or we'll be late.”

“You gave that man money,” Uesugi said, after they had stepped out of the house.

Sawada hummed noncommittal, but did not answer. Uesugi smiled. They walked a sort distance before they stopped in front an innocuous door. It was really out of place. It was a wonder they weren't more people wondering what laid behind it.

Sawada raised his hand to knock and then stopped. He glanced at Uesugi from the corner of his eye. “So are you really up for this?”

Uesugi raised an eyebrow. “I said I did, didn't I?”

Sawada lowered his hand. He turned to Uesugi, a serious look in his eyes. “This is not going to be like that bar back there. Not even close.”

“I know.”

“This is some serious shit.”

“I know.”

“I can't guarantee you won't get knife. I can protect you, but to only a certain degree.”

Uesugi turned to face him, and said, just as seriously. “I know, Sawada.”

Sawada stared at him for a long moment. Then the smile he gave Uesugi was downright feral. “Well, then, Uesugi, let's show you something you've never seen before.

Sawada knocked on the door. A muffled voice said: “Great River!”

“Swamp Rice Paddy,” Sawada said.

The door opened and a dangerous man bowed to them. “Good evening, Young Master Red Lion. We've been expecting you.”

Sawada nodded and then gestured at Uesugi. “Thank you. This is my guest, Snow Man.”

The man gave Uesugi an assessing look and then opened the door wider. “Then please come in.”

Sawada shot him another feral look and stepped inside.

Uesugi took a deep breath and followed Sawada.

The door closed with a quiet click.