"Don't worry, Kikuchi!"

My eyebrows simultaneously ascended on my forehead as I watched as the guy stalked ahead of me, arms raised and eyes glued shut. It was honestly quite amusing, but all the stares of the surrounding people left me bashful. I timidly slowed my pace as Daichi led the way.

When we turned the corner, Daichi ended up running into a garbage can, leading to quite the exaggerated reaction.

Tripping over thin air only to regain his balance thereafter, he emitted a startled battle cry.

"B-back away!" he shouted, fists clenched as if he were going to throw punches. The way he was trembling dismissed the entire idea. He was scared senseless. "I-I mean it!"

All gazes shot to the two of us. I awkwardly shrunk away, praying they wouldn't think I was with him.

"K-Kikuchi, I'll hold him back!" he shouted onward. "G-go a-ahead! I-I'll catch up!"

The guffaws that erupted around us allowed for my embarrassment to heighten. Feeling myself blush, I reached out and seized Daichi's shoulders, shoving him down the hallway.

"W-where are y-you taking me? Let's f-fight fairly!"

I sighed as he began swinging his fists into the air. Then, I let go of him.

"Sugiyama, you don't have to close your eyes."

"Kikuchi?" He parted an eyelid, peeking curiously behind him. Shock etched onto every portion of his face at the sight of me. "Why are you— What happened to the delinquent?"

"If you're talking about the garbage can you ran into, it's back there."

Daichi's jaw went slack. "Garbage... can?"

"Yes. You must be the first idiot to ever to try and pick a fight with a garbage can," I deadpanned, hastening past him. "Anyway, I'm going to be late. My dad will chew me out even more."

He pursued me in a heartbeat, falling into step with me soon enough. "Your dad?"

The question made me stiff. Typically I was grateful people couldn't piece my connection with the school nurse, but other times it really sucked. I hated explaining it to others, in fear that I'd garner unwanted attention.

"Never mind," I said.

"Okay?"

Since there wasn't anything more to be said, silence hung over us as we briskly walked towards the infirmary. Right before I could turn a final curb, I stopped dead in my tracks. My lungs malfunctioned as well—I couldn't breathe.

"Why'd you stop—oh." Further words from Daichi got caught in his throat.

Although I couldn't see him I had a feeling he was just as pale as I was.

The yells, the sounds of pummelling—with additionally faint screams here and there—held me firm in place. My heartbeat kicked in full force until I heard it loud in my ears. My fingers trembled and I swallowed hard.

"Is that..." Daichi started.

"Y-yes..." I finished, inhaling and exhaling shakily.

"Crap. It's packed today?"

"Class Presidents shouldn't swear."

"Sorry."

Mustering up as much courage as I could, I carefully poked my head out and fixed my gaze into the hallway. It wasn't surprising at all when I saw a line of delinquents trailing out of the office—two heavily wounded ones resting against the wall. The fighting was still audible, so it was most likely happening at the very back where my vision couldn't reach. At this realization, I had unknowingly begun to tremble. My mind swirled.

"You're supposed to go through that line?"

Daichi's inquiry left me speechless. I chewed on my lower lip, swallowing the lump forming at the back of my throat.

I wasn't scared. I've done this before. I could do it again.

Oh, who was I kidding. Did I want to die? I should've came earlier. Just because yesterday was empty didn't mean everyday would be.

I dropped my hands from the wall, fixing my posture. I spotted Daichi watching me from the corner of his eye. Without much warning, I spun on the heels of my feet and dashed down the hallway we came from.

"Kikuchi?" he called after me.

I screeched to a stop. Daichi crashed right into me. Wincing, he drew away and I faced him.

"Yes?" I sweetly asked.

"What do you mean by 'yes?'" he remarked in disbelief. "Where are you going? Don't you have to go to the infirmary?"

Forcing a smile, I locked eyes with him. "Do I look like I have a death wish?"

He flinched at my bluntness. "But, the door's just over there."

"Take that garbage can with you then. It has a better chance at surviving than I do."

"Kikuchi."

He stepped in front of me, blocking off my escape route. Making a face, I gandered up at him.

"Move, Sugiyama."

"You can't give up."

"This isn't some kind of movie," I scoffed. "I'll give up when I want to."

"Not if I can help it."

His determination had me irked. "You're just walking me there. At least you don't have to go inside."

"True, but—"

I jostled him aside and stepped past him. "Let's leave. I'll pretend I was busy today and go tomorrow. And I'll make sure to go right after the bell so it's not packed like now."

"But— Kikuchi!"

I rolled my eyes as I continued walking. I barely registered an unlikely hold around my waist as I shuffled my feet. I peered down at the ground and at my kicking legs, and I realized the floor wasn't moving. My actions halted, though, my toes didn't touch the ground.

Colour drained from my face at a fast rate.

Why weren't my feet touching the ground? Someone was carrying me...?

"Your dad knew you'd run away."

My expression instantly fell at the familiar voice. "Put me down."

Ryu turned around, still dangling me like a piece of paper in his arm. "Let's go."

"No, unhand me!" I hissed, my cheeks hot. Being carried by someone was one thing but Ryu was a whole other. Where did he come from? This was embarrassing as hell!

As my last effort, I shifted my head in the direction of Daichi. I signalled for him to free me but I was shocked to see just how petrified he appeared. It wasn't the kind of fear he had in his eyes when I mentioned I worked in the infirmary— it was the kind where he looked like he were going to die. Regardless, I extended out my arm to slap him. Sadly, my reach fell short.

"Sugiyama!" I cried anyway.

My words whizzed past his ears. He was as still as a statue. Incredulous, my mouth fell in disbelief. He was kidding me, right? What happened to "I'll have your back!" Was he letting this happen because he wanted me to go to the infirmary? He did look genuinely afraid— but what of? If it was the delinquents we already established our fear moments before!

Ryu, without paying Daichi heed, started down the hallway. My heart rate picked up in frantic rhythms as we approached the line of delinquents. I squirmed in his grasps.

"Put me down, Iwasaki! I'm not going in there!"

He ignored me.

Furious, I began punching the place that was closest to reach: his thighs. As my fists connected, I realized just how firm they were. I could tell right away that he was fit. Well, he was super tall. He probably had abs too... Ridding the flustering thoughts forming in my head, I proceeded to punch harder.

"Iwasaki, I'm not going! We're getting closer! I hear them fighting! Please stop!"

Even though I was doing my best to throw him off balance, Ryu didn't seem affected.

The cries of the delinquents grew louder. Tears were filling fast in my eyes. "No! You cookie-eating monster! You're so heartless! I hate you!"

He took a sharp turn without warning. My body swerved right and I gawked as we entered a vacant hallway.

"What the...?" I murmured, my voice trailing off. The sudden yells of the delinquents faded out before long and I was stuck gaping at the tiled floor.

"Good, you stopped yelling."

At Ryu's comment, confusion welled up inside of me. "Are we not going to the infirmary?"

"We are," he replied. "Jeez, you're a lot of trouble. The fact that I had to come and get you proves you're so much work."

Pursing my lips, I opened my mouth. "I didn't need you to."

"Apparently you did. You weren't going to come."

"That's because it's full of..."

Ryu didn't say anything at first. Tilting his head the other way, he frowned. "Do... delinquents scare you that much?"

"Are you kidding me?" I jeered. "Who the heck isn't terrified of delinquents? They're conniving and vicious and heartless... and they're absolutely crazy! They'd kill people without even flinching!"

My voice echoed off the walls making me wince. Maybe I shouldn't have been so honest. Then again, Ryu reiterated so many times that he wasn't a delinquent. It most likely didn't matter.

A deafening silence followed accordingly and I primmed my mouth, eyeing the passing walls. It was then I became aware of my current predicament. Embarrassment got the best of me.

"Um... aren't you going to let go of me?"

"Are you going to run?" he retorted.

"Yes...?"

"Then no."