Ren has a bad feeling when he finds Kaito and he - are the only one left in class, despite the last bell had rung a few minutes ago. His instinct screams to quickly leave because Kaito - for god knows how many times today - glaring at him again. Whatever the reason for someone who is always looks bored in the class - out of the blue - reluctant to leave the school - it must be a sign of a bad omen.

Keep telling himself to never look back, Ren shoves all his belongings inside his bag. Somehow he feels that the situation is familiar with the horror movie scene when the main character is chased by the ghost lurking in their haunted school. Ren assumes this must be how they feel.

“Ren-Kun~” 

Ren flinches when he hears the squealing voice from the door - he thought the ghost actually called his name but what he finds is a group of heads peeking from the door class. It doesn’t make him less startled, though.

“Oh my~ do you wanna go home already?” The girl with hazelnut curly hair shyly asks while tucking her hair behind her ear.

Ren somehow recognises them as girls from the neighbouring class. He doesn’t remember any of them’s names, though.

“You guys have something to do with me?” Ren sets his business smile like always. Judging by the books in each girl’s hand, he can already tell they must want to ask him about homework.

The girls don't wait for their cue to storm in and gather around Ren as they’ve rehearsed it. 

“We want to ask you about the chemistry homework. Your class has learned about Chemical bonds between atoms in molecules. Can you show us how to solve this problem? Please?” 

Ren hasn’t said anything yet when they already open their book on his table and drag the chair to his sides.

Holding back a sigh is Ren’s forte, the worse his annoyance somehow the bigger his smile becomes. On some occasions when people have completely zero consideration for him and Ren has to keep maintaining his compassionate face with all his might, he feels like a huge rock sitting on his chest while his hands choke on his respiratory tract - suffocated. Like drowning in mud, his body feels heavy and his head pounding. In the end, swallowing back all complaints and grudges is all he can do. Ren can’t help but feel beyond pathetic.

“Okay, let me see…” Ren sweetly peeks at their notebooks. He will get this done quickly so he can leave the class soon.

“Ren-Kun,” The short-haired with bangs girl leans in while coyly tugging on Ren’s uniform sleeves. “We are going to karaoke after this, would you like to join us? We're kinda short of one more person for getting the discount, so…”

Even a blind man can tell the real purpose is not about the discount. Ren never thought that his appointment with Yami to go to Mixer could save him right now. Whereas he’s not sure which one is better hanging out with girls from his school or some strangers from another school. Ren supposes - with Yami - at least he’s not the only target of their flirtatious act alone. 

This one he sets his face into an apologetic smile, “Ah sorry but I already promise someone to-”

Ren’s voice fades when a tall figure glowering down at him. Goosebumps creep on his nape when he meets a pair of dark eyes squinting at him in distaste.

The room instantly feels silent as the girls hardly open their mouths when Kaito darts his eyes toward the scattering books on his desk, then to each girl before clicking his tongue.

/Oh no! This is it! He must be annoyed with the girls’ loud voices. He stayed at class perhaps to take a nap but we are causing racket instead! What he’s gonna do now? I’m doomed!/

Cold sweat gathers on Ren’s forehead, ready to be scolded by Kaito.

“Hasegawa, let’s go.” Kaito rumbles deeply like a sound of subdued thunder before the storm.

“Uh?” Ren squeaks in a brittle voice.

However, Kaito is already marching toward the door without looking back, he doesn’t look waiting for Ren but Ren knows the way Kaito walks in short stride, he’s expecting Ren to quickly catch up. 

Ren bites his lips, /Scolding me in front of the girls would make him the villain. Is he going to drag me and beat me up in the back alley? What should I do? He looks so pissed!/

Ren hates to be in this situation. Why can't Kaito leave him alone?!

“Uh sorry guys,” Ren says to the girls, “I have something to do. Let’s finish them tomorrow before the class, yeah?’

Not waiting for their answer, Ren bolts out to catch up with Kaito.

The distance between the class and the school gate seems much further than he remembers. Ren drags his heavy steps, following Kaito at a safe distance. From behind, Kaito’s tall figure feels like towering like an unclimbed mountain. No matter how hard Ren racks his genius brain, he can not think of a single way to defeat Kaito in a 1-on-1 fight.

The school is almost empty. Only the old security - Mister Takeshi, read the newspaper inside his post office. Ren doubts he can save him if Kaito beats him up.

Kaito doesn’t say anything when they reach the school gate. The longer he keeps silent, the more anxious Ren becomes. His neck is stiff from looking down too long but he’s too cowardly to confront Kaito’s gaze.

Kaito leads them to the alley beside the school - just like how Ren predicted. 

He regrets glaring at Kaito this morning after Nakamura sensei announces they will be a pair. He did that out of impulse - which also surprised him that he failed to hide his unpleasant expression from Kaito, again. No wonder Kaito would be offended and would give him a piece of his mind to Ren.

“Wh- what are we doing?” Ren stammers, pressing his back to the wall. Doing his best to be as far as possible from Kaito who is also leaning on the wall, right in front of Ren.

With a smirk, Kaito fishes something from his pocket, “What do you ask for something obvious?”

Ren’s heart drops with the obvious threatening tone. /It must be a knife! He must be storing a knife inside his pocket!/

Never in Ren’s wildest imagination would his peaceful school life end at the hand of a bully. Where do things go wrong? He asks himself. Many people like him. Teachers adore him. Friends being nice to him. Why does there have to be one crude person who targets him?

The sky turns red when the sun has burned itself into a scattered evening-long shadow. Their school is up on the hill. No random people would pass this area. No hope for Ren to scream and ask for help.

Clutching his eyes close, Ren sheltered behind his arms. “SORRY! I’M SORRY! I DIDN’T MEAN IT! I DIDN’T MEAN TO CHALLENGE YOU OR ANYTHING!” 

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU-” Kaito is seething.

With shaking hands Ren offers his wallet. “Here! Take all my money! If it isn't enough I will bring more tomorrow, please just let this slide. Please…”

Kaito approaches in an angry march. His prominent sharp jaws set. The thick eyebrows knitted together causing his gaze at Ren even more menacing. He stands only a few inches from Ren’s face, cornering him into the wall. Like a kitten in the presence of a lion, Ren can only pathetically crouch into a shaking ball.

“What no sense are you spewing about?” Kaito hisses between his clenching teeth. “This is what you think of me? Ha!,” Scoffing incredulously while pushing his black jet hair to the back. Kaito pierces his eyes at Ren who regards him between confusion and fear. “To think the benevolent class president holds prejudice toward his own classmate. I’m disappointed”

“Guys! I got our bikes!” Yami and Goro appear in the mouth of the alley, each of them dragging two bikes.

Ren’s pupils dilated when he recognises one of the bikes belongs to him.

“I told them to fetch our bikes so I can smoke. But you sure ruined my mood, Haegawa,” Kaito grumbles and Ren catches him shoving his cigarette box back into his pocket. 

/Is that what he puts in his pocket?/

“Wha- what is the meaning of this?” Can not contain his confusion about why Kaito is here - waiting for Yami and Goro - just like him, Ren asks anyone who is present right now. 

“Ah Ren, you don’t know? Sato is coming with us!” Yami excitedly declared.

“Coming with us?” The same Kaito who only knows about Karate and sleeping, wishing to join the mixer? Does he even know where they’re going?

“Why?” Kaito smirks, enjoying Ren’s thunder-strike face where his googly eyes get even rounder. “Are you afraid I’ll steal all the girls?”

“Ren, sorry about the addition of the member,” Yami hurriedly comes near Ren while bringing his bicycle. Then he slightly whispers in Ren's ear. “If Kaito tags along,  no one dares mess around with us. He can also protect the girls. You don’t have to worry if he steals your place, the girls have already said you are their type, so don’t mind him.”