"What the-" I start to say.

"hell happened to you, dude?" a stunned Leon interjects at the statue of Rois standing in front of us.

In a perfectly ironed uniform, he stood wide awake and fresh holding a bunch of notebooks, he probably did homework in the morning and came in a hurry. Calm demeanor and a lively smile passed on his lips. 

Just a bandage sticking on his nose accompanied by his bald head gave it away. Something did happen. With my lips pursed in a stare line I stare at him demanding an explanation. 

"New hairstyle? Nice buzz cut!" Leon tries to lighten the mood, while Xion seems to have forgotten how to breathe. Rois awkwardly stands there, everyone's gaze fixed on him. Truly what on earth happened to him?

"Somebody get her a chair," Xion says, shamelessly plopping his tired rear end into the seat next to mine, even though Eva looks like she's about to collapse and Rois…

"If you faint, I'm not catching you," Leon says, fetching a chair for Eva. She sits quietly while Leon brings two more.

"Here," he offers Rois a seat and finally settles into one himself.

"So, did you run into the Yakuza or something?" Xion inquires, his eyebrows arched in curiosity rather than concern.

"I am like a hundred and twenty percent sure you did!" Leon interjects with his unsolicited opinion, adding calmly, "Buzz cut suits you though."

I gawk at knuckleheads in disbelief and then at Rois. He clearly got into some serious trouble the other day. My worry wasn't unfounded. Although my heart is pounding with the need to know the details, I refrain from prying.

"Yakuza? I don't think so," Rois chuckles, scratching his eyebrow.

"You don't think so?"  infuriated by his nonchalant attitude I mimic him. "Well, I think you fell down the stairs, right?" 

"Ha. How did you know?" he replies, loosening his tie and placing the books on my table.

"Damn! Must have hurt," Leon says sympathetically leaning back in his chair.

"Totally. I mean, check out those injuries” Xion exhales slamming his hands on his thighs  “Darn radl!"

"You two. Seriously?" I utter.

"Yep, man. You're giving off some vibes. Better not steal all my fans," Leon says, grinning.

"Leon," I growl, trying to keep my voice low. I glance at Eva. She hasn't uttered a single word. Is she crying? She's holding her head with her hand and looking down.

"You two, check on her," I order, instantly they spring out of their seats.

"And you!" pointing a finger so close to his face I might as well poke his eye out "Tell me," I add, sighing as I pull away. 

He doesn’t look away, his pupils keep darting here and there, deciding whether to tell me or not and what bits to reveal.

"Gave her aspirin, she's good to listen to the story now," Xion says as he sits beside me again.

"Had a headache," Leon adds, sliding right on top of my table, swinging his legs and grinning. "Now then-"

"On the chair!" I tell him. His butt's literally in front of my face.

"Huh?" bewildered, he turns to look at me.

"Off my desk right now."

"Huh, but-" he struggles to find words "Jeez, okay," with his shoulders slumped, he mutters and drops back into his chair.

"Why are you not talking?" I question Rois, looking at him, growing more infuriated every second.

Rois prepares to articulate his thoughts, but just as he opens his mouth, the classroom door swings ajar, prompting a collective craning of necks in that direction. Each student, their jaws agape, turns their attention to the doorway. No clamorous announcement from the teacher reaches our ears, and unable to resist the temptation, I, too, incline my head to peer in that direction.

With a complexion as pallid as snow, a frail and delicate frame, diminutive in stature, and black, ear-length hair fashioned into a loose bun, the newcomer wearily makes her way to the rear of the room. Wearing the school shirt and trainer’s pants. As she slumps to the floor, the entire class fixates upon her. Is she evading a lecture by seeking refuge in our class? As she nods off, emitting sonorous snores, whispers ripple through the room. What on earth is happening today? I cast a glance at Rois, who averts his gaze.

Abruptly, Leon rises, forcefully planting his hands on my table. Given how he is he'd best not attempt to court her at this very moment!

"Don't unsettle her. Sit down, Leon! " I admonish him.

He flops back with a face that displays that I just told him that his entire lineage is cursed. Leon, Xion, and Rois all fix me with blank stares.

"You're not going anywhere during the break, Rois." I let him know relaxing my back.

“Tanaka, why do you have a bandage on your forehead?” Rois dares to ask me.

“Oh, this? Just a little accessory to distract people from answering about themselves” I roll my eyes.