(Yuta told me to act like I don’t know anything about the fight, even if someone asks. And I’ve been doing that. But…)
(It doesn’t sit right with me. It has already been 3 months since we first met. And in those three months he has done a lot for me. And now, because of me, he’s been suspended. It’s already been a week since the suspension started. He’s supposed to be out for three months. But I can’t just let that happen. I have to get him out of this situation.
Before the summer break starts.)
***
I am in front of grade 10 section C.
(Why am I here?
Well, that’s a simple question.
Because he is in this class. That guy whose girlfriend accused me of stalking her. [ I don’t know his name]
And why am I looking for him?
Another simple question.
Because I want to remove the root of this problem.
If he approves of claiming that I am innocent, then those guys from class A will be proven guilty and Yuta will be alleviated of his punishment. But it's not like I became strong out of nowhere. Actually, I am having many negative thoughts like:
1) What if he hit me again?
2) What if he denies recognising me?
3) What if he doesn’t know the truth yet and think I am a creep?
But I gotta do it. If I want to help Yuta.)
*Creek* I slowly opened the door. (I hope he is not here. I hope he is not here. I hope he is not here.)
*Doom*
He was right in front of the door.
(Why are you in front of the door?) I screamed internally in a polite tone. *Uhum* After clearing my throat, “Excuse me, do you remember me?”
He looked surprised and avoided my gaze. “Haha, you? That stalker? Ofc, I know you.”, he said awkwardly. (He already knows the truth.) I grabbed his hand. “Come here with me.”
“W-what the hell? Let me go!” I dragged him through the hallway, down the stairs, and into the backyard. Once there, he yanked his hand back. “What do you want?”
“Nothing major,” I replied, keeping my voice even. My palms were sweaty. My heart was doing gymnastics. But I kept my face calm—barely.
He opened his mouth like he was about to argue—but then froze. Without a word, he bowed. A deep, full 90-degree bow.
“I’m sorry. For everything.”
“…Huh?”
I crossed my arms, trying to look cool. Honestly, I was this close to blacking out.
“I found out the truth last year,” he said quietly, eyes fixed on the ground. “We got into a fight… and she admitted it. Said she was the one chasing you. That you rejected her. She flipped the story to save face.”
He glanced up, guilt all over his face.
“I wanted to apologize so many times… but every time I saw you, sitting all alone, I just— I couldn’t. I’d already ruined your life. Showing up with a sorry? It felt pathetic. I told a few people the truth, but no one cared. They already had their version of you.”
He sighed deeply.
“And now that you’re here… I guess this is it, right? You’re finally going to hit me or something? It’s fine. I am so pathetic that I reallly deserve it.”
I stared at him without blinking. “I want you to tell the teachers the truth.”
“Huh?” He blinked at me.
“…Huh?” (Did I say something wrong?)
“That’s it?” he asked, lifting his head slowly.
“That’s it,” I said, steady.
“You’re serious? I already told them—like, last year.”
“…What?”
“Yeah!” he said, hands flying up. “After no one believed me, I went straight to the administrator. Reported everything. I thought it was the least I could do. I swear.”
I blinked. Then chuckled under my breath, scratching the back of my head. “Well, I… didn’t know that.” In return, he gave an awkwardly enthusiastic smile. “Wanna go ask them? You know, just to be sure?”
"Okay, lets go to the administrator then," I smiled sharply. "Alright!" He enthusiastically answered. We marched straight to the admin office—like two soldiers about to reclaim justice.
I knocked once, then pushed the door open. “Excuse me,” I said, heart hammering like a drumline. The administrator looked up from his papers, glasses slipping slightly down his nose.
“Oh? What brings you two here?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
The boy stepped forward. “Sir, I want to make a correction regarding the incident last year. The accusations against Miho were false. It was a misunderstanding... I want that on record.”
I nodded, staying silent.
The administrator leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “I see. Thank you for your honesty. But I’m afraid this doesn’t change everything.”
“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.
“I mean,” he said, voice calm but firm, “the past accusations may be cleared, but Yuta’s recent behavior still involved physical violence. And violence, no matter the cause, is against school policy. Suspension stands.”
My chest tightened. “But Yuta was only trying to prote—”
“I understand emotions were high,” he interrupted gently, “and I do empathize. But our rules exist for a reason. He could’ve come to a teacher. Or brought it to us. Taking matters into one’s own hands… isn’t something we encourage.”
The boy beside me looked pale. “Then… nothing can be done?”
The administrator sighed. “Consider it already lenient that this doesn’t go on his permanent record. Let this be a learning experience for all of you.”
We left the office in silence. Once outside, the boy rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess justice has rules.”
“But Yuta’s still suspended,” I mumbled, shoulders slumped. “Even though he did it for me.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I really thought we could fix it…”
(He went with the flow even though he had no idea about what we were talking about...)
I finally let go of the tension clenching my body. (My hands are still trembling. My stomach feels hollow.) (But I still... couldn't help Yuta.)
(Nothing worked out. He understood the situation, but said, “But violence is still violence.” As if verbal abuse isn’t violence too. As if context doesn’t matter.)
“Hey,” he said, standing beside me firmly. “Are you okay?”
“Mm-hmm.” I barely managed a nod. I suddenly didn’t even have the energy to speak.
(Should I go to Yuta? I want to see him. I haven't seen him this week at all, even though we are neighbours... even though we are friends.)
"Is this Yuta guy your friend? Is that why you were trying so hard to help him?"
"Mm-hmm,"
"That’s nice. I am happy you have someone who would fight for you."
"Yeah! He is just a nice guy." I smiled.
He took a few steps and stood infront of me. "Well... my name is Takahara. Takahara Bunzo," he gave me his hand for a handshake with a sheepish smile, "I-I just realized that I haven't introduced myself to you yet... so..."
"I am Hoshino. Miho Hoshino-kun." I shook his hand without much thought.
His face lit up. “Nice to meet you,” he said—and then, just as quickly, his expression deflated. “Man, I feel like skipping the rest of school. I really don’t wanna study anymore.”
“Same,” I said, mirroring his tired energy, “Let’s call it a day.”
We walked straight through the hallways and the stairs. “…Wait,” I stopped, blinking. “Our bags.”
He froze mid-step. “Is it necessary? Aren’t we skipping the class?”
“But we still need to go get our bag,” I muttered, glancing at the clock. “And school’s not even over yet. We totally just left like we were on a drama series.”
"Yeah, come to think of it, while we were walking through the hallways... the students were kindda... starting at us through the windows." He casually said, continuing his walk, while I stood still.
(Re-really? I had no idea...)
He scratched his head, turned back. “Should we… go back?”
I raised a brow. “You’re in 10-C. If you walk back in, won’t your classmates start interrogating you?”
“I mean, yeah, probably.” We exchanged a glance. “…Wanna rock-paper-scissors for it?” he offered.
I signed. “Let’s just go get our stuff together.”
He gave a theatrical sigh right after me. “Fine. But I’m blaming you when they start making theories about us running away together.”
“Deal,” I said, smirking as we turned around.
***
Outside the building, "Which way is your home?" He asked holding his bag.
"The left. What about yours?"
"Damn, mine is the right way." His face dissapointed.
"Haha"
"Well then, I should get going now. Bye bye. See ya! Hoshino-kun" he waved his hand and as he was about to walk out, I called out to him, "Takahara-kun!" He turned back my way, "hum?"
My hands fidgeting, "I really appreciate your help, but, I don’t think I can be friends with you after all," I muttered again, "if that's what you want."
His expression faltered, and his face dimmed for a second, then he immediately pulled on a smile, "...its fine," he said quietly, voice steady, "even if I want to, I can't really force it onto you. It will be really pathetic of me." He then swiftly changed his facial expression, firm and bright, "But no matter what, if you ever need my help, you can always come to me. Alright?"
My eyes widen, ( I was anxious, but he is actually a kind person...) I smiled brightly, not the smarp smile I gave him before, but the smile of relief and happiness, "Alright!" I waved at him.
He waved back at me and existed the school gate.
I looked up at the sky. ( It is cloudy today as well, I hope it rains only after I reach my home.)
When I was about to go out, a voice behind me called out to me. “Hey,” it was a voice that I didn't recognize. “Hey, Hoshino-kun.”
Her head held high and confident, her height equal to Yuta's and she wasn’t in school uniform. Hair short and dyed red. (Wow is she a student here? Her dress up is so cool.) “Yes?” (And how did she know my name?)
She stared at me for a moment, then smiled like she’d just solved a mystery.
“Looking closely… you’re actually prettier than I expected.”
“Huh?” I laughed nervously, my face cracking like dry paint. (I really have zero energy right now...)
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