The next day I went to school just like normal, but at the entrance the girl from yesterday seemed to be waiting for someone, this time wearing our school’s uniform. I didn’t mind her and simply went on forward. Just as I went past the gates, through the babbling from my earphones I heard a girl calling out to someone. I turned my head out of reflex and right at that time a hand reached out to touch my shoulder.
“Ease there, girly.”
I dodged the hand and took a step back in a hurry, looking annoyed at the one who tried to touch me. I took off one earphone then looked up only to see the same one that was waiting by the gate. After seeing me get back and hear my comment, she pouted annoyed while stamping her foot,
“Hey! I’m not a horse to tell me that! Sigh~ I know I made a terrible first impression, but no need to be so on guard as to avoid me, okay?”
“…”
I looked at her hands and, as expected, they were filled with bandages.
I have more reasons to not let you touch my shoulder, but one of them being…
“You wanted to slam me on concrete before. Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t be with my guard up against you?”
“I-I apologize about that. I didn’t know those guys were picking on you as well.”
“Even if they weren’t, that’s still dangerous. And, did those idiots tell you?”
“Yes. And, although you do that to earn a living, making weapons for underage kids isn’t good, yes?”
“Who the Hell are you trying to scold here?”
I frowned annoyed as she tried to scold me like some bigger sister, looking at her like she ate the wrong medicines or something. She then stepped closer to me and with her arms at her waist she shouted already irritated,
“Hey! Stop looking at me with such judging eyes! It’s not polite.”
“Throwing people around is not polite.”
“Ugh, I- I already apologized!”
“Good for you, now beat it. I have nothing to do with you, so neither should you.”
I then left and completely ignored her, putting my earphone back on and not looking back as she tried to stop me.
“Oh God, just what’s wrong with this guy?… Well, at least like that I confirmed that he’s really not with those other guys. Although, his rude behavior might as well be like that of a delinquent.”
She looked at my back intently until I went inside the building, a glint of interest flashing through her eyes.
He looks so strong yet has such a calm yet indifferent gaze… This guy sure isn’t average.
She smiled for a bit then also walked towards the school’s building.
I arrived in my class then sat down at the furthest bench at the back near the wall. I took out my books and notebooks before we started and just crossed my arms then closed my eyes, waiting for the teacher.
“Hey, isn’t he…”
“Oh yeah, so he’s in our class now, huh?”
“Damn, and here I thought I’ll get a calm class this year.”
Of course, other’s gossips and whispers didn’t chase to resound, but I was simply too bored by all of this to mind it anymore. This year as well, nobody wanted to sit near me, ending up having a free seat.
Damn right.
I simply placed my backpack on top of my bench and stretched my legs on the free seat beside me. A year ago, it was depressing and lonely to have no one beside me. But as time passed, I became accustomed and even pleased, being able to stretch for as much as I wanted.
The others glanced at me at first, but soon lost interest and simply did their own things as always, seeing how I did nothing but relax in my own seat. Shortly after, the teacher came into class followed by another person. I didn’t even look up as I was simply sketching how I should create the Teutonic sword, faking that I was taking notes from a book, or whatever a student does in class.
If I make it in a way in which the button can screw in, then it won’t be all that medieval anymore, but otherwise, how should I keep it fixated there to resist? Simply hammer it like before? I might screw up the form like last time…
As I was thinking to myself, the class suddenly turned dead-silent, making me feel like something wasn’t quite right.
“Hello~! Can I sit here?”
“…”
All my classmates looked my way and when I turned to the person that talked just now I saw it was the exact same girl as before.
What the fu…
She was holding onto her bag and wanted to sit next to me, where my bag was at the moment thrown. I looked around in class and saw there was another free bench near the window.
“… Can’t you sit there?”
Hearing this, the other classmates remained frozen and even the teacher frowned annoyed. The girl looked at the bench and thought for a while then smiled with an apologetic smile,
“I’m sorry, but I don’t really like it by the window.”
“No problem. I’ll move then.”
“Eh?”
I quickly grabbed my stuff and moved to the other bench, stretching my stuff all over the place like before then got back to drawing.
“U-uhm…”
“Miss Alice, no need to try anymore. Just take your seat.”
The girl seemed to want to tell me something again, but the teacher just shook his head and told her to just sit down. The girl sat down quite disappointed then looked at me a bit saddened.
After class, she’s suddenly surrounded by other classmates,
“Hey, Alice! You have such beautiful hair! What do you treat it with? Some kind of special shampoo?”
“Haha~ thanks! But no, nothing of the sort. Just a normal shampoo.”
“ Alice you’re so pretty~! Who taught you to put on such fine make-up? It looks so natural~.”
“My mother. If you want, I could teach you as well.”
“Really? Thanks!”
“Are you modeling for something? With such a perfect body, there’s no way you don’t, right?”
“I- I don’t? I don’t think I could either.”
“Alice, you’re not even aware of how amazing your body is?!”
Boys and girls chatted merely with her then one of the guys quickly asked curiously while getting closer to her,
“By the way, Alice, why did you try to get close to Leon Roil? Are you not afraid of being targeted by gangsters?”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“Yeah, yeah! You better not be around him! Even the school’s punks don’t dare stay around him for long.”
“I also heard that he’s selling weapons in school!”
“Rather, I heard that all over his body there are hidden blades that will cut anyone near him!”
“W-wait, what do you mean being targeted by gangsters?”
Seeing how everyone was so wary and on their guards around me, the girl started to understand that something was simply not right anymore.
“It happened like this; a year ago…”
Our classmates started to tell her what happened last year from other rumors they heard, and her face suddenly paled, gazing at me with shock in her eyes.
“S-such a thing happened?”
“Yeah, yeah! So that’s why I’m saying, you shouldn’t be messing with him-“
“So you’re telling me he was alone ever since? Just how much can one boy endure?!”
“Eh? W-wait, Alice?”
Suddenly the others had a feeling that she might have misunderstood something, trying to explain to her once again that gangsters might come after her at any moment. However, to everyone’s shock, she didn’t mind any of that and just got up then walked towards me.
“Hey~! What are you drawing?”
“…”
“…”
I continued scribbling on my own while my earphones resounded loudly, not answering as I didn’t hear her while she remained for a moment there unmoving. She then gently took one earphone out from my ear and asked once again, feeling rather amused,
“Hey, I asked you what you’re drawing.”
“… Wait, why are you here?”
“You’re asking that now?”
I looked at her better then I opened my eyes wide as I finally remembered that she actually moved into my class. She felt ridiculous but then she sighed lightly and made herself some space to sit down beside me, placing my bag on the table.
“I suppose you didn’t hear my introduction either, right?”
“No idea.”
“Guessed so… Alright, so: I’m a transfer student from the C city, you can call me Alice. My family owns a Judo Dojo and we’re welcoming anyone who wants to join.”
“Alright, no need for the advertising.”
“I’m just doing my job.”
“So you came here just to advertise your dojo?”
I asked while supporting my head on my palm, looking at her rather bored as I didn’t mind her amusing me for a bit. She didn’t mind my disrespectful attitude and simply smiled again,
“Of course not! I only want to make friends with you.”
“Hm? Didn’t those guys tell you anything?”
I looked at the girls and boys that peeked at us and then they quickly tried to look away, an awkward feeling permeating the air just like whenever I stared around.
I’m sure they did…
She looked their way as well but then she shook her head with a frown,
“Yes, I know, but I don’t believe it.”
“Don’t believe what? That your life’s in danger?”
“Exactly. If anything, I can protect myself, you know that.”
She pushed her well-rounded chest in front and I couldn’t help being a bit surprised by her confidence. I then smirked and said,
“Then you must be some type of idiot. Don’t you get it? If we’re friends, then the whole school will turn you into a victim of isolation as well. It’s either me or the whole school.”
“Eh? Come on, is not that bad-“
“You’re really dumb.”
I interrupted her annoyed and then glanced at her sharply as I prepared to get down to sleep.
“Listen, I don’t mind loneliness or anything like that. I lived a whole year like this without a problem, and for sure the next year will be even better. If you think you can simply befriend whoever you wanna then you’re mistaken. Now get back to your seat.”
“B-but I want to be friends-“
“Do you not understand? I have no time for such things. My whole schedule it’s filled. Play friends with the others, but not me.”
“Hey.”
As I tried to get rid of the nuisance, another one appeared, some dude walking with an irritated expression towards me. His build was strong but slimmer than mine, focused on agility. His gaze was sharp with blue eyes, while his blonde hair was long and undulated, many taking him for a prince from some story.
“H-hey, isn’t he Simon? Leon’s former friend?”
“Oh, yeah. The two of them went to Karate training all the time. I heard that this summer he just won the national competition at Karate for juniors. But how come he didn’t change schools like Leon’s other friends did?”
“I guess he’s not that afraid.”
“I also heard that he had quite a group of admirers… What a man.”
“Wait a second… yesterday he was seen with a transferred pretty girl, showing her around. Was that Alice?”
“No way, I heard that the girl was then dragged behind the school by some of his admirers! How did she get out of there without a scratch?”
“Well, her family owns a Judo Dojo after all…”
The others started talking again then Simon appeared already right in front of my table, his eyes staring daggers at me. I looked at him as uninterested as before and asked,
“Do you need something to come from the next class nearby?”
“I didn’t come for you.”
“Ouch, that hurt my heart.”
I joked sarcastically while smiling cynically and he appeared only more irritated with me. His eyes instantly softened after he looked at Alice, a mild smile appearing on his face,
“Hey~ Alice. Want to come with me and another group of boys and girls to eat something out? We want to know each other better and form a group of friends.”
“Oh, hello there Simon. Sure! Leon, how about that? Won’t you join us?”
“Oh my~! What a good idea~! What do you say, Simon~?”
Hearing her asking me to go with them, I felt like cracking up laughing after seeing Simon’s face fall, asking out sarcastically with a cutesy voice and waving in a sassy way at Simon, even winking his way. My behavior made Simon’s face darken while Alice seemed rather perplexed by it.
“U-uhm… Alice, I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring Leon…”
“Eh? Why?”
“Yeah Simon~? Why~?”
“Leon, why the weird behavior…?”
She looked at me confused but I still tried to hold in my laughter, looking at the naive Alice and mad Simon.
She might be an idiot, but at least I can use her to laugh at Simon. This is the best!
Simon felt like a vein would burst on his forehead then he slammed the table in front of me, making Alice jolt from the shock while he looked sharply at my smiling face.
“What’s your problem, Leon? Why are you getting in my way to befriend Alice? Don’t tell me, you ended up with a crush on her?”
“H-hey, Simon what are you-“
Alice was troubled by the sudden turn of events, meanwhile, I looked at him amused with my nose upwards and chuckled amused at his remark,
“What a stupid thing to ask. Rather, aren’t you the one with burning heels after her?”
“H-hey, please stop-“
“And also, who said that I’m stopping you from being friends with her? Go on, break your neck. While at it, try to get lost as well, you guys are wasting my time.”
“Leon, you turned out to be such an asshole.”
“And you’re such a playboy prick. Get lost-“
“Both of you, enough!”
As the two of us became more heated up in our quarrel, Alice got up and shouted out, making both of us turn her way.
“Oy, what is it now?”
I was rather surprised to see her face actually turn red, slight tears starting falling.
Woah- just what the Hell is wrong with her?
“A-Alice? What happened-“
“I hate both of you!”
Simon wanted to comfort her but she suddenly shouted out of nowhere, shortly after running out from class and towards the bathroom, leaving both of us to stare baffled her way.
Just what the Hell was that?
I scratched my beard confused but then Simon suddenly punched towards my face,
“you f*****- Agh!”
I deviated his fist with the back of my wrist and the blades from my sleeve cut his knuckles, making him retract his punch in a hurry.
“You dumbass. I feel like I’ve been surrounded by idiots ever since school started.”
“You damn…”
I couldn’t help shaking my head amazed at how forgetful some people are. Right after, our teacher entered our class and Simon quickly used this moment to report me,
“Teacher! Leon’s shirt has been modified to be filled with hidden blades! Look! I injured my fingers because of him-…”
Just as Simon pointed at me, I was already throwing something outside the window then closed it with a smug look at Simon and explaining to the teacher.
“Sorry sir, I’m closing the window because of the current. As for his fingers, he just tried to punch me. I evaded his punch and so he happened to scratch his fingers on the radiator below the window. No way was it my fault, right?”
“W-what?! Leon, you dare lie so blatantly-“
“Alright, alright! Simon, get back to your class! And Leon, no more circus before my classes!”
“B-but-“
“No buts, go back!”
“Yes teacher…”
“Yessir.”
“…”
While Simon’s shoulders dropped helplessly, I saluted comically and he couldn’t help but stare at me annoyed, I on the other hand smiled with a smug look at him, annoying him further.
That’s what you get for being a prick, dumbass.
.
Back in the bathroom, Alice was trying to stop crying and check her makeup. Although it wasn’t much, it was still better for it not to be smeared all over her face no matter how few it was.
These guys… What was that talk about liking and what not?! How hateful!…
She remembered the little confrontation between Simon and Leon, her heart squeezing with frustration:
“-you ended up with a crush on her?”
“What a dumb thing to ask.”
Her head then dropped, feeling her chest hurt for a moment.
Why would you even say that? I understand that we don’t even know each other, but am I that dislikable for you to say such words?
After sighing weakly, she shook her head and raised her gaze in the mirror. She was a beauty between beauties although she wasn’t aware of that, while her body could easily be called a bombshell. She had nice curves with long legs, her chest was also well-formed, her hair was black, long, and luscious, while her blue and big eyes mesmerized any man that looked into them. Her little nose, little ears, and small rosy lips would make anyone confuse her with a fairy. Even so, she still felt like something wasn’t right, seeing how everyone would smile her way, except for the one person she felt interested in.
Was it because of the first impression? Or… simply because I’m yet too childish for him…? He looks at the ones he’s talking with as if they’re ignorant, while when he’s alone, his eyes look as if his mind starts to wander, trying to forget… maybe his past…
Her eyes filled with sadness and even with a few tears after remembering the story of the past, lowering her head depressed.
I guess this is just his way of defending himself from the cruel world around him…
After thinking for a bit, backed by her stubborn nature, she finally reachen a conclusion.
Alright, that’s it. I don’t care how hated he is and neither how much he’ll hate it himself, I will make him recognize me at least as his friend!
After deciding such, she returned back to class but not before being forced to ask for forgiveness from the teacher for being late in class.
