Honoka Kousaka was a first year in high school and really wanted to enjoy her school life. But what was stopping her from having a great high school life was bullies. Despite having a bright and cheerful personality, Honoka was often a target for bullies and she was picked on almost every day. Honoka didn't have any friends ether which was surprising considering how bright and cheerful she is. Honoka's one goal is to have friends. She's not very good when it comes to studying and that's another one of the things that people make fun of her for. Honoka was heading to the cafeteria to get some food but she was confronted by three of her bullies.
"Hey! There girl!" The leader girl said
"Are you going to go buy some lunch with your lunch money?" One of the goon girls said
"Well, not anymore! Give us your lunch money right now!" The other goon girl said
"But I need this money to eat lunch, I can't just give it to all of you" Honoka protested
"Well, if that's how it's going to be then we'll have to take it by force" The leader said
The leader sent her lackeys to beat up Honoka and take her money. Honoka was about to run but the lackeys caught her before she could get a head start. She was being assaulted viciously and the girls soon took her money. Honoka was left bruised on the ground. All three of them were assaulting her this time. A girl who was passing by in the hallway saw what the three girls were doing to Honoka, who was on the ground covering her head to protect herself. She also saw that girls had taken her lunch money. The girl was disgusted by what she was seeing and decided to put a stop to this.
"Hey! Knock it off! Leave her alone!" The girl said
The three girls paused their assault and looked at the girl who had shouted at them.
"This has nothing to do with you! So just move along and mind your own business" The leader said
"You expect me to just leave a girl who is being bullied? I'm not doing that!" The girl shouted
One of the lackeys spoke up and told her leader that they should teach the girl a lesson.
"Boss! Let's teach this girl a lesson on what happens when people mess with us!" One of the lackeys said
The leader heard what her lackey had said and she had a sadistic smile on her face.
"That's an excellent idea, alright everyone lets teach her a lesson!" The leader said
The three bullies charged at the girl. The girl got into a defensive stance and was waiting for the girls to come at her. The first lackey came at her and threw a punch at her face, but the girl ducked down and gave the lackey an uppercut. The second lackey came at her and aimed a kick towards her stomach. The girl sidestepped and kicked the lackey on the back. The leader came at her with a punch, she didn't care where she hit the girl as long as she could get a hit. The girl dodged and punched the leader in the face which knocked her down to the ground along with her lackeys who were knocked down earlier. The three of them tried to at her all at once but they were once again knocked down to the ground by the girl. The girl walked up to them and managed to take back the money that they had stolen from Honoka. The three bullies realized that they were no match for the girl, so they ran away. The girl watched as three bullies ran away.
"Cowards" The girl muttered
The girl decided that it was more important to check on Honoka, who was still on the ground. The girl walked up to Honoka so she could give back the money that was stolen from her. The girl was almost in front of Honoka but she saw Honoka back away from her. The girl realized that Honoka was afraid, so she tried to make her realize that she was not going to hurt her.
"It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just want to give you your money back, that's all" The girl said
Honoka looked at the girl in front of her tried to see if what she was saying was the truth. The girl just waited there patiently and Honoka saw that she could trust her. Honoka reached out towards the girl's hand, which had her lunch money in it. She got her money back thanks to the girl who had saved her.
"Thank you" Honoka said
"Your welcome" The girl said
The girl was about to walk away but Honoka called out to her.
"Wait!" Honoka yelled
The girl stopped and turned towards the girl with a look of confusion on her face.
"What is it?" The girl said
"What's your name?" Honoka said
The girl looked at her for a minute before she replied.
"My name is Umi Sonada, What's your name?" Umi said
"My name is Honoka Kousaka" Honoka said
"It's nice to meet you Honoka" Umi said
"It's nice to meet you too Umi" Honoka said
Umi left after her short introduction and soon Honoka was alone again.
"She's the first person to stand up and defend me unlike everyone else who just ignore what's happening to me" Honoka thought
Honoka was thinking about Umi for the rest of the day. The day was over and Honoka was about to go home with Umi still on her mind. But she was confronted by more of her bullies. Honoka tried to run away but they blocked her escape routes. They were pummeling her to a pulp. Umi was walking towards her club but she saw that group of a girls were gathered around. Umi was wondering what was going on so she decided to see what all the commotion was about. She was shocked when she saw that the same girl from earlier was being beat up. Umi decided to do what she did before. She confronted the bullies and gave them a taste of their own medicine. When the bullies ran away Umi looked at Honoka and saw that she was unconscious. Umi decided to take her to the infirmary. Umi picked her up bridal style and started to head towards the infirmary. She arrived to the infirmary after a short walk. She saw that the nurse was in the office and decided to get her attention.
"Excuse me, there's a student who's injured" Umi said
The nurse turned around to see who it was. She saw Umi carrying Honoka in her arms. The nurse looked Honoka with a sad look on her face.
"Put her on the bed and I'll get to her in a little bit" The nurse said
Umi did as she was told and set Honoka down on the bed. She decided that she was going to skip club today and look after Honoka. She went to her clubroom and told her club members that something happened and told them that she couldn't attend the club today. The club members asked what happened and Umi told them that she was looking after an injured student. They understood her explanation. Umi left the clubroom and went back to the infirmary to see how Honoka was. When she got there she saw that Honoka was all patched up. She looked and saw that nurse was finishing the treatment. When the nurse was done she turned and saw that Umi was there. The nurse was surprised that Umi came back to see the girl that she had brought in.
"You came back" The nurse said
Umi looked back her with a confusing look.
"Of course I came back, why wouldn't I?" Umi asked
"Well this poor girl is usually hated and bullied by everyone. The bullying is common thing for her. She's a common visitor here" The nurse said
Umi was shocked to hear that Honoka being bullied was common thing here at the school and what she didn't understand was why other people weren't trying helping her. She decided to ask how long this had been going on.
"How long had she been bullied like this?" Umi asked
"It has been going on for a couple of months" The nurse said
"Why isn't anyone helping her?" Umi asked
"No one wants to get themselves involved" The nurse said
"Did she try telling the teacher? What about the principle? What about her parents?" Umi asked
"She tried that but it didn't work out and the bullying kept going" The nurse said
"What about her friends? Can't they help her?" Umi asked
"She doesn't have any friends, no one wants to her friend" The nurse said
Umi couldn't believe that this was happening to an innocent girl. Honoka looks like a sweet girl, why would anyone want to bully someone like that?
Umi decided to wait in the infirmary until Honoka wakes up. An hour later Umi heard a groan coming from the bed. She turned to the bed and saw that Honoka was waking up. When Honoka opened her eyes, she saw that she was a familiar place. She realized that she was in the infirmary. But what she didn't understand how she got here. Someone must have brought here, but who would do such a nice thing for her?
"You're finally awake" A voice said
Honoka looked next to her bed and saw that it was Umi, the girl who had helped her out earlier today.
"Umi? Is that you?" Honoka asked
"Yes it's me" Umi said
"Were you the one who brought me here?" Honoka asked
"Yes, I brought here after I sent your bullies away" Umi said
"I see, thank you so much" Honoka said
"It's no problem" Umi said
Honoka decided that she should get out of bed. She needed to get home right now.
"Thanks Umi but I need to get going" Honoka said
"Are you sure you shouldn't rest some more?" Umi said
"No, I have to get going" Honoka said
Just as she was about to leave she felt a hand grab her wrist. Honoka turned and saw that Umi had grabbed wrist to stop her from going.
"What is it Umi?" Honoka asked
"May I go with you?" Umi asked
Honoka was shocked when she heard that Umi wanted to follow her home. This would be the first time someone come to her house.
"Why do you want to come with me?" Honoka asked
"I have two reasons for doing this" Umi said
"And what are those reasons?" Honoka asked
Umi hesitated for minute she looked away from Honoka for a minute. She looked back at Honoka with a blush on her face.
"Well, the first reason is because I want to be your friend" Umi said
Honoka's eyes went wide when she heard that Umi wanted to be her friend. Honoka was excited at first but she remembered that Umi was the one who brought her to the nurse's office. The nurse probably told her everything that had happened to her. She was wondered if Umi was just being nice to her because she felt sorry for her. Honoka had to make sure, so she asked Umi if that's what she was doing.
"Are you just saying that because you feel sorry for me?" Honoka said
"Well in a way I do feel sorry for you but I'm not becoming your friend because I feel sorry for you. I heard from the nurse that you didn't have any friends. So, I thought about becoming your friend so you wouldn't be so lonely. I also want to be your friend because I think that everyone needs at least one friend" Umi explained
Honoka was shocked by Umi's words. She heard that Umi did feel sorry for her but she wasn't becoming her friend out of pity.
"So, what's the second reason you're coming with me?" Honoka asked
"I've decided that from now on, I'm going to be your bodyguard" Umi said
"Bodyguard?" Honoka asked
"Yes, I don't want you to get hurt anymore so I'm gonna protect you from the bullies in the school. I'll protect you from anything that try to harm you" Umi said
Honoka was surprised to hear that Umi would go this far to protect. Honoka was complete stranger to her and yet Umi decided to protect her despite not knowing anything about each other. Honoka felt her face heating up and realized that she was blushing. Hearing Umi saying that she would protect from anything that would harm must have embarrassed her.
"Thank you Umi, that's very kind of you" Honoka said
Umi blushed, when she heard Honoka's compliment.
"It's no problem at all" Umi said
"But, there's one thing I want to know" Honoka said
Umi looked at her with a curious look on her face.
"What do you want to know?" Umi asked
"Why are you going this far to protect someone like me? I'm total stranger to you. So why are you going this far to protect someone you don't even know?" Honoka asked
Umi stayed silent for a minute. She was trying to think of the response that she was going to give to her new friend.
"Because no one deserves to go through so much pain alone" Umi said
"But Umi, if you get close to me than everyone is going to bully you too" Honoka said
"You don't have to worry about me Honoka. I know several forms of self-defense, including martial arts and kendo. I can take care of myself pretty well" Umi said with a reassuring smile
Honoka looked Umi with an amazed look on her face. She thought that Umi was so amazing. Honoka decided to just let Umi do what she wants. She decided to accept Umi's offer. Both girls were walking down the street towards Honoka's house. They made it there after a while. Umi saw that they were in front of a building that looked like a shop.
"Honoka, this a shop not a house" Umi said
"This shop is actually owned by my parents and the shop doubles as a house" Honoka explained
"Oh, really?" Umi asked
"Yup, would you like to come inside and look around?" Honoka asked
Umi thought about it for a moment. She didn't have any more plans for the day. She decided to look inside her new friends place.
"Sure, I'll come inside" Umi said
"Great!" Honoka said happily
"So what kind of shop does your family run?" Umi asked
"We run a Japanese sweets shop" Honoka said
"Really? That's amazing" Umi said
Honoka was happy to hear that Umi was coming inside. Both girls entered the shop and Umi saw three people talking behind the counter. They turned and saw that it was Honoka, but what caught them off guard was Umi who was walking beside them. The woman spoke up first.
"Welcome home Honoka" The woman said
"Thanks mom" Honoka said happily
Umi learned that the woman who spoke was Honoka's mother.
"You got hurt again, I see" The man said
"Don't worry dad, I'm fine" Honoka said
Umi looked at the man who was Honoka's father.
"Who's that girl next to you onee-chan?" The smaller girl asked
Umi turned towards the girl who spoke and learned that she was Honoka's younger sister.
"This is Umi Sonada, she's my friend" Honoka said
They froze when they heard that Honoka had called Umi her friend.
The three them soon had tears in their eyes.
"Honoka finally has a friend, I've been waiting for this day to come" Dad said
"Honoka. I'm so happy for you, you're no longer alone at school" Mom said
"To think my older sister would have friend puts a big relief on my shoulders" The small girl said
"Geez, knock off you guys. You're embarrassing me!" Honoka said
Honoka turned to Umi and introduced her to her family. She pointed to dad first.
"This is my dad and he makes the sweets that we sell" Honoka said
"Nice to meet you Umi" Dad said
Honoka then pointed at the woman next to her dad.
"This is my mom, she runs the counter and is also the cashier here" Honoka said
"It's a pleasure to meet you Umi" Mom said
Honoka then pointed at the small girl next to her mom.
"And this my Yukiho. She's my younger sister. We sometimes go on deliveries together" Honoka said
"Thank you for becoming friends with my sister" Yukiho said
"I'm happy to meet you all" Umi said
"Honoka, I noticed that you're not as bruised as before" Mom said
Umi was surprised to hear what Honoka's mother had just said.
"Does that mean Honoka is usually more beat up?" Umi thought
"Well, Umi saved me, so its thanks to her that I wasn't as injured as I usually am" Honoka said
"Is that so?" Dad said
"Yes, she also said she was going to be my body guard" Honoka said
"Really?" Mom said with surprised look on her face
"Yup!" Honoka said
Honoka's dad looked over at Umi and decided to give Umi one of his special Manju free of charge.
"Well, Umi thank you for helping Honoka in her time of need. As a special thanks I'm gonna give you one of our treats free of charge" Dad said
"Are you sure you want to that sir?" Umi asked
"Of course I'm sure. Go ahead and take it" Dad said
Umi accepted the treat and decided to try it right now. She took a bit of the Manju that was given to her. Her eyes went wide, this Manju was the most delicious thing that she had ever tasted in her life. She finished it in a matter of seconds.
"So how was it?" Honoka asked
"It was the most delicious treat that I have ever tasted" Umi said
"That's good to hear. You can come back for some more if you want but you're going have to buy them from now on" Dad said
"Thank you sir" Umi said
Umi decided that it was time for her to go home.
"I'm afraid that I have to go home now" Umi said
"Alright, well I hope I see you tomorrow Umi" Honoka said
"Yeah see you tomorrow" Umi said
Umi left the shop and was on her way back to her house. She made a new friend and hoped that she would get to know her better. Umi was going to try her best to protect Honoka from anything that would try to harm her.