I still couldn't get over what happened earlier.
Classes have already started and all I could do was listen to the discussion while taking glimpses of Jotaro, who was three seats away from me, looking outside the window. I have no idea if I'm actually really listening to the lecture at all.
I really want to thank him for saving me earlier. Although I did have the chance to thank him earlier, yet all I did was stare at him like I have seen a deity or something. I only muttered a small 'thank you' as soon as he started walking away.
I can thank him by lunch, but I can't approach him- I'm too shy! I'm thankful that no one else has seen that photo, but the person in the photo itself was the one who saw it. He must've thought that I'm a creepy stalker and he might've been sarcastic when he complimented me being a good photographer.
Damned hell, I can't stop over thinking right now! But I can't stay still until I express my gratitude.
What should I do? I asked myself as I stared at the blackboard, watching our Math teacher write equations. I'm the kind of person who can't rest until I give my thanks to someone who has done something nice to me. It's rude when someone does something nice to you, and you just let it be like you're not grateful for it.
"Matsui-san, are you listening?" our teacher snapped up front.
I immediately stood up from my seat. The eyes of my classmates pierce at me like I'm being accused of a crime. I stole a glimpse of Jotaro, but it seems he's not paying attention. Lucky me.
"I'll ask you again," she sighed, "What is the quadratic equation?"
"Negative b plus-minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac over 2a," I replied. I'm very lucky that my mother forced me to learn all of these mathematical equations.
"You're lucky," she then turned back to face the blackboard, "You should pay attention to our review, Matsui-san."
"Y-yes." I faltered as I sat down back to my seat.
I'm really distracted right now; this is going to cost me trouble... Alright, I'll just wait until Jotaro leaves the classroom at lunch. If he leaves, I will wait five minutes and then look for him. There, I'll just say 'thank you' and leave immediately. That would work, right?
I took one last glance of Jotaro until I come back to my senses. He's just sitting down with his arms crossed and his cap over his eyes. I guess he's napping. Haha, kawaii.
At last the bell rang for lunch. I immediately ate my lunch that I made, worried that I might not be able to catch up with what I'm planning. I can't turn back this time; if I got to do it then I have to!
Just as I expected, Jotaro left the classroom. Five minutes have passed, wasted by looking at everyone, and I decided to leave the classroom by then.
Fifteen minutes passed as I looked for Jotaro all over the campus, but he was nowhere to be found. I guess he's not here in the campus anymore. I never considered that he'd skip classes today, or maybe he's already back in the classroom while I was looking for him. I think 5 minutes was too long for timing. Losing hope, I made my way back to the classroom.
As I walked, I realized that I'm already in the corridor where no one really passes by. This was filled with obsolete, empty classrooms. This hall was rumored to be haunted- multiple footsteps can be heard from inside the classrooms, sometimes one could hear an actual class discussion going on, and there are times where one would hear someone scratching the blackboard.
To me, it's nothing but a load of codswallop. I think those rumors were only made by paranoid people who just heard random natural noises and then overreacted, immediately associating it with paranormal activities. This corridor is really creepy just to be honest, but I believe that just how it is.
I really do have a habit of not paying attention to where I'm going, huh...
I continued walking through this corridor. Damn, this is really long that I'm already tired from walking straight. I can't wait to turn somewhere or something.
Suddenly, I heard a bunch of footsteps from behind. Chills started coming down my spine. Are the rumours really true? And if they are, I must've gone way too cocky!
But the footsteps are coming from behind me and not in the classroom, based from the rumor. Maybe there are just a bunch of students who happened to come into this corridor as I did. There's nothing to worry about, I must've gone paranoid looking for Jotaro.
I slowly looked back to where those footsteps are coming from. I saw a bunch of boys who are dressed untidily. Some of them have piercings on their faces, while others had a visible tattoo on their wrists and necks. This is bad. I thought. These are school punks. I have to get out of here as soon as I can!
I started to quicken my pace, but then my footsteps have started echoing around, grabbing their attention as one shouted out, "Hey look guys, it's a girl!"
I decided to turn and flee as fast as I can, but because of dear misfortune, I slipped and fell.
"Fuck!" I cursed to the air. Wow, this is really helpful in my situation right now.
"What are you cursing for, huh?" a guy's voice came from behind.
I immediately got up on my feet and put my guard up, "Don't come near me! Don't touch me!"
"Ah, it's the weirdo," a guy with the neck tattoo snapped.
Ah, you know I'm the weirdo but I don't even know you!
"But she's kinda cute ya know?" another guy with a nose piercing blurted out.
I beg to defer, I'm not cute!
A guy with a weird haircut approached the guy in the middle (supposedly the leader) and pleaded, "C'mon let's do something to her, Noritaki-sama!"
Noritaki-sama? What is this, some kind of God complex? They must be some kind of gang, or something.
Apparently, the leader of the gang started to stride towards me. I stood back, "I told you to not get near me!"
The guy with the nose piercing was already behind me when I tried running away. With my instincts kicking in, I immediately knocked the wind out of him. I attempted to bolt away again as he was still reacting from the pain, but thanks to my great sense of direction, I made a reckless turn which lead to a dead end. I was then cornered to a wall surrounded by these punks.
The Noritaki guy then came up in front of me and looked at me from head to toe, "She doesn't seem like a weirdo to me,"
"Let's play with her,"
"Yeah!"
"C'mon, c'mon,"
Noritaki made a shushing sound which made the rest quiet down. He slicked his hair back and commanded, "Don't let her move,"
Two of them then held my arms back against the wall. I struggled to get free but they were too strong. I could try kicking Nori-takoyaki in the face, but I'm afraid it may get him pissed and might do something worse to me.
Play with me, huh? I'm not a Barbie doll that you could just make fun of! If only I could escape, but how? I trained martial arts since I was a kid, and I'm very skilled with bōjutsu but that would be useless right now! I don't have a weapon with me!
I broke a cold sweat. These punks are hungry for sugar, and I'm not willing to give it. What to do, what to do?! Agh!
Nori-takoyaki then reached his arms to my skirt and started to undress me. I started kicking around, but with panic all over my head its nothing but a pointless struggle.
"Ohoho~ why are you struggling?" Nori-takoyaki smiled sheepishly, "You look so cute when you struggle,"
"And you might look even cuter naked!" the neck-tattoo guy started to laugh as the four others began laughing as well.
The rest of the punks then attempted to undress my uniform as I resisted, but eventually I'll get tired if I just keep doing the same thing all over. My dignity will be stained if I don't do something. I have to fight back! That's the only thing that could save me! But in this situation, it's going to be pointless. This isn't the fate I chose!
My energy then began to fade as I struggled more and more. I wish there would be someone who could help me! Without thinking, I just muttered to myself, "Jotaro..."
"What are you doing with her, huh?" a familiar growl echoed from the other end.
My strength immediately came back when I saw the guy with a gold chain attached to his uniform's collar and his green eyes accompanied by his usual rigid and taut expression.
Jotaro!
"Well, if it isn't JoJo!" Nori-takoyaki exclaimed as he turned towards him, his arms opened wide.
Upon realizing that the group were distracted by Jotaro's sudden appearance, without any time to waste, I broke free from their grasp. I kicked the nearest guy on the stomach, causing him to get thrown backwards, his back hitting the wall with a thud. I grabbed him by the collar and threw his body towards the other two people, losing their balance and collapsing on the floor. I dashed towards Noritaki, grabbed his head and slammed it against the wall, tossing him towards the nose-pierced guy with all the force I can muster.
Noritaki grunted as he held his head in pain, "You stupid bitch! You will pay!"
Insulted, I bellowed back, "Who told you that you can just touch me whenever you like?!"
I made it out the dead-end zone. Jotaro's attention turned to me as he asked, "What did they just do to you?"
"T-they…they w-wanted…t-t-they…" I tried to answer but anxiety caught up with me, realizing what happened before and what I just did. My throat was quaking, my breathing was heavy, and my limbs were trembling hard. I felt my cheeks heat up when I came to notice my partially undressed uniform, trying hard to button my blouse up with my hands shaking uncontrollably.
By the time the punks recovered, Jotaro immediately held Noritaki by the collar, his emerald eyes flaring with anger, "Care to explain what happened here?"
"None of your business, Jojo! Now let me go!"
"You know one of the things I hate?" he sneered as he raised his fist, "It's when someone disrespects a girl!" He then punched Noritaki on the face and sent him flying.
What amazing strength! I watched Jotaro as he fought the punks left and right, hitting them effortlessly like a boxer sparring with a sandbag.
I just can't believe it. For a second, I was just hopelessly wishing that I could be saved by him; and now, he's actually here fighting for me! I just feel like I don't deserve being protected by someone else, especially by him, which was unexpected. I felt that I was worthless as a person but now there is actually someone fighting for my sake.
Maybe not for my sake, but he may be fighting for what is right.
Suddenly, Jotaro was punched on the stomach and was sent aback in my direction.
"JOTARO!" I exclaimed.
He turned towards me and shouted, "What are you still doing here?! Run! Get out of here!"
The punks then came charging at him, but he was just beating them up effortlessly. Without a second thought, I turned my back and ran away back to our classroom. I wanted to tell someone – a teacher probably – about what happened, but I might get Jotaro in trouble along with those freaks. Later on, I decided to keep it to myself; no one will listen anyway.
I ended up coming in the classroom late because of the incident, but I owe Jotaro a lot more this time.
Jotaro didn't return to class in the remainder of the day, and I still haven't forgotten to give my thanks to him as soon as possible.
After classes, I immediately went looking for him around the campus- even at the corridor where I left him, but he wasn't to be found. If I couldn't find him today, I don't think I would have the guts to try again tomorrow. In fact, I was ashamed when I just fled when he told me to, leaving him fighting five guys all by himself. I knew how to defend myself; I could've stayed and fought against them as well, but I have the greatest feeling that I'll just be a bother in the rumble and make things harder for him. He might just push me away and he might be the one that will be beaten to a pulp instead. That's why I ran.
Running away is a cowardly thing to do, but I had no choice but to. I can at least thank him for what he has done to me, and never talk to him again.
When I reached the clinic as my last destination, I heard voices from inside. I held my breath as I eavesdropped by the door for a bit, hoping that Jotaro is inside.
"What have you done this time?" a female voice asked. It must be the nurse.
"Nothing. Just a little rumble," a familiar deep voice echoed through. This is Jotaro, I'm certain of it.
The nurse chuckled, "Well, you have become a frequent visitor lately,"
He didn't say a word.
"Now, where are those bandages? Be right back, Jotaro-kun. Don't even try to escape this time,"
I heard footsteps approaching the door. I immediately hid in a corner and saw the nurse walking away to the opposite direction.
All right, Jotaro's still here! This is your chance, Kumiko. Go get 'em!
I took a deep breath and took out my own bandages. I was going to use them for my sparring next time, but Jotaro needs this more than I do.
I slowly walked towards the door, getting even more nervous in every step. What would he say? How would he react? Will he accept these bandages? What would I even say?
Without any time to waste, I slowly opened the door, careful not to make a sound. I saw Jotaro sitting by the window as I quietly entered.
I just stood at the entrance, enthralled by how he looks when he just gazes out the window. I could feel my cheeks heat up as the wind gently blew on his hair, dancing gracefully as it passed by. He then closed his eyes as if he's absorbing the serenity of the environment around him. I couldn't help but smile.
"Yare yare," he uttered as he turned to face me, "It's you again,"
I gasped. How did he know that it was me? I stood in place, frozen by Jotaro's gaze.
"What do you want?"
His eyes was locked on mine, staring at me intently. My chest feels like it's going to burst if he continues looking at me like this. My cheeks just heats up even more and my heartbeat is going faster.
Geez, I have to say something fast.
"U-uhm," I stuttered, "I just wanted to s-say thanks for h-helping me earlier... and a-a-also for a while ago. And I-I-I'm so sorry t-that I just ran away, I-I-I could actually help you fight them off b-b-but I was afraid that I might just give you a harder time-"
He then heaved a sigh and turned away; a sign of no interest.
"A-a-ah! All in all I just wanted to say 'thank you' and as a token of my gratitude I wanted to give you these bandages becauseIheardthenursesaidthatshewaslookingforthemsoIthoughtmaybeIcouldgiveittoyouinsteadbecauseyouneedthemmoreandIfeltreallybadleavingyoubehindearliersopleaseacceptthemasmythanks-"
Great job, Kumiko. You said too much.
Jotaro stood up and approached me. He's so huge that I had to look up to face him. I felt embarrassed even more. He must think that I'm pathetic and that I must not be taken seriously.
But to my surprise, he took the bandages from me and started to walk back to his seat by the window.
I beamed. I thought he was just going to tell me to 'screw off' or whatever, but he actually accepted them! Thank Buddha. This is happiness that I have never felt in my entire life! I know that this is a thing that will make people resent me even more, but I just didn't care. This is enough for me; I'm not going to ask for more.
I was about to walk away when he suddenly said, "Kumiko Matsui, huh?"
I turned back to face him. He was looking right back at me, but right now his expression was less tense than before. I nodded in astonishment. He must've read my name on the bandages.
"Thank you, Kumiko."
Did he just thank me? Wait, DID HE JUST THANK ME BACK?!
"No problem!" I gushed and started to run away from the clinic. This is absolutely the best day of my life. I never thought that he'd actually thank me back! I knew it; Jotaro Kujo is not as bad as he seems. I believed that from the very start.
I stopped at the corner of the clinic to overhear a bit more of what was going on. I heard the door slide open; the nurse must be back.
"I really couldn't find any bandages, Jotaro-kun," the nurse's voice echoed.
"It's okay. I have them right here,"
"Oh? From whom did it come from?"
"Kumiko came by when you were gone and gave them to me,"
"Ah, Kumi-chan? My, she's a little angel! She's always the kind who'd give her thanks every time someone would do nice things to her. When I took care of her asthma attack months ago, she thanked me by giving me homemade cookies for the whole week! It was too much, actually. But she's an angel who never fails to give her gratitude."
Aw, I never thought she'd remember that.
The nurse then continued, "But unfortunately, because of her silent behaviour she was misunderstood. People then began to spread false rumours about her- even I heard them too. Poor Kumi-chan, she doesn't have any friends at all. I know it is hard for her, but I know she has enough strength to endure them."
There was silence for a while, until Jotaro sighed, "I see,"
I got up and decided to head home. I guess Jotaro wasn't even aware of my existence. I never really approached him at all and in the past, whenever he was close I'd scurry away because I get shy. But the important thing is I gave my gratitude to him, and that is enough.
I may not talk to him anymore, but I'm happy.
