Cafeteria is about as loud and bustling with life as it was yesterday. Thankfully I have no problems with localizing Katsura-san. She sits by herself yet again. I honestly just can't wrap my head around that. She's a stunning beauty and yet not a single guy or girl bar me approaches her?

I wonder if it's somehow related to my scrap with Sensui from yesterday. Before it happened I was "caught" by gossip girls talking with Katsura-san. Maybe through infectious rumors I suddenly became her boyfriend without realizing this? And since they saw me putting up an even fight against my much larger opponent they might be scared of my wrath as her boyfriend. Hopefully this is not a case though. Maybe nobody just approached her, just like that?

In any case she nods hello to me as she spots me. The long-haired beauty seems occupied with her ramen soup.

"Hey." I greet her, nodding back. "Mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all." She smiles slightly. Guess she warms up to people she trusts relatively fast. That's good to know, thought I was still kinda intimidating her.

"Gotta say, that was some display of knowledge back there in classroom." I mention the event from earlier today, taking my seat. Katsura-san shakes her head, blushing slightly. Guess she's not used to compliments.

"It was nothing." She responds, a little flustered. "I was just making careful notes through the lecture is all. Between you and me though, Ikeyama-san, I didn't expect that many misses from our teacher."

"...it's day two and they're throwing laws of gravity mumbo jumbo at us already, Katsura-san."

"Is it really that bad?" She seems honestly surprised. I'm starting to think she attended private junior high, because there's no way in hell she would ask me this question otherwise. They're known for being hellishly elite and she seems like she would be comfortable in there.

"...I don't feel like I should really respond to that." I shake my head, a mixture of nervous chuckle and resignation creeping across my face. "In any case, I wanted to ask you a question, Katsura-san."

"Oh? What is it, Ikeyama-san?" Alright, here we go.

"Well, a friend of mine is gathering people for a group, a little get-together, I guess. I was wondering if you'd want to go with us." The long haired beauty gives me what seems to be a rather analitycal glance before looking away rather shyly.

"...I, um, I don't think I'm too good with crowds..." She doesn't seem to be too sure of herself though.

"Well, you could meet some people, right?"

"...will there be many boys?"

"Wait, what?" What kind of question is that? Is she really that shy or am I missing something? Katsura-san burns like a beetroot before looking away.

"I-I wasn't s-saying a thing..." She stutters in response, trying to get out of this sticky situation.

"You did. You asked if there's gonna be many boys there."

"N-no, I didn't."

"Yes, you did." A moment of awkward silence persists as she looks everywhere else but at me. "Uh, look, Katsura-san, sorry for making you, uh, uncomfortable. I just thought that you might like the prospect of meeting someone and..."

"No no, it's okay. I'm just, I... I don't really have good experiences with boys." ...I think I know what the issue here is. Katsura-san seems to think the majority of people invited by Sekai will be guys. Then again, I'm not too sure who are those people she decided to invite as well with some exceptions.

"...I, well, if there's gonna be any trouble I'll be more than willing to smack the offender around." I respond, summoning a grin. She doesn't really seem reassured. "And, uh, I don't think Sekai would allow it. She's the one who was sending invitations, by the way."

"...I'm sorry, but I, um, I don't think I'll be much fun to be around." The long-haired beauty comes up with a rather forced smile. I guess she really just isn't the type to meet up with groups of people.

"Well alright, I won't be pressing the matter." I respond with a shrug. Katsura-san nods, I think this might be a grateful nod. We spend the rest of the lunch break in rather awkward silence.

Well played, Ikeyama. You're truly the master of social interactions.


It is the time.

Today's the day. The big show and I can't be bothered to lift a pinky. Sleep. Sleep is all I'm thinking about. It's seven forty in the morning...

Oh for fuck's sake, Saionji, stop calling me.

Maybe she'll stop once she notices that I'm a human being rather than some machine operating twenty four hours per day? She seriously can't be calling me that early. It's Saturday morning, it's the time when ordinary men and women sleep...

And she's at it again.

Ugh. It's pointless to resist.

"...'lo?" I let out something that one could perceive as words. "Uh-huh. Gimme a reason why I shouldn't kill you dead. Being cute's not one of them." A groan. She's so chipper even that early it's almost unnatural. "I... what?! Nine o'clock, are you fuckin' kidding me?! I mean, sorry, but put yourself in my shoes. I'm not some abomination that can get up so early in the morning. Yes, I know you take offense to that. Yes, I know I'm cranky. It's freakin' Saturday morning... ugh. Fine. See you later then." So apparently she rallied people to get up on nine o'clock. I'm gonna find some mean-sounding name for her this instant for that.

Well then, guess I'm gonna have to spring back to life real quick. Browsing through my rather modest selection of garments I find myself wondering about the incoming meeting. I know that Otome and Itou are pretty cool, even if the latter's kinda dorky. Sekai's a league of her own, but I can't say she's really that annoying. There will be Sensui and I think we've already established some sort of partnership, but other than these four I don't really know any other contestants. Sure, I got to see Kiyoura a bit, but it's not like we talked a lot, right?

Deciding to go with a black sleeveless shirt, a light leather jacket flung over my shoulders and a pair of jeans I get myself some breakfast before departing. Sekai sent me some instructions regarding my move through Sakakino to get to those arcade games in time. Thankfully the path seemed clear enough

Alright then. In we go. Making friends, the only right thing to do, presented to you by Tsuyoshi Ikeyama.


Spotting Saionji wasn't particularly difficult. Apart from the ever-present strand of hair she was just dressed particularly brightly, in a pink tank top with some flimsy cream blouse with snow white buttons adorning her shoulders and arms and a skirt ending just below the knee, there's also a small bag on her left shoulder. Well, that and she was just kinda hopping in place, waving her hand around like crazy to get my attention.

"Oi, Tsuyoshi! Over here!" Not wasting time I've got myself moving towards her. Seems like I was the only person out of the group to heed her tyrannical demand and show up that early.

"Yo." I respond, giving a small wave. "Looking good, Sekai." The girl before me grins sheepishly.

"Good enough to not kill me dead?" I manage a small chuckle as I shake my hand.

"Your case's still under consideration." Saionji pulls off what is the fakest fear I've seen before reverting back to that impish little smile. "Anyway, where's everyone else?"

"Some of them had other plans." The girl frowns a bit. "Kazuya had an important meeting with a friend of his. Makoto said something about his dad crashing by though he didn't really sound all too happy... Nanami mentioned her boyfriend, so I guess it's way more important..." That starts to look less like a get-together and more like another of Saionji's crazy plans, somehow involving me this time. Not too happy about it. "Hikari has to help in her parents' shop and Taisuke said something about photographs for the newest issue of Sakakino Weekly."

"...so, who does that leave for us?" I ask flatly, internally sighing. It's bad enough that I'll be the only male in this group, but to think that almost everyone had something of importance to do this weekend was just... too suspicious.

"Well, there'll be Secchan and Otomin!" Four people then, two of which I already knew somewhat better. I suppose it's not bad.

"There's that then. When can we expect them?"

"Secchan said she'll be a bit later due to some house chores, but Otomin should be here any second now..." Saionji takes out a cellphone and gives the screen a brief look before frowning. "Why did I put it on silent again...?" She murmurs in bemusement as she pushes a few more buttons. Then, against all logic and reason, her frown actually deepens.

"What's wrong?"

"Otome can't make it." Pocketing the phone the girl before me sighs before rubbing her temple with her other hand. "Her sister needs help with some school project and it's gonna take a whole day supposedly." Well. Talk about unlucky circumstances.

"What are we going to do then?" Sekai isn't really sure of herself right now. I guess I can relate, everybody just kinda pissing on her idea. Sure, important matters, but couldn't they mention it earlier? Suddenly, some sort of idea crosses her mind if that worried frown turning right around into her trademark little smile is any indication.

"Fancy a coffee?" She asks, grinning.


Saionji led me to a small cafe not far away from our school. Good to know that we have a place like this just ahead, seems like it would be good for meetings. The cafe itself is pretty ordinary. Nothing special in it except maybe for the fact that they have it pretty cheap, at least for students. The owner of said cafe is a graduate from Sakakino Gakuen, so he offers a rather big discount for almost everything, most importantly coffee, soft drinks and a number of varieties of cakes and such.

Today it's pretty quiet in here, but then again it's Saturday. As rather cozy as this place is there are better locations to be spending your free weekend time.

Before we got there Sekai phoned Kiyoura about how there's a change of plans. Apparently, according to her, the change from arcade to a remote cafe was well-received.

I won't call myself a big fan of coffee, but every now and then when there's an occasion to drink it, sure, why not? That being said, considering what kind of hell it can make inside one's organism I usually just settle for lighter shades, such as cappuccino rather than black. Saionji seemed surprised at my choice.

"Thought you'll be taking something heavy." She remarks as she sips her own cappuccino.

"Not a big fan." I shrug in response. "If there has to be coffee, I prefer it light." Saionji thinks she's subtle, giving a supposedly discreet glance at my arm every once in a while. Those are just brief look-aways, but they're still there.

"So... how long does it take to get a biceps that well-toned?" She finally asks, putting her best "innocent curiosity" expression.

"Some time." One more shrug. "Been training boxing for some time, it just comes naturally. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, um, just curious, I guess. I recalled our conversation en route to school few days earlier. Otomin was with us, you surely remember." I nod affrimatively. "She mentioned how guys around aren't particularly, hm, sporty. That fight with Kazuya aside you're going to be sticking out of the crowd a lot."

"Will I?" I don't really know about it. It's not like I'm some sort of a lumbering behemoth like Sensui is, no offense to him. Sure, I don't think I'm gonna be wearing the uniform like it should be done, but arms aren't that much eye-catching, are they?

"A bit. Expect ladies to swoon all around you." Now you're just being mean, Saionji.

"Very funny. At least you don't swoon. Either you're not a lady or my charm isn't strong enough." The girl pouts a bit before giving me a light punch on the shoulder.

"You'll have to excuse me, Ikeyama-san, but my standards are higher than that." We both exchange a chuckle. I have to admit, it's rather refreshing sometimes, all this small talk.

Quite suddenly, Sekai's cellphone rings again. Likely Kiyoura. Just don't tell me she too can't show up on the meeting.

"Hello? Hey, Secchan. Huh? Oh, sure thing, where are you? Um, hello? Hello?" The increasing anxiety in Saionji's voice catches my attention. Just what's happening on the other side of that phone call? "...she hung up." We exchange a brief glance before quite literally jumping out of our seats. It's no good and I think Sekai knows this: Kiyoura got herself in some trouble, somehow. Hopefully the cause is not who I think it might be.

"Where is she?" I ask. No time for melodrama, it's high time I get to smack someone around.

"She mentioned a bookstore near Sakakino Gakuen. It's on the other side of the school."

"Got it. Call the police, I've got some trash to dispose of." Whoever it is that causes Kiyoura trouble, they'd better have some good life insurance, because I ain't leaving this one out.


Sometimes I can't help but wonder that life can be extremely unlucky for some.

I've found the tiny red bow in an alleyway near said bookstore, hidden from an average man's view. It's only early afternoon, so I wouldn't expect anyone to get jumped just a few meters away from the main street, but then again some people just bat an eye on this as if nothing happened. They're as guilty as molesters and rapists doing the thing.

The two men blocking her way of escape, almost pinning her to the wall... the very same two that molested Katsura-san on my first day in Sakakino. Seems like they didn't learn anything or perhaps thought that they can try and have some so-called fun with girls vastly different than the last one.

They're unaware of me, but they also seem way more bolder than they used to. Is it because Katsura-san is supposedly of higher social status and their despicable deed would be that much easier to find out? Doesn't matter: sexual harassment is just that and deserves a punishment far harsher than just prison.

She's more like a grade schooler than anything else, for fuck's sake. Are they that desperate or rather that deviant? The taller one even has a nerve to lift her chin up to inspect her face closer. Unlike Katsura-san in Kiyoura's case there's absolutely no resistance, not even the smallest attempt. Likely she's far too terrified to lift a finger, let alone defend herself. Then again, Katsura-san also trains iaido for all it's worth and all in all seems a bit more physically healthy while Kiyoura... in all honestly she's probably the kind of person to easily get sick.

They're not aware of my presence, neither is the girl they're molesting. Good. I'm done giving out warnings.

Without wasting much time I put a hand on shorter one's shoulder. He turns right around, surprised and just in time to get nailed by right straight directly to the jaw. The force of my strike is enough to send him to the ground in a daze already. Seems like they didn't still quite recover from earlier. The other freezes right in front of me, his back still turned. Kiyoura herself is clearly unsure whether to be surprised, terrified or amazed.

"...I think I've made myself clear back then, didn't I?" The man doesn't respond, but his legs are beginning to shake. Cute to see him finally come to terms with how badly he and his pal fucked themselves right now. "Crystal fucking clear, in fact." With a scream that is a mixture of berserker rage and wounded animal's howl he swings right around to hit me with an offhand. I sway away to safety. The man before me is nothing but a beast right now as he tries to slam his fist into me without any reason or rhythm, allowing me to easily dodge it and deliver a blow to the liver, followed by another one from the other side and wrapping up with a left upper. Molester recoils from the punch, but holds his ground. Strange, considering he too was rather beaten up after our last fight his combat prowess only seemed to increase rather than decrease. Perhaps it's adrenaline kicking it. Fight for survival, creep, because I'm not going to make this easy for you.

He pulls out something shiny out of his pocket that rapidly extends, revealing a threatening-looking knife. A switchblade. Looks like he came prepared this time.

"D-don't you move..." He stammers, waving it in front of himself as if it could save him right now. I take a step forward, slowly putting up dukes. Panicky or no, that's still a knife and I don't feel like getting gutted because I was too careless. "Don't you move or I'll, I, I'll gut that b-bitch like a turkey!" To emphasize he makes a brief gesture with his other hand towards Kiyoura, but doesn't lose his eyes off me. He knows there's no turning back. Threats like that are a border between beating up and brutalizing.

Kiyoura's scared out of her wits, but she seems to be planning something. Not good. If she moves a muscle he really might turn around and swing at her. I give her a small glance, hopefully to dissuade her from her plan. She returns it and nods meekly, keeping hugging the wall.

"I give you three seconds to drop the knife." I say, focusing back on the man. "Put it down, I'll let you go."

"B-bullshit." He mumbles in response, but the hand holding the switchblade shakes.

"One." The molester holds the knife still, staring at me as if I was a demon or something equally terrifying. "Two." He almost jumps back to the wall and makes a clumsy motion towards Kiyoura, but without his knife. Seems he accidentally dropped it and never even noticed.

"Three." One step and one wide hook applied to enemy's jaw or rather, just next to it, missing him on purpose, the arm slowing to a stop near the wall, cutting his one way of escaping. He's chalk-white by now, even once he sees that his own fear probably saved his sorry hide from face demolition. "This is the last time I'm letting you and your crony go." I look straight into man's eyes. All I can make out of his is primal terror. "You listen to me well, because I don't like repeating myself. If you so much as be nearby any girl in a uniform, any girl and any uniform, I will know, I will find you and you will fucking regret your whole miserable life once I do. Are we clear?" He doesn't respond, likely still completely frozen in place. "ARE WE FUCKING CRYSTAL CLEAR?!" Seeing as this has no effect I decide to just cut the restraints and yell right at that disgusting filth. The man before me shrinks in a second and nods rapidly. "Good. Now scram before I change my mind." Letting him go the once bold molester scurries in such a hurry one'd think it's Death itself chasing him. Myself and Kiyoura are the only ones left in the alleyway. "You okay?" I ask her.

"...yes." That must have been quite a show as her breath is still shallow and hasty. I let out a small sigh.

"Sorry. I guess I'm kinda extreme in what I do. They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"N-no, I'm fine." Man, I'm having a deja vu. It's like the exact same thing happened back then with Katsura-san. "...t-that was pretty cool." Wait, what? Did I hear that one right? "How you... um, you dealt with them. I'm... that was s-something straight out of an action movie."

"Oh. Well, uh, thanks for the compliment, I guess." I smile awkwardly in response. Man, you wouldn't think a tiny doll-like girl like herself likes this kind of thing, would you? "C'mon, let's get out of this crummy alley." Kiyoura nods eagerly, a brief smile of appreciation showing.


I'd like to apologize for those titanic delays. I'm not gonna lie, my initial enthusiasm over it went down rather fast, but I thought it would be a shame to let this one go to waste. Hopefully you're willing to forgive me. Another chapters will be appearing infrequently, but they'll be there. I'm of course open for any suggestions and reflections of yours. :)