The Tyrant's Pride

Chapter 10: Intermission

The law of nature, the law of the jungle: strong feed on the weak. It not only pertains to primitive and animalistic ecosystem, but to our organized, much advanced human society—just in a refined form. The proletariats and bourgeoisie. White collar and blue collar. Politicians and civilians. Wealthy and poor. The society is bound to split into two factions of "either or" no matter what, and there will never be a perfect balance where both parties are satisfied.

I understand. I understand that. He's the strong, I'm the weak. No matter how much I excel in school, I can never mend the gap between me and him.

However, what I don't understand is, why are there still individuals who must see to the ugly, primal ends? Why must anyone tear down another individual down? Perhaps it's an instinct, or perhaps it's a controlled action. However, as an affiliate of this society, these types of actions must carry logic far from primal instinct. It must focus on the orthopraxy, not orthodoxy.

So what is the logic behind his?

The worth of that bookstore, or even the land of my parents' graves, which is merely a couple square feet, would not do any benefit to a company that gargantuan. It wouldn't even be considered as a piece of gum. What is he even going to use it for? A bookstore, stuck away in the corner of a run-down building, and a couple square feet of land that probably can't even fit a closet, what could he possibly make out of those? He has his own niche, I have mine. Two are completely different, and would probably never collide against each other—except he purposefully and completely crushed my niche.

So did he do it to watch me suffer? Okay, that's a reason. But it's not quite logical or sound. What will my tormenting have any benefit to him? Ease at heart? Joy? Entertainment?

Miho's eyes slowly opened. She was faced with a dark, spotty, just the plain old ceiling she sees every single day. Even though she had curtains covering the windows, it was a bright, shiny day outside as if it were to mock her life and her hardships. She covered her eyes with her forearm and let out a long, silent sigh. Her head was burning. Her vision was blurring.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

She recalled Tezuka's voice in her mind, followed by a whole series of turbulent events that occurred that same day. She was afraid to step out into the world. She started re-living the atrocity and going down the path of miasma. She forcibly got herself out of bed, feeling thirstier than ever for draining all fluid through tears the day before. She headed to the kitchen area—and discovered a sticky-note stuck to the door on the fridge.

Please eat something.

Also, don't forget that I'm always on your side.

I'll call again later in the day.

-Kunimitsu

When she opened the fridge, there were various food items—from a sandwich to lunchbox set, even containers of different kinds of soup. Tezuka had prepared everything so that she'd be able to at least pick out one thing that she would feel like eating.

Despite his gracious effort, Miho just blankly stared and the door slowly closed on its own. She just stood there, with nothing but the sound of her old fridge running filling the entire room. The dull, low sound of running electricity and fan slowly numbed Miho's senses. She seized to think.

Without knowing how long, she stood there, just like that. What knocked her out of it was the sound of the bell ringing. When she went to check, the mailman had already stuck the envelope between the cracks on her door. She took it out, and examined it. It was an official notice—from the landowner of her parents' graves, saying that the land had been bought and the ownership had been transferred under the company which Hana's family was in charge.

'That's right… I can't do anything.' She thought, dropping her hands. She just carelessly tossed the document into the trashcan.

When she checked the clock, it was pointing 7:30. She was already late for school by an hour, if she were to get ready and commute. When she checked her phone, she had received a text message from Tezuka, which had been received around half an hour ago.

I hope you've slept well. Please text me back if you're awake.

She texted back.

Good morning, Kunimitsu. I'm awake. I kind of overslept, but I'm going to head to school soon.

Shortly after, he replied.

I see. I'll call you during lunch break. Make sure you eat some food before you leave.

Alright, thanks Kunimitsu. Talk to you later.

She got ready to leave the house, most of her actions being an empty replay of an automated routine. She seized to think and her body simply carried out actions learned through prolonged repetition. She got on the bus, headed to school. By the time she had gotten inside the school, the first period had already ended. She checked in at the staff lounge to notify her tardiness, and the teachers who had known her came to worry.

"Well… you're okay to head class, but… Are you not feeling well, Haraue? You didn't have to force yourself to come. You're not looking too well."

"No, not at all. I'm fine." She said. "I just slept through my alarm."

After leaving a short reply, she headed out and went into her class. Thankfully Atobe wasn't there—or else she would've either had another mental breakdown that will cause who-knows-what, or just dash back out of class, sickened by the idea of staying in the same room with him.

Everyone in class thought it was weird how Haraue Miho, who never missed a day of school or came late to class, was absent for the entire period and came in late. Miho paid no mind and sat down on her desk and took out study materials, like the routine told her body to do so.

The teacher came in and started lecturing; for the first time ever, she could not concentrate in class. She was delved into all sorts of thinking, and all sorts of nothing.

"…Haraue? Haraue."

"Yes." She looked up abruptly as the teacher's calling of her name penetrated her ears.

"Care to give answer to question 1?"

"Right." She looked down and read through the book, only to not know what page she was on. "I'm sorry, what page are we at right now?"

Everyone was shocked that she not only didn't have an answer to a question, but also didn't even follow along the lecture.

"Page 89. Are you feeling okay? Do you need to visit the infirmary? You seem a little pale."

"No, sorry. I'm just a bit tired." She answered and turned to the page, while the teacher moved onto another student to answer his question. She looked down at the book, but she was still unable to focus on anything and instead continued her trail of thought.

The second period flew by; when Miho was coming back from bathroom, a figure loomed over her and blocked her way. With her head hanging down low, she only saw the person's chest, and tried to evade, but the figure followed her and continued to loom over. When she looked up, it was a boy in round glasses with blue hair—Atobe's friend, if she remembered correctly—always in the background, always observing.

She absolutely hated judging people based on who they're with or what rumors say, and she always let her and only her decide any opinions regarding anyone. It was the same with this guy. Atobe? A scumbag. But this guy? She's better than to call a stranger a scumbag even before mixing a few words with. Regardless, her willingness to treat everyone the same way was only when Miho was capable of maintaining her demeanor, when she wasn't physically or mentally tired.

She blankly stared at him, waiting for him to say something. He must've wanted to make a conversation, right?

"Um… how should I say this." He began, scratching his head and averting his eyes. "Is there anything I could do to help?"

She blinked. Judging by his topic of conversation, he wasn't exactly the "evil" nature. He's probably one of those kids who never wanted to meddle in others' affairs, thus always end up circumventing and staying that way. She stared at him blankly and he just stood there, a little fidgety.

"I know you're his friend." She finally said. "And it seems like you know what he did."

With her calm demeanor, he merely played around with his fingers a little, unable to find proper words to face her with.

"The last thing I want right now is being reminded of his existence. I don't have anything against you, but I have nothing to say to his friend either." She said and brushed past him. She told herself, she did a good job in controlling her anger and taking it out on a wrong person at the wrong time.

She sat through class until lunch, passing each hour by thinking, zoning out, doodling, and paying attention in class somewhat. When the lunch bell rang, she got up from her desk and walked out of class, heading out of the school building as usual. While everyone else rushed to the school dining hall to eat, she walked down the hall in the opposite direction, where the exit to the garden was.

Just as she walked down the doorsteps and stepped on the pavement, she ran into a pair of nice, expensive-looking shoes sticking out of well-trimmed trousers. Without even bothering to look up, she tried to circle around him only to be held back as the person got a hold of her wrist. She slowly made the effort to look behind; and there was none other than the source of her misery, the foundation of the problem, Atobe Keigo—standing there, avoiding his gaze but still clenching onto her wrist.

"What do you want." She said, too tired to burst out in anger or lash out her signature remarks. He just stood there, nibbling on his lips but not saying a word. She tried to yank her arm out, but he just tightened his grasp. "I'm tired. Just tell me what you want so I can go my ways and you can yours."

"…I've given back the property to your store manager." He finally said. "And your parents' graves back to you as well."

"And do you want me to thank you? Well then. Thanks."

"No, it's not like that, I…" He came around her and stood in front of her. He then realized that she looked pale, clearly indicating that she wasn't feeling well. She then wobbled and plopped forward helplessly and Atobe quickly got a hold of her.

"Oi, Haraue! Haraue!" He held her while calling out her name, trying to get a closer look at her face; on her pale, lifeless face there were beads of cold sweat, and when he put his hand on her forehead it felt like his palm was scalding. He quickly called 911 in fear looming over him. Had he done this? Was this his fault?

Soon after the ambulance rolled in and took less than a minute to carry Miho out of school.

"Are you the guardian?" One of the EMTs asked.

"Y-Yes." He blurted out.

"Do you mind going?"

"I-I'll go." He said and hopped into the car. The sound of the ambulance distantly died out, making its way out of the school.

Guys, just remember that nice guys never finish last, they always finish first.