Update: I'm so sorry that this isn't a real update (again!) But I've written a huge chunk of the new draft. Since many scenes haven't been finalized yet, I wanted to know if anyone had any requests of types of scenes or characters they'd like to see more of in the story. I can't guarantee that they'll be included in the final story, but it would help me get back into the swing of writing these characters if you, the readers, have some ideas that you want to see implemented. I ask this because I tend to focus on my original characters, not wanting to focus too much on canon characters lest I get their personalities wrong D:

Any type of requests are fine! I'll at least consider them all.

As an apology, have an excerpt of the new story:

Takumi opened his shoe locker expecting a flood of notes telling him to "go die" and "stop whoring yourself out to Saki-senpai" as usual. He was somewhat perplexed to find the narrow space clean and empty except for his school shoes, which were perfectly white and right where he had left them. It was so unlike last week, when he had opened the locker only to find mud in his shoes. It had been wasteful to throw them out, but it wasn't like he could wear them anymore. Just going one day having to bear with it was bad enough.

Blinking a bit sleepily as he pulled the shoes out, Takumi shrugged and figured that he had better consider it good luck that he didn't need to buy another pair of shoes. Of course, Gii had immediately gone out and bought them, but they both knew that the shoes weren't the issue here.

Just one week had passed since he and Gii reconciled. Or should he say, sorted out all of the misunderstandings from the start of the school year. Still, the first years vying for Gii's attention were persistent and quick to pass the blame on anyone but themselves. Shidou's strict anti-bullying policies meant nothing if they had no proof.

Takumi cracked a small smile to himself at the thought of Gii's indignant response when Akaike reminded him that they couldn't incriminate anyone based off a hunch or suspicion.

"Hayama, good morning!" a familiar voice called out. Takumi turned around, struggling to kick off his sneakers as he did so.

"Ah, Toshihisa, good morning!" Takumi greeted his former roommate. Lately, his friends had taken to following him around everywhere. It was a bit annoying, to be honest, especially since he had just parted from Misu a few minutes ago. Of course, it also made him light up deep in his chest to feel such affection from so many people when just a few years ago he would have brushed them all off or run away altogether.

"I didn't study at all for that test we have sixth period..." his friend moaned as he crouched down to reach his own shoe locker. Takumi made a noise of acknowledgement, slipping his right foot into his shoe.

"Ow!" He hissed in pain, jerking his right foot out of the shoe before he even registered what happened. As he slowly came to lean against the shelves, he looked down and saw bright red blood start to spread through his sock. It was a small injury, but painful, and on the bottom of his foot as well.

For a moment he stared at the shoes incredulously, spotting the thin silvery glint of metal at the very tips. He'd heard that people did this to each other, sure, but even if people had made fun of him before, never had they gone to this extent. No one had ever bothered with Hayama Takumi after all, not even to play nasty pranks.

He leaned over unsteadily, keeping his injured foot off the ground, and lifted his shoes just to confirm it. Sure enough, a few thumbtacks came tumbling out of each. He probably wouldn't have seen them unless he looked inside at a really sharp angle or deliberately turned them upside down.

"Hayama, what's wrong? I heard you say..." Toshihisa trailed off, apparently noticing how Takumi was favoring his left leg as he hobbled over to the trash cans. Toshihisa's audible gasp attracted the attention of the people around them as he exclaimed, "You're bleeding!"

Takumi swung around and yanked at Toshihisa's sleeve. "Don't be so loud! And don't tell anyone!" he hissed as he turned his shoes one by one upside down over the trashcan, shaking the multitude of thumbtacks out. "It's not too bad. I don't have to go to the infirmary."

"That's not the point!" Toshihisa's voice was low, but thready. "Come on, we have to go tell-"

"No!" Takumi said loudly, looking down quickly when he noticed how everyone turned towards them in curiosity. Looking around, he didn't see any of the first years who trailed after Gii like carrion birds. He supposed that they had to be smarter than that. Takumi sighed and pushed Toshihisa's hand away, gingerly stepping into his shoes. "We'll be late to class."

"But-"

"I don't want to worry anyone," Takumi muttered. "It's just a prank anyways."

However, Takumi didn't even sound convincing to himself. He went along anyways, ignoring the pain blossoming in his foot and the sense of dread in the pit of his stomach.

The feeling didn't go away throughout the day. Even though Takumi went back to his room and tried to get the blood out, a stain still remained. A feeling of unease spread through him as he tossed his socks in the trashcan. He ripped a few tissues out from the tissue box and tossed them in as well, hoping that Misu wouldn't notice.

His friends were ready to do anything for him. He didn't want to worry them.