It's been a month since our midterm test. Most of the students got used to their new lifestyle. It's was evening and I'm just strolling around the school. Although any misunderstanding my classmates had about me was cleared, I'm still failed to become friends with them. Maybe my inability to express any emotion made me an unapproachable person. If I want to change that, I needed to become more active and participate in the conversation more openly.
"That a lot of work for me," I thought. How popular students like Hirata and Kushida are able to do that is beyond me. I always wonder what motivates them to help others or become friends with everyone. Well in Kushida case I know her reason. Even then her motives are unclear.
I was walking alongside the tennis court, suddenly I heard a grunting sound which was coming from the other side of the court. When I arrived at the scene I saw a tall and muscular student holding down Sudou on the ground and a student with shoulder-length hair standing near him looking down on Sudou with a wicked smile.
"What the hell did you want from me," Sudou said in a frustrated voice as he was unable to free himself from the grip of the black male.
"I don't know that school accepts losers such as you," said the other student. He crouches down to Sudou's level and grabs his face.
I was thinking about intervening. Before I could do anything, a voice called out.
"I think you should stop now, Ryuen-Kun," a girl with strawberry blonde hair spoke up. Seen the girl arrived at the scene the student named Ryuen let go of Sudou's face.
"Don't worry Ichinose, I'm just playing with him," Ryuen said. So the girl name is Ichinose. I heard about both of them. Ryuen Kakeru is the class leader of class 1-C who is infamous for controlling his class through fear, as rumours say he is a complete delinquent and Ichinose is the class leader of 1-B. She is also the most popular girl among the first-year students.
"Well I can see she so popular," I thought. Even if I'm not interested in these types of things I can't be denied that she is very beautiful and has attractive features.
At Ryuen's signal, the black male releases Sudou from his hold.
"Are you okay, Sudou?" I asked Sudou and he gets up.
"Yeah, somewhat and what's the deal that dude. He comes out of nowhere and attacked me," He said. We both looked towards Ryuen. He was talking to Ichinose about something. I found it interesting that a girl like Ichinose who is known for her kindness can hold herself against Ryuen intense attitude.
"Let's get out of here," I said to Sudou and he nodded. We both didn't want to involve any trouble. Before we could leave Ryuen stopped us.
"Don't leave just guys, the party isn't over yet," Ryuen said as he put his arm around my neck.
"But you can go, monkey," Ryuen said and point his finger at Sudou, provoking him even more.
"What just you said, bastard," Sudou grabs Ryuen's collar, angered by his statement. I quickly stop Sudou before he does something stupid.
"Let it go, Sudou. You didn't want to be in trouble because of this, right?" I said. He didn't look convinced but ultimately he decided to leave.
"Fine, I go. Just looking at his face makes me pissed," Sodou said as he looked at Ryuen. Ryuen just smiles mockingly. After that Sudou pick up his bag and leave me here with Ryuen and Ichinose. I half expect him to stay with me but he just leaves his friend with the likes of Ryuen.
"I know that I told him to leave but still hurt. I guess I'm not that important of a friend to Sudou. Well, it not like I needed his help anyway," I thought. I doubt Ruuen would try anything as Ichinose is also here.
"What do you want from me," I asked Ryuen.
"Nothing I just wanted to see the student who uses the same strategy as me," He said.
"The same strategy as him," I didn't understand him. What he means by the same strategy as him. Ichinose also comes close to us.
"What do you mean by that, Ryuen-Kun," Ichinose asked him. She was also interested in what he said.
"Nothing that concerned you," Ryuen said to Ichinose.
"Let see what you are capable of Ayanokoji," He whispered in my ear and with that, he left the scene. Now only me and Ichinose remained. I looked at her. She was starring at me.
"Oh, sorry. I don't think we introduced ourselves to each other. My name is Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B. Nice to meet you," She apologised for staring at me and introduce herself and offered her hand. I grasp her soft hand firmly. I don't think she needed any kind of introduction. Even I, the most inactive student in the school knows about her.
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class 1-D. It's nice to meet you too," I said.
"Did you know what's he talking about," She asked. It looks like she somehow heard Ryuen when he whispered to me.
"No idea," I said but seen her facial expressions I don't think she believes me at all.
"Anyway, be careful around Ryuen. You ever know what's he thinking," She said.
"I'll keep that in mind and thanks for your help," I thank her because if she doesn't stop Ryuen at that time then I had to involve myself and that would complicate things for me as I already catch his unwanted attention.
"There's no need to thank me. It's only natural to help other schoolmates. If you want my help then feel free to ask me anything. I would be happy to help you," She said that with a smile. She being super friendly and I don't know how to respond to that.
"Sure," that's all I could say to her. After that, she said goodbye and left. Now it's only me.
"It looks like I attract some unwanted attention," I sighed. I had a feeling that my peaceful days are about to over. I knew that I shouldn't involve myself with others during the midterm test. Well, there is no need for crying over spilled milk. I just needed to be more careful from now on.
It's been two days since then and from two days I have been tailed by some students. They are most likely to be the students of class C. Today is no different. There are two students were following me since I left the school building. They are at some distance from me but I still noticed them. As I turned around the corner, two other students block me from the front. I'm still confused about their plan. If they gang up on me, the school will notice that and they would be expelled from the school in the worst-case scenario.
"Surely, they know that, right?" I thought. Or they had something to prevent that. One the student spoke up.
"If you don't want to create a scene, then follow us quietly," He said. I nodded. They take me to the hallway of the special building.
"So, what now?" I asked. They all surrounded me.
"You right, he so gloomy," someone said.
"How the hell he at number 4 at the boys ranking," the student behind me said that. They know the boys ranking.
"Hey say something or did cat got your tongue," one of them said.
"I bet he's too scared to speak," someone else said. They wanted to provoke me and make me the one who started the fight.
"Too bad, it won't work against me," I thought. I stood there listening without showing any kind of emotion, as they continued to insult me. After some more vicious verbal attacks, they stopped. I could see their disappointed face as they failed to get any kind of reaction from me.
"This is so boring," said one of the students.
"Yeah, you can go now. We play with you some other time," at this comment every else laugh. I nodded and quietly left them. I stopped midway and turned around to looked at them. They are still there. I wait for ten minutes and they are still there. Then I looked at the camera which I just pass by.
"So that's their plan, interesting," I thought. I walked away from my hiding place before someone spotted me.
On the next day, during the homeroom, Chabashira-sensei had an announcement.
"There's a bit of trouble between the students from Class C and student sitting there, Ayanokoji. There is a fight between them. The complaint comes from Class C. They claim that the fight was one-sided. What do you have to say about this, Ayanokoji," Chabashira-sensei laid out the whole situation for the class?
"So they already make their move," I thought.
The classroom erupted. My neighbour looked at me with a shocked expression. Depending on the situation I could face suspension or worse. I stand up in my seat.
"All I can say is that their claims are false," I said.
"Did you have any evidence regarding that," Sensei asked.
"Not yet," I said.
"Okay you have two days to prove your innocence," Sensei said.
To be continued