Sakamoto walks the halls of Shujin only to be stopped by a student.

"Ryuji Sakamoto?"

A girl, third year he can tell by her student badge, but her uniform certainly stood out from the rest. She scans him with red eyes narrowing into his.

"I heard you hadn't returned to class the other day... I hope you know that kind of behavior isn't tolerated here."

Sakamoto tilts his head at her with a stoic stare.

"You a student teacher? You're wearing a uniform..."

"I'm Makoto Niijima. Student Council Pres-"

"I don't give a shit."

He walks right past her without a second thought. Stunned by being tossed aside so casually, she spins around and grabs his shoulder.

"Excuse you? We're not done here."

"Yeah, we are."

It's a simple action. He merely grabs her wrist, and in but a moment, she found herself on her knees. There isn't any pain, but a numbing sensation, a faint vibration running through her body followed by a breath-taking sensation. She looks up at Sakamoto as he speaks coldly.

"You seem like the teacher's pet type. Do yourself a favor and stay in your lane. I'll kick the shit out of you if you touch me again."

He lets go of her and continues walking to class. She can only sit on her knees in disgust and confusion as to what happened. Then, she stews in silent rage at the embarrassment of him subduing her in public. Students watching mumble among each other.

"N-Niijima-senpai could be hurt...!"

"Yeah, that guy's insane, doesn't he know who her sister is?"

"He's gonna get expelled for sure... Still, why would she approach a freak like that?"

"That guy's hands were bandaged. I bet he gets into fights all the time."

"You see those rings under his eyes? They're kinda dark to be natural... You'd have to lose a lot of sleep for them to be like that!"

I bet it's make-up. Poor Niijima-senpai. She got taken down a peg by some queer of all people!"

Their constant background chatter only adds more to her frustration. The pink on her face becomes A bright red as she forces herself to stand and walk past them all. Sakamoto would be a most troublesome figure, so she must find out all she can about him.

In and out of school.

She reports this to Principal Kobayakawa, a portly man who stuffs himself into suits far too small for his size. He nods with a grim tone.

"A student like that is quite the pain. I'm unsure how he even appeared on our registry but I will be happy to hear what you'll find out. With luck we may have things in our favor."

"Sir. Hopefully I can steer him on the right path. Excuse me."

She goes and takes her leave. Unaware of the phone call her principal receives as soon as she does so. She scours the building in search of him after school, having heard he skipped class again, she believes he would have ran off campus.

She finds him on the roof instead with Haru. The two have a noticeable gap between them...

Haru would not be deterred nor bullied away from her one safe haven in life. She would confront the menace at school, and probably beg for him to go away, although her original plan was certainly more firm... She simply didn't have it in her to confront someone so intimidating. Haru was in for a shock when she met Sakamoto on the roof.

Immediately as she approached him, he got on his hands and knees, his head met the ground before he said clearly.

"I'm sorry about yesterday."

Stunned, she could only blink and stare at him for what felt like minutes before responding.

"Y-You're... Apologizing?"

He didn't lift his head as he spoke.

"I shouldn't have lashed out at you yesterday. You were minding your business and I just invaded your space. I forgot where I was. I'm not asking for your forgiveness. Please, teach me how to garden!"

She nearly fell out of disbelief. This manic looking crazed boy was near shouting for her novice wisdom in a hobby she found to be niche. It took her a moment to compose herself before reluctantly sighing.

"... You sound earnest... And I was scared after yesterday, I still am, but you seem to have regretted it. Why ask me?"

"Gardening lets me forget all my anger so I don't lash out like before. If I can get it down then I can work on being a better person easier... Maybe even have a few friends..."

"You don't have any friends?"

Sakamoto stood up and pointed to his face as he gave an open mouth grimace.

"Do you think anyone wants to be friends with this? I'll pay you if that's what you want... It's really the only talent I have worth working on."

His grimace turns to a somber frown. Shoulders slumped and voice riddled with guilt and pain. Haru could barely stand it. She didn't know this boy at all... Maybe there was more to him than meets the eye. An idea struck her then.

"... Sakamoto-kun... If you want to garden and become a better person. Let us make a deal."

"A deal? What're we dealing here...?"

"I will teach you all I know, but only if you attend class, and study for your exams. If you fail or if your grades drop too low then I will never speak to you again."

Sakamoto's eyes flashed. Haru had never seen such a thing before. Eyes quite literally sparked to life as his face contorted into a fierce scowl. She took a step back, and that alone calmed him down.

He can't afford to kill her now. Not yet. He needed to gain her trust. He needed to play along.

His face relaxed with his eyes closed after a few breaths.

"I think those are fair stipulations. Here are my own though. If I gotta study then help me study. Alright?"

Haru nodded with a faint smile and relief in her heart. There was hope.

"I'll do what I can... Let's see what we can do today!"

Makoto watches them for a few minutes trying to understand why these two would even interact. By all accounts they are opposite ends of the social pole and yet they talk to each other rather easily.

Sakamoto gently plants a seed as per Haru's orders. He buries it and looks back at her irritated.

"Like this...?"

She nods with a glow to her face. It's a relief that this otherwise explosive boy is listening to her so obediently.

"Yes! You have to treat each plant with care, or else! You might get your results with the bare minimum..."

He looks back at the dirt patch in the container with a grunt.

"But then you get a shitty result... I think a I get it."

Haru notices Sakamoto's drop in energy. It isn't like they're friends but to see this frenzied delinquent become practically mute bothered her.

"Sakamoto-kun?"

"... Huh?"

"Are you alright?"

He looks back at her forcing on a scowl.

"What're you asking that for? I don't do drugs if that's what you're asking!"

Haru hadn't even considered the idea until now, neither did Makoto, the two seniors look at Sakamoto with varying concern.

"Sakamoto-kun, I wouldn't assume that. Wouldn't your parents be ashamed of that?"

"I don't got any."

"What...? N-No one? You live with a guardian?"

"I don't live with anyone. I come to school, I stay a couple of hours, I hit the streets until school starts again."

"Sakamoto-kun... Are you homeless?"

He turns away from her. Internally laughing, yet it is true for the most part. Yamazaki didn't give him a dime to work with, only the bare essential hygiene products, as well as the clothes on his back. He is homeless. He just isn't helpless.

"Hey, we're about done here. I'm gonna go now."

He stands to leave but she stands in his way.

"There has to be someone out there. You can't be completely alone..."

"I make my money on the side to keep from smelling like shit and my stomach full."

She shakes her head determined to get to thw bottom his mysterious life.

"You can't just say things like that... Life isn't so simple."

Sakamoto leans in close to her which prompts a reaction of revulsion. She remembers the other day vividly, but refuses to run, not this time. She waits as he speaks in a low whisper.

"Why are you asking about my personal life so damn much?"

"... You wanted to be a better person... I can't help you if I don't know you."

He stares her down awaiting some kind of break in eye contact. However, Haru not only maintains it, she reinforces her own glare to match his. She speaks up coldly.

"I dare say I may be the only one who will give you the time of day."

Sakamoto met girls like this before. Cutsey on the outside but fierce on the in. It certainly is a turn on for him, so much so that he can't keep from smiling, but it's more than the carnal desires of the flesh. It's the unexpected trait from an unassuming target. Haru steps back from seeing his face curl up.

"S-Sakamoto-kun?"

"Just. Sakamoto. Tell you what. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."

He walks around her and marches to the door ignoring Haru's confused gaze. Makoto narrowly runs down the stairs fast enough before waiting for him. To her surprise he doesn't address her. She walks right next to him with a cough for his attention.

"Sakamoto."

"What do you want."

"You can't seriously be living on the streets alone. How else could you come to a school like this?"

He glances at her flashing a vile smirk.

"Spying on people isn't exactly socially acceptable, Mako-Chan."

She flinches with her nose scrunched in a face of disgust.

"M-Mako-Chan-!?"

"I don't care what you do just don't get in my way."

This guy is an idiot, she thought, after all she only needs to record and expose just how awful he is outside of school to expel him. She scoffs stepping away from him while still following.

"I'll be keeping an eye on you. You're trouble, and the sooner you leave, the better."

"Whatever."