Isshiki Iroha wants me to take responsibility?

The term "loner" is self-descriptive. It's an alias for a person that is often alone. This is due to being an outcast or being done on the person's own terms. As a result, a loner can blend into the background and be a chameleon. Being alone, they set their own goals, own personality and own problems. That pure freedom is the best part of being a loner.

"Hey, did you hear, the student council president is going out with someone."

That is if you're the lucky few.

Going through the crowded corridors, I hear that irritating misinformation which ultimately hurts many school life's.

"She's got a boyfriend?"

"Yeah!"

"Wow. Know who it is?"

"It's umm! Wait... That's the thing."

"What?"

"No one knows the dude's name!"

"Say what? That's so weird. Is it some creepy loner know one knows about?"

Ouch, that was too accurate for a guess! Must be Karma or something...

"Well I dunno. Only the council members have actually seen the guy."

Huh? So I'm still anonymous from anyone not in the council? That makes things easier but still...

Last thing I need is someone shouting and pointing at me.

I rush like a speed demon and find my solitary spot outside. The nice sea breeze being an instant comfort. It's nostalgic remembering it's help in the tennis game.

It was all for you Saika!

Anyway, I enjoy my bento, here on the steps.

Then the sun went dark in a solar eclipse...

I turn around and oh wait, there's a second sun there! No wait, it's Yuigahama and her fiery orange hair.

"Hey Hikki."

"H-hey Yuigahama."

It only took a second to register.

Has she heard the rumors?

it'll be troublesome if she did.

Really...

Really troublesome...

"Mind if I sit here?"

"Go ahead. Ain't exactly my property."

She sits down on her bottom and makes herself comfortable. After came silence, just me chewing my bento and Yui in her thoughts.

"Hey, Hikki."

"Yeah?"

"Did Isshiki-san. Did Isshiki-san ask for your help?"

"In a manner of speaking yes."

She knows for sure. This is not good.

Not good at all.

"Ahh so you helped her get a boyfriend right?"

What? She's taking a funny way to get the truth out of me...

She looks inquisitively in my direction waiting for an answer.

I'm gonna have to be careful in what I say.

"Well, it was unavoidable."

"No but its good, I'm glad she's moved on from Hayama. Didn't expect it to be this quick though!"

She doesn't know...though I don't feel any better. Wasn't it me who confessed to wanting something genuine? Yet here I am cowering and hiding behind lies. I feel guilty doing this.

I feel like one of those normal fags always hiding secrets from their friends.

"Yeah."

That simple answer would have to suffice...for now. I'll make it up to you later I swear.

"Hikki, what's wrong?"

Ohh crap! She noticed.

Maybe...Maybe this would be a good time to tell her. Get it out the way and done with.

"Wel-"

"Yui! Aren't you like, gonna come with us?"

"Ahh yes! I'll be right there!"

She turns back to me offering a comforting glance that she has not left me in the dirt.

"Sorry I gotta go. Just remember, me and Yukinon! We'll hear you out OK! OK, I gotta run!"

"R-right, sorry."

"It's all right. Ya-bye!"

That was Yuigahama, always accepting and loving. Easily intimidated for sure but honest to a fault. Terrible cooking but not 2-dimensional like most people in this school. I'm glad to have known her.

I'll make sure to tell them.

I wonder how Isshiki is faring right now? Fending off questions about her (non-existent and tragic) love life? Speaking of that, I need to talk to Hayama to resolve this misunderstanding. If anyone can dispel rumors, its the most popular guy in the school.

After all, his words will no doubt be taken as truth.

Course, I'll have to isolate him first...

Man, what a bother.
I'll head to a peaceful, solitary spot that is quite famous for being peaceful and solitary.

The school library. Nothing better then to read a book and pass the time there atleast.

Avoiding the crowds, I head there and slide the door open quietly. I see an army of books, lined side by side in rows on shelf's.

And on the nearest table, behind a lone bookshelf sits a dark haired girl with those specs.

That girl. She's the one that asked me that hard hitting question. She definitely made quite an impression.

I need to make sure of something.

"Hey"

Broken from the books text and her imagination, she looks up at me alarmed.

"Oh, it's you. The senpai guy."

Senpai guy? That's a new one.

"Yeah."

"Right."

"..."

Wow this is awkward. Well I suppose I get straight to the point then.

"Well, you heard the rumors right?"

"What? Well yeah. Sorta hard to miss."

She looks back down to her book and resumes reading.

This is quite the pattern we got ourselves into.

"Well, they're not true. You know that right?"

She shoulders tense in irritation then she looks up at me as if looking at a measly insect.

"Geez, I know. You told me that before."

We're getting nowhere. This conversation will just end up being a waste of time.

"Well, sorry to inconvenience you."

I walk back with a new destination in mind. She didn't find others unpleasant. She just didn't like her comfort zone being invaded.

"Wait Senpai-guy."

"Yeah?"

I turn around only to see her re-adjust her glasses.

"Those rumors are bothering you and the prez right?"

"Well basically...Yeah"

"Right. My bad senpai-guy. I didn't mean to put you on the spot when I asked."

Ahh well it was unavoidable right? It was bound to happen whether it was her or not.

"Don't worry about it. What's done is done."

"Just to be clear. You have to understand that you ought not to be surprised."

Huh? What? What did she mean by that?

"Excuse me?"

"You two are always bantering with each other. Playful. Who can blame us for getting the wrong idea?"

Well...She did have a point.

How long did those thoughts circulate wildly? I let my guard down again and now we both pay the price.

"I think-I think I understan-"

"WOAH! There's a catfight happening!"

A student stands at the entrance, shouting as hard as he.

"What where!"

Fights didn't happen often at school. That's why the commotion is much bigger then it needs to be.

"Say what?!"

Most fights tended to be over stupid simple reasons.

"Who's fighting who!

Fought for selfish imprudent reasons.

"It's layara versus the prezzy girl!"

Unless it was.

Oh no...

Isshiki?!

And among the group of guys and girls alike, I was with them pushing my way forcefully in the crowd. Following the loud commotion of shouting and something worse.

I sprint all the way only witness firsthand.

Isshiki Iroha had her hands grasping the other girl's throat who was in return holding Isshiki's scalp and pulling on her fluffy blonde hair.

"I'll kill you! You bitch!"

"Layara you were always a slut!"

They swing around the hallway in a sickening nausea of violence. Why isn't anyone doing anything?

"Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!"

"Because it's true!? No wonder Kitamura dumped you!"

"ARGHHH!"

Layara attacks like a wild feline, swiping at Isshiki's face.

Small streaks of blood spilled across the floor in an instant. A collective gasp from the audience including me.

Isshiki, face stained with tears and blood...

She stares at her target with murderous intent.

This needs to be stopped.

I need to stop it.

I rush forward and block the aggressive girl from attacking Isshiki.

"You! Get the hell out of my way! Right now! I'll make your face look like a freaking marionette bitch!"

I hold onto her shoulders as she flails around my shoulder eager for the kill.

Only for Isshiki to charge in her direction!

"Isshiki! No don't!"

"YOU TOO COW!"

Before I knew it...

Hayama caught her arms and kept them in a lock, his group added to the ever-growing crowd.

She shouts spiteful things to maximize the insults, building up the rage.

"Let go of me! The slut has it coming!"

"How about I give your face more scars!"

"I swear to god I'll kill you."

They shout mindless insults at each other with the profanity worsening as time marches on.

Layara's long blood coated nails dig into my shoulder.

"Not if I kill you first you fucking horse!"

"I'd like to see you try tramp!"

The staff come barging in, Shizuka-sensei being one of them.

God.

I'd never think I would be so happy to see her.

"Whats going on here?"

She received no answer. Only the harsh heavy breathing from the two girls amidst the blood, sweat and tears.

"All of you! Go to your next lesson now or you'll be expelled! This is your only warning!"

And all left: the gossiping girls, excited boys and scared bookworms of both kinds as they hesitantly and slowly head back to their domains.

Yui was there, shocked beyond belief. She raises a still hand in an effort to wave goodbye.

"Hikigaya, Hayato! What happened?"

Sensei spoke in a harsh authoritative tone, unlike the teacher I normally knew.

"Forget this."

Isshiki shakes Hayama off then strolls past the teacher.

"Isshiki! Wait!"

Instantly, I decide my place is with Isshiki and I leave. Leave the attacker who now cried helplessly on the blood-stained ground, the nice guy utterly confused as to what just happened and Shizuka who would have to clean up after this mess.

My place in all this is with Isshiki.

Thanks for the positive feedback guys! It's been really encouraging in writing this fic. Can't wait to deliver more!