"Hey, Shinohara-kun," Ren said as the clock ticked down the minutes before they would be free. "So, I heard that Komori-sensei has it out for you."
"Shut up, Renchi," Nobuyuki said. He rested his head on the table and did not look at her.
"She's usually not like that at all," she said. "She's usually so–"
"–chill," Takumi finished. "I don't think anyone's ever gotten detention with her, and last year this one kid brought firecrackers to class. We would have warned you harder if it wasn't her, ya know."
"I don't want to talk about it," Nobuyuki said again.
"Guys, I think you should probably let this rest," Sachi said. "Even I couldn't get him to say anything about it, and I'm not above putting his hand in a cup of warm water while he sleeps if he doesn't give me information."
"Alright, you're the boss, Sachi-chan," Takumi replied. "Still, it's kind of amazing he's still alive!"
"He must have deep reserves of inner strength," Ren mused. The bell rang as she spoke. "Anyway, it's go time. Takumi, I'm buying dinner today."
"And I'll read the menus," Takumi said. They quietly excused themselves, Ren grabbing Takumi's arm as they made their way out of the school.
"Let's go, Yuki," Sachi said, tugging at Nobuyuki's jacket sleeve.
"You go, I'll catch up," he said.
"Alright, but if you don't stop this zombie act soon, I'm going to be pretty pissed," Sachi said. She dashed off, and Nobuyuki was allowed to wallow in misery for a good twelve seconds.
"Shinohara-san," said an unfamiliar voice, curt and female. Nobuyuki brought his head up and squinted at her. She had short brown hair and wore her uniform completely correctly. Her lips curled upwards in a sneer and already he knew that nothing good would come of their interaction.
"Yes?" he asked slowly, blinking slowly.
"Disgraceful. I see you're still soaking up attention for your antics on Wednesday," she said. Nobuyuki blinked back dumbly.
"Worthless. I hear, too, that you've been associating with Kuzuo Sakane and Yuzuki Itagaki. I hope for your sake that your association is a brief one. In their time here, they spent well over a hundred hours in detention, and judging by Wednesday I don't think you'd like a repeat."
"Not really," Nobuyuki said. He wanted nothing more than her to leave him alone.
"Right. I can tell by your bearing that you're inclined to join the "go home" club. Don't, if you don't want to end up like Sakane and Itagaki. Your actions here reflect upon the school's prestige, and I would dearly hate it if you made a mockery of what this institution stands for."
"Right, whatever, I'll join some club," Nobuyuki said. He finally rose, his consternation beating out his apathy.
"Make it two," the girl said after a short pause, "you need the extra help."