I slowly opened my eyes to find myself staring at the decorated ceiling of my room.

From my bed, I gradually put myself to sit up and reflect on the day ahead of me. Today will just like any other day since I came here; no friends, just classes and learning.

I looked at the wall clock over the desk ahead of me, telling me that it's 6 A.M. I stood up and did some stretches and breathing exercises. Afterwards, I opened the bedroom curtains to let the sunlight come in, the Land of the Rising Sun greeting me "Good morning"!

I took a bath, wore my uniform, and made myself some breakfast. It's not really fun when you're in an apartment house all by yourself. I tried to convince Father that I'll be just fine renting a room in the city, but he insisted to buy a condominium instead. Man, I miss my family back home. I already feel so homesick.

After eating breakfast, I immediately left for school at exactly 7:30 A.M. It takes thirty minutes to walk from my house to the school, so I always have to be early no matter what.

Just as I walked outside the house, I saw a very familiar figure standing outside the gate, as if he was waiting for someone. Upon walking closer, I realized who it was.

It's Jotaro again!

I stood afar, staring at him in surprise. How did he find out where I live? Maybe this was just a mere coincidence; he must be waiting for someone else instead. What is he doing here? Is he waiting for someone? Wait, could he be actually waiting for me? No, no. Who the hell am I to be waited for? Jotaro Kujo, waiting for me? HAHA, that's NONSENSE.

Since he's just standing there, maybe I could engage in a conversation or something? No, I feel too embarrassed. I did promise myself that I'm not going to talk to him ever again, but for what reason am I going to ignore him anyway? I have nothing against him and vice versa, and there's really no problem just saying a little 'hi'.

I took a deep breath, and tried my best to sound as cheerful as I can be.

"Oi, Jotaro! Good morning!"

I really look stupid right now if I were to look at myself in a different point of view.

It seems that I have caught his attention because he looked at me as I walked towards him with a beam. He stared at me for a bit and then started to walk away from me towards the path to school.

Wow. Thanks a bunch for making me look dumber than I really am, Jotaro. Very much appreciated.

Is he really that much of a snob? He didn't even bother to even reply a little 'morning' and just started to walk away like that? Who the hell does he think he is? I know that I admire him, but this is rudeness. I don't deserve to be treated like this...

...or maybe I do. No one really likes me. I guess that's why.

"Kumiko, are you coming or what?"

I came back to my senses and turned my attention to Jotaro, who was just a few steps ahead, looking back at me. No way, did he actually wait for me? Is that why he was standing outside the apartment? If that's the case, then why? What's in it for him? No one has ever done that to me before.

"Your legs function well, right?" Jotaro snapped in an impatient tone, "If they do, then start walking. We'll be late to school."

He then turned his back for the second time and started walking away.

I just can't believe it; I'm really walking with Jotaro to school.

"Y-yes!" I stuttered as I ran to catch up with him.

I have been walking with Jotaro side to side for about twenty minutes. He hasn't really said a word at all since we left from my house. I know that he dislikes annoying conversations and I am truly aware that I am a natural source of irritation, so I'm not taking my chances starting a talk with him.

In fact, I don't even know what I am supposed to talk about.

He's just been looking ahead silently as he walked while I took glances of him every once in a while, waiting for him to say a word or something.

Damn, I feel really awkward with him right now, but I better pay attention to where I'm walking today! I getting lost in my own thoughts have already led trouble for the both of us.

Suddenly, I heard a feminine voice from behind, "JoJo~! Good morning!"

Oh dear. It's one of Jotaro's female followers.

The one feminine voice I heard became two, then three, until there were at least five of them. I silently listened to them complimenting Jotaro about his looks and many things over and over again as my limbs started to tremble in every step that I took, afraid that I'm going to be caught soon. Why didn't I even think of this? I wish I could've turned back time and just ignored him; I wouldn't be stuck in this situation if I had thought of this one step ahead! If one of them realizes that I'm the one walking side by side with Jotaro, this is going to be trouble.

I tried my best to ignore them and just walk forward because I know they're going to resent me more for it, but this ain't going to last long so I'm just going to brace myself from whatever painful words they're going to throw at me this time.

Just as I feared, a feminine voice sneered behind me.

"Hey, isn't this the weirdo walking with JoJo?"

I stopped on my tracks as soon as I heard her say that.

"Oh my god, how dare you walk with him? Who do you think you are?"

"She must be pretty desperate or something, clinging on to JoJo like that,"

"Don't you have any shame? Just going with JoJo like that?"

What the hell are your problems? If you want Jotaro so bad, then I'll gladly give him to you!

All of a sudden, a girl grabbed me by the hair. She had blue hair and eyes, and flawless skin. Her long, white fingers grasped my hair tight as she held me where she could see me. Her pinkish lips turned to a scowl as she looked at me from head to toe.

I remember her; in fact, she was my classmate last year. Inu Hayashi.

We were friends; at least that's what I thought. When she transferred to my school, she approached me when no one else did. She was kind and sweet, and that's where I lowered my guard and became friends with her. I thought that I finally had someone to rely on, but one day she betrayed me when she spilled my own food all over me and revealed my secrets, humiliating me in front of everyone.

I even knew afterwards that she was backstabbing and spread false rumors about me. That's why I never dared to approach anyone ever again.

I still hold a grudge against her, but she was lucky that by second year she was in another class. I don't even want to see her at all, and now here she is.

"Ah, well if it isn't Kumiko!" she smiled sheepishly, "How are you doing, my friend?"

"Why call me a friend when you betrayed me, you traitor!" I growled.

She pulled my hair harder that I had to hold my hair back because of the pain.

Inu laughed intimidatingly, "My, why are you the one mad? You should be ashamed that you were walking with my beloved JoJo, huh?!"

Your beloved Jotaro? Ha, your name suits you well, because you act like a bitch.

"I'll give you a warning here," she then looked at me in disgust, "If I ever see you walk with JoJo again, I'll make sure you learn your lesson!"

I looked at her in the eye and smirked, "Like Jotaro would ever go out with a bitch like you,"

As expected, she was pissed off and screamed, "HOW DARE YOU?!" Inu raised her palm, about to slap me in the face.

I do want to fight back, but there's nothing I can do. I don't want to hurt anyone and I don't want anyone to think that I'm worse as they think I am right now. It's just a slap, practically nothing. I closed my eyes for the impact.

I waited for it, but there was no hand that hit my face. I immediately opened my eyes to see what was happening.

Jotaro held Inu's wrist before it hit my face. I felt her hand loose grip on my hair. He then grabbed me by the arm and pulled me away from them. The other girls afterwards started to freak out in protest of his actions. Even Inu was taken aback from what just took place.

"A…ah JoJo!" Inu trembled, taking a step backwards, "What's with you today? Don't t…tell me you're protecting that w…w…weirdo over there?!"

"Why are you standing up for her, JoJo?!"

"Why?! Why did you do that?!"

"She's just nothing! You should be protecting me!"

More and more complaints came out of their mouths. I myself don't even know the answer why he's actually willing to stand up for me. Even so, I'm really happy that he was here. If he wasn't, it's just going to be harder for me.

Jotaro subsequently got irritated all of a sudden and growled, "SHUT UP!"

Everyone shut their mouths as he threw Inu's wrist away. "LEAVE US ALONE! I DON'T LIKE GIRLS FREAKING OUT!"

Did he just say, leave US alone?

"WHAT ~?!" all of them blurted out at the same time.

A lot more objections came out of the girls' mouths as Jotaro started to walk away from them.

I couldn't help but snicker a little when I saw Inu kneeling on the ground, yammering like a brat. Her betrayal was unforgivable and I still couldn't forget it up to this day, but this? She deserved it more than ever. Maybe I don't need revenge after all, this was enough. I can finally laugh at her like how she laughed at me back then.

"Kumiko, let's go. We're going to be late," Jotaro said as he walked past me.

I checked my watch to find out that it was already 7:50 A.M., "A-ah! My goodness, we're going to be late! Wait for me, Jotaro!" I then ran to catch up with him.

Jotaro was with me (or maybe it was I who was with him) for the whole day. By the time our class started to change seating arrangements, Jotaro volunteered to be my seatmate when no one else wanted to. When the bell rang for lunch, he put up a seat in front of my desk then ate with me. When I stayed behind in the classroom after classes, Jotaro was outside the door, waiting for me.

It's just odd receiving Jotaro's 'warmth'. What did I ever do to deserve this?

Both of us are walking side by side again on our way home. Like before, we never said a word to each other. It doesn't seem so awkward like earlier this morning. I started to feel comfortable with his company even though he's one hell of a snob.

But why? Why is he being nice to me? I just don't understand.

I spent almost 2 years walking the school grounds inside and out alone. I never had any friends, and those who I have considered friends have betrayed me. I just didn't want to be vulnerable as before, back when I was desperate showing off to everyone that I'm not as they thought I am. All attempts I made were useless! I felt better alone and protecting myself. They'll deceive me anyways.

Will Jotaro be the same? Casting aside whatever feelings I have for him, and just to be realistic, here's the case: Jotaro was my classmate last year and yet he didn't know who I was until yesterday. I heard about the time where he punched the hell out of a teacher who didn't made sense to never return the next day. I've heard all the rumours of him getting into fights much often and he beats up his enemies more than he has to that some of them are still in the hospital up to this day.

He's a delinquent and a rebel, but why is he being nice to a person like me?

I took a deep breath and glanced at Jotaro. He's eyes are fixed on the road ahead as he goes walking ahead. I want to confront him about this; about his actions towards me. My hands began to shake from worry. I really have to ask, I really need to! My feet suddenly stopped as he continued walking, leaving me behind. I wanted to catch up to him but my feet seemed glued to the ground.

"J…Jotaro," I managed to mutter under my breath.

He still continued walking ahead.

"Jotaro," I said with a louder voice.

He stopped on his tracks and turned to face me.

I gulped. My hands continued to quiver as he ogled me with his piercing green eyes. I have to get this out! I just have to!

"W…why are you being so nice to me?" I stammered, my hands gripping my skirt tightly.

Jotaro walked towards me, "What are you talking about?"

Fueled by my rage, fear and pride, out of impulse, I grabbed his collar and shouted, "WHY ARE YOU BEING SO NICE TO ME?!"

My eyes began to tear as my throat dried up. Jotaro was taken aback from my doing. I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't hold back anymore. I decided to let this all out to get this over with.

I began to cry, "I've spent almost 2 years alone, having no one beside me and no one to rely on. I have spent all those times only trusting and believing in myself because the world was too unforgiving. Kindness from others and now rare these days, and whenever I lower my guard to someone I thought could be my friend, they'd betray me in the end!"

He held my wrists, trying to make me release his collar, "Hey, calm down! I don't understand what you're trying to-"

"I was your classmate last year, and you never even knew me until now! At least you could've known who I am from all those false rumours spreading around; maybe you're just faking it so that you could take advantage of me and humiliate me just like they did. Are you being nice to me so that you could make fun of me, or are you being nice to me out of pity because of what the nurse said?!"

His grip on my wrists eventually weakened. My heart hurts and felt so heavy after all I said. Probably it's from all the pain and lament I've kept so long. I can't help but be like this, I can't afford to be naïve and careless like whom I was when I first came here.

"If you're just being nice out of pity, then I don't need it! I'D RATHER BE ALONE THAN TO BE BETRAYED BY OTHER PEOPLE!" I used all the force I could muster to push him aside and to run away.

After all I said, I don't think I'd be able to face him anymore. It might be too much but I got carried away by my emotions that I just suddenly burst out on Jotaro. I'm really much unforgivable now; pathetic, emotional, and a fool.

I kept running without even looking where I'm going. I just want to get away from him as much as possible after bursting out like that. Now I really swear that I'm not going near him ever again, nor talk to him as well!

I heard a voice from Jotaro shouting from behind, "KUMIKO, LOOK OUT!"

I stopped in the middle of an intersection, looking for where am I supposed to 'look out'. Everything seemed to be in slow motion when I saw a car honking at me as I looked at my right. I realized it too late, and soon I'll get hit. Sigh, I really do have a habit of not paying attention to where I'm going.

I couldn't close my eyes as the car was closing in towards me. Am I going to get injured, or am I going to die? I'm not certain what will happen, so why not get hit to find out? I stared at the incoming car that will decide my fate, but suddenly the car disappeared in front of me.

I realized that the car didn't disappear, but it was I who moved. The car passed by like nothing happened as I was pulled towards Jotaro, his hands grabbing my wrists.

But how did he get there? For a second, he was running after me, but now he's on the other side of the street, pulling me away from the road to save my life – for the third time.

I ended up staring at his face as he pulled me close to him. I have never been this close to Jotaro before, and this made my cheeks heat up. He then looked at me in the eye which made me turn redder than ever.

"It's because you're a good person," he spoke.

Jotaro released me, "At this point in your life, it's hard when you know you can't trust anyone other than yourself. You're clumsy, always lost in your own thoughts, and silent, but you're a good person. You shouldn't be misunderstood and be made fun of."

I looked at him stunned. I'd never expect something like this from Jotaro.

"Kumiko, if you want things to change, then you should learn how to express yourself. Learn how to stand up for yourself when you know you're already being stepped on. You can't stay silent forever."

I hate to admit it, but he's right.

"I'm treating you this way because you deserve it," He holds his hat over his eyes, "Yare yare, looks like this is your stop."

I glanced at my surroundings to find out that I'm already outside my apartment's gate. I didn't really notice that I'm already here; maybe it's because of all this emotional haywire.

Jotaro then added, "Also for your information, I did know you before. I had to confirm your name the day before because your appearance changes a lot."

"B…but I thought you only knew me recently because you read my name on the bandage I gave you..." I protested.

"You had your name on your bandage?" He pulled up his right sleeve and searched for my name on the bandage wrapped around his arm.

What the hell... he never saw my name after all?

"Ah, there it is." He pointed at the bandaged part near his elbow, my name written in small kanji characters.

I couldn't help but blush from what he said and how he claimed that he knew me before. Maybe Jotaro is not like how I thought he was – he is much more than anyone could imagine. I never really thought about being friends with him, but I don't think it would be much of a bother. In fact, I could picture it... the time where I'm not alone anymore.

"It's getting late, I'm going home now. See you tomorrow, Kumiko." He then turned and walked away from where I was.

See you tomorrow. I never heard anyone say that to me for a long time. Maybe I was right that Jotaro isn't like how he seems. He may be a delinquent, but deep inside, he does have a kind heart.

I just looked at him walking away until he disappeared in the distance. Did he really mean everything that he said? I never heard him say such words before, even to others. I guess he really does mean it… but it doesn't mean that I'm completely lowering my guard. I don't know him that much yet.

There is one thing I'd like to ask myself. I'd like to ask him too, but I doubt he could even explain.

How did he end up across the street when he was chasing me a while ago?