Disclaimer: I own nothing of the properties within this story and all right rights go to the creators and companies of said properties
Beta: Forzarismo
Chapter 3: The talk about the future and the punk in green
"I can't believe you did something so stupid!" Hinowa yells at me while maintaining his hands over the slowly shrinking bump that is on my head. Ever since I was a kid Hinowa would use his powers to help heal up any cuts or bruises while telling me how stupid I was. Guess some things never change.
"Would it make it better if I told you I wasn't looking for a fight when I left?" I question. Hinowa's hands stopped glowing and chop the top of my head, making me flinch. It didn't hurt, it was mainly me reacting.
"It doesn't matter if you were not looking to fight, it matters that you did get into a fight." Hinowa sighs. "Another question, why did you bring them here?!"
Hinowa points at the shark brothers, Ripper touching his now-fixed nose as the brothers question how that was possible. Seems that even liminals are not used to seeing a god's servant in the room. Though there is a bigger oddity in the room.
That being Kongou, a massive size man, so big that he is taking half of the couch, with muscles that look like a knife couldn't pierce, eating a bowl of ice cream with a content smile on his face.
Was it a smart idea to bring in a bunch of sharks and the guy I just met during said fight to my home? No, but I wanted to apologize to the sharks properly and healing their brother's busted nose should help. Also, I was partially at fault so I should at least do this. They are probably teens and I was an adult in my past life, meaning I should have tried another opinion before throwing hands.
I turn to Ripper. "Ripper, I want to say that I-"
"I'm sorry!" The Great White yells, beating me to the punch. "You had every right to call the cops on us and you didn't. Not only that you also help fix my nose, so I wanted to say thank you and I'm sorry for my brother insulting your family's shrine."
"HE DID WHAT?!"
I might have omitted that bit of the story. If there was anyone that would be more protective than my family, it would be Hinowa. I still remember when one of my elementary bullies tried messing with the shrine, whatever Hinowa did to him scared him to the point where the kid would piss himself just at the sight of floppy dog ears. The kid's parents couldn't even do anything because the boy would just talk about a green-haired girl with dog ears and at the time, Hinowa only showed himself to the elderly people that visit the shrine.
Ripper smacks the back of the hammerhead's head. "You have to apologize too." the Great White glares, focusing out a meek 'sorry' out of his brother.
"It's fine. Nothing happened to the shrine and I was the one who started the fight. How about we both agree we were in the wrong and bury the hatchet?" I suggested, with Ripper nodding at the idea. "But if you don't mind me being a bit personal, why were you guys here so late at night?"
My question made all four sharks faces' to sour, something that is weird seeing on a shark in hindsight.
"It's a long story. But we should introduce ourselves, I'm John, and this is Bobby, Clint, and Coop." Ripper, who is really John said.
"Colton Johness, and what's with the codenames?" I ask.
"There is always someone looking for a fight, even under the sea. We made some codenames in case we get pulled into a fight after seeing one merman thinking he was hot shit until the cops show up." John explains.
"There are cops even underwater? There go my pirating dreams." I joke.
"Yeah. Those leviathan cops are scary." John nods in agreement, being absolutely serious.
Leviathans? As in water dragons that are bigger than ships? Well, I just learned something about life underwater… and I'm probably never going to swim in the ocean ever again.
"But back to the topic at hand. My brothers and I moved here not too long ago as part of a transfer student program and we were supposed to live with a host family." John puts emphasis on the 'were' of that sentence.
"Let me guess, the family was expecting a cute monster girl and not a family of sharks and were terrified of you guys?" I ask. I think I heard stories about people signing up to be hosts because they think they would get an easy girlfriend.
"They were yes, but that was something we expected as soon we signed up. Our dad told us all about how humans make killer shark movies. The real issue was-"
"They fucking sold us! Like we're their fucking property!" Clint slams his fist onto the table, breaking it in half. "AH, SHIT! MY BAD!"
John sighs at his brother's antics, but nevertheless presses on. "What he is saying is true. Bobby went downstairs one night and overheard them talking to some guy wanting to take us off their hands. We heard stories about stuff like that happening but we thought it was just that, stories to scare off people to move into the human side of the world. After that, we took our stuff, left the house, and call the main office of Liminal Foreign Exchange. They removed us from that house, arrested the owners for the illegal liminal slavery trade, and set us up in an apartment building that is designed for liminals to live. Sadly they haven't found the guy trying to buy us but we are getting sidetracked. We were still pissed about the whole thing so we thought we should blow some steam, so we took our bikes out and you can figure the rest."
I sigh at the end of their story. Could they be lying? Potentially yes, but I don't see anything they would gain from it since I wasn't planning to press charges so I bet the story is real. It also helps that I heard rumors about liminals coming to places like Japan to only be tricked into slavery.
Reasonably people would ask how would that be possible, as liminals are stronger than humans most of the time. I would say the same way as to how people did the same with other humans, with methods like drugs and that is me being hopeful. You don't need arms or legs to be a sex slave.
But I can at least understand where they are coming from. If I was in their shoes, I too would be hair-triggered.
"While I would like to make it up to you, it's getting late and we have school in the morning." John said as he and his brother get up from the floor.
"You don't have to. As I said, I was at fault too." I try talking John out of it.
"Oh no, none of that. You may have started that fight, but I jumped in when I should have stopped my brother. Besides, I'm the type that wants to repay people who do us a favor." John says before he and his brothers walked out of the front door.
Kongou raises from his own seat, gives a quick 'Thank you' for letting him into our house, and leaves himself, leaving only me and a angry Hinowa judging by how he is glaring at me. And something tells me buying him some sweets won't fix anything.
"Hinowa, I'm sorry about the whole thing." I said, but my words fall short considering that it looks like Hinowa isn't having any of it.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was when I saw you being carried by some giant with your face covered in blood?!" Hinowa screams at me. "Here I thought you grew up a little bit but now I'm not so sure!"
I really mess things up. I didn't think how a simple fight at the time could affect others. Or the fact if it weren't for Kongou showing up and doing most of the work, I would probably be way worse off.
"I really am sorry Hinowa. I truly wasn't looking for a fight when I went out to make the offering. I know I should try something before resulting things in a fight, but when Clint insulted the shrine, I decided to think 'fuck it' and knee him. I didn't think about what would happen if I lose or how it would affect you. I'm sorry." I apologize.
"No… I probably want a bit too far myself, sorry." Hinowa sighs. "It was just… after you confessed to me about how you feel, I was on cloud nine. And when I saw you bleeding, I thought the very worst happened and… I was scared."
I put my hand onto Hinowa's head, giving him a gentle rub, softly kneading his very adorable dog ears. "I'm sorry for the scare but don't worry. I don't plan on fighting again if I can help it." I give the dog boy a small smile, something that he copied.
"Good. Because next time you get in a fight, call your big sister and I. We'll make them regret picking on you." Hinowa said.
I probably won't do that as calling a god's servant to fight my fights is a bit overkill, though the idea of Hinowa beating up some punks is funny. Especially since he can multiply.
Soon enough both of us wish each other a good night and head to bed, ready to get this whole incident behind us. At least things can't get any crazier.
{?'s P.O.V.}
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
I probably watched this part a dozen times but I still get a rush from hearing the shark's nose crunch! Who would have thought me going out for a late-night snack would lead me to such gold?!
When I enter school it was only to follow Yusuke Urameshi, the legendary delinquent, but to think I would find such gems in the delinquent world. I already know about Akira Kongou, he is hard to miss with his size and the rumor of him knocking someone out with air pressure. Fucking air pressure! There are reasons why people question if he is a liminal hybrid! But I never heard about this Colton guy before and I should know as I had been studying every well-known delinquent in the area before I did my debut as a delinquent. I've been copying my idol, Takeshi Nanba, from his hair to even buying his family's brand of clothes, even when they look lame!
But that's beside the point! This Colton fought a liminal and won. Something I haven't heard of before. Not even Urameshi or Takeshi beat one to my knowledge!
Maybe I just saw the starting of something amazing, a new legend in the delinquent world! Not sure why Colton took so long to make a debut… unless… he was doing some kind of secret training! Yeah…! That makes sense! I don't believe there were any big names going around during his first year and schools pretty much turned to online only when it was his second year so it would explain the late debut.
Maybe I should help make his debut start with a bang? Yeah… and people should see this shit! Guys are sure to feel the same as I did! The sight of a badass in the making as he took down something thought as impossible!
Maybe… just maybe… I found him… My big bro.
But that is a thought for later! For now, I have work to do! Which site would be the best to post this?
{Colton's P.O.V.}
Today started like any other: I woke up, took a quick shower, got dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast. Then I saw Mishiro and Subaru in the dining room with the table set but something caused me to freeze. It was the way that they were smiling, sure they have a smile on their face that reach their eyes but it feels… eerily off. It also doesn't help that I feel some unexplainable dread from seeing them smile like that.
"Good morning Colton~!" Mishiro exclaims in a cheerful tone.
"I hope you got a good night's rest last night~!" Subaru speaks in the same sweet tone.
Okay… now I'm terrified. If Hinowa calls me stupid when he is angry at me, Mishiro and Subaru act the opposite. Super sweet and cute until they bring the hammer down. I have very good reasons why I try to not piss them off.
"Yeah… my night was… interesting last night." I said as if I was some kid that was caught stealing a cookie from the jar.
"Really?" both of them ask, making me break out into a cold sweat.
"Y-yeah…"
"That's good~! Because we thought you were in a fight last night~!" Mishiro says, finally showing that they know what happened.
…
Shit…
"How do you guys know that?" I ask, mainly because I doubt Hinowa would rat me out.
Subaru pulls out his phone, seeing a paused video before pushing play. The image is crappy and shaky but it was clear enough to see me headbutting John's nose. Note to self, increase the security around the shrine.
"I'm sorry for getting into a fight but there is a good rea-"
"Hinowa already told us after we asked him." Subaru cut me off. "And don't worry, we are not mad at you. We understand why you got into a fight. We don't like the fact you fought last night but we can at least understand why."
Okay… that was surprising. I was sure they were going to tear me a new one.
"I'm not going to lie Colton. You put yourself in a bad situation" Mishiro admits, staring at me with a pensive gaze. "After getting into a fight with a teacher and now this video, people will think you are a delinquent. I guess we should be happy that this is on some remote social media app and nothing big otherwise a teacher might have seen it."
"Though if the rumors become anything like the comments then I would bet you would have a hard time making friends." Subaru adds, taking a sip of his drink.
I can see what Subaru means. Some of these commits are out there. Some are questioning if this was a sort of fight club, to me being a racist, to even me killing John with that headbutt. And those are the most normal ones, there is one comment that was saying I was trying to kill the shark so I can eat to gain his strength. Whoever that is needed to get outside more to think that.
"Also… Hinowa says you have something you want to say to us." Subaru said.
What? I don't think I have something I need to say to th-
…
God damn it Hinowa… he wants me to confess to them. I was planning to but Hinowa probably did this so I can't chicken out at the last moment. I wasn't going to chicken out but I would like to choose when I would confess to them. Hinowa has read a lot of manga where the protagonist doesn't confess for like hundreds of chapters so he might have thought this is what would happen to us.
I can't help but let out a sigh… I might as well get this over with. "I told Hinowa this last night but I've been thinking about the future. More accurately, the future of being with you guys, romantically." I say, seeing both my childhood friends' eyes widen. "I thought about a future without you guys and realized that isn't a future that I want and I decided to be honest. I like both of you, as well Hinowa. I know the government is pushing for the idea of harems since several liminal species are female only and I'm not against the idea but that doesn't mean that you guys would be okay with it." I said to them, seeing both of them blushing, but Subaru's expression changed to one of annoyance.
"Real funny Colton. What's next, you having heat vision?" Subaru asks, trying to play my confession off as a joke, more than likely as a defense mechanism. Now this seems familiar, guess I have to show him instead.
I get up from my seat and walk over to the sitting Subaru, who looks up at me with an unamused expression. Before he could say anything, I quickly swoop down, claiming his lips in a kiss.
"MMM?!" Subaru made a noise out of surprise, giving me an opening to slip my tongue into his mouth. Alex told me I was a good kisser so Subaru was putty in my hand. I would like to enjoy the taste of the kiss more but I turn to Mishiro, seeing him having an expression mixed between shock and jealousy. Something I quickly end as I kiss him too, and unlike Subaru, Mishiro is way more active in the kiss.
I pull away from the kiss and turn to Subaru. "I would like our first kiss to be more romantic but I guess some sacrifices have to be made." I said, looking at the stuttering and blushing Subaru. "But I think this is something you two and Hinowa have to talk about. About making this into a harem or me dating each of you to figure who I should be with. Now excuse me as I have to talk with a certain dog boy."
Seeing as I kiss those two, might as well make it equal~
{Subaru's P.O.V.}
I ran a finger over my lips, the kiss was probably a couple of seconds but I can still feel the texture of Colton's lips over mine, how hot they were, and how assertive his tongue was in my mouth. I know now that isn't a joke. No one would just make out with someone of the same gender for a joke, especially since it was his first kiss. As I try calming down my beating heart, I look over to Mishiro, who looks like he is about to pass out with how deep red his blush is, and… is he steaming?
And now he is talking about weddings, kids, and…! Okay, that last one is too personal Mishiro!
"Mishiro! Snap out of it!" I yell and sure enough, Mishiro snaps out of his daydream. I'm going to have a hard time looking at a cat without seeing that image of Mishiro in my head for a while. Sometimes this guy scares me with how dirty his mind is at times.
"Oh! Sorry, did you say something Subaru?" Mishiro ask. "But can you believe this?! Colton! Colton said he likes us! He even kissed us!" Mishiro gosh. "This is great! I have been dreaming of this day for ages!"
"... I think we should reject him."
"HUH?!" Mishiro shrieks. "Why?! Why give up the chance of a lifetime?!" Mishiro questions, yelling at me.
"Because I don't want Colton's life to get harder!" I yell back. "Colton will have a hard time at school as is! Imagine what will happen if it comes out he is dating guys?! There are people okay with same-sex relationships but there are still people that are strongly against it! And most of those that are okay with it will keep Colton at arm's length!" I take a couple of deep breaths, both to refill my lungs and to calm myself down. "I don't want a repeat of middle school… or worse."
Mishiro sighs, "I understand… I truly do, but Colton seems serious about this and I always wanted to be with him. And if people judge us? So what, it isn't something we are not used to at this point." Mishiro points out. "Remember how many times people question how our parents raise us? Or how they would push us to stop wearing skirts for pants and to cut our hair? Just so we would be normal."
A part of me hates that part of our lives. Colton wasn't the only one bullied when we were kids, several kids picked on us and parents told their kids not to play with us. That was probably what made us like Colton, the fact he accepted us and is like us, another person being judged for something so small in reality. Saying that we three and Hinowa are each other's only friends isn't wrong. We are just a group of outcasts that made a tight-knitted bond.
"If we are going to be judged, I rather do the things I want to do." Mishiro said. "And you should too."
"B-but two guys marrying isn't legal in Japan. And society-"
"Don't pull that crap now. If you wanted to follow society's standards, you wouldn't be crossdressing. And I know you have it bad for Colton, so no hiding behind 'I'm not like that' excuse." Mishiro deadpans. "Honestly, I should try to keep you thinking like that as I rather have Colton all for myself. But you helped protect Colton all these years and if I have to share him with someone, I rather it would be you." Mishiro says. "But I call dibs on his first time since you got the first kiss."
Way to ruin the moment Mishiro, but I can't help but smile at his words. "Not if I have anything to say about that." I said, making Mishiro glare at me before we break out into laughter. "Now come on, we better get Colton and Hinowa in her for breakfast. That is if they are not too busy doing something else."
Mishiro and I head out to look for our now boyfriend and follow harem member, as I doubt Hinowa would say no. Don't know what I was expecting today… I know it wasn't this but I can't complain too much.
{Colton's P.O.V.}
I was surprised by how accepting Mishiro, Subaru, and Hinowa were of the idea of a harem but it was good that they are willing to go with the idea. I rather not be in a situation where I would have to break someone's heart. It sucks for both parties involved. Thankfully, I won't have to do that as I hold Mishiro's hand as we run to school, trying not to be late. Mishiro and Subaru fought over who would hold my hand, I did suggest I hold both their hands but that idea died as soon we realize that I wouldn't be able to carry my schoolbag and neither one of my boyfriends can carry two bags with one hand. So we decide that I will hold Mishiro's hand going to school and Subaru's when going home, with Hinowa and I playing games once we get home. By the time we reach that conclusion, we realize how late it was and broke out into our current run.
"How much time do we have left?!" I yell out.
"I don't know but I'm sure it isn't a lot! We had twenty minutes before we left the shrine and the walk is normally thirty! And we're not even at the gate yet!" I hear Subaru yell. And he was right, we only just reach the wall of the school and even if we made it to the gate, we won't have enough time to reach the classroom.
"We're taking a shortcut!"
"Where?" Mishiro ask.
"Over the wall." I said. The wall isn't that high and there are no ponds near it either so it should be fine. Both of them give me a 'really?' look. "If you have a better idea, I'm listening." I fire back, and seeing that nothing comes out of their mouths say 'no'.
I hand Mishiro my bag and get into position, ready to boost him up. Once Mishiro tosses the bags over the wall, he climbs up, placing his foot into my open joined hands. As I push him upwards, I was able to get a solid look up his skirt, seeing the lacy white fabric. I turn around, seeing that Mishiro got over safely and getting a view of his ass, which was larger and more fleshy than Hinowa's.
I get back into position for Subaru, who was giving me a dry look. "Did you have this idea to peek under our skirts?" Subaru questions, making me chuckle.
"No, but I'm not going to say no to a gift horse in the mouth."
Subaru sighs but repeats what Mishiro did but as he was climbing me, he leans down, his breath tickling my ear. "If you wanted a peek, you could have just told me and I would have shown you everything~" Subaru whispers sensually.
"Maybe I will." I said, pushing him up to see red under his skirt and turning to see Subaru's tone cheeks. Now it's my turn to clear the wall. Thankfully a running start is all I know to help me reach high enough to grab the top of the wall, pulling myself up. Soon enough we separate for our own homerooms, with me making to mine with minutes to spare. But as soon I enter the room, everyone became quiet.
I hear hush whispers as I move to my seat. I wanted to sigh but I restrain myself and just focus on getting ready for another day of school. I don't like how people are talking about me behind my back, acting that they know me to the last cell, but there isn't anything I can do to stop them. All I can do is keep my nose clean and wait for something else to take everyone's attention. The rumor mill in high schools changes so fast that by the time you hear one thing something new came out.
Thankfully for the sake of my sanity, Rimuru enters the room and starts the lesson, going over the history of ogres. I try to focus on the lecture but these whispers are really starting to get on my nerves. The stares also don't help either. I tried turning to my neighbor to ask them to stop, only for them to snap shut and look forward, acting as if they weren't talking about me. Everyone in my class either treats me like a bomb that is about to go off any second or stares at me like I'm some kind of zoo animal.
I have to honestly respect old Colton for going through this shit without exploding. I never experience this in my past life so this gets under my skin easier than I would like to admit. But I know this is something I have to get used to because I'm certain these stares will continue once my relationship with Mishiro and Subaru comes to light. Just because I acknowledge it doesn't make it any less annoying.
"Mister Johness, is everything alright? Do you need to go to the nurse?"
I look up from my notes, seeing Rimuru with a questioning look. I'm not sure if he notice how the class was treating me or honestly wonders if I wasn't feeling well, but I won't complain about getting out of this tense air. I told him that I wasn't feeling well and left the room, sighing once I was alone in the hallway. I walk down the hallway, heading to the nurse's office to kill time until lunch. I'm so going to be chewed out for this if Mishiro or Subaru hears about it.
As I take my time heading to my destination, I see some rooms filled to the brim with students while other rooms are completely barren. It was honestly creepy to see a classroom completely empty. I go down the stairs as the nurse's office is on the first floor, but I stopped when I saw something strange. Well, not so much as a something but rather a someone.
I think his name was Iwamoto and is a first-year math teacher. But what is he doing? I slowly move closer, trying not to make too much noise. Which was easy as I hear people outside doing gym nearby. I move close enough to see him holding a… purse? What is he doing with that?
I watch him open the purse, pulling out a small wallet before pocketing it in a bag. Okay, what the fuck?! Why the fact is he stealing from students?! I don't know why he is doing this or what he is planning but I can't simply ignore this, especially if he tries blaming someone else. But I can't barge in without thinking.
Thankfully, the answer is quite simple. I pull out my phone and push the record button. Times like these really make me happy about how far technology has come.
{Yusuke's P.O.V.}
"Come on Yusuke! You skipped three days of school and the first thing you do when coming to class is skip gym?!" my childhood friend Keiko yells at me. Jeez and the first thing you do seeing me is try to bust my eardrums?!
I would rather be out of here, playing pachinko instead of being yelled at by her and teachers. Though seeing some students about to piss themselves seeing me will always be funny.
"Calm down will you? It was just one class and I doubt the teacher noticed." I said.
"It's this attitude that worries me! If you don't take classes a little more seriously they might just kick you out! What will you do then?!" Keiko yells.
I can probably find something. Nothing these windbags teach would really help me. I remember one old guy asking if I was interested in boxing, so maybe a job along those lines? But there are so many stupid rules so maybe not.
"But there is one thing I regret about skipping gym class." I said.
"And that would be?"
"Seeing that ass of yours in those tight shorts~" I tease, only to get slapped and Keiko calling me a jerk but I can't help but laugh.
"Why can't you take anything seriously?! Is everything one big joke?!" Keiko screams, her face still blushing a storm, but we both pause as we hear a commotion happening towards our next destination.
We enter the classroom and see everyone going crazy. Digging through their bags and desk, one guy is even crawling the floor looking for something. What the hell is going on here?
"My phone isn't in my bag!"
"The pen my grandfather give me in his will is gone! My parents are going to kill me if they hear about this!"
"The wallet is gone! I need that money for groceries!"
More and more people were yelling about something of theirs had gone missing. Phones, wallets, and other personal belongings are just a few things that had gone missing.
"What's with all this racket?!" I hear a voice explode, making everyone stop what they are doing. I turned toward the source of the voice, seeing that it was Iwamoto standing at the other entrance of the classroom.
"Teacher! Our stuff is missing!" one of the students yelled.
"Oh? Obviously, someone broke in and steal from you all like some dirty rat. And I think I know who the culprit is." Iwamoto says, turning to me in an exaggerated fashion.
Oh that son of a bitch better not be say what I think he's gonna say.
"Yusuke would never steal! Sure he gets into fights and is a perv but he isn't a thief!" Keiko stands up for me while the rest of the class looks at me, eyes full of distrust.
"Why am I not surprised that you of all people would stand up for the likes of him." Iwamoto sighs. "But I have proof that he did it." Iwamoto walks to the bag rake, roughly pulling mine out before flipping it over, spilling its contents, and showing several things that weren't mine. "See? He did it."
"Hey, I didn't do it! Someone is setting me up!" I yell, knowing that this whole damn thing is a farce.
"Did anyone see you during gym class then? If you had someone with you that can testify that you were not in the classroom when these items were stolen then I'll believe you." Iwamoto said, giving me a cold smirk. The silence answers his question, making that smirk grow. "I would say this hurts me but I would be lying. If anything, I'm going to enjoy seeing you get kicked out of our school."
Damn it… I didn't do it! But I know nobody will believe me… I doubt that even Keiko would believe me now…
This is why I hate going to school. Whenever I come here, people treat me like this, already making their judgments before I could even stand up for myself.
"Well~ I can't say that I saw him during gym but I did see who really did this." a voice rings out, grabbing everyone's attention.
A tall blonde guy with slightly tan skin stands at the door, smirking as if he was going to tell one big joke. He's wearing the school uniform with his collar having a roman numeral for the number three, stating that he is a third-year student. He also seemed familiar somehow. Why does it feel like I meet him before?
"What the hell you are talking about? We have all the evidence we need right here! And who the hell are you anyway?!" Iwamoto tries to intimidate the guy but seems not to care.
"Colton Johness and I mean exactly what I said. This guy didn't do it and I have actual proof of who did." This Colton guy says as he pulls out his phone. "Also, before anyone gets any smart ideas, I already sent copies of the pictures and video to someplace safe so don't think breaking my phone will get you out of this."
Colton flips his phone towards, everyone crowding around to see who really stole their stuff. The video shows Iwamoto taking things from several students' bags and putting them into a bag. My bag. This son of a bitch tried to frame me?!
"T-that doesn't prove anything!" Iwamoto weakly denies. "I bet this punk paid you to make a fake video!"
Colton sighs at Iwamoto's accusation. "I really hope I never end up as someone like you…" You and me both. "That theory is pointless as this is our first time talking and I would gain nothing for sticking my neck out for him." Colton says. "But if you want some more evidence, I can do that too."
Colton walks into the room, going toward the pile of stolen items. "If you all look here, you would see phones, wallets, some jewelry, and some other things but I want you all to see what isn't there." And just like that, everyone looks at the pile, trying to find what is missing from it.
"M-my pen! My golden dragon pen isn't there either!"
"Correct~" Colton snaps his fingers, making a finger gun at the boy that yelled that out. "If the pen isn't here then where would it be? There isn't enough time to hide it in places like a car or the teacher's lounge and you can't hide it in the bathroom as someone might be in there. So that would mean there is only one place he could hide it." And as if to prove his statement, Colton played the video at a different point, revealing that Iwamoto pocketed the pen instead of putting it in the bag. "I'm not sure why he decided to take the pen and not put it in the bag like the other items. Maybe because he wants something nice and figure that one item missing will be overlooked when a student is caught stealing."
The eyes that were once on me are now looking at Iwamoto, who was sweating like he was a pig. "L-lies! All of them! That doesn't prove anything!" Iwamoto tries to fight it back.
"Then empty your pockets." Colton taunts. "If you didn't steal anything then it shouldn't be a problem. And you try running out of this then we will have to do this by force."
"How will I know you two punks are not working together! To put the blame on an innocent teacher!" Iwamoto screams with outrage. He was so damn loud that I would be surprised if the whole school didn't hear that.
"That's why I'm doing it." a new voice said, with that voice belonging to the principal Takenaka. A portly man in his early fifties and is wearing a beige suit. "When a student told me that a teacher was stealing from students, I was horrified but seeing it was to blame Yusuke for the deed I'm not surprised anymore." Takenaka walks up to Iwamoto, staring the man down as if he was nothing but a pile of trash. "Now, I'm going to search your pockets, and unless you want to say that I'm also part of this crazy framing plan keep quiet. But I swear Iwamoto… if I find a single yen that isn't yours then you can say goodbye to your job."
Seeing that Iwamoto isn't talking, Takenaka digs through his coat pocket and pulls out a pen with a golden dragon wrapped around it. "T-that's it! That's my pen!" the student yells out, confirming it for all to hear.
"Such a disappointment Iwamoto…" Takenaka sighs as he hands the stolen pen back to the student. "What exactly drives you to do something like this?"
At the question, Iwamoto's face darkens. "Because these roaches don't deserve to be in this school. They drag our school's name into the mud and we're supposed to do nothing about it?! Them and their bitches don't even have the right to live!"
"Rich coming from the guy that frames his student while also stealing from them." Colton said.
"Now listen he-"
"No, you listen here Iwamoto." Takenaka cuts off Iwamoto. "Do you know the purpose of a teacher? It's to help educate the minds of the next generation, in the hopes that they will lead the world into a brighter future. To help them obtain the chance at a better future. At least that is why I became a teacher." Takenaka closes his eyes, taking a deep breath before glaring down at Iwamoto. "Here is a little story about me in my youth. When I was Urameshi's age, I didn't have the best life myself. My mother left when I was eight, my father drinks more than he works, and I busted more skulls than I can count. They even give me a nickname, Take the Breaker."
I feel my jaw drop, and it was probably the same with everyone else, as Takenaka rolls up a sleeve to show several small scars. Takenaka chuckles at the stunned look the room is giving him. "Saying that I was in a couple of fights myself is an understatement. But I'm not here to say how I would kick Urameshi's butt if I was in my prime."
Hold up, what was that?!
"My life was a mess… school was a shitshow with how people act as I will explode at a moment's notice. My dad doesn't care about how I skip school and get into fights, just worries about his next drink. I felt no one was going to give me a chance so I made walls, to keep them out."
…
"Then one day a new teacher come into my old school and unlike the other teachers who wanted to kick me out or fear me. He would drag me back into class despite me walking off, he would stand in front of my house to drag me to school and will drag me home. One day ask why he does he keep dragging me to school and told me 'That it's a teacher's job to be there for his students, until the very end.'" Takenaka smiles to himself as those words left his mouth. "I don't know if he knew how much those words mean to me, but to me? Those words change my life because, for the first time in my life, I truly felt like someone was seeing me and not seeing the idea of how people painted me. It was that moment I wanted to be like him, to be a teacher that helps those students that people rather look away."
Then Takenaka's smile drops. "And here you are saying… That Yusuke was dirtying the school's name and saying that they don't have the right to live? All the while stealing from your students and planning to blame one of them? Iwamoto… I want you to grab your stuff and leave before I do something I think neither of us wants. You're fired." Takenaka says before walking off, with Iwamotot running after him.
That was it?! The guy tried to frame me and that's all he gets?! He should have a couple of his teeth missing for what he did! Maybe I should do it myself. Plus I don't like how he called Keiko a bitch for standing up for me.
But as I was about to, someone grabs my shoulder in a tight grip, preventing me from leaving. I turn to yell at the bastard to let go to see it was Colton.
"Let me go! I have a score to settle with that guy!" I try prying off his hand.
"Think for a second. If you hit the guy now, he will have the last laugh." Colton said, making me stop. What's he getting at? "Takenaka is no doubt going to tell other schools about what happened today so Iwamoto's teaching career is over, and if he somehow lands a teaching job, it will be in a really bad place so his teaching degree is now a fancy piece of toilet paper. Hell, I would be surprised if he could find a decent job anywhere if news about what happened here gets out. No one would hire someone that would frame and steal from kids."
"And the last laugh business?" I ask.
"If you hit him, he would have a leg to stand on, saying that he was right about you. He might try spinning the story into how he took a risk by kicking out a dangerous student in order to protect the other students to save some face. So don't let the bastard have that." Colton says, letting go of my shoulder. "Plus, think of it this way. In trying to ruin you, he ruins himself and you prove him wrong about you by not getting revenge and being the bigger man."
The idea was amusing, Iwamoto tearing out his hair as he wonders why I'm not going after him for his stunt. But now there was one more question left.
"Why did you help me?"
Colton for his part looks confused. "Do I need a reason? I know that you were innocent and I know who did it. I simply did what I think is right." Colton shrugs.
"And what if you didn't see it? Would you still stand up for me?"
"Honestly? I would probably look into it." Colton says like it was nothing.
"But why? Why put yourself in possible trouble?"
"Because I know you're not that kind of person." Colton answers as if it was a simple question. "I'm not going to act as if I understand everything about you but I doubt you're the type of person that steals. Plus I don't like when people judge someone unfairly." Colton says, running his hand through his blonde hair. "But I should be going, I have a lunch date, and I rather not be late."
"H-hey! Wait!" I yell out, but Colton vanishes among the crowd of students that were let out of class. I was about to run after until Keiko grabs my hand.
"You can say thank you later but some people here want to say something to you before they conveniently forget." Keiko says, giving the classroom her glare that she normally would give to me. As Keiko glares at them, several of the students mumble out 'sorry', and while that doesn't please her it was enough for me. Maybe school isn't as bad as I thought, after all, there are some people that do give a shit about me.
Author's Note
I want to say thanks for reading I hope you all enjoy
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