Omega Porunga: Awesome! TBH I only know a handful of Love Live stories with male characters in the story. I can hardly wait to see what you make going forward. I hope you update soon! On a separate note, best birthday wishes to Lanzhu Zhong!
Honestly, I've seen character inserts but those are so short! That or inserts of smut (pretty good one too, not complaining in the slightest haha). I'm currently on chapter 256 in my notes so I'm just as excited to release each chapter! Happy belated birthday Queen! As well as to Kanon and Sarah (UwU)!
Reminder: This story has dark themes of varying levels as well as languages! You have been warned in case you read this through the speaker like I do.
Chapter 13: 1st Day of School
Day 22 (Tuesday - April 7th)
"Reeeeeeeloooooooooooooooooon!"
Slowly stirring awake, his eyes flutter open as Relon takes in the sensation of a finger with a slightly longer fingernail poke his cheek in repetition.
"Mmmmmmmm!" He moan rolling over.
"Wake uuuuuuuuuuuup! It's time for school!" A pair of hands rustling his covered body .
"Six more minutes…"
Feeling his body halt, he opens a single eye facing his wall.
"Not five?" The voice of You asks.
"Five isn't enough."
"And six is?"
"Yes." He sighs pulling the covers off lifting his upper body up, the night sky barely with any indication of the rising sun. "It feels like school was just a little under a month ago. Oh wait." He eyerolls falling against the safety of his bed.
"I'm sure it won't be all bad." She smiles crouching down to rest her arms against the side of the bed with her chin atop them.
Rolling over to face her, their lips mere inches apart, he speaks to the slightly blushing girl.
"You look cute in the uniform." He notes stretching for the girl to widen jumping to her feet, the millisecond of her more exposed thighs gracing the boy as his eyes burn the photo-worthy shot into his mind.
"Y-You, oh, u-um. Ahem, t-thanks. Breakfast is almost ready so hurry up!" She calls scurrying out the room.
Feeling the heat exude from her cheeks, the girl releases a small squeal before taking few deep breaths.
"Someone forgot Relon can be rather blunt when he wakes up." The voice of Mé calls in her jovial tone sipping on a cup of steaming coffee. "And let me guess, he turned over to face the wall didn't he?" She peers a single eyelid still drinking towards You's confused face.
Blinking in thought, Mé can see You's eyes slowly bulge as does the beat red color her face has deepen.
"Ahaha, believe me, stay any longer and you may see something you're not ready for. Unless you want to see something~."
"NO! NOT AT ALL!"
"Not even a little curious? Awe, a pity. I wouldn't mind some grandchildren…"
"AUNTIE!"
"Hey, keep it down would you?" The voice of Relon comes down now in his uniform to stop at the bottom.
Blinking with a deadpanned demeanor on the steam seeming to come from You's head and none from the cup of coffee in Mé's hand.
"What did you say this time?" Relon questions his mother.
"Oh, just more girl talk~." She giggles, Relon stopping next to You still recovering.
"These girl talks aren't good for my heart I think." You grimaces taking in one more breath.
"You'll be fine~." Mé eases getting to her feet. "Well, kids, I'd love to stay and chat but duty calls." She walks kissing Relon on the cheek and patting You's head. "Don't do anything that'll make you late~. Toodles~." Both widening as the door closes behind her.
"WE'RE NOT DOING ANY OF THAT YET!"
"Ahh, I love youth~." Mé happily sighs driving into the city.
Releasing a sigh, both take a seat.
"Thank you for the food." They recite in unison before digging in, neither uttering a single word. Only releasing a sigh as they both take their last bite.
"These mornings are never dull at least." You chuckles.
"You're not wrong about that. Ready?" He asks, now at the door.
"Yup." You answers with pep in her voice slipping her shoes on. "Hey, wait." She walks up, Relon instinctively raising his chin as she adjusts his tie. "Gotta look nice for your first day." She grins for a sly smirk to form. "Gotta look good in front of those girls." She teases, his cheeks going flushed once more as he averts his gaze returning to his deadpan demeanor.
"I'm not exactly interested in impressing anyone."
"Aye, aye, captain." She salutes. Zensoku zenshin… Yousoro!" She cheers running out the door.
"She could have at least waited." Relon chuckles closing the door and jogging after her. His bag over his shoulder.
"Gotta look good in front of those girls." Her words from mere seconds ago ring in his head.
I couldn't bring myself to say the same thing back at her… His grip on his bag's handle tightening as does his face.
Noticing the girl at the last second, he catches himself from bumping into her. The boy noticing they're at the shore. The pier where Relon first told her of their daring idea within walking distance.
"My bad." She says softly, her back to him.
"You?" Before he can ask for further explanation, the girl turns around wrapping her arms around him.
Staggering slightly, he blinks dropping his bag.
"Teasing you about something like that." His eyes focus on her as his ears her words. "It feels odd. Teasing you about girls. Considering… you know." The night of their walk home on her birthday resurfacing.
"I can only beat around the bush for so long when it comes to romance. Something I know too well not from experience but novels. Yet, I want to make sure I give the one I devote such feelings to my all. Body and soul. With everything about to get busy, getting in a relationship I feel isn't the smartest play. For now at least. Plus, I don't know what can happen in the future, it's too hard to see at this moment so I want them to not worry."
"I see... Thanks for telling me, Relon."
"... Sorry."
"Don't be. I understand. Although, you shouldn't keep that special girl waiting too long."
"O-Oh yeah..." His body eases itself as his arms lower. "No need to bother with it." He says wrapping his arms around her to the girl's small surprise. "I don't want to joke about anything like that with you because… honestly, I… just don't like it." Her eyes widening ever so slightly.
"Same." She mutters, their heads resting against the other. "Relon."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"I should be saying sorry more than anything." He chuckles, both stepping away.
"Nope. We agreed on it and that's that." She turns tossing her bag for him to catch it, the girl latching onto his right arm.
"Y-You?!"
"It just feels right being, well, on your right side." She grins, hugging said arm to lean on his shoulder.
Blushing at the contact his arm is making with her chest, he lowers her bag to hold both his and hers by their handles.
"If you want…" He gulps, the girl taking note of his blush to tilt her head. "If you ever need a shoulder to lean on, you can always use mine. If you want I mean."
Blinking to smile, she plops her head atop his shoulder.
"Your shoulder and your arm."
"Huh?"
"Simply resting my head won't be as comfortable as wrapping my arms around it. Is that fair?" Her blue eyes meeting his red.
"Y-Yeah. No complaints here."
"Good. Then, shall we?"
"We shall, milady." With that, they depart.
"It's still somewhat mind boggling; our school is now co-ed. And an 80% to 20% or five-to-one ratio of girls to guys."
"Here's to hoping I can meet some other guys. You're easy to get along with so people are bound to be drawn to you with that positive energy of yours."
"I'm sure you'll make some guy friends. And… some girls." Her grip around his arm tightening slightly which he takes note of.
"Don't worry." He speaks aloud. "No one can replace my number one. Especially considering all we've been through and will continue to go through."
At a loss for words, she can only smile in defeat.
"Saw right through me."
"Well, I am your best friend so I would like to say I have a good read on you but I don't have a third eye. So, don't expect me to know everything, haha."
"I know, I know. I wouldn't do that to you. Especially on the spot for something in front of our classmates."
"Now you jinxed it." He sighs for a certain subject to pop into his noggin. "Hey, You. Aren't you worried our classmates may get the wrong idea if they see us like this?"
"Not really. If they do, then we just tell them we're not together…" The girl seeming to stop after a moment as if to say something as a follow-up but Relon lets it go. "Besides, I don't expect for us to waltz onto school grounds like this." She giggles, the mood around them back to normal as if it never changed for a second.
This girl, I swear…
Uranohoshi High School
"Whoa, look at all the students!" You exclaims running to stop officially on the school grounds. "Hurry up, Relon!"
"I'm coming!" He calls out strolling towards the girl. "And not a single guy in sight." He muses looking at all of the female students of varying grade levels walk in stride with him. "You mentioned this school had to be combined, right?" He asks reaching her looking to the school and the large welcoming poster attached to the side of the building
"Yeah. I wonder how few students it must have had before." She wonders to note of Relon looking around.
"Not a single guy seen yet." He answers already noting of her about to ask for the girl to chuckle.
"I'm sure you'll be fine. Stop worrying about it."
"I have a bad feeling I'm going to get more attention than I want."
"Come on, let's go…!" You rolls her eyes grabbing and dragging him into the school.
"H-Hey!"
"Aren't you glad we left earlier?" You calls behind him, the two maneuvering through groups of students.
"Is that a rhetorical question or do you want an actual answer in response?" Relon wonders earning a side smirk from the girl, Relon's heart skipping a beat at the seductive look his mind made out.
"You know the answer to that." She smiles.
Widening, he gulps shaking the rising emotions away. His mind not need to think the obvious implications thinking something like that would have on his body. His eyes glazing over his right arm. A part of him not wanting to wash it anytime soon though he knows that won't be the last time he'll be blessed with such a wondrous opportunity.
DOWN HORMONES! HEEL, GODDAMN IT!
As he walks after You, he cannot help but notice numerous gazes from the female students look his way.
Oh, great. Let the attention start. Seriously, where are the guys? I saw them the other day when we got our schedules!
"Hey, You…" He mutters hurrying
"Hmm? Er." She twitches an eye upon realizing the cause behind his call.
"Well, at least people know what you look like, ahaha…" She chuckles meeting his annoyed glare.
"If I don't see even one guy by the end of the day…"
"Don't worry. You have seven hours or so to see them." She reassures to stop. "Oh hey, we're here." She looks up to a sign above the classroom door reading 2-A. "Ready?"
"The more you ask, the less I'll feel." He sighs for the girl to smile, shaking her head at his words before she reaches out opening the door.
Walking in, they take sight of about one-third of the class already talking amongst themselves. Some situated on desks and chairs while others stand.
"I see no assigned seats so I guess we sit where we want?"
"Sounds good to me." Relon responds walking past the girl towards the other side of the room to take a seat, You walking after to chuckle at his selected placement.
"I should have known." She smiles looking to Relon rest a hand under his chin as he looks out the window at the second-story view.
"I'll take a window view any day of the week over assigned seats in a corner of the classroom." He says rotating his head to take sight of You now occupying the seat to his right.
"America really left a bad taste in your mouth, huh?"
"It's just a headache having to shift cultures right when you get used to one. It didn't help that all the schools I went to here in Japan never had assigned seats while those in America did. Coincidence be damned." He rolls his eyes at the memories.
"I have to wonder why the universe has it out for you~."
"God and Buddha, who knows." He mutters for the girl to stifle her laughter at his words.
"You definitely still have that American-like mentality."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing~."
"You know, that hum at the end sounds awfully a lot like mom's and I don't like it." He deadpans.
"And what are you gonna do about it?" She copies him resting her chin on a hand along with a playful grin.
"Ignore you." He averts his gaze with a snort.
In doing so, he takes notice of their classmates looking his way to avert their gazes. Twitching an eye, he only releases a breath through his nostrils.
They're only looking because I'm the only guy so far. I just hope I can have at least another guy to talk to outside of Aniki.
Hearing the door slam open, he as does You and many other students look to find a girl panting hunched over.
"Made it!"
"Chika-chan, you still had 10 minutes before the bell." Another student chuckles for said orange-haired girl to widen before drooping to the floor as she then releases a loud groan.
Her hair reaches her shoulders, which is tied into three small braids on the left side and ornates with a three-leaf clover hair pin on the right side. Her eyes are pink.
"I thought I was gonna be laaaaaaate!" The class chuckling n amusement at her dramatic attitude.
"She seems energetic." You notes.
"A lot like you." Relon adds for her brows to furrow.
'What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing~." He smirk.
"Touché, Relon. Touché."
"I try."
"Oh hey, a guy's in our class. Cool." The already familiar female voice sounds in closer proximity.
Turning to the front, he widens at the drama girl leaning slightly over his desk for Relon to lean his chair back on instinct.
"U-Um, hi?" He blinks, heat swelling from the closeness as a shudder runs up his spine surprisingly calming the boy planting his chair back on the floor.
Glancing out the corner of his eyes at You holding an unreadable expression, he looks forward. Those in their class once again looking his way to his chagrin.
"Hiya!" She greets leaning off his desk. "I'm Chika Takami, what's your name?"
Is this girl somewhat dense with a lot of energy or does she not care for those around her?
Blinking at the bluntness, he gathers himself to respond.
"Relon Lucinance." He smiles. "Nice to meet you, Takami-san."
"You too, Lucinance-san." She smiles nodding her head to turn to You. "What about you?"
"Me?" You points.
"Yes, you." She nods.
"You."
"No, I mean you." Chika gestures.
"You." Relon chuckles, gaining the orangenette's attention. "That's her actual name."
"Yup, yup. You Watanabe at your service." She salutes.
"Whoooaaaa, that was some good wordplay!" Chika laughs. "You totally got me!"
"Hehe, thank my parents. But what made you come over here aside from Relon?"
"Everyone knows each other from last year and I don't recognize you two so I figured I'd say hi."
"I guess we're the only oddballs out then. That explains a lot." Relon notes for You to nod.
"Hey, is anyone sitting here?" Chika asks pointing to the seat in front of Relon.
"Not to our knowledge."
"Sweet! Then I'm… claiming it!" She plops down grinning. "So I'm guessing you two are transfers?" Both nodding.
"United States."
"Overseas."
"Whoa! What's it like in America?"
"Very different from Japan. Honestly, I prefer Japan. Being a minority has its advantages and disadvantages in America."
"Really? Huh…" She muses looking at Relon.
"My mom's Japanese and dad is American." He explains.
"That's explains your looks!" She bops her fist onto her palm in understanding.
"What's it like out at sea?"
"Pretty fun but tiring at the same time." You answers. "You get to see a lot of the world but you don't get to enjoy everything it has to offer because you're only in one place for so long."
"Huh, that makes sense." She redoes her gesture of understanding.
Before more can be spoken, the bell rings signaling the beginning of class. As everyone takes their seats, Chika spinning around to face the front, he notes of a few stragglers make it followed by the teacher them self. One of the stragglers seating their self in front of You.
"Let's see." The female teacher, who seems to be in her 40s, begins glancing up. "A class of 30; check. 29 females and one male; check. And everyone accounted for. Wonderful. Let's begin, shall we?"
Before long, class was underway. Not much considering it's the first day though. Those are always the easy days before the school years gets going.
"Next." His teacher calls, his eyes recognizing the girl as one of the stragglers though with how she originally entered, he had to question if she was taking her time since she walked in.
Writing her name on the board, she turns to the class before bowing. A small smile adorning her features. She has burgundy hair that's tied into a half ponytail and gold-colored eyes.
"I am Riko Sakurauchi. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance and I hope we can get along." She greets before nodding and heading back for her seat.
"Huh, I don't recognize her." Chika murmurs.
"Maybe another transfer like us?" You wonders.
"Could be." Relon shrugs.
Eventually, introductions and other tedious things such as reviewing the syllabus end for the bell to ring.
Getting up from his seat, he grabs his bag.
"You heading to the library, Relon?" You asks.
"Yeah. I wanna switch out what I rented from before. What are you gonna do, You?"
"I'll stay here and chat with the others. Don't be late for class, Relon."
"I know, I know. See ya, Takami-san." He bids leaving.
"See ya!"
"Hey, Chika-chan!" Both girls turn to three more approaching them.
"Yoshimi, Itsuki, and Mustu." Chika greets and introduces them. "We've all been together since grade school."
"Hope we all can get along." You smiles as the girls pull up chairs.
"So Watanabe-san, you and Lucinance-san seem close." Itsuki mentions.
"Yeah, we're childhood friends after all."
"Awe, that's so cool!" Yoshimi squeals. "That explains why you're on a first name, basis."
"I noticed that!" Chika widens adding her two cents.
"Haha, it's funny because Relon was too shy and stubborn to call me by my first name until just recently."
"Really?" A nod is the orange non-protagonist's answer.
"When I saw how you two were bouncing off of each other, I thought you two were dating." Mustu comments for the protagonist to blink once, heat beginning to rise to her cheeks.
"Same! They were acting so cute together!" Yoshimi adds. "It was like they were in perfect sync with one another!"
"Um, guys." Chika tries to call.
"Could have fooled me." Itsuki adds in. "Their facial expression read that as something else to me."
"Hey, girls." Chika tries again, the three lost in their own little world. "GUYS!"
"Yeah?" All three ask nonchalantly in unison to look to You with her blushing face buried in her arms atop her desk. "Whoops."
"I didn't realize we were that loud…" You mumbles.
"You weren't. We were all just nosy since Relon is the only guy in class let alone among us second-years." Mutsu corrects. "Since you two aren't together, does that mean Relon is single?"
"Can we change topics already…?" You groans for the girls to chuckle. "Jeez, Relon you jerk."
"Achoo!" Relon sneezes, stopping to turn back the way he came. "I just know she muttered my name for some reason." He shakes his head continuing on. "More girl talk most likely." He shivers at the thought of being caught in that. "Yeah, no thanks. Huh?" Seeing the entrance to the library, he spots Riko standing outside said entrance.
How did I not notice her till now? Whatever.
Hearing his approaching footsteps, she turns to him.
"Oh, Lucinance-san. Hello."
"Yo. Looking to head into the library?"
"Yes. What about yourself?"
Reaching into his bag, he flashes a book.
"You like to read as well?"
"I'm an avid reader. Try not to make it too much of an addiction though." He smiles, the two heading in.
"What book are you returning if you don't mind my asking?"
"Hatred's Peace. Here, see for yourself." He hands it off to her. "Quite a bit of every genre. The author even mentions romance. Quite the pick. To be honest, I'm surprised."
"What can I say. I like romance." He shrugs.
"Really?"
"Yup. Explaining why would take too long so I'll just say it's something that leaves me in a good mood."
"A good mood?" She inquires.
"Yeah. Whether I'm having a good or bad day, it's just a genre that leaves me satisfied. If that makes any sense." He chuckles massaging the back of his neck.
"I believe so. And I also believe I can agree in a way."
"So what were you doing standing outside? If you don't mind answering?"
"Honestly, I was going over what to say to the librarian. You see, I-"
"You just transferred today, didn't you?" He cuts in looking over his shoulder.
"How could you tell?" She asks, baffled by his accurate guess.
"Our classmate, Takami-san, knows everybody yet she didn't recognize me, You, the girl behind you by the way, and yourself. Being a transfer, we kinda have an image we want to present." Her eyes widening at his words. "You came in right when the bell rang so I'm going to go on a limb and guess you were hurrying here from whatever business you were tending to."
"You're… quite perceptive." She lowers her tension. "Was it that obvious?"
"Meh, I picked the trait up from my family. Mainly my mom's side. But only a little. It was just odd that you walked in while everyone else was scrambling for the closest seat available."
"... I have to hand it to you, I wasn't expecting you to be so…"
"Different is what I often get."
"Quite." She giggles.
"Take it from a guy who has been a transfer for years now. You only need to hold up the image when you're in class. Trying to maintain it for the entire day will put too much stress on you." He turns fully smiling.
She can only blink at the simplicity of his words before a smile graces her features. Brushing away a few strands of her hair having fallen in front of her face, his eyes widen ever so slightly.
"Thank you. I'll take your words to heart, Lucinance-san."
Feeling his heart pound that familiar beat, he places a hand at his hip playing it off.
"Happy to hear." He turns, the two continuing to the front desk to speak with the librarian.
"Here you go, ma'am."
"Um, excuse me. Would it be possible to rent that book?"
"Yes it certainly is, dear. May I see your student ID for a moment?" Riko nods as Relon looks to her curiously.
"You're renting Hatred's Peace? How come?" He asks as the librarian hands him the second issue and Riko the first.
"The more I looked at the book, the more the protagonist of the story reminded me of us transfers. He's putting on a mask in school in a sense."
"Huh, when you put it like that… maybe that's another reason I liked it."
"It could be. What's the name of the next book?"
"Hope's Purpose. Hmm." He looks at the cover.
"You're not going to read the back?"
"Nope. The title for Hatred's Peace was a lot to guess on and Hope's Purpose is something I'll enjoy without knowing the story now that I know the pattern. Makes it more interesting that way if you ask me."
"Hmm, you're right. What will you do?"
"I kinda wanna look at the names of the other issues now just to know. If I don't, it's gonna eat at me."
"You can be privy to some childish things, Lucinance-san." She sweatdrops.
"What can I say? I'm only human." He chuckles. "But don't let me take up your time."
"Are you sure? I don't mind waiting."
"It's fine. I may spend my entire time just looking up the names of the HP series and whatever other stuff."
"I see. Very well then. Thank you again, Lucinance-san. You helped ease a lot of my worry."
"You don't need to thank me for anything, Sakurauchi-san. I'm just happy I can help. Really."
Smiling, a small blush appears as she opens her mouth to say something before she gives a curt bow departing.
Was that a blush I saw? She seemed like she wanted to say something else but chose not to. Crap! I forgot to ask if we're friends. But that smile… Jesus, my heart won't be able to take it with these girls plus You. Argh, stupid hormones. Chika's bold actions, Riko's mesmerizing smile, and You. Literally EVERYTHING about You. This year isn't boding well for my body.
Dismissing the ominous thoughts away, he begins to peer over book titles. Just as he begins to read the HP series, his ears perk up at some laughter.
"Huh?"
Walking down the aisle to peer around the corner at a corner of the library, he sees a few girls gathered around. Looking at the color of their ribbons to be green, he notes of the group being freshmen.
"Arrogant bitch, think you're all that just because you placed high don't you?" At the harsh language, Relon narrows.
"Please… leave me alone…" The familiar voice croaks.
"Speak up, slut!" Another hisses. "Got big tits and bigger brains yet you're acting all condescending? I outta beat the shit out of you just because!"
"Leave me alone… Please… zura…" At the familiar verbal tic, his eyes go big.
"Now you're acting all high and mighty? And there's that stupid tic! That's it, take-" Before the girl can swing, a hand grabs her reeled fist. "What the?"
"What do you think you're doing?" Relon questions with narrowed eyes counting six girls in total, five round the one with wide eyes. "You alright, Kunikida-san?" His eyes not leaving the girl he's locked with.
"L-Lucinance-san?!" Hanamaru gasps.
"Who the hell are you?!" The girl questions trying to yank her hand away for Relon's grip to remain firm. "Let go!"
"We'll scream!" Another girl glares.
"Go ahead." Relon challenges. "Let's get an adult over here to discuss what the shit is going on. Five girls picking on one who is clearly distressed? I'm feeling lucky."
"That isn't enough to do shit to us." The girl held by him spits for Relon to point over his shoulder with a thumb, their eyes tracing to widen.
"You dumbasses didn't even think about cameras, did you?"
"Tch!" The leader clicks in annoyance.
"Kunikida-san." He calls, the girl quickly moving past the bullies to hide behind him as he lets go.
"You got lucky this time. You won't be so lucky next time." The leader glares as the five leave.
"That was the guy that was with her before…" One mentions under their breath.
"Even in a different country, people remain the same…" Relon murmurs aloud in disappointment. "You alright, Kunikida-san?" He turns around to the girl noting of the still falling tears hitting splashing in the small forming puddle. "Here." He reaches into his bag handing her a few tissues which she meekly accepts. "We should go." A small nod being her only answer.
Now leaning against the hallway, he breathes out another of his infamous sighs.
20 minutes. It's only been 20 minutes since I left You and that's how fast things changed. I have 10 minutes left before study hall ends.
"I'm sorry for taking your time." The low-apologetic voice of Hanamaru sounds stepping out of the restroom.
"No need to apologize." He fully turns to her. "You sure you're okay? I don't mind-"
"Really, I'm fine." She cuts him off. "I'm sorry. It's just-"
"I don't mind being lied to but don't lie to yourself." His words causing the girl's eyes to widen as she takes a step back.
"Huh?"
"You deserve better than that." His gentle tone matching the wry and sincere smile he's giving her.
"I'm sorry, zura…" She averts her gaze towards the ground to feel a gentle pat on the head.
"It's fine. As long as you understand."
"Um, Lucinance-san?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you… stay with me? At least until class starts?"
"Sure. I'll walk you there." Gesturing for her to follow, both depart.
"Thank you… again." She says in-between sniffles.
"You don't have to thank me, you know. I'm just doing what anyone else would have done."
"But-"
"No buts." He states, resolute in his voice. "I'd like to think we're friends and a friend wouldn't watch another get picked on. Let alone, what kind of senpai would I be if I didn't intervene?" He muses placing his hands in his pocket.
Taking a moment to digest his words, a smile graces her features.
"Still… They won't stop."
"And you've tried reporting them?" A shake of her head makes him scrunch his eye in confusion.
"Mm mm. It would only make them hate me more, zura. They've picked on me since grade school…"
Those girls. Judging from what they said, I can guess a few things. Kunikida-san is a bookworm and a common fact is that bookworms are smart. That would be reason number one. Reason number two; that girl mentioned Kunikida-san's body. Looking at her now, that sweater she's wearing barely covers her noticeable chest. Comparing her to the other girls, it's obvious they would be jealous of her. But one thing doesn't add up. They've been picking on her since she was in grade school. And only the first thing makes sense. Wait, there is-
"Lucinance-senpai!"
His eyes snapping to his name as he looks back at Hanamaru at the staircases descending down with him continuing down the hall.
"Oh, my bad. Sometimes I get lost in thought and don't realize where I end up, haha."
"Is that safe, zura?"
"Yeah, if anything, it helps get me to where I need to go faster."
And there it is. The last possible cause for bullying her. Kunikida's verbal tic. So unless they started bullying her because of that, I can understand them gaining other causes as they grew up. Either they're jealous of her or they've been instigating against her verbal crutch. Unless there's another piece that I just don't know about all together…
"Um, senpai?"
"Yeah?"
"When you made them leave, you said 'even in a different country, people remain the same.' What did you mean by that?" Stopping on a dime, he mentally facepalms in the form of looking at the ceiling twitching his eye. "Lucinance-san?"
"When I lived in America, my dad took me out of the country for a vacation. All I saw though were people picking on each other for one reason or another. Seeing those girls just reminded me of it." The girl taking notice of his balled fist at Relon's side before it unballs itself. "I can't stand bullying. Nothing about it is right."
"... I agree but-"
"But then why?!" He snaps for the girl and those around them to jump slightly for him to ease himself. The two resuming their trek. "Sorry. I don't like assuming but it looks like you're just giving up."
"That's because I have." Her solemn demeanor as clear as the blue sky. "For my tic, my mind, anything really. They each have their own family problems."
"They have problems?" A nod is his answer as she continues.
"Everyone picked up on it fairly early, zura. No one dared to bring it up. Except, someone did by accident…"
"That was you, wasn't it?" Another nod.
"I made one simple mistake. Something we all knew yet I still did it, zura. I asked how they were. Because I did, I became the target of their hatred. The one who they vented their own frustrations upon, zura." She stops to look to Relon, a moment of silence lingering.
"Wait, that's it?"
"Yes." Blinking in repetition, said blinking increases as his brain processes it, his breathing suddenly hitches.
Pinching his leg through his pants, he breathes out a long unsteady breath averting from Hanamaru's own gaze. Composing himself, he turns back to her.
"That's idiotic and flat out petty as hell." He bluntly states, his swell of anger no longer present.
"Right?" She chuckles lightheartedly for her solemn demeanor to return. "I was just worried for their well-being and you can see where it got me, zura. But, it's not all bad."
"How can you say that?"
"Because the looks on their faces after they leave me; they're full of so much relief." She smiles warmly at the boy.
"Kunikida-san…"
"Here's my next class." She notes walking in front of the door. "Thank you for saving me and for listening, senpai, but I'll be alright, zura." She smiles bowing before heading inside. "Oh, and, could you please not tell anyone?"
"... Yeah. I promise." He tries to give an uplifting smile.
"You're very kind. Just like in Hope's Purpose, you're like the big brother that helps out their little sister from time-to-time, zura."
"Well, I've always wanted a sibling." He chuckles.
"Same. It gets lonely as a single child."
"Indeed. Thank you again, senpai."
Looking at her take a seat before pulling out a book, his eyes linger on the freshman before he turns heading back to his floor.
Kunikida-san, did you know…? How sad of a smile that was?
Home
Laying in bed, the rest of the day having been uneventful after Hanamaru's "situation," Relon kept to himself until it was time to go. His mind replaying all of today, mainly Hanamaru.
Even on the way home, You had to question why his mood suddenly changed.
"Stuff happened," was his only response. The girl acknowledging and respecting his wishes to mull over his thoughts.
Skipping dinner, he retired for the evening.
Looking at the ceiling as he has for the last few hours, he feels for the small stand his phone is on. Grabbing it, he taps the screen. The bright light making his eyes wince from the brightness before he looks at the time. 12:45 PM it reads.
Sighing, he rolls out of bed putting on some clothes and departs.
"I'm not tired so maybe a night walk will help me." He muses placing hands in his pockets.
Unconsciously making his way to the quiet shore, his eyes lift to the sparkling sea water reflecting the moon's being. Stepping onto the crunchy sand, he watches the water near his feet to recede into the sea.
"I wish I was like You. I could really use some advice." He mutters.
"Lucinance-san?" Perking at the voice, he turns seeing none other than Kanan jogging his way.
"Senpai… What are you doing out here?"
"Night jog. I was busy helping dad out today so I never got to do any exercises. What about you? It's going on one in the morning. Don't you have school? How come you're out here all alone at this time of night? Wait, did something happen between you and Watanabe-chan?!"
"Haha, no. Nothing like that at all."
"Oh?"
"Senpai, could you help me out?"
"Sure. But you better be able to keep up." She adds resuming her jog, the young woman surprised at Relon keeping pace besides her. "Someone's quite fit."
"You don't know the half of it." He responds.
"So what's got you out and about?"
"A friend of mine is getting bullied and they don't want help in dealing with the issue. I've been trying to piece together what the best thing to do is but nothing's come to mind."
"And they haven't reported it?"
"They refuse to."
"Hm, don't hear that everyday. And what do you want to do?"
"Me? I want to help them obviously."
"Then there you go." She says nonchalantly for Relon to furrow his brows. "You are friends, right? Then, you should do what you feel is right. Even if it's for their own good."
Blinking in understanding, Relon noting the sheer amount of blinking he's done today alone, the corners of his lips curve upward.
"Such a simple answer." He chuckles, kicking the ground to burst ahead of her. "Senpai, you're the best! But now it's time I show you who the best runner in the city is!"
Taken aback by the sudden shift in mood, a competitive grin forms on Kanan's face.
"Oh yeah?" Both turning on a dime to slide to a halt. "First one back to the pier wins." Ready?"
"Set…"
"GO!"
In an instant, Relon kicks the sidewalk launching far head of Kanan as the next step he takes leaves a large gap.
"Whoa…!"
Kunikida-san, you've put up with this farce long enough! Tomorrow, we're putting a stop to it once and for all!
With his determination resolute, he stops looking back at both the pier and Kanan. His gaze redirecting towards the moon.
I swear it!
Preview!
Senpai, I'll be fine… You don't need to worry about me. I'm already used to this so there's no need to change it. I don't want to take away the joy they feel…
I don't care!
Senpai?!
I refuse to stand by and let this go on any further!
Find out what happens next on Love Live! Revolution! Chapter 14: Hanamaru Kunikida