Ren cleared his throat, putting effort into calming down his racing heart. He rubbed the back of his neck, hoping his face wasn't exposing any sort of scarlet. Though sadly enough, with his luck, it was covering his whole face completely. He leaned forward, trying to ignore the fact that they were sitting only a foot away. The silence between them made them pray their throbbing heart could not be heard.

The teen with glasses combed his hair back, trying to clear his mind before building up his courage to look over, not expecting Shiho to do the same. Their faces were only an inch apart. Their faces heating up quickly by the cause of the unexpected closeness. Ren's eyes widened, hidden behind his lens' while Shiho held her breath. The two were so distracted by the other's eyes, feeling as though they were paralyzed by the others gaze.

Ren adjusted his head, his eyes finally revealing, no longer shielded by his glasses. He looked like he was in a daze, his heart still pounding roughly against his rib cage.

The young man once again was enchanted by Shiho's beauty. Her skin finally showing color. Her cheeks showing a bit of redness. Her eyes showing gentleness behind her hidden sorrow. Something he wanted to take away from her so she would no longer look like she was in severe pain.

Without even noticing, he looked down at her lips, instantly remembering the softness. A soft smile slid across his face. The teen felt he should feel bad for what happened, but something inside him kept him away from feeling guilty. Ren didn't understand the reason, but he rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at the cement, releasing a small chuckle.

"You first..." He looked back up at her with a kind smile, nodding as a gesture.

Shiho admired his appearance. His fair skin, slightly covered by blush. His thin lips covering his pearly white teeth she has only seen once or twice. His eyes exposing kindness that is often shielded by his glasses. Everything she never really had time to examine before. She was a little saddened when she finally realized their time spent together were often short. But her heart warmed up quickly once noticing this was the longest they've spent together. Shiho looked aside, a small snicker escaping before building up the courage to look back at him, her heart overflowing unwillingly.

"I... I'd like to thank you for yesterday." She smiled gently, her cheeks becoming rosy. "And... to get this off my... well, most likely our chest... You don't need to worry anymore. Nor feel guilty. Nor need to apologize." Shiho rested her hand on her shoulder, her eyes looking away as her voice began to trail off, "You were just helping me after all. It didn't really..." She cackled uncomfortably, her heart suddenly sinking. "Thank you." The young woman unconsciously placed her hand on his cheek gently, exposing her rare caring smile she only shows to Ann.

"I'm... I'm glad I could be of help to you." He chuckled a bit, hiding his look of slight depression, his heart sinking by those words. "And I'm happy you're feeling better." He smiled gently, resting his hand on hers. "Also, I would still like to apologize for yesterday." He laughed a bit, looking at her with his famously childish grin. "I... I didn't really expect to give you medicine that way..." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away, "Please don't think of it as a kiss."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes widened, "Did you give me medicine mouth to mouth!?" She jolted, looking shocked.

"Wh-What?! I-I-I didn't... I mean... I... Well..." Ren was shaking, his heart racing a mile a second, his face turning as red as a tomato, "I-I thought that's what--"

"I'm just kidding, Ren." She giggled. "I know." She smiled gently, hoping it had broken the ice she noticed from the very start.

Ren sighed with relief, his heart calming down. You sly woman... He breathed out a chuckle.

"So, really, it's okay... If anything, I'd like to thank you again." She caressed his cheek gently, closing her eyes with a genuine grin, "I will admit, it did surprise me and I'm not fully sure on how to actually feel about it, but... let's just put it aside and move on."

"Okay." He smiled weakly. "Oh, but... I'd like to ask." He breathed out a laugh, failing at ridding his feel of discomfort, "If you... If you were awake enough to notice... notice that moment. Why didn't you push me away?" He gripped her hand weakly, emotions suddenly flaring by the memory.

"O-Oh, um... I... I didn't notice until the very end!" She squeaked, removing her hand quickly, her face becoming hot. "Yeah... I awoke when you were moving away!" She fibbed.

That ended up stinging both of them, leading them to wonder on why they were feeling such a tight twinge in their chest. But per usual they put it to rest and tried to forget about the whole thing. they looked away from each other, hoping it would get rid of the feel of pain, but sadly, it didn't change.

"Okay..." The young man smiled effortlessly, trying to forget along with her.

There was nothing, but silence after that. The teens suffered by the feel of depression. They knew that it shouldn't really have meant anything so they both wondered why they felt slightly hurt. As they were lost in thought, putting as much effort to forget about yesterday, they were brought back to reality once the bell rung.

"Well, it was great having lunch with you, Shiho." Ren stood up first, holding out his hand to help her up. "Thank you for sharing a part of your lunch, and I hope we can have lunch again together, possibly tomorrow?"

"Of course." She smiled up at him, reaching out to him.

Their hearts skipped a beat, racing once more. But it calmed down instantly when Ren was the first to pull away. Ren put his hands in his pockets, hoping to not get into skin to skin contact with her again anytime soon.

"We should get to class. Wouldn't want to be late." He chuckled faintly, walking ahead to open the door for her.

They both headed downstairs with nothing, but complete silence. One thought they should've broken the ice, but with their unbalanced emotions and the feeling of uneasiness, they didn't know what to say.

Shiho turned left, Ren needing to head in the same direction, but felt he should take the long way to class to rid the insufferable affliction. Though there was one thing that made him feel he should walk with her. Kamoshida... But he noticed Ann was about a few feet ahead of Shiho so he felt it was best for him to take the long way.

"I'll see you later." Ren waved as he headed the opposite direction.

"Hm...? Oh... okay." Shiho watched him walk away in the distance, her feel of sadness increasing as they parted ways. "Yeah. I'll see you later." She mumbled, waving him off.

The young woman watched him walk off until he was no longer in sight. A deep sigh escaped, feeling as though something didn't feel right. But as always, she brushed it off, heading back to class.

After School...

"Ugh... finally..." Ren stretched, loosening up the tension that grew each time he was asked to answer questions.

The rumors began to wound him again and with the discomfort that he felt slowly growing, just encouraged the pain more that it feel as if it was salt added to the wound. The young man sighed deeply, folding his arms, slouching in his chair trying to think of what to do. He debated on going to the library to study or to just head straight back home.

As the choices brewed in his mind, the thought of Shiho was added to the pot. He groaned when the memory of earlier replayed in his mind. The adolescent felt he should just erase the discomfort he felt earlier, but he struggled. There was one thing that replaced that feel though and that being her smile. He sighed deeply again, feeling so many emotions swarm inside him to where it made him bolt up with a growl of irritation and rush out of his class, choosing to head home.

Why is life here being so complicated already? He thought, not noticing he was practically bumping into classmates, I know I should have expected this, seeing as to howI was sent here by the cause of... The teen didn't want to finish that sentence. Whatever... He sighed deeply, leaving his classroom, finally noticing he ended up bumping into someone once exiting his class, "Oh, I'm so sorry--?!"

"R-Ren!" Shiho stiffened, "I-I thought you might have left earlier!" She squeaked.

"No... I had a few things to finish up." He breathed out a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, already feeling tension in the air. "If you're waiting for Ann, I'm sorry to say, she already left."

"Oh, okay... th--"

"Suzui-chan!" A teacher called out.

"I'm sorry for cutting this so short. I'll see you again later!" She smiled with the look of fear unsuccessfully hidden behind it, swiftly running down the stairs, pretending she didn't hear her name be called out by that man.

Ren looked over at the man, sensing the feeling of dread heading his way. The young man growled with frustration once seeing who it was that called out her name and approached them. He wanted to go after her again, but he felt if he did, things wouldn't go so well for either of them, so he ended up staying back again, with regret continuing to drag on once again.

When the tall looking teacher that called out her name was near, he looked at the direction she left then glanced over at Ren, a glare hidden behind his stare.

"Ah, of course... the infamous transfer student." The teacher looked at him, "You best keep your head down if you want to stay in this school." He laughed, "Kidding. Now be a good kid and head home so you can study." He said in a positive tone Ren could sense was completely fake.

All Ren did was nod so he didn't start any commotion, heading in the same direction as Shiho. The teen hoped that she was somewhere near while he was heading to the front gate, but he didn't see any sight of her. He resigned again with the feel of defeat. As he was leaving school, passing the front gate, he saw a figure ahead of him in an alleyway, leaning against the wall.

"Huh...?" He peeked over, slowly getting closer to the figure. "Shiho...?"

She looked up at him, a look of fear hovering over her as tears were rushing down her cheeks like a waterfall.

"R-Ren..." She wiped away her tears as fast as she could, "M-My deep apologies, this is so unlike me." Shiho forced out a laugh, trying to stay composed, but her emotions kept making the tears pour out like a broken dam.

"What's wrong?!" He was about to rush over to her.

"Don't!" She stopped him only a few feet away, "I'm... alright." She heaved, "I just... I have to go!" She bolted

"Damn it! Not again..." He breathed out with a growl.

Without any hesitation, he ran after her, wanting to help her. Praying he could help her. Wanting to do all he can to help her.

"Shiho! Wait!" He called out, still running after her. Right when he thought he was close, she entered the train, doors closing instantly after, Ren losing her once again. "Damn it..."

He growled, looking down, closing his eyes tightly, turning his hands into the shape of a ball. He breathed in and out slowly, trying not to let his emotions get to him.

Calm and composed... breathe... I just... I just need to stay calm. This is unlike me. I'll see her tomorrow. I swear it. He opened his eyes, catching his breath, thinking of what he should do once he gets back to school. All I can do now is head home...

He looked up above himself, seeing the times he can head home. Ren saw he had about a half hour to wait, so he decided to take a walk around the station to kill some time. As he began to roam around near the train he saw a little smoothie stand. He decided to head over to it, but as he did, he heard a ding come from his phone, making him tense up, assuming it was Sojiro calling him, but it wasn't which made him relieved. But when he opened his phone he noticed it was a notification coming from that weird app he doesn't even remember downloading.

What the...? Again? I don't want to keep this! Delete! He threw it out, ignoring its existence.

The teen noticed it was about time for him to head to his stop and once he waited for the door to open, he was about to head in until he heard the name Shiho enter his ears.

"Hm?" He looked over, noticing it was his classmate, Ann.

"Shiho... just breathe, everything will be just fine. Remember? Just a bit more training and everything will go smoothly." The girl said, looking a bit worried as she spoke. "That's the spirit." She forced a smile.

Ren looked over at the girl then back at the train doors opening. He looked back and forth trying to decide his next move, but before he could even make a decision, his body decided for him, leading him to walk over to the girl that was finally off of her phone. Once she hung up, he noticed that she was holding in tears. He was taken aback which made him head over to her a little faster.

"Is everything alright?" He asked the blonde-headed girl.

"Huh? Oh... everything's fine. It's none of your concern anyway." She let out a weak laugh.

"You're friends with Suzui-san, aren't you?" He questioned for clarification, "Is she okay?"

"This isn't any of your business." She said, walking away.

He was miffed which pushed him to go after her. As he followed her, he felt a tear drop on his face when the girl looked back at him, telling him to leave her alone. He stopped in his tracks, wiping away the tear that fell on his face. He was surprised which led him to go after her even more. She finally stopped right after she turned a corner, no longer able to move any further.

"Are you always this persistent?" She growled, looking up at him.

"Only when it comes to people in need of help." He laughed faintly.

"I don't need any help..." She mumbled.

"It seems like your friend does though." The words slipped out all on their own.

"How much have you listened in on?" She glared.

He gulped, feeling like an idiot. Ren didn't know what to say, words just kept slipping out, "Would you like to talk about it?" He questioned, to dodge hers. What the hell is wrong with me today?

She was hesitant to say anything, but finally spit something out once he gave a look of gentleness. Her heart suddenly thumped, leading her to give in and tell him what's going on, "Fine... let's go somewhere we can sit..." She huffed, leading the way.

They entered a fast food place called Big Bang Burger, and sat at the farthest table. They asked for just water since all they were going to do was talk, "Before I say anything, how do you know my friend Shiho?" She asked, her eyes squinting with suspicion, "She never really talks to anyone, but me and her teammates."

"Oh... we... just happen to bump into each other is all." He stated, feeling a bit awkward, not wanting to go into detail on the days they've encountered several times.

"How?" She asked.

"During passing periods it appears." He replied.

"Well... seeing as how you barely know anything about her, I guess I can let a few things off my chest..." She sighed, "My friend had a bit of an eventful day today. First bumping into this guy she seemed deeply concerned about and then being harassed during practice..." She looked down.

When she said, bumping into this guy, he instantly assumed it was him which made him tense up a bit, but then was taken aback on hearing her say, deeply concerned about, leading Ren to wonder if it was positive or negative. But the thing that washed all that discomfort away was the word harrassed. Right after hearing that, he knew that instant on who it most likely was she was talking about.

"I want to help her, but I can only do so much..." She faltered.

"Why is there limitations of supporting her? What's wrong?" He asked, his worries beginning to grow.

"...She's on the volleyball team and things are getting rough during each practice..." She kept it short and simple.

Ren fell silent, knowing there's more to the story with what he's witnessed lately, but he didn't know if he had the right to pry it open from one of her friends since he barely knows them. He was lost for words, trying to think of what to ask or what to say.

"It's because of that stupid coach that's making it hell for her!" She growled out of frustration, "I can't stand seeing her in such conditions! I can't stand how he treats everyone! I can't..." The girl closed her eyes tightly, her head facing down.

Right when Ren was about to say something, the girl's phone went off. The girl jolted and groaned with irritation once seeing who was calling her.

"I'm sorry... I... I have to take this." She said, wiping away the tears before standing and walking away.

The teen with glasses wanted to stop her, but he felt he had no right to. Ren gripped his knees, feeling utterly helpless. He couldn't stand not having the ability to do anything for them. The adolescent wanted to do all he could, but everything was like a shot in the dark. The teen had no clue on what exactly was going on let alone have any proof.

I have to do something... but what? He sighed deeply, groaning with annoyance. I'll just try and figure out later when I can think straight... He rubbed the back of his head, standing up and heading back to the train station.