Interview with the Yokai

Chapter 8

Shoji woke up the next morning feeling bruised all over with a black eye. The bruises he could deal with, but the black eye was going to bring a lot of questions. Sure enough he got a lot of looks during breakfast, as did Tanahashi, who had a huge bruise on his forehead. Things only got worse when he got to his homeroom Yayaka and Benihime wanted to know what happened, Shoji gave the an excuse of slipping in the shower, which they did not buy for a moment. Shoji thought he was saved when the homeroom teacher came in, but Okaga-sama also wanted to see Shoji outside of class. Shoji gave him the same shower story and while he didn't press the issue, it was obvious he didn't believe him either.

Interest in Shoji died down as classes started, the lessons forcing the students to focus. Unfortunately come lunch time Yayaka and Benihime were back at Shoji's desk and they weren't going to just accept his story like the homeroom teacher.

" You don't look all that bad, too bad Noriko-chan didn't save you before you got that black eye. That's the second time Noriko-chan saved you from Tanahashi-san, are you ever going to learn to fight Shoji-san or are you going to propose to Noriko-chan so you'll always be safe?," Mari asked, completely blowing apart Shoji's story with a smile on her face. Shoji didn't really care if people knew Tanahashi beat him up, he wasn't known as a fighter, but he wanted to avoid talking about it with Benihime around.

" That's not nice to joke about Mari-chan," Noriko said.

" Which part? Him getting beaten up or him proposing to you?," Mari asked and got a dirty look from Noriko in response. Mari just smiled wider.

" So that is what actually happened to you Shoji-san, Tanahashi-san hit you?," Benihime asked her voice cool and calm.

" Yes, but it's no big deal," Shoji said trying to keep Benihime calm.

" I would not agree. Why did Tanahashi-san hit you?," Benihime asked, not willing to drop the subject.

" I really don't know Benihime-san, he's a bully, these things sometimes happen," Shoji said hoping Benihime would stop her questioning, he didn't want her getting angry again.

" I prefer you when you are straightforward and honest Shoji-san," Benihime said her voice stern.

" That's enough Beni-chan. It's obvious, don't make Shoji-kun spell it out for you, the only link between him and Tanahashi-san is you," Yayaka said her voice far more serious that Shoji had ever heard it.

" If that is the case I will report this to Kurasawa-sama myself," Benihime said a hint of anger in her voice.

" You don't have to do that," Shoji said, knowing that reporting Tanahashi would only bring problems.

" I believe I do," Benihime said taking a more caring tone when looking at Shoji.

" If Shoji-kun says not to do it, then don't do it Beni-chan. Noriko-chan took care of it, I doubt Tanahashi-san would want to mess with her again," Yayaka said.

" That's true Benihime-san, I gave him and Tobe-san and Kanto-san a thrashing they won't forget," Noriko said trying to back Yayaka up.

" So the fight was not even a fair one. If I heard correctly this is the second time that Noriko-san has saved Shoji-san from Tanahashi-san. That means that Tanahashi is not so frightened that he will not attempt to harm Shoji-san again. I believe the best way to handle this is to have Kurasawa-sama insure it does not happen again," Benihime said.

" Beni-chan sometimes you're too dense. If Shoji-kun reports Tanahashi-san, the school soccer star and one of the most popular boys in the school, he will become a social pariah. Sure we'll still talk to him, but most people won't. Just because you're beloved and people side with you after you broke up with Tanahashi-san, doesn't mean he's any less popular. If Shoji-kun said drop it, then drop it," Yayaka said her frustration with her friend pouring out. The others were all silent, Yayaka speaking like that to Benihime was out of character.