You'll Never Walk Alone

4

It's been a week since Yuji has attended your school. You didn't see much change in his demeanor, but you saw how defensive and protective he was over you. Yuji couldn't stand the nasty remarks boys and girls said behind your back or to your face. He could think and care less about what everyone else was saying about him by the power of Shota's influence. Not only was he on edge, Yuji has also befriended Junpei. He always came to eat with you two during lunch, and you kind of despised it—because you knew Yuji will grow an attachment to the boy and get hurt when he has to leave the school.

On the way to school, you both held hands which made you sick to the stomach because you weren't used to it still. It felt very awkward as it made your hand all sweaty and hot, but you had no choice since it's all an act. You always found it fascinating how his hand was always warm regardless of the weather. It's never cold; he's a personal heater.

"Yuji, you shouldn't create attachments with people at school. Remember, you're going to be leaving any time soon. Be careful of how you act here." You warned him in a stern tone. You only had the best intention for him, yet Yuji had a hard time seeing it in your perspective. He saw it as you're not fond of him, and all his efforts of warming up were thrown into the drain.

"Why are you always mad at whatever I do?"

You both stopped walking when he confronted you out of the blue. This left you perplexed as you narrowed your eyes at him.

"I'm not. I'm just looking out for you. What's so wrong giving you a heads up?" You were quite offended how he saw you as being mad and overly critical of everything when you really weren't. You were just bad at expressing yourself to others, and it clearly showed.

"Well, you sounded mad though." Yuji muttered, avoiding eye contact with you.

"You think I am but I'm not. I'm really fine; I'm not mad." You truly said, coming from the bottom of your heart. Why would you lie to him about being mad? Of course you would communicate your feelings if it does anger you.

His bothersome look subsided as he realized you were telling the truth. Then he flashed you a bright smile. "Sorry for asking, but you need to do a better job at not sounding so harsh!! I can't tell whether you're mad or not. It's really hard to distinguish!"

You took his words into consideration to improve yourself... if you felt like it.

Then the topic changed in your conversation as you guys progressed to school.

"The bullies finally stopped targeting Junpei after we stopped it. He said it's like they fear him now whenever they walk past him."

Your heart raced in anxiety as it loudly pounded in your chest. You never told him about what you did that day when you shooed him away after school. If he ever found out, Yuji would definitely be disappointed that you broke their bones. However, you never saw your action as a heroic act rather a step to keep the balance in place. You were going to stay silent about it and bring it to your grave.

"Oh is that so? That means he's finally learning how to defend himself—"

Then Yuji interrupted you in disappointment as he frowned. "Yeah because you straight up told him to man-up and stop being a wuss. You know that's mean to say." He sounded like a scolding mother in your eyes. You only said that to Junpei because you knew the school wouldn't help him. The only way to survive was to fight since the school has failed to protect their students.

You retorted back, "so what is he supposed to do? Let him get bullied? Tell the useless teachers? I mean, he can move away but he will be in fear of those who are higher than him." You knew the cycle. If Junpei doesn't stand up then he will never get anywhere in life. It's okay to get beaten down because it shows that you're not afraid of them. "You've got to motivate him to do something about it, and not wait for his knight to save him all the time."