Beyond the Virge

Chapter 24: Forgotten

I stood my ground. The sun was shining and in front of me were the three stooges, Axel, Jack, and especially Hunter. I was circled around them. They were prepared for a talk. Of course, I can't fight them. Jack made his first move.

"Gah!" I say as I was thrown into the wall.

The echoing of footsteps slowly approaches me. "I still don't understand how you always catch Kiko's attention?"

"How have you never learned? It's already been a year."

"Oh did birdy not tell you? The big rumor that has been spreading recently?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Kiko apparently likes you Clover, and if it isn't obvious, I'm quite jealous," Hunter said. "The quiet, introverted loser is being liked by a queen of the school. It doesn't make any fucking sense!"

I took a hit to the face, getting the recoil back at the basketball cart. I tried to get up, but I was hit too hard. I was then raised up from my feet by Jack, holding me by the collar.

"So I thought if I take out the competition, I'll be on top," Hunter says.

"Fuck you!" I said slowly.

As I was about to take a hit, the boys were interrupted by a slam of the door, opening to the gym. Yuki and Ivy were there once again to save me, not only that, the rest of the class was there and Ms. Kazumi was there besides the two.

"Hunter, Axel, and Jack! It's been a year and you're still at this again?" she says.

"Ms. Kazumi, it's something personal, trust me, we were just checking if he is okay!"

"How come Katsumi heard, "If I take out the competition I'll be on top!?" she says.

Hunter started stuttering and Axel and Jack were distracted. With some of the strength I have left, I kicked Jack, making him drop me, leading Yuki and Ivy to grab me.

It wasn't till long till I opened my eyes to the nurses' office once again.

"Hello, Clover."

"Hey, Ms. Lucia. Thanks for taking care of me once again."

She chuckles, "It's all in favor of my job now. I care for my patients."

"Clover!" Yuki says jumping onto me.

"Gah! Yuki, get off me!"

"You alright Clover?" Kiko asks as Yuki gets off of me.

"Yeah, I'm alright, thanks for coming after me. I really appreciate it."

Kiko started to turn red, "Oh, it's nothing. N-Not like I did it for you especially..."

Wait for it....

"I-idiot."

There it is!

"Ms. Kiko, your face seems to be turning red. Plus I noticed that you seemed to be having a large liking with Clover here."

Kiko's face started to get even redder, "W-What are you talking about? I-I,-" she continues to stutter.

Ms. Lucia starts to give a smug expression towards Kiko as she hides her face within her jacket. I sat there confused about the situation I'm in. Yuki on the other side was staring at me with a dark aura around her.

About an hour later, I was released out of the nurses' office.

"Hey Clover, I've noticed a big change about you since last year."

I raise an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"You seemed to be more talkative lately. Like you're getting used to us already huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Before you wouldn't even look back at our last year every time we talked at lunch."

"And you're saying?"

"I-I'm saying that I like the fact that you started talking to us more, that's all!" she says turning red.

"Ahem!" Yuki says.

"Sorry, sis. I didn't forget about you." I say as she puts her arm around my shoulders.

"Thought so. I hope those boys don't go at you."

"Yeah. Apparently, all of the arguments were all because I started talking to you Kiko."

"Eh?" the two say.

"You were beaten up because you always talk to me?"

"Yep."

The two started cracking up.

"I may be the most beautiful girl in school, but to talk to me? Oh please!" she says.

"That's so stupid!"

"You tell me. I get beaten up almost every day, and I wouldn't be here still without you two, Ivy and Katsumi. So. Thank you, I guess."

"No problem. I was just devastated when I heard what Katsumi told Ms. Kazumi."

"Here, I'll treat the girls tomorrow. We can go to one of the restaurants around the road and I'll treat you guys."

"Really?" the two say.

I nod.

Some time has past and school ended. Before we went back to class. Kiko wanted to tell me something before it started again. So I walked up to the rooftops and see her standing with the wind blowing her hair to the side.

"Kiko?"

"Hey, Clover. Thanks for coming."

"It's nothing, what's up?"

She slowly dipped her head down and started to walk towards me. "You've heard about all of the rumors right?"

"About you having a crush on me? Too many times."

"W-Well it's not a rumor."

"Eh?"

"Clover Imaizumi, I actually like you. A lot..."

I was frozen. I didn't know how to feel. I was flattered, but I didn't know how to react. "I see," I say. "I really appreciate your feelings."

"Then, will you be my boyfriend!?" she says.

I didn't know how to react. I'm not prepared for this at all. I never had this happen. "Kiko, you see. I'm not prepared for that kind of status. Can we stay as friends for now?"

I would see her turn her happiness into sadness.

"Look, it's not you. It's completely me. I just don't think I'm prepared."

"I see."

"I'm sorry if my answer wasn't to your expectations, I hope you understand."

Walking out of the campus, I saw Yuki catch up to me. "You seem down, what happened?"

"Kiko confessed to me and I didn't know how to answer."

"I see."

I noticed her face was giving a little angry and jealous tone. "Are you jealous sis?"

"No, I'm just grateful y'know, but how did you respond?"

"I didn't decline nor accept. I just don't feel ready y'know."

"My little brother is already growing up!"

"Hey!"