people pleaser | nishimura riki

3. melon bun

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

Aira was the type of girl who would believe one, even if she knew they were lying. She thought if it were to make them feel relieved and wanted, she would destroy her morals for them.

In other words, she had always put everyone else before her.

"Aira! The usual." A classmate of hers asked casually before handing her the bill. It was a common misconception from a thirds person point of view that she was being forced but it was a common assumption that such a lively girl like Aira would always say yes.

And the assumption was correct.

Never have any of her classmates heard her disagree at all. As if she wasn't capable of refusing.

"Saro." The classmate was suddenly called upon by a voice that almost sent shivers down to whoever had caught on. Their eyes shifted towards the boy leaning against the doorframe. His hands were pocketed inside his jacket, still with a hood. It's been a few days yet not once had he shown up in the proper school uniform. 

They all waited for his response from the sudden calling to his classmate he had rarely interacted with. Aira had noticed the corner of his lips were lightly curved; intentional.

"Buy me a cream bun." He lazily smirked, eyes ever so sharp.

Trying not to jump to a conclusion, Sato had assumed he had misheard and replied back. "It's Sato. Oh but great timing. Aira was just about to head out to buy the food."

"Why should she when she brought her own lunch?" The standing boy raised an eyebrow.

This was the moment tension invited itself to the room.

"Nishimura." Sato exhaled in exasperation. He was one of the males that despised him due to his looks his power, his intelligence, and arrogance. He was one of the males that hated him due to jealousy. However, such emotions cannot be controlled. "Don't test me."

"You have legs." Riki signalled him to stand up and move. "Go."

"Just because you're popular doesn't mean you can fucking order me around." The now-triggered boy stood up and took a few steps toward the boy who completely contrasted his emotions.

"Hypocritical. Don't you think?" Riki calmly took a step toward the angered boy.

"You fucking bastard!"

Due to the sudden raise in volume, students from outside the classroom were now sticking around to watch the commotion. Students inside the classroom were watching from the beginning, and with every second passing, nervousness ran cold in their blood.

Feeling this was not going to end well, Aira quickly stood beside Riki, facing Sato whom she had never seen so mad.

"Sato. It's okay i'll buy you your melon bu-" But before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by his voice.

"Keep your pretty mouth shut." Riki bent over towards her ears as he whispered those imperative words. 

How could Aira disobey anyone, let alone Riki himself.

"Why don't you just mind your own business!" Sato hated how Riki was so composed even in such a tense situation. The fact he was not taken seriously only added more fuel to the fire. And within the next few moments, Aira stepped in front of him in hopes of protecting him.

She squeezed her eyes shut as the last thing she saw was the way Sato had clenched his hand into a fist, raising it in her direction. The way she did not hesitate to take the punch for him despite the aftermath of pain she was going to take.

If only Aira had learnt to put herself before others.

However, just like the long awaiting pain, she thought she was going to feel from the stairs before Riki had saved her. She was once again been saved by him.

Oh, irony when she was the one who stepped in front of him to protect him.

"Stupid girl." He muttered. Her body had been gently pulled towards his with one hand, moving aside as he blocked the punch with the other.

"I don't have time for your bullshit. Save your energy to buy your fucking melon bun instead." The boy was now caught off guard by how fast his reflex was. 

Releasing all physical contact, he began walking towards the exit before stopping. "Aira." He turned slightly and looked straight at the girl who was probably still shaken by how close she was to being punched. "Follow me."

Without even processing his words, her body reacted and began trailing behind his steps.

And with that, Riki Nishimura had left the scene as if he wasn't part of it in the first place.

Left the scene with pushover Aira.