𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐓, BONTEN.

06. BEST SIDE

CHAPTER SIX! I'LL GIVE YOU MY BEST SIDE, TELL YOU ALL MY BEST LINES.

FIRST-PERSON
point of view,

SHUJI
shoulda kneed his dick while ur at it.

"Asshole," I muttered, stifling a grin as I read Shuji's message. Just as I was about to reply, the lunch bell echoed through the halls. I tucked my phone away, stood up, and dusted off my skirt, grabbing my wallet before heading out.

Lunch—the best and most aggravating part of the day.

Spending time with Bonten had its perks, sure, but lately, it felt like I was paying a hefty price. 

They were my closest friends, and because of them, I was almost untouchable on campus. But that also meant I was utterly alone. It was impossible to have a conversation with anyone outside of them—not without Bonten scaring them off, anyway. They didn't tolerate anyone else getting close to me, especially other boys, and they made sure everyone knew it. Even the girls didn't dare try to befriend me, afraid of their dark, mean-looking presence. I was the only person on campus who saw anything besides their tough exteriors, but it didn't change the fact that they'd essentially turned me into a social outcast.

If I'd known things would turn out this way, I would've drawn boundaries long ago.

But it was too late now. I couldn't exactly tell Bonten—the people who had my back through everything—to stop "protecting" me, no matter how much it got on my nerves. They were enough for me, I was supposed to not need anyone else but them. Yet the irony of it all was that they were supposed to be my friends, and yet they were the reason I felt so isolated. Each time I passed a group of students laughing together, a pang of resentment twisted inside me of what it could have been if I hadn't depended on them so much.

I pushed open the cafeteria door, feeling eyes on me. I ignored them. By now, the stares were probably going to be a part of the routine.

As I scanned the room, the smell of freshly tossed salad hit me, bringing back a flood of memories from cheer practice before the Inter-High Sports Festival. I used to order salads every day back then. Brings back memories somehow.

Deciding to try it for the afternoon, I placed my order and purchased it by the counter, telling them afterward the designated vacant table that I had found so they could deliver the tray later.

As the minutes dragged on, I pulled out my phone, scrolling through social media in a futile attempt to distract myself from the unwanted stares of my schoolmates. I glanced at the group chat where Chifuyu's relentless barrage of goofy snapshots kept everyone entertained, Takemichi's latest drooling face was the highlight. Others were also present. Draken, Mistuya, Hakkai, and even Shuji, are all on the rooftop. Most likely cutting classes.

Having the urge to contact them, you pressed the call button. Moments later, it rang.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. Whispers slithered through the cafeteria, drawing everyone's attention toward the entrance. It was only a matter of time before things worsened, but I had already expected this.

Sano Manjiro strode in, unmistakable even in his disheveled state. His usually pristine uniform was a casualty of a long night, the collar askew and the necktie knotted haphazardly. Clinging to his arm was Himari Matsumoto, her expression a mix of pride and mischief. The marks on her neck were glaring as if she wore her latest conquests like trophies. They commanded the attention of the room, and my stomach churned at the sight.