Underneath the Moonlight: REBOOT! || Osorō Shidesu x OC

18 - The Delinquents' Dilemma

Week 4

Another Monday.

As usual, Aru and I walked into school together, separating to go to our respective shoe lockers. Everything was normal until I opened my locker.

A pink note fluttered out and fell at my feet. I picked it up and started reading, smiling at first — until I read the whole thing, that is.

The sweet-smelling aroma of your perfume every morning makes me sick.

A chill ran down my spine as I reread it, double checking that I read it right. For some reason, something about this note... had a sinister undertone to it...

Who the hell would write something like this...

Crumpling that note, I shut my locker just as Aso's voice asked, "What's that?"

I turned to face him, forcing a bright smile as I pocketed the crumpled note. "Oh, nothing, just some silly gossip that I don't really care for. Anyway, good morning, Aso."

Aso smiled, too, not realizing I was masking my anxiety. "Good morning, Athena-sama." I decided to walk with him as he continued, "So, your big party is this Saturday. Excited?"

I shrugged. "Yes and no. Also nervous, haha. I'm used to parties like these, but... I've never had them solely in my honor. Usually, my father is the main event, you know?"

"Well, this weekend, you're the woman of the hour," Aso said, winking. "When do I need to pick up my outfit?"

"Probably Thursday or Friday, but I'll double check with—"

"Miss Athena Akiyama?"

Aso and I glanced away from each other, our attention diverted to the guidance counselor, Ms. Genka Kunahito, as she walked our way, a serious, stony expression on her face.

I gulped. Well, doesn't she have a mean RBF...

"Can I see you in my office for a moment? You aren't in trouble, I promise, I just want to chat with you," she assured me.

Aso's hand gently fell on my shoulder. "I'll see you in class?"

I nodded. "Okay."

He surprised both me and Ms. Kunahito by kissing my cheek before he left. Upon entering her office, the counselor asked me, "Is he your boyfriend? You look close."

I shook my head. "No, I don't have a boyfriend. Aso is just a good friend of mine."

She scoffed as she sat behind her desk, shooting me a knowing smirk. "If I had to guess, that boy probably thinks of you as more than just a good friend."

I sighed. "I'm aware. Anyway, you wanted to speak to me?"

"Right," she said, becoming serious again as she sighed. "In truth, I originally wanted to speak to your brother, since he hangs around them much more than you, but... he's a bit similar to them, so I opted to call you into my office, instead."

"Who's them?"

"The delinquents."

I stiffened. If she's noticed me with them, then does my father know about it, too?

I hoped not.

"What about them?" I asked, as calmly as I could muster.

She let out another sigh, a deep one, like she was struggling with a horribly difficult dilemma. "Well, you see... before those boys became delinquents, they were bullied. They became so aggressive because of Osorō Shidesu. I'm not sure what he did, but he inspired those boys to stand up for themselves — but in an incredibly threatening and violent way."

I resisted the urge to smile. Osorō, being an inspiration to his gang? In a way, I was kind of proud.

But then I frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"

She sighed again. "The headmaster wants to permanently expel the delinquents... and fire me, unless I can reform those delinquents into behaving properly again."

I let her words sink in as an anchor weighed heavily on my heart and tongue.

So basically... if the delinquents don't stop being delinquents, they'll all be expelled? Including Osorō?

"That's correct," Ms. Kunahita answered my thought, and I slapped a hand over my mouth, realizing I must've said that thought out loud, and now the guidance counselor was narrowing her eyes at me — most likely suspicious of me singling out Osorō.

Clearing my throat before she could question me, I quickly asked, "But again, why are you telling me this?"

"Because I need your help," she said. "You and your brother seem close to them, closer to them than any other student here has ever gotten. Maybe the two of you could, I don't know, help me talk some sense into them? So that they won't be expelled, and I won't be fired?"

It was my turn to narrow my eyes. "Is this about helping the delinquents, or saving your job?"

"It's about both!" she exclaimed as she banged her fists on her desk, startling me so much, I flinched, hard. She inhaled to calm herself upon noticing my reaction. "Sorry, I just... there are students here that trust and rely on me. If I were fired..." She sighed. "I care deeply for each and every student's success at Akademi Academy. I care about their well-beings, education, their futures... Akademi Academy is a high-profile, prestigious school. We're the best school here in Japan, for good reason. Here, our students are the future, and some of our students, like yourself, come from powerful and wealthy families. I would hate to see any of you fail here, including the delinquents."

I gulped. "I'm... not entirely sure how much influence I'd have on the delinquents, but... I'll try my best. If I can."

"That's all I ask of you, is to try," she said. "I'm desperate, Miss Akiyama. There's so much more at stake than just my job."

"I understand."

"Thank you. You're dismissed."

"Thank you."

I grabbed my purse and left her office, my mind hazy as I bit down softly on one of my nails. The delinquents... Osorō... expelled? I had to do something to stop it from happening, but... how? And what?

A light tap on my shoulder interrupted my thoughts, and a familiar voice whispered, "Meet me in the maze."

I turned and watched as Osorō walked away, my heart twisting into a knot. I didn't want Osorō to change, because I fell for him because of the way he was now. But... if he didn't change...

I sighed and rubbed my forehead as I walked in the opposite direction, taking the long way to what seemed like our new secret spot.

What am I gonna do...