Stumbling Over Love | ✓

Chapter 13

_Chapter 13~ Bad With Directions_

"Don't worry, Kikuchi!"

My eyebrows simultaneously ascended on my forehead as I watched as the guy stalked ahead of me, arms raised and eyes glued shut. It was honestly quite amusing, but all the stares of the surrounding people left me bashful. I timidly slowed my pace as Daichi led the way.

When we turned the corner, Daichi ended up running into a garbage can, leading to quite the exaggerated reaction.

Tripping over thin air only to regain his balance thereafter, he emitted a startled battle cry.

"B-back away!" he shouted, fists clenched as if he were going to throw punches. The way he was trembling dismissed the entire idea. He was scared senseless. "I-I mean it!"

All gazes shot to the two of us. I awkwardly shrunk away, praying they wouldn't think I was with him.

"K-Kikuchi, I'll hold him back!" he shouted onward. "G-go a-ahead! I-I'll catch up!"

The guffaws that erupted around us allowed for my embarrassment to heighten. Feeling myself blush, I reached out and seized Daichi's shoulders, shoving him down the hallway.

"W-where are y-you taking me? Let's f-fight fairly!"

I sighed as he began swinging his fists into the air. Then, I let go of him.

"Sugiyama, you don't have to close your eyes."

"Kikuchi?" He parted an eyelid, peeking curiously behind him. Shock etched onto every portion of his face at the sight of me. "Why are you— What happened to the delinquent?"

"If you're talking about the garbage can you ran into, it's back there."

Daichi's jaw went slack. "Garbage... can?"

"Yes. You must be the first idiot to ever to try and pick a fight with a garbage can," I deadpanned, hastening past him. "Anyway, I'm going to be late. My dad will chew me out even more."

He pursued me in a heartbeat, falling into step with me soon enough. "Your dad?"

The question made me stiff. Typically I was grateful people couldn't piece my connection with the school nurse, but other times it really sucked. I hated explaining it to others, in fear that I'd garner unwanted attention.

"Never mind," I said.

"Okay?"

Since there wasn't anything more to be said, silence hung over us as we briskly walked towards the infirmary. Right before I could turn a final curb, I stopped dead in my tracks. My lungs malfunctioned as well—I couldn't breathe.

"Why'd you stop—oh." Further words from Daichi got caught in his throat.

Although I couldn't see him I had a feeling he was just as pale as I was.

The yells, the sounds of pummelling—with additionally faint screams here and there—held me firm in place. My heartbeat kicked in full force until I heard it loud in my ears. My fingers trembled and I swallowed hard.

"Is that..." Daichi started.

"Y-yes..." I finished, inhaling and exhaling shakily.

"Crap. It's packed today?"

"Class Presidents shouldn't swear."

"Sorry."

Mustering up as much courage as I could, I carefully poked my head out and fixed my gaze into the hallway. It wasn't surprising at all when I saw a line of delinquents trailing out of the office—two heavily wounded ones resting against the wall. The fighting was still audible, so it was most likely happening at the very back where my vision couldn't reach. At this realization, I had unknowingly begun to tremble. My mind swirled.