Love so Life

10.

Nao's cold is gone and we're on our way to our school.
We're talking less awkardly, I'm glad we became friends in the end.
"You know, Yuta and Akito will be entering the school, and then we'll be third years and they first years."
He told me.
Oh, that's right. Next year I'll be a third year.
"Yeah, that's right. I can't wait to be called senpai by them."
I joked around and he laughed.
"Haha, now that you're mention it. By the way, how's your foot?"
He's looking  at me worried, as I'm stumbling.
He tried to put an arm around my shoulder, but I politely stopped him.
"Don't worry about me, I'm not made of suger."
I grinned at him to convince him.
He warmly smiles back at me.
"That smile of yours is way better than that grim look you always show. You might even find friends."
His first words made me happy, but the next words slightly hurt me.
Does Nao not think of me as a friend..?
Nao frowns when he sees me turning sad.
"Hey, what's wrong? That was a compliment, you know?"
He said.
Compliment? I don't know if I should be happy or not.
I avoided my gaze, not answeringhim.
We're almost at the school gate, so I stopped walking and looked him in the eyes again.
"Well then, see you later."
I turned away, trying to leave, when he suddenly stopped me.
"Wait, can't we go to school together?"
I didn't turn around, annoyed of his perceptiveness.
"I..have somewhere to go. See ya'"
I stumbled away with these words.
When I entered the school, murmurs ring out my ears.
"Hey, there is she. I heard she admit the truth of the sabotage..."
She said.
"Oh yea? Finally, I hope Killer Machine gets what she deserves."
He said. The rest nods agreeing to him. Even some of the teachers.
I sighed to myself silently, already imagining in what situation I'm in.
Suddenly.
"Tachibana. Come here for a sec."
That cold tone I only got to hear yesterday.
Mr. Kogami.
There he stands, waiting for me to approach him.
As I walked, I could hear people snickering at me.
I want to cry, but I'm keeping my cool gaze.
I bowed to Mr. Kogami. He sighs.
He starts to walk away. I follow.
We entered an empty classroom.
"First I'd like to hear why you wre doing that."
His gaze is more serious than ever.
But I only snickered, something like that is nothing new for me.
Yet...my heart is hurting. I don't know why, but .Although it was my plan, I don't want him to hate me.
Despite my aching heart,  I just hide myself behind my devilish mask.
"Do I really have to tell, sensei? I'm one of the bad guys, you know? Just tell mr what I deserve, please."
My words are harsh but polite at the same time.
Mr. Kogami looks like he wants to say something, but shuts his mouth quickly.
He sighs.
"Haa, you have to stay at school today, and repair the things that were damaged. Alright?"
It's funny that he's not  referring to me, when he said 'that were damaged'.
I nod in agreement.
I actually like repairing and painting things. When I was smaller, and my parents damaged any of my things, I would repair it again. And I'm actually good at this.
He said everything he needed, and left.
I don't want him to leave me. I want to blurt out the truth, telling it wasn't me. But everything I did, was standing there in this lonely classroom, clenching my fists.

Mr. Kogami leaves the building to his secret smoking place, only Yuuki and Mr. Kogami knows about. He took out a cigarette, but doesn't find his lighter.
He throws it into a bin annoyed.
He sighs to himself, wanting to punch himself in the face.
"Why do I believe that Tachibana did nothing wrong...? No.. I don't want to believe it... Damn it..."
Mr. Kogami sits on a nearby bench, and holds his head in shame.

Meanwhile, I'm on my way to my 'hideout', but suddenly stop in my tracks.
Wait. What if Mr. Kogami is there...?
I hung my head, when I hear shouts coming from the hallway.
Who's in a place like this..?
I quitetly sneak to the voices to see four boys, three of them are bullying and kicking a first year.
I can't understand what they are shouting, I'm still to far away.
I went closer to them.
The poor guy tried to stand up and run away, but the tallest of the three grabbed him by his collar.
"Where'd ya' think yer goin'? We only wanna talk to ya' alittle."
That boy looks scared to death.
I'm not going to help anyone again, it's only wasting time.
I turned around to leave, when the boy shouts.
"P-please let g-go of me! I already damaged the things for the festival, and Yuuki Tachibana even admit!!"
He begins to cry uncontrollably, and I gasped.
So it was him...!
I tried to leave once again, rage boiling inside of me.
But I stopped again.
Although...it wasn't his fault. He was being forced to. At least he doesn't looks like he is lying. But I still don't want to help him.
I'm being stubborn, and took my faus holenirst steps. I could hear him shake his fist at the first year.
He raised his fist.
But before anything could happen, I find myself running towards the third year, garbbing his raised fist.
Ha, so I did it...
My face turned more and more into a death glare.
All of them are staring at me in surprise.
The one, who wanted to punch the boy, is having the most scared face.
I just tighten my grip, my bangs are hiding my eyes. He's grimacing of the paing I cause.
He shouts, stuttering.
"Y-you are...!"
Noticing in what situation he's in right now, he immedately began to tremble.
"L-l-let me go, you bitch...! Guys! Help me!!"
But instead of doing that, they are just running away, screaming ontheir way.

He looks even more frightened at me.
"I-it was him...!!" He's pointing at the first year. "He did that! Please don't do anything to me!!"
He looks at me as if I were a murderer, I don't want to hurt him though. But my rage is growing and growing.
"Run away. If you do anything to that boy again, you will pay."
My voice is cold as ice, as soon as I let him go, he tried to run away. But I grabbed his collar, making him unable to move.
"Say sorry to him."
I referred to the boy, who's looking at us astonished.
The third year bowed his head and is shouting.
"I-I'm s-sorry..! For everything!!"
I let him go with that.
I sighed.
I notice the first year staring at me.
I walked up to him, making him falling on the ground. But I don't stop.
I kneeled down to look at him.
"Are you okay?"
I asked him, my voice surprisingly calm. Even I'm shocked.
I should  be scolding him for him doing such a thing...but I can't bring myself to.
He seems very surprised by my sudden change of mood, but I only laid my hand on his head, my expression very calm. I'm not smiling though.
He seems to have finally calmed down, and nods.
I sigh in relieve.
"That's good to hear." I said and looked at a  clock.
My detention almost begins.
I looken at the first year again.
"Well, I have to go. My punishment for the damaged things. If they bully you again, just call me, alright? You know where you can find me."
I helped him stand up.
I turned around to leave, but he stops me.
"W-wait...! I'm supposed to get the punishment...! So why...--"
He seriously looks confused so I put my hand on his shoulder.
I gently smiled at him.
"Don't worry. You're not fault at anything, okay? Just don't let yourself get influenced by them again, okay?"
His eyes are getting wet.
He nods.
I nod back.
Once again, I'm turning around to leave, but stopped halfway.
I locked eyes with him again.
"By the way, what's your name..?"
His eyes began to shine when Iasked him.
"Su..Subaru..!"
My smile gets bigger, my heart is getting warm.
"Oh, Subaru? That's a cool name. Nice to meet you. My name is Yuuki."

With a last smile I took my leaves. This time for sure.