Youthful Days (Book 1)

35. Harassment

Ayuna froze, following the jolt of panic was the shame of being discovered during an underhanded deal. Nanjiro's expressions, too, twisted and turned in alarm as Ryoma marched into the alleyway.

He walked until he was at an arm's distance to Nanjiro. "So it is you. No wonder I haven't seen you lurking around the house for the past few days."

"Lurking?! It's my home."

"I think you're better off staying home than being a public eyesore."

"How can you speak to your father like this!" Nanjiro seethed.

"Have you looked in the mirror lately?"

"Okay, I got a sunburn—so what?!" Pressing a hand to his heart, Nanjiro made an exaggerated sad face, "How can you be cruel enough to dent my self-esteem like this?"

"You're the only person embarrassing yourself."

Sensing their conversation was veering towards an argument, Ayuna surreptitiously started to back away. "I think I should probably head out and start looking for a picnic spot..."

Ryoma's head snapped around. "Hanamachi, don't you think I'm done with you yet—"

Nanjiro smacked him on the head before Ryoma finished. "How dare you speak to a girl like that! You need to apologize!"

"That hurts, you old fool! You aren't the boss of me!"

"Like it or not, I'm your father!"

"Just keep it to yourself—I don't want anyone finding out as long as we're here!"

Ayuna took their bickering as her chance to escape. Once out of the cramped alley, she bounded towards the mall entrance to meet Sakuno. Oddly enough, Ayuna saw no trace of her distinctive pigtails and pink sundress at the front. She wondered if Sakuno had followed Ryoma back, an idea that was quickly ruled out because their paths never crossed on her way out.

In the end, Ayuna decided to wait—she figured Ryoma would eventually come back out and explain Sakuno's whereabouts. She headed towards the bench at a secluded side of the building —and that was when she saw them.

It was the same obnoxious gang she saw on her first train ride to Seigaku.

Those three guys again carried tennis rackets. At the center was the leader with bleached blonde hair, while his followers each had dreads and dyed red hair. Sakuno was backed up into a corner, blocked off from the stream of shoppers passing by. The group let out occasional chortles as they pointed at her, and then the blonde guy reached out to grab her wrist.

Ayuna didn't have time to think. She knew it couldn't be a coincidence for them to target Sakuno again. To see them so openly preying on a girl was both infuriating and revolting.

"You'd better let go of her," said Ayuna as she marched up and pried the blonde guy's grimy hand off of Sakuno's arm.

He staggered back in astonishment. "Oh, what do you know? She's got a friend!"

"A pretty one at that, too!" His companions clamored. "Hey boss, she's hot! Let's take her instead!"

Ignoring their vulgar remarks, Ayuna tugged Sakuno's hand. "Come on, let's go."

"Hey, not so fast, cutie." The blonde guy blocked Ayuna's path with a sleazy grin. "We can let your friend go—only if you come with us instead. I promise we'll have lots of fun."

"No thanks," she replied curtly. "Please get out of my way."

"Oh, come on, don't try to play hard-to-get now..."