Chapter 04 ~ He Got a Girlfriend!?

Sana bombarded me with questions right after school. She's giving off Yamato vibes when he kept laughing about "how I locked myself in the bathroom." I tried fastening my pace, but Sana, with her long strides, kept up with me every time. And what do those questions have in common? There are all about what happen when I got "taken away".

"For the last time, Sana, I was not taken away!" I told her for the one hundredth time, "It's not like I was kidnapped or something."

"But they were SUS," Sana explained.

"Because of you, Yamato literally freaked out, and came looking for me!!! Can't you see it ruined my reputation? That was my main goal in this school!! To. Have. A. Nor. Mal. Rep. Pu. Ta. Tion!!! ):<"

"But do you know what it means? If he came rescuing you, he must've L-I-K-E you!!! ^.^"

I stopped in my tracks. "How many times have I told you before?" I said, maintaining my nerves, "We're just friends."

Sana, who probably felt me getting more and more angry, quickly added, 'It's just a joke!! Just a joke ...0_0," but quickly added, "But can't you see the pattern? When you're in trouble or having problems, Yamato is always there for you."

I had to narrow my eyes and tried to look fierce did she stopped her nonsense. But I did take time considering this.

When we reached a curb, that's when we parted ways. But Sana still needed to hear one more thing to fulfill her curiosities.

"What happened with you and the Blush Rushes?"

My eyes opened wide, "You knew about them??"

"Duh, everybody knows about them. There like the heartthrobs in school, the female version of Kenji and Yamato, except that there are five of them."

"But... I promised to keep this a secret..." I spoke.

"Well, if it's a promise, you can't break it," she agreed. Then, her face suddenly lit up. "Boom!! The lightbulb in my head just gave me an idea ^-^."

She pulled out her phone and texted me:

NotSanaFromTWICE (no, I did not name her that):

We could say it through texting. We're not saying it face-to-face.

I immediately get what's she trying to say. I texted her back:

Koko:

Alright, genius.

Koko:

So, we were just talking about how Reina was smoking in the girls' WC.

NotSanaFromTWICE:

REALLY!!?? She SMOKED?!! And YOU found out about it??!!

Koko:

Why sound so surprised?

NotSanaFromTWICE:

Nothing

NotSanaFromTWICE:

Anyway, what next?? 0>0

Koko is typing...

NotSanaFromTWICE:

QUICK

Koko:

These girls thought I was a goody 2 shoes, and that I'll tell the principal on Reina. But eventually, I got saved by Ayane. And then I left. That's it. :)))

NotSanaFromTWICE:

...

NotSanaFromTWICE:

THAT'S IT??!!

Koko:

:)))

NotSanaFromTWICE:

it's not even a big secret - _ -

Koko:

But it'll get Reina in trouble of the principal finds out.

NotSanaFromTWICE:

Whatevs.

"See you tomorrow, Ko!!" Sana waved goodbye to me in real life before disappearing entirely as she turned the corner.

After that, I started my journey alone back home. Usually, Yamato would be walking me home after Sana left, but he was stuck with basketball practice ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! This school is already luring students into practices and competitions. - _ -

Up to this moment, I realized how much I miss Yamato. Usually, he would be walking side by side with me, babbling on and on about his perspective of a "typical" school day, while I intently listen. Being pretty much quiet all the time, I don't have much to talk about. Yamato is literally the opposite of me. However, sometimes, his view on other students can be funny. Mostly I would let out a chuckle; worse was when I burst into hysterical laughter, and you couldn't believe how many pairs of eyes were staring at me >_

So concentrated in fact, I didn't realize I was going in the wrong direction.

Finally looking up, I found myself in a foggy, dark alleyway and had a strong smell of cigarettes and smoke. The walls were made of rough, uneven red bricks, but you could even think it was greyish-black because it's so dark. Long, curvy metals pipes were giving off a horrible stench (why does it remind me so much of the boys' bathroom and those burritos? 0_0) and what looked like sewage water (because it was dark green🤢) dripping from it. I frantically looked from left to right, running in all directions to find a way out, but I was more lost than ever.

"Hey, are you lost?"

I slowly turned around to face three men, probably in their twenties, in dark-colored oversized overalls. I froze and my eyes widened with fear. The man in the middle of them was wearing a brown beanie. He had a long mullet and was wearing an ugly sneer.

Beads of sweat rolled down my face. "N-no, I'm not," I lied, trying to maintain my nerves, but he could tell I was not telling the truth.

"Come on, don't be afraid," he said softly, but there was some evil intention in his tone." He held out his hand, "Come with us. We'll take you home."

I backed away, but he walked forward a step. "N-no thank you. I can find my own way home."

And then I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I kept making sharp ends to distract and confuse them (experience after them fangirls chasing my friend group). But they easily caught up with me. The beanie guy pulled my arm hard, and next moment, I was pinned to the wall, my back aching so bad. I tried glaring at him, but it came as a worried face instead.

"Aw, don't fret," said the beanie guy, smirking victoriously. "Now be a good little girl. You're pretty; pretty girls must obey, don't they, Aku?"

The man on his right nodded vigorously. He was taller and burlier than the beanie guy, but he seemed to just be following orders.

"Ahh, what a nice little catch today," he said to me, "And a high school student, too. Let's see... Ryujin-Jima High School, I see. I used to go to your school, did you know that? Until I dropped out, that is. You are rather naughty, you know, wandering around, alone, when you should be at home making dinner for the family. What will your parents think when they see their pride-and-joy in a stranger's arms, eh? That's not very good, is it?"

He pinched my cheek and twirled my hair around his finger. I was getting uncomfortable. But I had no way to escape, as his bodyguards were beside him, making sure that I was not out of their sight.

"Very soft cheeks," the beanie creep went on, "Long hair, and (*started sniffing me*) smells nice. Boys love girl with long hair who smell like roses and lavender, you know? Unlike those boy-wannabes. You have a great physique, too: fairly toned-legs, small waist, pale skin, plump lips (he put emphasis on the word and licked his lips); all the perfect qualities to be my girlfriend."

He then leaned close so that our noses almost touched each other, and stared down at me, "Say, how would you like to go out with me tonight?"

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I made a disgusted face and tried to wriggle free, but his grip on me just tightened. "Oh, it's nothing that bad. Since you're already out alone, how about you text Mommy and Daddy that you're have a sleepover with your bestie today? That way, our time together would be longer. For a whole night, actually. It's just...perfect."

He leaned more closely, smiling maliciously. I was trembling and wanted to scream for help (I had spent too much time here), but I was freaking SCARED. You can do this, I thought. All you need to do is yell for help as loud as you could, then surely somebody would come and rescue me. Just...DO IT!!!

And then I did it.

"HELP!!!!!! HELP ME OVER HERE!!!! RESCUE ME FROM THIS CREEP!!!!!!! HELP--"

The beanie guy quickly covered my mouth and he and his minions pulled me further into the alleyway. His eyes were red with fury. "You b!tch-- HOW COULD YOU!!! I gave you such a great opportunity, and this is how you repay me, brat!!??"

"Who said I want to Do It with you?" I glared at him menacingly and bit his hand. The beanie guy yowled in pain and as my teeth dug deeper, I could see blood flow out a little. Horrified at the sight of blood, I stepped back, but that gave his men to wrestle me down onto the ground. Sitting down on the ground at the wall, I looked to see the beanie creep nursing his injured hand, "You're going to regret this." Upon hearing that, the henchmen chuckled and cracked their knuckles.

Before they touched me, a voice behind us called, "What are you doing with her?"

We all turned, and I couldn't be more grateful that he showed up in time, despite all this time avoiding him for a "normal reputation". There was Yamato, standing with clenched fists and gritted teeth, his eyes giving off a killer instinct.

"Wanna fight?" the beanie guy smirked.

"Bro, that's literally what I'm here for: to take her back from your dirty hands". He eyed the bloody hand suspiciously.

"Handsome," said the beanie guy, "But your face will be unrecognizable after this. BOYS!!"

The big henchmen lunged at Yamato. But he was too quick for them. He ducked and kicked one of them in his private part. He was squirming in pain on the ground. Yamato then gave him a strong blow under the jaw at the other man, and he too was knocked out. The beanie guy was speechless. Realizing he was defeated, he cried before running away: "You'll regret this!!".

I sat there in shock at the hurt men. I can't believe Yamato had such fighting skills 0 o 0. I wasn't fully recovered when he helped me up and left the alley. The sun was setting, but I was happy to set eyes on light once more.

"How did you end up in there?" he asked as soon as we left.

"Lost, not paying attention to where I'm going, you choose." I said gloomily. I thought I heard him mumbled, "Not surprised."

"But" he went on, suddenly becoming serious, "You'd know how dangerous that was!?"

"Of course, I knew how dangerous it was!" I replied.

"Then why did you go there?" he demanded, his voice rising. "Do you have any idea what could have happened to you if you didn't show up?"

"I know, okay!?" I snapped, feeling tears sting my eyes. "I-I was thinking about s-something. So, I went the wrong way."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Koemi, you're so reckless sometimes. You have to be more careful. Always look where you're going."

Thinking that he just made a joke, I said, "Well, that's what I'm trying to achieve."

We stayed silent for a few minutes, but the journey to my house (he insisted, in order to protect me from further "kidnappings". Talk about overprotective - _ -) It took me more time to think of a way to break the ice. "How did you find me?" I asked.

"I was walking home with Kana after basketball practice (she's on the girls' team), when I heard your voice, calling for help. Very familiar. So, I left Kana alone to come help you."

"W-wait," I asked, "K-Kana? As in Kana Watanabe? Top 3 beauty in the Blushes Rushes!?"

"Yeah. She's really talented. She could throw, dribble and can even dunk very well. I'd never expected it."

"B-but--" I was about to tell him about Kana's attitude of not trusting me when the Blush Rushes cornered me in the empty classroom. However, upon remembering my promise, I stayed silent.

Yamato suddenly noticed something and was staring at my mouth. What now??

"There's something in your teeth - it's red," he explained.

"Oh, that must be blood. I must have gotten it when I bit that creepy beanie guy." I was surprised of how I mentioned such a disgusting thing in this conversation.

Yamato looked deadly impressed when he heard it, though ^ _ ^.

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When we arrived in front of my house, I could hear the sizzling of meat and someone cutting something on the cutting board. I muttered "Thank you" before going inside. But he suddenly snatched my hand and pulled me into a tight, but strangely warm hug. He whispered in my ear, "It's okay, Ko. I'm just glad you're safe. You're my best friend, you know that?"

I nodded, forgetting all about the most important I had promised myself to do for the rest of the school year.

[https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.UKG1vfTwr4H3pqkBmps5GQHaHa?pid=ImgDet&rs=1]

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That night, as I laid in bed, I thought about today's traumatic events, especially when I was almost kidnapped by a beanie guy who relied on his minions to lead him to victory. I also thought about Sana's words: "...When you're in trouble or having problems, Yamato is always there for you."

She could be right: when I asked him to help me achieve a "normal reputation", he gladly agreed, despite sucking at it. He rescued me from those creeps...

Does he like me?

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The next day, Yamato did not accompany me to school (thank goodness =), because I'm still confused about his feelings for me). Instead, Sana was beaming brightly when I walked downstairs. On our way to school, I was telling Sana dramatically about the incident yesterday. I was expecting some round of applause for the things that I had to went through because I was being brave for the first time, which is already a great achievement.

Instead, she exclaimed, "OMG, do you understand what will happen to you if Yamato hadn't come rescue you!!?? THAT'S INCREDIBLY RISKY!!!!!"

"You're sounding exactly like Yamato - _ -."

"Well, surprisingly, he's right ):0."

That's what I have to hear throughout our walk to school. :(((

But when we reached school and had arrived at our homeroom, there was a bustling and voices muttering and whispering to each other.

"What's going on, Kaiya-senpai?" Sana nudged a taller, older girl standing outside our homeroom.

"Haven't you heard?" said Kaiya-senpai excitedly (I made friends with her the day before with Sana's help). "Shimizu (1) has a girlfriend."

(1): Yamato's surname. Kaiya-senpai can call him that because she's older.

Our jaws literally dropped to the floor.

"WHAT!!??" we both said. "HE GOT A GIRLFRIEND!?"

"Yeah!" explained Kaiya-senpai, "Just this morning, Shimizu and Watanabe came in while holding hands (*shriek*)!!! And they were looking at each other very lovingly (*shriek*)!!!! They announced they were official just this morning!!!!! I think they are a very good match: both loves sports, are athletic and annoying. SO PERFECT!!!!!!!!"

She jumped up and down, giggling, while her friend stared, as if she had never known Kaiya-senpai has this crazy side. The reason Sana and Kaiya-senpai befriended because of their interest in manga and romance novels. They have read Komi Can't Communicate (watched the anime, too), etc. and read some more on Wattpad. Can't blame them; girls are like that nowadays.

As Kaiya-senpai was laughing off to herself, Sana persuaded me to demand for more answers from Yamato. To be honest, I want to know what's going on, too.

It wasn't hard finding him at all: you just need to search all the soccer fields, and basketball courts. We found him in the gym practicing with his boys, and when we spotted Kenji in the group, Sana didn't want to go in - _ -.

"Why are you sounding so determined today??" Sana demanded suspiciously. "Did I miss something...?"

I ignored the question, because I noticed something. Five tenth graders were on the bleachers, shouting and whooping for the boys. Well, only one did, and her blue hair caught my attention. Yamato saw her, smiled and blew her a kiss!!!!!

Sana's eyes widened after seeing that blow kiss while I muttered, "I guess they really are a couple now."

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We waited until his match was over, but we didn't even get to say anything to him because as they left the gym, Kana was clinging onto his arm and chatting loads to him while Yamato just seemed unbothered. I couldn't even survive that much talking!!!! 0_0

Just then the bell rang. I almost gagged because I have to see them say goodbye passionately - _ -. Yamato gave Kana a small peck on the forehead, but Kana wanted more. So they had to kiss mouth-to-mouth FOR A WHILE before parting. Seriously, Kana is too desperate.

"Well, that's whole-heartedly disgusting," I said sarcastically as we walked back to our homeroom.

"It's not when it's my girlfriend that's kissing me," he said proudly. "Don't you think Kana-san is just so...perfect? ^-^"

I shrugged, knowing deep inside that she's not ('cuz no one's 100% perfect, despite the fact that they have everything, beautiful as a goddess and literally the boss of the school), "When do you guys started dating??"

"I asked her out yesterday afternoon. Before running to help you, that is."

"What's her reply?"

"She was literally screaming with joy, saying that she had been waiting for this day, and happily accepted."

"What makes you think you could date her??"

"Well, we're both athletes, champions in different sports, and we both like eating. Technically, we're made for each other."

"Well, you're right. Heartthrobs should date heartthrobs: that's the rule in life."

But my heart was still heavy even though I was used to them dating now. Can't Yamato see Kana's bad side?

I was wondering about this, when a soft voice behind said, "Guess he didn't love you."

Yui Matsushita, leader of the Blush Rushes, standing with her group behind me (they like sneaking up on and scaring people, don't they??), folding her arms. She seemed even more beautiful than yesterday. Her brown hair was flowing graciously to the wind and her brown eyes shining and full of emotions (unlike her evil nature).

"W-What do you m-mean?" I asked nervously.

"Puh-lease," Yui rolled her eyes, "I know you like him. Why else would you hug him so friendly-like the other day?"

Oh my god!! So not true!! Yamato hugged me, not me hugging him!!!

"It's Yamato that hugged me," I explained, "As a friend."

"Lame excuse!" the red-haired Hikaru Suzuki stuck out her tongue, "We know it's love when we see it. ):>"

But Kana was the one that overreacted. She stomped towards me and held me by the collar. "You are not to touch my Yamato-kun ever again!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!!??"

What is the matter with these people?? "Y-yes, always."

Before leaving, Yui looked at me threateningly, "If you dare interfere with sweet Kana's love life--(drew her finger across her throat)".

Well, at least they helped me in achieving the top priority on my bucket list.

END OF CHAPTER 04