Chapter 1
== An Unlikely Friend ==
…at your service.
I just… I just don’t understand why she said such a thing on her first day in school. No sane person will say that to a new classmate! Normally they will say ‘nice to meet you’ or ‘I hope we can be friends’, right? But ‘at your service’?
Even though she has been labeled a weirdo, her face tells me nothing. She doesn’t feel the least ashamed and keeps walking with her head high. She is definitely not okay in the head, but her presence warms my heart. I keep staring at her, hoping that she’d meet my eyes but it is no use. Shindou-san is reading some book seriously. I’m not sad, really. I have to be patient. Love must be placed carefully or else it will crumble.
The Math and Economics teachers are away for important matters, so we’re having a long break. I want so much to scream ‘lucky’, but I hold it inside. I should mind my manners because I’m in high school.
As expected, the class quickly divided into several groups. The gossip-lovers gather around and begin sharing the latest news about their favorite idols, the study-freaks assemble for scientific purposes, and the normies group together and chat like normies do.
Me? Nah, I don’t belong anywhere. Why? Because I’m no good talking to strangers and I love classical music. Most teenagers love light music, I know that. If I tell them that I love classical music, they will think that I’m boring or even weird. It’s not my fault that I love the classics. These pieces are more beautiful than your average music out there! I bet those stupid classmates just know Beethoven as a composer, but don’t listen to any of his works! Humph! They don’t even know the elegance of Mozart, or the grandeur of Bach, the serene of Pachelbel’s music, or even Tchaikovsky’s sad pieces.
I don’t know why, but I feel that someone is staring at me right now. Gulping, I slowly turn my head to the source and see the bully guy beside me. He is leaning his head against one arm on the table and his expression clearly doesn’t look friendly. God, his eyes are so sharp they make me tremble.
Panic begins to spread from my mind to my body. I can’t think straight. Are you kidding me? First day at school and I’m about to be bullied? Is this some kind of cliché high school soap opera on TV?
“Kinomori, right?”
Damn! He is speaking to me! If I don’t answer him, he might hit me in my face. But if I answer him, then he will bully me for sure! Any stupid people knows that look and that tone of voice! He will definitely make my three years school life like hell!!
I glance around for help, but my classmates turn a blind eye. Shit! They all decided to sacrifice me! Fuck you all! I guess I have no choice but to stand on my own this time! I’m not scared!
“Y-Yeah. What do you want?” I’m not afraid and I will not back down. If he punches me, I’ll punch him back.
“I’m hungry.”
Damn! Here comes that legendary bully phrase! Shit! I know he’ll make me his slave and boss me around like he owns my life! Now he wants me to buy him lunch! What should I do? Oh, God, I’m trembling…
Suddenly his big hand grabs my right arm and I’m being dragged outside the classroom. Why me?!! I didn’t do anything weird! I’m wearing my uniform just fine! I brushed my hair and I’m not wearing glasses! Why??!!
Okay, I take my words back. I’m scared. With our difference in height and build, walking beside him feels like walking with a grim reaper. One slight movement might cost me my life. As we walk to the cafeteria, a lot of students stare at us, especially at me. I truly, truly hate the expressions they give me. The look that speaks, ‘Poor guy. He’s gonna feel hell soon!’. If you’re so sorry for me, why don’t you save me instead of looking at me?! Stupid humans!
The cafeteria is rather empty, save for those who skip class. As I look around, my eyes widen in amazement. This place is spacious and clean, fit for a prestigious school. The tables are white in color and spotless and several pots filled with beautiful flower. Somehow the flowers give the place a calming atmosphere. I love the floor pattern. The combination of black and white is truly magnificent. Oh, my god! There are even four pillars here, each are crafted with delicate patterns. Ordinary schools don’t even have this kind of thing.
The bully guy suddenly has me in a headlock, “Aren’t you hungry? Go on, order something.”
Yeah, right. And you’ll make me pay yours, too.
He’s rather clingy to me it’s creepy. I try so hard to ignore him and order a glass of orange juice. Just standing close to him makes me full. It’s kind of amazing, but not in a good way.
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Bully guy looks at me incredulously, “You sure?”
I cower, “Y-Yeah… I’m not that hungry. Uh, I’ll look for a table…” he releases me and orders something, leaving me to scowl at my weakness. Damn this! Did I have something on my face that attracts bullies? Without thinking, I sit on a chair near one of the pillars and sip on my juice. It doesn’t make my mood any better and it tastes horrible in my mouth.
The bully guy comes to me carrying a tray. Once he puts it down, I feel my jaw drop a few inches. He ordered three dishes of meat sandwich and two glasses of lemon juice. Fuck. This guy is going to squeeze my money dry!
“Oi, Aki.”
Fuck. Since when we’re on first name basis?
“You look angry.”
“I’m not.”
Shit. How can this guy be so stupid? Of course I’m angry because he’s stuffing himself with my money! My parents don’t give me their money for you, dammit! Shit! I soo want to grab a knife and stab him!
He places one of his sandwiches in front of me, “Eat that.”
I push the plate back to him, “No, thanks.”
“Why?”
“I’m not hungry.” Shit, shit, shit, shit.
“It’s on me.”
I slam the table with my hands, screaming, “Hieeee?!!” Every pair of eyes stares at us, but I ignore them. I’m more focused on someone in front of me—focused on what he was saying.
The bully guy blinks twice and speaks flatly, “I said it’s on me. Your juice. Oh, and this sandwich, too.”
I take a deep breath to compose myself. I wish I heard it wrong, but I was wrong. He did pay for my juice, which is strange because he was supposed to be bullying me! I was supposed to lie on the floor all beaten up and all my money taken!
“But why? I don’t understand!”
“Why what?”
I facepalm myself with two hands, feeling that I don’t want to explain everything to this guy.
****
What was his name again? Shino? Shimano? No, no, that’s a bicycle brakes. Shindou? No, no! Not her! Endou? Yeah, I remember. Endou Shin, the bully-looking guy. He is tall and has a strong physique. His build makes you think twice before trying to mess him up. Plus the eternal scowling look on his face dares you to talk back at him. He was born to be a bully for sure.
But why did he pay for my lunch?
No, Aki! Don’t be deceived! There must be some hidden motives behind all of this. Yeah, there must be! I’m not a fool. He is definitely a bully and he has chosen me as his next victim. That free lunch must be a trick to lower my guard!
Back in the class, I find myself staring at her again. Shindou-san sure is beautiful. The way her hair sways gently in the breeze, her dainty and rosy fingers that I want so much to hold, and how I want to hug her in my arms. Call me selfish, but sometimes love has to be like that. Being in love means you have to look at your girlfriend only, not others. You have to cherish her, make her happy. Only then you’ll receive the hard-earned reward—her smile. You don’t need anything as long as you can see her smile.
But I’m so shy. I can’t just go and say something to her. I can’t even move as if my feet are firmly planted on the ground. Oh, should I text her? That makes thing easier. Shit, I don’t even have her number! You idiot, Aki! You idiot!
Until the school end, I can only look at her from afar. I just can’t muster up my courage and talk to her. What a coward. I sigh deeply as I walk to the parking area. I wish I could ride a bike together with her. I would be at the front, pedaling and she’d be sitting behind me with her arms around my body. How I wish that dream could come true...
“You going home?”
I jump in surprise. I know that voice! The voice that tells me I should run like hell. Fuck, that’s him alright. Endou Shin. He is leaning himself against a lamp post near the parking exit. His face is scary and I instantly gulp.
“C-Can I help you?” my voice is slightly shaking and I can’t help it! He is super damn scary!
He smiles, but it makes him look scarier. “Let’s have some fun. Do you have money?”
Damn! I know it! That lunch is definitely a trick! Now he really is bullying me! Sweat slowly trickles down my cheek as I glance around trying to find an escape route. I’m ready to dash with my bike, but he’s blocking the way to the exit. Should I ram him with my bike? Or should I distract him by pushing my bike towards him and run for the hell of it?
“C’mon. Give me your wallet,” he takes several steps towards me and I take a step back. My hands are trembling and I bite my lower lip. Suddenly he grabs my right hand and gropes my trousers. I instinctively struggle to free myself. He won’t get any cent from me!
My strength can’t match someone as tall as him and he snatches my wallet. I watch hopelessly as he opens it and counts the money inside. To my surprise, he smiles and tosses my wallet back at me. Still in daze, I stare blankly at him instead of pocketing the wallet. My body won’t move no matter how I want it to.
The bully guy takes a hold on my bike and hops on it. “Why are you spacing out like that?”
I slowly pick up my wallet, which surprisingly still intact with money, and look at him. Bully guy smiles and smacks my arm, “There’s a new karaoke bar near the police station. Hop on. I’ll ride you there.”
“A-A-Alright…” I do what I am told to and sit on the back seat. He leisurely grabs my bag, puts it inside the basket along with his own and then starts pedaling. He ignores many surprised pair of eyes and so do I. We must’ve looked like lovers now. Like I care.
Along the road, he points at several places that are great to hang out. Even though I know some of them, I don’t want to interrupt him and let him talk as much as he wants. Sometimes he laughs and sometimes he grins. His expressions leave me in a long silence. He is a bully, isn’t he? If he is, then why wouldn’t he punch me? Why would he take me to a karaoke bar? Isn’t that a place for friends to have some fun?
Friends.
I gasp.
Staring at his broad back, I am speechless. Could it be that this guy is trying to befriend me? Suddenly I have the urge to laugh and I do it. The thought of being bullied is just my imagination. This guy in front of me is a great guy. He must’ve born with that sultry looks and everyone, including me, misunderstands him. Really… he is just looking for a friend, not a victim.
****
“I’m home,” I speak aloud while closing the door. There’s no answer because my mom and dad are visiting their childhood friend in the hospital. I take my shoes off and go upstairs after wetting my dry throat with a glass of milk. I sang like crazy and totally had fun, thanks to Endou-san. He is cool and awesome. His image I have now is totally different from what I had during his first introduction.
He is kind. Truly kind.
I collapse on the bed back first. Bringing up my cellphone above me, I stare at a new number I’ve just gotten. Slowly the end of my lips curved upwards.
I’ve made myself a new friend.