June 1992.

It was an ordinary day in Minta, a town directly north of Ginga, yet the high school of Nacel Academy was immediately shaken up early in the morning by the simultaneous entrance of two male students in their fourth year. The peaceful first day of the school year was immediately disrupted with the appearance of Shuu Akanami and Junpei Kirishima.

As if a literal force was moving in the ground of the school, the students, either old or new, were instinctively walking away from the path of the two without even the need of seeing them with their eyes.

The two of them were walking side by side, yet the reception to their entrance was wildly different. On Shuu Akanami's side, he was greeted with cheerful good-mornings as he passed but it was not the same for Junpei Kirishima, which students avoid meeting their eyes even on his foot, let alone move an inch when they are at most a meter near him.

For notable reasons, the two of them were regarded as the faces of Nacel for better or for worse. Junpei was an utter delinquent, although not very obvious to people that are outside their school. He dresses appropriately, does not dye his hair and not an air of delinquency can be felt from him at first glance, and even if he has a naturally intense glare even at a straight face, he was not someone whom someone will fear of. But beyond his outside appearance, rumors have propagated around him. Many say that he thrashed a whole gang from a neighboring high school, or that not even a hit with a nail bat can stop him from his wrath. The rumors were not entirely wrong, but highly exaggerated. And due to those, his image as a proper student was immediately replaced with that of a violent beast.

But there was a reason why Shuu was standing beside him. No, he was and is not a delinquent unlike Junpei. He is a charismatic, cheerful, and happy go lucky person, yet he is not considered as a very dependable person unlike one that has the qualities of a leader. His grades were average to the core, he sometimes gets people's attention unnecessarily, yet he is not flashy; but for the reason that he was well-known is because he is the only one in the school who was able to pacify Junpei to an extent.

Dating back to two years when they were in their second year of high school, in one way or another, Shuu was able to pull away Junpei from brawls for reasons that others do not know. And so the present—where his violent activities have been lessened because of Shuu's excessive meddling.

"Don't go looking for me."

"Skipping already for the first day of classes, huh. But at least study if you want to get out of your situation~ You know what I'm talking about, Hothead. No future means no future to him too.

Well then. I'm going on ahead."

Shuu may be someone that has the ability to stop the problem child, but he was rather tolerant of Junpei's actions. He was never the most attentive person to begin with. He has given up on the request of the teachers to change him completely as he is in fact unable to do such a feat. But instead he lets Junpei do what he wants which is not his worry at all, because he knows where to hit his weak spots; not because of inflicting grief or mischief to him but because he cares about the delinquent's circumstances.

▪ ▪ ▪

In the Akanami household, the door opened with the turning of the key on the hands of Junpei.

"Oh, finally home. Did you get the stuff I asked you to buy?" asked Shuu with a ladle as he immediately nabs the bags that Junpei was holding.

On that note, he swiftly climbed the stairs and opened the door of Shuu's room. From a big luggage, he took a change of clothes and came down upon dressing up anew from his school uniform.

"Oh… it's Wednesday today, huh. Be back by dinner then."

"…"

Q: Why is Junpei Kirishima staying in the Akanami household?

A: He ran away from home.

In summer a few months ago, Junpei disappeared from his original home for he is suffocating in his environment. For so many years now, there was not a single interaction in all of his family. From his parents to his sibling, there was not a single sound or utterance of word in their family. It felt as if they are only living on their own, appearing like anyone is air near them.

It was dead silent, and that stillness drove him away from his home with a predicament that he took on himself to boot.

His brother was two years younger than him. A year before running away from his abode, his younger brother got diagnosed with tuberculosis at such a young age that was potentially caused by the incessant smoking of his father. With the good heart of his uncle, his younger brother moved out to their place, recovering mostly in a room where he is isolated from other people most of the time.

It was not feasible for Junpei to visit him every single day as he is working to receive a penny without other's knowledge, but for the reason to help the medical expenses for his brother. And in the process of his weekly visit, the distance between him and his brother was erased in no time.

In that event, Junpei therefore realizes an excuse not to return back to their home. And so he reached out to Shuu for help, as he is the only person that Junpei considers as a friend although he does not express it. Shuu then opened up a space on his room and let Junpei stay in their place.

"Skipping already for the first day of classes, huh. But at least study if you want to get out of your situation~ You know what I'm talking about, Hothead. No future means no future for 'him' too."

Of all things, it was studying that Shuu continues to instill on Junpei's mindset, for the sake of him and for the future of his brother… or for his brother's future to not be bleak.

▪ ▪ ▪

"If only you look at things carefully, Junpei… some things will be unusual for you. Anyway, it's rare for you to actually go here in the classroom so I bet you'll be surprised that our class never really changes.

There's a new face though."

Shuu then furtively pointed on a girl sitting on the far right side of the third row of seats.

"No actually," Shuu added, "you never pay attention on anything anyway!"

"Shut up."

She is Winona Quira.

Unbeknownst to Junpei's very poor observation that Shuu addressed, Winona is a fourth year transfer student in Nacel Academy with an academic prowess that tops over the entire grade. In addition to that, she dresses properly not only physically but also innately. She follows several principles and etiquettes that now governs the character and conduct that she has built, but as the same as Shuu, she was also a person that has a very strong sense of justice. However, she does not stand out or attracts unnecessary attention, and if anything, it appears as though she was always in a tepid mood.

But her image suddenly changed in an event where he was involved with the school's problem child. In some unexpected situations, Junpei's lid of emotions breaks away leading him to throw a huge, uncontrollable fit for reasons that any other people would not comprehend.

He had made a wreck. The classroom that was once properly arranged became like a place that was hit by a storm. The blackboards became unusable, the chairs and desks were collapsed if not bent, and the windows that were once clear were reduced to shards. And in front of the opened door stood Winona with a stray shard falling out from her cheek.

All of the class's students can only watch the wreckage that had happened. But right in front of their eyes, Winona silently walked inside of the room towards Junpei. Needless to say, their hearts throbbed in anxiety as they were unable to prevent the entrance of their female classmate. A spectacle however happened. Winona toppled Junpei's leg and pushed him vertically down from his chest with a palm; still in silence.

But as though she was not yet satisfied, she gripped Junpei's back of the collar with one hand and threw his back on the blackboard and inevitably fell.

At that very moment, the students' minds registered that there are now two students that can stop Hothead's outburst. Yet no one has ever seen Junpei lost in a mere few seconds without any form of resistance, and to a woman on top of everything.

"S-She's the one that threw me…?!"

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Yup, she was. If only my whole body wasn't shaking, I would have shouted my entire throat to cheer on her when you got downed."

"I was out of it… I don't really remember…"

"Well it certainly did look like it. Even if you were fighting, you were never that ruthless and unceremonious.

But like I told you, you can scream anything you want to get off your chest in my face as long as you don't punch me. If you do that then I'll hit back."

"That may be but I'll watch you bleed first."

"No, seriously, you're scaring me."

▪ ▪ ▪

An outcast meets an outcast.

Because of the incident between Junpei and Winona, the perception of people, especially other female students, changed towards her. If there was someone that can singlehandedly stop a delinquent, that person shall also be considered as one. Winona continued to uphold her principles and maintain her very high grades in the midst of the things that have happened. But in the process, she lost the friendship that she has built.

She was not bullied nor was she treated well. But the fact that she has become alone was very clear.

On the other hand, Shuu may not be the most perceptive fellow, but his way of thinking does not work the way other students do. He made a plan along with his intentions—intentions that some of them are brought by Shuu's curiosity and gamble—a gamble that he does not know if it will work or not.

Thus, he embarked on a speculative role—and that is to be a wingman of what is unknown.

"Finally here, finally here, Junpei. Didn't take you that long though?"

"They broke the line in the cafeteria when they saw me."

"Haha, you're scary enough even without opening your mouth. Anyway, Winona here joins us for lunch. Quite fitting that there is a lone wolf and now there is a jaguar… I can't think of anything, sorry."

"What would that make you then, Shuu?"

"A stupid monkey, probably."

"Hahh…" Junpei sighed, "if students see you in my range, your reputation's just gonna get worse, honor student."

"I don't care a single bit about that. What has happened is due to the actions I did. I'm pained that I lost a place and my friends, but it's because of the actions I took upon myself. I wouldn't complain if you make me your gofer."

As they are eating on a small stairway far from the crowd, Junpei sat with an impact coming from his backside, hinting a little bit of frustration from it.

"I'm not a prideful fighter nor do I like being called a delinquent. But if I let myself become lazy…

…

Even someone like me has a future I wish for."

"Ohhh, that being said, Winona, do you have plans after we graduate?"

※ In the past, the high school in Orio was not divided into junior and senior high school, hence only being called four years in "high school." The addition and division of grades were fairly new in the country's academic system.

"I'm waiting for the entrance exam in Cotona State University in a designing course. Amidst my circumstances, I will still try to have a recommendation."

"Hear that, Junpei? She has a clear vision of what she wants."

"Shut up."

"How about you?

…

J-Junpei?" Winona unhesitantly asked, yet fumbled upon the utterance of the name.

"…

I will probably work part time for a year at most to earn for myself, then give college a shot.

I only became like this since there was no place for me to vent out from my problems. I didn't choose to be like this."

"I think that you might hate me for saying this as I may sound arrogant, but you are admirable in ways that the students and teachers don't see.

I'm sorry for bringing this up to you, but I accidentally saw you on the rooftop hiding on a corner with textbooks beside you; and in the middle of classes at that."

"Eh? So the studious Winona also skips class? Oh dear, what a delinquent you are~

But I didn't know that, Junpei! No wonder why you got barely passing marks in all subjects on exams last week!"

"Mind your own business, Shuu."

"By any chance, are you a nocturnal, man?"

"I said this has nothing to do with you," and he went to chomp on his bread.

"But… I was surprised when you took me down that time… I was out of it, so thanks for stopping me," he added sheepishly, this time, looking on the girl.

"Hm. I guess you're not that much of a delinquent unlike the rumors say. Well, rumors are rumors and never believed them in the first place."

In the reflection of Shuu's iris came about the awed face of his friend.

"W-Wh… You mean…"

Winona confidently smiled, "To begin with, I was never scared of you. And when I said you were admirable, I mean it. I see you as someone who puts effort on things."

For the first time, Shuu has seen Junpei with a buckled tongue and expression. Junpei knows how low he degrades himself, and it was very new to him to hear someone—if not praising, but commending him. Eventually, he vigorously turned away, abashed.

"Hey, I never really did anything, but I guess they're going to be fine?"

~ ~ ~

Afterwards, it has become the norm for the three of them to be together in vacant times. While Shuu and Winona come out of the classroom, they do not know where Junpei appears from. And throughout their newly found attachment, just like Winona, Shuu's friends eventually reduced to being acquaintances. But unlike her, he did not regret the results of his connection to Junpei.

"I doubt you guys even understood me to begin with. Time and time again, I refused to become a leader when you push me. I may act like this, but I never had the aptitude anyway.

I make my own future, just like how the two outcasts are doing. I tried to understand you all, but things will be different if you did the same thing for me."

It was Shuu Akanami's last words to his once friends. Thus, he parted ways with them.

But regardless of the conflict he went through, he continued to watch over those the he can confidently call as confidants.

In a certain moment, he began to observe Junpei finally mellowing down to them. Apart from his "outside activities" being lesser, he has started to close out his carefully mended distance to the two.

For instance, he has openly picked up the textbooks, instead of in secrecy.

"So the formula is pretty to understand if you get it well…"

"See, I told you it didn't need so much brain power to solve these problems. But I'm surprised that you understood it quite quickly."

"What do you mean?"

"Either you skip or sleep on classes but you can actually get the lesson."

"I-I don't learn whenever the teacher is discussing whatever."

"How does that even work… You mean you're basically self-studying?"

"Even I just discovered it not long ago…"

"That's amazing, you know! You definitely can get to college using your unconventional way of learning, I'm telling you."

Shuu at that point accidentally dropped his eraser, and seeing that they are in the usual three-step stairway, the eraser rolled down and so he crouched as he is sitting on the topmost step.

"Whoops, excuse me, Winona."

But seeing that Winona was below him, he inevitably nudged her with her shoulder, even when the girl has scooted away. My, she all of a sudden lost her balance on her upper body but was caught on her shoulders by the hands of Junpei.

"W-Woah, so sorry, Winona…!"

Shuu was ignored, but she rose back up from Junpei's hands, "I-I'm sorry, Junpei…!" Useless as it is, Winona hid her face with her arms instead of her hands. On her back, Shuu has seen her red ears, and Junpei saw a glimpse of her blushed face.

Once again, Junpei has witnessed something new. But little did he realize—because with his lack of observation—that his face may not be cherry, but his heart was beating quickly and loudly.

"A-A…

A spawn of a new couple…!"

In unknown joy, he stood up, dropping his eraser anew, raised his close fists to the air, and let out a scream that was thankfully not heard. But childishly, deep within, he was glad that this could be the beginning, not of a new couple, but of his role as a wingman truly coming light.

"Nice catch, Junpei!"

"Shut up for a second…!"

▪ ▪ ▪

Indeed it was the kindle.

Junpei's gradual change continued on as the awkwardness between him and Winona went on just the same. The fawning observant that watches behind the scenes and reads between the lines also felt the sudden change in their atmosphere. But he did not feel or show a tinge of envy. If anything, he was happy for them, especially for Junpei.

All this time, Junpei has been staying in a corner of his bedroom with a sour face from sunrise to sundown, and now he is seeing a new face that although contrasting to the natural glare, was still more suitable for him. Sometimes a smile will slip out from his sheepish expression beside Winona, but then it puts a bigger smile on Shuu's face every time he sees it.

Then come the month of November. The volume of rain has significantly lessened and the temperature has dropped down by a degree Celsius at most. But for Junpei Kirishima, it was a month full of joy for him.

One certain Wednesday, he came home with eyes full of tears and began bawling on entryway of the household. He grasped on Shuu's cloth with only the rough cries of 'thank goodness' within his throat, and announced that his brother has won the battle against the severe enemy of his lungs.

With that, the entire family of Akanami has declared a celebration on that very day with a sumptuous dinner full of joyful talks.

And to add to the new happiness that was brought upon him, he has found his lover on the same month. It was an uneventful confession coming from Junpei that was then reciprocated by Winona with the same feelings. But it was not as easy as an impulse even in the final stretch of the 20th century.

Junpei had to bash his head as he kneels down in front of Winona's father who was rather disagreeing but reasonable. They are only sixteen years old, and for a relationship to happen at such an age was not very appealing to the parents of their children. The times may have been different, but parents with a much more strict discipline considering an age like that to still be very young.

But on Junpei's conviction, he declared the thing he has most feared of. At that moment on his knees and head on the floor, he announced himself being a delinquent which he in turn received a kick that pulled out a tooth from his mouth. However, to the limits of his throat, he promised to rid of all his habits at once if it was going to convince him.

And so he received a reply.

"Kid, I was an alcoholic back then. It took me years to get the excessive alcohol and smoke out of my constitution. You said that you will get the violence out of your head… Then I'll also promise you one thing.

If you dare hurt my daughter, I will definitely bury you alive."

He therefore also received the blessing of Winona's father.

▪ ▪ ▪

'The world is unfair and unjust.'

Right in front of Junpei, he gazes upon his unconscious lover as he carries him on his hands slightly stained red from the blood from Winona's head.

He thought, he was powerless no matter how hard he protected her. He may have successfully rid himself from his old acts, but it continued to haunt as it now endangers the life of his dearest.

With nowhere to run, he immediately took refuge under the roof of the Akanami household. And in his greatest hopes, he realized that Shuu's mother was once a nurse, and so first aid was immediately administered on the girl without fail.

In a few hours with extreme fear growing in the depths of Junpei's heart, Winona had finally woken up, now on a hospital bed. Sneaking in to the hospital room with Shuu was never his concern anymore. For him, it was one burden taken out of his shoulder seeing that she was safe from being under comatose.

He cried, and cried, and cried out Winona's name with the joy replacing his fears. He celebrated the awakening with cheers from also the anxious Shuu. Truly, the opening of eyes of the girl gave the two young men a bright light of hope-

"W-Who… are you…"