image [https://i.imgur.com/9KIvRcA.png]

As lunch break arrived, Shimizu, Elly, and Zul made their way to the cafeteria. That day, both Mizuha and Hikaru hadn't joined them for some reason, leaving just the three of them together.

"Ah, this rainy weather really makes me hungry," Shimizu said happily. "Where did Mizuha go? She's not with us today."

"She said she wanted to eat alone in the classroom and meet Takeru after that," Elly replied.

Oh, not satisfied with just Hikaru, she's going to Takeru too, I see, Shimizu said chuckled.

"You're thinking too far, Shimizu-chan," Elly chuckled.

Suddenly, Shimizu recalled her conversation with Takeru during the festival. "Actually, there's someone I like in my class, and I don't have feelings for Mizuha."

"Haha, I was just kidding. Maybe Mizuha is just hanging out with him," Shimizu said.

"Yeah, they're childhood friends, right?" Elly replied.

"Yeah, like you two," Shimizu said, grabbing Elly's shoulder.

"Geez, Shimizu-chan," Elly responded.

Suddenly, Zul sneezed. "Achoo!"

"Zul, are you okay? Did you catch a cold?" Elly asked with concern.

"Nah, I'm fine. It's just a sneeze," he replied. "Maybe it's because of the rain I got caught in yesterday."

"Just be careful, okay? Don't catch a cold," Elly said.

"Oh yeah, it's so rare that Hikaru isn't joining us today. Is it because Mizuha isn't with us?" Shimizu asked.

"No, it's not like that. Hikaru texted me earlier saying he wasn't feeling well today, so he's eating his bento in his classroom," Zul explained.

"Oh, I see. It feels different without those two," Shimizu said.

After they arrived at the cafeteria, they bought their meals and ate together. When they finished, the three of them returned to their classroom.

Meanwhile, at same time, Hikaru had just finished eating his bento, though he hadn't been able to finish it. He packed it up and stored it under his desk when Akemi approached him.

"Hikaru-kun," Akemi called out.

"Oh, it's you, Akemi," he replied.

"It's so rare to see you not eating with Mizuha-chan and her usual group. Are you guys fighting?" she guessed.

"No, we're not fighting. I'm just not feeling well today," he replied.

"Oh, that explains why your face looks a bit red. I think you've caught a cold," Akemi said.

"Cold? No way, I'm totally fine," Hikaru insisted. But suddenly, he started coughing.

"See, I told you, you have a cold," Akemi said. "You better go to the nurse's office and rest. Don't worry about the teachers—I'll handle it and tell them about your condition."

"Thanks for your concern, Akemi. I think I'll go now," Hikaru said as he started moving toward the nurse's office.

Meanwhile, back with Shimizu and her group, they had finally arrived at their class. As they entered, Shimizu noticed some girls whispering to each other while looking at them.

"Shimizu-chan, what's wrong?" Elly asked, looking at Shimizu.

"I don't know if it's just me, but I think they're talking about us," Shimizu replied.

"It's not just you. I noticed it too—they're gossiping about us," Elly whispered to Shimizu.

Suddenly, one girl intentionally raised her voice to get Shimizu's attention. "See, like I told you earlier, Yuki cheated on our last midterm exam. That's why she managed to get the top score."

"So that rumor is correct?" said another girl.

"I knew this was happening. From the beginning, I never trusted that girl," replied the first girl, continuing to badmouth Mizuha.

Shimizu immediately stood up and approached the girl, shouting, "What did you say? Repeat that again! Are you talking bad about Mizuha?"

"What's up, Toyama? Trying to defend your friend, huh?" the girl sneered. "Haven't you heard? People are already talking about it. Many are saying Yuki isn't eligible to rank first in our grade because she cheated." Their other classmates whispered among themselves.

"Also, Hikaru-kun from Class 1B is close to you guys because Yuki asked you to force him, right? You did the same thing to Sakamoto earlier too, didn't you? That's why she's close to you. Just admit it..." the girl continued.

"Wait, Shimizu-chan never did that to me..." Elly tried to interrupt.

"Hey, watch your mouth! When did I ever do any of this to them?" Shimizu said angrily, suddenly grabbing the girl's uniform.

"Hey, what are you doing? Let me go! I just said what I heard. Why are you acting violent suddenly? So the rumor is correct, huh?" the girl said.

"Shimizu-chan, please calm down!" Elly pleaded.

At that moment, Mizuha arrived at the class with a pale and shocked expression, Takeru standing behind her. "Huh, what's going on here? Shimizu, what happened? Why are you grabbing her clothes like that?"

"Mizuha, listen, this girl was badmouthing you and she really made me irritated," Shimizu explained, releasing the girl from her grip.

Then, turning to the girl, Mizuha asked directly, "Where did you hear this rumor?"

The girl smirked and shrugged. "Haven't you heard? People have been talking about it recently. It's all over the place."

"And you decided to believe it and even spread it?" Mizuha asked, her voice even. "Why did you need to do that? Do you have a problem with me?"

"Why should I care? I don't even like you. So yeah” replied that girl.

Shimizu's fists tightened, and she took a step forward, her frustration boiling over. "You—!"

Zul grabbed Shimizu's arm under her armpit. "Hey, cool down your anger."

"What are you doing, Zul? Let me go!" said Shimizu.

"Thanks, Zul, for stopping her," said Mizuha.

Mizuha turned her attention back to the girl. "I see. Fine, if you want to badmouth me, go ahead. But don't involve my friends in it."

"Okay, you guys, we're done here. Let's get back to our seats," she added.

"Tch!" The girl clicked her tongue in annoyance. She and her companions moved to another place in the classroom and continued with their gossip.

As they walked away, Shimizu glanced over her shoulder, still furious. "You’re just gonna let them get away with it? They will continuing badmouthing you again”

Mizuha gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "It’s just a rumor. I sure it’ll die down soon enough."

"You're too soft, Mizuha. If I were you, I would have totally beaten up that girl earlier. Anyway, who's the one spreading this rumor actually?" said Shimizu, feeling a bit angry.

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"How dare they say you cheated in the last mid exam? That was really too far," replied Shimizu.

"Yes, they also said you asked Shimizu to force me and Takumi-kun to become closer with you," Elly said.

"Mizuha-chan never did something like that. I got closer with Mizuha-chan and others because she saved me, and she also helped me study for our exam," said Elly.

"Haha, thanks for that, you two. I knew you were trusting me," said Mizuha.

"Takeru, what's wrong? You've been silent since earlier. Is something on your mind?" asked Mizuha.

"Ah, sorry, I was spacing out suddenly. I was just thinking why they started the rumor now. I'm sure you didn't do anything to other students, right?" said Takeru.

"I don't know, but I'm sure whoever started it really disliked me. Also, another reason might be that they didn't like that I was getting closer to Hikaru recently, I guess," said Mizuha.

"Yes, you're right. Many girls really like him. I think whoever started it was really jealous of you," said Takeru.

"I think so," replied Mizuha.

"Oh, look at the time now. I've stayed here too long. I better return to my class now as the lunch break was already over earlier," said Takeru, looking at the clock on the wall.

"Okay, Mizuha. I'm going now. If something worse happens, please tell me, okay?" said Takeru.

"Understood, then see you later," replied Mizuha. After Takeru left, Shimizu and Elly also left for their seats.

On the way to his class, Takeru thought, You're really tough, Mizuha-chan. Even being attacked by rumors like that, you can still stay calm.

At the same time, Mizuha looked outside and thought, Rumors, huh? I can't believe they got me this time, she sighed. After a moment, suddenly she saw a strange vision in her mind.

"Hey, look, no one is defending her now, let's do that to her!" "Stop it! Why are you doing this to me? I did nothing wrong to you!" "No, you really make us irritated!" "Come on guys, get her!"

Mizuha held her head, feeling a bit of a headache, and thought, What? This vision again, but why do I keep seeing it now? She had seen a similar vision after saving Elly from the bullies a few months ago.

Zul, who had been observing her from the back, approached her and touched her shoulder. "Hey, Mizuha, are you okay?"

"Oh, Zul, I'm okay, don't worry about it," replied Mizuha with tears in her eyes.

Zul was shocked to see Mizuha's teary eyes. "Wait, why are you crying?"

"Huh, why am I crying suddenly? I don't feel sad or anything at all, but why?" said Mizuha, confused by her tears.

"Anyway, wipe your tears away first before anything becomes worse," Zul added.

"Thanks, Zul," replied Mizuha, wiping her tears.

"Hey, look! Is this real? She was crying!" said the same girl from earlier who had mocked Mizuha.

"Mizuha-chan," said Elly, looking at Mizuha.

"These girls, unforgivable," said Shimizu, truly upset, slowly standing to reach those girls but stopping as Zul gave her a sign to calm down. "Zul... understood, I'll hold back," said Shimizu, nodding to Zul.

"Oh, what do you want to do now? You want pity from him? So pathetic!" laughed that girl as she and her friends continued insulting Mizuha.

Zul covered Mizuha with his back, standing facing those girls to give Mizuha time to wipe her tears. At his limit of anger, he quickly grabbed an eraser from his table and threw it flying toward that group of girls. It hit accurately on the forehead of the girl who had been insulting Mizuha.

"Ouch! Hey stupid, what are you doing, suddenly throwing this at me?" said that girl.

"Huh? Are you talking to me?" said Zul, glaring at her. "I was watching from earlier, thought you would stop after before, but you continued insulting her. You're going too far today, huh?" he added.

"By the way, who are you actually? I don't recall you being my classmate before," Zul said intentionally.

"Wait! What? I've been in this class since the beginning of school, and you don't remember me? What's wrong with your memory? Besides, a foreigner like you doesn't deserve to talk to me like that. Go back to your country!" said that girl, grinning as she tried to talk back and insult Zul for his background.

The insult about his background didn't affect Zul at all, as he was already used to hearing that since long ago. "Me? Return to my country? What a fool. I was born in this country, you know. Did you forget what I said during our class introduction a few months ago? I think your memory is getting worse instead of mine." Then Zul started laughing suddenly.

"Hey, what's so funny? Have you lost your mind?" said that girl, upset.

"No, not really. Also, why should I remember your face? Your face is so ugly, it's not worth remembering. Right, Shimizu?" said Zul, chuckling.

"That's right, you're totally right, Zul. Someone like her isn't even worth remembering her face. Gulp, haha, I can't take it anymore!" said Shimizu, laughing while pointing at that girl's group. After Shimizu's laughter, some of their classmates started laughing too.

Most of them were shocked; Zul, who was usually cool and calm, was suddenly talking and laughing like that. "Not bad, Zul!" "Yeah, you totally got her!" said male classmates cheering for Zul.

"You...!!! How dare you make fun of me? You will pay for this later!" said that girl, embarrassed.

The girl's attempt to make fun of Mizuha's sudden crying failed as Zul had interrupted earlier to cover Mizuha's tears, and now the class was focusing on Zul and her. Then Zul turned back to Mizuha and said, "See, you don't need to worry. If anything happens, we're here with you," as he petted Mizuha's head.

"Thanks Zul, you really covered for me earlier," said Mizuha, grateful for Zul's effort to protect her. Zul returned to his seat.

From afar, the girl from earlier glared at Mizuha, upset. This isn't finished yet, Yuki... you'll see, I will show you hell from now on, she thought. Then another girl walked past their class, looking at them and grinning. "Good, it worked as I planned." "Better I make my next move," she added.

After the school session ended, Mizuha was walking alone down from the first-years' floor. As she arrived at the school's lobby, she looked outside where the rain continued to pour. "The rain still isn't stopping. I better take out my umbrella first," she said. She put on her outdoor shoes and opened her umbrella. She adjusted her grip on the umbrella and walked out into the rain.

Walking alone, she kept her eyes on the ground, her shoes splashing through shallow puddles.

Mizuha then sighed and thought, I'm too exhausted for today. Many things happened earlier. I didn't expect people to talk about a rumor about me. I hope this rumor cools down soon. And also... what was with the vision I saw earlier? This has been happening again since a few months ago.

Well, forget about that for now. It's not the time to think about it. By the way, I didn't encounter Hikaru at all today. I heard he's not feeling well. I wonder what happened to him, thought Mizuha again.

"Hey, Mizuha," said Takeru as he approached her.

"Oh, it's you, Takeru," replied Mizuha.

"You alone?" Mizuha added.

"Yeah, like usual, I'm alone, haha," replied Takeru, chuckling.

"The rain's still pouring down, right?" said Takeru.

"Yeah, it looks like it won't stop until evening," said Mizuha.

"What? What's wrong? You're feeling down?" said Takeru with a concerned look.

"Huh, you can tell?" said Mizuha.

"Yup, it's written all over your face," said Takeru.

"Really?" said Mizuha, putting her palm on her cheek.

"Haha, I'm just kidding, Mizuha, there are nothing there" said Takeru.

"Is this related to what happened to you earlier, with all those rumors?" Takeru asked.

"Yeah, I was suddenly a bit shocked today with it. I just thought... there are some people who don't like me after all," replied Mizuha.

"Well, this is life, Mizuha. Wherever we go, there will always be people who like us or, well, the opposite," replied Takeru. "But don't worry, you've got friends who can protect you."

"Yeah, you're right. I still have my friends like Shimizu, Elly, Zul, even Hikaru, and you who stay by my side whenever I'm in trouble," replied Mizuha.

"Oh, by the way, Takeru, what happened to Hikaru? I didn't see him today. I heard he's not feeling well. I tried to text him earlier, but I still got no reply from him," said Mizuha.

"Oh, you miss your boyfriend already?" said Takeru, grinning and teasing her.

"Huh? What are you talking about, Takeru? Don't say things like that!" replied Mizuha, embarrassed, her face bright red.

"Haha, you're funny, Mizuha. Well, as Akemi told me earlier, Hikaru caught a cold after lunch break, so he rested in the nurse's office and left school early," said Takeru.

"I see, he caught a cold. No wonder he didn't reply to my text earlier," said Mizuha feeling relieved. “Better I don’t disturb him for now” she thought smiling.

Takeru thought, Don't worry Mizuha, if something bad happens, I, along with your closest friends, will protect you as I promised your mother. And I won't let those same things from the past happen to you again, I promise.

"Hey, let me walk you home today in Hikaru's place," Takeru offered.

"Oh, thanks Takeru," Mizuha said. Both of them chatted with each other while walking together.

Suddenly Takeru spoke. "Umm, Mizuha, about what happened to you today, you'd better not tell your mother," he said.

"Takeru..." Mizuha said, thinking for a moment, wondering why Takeru was saying that. "Understood, I won't tell her. She might worry about what happened to me," she replied.

Unaware to them, a person was following them quietly from behind. That person then took a photo of them together. "Good, I can use this for my next move."

As Takeru walked Mizuha home, he thought to himself, If Hikaru-kun saw this, I'm sure he'd be jealous of me. Well, let me take care of her for today, Hikaru-kun.

They bumped into Mizuha's mother when they arrived in front of Mizuha's house. "Oh, you're back home already," her mother said.

"You too, mom? So early for today," Mizuha said.

"Well, my job finished early today, so I came home immediately after that," her mother replied.

"Good evening, Mrs. Yuki, it's been a while," Takeru said, greeting her.

"Oh, Tak-ku... I mean Takeru-kun, it's been a while. Are you doing well?" her mother replied.

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you," Takeru replied.

"It's rare to see you two walking home together," Mizuha's mother said. "Usually Hikaru-kun is the one walking Mizuha home."

"Well, Hikaru-kun has a cold today, so I'm walking Mizuha home instead of him," Takeru said.

"I see, he has a cold. Poor him," Mizuha's mother said, feeling sympathy for Hikaru.

"Since you're here, how about stopping for a moment? I can prepare a snack for you," Mizuha's mother said, showing a paper bag containing some cake.

"Yes, mom's right. Come on, Takeru, join us," Mizuha added, agreeing with her mother.

"Thanks for the offer, Mrs Yuki" Takeru said, "but I have to head to my part-time job after this, so I can't stay."

"I see, that's unfortunate. Maybe next time," Mizuha's mother replied.

Takeru excused himself to leave. "Okay, I need to go now. See you tomorrow, Mizuha," he said.

"Yes, see you tomorrow," Mizuha replied.

Takeru then walked away, leaving Mizuha and her mother. "Takeru-kun is really kind, right?" her mother said.

"You're right, mom. He is really kind, but for some reason, I feel nostalgic when I'm with him. I wonder why," Mizuha said thoughtfully.

Well, both of you used to be close in the past, my dear, but you have no memories of him, her mother thought to herself.

"Mom, what's wrong? You're spacing out suddenly," Mizuha said curiously.

"Nah, nothing, my dear. No need to worry about me. Anyway, let's enter the house first. We're going to eat this cake together," her mother replied.

"Yes!" Mizuha replied happily. Both of them entered their house and enjoyed eating the cake together after that.

To be continued…..Amemonogatari III