They were approaching the school while chatting. Hashimoto noticed the looks of surprise from the students faces as they passed. She didn’t seem to notice what was going on around them. Sakurai had a smile plastered across her face. She was happy that she didn’t get scolded by her mother. That’s all she talked about on the way to school. He could only stare at the smiling beauty next to him with a gentle look. He couldn't help think "She really is clueless isn’t she." They walked through the school gates side by side. He could hear whispers as they walked towards the school building.

“Why are they together?”

“What’s she doing with that guy?”

“I heard he’s nothing but trouble.”

“I wonder if he’s blackmailing her?”

Hashimoto shot an angry look towards the whispering student. The whispered seem to stop as they walked past. Sakurai looked up at his face.

“Is something wrong?”

“You really are clueless aren’t you?”

“Am not.” Sakurai puffed out her cheeks angrily.

He just giggled.

Walking up towards the classroom doors Shimada burst past the staring students and gave Mio a big hug. Now that I think about it "she had messaged Shimada several times last night. They must be really close."

“He didn’t do anything to you did he?”

“W-what do you mean?”

Shimada separated herself from Sakurai and grabbed both her shoulders. She seemed to be inspecting Sakurai with a worried look. She then glanced at Hashimoto and gave him an angry look. She grabbed Sakurai by the hand and began to drag her off to some unknown destination.

Sakurai looked over her shoulder while being dragged away and waved. “Later Hashimoto.”

The surrounding students all looked at him with judgmental looks. He glared at them angrily. The students all shuddered. He grumbled internally "I wish they would mind their own business." Eizan walked to his seat and put his bag down. Sano ran up to him very excitedly.

“What were you doing with Sakurai?”

“We just ran into each other on the way to school.”

“Really? But she was actually talking to you. The only boy I’ve ever seen her talk to is Murata.”

“Murata?”

“Murata Towa! The tall, handsome, and popular captain of the basketball team. Rumor has it they are dating.”

“Hmm… Now that you mention it, I have seen them together.”

“You really didn’t know about this?”

“Nope, she never mentioned it. I tend not to participate in the rumor mill if you haven’t noticed.”

“Since you’re the subject of a lot of rumors I’m not surprised.”

“Why do I feel like I’ve got a headache incoming?”

The day continued on like normal. Every once in a while, Hashimoto noticed students whispering and glancing at Sakurai or him. Shimada kept sending angry glares at him. He couldn't help thinking "Yup, this sucks. What am I supposed to do in this situation. I’d like to kick the crap out of all of them. No, I promised myself I would never fight again."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

At lunch Eizan stood up from his desk and walked down the hall. He could see five tall boys walking towards him. He sighed internally "This looks like trouble."

A Tall, good-looking boy with dark black hair and piercing blue eyes stepped out from the group. “Are you Hashimoto.” The tone of his voice was cold.

He smiled coldly “Murata, I presume?”

“I’d like to have a discussion with you in private if you don’t mind?”

“Maybe another time. I’m busy.”

Hashimoto tried to walk past the group in front of him. He was grabbed on the shoulder by one of the stronger looking guys in the group. “Were not asking.”

Hashimoto sighed. “Fine. Lead the way.”

The group of boys surrounded him on all sides and began to lead him to the backside of the gym.

“So, what do you want to talk with me about?” He said stoned face.

Murata stepped forward. “I heard you coerced Sakurai into staying at your house last night.”

“How the hell did you hear about that?”

“Shimada told me.”

“Also, I would say I invited her over to my house and she ended up staying the night.”

Hashimoto’s response clearly angered Murata. “Stay away from Sakurai. She doesn’t need her reputation tarnished by someone like you hanging around her.”

“Isn’t that up to her to decide?”

“No, it’s up to me what kind of guys are near her.”

“Are you he boyfriend?”

“No. We’re not in that kind of relationship yet.”

“Oh, ho so you’re saying she’s single?”

“Listen I’ve been pursuing her since we were in grade school, so back off. She’s mine got it.”

“Claiming a girl, you’re not even in a relationship with. That’s a little fucked up isn’t it.”

Hashimoto is clearly angry now. He hates this kind of man more than anything. This kind of person is why his reputation is in ruins. "I won’t fight back this time. They can beat me black and blue for all I care. I just better guard myself so the injuries aren’t too severe." He noticed three of the boys move around towards the sides and back of him.

“I guess were just going to have to teach you a lesson.”

“Spoken like a true piece of garbage. I’m glad I can see your true colors. I might have tried to befriend you otherwise.”

“Like I’d be friends with scum like you.”

Murata moved forward. Hashimoto could see a punch coming at the side of his head. He reflexively dodged stepping backwards slightly to avoid it. A set of arms came up from behind and grabbed him. The next moment a kick landed in his stomach and a punch from Murata landed near his left eye. He fell to the ground and several more kicks landed near his ribs or hitting his arms. Laying there in pain he heard a cold voice near his ear. “Stay away from Mio. We won’t go as easy on you next time.” He couldn't help but think "Spoken like a true piece of shit."

Hashimoto laid there for a few minutes before dragging himself against the wall at the back of the gym. His thoughts wandered "Damnit why do problems just seem to follow me?" He laid his head against the wall staring up at the sky. "What did I do in my last life to deserve this?"

A little while later the teacher was gazing around the class room.

“Where is Hashimoto?" She asked the class.

Everyone looked around the room at each other. Sakurai had a worried look on her face.

“Sano you’re his friend have you seen him?”

“Sensei you know his personality as well I do. He probably fell asleep somewhere on lunch and hasn’t woken up.” The class laughed at Sano’s comedic remarks.

Izumi thought "That boy, didn’t we have a conversation the other day about him being more mindful of his behavior at school? I’ll make sure to give him a good talking to after school." The teacher shook her head and sighed.

A few minutes later the door to the class slid open and Eizan staggered inside. He almost fell as he was entering the doorway and steadied himself against the frame. He walked towards his desk and somehow managed to sit down in his chair. “Sorry I’m late.” Yokoyama sensei looked at him in utter shock. She then ran up to his desk right as his head collapsed on the table.

“Hashimoto, Hashimoto, wakeup, are you alright? What the hell happened to you?” Eizan heard the words of his teacher as the world slowly faded black.

Sakurai was hugging Shimada crying in her arms. Shimada thought to herself "What kind of trouble did the asshole get himself into?"