Chapter 54: DecisionAuthor: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
Three years later, at the start of his middle school life, Ichika was once again shocked to find himself sitting at the back near the window.
"I can't believe it… again?" he muttered, glancing to his side.
Toru was sitting next to him—again—smiling brightly as she watched his pale, stunned expression.
"Toru, am I cursed or something?"
"Same could be said for me, Ichika-kun."
"It's terrifying! Four years of school life… and we always end up in this seating arrangement!"
"Well, I don't mind, as long as we're in the same class again," she replied cheerfully.
Ichika twitched at her response.
Toru's growth over the years was noticeable—even if her body remained invisible. Her uniform gave away her developing figure: from her chest to her bust, her silhouette had become curvier and more defined.
Ichika, on the other hand, had grown taller. His appearance was beginning to resemble his adult form—handsome and effortlessly cool.
As they both matured, Toru noticed something different in their class. Many of their classmates were the same ones from elementary school. But now, when she looked around, she saw that most of the girls were gazing at Ichika. They were clearly captivated by him.
Toru remembered how those same girls used to despise Ichika for his behavior back in elementary school. But now that they had all grown up, their attitudes had completely flipped.
It probably had something to do with his graduation ceremony—where Ichika had received multiple awards and achievements. Even teachers who used to dislike him ended up acknowledging him. He'd carried his basketball team to the championship and was crowned MVP. He graduated with several gold medals around his neck and trophies by his side. The school had even become more well-known thanks to him.
Naturally, those who witnessed his accomplishments began to like him. Some girls had even transferred from far away just to attend the same school.
Ichika had become the most popular guy in class—giving Toru a bad feeling.
"Toru, something wrong?"
Ichika looked at her, resting his head lazily on his desk and yawning.
Toru smiled, keeping her eyes on the girls staring at him. "Nothing…"
Ichika sighed. "You know, Toru… when I opened my shoe locker this morning, it burst open with letters. It was such a pain to clean up the mess."
"Hehehe… Haven't you noticed? You've become famous ever since graduation. Especially with the girls at our school. A lot of them even followed you here."
"Ugh… It's happening again!"
Ichika groaned, recalling a familiar scenario.
"This happened before?" Toru asked.
"Yeah, back home in Musutafu. My shoe locker was always filled with love and challenge letters from upperclassmen. It was annoying having to clean up every morning. But back then, I had a friend who was even more popular than me. Now…"
Ichika slumped further into his desk, looking depressed.
"...Ichika-kun, do you realize how many guys would kill to be in your position? They'd be furious if they heard you talking like that."
"Who cares about them?" he grumbled. "Also… Toru, you haven't been touching my right hand lately to show your real appearance to our friends."
"Eh? That's—!"
Toru blushed instantly.
"See? Ever since you became the most popular girl at our last school, you've barely used my right hand anymore."
Ichika leaned closer, staring at her invisible face.
Toru couldn't answer and turned beet red. Then—
WHAM!
She hit Ichika with a powerful left hook-uppercut hybrid punch.
"Ugh!"
Ichika toppled from his chair.
"Waaahh! Ichika-kun!" Toru panicked and rushed over to him—only for Ichika to suddenly grab her fist with both hands.
Peeeeeww!
Her invisibility was nullified, revealing her to the entire class.
Ichika's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"You really have a talent for boxing, Toru! Let's aim for the world! I promise—as your coach—I'll make you the best female boxer in history!"
Toru blushed furiously. "Mou! Ichika-kun! Stop teasing me!"
Slide—thud!
The classroom door opened, and everyone scrambled back to their seats as their teacher arrived.
Later, Ichika was voted class representative, with Toru as vice-representative.
That afternoon…
Ichika walked home with Toru after their first day of middle school.
"Hey, Ichika-kun… do you know the girl who sat in front of me? The one with glasses?"
"Oh, that one?"
"Yeah, she said her family runs an okonomiyaki restaurant. Let's visit her shop sometime."
"Sure, though I can probably make something better."
"I know, but—huh?"
As they turned the corner—
Sniff... sniff…
They smelled something burning.
They'd been too distracted chatting to notice sooner.
"Over there!" Toru pointed.
They dashed toward the source.
WEEEEOOOO—
A firetruck siren wailed in the distance.
They arrived just in time to see Toru's apartment building engulfed in flames.
"No way…"
Toru froze in place, eyes wide.
"Toru!!"
She turned, hearing familiar voices.
"Mom! Dad!"
She ran to her parents, hugging them tightly.
"I'm so glad you're safe!"
Ichika scanned the scene. From the damage, he quickly deduced this was a villain attack. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw a man in handcuffs—injured and being loaded into a police car—guarded by two Pro Heroes.
Ichika clenched his fists, resisting the urge to attack the villain. It wasn't the time or place. Instead, he turned to Toru, ready to help however he could.
Toru's mother crouched beside her, holding her shoulders.
"Toru… due to this incident, we have no place to stay. We only managed to save what we carried. Everything else was lost. Listen… can you live with your cousins for now? We have an urgent business trip to attend."
"Mom! That place is full of boys! Aunt's always away for work, and I'd be the only girl there! They're all a bunch of perverts! And it's too far from school!"
Toru pouted and protested.
"But we can't be picky right now—"
Then they noticed Ichika standing behind Toru.
All eyes turned to him.
Toru's mother suddenly smirked.
"Wait a minute… Toru mentioned you live in a luxury apartment nearby, right? One owned by your father?"
Toru's eyes widened in horror as she realized what her mom was thinking. She quickly tried to stop her.
"Mom! Ichika lives with his dad! I don't want to cause him any trouble!"
"Actually…" Ichika rubbed the back of his neck. "My dad's working as a teacher at U.A. High in Shizuoka. He's not home right now."
Toru's mom beamed—and shoved her daughter toward Ichika.
"Then it's perfect! You live alone! Can you take care of my daughter for the time being? We still have to find a new home."
"B-But I'm a—" Ichika stammered.
"It's fine!" the mother winked slyly.
"Eh?!" Toru was mortified.
Her mother's eyes sparkled, practically signaling Ichika with 'Take responsibility~' vibes.
Ichika's cheek twitched, reading the entire atmosphere in one glance.
"Hey! You can't just—"
BAM!
Before Toru's father could protest, his wife delivered a liver blow that knocked him out cold.
She casually slung him over her shoulder.
"Ara~ Looks like darling is tired."
Ichika now understood exactly where Toru got it from.
Toru's mother bowed deeply.
"Please, Ichika-kun. I'd be so relieved if you took care of her. Toru always talks about you so fondly. From that alone, I can tell you're a good kid."
Ichika's eyes widened… then he smiled gently.
"Sure. I'll take care of her."
"Thank you. I leave her in your hands."
She bowed again.
Toru stood frozen, her face beet red and expression blank.
"Wake up!"
"Waaaahh!"
Toru snapped out of it with a scream.
And so, after her parents left for their trip, Ichika took Toru to his home.
(To be continued.)A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.