Matsuda Ken and the real me had never been good at studying from the start.
So I had no idea what the professor was talking about.
Glancing at Miyuki, I saw her focused on the lesson, skillfully jotting something down in her notebook.
Just like the model student she was. It was the Miyuki I knew, which put me at ease.
I tried to follow the professor's lecture as best I could, but I felt a gaze on me and turned to look.
Tetsuya was staring at me with surprised eyes.
It must have seemed strange for me to actually pay attention in class.
I snorted, fixed my gaze forward, and whispered softly.
"Are you seeing someone study for the first time?"
"S-Sorry… But the page is wrong… It should be page 32, not 15…"
He was timid, but he still said what needed to be said.
Well, that was how he always was.
Except when Miyuki confessed at the end.
"Who asked you? Mind your own business."
"Ah, yeah…"
After our exchange, I noticed Miyuki glancing over here.
Her eyes were still hostile. It stung.
Irritated for no good reason, I tore a piece from my textbook, balled it up, and tossed it at an innocent student in the front row.
As if showing off to Miyuki.
Thud.
The scrap bounced off the student's head.
Miyuki's eyes widened.
It was clear she'd report me to the professor if I didn't stop right away, so I shrugged and lowered my gaze to the textbook.
Then, without Miyuki noticing, I poked the student in front.
"Sorry. It was a mistake."
He nodded slowly, as if used to it.
It hadn't shown up in the manga or anime, but I figured he'd been bullied a lot.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
Not long after, the familiar bell rang, signaling the end of class.
I glanced at Miyuki and started heading back home.
Creak!
"Ken! Ken!"
The classroom door slid open, and someone called my name, making me frown.
Because my so-called friends were coming in.
Birds of a feather flock together, so naturally, these guys were delinquents just like me.
Skipping class was routine for them, and they didn't hesitate to drink or smoke, both forbidden at the academy.
I didn't want to hang out with these guys.
Not because they broke academy rules, but because they made lewd comments about our lovely Miyuki.
And the way they leered at her was a bonus. It pissed me off even more.
Only I could look at Miyuki like that.
I wanted to cut ties with them anyway, but keeping a reasonable distance wasn't a bad idea.
Why? Because they'd make a great sacrifice for Miyuki's favor.
But I didn't know their names. Didn't need to.
I leaned back in my chair and sighed as the sleaziest-looking one among my friends approached.
"What."
"You heading to Ikebukuro today? Got a spot reserved for drinks."
"Not going."
"Huh? I even booked it—why?"
Aang… That reaction was so stereotypically Japanese…
But it didn't bother me at all.
Maybe I… fit right in here?
"I'm tired, so I'm gonna rest."
"Rest? You? You sick or something?"
"Shut up. I'm not going, so you guys have fun without me."
"Fine…? Hey! Hanazawa! How's it going today?"
As soon as the conversation ended, the guy tried to tease Miyuki.
Miyuki, who was packing her bag, lifted her gaze, about to say something.
In that moment, I—
Smack!
I slapped the back of his head hard with my palm.
"Agh!"
Then I spoke to my writhing friend in a bored tone.
"This guy's like this every day. Get lost already."
"What… Why'd you hit me out of nowhere?"
"Ah, fuck… Stop whining and scram. You're hurting my ears."
"Man, over nothing…"
The grumbling friend soon left with the rest of the group.
Even with these clowns, I could build some goodwill with Miyuki.
But not yet. Because to her, I was the same as them… No, worse.
'Still, it'll change slowly.'
Holding onto that hope, I left the classroom right away.
I didn't bother looking at Miyuki.
If I did, I doubted I'd be able to tear my eyes away.
Back home, I turned on the air conditioner and lay down on the mattress.
I was worried I'd oversleep and miss the event's timing.
Unlike reality, it was so quiet here that even on an unfamiliar mattress, I fell asleep easily.
Come to think of it, I'd fallen asleep quickly even before coming here.
Normally, I'd lie there for hours with my eyes closed, unable to sleep, and wake up multiple times.
'If I wake up, will I be back in reality?'
Hoping that wouldn't happen, I pulled the blanket over myself.
**
A molester on the subway or train—huh? It was a cliché as childish and overused as they come.
But once resolved, it had such a huge impact that it could boost favorability by an extra level in any manga, anime, or dating sim.
'There's a reason it's used everywhere.'
And in Tokiaka, that classic cliché happened.
When? Right now.
Rattle! Rattle!
A packed train, so crowded it was hard to move.
Having secured a spot near Miyuki in advance, I used my height to scan around her.
Tetsuya was nowhere in sight.
Naturally. He'd come running from three cars away after getting a help text from Miyuki.
And Miyuki… was leaning against a pole not far off, reading a book.
With her head slightly bowed in concentration, she looked like a painting—so beautiful.
Though the pervert behind her ruined the vibe.
Behind Miyuki… a guy with a face that screamed 'I'm a criminal' glanced around and started squirming.
He was trying to touch her thigh.
'Ugh… Damn…'
To think I'd have to let a molester touch Miyuki's thigh first, before I even had.
Irritation surged. I'd planned to wait until he slipped his hand under her uniform skirt, but I decided to intervene the moment Miyuki noticed something off.
Watching them with that in mind, Miyuki's body soon flinched.
"…?"
She looked around with wide eyes and spotted the molester right behind her.
But seeing his calm face, she wore a puzzled expression and turned back to her book.
With so many people, she must have thought it was just accidental contact.
And the pervert grew bolder when Miyuki stayed quiet despite seeing him.
Through a tiny gap in the crowd, I saw his hand reaching for her butt.
His other hand was still on her thigh. It looked like it'd slip under her skirt soon.
Only then did Miyuki realize something wrong was happening, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Disgust and fear.
Those two emotions mingled in her eyes.
I saw her fumbling for her phone in her bag with trembling hands.
"Hey! You fucking bastard!!"
A scream pierced the car, where only the rattling could be heard before.
Just like when I'd entered the classroom yesterday, all eyes turned to me.
Miyuki, who'd been clenching her teeth, spotted me too.
"Eh, Matsuda-kun…?"
Miyuki called out with a surprised look.
There was a hint of desperation in her shaky voice.
The timing was perfect. The molester had pulled his hand away.
Good—I'd stopped it before it went further.
I shoved through the crowd forcefully and approached the flustered molester.
As soon as I was close, I pulled my head back and slammed it forward.
With full force, maximum power.
Crack!
The sound of something breaking.
"Ugh!"
And the molester's short groan.
It was a perfect hit. His massive body lost balance instantly and staggered.
I lowered my stance right away and tackled him down.
Ignoring the murmuring crowd, I punched his face.
Thud! Smack!
His head snapped with each dull impact.
Several small blood clots splattered nearby.
Teeth had come out.
If it'd been a proper fight, I might've lost, but honestly, I was glad it went this way.
Thud! Smack!
As I kept pummeling him,
"Matsuda-kun…!"
Miyuki called out cautiously.
I pretended not to hear, acting heated, and continued hitting.
Thud! Thud!
As the perpetrator's face grew bloodier, some in the crowd pulled out their phones.
To report to the police.
Seeing that, Miyuki grabbed my arm with both hands as I raised my fist, pulling hard.
"Matsuda-kun!! He'll die!! Stop it!"
The feel of Miyuki's full breasts against my arm was intoxicating.
Just as the train stopped at the next station, I halted my punches.
Then Miyuki spoke urgently.
"Come on, let's get out… The doors are open… We have to go…"
"I haven't hit him enough yet."
"Matsuda-kun…! Stop and let's leave…! People are scared… Hurry…!"
"Fine, got it."
As I reluctantly stood, Miyuki grabbed my wrist and pulled me off the train.
The warmth from her hand felt so comforting.
Like her heart.
**
"What were you thinking? Why'd you beat him like that?"
Sitting on a bench listening to Miyuki, I furrowed my brows as if incredulous.
"No, you're still saying that after getting molested?"
"Ah, no matter what, beating someone who's passed out so recklessly…"
It was cute how she suddenly softened.
I smirked and replied.
"He was grunting like a pig in pain—what faint? And if not for me, your panties would've been off already. He groped you brazenly, but why stay quiet? Maybe you liked it?"
"W-What are you saying…! That's too much…! I was so embarrassed and scared…"
"You're hopeless…"
At that, Miyuki flared up and shot back.
"Matsuda-kun's crude way of talking is the problem. Why do you keep getting under people's skin? Is it fun? Does it boost your ego?"
It was amusing to see.
She responded to every jab, making me want to keep going.
"Shouldn't you thank me first? Why all the scolding?"
"Huh, not scolding… Uh…?"
Miyuki's voice trailed off as she stared at my hand in shock.
Seeing blood dripping between my fingers, she continued.
"Matsuda-kun, your hand's bleeding…"
"I'm used to it."
Bluffing wasn't easy.
"I-I'm used to it… Wipe it with this…"
Miyuki, averting her eyes as if it were gruesome, pulled a handkerchief from her bag and offered it.
A white handkerchief like fresh snow. I shook my head.
"It'll be hard to get the blood out."
"That doesn't matter right now…"
"Nah. I can wash it in the bathroom. The train's coming soon, so head to the academy. Being late deducts points. Can't have the class president like that."
"Yeah, but…"
"If you're really grateful, buy me a drink from the store later. I'm out. Take care."
I waved casually and headed to the bathroom without looking back at Miyuki.
Turning on the faucet and rinsing my hand, it stung badly.
I wanted to yell in pain.
As I left the bathroom, carefully wiping my hands,
"Matsuda-kun. Did you clean it all?"
Miyuki called from a distance, startling me for real.
I hadn't expected her to still be here.
"Shit…! You scared me!"
People at the station stared as I jumped and cursed.
Noticing the attention, Miyuki brought her slender index finger to her lips, signaling quiet.
"Could you lower your voice…? People are staring…"
I groaned, catching my breath while hunched over.
"Haa… Don't sneak up on me…"
Miyuki stared blankly at me like that.
Then she suddenly curved her lips into a smile.
The instant I saw it, my eyes widened.
It was far from the bright smile she gave Tetsuya, but it was so beautiful it lit up the surroundings.
Making me wonder why someone could be so pretty.
Barely calming my racing heart, I treated Miyuki gruffly on purpose.
"W-What…? Why're you grinning?"
"Thank you…"
"What?"
"Thank you… For saving me…"
I was glad I'd saved her.
No, I was glad to be alive.
Scratching the side of my head awkwardly, I said.
"Forget it. I didn't even ask for thanks."
"You said to thank you earlier?"
"I didn't think you'd actually do it."
"What do you take me for? Do I seem ungrateful? Unlike someone…"
"Who's that?"
Miyuki didn't answer, changing the subject.
"And Matsuda-kun, you should cut back on the swearing."
"You said my tone was crude earlier… Stop nagging and go."
"Aren't you going, Matsuda-kun?"
"It's not a PC… I'm heading to a net cafe to kill time."
"Why skip in uniform?"
"Wearing it makes me want to skip more. Once you try it, you can't stop."
"I don't get it…"
The way she tilted her head was so cute… I wanted to pounce right then.
"It's not meant for you to get."
"Don't do that—let's go. You need medicine and a bandage; leaving it will make the wound worse. I'll tell the professor you went to the infirmary as soon as you arrive. You can rest there for one period."
She seemed genuinely grateful.
I'd made a strong impression… Nailed it.
"What? Recommending truancy now…"
"It's treatment and rest. But come in from second period."
"You my mom?"
Miyuki gave me a weary look as I kept teasing.
Taking a deep breath, she said.
"Haa… Fine, skip or whatever, but go to the infirmary first."
"What if I don't want to?"
"Then do what you want…!"
She raised her voice slightly, then turned away.
Chuckling, I stepped right beside Miyuki.
"But Hanazawa."
"What…! Why!"
"You know you've got blood on you too?"
"Me…? Where?"
"Right there."
Pointing near her chest with my index finger, Miyuki looked down.
Seeing the blood smeared near her chest, her face flushed red instantly.
She quickly covered herself with her bag and glared at me, brows furrowed.
"Y-You're such a pervert…?"
"I said it out of pure courtesy—why so sensitive? Aren't you the pervert?"
"You could've just ignored it…"
"If I hadn't said anything, you'd go to school with blood on your chest. You're smart at studies, but kinda… dumb like this."
"I don't want to hear that from you…"
It was the truth, though.
Grinning, I bantered with Miyuki while waiting for the next train.
Today's event was a huge success. I was thrilled.
Though my hand hurt.