I stayed there a few more seconds, still trying to process what just happened, until the bell rang.
"Did she hear me making that dumb speech?" I muttered.
"She did."
The voice behind me made me spin around.
It was that guy — the one who'd been cornered earlier.
"Damn, man. You scared the hell out of me… You're still here?"
He was brushing dirt off his pants, awkward smile on his face.
"Of course. I couldn't leave without thanking you. Really… thank you."
Weird. That was probably the first time anyone had ever thanked me at this school.
"It wasn't actually a big deal. Just don't get into more trouble."
I turned to go back, but heard his steps behind me.
He was following.
I ducked into a random classroom on purpose. Just as I thought, he ran right into me.
"What is it? Why are you following me?"
He stopped, looked straight at me.
"I just… wanted to know your real name."
Real name?
"What do you mean, 'real name'?"
"You're not actually called Gozu, right?"
My face burned. I grabbed his collar.
"You idiot. Who told you my name was Gozu?"
"W-Wait! I'm sorry! That's just… what people call you in the halls."
I let go. Maybe I overreacted. He didn't look like the type to insult me on purpose.
"My name is Ryosuke Miura."
He straightened up and bowed like a polite little salaryman.
"Nice to meet you, Ryosuke Miura. I'm Yuji Endou. A pleasure!"
What a weird kid.
"Sure. Pleasure's mine. Now excuse me, I'd rather not be late again."
Finally, he stopped following me. I got back to class just in time for another round of torture disguised as "lessons." My focus was only on the clock. Every tick felt like a punch to my skull.
When the bell finally rang for lunch, I dragged myself to the cafeteria — one of the few decent things about this place.
The usual cliques were there, obvious and loud: jocks, rich brats, nerds… and then me, in my usual little corner. Away from the noise, away from everyone. My favorite spot.
No one ever sat there. Just me.
I had barely started eating when a shadow fell across the table.
Yuji. Again.
"You eating here? Mind if I—"
"I've got a full tray in front of me and chopsticks in hand. What do you think?"
"Hmm… so that's a no?"
I sighed.
"Do whatever you want."
He sat down. No hesitation.
"Too many people inside. I hate noisy places."
"So you sat with the loudest guy in school? Genius."
He chuckled, didn't answer right away, just started eating in silence.
And truth be told… I didn't really mind. Couldn't even remember the last time I'd had lunch with anyone.
Minutes passed. Still no word from him. That was starting to annoy me.
Ah, screw it.
"So… earlier. What'd you do to piss those jerks off?"
His expression shifted.
"The seniors? They're always messing with me. No real reason. Probably just because I'm on a scholarship."
"Really? Then why not beat the crap out of them? Make it count, they won't touch you again."
"As if I could. If it weren't for you and the president, I'd be done for…"
His chopsticks tightened in his hand. I knew that look — helplessness. Seen it before.
"If only I could…" he mumbled.
"You stupid or what?"
He almost choked.
"What?"
"Exactly what I said. You hate being treated like you're weak, but all you do is act like a victim."
He blinked, wide-eyed. Took it all in.
"If the president hadn't shown up, I was about to teach you how to deal with guys like that. The good old Rocky Balboa way."
And then something rare happened.
I got fired up. My voice rose. My fists moved on their own — invisible punches in the air, showing him how to throw one.
For once, I wasn't pretending to be indifferent.
And for once, that shadow in my chest wasn't there.
Yuji laughed. A light, genuine laugh.
And when I saw it, I realized what I'd just done. Maybe I smiled too. Just a twitch, not enough for anyone to notice.
It had been a long time since I felt this. Talking. Laughing.
Maybe… not everyone here sucked after all.
By the time we finished eating, the bell was about to ring.
I stood up.
"Can I walk with you?" Yuji asked.
I just nodded.
And for the first time since I entered Keika… I didn't walk back alone.
---
Later that day, I was on my way home when my phone buzzed.
A message from Mom:
"Hey sweetheart, I'll be working late today. Grab something tasty from the store, okay? But don't get used to the easy life! Love you."
I sighed, shoved the phone back in my pocket.
Picked up some food at a convenience store and headed home.
The place was quiet, too quiet. Door closing, footsteps echoing, like the house was reminding me it was empty.
My room hit me with the usual contrast: medals, trophies, fight posters, gloves on the wall. A framed photo of me and my dad by the bed.
I didn't look at any of it.
Dropped my bag, collapsed on the mattress, stared at the ceiling.
What a day…
Random flashes spun in my head: the old man's threats, Ayumi's stare, Yuji tagging along… and that tap on the head.
I exhaled slowly.
What even was that, anyway?
Of all the things that happened today, that one… stuck the most.
But then reality hit again: finals, scholarship, the damn tutor.
I couldn't help thinking who it'd be.
And if they could actually help me.
Man, I just hope it's someone who actually knows what they're doing.