'Another one!' Kenji thought while showing no expression on his face. He had just noticed this a little while agoâ€"whenever Saki solved any question, could be any subject but usually math, her lips showed just a small glimpse of a smile.
The extra classes were going almost well. Why almost? Well, for a few days now, Daiki had started showing signs of regression. But he wasn't going back to his old waysâ€"no, it was rather clear he was still trying his best to focus. However, his posture, dark circles under his eyes, and burnt-out face screamed something was wrong.
Kenji had seen that Saki and Yume noticed it tooâ€"they were his best friends after all. When Saki and Yume asked him, however, all they got was "nothing, just tired lol."
Kenji actually wanted to help him, but the problem was it was probably something Daiki didn't want anyone to meddle in.
Still, today Kenji tried to approach him while Saki and Yume were doing their part of the work.
"Kimura-san, is something wrong?" he asked. Hearing that, Saki and Yume also turned their heads toward them.
"Uh? No? What do you mean, Nakayama-san?"
'He actually used my name instead of a curse word,' Kenji noted while replying.
"You're not paying attention and clearly seem tired," Kenji replied coolly.
While what Kenji said came from genuine concern for Daiki, to everyone else, it seemed like Kenji was just angry at him.
"...Yeah and? So what?"
"This is affecting your studies."
"And so? Not like I volunteered for these fucking waste-of-time classes either!" Daiki shouted the end part in rage.
Before Kenji could continue, he heard Saki's voice from behind him.
"Leave him alone, you bastard!"
Hearing this and realizing what he was doing wasn't the best option currently, Kenji stopped and finished the lesson for that day.
◆◇◆
Kenji knew that meddling in someone's private life was wrong, especially when the person had already stopped him. Yet, Kenji followed Daiki that day after school.
After following Daiki for a while, Kenji saw him meet up with some older studentsâ€"probably college-agedâ€"and give them some money. Kenji approached them silently to hear what they were talking about.
"Isn't this enough?" Daiki said with a small voice to the one who seemed like the leader.
"No, this isn't even half!"
"Butâ€""
The conversation continued, and after listening for a while, Kenji realized what was going on. Daiki had been caught up in a scam for earning money. And now, they were extorting him.
As Kenji was deducing that, the college students and Daiki's conversation started heating up, and soon, a one-sided brawl began.
Daiki couldn't handle even a single one of them, let alone a whole group. The leader grabbed Daiki by his shirt collar while another prepared to punch him.
"Pay up, or things get worse," the leader sneered.
"I told you, I'm working on itâ€"" Daiki started.
"Working on it isn't good enough!" The second guy drew back his fist, aiming for Daiki's face.
Just as the punch was about to connect, Kenji jumped in and caught the attacker's wrist mid-swing.
"You've been caught. This is your one and only chanceâ€"surrender to police. Otherwise, it won't be something you'd like," Kenji said coldly as Daiki stared at him in awe.
"Who the hell are you?" the leader demanded, shoving Daiki aside and stepping toward Kenji.
"Let go of me, punk!" the second guy tried to twist his wrist free, but Kenji's grip was like iron.
Of course, like always, they didn't listen. The leader swung at Kenji, but he easily ducked under the punch while still holding the second guy's wrist. In one fluid motion, Kenji twisted the trapped arm, sending the attacker stumbling into his leader.
A third guy tried to grab Kenji from behind, but Kenji sensed it coming. He released the second attacker's wrist, spun around, and delivered a precise strike to the third guy's solar plexus. The attacker doubled over, gasping.
The leader, now furious, charged again. Kenji sidestepped, grabbed the leader's extended arm, and used his momentum to flip him onto the ground with a loud thud.
The second attacker, recovering from his stumble, pulled out what looked like a small knife. "You think you're tough, huh?"
'These idiots just made this much worse for themselves,' Kenji thought as he quickly closed the distance. Before the guy could react, Kenji struck his wrist, causing him to drop the weapon, then followed up with a controlled blow to his neck. The attacker collapsed, unconscious.
The remaining two tried to rush him together, but it was pointless. Kenji moved with practiced efficiencyâ€"a quick jab to one's pressure point, a precise strike to another's temple. Within moments, all of them were unconscious on the ground, with no visible injuries.
This happened so fast that Daiki didn't even get enough time to say something. Before he could speak, Kenji said,
"Explain what happened exactly. I'm on your side."
Daiki hesitated. He knew that Kenji was a stickler for rules.
"Don't worry. From what I can see, you're probably caught in a scam without realizing it yourself. I'll help you the best I can."
Hearing this, Daiki was unsure what to do. But for some unknown reason, he started speaking before even realizing.
And so, the whole picture became clear.
These students had approached Daiki a few weeks ago. At that time, they offered him a deal. They'd give him some money upfront, and he just needed to pay it back in a month with a 'small fee.' Daiki didn't realize the 'small fee' was actually massive interest that kept growing. Now, he was working part-time jobs to pay for that.
Hearing this, Kenji was a little shocked at how naive Daiki could be while being a delinquent. Still, he helped him.
"Don't worry, that's a scam. Let's call the police," Kenji said to Daiki.
"No. I can't call the police. My mother will be involved if I do that..." Daiki replied with a sad face.
"Are you afraid of her?"
Hearing Kenji's question, Daiki explained his situation. Daiki's father had left him and his mother when he was in middle school. So to take care of Daiki and herself, his mother worked double shifts. While there were no money problems, he didn't want to worry his mother. That's also the reason why he tried to earn money himself.
"Then I'll take care of that. You need not worry," Kenji said.
"How?"
"I'll report everything about this to the police myself. Don't worry."
Daiki couldn't believe what was happening. The same guy who seemed to enjoy tormenting all three of them in school was now helping him.
"You should go home," Kenji said as he turned around and dialed police. Daiki paused for a second, stared at Kenji, then thought, 'Why though?'
Then Daiki turned around and left as Kenji said. But he couldn't stop himself from worrying, so he stopped and went somewhere nearby, waiting for Kenji to be freed from the police hassle.
◆◇◆
It took Kenji around a few hours to deal with the police procedures. He was told they'd contact him in case of anything. Then, Kenji left the police station to go home. However, on his way, Daiki found and approached him.
"What are you doing here?" Kenji asked as Daiki approached him.
"...Sorry," Daiki said as he tried to hide his face and look away.
"For not going home?"
Daiki was dumbfounded. He stopped for a second before replying.
"...No. For this morning. And thank you for this."
"Whatever. You don't need to worry about that. You should just focus on studying," Kenji replied coolly as he started walking. Daiki matched his pace. Normally, it would've seemed like Kenji dismissing Daiki; however, Kenji's stoic face had a small smile that Daiki caught.
"You know, I think we've been misunderstanding you. Your fault though," Daiki spoke suddenly.
"...Like?"
"Like just right now. Do me a favorâ€"can you tell me exactly what you meant by 'fixing us'?"
"Helping you in academics and following rules. What else?"
"..."
"..."
"What about that time you said you would expel us if we don't attend the extra classes?"
"...What? I can't do that. Only school can. I meant that you were on the brink of expulsion."
"...What about smoking? Why did you meddle in?"
"Smoking kills. It's literally written on the cigarette box."
"..."
"..."
Seeing this, Daiki sighed in relief. His brain automatically connected every interaction he'd had with Kenji. He finally understood what Kenji meant.
"Man, you gotta work on your social skills," Daiki said to Kenji.
"..."
While it was still weird that Kenji was doing everything for their benefit, Daiki finally understood him. As a joke, however,
"Why though? You like someone among us or what?" Daiki said with a joking smirk.
To Daiki's complete surprise, hearing what he said, Kenji stopped in his tracks with his cool demeanor fully breaking and his face showing a hint of redness.
Daiki, seeing Kenji's reaction, could only mutter, "...What the fuck...? For real???"
In just a second, Daiki's complete surprise turned into an astonished expression before he continued,
"So, who is it? Yume?"
Hearing Daiki, Kenji just muttered "no" while hiding his face with his hands.
"...Me?"
"NO!"
"THEN SAKI?!" Daiki screamed in a hushed voice.
'Why is that more surprising than you?' Kenji thought before he muttered, "Y-Yes."
"...Damn. Well, that explains a lot."
"..."
"She hates you though."
"..."
"Good luck, you need it."
"..."
Seeing Kenji's silence, Daiki just sighed once again before asking,
"So why her? Is it one of those childhood 'she forgot you' type stories?"
"...No."
"Then what?"
"Love at first sight," Kenji muttered with every ounce of confidence he could muster.
"...So you're just after her body?"
"No! I never even thought of that."
"Then what?"
"Well, I agree she's cuteâ€""
Hearing the word 'cute,' Daiki couldn't stop himself from staring at Kenji's face.
"â€"but I like other things about her too! Her attempts to be cool, her small smile after solving questions, her looking at small animals and stopping herself from petting them, her habit of putting hair behind her ear wheneverâ€""
Before Kenji could continue, Daiki interrupted,
"Okay, okay, I see. Love is blind." 'And you almost seem like an obsessed stalker...' Daiki just thought of the later part.
"..."
"But dude, she really does hate you. Why would you make her study and everything if you like her?" Daiki asked in real confusion.
"...It's much more important for her to succeed in life."
"...I see."
"..."
Daiki and Kenji walked in silence for a few moments before Daiki spoke again.
"While I don't think I can do anything in this matter, I guess I'll at least not say anything."
"...Thanks."
"No need. You helped me much more here anyway."
There was just another beat of silence before Daiki spoke yet again.
"So like, I always wondered this about you study types..."
"Yes?"
"Like for you... Do you ever imagine Saki in... you know... situations? Like wearing very short clothes? Or a bunny costume?"
Before Daiki could continue his question, he noticed Kenji had stopped, and some blood was dripping from his nose.
"I-I-I never did that! You pervert!" Kenji spoke suddenly.
"...Sorry," Daiki replied. To be honest, he could never think of Saki in those situations, but he never expected Kenji to be so weak to the suggestion.
'This guy's more innocent than I thought,' Daiki mused as they continued walking.
Then Kenji and Daiki walked mostly in silence until their paths split. The whole way, Kenji tried to clear his mind of the images Daiki had accidentally planted there. At the end, Daiki asked for and took Kenji's contact info.
"Hey," Daiki said as they were about to part ways.
"What?"
"Thanks again. And... maybe try being a little less robotic when you talk to people. Might help with the whole misunderstanding thing."
"...I'll consider it."
"And Nakayama?"
"Yes?"
"Good luck with Saki. You're gonna need a miracle, but... I think your closet simp ass actually care about her. That's something, at least."
With that, Daiki walked away, leaving Kenji standing under a streetlight.
'She hates me huh... Social skills...' Kenji thought as he headed home. But soon, he had to hit his own head against a wall to get rid of some images that kept coming in his mind due to Daiki.