Lynn's pov
"…thanks." After such long silence, Keto finally spoke.
Looking at him, it must be hard for him to open up right now. Not that I'm rushing him. Keto can take his time with this. "I'm sorry, I think I need to be alone for a while. I'll see 'ya tomorrow." Then he left just like that.
Then that decides it…
I won't have to switch with Lyde yet.
"Eh!? Are you for real!?" Nay said. I told him about what happened with Keto, and about not switching with Lyde yet. "You could've really taken that as a chance to quit the gang, you know? Why even bother help that guy. He did a lot of horrible things, he doesn't even deserve any help."
"Come on, everyone deserves a second chance. And who knows? Maybe he might even change for the better."
"I still don't like that guy. Jeiro used to be one of his henchmen, and he must be the one behind Ian's bullying. He can order people around to mess with his targets. That guy's "
"Right…" I guess Nay would never understand. He probably grew up just fine, and won't ever understand how difficult it is to be a normal person under certain circumstances.
Some people will never understand how it actually feels to be all alone.
The next day, Keto kept his word and found me at the cafeteria along with Nay and the others. He was all by himself while carrying some of his stuff. "H-Hey." He awkwardly greeted.
Everyone on the table only shot glares at the poor guy, and I know I had to do something to get rid of this tension. "O-Oh hey there Keto! Do you need me to do your homework again?"
"Err, no… I'd like to do it myself this time but with your help."
"What's so different from getting help and making Lyde do your homework? He'll end up doing the job for you anyway." Nay suddenly seemed like he wanted to pick a fight.
"Nay!"
"…I think I should go. Looks like I'm not welcome here." My jaw fell when Keto walked away without even cursing at Nay. Everybody else was the same.
"Did he really… was that really Keto?" Ian asked.
"I-I think he is."
"Don't he usually punch people who mess with him?" Ace added.
And Nay continued to be a jerk about it. "Who cares, let's just let him be."
I can't blame Lyde's friends if they hate Keto. Jeiro which was Keto's underling used to pick on one of their friends, and they also think that Keto's behind Ian's bullying. "Tsk!" I got up from my seat and chased after Keto. And after catching up to him, he was surprised to see me by his side.
"Lyde!?"
"So, you want help with homework?"
"You don't have to waste your time on me. I'll be fine." And he's pushing me away again.
"I'll waste my time however I want. So even if you don't want to, I'll just end up bothering you hahaha."
Keto sighed and handed me a few of his stuff. "Then help me carry some of these."
It made me smile as he kept me by his side. "Sure thing."
And as we got to the library, the librarian had her eyes on us. "If both of you are here just to cause another ruckus, I'll ban you here for good." Geez, she really hate us.
"We're really sorry about before. We're only here to study, we swear we won't make any trouble for you." I told her.
She only rolled her annoying eyes as she lets us pass. And as we found a spot, we settled down and started right away. Keto really was serious about just needing my help, and he's quite the quick-learner. "…I think you've got potential to be a top student."
He smirks while he's on his notes. "Of course. It may not look like it, but I used to be a top student 'ya know?"
"EH!?"
"Shh, the old hag might kick us out of the library again." I immediately covered my mouth for making a sound like that. I can't help it! I was surprised by what he mentioned. Keto? A top student?—he must be kidding! "But you were only joking, right?"
"It was a very long time ago. Anyways, we're not here to talk about that. So tell me what this means?" Ugh, it's really weird to hear him talk so decently without cursing like he used to. And I still can't believe that he's not joking about being a top student before.
Shrugging the thoughts away, I just focused my attention on his problem. "This?—oh… I can't understand this part."
"Well that sucks." It's also weird how he's eager to study. Delinquents studying hard like this is so extremely rare.
Then something popped in my head, and I think it'll be worth the shot. "I got an idea!"
"Yeah?"
"I have a very smart friend, maybe we can ask for his help."
"What!? Don't tell me your referring to the nerd guy in your group of friends. Haven't you seen that they clearly hate my guts?" He suddenly looked so uncomfortable talking about Lyde's friends.
"Yeah, they really hate you."
"If you know that then we can't bother any of them just for my sake."
"We can try. They may hate you now, but you can change that Keto."
He was quick to respond to that. "Really?"
"Yep. Just tell them your sorry! In a sincere way of course—"
"Forget it. I don't think that's going to happen." He cuts me off just to throw the suggestion in the speed of light.
"Why!? You're just going to tell them you're sorry."
He frowns as he claims, "Why would I? I never even done anything wrong to them."
"Than what about Jeiro? Weren't you a part of it when he kept picking on my friend?"
"Am not… that guy always do as he please. Even if I was in-charge of him, I can't countrol that fucker. He likes picking on people and sending them to hospitals. Though I'm glad I got rid of him thanks to you." Oh.
I felt bad that Nay and the others hated on this person when he doesn't have anything to do with them. But still!… "I think it's better to apologize on Jeiro's behalf and explain yourself."
"And why?" He asked with squinting eyes.
"Because! Jeiro was one of your men, you're kinda responsible for some things he does."
He sighed exasperatedly. "Fine. But if they still hate on me, don't even think of taking more chances."