I have to drag my shoulder after being turned down by thirteen clubs. Nelia is still hopping beside me, having the best of her time. I just wish she would leave me alone at this point.
"So what's next, Sensei?" She says as if oblivious to my situation.
But for whatever reason I couldn't get angry at her. Nelia is Nelia, I have to accept that. Her optimistic view of the world is what makes her. And that probably is the reason why a lot of people in Black Book High don't like her gimmick. She's my student. It's my decision to take care of her.
My shoulder pushes me down. All right, three more clubs to go.
Nelia catches my tiredness. Her pace is slower and she's biting her lips. "Sensei, am I making things hard?"
When I turn to her, I can see her positivity is fading.
Goddamit, I should have tried harder to not make this tiredness not obvious. "No-- It's just…"
Nelia stares down at the floor, making a perpetual slouch of her slim body. "It's all right Sensei. This is all my fault. I'm sorry." Her eyes glance at a window of the arts clubroom. My eyes follow. We're seeing a group of students having a normal conversation and normal time. Drawing with a laugh and chuckle. Chatting with shock and jokes. Normal school life.
She sniffs, "I will try to be normal next club we're going." And takes off her hand from my arm, "And will try not to burden you with my one-sided date."
My stomach churns. It would be better if she's to be like that. Normal. But that just feels wrong. I sigh, "No, Nelia. You don't have to be normal. Just be who you are."
"But if like this," Nelia wells up tears, "this club hunting will be just a waste of your time."
She mumbles, "you're not even having fun."
My hand tries to reach her shoulder but I hold it back. I shouldn't make her feel weaker. I clear my throat, "I--It's better like that you know? Being you. Better than putting you in a clubroom where you don't feel like you belong. If they can't accept you for who you are... then it's better you don't join them."
She sniffs again, "S--Sensei. But I really don't think they would accept me. For a reason."
I sigh and rub my temple, "What do I do with you… Don't you have any friends you can be in the same clubroom with? Or maybe a club where you know someone?"
Nelia shakes her head slowly.
Big sigh escapes from me. If it's like this then I don't have many choices but to let her into my club. It's weird indeed, like they reject her almost immediately.
It would be a problem with Remelia, Future Queen of the Abyss and Earth is in there, napping on the couch. But it's not going to be too dangerous for anybody now.
Remelia is not a threat, yet.
She didn't try to attack Ayane when she visited. Probably has to do with waiting for the right time to announce herself publicly (which I doubt she can.) That makes me believe that Nelia could also stay in there.
It would be hassle but it looks like I'm the only one who accepts this girl.
I have to talk to Remelia if it's like this. And have to convince her with blood. My blood.
But if the vampire doesn't agree… sigh.
I look at Nelia. Why don't they want to make friends? She's pretty and cute. Annoying maybe with her optimism but that is what makes a person. Is there something I don't know about her?
"Nelia, have you tried to make a friend?" I ask.
Nelia laughs weirdly weakly, "I… I don't need them. I don't need any other friend than you, Sensei." Her voice is hoarse. She looks at her feet getting swallowed by her red high heels (hold up, they've been there all this time?)
Nelia continues, "Everybody else… is a jerk."
Everybody else is a jerk?
"Oh, It's Nelia, look." A whisper.
When Nelia said that, I finally opened myself to my surroundings. The glance, the hand-cupping, the group, the whispers, the hate, the lust.
It's almost everybody is staring at…
Not me.
But Nelia.
"Nelia? The Nelia?" A group of girls starts. "Nee, nee what's wrong with her?" "Everything, hahaha. Look at her in those fancy clothes, she doesn't even respect our school. I bet that clothes came out from old man's dick." "Hee?" "Are you an idiot? It's that obvious she's sucking teachers around here to get her enrols here." "But isn't it too harsh to assume things like that?" "Heh, not at all. Look at this way...
"How can someone bad at science be around Black Book High? The only way she can get here is by being someone slut, don't you think so?"
What's going on? Are they talking about Nelia?
Then I can hear a group of boys at the window, poking their eyes at us. "O-woah, she looks sluttier today." "Dude, keep it down. They can hear us." "Let them hear. That teacher doesn't seem to know what he's getting into."
And another group, "Ahh, I want to do her. Will she suck me off if I give her some green papers?" "You know what dude, she definitely will."
Everybody is laughing at her.
But still, Nelia keeps her smile on me. Her dark hair blocks her ear to other voices. She can only hear me. She can only see me. She only has me. "Thank you Sensei. I'm back at my feet now, let's continue this club hinting. Hoooo."
Doesn't she... hear all of this? Or she just decided to ignore them.
My fist tightened.
I never knew she'd been going through this.
What rumours are spreading around.
Nelia finally finds herself confident to hold my arm again. Her lips pop open, "Sensei? What holds you back? Come on."
"Nelia..."
"Is it because I don't have any other friends? Oh come on, Sensei. I don't mind with only Sensei being my friend." Her eyes look up at me, "But I can make one if you want."
I can't just let her be like this. "Nelia, we have serious business to talk about."
But she shakes her head and looks away from me, "Can it wait? Please, let us just enjoy this moment. This is already the best time I had in here."
Nelia tightened her grasp.
I nod. Let's just her be for now. But after this, I'm going to help her deal with this. She doesn't deserve this.
"Slut." "Look how much skin she's showing." "Slut." That man is so lucky." "Slut."
Fuck.
I take out my coat and wrap it around Nelia's shoulder.
"Sensei?" A look of confusion yet happy in her eyes.
"Just let them on. You shouldn't have worn the dress."
Nelia bits her bottom lip, "So, it turns out Sensei really doesn't like it."
I helplessly sigh. I don't know how to answer that. "… Just put them on, Nelia."
"A--All right."
"Slut." A voice from the corner.
As much as I want to shout and be angry at them, I hold myself back. I should deal with this professionally. It'd take time, so hang in there Nelia. I'll help you out with this nonsense they're sprouting around the school.
Alyssa has dealt with bullied students and she has been praised by Madam for her work. Later, I would ask her for some advice.