Chapter 29 - An Ominous Feeling

'How did I end up here…?'

At a small family restaurant near Tachibana Private High School, many glares were converging upon one person in the restaurant. It was upon a boy who was sat in front of two beautiful girls.

"How many worlds do I have to save…"

"Just explode already man…"

"Diediediediediediediediediediedie…"

In front of Kei was his classmate Saki Chihaya and his upperclassman in Arisugawa Kanae who were both in the basketball team as well. When Chihaya popped the 'rhetorical' question asking Kei to eat with them, he knew he couldn't refuse since Chihaya would rather drag him by the neck to the restaurant than taking no for an answer. Although Chihaya was beautiful enough to be called the class's other beauty from Mai, Kanae was also considered to be one of the school's beauties.

"Umm… Don't you walk home together with your sister, Kanae-senpai?"

"Hmm? Oh, she walks home with her boyfriend everyday… They usually ask me but I'd rather let them have their moments alone." Said a cheery Kanae who was looking at Kei.

"I have a question though, senpai…"

"Hmm?"

"Why am I here?" Kei said as he was taking a sip of the soda from the glass he was holding.

"That's… umm… heheh…"

Just as it seemed that Kanae was avoiding the question, a large figure appeared next to their table. He seemed to be slightly taller than Kei and a much bulkier body build compared to him. The person seemed to be angry for some reason.

"Oi Kanae. Who said you could eat with other boys without my permission?"

Judging from his uniform, he seemed to have come from the neighbouring boys' school. When he started yelling at Kanae, her hands were noticeably shaking.

"Ugh you again, can't you take a hint? She clearly rejected you. Is your brain as thick as your skin?" Chihaya spoke up in annoyance.

"Who're you? Get lost. What happens between me and Kanae is none of your business!... Hmm? Say, you're a cute one yourself. How about it? Wanna go out with me too?"

"Ugh, boys like you should take a good look in the mirror and then smash your head into it."

"Now don't be like that. I can show you a good time if you're interested—"

When he said that, he suddenly heard a glass break near him. When he took a look at the one other person at the table, he became stunned at the sight of the broken glass that Kei was holding earlier. It seemed that Kei had finally snapped when the boy went after his friend Chihaya.

"Say, didn't your parents teach you not to disturb other people when they're having a meal?" Kei was now showing that smile he gave when he punished the three boys in the basketball team.

"M-mind your business! This is between me and the two chicks!"

"Hmm? If it involves the people that I'm clearly eating with, then I'm sure I'm involved too. Now, I may have accidentally broken this glass, but you're starting to make me wonder whether this broken glass would look good being stuck out of your face?"

The boy was stunned into silence and could only tremble when the usually calm Kei who was holding the broken glass stood up looking at him and slowly creeped closer to him. Just as it seemed like he was really going to go through with what he said, Chihaya grabbed his hand to snap him out of it.

"Mouu… Kei-chin! Snap out of it, geez. Hey muscle-head, take a hike." Chihaya said as Kei finally snapped out of it and looked at Chihaya.

"T-this isn't over!... Eeek!"

When he yelled that, Kei turned around and glared at him again, not masking it with a smile this time. The boy proceeded to leave the restaurant. When Kei sat back at his place, he noticed Kanae in a state of shock.

"Ah… sorry you had to witness that…"

"I-it's okay… rather, I'm happy you stood up for us…"

The atmosphere around them was now slightly awkward after that incident. It fell silent between the two of them before Chihaya spoke up to break the tension.

"Mouu~… You're always like this, Kei-chin. You have to control your temper a bit. Put that overwhelming strength of yours to proper use, will you?"

"Amane-san has a temper?"

"Ah, not many people know this but Kei acts up when someone disturbs his friends like ugly did to me earlier."

"I see…?! Amane-san! Your hand!"

Kanae said as she pointed at Kei's bloody hand that was holding the glass earlier. In all the anger that Kei had earlier, he didn't even feel his hand being cut by the broken glass. Kanae took out a pack of medical bandage tape and grabbed Kei's hand before leading him to the sink to help him wash off all the blood. When they returned, Kanae sat next to Kei and proceeded to wrap the tape around his hand. While all of this was happening, Kei quietly followed along.

"Mouu~ You have to take better care of yourself. Caring about others is fine and all, but it doesn't mean much when you get hurt in the process… There, all done."

"Heeh~ Does this complete your objective for the day, senpai?"

"Eh?"

"Don't act all shocked and shy now, senpai. You wanted to get closer to Kei-chin, didn't you?"

"Mouu… I just wanted to make friends with Amane-san, is that so bad?" Kanae was now slightly pouting.

"Okay, okay, senpai. Well? How about it, Kei-chin?"

Chihaya was now looking at Kei, as if expecting an answer from him. Kei looked like he was thinking about it. However, before he could give them his reply, he felt an ominous aura nearby directed towards him. When he looked out the window beside their table, he saw his very quiet classmate in casual clothing staring daggers at him.

"Kei-chin? What are you looking—" Chihaya stopped talking when she traced Kei's gaze out the window.