Today is Monday and it is exactly two days since the incident inside the karaoke. Currently, the students who were present at that time were looking at me with fear in their eyes.
"" Look at him, after what happened at Nitro Karaoke he still acts like normal.""
"" Seriously what was that move he made, he literally just kicked Noguchi to the ground that time.""
"" Let's try not to mess with the Delinquent you guys saw what he did right? Even Noguchi wasn't able to react.""
"" He isn't even afraid of the Noguchi family just what is he?""
The students were restless talking about what happened that day. Well, I might have shown off too much since the move I did was a little flashy. Even so, I only listened to their talk since I wanted to know who it would affect my position in the school.
"" Satoshi-kun are you listening to me?""
A female voice called out to me, returning my attention to the person in front of me Himari-san was holding a book pointing at a specific topic of the book.
"" Sorry, Himari-san I got distracted by the noise what were you saying again?""
"" I said, how does this topic connect to the newest topic that sensei taught us?""
"" You see Himari-san when you....""
Himari and I were again studying inside the classroom since there is another test later. Although I would have wanted to go to the library, I was expecting someone to come inside the classroom at lunch.
After talking with Himari after the karaoke incident, our relationship has become friendlier than ever as we have understood each other a little bit more than before.
"" Why is the "Angel" not afraid of him?""
"" More like why she is being friendly with the Delinquent after seeing what he did to Noguchi?""
Even if the manager said that it wasn't the Delinquent's fault, that kick he did was just brutal. Seeing that was just scary itself after what seeing happened to Noguchi.
"" The "Angel" is kind, she must have taken pity on him.""
What a wild imagination the students have. I thought to myself as I read through the notes I have been holding.
At that moment someone entered the classroom, there wasn't anyone who noticed the student until his voice is heard.
"" Excuse me is Satoshi Leon here?""
A male voice sounded around the room. Everyone turned to see Noguchi Aku standing in front of the classroom.
Everyone in the classroom became tense seeing that Noguchi asking for me. I on the other hand was expecting him so I wasn't surprised.
"" I'm right here Noguchi-san, now then I guess you have something to say to me?""
Initiated the conversation asking him to speak what is on his mind.
"" Ah yes, about the incident last Friday I would like to apologize for being rash actions towards you I didn't know anything about it so I hope you can forgive me. The whole Noguchi Family wants to apologize as well so please take this letter as an apology from them.""
"" Anything else you would like to say Noguchi-san?""
"" Due to my actions, I will be transferred to a new school as part of my reformation study as it is my punishment decided by my family's benefactor. I once again would like to apologize for my actions.""
With a face full of humility and determination Noguchi bowed at me. This action is a common way of apologizing to someone as lowering your head to someone usually means accepting the other person as superior to you which is a common way of showing respect.
"" What you did was rash but, it seems like you have learned from it Noguchi-san I will let this go.""
The people inside the classroom were dumbfounded seeing the spectacle. A person from the Noguchi family which was considered to be one of the influential families apologized in public. If I were to look at it from another standpoint, it was like a public execution as being seen by people while apologizing is quite embarrassing.
Since Noguchi managed to deliver his apology to me in this way it is hard to refuse as the incident can be regarded as a small scuffle that can easily be forgiven.
"" I walked up to Noguchi lowering my voice I told him…""
"" I hope you learn a lot from this Noguchi-san, I expect you to be helpful to him then.""
I went back to my seat resuming my studies leaving Noguchi in a frozen state. A few seconds pass and he turns to leave while stopping midway.
"" Thank you for your forgiveness I'll be sure to learn from this.""
With those last words as he left the class began chattering. I could see many people staring at me, I'm guessing they want to ask about it but were too scared.
I made a sigh while reading my notes, but a voice caught my attention.
"" Hey Satoshi-kun what was that about? I didn't expect Noguchi-san to apologize to you out of the blue.""
"" I told you that you wouldn't need to worry about Noguchi targeting me. It seems like he has changed for the better as well if I consider his apology.""
"" Is that really the case? I don't think it is that easy for him to apologize if you consider his attitude and his position as being a member of the Noguchi family.""
"" You worry too much Himari-san.""
"" That's…. Okay fine I'll let this go.""
Himari was a little forceful today, she kept being vigilant in her surroundings. I guess she was really on high alert since it was Noguchi.
"" It seems like we won't be seeing him in school anymore. He was given a chance to reform in another school isn't that good news for you?""
"" I don't know if I should be happy or not, but I guess that makes my school life a little easier.""
Himari made a troubled smile she had a little bit of guilt since she was part of the problem why this happened.
"" I guess that's true, Noguchi was one of the people who kept confessing to you right?""
"" Yes, I have mixed feelings about this so I might have felt a little guilty about it.""
"" What is done is done Himari-san, I'll get back to studying now.""
Himari looked down while muttering.
"" I don't think it's that easy Satoshi-kun""
"" Hmmm?""
"" It's nothing, now about this problem here…..""
We both returned to study for the test, our classmates were still noisy inside the classroom, yet it was a peaceful day.
After classes ended, Himari and I went to one of the convenience stores near the school. Well, it was supposed to be me only, but Himari insisted to come along with me. As we enter the convenience store, I was met with a loud voice.
"" Yooo Satoshi over here!""
Kadehera-kun calls out to me near the side of the store, with him were Hayate, Harumi, and Kaede sitting at a table. Hearing me being called they made a relieved smile on their faces, but it quickly turned into a look of surprise upon seeing Himari following behind me after entering.
I went to them with Himari in tow, I could tell from their faces that they didn't expect Himari to come with me. Both of us the seat opposite to them with Himari in front of me.
"" It's been a while since I last saw you four, is there something you need from me?""
I played dumb to get their intentions since I don't know what they want from me.
"" Man, I don't know if I should say this but what happened between you and Noguchi? We heard that he apologized to you earlier, it's not like him to apologize to someone like that.""
Answering my question, Kadehera starts off with the question I expected him to ask.
"" Ah, so that's what this is about? Well, I don't really understand what happened but if I were to say something about it then it would have to be an intervention of the Noguchi family.""
"" Come to think of it, how did Satoshi-kun and Noguchi-kun come to bad terms?""
Kaede who was eating a sandwich questioned me. It seems that she wants to know the reason why Noguchi was hostile to me.
I can't tell them because it involves Himari so I looked at her to confirm if it was okay to tell them that.
Himari nodded at me giving me the okay signal.
"" Well, it has something to do with Himari-san here I was caught up between her problem with Noguchi. I caught the Noguchi-kun's bad end of the stick which escalated to the incident inside the karaoke.""
"" Eh, so that's what it was! Did Satoshi-kun find out about Himari-san's problem with Noguchi then come to her rescue?!""
Harumi exclaimed in a loud voice which attracted attention from the surroundings but luckily there were few people inside the store at this time.
"" No, rather than that I found out about it later after Himari told me about Noguchi-kun. Well, it was just bad luck since I may have ruined something without me knowing.""
"" Hahahaha! That's so like you Satoshi-kun I can't believe that you have bad luck when it comes to attracting problems to yourself!""
Harumi who reads light novels may have thought about the scene from the book she recommended to me.
"" Harumi-san don't compare me to the protagonist of that book. I'm not that unlucky to get into situations like that.""
"" Ah, I was caught so you finished that novel as well Satoshi-kun!""
"" It was good but it lacks realistic situations.""
"" Umu, it's fiction Satoshi-kun it is not bound by reality!""
"" I know, I know....""
"" Seriously though Satoshi, what was that movement last Friday you were like BAM and the next second Noguchi was face down unconscious.""
"" Kadehera-kun I recall you seeing me practicing in the same gym, right? There was an area on the side where you can practice martial arts.""
"" Ah, that explains why you can fight like that. Man, just how strong are you to do that?""
"" It is discipline Kadehera-kun, keeping calm while being cornered like that can come in handy.""
"" Geh, I don't think I can survive that kind of training.""
"" You're over-exaggerating Kadehera-kun.""
"" Well, were glad that the problem was solved but that was a risky move to make Satoshi-kun.""
Hayate, who was been quiet until now spoke up. It seems that he was worried about something that might affect me.
"" Why do you think it was a risky move to make Hayate-kun?""
"" Well, you do know that the Noguchi family is a powerful family right?""
"" Yes, I knew that even before that happened.""
"" Then why would you fight Noguchi like that? His family can easily ruin someone's life with their influence and power. Surely there was a way for you to peacefully handle the situation.""
"" Unfortunately, Hayate-kun there was no way for me to reverse that without relying on violence. I was cornered so I couldn't escape even if I had to take down the person blocking my exit. You should also know that it was like a public execution ground during that time.""
"" That's just...""
"" Even if Noguchi were to talk about it that time, I would be in a position to be bullied at school if I didn't do that.""
"" Hiro-kun you don't have to worry about Satoshi-kun that much.""
Kaede looked at Hayate who had a troubled face that earned her his attention.
"" Satoshi-kun may not look like it but he should be connected to a powerful family since he lives in the Bend Apartment.""
"" What! Do you mean that Bend Apartment?!""
Kadehera looked like he found some diamonds which causes him to stand up and scream.
"" Is that place really famous?""
I asked since I don't really know how much money there is in order to own that place.
"" What do you mean Satoshi?! You don't know that the Bend Apartment is one of the most secure and expensive apartments there is to live in? Well, I guess worrying about that if you are rich is not a problem for you.""
As expected, they really didn't want him to find me so they must have thought about it a lot. I'll thank them when I have the chance.
"" I never knew that I was only told to live there on my own after middle school.""
"" If that's the case then worrying about it was useless then, Satoshi-kun must have thought about it as well.""
Hayate who was worried for me earlier breathed a sigh of relief. I guess he was worried about me that much.
"" Well, you could say that.""
"" Come to think of it, Himari-san came with you Satoshi-kun. Did we call you at a bad time?""
"" That's not it, Himari was worried about this being a trap by Noguchi so she accompanied me.""
"" Wow, for the "Angel" is worried for you Satoshi how does that feel? Geh why would you hit me Ai-san!""
"" Geez, Retsu-kun sometimes you're insensitive about this type of thing and you end up saying things that make people uncomfortable.""
"" Eh, I am not like that right Satoshi?""
"" Yes, I don't think so...""
My eyes wandered for a bit while saying that.
"" Hey, why are you looking away?!""
"" There is something interesting about that sign you know.""
"" What, where!?""
"" Fufufufu, I'm glad you have other friends Satoshi-kun.""
Himari who has been watching my interactions with Kadehera and the others finds herself giggling.
"" I don't know if I can call them friends since I don't really hang around with them that much.""
"" Eh, you don't think of us as friends Satoshi-kun?""
"" Well, we didn't really tell one another that we are friends, so I guess not.""
"" But you are our friend Satoshi-kun it is about feeling and usually, a person doesn't need permission to be friends since it just comes around naturally.""
"" I didn't know that the only friend I had was only Himari-san since we both declared to each other to become friends.""
"" I can't believe it, Satoshi-kun has a naive side to him as well it is so cute!""
Harumi exclaimed happily seeing me like that, but I only tilted my head in confusion.
"" I thought that we became friends when we started to meet for the second time around or was I too hasty?""
Hayate had a look of disappointment on his face.
"" No, I'm not used to these kinds of things, so I don't know when someone will become a friend to me.""
"" Wait, have you ever had friends before high school Satoshi-kun? Surely there must be at least one, right?""
Kaede asks something which was obvious for them but...
"" Unfortunately, my first ever friend was Himari-san I haven't interacted with anyone like this during middle school since I had circumstances.""
"" Well, if that's the case I'll be your second friend Satoshi!""
"" Hey, no fair Retsu-kun then I'll be the third one then!""
Kadehera and Harumi screamed, their voices overlapping with one another.
"" Geez, you two are really rowdy for high schoolers.""
Kaede had a calm look on her face although she was looking at me with expectation.
"" You say that, but you also want to be Satoshi-kun's friend Yuki-chan!""
"" This is not a race you know, calm down you two.""
Kaede joined their small talk after being exposed. This left Himari, Hayate, and me to ourselves.
"" Sorry for calling you here Satoshi-kun, we were worried about you after that happened. Also, Himari-san you are also welcomed to join us if you want while they are rowdy they are good people.""
Hayate spoke up to both Himari and me who were watching the other three.
"" Thank you for being Satoshi-kun's friend Hayate-kun, I'll try to join if I can but for now Satoshi-kun is enough.""
Himari smiled but it was her usual "Angel" smile also the way she phrases her words is a little bit...
"" Himari-san don't say it like that you'll give people the wrong idea.""
"" Ah sorry, I didn't mean it like that Hayate-kun. Satoshi-kun is right now a good friend so I'm really happy for him being my friend.""
Hayate who was dumbfounded shook his head, recovering from a state of shock.
"" Hahaha, you both are similar in more ways than one, I guess that's why you two are friends. Anyway, Satoshi-kun's friend is also my friend so feel free to join us when you want to Himari-san.""
"" Thank you for your kindness, I'll keep that in mind Hayate-kun.""
Himari turned to me after saying that, I understood what she wanted to I began to speak up.
"" It's getting late Himari and I should start going back, see you guys tomorrow.""
I stood up and Himari followed me after.
"" Yuki-san I heard you go in the same direction as Satoshi-kun here you gonna come with them?""
Hiro asked the now-tired Kaede slumping on the table.
"" No, think I will take the train today so I'll stay for a while.""
"" We'll take our leave now, also thank you for being my friends I'm happy you four think of me that way.""
"" Don't mind it Satoshi-kun. Well, stay safe on your way back home you two.""
With that, both Himari and I went outside of the convenience store together to return home.
We were both walking on the sidewalk returning home from the convenience store earlier. Not uttering a word only our footsteps can be heard in the background.
It was quiet for a while until Himari decided to speak up.
"" Hey Satoshi-kun....""
"" What is it Himari-san? Is there something troubling you?""
"" I never thought you have other friends besides me, I'm glad for you.""
"" You say that, but you seem sad about its Himari-san.""
Did you notice that as well Satoshi-kun?
"" I could tell from the tone of your voice, while your "Angel" mode is a little hard to read, you act normal when with me so I can tell.""
"" You always pay attention to small things Satoshi-kun I guess you really watch over me a lot.""
"" Is it wrong to watch over my friends?""
"" No, I'm glad you think of me as a friend. I'm just a little sad that others see Satoshi-kun as a good person as well.""
"" Does Himari-san still feel guilty about dragging me in her problems? If so, you don't need to feel like that I think Himari-san is also a good friend.""
"" You're really kind Satoshi-kun you understand what to say to make me feel better.""
"" It isn't flattery Himari-san I am really glad to be your friend it is fun seeing you happy. You also helped me a lot when you asked me to eat your cooking, I learned a lot of dishes as well.""
"" I'm glad you also have fun spending time with me, I guess worrying about that was useless.""
Himari smiled at me with the normal smile that she usually shows to me. Her face was relaxed which made me realize how beautiful a person she is when showing herself like this.
I closed my eyes letting out a chuckle seeing the usual other side of her real persona.
The orange sky was beautiful which emphasized the beauty of her smile which was enough to grab most hearts of men. With the wind gently blowing her silky black hair I felt my face relax as I too made a small smile towards the girl in front of me.
"" You know what Himari-san, I have the urge to cook something good today. Will you join me to eat later?""
"" Is there something to celebrate today Satoshi-kun?""
"" Let see I made 4 new friends today, so I guess I want to eat something delicious.""
"" I want to help out, I don't just want to eat for free.""
"" Sure, you can help me with cooking Himari-san.""
"" I'll look forward to it later Satoshi-kun.""
Returning to both of our homes, we planned for the evening while we walk. For all that's worth, I am sure Himari and I are slowly becoming irreplaceable existence to each other's life. I don't know what will happen in the future, but I hope I won't try to hurt her one day with the problems chasing me.
Hopefully....