Sometimes in life, someone always gets what they want.
Those are the rich people, very rich. They might have everything, but whichever they don't have, they can buy with money.
Though, like what someone would say.
"There are things you can't buy with money."
Well, I'm sure there are a lot that I can think of, but that depends on who's selling what now, right?
That person might have something you don't, but what happens if you cannot buy it?
You become desperate.
❊❈❊❈❊❊❈❊❈❊
Najimi: [Please help me out.]
Mendou: [Did we have to meet behind the school grounds?]
We were behind the school grounds, and just to my right, there was the fence where the forest is just ahead.
It was the first break of the day.
I can't believe this guy just invited me here out in public.
Najimi: [Why? Is that a problem?]
Mendou: [YES IT WAS! There were a lot of people looking at us when you just asked me here out of the blue! My dignity is on the line here!]
It was just a few minutes ago when Najimi asked me to talk privately. People in the class went quiet after he asked as if he finally gained the courage to.
Anyone would mistake that as a confession, and heck, there were a lot of eyes on us.
Mendou: [Couldn't you have worded it differently?]
Najimi: [I asked properly though?]
Mendou: [Usually, people don't say "Please come with me to the back of the school, I have something to confess" to their friends with a straight but darn cool face!]
My school life is falling apart——.
But I'll calm down for now. I'm a reasonable and kind person, I'll hear him out.
Mendou: [So, what were you want to talk about?]
Najimi: [I fell in love...]
Mendou: [——?!?]
Uwaa?! Is it true?!
Mendou: [You're gay?!]
Najimi: [...with Hoshoujo Yuna.]
We spoke at the same time then.
We both processed what we both said for a few minutes and an awkward silence filled in.
We stared at each other's straight faces for that whole duration.
Najimi: [Why did you assume——?]
Mendou: [DON'T CHOP UP YOUR SENTENCES!]
I exploded out of embarrassment, launching a punch to the gut which he took gracefully.
Najimi: [A-Anyways, you have to help me. My violent friend. Violent.]
Look at this guy. He's already kneeling on the ground while holding his stomach, but he still has the strength to look cool and all.
Mendou: [Oi. You just said violent twice.]
I knew him since but today might be the day I beat him up. I might bash this guy's head in.
Mendou: [Jokes aside. Are you serious about that?]
Najimi: [...Gay?]
Mendou: [NOT THAT! About Hoshoujo!]
I swear. Behind that straight face, is a teasing jerk.
I don't know but I have no idea when he is joking or not.
Besides, he doesn't even know how to joke, or did I miss something?
He only nodded after my question, and as I saw his eyes that were filled with determination, I knew that he was serious about it.
❊❈❊❈❊❊❈❊❈❊
A few hours later.
Mendou: [You asked me for help, but what kind of help do you expect me to even do when you don't KNOW love itself!]
After morning classes ended, we went to the cafeteria.
Najimi once again forgot his lunch box after rushing to meet up with me to walk to school.
One of his servants brought it back to him, but Najimi stopped the servant before he could even enter the classroom, sending him away without taking the lunch box.
It seems like Najimi was doing that on purpose to have a reason to eat at the cafeteria.
Najimi: [Here, we don't have to worry about anyone hearing us.]
Mendou: [I'm pretty sure everyone will, actually.]
We sat down at the corner tables where there were fewer people, and the moment we were able to relax, Najimi was quick to get on with business.
Najimi: [You seem knowledgable in a lot of things I'm not. If you help me, I'll pay you.]
Mendou: [Hey, look. We're friends but——!]
I was about to pull a kind friend phrase there and refuse but after he casually pulled out a cheque with his signature on it, I quickly grabbed it.
It said "1 Million Yen" on it.
Mendou: [So, who's the target?]
I switched gears instantly. Like an assassin prepared to pounce and act, I leaned forward to hear more from my client.
No one would refuse the smell of great money, right?
Even if I wasn't broke or my family wasn't financially unstable, having a lot of money to not work for years is my dream.
Najimi: [I want to know what love is.]
Mendou: [I want you to show m——Ah sorry. Do you seriously have no idea?]
I almost got caught up in the moment that I almost sang. This guy is seriously wrong in the head for not even knowing such a basic emotion.
Mendou: [I knew that your parents didn't let you watch any movies but, we have been watching some TV series that have those since we were little.]
His parents were fairly strict, but I think they banned him from all sorts of romance genres after that event with a girl he was supposedly fixed with.
Najimi: [If I knew. Then I wouldn't be here asking for help.]
Mendou: [———!?]
Ack! It's the first time since he responded with a nice comeback! This means he's serious about it.
His eyes are much sharper than ever, and with those looks on his eyes, everyone would just be intimidated and or be in love like those girls from the other tables.
They're looking at it this way, but I'm sure they're looking at Najimi.
Mendou: [Makes sense...]
It makes perfect sense...
I looked at the other table again where there were a lot of girls. They were waving at us, but their gesture immediately changed when I looked as if they were telling me to get close.
Mendou: [Wait a second. I think it's my time to be popular.]
Najimi: [Huh? Wait, where are you going?]
Mendou: [I'm gonna show you how to pick up some girls!]
I said that with a thumbs up and a smirk as I left, but as I reached there. My disappointment and embarrassment were unfathomable.
Namako: [So, are you gay?]
Mendou: [What?]
It was Namako's gal group of normies. They were all looking at me with eyes and laughs, seemingly wanting to tease me.
I can't believe I fell into this trap.
I couldn't see well from the distance but I could have gone back when I could see them clearly, but it was already too late.
Namako: [Don't go back now, or that's going to confirm that you are...]
Mendou: [You guys are truly spiteful.]
I could say no more. They were just angry because of a simple rumor. It's nothing more.
BUT MY REPUTATION IS ON THE LINE HERE!
If these idiots spread more rumors, it'll be the death of my normal high school life!
Namako: [So, is it true?]
They all leaned in as Namako pulled my tie. They're all jealous. I can't believe that I'm in this situation.
Mendou: [C-Calm down! That's just a misunderstanding! He just asked for my help cause he has a girl that he likes now. But he hasn't told me yet who it is since you guys interrupted us.]
Namako: [W-Wha?!]
I didn't lie, but I sure made a new story for them to believe in.
Mendou: [Well, that's the case. For the rumors, I don't care. I'll be supporting my friend to have his love but he won't be happy if he sees the friend that helped him being bullied and ridiculed.]
Namako: [..ngh.]
I could hear her groan out of defeat, and just as she lets go of my tie, I quickly tidied up.
Those were but swords of a kind person that lied to help his friend's reputation (and of course mine as well.)
Mendou: [So, I'll be on my way now.]
I started to walk back to our table, slipping away from Namako's trap. They were all surprised after I said that Najimi had someone.
To think that they were easy.
Namako: [I-I'll let you go for now. Tell me who is it later.]
Mendou: [Sure.]
To hell not! I'm not helping these delinquents! Sike to their faces, I'll be laughing at the time when they are the ones suffering!
But for now, as I thought of those in my head, I became filled with determination as well.
Mendou: [Najimi.]
Najimi: [W-What happened?]
I tapped his shoulder after I sat down, pulling him in a bit as I looked at him with determination.
Mendou: [I will help you.]
I said that with a stern and stoic face.
Najimi might consider me a good friend, but I was doing this for the sake of my image.
Today was both another eventful day, and the last day where my carefree days are gone.