5 months has passed already since that duel with Richard.
A bit regarding the past 5 months. After my little duel, people have also started to hold friendly duels among themselves, as such it's rather lively because we usually see a duel every 3 weeks. This is also besides the tournament event as well, which is even more livelier.
Besides that, during the summer, we celebrated Truce Festival again, as it's held every year. Our theme for this year is a costume booth for drawing portraits.
People who would like to have their portraits drawn can come here and pay for it, they can wear costumes while they do it. Somehow, our class really likes cosplaying after I suggested that maid cafe.
Aside from these 2 events, nothing of note really happened. It's just normal school days.
Now it's about Richard's situation. As Richard promised, he has indeed stopped provoking us. However, it has grown into another problem. Why? That's because he's now the one who's being bullied.
For some reason, after our duel, those duo that he always follows around stopped hanging out with him. I guess that is because they lost their reputation because of Richard, or maybe he had an argument with them. Either way, they haven't talked for 5 months already.
And then, now that he doesn't have two guys to be friends with, he is always alone in our class, sitting at a corner. No one actually talks to him, other than me. But the problem is, he hates me.
I'd try to talk to him but he'd always respond with one worded response.
"Good day Richard. "
"Ah."
"You wanna join us during the festival? "
"Nah."
"Cool."
I'm sure that I don't need to even explain how awkward things are between us.
Of course, it's not like our classmates are welcomimg of him. In fact, they would sometimes even play tricks on him. Right now, it's lunch break and the teacher has given us homework to do.
"Hey clown, here's your homework paper."
Since he sits at the back of the class, he always receives paper that are passed from the front most to the back most. And the people in front would write insults on his paper, or just tear it up before handing it to him.
"You...! Why did you hand me a torn off paper?!"
"I don't know what happened, it must have been the people at the front, hahaha. I guess you should just copy it out by hand."
"You did this didn't you...? "
"Oh, but you have no proof? Even if you bring it to the teachers you don't have anything to prove that I did this. "
"...bastard. "
"Big mouth coming from someone who lost to a girl, twice! You should have learned of the word 'shame' and write it on your face. "
"..."
Richard is a hot headed person. Naturally, he also let these insults get to him. And that is besides the fact that no matter how strong someone is, they will reach a threshold where they will break down from personal insults like that.... I know it because I have experienced it.
I have been witnessing these bullies happening for 5 months now, and I just can't stand it anymore.
"Seriously, don't these people have better things to do other than become as scummy as Richard was? " Even Gerd was annoyed by them.
As for Mike...
"He got it coming, although I won't say that the people who did it is good people. But he should have a taste of his own medicine. "
"Yea I know what you mean but this is too much... It's already been 5 months, he also have kept his promise of not hurting anyone else, he's someone who's trust worthy at least... Don't he deserves to be treated better now that he isn't hurting anyone? Sure, the victims won't just forget what he did, but the people here who are bullying him aren't even on the receiving end of his past bullying attempts!"
"...you do have a point, as much as I hate to say that."
"I knew you'd be understanding. "
"Yeah yeah, what are you gonna do then?"
"This time I just need to stop it. Somehow."
I stood up from my seat, and then turned towards the guy who just torn Richard's homework.
"Why are you acting so rudely? " I asked him nicely.
"Why you asked, Kyrie? That's obviously because he deserves it! "
"Just because he deserves it you are gonna stoop to a level even lower than him?"
"What do you mean 'stoop'? All I'm doing is just giving him a taste of his own medicine! "
"Whatever he owns you all it has already been repaid in full during these 5 months already, and that is besides the fact that most of his past attempts at making trouble is directed at us, not you. You aren't the lawyer, you don't get to punish people like you own them!"
"What's your problem then? Why are you defending this asshole?"
"I'm not defending an asshole! I'm defending a victim! What you are doing here is no different than from him, and he has obviously changed."
"What has gotten into your head?! "
"Then are you saying that I'm wrong?"
"You... Fine, I won't argue with you, but this asshole definitely doesn't deserve what compassion you shows him. "
"From now on, you all must stop bullying Richard." I confidently replied to his sentence.
However, as soon as I finished saying that, Richard stood up and then left the class, not saying anything.
"See?! Not even a word of thanks was given to you! Seriously, I don't know why you are defending him when he hates you that much. "
"Shut up, or I'll actually tell the teacher that you are making trouble in our class. Of course, this goes for whoever that tries to act funny again in the future as well. "
I said that as I gazed over to the few specific classmates who have frequently picked on Richard.
Anyway, I exited the class to chase after him. I asked around the school building, and it seems that he's last seen heading towards the alley at the back of the school.
I headed towards the alley myself. And then around the corner. I really considered to just run away and let him chill a bit by himself. But then, he is always all alone in our class. I'm sure that he'd want some company right now. And so, I decided to just go and comfort him.
I headed out from the corner, and there I could see Richard sitting and burrying his face into both of his knee.
I walked up to him and sat down next to him, but he looked surprised that someone saw him here.
"Richard... "
"...what are you doing? Gonna throw insults at me as well?"
"No. "
"...liar. You said that people would recognize it if I were to stop being a trouble maker... And yet look at what I am now... A complete mess. "
"...I'm sorry. "
"You are lying again, I'm sure that within that mask of yours you are thinking that I deserved this, and that I had this coming all along. "
"...I'm not. "
"...liar! All of you! My parents, my friends, my classmates, even you! "
"..." I could only sit next to him and listen quietly as he ranted. My heart was nervous because I didn't know what to say.
A cold wind blew pass me. This feeling of having a cold breeze fly pass you during mid autumn has become a new normal for me at this point. Every time this happens, it would always calms my mind. Tomorrow, I'll start wearing my winter coat and tall stockings as well.
With the wind calming down my mind, I stopped feeling nervous. I realised that I didn't need to reply to Richard at all, and that silence was the best reaction for him.
I glanced at my uniform when I looked down. Before I knew it, my skirt had already reached just below my knees length. I'm starting to grow up fast, and I'm fitting into my uniform size more properly 2 more years and I'll be at the right size for this uniform. However, even with a growth spurt I'm still a bit short for my age, maybe slightly below average. I'm just a petite girl like that...
After what felt like forever even though it might have been just a few seconds, Richard spoke again.
"...I was jealous of you. Why do you think I studied so hard? It's just so that people will recognize my achievements. "
It's a rather shallow motivation, but one still can't help but relate to it, since it's still a genuine emotion that everyone have felt before. The feeling of anger and want when you saw someone easily achieving something that you tried so hard for but can never get. It's understandable.
"And I was just bad at communicating.... That day on the first day during the first grade, you actively trying to talk to me made me happy actually. "
So he's just socially awkward... When I first talked to him I thought he was annoyed with me, but it's actually just him being shy and not knowing how to respond.
"However, when I see those 2 of your friends getting along with you so well and you completely ignoring me despite sitting right next to me, I got a bit envious. I thought that you only acted nice to me because you wanted to get along with everyone, and that you are just like me, afraid of being thrown away by the people you know. "
That's is actually half true. I did acted nice so that I won't be rejected, but I have also acted nice genuinely because I don't feel like hurting anyone.
"When I met those 2, Keith and Jennifer, they were also jealous of you, but for different reasons. Keith is jealous of you because of your cute looks, your popularity, your talent, whatever else that they have a complex about. Jennifer particularly has some weird list after you.
That fat boy who threatened to strip me? Jesus... I don't know that anyone would actually must after me... and I feel a bit disgusted by it.
"I was actually jealous of you because despite me being better than you in my grades, no one seemed to recognize me at all. "
"And so, in order for you all to notice me, I tried to make you lot angry. I also tried to pick on you to expose your masked identity, that you are just like me, a toxic and unfriendly person. But each time I was proven wrong. Each time I tried to provoke you, you wouldn't fall for it. "
"Haha... I don't know if that's a praise or not... "
"And then, that day when I beaten up your friend Michael. It was actually him who swung first, but it all started because I tried to tell him that you are a fraud. But he got really angry. Then you know the rest..."
"I see... "
"So... Why are you doing this? Why are you being so nice to not just me, but to everyone else as well? Do you want their attention? Fame?"
"I... I can't say that I am nice purely because I'm a good person. In fact, I don't think I'm a good person, because I only act on what I care about, unlike you. I heard that you have actually defended bully victims, despite the fact that you are younger than most of these victims and bullies. "
"Haha... That was just me doing what I think is right..."
"I... I'm acting nice because I also fear to be thrown away, just like you. However, that is not the only reason I acted nice. The true story is that this isn't an act at all, I'm for real."
"...heh. That's why I was proven wrong again and again. How do you not 'act' nice anyway?..."
"I am nice to people because it makes me happy. It's a selfish reason, just like you, but it's a good one. Being nice to people gives me the feeling of being respectful and polite, and that I'm being appreciated. "
"With your talent... I'm sure that being a bit more bashful wouldn't hurt. "
"You are over praising me, you should save some of that for yourself. Besides, you shouldn't care so much about what others think of you. "
"...why? "
"Because that's what your entire problem stems from. You expect people to recognize you, that's why when they don't meet your expectations you get angry. It's a shalloe motivation because you can't control others! Also, all of your motivations only cares about others, you never cared about yourself! "
"...I see..."
"That's why, you should fight for yourself sometimes, not for others. The reason why I acted nice, it's because I'm selfish, it's that I'm fighting for myself. You have your own wants as well right? If you want recognition, then you'll have to take it for yourself. "
"But, how?"
"Just do what you did : helping bully victims! Ever since you promised not to make any more trouble, bullies have been piling up here and there, someone needs to leash them in. That and apologize to the people you have bullied."
"...i see your point now, do what I feel good about that isn't shallow. That if I don't expect attention from others, I won't feel like bullying others because my expectations weren't met. That I should only fight because of a genuinely reason, not a shallow one. "
"Hmm, now that's better. "
"...Sorry for all that has happened.... between you and me I mean."
"It's fine. Like I said, what debts you own me had already be repaid in full. What you should say now is 'thank you'! Not 'sorry'! Saying sorry when you have done nothing wrong depreciates yourself!"
"Thank you then... If possible, can I ask a selfish request then?"
"What is it? "
"Can I hang out with you 3? Y'know, since it looked fun when you all talked compared to Keith and Jennifer who's negative all the time. I failed at joining you lot when I was in first grade, but I guess that there's no time limit for joining you guys at all. Of course, no pressure for you, you should ask those 2 as well. "
"Hmm, if it was just up to me, I'd answer yes. "
"Okay, sorry for the troub- "
I stared at him in the eyes to remind him not to depreciate himself.
"Ah now I remember... Thanks."
"No problem! " I flashed him a smile. He looked a bit flustered as I did that, he must have been flustered by my cuteness! Haha, how cute you are Richard! Anyway...
"There's just one problem though. " I started talking to him again.
"What is the problem?"
"The problem is that I already told you, if you want something, you are gonna have to take it for yourself in the correct way. If you want to join us, you will have to ask those two, yourself. "
"I see... I'll try asking once we go back to the class. "
"For starters, you have to ask nicely. Try adding 'please' behind your sentence. "
"Can I join you guys... Please?"
"Too formal but that's a start at least.... Don't worry, try talking to more people are you'll stop being so awkward. Also, try not to talk like you are commanding someone, think before you speak. "
"I... I see. "
"Mmn! Let's head back then! "
We went back to the class. Now we are right in front of the classroom door.
"Remember, ask nicely. And don't care so much about what other classmates think of you. "
"R-right. "
"Good luck then. For now, I'll head back to my seat, and you go back to yours. After that, I'll pretend that I don't know what you are about to do and you will ask to join us. "
"Okay..."
"Come on, have more spirit!"
"Alright!"
"Good! 3,2,1, let's go. "
We opened the door, and already I could feel awkwardness coming to us. Of course, I myself am used to this feeling, so I just continued walking back to my seat like nothing happened.
"So Kyrie, how did your little heart to heart with him went?" Gerd asked me curiously, somehow she and Mike looked a bit excited to hear my answer.
"Well, he told us why he's jealous of me and we worked things out. "
"Oh, and? And? " This time, Mike pushed for more answers.
"W-what has gone into you two?"
"We should be the ones to ask that! Did you fall for that Richard? I mean, he's also rather good looking, and it's said that the sparks of combat would start a flame of love! How romantic! "
"You are delusional if you think I would fall for him, Gerd. You too Mike, how could you entertain that stupid of an idea?"
"Well, you do seem to suddenly care about him a lot when you have been ignoring him in the past. "
"I'm only helping him because he deserves my help now. He's no longer the criminal, but the victim now. Speaking of the devil..."
We all looked at Richard who walked in front of our desks.
"Umm.... " He looked nervous.
I winked at him to signal him to be calmer. But it seemed like he is just confused.
"...let me join you 3... Please... "
"Huh? Join what?" (2x) Mike and Gerd sounded more confused than they are surprised. I facepalmed myself at his choice of words.
"Well nothing... I'll be going no- "
Sigh... you give up too easily. I'll just interrupt and help him then.
"He wants to hang out with us. " I openly said that for him, so that others besides us could hear it as well. This meant that if they were to bully him, they'd be like bullying me or Mike as well, which would incur the wrath of all 3 of us.
"Ara? Him? Want to join us?!" (2x)
"Yep. Exactly what you heard. "
"Kyrielle, so you ARE interested in him afteral- "
I slapped Gerd on the head.
"Ouch! That was a joke!"
"You two gonna let him in or what?!"
"Of course you can! Whatever that has happened between us is in the past afterall! " Gerdur welcomed him in rather happily, but she's just that friendly with everyone.
"Just so you know, I still haven't forgotten about how you beaten me up! But if you learned your lesson, then I'm willing to forgive you. "
"Yes, I apologize for that... "
"Hmm. Then, welcome aboard. "
Just like that, before we know it our group of 3 weirdoes has become a group of 4 weirdoes.
A Class Monitor with short green hair and weird humor, a blue long haired girl with oddly nice altitude but a delusional head, a red haired twin tail girl with middle aged men fetish and odd hobbies, and finally a black spiky haired boy with a really complicated background and ego.
Like that, we had started to hang out together on weekends as well, and Richard has since then moved his desk to our group. Since I used to sit at the furthest right, and then Gerdur is in the middle, and Mike is at the left, now he sits right next to Mike.
At first they didn't have a lot to talk about, since they still have some resentment towards each other. But then after not even two weeks they started to get along, surprisingly well because they are actually more alike than they are different.
And so, in second year during early Autumn I have made a new friend again.
(Chapter 29, end)