The next day at school, Ayame's 'words of wisdom' lingered incessantly in Haruki's mind.
They played on a loop, distracting him even during class. His teachers had to call his name repeatedly just to regain his attention. Thankfully, he managed to avoid serious trouble, receiving only warnings.
"Try talking to him. Like really talking" she had suggested after hearing about Haru's problems. "If you show genuine care and offer your help, maybe he'll open up. But remember, don't force it. It might not be easy for him to trust you completely, considering you're likely the first person he's connected with in Ichihara. It will take time."
Patience, he shouldn't force things.
As lunch approached, Haruki found a free period and decided to visit his homeroom teacher, who had called him earlier. As one of the class representatives, he often found himself burdened with trivial tasks from his teachers. Unfortunately, he couldn't refuse them outright, even if he wanted to.
Fortunately, this time, Haru was only asked to assist in moving a few boxes of miscellaneous items from the teachers' office to the storeroom. It was a quick task that wouldn't take much time. With that taken care of, Haruki prepared to return to his classroom. That's when he noticed a small figure in the distance, someone he recognized.
It was Kentaro, heading in another direction and appearing somewhat exhausted.
Initially, Haruki considered leaving him alone, knowing the kid would likely come up with an excuse to avoid him. He's on his own again; Haruki thought. At this rate, he'll never make new friends.
Though Haruki and Ginger seemed similar in their social situations, Haruki's case was vastly different. It wasn't that he had no friends at all. In fact, many people wanted to befriend him. He had spent considerable time hanging out with Takumi Shimoda and Tadashi Matsui, despite their occasional bothersome behavior, especially Takumi's.
On the other hand, Kentaro Nomura was socially isolated. He had zero friends... except for Haru, of course.
"He looks like the type who doesn't even interact with his classmates," Haruki sympathetically shook his head. After pondering for what felt like an eternity, he finally gathered the courage to approach him.
Kentaro was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard someone call his name. He turned to see Haruki making his way towards him. Rather than acting strange or attempting to avoid him, Kentaro remained in place, waiting for Haru to reach him.
With a calm nod, Ginger greeted him, "Hey."
Haruki wore the brightest smile on his face. "It's been a while."
"We saw each other yesterday."
Haru chuckled dryly and asked, "Are you busy right now?"
"I was actually on my way to the libr—"
"Perfect, let's go together!"
"... To the library?" Ginger raised an eyebrow.
"There's nothing strange about going together," Haruki pouted.
Kentaro gazed at him for a moment, as if trying to decipher his true intentions, before finally turning to walk on. "Alright."
Haruki fell into step beside him, continuing their conversation. "Still haven't made up your mind about which club to join?"
Ken nodded.
"Any ideas?"
Kentaro pondered for a moment. "Maybe the literary club."
"Ha, that's pretty bo—" Haruki caught himself mid-sentence when Ginger shot him a disapproving sideways glance, quickly adjusting his tone. "It suits you. Really suits you."
Downright boring though.
"Uh, anything else? Something more exciting?"
Ken shook his head.
Haruki sighed inwardly. Different interests, different clubs, different everything... This was so frustrating.
Just as he was muttering to himself, he noticed a peculiar dark purplish mark on Ginger's right cheek.
"What's that?"
"What?" Ken looked confused.
Haruki pointed at it. "That?"
Ken touched his cheek and averted his gaze, picking up the pace suddenly. "It's nothing."
"Wait, I'm serious," Haruki reached out to grab Ginger's shoulder, intending to stop him.
To his surprise, the kid winced at his touch, despite it being gentle.
Perplexed, Haruki swiftly pulled back his hand and apologized. But he couldn't ignore the strange mark near Ginger's mole.
"Never mind, forget it," Ken muttered, attempting to leave again, only for Haruki to step in front of him. Startled by the sudden obstruction, Ken asked, "What's gotten into you?"
Leaning closer, Haruki inquired, "Hold on, is that a bruise?"
Ken's expression turned unfriendly. "It's not a bruise."
"That definitely looks--"
"This your first time seeing a mole?" Ken brushed past him.
"Damn it, I'm not talking about the mole," Haruki reached out once more, trying to grab Ken's right forearm, but the kid grimaced again. Was it really his fault?
"Enough, are we still going or not? Forget it, I'll go alone," Ginger tried to retrieve his arm, but Haruki's grip involuntarily tightened. Before Ken could fully process it, his right sleeve had already been rolled up. Panic surged through Ginger. "Haruki, stop!"
But Haruki paid no heed. His eyes widened in shock as he discovered more and more bruises marking Ken's arm. "How did you get these?"
Caught off guard, Kentaro yanked his arm away, anger beginning to surface. "It's none of your business, I hurt myself, okay!"
Not this again. Frowning, Haruki firmly grabbed Ken's hand and started pulling him away. He wasn't going to tolerate Ginger's bullshit today. "If you won't show me, then I'll see for myself."
He ushered him into the boys' restroom, an empty refuge amidst the bustling classrooms. Ensuring their privacy by securing the door, Haruki didn't immediatley turn to face the fiery-haired boy who radiated anger and resentment.
"What do you think you're doing, Haruki Fukuda?"
Inhaling deeply, Haruki calmly demanded, "Take off your shirt."
Ginger scoffed in disdain, "And why should I? Just because you said so?"
"You don't want to?" Haruki's tone chilled as he turned to meet Ken's gaze, his calm demeanor belying an underlying danger.
Where had Kentaro witnessed that expression before?
His heart raced as he instinctively took a step back. Suddenly, Ginger remembered. It mirrored the look Haruki had worn when he effortlessly defeated that senior with a single blow.
This is exactly what I was avoiding; Ken thought, feeling cold sweat trickle down his back. Reluctantly, he admitted a tinge of fear creeping in when faced with Haruki. That expression... he never wanted to see Haruki like this.
"It's really not..." Ginger wanted to lie, but hesitated, realizing that deception would only worsen the situation.
In the end, he complied with Haruki's wishes. His black gakuran was the first to come off, followed by his white short-sleeved shirt, though he kept his gaze fixed on the ground. He patiently awaited Haruki's reaction.
If Haruki discovered who was responsible, what would he do?
Kentaro didn't want to dwell on it.
Haruki scrutinized the boy, his eyes reflecting a whirlwind of emotions—shock, anger, and ultimately disbelief. Before him stood the boy, adorned with bluish-purple bruises of varying degrees, depending on their longevity.
"...Who did this to you, Ginger?"
Kentaro hesitated to answer.
"Was it that nanny of yours?" Haruki's voice turned rough.
Kentaro found himself slightly surprised. He hadn't anticipated Haruki's line of thinking leading to that conclusion.
Then... this was good. As long as Haru believed the culprit to be an adult, he wouldn't resort to physical measures, right?
"Was it her?" Haruki pressed on.
"And what if it was, Haru? Are you going to beat her up?"
"I can at least report her!"
Kentaro yelled resolutely, "I don't want you reporting anything!"
"Can't you hear yourself, Ginger?" Haruki's fury escalated as he pointed to the mirror. "Look at yourself and tell me that's okay!"
"So what if it isn't, huh? It's my body, not yours!"
"You know, that's exactly what really infuriates me about you," Haruki took a menacing step forward, causing the other boy to involuntarily retreat.
He paused, his gaze fixed on Ginger, perplexed.
Kentaro refused to meet his eyes as he silently began to redress.
"Hey," Haruki didn't want to believe it but still asked, his voice a little strained, "Are you really afraid of m—"
"SHUT UP!"
Kentaro was terrified, and it showed.
Haruki stood frozen in place, hesitant to approach Ginger for fear of his reaction. "I'm sorry," he muttered.
Putting on his jacket, Ken muttered, "I'd rather quit."
A sense of foreboding washed over Haruki, and his heart raced. "What?"
"If you keep acting like this, I don't think we should remain friends," Ginger declared.
Haruki's worst fears were confirmed. He couldn't even find the words to respond.
"You're always like this, always meddling," Kentaro refused to meet Haruki's gaze, his fists clenched tightly. "If you want to report my situation, go ahead. But this is the last time I'll ever confide in you."
"But I... I'm only trying to help you—"
"Stop it, I don't need your help!" Kentaro finally faced him, but regret flickered across his eyes almost immediately. He had never seen Haruki look so helpless before, and it pained him. Ginger quickly averted his gaze, knowing that the longer he lingered, the more likely his facade would crumble.
Without another word, the ginger-haired boy pushed past Haruki and stormed out of the room.
Haruki stood there, his mind in turmoil. It was true after all.
The kid hadn't said it directly, but Haruki saw it clearly. He had the same look on his face that day with those seniors.
Ginger was afraid of him. He had always been afraid, ever since then.
The thought had crossed Haruki's mind during their conversation on the bleachers that day, but since Kentaro hadn't admitted it outright, Haru hadn't wanted to dwell on it.
No, more like he didn't want to believe it.
But now, there was no denying it. Haruki frustratedly ran a hand down his face. So much for being 'patient'.
This was exactly what his sister had warned him not to do.
***
"Mr. Nomura?"
Kentaro snapped back to reality, facing the English teacher at the front of the class as she called his name.
"Y-Yes, ma'am?"
The middle-aged woman, wearing rimless spectacles and a white suit, placed her textbook on the table and asked, "Are you still with us?"
He nodded, "Yes, ma'am."
"Good, now please read the next paragraph for the class," she instructed him.
He blinked, a little lost. He'd forgotten how he should have never space out during this woman's class. Rising to his feet, Kentaro held up his textbook in a way that partially obscured his face, hidding his nerves and shame.
Next paragraph, next paragraph.... Which one???
He stood there, silent and indecisive.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Nomura?"
Ginger cleared his throat, preparing to read a random paragraph, but just as he was about to start, the lunch bell rang, saving him from embarrassment.
"That will be all for today. I'll send someone with the homework," the English teacher shot Ken a disapproving glare. "How kind of you to volunteer to collect it from my office, Mr. Nomura."
"R-Right," Ginger felt powerless. He already knew what awaited him there.
After enduring a 10-15 minute lecture on "No spacing out during my lesson," Kentaro was finally released, homework in hand, to share with the rest of the class.
By this time, the classroom would have emptied out, allowing him to write the assignment on the board in peace, without uncomfortable stares from all directions.
But little did Ginger know that when he reached his classroom, he would find some idiot from the neighboring class rummaging through his bag, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
~~~~~~