During the short time I was in the bathroom, a commotion already took place in the classroom.
"Yo, Miura."
My friend wore a mischievous smile as he looked at Miura's drawing.
What was that kid's name? I heard it before…
"Yes…? Why? Watanabe."
Hearing Tetsuya's answer, I immediately remembered it.
It was Watanabe Takashi.
"What kind of anime character are you drawing?"
"Oh, this is not an anime character…"
"Anyway, you can strip her right?"
"Yes…?"
"I'll come back after the next lesson, so please have it done by then. Okay?"
It seems like a request, but in reality, it was a command.
Miyuki was staring at Takashi, who was bullying Tetsuya, with rage in her eyes.
I quickly entered the classroom before she could step in herself.
SMACK!
I slapped the back of Takashi's head.
"Fuck! What kind of bastard…"
Takashi turned around while holding the back of his head.
Upon seeing me, his expression turned to tears.
"Ken…! Why'd you hit me again?"
"Why do you mean 'why,' you fu-, you jerk. You're sitting in my seat without my permission. Get up now."
"Really…This son of a bitch…"
Takashi grumbled with all his heart and rose from my seat.
As if he was taking revenge on me, he kicked my chair away after he stood up, so the chair was knocked over on the floor.
Before he could leave my classroom and return to his classroom, I grabbed his head.
"Gyaaaa!! Ken!! Ken!!"
Takashi, whose head was forcefully flung back, screamed.
This guy's quite a drama queen.
It's fun to mess with him.
"Put the chair back."
"You son of a bitch…! I'm gonna really kill you…! Let go!?"
"The seat."
"I'll do it…! I'll do it, alright… So let go for now…Hyaak! Fuck! It hurts!!"
I put a bit more strength into pulling his hair back, causing Takashi to release a scream at the top of his lungs and to stretch his arms out.
With his hair still in my grasp, he barely managed to pick up the chair and put it back but not without groaning in pain.
Finally, I let go of him.
"Go screw around in your own class. Don't mess around here."
Takashi, who was massaging his head, raised his middle finger.
If I were you, I would've run away immediately after you let go of my hair regardless of my hurt pride, you superficial bastard…
When I tossed him a snack that was in my desk drawer, the guy's expression immediately relaxed.
Such a simple bastard. Almost makes me wonder if he's mentally challenged.
I glanced at Miura after confirming that Takashi had left the classroom.
Afterwards, I glanced at the notebook and spoke cursorily:
"You draw well."
"Ah, thank you… But, I would appreciate it if you didn't take it from me."
No, this bastard grovels in front of Takashi but talks back to me?
Surprisingly, does he find me more comfortable to talk with?
Or is he provoking me because he's getting ready to fight me?
I really wish I could knock some sense into him, but I need to be patient.
In order to get Miyuki, I need to keep an amicable relationship with her friends.
I don't like that the target of my amiability is Testuya, but I can tolerate this much if I want to erase my negative reputation and build up some favorability with Miyuki.
I was chewing on a piece of gum when Miyuki came up to me again, so I shot her an annoyed glance
"Are you here to nag me again?"
"Matsuda-kun, why're you so negative?"
"What do you want from me."
"Every time I approach you, you act like there's an annoying bug buzzing around you."
"It's because everyday you come and try to give me life lessons. Go do your mother act to Miura over there. What are you looking at?"
As I frowned at the chubby classmate watching our back and forth, he flinched and turned back around.
Then, Miyuki called to me in her usual tone:
"Matsuda-kun."
Listening to that low voice, I feel like I am the one being conditioned to obey her orders.
It's supposed to be the opposite… This is a big deal.
I said with a tired expression on my face like an adolescent student tired of my parents' nagging.
"I got it. I just have to be obedient."
Miyuki, who smiled with satisfaction, immediately started chatting with Tetsuya.
A very friendly atmosphere.
Completely opposite to when she was talking to me.
I feel jealous. Should I try a different, more forceful approach?
Let's not. Let's go as planned. It's been working out so far.
But, Miyuki, I haven't swore once since then. Can't you compliment me a little bit?
Don't you know that I'm working hard?
I'm hurt… I'm hurt.
While crouched, so she could switch out my bandages, the nurse spoke:
"There are strange rumors going around these days."
I, who was staring at her massive chest, asked:
"What rumors?"
"There are rumors that you clean the bathroom well and that you pay attention in class. I hear you even came during the weekends?"
"Is that a strange rumor?"
"It's certainly not normal."
When will I be free of this image of me being a bully.
"It's done. Be careful not to get them wet."
"Yes."
"Also, stare somewhere else."
I guess she noticed that I was staring at her chest.
But, what can I do when it's there right in front of me?
Is there anyone who could resist looking at those mommy milkers?
I doubt it.
Plus, she knew her own charms and wore revealing clothing that emphasized them… The audacity…
I think I'll pursue her as a sub-heroine.
"You said you told the professor, right?"
"Yes. How can I play sports in this state. I shouldn't sweat."
"Then, take a little break here before you go."
"I understand. By the way, do you perhaps have a boyfriend? Or a husband?"
"It's none of your business."
Knock! Knock!
The knocks echoed through the infirmary, interrupting our conversation.
When the nurse said to come in, the door slid open and Miyuki walked in with her PE uniform on.
The chest that can't be covered even with her large and loose gym clothes, and the pure white shins visible under her shorts…
I want to jump right in and lick them.
"Good morning, ma'am."
Miyuki, who greeted her politely, was greeted by the school nurse with a smile.
"Hanazawa? What's up?"
"Ah, it's PE class… Matsuda-kun wasn't there, so I was looking for him… I thought he might've been here, so I came, and it seems I was right"
The nurse tilted her head.
"Wasn't Matsuda-kun supposed to be resting here? I heard he got permission to skip PE?"
"Oh…Is that true?"
"Yes. Ask him yourself."
I didn't expect Miyuki to come looking for me… This is an unexpected event.
Is she going to pay more attention to me now?
Did she feel that reformation was possible for me?
Miyuki briskly approached me with her long legs.
"Did you tell professor-nim?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"I told him as soon as the break period started. He even told me that he understood."
"Is-Is that s…? I guess I wasn't informed…?"
"Were you searching for me to catch me skipping class?"
"Not catch…I was gonna lead you back…"
It's really cute how she scratches her head when she's embarrassed.
I scratched my nose with my hand then waved my hand at Miyuki.
"I'm honorable, so you can leave."
"Well… I'm going… I can't believe Matsuda-kun told professor-nim himself…?"
"If you think it's a lie, you can check with him yourself."
"No… I believe you. And Matsuda-kun."
"What."
"I think you've changed a lot recently."
That's what I wanted to hear.
I feel good. But it wasn't enough to send me to cloud nine.
It might have been because I had compared myself to Tetsuya.
However, let's not worry. Everything's going smoothly.
"Changed? Me?"
"Yes. You don't curse anymore, and you do all your tasks diligently. The boys seemed happy that the bathrooms were clean. But…"
"But?"
"You're too… violent. I wish you'd stop being so violent. Like before with Wakanabe Takashi…The molester case… Well, I'll make an exception for that one since it was such an extreme case. I'm still very thankful."
Miyuki's words not to use violence could be of great help to me later to gain more favorability with her.
I hung out with the bad boys, the "gangsters" of the academy.
And, they acted like they were part of the Yakuza.
Why not? They get to create a close-knit circle of friends whom they can call family.
If one of the members beef with students from another academy, they can do gang wars.
However, if a member tries to leave the circle, they'll try to stop you by any means.
And although I wasn't the head of that circle, I was in a respectable position that was recognized by the other members.
As I gradually distance myself from them and hang out with model students, they'll obviously grow dissatisfied.
Faced with that dissatisfaction, when I'm asked why I don't hang out with them anymore, I'll answer that playing Yakuza has lost its appeal to me…
That will enrage them to the extent that they'll beat the shit out of me.
As I lie on the rooftop bleeding profusely, Miyuki will hear of the incident and also come up to the rooftop…
And find me in my tattered state and will ask why I didn't fight back.
At that time, I will melancholically look Miyuki in the eyes and reply with this:
"You told me to stop fighting."
After that, I'd get up with a grunt and limp off the rooftop…
Won't this give me tons of affinity points with her?
Perhaps, a bit too delusional?
Of course, there was no guarantee that things would go the way I hoped.
I don't know how the guys in that circle will react in the first place.
So for now, let's just focus on gain more favorability with Miyuki.
If, at some point, something like what I had imagined actually happens, that's when I'll follow through with my plan.
Shrugging my shoulders, I refuted Miyuki's words.
"Isn't it normal to praise me instead? I thought you hated Takashi?"
"Yes, I hate him. But, he's your best friend. I gave advice from an objective standpoint."
"If I hadn't kicked him out, Miura would have still been bullied?"
"No, absolutely not. I would've stepped in and stopped him myself."
"Do you think you can really stop Takashi, especially when he enjoys when you talk to him because he can sexually harass you?"
"Well, no… But, I could've called for professor-nim…"
I have no idea how my innocent Miyuki will survive in this harsh world with such a gentle personality.
"It's obvious what would've happened while you went out to get the professor. You know exactly what type of guy Takashi is."
"…That's right."
"Look. Be honest, you thought he actually deserved it, right?"
"Matsuda-kun, do you hang out with Watanabe Takashi because you like him?"
She's trying to change the topic.
I guess she enjoyed seeing Takashi in pain.
Her feelings are quite transparent.
"I'm using him because he's a little lacking in the brain department."
"Like you?"
"….."
Miyuki sometimes can be quite hurtful…
It's proof that she's become more comfortable with me, but it's still embarrassing.
Seeing my bewildered face, Miyuki giggled and continued.
"I was just joking. Thank you for helping Tetsuya-kun today. I hope you don't bully Tetsuya-kun from now on, and I hope the two of you can be friends."
I have no intention of doing that at all.
Wait, no, if my relationship with Tetsuya improves, my relationship with you will naturally also improve… I guess I could at least pretend to be friends?
"Must I do that?"
"Yes, you've been bullying you for a while, but if you approach him with a sincere apology, Tetsuya-kun will forgive you… Because Tetsuya-kun is kind."
"But, I don't want to?"
"I believe that Matsuda-kun, who is changing for the better, will do so. Since class is almost over, I'll go. Get some rest, and don't skip the next class."
Having said that, Miyuki walked out of the infirmary with quick steps.
Muttering inwardly, I laid down on the bed and closed the curtains halfway.
Then, I said the nurse:
"Ma'am, I'm thirsty."
"Go drink from the fountain yourself"
I resisted replying with the words "I want to drink a milk-flavored medicine from your medicine bag" and just closed my eyes for a quick nap.