Ding-dong-!
The sharp sound of the doorbell rang in my ears.
After carefully brushing my teeth, I limped toward the front door.
Very slowly. Probably because of that, the doorbell rang again.
Ding-dong-!
"Matsuda-kun?"
Miyuki's fresh voice… I always love hearing it.
I wanted to laugh, but my ribs were hurting too much.
Finally arriving at the front door, I opened the door while leaning on the two pillars on each side of the door.
Click…
"Matsuda-kun, you overslept…"
Miyuki, who entered with a broad smile, was shocked to see my pummeled face.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"Oooff! Miyuki! You surprised me!"
Miyuki screamed and stepped back, also scaring Tetsuya who was behind her.
They acted like they were at a haunted house. I didn't expect this.
"Ma-Matsuda-kun…! What? What is this!? What happened to you!?"
Still, I'm glad you started worrying about me right away.
I laughed weakly and spoke:
"Come in…"
"Wh-Why's your face like that…? What'd you do yesterday…"
"Just come in…"
Done speaking, I dragged one foot and staggered toward the living room.
Suddenly, I collapsed to the floor, and as I struggled to get up, Miyuki quickly took off her shoes and came to support me.
I shrugged off her hand and turned then leaned my back against the living room wall.
Then Miyuki crouched down in front of me and checked my condition.
"What should we do… Everything's injured… There are bruises here… There are cuts too…"
While staring at my restless Miyuki, I pointed to her closet in the corner.
"There's a first aid kit there. Could you treat some of the injuries?"
"You can't treat this with mere bandages. You need to go to a hospital… B-But, I'll help. Hang on…"
Miyuki hurriedly ran and opened the closet then looked for the first-aid kit.
Tetsuya came over and looked at me with pity.
Acting cool to him, I said:
"Let's go get your hair cut another time. I'm a bit tired right now."
"You… I don't think that's important right now… You're in really bad condition…"
"I'll heal quickly. Because I'm strong."
At those words, Miyuki, who was sitting with the first-aid kit, rebuked me.
"If you were strong, you wouldn't have injuries in the first place…! Can you keep your head upright?"
"Like this…?"
"Yeah, stay still."
Taking out some gauze and disinfectant from the kit, Miyuki dipped the gauze in the disinfectant and moved closer to me.
Miyuki's breasts slowly got closer and closer until my nose practically touched them.
Her fabric softener smelled good.
"It might sting a litte."
Just apply the disinfectant with your fingers directly. I'm disappointed.
"Alrigh… Gyaahhh…!"
I was about to answer lightly, but when I felt the stinging sensation above my eye, I couldn't help but let out a scream,
Miyuki gave me a look that screamed "pathetic" and said:
"I didn't even touch it properly…"
"Didn't you soak it in disinfectant?"
"I did. But, only a really small amount. So little that you shouldn't even be able to tell."
"…. Is that right…? Try again."
"Yes. Even if it hurts this time, endure it."
Then, I'll try my best.
"Now talk. How'd this happen?"
After cleaning all my wounds, this is what Miyuki asked.
She didn't even ask if I had fought back.
It seems that Miyuki now trusts me to an extent.
I thirstily gulped down the water Tetsuya had brought before responding.
"Can you keep it a secret?"
"Are you telling me not to tell professor-nim?"
"Right."
"Is it related to the academy?"
"Kind. Do you know Shimoyama? Akiro Shimoyama."
Miyuki's head tilted.
Tetsuya, on the other hand, was slightly frightened when he heard the name.
"Akiro Shimoyama…? Are you talking about that 2nd Year Akiro Shimoyama?"
Tetsuya's question interrupted the conversation.
My silence confirmed his thoughts.
Miyuki widened her round eyes, realizing something.
"Ah…! I think I've heard of him…! That person who is called the 2nd Year's problem child… What about him? Did he hit you? For no reason?"
"There was a reason. Yesterday…"
Unhesitantly, I explained everything that happened yesterday, not leaving anything out.
In the middle, Tetsuya tried to ask something but shut up after Miyuki gave him a harsh glare.
That's why you don't butt in like that. You deserve it.
Miyuki, who had listened attentively to my whole story, said with a serious face:
"So… Because you didn't want to start beef with the students of Inagi Academy, Akiro Shimoyama beat you up? And, you just took it without fighting back, Matsuda-kun?"
"Yeah."
"…. I got it. First, I want to praise you."
"For what."
"Even though it was an infuriating situation, you controlled your anger. If it was the old Matsuda-kun, he would've instantly hit back. You weren't scared because it was a sunbae from your circle, right?"
"Do you think I'd be afraid of that wimpy skeleton? I just avoided fighting back because it would get dirty."
"Yes. That's what I mean. Matsuda-kun is definitely changing. I'm really glad."
I'm also glad that you're praising me.
I was about to scratch my head as if I was embarrassed, but as soon as I raised my arm, I scowled in pain due to my aching ribs.
"Does it hurt a lot? Do you want to go to the hospital?"
"Hospital? When I touched it, it wasn't even broken. It'll heal in a coupla days."
"How does Matsuda-kun know that? I'm worried, so you'd better get it checked out."
"I'll go on my own."
"You won't."
"Oh yeah, just make sure not to tell the professors, okay?"
When I forcibly changed the subject, Miyuki let out a small sigh before she spoke:
"I want to report this to them right away… Not only did they beat you to such an extent… But, they're trying to stir up problems with other academies too… It's too much."
"Just don't tell them."
"Why? Why not?"
Tetsuya responded instead.
"It's because Matsuda-kun is concerned about us getting involved."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it. If we tell the professors about this, they will severely punish Shimoyama sunbae and the circle. Then, what will those gangsters do? They will find out who leaked their plans and beat them up."
Of course, they'll come to me, who refused to follow orders and has gone rogue, first.
Then, if I keep quiet, they'll go after my friends.
Of course, they don't know I'm now friendly with Miyuki and Tetsuya, but it's not impossible for them to find out. Better to be safe than sorry.
After hearing Tetsuya's explanation, Miyuki bit her lower lip.
"Did you really say not to tell anyone because of this?"
"Think of it as you will, but this circle stuff is my own business to handle. I told you guys because I trust you, but I need you guys to trust me… even if I don't have a good reputation. "
I was being sincere.
The moment Miyuki intervenes, there is a high risk that the incident will escalate exponentially.
It's best to end my relationship with the circle according to my plan. I'm certain it'll work out, and I'll get more favorability with Miyuki.
I'm confident because of the 3rd Year head of the Supreme Circle, who's a bit on the nicer side.
He looks like an intimidating villain at the academy, but he's a chill dude with a decent personality.
He might've been a menace during his 1st and 2nd years, but he's now reformed himself.
He was that kind of a cliché guy.
Still, a gangster is a gangster, so if I want to leave, I'll face some push back.
"So, you'll listen to me, right?"
Miyuki's eyes shook at my sincere request.
You saw me the other day with a determined expression on my face.
So, just leave it all to me.
Did my feelings reach her?
Miyuki's head nodded very slowly.
"…. Alright. I'll listen. And we believe in Matsuda-kun. You're wrong if you think we think you have no dependability."
To say such a thing… Today's really my lucky day.
I feel like it was all worth it now.
It might… have been good to get beat up this much…
"Well, that's that then. Let's study now."
"How can we study when your body is like that… Matsuda-kun, you just rest. We'll clean up."
"Clean?"
"There is blood all over the place. Since it's a tatami floor, we need to get rid of it quickly before it stains."
My Miyuki's so hard working.
That's why she is so adorable.
With each passing day, the thought of burying my face in her chest grows stronger.
Miyuki seemed very worried about me just sitting in the corner, not moving.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?"
As she cleaned, she kept asking me.
I do, but I want to go alone with you, so I'll have to set it up properly.
"I'm not going… You're hurting my pride…"
"Your worthless pride again… Then, what if something's seriously wrong with your body? Since we're done cleaning, let's go now. I'll call a taxi. Tetsuya-kun, can you head home first?"
Since Miyuki hates wasting other people's time, I knew she was going to say that to Tetsuya.
Even if he was her childhood friend, there's no way he can still find a way to join us.
"Oh? But, I could come as well…"
Tetsuya was trying to get in between Miyuki and me again.
I really want to tell to get lost.
But, since he's a passive bastard anyway, he'll step back as long as Miyuki tells him to leave again.
"Nope. It may take a while, so Tetsuya-kun, you should just go home."
"Is that so…? Alright, I'll just finish this and go."
As I listened to the conversation between the two, I decided to pretend to still be dissatisfied with going to the hospital.
"I never said I was going, but the two of you are already putting on a show."
"Matsuda-kun."
With her hands on her hips, Miyuki spoke sharply.
I pretended to give in and replied casually:
"Okay, I get it. I'll go. I'll go. Quit looking at me like that."
"Matsuda-kun, you only listen when I'm stern with you."
"The nagging is…"
I grumbled, and when Tetsuya finished cleaning the place, I grumbled a thanks:
"Thank you, Miura."
"No problem. Of course I have to help. I'm gonna go now. Miyuki, bye."
Miyuki, who was looking at the location of the taxi on her cell phone, responded:
"Yes. Be careful. I'll text you later."
Don't text him. Stop giving Tetsuya chances.
After we sent Tetsuya off, we received a notification that the taxi was coming soon and got ready to leave.
As I struggled to put on my shoes and stood up only with the support of my hands, Miyuki asked in a worried voice:
"Should I help you?"
"No. I can walk just fine."
"Looking at you earlier, you were staggering a lot… Hold my hand."
What'd you just say?
My ears pricked up, and I stood still in shock.
Then, Miyuki walked up to me and stuck out her hand.
"Hold it. You could fall as you walk. This way, I'll be able to support you."
Miyuki may not be thinking of anything other than helping her friend, but depending on what I say, the mood could change dramatically.
Since an opportunity appeared, I should take it.
After steadying my heart, I slowly reached out and placed my hand on Miyuki's palm.
Even though she had just washed her hands with cold water, Miyuki's hands were still warm.
Are you just naturally warm?
I would be so happy to cuddle with her in the deep winter.
I slowly walked to match Miyuki's pace and spoke in the most gentle voice I could muster.
"It's warm."
"What is?"
"Your hand is warm."
"…. Yes …?"
Miyuki's head was lowered slightly, so I wouldn't have noticed it if I wasn't looking at her closely.
A slight blush painted her cheeks… I wanted to step in a bit closer to verify, but I held in the urge.
Instead, I'll verify her feelings another way.
Looking at the ground and Miyuki's hand, I asked as I took one slow step at a time toward the front door:
"How's my hand? Is it cold?"
"… Mmmm… It's a bit cold…"
After a little hesitation, I heard her reply in a small voice.
It seems like my intent got through to her.
I felt like punching the air to celebrate, but that would surprise Miyuki too much, so let's just celebrate internally.
So, we left the house with a slightly weird atmosphere between us and got into the taxi.