In the bustling classroom, a table served as the stage for an arm-wrestling showdown. At the center of it all was Shiyon, poised and ready, his arm a symbol of challenge. Eager students crowded around him, each taking their turn to test their might against him.
Meanwhile, tucked away in a corner, Yuuto brooded. 'Damn it, I've got places to be. But here I am, stuck in this circus...' he thought, his frustration mounting as he watched the spectacle from his solitary table. Shiyon tried to catch a glimpse of Yuuto, but a fresh opponent always blocked the view.
"Shiyon-san is wiping the floor with us!" one student remarked, rubbing his sore arm.
"God... Was he always this strong?!"
'Morons, every single one of them. It's a given - NTR antagonists are the heavy hitters. But these clowns? They might as well pool their IQ into a single digit. That's why they're so clueless about the real danger right under their noses. Pathetic. The world should thank its lucky stars for me. I'm not like those ancient thinkers who saw their brilliance as a burden. My sharp mind? It's my greatest asset. Pity, though, for these brain-dead amoebas,' Yuuto mused, his face cradled in his palm, a mix of contempt and pity painting his features.
"Sakurai...?" Shun's voice was laced with confusion as he looked towards Yuuto.
"Leave him, Shun. He must be thinking about something stupid." she responded, her tone a mix of exasperation and resignation.
Yuuto, meanwhile, was deep in thought. 'I've really got to get out of here. But I can't afford another absence. Graduation is at stake. I'll make it on time, I have to. And you, Shiyon Michaels, you're on my radar now.' He chuckled inwardly, not acknowledging Riko's accurate mind reading.
The next challenger was a girl, her hand trembling as she clasped Shiyon's. "It's... so warm," she whispered, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Her reward was Shiyon's radiant smile, a sight that stirred a wave of envy among the other girls. To her, that smile was worth any challenge.
But before she realized, the match was over, her hand pinned under Shiyon's. "Oh dear, Misa-chan, you lost focus," Shiyon teased, his voice playful yet gentle, as Misa sat there, stunned yet charmed.
The guys watched in awe, one of them blurting out, "He doesn't even go easy on the girls!"
A girl nearby chimed in, her eyes wide with admiration. "But he did it so smoothly, she didn't even realize what happened!"
Misa, still recovering from her surprise, pleaded, "Can we try again? I didn't even notice I'd lost..." Her eyes shimmered with a hopeful, puppy-like innocence.
Shiyon, however, was firm yet cheerful. "Sorry, Misa-chan. It's not just about strength but focus too. No second rounds here, I'm afraid," he said, his smile unwavering, his hand still resting atop hers.
Misa's pout began to form, "That's not fair! Are you in a rush, Shi-" But she was abruptly interrupted by another girl, her impatience evident.
"Come on, Misa, you're just stalling now! Move it! Shiyon-san is a busy guy, and we all want our turn!"
There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd, each person eager for their chance to challenge Shiyon.
Shiyon acknowledged the situation with a solemn nod. "I'm sorry, but she's right. I'd love to give you another shot, but time's not on our side... Can you forgive me?" His voice softened, filled with regret, as he gently sandwiched Misa's hand between his own.
Misa's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she averted her gaze. "I-it's okay... I mean, it's you, Shiyon... S-so... I forgive you..." Her voice was a faint whisper, tinged with a mix of embarrassment and affection.
Little did Misa realize, her innocent interaction with Shiyon had turned her into a target. The surrounding girls thought in unison, their eyes narrowed, 'I'm going to get her.'
Releasing Misa's hand, Shiyon looked around and announced, "Next up is... Sakurai, right?"
All eyes instantly shifted to Yuuto, who sat at his desk, his attention elsewhere, seemingly oblivious to the brewing storm around him.
Seemingly.
Yuuto's lack of formal address hit the room like a shockwave. "You got a list or something, organ harvester?" he asked, the absence of honorifics in his tone sparking a collective gasp and several disapproving glares from the students.
"S-sakurai! You shouldn't speak to Shiyon like that, he's—" Shun began in a hushed tone, only to be interrupted by another student's outcry.
"Show some respect to Shiyon-sama, you anime pillow hugger!"
A mocking smirk played across Yuuto's lips as he casually leaned back, resting his head on his hand. 'That's exactly what I'm aiming for. The more they detest me, the better,' he thought in silent response to Shun's concern.
The room erupted with anger. "YEAH! Who do you think you are, disrespecting Shiyon-san like that? Just because you're older than us doesn't give you the right to be so rude!" another girl exclaimed, her voice echoing the collective disdain.
Yuuto remained unfazed. "What's the big deal about not using honorifics? Your beloved Shiyon's just a regular delinquent to me. I don't owe him, or any of you, a thing," he retorted with an air of indifference.
Shun's worry was palpable. 'He's pushing it too far. They're going to turn on him if he doesn't ease up!' he thought, his concern growing by the second.
Shiyon attempted to defuse the situation with a laugh, "Don't worry, everyone! Organ harvester is just a joke shared—" but he was abruptly cut off by the teacher's stern interruption.
"SAKURAI! Your behavior is completely out of line," the teacher declared, his eyes filled with disapproval.
Inwardly, the teacher fumed, 'Sakurai, the real troublemaker. Why the principal hasn't expelled him yet is beyond me. But I'll make sure it happens. To insult our school's star, Shiyon, who's achieved so much despite being a foreigner... Unforgivable.'
"Insulting our honorary graduate... I see now why you were held back at your previous school," the teacher continued, his voice dripping with contempt. The other students sharing the same look.
Yuuto coolly arched an eyebrow, directing a pointed look at the teacher. "So, this is the kind of school where teachers spread rumors about students? How very... refined," he began, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The classroom fell into a hush, as memories of Yuuto's blunt self-introduction echoed in their minds: "Hi, I'm Sakurai. I've been held back twice, so I'm the old guy here. Let's try to get along."
Shun's thoughts raced, 'But Sakurai, you're the one who blurted out your history...'
Undeterred, Yuuto pressed on, "I was merely sharing my thoughts on Shiyon here. What's the issue? I didn't swear at him, and he doesn't look bothered." His words, accompanied by a sly smirk.
The teacher's anger simmered just beneath the surface, his thoughts a storm of indignation. 'The audacity! The sheer disrespect for our school's values. I should...'
In a move unnoticed by the class, Shiyon quietly placed a calming hand on the teacher's shoulder. "Teacher, please, it's okay," he said softly.
The teacher spun around, his frustration reaching a boiling point. "What the..."
Students on the far side of the room murmured in bewilderment, "How did he get there so fast?"
"I didn't even see him move... Did you?" they whispered among themselves.
The teacher's eyes locked onto Shiyon. "But, Shiyon-kun, I can't just stand by and tolerate such disrespect. At the very least, I should send him out of the classroom."
Yuuto's smirk only widened, a sight caught only by Shun. 'No way... Was this his plan all along? To get kicked out so he wouldn't be marked absent if he left on his own? He could have just asked for a bathroom break... He always does things the hard way, just to make everyone dislike him...' Shun thought, incredulous at Yuuto's audacious strategy.
Shiyon's response was nothing short of angelic. "I didn't feel disrespected. Besides, I wanted to see everyone's progress. Teacher, you really should watch your temper, it's not good for your health," he said, concern lacing his words.
The teacher, moved by Shiyon's kindness, couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. 'To have such an angel among us... I guess every light casts a shadow,' he thought, casting a disdainful look at Yuuto.
"But, Shiyon-san, he's a transfer student! He only joined us 7 months ago!" one student pointed out, their statement echoed by nods from the rest.
Shiyon's smile didn't waver. "I know, but 'everyone' includes everyone. We should be uniting, not dividing," he said, his words resonating like a sage's. 'He's like Buddha...' the students mused in awe.
Walking over to Shun's desk, Shiyon asked with his ever-present politeness, "May I sit here, Shun-chun?" Without hesitation, Shun stood, taking a seat next to Riko, leaving his chair for Shiyon. The students quickly gathered around, forming a warm, inclusive circle.
Shiyon glanced at Shun and Riko sitting close together. "It's nice to see you two getting along so well. You've always seemed perfect for each other," he commented, his smile genuine and warm. Shun and Riko, both blushing, exchanged shy glances, eliciting a chorus of affectionate smiles from their classmates.
Shiyon then turned to Yuuto, as Yuuto sighed.
'I'll just go ahead and lose quietly. Then say I have diarrhea or something.' He thought internally as he looked at Shiyon and the posse of students surrounding him.
"A-are you sure about this, Shiyon-san? He's kind of a weirdo," a student whispered, eyeing Yuuto with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Shiyon's response was filled with an unwavering positivity. "Everyone has their own special qualities. I find that uniqueness fascinating in each and every one of you," he said, positioning his arm for the challenge as he faced Yuuto. A subtle, intrigued smile played across his lips, visible only to Yuuto, "And that includes you, Saku-chin."
Yuuto looked at him nonchalantly. 'Look at this organ harvester... He's practically shaking. You wanted an arm wrestle with me that much? Well, you'll get it.' Yuuto said as he locked arms with Shiyon. Another student counting the count-down.
"3"
"2"
"1"
"GO!" The signal was given, and the room fell silent.
But instead of the expected defeat, there was a stalemate. Neither arm moved, locked in a perfect balance.
"They're not moving! Is anime pillow actually strong?" one student whispered in disbelief.
"No way, Shiyon-san's just being cautious, he doesn't want to embarrass him," another suggested.
"Finish it, Shiyon-san! He's just a show-off!" a voice called out from the crowd.
Yuuto inwardly cursed, 'He's onto me. Not using his strength, trying to drag this out.' His eyes met Shiyon's, a silent acknowledgment of their mutual understanding.
Shiyon's eyes twinkled with unspoken mischief. 'Nice try, Saku-chin, but I'm not falling for it. We're going to have a real match <3,' his gaze seemed to communicate, as the tension between them grew, right under the crowd's radar.
The air in the classroom crackled with tension. 'Enough of this charade. You want a spectacle, Organ Harvester? You've got it,' Yuuto resolved, a fierce determination igniting within him.
In an instant, the dynamic shifted. Shiyon felt a sudden surge of power from Yuuto's grip, as if a dormant volcano had erupted in his arm. Yuuto's strength multiplied exponentially, pushing against Shiyon's arm like an unstoppable force.
Shiyon's eyes widened in shock. 'This is insane! He's like a freight train! I've got to push back now, or my arm's done for!' Adrenaline coursed through him, and he harnessed every ounce of his strength, his muscles tensing, his teeth gritted.
But just as Shiyon exerted his full force, Yuuto suddenly withdrew all resistance. The sudden shift sent Shiyon's arm crashing down, slamming Yuuto's hand against the desk with a thunderous thud. The room erupted in gasps and murmurs as Shiyon emerged victorious.
As Yuuto massaged his arm, he feigned nonchalance. "Ow..."
The class, completely unaware of Yuuto's ploy, was under the impression that Shiyon had overwhelmingly defeated him in a sudden display of strength.
...And they reveled in it.
"INCREDIBLE! NO WAY ANIME PILLOW COULD WIN!"
"YEAH! Shiyon-san is unbeatable! That's what you get for being a jerk, Pillow!" the students cheered.
Shiyon, meanwhile, stared at his own hand, a mix of surprise and disbelief etched on his face, a faint sheen of sweat still visible.
"My arm's kind of numb. Can I go to the infirmary?" Yuuto asked the teacher, his voice calm but his face betraying a hint of discomfort as he continued to rub his arm.
Shiyon, breaking from his own astonishment, leaned in towards Yuuto swiftly and grabbed his bicep, peering into Yuuto's eyes with a sly, excited grin.
"...I knew it... You're not ordinary, Saku-chin," he whispered, his eyes alight with curiosity as he felt the solid muscle beneath Yuuto's shirt.
'That is not the arm of someone who loses in an arm wrestle... Or any wrestling... Interesting.' Shiyon thought.
Yuuto instinctively pulled back slightly as Shiyon leaned in closer.
"Freak," Yuuto muttered audibly.
"S-shiyon-san?" The students' murmurs filled the room, puzzled by Shiyon's unexpected move.
"Oh, I was just checking on Saku-chin's hand. I'm no doctor, but it seems okay. Still, he should definitely see the nurse," Shiyon explained, smoothly transitioning back to his caring persona.
"Well then," Yuuto muttered, pushing through the crowd that had gathered around Shiyon, making his way out of the classroom.
"He just had to have disrespected Shiyon-san... That Sakurai really needs to learn to read the room..." Shun commented loudly, shaking his head.
Riko raised an eyebrow, giving Shun a questioning look.
Catching her gaze, Shun quickly added, "But, you know, I've learned to do it." He tried to cover up, sounding more thoughtful.
Riko's lips curved into a warm smile. "I guess you have," she said, her tone affectionate.
As Yuuto exited the classroom, his thoughts raced. 'Not much time left. Those two are probably still in the bathroom. I hope I haven't missed anything...'
"S-Sakurai-senpai...?" A timid, high-pitched voice halted him just outside the classroom door.
"Hm?" Yuuto turned, curious about the source of the voice.
A petite girl stood there, nervously twirling her fingers. Her long, silky dark hair framed her face, and her deep blue eyes shone with a mix of nervousness and curiosity. Her appearance was immaculate, her clothes neat and carrying a faint scent of roses. She was the epitome of grace and meticulousness.
"Oh, it's you. What do you want?" Yuuto asked, his tone rushed.
"It's just... um..." She faltered, her gaze dropping as he faced her.
"If it's nothing important, I've got to go," Yuuto said, starting to turn away as she struggled to find her words, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Wait! I... I just wanted to ask... Is your arm okay?" She called out, reaching her arms towards him in a hesitant gesture, as if trying to physically halt his departure.
Yuuto paused briefly, glancing back at her. "Nope, it hurts like a motherfucker," he replied bluntly, then swiftly turned and continued on his way.
The girl stumbled over her words, "A-ah... That's good... I mean, not good! I..." But before she could finish, Yuuto had already disappeared from view.
She released a soft sigh, her shoulders drooping in disappointment.
"Why won't he talk to me..." she murmured to herself, a hint of sadness in her voice as she stood alone in the hallway, the echo of her unspoken words lingering in the air.