Amidst the scorching sun lies a hidden sanctuary behind the school where we can seek solace in the cool shade. And that's not all, for this serene spot offers a respite from the clamor of the world, ensuring that no one will disrupt our tranquility. However, we must consider the possibility that students passing by in the corridor could potentially catch a glimpse of us through the window.
I'm currently leaning against a rigid concrete surface, my eyes gently sealed shut as I absorb Gakuto's constant verbal musings. At that moment, an overwhelming desire to punch him consumed me. Yet, upon reflecting on the events that had transpired earlier, I realized the uselessness of such an act.
It all started when I made my way back from the infirmary. Without wasting a moment, I joined the rest of the boys to tackle the mess that had accumulated. The ground was littered with twigs and dried leaves that had fallen from the nearby forest, posing a threat to the cleanliness of our beloved school.
After the unfortunate cancellation of our vacation, I noticed a strange change in Gakuto's behavior. His fascination with the Guan Yu figurine had escalated to an alarming extent, leaving me wondering about the thoughts swirling in his mind. To my surprise, Gakuto decided to mess with me.
It seemed he had reached a point where punishment and pain no longer held sway over him. He intentionally orchestrated a situation where I, too, would be subjected to punishment, effectively forcing me to surrender. As I am not one to revel in pain, I made the conscious choice to lend an ear to his desires for conversation. And so, here we are now.
"Kiyoshi-dono, I hope you're paying attention. I'm currently assigning your tasks to ensure the success of our escape plan."
I hesitated to open my eyes for a couple of reasons. With my eyes still shut, I replied, "Instead of me, wouldn't it be more suitable to ask Shingo, Andre, or Joe? All three of them are more than willing to lend you a hand."
As Gakuto remained silent, I couldn't help but become curious. I discreetly glanced over and caught sight of him squatting nearby, clutching a twig in his hand. It seemed that he was engrossed in sketching something on the ground. In a chilling resemblance to a scene from a horror film, the very moment my eyelids met, he abruptly stood up. And as my eyes when I blinked in a mere heartbeat, he was already right before me.
"Stop all this! How can you be that confident that I will help you?" Frustration consumed me, compelling me to knock him across the face. The force of my punch sent him sprawling to the ground. Yet, to my surprise, Gakuto's reaction was far from what I expected. Rather than engaging in a heated fight or succumbing to anger, he simply flashed a serene smile and effortlessly rose to his feet as if the incident held no significance.
"Why are you so angry, Kiyoshi-dono? I undertake this endeavor for the betterment of us all," the shadow cast by the school building obscured the sun's rays, revealing his cunning gaze fixed upon me.
"What do you mean?"
Gakuto took his time before responding to my question. He crouched down once more, clutching a twig in his hand. With deliberate movements, he etched something onto the earth below. In that instant, my breath hitched as if time had momentarily frozen. However, I must assert that I am not one to be easily swayed by external influences. Consequently, I responded calmly:
"I anticipated your keen observation as your intellect surpasses that of Shingo, Andre, and Joe. However, the question remains, so what if you knew?"
It appeared that Gakuto was already privy to my strategy of distancing myself from them to enhance my reputation. He even seemed aware of the unusual bond I shared with Meiko. However, witnessing his confused expression in response to it brought me a sense of relief.
"Right, what will I do even after I find out? It all depends on whether you want to cooperate with me because I might do anything to ruin your image. If that happens, your high school life will be just as bad as mine."
Gakuto's eye grew even crazier, surpassing its previous intensity. It was clear that he was serious. Nevertheless, I couldn't bring myself to accept his words at face value. I made one last attempt to dissuade him, "Are you sure you want to ruin three years of your high school just for a mere figurine?"
To my surprise, he abruptly seized my collar, his emotions pouring forth in a torrent. "Guan Yu of the three kingdoms is more than a mere figure. He is a legendary general, a veritable deity of war who leads and inspires us all."
'What the fuck is he talking about? The first time I heard the name Guan Yu was from an otaku like you, and even though you're definitely exaggerating, I still don't care about your figurine.'
In the final moments, Gakuto presented me with an audacious scheme he intended to execute the following day. He had cleverly deceived Shingo, Andre, and Joe into distracting the members of the Underground Student Council, allowing me a chance to make a daring escape through the forest.
He refrained from divulging the specifics, yet merely contemplating a plan destined for failure caused an excruciating ache in my mind. Not wanting to stay with him for long, I sought solace elsewhere during my allotted break.
"He's very desperate. What should I do with him? Even if I snitch on him, the threat is still real, but if I comply with him, that doesn't guarantee he will keep his promise."
Little did I anticipate the arrival of a fateful day, one that would thrust me into the clutches of an unexpected blackmail scheme. To compound matters, the orchestrator of this devious plot happened to be a self-proclaimed loser and a devoted otaku. If only it were Meiko, Hana, or Mari. Then, perhaps, I could experience a thrill, even find excitement in the prospect of blackmailing them back by doing something perverted.
"Wait, Kiyoshi!" As I heard a melodious feminine voice calling out my name, a subtle shift in my mood occurred, bringing about a slight improvement. And when I turned around, the form of an angel stood before me, radiating a brilliant smile. Chiyo, in her current state, was sprinting towards me.
"Fuhhh... why don't you stop, even though I've called you so many times? I thought you had forgotten me," Despite her panting, Chiyo remained a vision of loveliness. I couldn't help but smile as I observed this spirited young girl.
"What seems to be the matter?" As our eyes met, a flicker of confusion danced across her face, confused by the mysterious curve of my lips. Yet, in the depths of her contemplation, a revelation seemed to dawn upon her. In a swift and unexpected turn of events, she arrived at her own resolute conclusion:
"Are you still trying to make fun of me? Listen, at that time, I just wasn't ready to hear you say such embarrassing things and to be honest, you were very narcissistic. After remembering it, I can only shudder in disgust."
I hesitated for a moment before reaching out to fix Chiyo's disheveled bangs. My touch was delicate as if I were tending to something fragile. In response, her eyes widened, and a blush quickly spread across her cheeks. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw her standing there, unsure of what to do.
"I know that there are many things you still wish to express, but let's find a more suitable place to do so," I said, taking her hand without hesitation and intertwining our fingers. I found Chiyo's slender and soft fingers incredibly comforting as they rested in my grasp. It made it much easier for me to lead and guide her.
"W-Wait, break time will be over soon. If you don't return on time, you'll get punished, right?"
"As long as I can be with you longer, I don't care if I get punished," In the end, I uttered those cringe-worthy words. Fuck it. Even though I hate what I'm doing now, I have no choice but to use this fast method.
'Seems like I've earned quite the reputation as a playboy, huh.'