The room was dimly lit by a study lamp as a boy, in his blue pajamas, sat hunched over his desk. The window was open, a gentle breeze ruffling the curtains. An open diary lay in front of him, and he twirled a pen in one hand, tapping his fingers on the table with the other.

"Where should I start?" he mumbled, then took a deep breath, and began writing:

3-March-2023

Hey, Diary. How's it going? Yeah, you're fine because, well, I've never even opened you until now. Anyway, I'm Gozay Yathzam. And I think I should start with writing about "fuck." Don't get me wrong; it's just that the word "fuck" has this bad habit of flying out of my mouth at the worst times.

You might think it's no big deal. But it is, bro. I'm tired of it. And I'll tell you who's to blame—my so-called best friend, Akira Kurosawa. He said it all the time, and now it's, like, lodged in my brain.

I want to stop using this fucking word, seriously, but look—I just used it again without even trying. It's permanently wired into my brain at this point.

And do you know how many slaps I've gotten from girls because of this? They may look tiny and soft, but those slaps? Man, they make you see stars in broad daylight.

Also, confession time—I get a little nervous around girls, especially ones I've never met before. And let's be real, I'm not exactly a heartthrob. My hair is just plain dark, nothing too long or short, and my eyes are light brown, which is about as special as a loaf of bread. When I look in the mirror, "handsome" isn't exactly what jumps to mind.

So, Diary, tell me—am I handsome?

Diary: Yes, very handsome.

Knew it. Now that that's settled, here's a story for you. Four days ago, I bumped into this girl at the subway station. And she was, like, movie-star beautiful. Instead of being annoyed, she actually smiled. I stared at her, completely dumbfounded, and without thinking, muttered, "Fuck…" before I slapped both hands over my mouth.

But instead of getting angry and running away, she got this smirk and stepped closer, saying, "Let's do it."

My heart just about stopped. I leaned back, shook my head, and tried to think, "Get the fuck out of here" Except I said it out loud. And guess what she did? SLAP!

She stormed off, throwing over her shoulder, "You'll never get a girlfriend, fool."

Now, before you think I threw away a great opportunity (which I didn't—it was my stupid mouth acting out of nervousness), let me be clear—I'M NOT GAY... I'M STRAIGHT LIKE, SO STRAIGHT. I'M STRAIGHTER THAN A POLE. My banana stands tall and proud, okay? In fact, I've had tons of sex… in my wet dreams. Yeah, poor me :'(

And that's just one slap story. I've been slapped by an auntie, some other girls, and even a nanny. The list goes on. Now, I barely talk infront of women. Mom thinks I'm upset or something, but really, I'm just dodging more slaps.

Honestly, God, send me an angel to help me stop saying that word. It's the only way to keep my cheeks safe.

Okay, Diary, this is actually kinda fun. I can write whatever I want.

Oh, wait… What if someone finds you? I'm dead.

So, I'll keep you with me at school and stash you somewhere safe at home. No one's getting their hands on you. But if someone is reading my Diary now… STOP. RIGHT NOW. Give it back, or I swear, I'll come and fuck you, before taking it back.

That's enough for tonight, Diary. You might think I'm nuts, but I'm not… well, not completely. Am I? Hush hush... I should probably get some sleep. Good night.

---

Gozay closed the diary, stretched, switched off the lamp, and flopped into bed. He hugged his pillow, turned onto his side, and closed his eyes, ready to finally get some sleep.

Then—BEEP BEEP BEEP! The alarm blared.

He squeezed his eyes shut, groaning, "I fucked up. It's the first day of high school, and I haven't slept a single minute."

---

A Little Later

Gozay, dizzy and half-awake, stumbled down the street in his school uniform: white shirt, dark blue blazer featuring an embroidered school emblem on the left chest pocket, and matching dark blue pants that felt way too stiff and formal for his taste. His striped tie in shades of blue and white, hung a little loose around his neck because he'd given up on perfecting the knot. He was more "trying to stay upright" than "walking" at this point.

His phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out, squinting at the screen. It was Akira.

He picked up. "Hey…" he mumbled, sounding as dead as he felt.

"Yo, dumbass! You won't believe it—there are so many beautiful girls here, dude!" Akira's excited voice practically jumped out of the phone. "And guess what? We're in the same class, man!"

Gozay sighed. "What a stroke of bad luck. Now I have to put up with you here, too."

"Shut up. I'm waiting for you, slowpoke," 

"Yeah, yeah. Fuck you," Gozay replied, smirking a little as he hung up.

With a sigh, he stuffed his phone back in his pocket and kept trudging along. The day was off to a great start—if by "great," you mean "complete disaster."

A moment later, Gozay strolled through the Rivermont High School gates, stopping for a split second to look around. Girls in their uniforms—pleated skirt in a checkered blue-and-gray pattern, white blouses, dark blue blazzer, and neat bow-style ties—were scattered across the courtyard. "Damn... he was right," he muttered. "Though we had girls in middle school too. What's Akira so hyped about? Or maybe here we actually get to see some hot ones."

With a smirk, he buried his hands in his pockets and started walking toward the main campus.

He hadn't noticed the wave of heads turning, eyes trailing right behind him toward a girl stealing all the attention—a literal walking goddess. Maya Yoljay, the beauty queen, was gliding along just behind him. Her dark brown hair looked soft as silk, her deep blue eyes were hypnotizing, and her serious expression had her staring straight ahead, like she was on a mission.

Meanwhile, Gozay was getting more confused by the second. Everyone was looking his way, and he had no clue why. "Why the hell are they staring at me?" he muttered, glancing down at his outfit, just to make sure. Zip's up, thank god. Satisfied, he looked up and saw Akira coming his way, grinning like he'd won the lottery.

As Gozay strolled forward, pulling his hands from his pockets, his wallet slipped out and hit the ground. Maya noticed, paused, and bent down to pick it up. She caught up to him in a few quick steps, tapping him on the shoulder.

Gozay stopped and turned, finding himself face-to-face with the girl everyone had been gawking at. His eyes met hers, and he took a slow, deep breath. "So... they weren't looking at me after all," he whispered to himself.

Maya narrowed her eyes. "What did you just say?"

He snapped out of it, shaking his head quickly. "No… um… nothing." His gaze drifted to Akira, who was standing nearby making ridiculous faces to tease him, waving his hands around like he was determined to ruin the moment.

Maya held out the wallet, looking unimpressed. "You dropped this."

Gozay's focus shifted back to her, then to the wallet. He took it, forcing a grateful smile. "Oh… uh… From the bottom of my heart." He stopped, as Akira succeeded in getting his attention back by waving and making ridiculous faces. "Fuck you." he said furiously, looking at him.

Maya's eyes flashed. Gozay's brain caught up a second too late. He leaned back, panicked. "Wait, no, ma'am—I mean, miss—I wasn't talking to you, I swear, I was just saying th—"

SMACK! Maya's slap left his cheek stinging as Akira cackled in the background, scurrying off before Gozay could murder him.

Rubbing his reddened cheek, Gozay looked at Maya, who was still glaring daggers. "Idiot," she muttered, before turning and striding away.

Panicked, Gozay stumbled after her, one hand on his face. "Hey! Wait! Listen—I didn't mean it! I swear!" He sounded desperate. "I was just going to say thank you…" He sighed, voice dropping. "It's just… this stupid word keeps slipping out, like it's hardwired in my brain."

Maya didn't even look back, and he stopped in the hallway, rubbing his cheek. "Why would I say that to a beautiful girl like you?" he called after her, half-mumbling as if trying to convince himself, too.

Maya stopped, turned around, and gave him a long, cold stare. Gozay swallowed hard, lifting his other hand to his other cheek preemptively.

She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "So… it just slips out, huh? Unintentionally?"

Gozay nodded, feeling like a deer in headlights.

"Alright then, if that's how it is, fine." she said, her tone calm but lethal. "I've got a similar problem, slapping guys like you without meaning to. And trust me, you'll feel it every time I hear that word from you." And with that, she spun around and walked off.

Gozay let out a long, defeated sigh. "What a day…" he muttered, rubbing his sore cheek. Around him, students were scattered across the hallway, some throwing curious glances his way, whispering to each other with amused smirks.

Watching Maya disappear into the crowd, he quickly looked around, hoping no one had witnessed his public slap of shame. Then, gritting his teeth, he muttered under his breath, "Akira, I swear, I'm putting you in a fucking coffin tonight."

With one last glare in the direction his friend had darted off, Gozay straightened up, brushing down his uniform as if to salvage some dignity, before stepping forward.

As he neared class 1-A, he noticed a crowd of students loitering outside. Apparently, the teacher hadn't arrived yet. Great, more time for public humiliation. Among the cluster of chatting teenagers, Maya stood with another girl, who looked like she was ready to start a fashion blog right there. Her friend, Esha Ermen, leaned in close as if Maya was sharing state secrets.

Gozay spotted Maya and froze. His brain screamed at him to apologize, but his cheek begged him not to. As he approached cautiously, she glanced his way, locked eyes with him for a nanosecond, then spun around like he was the most repulsive bug she'd ever seen.

Gozay sighed. That's fair.

Before he could decide on his next move, someone smacked his arm. "Hey, Gozay!"

He whipped around to find Rina Jaris, her short brown hair framing her hazel eyes, grinning at him. She had that chirpy energy only morning people and psychopaths possess.

"Hey, Rina… At least you didn't slap me in the face," he muttered with a weak smile.

Rina tilted her head, eyebrows knitting together. "Why would I slap you?" she asked, genuinely confused.

Gozay opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, Rina's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Maya! It's you! Why didn't you answer my calls?" she squealed, rushing over to hug her.

Gozay blinked. Maya… Her name rang in his head like a bell. He'd file that away for later—though the memory of the slap still stung enough to make him instinctively graze his cheek. Right. Maya the Slayer.

As they launched into excited chatter, Gozay wisely decided to save himself from further embarrassment and walked into the classroom.

Maya glanced over at him and then casually asked Rina, "How do you know that idiot?"

Rina raised an eyebrow. "Who, Gozay? We were classmates in middle school. And he's not an idiot. Why?"

Maya folded her arms. "Oh, no reason… just gave him a slap recently for his attitude."

Rina frowned. "Gozay? Really? That doesn't sound like him. What did he do?"

Maya turned away, "I tried to help him, and he said, 'Fuck you!' I thought I'd teach him a lesson."

Rina's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? That's so out of character!" She smiled at Maya's pouty face, gently grabbing her arm. "Relax, 'angry bird.' He won't do it again, promise."

Inside the class, Akira already parked in the second row, second-to-last chair, looking absurdly comfortable for someone who was about to be murdered.

Gozay's lips curled into a smirk. "What a twist of fate," he said, striding toward his so-called best friend. "You're all alone here, so I can finally fuck you up."

Akira's grin faltered. "Uh, look, we're—" He cut himself off, staring wide-eyed at something behind Gozay.

Gozay narrowed his eyes. "Oh, no, no, no. That's not gonna work. I'm not falling for your dumb—"

A tap on his shoulder.

Gozay turned slowly, already dreading what he'd find.

There she was. Maya, arms crossed, her glare sharp enough to peel paint off walls. "You said that word again, huh?" she asked, her voice deceptively calm.

Gozay's mouth opened, but his brain bailed. "I-I can… Explaaaa—"

SLAP!

The other cheek. Balance was restored.

Holding his face like a wounded soldier, Gozay turned his death glare on Akira. "I'm gonna kill you now!" he shouted, ready to launch himself at him.

Before he could take a step, Maya grabbed his collar, pulling him back with terrifying ease.

"Haha, I was joking!" Gozay stammered, his bravado evaporating. "We're best buddies! Total soulmates! Right, Akira?"

Akira gave a very unhelpful thumbs-up.

Maya released Gozay with a shove. As more students entered the room, she turned to Akira. "Let me know if this idiot bothers you," she said casually, tossing a glare at Gozay for good measure. "I know how to handle people like him."

With that, she plopped down in the seat—the second row, last chair—leaving Gozay no choice but to shuffle defeatedly to his chair beside her, the first row, last chair.

As he dropped into his seat, he couldn't help but glance sideways. She didn't even spare him a look, already pulling out her notebook like slapping him was just her warm-up for the day.

Gozay sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. "I'm in hell," he muttered.

Akira turned in his seat, flashing a wicked grin. "Oh, come on, you're sitting next to the prettiest girl in class. Why so glum?"

Gozay shot him a murderous glare. "You're the reason I'm one slap away from early retirement."

Akira shrugged, clearly enjoying the show. "I didn't tell you to say stupid stuff. That's so disgusting you know...."

Gozay groaned, rubbing his still-stinging cheek. "God, I asked for an angel, but you sent Slap Angel? You really hate me."

Maya, without even glancing up, replied coolly, "Maybe He just has standards."

The class erupted into laughter, and Gozay's jaw dropped. He stared at her, eyes wide. "Can you read my mind or something?"

Akira snorted, turning around in his seat. "You said that out loud, genius."

Gozay's face turned a deep shade of red as he buried it in his arms on the desk, thinking, I should just sleep before I accidentally say some dirty thoughts out loud. His cheeks still stinging—one from the slap, and the other from humiliation.

Lunch Break

By the time the last class before lunch rolled around, Gozay had given up on life—or at least on staying awake. His head rested on his arms, and his soft snores filled the silence like a broken lullaby.

Maya glanced sideways at him, her brow twitching in irritation. "He's been asleep all day. How did he even get into this school?" she muttered to herself.

Akira, who was as nosy as ever, twisted in his seat and smirked. "Don't let that face fool you—he's a genius. Used to be top of the class for years. Then he dropped to 15th… then 7th."

Maya's eyebrows arched. "What happened?"

Akira shrugged with fake solemnity. "Family stuff."

Her gaze lingered on Gozay for a moment before the bell rang, signaling lunch break. She stood, grabbed her book, and brought it down on Gozay's head with the force of a thousand suns.

"AAAA!" Gozay bolted upright, eyes wild. "I wasn't sleeping, teacher! Wait…" He blinked at Maya, rubbing his head. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Yes," Maya said flatly, turning to leave.

Gozay stumbled after her, tripping over his own chair. "What did I do now? I was sleeping! Is that illegal?!"

She stopped, turning just enough to side-eye him. "It is when it's in class."

Gozay darted around to face her, leaning in close. "Who do you think you are, huh? Just because you're pretty doesn't mean you can—"

Her fist clenched, and he immediately backpedaled, a nervous laugh bubbling out. "Haha, I-I meant, uh, I'm sorry! You're totally right! Please don't break my face—I kinda need it to live!"

Maya rolled her eyes and walked past him. "Loser," she muttered, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Gozay watched her go, his hand still rubbing his head. "Sometimes beauty can be scary," he grumbled.

From nowhere, Akira appeared, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "Couldn't agree more, my guy."

Gozay glared at him. "Get lost."

Akira grinned, tagging along anyway. "Oh, come on. I'm your emotional support. You'd be lost without me."

The pair wandered into the schoolyard, where students swarmed like ants at a picnic. Akira patted his pockets suddenly, his expression dropping. "Oh, Fuck."

Gozay narrowed his eyes. "What now?"

Akira's face lit up with an over-the-top smile, and he grabbed Gozay's arm like they were long-lost brothers. "Gozay, you mean so much to me. You're not just my friend—you're my soulmate."

Gozay raised an eyebrow. "Cut the crap. What do you want?"

Akira pouted dramatically. "Wow. So cynical. Can't a guy express heartfelt gratitude to his best bro?"

"Nope. Not when it's you. Now spill."

Akira sighed, lowering his voice. "Fine. I'm starving, okay?"

Gozay stuffed his hands in his pockets. "What do I look like, your mom? Go feed yourself."

Right on cue, Akira's stomach let out a pitiful growl loud enough to turn heads. He looked away, voice dripping with fake melancholy. "I didn't even have breakfast… but it's fine. I'll survive. Probably."

Gozay groaned, pulling out his wallet. "Alright, alright! Just shut up."

Before he could hand over a single bill, Akira snatched the whole wallet with a devilish grin. "Thanks, bro! You're the best!"

"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" Gozay shouted, sprinting after him as Akira dashed into the crowd, cackling like a villain in a low-budget anime.

Students turned to watch the commotion, laughing as Gozay yelled, "AKIRA! YOU'RE DEAD WHEN I CATCH YOU!"

From somewhere in the distance, Akira called back, "If you catch me!"

Corridor Chaos

"STOPPPPPP!" Gozay shouted as he tore after Akira, who was already halfway up the stairs, laughing like the maniac he was.

The chase spilled into the corridor, their shoes squeaking against the polished floors. Gozay was so close he could practically grab the back of Akira's blazer when Maya and Rina stepped out of a classroom.

Akira skidded to a stop behind the girls, huffing and puffing dramatically. "HELP ME! He's trying to take my money!"

Gozay stumbled to a halt, panting. "That's MY wallet, you liar! Tell him to show it to you!"

Without missing a beat, Akira bolted again.

Before Gozay could give chase, Maya grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. "What's wrong with you? Bullying your own friend for money? Pathetic!"

Gozay didn't even look at her, his eyes glued to Akira, who had just collided headfirst with a group of seniors. One of them slapped him so hard it echoed down the corridor.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Maya said, her grip on his collar tightening.

Still distracted, Gozay sighed and gently placed his hand over hers. For a split second, her cheeks flushed pink, but before she could say anything, he slipped free from her grip.

"Hold that thought," he muttered, darting past her. "HEY!" he roared, charging toward Akira.

Maya and Rina exchanged a look before following.

By the time Gozay reached, Akira was pinned against the wall by a senior named Kozowa, who was holding him up by the neck like some cartoon villain.

Gozay didn't hesitate. He shoved Kozowa hard, sending him stumbling, and followed it up with a clean punch to the nose.

Akira slid down the wall, rubbing his throat. "You okay?" Gozay asked, crouching beside him.

Akira nodded weakly, turning his face away like a scolded child. Gozay grabbed his chin, inspecting the angry red handprint on his cheek. "I wanted you to get a slap like this." He teased with a smirk, then his tone turned furious, "But not from someone else's hand."

By then, Maya and Rina had arrived, both looking somewhere between impressed and annoyed.

Kozowa wiped the blood dripping from his nose, his sneer morphing into a full-on glare. "You're gonna pay for that!"

Gozay stood up, raising his hands in surrender. "Look, I don't want a fight. You slapped my friend, I punched you. Fair trade, yeah? Let's call it even."

But Kozowa wasn't having it. He stepped closer, cracking his knuckles. "This isn't the end. It's the beginning," he growled, grabbing Gozay by the collar. His fist cocked back, ready to strike.

Gozay smirked like a guy who'd just been handed a get-out-of-jail-free card. "Careful where you swing that fist, pal. My brother's the leader of a secret gang—Death Squad."

The hallway fell silent. Maya raised an eyebrow. Rina blinked. Akira's jaw dropped so low it almost hit the floor. "What?!" he mouthed dramatically.

Kozowa paused, his punch halfway to Gozay's face. "Gang leader?"

"Yup," Gozay said, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "And they don't mess around with fists. They prefer bullets."

Akira, finally catching the vibe, whipped out his phone, fumbling like a first-timer in a heist movie. "Should I, uh, give your brother a ring, boss?"

"Yeah, tell him to warm up the squad car," Gozay replied, the epitome of fake bravado.

Kozowa's grip loosened, his scowl shifting into mild panic. "You're bluffing."

"Wanna roll the dice?" Gozay tilted his head, looking far more dangerous than he had any right to.

Kozowa's resolve crumbled like bad cake. He shoved Gozay back with a grunt. "You hit a senior, and now you're blackmailing me? The Student Council's gonna hear about this!" he barked before stomping off, his lackeys scrambling after him.

The second Kozowa was out of sight, Gozay exhaled, the tension melting from his shoulders.

"Death Squad? Gang leader?" Akira leaned in, his expression halfway between admiration and utter disbelief. "I didn't know you even had a brother!"

Gozay smirked, leaning closer. "I don't." He paused for effect. "But Death Squad does exist."

Akira's eyes widened. "It does?"

Gozay winked. "Yeah. In a novel I read last week."

Before Akira could process the absurdity, Gozay turned to Maya and took a step closer. "You were saying something earlier, right?"

Maya didn't even bother looking at him. "See you in the Student Council office," she said over her shoulder.

Gozay's frown deepened. "What? Wait. You're filing a complaint too? What did I even do to you?"

Maya didn't answer, just kept walking.

Rina met Gozay's gaze, her eyes narrowing with a playful warning. "Careful, boy," she said, her lips curling into a smile before she strutted off.

Gozay and Akira exchanged a glance.

--

Cafeteria

The cafeteria full with chatter, laughter, and the occasional crash of a dropped tray. Gozay sat across from Akira, sipping red grape juice like it held the secrets of the universe. Akira, in stark contrast, attacked his burger like it owed him money.

"Thanks for earlier," Akira mumbled through a mouthful of food, crumbs raining down like confetti.

Gozay side-eyed him. "Gratitude doesn't suit you. It's weird."

Akira chuckled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Still, it's nice to know you care about me, even though I'm, you know, incredibly annoying."

"I don't care about you," Gozay replied, deadpan. He took another deliberate sip. "I just saw a face I wanted to punch, and your problems gave me an excuse."

Akira smirked. "Yeah, but you rushed over like some knight in shining armor. That part threw me."

"Threw you how?" Gozay raised an eyebrow, already regretting the question.

"Well," Akira leaned forward dramatically, "I've known you since we were kids. You've got anger issues, sure, but you're oddly chill about Maya slapping you around. Why is that?"

Gozay set his glass down with exaggerated patience. "It's called building an immunity. Years of tolerating your nonsense prepared me for her slaps. Honestly, it's less painful. At least she's beautiful. You? Just existing makes my eyes burn."

Akira burst out laughing, drawing a few stares. "Okay, fair point. Maybe that's why I'm still single. But you? Handsome and single? That's tragic."

Gozay smirked, leaning back. "Hard to date when you're stuck to me like a bad smell. You clear out every girl within a five-mile radius."

Before Akira could retort, a girl with short hair and glasses marched up to their table. She had the no-nonsense air of someone who probably graded her own handwriting for neatness.

"Who's Gozay Yathzam?" she asked, tone sharp enough to cut through the cafeteria noise.

Gozay raised his hand lazily. "Depends. Are you selling something?"

She ignored the quip. "I'm Jenny Goccken. You're required in the Student Council office after school." With all the warmth of a tax collector, she turned and walked off before he could respond.

Gozay watched her leave, then turned to Akira, his expression flat. "See? This is why you're bad for my health. You attract chaos like a magnet."

Akira grinned, unfazed. "Hey, look on the bright side. Maybe they'll crown you King of Trouble."

"Maybe I'll punch you next," Gozay muttered, going back to his grape juice.

---

Student Council Office

After classes, Gozay trudged to the Student Council office, stopping in front of the door. He took a deep breath, "Here's hoping they don't execute me on the spot," he muttered before knocking on the door.

The deep voice came from inside. "Come in."

Gozay pushed the door open. The Student Council Office exuded an air of self-importance that made Gozay instantly regret showing up. The long table, the organized bookshelves, the official emblem hanging like a judge's gavel—all screamed serious consequences incoming.

Stepping in, he was greeted by the sight of Yasaki Ahothza the President, in a sharp suit, looking like he moonlit as a CEO. Beside him sat Jenny Goccken, the vice president, with an expression so stoic it could have been carved from stone. Kayzin Verothra lounged nearby, twirling a pen like it was a baton, while Wenda Brylim grinned as if chaos was her best friend.

And then there was Maya.

Sitting primly like she owned the room, Maya's presence hit Gozay like a slap—figuratively this time. He blinked. What in the fresh hell is she doing here?

Before he could process, Wenda jumped up and grabbed his tie, nearly yanking him off balance. "Well, well, Handsome! Here to sign up for the Unity League?"

Gozay leaned back, choking. "C-can I?"

"He's not here to join. He's here because of a complaint." Maya said flatly.

Wenda let go, her smile turning wicked. "Oh, so you're the infamous gangster everyone's talking about?"

"Gangster?!" Gozay sputtered. "Do I look like one?"

Kayzin, without looking up, muttered, "You're wearing a black jacket, so… maybe."

Gozay gave Kayzin a deadpan look, then gestured to his outfit. "Man, you haven't even looked at me yet. It's not a black jacket—it's a blazer. You know, part of the uniform? The same one you're wearing?"

Kayzin finally glanced up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Huh. Guess it is. Still gives off gangster vibes, though."

Gozay threw his hands up, "Seriously? I didn't even say I'm the gangster. I said my brother is!" He shook his head, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What do I have to do to shake this gangster thing? Start carrying a bouquet of daisies?"

Wenda leaned in, her grin widening. "Oh, I'd pay to see you walk in here with flowers. It'd really soften the whole 'I'm totally in a gang' aesthetic you've got going on."

"I'm not in a gang!" Gozay shot back, exasperated.

Maya let out a barely audible sigh. "You're wasting your breath. Just admit defeat and move on."

Gozay gave her a mock bow. "Thank you for your overwhelming vote of confidence, councilwoman."

Yasaki tapped his pen against the table, silencing the room. "If we're done discussing Gozay's wardrobe, let's move on to the actual issue at hand. Wenda, sit please."

Wenda looked at him, gave a mock salute, "Sure thing, Mr. President."

Gozay muttered under his breath, "Finally, someone with sense."

Yasaki cleared his throat, pulling everyone back to order. "Gozay, the complaint states you assaulted a senior and blackmailed him using threats about your brother being leader of a dangerous secret gang. Care to explain?"

Gozay shifted awkwardly. "Uh… that's a lie."

"I saw him do it," Maya added, her voice level but cutting.

Et tu, Maya? Gozay thought, glaring at her. "Can I ask why you're even here?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm a council member."

His jaw nearly hit the floor. "You're a—wait, what?! When did that happen?"

"When you were sleeping," she said smoothly.

Gozay sighed, rubbing his temples. "Okay, fine. Look, I only lied because things were getting out of hand. That guy slapped my friend first. I stepped in to defend him. Simple as that."

Yasaki leaned back. "You've got no proof, and Kozowa has witnesses, and proof of injury. This could lead to suspension, possibly a fine. Unless you have some miracle defense, you're out of luck."

Gozay glanced around the room, his eyes briefly landing on Maya, who seemed determined to avoid his gaze. He let out a low sigh and shrugged. "There were some students around, but let's be real—they're not exactly lining up to vouch for me. The only witness I've got is my friend Akira, and, well… he's not what you'd call credible. Honestly, I wouldn't believe him either."

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking more annoyed than remorseful. "But for the record, I didn't start it. That guy slapped my friend first, so I stepped in. That's it. End of story."

Maya finally glanced his way, her expression unreadable, but Gozay didn't hold her gaze for long. Instead, he stared at the table, bracing himself for whatever was coming next.

Yasaki smirked. "Yeah, that's not gonna cut it. The complaint stands."

Before Gozay could respond, Maya spoke up, surprising everyone. "For the record, he's telling the truth. Kozowa started it. And the lie? It de-escalated the situation. If Gozay hadn't stepped in, Akira might've been seriously hurt."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Gozay blinked at her like she'd just confessed to liking pineapple on pizza.

Yasaki considered her words, then nodded. "Fine. The complaint won't go to the principal. You're off the hook, Gozay. But watch yourself next time."

Gozay grinned, his confidence restored. "Thanks, Mr. President. And… uh, Maya? Didn't know you had my back. See you around, everyone."

As he turned to leave, Wenda called after him. "Still think you'd make a great addition to the team, Dozay!"

"It's Gozay!" he snapped, then paused. "And no, thanks. I'd rather not get slapped here too."

"What was that?" Wenda grinned.

Gozay froze. "Uh… nothing. I said, 'I'll think about it!'" He bolted before she could say more.

Once outside, he leaned against the wall, exhaling. His reprieve was short-lived when Maya walked past, her arms stacked with books. Without thinking, he fell into step beside her.

"Hey," he started casually. "Thanks for earlier."

She didn't even glance at him. "Don't thank me. I still think you're an idiot. I only did it because it was the right thing to do."

Gozay smirked. "Come on, admit it. You'd miss me if I got suspended."

Maya stopped abruptly, turned, and smacked him with her books.

"OW!" he yelped, clutching his head. "What is wrong with you?"

"Stop being delusional," she snapped, marching ahead.

Gozay jogged after her, grinning despite the throbbing pain. "So… just me, or do you hit everyone with random objects? Because I'm starting to feel special."

Maya didn't answer, but her ears were slightly pink.

As Gozay trailed behind at a safe distance, he muttered to himself, "If this is divine punishment, at least it comes with a pretty face."

And that's how God answered Gozay's not-so-holy prayers: by sending an angel. Not the fluffy-winged, harp-playing kind, but the Slap Angel—a relentless force of sass and smacks. Maya stormed into his life like a one-woman hurricane, armed with insults, punches, and the occasional book-to-the-head combo, as if her divine purpose was to keep him perpetually humble.

Days turned into week, and while his dignity took a beating, something weird started to happen. Gozay's dumb heart decided that being her favorite punching bag wasn't all that bad.

Because apparently, surviving Maya's wrath with a grin made him feel... important. Special, even.

Which just confirmed what he'd suspected all along: he was an idiot.

---

10 March 2023

Hey Diary,

Sup, buddy? How's life in the world of pages? Let me tell you about mine. School's been in full swing for a week now, and guess what? My face has become a certified punching bag. All courtesy of one girl: Maya, the Slap Angel. She's hit me with everything—slaps, books, kicks. Honestly, I'm surprised she hasn't thrown a desk at me yet.

But here's the weird part: she's still amazing. Beautiful, even. On my first day back, she slapped me twice and smacked me with a book twice. And on the same day, she backed me up at the Student Council office. It's confusing, but also kind of… cool?

Oh, and did you notice? I haven't used that word a single time in this entry! You know the one. The F-bomb. Turns out Maya is the human equivalent of a swear jar—except instead of making me pay money, she slaps the word out of me. Painfully effective, I'll give her that.

Now, I don't even think of that word. Why? Because the mere idea of it conjures up memories of her slaps. My cheek starts stinging like it's been freshly smacked, and suddenly, I've forgotten how to say that word.

The problem is, she doesn't just slap me for that. Oh no. I think she actually enjoys hitting me. And… okay, maybe I don't mind? Her hands are soft, after all. At least that's one way she's willing to touch me.

Now, here's the big question, Diary, is this me catching feelings?

Diary: Yes, obviously.

Alright, fine, you're right. I think I have a crush on her. But how the heck do I tell her? She doesn't even like looking at me. It's okay, though. I have a plan: I'll keep expressing my feelings until she either falls for me or reports me for harassment. If she rejects me, I'll take it like a champ. Then I'll try again.

But what if… oh no. What if she already likes someone else?

That thought stings worse than her slaps.

Alright, fine. If she's into someone else, I'll back off. But I will tell her how I feel. At least she'll know, right? And who knows? Maybe my confession will change something.

Can't wait for tomorrow. Let's see where this crazy train goes.

Catch you later, Diary.