Afternoon, at the bike shed.
To avoid being picked off one by one by Chiba Saeko, Fujii Shu decided to escort Ogiwara Saki home.
In Japanese society, there's no stigma against young love, nor does school forbid it. Thus, the bike shed after class often saw couples leaving hand in hand, with a palpable air of innocent romance lingering.
"Let's go…"
"Mm."
Two students around Fujii Shu's age pushed their bikes past him, their gazes locked lovingly as if glued together.
"Fujii-kun, let's head out too."
Ogiwara Saki walked out, pushing her bicycle, her long legs wrapped in white over-the-knee socks.As she walked, her legs were pressed tightly together, the sound of her over-the-knee socks rubbing against each other softly echoing with each step.
"Ah, sure…"
Taking off his bag and placing it in Ogiwara's arms, Fujii Shu hopped onto her maple-colored bicycle with practiced ease.
"Hop on."
He turned back to look at her.
"Emm-hmm."
Nodding obediently, Ogiwara Saki clutched the bag and sat on the rear seat.Her long legs lifted slightly, and the curve of the bike's rear rack accentuated the shape of Saki's hips.
As the saying goes: the first time is awkward, but by the second, it's natural. Today, she wasn't as shy as yesterday, her nerves replaced by enjoyment.
"Whoosh—"
Fujii Shu pedaled forcefully, the bike slicing through the wind and zipping past the couple from earlier.
"Fujii-kun, thanks again for taking me home today."
"It's no trouble. I don't have much else to do right now anyway."
As he rode leisurely through the campus, she murmured hesitantly.
"...Do you think Chiba-senpai and her group will let this slide? After all, we did threaten her with those photos."
"No need to worry—they started it." Fujii Shu spoke firmly. "Besides, I was merciful enough not to make her strip completely. She should thank me!"
"Fujii-kun!"
Before his words could fully settle, Ogiwara Saki clutched at his shirt, her face pale as she stared nervously towards the school gates.
At the same time Fujii Shu's expression darkened as he looked in the same direction.
Out the school gate.
A few delinquents with brightly colored hair were hanging around the entrance, exuding an air of arrogance.Their gaze was like a lion patrolling its territory, keenly watching the students walking out of the school gate, eyes fixed on their prey.
Among them were Chiba Shino, Matsui, and Onodera, the ringleaders themselves!
The teacher on duty at the entrance noticed them too and mustered up the courage to step forward and chase them off. But instead, the delinquents shot him a fierce, intimidating glare, making him back off.
Clearly, the teacher wasn't about to pick a fight with these troublemakers.
Seeing him scurry away in defeat, the young punks burst into loud, mocking laughter, as if they'd just won a victory.
"Not your business, Teach!"
"Go home and make babies, why don't ya?"
"Hahaha…"
"What do we do?" Seeing them intimidate even the teacher, Ogiwara Saki's heart raced, her pale fingers clutching Fujii Shu's shirt tightly.
"Fujii-kun, let's leave through the back gate…"
"No use; we can't avoid this."
You might get away once, but you won't keep dodging forever.
Fujii Shu knew their type too well. Once they smelled weakness, they wouldn't stop until they had their fill.Like a group of honey badgers.
He did a quick headcount—ten in total, including Chiba and her two cronies. Seven were likely troublemakers.
"...This could get messy." Fujii Shu frowned.
While he wasn't afraid to fight, taking on ten was pushing it.
Unless… he could cheat.
Wait, cheat?
An idea struck him like lightning. He turned to Ogiwara and said urgently, "Ogiwara, start insulting me! Quick!"
"Eh? Why?"
"Don't ask, just do it!"
Confused, Ogiwara hesitated before timidly saying, "F-Fujii-kun, you idiot!"
He almost burst out laughing.
"This girl… even her insults are so meek!"
The tension momentarily lightened as Fujii Shu chuckled.
Blushing furiously, Ogiwara thought he was joking to ease her nerves, but then he seriously added, "No, keep going! Be harsher!"
"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!"
"Of all times, Fujii-kun still has the energy to joke!"
This time, her exclamation was heartfelt.
"Stop acting tough, Fujii-kun…"
"You'll get hurt!"
"We can strategize once we're safely out the back gate, okay?"
Ogiwara's heart twisted in worry for him.
But Fujii Shu's eyes gleamed as his anger meter in the system panel surged.
"It's working!"
"Ogiwara, take the bike and leave through the back gate. I'll catch up soon."
Sliding off the bike, Fujii Shu propped it on its kickstand for her.
"Fujii-kun…"
Realizing his intent, Ogiwara Saki summoned unexpected courage and grabbed his hand.
"Don't go… There are so many of them…"
Her voice trembled, eyes pleading.
"We can talk to the principal or call the police. There's got to be another way…"
"Fujii-kun, please!"
"Ogiwara…" Feeling the softness of her touch and meeting her delicate, tear-streaked face, Fujii Shu smiled gently, then steadied his expression with resolve.
"Running away doesn't solve anything."
Rather than cowering and relying on others, he preferred to face it head-on with dignity.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
With that, he released her hand and turned resolutely toward the gate.
At Arakawa High's entrance.
"Boss, is it him?"
A delinquent with bleached yellow hair pointed carelessly at Fujii Shu.
"Oh, isn't that Fujii from Class B in social studies?"
"The famous coward of Class B!"
"Haha, I bullied him once too!"
Chiba Saeko's pretty face twisted with malice as she glared at the boy approaching them with a casual stride.
Yesterday's punch had nearly knocked the wind out of her, and as the self-proclaimed queen of the second-years, there was no way she'd let a "softie" like him get away with it!
"Hey, kid, you Fujii?"
The yellow-haired delinquent swaggered forward, waving a baseball bat threateningly.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's me."
Fujii Shu calmly rolled up his sleeves.
Yellow Hair sneered. "Good. Now, right this second, kneel before our boss and beg for forgiveness—or…"
He slammed the bat onto the ground menacingly, his tone turning icy.
"I'll break your legs!"