"Aligado, but I can handle it myself."
Fujii Shu gave a grateful smile to Saki Ogihara and gently declined.
Yet, despite his attempts, his body refused to muster any strength. In the end, he could only let Saki handle everything like a ragdoll. After swallowing the medicine she fed him and a few sips of water she insisted he take, he lay back helplessly.
Saki fetched a clean towel from the bathroom, sat on the edge of the bed, and carefully wiped the blood off his cheeks and hair.
Before long, his handsome and delicate features were fully revealed under Saki's gaze.
Thump!
Her breath quickened, each inhale shaky and uneven, as though even her heartbeat had momentarily faltered. The hand clutching the towel froze midair, suspended as if caught in a spell.
The embarrassing scene at the door replayed in her mind, vivid and unrelenting. Ogiwara Saki's ears turned a deep crimson, the color spreading visibly as if ignited by some unseen flame. In an instant, the blush crept across her cheeks, then spilled down her fair neck like a tide, leaving no sanctuary untouched.
It even seemed intent on traveling further south.
"What's wrong? Did I scare you?"
Noticing her lowered head and dazed expression, Fujii Shu asked softly.
"Huh? Oh, a little…"
Saki stammered, trying to suppress the fluttery emotions in her heart, and continued along Fujii Shu's line of thought.
"With such a serious incident, the school probably won't ignore it, right?"
A brawl at the school gate was already a severe transgression.
As the instigator, Fujii Shu couldn't escape responsibility, even though he was the victim.
After all, the school didn't care who won or lost. If no one saw it, it was as if it never happened. Less trouble, less hassle.
But this time was different. The timing—peak after-school hours—and the location—the school gate—meant over a hundred pairs of eyes bore witness.
The school couldn't turn a blind eye anymore.
"At a time like this, praying for the school to uphold justice is pointless. If justice were coming, it would've arrived long ago."
"I'm just worried they'll twist the truth…"
"Don't worry. With so many people watching at the gate, it's clear they started it. I was just defending myself."
Fujii Shu's tone was calm, as if he were discussing someone else's business.
"Besides, they're guilty too. They wouldn't dare involve the police."
Even if it escalated to the police, it wouldn't be a big deal.
Ten against one—it was obvious who the victim was. At most, the police might rule Fujii Shu's actions as excessive self-defense and order him to pay some medical expenses.
Hearing his reassuring words, the worry on Saki's face gradually faded.
At some point, Fujii Shu had carved out a space in her heart, a place of reliance and trust.
"Enough about me. What about you?" Fujii Shu raised an eyebrow at her.
"I told you to wait for me by the back gate on your bike. Why did you act on your own again, like last time?"
"Don't you realize staying at the main gate made you a potential target too?"
"I…" Saki was at a loss for words, lowering her head as her slender fingers fidgeted nervously.
"Sorry, Fujii-kun."
"But…"
"I couldn't just leave you behind, especially at a critical moment like that."
Her voice grew softer, almost inaudible, but Fujii Shu could sense her meaning.
"I wasn't blaming you…"
Seeing her teary eyes, ready to spill over, Fujii Shu softened his tone.
He opened his mouth to say more, but a cheerful voice rang out from the yard outside the window.
"I'm home!"
Judging by the voice, it was his step-sister, Shimizu Airi.
"Whose bike is parked in front of our house? So inconsiderate!"
Fujii Shu's mouth twitched.
A flush of embarrassment colored Saki's face.
"Saki, it's getting late. You should head home."
"Yeah, with you like this, there's no way you can see me off. Take care."
"I will…"
Saki nodded and got up from the bed. Just as she was about to leave, she hesitated and turned back.
"Um, Fujii-kun, can I add you on Line?"
"Sure, my phone's in my jacket pocket. You…"
The words were abruptly cut off.
"Er… I'll get it myself…"
Fujii Shu grimaced, struggling to reach into the inner pocket of his jacket.
"Damn it, I should've just left my phone in my bag!"
"Why didn't I think of this during the fight?"
"Let me do it!"
Saki gently pressed down his raised hand, volunteering for the task despite the rosy blush still lingering on her face.
"Thanks…"
Not wanting to insist, Fujii Shu directed her, "It's in the inner pocket of the jacket."
Saki blinked, then carefully unzipped his jacket. Her slender fingers delicately slipped inside like she was playing a crane game, cautiously retrieving the phone.
"Phew—"
In the cramped room, she exhaled unconsciously.
"Were you nervous?" Fujii Shu's voice teased.
"Huh? No… not at all…"
Looking up, she was met with his playful smirk, and her face betrayed her with its evident denial.
"It's just the heat, yeah… definitely the heat."
"Oh? The heat, you say."
Fujii Shu narrowed his eyes mischievously.
Meanwhile, Airi's voice sounded from outside the door.
"Hey, is anyone home?"
The door clicked open, revealing a cute, youthful face.
"Nii-san, you're back!"
"Huh, who's this?"
Airi's curious gaze studied the girl in her brother's room.
Standing about 165 cm tall, she was much taller than herself, with fair skin that hinted she rarely ventured outdoors.
She had a slender frame, probably only slightly heavier than Airi—less than 100 pounds, she guessed.
Though her plain attire wasn't eye-catching, Airi could tell that with a new hairstyle and no glasses, this girl would be stunningly beautiful.
"That bike outside must be hers, huh?"
"No wonder my loser brother came home so early today. He must've been out on a date!"
"Damn, could this mess up my plans?"
Saki also looked at the petite girl in front of her.
Cute, sweet, and brimming with youthful energy.Dressed in snug, youthful attire, she looked particularly young and childlike.
Compared to her, Saki felt like a mere walking corpse—warm to the touch but devoid of any girlish charm.
"So this is Fujii-kun's step-sister?"
"What an adorable girl. She must be really popular at school."
Standing in front of Airi, Saki suddenly felt out of place, as though overshadowed by Airi's radiant presence. Hastily, she added Fujii Shu on Line and prepared to leave.
"I'll head out now, Fujii-kun…"
"Alright, take care."
"Bye, Fujii-kun."
With a polite nod toward Airi, Saki left the Fujii household with a heavy heart.