"Shinji, Good morning," Shouichi called out to the silver messy hair sticking out of the fence. It was Aoyama Shinji who loitered at the front of Shouichi's house early Monday morning. The weekends seemed to fly so quickly when Shouichi was busy helping around at Yoko Sweet Shio and spending his time reading novels from Ayane. The second week of school had passed without any trouble.
"Yo! How did you spot me, Shouichi?" Shinji beamed at him mischievously.
"Your head just poked out of the fence, pole head. Why are you here? Where's your driver, Murakami-san?" Shouichi started shooting questions.
"Haha. I have him drop me off here. Um… Is Yoko-san here?" Shinji giggled and looked around.
"You got something with my mom?" Shinji continued questioning and Shinji nodded vigorously as a response.
"She's a lil sleepy head every Monday, I might have to wake her up," Shouichi explained nonchalantly.
"Well… Please don't bother then. I'll just give this to you." Shinji handed him a box of red big grapes. It had a fancy red and gold package lined with premium fabric cushioning.
"Wow, can you not tryna hit on my mom?" Shouichi teased him while narrowing his eyes in suspicion and nudging with his elbow.
"Well… She's single and a beauty after all. Haha." Shinji playfully answered and they both burst out laughing.
"Actually, it's from my mother. She felt like it was courtesy of the Aoyama family since Yoko-san has been treating me well at her cafe." Shinji revealed the truth.
"Man, Yoko would be thrilled to receive such a gift from the Aoyama family. What exactly are they? I haven't ever seen this type of grapes before." Shouichi continued to question his friend.
"It's ruby grapes from Ishikawa Prefecture. One of those fancy stuff, I don't understand why though." Shinji answered with a flat tone as he put his hands over the back of the head.
"Got it! Thanks, Shinji. I'll put it in the fridge with a note then. So wait here for a bit." Shouichi walked back to his house.
Not for long, Shouichi emerged by his house, and the star duo began their journey to the school together.
"How's everything?" After a long silence, Shinji was the one to speak up first.
"I think it's falling into places. I no longer feel foreign now." Shouichi spoke his mind.
"That's good. Let me know if there's anything you need help with, okay?" Shinji reassured him with a gentle smile. Then he wrapped his long limbs around Shouichi's shoulders like they were best-est bros.
"Thanks, mate. Now put your arm back before people start having the wrong idea." Shouichi said with a smirk. "People around me got no sense of personal space at all, especially Shinji." He thought.
"Hahaha. Who cares what people think, you are my bro." Shinji spoke confidently and loudly. There was a group of junior girls next to them, who started to whisper into each other's ears.
"By the way, CCK dropped a new bomb! Have you watched it on YouTube yet? My Yukiko is extremely cute." Shinji changed the subject, he seemed overexcited about this new MV.
"No, I haven't yet~…" Shouichi replied but was interrupted by one of the junior girls. It was a girl with long black hair.
"Umm, Good morning, senpai. Please accept my letter!" The girl confronted them as she handed over a letter with both hands, she was petite and somewhat cute with her soft voice. The duo was flabbergasted while the cheering girls supported her from afar.
"Is it for me?" Shinji asked since she didn't specifically aim at either of them. Shinji was about to lift his hand to receive it.
"I'm so sorry, senpai! It's for Seito-senpai!" She corrected with a slight embarrassment in her expression. Shouichi received it with care and the group started babbling in a high-pitched noise like a little bird's chirping. The girl bowed one time before she left to catch up with the rest of her group.
"Man, my Shouichi got taken away already, that's not even two weeks. I'm gonna be so lonely after this." Shinji jested, bracing himself.
"Haa! Stop saying nonsense!" Shouichi retaliated.
"That's the first ever actually… What an odd experience." Shouichi murmured to himself while inspecting the pink envelope.
"I guess if you are still single. This is not going to be your last." Shinji said honestly with a playful wink.
"Hmm… What about you, Shinji? Did you say you are single?" Shouichi asked out of curiosity.
"Yep yep. It seems like I can't bag anyone, man. Life sucks!" Shinji replied with a hint of discontent with his perfect life. "What an obvious lie. I remembered the way he flirted with Ito Emi last week. He could've bagged her right then and there." Shouichi disagreed in his mind.
"Haha. I don't think that's the truth at all. You just don't wanna put in the effort." Shouichi responded and they both giggled.
The school lesson began as usual. The students of class 2-1 were diligently participating in the class. After a long while, the school bell signalled for a lunch break.
"It's the Monday's club lunch today!" Shinji announced while tapping on Shouichi's shoulder.
"What's that?" Shouichi asked with a blank on his face, obviously confused.
"Eh? Haven't you read the club group chat at all?"
"Wait… Is there a group chat?" Shouichi missed out on the whole thing.
"Oh shoot! I forgot to send you an invitation. My bad, bro. Grab your lunchbox, we'll head down to the rugby club right now!" Shinji facepalmed himself. Shouichi urgently grabbed his stuff and headed out.
"Umm, can I tag along?" A hand appeared to grab Shouichi's wrist on his sweatband.
"Eh?" Shouichi was baffled. It was Morimura Ayane who gripped his hand tight. Not knowing what to do, he looked back at Shinji for some advice.
"Of course, you can come. We are best friends after all. Ito-san and the club mates will be thrilled though." Shinji replied promptly. Ayane's face lit up with a big smile. "Oh! I completely forgot about Ayane. She usually has lunch with us now since she doesn't have her own group of friends." Shouichi remarked internally.
"That's the Aphrodite trio of second year, right?"
"The good-looking always lump up together, man."
"They can't be dating right? Otherwise, it's gonna be a pair."
Whispering and chatter could be heard as the trio coursing through a crowded corridor.
"The Aphrodite Trio? That's the first time I heard of that alias." Shouichi thought nervously as he realised the crowd was gossiping about the three of them with occasionally prying gazes. However, Shinji and Ayane seemed unbothered at all.
"It's my pleasure to accommodate the Aphrodite trio! Hahaha, I heard that's what some creative kids referred to you guys now." Ito Toru welcomed them warmly. He was still as blunt as ever. One would think that he absolutely had no filter. There were Ito Junior/Emi-chan, and two other members in the clubroom already.
"I'm sorry to tag along without asking first. May I have lunch with you guys?" Ayane bowed her head respectfully to Ito Toru-senpai.
"Hahaha. Of course, lady Ayane. You are allowed to do whatever you like here. You have my words as a captain of this club." Toru spoke and slightly nodded his head in response.
"Naggi! Hinoda! Help them set up a table. Monday club lunch will begin soon." He ordered his two lackeys with a tough guy voice. Two guys were from Class 2-2. Naggi was a short curly-haired boy with a muscular but short physique. He was the snitch from last time.
Besides him, the other one was Hinoda, he was the opposite of Naggi since he was thin and tall. Hinoda's eyes were small and his dark hair was cut short. They eagerly followed the order and started lifting the table and putting it together into a long big one. Shouichi and Shinji also helped along the process while the two girls were chatting about some trivial stuff with make-up tips and shows.
"Let's have a seat, guys," Toru said after the set-up was completed. Naturally, they started unpacking their lunch on the dining table. The food they brought looked delicious, especially the ones from Aoyama Shinji and Morimura Ayane. Shinji, Ito's siblings, and two other club members also bought extra portions to share. Shouichi was the only one with a tuna sandwich because he did not get a message.
"Emi-chan. Why did you pack such a small portion for yourself?" Ayane asked out of curiosity. Her violet-purple eyes stared at Emi's lunch box with only a quarter was filled.
"Umm… I'm not really hungry these days." The slightly plump manager replied shamefully.
"I told her many times, that you needed more nutrition and exercise more. Simply cutting down your calories is not an efficient way to lose your weight." Toru spoke up with a straight face and put some of the food into her plate.
"Big brother! I'm trying here." Emi retorted with a slight shade of red on her face.
"That's some dedication, Emi-chan. I didn't know you were worried about your weight. Anyway, you are already so cute!" Ayane complimented Emi with a gentle smile.
"Let's dig in!" "Thanks for the food!" "We're digging in!" The gangs started eating the food while chatting about random topics. Emi seemed to be enjoying herself when Ayane was around as she seemed to fully adsorb in their girly conversation.
"Captain, I heard you just got into a representative team that plays in the national high school championship, right?" The thin and tall Hinoda spoke up.
"You heard correct," Toru answered while crossing his arms.
"I meant to go with him, but he ditched out on me." Toru pointed his index finger at Shinji while Shinji was putting egg rolls in his mouth. Shinji froze a second and later put out a shameful smile. "Wow! I never expect Shinji to be that good at sports. Guess it's one of those ~you can't judge a book by its cover~ ah moments." Shouichi thought.
"If he's a bit serious about things, he could also go nationals." Toru continued indifferently.
"That's why you were so keen to onboard Shinji." Shouichi turned to talk to Emi.
"That's correct, senpai," Emi chimed in after finishing her chewing while cupping her mouth with her hand.
"Now, it's a bit too late for him. But I'm glad that my club is growing. As a captain, I still have my responsibility here to turn it into a real rugby club. Initially, we didn't have enough members at all. With Emi-chan's help, I've noticed an increase in interest and club members..." Toru continued as others were listening carefully.
"That's honourable of you, Cap'. And once you graduate you will be joining the nationals, right?" Naggi continued to glaze his captain.
"Yes. The idea is there." Cap' Toru replied nonchalantly.
"Lady Ayane, may I ask you to come to the practice today? I think it'll boost the popularity and morality of my club. Those juniors got nothing but urges and hormones anyway." Toru bowed his head as a request. It was so strange that he only addressed Ayane as though she was a princess.
"Big brother! You are too direct! I'm sorry for this, Morimura-senpai." Emi interrupted him.
"Will you guys be there, though?" Ayane turned to ask her friends, specifically Shouichi.
"Of course! We got stamina and endurance practice today." Shouichi replied confidently.
"Guess I'll show up for a little, then." Ayane finally gave out the answer. Naggi and Hinoda did a high five to celebrate, they were a bit too excited before the captain Toru gave them a hard stare.
Not long afterwards, the lunch break time seemed to slip fast, and the Aphrodite trio decided to return to class. Shinji, Shouichi, and Ayane strolled together along the second floor's hallway. At the moment, the hallway appeared empty as there were no other students to be found.
"Woah!" The hard collision on the back of Shouichi. He reflexively turned and saw a junior girl rushing to a girl's restroom. Shouichi noticed she was covering her mouth as if she was about to vomit. He also caught a glimpse of her pale face and tears welling up beneath her eyes. Somehow, the girl appeared to be in pure terror.
"What's her problem?" Shinji wondered out loud.
"Shouichi-kun, are you alright? She bumped you pretty hard though." Ayane was concerned, rubbing his back gently.
"Haha, I'm okay, what just happened? She looked pretty frightened and upset." Shouichi had confusion on his face.
"I dunno, let's go bro. We'll be late to the class." Shinji urged them to carry on, pointing at his metal watch.
"You guys go on ahead. I need to use the toilet first." Ayane told them.
"Alright, don't be late," Shinji emphasised while putting his arm around Shouichi's shoulder. The male duo parted ways with Ayane.
***
Earlier, in the student council room...
"Lock the door, Miku-chan," the young man instructed the new arrival in a deep tone. The council room was dark with all the curtains drawn.
"Plea~Please don't make me do it." The girl shakingly pleaded in fear in her eyes.
"But we HAVE a deal, right? Are you going to back down on it?" The young man continued to press and then he placed a photo in front of her.
"But… I'll repay it soon. I mean… I've just started a job at the convenience store. I'll get paid next week." The girl explained. Her voice wavered, soft and unsteady.
"That's wonderful. Don't you know that your interest will be doubled by then? Haven't you had an economy class before, we don't want that, do we?" He continued to speak very slowly.
"Come closer, I barely made out what you were saying, Miku-chan." The man gestured to her. She submissively complied and stood beside him. Then almost immediately, the despicable boy started to sexually caress her bottom with his fingers.
"Eek! Stop that… Please!" Miku yelped and pleaded one more time but that made him even more aroused.
"I happened to be in a good mood today. So I have a proposition, I can deduct your interest for this week… if you help me with this." The young man let out a mischievous smile and pointed at his crotch.
"..." The girl was silent as she feared for her life.
"You got great assets, it would be a waste to not use them as collateral, economically speaking." He looked at her with his lustful eyes. "I can't laugh yet… I have to hold it in." His crotch was bulging with his twisted thoughts.
"Or I'll leak your contract including that naked photo of you. The choice is entirely yours. Haha." He continued and giggled softly, covering his mouth and nose with both hands. The girl was on her knees admitting defeat. Her world crumbled into pieces as she had no choice but to do what the man commanded.
"Good girl." The man mocked her by patting her head like an adorable pet. She reluctantly unzipped his pants and his rigid rod was poking out.
"Hurry up, please. The lunch break will be over soon." He urged the girl. She started licking it while her body was trembling in fear. "It's so horrible. It stinks so much… I wanna puke!" A thought crossed her mind.
"That's good… I feel charitable today, so I'll tell you how to do it properly. Now you need to swallow it whole."
"No please… please!"
"Don't make me repeat it TWICE. Keep going!" The man brushed her brown hair tightly.
"Click!" The sound of a photo being taken was accompanied by the flash of a smartphone camera. The girl looked up in panic while the young man ejaculated inside her mouth. It was too late, the man had already taken a photo of her in the act.
"Please don't spit it out. Otherwise, it would be for nothing." The man said, pleased with himself. Miku hysterically rushed out of the room covering her mouth, while holding the disgusting liquid in.
***
A few moments later, Miku was hunched over the toilet, vomiting. The thin frail girl was broken beyond repair mentally and physically. Her long brown hair was a complete mess.
"I'm so pathetic… My life is over… What should I do?" she murmured softly to herself, tears streaming down her face as she cried uncontrollably.
"... Are you okay? Are you Miku-chan, right?" Ayane asked softly while putting her hands up as a sign of peace and meant no harm. Miku realised that she had completely forgotten to close the door after she rushed inside.
"Ah, Senpai… Yeah, yeah… I'm fine. I've gotta go now." Miku replied, pretending to conceal her breakdown. She coughed a few times. However, there was no use since Miku appeared obviously distressed and her eyes were swollen pink.
Without uttering any more words, Miku decided to get up and try to leave.
"It's the president of the student council, President Sakurai Hiroshi, isn't it?" Ayane eventually confronted her with determination in her deep purple eyes.