The first class after lunch inexplicably became a language class. Mr. Zhang didn't even bother stepping up to the podium; he told everyone to do self-study. On top of that, he assigned us to copy one of Du Fu's poems a hundred times with a fountain pen, supposedly to practice our handwriting.
I had a feeling this "special assignment" had something to do with me.
As soon as I returned to class, I could feel the burning gazes of everyone in the room. Everyone must have already heard about the cafeteria incident.
Renko was slouched over her desk, shoulders trembling slightly. She still looked upset. Shu Sha wasn't there—probably summoned to the teacher's office because our cowardly head teacher was too scared to confront me directly and wanted to vent on our class leader instead. What a pathetic person.
Renko's hair and clothes were mostly dry, the only sign of the earlier mess a tiny stain on her collar. She probably hadn't eaten lunch properly, either.
I retrieved a pen from my pencil case, flipped open the textbook, uncapped it, and spread out the paper. My movements were unnaturally gentle, as if I feared disturbing Renko.
But I couldn't write a single word.
Why am I suddenly unable to speak? Don't I usually fire off debates about Middle Eastern politics or martial arts anime like a Gatling gun? It's just an apology!
I helplessly raised my head, hoping for a little support. Of course, no one helped. Only "Loud Mouth," that gossip queen, watched us closely from across the room, making a "good luck, I'm rooting for you" gesture.
"Renko, I…"
Renko was still hunched over her desk, moving strangely underneath it.
Wait—was she copying the poem like that? Could she even see it? There wasn't enough light down there. I guess if you're a master, you don't need to look to write…
But the noises weren't even writing. Was she crying? Biting the desk?
Renko finally noticed me staring. She lifted her head, teary-eyed, holding a coconut bun with coconut smeared on her lips.
So she'd been hunched over, secretly eating! Like a little hamster! Crying while eating… a true foodie!
Noticing my gaze, she moved the bun away cautiously.
"At least let me finish my bread before you start bullying me, okay?" she pleaded.
Oh my, I don't even want to bully you right now! If you hadn't spoken first, I'd probably have apologized already!
You went through all that, yet you act nonchalant? My intense guilt is vanishing! And if that disappears… I'll have to start putting my defenses back up.
"Eat at ease. I won't touch it. I'll warn you if Mr. Zhang comes back," I said.
Still suspicious, Renko ate faster. Though her mouth was tiny, it took her a while to finish a regular piece of bread.
Finally, I could copy the poem in peace. My first few lines were decent… but each successive line got progressively worse.
Suddenly, my sleeve was grabbed. Renko clutched it tightly, her expression pained, silently asking for help.
She's choking on the last bite of bread?!
Shaking her head, she handed me an unopened water bottle.
"Do you… want me to help you open this?"
I twisted the cap off and handed it back. She drank it in big gulps and finally looked like herself again.
"Phew… I'm saved! If Haruya wasn't here, I'd be dead!" she exclaimed dramatically.
Impossible to die from a bite of bread, right? She's just nervous about me stealing it, isn't she? Also… you really can't open a water bottle? You were a one-on-ten "Little Tyrant" back in fifth grade! How could your muscles have atrophied that much in three years?
Seeing my skeptical look, she explained, "I've been sickly since I was young. Not being able to open a water bottle is normal."
"You still cling to that excuse? Aren't you worried the teachers will find out?" I asked.
"They won't. I have anemia, so the teacher said I can skip gym class—or just watch from the sidelines."
…Someone who could enter an Ironman Triathlon now just watches from the sidelines like Lin Daiyu. What kind of sick hobby is that?
"Haruya," she suddenly asked, "Are you going to stop bullying me this afternoon?"
"Ah… yeah," I muttered, embarrassed.
She hummed happily while copying the poem, humming the tune from her favorite show. Her efficiency was impressive. I hurried back to work myself.
After class, the class rep collected our work. I was just thinking about how to kill the rest of my free time when Shu Sha walked in, walking quickly toward me with a murderous aura.
My heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, I ran in the opposite direction—toward the teacher's podium. Escape the classroom, win!
"Haruya! Stop! Ha—ru—ya!" Shu Sha yelled, slicing through the crowd with big strides. I was eventually trapped in the hallway, blocked by her.
Shu Sha wasn't short; standing next to me, her nose almost reached my eyes. Half a head taller than Renko, her aura was so strong even males as tall as me were mentally oppressed, unable to stand straight.
Of course, I didn't show it. I'm a hot-blooded guy—never back down, never admit defeat!
"Why are you running from me?" she demanded.
Of course I have to! You look annoying, and your name sounds like a character from a death-flag anime! (If I accidentally let you finish me off with your self-made martial arts, how tragic would that be?)
I didn't say that aloud.
"I wasn't hiding! Stop thinking too highly of yourself! I just… needed to take a piss!"
Classic hoodlum style. I was proud of my acting.
"The head teacher already told me about what happened in the cafeteria!"
"Eh? You mean when I found and returned the school Madonna's lunch card? That story's already spread? Man, I was trying to do a good deed without leaving my name…"
"Shut up!"
I froze.
"I'm talking about the incident where you poured Coke over Renko's head!"
Shu Sha's lips trembled, her black hair swaying. Her eyes were like a falcon about to strike, pupils pitch-black and penetrating.
I had no words.
At that moment, Renko stepped out from the classroom and clung to my arm like we were inseparable.
"Class leader, you're mistaken!" she said with a smile. "Haruya and I have known each other since we were kids. We were just messing around in language class!"
Shu Sha froze, clearly taken aback.
"Stop lying! Even if you were messing around, the lunch incident wasn't just fun and games!"
"That was an accident. Haruya wasn't being careful. Anyway, my clothes are dry now!" Renko explained.
"Class leader, it's true! Really!" she pleaded.
"I grew up next door to Haruya. Our parents know each other. We're childhood friends! We may fight sometimes, but we always make up quickly. Right, Haruya?"
I could only groan in confirmation.
Time was precious; the bell was about to ring. Shu Sha, seeing Renko protecting me, seemed unsure how to proceed.
"Then go back for now. I'll investigate more later," she said, waving me away.
I walked awkwardly, Renko hugging my arm, but she looked surprisingly happy.
Shu Sha stopped us again.
"Haruya, why are you walking toward the classroom? Didn't you say you were taking a piss?" she squinted, repeating my words.
"I… I don't need to anymore. The air's too dry—I reabsorbed it!"
Shu Sha snorted with contempt.
"And you, Renko, I need to ask again. Be honest—does he have some dirt on you?"