The bully was already prepared to start the fight. They were all in a secluded corner of the school. It was the perfect place to be if you didn't want to get caught doing something you shouldn't. Just before the older boy could do anything, =@º\' spoke up.
"Why were you asking that kid for money?"
"Huh?! What's it to you?"
"Tell me."
"Are you backing out now or what?!"
"I'm going to give you the money."
"Huh?" The boy dropped his aggressive stance and relaxed his body. He and his friend were surprised by his response. They hadn't expected it at all!
"But first tell me. Why were you asking him for it?"
"Well, you see. Two days ago, I politely asked that kid for 1600 yen, and he said he'd give it to me. But, as you know, I'm still waiting."
"And you're talking to him like that just because of that? He doesn't even owe you."
"But he promised me!"
"A promise is a promise, right?"
He sighed. "Look, I'll give you those 1600 yen now, but leave that kid alone, okay?"
"Make it 3200!" said the bully's friend.
"No. I'm giving you the 1600. Take that, or you get nothing." "I think I like my friend's offer better. Either you give us the 3200, or there's no deal."
"Two thousand. That's the most I'm going to give you."
"You heard what I said. If you don't give us the money, or if you complain anymore, we're not going to put up with it anymore."
=@º\' remained calm but serious throughout the conversation, and had no intention of raising the price any further. His appearance reinforced that seriousness, imposing enough to make the scrawny kids listen to him. &$%"!, a little fed up with the situation, stepped forward and intervened.
"Wouldn't it be better if we just gave you two thousand? You'll leave with more money than before. Even if it's not much, it's something."
"Well…"
"If you're not going to give us that, then there's no deal!" Taking advantage of the fact that &$%"! wasn't behind =@º\', the bully's friend approached him and punched him square in the face. &$%"! hadn't expected it, so he fell on his backside.
Both =@º\' and the bully were surprised. I'd be pissed off if even your friend didn't expect something so drastic. The blow made his nose bleed, which was incredible, considering how skinny the boy was. =@º\', furious, tried to approach the little guy, but the bully got in the way.
"I guess you're not going to give me anything."
"I'm going to give you what you wanted. Something to warm you up," said =@º\', as he got ready.
When I arrived, it had all been over for a while. I knew where they were going, because it's the most hidden place in the school. Just by looking around for a few seconds, I could understand what was happening.
Only the bully and =@º\' had a fight, although &$%"!'s nose was bleeding, so I don't know who started it first. &$%"! is holding =@º\' , who, like the other one, wants to continue the fight.
Luckily, the idiot's friend wasn't as stupid, and was also restraining him. The two involved in the fight were a little unwell, although it wasn't anything to worry about.
"That's enough, Sho!"
"Haven't you had enough already?! And I'm fine! At least let me get back at him for breaking my nose!" Just as I tried to approach them, a voice was heard behind me; it's a teacher. "What are you doing?!" He was coming with _¨*^?¿ , and apparently he was looking at me.
I turned to look at him and answered, "No, I just got here, but…"
Then I turned back, now looking at the problem. As soon as the teacher saw them, he went straight to stop them. The teacher gave us all a good talking-to. I know it wasn't directed at us, but he gave it to us too.
When he finished, he took the four troublemakers away. I suppose first to the nurse's office, and then to the principal's office. The only thing that pisses me off about all this is what I overheard as they walked past me. Before they left, someone said something.
"Thanks for the help, Riku."
No one in the group was looking at me, but I know it was directed at me. It was =@º\' who said it, with a clearly sarcastic tone. After seeing how they were getting along with &$%"!, =@º\' and the other two, we went straight to class, since recess had just ended. I didn't pay attention to anything we covered. I understand he's angry, but it bothers me that he's the one saying it, especially after saying he could do nothing if he wanted.
I haven't done anything wrong. They were the ones who wanted a fight, and they've had a fight for a while now.They only have the right to blame me for being a coward. The only one who's done anything right is _¨*^?¿·. That's the only thing they can complain about.
I'm not going to take it seriously. It bothers me that he sees me that way, but what can I do? You can't think straight when you're that angry.
Besides, we're friends. I can talk to him later, and that's it. He'll probably be the one to apologize.
For the rest of the day, =@º\' and &$%"! were in the principal's office, along with the other two. &$%"! never told me what they were doing there, but it was probably copying or apologizing in front of the principal. I've never had to go to the principal's office, but I once overheard the principal forcing two girls who had been insulting each other to apologize after giving them a lecture.
At the end of the last period, &$%"! came into the classroom. As soon as he did, I went over to him. _¨*^?¿ told me he had to leave early so he could keep an eye on his younger brother, so it was just the two of us from the group.
"What did they tell you in the end?"
"Well, they told me and the kid who followed that Sho guy around that they're going to talk to our parents, and we're going to have to stay for seventh period at the end of the school day, me for one week and the other guy for two. Soeyu and I already got suspended for three days. Soeyu had a few other disciplinary actions for not justifying his absences, and I suppose the other guy did more. They even called their parents in the middle of the discussion."
"I understand my situation, but it pisses me off that Soeyu got suspended for the same thing as that idiot."
"What did you expect? You couldn't resolve something like this by talking, especially not with people like them."
"Anyway, nothing would have happened if Soeyu hadn't gone after a teacher."
"I know you're angry, but it's not like you can blame him." "But I knew we'd manage just fine. Besides, we're not idiots; if we see things are getting out of hand, we'll stop, whether the other person wants to continue or not."
"He didn't mean any harm; he did it thinking about what was best for you." While we were talking, &$%"! went over to his desk to get his school bag and put it on his left shoulder.
"I understand he wanted to help, but we could have handled everything ourselves. Didn't you see how we were trying to get them to stop fighting?" We both started to leave the classroom.
"But it didn't end like that, did it? Or did you want to leave there with a bloody nose and those two with a couple of bruises?"
"The nurse would have kept quiet. I feel like she's too nice sometimes, but it's better for all of us if she doesn't say anything."
"Anyway, I don't think _¨*^?¿ did anything wrong."
"Do you want us to blame the principal?"
"Well, honestly, yes. He shouldn't have punished you in any way, neither you nor =@º\'."
"We've already told him the whole situation, but he said it doesn't matter, since we went with them to the corner instead of looking for a teacher. You could also say that I didn't do anything, but I followed =@º\', and we started a fight. Now that I hear it for the second time, it makes sense. Although it still bothers me." &$%"! headed for the door.
Starting tomorrow, he would have to stay a seventh period, so we could at least go out together. With my school bag already on my shoulder, we both left the classroom, walking down the hallways towards the exit.
"The only ones they haven't said anything to are you. _¨*^?¿ brought the teacher, although I'm surprised one didn't arrive sooner, and you didn't do anything." The fact that he emphasized that last part made me feel a little guilty that it had ended up like this, even though it wasn't that big of a deal. He didn't mean any harm, judging by the tone he used, at least.
"I don't think my parents will ground me, or keep me from the convention. They'll probably understand."
"Yeah. I can't wait for Saturday."
"Right? I'm getting a little impatient waiting." Since we'd been talking for so long, we reached the entrance quickly. We stopped for a moment to change our shoes.
"So, you're starting that tomorrow?"
"Yeah... It's like you're rubbing it in."
"No, not at all... I just wanted to be sure." Maybe I didn't mean to at first, but the fact that he assumed my comment was a joke made me want to tease him a little, which seemed to show on my face.
"I bet I'll hit you with my shoe."
"I see you're keen to stay and do the dishes another week." He started counting, holding the school shoe he'd just taken off, while raising it higher and higher so he could get a good lift.
"3...2...1…"
"Okay, okay, I take it back! Sorry!" I covered my face, thinking he was really going to throw the shoe at me, but all he did was swish it around in the air, still holding onto it. A devilish grin spread across his face at my "defense."
"2-1"
"Two to one for what?!" After that mysterious comment, which I only later remembered was because of this morning, we both left our school shoes in our lockers and left the school.
"Anyway, back to the convention. Were you going to dress up as that after all ?"
"Hmm, I'm still not sure. I know I bought it, and it would be a waste not to use the cosplay, but I'm really embarrassed." "It would be funny to see you in it. Although it would be weird if you were cosplaying and I wasn't. I could go as your waifu."
"Die."
"See? If I die, it would be completely canon, just like the character."
"Ugh, you're such a pain."
"I'll have to show off my muscles somewhere."
"But you don't even work out!" As we crossed the entrance to the high school, we stopped in front of it. I spoke first, somewhat ignoring everything that had happened today. "Hey, are you hanging out tomorrow?"
"Hmm, before the convention? Won't we be exhausted afterward? Besides, I have that seventh one..."
"I don't think anything will happen."
"...Okay, then we'll meet up later this afternoon. I'll come over to your neighborhood if you want."
"I'll wait for you there." I don't know if I'm just that good at convincing people, or maybe he'd already planned to meet up. It'll help him calm his nerves a bit.
"See you tomorrow."
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
We both said goodbye and started walking home.