CHAPTER 2

"What now Kouki? This is what you get for trying to act cool!"

A group of boys ganged up against a laying child. The child is trying to do his best to protect his head as he covers it with fragile arms. Although they're in the playground, no children can be seen except for them.

The boys are kicking hard and thus dust accumulates densely in the air. A minute has passed and the boys seem satisfied with their action, the leader of the group looks down on the child and spit at him.

"Don't try to act cool next time you piece of shit"

They left the place while laughing, after the group is no longer visible, a little girl approached the child. She was the same age of the child, she wore glasses and her brown braided hair is swaying around as she runs.

She strokes the hair of the child, sweeping the spit on his face with her clothes gently, behind her glass, tears started to gather up as she glance on the child.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry"

She keeps repeating the sentence like a broken tape, although the child's badly beaten, although the child's body is full of bruise and dust, the child was still smiling.

"Coke…"

The child muttered. The girl has a confused by this as she looks at the child with a questioning gaze.

"You… You owe me a coke…"

The child chuckle, no, the girl chuckle too. Her face is red as her eyes is, the girl is laughing like her tears earlier was a lie.

"Um, tomorrow, I will treat you"

The girl said. The child slowly nods and closes his eyes. This was the promise that the girl held dearly into her heart.

*

"Kouki-kun!"

The voice of Aya can be heard. I'm standing at the bus stop because she said that this would be the meeting place. She was wearing a white frilly sun dress accompanied by white high stockings that reaches to her tights.

It's just my prediction, I have no way of conforming that her stockings ends to her tights since her tight is covered by the dress.

While having useless thoughts like this, Aya finally caught up with me.

"Hah… Hah…"

I waited for her to catch her breath. There's a little sweat on her forehead because of the heat but compared to the city where trees are like, rare existence, the trees are abundant here so it doesn't feel that hot.

"Did I make you wait?"

Aya said while brimming with smile. She looks really happy, maybe there's something good happen to her.

"No, I just arrived here. You look really happy Aya, I wonder what happened"

She finally realizes that she's grinning too much, she cover her mouth and shakes her head in a flustered manner.

"Anyway, there are still a few minutes until the bus arrives. I guess we'll have to wait for now Aya"

"Umm!"

I didn't bring my phone so I didn't have a thing to fiddle with, on the other hand, Aya have a small pink shoulder bag, it was decorated with flowers and cute animal heads.

Aya noticed my gaze on her bag and touch it covering the adornment.

"I just being a little creative that's all"

She tries to hide the bag from me, if you're embarrassed about it, then don't bring it in the first place…But it suited her, Aya is small and cute so it doesn't really matter if she's a little childish.

A minute has passed and the bus finally arrived, it was not air-conditioned like in the city. We enter the bus and noticed we're the only one inside here. I sat on the back and Aya soon follow and sat next to me.

"How long does it take to go to the town?"

"I think it will take a half-hour, the town is really different from this village you know? But you live in the city so I think you'll only be disappointed"

Aya open her shoulder bag and took out a headset. I unconsciously look at her, man I wish I have something to kill the time with.

I turned my gaze outside the window, I guess I'll just have to deal with it. When I was about to daze in boredom, something touched my shoulder repeatedly.

It was Aya, she was holding a piece of headset to her hand while the other piece is on her left ear. Her headset too is filled with cute design, it's like a colorful string is wrapped around the wire.

I took the earphone while saying "Thank you" I plugged the headset to my ear. She touched her smartphone and then the song played… It was pop idol music. She immediately pressed the stop button while looking embarrassed.

"Yue Asuka?"

She looks surprised. I know this girl, I've always seen her on T.V, she's a new solo idol that's skyrocketing her popularity in the city lately.

"It's okay, I listened to her too"

She sighed in relief and continued the song, Yue's song is like an unavoidable plague in the city, it's impossible for you to not hear this song, I guess I'm just used to it.

The bus finally run, even though it didn't have an air conditioner, because the windows are open the winds are free to enter the bus. We continue to listen to the song without talking.

It's already high noon so it's inevitable for me to feel sleepy. I decided to peek at Aya and she's already asleep. The bus turned right and Aya fell on my shoulder. She's breathing softly while having a complete expressionless face.

What's that? It smells like lavender, Aya smells like lavender. While staring at her face, I trace some dark shade under her eyes. It looks like she doesn't get that much sleep. Geez, take care of yourself properly.

The half-hour quickly elapsed and I can finally see the town. It doesn't have a huge towering building or shops with fancy ornaments, but as long as it have bank and atm, all is well.

The bus halt at another bus stop, the door slowly open and some people enter in. I gently shake Aya to wake her up.

"Aya, we're here"

"Ummm…"

Aya grumbled as she open her eyes. Her eyes wander for a bit and she ended up looking at my shoulder, her eyes became wide and she suddenly straightens her posture.

"S-sorry!"

Aya apologize while panicking.

"I don't mind"

I said as I shrugged my shoulder. I avert my eyes to her and glance at the window.

"More importantly, we should leave the bus before it starts running again"

"Y-yes…"

The awkward atmosphere linger as we left the bus and start walking. The people in town are condense, at least when you compared them to the village. Various shops like furniture or restaurant welcomes you to the city. But first things first.

"Where's the nearest bank?"

I said, Aya pouted her lips as she placed her finger on it. She pointed at the west and said "I think, that way"

"You think?"

"It's not like I'm always at the town you know? Anyway, I'm pretty sure that's the way, if I'm wrong we could just ask another person"

I followed Aya as she escorts me, from time to time, I could see some people that would snatch a glance at her, Aya is attractive after all, but the person herself didn't notice it as she stride without hesitation.

"Tadah! See? I told ya!"

We arrived at the front of the bank. Aya looks happy as she makes a piece sign, I don't really think that you can be proud just by doing this but I guess it depends on the person.

I check the surrounding if there's an atm and thankfully there is. I head towards to it and told Aya to wait for me. During my entire time living alone, I didn't have any problem linked with money.

Of course I am supported by my mother but the biggest reason on why I have so much money is because of the Academy itself. They we're giving money to those on the top and thankfully, I'm the top one of the Academy.

I also earn money by teaching piano lesson and violin lesson to children, I get the price money too if I win on the Karate and Judo tournament that I joined. Ten thousand yen should be enough. I thought.

If it's not enough I can always go back. As much as possible I'd like to take the minimum amount of money needed, my Grandmother thought me to be cautious especially around money. I withdraw the money and return back to Aya.

When I came back, Aya was already talking to someone. It's a man, it looks like he was older than us but I think that he's still a highschool student. To be honest, he's handsome. He had a tall and fit structure, he could be a model if he wanted to. His undercut blonde hair really looks good on him.

He and Aya looks dazzling, in fact people start to gather around them like there was a celebrity fan meet up, but the two didn't mind though, perhaps they used to it? The two sparkles as they speak, I think that I'm going to be blind if I look at them for five seconds straight.

I'm having a second thought on approaching them. After gathering enough courage, I head towards Aya.

"Sorry for the wait"

I said as I walk toward to them, I feel nervous, it's like I'm going to meet a superstar or something.

"Ah! Kouki-kun! Mouh, why it took you so long?!"

Aya cross her arms as she stomps her fit. The man looks at Aya and with questioning gaze.

"You're with someone?"

The man asked Aya, he still have his perfect smile but I feel like something was off. Aya giggle and introduce me.

"Touma-senpai this is Kouki-kun, Kouki-kun this is Touma-senpai"

"Nice to meet you Kouki-kun"

"Likewise"

We exchanged our greetings, Touma-san... You're looking at me too hard…

"Touma-senpai, Kouki is a shy type you know?"

Noticing my reaction, Aya quickly warn Touma-san. Thank you Aya, you've really changed. Aya is the shy one when we're still a child, and because of that, I often see Aya getting bullied or mocked.

"Hahahaha, I didn't meant to scare him, by the way is he from our school?"

"Ah no, he's just here because it's summer vacation. I thought that I should tour him to this town since it's boring in the village"

"Is that so?"

Somehow, Touma-san's eyes grew gentle as if he was relieved.

"You're too kind Aya…Then I will take my leave, enjoy it you two, especially you Kouki-kun"

Aya bid farewell to Touma-san, she then look back to me with somehow a mischievous expression. I stay quiet and try to ignore her as we walk, but…

"Fufufufufu"

She would let out a creepy laugh, she would also throw a glance from time to time to get my attention. I sighed and decided to give in. It's obvious that she wants me to ask her 'Who's that?' but I don't know why she would do that. I finally gave in and talk in monotone

"Who's that?"

"Ara ara, are you curious?"

Aya covers her mouth as if too hide her laughter. Her eyes became half close as and looking at me mischievously.

"That's Touma-senpai, he's quite popular you know?"

"Is that so? Would your boyfriend will be jealous if you get to close to him?"

I reply as to keep the conversation to continue. Even though we're in the town, I haven't seen that much car here, it's a good thing though, I really like quite place.

"What are you talking about? I don't have a boyfriend…Wait! To think that he will use this chance to ask me if I have a lover or not is sly! Kouki-kun you're sly!"

What? She just started to mumble words that I can't comprehend and suddenly calling me sly.

"Enough about that, are you hungry?"

The conversation develops in a weird way so I decided to change the topic.

"Kinda, I want to eat something light"

Aya replied while caressing her stomach gently. Good thing she took the bait.

"I see, then lead the way"

"… I know that I'm supposed to guide you but I feel like I'm just being used"

*

I was led to a family restaurant, there are two section inside the restaurant. The smoking area and the non-smoking area, of course we're using the latter. After we sat, a waitress come to us and gives us the menu.

"I wonder what would be good be good"

I said while looking at the menu, I think I'm going for ramen.

"I'll have ramen, how about you Aya?"

"Ummm… I'm having parfait"

"Alright, one ramen and one parfait please"

I said to the waitress with the most outmost respect, believe it or not, I have a huge respect to the people who have jobs like this. My Grandmother is a vendor, even though she's old she still do it because of me, in order to buy me toys.

Since mother is still looking for a job that time, we only have a limited allowance thus only reserve those for important things like buying rice and clothes. My Grandmother started to work again because she saw me envying the toys of the children at my age, perhaps if I just keep my emotion hidden at that time, maybe Grandmother will not die because of working herself too hard.

Hmm? It's taking too long for the waitress to leave.

"Is something matter?"

I asked the waitress, the waitress shook her head and immediately and run while having a red face. I felt a sharp gaze and when I look where that came from, it's Aya, and she's looking at me with resentment.

Eh? Did I do something to irritate her?

"Why?"

"Kouki-kun, are you for real?"

"Hmm?"

"Haaah…"

Aya sighed in resignation, I don't get it. The foods arrived but the one who served it is a different waitress, I smiled at her as she served the food.

"Looks tasty"

I said, although the food is here, Aya became more depressed than before. I don't really get this girl.

As expected the ramen is good, I finished the ramen quickly but Aya on the other hand only ate half of the parfait.

"It's not good?"

I asked, Aya inclined her cheek to her arms, she's only playing with the parfait. She looked at me with disinterested eyes.

"It's good, I just lose the appetite to eat… Hah… Eat this if you want"

"Are you sure? Then thank you"

I took the plate and started to eat it. I just finished the parfait when suddenly Aya straight up as if she was struck by a lightning.

"You! Wh-what spoon did you use!?"

"Spoon? I use this"

I rose up the spoon.

"Th-that's mine!"

Is she angry because I use her spoon? I thought that she's the type who didn't mind it because I thought that she's used to it… Here I am again with my naïve thought. I did something without the consideration of the other party first…

"I'm sorry"

I look down to the table, maybe she feels disgusted with me now…

"Wh-why are you apologizing?"

"Because I use your spoon without permission"

I look up to Aya, she's making an even more depressed, I don't understand at all.

"I'm so stupid, of course it have an effect on him"

"Excuse me?"

Aya shakes her head. She stands up and leaves the table. Now I've done it…

I look at the empty plate.

"Now I'm the one that lost his appetite"

I laugh in a self-deprecation way. I put down the spoon and lean my head to the wall. If I leave quickly, I will meet Aya on the bus, I'm sure she will hate it.

"Here"

"Wha-"

A glass of soft drink was placed in front of me, it's Aya, and she's holding another one with her.

"This is coke, I promise you didn't I?"

She smiles wryly. That's right... It was in the playground, just like I said earlier, Aya is always bullied because of her timid personality. But that time was the peak of it. Rocks are being thrown at her that day, the rock was small but so is Aya.

My body unconsciously moves and picked a stone and throws it to the kids. My plan at that time is to get their attention to me and let them beat me to pulp. It worked though, it worked pretty well that I think that I broke my left arm while protecting my head.

Aya sit next to me and drink her portion.

"You look pretty cool back then"

She said. She promised to treat me a soft drink but it never happened. Because after that day, my Grandmother fell into illness, the doctor said that it was due to overworking. I was so shocked that time that I stop playing outside.

All I do is to take care of my Grandmother all day, the guilt is too great for me to not do anything… I still feel the guilt right now, no matter what I do I can't get rid of it.

"So you've keep your promise then"

I said, I drunk the coke slowly, I could feel the bubbles inside my throat. It was nice.

*

"That's about it, we should head back before the bus left us"

I said, Aya didn't say anything but she quietly follows me. We reached the bus stop without talking to each other, and again, we're the only one here.

We spent so much time on the restaurant that it's already dusk, brimming anything with its orange flare. The sunlight slips through the gaps of the tree, bringing us a gentle heat that feels warm.

"A-ano…"

Aya suddenly speak while fiddling with her hands. She's looking down so I can't see her expression properly.

"Kouki… As you can see right now… I've changed… I've changed a lot. No one will bully me anymore…"

She said, and then she looked at me with powerful yet caring eyes.

"You don't have to protect me anymore"

She said with great fervor, she tightly clenched her hands on her small chest while looking at me, unwavering.

"You don't have to do that, I've only done it once you know? There are many people that would do the same if they saw you in that state"

I said, I gently smile as I said that, hoping that the conversation would stop. Why would I want it to stop…? Because I feel like she would cry if the conversation goes on.

"You're lying…"

She said. She returned a smile to me but it was weak that it could break anytime.

"I noticed it you know… The reason why would you pull out ridiculous stunt without any reason… I know the reason why you broke that vase intentionally, I know the reason why you intentionally lay on the ground and roll around like an idiot… I… I know the reason why you intentionally attract the attention of the bullies at our school…"

The tears flows out from her eyes, the sun light is reflecting on her face, she looks beautiful too when crying. She grasped her breath and starts to speak again.

"You would only do that kind of stuff when someone is humiliating me, but right now, no one would do that to me so please! You don't have to protect me anymore, protect yourself instead!"

Aya hugged me, it was so sudden that I didn't even noticed it until I felt the water penetrating my clothes. I hugged her back, I hugged her until she stops crying.

The reason why she's weeping right now is me. I thought that its fine to hurt myself to protect other since my Grandmother would never know it, I thought that my Grandmother is the only one that cares for me. Hahaha, I guess I'm wrong.

"Promise me okay?"

She weakly muttered while looking at me. Grandmother said that it's only normal for a person to care for his friend, Aya is caring for me, I could feel the warmth behind her feverishly gaze. So that means she's my friend… Aya is considering me as her friend…

"I promise, you're my friend after all"

I smiled happily, finally, finally I have someone that I can call friend. Aya closed her eyes and rest her face on my chest, she looks dejected for some reason.

"Is something wrong Aya? You don't want to be friends with me?"

I asked nervously, if Aya rejected me then it would seriously hurt me. While still burying her face on my chest, Aya answered.

"I'm happy you know? What's with me? Why do I feel disappointed?"

This continues for a while until the bus came, the driver of the bus look at us with a teasing gaze as we enter and surely, Aya and I didn't talk to each other until we egress the bus.