21 Break’s Over

After feeding Yuu some sweets at the convenience store, I somehow managed to shake him off and headed home alone.

There was one slip up from me, though.

When we had settled down to eat of goodies from the store, the question I managed to avoid earlier thanks to Akira popped up again.

"So, you're wearing it, right?"

I was not. I hadn't been this whole break because there was no point to wearing it.

But, now there was a point.

Yuu lost his mask once I shook my head.

"Haru, you're suppose to wear it all the time. All. The. Time." Yuu said with a dark smile that didn't reach his eyes, which were staring darkly at me.

I gulped.

He then softly grabbed my wrist that usually harbored the bracelet.

"It's my only mark on you right now, after all." He sweetly whispered before quickly letting go and slipping the mask back on.

"Oh! I can't wait to try this new flavor!" He innocently exclaimed as he picked up the candy.

Nothing more happened after that.

I'm lucky nothing more happened.

I've learned my lesson: never take off the bracelet.

The risk just wasn't worth it. I've been warned once. I don't know what'll happened the next time, and I don't plan on finding out!

Anyway, once I got home, I immediately showered before diving into my bed with my phone and laptop.

And, to my delightful surprise, I got to spend the rest of my Golden Week alone! Well, it was only two and a half days, but that's better than nothing!

Not once was I bothered by any of the boys, which was a miracle! I got to be stress free for once!

But now, it's time to return to the battlefield.

Yuu will be as creepy and aggressive as ever. Ryuu might interact with me at school, which could lead to some drama. Tatsuya will be settling his contract with me. And, after our last interaction, I don't know about Akira...

I probably should have reached out to him these past few days, but I also just didn't know what to tell him.

Our interactions were always love-hate banter. I was use to that, but I guess I crossed a line last time?

Maybe he was genuinely worried when he couldn't reach me? If he was, I just blew him off, and that's pretty shitty. I'd leave, too.

I know Akira's someone I need to watch out for, but he's also someone who I enjoy being around. He helps keep the mood lighthearted, which helps me lighten up in this stressful situation I've been put in. He also seems to genuinely care about me as a friend and wants to be there for me.

Honestly, Akira's too good a friend for me. He deserves better.

So, as I walked to school, I mentally prepared myself to actually be nice to Akira.

Except, I met Ryuu at the front gates.

I was actually all late today because I may have stayed up a little too late playing a game on my phone last night. Oopsies.

While it was not normal for me, Ryuu was usually a latecomer. I can only assume it's because of his at home situation.

We both made just in time before the gates closed. Of course, we were written up by some disciplinary members before being sent off to class.

"It's not normal for you to be late." Ryuu was the first to start conversation, which surprised me.

"Ah, break's got my sleep schedule a little messy." I looked away in embarrassment.

Can't say I was grinding an otome game on my phone. What dude would ever admit to that? Haha...

"Weren't you suppose to be resting?" Ryuu asked in confusion.

"I was! I just lost track of time last night because of a game I was playing." I was quick to clear up the misunderstanding. "I actually had a nice few days to myself, and I'm ready to take on school again!" I fist pumped to show my enthusiasm.

Ryuu smiled.

He really smiled!

Sure, it wasn't a big grin, and only a slight upturn of the corners of his mouth.

However! It was adorable! And a big achievement because he wasn't one to smile a lot.

I couldn't help smiling in return.

"Do you know when you can drop by the cafe yet?" Ryuu asked as we neared our classroom.

"Ah, I'm not too sure, but I should be able to this week." I honestly answered as he stopped walking. "What's the matter?"

"...You go in first." Ryuu took hold of my shoulder and pushed me towards the door.

Ah. His delinquent image.

"Ryuu—" Before I could finish, he pulled the door open while hiding from view.

"Ah, how nice of you to join us, Suzuki-kun." It was Ando-sensei since it was homeroom right now.

"Sorry I'm late, Ando-sensei." I bowed as I closed the door behind me. "I'll take my seat right away."

Ando-sensei nodded before continuing on with announcements.

Gosh, I understand why Ryuu did it, but he should have listened to me!

But, it's nice to know he cares about me and doesn't want my image to be ruined by me, a person people know as somewhat smart and nice, associating with him, a person whose violent and not so bright.

As I approached my desk, I noticed Akira hadn't looked at me yet.

I couldn't help feeling a little hurt.

I know we shouldn't talk during announcements, so I just stayed quiet.

After a minute or so, Ryuu walked in. Ando-sensei didn't even bother with him since this was normal. I also assumed Ryuu had some sort of permission because the school knows a little bit about his situation. He would have been kicked out by now if he didn't.

"I saved this for last because I knew the class would get rowdy." Ando-sensei started his final announcement, which reminded of something.

"Sports Festival will be on the last Saturday of May!" His excited energy reminded of a dog wagging its tail.

Right. Sports Festival.

There's a few options from the game.

Tatsuya will end up being someone in charge of organizing the event. The player has an option of joining the committee along with him.

Yuu ends up as the class's head cheerleader/mascot and participates in a sprint. Of course, you can choose to be on the cheer squad along with him and get assigned to the volleyball team.

Ryuu fills in for the last spot in the basketball team when there's nothing else and no one left, and MC plays in the female team.

I don't think the game ever mentioned what Akira ends up doing.

"As such, we will be assigning everyone their roles, so you all can start practicing!" Ando-sensei did a little clap. The class groaned in response.

Yeah, it seemed no one was hyped for this at all.

"Ah, I must have forgotten to mention the prize if our class wins." Ando innocently said as he looked at the ceiling. "The class that wins will get passes that allow each of you to purchase from the cafeteria and school store, free of charge, for 2 weeks."

That earned a roar from the class.

"Alrighty then, do we have any volunteers for the organization committee? We need at least one person, and they will be excluded from all sports." Ando asked with a smug smile.

"I'll do it."

Surprise, surprise. The Ice King spoke up.

"Wonderful! Then, I'll give you the sign up sheet and leave you all to decide who's doing what." Ando slipped the paper to Tatsuya. "Remember! Participation is required!" I could tell Ando was looking at a certain delinquent in the back.

"Pft." I couldn't help it as I snorted a bit.

I stopped once I felt the burning glare on my back.

"I will write each sport on the board along with the required number of students for the teams. Please discuss amongst yourselves who will be doing what and write it on the board. If I find any missing spaces at the end of homeroom, I'll assign the leftovers myself." Tatsuya coldly explained to the class as he wrote in the board.

As he wrote on the board, I glanced over at Akira. He was currently face down on his desk.

I couldn't tell if he was sleeping or flat out ignoring me, so I poked him.

"Hey, Akira-kun." I said as I continued poking him. "You awake?"

I heard him groan before lifting his head up to look at me.

I blinked as I saw bags worse than mine.

"Woah, did you even sleep last night?" I asked with concern.

"Ah? Haru?" Akira mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "I, uh, couldn't really sleep last night." He tiredly said as he finally focused his eyes.

"I can see that. Maybe you should go to the infirmary and get some rest." I said as I pulled out a mint I saved for myself if I got sleepy. "Here."

"Oh, thanks." He grumbled as he took the candy. "What's going on?" He was finally conscious enough to notice the racket going on.

"We're assigning roles for the Sport Festival." I explained to him. "Tanaka-san just finished listing them on the board." I pointed to the front.

"Ohhh." Akira regained some life in his eyes. "What're you doing?"

"I was gonna ask you that first." I chuckled. "Since I know you like going to the field during recess, I wondered which sport you'd settle with."

"Haha, I'd be fine with anything. I'm a jack of all traits, after all." Akira gloated with a hint of sleepiness still present. I grinned.

Good. He's back to normal.