28 Reality of Him

That's like the third time he's had physical contact with me. Third! And he initiated it again!

Not good.

Ugh, and now that he knows I'm a girl, I'm not sure what this means. He either A) has some feelings for me he's not aware of or B) just friendly enough with me to feel comfortable with head pats.

Romantic or not, I don't know. Let's just hope it's not the R word, yeah?

But, in the game, he refused physical contact with anyone! It's only when the MC accidentally touched him that he realized he didn't find her disgusting. After that, he barely held himself back anymore!

I sighed as I started the trek home, exhausted.

I haven't walked this much my whole life. I can't wait to get to bed and pass out.

It was getting late and the sun was near the horizon. Since we were visiting shops, I was at the center of the city. A lot of people were roaming about, and I didn't have the heart to deal with them. As such, I went down as many alleyways and shortcuts as I could to avoid the main streets.

That was apparently a mistake.

Who woulda thought? Empty, dark alleyways = thugs.

And who do I know that's a thug? Yeah.

"Fuck off." Ryuu growled as he smashed some random's face.

Instinctively, I hid back around the corner I just walked passed and watched.

Ryuu was surrounded by very shady and scary people. I could only see his back from where I was at, and it looked like he was ganged up on? I say that as a question because most of them are on the ground knocked out and bleeding.

Boy, were the bodies a sight. Lots of blood. Lots of bruises. And lots of disfigurement.

In conclusion, the Raging Dragon was currently on a rampage... or should I say a massacre?

"Shit, I told you he wouldn't change! Just because he was missing for awhile doesn't meant jack shit!" I heard someone from the back screech.

"Shut up! These weaklings are just too shitty!" The person I assumed to be the ringleader snapped back.

"You next?" Ryuu dropped another body as he asked menacingly.

I shivered.

Ryuu was really, really terrifying right now. I can't see his face, but I can't even move from his voice alone. I think I'd pass out if I had to stand in front of him right now.

"Tch. I'll knock you down a notch, bastard." The leader cracked his knuckles as he approached.

"..." Ryuu didn't bother responding, only getting ready.

The leader was a leader for a reason. He managed to land a few strikes on Ryuu, but Ryuu returned everything with interest. After exchanging blows for a few minutes, the leader was slammed onto the ground with a final fist.

"Boss!" The person who was last standing rushed to his leader's limp form.

"Last one." Ryuu muttered as he stepped forward.

The last person was shaking like a leaf! I expected him to run, but he refused to leave his boss's side. He just raised his arms as some form of feeble protection.

It was too pitiful.

As Ryuu lifted his leg to kick the shit out this poor dude, I ran to him with legs I thought were dead and hugged him from behind.

"Stop!" I screamed as buried my face into his sweaty back.

Ryuu stumbled.

"Haruka-kun?" He was clearly caught off guard by my sudden appearance.

"Stop it, Ryuu-kun." I squeezed tighter, trying to keep my body from violently shaking. "Please."

"Haruka." Ryuu softly whispered as he gently grasped my hands that were holding him firmly. "I-I'll stop. You can let go."

Once I let go, I shakily grabbed his hand and tugged him, so he would turn around. I was expecting to see a frightening look on his face, so when I saw the usual Ryuu, relaxation flooded my veins, mixing with the adrenaline from before.

My legs gave out.

"Haruka!" Ryuu yelled in alarm as he caught me.

As he pressed me against him, the scent of blood and sweat became so much clearer. Along with the heat radiating off his chest, it made me feel nauseous.

"I-I thought you stopped fighting." I managed to speak as I tried standing on my own again.

Ryuu's hold strengthened, making me lose any progress in standing.

Instead, I had to focus on not throwing up.

"..." Ryuu didn't say anything for a bit and just held me.

I couldn't bother to try and say or do anything as I tried calming my insides.

"Ryuu—" I was interrupted by Ryuu abruptly picking me up into a princess carry. "Urgh." I covered my mouth to keep the vomit that came up my throat from coming out.

"Sorry." Ryuu quietly apologized as he headed out the alley.

Some more time had passed, so it was dark out. Streets were still busy, but more empty than before.

So, of course, Ryuu, who was covered in cuts and bruises and carrying me, a dude, like a princess, was very eye catching to the late night crowd.

I immediately covered my face in embarrassment.

I then peeked through my fingers to see Ryuu's face.

He didn't seem fazed at all. In fact, anyone who stared for too long got a glare as a warning.

...He has no shame.

I don't know where he's taking me, but it didn't seem like he was going to let down any time soon.

"Uh, Ryuu-kun?" I started to get his attention.

"Hm?" He responded as he marched onward.

"I-I'm okay now, s-so you can put me down." I said as I slowly put a hand down, so he could see my face. "This is a l-little embarrassing."

Ryuu stopped walking and looked down at me for a second, like he didn't understand.

Considering he was carrying me, the distance between our faces was scarily close.

"Just put me down! I'm fine already!" Flustered, I pushed his face away.

"Ok, calm down before I drop you." Ryuu grumbled while my hand was pushing up against his jaw.

He carefully put me down. After I was standing on my own, I took some time to breathe and alleviate some of my queasiness.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ryuu asked while guiding me off the middle of the sidewalk.

"Yeah, just a little lightheaded." I leaned onto the railing in front of some bushes. "Ryuu-kun, what were you doing?" At last, I asked the dreaded question.

"..." Ryuu's expression twisted into guilt, and he looked away from me.

"Ryuu-kun." I reached out to grab one of his bruised hands.

Once my hand made contact with his, he slapped it away.

"Ow." I flinched and held my now throbbing hand against my chest.

Damn! Why did that hurt so much!?

"I-I... I'm sorry." Ryuu looked like a kid who just got caught staying up past his bed time.

He still refused to look at me.

"It's okay. I'm sorry I startled you." I also apologized, starting to feel a little lost in what to do.

"No..." Ryuu trailed off after he finally looked at me. "...You."

I was confused what caught his attention all of a sudden until his hand brushed underneath my eye, catching a tear that slipped out.

Yeah, his slap hurt so hard I ended up tearing up. I couldn't help it! It fucking hurt!

Ryuu then used both his hands to wipe at my tears.

Wha—? Stop! We're still in public!

"R-Ryuu-kun?" I held his hands and looked up at him, feeling perplexed. "What are you doing?"

From this angle, I saw his Adam's apple bob up and down. Then he hastily pulled his hands away.

"Nothing." He turned around so that his back faced me. "It's late. I'll walk you back." He rapidly spoke and then started walking away.

"Wha—Hey! Wait!" I quickly got up and ran after him. "You ignored my question!" I grabbed onto the back end of his school blazer, and Ryuu abruptly stopped, causing me to crash into his back. "Don't stop like that all of a sudden!"

"Haruka." I froze.

Back to no honorific, huh?

"Not now." Ryuu vaguely answered before continuing forward.

I bit my lip.

What do you mean "not now?" Why not? And when will you?

But, knowing I wouldn't be able to change his mind, I conceded and followed him obediently.

The walk was quiet and high paced. By the time we reached my house, I was panting slightly.

Curse the targets for being tall and having long ass legs!

"Later." Ryuu said before leaving without another look at me.

I glared at his back until I couldn't see it anymore and grumbled as I entered my home.

Once I entered my room and melted into my bed, I took time to replay today.

Main character of today? Ryuu, without a doubt. First, lunch didn't go so well, and he vanished the rest of the school day. Then, I find the dude beating up yankees in some alley in the evening!

Even though he hasn't had any rumors about him going around recently, I guess he hasn't stopped. Maybe he just hasn't had any fights in our school but has rumbles with neighboring school.

That's... disappointing.

Today was also a reminder that Ryuu is someone to be afraid of. Seeing his figure mercilessly abuse people was a crushing sight. One wrong step on my part, and I could be destroyed.

He's just as strong and ruthless as before.

But, he hasn't shown me that side of him in a while.

Thinking back on his reactions after I caught him, he even seemed ashamed that I saw it. That's why he wouldn't meet my eyes.

If I told him to stop fighting, I wonder if he would?

I wonder if he could?