Heed

After classes and various other events as usual, the group split up and said goodbye as usual and Yoshino started with what she would call hell, and all its tour guide.

There was a reason why she couldn't be 'honest' so to speak with her personality in front of Nerumi or 'The Purple', and that is that she was the most... Remarkable girl in the UA so to speak, mostly with boys obviously.

Basically her word could make a group of pubertals in need of love act, only unlike herself, Nerumi had much more power.

And yes, for someone like Yoshino, the way society or the world sees her is sacred since it is basically a determinant or a possible impediment to achieving anything in life.

Anyway, after talking to her with that friendly attitude and putting up with all the insufferable people around her, Yoshino was able to draw several conclusions from her.

That Nerumi girl was not entirely unpleasant, of course, leaving aside that sadomasochism and depravity, that said a lot about her, since being interesting even with that was a compliment.

Although whenever she was proud to show off her body and the depraved looks made her want to kill someone, she was bearable... It seems that group of idiots served as a good practice/training.

And after a long hour (although it didn't feel like an hour at all) Nerumi finally had to leave and only Yoshino was left with a kind smile saying goodbye to her.

Said smile only lasted a few seconds, since then her expression was one of absolute contention, and something was certain, someone was going to die today.

Yoshino walked with a stoic and too calm expression through the corridors of the UA until she reached the main exit since for some reason, Nerumi always went out another way, probably because of the number of puberties that persecute her.

Leaving it Yoshino let out a slight sigh to try to calm down and walked out of the UA to go home.

What she didn't expect was to see Doryoku sitting on the steps of the UA while he looked at the clouds with his typical lost expression.

Even sitting down he was weird, he used his backpack as a pillow to support his head while he hugged it, almost looking like a child.

"Hey redhead emo, what are you doing here at this time?" Yoshino said approaching a little and getting Doryoku's attention, since she was trying to find some way to distract herself.

Doryoku came out of his trance although it seems incredible, apparently he was waiting for something.

"Ohh, how long has it been? I was just waiting for you" Doryoku said in a calm tone and somewhat embarrassed since he was lost in his thoughts as usual.

"It's only been an hour, and you waited for me?What for? Surely you have something better to do" Yoshino said responding quickly and with suspicion, although her tone sounded aggressive, something that was almost involuntary.

"Not really, Okā-chan only comes home at 5:00, and even though I like solitude... It doesn't feel good to be alone for so long" Doryoku said in a calm and explanatory tone as he stood up to go home.

Before that statement Yoshino could only feel a little bad, something that was not very strange sadly.

Doryoku was nice and it was always pleasant to be with him, in that the whole group agreed, but there were times, when knowing about him did not leave a good taste in the mouth.

Loneliness, sadness and confusion, they were things that always appeared suddenly and without warning, everything came down to the narration of a person who did not even fully understand them, much less the damage they did, or should do.

The worst thing is that no one knew how to help, how do you explain to someone how he should feel? And even if you do, how are the feelings of someone like Doryoku?

"About why I'm here, it's easy, I'm here to help" Doryoku said with a small smile of determination snapping Yoshino out of her train of thought.

"What exactly will you help with emo?" Yoshino said with a curious tone, in addition to the fact that her aggressive tone had almost completely disappeared.

"Well, from what I've seen you're angry, although it suddenly disappeared... that's weird" Doryoku said tilting his head to the side in confusion seeing that Yoshino's aggressiveness had disappeared.

"Ohhh believe me, I'm still very angry" Yoshino said still in a calm tone but with a rather creepy little smile.

"I see, then great, because I have the solution" Doryoku said with understanding and even a bit of anticipation, leaving Yoshino even more confused.

"You must already know that I am not an expert in feelings, but I am an expert in something, and it is... In listening, let's say that I have some experience" Doryoku said with an explanatory tone about his plan, although he did not want to talk about when he has talks with Oboro, as that is something he must respect.

"Pfff, listen? Doesn't sound very useful" Yoshino said very unconvinced by Doryoku's idea.

"Believe me it's quite effective, if you have something to say or to complain about, do it, it will be a pleasure to listen, and I won't say anything I swear" Doryoku said with enough confidence and promising to maintain privacy.

"Nah, see ya emo, sorry you had to wait" Yoshino said still unconvinced and walking out of UA to go home.

It was barely spring, there were several petals from the Sakura trees, really pretty, but after seeing them every spring for your whole life they are no longer special.

Although if there was something more desperate than a Sakura petal on her face, it was that she was still with Doryoku after that attempt to say goodbye to him.

"Hey emo, you're starting to annoy me you know? Since when are you so pushy?" Yoshino told Doryoku who was walking beside her quite calmly.

"I actually stopped trying, it's not good to force others, I'm just going to the train station like everyone else, although that irrationality is typical of someone very upset from what I understand" Doryoku said with an explanatory and calm tone while looking at Yoshino.

Yoshino only felt even more upset about that, not with Doryoku, but with herself because what he said was true.

"Tch, fine, I'll try" Yoshino said giving up and looking for any way not to commit a murder.

"It bothers me, okay? I like the purple, but for God's sake everything around her is horrible!" Yoshino said speaking out loud and blurting out several non-PG words after that.

"Those damn idiots behind!! Damn I'm sure there was one even on the roof!! And the worst part was that she was just proud!!!" Yoshino said already letting out all her fury and looking more and more annoyed.

"Mimimi, 'you're so cute Nerumi-chan, please go out with me, you're the only one in my life' I swear if I see that idiot again I'll tear him to pieces in no time!!" Yoshino said gesturing in the air as if she was strangling someone.

"I don't understand something, isn't it supposed that the more guys you can con the better?" Doryoku said quite confused at that part since he was really paying attention.

"It is, but there's a difference between doing it for your benefit or fucking enjoying it!!" Yoshino said in an explanatory and calm tone for a moment before exploding again.

"I see... It's an exchange, that feeling of disgust you describe for material goods, enjoying feeling disgusted without those goods is certainly strange" Doryoku said understanding Yoshino's point almost instantly as usual.

"You see, at least you do understand me!!" Yoshino said still quite annoyed as she continued to complain.

They both walked slowly towards the train station as Yoshino vented all of her frustration and Doryoku simply listened, only adding a comment from time to time.

"You know what I hate too? Damn technical drawing classes, god damn you dimension!" Yoshino said already finishing complaining about Nerumi and covering other topics.

"This time I couldn't agree more, I spent four hours making the blueprint for the previous assignment, and my wrist hurts" Doryoku said with instant understanding at that displeasure.

And so on to the train station, Yoshino complained about basically everything, and apart from a few people around her shocked at her wide lexicon of profanities, nothing remarkable happened.

Arriving at said station, even while they were waiting for the train, Yoshino continued to complain about some things, although it seemed increasingly difficult for her to find any hatred stored within her.

And when the train finally arrived, they both looked for a place to sit and Yoshino no longer had anything to complain about.

And at that moment the situation became very uncomfortable, at least for Yoshino, since she didn't know how to continue after so many complaints.

"Mmmm, nothing else? You seem much better now" Doryoku said curiously as he looked at Yoshino, who seemed much more relaxed at first glance.

"Yeah... I can't believe it worked" Yoshino said quite impressed as she tried to search for any negative feelings inside her, without success.

After that little talk, the situation became silent and awkward for Yoshino again, who was trying to find something to complain about at least.

Doryoku didn't seem tired of listening to her or had any different expression, in fact, he just seemed to be enjoying the view out the train window with his typical thoughtful expression.

Yoshino just let out a light sigh and said with some difficulty…

"Hey, thanks for...You know...Listening" Yoshino said with genuine thanks as Doryoku turned to look at her.

"No need, this helps me too, learning more about people and their feelings is always welcome" Doryoku said with a small calm smile as usual.

"Besides, I have to admit that I feel happy that you trusted me with everything you said, it's... A pretty warm feeling to know that someone knows you're there" Doryoku said still smiling slightly, while Yoshino also smiled back.

"Are you sure you don't need anything else? I could even let you hit my palm, it will help de-stress you even more, and I'm immune to hits" Doryoku said with a bit of curiosity and raising his palm towards Yoshino.

"Nah, I'm better than fine, besides you didn't do anything to deserve a hit. By the way, stay away from someone if they tell you that they want to de-stress by hitting you even if you don't feel it, especially if she's a crazy girl" Yoshino said quite calmly, although she was quite serious in that last part.

"I see, I'll keep it in mind" Doryoku said, quite curious about this singular piece of advice.

"Do you really think I'd agree to hit you? I don't seem that bad, do I?" Yoshino said with a smirk a little creepy to try to scare Doryoku

"Honestly, when I saw you in the corridor of the sports festival the first time I thought you would stab me, I'm sorry hehe" Doryoku said with a thoughtful tone and a slight nervous smile, making Yoshino only able to hold her laughter at that crazy scenario.

After this there was silence again, but this time Yoshino didn't feel uncomfortable, and it was quite pleasant.

A few minutes later, the train started to stop and Doryoku got up from his seat to go home.

"See you tomorrow redhead emo, it sure will be fun" Yoshino said with a slight smile as she said goodbye to Doryoku for today.

"Yes, see you tomorrow Sakurai, it was nice to hear from you" Doryoku said with a slight smile as well before walking home.

And then the train moved on, although Yoshino felt much better now, after all her complaining and their talk.