Glimpse On A Problem

I left the area passing through the garden near the side of the school. I took my time to watch over the beauty of the garden as it was my first time seeing it from this close. Doing that, I noticed a figure sitting on the bench inside the garden. I took a closer look to see who it was and to my surprise it was Himari.

"" Was, she waiting for someone?""

I thought to myself as I pass slowly.

Well, ever since the both of you started eating in the cafeteria she doesn't get asked out at lunchtime which gives her leeway in school.

I remembered what Hayate told me earlier about Himari's situation in school which made me stop in my tracks.

Eavesdropping is not an admirable action but, I'm curious about Himari's situation after being told about that. I went closer and leaned against a nearby tree using it to hide my body from being seen in the inside of the garden. I took out my phone and began fiddling with it as an alibi for being here under the tree while I wait for what's to come.

Not long after another person is seen entering the garden, a male student who had blonde flame-styled hair. If I remember correctly, he is Noguchi Aku who is part of a rich family named Noguchi whose business focuses on selling land and construction. Noguchi had a smile on his face which wasn't the type of smile one should have if he is the one confessing.

What a high sense of pride for a person like him.

I muttered as I listened in to what's about to happen.

"" Hello again Himari-chan, so what is your answer to my confession is it a yes, or is it a no?""

Noguchi went straight to the main topic of discussion.

"" Noguchi-san, please stop this I have already rejected you before and my answer will be the same. I have no intention of going out with anybody.""

Himari's answer was a surprise since it implies that Noguchi had confessed a long time ago and has not stopped asking Himari out multiple times.

"" Even though you're fine hanging out with the Delinquent are you still going to reject me?""

Noguchi still had a smile on his face which made me uncomfortable when seeing it.

"" I will not expand on that but, my answer will be the same I will not go out with you because I don't have any intention of going out with anybody so, please give up on me.""

"" Fine, I'll back down, for now, I'll ask you out again sometime Himari. Next time you won't refuse to go out with me so make sure to wait for that day.""

"" Please stop, I have told you many times already, I will not go out with you Noguchi-san.""

"" Don't worry Himari, I'll make sure you will.""

With those words, Noguchi exited the garden while having a big smile on his face. From my position, I kept looking at him observing his face from a distance. He had a look of someone who is plotting something as his figure disappears from the area.

I looked back at Himari's figure, she had a tired look on her face which was mixed with anxiety and fear. It was a surprising sight to see from the usual Himari I knew, she would have a calm and peaceful face when in front of other people.

I hurriedly left the school going inside a nearby convenience store to gather my thoughts.

Noguchi Aku huh? Seems like something is about to happen that would make Himari go out with him. Depending on what it is, I had a gist on how he would do it. For now, let's mark him as a person not to mess with since I had a connection with Himari.

Being a popular and kind girl, Himari would be a target for these types of things. Her personality in school is quite likable by a lot of boys and due to that, she must have caught the eye of a troublesome person. While it is not my problem, I have a feeling that I might get involved with these problems in the future.

I should probably start going home, Himari might want to eat later if she made that kind of face earlier. I shrugged the problem aside for now and went to exit the convenience store.

As I exit the store, someone bumped into me, and surprisingly it was Himari.

"" Ah, sorry Satoshi-kun I wasn't paying attention, you haven't gone home yet?""

"" Kadehera-kun and Hayate-kun asked for me so, I was a little delayed in returning home. Are you alright Himari-san you bumped me really hard there?""

"" I'm fine I was lost in my thoughts you don't need to worry about me.""

Himari smiled with her usual peaceful smile the look she had from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

"" Since we both are here, why don't we return together? I'm going to cook after arriving back do you want me to cook your share as well?""

"" If it is not troubling you please do, I am really tired today thank you Satoshi-kun.""

"" Don't mention it, you always ask me to cook when you arrive late, please don't do something like the time we first talked.""

"" I won't do anything like that again so please don't worry about me Satoshi-kun.""

Himari looked down seemingly hiding something.

"" Alright let's go then I'll walk behind you so please go on Himari-san.""

"" You know it's fine if you walk beside me Satoshi-kun were friends.""

"" Other people might misunderstand so this is just for safety don't worry I'll be near you.""

I said that as I pushed Himari lightly as we both return home to the apartment.

The next day, as I was taking out some things in my locker, I saw a letter on top of the stacked books.

"" So that's how you want to play this? I thought to myself opening the contents of the letter and as expected, it says to come to the back of the school when classes are over.""

I threw the letter in the trash bin without hesitation and proceeded to go inside my classroom.

After classes had ended, I started to go towards the designated place but, I have no intention of being seen so I stealthily hide my presence as I got closer to the back of the school. When I arrived, the person in question hasn't noticed that I was close by.

"" Do you think that the Delinquent will come to this place?""

I heard Noguchi's voice talking to someone.

"" Ha! He'll be surprised to see it was us don't worry Noguchi we got your back.""

As expected, the letter was a trap for me to come here, he must have asked these people to do something to me when I arrive. While I want nothing to do with this, I feel a little conflicted about not hearing what they want to say. I decided to show myself to them.

Seems like you guys want something from me. I said that as I reveal myself from my hiding spot which in turn surprised them knowing that I was here already. Noguchi recovered quickly from his surprise and proceeded to talk to me.

"" Hey hey hey, looks like the main star has arrived now then give him a round of applause for coming here.""

In a loud voice, Noguchi said that which made the others clap their hands at me.

"" I don't have time for this, if you have something you want to say to me don't go about it in a roundabout way.""

I proceeded to make them spill the beans.

"" Oh, come on, we don't need to be rash we can take our time talking right?""

"" Unfortunately, I have something to do after this so can you please tell me why did you call me out here?""

"" Tch.""

Noguchi clicked his tongue to the point where I had heard it from my place.

"" Satoshi Leon, you have been hanging around the "Angel" lately, right? Why is she associating with you?"

"" Um, Himari-san and I are friends is there a problem with that?""

"" You guys hear that, it seems that the Delinquent and the "Angel" are friends!""

"" Please go on to the main point Noguchi-san.""

"" Shut it, can't you see I'm getting to the point. Now then, are you sure both of you are friends?""

"" Yes, is there something wrong with that?""

"" You know Satoshi, you're pretty funny for a delinquent. Also, surely you misunderstand why the "Angel" is associated with you.""

"" I'm not misunderstanding anything about Himari-san at all, even if that's the case, then you need to have any evidence to prove that to me.""

"" Can't you get a hint Satoshi? A person who brings trouble like you wouldn't even have a chance to get close to a person like the "Angel" unless there is a hidden motive you know?""

Noguchi went closer explaining while circling around me at a distance.

"" Then if I may ask, what would that be?""

I looked at him calmly while being on guard.

"" That is something I don't know; you should go ask your friend or who you think is your friend.""

Noguchi had a smile on his face which made me feel disgusted when looking at it.

To think that I would be made to question my relationship with Himari even though they didn't know what happened between the two of us. It was a waste of time listening in to these people right now.

"" Hey hey, why are you quiet Satoshi, Cat got your tongue?""

"" Ha! looks like he just realized something look at him.""

"" The rumors were exaggerated; he isn't scary at all!""

"" Hey, why don't you help us get back at her?""

Soon after the other students raised their voices at me, I can tell that they are being sarcastic by their tone. I understood everything now, they want to use me to their advantage to destroy Himari's mental state.

I ran through many scenarios in my head, I remember Himari's face yesterday. Making that kind of face usually has something to do with a person's mental state. The worst-case would-be Himari committing suicide if she is pushed to the edge.

I wonder what I should do, cornering me behind the school where there are no cameras would mean that they are prepared to fight me if it comes to it. Even if I retaliate that would give them the evidence to corner me further in the future.

"" This is a waste of time, if you people are done, I'll take my leave now.""

I felt disgusted about their actions making me want to leave this place.

"" Woah there who says that you are allowed to leave yet?""

A male student said that as he blocked my path.

While being blocked by the male student, the group surrounded me preventing me from leaving the place.

"" Now now Satoshi, we still ain't done with you just yet. Seems like we need to put some sense into this guy.""

Noguchi smiles seeing me getting cornered.

"" Despicable.""

I muttered under my voice.

"" What did you just say?""

Noguchi who heard my muttering asked.

You people are despicable for planning this. I looked at Noguchi with emotionless eyes.

"" So, what? You won't cooperate so I'll be taking some measures to get what I want.""

Anger was seen in the face of Noguchi, I might have triggered something. Noguchi spread his arms smiling, looking like he had won.

"" Unfortunately for you, I have no intention of getting into a fight with any of you so please move.""

Telling the male student blocking my way earlier.

"" Hahahaha! Being polite are we, come on is this the so-called Delinquent in our school?""

Noguchi had a mocking smile on his face.

I sighed and started walking closer to the male student blocking my way.

"" Move, don't make me move you.""

I look at the person blocking my path without any emotion.

Even though I said that the male student didn't listen, but rather went to grab me on the spot. I slap his hand away making him surprised while the other students had taken up fighting positions towards me after seeing that.

"" Seems like we've got an unruly guest, come on guys let's teach him some manners.""

Noguchi said making the others step closer to me.

"" Unruly, I don't think I'm the one being unruly here. You guy's called me here for something and this is how I get treated?""

I took a step forward making the student in front of me launch a punch. I moved my body to the side while using my hand to grab his wrist pulling him forward to utilize the momentum of his punch overthrowing his balance. That action I made created a gap between the circle, so I dashed out of that place.

"" What the!? Don't run you, coward!""

The surprised voice of Noguchi was the last thing I heard while turning at a corner.

Running should be the best option, even if they got a video on that it wouldn't be enough to create a case on me. I kept running until I reached the exit of the school, turning around I saw that they were not chasing me which was expected since there are other people around.

I left school while keeping my guard up watching my surroundings until I reached my apartment building. As I arrived in front of my door Himari's door opened and Himari went out carrying a bag of trash.

"" Hello Himari-san, taking out the trash?""

"" Yes, you arrived late Satoshi-kun did something happen?""

"" It's nothing, I had a little detour on the way no need to worry too much.""

"" Alright, I'll throw this away see you Satoshi-kun.""

With that Himari went her way towards the trashbin below while I went inside my room throwing my body on the bed.

Noguchi would not let this go since I must have dealt damage to his pride earlier. I thought about the events that happened earlier, the information that I have gotten, and the goal of Noguchi for calling me out.

There was only one connection to the events that have happened today.

Himari Hayami, a name that I clearly know well. Noguchi wants to break Himari and build her up himself, with my connection to her, he wants to use my relationship with her to his advantage. While it didn't go as planned, he will surely get back at me for that.

I wonder, how should I play my hand to prevent the worst-case scenario that can happen to Himari.

"" Listen well Leon, doing nothing while you understand the situation is worse than not seeing the situation. Provide help to others when you can, even if it is a little the other person will be thankful for that.""

A memory resurfaced in my mind; it was a memory of a lecture that my teacher had with me during the time I was lost in my life. My eyes were emotionless as the other person was reaching out to me.

A hand of a male adult was rubbing my head while saying things that I kept deep within my heart today. I never would have thought that I would be given a chance to live like this.

"" Sensei, I'm really sorry.....""