Going home together

With the fifth period starting, the teacher called Akiyama out.

"Akiyama, go to the principal's office after school.", the teacher ordered.

The class was surprised, this is the first-time anyone had ever to go to the principal's office. Sure, sometimes some delinquents were called to the teacher lounge, but the principal's office? That's new.

"Okay.", Akiyama calmly replied, he already knew what this is about. The principal definitely want's to talk to him about Ren Yamai.

While the class was surprised, Komi was worried yet again.

It's been a single day since Akiyama entered the school, even so, he's only been in trouble since his arrival.

With the class proceeding smoothly, Akiyama thought of a way to get out of his current predicament.

First, he has to ensure to the principal that Ren Yamai's case won't get leaked, and secondly, he has to somehow get rid of his money shortness. He missed his last part-time job interview, and with his now injured hand, he won't be able to work a very physical job for the time being.

One solution would be to get a part-time job as a cashier, here he can rest his injured hand while using the other to do the work. The doctor at the police station said it'd be best to rest his hand for at least 3 weeks.

Akiyama sighed, the upcoming time will be busy.

--- After school ---

Komi went up to Akiyama's desk and intended to go with him to the principal's office, she couldn't leave him alone, her worry got the best of her.

Akiyama, agreed, provided Komi waits in front of the principal's office and won't go inside with him.

Knocking on the door and going inside once the voice from within permitted him to do so, Akiyama was a tad anxious.

The principal, Hayashi Mashiro, was a man in his seventies. He led the school for over 10 years by now, formerly he was a member of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, serving there together with Akiyama Ryutaro, Shoji's grandfather.

"Take a seat.", the principal commanded in a husky voice.

Akiyama sat down.

"I suppose you know why I called you here?", the principal inquired.

"I do have a supposition. It's about Ren Yamai, isn't it?", Akiyama stated.

"Hoho, you're smarter than you look.", the principal answered.

"I called you here to make sure the matter doesn't leak. This school lives on its good reputation, if you were to tarnish it, I'd have to expel you.", the principal explained.

"Not to mention that Ren Yamai's parents are from high position, angering them wouldn't do you any good.", he added.

"Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?", he finally concluded.

"Basically, make sure this matter doesn't get exposed to anyone, else wise I'll face dire consequences, right?", Akiyama answered. Too bad, Komi already knows, but seeing that it's Komi that likely won't be an issue.

"Hum, you can go.", the principal finalized. The principal trusted his intuition, which told him that Akiyama won't do anything. It'd be a dumb decision for him to leak anything at all, he's studying in the best high school of Tokyo for free because of some strings his grandfather pulled. Having no backing himself, if he were to be expelled, it'd be hard for him to find footing anywhere else.

Stepping out of the principal's office, Akiyama returned to Komi's side.

"... A-Are you okay?", Komi stammered out.

"Are? Yeah, I'm alright. Shouko, you're getting better at speaking, aren't you?", Akiyama answered, grinning.

Komi, blushing to no end, fished out her notebook.

*I told you not to call me Shouko in school!!*, she wrote, whilst pouting at Akiyama.

'... Cute', Akiyama thought.

"Sorry, sorry.", Akiyama laughed. It's been just a day since he started at this school, and he's already been through some shit, but he's happy, he feels alive, he has friends. Unlike back in Nagaoka, where it's just been him, his aunt, and his pen-pal.

Komi, already blushing, had her heart speed up, and had her face turn an even darker shade of red when she saw Akiyama laughing.

'... What is this feeling?', Komi thought. She was so focused on trying to make friends, reading books on how to initiate conversations, that she has no idea of romantic relationships. Having spent her life friendless except her pen-friend, she never experienced girl talk, fawning over handsome guys, applying make-up together, talking about their feelings, all that is a foreign concept to the innocent Komi Shouko.

The both of them slowly stepped to the school entrance.

"Shall I bring you home, Shouko?", Akiyama asked, albeit teasingly.

Komi, lost in thought and unwilling to part already, subconsciously nodded.

Akiyama, seeing that, was stunned. He didn't think she'd agree to his suggestion.

Knowing where she lived from signing the letters in the past, he knew that bringing her home would be a detour for him. But what does it matter, he thought, after all he'd just spend the time at home searching for part-time jobs anyway.

"Well then, shall we go?", Akiyama asked, seeing that Komi still stood in the door frame.

"... Eh?", Komi voiced out. Breaking out of her stupor, she just realized what had happened.

Flustered and embarrassed, Komi didn't know what to do. She preferred not to part with Akiyama just yet, yet she also didn't want to impose on him.

Therefore, Komi just nodded. On the way to Komi's home, they both didn't speak a word to each other. It was a comfortable silence.

Standing in front of Komi's house, they stood aside each other.

"... Well the-", Akiyama spoke, only to be interrupted by Komi.

"... D-Do you want to come in?", Komi stuttered. She hadn't broken the news of Akiyama moving to the city to her parents yet, and wanted to introduce him to them.

This set Akiyama in a complicated mood. He denied wanting to initiate a relationship beyond friends with Komi, but if he were to go in now, wouldn't that be hypocritical?

Seeing that the lights were turned on, he supposed that Komi wanted to introduce him to either her parents, or her brother... No, the latter seems unlikely.

"... Okay.", Akiyama finally faltered, not wanting to disappoint Komi.