CH. 3 - Courage. A Girl's Threat

His body acting on its own, Haru takes chase after the group of men and the boy. Despite the fear coursing through his body and the firm belief that there is nothing he can do, he acts.

‘Oh crap! What am I doing?! I can’t fight them! But I’d never forgive myself if I let something bad happen to him!’ He thinks with a scared tone. As Haru runs after them, he pulls out his phone and tries calling any of his friends. He calls Ryuji, but he doesn’t pick up. “Oh c’mon! The one time!” He shouts angrily, following the same path the others went, off the sidewalk and down a hill through some trees and bushes. He then calls Hikigaya, who picks up almost immediately.

“Hey man, what’s up-”

“Hiki! I need your help! Some bad looking guys are chasing after that kid! I need you to- WOAH!” Haru trips over a thick tree root sticking out of the ground. Hikigaya calls out Haru’s name a few times before the call is disconnected. Haru tumbles hard down the short hill before landing on his stomach and chin on the dirt. He coughs a bit in pain before looking forward and realizing the three men had caught up to the boy and trapped him in an open grassy area surrounded by trees and woods with a fairly steep drop into a small river behind them. 

“Come on, kid, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Just give us some of your family’s tech and we’ll be on our way.” 

“It’d really save us a lot of time.” They pressure the boy, obviously trying to intimidate him.

“I told you guys, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” He shouts back. They get irritated looks on their faces as they begin to get closer to him. The boy cowers back a bit before they’re interrupted.

“Hey, you guys, leave him alone!” Haru shouts as he stands up to them. They turn and look at him. His legs are shaking a bit, and he sweats nervously. ‘Am I crazy?! What am I gonna do?!’ He thinks. “You heard him! He doesn’t know what you’re talking about, so you guys should just go!” He says through his shaky voice. He tries to look determined, but he can’t control the fear he feels in his chest. The men stare at him, shocked and almost amused by him.

“It sounds to me like you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The boy looks at Haru, relieved that someone came to his aid. One guy turns and walks closer to Haru.

“You’re getting involved in things way over your head. So why don’t you get lost before you get hurt, punk!” He looms over him despite Haru’s tall height, giving him a death glare trying to intimidate him. It works extremely as Haru has been terrified from the start, lowering his head, trying to avoid eye contact with the man standing over him. Haru clenches his fist tightly, still shaking.

“I-I won’t! Not unless I get to leave with him!” He points at the boy. The first guy, obviously a sort of leader, nods at the other standing in front of Haru. He smirks as he turns back to face Haru, who tries to keep a determined look as he shakes more. The large man raises his fist in the air, getting ready to strike Haru. 

“Way to play the hero, kid. Now it’s time to snap back to reality.”

Haru closes his eyes tight, terrified, waiting for the strike… but it doesn’t come. When the man swings his arm down, he is suddenly falling face first to the floor, completely confused as to what’s happening before face planting into the dirt. Haru looks to his right and sees Shiori walking past him. He then looks down to see Hikigaya had swept the legs out from underneath the man. Hikigaya stands up in front of Haru as the man begins to push himself up from the ground angrily. Hikigaya then lifts his leg up and stomps the man’s head back into the dirt. He leans on his knee on the man’s head.

“Okay, which one of you ordered the full lesson in manners?” He taunts. The other two men watch with shock in their eyes. Shiori steps forward.

“Let me guess. You guys are with that big gang a District over, looking to make a big score. Unfortunately, that led you straight to me.” She points at them before pointing at herself. She begins walking forward as one guy yells and runs at her, swinging both of his arms up to bring down on her. Before he can do that, his jaw is struck with intense speed. His eyes shake in his head for a moment before stopping. He looks down at Shiori, who has her arm across her body like she just threw a right hook. She smirks at him before his eyes roll back into his head and he falls on his back. She turns her back to the final guy holding the bat.

“Right on the jaw. Works every time.” She gloats a bit to Hikigaya. The guy holding the bat clenches it hard in his fists, shaking, before deciding to fight. 

“You little punks! You’re ruining everything!” He shouts, getting ready to swing at her. She turns around wide eyed for a moment before Hikigaya grabs her by the wrist and pulls her around. The guy then lands a heavy strike to the side of Hikigaya’s head, breaking the bat on impact. Everyone looks shocked for a second as Hikigaya stands there with his head cocked to the side a bit. He straightens up his neck and turns to look at the guy. The attack seemed to have no effect besides making him angry.

“You were gonna hit her with that?!”

The man drops the remnants of the bat and puts his hands up in defense, shaking and stepping back, a crooked, scared smile on his face. Suddenly, the man goes flying through the trees, flipping through the air and lands in the river with a big swollen cheek, unconscious. Hikigaya’s fist steams and his eyes are all white, being so mad. He huffs and straightens up.

“Good riddance.”

Haru and the boy both finally calm down, seeing that the situation has been fully handled. Shiori walks up to Hikigaya.

“How’d you do that?”

“Trade secret.” He puts his finger to his mouth and winks at her smugly. She rolls her eye and casually smiles a bit. Haru approaches the boy, who is simply standing there dumbfounded, staring at the beaten men. 

“Are.. you okay?” He asks gently as the boy looks at him and the others.

“You guys were amazing…”

Haru looks down a bit.

‘Even though I didn’t do anything…’ He thinks. “Are you hurt?”

“No, no. I’m okay. How did you guys find me?” He asks, pleased but confused by the arrival. Hikigaya lifts his hand, motioning to Haru.

“Well, Haru here called me. So I came rushing.”

“I heard the commotion and followed.” Shiori adds. The boy looks at Haru, who notices and gets embarrassed. He blushes and rubs the back of his head while looking away.

“I saw them chasing you… I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing…”

The boy looks at him with shining eyes from tears forming. He gives Haru a warm, grateful smile. 

“Thank you.”

Haru smiles back at him timidly. They all begin to walk back to the school along the same path as Hikigaya speaks.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Sugawara Ito.”

“What did those guys want with you?” Shiori asks.

“I’m not sure… They kept asking me questions about tech of some kind? Some stuff that belonged to my family? But I have no idea what they were talking about. Then they started pressuring me and when I saw the bat, I ran.” 

He answers genuinely, still a little shaken up by the whole thing.

Eventually, they make it back to the entrance of their school. They stop and talk for a moment before Shiori and Hikigaya head on home once again. Haru stands next to Sugawara, waving to them before he turns and looks at Sugawara.

“Want me to walk you home?” He asks with a smile. Sugawara looks surprised for a moment before accepting with a shy nod. Sugawara starts walking, leading the way timidly as Haru follows. As they walk in silence, the same way Haru usually walks home, Haru eventually speaks. 

“I’m sorry for bumping into you earlier. And right before all of this.. And not really helping save you from the men…” Haru stares at the ground while saying this, upset with himself for everything he did. Sugawara timidly looks at him from the corner of his eye for a moment, not wanting to fully look at him as he apologizes, before lowering his head too with a regretful look as well.

“I’m sorry too... for smacking your hand away earlier. You were only trying to help…” Sugawara says, obviously regretting that he reacted so harshly. Haru notices his look and stares at him for a moment before shaking his head quickly but subtly. He then smiles a big smile before patting Sugawara on the back.

“Hey don’t worry about it! No one was hurt, that’s all that matters, right?” Haru says with a giggle. Sugawara blushes at Haru’s bright smile and nods softly. After a bit of a walk, they eventually come to a large luxury apartment building that looks very new. Only a few years old, built right next to a housing area filled with casual one or two-story houses. 

“Well, this is where I live.” Sugawara says as they stop in front of the entrance. Haru watches as Sugawara takes a couple steps up the stairs before he stops. He stands there for a moment before swaying side to side a bit, looking hesitant like he wants to say something. He then turns around with a shy look.

“I’m not good at these… socializing things, but… thank you. For coming after me, even if you were too scared to. I say that’s brave enough.” Sugawara smiles and blushes a bit as he turns back around and runs inside before Haru can say anything back. Haru blushes, surprised by his words. He slowly turns and takes a step forward before he stops again and stands there for a moment. A proud smile spreads across his face before beginning his walk home, carrying himself a bit more proudly. He takes a couple steps but suddenly stops. He looks around for a moment, a little confused.

“Wait a minute…” He says softly before a look of shock spreads across his face as he turns around sharply. “No way!”

Despite the crazy events of the day prior, the group meets up and goes to class like any other normal day. They’re all in their seats talking and having a good time when Ms. Samuel walks in, getting ready for class to begin.

“Alright everyone, start settling down, the bell is about to ring.” She says this, which makes all the class start getting organized in their seats as one last student comes in through the door. Haru is busy rummaging through his bag, trying to pull out his notebook while Shiori and Hikigaya look at the student. They get looks of surprise as the student sits to Haru’s left, behind Ryuji. Haru sits up, finally getting his notebook, and notices Shiori and Hikigaya turned around, looking in his direction.

“What?” He asks confused before turning and following their gaze. He looks to his left and sees Sugawara. His eyes widen and he gets a look of surprise, the starting bell ringing in the background. “You! I knew I recognized you!” He shouts, pointing his finger at him.

“Haru Tanaka! Quiet down, class is starting.” Ms. Samuel commands with an upset look. The class giggles to themselves at Haru while he blushes in embarrassment. Sugawara smiles a bit, looking at him out of the corner of his eye while leaning on his hand before looking ahead. Ryuji leans over to Hikigaya and whispers.

“Is this the one you guys saved yesterday?”

Hikigaya nods with a smile. Ryuji nods back as Sugawara smiles warmly, with a soft blush on his cheeks.

Once break rolls around, the group meets where they usually do, only this time with a new, yet familiar, face. 

“My name is Sugawara Ito, nice to meet the rest of you.” He says with a bow to them.

“No need to be so formal. It’s not like we’re your superiors or anything.” Lucy says, sitting on the bench, leaning into her hand. Sugawara stands up, still a little shy. Chizuru approaches him and starts inspecting him. He gets embarrassed as she walks around him, observing him up and down.

“You’re so cute and small. Are you sure you’re not a girl?”

He blushes as he gets a slight, softly upset look.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Chizuru just giggles at him. He exhales softly, relaxing just a bit as a subtle, conflicted look appears on his face. He fidgets with the ends of his skirt a bit as they all look at him. Hikigaya sits on the bench, leaning his elbows on his knees and his hands folded in front of him. He stares at Sugawara for a moment before speaking up.

“Is there something to want to tell us, Sugawara?”

Sugawara’s eyes perk up a bit as he looks at Hikigaya before looking away.

“It’s just... I...” He struggles to get the words out as the others look at each other, confused about what to say. Haru sweats a bit but steps closer to Sugawara with an awkward smile.

“If it’s about yesterday, don’t worry about it. Shiori and Hiki already told me they don’t need thanks and hey, if those guys come back, they can protect you-”

“N-no!.. It’s not that...” Sugawara interrupts Haru gently. Haru looks confused and concerned as Sugawara takes a deep breath before looking at the group. “All my life, I’ve never had any friends.. and that really sucks...” He says with a subtle laugh of shame. “I just.. don’t want to be alone anymore. So I came here because I... I want to be your friend!..” He says with a sudden moment of soft determination. The others all get warm smiles on their faces, excluding Shiori, who just watches. Haru sighs in relief as he smiles at Sugawara.

“Well, you came to the right place! I’ve known these guys for the longest time. They’ll never leave you in a pinch!” He says, throwing his thumb over his shoulder at them. Chizuru takes a step towards Sugawara with a soft, caring look.

“You really don’t have any other friends, Sugawara?”

He shakes his head softly. They give him sympathetic looks before Ryuji speaks.

“Well,” He says while leaning on his elbows on the bench table. “We could be your friends.” He says before giving Sugawara a cool smile. Sugawara perks up with a smile on his face.

“I... would like that very much...” Sugawara says softly. Chizuru gets excited and giggles, doing a little happy dance.

“Oh main, this is great! Only a couple days into high school and we’ve already made two new friends! Could life be any more exciting?” She asks enthusiastically, looking at Lucy, who just smiles back. Hikigaya leans over to Shiori, who was more concerned with her sandwich as she just met them too, not being very invested in the conversation.

“Hear that? They called you their friend. You okay with that? Not gonna melt?” He teases. Shiori rolls her eye before bumping him away with her shoulder aggressively.

“Oh, shut up.” She says with a frustrated tone. She then looks up at Sugawara, who’s getting hugged by both Haru and Chizuru at the same time, blushing intensely with a confused but happy look, not sure what to do. Her gaze expressing what can only be seen as a slight bit of jealousy.

Later, the group is getting ready to leave for the day when Shiori gets up. They look at her as she tells them she’s going to the restroom and they nod. As she exits the classroom and walks down the hall, a group of three girls watch her from around the corner with mischievous looks.

These girls, who appear to be a couple years older than Shiori, quickly follow Shiori to the restroom. After finishing up and washing her hands in the sink, she looks up and notices the three girls step up behind her in the mirror. Shiori stops and sighs before turning around and leaning against the sink.

“Let me guess. I beat up somebody in middle school that was, like, your boyfriend or something and now you’re here to strike vengeance.” 

She says with an obviously irritated look and tone.

“What? No. Shit, you really are a freak, aren’t you?” The girl answers with a mocking tone. Shiori gets a little pissed at the comment but doesn’t entertain it. The girl smiles cockily as she eyes up Shiori.

“You really don’t remember me, huh?”

“Don’t take it personally. I don’t remember most people I meet.” Shiori responds sarcastically. The girl chuckles a bit before putting her hands on her hips.

“Well, don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll remember my name soon enough. I’m gonna make you pay for what you did to me.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m sure you will. They always do.” Shiori says as she waves her hand dismissively at them, stepping towards the door to leave. Just as she opens the door, the girl speaks up.

“I bet you think those new 'friends' of yours actually care about you. I bet you think you actually matter to them, don’t you?” She says with a sharp tone. Shiori stops but doesn’t turn to look at them. “They don’t care about you. They’re just stuck with you. You will never actually mean anything to them, no matter how hard you try. You will always be alone.” She says spitefully. Shiori stands in silence for a moment with her bangs covering her eyes before turning her head just a bit to them, looking at them from over her shoulder.

“It’s like you said. I’m stuck with them. It doesn’t matter if they like me or not. I don’t care.” She says before walking through the door as the girls smirk.

“We’ll break her eventually.” She says with an ominous smile.

Shiori stomps down the hall, heading back to the classroom, pissed about what just happened.

“I guess being the best school in the District doesn’t change the fact that people will always be evil.” She growls with an angry click of her tongue. She squints her eye a bit as her pace slows down until she comes to a stop in the empty hall. Her head lowers, her bangs covering her eyes.

Suddenly, Shiori is standing in that same white desert from long ago, this inner world of hers where her mind often wanders. Despite the heavy rain stopping, a light drizzle takes its place.

‘I know they’re only here because Hikigaya is stuck with me. I know they don’t really care and I shouldn’t care either.. I know that… So why?..’ She thinks as the drizzle turns to a rain upon her.

In the hall, her eye gets glossy with tears forming in the corner of her eye. She leans against the wall, looking down with a hurt look.

‘Why did it hurt when she said that?..’ She whimpers quietly to herself for a moment before she hears fast footsteps coming her way. She quickly rubs her eye to remove any trace of her feelings before looking up, surprised to see Hikigaya jogging towards her. He stops as soon as he reaches her.

“What are you doing here?” She asks with an irritated tone and look. Hikigaya picks up on her attitude and answers with an almost cautious tone.

“Ms. Samuel reminded me that we need to stick together just after you left, so I went and followed, I just got a little lost. Are you okay?”

“Just peachy.” She tries to walk past him, slightly pushing him out of the way, but Hikigaya quickly grabs her hand, gently but still stopping her.

“Wait-” He says but in that moment, she’s shocked and quickly yanks her arm away, turning to him with an intensely surprised and confused look, her body tense and pulled away. Hikigaya picks up on her body language and softens his demeanor, even leaning back a bit to give her more space. “I have a hunch you don’t let yourself feel your feelings very often, so, whatever happened, it’s okay to let yourself feel it.” He says with a soft smile at her. She looks at him for a moment before taking a breath and calming down, slowly relaxing her body.

“Yeah, alright...” She says with a soft, reluctant tone before looking at him again with a curious look. “How did you know I was mad, anyway?”

“Well, you’re not exactly a closed book with your emotions.”

Shiori gets embarrassed and blushes a bit, looking away.

“Sorry…” She says so quietly you’d think it’s a secret she was whispering. Hikigaya is surprised for a moment before a smug smile spreads across his face.

“Oh? Is that an apology I hear?”

She gets irritated and punches him in the stomach. He hunches over, getting the wind knocked out of him.

“Maybe next time I just won’t apologize then!” She snaps back with an angry tone. Hikigaya shakily raises his hand to her, asking for forgiveness.

“No… An apology’s fine…” He says, holding his stomach. She looks at him for a moment before she sighs. She slowly lifts her hand up and hesitates for a moment before putting her hand on his shoulder. He looks up at her, surprised.

“Sorry, and… thank you...” She says with a blush and a defiant look, rubbing some of her bangs together in front of her face. He smiles softly at her and stands up straight.

“Hey, don’t sweat it. That’s what friends are for. Just don’t punch the others as hard, I don’t think they could take it.” He jokes as Shiori smiles, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “Now come on. Let’s get back before the others abandon us.” He says before beginning the walk back to class. Shiori looks at him for a moment before blushing some more and looking down. She looks at her hands before putting them together gently. She thinks back to just a moment ago when Hikigaya grabbed her hand and blushes a little more.

‘He... held my hand so gently...’ She thinks with an ever so light tone. Despite the sudden rush of thoughts, she quickly shakes her head, dropping her hands, and tossing away the feelings as quickly as they came, before following Hikigaya closely.