6 6 - Precipice

The school day went on routinely, with the teacher addressing Yuuto's (Hiroki's) injuries as well as those of Nao and the transfer student.

The consensus was that they had all taken a tumble down some stairs.

Nao's plea persuaded the entire class to corroborate this story, and the day went by.

'I actually managed to regain some energy by sleeping through classes. I can always catch up on the material later. First-year high school stuff is easy,' he thought, feeling refreshed as he walked alone outside the school building.

'I wanted to sneak out, but that's not happening. The school's surrounded by a tall fence, and those guys are eagerly waiting for me outside... How cute.'

It was sundown. Most teachers had left, leaving only the upper faculty in the building, unaware of what was happening outside.

Nao stood alongside the transfer student, accompanied by six other students.

"Tsk... Why couldn't we get the whole class on this guy?!" one male student griped.

"Idiot, that'd be too suspicious. An entire class waiting outside? Too obvious," another replied.

"Guys..." Nao murmured softly, calming them down.

"I just want to talk to him about this... I... I don't want anyone to get hurt anymore," she said gently, clinging to the transfer student's arm.

'Ahh... I'm so jealous!' the boys thought as they watched.

"S-sure... Nao-chan, we won't do anything..."

The transfer student smirked, licking his lips as he spotted Yuuto walking outside.

'There he is... He didn't even try to run. Showing up to us all injured like that. That's so like you, Hiroki. Hotheaded and dumb,' she thought, sighing in disappointment.

"Hiroki... I... I wanted to—"

"Save it, whore," Yuuto immediately interrupted.

All the boys clenched their fists in anger.

"Why... Why are you like this to me?! I get that you're jealous, but that's no reason for you to be so angry! We're childhood friends, right?! We always were and always will be!" Nao murmured.

She fell silent, feeling everyone's sympathetic gaze on her.

'I was sure the adrenaline in your veins had burnt out, and you'd come back to your old self by now. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted, Hiroki. But even this temporary new you is just another man like the rest of this leering mob. Not even you can handle this many people and this guy all at once. And considering you were beaten up earlier today by him... It's over.'

"I've never seen that girl crying like that..." Rise said as she watched Nao, tears streaking down her face, while her male admirer stood beside her, mimicking her bewilderment.

"Look..." Nao continued, slowly raising her head toward Yuuto.

"I just want an apology. Just an apology... Then, we'll let you go," she said sincerely.

'I'm willing to offer you a saving grace. I'm not lying, Hiroki. I will make that guy leave you alone. But to sate his anger... and his hunger, he will go after your beautiful mom and voluptuous sister. I already told him all about them and showed him the pictures... You understand, right? He's just the kind of person that can't help asserting his dominance with his supreme genes and presence. But after he steals them away from you... Don't worry...' she thought.

'We will all leave you alone <3,' she grinned wickedly, unnoticed by anyone. The transfer student licked his lips again.< p>

Yuuto started clutching his sides, looking down and shaking visibly from a distance.

'Six people and that veiny turd... Three of them are upper-class seniors like Hiroki's sister. It looks like they'll attack all at once. Usually, I'd have no issue with these numbers, but in this weak body that was battered just a few hours ago... Hah... I'm in trouble...'

"Haha, what is with this weirdo?! Is he having an internal struggle with his ego?!" one of them laughed, and the others, including the transfer student, joined in unison.

'But... I just can't... Holy moly, I just can't... STOP SMILING! This really IS the best day ever! Dear God, thank you for bringing me into this nonsensical world... I just... Ohhh~...'

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Yuuto cackled, his laughter echoing toward the sky, coughing from the intensity of his joy.

"H-Hiroki...?"

'Has he lost his mind?' Nao thought.

"Aha..." He stopped, taking a deep breath.

"You got one part wrong, whore mastermind," he said casually, still smiling as he lowered his head to face Nao and the transfer student.

"This isn't about anger anymore. I'm not remotely angry at you or that veiny turd next to you," Yuuto continued, dropping his bag to the ground.

"What?" she said, slightly taken aback.

"I told you, didn't I?" he said, his smirk widening as he cracked his knuckles.

"That I'd pop your fucking eye out if you got anywhere near me again?!" he shouted, excitement evident in his tone.

Nao flinched, meeting his eyes. She didn't see any hint of anger or irrationality.

Instead, she saw the same intense gaze that had made her blush earlier.

'H-he's just bluffing!' she thought, taken aback.

"LET'S FUCKING KILL HIM!" a student yelled, like a soldier in battle. They all rushed forward while the transfer student slowly approached Yuuto behind everyone.