Despite being childhood friends, Akira and Daichi rarely walk to and from school together. They would going together if they happened to meet on the street.
Akira walked alone to school this morning.
He walked slowly behind a group of four female students. Yua Miyagi was one of them.
The girls' conversation which had begun cheerfully and passionately, became strange due to a question;
"Yua-chan, I'm still wondering why your relationship with Nishiyama-senpai was so brief... I think you two should get along..."
Yua answered after a while. "That's difficult to say."
Her friends were stunned.
"What? Is there anything else wrong with him besides his childish demeanor?"
Hearing the familiar name called, Akira frowned slightly.
The girls still didn't realize Akira was there. They carried on talking.
"Or could it be... He's 'junior' is small?"
Akira frowned even more. He was well aware that Daichi's 'junior' were not small because, as old friends, he and Daichi frequently slept and bathed together; almost denied it.
Yua denied the question before Akira could say anything. "No, no, that's not it."
"Then? Come on, say it. Don't make us too curious!"
Yua eventually agreed and began telling the truth.
"Actually, this is related to the incident at the basketball court. Do you remember? Shuhei Yoshimoto and I met that day."
The girls' curious interests grew. Indeed, Akira improved his hearing.
"It's true that Shuhei Yoshimoto met me at the time, but he didn't confess to me as has been rumored." Yua's voice lowered as if there was a conspiracy behind the incident.
"Really? So, what happened?" one of her friends couldn't help but wonder.
Yua inhaled deeply. "Shuhei Yoshimoto actually warned me to stay away from Nishiyama-senpai," she said bitterly.
"Ah, is that so? That means he's envious; he's upset because Nishiyama-senpai confessed his feelings for you!"
Yua shook her head. "At first, I assumed that he said that to me because he liked me. But when I asked, he said, He did it because he liked Nishiyama-senpai!"
Yua's three friends were stunned because her story exceeded their expectations. Akira even almost choked on the soy milk he was drinking. Akira could not help but come forward and pat Yua's shoulder, picking his ears and hoping he had heard something wrong.
"Miyagi-san, what did you just say? Was it real?"
Akira's actions astounded Yua Miyagi. The girl was about to deny what she had said because she realized it would be heard by the public.
Unfortunately, Akira has his own method of making people talk. Yua trembledly repeated her words.
"Senpai, keep this a secret. Don't let people know about this. If...if Yoshimoto finds out I have leaked this, he might do something bad to me," Yua said. The fear on his face could not be hidden.
"What's it about him that makes you so afraid?" Akira asked, surprised. "Don't you girls think he is a gorgeous young man?"
Yua denies it. "No, I don't."
Yua bolted before Akira could say anything else, followed by her friends.
Seeing the backs of the girls fleeing, Akira became increasingly concerned that something was wrong. He took out his phone and dialed Daichi's number, but it was not in service.
"I can't believe he was not active when I had something important to discuss!" Akira grumbled. "Where's he going?"
Akira accelerated his steps after returning his cellphone.
As soon as Akira walked into the classroom, he noticed Daichi lying limp on the table. He was relieved, but when he saw his friend's expression, which was worse than crying, Akira panicked again.
Daichi's face had turned pale, his aura was gloomy, and his facial expression was blank, as if he were depressed.
"What's the matter, Dai-chan?"
"I had a bad incident," Daichi responded softly.
"Unfortunately, I also have bad news for you!"
"Could you please keep it for later?"
"No way! Dai-chan, this is so bad! I'm serious!"
Daichi remained silent, waiting for Akira to speak.
"Do you remember Shuhei Yoshimoto and Miyagi-san from that day on the basketball court? I just heard the truth from Miyagi-san," Akira paused briefly. "...that time Yoshimoto warned her to stay away from you because he likes you!"
Daichi got goosebumps the moment Shuhei's name was mentioned. Then, as soon as Akira finished his sentence, Daichi's heart sank. He mumbled as he stared in horror at the empty air;
"If it's like this, isn't there no other way out for me...?"
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
Daichi finally opened his mouth after Akira gave him a worried look.
"This is about Yoshimoto. Last night I...."
Daichi recounts the incident, beginning with his encounter with Shuhei at the convenience store. The gist of the incident has been told, but Daichi missed the part where he was humiliated on the bed by Yoshimoto.
"Did he really do that? He's not only an abnormally sick person, but also a stalker. I thought such people only existed in movies!" Akira appeared irritated and angry. "Don't let this happen, let's immediately report him to the police!"
"I can't. He threatened me..."
"What?"
Daichi shows Shuhei the message he sent the night before.
"He also contacted my mother first. If I report it to the police, I am afraid he will move first and distort the facts to my mother."
"Hah... but..." This time, Akira was also at a loss for words.
"So, what should we do?" Akira inquired slowly.
Daichi didn't answer. His expression became increasingly depressed.
"Don't worry, Dai-chan; I'll do everything I can to help you."
Daichi only responded after that. "Is it true?"
"Of course!"
"Then, Akira..." Daichi sighed softly, but his gaze was fixed on Akira. to the point where neither of them realized Daichi had pronounced Akira's name correctly. "Can you help me find Yoshimoto's spy in this class?"
For a brief moment, Akira was unable to follow Daichi's lead. "Huh? Spy?"
"Yeah. Yoshimoto's collection of photos of me includes one of me swimming in the pool during swimming class. No one from outside can enter the swimming class."
"So you mean a spy who took your picture for Yoshimoto?"
Daichi gave a nod. He gave Akira a thoughtful look.
"Wait, you're not suspecting me, are you?"
"I'm not sure, but I am having trust issues right now. No offense."
"Ah, yes, I understand. If I were you, I would be suspicious of everyone around me. Don't worry, I understand."
Akira returned to his seat and remained silent.
-
Daichi kept his distance from Akira on purpose, not because he suspected Akira was the perpetrator. He had other plans.
He couldn't find anything until the end of the school day.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. All students are getting ready to pack their books into bags.
Just as Akira was about to approach Daichi, he turned to leave without turning around.
Actually, Daichi just wanted to get home as soon as possible to avoid Shuhei. He was terrified that the person was waiting for him downstairs.
Fortunately for Daichi, Shuhei was not there. He hurried to his locker and changed his shoes while his heart was thumping fiercely.
Daichi's locker is it was between Akira's and another classmates; a shy and quiet girl. Daichi simply remembered that this classmate did exist; but he had no impression of her.
The girl, coincidentally, was changing her shoes. The girl looked nervous when she saw Daichi next to her.
Her nervousness caught Daichi's attention. He glanced at the girl briefly. He asked, "Are you okay?"
"Y—yes, I—I am fine—"
The girl's hand touched the objects in the locker.Then the object fell to the floor.
A mini camera caught Daichi's eye among them. He grabbed it before the girl could.
"Are you interested in photography?"
The girl turned pale. "Y—yes, I do."
Daichi nodded and returned the camera. Another object fell unexpectedly. The photos tucked between the book's pages opened and were displayed near Daichi's feet.
Daichi recognized the object in the photograph right away; it was himself.
Daichi's eyes widened in shock. He was about to take the photo, but the girl took it first, as if it were very important to her.
"Classmate, why do you have my photos?" Daichi asked, his face stiff. He had already made a guess in his mind.
The girl gave a quick shake of her head. "No, you saw wrong. This person in the photo is not you!"
After arguing, she tightened her grip on the book containing Daichi's photo, then backed away and ran.
Daichi didn't pursue her, instead standing motionless and staring at the girl's back, which was getting further away.