Daichi opened his eyes to find himself in an entirely white room.
"Am I in heaven?" he whispered.
"Unfortunately you're not dead. So, this is not heaven." Someone answered.
A man in his 30s with slightly untidy hair and black-rimmed glasses entered through the curtain next to Daichi's bed. He works at the school clinic as a doctor. It was also that man who conversed with Daichi.
"What is meant by 'unfortunately'? Do you mean that it would be preferable if I passed away?"
Daichi couldn't help but remark sarcastically when he noticed the doctor's irritating smile. Leaning against the bed's head, the young man emerged from his slumber.
Daichi's cynicism didn't offend the doctor. A man in a white suit with the name tag Asano Abe sat on the edge of the bed.
"Hey, the most popular boy in Sakuraoka, you're really rude. I worried that your fans will be disappointed and cease to like you if they discover that you are truly this rude."
Asano Abe's expression remained lighthearted at all times. For Sakuraoka students, though, this is nothing new. Asano Abe is known for his tendency to joke around with nearly uncensored language.
Daichi is aware of this, of course.
"That's enough. So, has Abe-sensei made a check? What's the matter with me?"
"Pale complexion, low blood pressure, and morning nausea and vertigo. Those are undoubtedly pregnancy symptoms."
Daichi gave an eye roll. "Stop it, Abe-sensei."
After glancing at Daichi's irritated expression, Asano shook his head. "Aw, why are today's youth so difficult to joke with?"
"Sensei's jokes have no weight at all, which is the problem!"
"What? Do jokes have any rules these days?" Asano faked astonishment.
"At the very least, assess whether the person you are speaking with wants to joke or not by first observing the circumstances." Daichi said. "Abe-sensei, what am I sick with, in conclusion?"
"Very fierce! Okay, I have to be honest with you. You really don't have a disease."
Daichi was stunned. "Huh? Really?"
"This isn't a serious medical condition, really. Your blood pressure is low because you haven't been getting enough sleep lately. Tell me, are there any particular pressures causing you to feel stressed?"
Since Abe sensei's guess was correct, Daichi remained silent. Daichi did not disclose any concerns he had been having recently, though.
"I'm simply stressed out because I am considering my future college options. It's a really tough decision," Daichi decided to respond with a different justification.
It appears that Abe sensei accepts it. "Ah, I see. I would advise you not to keep it to yourself, boy. You can get an opinion on that from your homeroom teacher or your parents. So that you will not have to bear the weight alone."
"Thank you, Abe-sensei."
"You're welcome. Now you're free to leave. Bring these vitamins with you.
After Asano Abe tenderly "sent him away," Daichi also expressed his desire to leave the clinic.
•~•
Daichi enters the classroom. Two hours of class have elapsed. The entire class looked at the young man with curiosity as soon as he walked in.
Immediately, Akira, who was seated close to Daichi, asked in a whisper.
"I was taken aback to hear gossip this morning. You were carried to school by Yoshimoto, they said. He took you to the school clinic, saying you fainted on the street. Do you feel better now?"
Although Akira did the opposite, it was acceptable if she had not mentioned Shuhei. Daichi's mood abruptly fell and the nausea he was experiencing reappeared. Because he was reminded of the cursed photo that was sent to him this morning simply by hearing Shuhei's name.
Daichi gestured that he was unwilling to respond. He then feigned to be busy pulling books for the following lesson.
Akira also stopped pressuring Daichi.
•~•
Daichi and Akira were squatting next to the vending machine during break time, have a conversation.
Akira felt compelled, for whatever reason, to revisit the issue this morning.
"I'm still curious, by the way. How on earth could you suddenly pass out early in the morning when, as far as I know, you're usually in excellent health?"
Daichi sighed in surrender. It seemed like he couldn't avoid Akira's curiosity.
"I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. So that's how it is—"
"Is Yoshimoto involved in any way in this?" Akira posed a serious question.
For a brief moment, Daichi's expression went blank, but it quickly returned.
"Yes, that's right. You got it right."
"I am sorry!"
Daichi was shocked by Akira's sudden apology. He asked, perplexed, "Why are you sorry?"
"That's because I haven't found the spy who took your picture. Even though I promised to find him for you..."
"Oh it's okay, I've found it anyway."
"Are you serious?"
Daichi gave a nod.
"So... who is it?"
Just as Daichi was about to respond, there was a sudden interruption.
"Why are you guys whispering in such a way?"
Akira and Daichi cocked an eyebrow at one another.
The two noticed Shuhei Yoshimoto grinning and half-crouching close to them. Actually, that smile was quite endearing, but not to Daichi.
With a very obvious avoidance attitude, Daichi got up reflexively and retreated a few steps.
"What we discuss is not your concern!" Daichi spoke abruptly.
Even though Shuhei knew Daichi was purposefully avoiding him, his smile remained unwavering. "Daicchan, why do you treat me so coldly? Should not you thank me for carrying you the entire way?"
The way Shuhei called Daichi instantly shocked Akira. "Hah? Daicchan???" Akira muttered, looking surprised.
And Daichi found it extremely irritating the way Shuhei brought up his "kindness" this morning.
"Oh? Do you want my gratitude? OK. THANK YOU. It's done. Get away from me now!"
"Daicchan, why are you treating me so badly?" Shuhei complained with a dejected expression on his face.
Daichi raised an eyebrow. "Where was I mean to you?"
Shuhei turned to face a few students who were in the vicinity and inquired, "I take it you all heard everything Nishiyama-senpai said? Don't they seem rude?"
The other students immediately confirmed.
"Yeah, I think Nishiyama-senpai's attitude is a bit rude."
"What? not just "a bit rude," but really mean!"
not just "a bit rude," but really mean!"
"Yeah, yeah. That was also unexpected of me..."
Daichi's expression soured with such discussions. It was only afterward that he realized he had been duped by Shuhei. The young man laughed out of sheer rage.
"Oh... 'rude', huh? Yeah, I am." Daichi's tongue rolled powerfully as he pronounced each word.
Still grinning, Shuhei turned to face Daichi. "If you say thank you in the right way, you're actually not mean."
Eyes narrowed, Daichi Nishiyama waited to see what more tricks Shuhei would pull. "For example?"
"Suppose you go with me somewhere... Well, if you don't mind, though."
"Going somewhere? That—"
"Hey, hold on a second!" In the midst of the two, Akira, who had been squatting, suddenly got up. Acting protective, he positioned Daichi behind him.
"Yoshimoto-san, I am warning you. How can you be so brave to intimidate your senior when you're only in first grade? You have crossed a line, don't you think?"
Shuhei gave Akira a quick glance. "I'm not talking to you."
"How arrogant!" Akira laughed prickly. "Hey, better behave yourself or I'll beat you up right now!"
Shuhei dismissed Akira's fierce demeanor. He even challenged Akira back.
"Just do it."
Akira was initially just bluffing, but he was left with no other option because Shuhei was not at all intimidated.
"Akiran, stop it. You don't have to..."
Akira made a "take it easy" gesture at Daichi.
He struck Shuhei with all his strength.
Shuhei didn't appear to be hurt by Akira's punch. As Shuhei struck back, Akira collapsed to the ground.
"Akiran!" Daichi approached Akira in panic.
"Goddamn! Goddamn! Takaoka K.O in one hit!" When other students saw it, they were astounded and in disbelief.
Akira groaned, he sensed right away that Shuhei was not your typical first-year student, given how painful his punch was.
"Do you think of anything else?" Shuhei asked Akira.
Akira didn't answer.
"It's decided. Come with me someplace after school, Daicchan." Shuhei gave Daichi a big smile before heading out.
Daichi could exhale a sigh of relief once the tall young man was out of sight.
"Oh my, what was that? Why do I feel so defenseless against him?" Akira stood up from the floor, still looking perplexed.
"I don't know either. Are you okay Akiran?"
"I'm okay. It's just that my head still feels sore."
"Come on, I will accompany you to the school clinic."
Akira waved his hand. "There's no need. Nevermind, let's just get back to class."
•~•
After school, of course Daichi wouldn't run to give himself up to Shuhei. He purposefully lingered in the arts club room, refusing to leave even though the club activities had ended.
Only two people remained in the room illuminated by the yellowish light of the evening sun. It was Daichi and a short-haired girl from another class.
The girl had finished packing her painting tools and was getting ready to leave. But, seeing Daichi lost in thought, she couldn't help but make some small talk.
"Nishiyama-san, don't you want to go home?"the girl asked.
Daichi realized it was already dusk because of the girl's question.
"Yoshimoto must have left by this time, right?" Daichi muttered very quietly.
The girl called out again, "Nishiyama-san. Do you want to go home or not?"
"Uh, yeah. I'm going home." Daichi stood up awkwardly. "Can I go home together with you?"
Daichi's question was probably unexpected by the girl. The girl's skin flushed red.
"You want to go home together? Of course," she said.
Daichi smiled with relief. "Thank God. I'm very pleased. I was afraid you would reject me!"
Daichi's smile and words easily mislead people, including that girl. His face became even more flushed.
"Uhh, yeah...."
They walked out of the art room together. Daichi is relieved not to see Shuhei on the ground floor. Daichi spoke and laughed more directly at the girl who was a member of the club, as if a burden had been lifted from his heart.
At the station, Daichi and the girl part ways.
He still had to take the train and walk afterwards. Daichi arrived in his neighborhood after it had already become dark. The golden light of dusk had been replaced by the yellow glow of streetlamps.
Daichi was almost at his house when his gaze was drawn to a tall figure leaning against the fence in front of his house.
"Y—Yoshimoto." Daichi stutters because he is afraid.