Ch 32

POV Shinji Makoto

"Hey Makoto is the one Shimabukuro likes you?"

"Yeah, don\'t hide it. Come on tell us."

Two more idiots came to ask me the same question. This had been happening all day. Not only people from other classes and but even some upperclassmen came to ask me for information. I did not expect a transfer student to gain so much popularity in such a short amount of time.

"Huh? I would have told you if it was me. All I know is she likes somebody. If you want to know more why don\'t you ask Shimabukuro herself?" I repeated the hundredth iteration of the same sentence.

Really. Why are they all asking me? Can\'t they all just ask the person herself? Anyways, it seems like I made perfect use of this opportunity. Most of them think me and Shimabukuro are dating. No doubt that Nishikawa thinks so too. Actually, when I was talking to Tanaka I was keeping an eye on Nishikawa\'s expression. He was surprised but I couldn\'t see any jealousy or anger. In fact, I feel like he was kind of happy. Seems like he really doesn\'t have any feelings for Shimabukuro. All those bentos and the date didn\'t change a thing between her and Nishikawa. So much effort amounting to nothing. I kind of pity her.

The reason for my drama was not only to confirm Nishikawa\'s feelings. Some part of me also wanted to get revenge for how she treated me in the past. Of course, the Tanaka poking his nose into my business also pissed me off. But it was because of what I did that I have so many people coming to ask me stuff. Maybe I should have considered the backlash on myself more. Also, it might make the already cracked relationship between me and Nakano even more fragile.

.

.

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After the school ended I took my bag and rushed out of the class before I could get surrounded by those wannabe paparazzies. When I finally shook of the ones following me I was in an empty classroom on the first floor. I opened the windows to clear the air in the room. Just as I opened the windows I heard a familiar cold voice.

"Speak. What do you want?"

A duo I didn\'t expect to be together were there talking about something. Or maybe it was expected after what happened today? Idk. What I know though, is that I just got first class seats to an epic drama. I quickly put a chair by the window. All I\'m missing is some kind of snack.

Now only one question remains. Should I record this?

"Umm. Shimabukuro san I know what happened in the classroom might have given you a bad impression of me, but I just wanted to tell you my true feelings."

Hmph. Bad impressions my ass. He tried to manipulate the class into pressuring me to reveal the relationship me and Shimabukuro. Only thing he didn\'t expect was for me to be so ruthless, afterall, I am usually an easy-going person.

"What do you want to say?"

Wow her attitude is getting colder by the second. This is even worse than how she treated me. Maybe because I was Nishikawa\'s friend she cut me some slack.

"Shimabukuro san I love you please go out wi-?"

"No"

I almost dropped my phone in shock. Is he mental? Does he really think she will say yes? Also, she didn\'t even let him finish his confession. That\'s just sad. But apparently his mental damage went beyond this.

"But why? Tell me what is wrong with me. I am pretty good looking, good at sports, tell me where I am lacking."

So that\'s what it is. My man has got some narcissism thing going on. On the other side Shimabukuro\'s expression was turning into disgusted. After a pause, she simply replied,

"The one I like is better."

Wah. Unexpected hit to Tanaka.

"Ma-may I know who is this person you like?"

"That\'s none of your business."

She coldly rejected him again. One thing I didn\'t understand was why she wasn\'t using her Judge title powers. The pressure would make Tanaka fall flat in a second. Seeing as how she was disgusted by Tanaka she would have used it if she could. That means there are restrictions? Last time she used it was on me in the morning. Does it take that much mental strength? No way. If so could it be a conditional ability? Looks like I need to observe her more closely.

While I was thinking the situation below continued.

"It is Makoto isn\'t it? Otherwise why would you walk all the way to school together."

"Think whatever you want of it."

Right then I saw Tanaka\'s eyes glint ominously. He lunged forward and grabbed Shimabukuro by the hair.

"What is so good about that bastard. Didn\'t you see how he treated me in the class? He made a joke out of me in front of everyone. You know what everyone is calling me right now? Lucky coin flipper. If it wasn\'t for him this wouldn\'t have happened."

Woah woah things are getting really bad now. Alright, drama has ended. Before Tanaka punched Shimabukuro or something, which he really seemed like he would do, I interfered.

"Clap. Clap. Clap. Wow Tanaka that was amazing." I shouted with a smile.

He froze when he looked up at me.

"Do you want me to show this to everyone as well?" I pointed at my phone as I said that.

His face paled and he quickly left Shimabukuro.

"Makoto you wouldn\'t dare."

"Would I really not?" In a stern voice I continued, "Tanaka it seems like you\'ve already forgotten what happened in the morning. Do you not know what will happen when this video goes public? You almost assaulted a woman. This time it won\'t just be a someone making fun of you. It will be a criminal record."

Upon hearing my words his eyes widened as he collapsed on the ground out of fear. It seems he really didn\'t understand the gravity of what he had done. Obviously I was lying. Nothing much would happen to him. Most of the blame would be put on the school and the teachers for letting such a thing happen and Tanaka would face a few weeks of suspension with a warning at best. But it seemed like Tanaka believed what I said.

"Ma-Makoto. Please. You wouldn\'t do that to a fellow classmate would you."

"Did you forget what you were just doing?"

He quickly got in a dogeza position.

"Makoto, I beg you pl-please."

"What do I have to do with this. You are begging the wrong person." I said as I pointed at Shimabukuro. Understanding what I meant he quickly changed his target.

"Shimabukuro. I am really so-sorry. Please don\'t report me. I beg you."

Shimabukuro didn\'t reply. Something is wrong with her.

"Tanaka you leave right now we will talk about this tomorrow."

Upon hearing my words Tanaka quickly ran away.

Alright. Now I need to check what happened to her. To save time I jumped directly out of the window. I was getting nervous. If something happened to her I would also be partly responsible. Afterall, I was watching it happen in front of me and I didn\'t stop it. On top of that this whole situation happened because of what I did.

"Hey Shimabukuro are you alright."

I tapped her shoulders lightly.

"Shimabukuro? Are you fine."

She didn\'t respond. Her eyes were vacant. Seeing her stay silent I shook her shoulders.

"Hey Shimabukuro! He\'s gone now. It\'s fine."

That seemed to work. Her eyes filled with tears and she started crying as she collapsed on the ground.

I took a seat beside her and let her cry it all out. After five minutes she finally stopped.

"Umm. Are you fine now?" I asked her awkwardly.

"I was so scared." She finally mumbled.

"Umm What?"

"I was so scared."

"Ah. Well. That is understandable."

"Thank you."

"Umm. There\'s no need to thank me. I mean, this whole thing happened because of what I did in the first place."

"Even so you did save me, so thank you."

"…"

I couldn\'t say anything.

Another ten minutes passed with both of us just sitting there. She didn\'t say anything and I couldn\'t say anything.

It wasn\'t like I didn\'t understand her position. She was a transfer student. New to this place. No friends or anybody to talk to. Which she could have if she wasn\'t fixated on spending time with Nishikawa. In such a situation she didn\'t know who to call for help when in danger. If I wasn\'t there by chance then what would have happened… My heart went cold just thinking about it.

"Do you think you can walk home?" I broke the silence.

Maybe she thought I was leaving her or something because she suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Don\'t leave me."

"umm"

"Don\'t leave me please."

"…"

"…"

"It\'s fine I\'m not leaving." I finally said. "I\'m not going anywhere."

Haah. I leaned back on the wall.. I guess staying like this is fine as well.