Earthside: Feral Among House Cats

Kael slipped back into class, his eyes immediately catching those same three bullies gathered around Hana's desk.

One of them leaned lazily against her table, flashing his practiced smirk. "Come on, Hana. My dad's rich. I can give you anything you want. Just hang with us—it's going to be fun."

The other one pushed his glasses up, his tone slick. "Every girlfriend Riku's ever had has been the happiest girl on the planet. Isn't that right, Daichi?"

"Yeah," Daichi, the third guy, rumbled with a grin.

Hana's expression was tight, her hand clenched around her notebook.

Kael's jaw tightened. He turned to a girl passing by, lowering his voice into something polite, almost charming. "Hey beautiful—sorry to bother you. Could you call someone in charge? There's a fight about to break out."

The girl blinked, startled. "Where?"

Kael gave her a faint smile. "Right here. Please—it'd really help me out."

Her cheeks flushed at his tone, and she hurrying off with a quick nod.

Turning back, Kael strode straight to Hana. His voice was calm, casual. "Hey, Hana. Want to continue our talk from earlier?"

She instantly pushed her chair back, ready to stand, but the rich one's hand shot out and clamped around her wrist.

"You're not going anywhere," he said smoothly.

In the next breath, Kael's hand snapped onto his. Kael's grip was firm, steady. "Let her go."

He smirked and tried to squeeze back, but Kael's hand tightened like a vice. His smile faltered as pain shot up his wrist. With a hiss, he yanked his hand free.

Hana slipped behind Kael, her shoulders relaxing only slightly.

He narrowed his eyes, flexing his wrist where Kael had squeezed him. "Hmph. Guess we haven't properly met."

He straightened, his smirk returning. "Riku Ichijou. My old man runs half this district." He jerked his chin toward the others. "This one with glasses is Takumi Saitou, and the big one, Daichi Tanaka."

Kael’s eyes flicked over the trio. Glasses — the thinker, the one who hides behind words. The big one — all strength, no subtlety. And Riku… the mouthpiece. Flashy, spoiled, dangerous only because the other two orbit him.

Takumi's eyes widened. "Riku… it's him. The same guy from earlier."

Riku leaned closer, his voice dripping with mockery. "And you are? The hero who thinks he can butt in on us twice in one day?"

Before Kael could speak, Hana's grip tightened around his hand. "Let's go, Kazuki. Please—we don't want trouble."

Riku's smirk sharpened as he repeated the name. "Kazuki, huh? So that's who you are." He stepped forward. "Then here's your choice. Step aside, and we'll talk to the girl. Stay in the way… and you'll regret it."

Takumi adjusted his glasses with a smug grin. Daichi cracked his knuckles, looming behind them.

Kael tilted his head, his voice calm but edged. "Regret it? how? And who's going to make me regret it?"

The tension spiked.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, Kael spotted the girl he'd sent—returning, not with just a teacher, but with the principal. Perfect.

Kael looked back at Riku, deliberately provoking. "Careful, Riku. If you keep running your mouth, people will say you're just spending money your mom earned the hard way."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Riku roared, his fist clenching tight.

"You brag about your dad's money… but I heard it's your mom who does all the real work to keep the family afloat." Kael continued.

Riku's face twisted with rage. With a sharp snarl, he threw a punch straight into Kael's cheek.

The crack of it echoed through the classroom—just as the principal stepped through the door.

Kael staggered back, clutching his cheek — then, with perfect timing, let himself drop to his knees. His voice came out weak, broken. "Please… I don't have any more money to give you…"

The classroom froze. Murmurs rose instantly.

The principal's face darkened. "Ichijou. Saitou. Tanaka. My office. Now." His voice was thunder. "And I will be calling your parents."

The three froze, color draining from their faces.

As they were forced toward the door, Hana dropped beside Kael, hands on his shoulders. "Kazuki! Are you okay?" Her eyes searched his face, worried.

Kael kept one hand over his cheek, but when his eyes flicked up past her, he caught Riku's glare.

Kael's lips curved into the faintest, knowing grin.

Riku's rage burned hotter, his teeth grinding.

Hana noticed the look on both of their faces, her chest tightening. Something told her this wasn't over.

The walk home was heavy with silence. Hana didn't say a word, her eyes flicking once toward the bruise on Kael's cheek but never lingering.

Kael kept his gaze ahead, his jaw tight. Great. First day and I've already screwed up.

I've never been to a place like this. I've spent my life fighting, and now in a peaceful world… I still go looking for fights. Old habits die hard, I guess. Don't like being pushed around, but these are fifteen-year-olds. If I can't control myself here, then I need to work on my patience more.

When they reached the house, he slowed, surprised to see her still at his side.

"You're coming in?"

"Yes." Her voice was quiet but firm. "I need to apologize to Mrs. Hasunuma for what happened. It's my fault."

Kael shook his head. "No, Hana. It was me provoking him."

"Regardless, it happened because I didn't go along with him."

That stung. He stopped, his voice sharper than he meant. "Who said you should go along with scums like that?"

Hana didn't answer.

Inside, his mother was waiting with her usual bright smile—until her eyes landed on Kael's cheek. She froze mid-greeting.

"Oh my god, what happened?"

"Nothing, Mom," Kael said quickly. "Just a simple disagreement. I'll get some ice on it."

In the living room, Hana knelt politely on the floor, hands resting on her lap. Her voice was steady as she explained what had happened, then bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Hasunuma. It was my fault."

But Kael's mother gently touched her shoulder, urging her to lift her head. "No, dear. Don't apologize. He did what any honorable man should do when someone tries to force themselves on another." She smiled softly. "It's late. Call your family, Hana, and tell them you'll be staying for dinner."

Hana hesitated. "I couldn't—"

"I insist," his mother interrupted warmly.

Kael pushed himself to his feet. "I'll be in my room. Call me when the food's ready."

As he left, he caught Hana's eyes on him again — sharp, suspicious.

In his room, Kael flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. What a first day at school. That's why people don't send animals like me into classrooms. It's like putting a wild, feral cat among house cats — I pick fights with anyone who looks at me wrong.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in," he muttered.

The door creaked open. Hana stepped inside, her face calm but serious, her eyes fixed on him.

She shut the door behind her, took a breath, and spoke.

"…Who are you? And what did you do with Kazuki?"