Savior

Mamoru sits next to Nozomi’s bedside. She slumbers under the bed sheets. Calm and serene. Mamoru looks at her with sadness in his eyes. The silence becomes his solace until the door opens. Defensive, he turns his eyes slightly.

“Go away Suguru, you damn prick.”

“That’s the first I heard you say that.” Mamoru turns around to see Shizuki and Seiji.

“Oh sorry about that Shizuki. What brings you here?”

“I wanted to know how Nozomi is doing.”

“Well…She hasn’t reacted to anything. She has been healed by Eda, but nothing seems to wake her up. I’m…I’m worried.”

“Looks like someone’s in love.” Shizuki hits Seiji with his elbow, pushing him to the wall.

“Ow. what was that for?”

“Sometimes you need to learn to shut up.” Seiji pouts and looks at Shizuki.

“Don’t worry, Mamoru. She will come around. I know she will.” Shizuki reassures Mamoru, strengthening his resolve to stay by her until she wakes.

“We have to go. They summoned everyone to the dining hall.”

“We have already informed Master Mamoru of the events, however he has declined to attend.” Said his servant.

“I’m sorry…I just can’t leave Nozomi alone. Not with Suguru roaming around.” Shizuki and Seiji quickly feel a sense of uneasiness. Something he cannot let others hear.

“Leave us.” Shizuki said. Walter bowed in agreement. Shifting to the two servants.

“Robert. Charlotte.” Confused, they obliged and left. The door closed behind them. The room stayed silent for a while.

“You know something about Suguru, don’t you?” Shizuki asked.

“Yes. Suguru is not the good everyone makes him out to be. He was the reason I was bullied.” Mamoru’s eyes begin to reminisce. His words were never spoken until now.

“My life was as normal as anyone else's. I moved from the countryside, and nothing happened until… that faithful day…”

The day was bright and cheerful. Flowers bloomed in the gardens of pink and purple flowers. Mamoru finished his classes for today, heading to the hallway he heard something.

Students corralled the windows, but Mamoru was uninterested. He made his way to the front of the school where Suguru and Mimi stood. Flowers and trees blossomed.

“Mimi, thank you for meeting me on short notice. However… I must tell you… I love you! Please go out with me!” All the students erupt in a loud applause. Voices spoke all around the school.

“Oh my! I wish Suguru would date me!” One student said. “They do look like a good fit for each other.” Another student said, however, everything was short lived. Mimi’s eyes were filled with rage. Discontent showed on her face while Suguru paid no mind to her silent hints. Many students remained negligent while others noticed Mimi’s annoyed behavior.

“Is that all you wanted to tell me? You realize I will never agree to have a boyfriend. It will hurt my marks.”

“But, Mimi! I can help you! I have many connections. I—”

“I don’t need any help from you. Leave me alone.” Shattered. His eyes become filled with confusion and anger. Everyone in the school sees his rejection. Suguru sees Mimi turn to Mamoru. Both Mimi and Mamoru exchanged glances, but nothing came from it. Her eyes were just as cold and bitter when she faced Suguru. Mamoru held his breath. He never felt so threatened by someone in his life. Then she turned and someone was waiting for her. A girl.

“I hope I didn’t make you wait, Nozomi.”

“No, not at all! How did it go?” Nozomi asked.

“Suguru wanted to date me. I want nothing to do with him.” Mimi said.

“Mimi, you are so cruel. Give him a chance, you never know. It might work out!”

“Not with him. He gives me the creeps.” Mimi said with an upset tone. Mamoru could not make out their conversation after a certain point. He decided to leave school and go home. He went past a small alley until he was kicked into it. He gasped in pain and confusion. Mamoru looked up and saw the last person he would see.

“So…you know Mimi?” Suguru said. He stepped closer into the alley light.

“What? I don’t know her at all! I happened to be there when she was leaving with her friend.

“Oh so you know her friend, Nozomi?”

“No! I just transferred from the countryside. I don’t know anyone!”

“Oh…” Suguru smirked in an unsettling way. “So a country boy wants to be a city boy. Sorry, we have too many already. And besides, you don’t fit in anyway.” Suguru turns around while Mamoru tries to get up. Two figures turn around the corner. One kicks him in the stomach, instantly Mamoru lets out a gasp. All the air escapes his lungs. He coughs while trying to regain his breath.

“You can rough him up a bit. It would be a bother if you kill him.”

“Alright, alright.”

“Takumi. Gouma. Mamoru. See you later.” All he did was smile, walking away while Mamoru sustained painful blows to his body. Nothing to his face but a cut on his lip.

“This is boring now and the sun is about to set. Let’s go Gouma.” They leave Mamoru on the ground where he groans in pain.

“After that one moment…I was subjected to torment every day. Beatings. Injustice. But.. something happened that I never thought would… Another usual beating like any other day…”

Mamoru grunts in pain while he holds his stomach. He can only look down when he gets kicked again.

“This is so fun. Don’t you think Suguru?”

“Yeah, I am so happy that I got to meet you, Mamoru. Now I can make your life a living hell. You can assure that.”

“Why?” Mamoru muttered. Tired. Battered. He looked up at Suguru.

“Why?” Suguru began. He thought for a second until he let his words come out. “Because I can. Because I can do anything and get anything I want.” At that moment, Mamoru was trapped in an endless cycle of violence and pain. “Well, we can have some more fun. Let’s make this quick, I have to—”

“Stop right there!!” Someone yelled. Mamoru was too hurt to look up. Gasping for air and recuperating himself. Suguru angered to meet none other than Mimi’s friend, Nozomi.

“You’re going to stop bullying this poor student right now! Unless you want me to make a dent into your already fragile reputation!” Suguru froze with immense anger, knowing full well his fun was over.

“You will regret this, I will make sure to get back at you for ruining my fun. Come on.” The three students leave the back of the school leaving only the injured Mamoru and Nozomi.

“Hey…Are you okay?” Nozomi asked. She slowly touched his back, revealing some of body filled with bruises. “I’m sorry…I’m going to get the nurse!”

“No! Can you… Can you stay with me for a little while longer…?” Mamoru asked.

“Yeah…I can do that.” Nozomi replied with an endearing smile. Nozomi stayed with Mamoru while he slept peacefully on her lap. His memory ended, looking down onto Nozomi’s unresponsive body.

“This is the reason why I want to stay with her. She saved me, and I would like to do the same.” After hearing Mamoru’s story, Shizuki said nothing and turned to leave.

“I…I never knew…” Seiji muttered. While Seiji contemplated, Shizuki remained firm.

“We’re leaving Seiji.” Shizuki said.

“But…What about the dining hall?” Seiji asked back.

“I will think of something… Let’s go.” He looked back at Mamoru and then followed Shizuki out of the room. Mamoru remains silent, observing Nozomi’s state.

“I want to be the first person you see. I promise to be here.” Mamoru said while holding her hand.