Target's Bodyguard

 Juusaki hangs by a bench near the vending machine, but without a drink in hand. He is once again has set his eyes upon Denji, who for some reason is six minutes later than usual, and is waiting for his unusually late ride. Misaki spots Juusaki and sits closely beside him.

“Hey,” Misaki casually greets, but Juusaki does not acknowledge her presence. Misaki, slightly annoyed by his feigning of ignorance, takes off his glasses from his eyes. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

Juusaki finally faces her but his eyes are set on his eyeglasses.

“You want this back, don’t you? Here is a deal. You listen to me as I talk, okay?”

“There is nothing to talk about,” Juusaki says coldly.

“You sure are quick to forget things conveniently. Remember our deal?”

“To make Itou-san close with Denji-san, correct?”

“Yes, and don’t you dare—”

“You are closest to him than you have ever been. Approximately 50 meters away.”

“I knew it. Something is wrong with you. How can you say something so sarcastic?” Misaki looks at the vending machine beside the bench they are sitting on, “Maybe a drink will knock you off.” Misaki walks and gets two iced coffee drinks from the machine and hands one to Juusaki. “Here, you probably need to cool your head, right?”

“I don’t drink caffeine. It’s bad for my maintenance.”

“You meant health, but whatever. Just take it.” Misaki forces the canned drink into Juusaki’s hand. “Now that you have accepted my payment for me to talk to you. Listen to me. About the deal, I didn’t mean it in that way. I meant it in a relationship way, you understand?”

“Relationship way… huh.”

“Don’t tell me. Are you only good at understanding numbers other than letters?”

“No, my knowledge is vast. I can understand words too.”

Misaki sighs, “Why are you so hard to talk with?”

Juusaki’s eyes shimmer as he realizes something. Juusaki suddenly holds Misaki’s hand and pulls her as he approaches Denji. “Wait, what are you—”

“Denji-san!” Juusaki calls out in an enthusiastic voice.

“Huh?” Denji looks around once missing the caller but soon realizes that Juusaki is the one who called him. “Yo! What’s up?” Denji says while hiding his surprise.

“Are we going to have that study group this week?” Juusaki asks.

“Yes, yes, of course! Is there a problem? Do you want to invite someone?”

“I do,” Juusaki slightly pushes Misaki in front of him, “Misaki asked me if she may join.”

“Wait a sec—” Misaki looks up to Denji and her cheeks slightly blushing. “Y—yes, if it wouldn’t be a problem,” Misaki stutters.

“It’s no problem! The more the merrier. Well I mean, the more people share their knowledge of course,” Denji nervously laughs. “But if it’s also okay with you, the study group comprises of all boys.”

“Ah, well, that’s—” Misaki fails to utter words and instead utters sounds.

“If you don’t mind, she will be coming with one girl she chooses,” Juusaki interrupts.

“Well, that's fine.” Denji looks back when a sound of a car is heard, “Oh, that’s my ride. See ya this weekend!” Denji waves goodbye and only Misaki returns the wave.

That weekend, a study group is held in Denji’s room on the 24th floor in the Queen Tower. “Nana!?” Denji blurts out in surprise.

“Denjiiiii-kunnnn,” Nana stifles her anger and puts Denji aside from the group seated. “What did I tell you about inviting guests in your room!?”

“Ah, well, that’s…”

“That’s what?” Nana pulls Denji’s shirt.“

“To inform you! Yes! I have already done it! I definitely included you in this group! Ahaha…” Denji trails off.

“You lied. Misaki invited me here so obviously you didn’t plan to include me! Unfortunately for you, I am invited, hmph!”

“But, come on, I was gonna tell you!”

“You are really stupid. Whatever, the deed is already done.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry my butt, sir.”

Denji mumbles while Nana takes her seat beside Misaki, and Misaki looks back at Denji, “And we shall study, shall we?”

“Y—yes ma’am!” Denji scrambles to take his seat along with the boys.

“Goodness, what a troublesome master,” Nana mutters, but no one hears it except…

“Master?” Juusaki repeats.

“Oh, right! Like he would know!” Akio remarks.

“Kawamoto here is a bodyguard of Denji, although she is also a student,” Hibiki politely prompts Juusaki.

“Understood,” Juusaki responds as his eyes lock onto Nana Kawamoto. “Connection established. Nana point to Target point. The connection is strong. Loading scenarios. Listing choices. Performing Simulations,” the voice in his brain which is his Assisting Intelligence prompts him.

Nana noticing Juusaki’s gaze shoots a glance filled with suspicion. “What is his plan to do with Denji?” Nana mutters.

“So, so, how did you invite a beautiful girl to come with you, huh?” Hibiki asks.

“Don’t tell me you are interested in her,” Akio teases.

“No, no, no such thing!”

“But you are already ogling her, disgusting pervert!!” Daichi points out.

“What kind of joke is that!?” Hibiki angrily asks.

“I don’t think he is even joking here,” Akio too points out.

“Now, now guys. It’s no time for this,” Denji kindly reminds.

“Right, right,” the three boys say in unison.

But the glancing game continues. Juusaki to Denji. Denji to Nana. Nana to Juusaki. And to Denji, is Misaki who is also glancing at Juusaki seemingly sending a signal. And to Misaki, glances Kyou. And the three boys glance at the two girls. Although these glances took place, they didn’t interrupt them from studying.

Two hours have passed, and the boys decide to leave for today’s session. “Thank you for the help everyone!” Daichi makes his way to exit, followed by Hibiki and Akio. “Especially to Juusaki! Your tutoring proved a great help!”

“It did? I didn’t understand half of the words he said!” Akio whispers.

“I didn’t understand 99% of it though…” Hibiki adds in.

“For me, he is a great teacher. It’s all concise and understandable,” Kyou states.

“Well, it’s maybe because he answered most of the exercises and the erased answers are visible when you erase the correction tape from it! Jeez, he had to use a pen to answer questions instead of a pencil,” Akio retorts.

“Now, now guys. I think you are just dumb,” Daichi laughs.

The three boys, Hibiki, Akio, and Kyou, narrow their eyes at Daichi.

“That isn’t funny,” says Hibiki.

“Stop trying to be unfunny,” Akio says at the same time as Niriya.

Daichi's eyes fall to the ground as he whimpers in silence.

“Well, gotta take my untactful business partner home,” Niriya grabs Mashiya around his arm as if to support him from fainting in shame.

“Thank you for the stay,” Kyou humbly bows before leaving.

“You’re welcome and goodbye!” greeted Denji, and the four boys left the room.

The remaining four stay at the table silently.

“Scenario successfully achieved. Proceed to Script 367.” “Should I get drinks from the café downstairs?” Juusaki offers to the group.

“Ah, sure. Let me come with you,” Denji stands from his seat.

“No, no, don’t trouble yourself. I can carry all of it.”

“You sure? Then Americano, large, please,” Denji says.

“Me too… A—americano it is,” Misaki follows up.

“Mine is a strawberry frappe if you will,” Nana adds.

“Alright,” Juusaki heads for the door, “I’ll be back,” and exits through it, closing it from behind, but a force stops the door from closing.

“Wait, I will come after all,” Nana says through the gap of the door and the doorway.

Juusaki only nods and makes his way to the elevator while Nana after closing the door trails him.

Once they enter the elevator, Nana faces Juusaki and asks in a sharp tone, “I do not know what you are planning, but whatever it is, don’t try it.”

“What is it, perhaps?” Juusaki responds without paying his attention to her.

“Don’t try to play it off. I’m an experienced escort, and you shouldn’t try to pull off any funny business.”

“The only funny business I know is my family’s,” Juusaki finally faces her with a stoic face. “Could it be that you are suspicious of me in any way?”

“Hahaha, you sure are straightforward. My master is Denji Kurosaki, and I will protect him no matter what!”

“Understood,” Juusaki faces away from her, “but I have one more thing to say.”

“What is it?”

“I have already slipped past your protection.”

“What are you trying to imply?”

“My plan succeeds no matter what.”

Nana pushes Juusaki onto the wall of the elevator preventing him to move. “What did you do!? You will not get away with this!” Nana rushes to the elevator buttons spamming the number 24, and the button lights up. Nana turns to Juusaki and pulls out a knife pointing it at him. “Denji is my jurisdiction, and you are under arrest for the attempted assassination.”

“Arrest to where?”

The elevator door opens and Juusaki pulls Nana’s hand holding the knife and disarms it slipping it through his pocket. He places the now disarmed hand around his neck and holds the other. The waiting passengers see this in shock and noiselessly cheer at the sight. Juusaki pulls Nana along to leave the scene.

“What do you think you are doing?” Nana pushes Juusaki away as her face slightly turns red.

Juusaki pulls out the knife from his pocket and hands it safely to Nana, “Here is your knife.”

Nana quickly takes it and places it inside her pocket. “Now, what did you do to my master?”

“I left Denji alone with Itou, and Itou is about to make her move.”

“Move?” Nana’s eyes go wide, and Juusaki leaves her standing as he makes his way to the café. Moments later, Juusaki and Nana arrive back in Denji’s room. Juusaki sets down three drinks according to their orders.

“Juusaki, where is yours?” Denji asks.

“I don’t drink drinks including excessive sugar or caffeine. It’s not good for my maintenance,” Juusaki answers.

“You mean bad for your health right?” Denji corrects.

Juusaki glances at Misaki, who is now full-on blushing, and Nana whispers something to her. Misaki whispers excitedly in return.

“She looked sick for a while now. I think you should take her home, Nana,” Denji says.

“Sure, I will,” Nana says promptly.

And the three visitors make their exit.