My Name is...

Oh, I forgot he's not athletic like me... Wait, that's such a low bar; it's actually a little concerning.

Yuri returned to Mao, who was still walking his way to meet him. "Sorry, I went ahead."

"Why are you so obsessed with not catching germs?"

"Because they are dangerous! And evil!" Yuri proclaimed, waving his arms dramatically. "We can't see them, which makes them an even greater threat!"

"I already told you it's nothing serious. You worry too much about things you can't see. Let your mind rest a little..."

"Evil can't rest! I have a mission to erradicate all evil!"

"What? If you're evil, shouldn't you be on the side of evil?"

"My kind of evil is different, unique, and better!" Yuri adjusted his glasses proudly.

Mao tried to process his reasoning, staring him in the eyes with his mouth slightly open. "Evil is still evil," he said dryly.

"Anyway! We need to wash our hands."

"I can't change your mind, huh? If you wash them too much, you might damage your skin."

"That's not possible! Evil is never enough!"

"You're confusing good with evil again... Look, I've played in the dirt many times and needed to take many baths. After a while, the soap starts to dry out the skin."

"And...?"

"The skin can't be too dry, dumbass!"

"Ha! Hahaha!" Yuri pointed at Mao, laughing histerically. "I made you say a bad word! You're now evil! I'm such a genius, muahaha!"

"What...?" Mao stared in disbelief.

"Recess is almost over; I need to go to the restroom before going back to class. Do you want to come?"

"T-To the restroom? Why are you inviting me?"

"Well, all the students need to use the restroom during recess so as not to interrupt the teacher. We're both boys, there's nothing strange about us going together."

Mao tried to stammer a few words, but couldn't reply. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Are you sure? Going to the restroom regularly is good for your health. You shouldn't keep your bladder full."

"I said I'm fine."

"Well, Sugihara-sensei might let you use the restroom during class because you're new, but don't get used to it. It's better for everyone if you follow the school schedule."

Yuri turned to go into the restroom, waving to his friend. "See you in a few minutes!"

Mao stared at the women's restroom for a while, conflicted. After about two minutes, Yuri grabbed him from behind, surprising him. "This is my payback for taking my glasses!"

"Y-Yuri?! Get away from me!" Mao pushed him back.

"Eh? You didn't like it?"

"Of course not! Who likes being surprised?"

"Alright, I won't sneak up on you again. But, Mao, are you eating regularly? Your body seems very frail."

"D-Do you have a problem with that? It's just the way it is."

"Well, if you don't take care of yourself, your body won't develop any further. I wouldn't want that to happen to me."

"T-Then why me? We're different people..."

"We're united by evil!" He smiled proudly. "I can't let my other half behind!"

Mao blushed silently. "Are you sure you don't want to be good, instead of evil?"

"Good is boring."

"It's not."

"Yeah, you're right..."

"What?"

"But it is my duty to oppose the good guys! So that they can become stronger and defeat all other kinds of evil!"

"What about yours?"

"I can't be defeated!"

"Prove it."

Yuri gave a wry smile and adjusted his glasses. "Then run." He began to relentlessly pursue Mao, forcing him to run until he was exhausted and caught up with Yuri, who hugged him amicably.

"You need to train a little more, Mao," said Yuri. "I don't like Physical Education, so I just do what's enough."

"I do..."

"You do...? You do what?"

"I like Physical Education."

"R-Really? Sorry, I thought you were like me..."

"But I always come in last place..."

"I see... Well, it's just a matter of training! If I trained, I could get stronger. But I don't want to."

"Why not? Don't you want to be healthy?"

"I never said that... I want you to be healthy, not me."

"Me? Why?"

"Why?" Yuri pondered the question for a moment, scratching his chin. "Well, because you're my friend, aren't you?" He leaned forward and smiled.

Mao blushed. "Friend...?"

"Unless you don't see me as one."

"N-No, that's not it! So... we're friends now, right?"

"Yeah! But not exactly since now, because we met before the class started."

"Since then...? But we only exchanged glances..."

"Isn't that enough for a friendship? Besides, we're from the same class."

"Are you friends with everyone in our class?"

"Well..." Yuri trailed off, trying to find an answer, "kind of..."

"But if you're my friend... then you should also strive to be healthy!"

"Nah, I'm too busy with my evil plans."

"You can only be evil if you're strong!"

"W-What kind of logic is that?"

"Let's train together! Next Physical Education class!"

"Ehh...?" Yuri looked away, dissatisfied. "Just because I was going to skip..."

"You can't skip classes! It's not healthy!"

"W-What?!" He reflected my spell! I can't win! "Alright..."

"Yay!" Mao jumped for joy, then coughed, trying to appear indifferent. "So, it's a promise."

"I don't like making promises..." The school bell rang. "Oh, let's go back to class!"

Their friendship went perfectly well for a year. Just two boys spending time together. Yuri wasn't used to going out, so his friend took him out of his comfort zone. Mao stopped wearing hoodies and caps, but something seemed to bother him whenever Yuri was around.

They were playing volleyball in physical education class, both tired. They sat on the floor while the rest of the class continued playing.

"Not bad, Mao!" Yuri praised. "You're getting faster and more resilient!"

"Is that so? I don't know if I can see any difference..."

"That's because it takes time, it's hard to notice... But remember your first day here? You couldn't run more than a few meters."

"Y-You're right... Does that mean I can surpass you soon?"

"S-Surpass me?! No way would I let that happen!"

"Why?" Mao smiled ironically. "Is it because you're afraid?"

"Afraid of what? Evil fears nothing!"

"Then you should step up your game, because I'm not slowing down."

"W-Why are you treating this like a game? It's not like we're going to gain anything from this..."

"Well, didn't you say you wanted me to be healthy? I want you to be healthy too. So, we're gaining... health?"

"You're treating health like a currency now... But you're right, we both need to strive to get better. It's the only way I can become true evil!"

"We."

"We? Oh, yeah, we can become true evil together!"

"Yuri, Mao, go back to playing volleyball," the teacher said.

Time passed, and both gradually improved. Yuri always got good grades; Mao, not so much. So, he helped his friend whenever he had the opportunity. Yuri invited Mao to his house from time to time, but Mao never reciprocated the invitation. Whenever Yuri suggested they spend time at his house, he refused with an excuse.

I wonder how Mao's house looks like... Does he not want me to see it?

"Yuri," the new teacher called.

"Yes! I'm Sukina Yuri, 11 years old! I'm from here!"

"Next one..."

I'm getting better at introducing myself. I need to learn to stop stuttering when I talk to Mao. Why do I feel so... nervous around him? It wasn't like this at first...

Yuri glanced at Mao, who smiled at him. He returned the smile.

"Yes... I'm Hideaki Nemu, 11 years old... I'm from..."

"Can you repeat that, louder this time?"

The boy rubbed his eyes, standing up from his desk. "My name is Hideaki Nemu!" He smiled proudly. "I will eradicate all evil from the Earth!" He struck a superhero pose.

"How old are you and where are you from...?"

"I'm 11 years old! Old enough to know right from wrong!"

"Where are you from? Stop trying to act different."

"Sorry... I'm from Tokyo."

"Well, next one..."

Hideaki Nemu? If he vows to defeat evil, then he's my number one enemy!

Nemu had light blue hair and a tired expression. He was trying to appear cheerful and unique, but the teacher turned off his light, leaving him demotivated.

Mao looked at Yuri and gave a wry smile. Yuri began to laugh maniacally, attracting the attention of the other students. You're thinking the same thing as me, aren't you, Mao? Now we have an enemy!

This time, Yuri didn't say anything out loud. But he was still learning not to act like a weirdo, since he was used to it.