Chapter 18

Class ended, and Kuruma and Yanagi approached Izumi. "After cleaning duties, do you want to come to practice again?" Yanagi asked.

Izumi gazed down at her ankle. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." Whoever pushed me might be out to finish the job.

"I doubt they'd try anything this time, but I understand you being apprehensive." Yanagi took a deep breath.

"You don't have to worry about walking me home. I know the way now—"

"But you're injured," Kuruma cut in.

Izumi smiled. They're so sweet. "I'll be fine."

Kuruma and Yanagi exchanged a worried glance.

"Look at her, using her injury to keep him coming back," the girl at the front said to her friend as they glared at her.

Not even trying to whisper, are they? Her expression dropped.

"What's wrong with these people?" Kuruma grumbled. "Someone's injured and talking to their friends, and this is how they react?"

Yanagi approached them, smiling. "Hello, ladies."

Their expressions brightened up.

"I saw you two at the game the other day, right?"

"Yes! You waved to me," one said.

"And me. I went to all your middle school baseball games, and I'll be there this time, too," the girl who found the notebook said.

Yanagi nodded, thinking back. "Tengan Eri, right?"

"Just call me Eri."

"Eri," he said in a deep voice as he leaned on her desk, staring into her eyes. "I love having baseball fans."

Her smile brightened.

His expression dropped, jaw tightening. "But I find it abhorrent when people bully my friends, especially when they injure them or start rumours about them."

She paled, her lip quivering as tears formed.

"Have I made myself clear?"

She nodded.

"Then I guess we don't have a problem." He patted her head, lightly brushed her hair behind her ear, and smiled. "I look forward to seeing you at our games in the future."

Unable to find any words, she nodded again and watched as he walked back over.

"Oh my gosh!" the other girl swooned.

"What did you do?" Kuruma asked. "I can't tell if they're scared or idolizing you even more."

Yanagi held his finger to his lips and winked. "It's a secret, but I'm hoping it was enough to make sure they'll leave you alone." His gaze trailed over to Izumi. "I don't want something happening to you because you're on your own."

"T-thanks." Izumi bowed her head.

"Don't worry about it." He patted her head. "Apparently, I'm part of the reason it happened. I didn't think popularity would put my friends in danger again, but it seems so..."

"I hope you don't blame yourself for this." She glanced up at him. "You're not responsible for their actions."

"Thanks, Izu." He took a deep breath. "Off to baseball practice."

"Bye." Izumi waved to both of them.

Kuruma looked between both of them and gave her a small wave before heading off with Yanagi.

Izumi sighed and glanced at Shiori's empty desk; Shiori had bolted as soon as she could.

Guess I'm on my own for today. She took a deep breath and got to her feet. With slow, careful steps, she headed out of school.

"What took you so long?"

Izumi jumped at the gate and turned to see Shiori standing with her arms crossed.

"You waited for me?" Izumi's eyes widened.

"Considering what happened, and that the guys are busy today, I didn't want you to be on your own going home, that's all." Shiori stuffed her hands into her pockets and turned. "Let's go—"

"Thank you." Izumi hugged her.

"Yeah, yeah. Careful with that ankle." They started on their way.

"Whereabouts do you live? I hope it's not too out of your way... We could always go partway—"

"Pretty sure I already said I'd walk you home. I'm not coming over, though."

"Noted." Though my mom would love to meet you.

"You know, I'm not complaining or anything, but I'm surprised those two would walk you to and from school every day like they have. It's usually just them, and other people only tag along once in a while, though I guess that was in middle school."

"I think it's because..." Our fateful encounter! "I ran into Kuruma, literally, and ended up a bit lost. Now I feel like the stray cat they took in."

Shiori chuckled and nodded. "You are a bit like a stray cat you want to protect."

Not sure how I feel about that.

"They have walked other girls home before, though not constantly, but the fangirls usually get to them."

"They've been hurting people that long?"

"I doubt it. They probably threatened them or something, because they can't have him, they don't want others to. Don't worry; I doubt they'll bother you again."

"Oh? Did you talk to Yanagi? He said he already did."

"Ha, like a conversation would be enough. Let's just say, I left them a little present that should keep them on their best behaviour." Shiori let out a small laugh, a sly smile forming.

Not sure if I should ask or not.

"Hey, those are the girls from Crispy Teppan!" a voice caught Izumi's ear. "Aw, too bad those guys aren't with them."

"See, those boys will bring trouble," Shiori grumbled, purposely avoiding their gaze.

"It's not their fault other people are crazy obsessive."

"True."

"Hey, you! Are you Izumi?" a girl in a different school uniform called out to her from the park they were passing by.

"Just ignore them and keep moving." Shiori hooked her arm around Izumi's.

"Hey! We're talking to you." She rushed up to them, reaching out.

"And who are you?" Shiori snapped, slapping the girl's hand away.

"Tch. It is you." She eyed Izumi, who looked away.

Nara... leave me alone. Her heart rate spiked.

"You've definitely changed. I guess it's the magic of makeup." She sighed, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

"And you actually washing your hair," another girl said, catching up to her.

"You may look normal now, but are you still into—"

Izumi cringed. I guess no one is allowed to like things she doesn't.

"What do you two idiots want?" Shiori asked, glaring at them.

"To catch up with our old friend, of course. We expected her to go to the same high school, but alas, that didn't happen."

"Friend? That's how you treat your friends?"

She frowned. "And who are you?"

"Does it matter?" Shiori stretched her neck. "You know what? You girls are ticking me off." She gripped Nara's collar. "How about you leave us alone before I snap and knock your teeth out?"

Nara cringed. "Fine. You can hang with that freak if you want; you're probably just like her, anyway."

"Funny, you're the freak from my point of view." Shiori jerked forward, and the girls flinched back. "Go back to your playground, little girls." Shiori waved them off, smirking.

"She's not worth it." The other girl pulled her back.

"You okay?" Shiori asked, pulling Izumi away.

Izumi nodded.

"You know, I didn't want to get into any drama, but it's definitely following you around. And I didn't want to ask about your past, but... I'm thinking I want some answers now, if you're willing to talk."

With Shiori, it's probably okay. "Okay..." Her pace slowed.

"So, can I come over? I don't want to talk out here, where idiots could be lurking around every corner."

Izumi's eyes widened slightly. "Sure."