A Salt Rubbed to Injury

 All weekend, I mulled over and over again my plans for ‘The Grand Ball.’ I only established an agreement between me and Morisaki and her fashion company; it was a long discussion that took more than a cup of coffee.

I have laid out my systematic networking relating to and for the event. And it wasn’t easy.

However, my first network was easy because I have created a friendly relationship with them.

I messaged Ryuu Morimoto after asking Ito for his number.

’Could we meet up at the rooftop with the two of us alone?’

’Sure,’ was his reply.

“What did you call me here for? You’d better not do something funny.”

Was he still suspicious of me? I thought he would be more or less suspicious after I ask him for this favor.

“First, I have a question.”

He raised an eyebrow. He was probably thinking, ‘There will be more?’

“Who is Yuuta Yoshimura to you?”

He flared up with the mention of that name. “That damned president? What is with this question?”

“Let me rephrase my question: How much do you hate him?”

He glared at me. His brilliant crimson eyes erupted within. He stood frozen, attempting to read into my soul. He clenched his fists and his teeth.

“Don’t tell me you’re on his side.”

“Why do you still distrust me?”

“With that question, why would I trust you?”

I raised my arms to appease him. “Look, I’m not planning anything, nor have I brought something harmful into my hands. I’m here to ask a favor that I’ll pay with an equal price. So, if you could please calm down…”

He lifted his face and took a deep, audible breath, then heaved a great sigh. “Don’t joke with me. We ain’t close friends yet.”

In no way was I joking. What part of my words and attitude suggested that? His cynicism was annoying.

I thought I shouldn’t ask the question again. It was made clear to me how much hatred he had towards president Yoshimura. With that, I confirmed that my offer will succeed.

“Say, if you had a chance to humiliate him—to show him you’re a force to be reckoned with,” I started, “would you take it?”

“Of course,” he instantly answered.

“I present you with that chance: The Grand Ball. But, I will need your help.”

“I’ll do it if it’s within my abilities.”

“I need you to convince your dad to sign a contract with MORIMORI.”

“MORIMORI—? Wait, you don’t mean—”

“Yes, I mean that girl’s company.”

He contemplated the question. He was having an internal dilemma.

But he shouldn’t have such, but he had his pride and values. The relationships between the girls and the boys were unhealthy. They never interacted with each other from what I’ve seen.

“But, what will we gain from Morisaki in return?”

Planning and preparing for an event was difficult enough, but I still had the task to connect the class. And doing that in such a short time was tough. The Grand Ball was to be conducted two weeks from now. And I had to formulate a plan.

Sadly, I came up with nothing because I was constantly halted by a trivial thing.

I ate with Ryuu’s clique now that I have finally befriended him. Because of that, I joined them in their sufferings.

And the source of our suffering was the Palladium Class.

Many times, we were often interrupted from our lunch and forced to give up our seats. They’d also take our paid lunch as if they were middle school students. They acted immaturely, but I thought that wasn’t all of them.

Because they were separated into two groups——one was smaller than the other. Secondly, the smaller group imposed its authority over the majority. There was a hint of bitterness in the bigger group, but it seemed that the leading group was influential to prevent any rebellion. The smaller group was the aggressor. A clear dictatorship.

But I can’t do anything about it. It wasn’t my class——not exactly my problem. After all, I was only losing my dignity and not my money.

Unfortunately, they took notice of me for I was a new face and the gossiped rumor throughout the school. Soon, they started harassing me more than the clique I was included in. And there was this one time when they became bold and snatched my wallet. They opened it only to find two thousand yen in it. They were merciless monsters. Instead of pitying me, they took my money as they mocked me.

I was almost past my limit, but I took my peace. It would only cause me and my newfound friends more trouble if I opposed them. Besides, things have been more peaceful for Ryuu and his friends. To further that, I started isolating myself from them. I have also pushed Ito away, losing my free lunch benefits.

But it was all right. I didn’t need to need lunch.

Finally, before the school week ended, they summoned me to the rooftop and beat me up. I haven’t fully recovered from my trauma, so I only curled up into a ball, allowing them to do as they wish with me.

My bruises ached. My wounds were hot. Their spits were cold. Their scurrilous was humiliating. The ground was my only comfort——my better blade because it injured me, but it was more bearable.

At last, my second hell has ended. Luckily, there was no one around to hear the curses they’ve named me. At the same time, unluckily, there was no one around to witness. Even if there was a witness, I doubted they’d report this, because I was only a humble scholar.

“I—I’m only a humble scholar…” It was raining…

…tears in my eyes.

It was blurry. It was blurry, but I can see an approaching figure. Did they return to torture me again? I didn’t hear the elevators ring, so that was impossible—were they lurking the entire time?

It was half-expected. Of course, someone should be around. Was this the gardener? No, he was asleep at this time of day. He was an old man…

…an old man.

…and it was raining.

A youthful voice returned me to my senses. “Hey! Hey! Are you alright!? We caught the whole thing—the whole thing! On…”

My consciousness faded out. That was I shame; I wasn’t able to hold out.

This place felt familiar. It was as if I was here once before.

Ah, yes, the homely sound of the kettle whistling…

Kettle? Whistling? Why was I still here?

No, not again. I shouldn't be here.

It was only a dream.

I blinked my eyes again. The ceiling seemingly morphed into white. Flanking my vision were the curtain walls. I deduced I was in the clinic for the second time, for the same reasons.

What was different was how I got here. What else was different was my companion—companions.

There were the concerned faces of Ito and Ryuu and his company. They surrounded me as if they were paying homage to me.

“Hey! Are you okay!?” The all-so swift and compassionate Ito bowed close to me. His hands hovered over me as if I was a fragile thing. He’d make for a great father.

And on the other side with a little delay was Ryuu. But he didn’t attend to me. He only glared with his usual eyes. “Why did you keep this to yourself?”

I only smiled. My mind was late to my thoughts. I answered Ito first, “I’m fine. It’s nothing compared to the martyrs.” I chuckled, but it made my bruised stomach hurt, so I had to stop.

“Hey, hey, don’t force yourself!” said Ito. “I can’t believe you could joke in your situation, but I guess that’s cool of you.”

“Can you stop talking, Ito? A compliment not helping. What he needs is some scolding.”

“But, why? He saved all of us! He kept the harassment to him!”

“And that’s exactly what’s wrong!” Ryuu faced me, grinding his teeth, “Ain’t we friends!? Why’d you keep it to yourself, you dumb fool!?”

If there was one thing that went unscathed, that was my heart. Sure, the Palladium bullies insulted me, but such shallow abuse couldn’t reach my heart.

But something was different with Ryuu’s words. It wasn’t an insult. It was constructive criticism more than anything, communicated through anger; that was what hurt.

I realized what I’d done, but it had to be done!

“It had to be—”

Ryuu raised a fist against me, “Can you shut up!?”

I was silenced.

“Don’t you know? I’m overly concerned and protective of my friends, so why didn’t you consider my feelings!? Are you a jerk!?”

“I have—”

He punched me squarely in my face. Ito was too late to restrain him.

“Hey, hey, what are you doing!? You’re punching a damn patient, you idiot!”

Ryuu struggled to set himself free as more of his friends subdued him.

“L—let me go! I—I have to teach this idiot a lesson!”

I didn’t have the strength to comfort my nose. It wasn’t broken though, thankfully.

But, I thought I should stop arguing and humbly apologize.

“I’m sorry, Ryuu. I get it now. I won’t do this ever again.”

I looked at him. Ryuu stopped struggling. The rest spectated in place. They were all looking at me, so they didn’t see Ryuu's eyes.

Tears were flowing down his eyes.

My incident must have triggered something within him. He had a mindset to lose anything special to him…ever again.