A Lengthy Trip (Part 4)

"How is it my fault? Back off already, you scumbags!"

Upon entering the lobby of the hotel in time for dinner, I saw Yuta arguing with a group of people. Next to Yuta was Carol, who seemed to be injured and crying on the floor. Standing amongst the group was Gary White, leader of the school basketball team. He's known for being a rascal, an absolute piece of shit. The dude sent two junior freshmen to the hospital before, simply because they were "trespassing" on his "territory". At least that's what I heard from the rumors.

Now, at this point most people may wonder. Why wasn't he expelled? He got off with a demerit, instead of a long-term suspension. That's because he scores first on Math and Science every single year, which earns him merit awards. This kind of cancels out with the behavior he's displayed, I guess. I'd bet even teachers would be reluctant to hand him awards; it's just that he's brains and brawn at the same time, making him a somewhat formidable force to the school. Besides, I don't think many teachers know of his foul record.

"Oh god! Carol, are you okay?" Mayu said, hurriedly rushing to Carol's side.

"It's your fault that you couldn't defend Carol; I thought a gentleman such as you would block my attack from her, but I guess I was wrong! Even losers like you wimp out once they're faced with real danger." Gary said smugly.

"You threw a fucking potted plant at us in the first place! Who in the world would even do that?" Yuta yelled, raising his voice.

The teachers then started to come by; I guess the ruckus did draw attention in the end.

"Tch. Guess we're gonna have to scram, boys." Gary said, as he left the scene.

"Are you alright, Carol?" Yuta said, rushing toward Carol, who was still crying on the floor.

"I'm sorry to you all... It's my fault that you got involved in the first place." Carol said, sobbing.

"Whatever it is, we can hear you out later; for now let's bring you to the infirmary." Satsuki said, helping her up. I then went and helped check her injuries as well, in case she couldn't detect or feel something wrong.

Observing the shattered potted plant next to her, I could tell that the damage dealt was heavy. Who the fuck would do this? Why would they do this? Gary really is ruthless and sadistic, to throw potted plants at people for fun. It's unethical and thanks to him, Carol's cheek was bleeding and there was a bruise forming from the impact zone.

It's ironic how the society we live in is filled with sick fucks like Gary; it's not only physical violence either. I've seen animal abuse, bullying and hypocrites all over the world doing horrible things, and I want no part in it. It's saddening to see what the world's true colors are, and it makes me want to really wipe out humanity.

But that's honestly an unachievable and impossible thought. It's also ridiculously emo. If we really just take time to look at the world, we still do come across some good people, people that we can get along with. Friends, if so to speak. I'm glad I came across reliable buddies like Mayu, Satsuki and Yuta, because having company can be fun, even though I do need alone time once in a while.

At the infirmary, after being patched up with some ice and bandages, Carol began to explain how the whole thing unfolded, and how she ended being victim to Gary.

"First of all, I need to say that I'm sorry to all of you. I've been too constricting throughout the whole trip, and the only person I really did look out for was Mayu. I'm really sorry for looking down on everyone else, especially you, Suzuki."

Ah, I kinda got that vibe anyways, so it's fine.

"I was hurt you know." I lied, because it was funny

"I'm sorry! I really am, so please accept my apologies!" Carol said, bowing her head towards me.

"Now you're just making me feel bad. Anyways, go on. I'd like to hear more of how everything transpired."

"Gary White... is my twin brother. He's been a runt ever since we were children. I always got bullied by him. By the time he reached 12 years in age, he had started to hang out with thugs around the school. He broke every school rule, every time he entered a new school, with the only exception being in this one."

"Why this school of all schools though?" Yuta asked, thinking to himself.

"He said that he had to do well to graduate. I couldn't believe him when he told me that one day— I thought he had changed, but I guess I was wrong. He still performed all sorts of horrible things. When I finally mustered up enough courage to ask him why he was trying to do well in school, he told me this:

"I'm doing it so that I can reach world-renowned schools and beat those guys up."

I was shocked when he said that. To prevent me from telling anyone, he tortured me; he would try and force himself on me and do all sorts of horrible things."

"Why didn't you tell anyone about this earlier?" Mayu said, shocked.

"You think I never tried? No one would believe me, because from that day on, he'd act perfectly sane in front of psychiatrists and head teachers."

What Carol was saying didn't only apply to psychiatrists and head teachers— Gary was also avoiding normal teachers, even janitors. I know because I always see him looking desperate whenever he's around a higher authority figure. It's kind of contradictory, to see someone's ego drop all the way whenever an adult was around... But then again, he could be deceiving us by completely showing a different viewpoint. We wouldn't know.

It did also kind of sound like Carol was giving a sob story. I don't know why; it was just the gut feeling I was getting from her. But seeing how she was beaten and bruised like that and how everyone seemed concerned for her, as well as how she apologized to me earlier, I guess I just have to tell myself that I doubt people too much. A person becomes distrustful once being isolated for too long, for they have no one to rely on, no one to hope for.

"This is an issue though... Yoshimitsu, what do we do?" Satsuki said, looking at me desperately.

Normally, I would let people resolve their own personal troubles, for I have no part in them. It would be unwise to get involved, after all; but seeing how Satsuki and Carol have both told me about their familial issues, I can't really stand by either...

"If the adults don't believe us, we can try pulling one over him on our own. All we'd have to do is to utterly crush his ego and pride. That would make him at least stop for a while. We'll have to expose him, get dirt on him and..."

Suddenly, before I could finish, we heard loud screaming coming from outside. Someone was really mad.

"To think that a model student like you would bring shame upon this school... You're going home. Now!"

"But sir, I didn't do anything wrong! Yuta started it!"

"I had three witnesses tell me that you were the one who showed up with your friends and started bullying Yuta and Carol."

"But..."

"I've had it with you! Always acting innocent in front of your teachers, but playing dirty with your fellow classmates. I'm sending you home right now. Wait in the lobby with your things packed in 20 minutes. If you're not there, you're getting a major demerit, and I'm putting you on suspension."

"..."

"To your room, NOW!"

We rejoiced upon hearing that Gary had been exiled from the hotel and trip.

"A god really does exist! Oh praise Jesus!" Mayu jumped and said happily, not noticing that everyone else in the ward was looking at her.

"You're standing out too much, dummy." Satsuki said, tugging her back down.

"I guess we can say that the problem's resolved for now. If anything else happens after the trip regarding Gary, let us know, alright Carol?" I said, hopefully reassuring her.

(I actually didn't want to help in the first place... Because it seemed like too much of a hassle.)

"I'm going to stay a bit longer to look after Carol. You guys can head back upstairs first." Mayu said, directing us to go.

"Guess we'll leave. Let's go!" Yuta said eccentrically.

"Oh! That's right! Yoshimitsu, can you come up to our room for a bit? I need to grab you something. Be there in 10 minutes, okay?" Satsuki said, as we walked to our rooms. I wonder what she has in store for me.

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"It's been 10 minutes. Wonder what she's up to."

Arriving outside the door to the girls' room, I felt awkward and uncomfortable. There were girls from other classes passing by the area occasionally, so I felt completely out of place. A guy's not supposed to be here.

"Hello? Satsuki?" I said, knocking on the door. I then heard faint sounds coming from the room, but it sounded very muffled. I then tested the door, which was surprisingly not locked.

"You really should lock your door, Satsuki. I'm coming in, alright?" I yelled, informing her.

I then gently open the door...

"Ahh! Don't come in!" I suddenly heard Satsuki yelling; turns out she was in the bathroom, which explains why the sound was muffled (her voice was travelling through two doors). "Are you outside right now, Yoshimitsu?"

"No, I'm in your room now. Why are you in the bathroom? I thought you said something about showing me something cool; shouldn't you be ready by then?"

"I kind of forgot, and rushed to take a shower first..." Satsuki said, from inside the bathroom.

"Well that's fine. I can just wait for you, you know."

"See the thing is.... I left my clothing outside the bathroom, so with you there I can't come out and get it."

Airhead.

"I'll leave them in front of the bathroom door for you and exit the room. Would that be alright?"

"I guess that's fine... Oh, but it's so embarrassing to show you what I wear!" Satsuki said frustratingly.

"I'll just leave out the door then. You can show me whatever later."

"Nonono, it's fine. Just grab the pile of clothes I left next to my bed; it should be right there, folded up nicely."

Looking around the room, I saw a set of cute girl clothes. I guess it kind of matches Satsuki's bubbly and wacky personality. I picked it up and then left it in front of the bathroom door. Would I smell them? To feel the delight that is the scent of a woman? No lol.

"I'll be taking my leave then. See you at dinner."

"Alright thanks for the help! Now get out!" Satsuki yelled, clearly flustered.

With that, I left for my room to get ready for dinner.