Fear

The next day,

As soon as she turned the knob of the entrance door, the first morning rays hit her eyes, blinding her for a moment. In the midst of the light, someone stood exceptionally brighter, leaning against the wall, with folded up sleeves.

"Were you waiting for me this whole time?", she asked.

"I was worried if you would go to school today.", Kanako retorted.

She could not help but smile. For this was the first in a long time that someone was waiting for her, and also the first time someone was willing to walk with her to school.

"You could have just called me instead of just waiting."

"I didn't want to hurry you."

"Well anyway."

They started walking together towards the train station. But it was odd. There wasn't any talking between them as are walking to their destination. It was getting quite awkward.

"The time for the cultural festival is coming close, right?", Kanako decided to bring up the topic."

"Now that you asked, it is."

"What do you think your class will do?"

"I really don't know."

"But I do have a vague guess abou what that will be.", he said with a giggle.

"And whats that?"

"Not gonna tell. I think it would be better if I kept it a secret for now."

"Is that so?"

It might just be her imagination, but she somewhat feels secure whenever he is around.

Soon enough, they reached school. Kanako is worried. He is yet to find the culprit. Judging by Ayane's reaction, she definitely got bullied. But he is yet to find the culprit. What if they bully her again? Those types of questions clouded his head.

"My class is that way, so I am going now."

Kanako was surprised. He didn't notice that they had already entered the school building and went to the second floor.

"Okay. Stay safe.", Kanako said on whim. But Ayane didn't think much about it.

Ayane was a bit scared too. She didn't know what to expect from those classmates of hers.

As she opened the door, all the gazes were on her for a second, before going back to normal. Some people continued to stare at her, thinking what had happened to her, while some didn't care.

The lunch break started, and Kanako and Ayane met at the staircase. Kanako said it was a coincidental, while Ayane doubted it.

While going down to the cafeteria, Kanako enquired about her well being.

They bought their lunches, and as they were going back to their classes, Kanako stopped Ayane for a second. He was buying juice from the vending machine.

"Here."

"For me?"

"Then who else?"

"I guess, thanks."

She was feeling a little clingy that day. She was constantly anxious about potential enemies around her, and he was the only friend of hers that she could trust.

But her staying with him must've raised some attention, and thats what she feared of...