"Ouch! Well, that hurt." I said, sitting on the floor of the male restroom as blood trickled down my nose.

"You bastard, you got some nerves speaking to us that way." Riku said before kicking me again.

“Ow!“

"He's such a bastard. Why do you spend time with him Hiro?" Gojo asked my supposed best friend.

"Well, you know, his little sister is super cute, and he's a real 'friend in need'." He whispered into his ear before grinning widely.

"I thought we were friends?" I asked, trying to sit up.

"Friends? Don't make me laugh. You're just some lame kid with no friends, a cute sister, and some money." Gojo said, laughing as they hit me more.

*He didn't even think of me as a friend, I've been a fool. Thank God I didn't let Shiori meet him.*

"Hey, Izumi, listen. I'm gonna get your little sister, whether you like it or not. Don't worry, I'm gonna make her feel real good.“He said, licking his lips.

"Go to hell, you stupid pervert!" I cursed, trying to stand forcefully as Riku landed a forceful kick on my abdomen, making me cough up blood.

"Izumi, you bastard." Riku said, dragging my hair before throwing punches at me.

“I'm gonna kill you, Hirota! I'll kill you if you go to my sister! I'd rather die than let you get close to her.“

“Then it's probably okay to kill him now.“ Riku said.

"Hey now, come on, Riku. He's my best friend, and he will be my future brother in law." He said with a smirk as Riku let go of my head and spat on me.

"You should be grateful to Hirota. He just saved your ass." Riku said, walking out.

"Hey hey Izumi, what you gonna do now?" Hirota asked, smirking as my vision turned blurry. "Hey... Izumi, Hey...!"

...~~~...

"Hey, Izumi! You should read the next line. It's your turn." Our English teacher said, looking at me sternly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir." I apologized before bowing.

"Was he asleep?" Someone at my back asked before I heard giggles.

"Whoa, that's too crazy. Why should he be sleeping during Mr. Shiros' class?"

*Why do i keep remembering these things?* I thought before reading out my part.

...◇◇◇...

"Hey, let's go for karaoke."

"Yeah, i'm up for it."

It was already school over, and I packed my stuff, ready to leave the class.

It was already the third term of my first year in high school, and I had left middle school behind, although most bad memories still remained.

"Ouch, hey, watch where you are going." I heard someone say as I left the classroom.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I said without looking up at her before walking out.

“Ugh… I think he's just looking for attention.“ Another girl said.

“Just ignore him.“

...◆◆◆...

"Mom, I'm back." I said before walking up to my room.

"Honey, welcome back." She said from the kitchen.

"Hmm, I smell something delicious, and it's coming from the kitchen." Shiori, my little sister, said, walking into the house.

"Welcome back, baby." Mom said.

I threw my bag on the bed and loosened my tie before sitting on my bed. I turned on the television and set the game.

"Time for some gaming." I said before starting a game.

...□□□...

“Big brother, mom said you should come down. The food's ready." Shiori said, standing hands akimbo outside my door.

"Okay, I'll be down in 3 minutes' time." I said, still playing.

"3 minutes? Dad's home already, and he said he's really hungry." She said.

"I said I'll be down, I'll just be done with this.“

"Hey! Quit the damn game and come. Let's go eat." She said, walking inside and trying to grab the console.

"Hey, quit that this is an online match." I said, dragging it with her while trying my best not to push her away forcefully.

We kept struggling for it till she let go and went straight for the switch before turning it off.

"Argh!" I screamed before kneeling on the floor with the console still on my hand.

"You got what you deserved, now come let's go eat." She said.

"You... you... Argh! Damn it." I cursed before throwing the console on my bed.

Immediately I got up, she ran downstairs.

...▪︎▪︎▪︎...

"How was school today, Izumi?" Dad asked.

It was already evening and we were having dinner.

"Oh, school was normal, I guess." I said, isolating the veggies from the other part of the food.

“Eat your veggies, Izumi.“

“Ugh…”

"Oh... you sure? Was school really normal?" Dad asked.

"Mm-hm, why should you even be asking that?" I asked, laughing nervously.

I looked up at him and saw the same look he gave me months ago after seeing bruises on my skin.

"I heard fathers ought to do stuff like that." He said as I sighed.

"Yeah, right." I said, still eating.

“You didn't go to your part-time job today?“

“Nah, the manager told me that I should take the day off. Something about fixing the vehicles.“

“Hmm…?“

Although I'd left middle school and attended some other high school in Chiba, I still couldn't forget what happened to me in middle school. I couldn't tell my parents about it since it'd worry them, and so I couldn't leave Chiba for Osaka where my cousin brother stayed with his mom.

Events from middle school, ranging from the bully to the activities following it, always came back to me like a plague. I decided to isolate myself from others around me to avoid mistakes like that from happening again. Except my family, of course. I wasn't ready for any pervert trying to get close to my sister or anyone bullying me.

I believed that just like that, I'd live a rather stress-free life. Playing games alone, working part-time every day, going and coming back from school alone, keeping my little sister safe, and making my parents proud, aren't those good enough? But I'd like to have a girlfriend...

"Before I forget, a friend from your middle school dropped by. She was really cute. I couldn't believe you were friends with someone like her." Mom said as I choked on my food.

"What's wrong? Here." She said, handing me a glass of water while Shiori looked up at me.

"Thanks." I said, gulping down the water as Dad stared at me.

*Who the hell dropped by my place? Don't they have any better thing to do?* I thought eating hastily.

“What?“ I asked Shiori, who looked away.

“Nothing.“

"Hey, you finally came. How'd your night go?“

"It was super cool, I finally watched the whole series of that movie you lent me last time."

"Really, that series was a real hit."

"Hey, excuse me with a pen."

"Oh, here."

I walked into the class and straight to my seat like an invisible man. After hanging my bag, I took out my phone and earphones before connecting it to my phone.

*Might as well complete some levels before the teacher comes in.* I thought tapping a game icon.

"Hey..." Someone called.

*Almost there, three more to go.* I thought tapping the buttons violently.

"Hey, hey." The person called again. The voice was faint, and I didn't know who the person was calling for, so I totally ignored him.

"Hey." The person called again, this time tapping me.

I was startled when the person touched me and paused the game immediately.

"Hmm?“ I answered, putting down my phone. It was a guy. "You were calling, um..."

"Yusuke, Yusuke Tanaka." He said, grinning widely.

"Oh, Izumi Nakamura, nice to meet you." I said.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too. I figured you were into games, and I saw you playing this RPG, I really love playing RPGs." He said, smiling.

"Oh, same here. It's among my favourites." I said, still confused as to why he was speaking to me.

“One of them?“

“Yeah.“

*Dating sims are my best, but yeah. Can't tell a stranger that.* I thought.

“Cool.“

*By the way, who's this kid?*

"Whoa. Can you show me your other games?" He asked as the teacher walked into the classroom.

"Well, maybe another time." I said as he nodded.

"Catch you later, Izumi-kun." He said, smiling before walking back to his seat.

*I wonder what he wants with me. I'd better avoid him. Who knows, maybe he's looking for someone to bully.* I thought, taking out my textbook.

We had math for the first lesson, at least something I was really into. I just loved the formulas. Some of them were kind of confusing, but still, they were fun to figure out.

...♤♤♤...

"Hey, Nakamura-kun." The history teacher called when his class was over.

It was already lunchtime. I walked up to him as he pointed at some books that were stacked.

"Send these to the faculty room." He said with a smile before walking out as I nodded.

*Well, better than nothing.* I thought before grabbing them.

"Hey, do you need some help?" Someone asked as I turned to find out who that was.

*…*

"N-no, they aren't heavy at all." I answered without looking at him.

"No, I insist. I wanted to speak to you about your games, remember." He said smiling as he grabbed half of the books.

"Really, it's nothing." I said as we kept walking to the faculty room.

We dropped the books on the teachers desk, bowed, and left the room.

"Thanks." I said as we walked back to our classroom.

"Ha ha, like i said, it's nothing." He said as we walked in.

*I'm still surprised he's talking to me. He's really getting into it, huh?* I thought as I placed my bento box on my desk and opened it.

"Wow, your food looks delicious." Tanaka said as I shivered.

*Huh? What the hell's he doing here now?* I thought as he sat in front of my desk, placing his own box on my desk and smiling.

"Let's eat." He said as I picked up my sticks reluctantly.

*I really won't give him any cash and won't let him speak to Shiori.*

“Huh? Why's he with that lonely guy?“ Someone whispered.

“Who knows?“

*Ugh… they're really talking about this.*

...~~~...

"Yeah, it's a very famous FPS game. I'm sure you'd love it when you try it." I said as he nodded.

"Cool, it seems like I'd download this one. What's your player ID?" He asked.

"Wait, let me write it down." I said about to tear a piece of paper.

"We can just become friends on LINE and you send it for me." He said, smiling.

"Oh, yeah. That's right." I said as we exchanged numbers and added each other on LINE.

"Let's play games together later." He said as I nodded.

*And just like that, I was fooled. Can't believe I gave him my number.* I thought, slapping my hand over my face.

"Hey, why were you talking to that nerdy kid?" Someone asked Tanaka.

*Hmph! It's not like I'll be deceived by him. I'm not letting him meet Shiori.*

"Well, you know..." I didn't want to hear any other thing, so I put on my headphones.

*I don't know why he's speaking to me, but... I also don't want to find out.* I thought, placing my head on my desk.

...■■■...

"Hey, Yusuke, let's go to the arcade."

“Mmm… maybe next time. See you guys later.“ He said as they walked out.

It was school over, and I was getting ready to leave the classroom. I packed some books into my bag and put on my earphones.

"Hey bud." Yusuke said, smiling as he tapped my shoulders.

"Oh, h-hey, Tanaka-san.“ I said.

"You wanna hit the arcade? Let's play some games." He said, smiling.

*Agh, I really wanted to play some games at home.*

"Well, I'm not going for the job today." I said.

"Yay! Let's get going." He said, putting his hands around my shoulder.

*Why's he holding me like we're close friends?* I thought while we walked out of the classroom.

“So you work part-time?“

“Well, yeah.“

"Have you ever been to one before?"

“Hmm?“

“An arcade.“

"Yeah, back in middle school. I went there with my cousin back in middle school.“

"Well, that's a long time for someone who loves playing games.“

"We're still in the first year of high school."

"The third term."

"Ahhhh, just a little more." I said, tapping the game console restlessly.

"Got him!" I shouted, throwing the console on my bed before doing a celebratory pose.

"Could you keep it down, big bro? I'm trying to study." My little sister said from the room opposite mine.

"Sorry about that, how's your studying going?" I asked.

"Why do you care?"

"Can't I care about my little sister?" I asked before standing up.

“Studying's going fine.“

“You don't need help?“

“Now you're asking if I need help? I begged you last two weeks.“

“I was busy then, okay?“

“Hmph!“

I walked down the stairs and straight for the refrigerator. I picked up a glass and poured myself some fruit juice. It was Saturday, one of the best days in a week for me, obviously it's cause I'll have a lot of 'no school time.'

"Izumi..!"

"Yes, mom!" I answered while resting on the counter.

"I need to get to work now, and I want you to go grab some stuff from the convenience store." She said, walking down the stairs.

"Oh..."

"Oh, and I won't be back for dinner, and neither would your dad. So prepare something for just you and your sister." She said, walking out of the house.

"My card's in my room, and so is the list." She said.

“Where are you off to? And why won't you be back?“

”I'm going out with your father, and we'd be back by morning. See you, honey.“

"Yes, mom." I said before walking back to my room.

"I'll finish this level real quick and get going." I said, shutting the door.

An hour later:

"Big bro, I wonder how many minutes a level of a game is." Shiori said, standing in front of me.

"Huh? When did you get in?" I asked, pausing the game.

"Come on, let's go to the store together." She said as I looked back at the game.

"I'll be with you in a sec. I'm almost done." I said as I kept playing.

“A dating sim? Ha, I thought you were over that.“ She said.

“2D girls are very cute! I'd never get enough of them!“

“Yuck, you're disturbing the neighbours with your nonsense.“

“…”

“Big bro…”

“Ugh, let's go.“ I said, turning off my phone and standing up.

...¥¥¥...

"A new pack of soap, oh there it is." I said, walking towards it.

"Aren't you done?" Shiori asked as I sighed.

"You... I thought you were trying to help me. Little did I know you were only after some snacks." I said, picking out some noodles.

"Why would I want to help you?" She asked.

"Well, maybe cause i need it!" I said, going to the counter to pay for the stuff we bought.

...~~~...

"Do you even have friends?" She asked.

"Where'd that come from suddenly?" I asked as we walked home.

"Well, you don't look like a fun person. No one would want to be friends with you.“ She said.

"Ouch… that hurts. Well, it's not like i need friends for anything." I said as she nodded.

"You really are pitiful." She said.

“How?!“

“You used to be more cool.“ She said in a low voice.

*…*

“Eh?“

“Nothing.“ She said.

"Well, I actually got one." I said as she looked at me surprisingly.

"Seriously?"

"What the hell?!" I asked as she giggled.

"Well, I'm just shocked. You are more of a loner." She said, still giggling.

"Just look at you dissing me on and on." I said as she kept laughing.

"Sorry, sorry." She said, still laughing.

"Tch."

"Yay, you made it." Tanaka said, smiling.

"Y-yeah." I said, forcing a smile as we walked into a karaoke box.

"The others are waiting."

"The others?" I asked as he nodded.

*Ha… I was scared for a second there.* I thought, remembering what happened the previous day, being Friday.

FRIDAY.

"Hey, Izumi."

"Yes, Tanaka-san." I said as we played a racing game in the arcade.

"Let me just be direct. I don't wanna go wasting your time." He said, hitting the buttons.

"Mm-hm."

"Wanna go for karaoke tomorrow?"

"Huh?"

"Together?" I asked as my face turned red.

"Yeah, it's gonna be fun." He said, smiling at me.

*I planned on telling him that I was straight. Looks like there's no cause for worry.*

"Hey, Yusuke!" A guy shouted. They were like 8 or more people in the room.

"Hey, Hirotaka." He said, waving at the guy.

*Whoa, he's really popular. Wait... are there girls in here?* I thought, looking around and seeing some guys speaking to the girls.

"T-t-Tanaka-san. " I called as he looked at me.

"What's the problem?"

"Am I really allowed to be in a place like this?" I asked, pointing at myself.

"Ha ha, what the hell are you saying? These are our classmates. Some of them, though." He said laughing.

*Huh... I've never seen these guys before, though.* I thought.

"Let's go sit." He said.

"Heh..? You like games too, Nakamura-kun?" A guy asked as I nodded.

*It's not like I do any other stuff. Ahh, I really wanna leave here.* I thought.

"That's cool. No wonder Yusuke has taken a liking to you." Hirotaka said.

"Like I mean, he's not some unique person. He looks bor..." The guy couldn't complete his statement as Tanaka stood up.

"T- Tanaka-san." I called.

"He's a friend of mine, okay. Just hold off anything you wanna say." He said.

"Whoa Whoa! I was just kidding." The guy said as Tanaka looked at me.

"Let's go." He said as I got up reluctantly.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" The guy asked when we left.

"I'm really sorry about that." Tanaka said, looking away.

"N-no, I'm really not bothered about that." I said, smiling.

* At least they held off a bit cause of him. I've gone through worse times.*

"It's not okay, they don't know you, but they speak ill of you. They've been saying bad stuffs but you don't speak up." He said pissed off.

"It's not like you know me either, so please. I'm grateful that you stood up for me, though. No one's ever done that." I said, smiling.

"Tch, okay. If that's what you want." He said as we walked out.

*Although it bothers me, I really don't want him losing his friends cause of someone like me.*