Chapter Sixty-Six: Social Death

After leaving the infirmary, An He first went to the convenience store to buy a thermos, then filled it with hot water before strolling leisurely toward the classroom. Just as he reached the door, the bell signaling the end of class rang, and a balding middle-aged teacher walked out of the classroom. Upon seeing An He, the teacher nodded in acknowledgment.

“Goodbye, teacher!” An He greeted him, waiting until the teacher had left before entering the classroom.

However, the moment An He stepped inside, the previously noisy classroom fell instantly silent. He had expected this and wasn’t particularly bothered, returning to his seat without a second thought.

The seven boys he’d recently thrashed into submission had the good sense not to approach him again. They huddled together in a small circle, discussing in low voices.

“That guy is so pretentious. Can you stomach this?”

“I can’t. Damn it, he deliberately hit me in the face twice just now. I bet I’m disfigured.”

“You think that’s bad? My second brother got hit a few times too. He might not even be able to stand up now.”

“Well, since you can’t stand up, why not let us have some fun?”

“…”

The bickering dragged on for several minutes without reaching any resolution.

Suddenly, the one who had been sent sprawling by An He’s kick spoke up in a low voice, “Listen, I know some guys outside school. If you all agree, I’ll call them right now. I refuse to believe that kid can take on ten people!”

As soon as he finished, exclamations and flattery erupted around him. After all, as students, they naturally felt a sense of dread toward outsiders.

But soon, a different voice interjected.

“Let’s not.”

The one who spoke was Kimura, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. Seeing all eyes on him, he sighed helplessly and continued, “I really think we shouldn’t provoke him anymore.”

“Why not?” someone objected, but Kimura’s next words left him speechless.

“Because he’s the protagonist.”

…

In the corner, An He had just sat down when Keiko Kitajima eagerly leaned over, exclaiming, “Yusei, I didn’t expect you to be so amazing!”

“I’m good at plenty of things,” An He replied with a smile, no longer as distant toward his classmate as before.

After all, he was rather satisfied with her choice earlier.

Seeing An He smile at her, Keiko Kitajima’s heart leaped with joy. At first, when she saw Rena Serizawa being bullied again, she hadn’t intended to intervene. But thinking that Rena might be close to An He, and that by helping her she might earn An He’s favor, she’d dragged the usually timid Ryosuke Kagehara to find a teacher.

Now, it seemed her bet had paid off! Since An He was already joking with her, getting closer couldn’t be far behind, right? Keiko Kitajima’s mind was filled with happy fantasies, and a blissful smile spread across her face.

Whatever Keiko Kitajima was imagining, An He had no idea. After chatting with her for a moment, he turned to look at Rena Serizawa behind him.

She met his gaze, blinked her eyes, and broke into a beaming smile, showing no trace of her earlier tears.

Seeing her like this, An He couldn’t help but smile as well, then turned back and began soaking his red dates in hot water.

Time passed quickly.

Before long, the morning classes were over.

After class, An He intended to take Rena Serizawa to the cafeteria or convenience store for lunch, but she instead took out a two-tiered lunchbox from her desk.

“Rena, you can make bento?” An He was surprised. Rena Serizawa shook her head, picked up a pen, and scribbled quickly in her notebook.

“This was made by Yui. She’s a great cook. Yusei, would you like some?”

After reading her note, Rena Serizawa opened the lunchbox, revealing an array of dishes: grilled fish, seaweed, eggs, sausage, meat floss, and two pieces of chicken cutlet.

There was no steaming heat or tantalizing aroma as one might imagine. In fact, in Japan, most bentos are cold, and bringing a hot lunch to eat in public is even considered rude.

An He would have preferred bread to cold food, but seeing Rena Serizawa’s expectant eyes, he nodded.

“All right, I’ll have a bite.”

With that, An He picked up a piece of chicken cutlet with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth.

Though cold, the cutlet’s flavor remained; the only downside was that it was a bit bland.

Chewing thoughtfully, An He put down his chopsticks, stood up, and smiled at Rena Serizawa. “Okay, I don’t really like cold food, so the rest is yours, Rena-chan. I need to go buy lunch.”

Hearing this, Rena Serizawa was a bit disappointed but nodded. In her heart, though, she made a mental note that An He didn’t like cold food.

So did Keiko Kitajima, who had been quietly observing them.

…

Leaving the classroom, An He went straight to the convenience store. Two pieces of bread and a carton of milk made up his lunch for the day.

After this simple meal, it was nearly afternoon.

The first class was physical education. Many Japanese high schools provide gym uniforms, and An He’s school was no different.

The boys all changed into white T-shirts with black trim and solid black shorts.

Although PE class was held in the indoor gymnasium, An He still couldn’t understand why they had to wear so little in winter.

Of course, this question was answered when the girls emerged from the changing room.

The same T-shirts and shorts, but on the girls, it was a different sight altogether.

Long or shapely white legs flashed by, instantly drawing the attention of every boy present—even the PE teacher couldn’t help but steal glances.

Looking around, An He didn’t see Rena Serizawa, or Keiko Kitajima for that matter.

Could something have happened?

Uneasy, An He found a girl and asked. Learning that Rena Serizawa and Keiko Kitajima had gone to the equipment room, he hurried off to find them.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” the PE teacher shouted after him, but An He was already out of sight.

He ran out of the gym and down the corridor to the door marked “Equipment Room.”

A faint scent of blood hung in the air. If he was right, it was Rena Serizawa’s blood. Maybe, if he rushed in now, he could still see—

The sudden narration made An He’s heart sink. Without hesitation, he stepped back, braced himself, and charged at the door.

With a dull thud, the door was forced open.

Without waiting to steady himself, An He looked around anxiously, shouting, “Rena-chan, don’t—”

He stopped mid-sentence, eyes wide with shock at the scene before him.

Rena Serizawa, bare from the waist down, was sitting on the room’s only sofa, her legs parted and facing directly toward him.

Beside her stood Keiko Kitajima, holding a pair of blood-stained gym shorts in one hand and a pack of sanitary pads in the other.

A deathly silence fell over the infirmary—until the narration spoke again.

If only you'd rushed in sooner, you might have witnessed the world’s most beautiful cherry blossom petals~

(End of this chapter)