Originally posted - April 2, 2016

At the roof top in school, Minoru was talking with one of his friends, Leon about what goals he wants to have for his classes.
Minoru: I always study as hard as I can. I even attend all classes and I never been absent at least or get tardy.
Leon: That’s great. I hope you manage to get along well with your teachers.
Minoru: I do, at least a few of them. I hope I get less strict teachers in the future. That’s one of my goals. I tried my best to not get into trouble.
Leon: I’m sure you won’t.
At the gate entrance, Yuki is there, eavesdropping the conversation to know him a little more.
Yuki: I’m glad you have goals. I am sure that you will get better teachers in the future so others won’t laugh at you that often. Maybe I can help one day.
She feels happy and went downstairs. Later when school os over, Minoru walks in the hallway, depressed.
Minoru: I don’t know why my teacher keeps yelling at me. I try not to question her, but she was so rough that I want to ask why she keeps doing this. Maybe some day, I would get different teachers to not be humiliated as much.
He went to the main entrance and saw Yuki jumping around the hoops in the ground, rapidly. He decides to watch with the crowds and Yuki throws the hoops in the air and jumps high and grabs them.
The crowds are cheering for her and Minoru is surprised to see her performance. He is blushing.
Minoru: Wow. She’s so awesome. Yuki is always an interesting girl.
Yuki is proud of herself and waves to her fans.
Yuki: Thanks for watching! I better get home so I hope you all have a good weekend.
Minoru became happier that he sees her perform at the entrance.
Minoru: (mind) My day wasn’t as good, but thanks for showing up at the end of school.
The crowds started to dissolve and Yuki and her friends are at the sidewalk near the gate outside of school property.
Rin: I have to go home to start helping my family.
Retasu: And I am going to the shop.
Yuki: All right. You two have fun!
They left, and Yuki stays on the sidewalk by the gate, and she sees Minoru coming out and walk to the different direction.
Yuki: (mind) I remember when I helped you get your textbook from the ground. It was a good moment. I do want to get to know you.
Yuki decided to go back home and writes about Minoru.
Yuki: Okay, Minoru is this cute guy in my school that needs help from getting humiliated by teachers and I don’t want him in any danger. I see him walk in the hallway and sometimes lunch time.
Few days later, Ron was at the gym and talks to Aki and Ren about the rumor that involves Yuki and him.
Ron: Lately, I been hearing about this gossip about me and Yuki being together.
Ren: I don’t know how it spread around.
Aki: It could be her. I assume she wanted to ask you out, but she want to spread rumors first. We know how she is.
Ron: I don’t think she is the one who spread it. You two have certain problems with her in the past, but please forgive her. I want to go out with her.
Ren: We do, and we will forgive any girl that you are in love with as long as she accept it.
Aki: And I know how much you like her.
Ron: Thanks, ladies. By the way, I have school activity after school, and I have Yuki there.
Aki: Cool.
In the morning class, Yuki is drawing Minoru with different hair style so others wouldn’t know she’s drawing him.
Yuki: (mind) I want to picture him. I hope I draw good enough.
Rin and Retasu came and saw her drawing.
Rin: Hey Yuki, what are you drawing?
Yuki: Uh, I was just bored so…
Retasu: Can you show it to us?
Yuki: Here.
Rin sees it and got a little comfused.
Rin: Yuki. How come Ron looks more slender and slim?
Yuki: Ahh! It’s not Ron. I’m trying to draw a video game character.
Rin: Yeah…… Retasu, who do you think this is?
Retasu: The hair is Ron’s.
Rin: See. I knew you have a thing for him.
Yuki: I don’t. I’m not good at handwriting, remember? You seen my handwriting before.
Retasu: I know, but drawing is different. I’m not saying it’s him, but the hair… Well, maybe you can practice drawing the character you are trying to draw.
Yuki: Yeah.
Rin: Ohh, I see. I apologize.
Yuki: It’s fine, Rin.
Retasu: Speaking of Ron, we been hearing about this same kind of rumor for the past week.
Yuki: I heard it too. I have nothing in common with Ron.
Rin: Well, you both are athletic and popular.
Yuki: I know, but I don’t feel like he’s my type. I just don’t want to be in this subject.
Retasu: I hope you can get over it.
Rin: But what are you gonna do about the rumor?
Yuki: I will tell them that Ron is just my competitor.
Later in the afternoon, Yuki went to her gym class and heard people discussing about the rumor between her and Ron. She also sees Ron coming to her.
Ron: Hey Yuki, do you know how this rumor got started?
Yuki: No I don’t. I never started this.
Ron: Me neither. Although, we both have the school board activity after school so, we will see each other.
Yuki: Well, the school give me a different kind of job today. I am working in the cooking area, throwing out garbage.
Ron: I see. Well, I didn’t start the rumors, but I want to actually ask you out and hang together.
Yuki: I appreciate that you want to, but I am not ready for a relationship yet. I have a lot of going on in my life right now. I’m just not ready, and I hope you can understand that. Please don’t feel bad.
Ron: I see. It’s fine, but at least we both have gym class and school board together, except today’s school service.
Yuki: Yeah. I better go to my locker room right now.
Ron: See you outside.
Yuki left the gym and Aki and Ren came in and talked to Ron.
Aki: So how was you and Yuki?
Ron: She said she is not ready for a relationship yet. She has big impact on her life right now.
Ren: Hmm. I honestly think she should go out with you.
Aki: She’s probably playing hard to get.
Ron: Well, she just want to deal with her life right now.
At the end of school, Ron is at the office, working on the school board, while Yuki is outside at the school field, grabbing a bag of bad fruits with a baseball bat, a mat, and a wood box. Rin, Retasu, and Ryo came and talked to Yuki.
Ryo: Hey Yuki, we decide to see you.
Retasu: So, what are you doing?
Yuki: They only offered me to throw the bad fruits away and that’s it, but I decide to smash them for fun.
Retasu: Sounds like you have an addiction of smashing fruits.
Yuki: I do when I am offered like this. Smashing fruits is fun!
Rin: But before you start smashing, we want to ask you how was you and Ron in class today?
Yuki: I never had a crush on him, and I told him that I am not ready for a relationship yet.
Ryo: What did he respond?
Yuki: He just said it’s fine.
Rin: But why do I see you blush a few times and draw someone that looks like him?
Yuki: It’s not him, okay. But (looks around) since no one is around and Ron is at the third floor at the sub office, maybe it’s a good time for honesty.
Ryo: What honesty?
She grabs a melon and puts it in the top of the box and smash it with a baseball bat on one hit.
Yuki: I really don’t have a crush on Ron at all. He’s just my acquaintance.
Rin: Okay?
Yuki: But, I am in love with someone else.
Retasu: Who is it?
Yuki: It’s Minoru Tamara.
Rin: Really? From my study hall?
Yuki: Yeah, he’s so cute.
Retasu: Why didn’t you tell us in the first place?
Yuki: You see, since I am popular and that the rumor between me and Ron has been growing for a while, and the fact that Minoru gets humiliated by teachers and kids laughing at him, it will be awkward if I approach to him in public and how others will react.
Ryo: I see.
Yuki: And if they know I have a crush on him, they will think we both killed the shipping between me and Ron and it will ruin both of our reputation, which will hurt me, and they may even pick on Minoru more.
Retasu: That sounds complicated.
Yuki grabs an orange and smashes it in one hit.
Yuki: Tell me about it. I don’t think Ron is my type. I feel like there’s something hidden in him. I am afraid of how he will react to both of us if he knows. Plus, Ron has a crush on me. He admitted.
Ryo: So, what you are telling me is you are afraid if they will attack Minoru if they know about this?
Yuki: Pretty much. I don’t want to put him in danger. I know how hard he has go through.
Rin: Yeah, I can tell. My study hall teacher sometimes yells at him for small mistakes. She’s very strict.
Yuki: I feel sad for him. Although, he’s cute and I like his voice.
Retasu: Sounds like you been thinking about him all day and week. But again, why didn’t you admit this to us even sooner?
Yuki: I thought you both only supported me if I go out with Ron, and I didn’t want to ruin it. Rin, you been doubting me that I don’t have a crush on Ron.
Ryo: We are actually happy of whoever you have a crush on.
Rin: I am sorry that I’ve been doubtful. However, I will always be your support of any guy you are in love with, even Minoru.
Yuki: Thanks guys.
She smashed an apple with a baseball bat.
Rin: So, how are you gonna approach him?
Yuki: I don’t know. He’s somewhat poor and I don’t want to have both of our reputations demolish.
Ryo: But you gonna have to think of way to handle this yourself.
Yuki: I know, but all I can do is look at him without anyone else noticing.
Rin: At least I have a class with him. I can watch him for you if you want.
Yuki: Thanks. You guys are actually supportive.
Retasu: So did you had any contact with him?
Yuki: Well, I handed him the book from the floor when he dropped it, and that was before I really got into him. I sometimes see him walk in the hallway and we saw him in lunch time before.
Ryo: That’s true. So, I hope one day, you get together with him.
Yuki: I will eventually.
She grabs a watermelon and puts it to the box.
Retasu: Smashing a watermelon. Interesting.
Yuki: Oh yeah, I love smashing watermelons since I was a kid.
She smashes the watermelon with a baseball bat in one hit and it broke into few pieces.
Rin: So, are these expired?
Yuki: Pretty much, but when you smash them, it’s pretty fun.
Retasu: Maybe you can have a fruit smash contest one day.
Yuki: Yeah, and I will probably win.
A week later, Yuki and Retasu are walking in the hallway when their class ended.
Retasu: So did you get to know more about him?
Yuki: Not directly, but I heard that he likes some of the same video game I am interested in, and he loves manga too.
Retasu: I see. He’s more of your type. You both share more interests, right?
Yuki: Probably, aside of athleticism. I heard him talking to one of his friends during lunch time. I was at the vending machine, getting my drink, and I was eavesdropping. He has a cute voice.
Retasu: Hehe. I think you should at least know how to approach to him in the right time.
Yuki: I would, but I don’t make it look obvious that I am eavesdropping. I just want to know him.
Retasu: I see, but you gotta figure about this on your own.
Yuki: You’re right. I’m going to see Rin because she just finished her study hall with Minoru, and I want to see him pack and walk in the hallway.
Retasu: You really sure want to see him.
Yuki: Yeah, but not directly for now.
She walks by the classroom door, and they hear Minoru crying.
Yuki: Is that him?
Retasu: Let’s check.
The study hall and also his permant teacher is yelling at him because he accidentally shoved his books down to the floor.
Teacher: YOU WERE DISTRACTING IN THE CLASS BY MAKING NOISES WITH YOUR BOOKS!
Minoru: It was an accident! (cries)
Teacher: AND YOU DO NOT TALK THAT WAY TO YOUR TEACHER!
Minoru: DON’T SEND ME TO THE OFFICE! PLEASE DON’T SEND ME THERE! (cries)
Yuki saw it, which got her distracted.
Retasu: Yuki?
Yuki: I…I…No…
Teacher: I GIVED YOU THE LAST CHANCE AND NOW I AM TAKING YOU TO THE OFFICE AND GIVE A PHONE CALL TO YOUR PARENTS!
Minoru: NOO! NOO! PLEASE DON’T SEND ME THERE! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! (sobs)
Teacher: PACK YOU THINGS! YOU WILL BE THERE UNTIL THEY PICK YOU UP!
Minoru: NOO! PLEASE DON’T! I WANT TO GO HOME AND SCHOOL HAS ENDED! WHY ARE YOU BEING SO HARD ON ME?
Teacher: TOO BAD! YOU CAUSED IT! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS BEING HARD ON ME!
Rin came out and saw Yuki and Retasu.
Rin: You two, this might not be the good place to discuss about this, let’s go to the roof top.
They went to the roof and talked.
Rin: He got in trouble because he thought there was a spider on the desk next to him, and he got scared and accidentally slid his books to the ground and the teacher got extremely mad with him.
Yuki: Really? This is terrible.
Rin: And she said that was his last chance and didn’t want to deal with his mistakes anymore. Also, the classmates laughs at him.
Yuki: This is making it difficult to me to talk to him in public because teachers embarrasses him a lot! I feel sorry for this guy. I never felt like this before!
Retasu: I can see why it’s hard for you. Like I said, you gonna have to directly talk to him some day.
Rin: And maybe you can help him.
Yuki: I would, but it will affect our reputation! I didn’t mean to have something like this! I always felt like I want to protect him!
Retasu: Well, at least you truly love him.
Yuki: I do. It’s hard for me to watch him get in trouble! I can’t imagine what will his parents do and how freaked out he is! I don’t want him to cry!
Rin: I feel bad for him too, but there’s nothing we can do for now.
Yuki: Ughhhh! This is complicated! Let’s go check at the office’s window.
Retasu: Well, he’s gonna be there.
Yuki: I just want to check on him.
A while later, Yuki is by the office at the first floor with Rin and Retasu and looks at the window and sees Minoru sitting down, crying.
Yuki: I wish I can do something to help him, but it’s not the time, unfortunately.
Rin: You can think of something. I know your life is complicated. Love, popularity, rumors, and reputation.
Yuki: All those things are complicated for me. I even lied to Ron that I am not ready for a relationship. I am, but I have to find the right time.
Retasu: Don’t worry. I believe you will think of something. Just follow your heart. Since school’s over, maybe we can go to the otaku plaza to cheer you up. I know you love those things so much.
Yuki: Yeah, there’s nothing I can do right now. We should go. Maybe I can cheer up over there.
Yuki and her friends starts leaving. Minoru turns around and he sees Yuki walking from the distance. He kinda smiled a bit.
Minoru: (mind) At least I can see Yuki walking. I love her. (sobs) Yuki, I love you. I am shy, ok. A guy who gets in trouble by teachers, (sobs) I am kinda shy because I am afraid you don’t want to have someone like me. Half the people here laugh at me and I am afraid of what they will think if I talk to you directly. I know you are kind but some teachers are ruining my reputation. If I was brave enough like you, I know you would help me stay away from trouble. You seem to have a lot of good times here, unlike me.
He imagines himself if he ever talks to Yuki.
Minoru: I hope someday, I can feel better by talking to her one day. At least she’s happy with her friends.
At night on the same day, Yuki is laying on her bed, thinking about what happened to Minoru.
Yuki: I can’t believe I saw how that teacher treated him. I can’t believe someone would be that strict. I really wanna help him out to stay out from them. He’s really scared and I can’t believe he’s going through this more often.
She cries on her pillow.
Yuki: Why did I let that happen? I can’t imagine how his parents would deal with him today. (sobs) I’m sorry, Minoru. I should’ve offer you a help sooner and I do want to.
In the next few weeks, it’s the beginning of June and they finished their second last test, and Rin came to Minoru’s classroom as it ended and she then notices him at the teacher’s desk, talking to the sub.
Substitute: Minoru, you have passed your test. In fact, you passed all the test in this school year. You are doing a good job.
Minoru: I always keep track of my classes. You are a cool teacher.
Substitute: Well, thanks. You did a really great job.
He handed the test to Minoru and he smiled. As he was just about to leave, Rin later on the wall next to the door, and as he gets closer, Rin randomly comments to him.
Rin: Good luck, kid.
Minoru: Hey, thanks.
He left the classroom. Rin smiled and she runs and tries to find Yuki.
Yuki is walking in the hallway and sees Rin ran to her.
Rin: Yuki! You won’t believe what just happen to his class.
Yuki: Okay. Tell me.
Rin explains to Yuki about something good to Minoru from his substitute teacher.
Rin:…And then I randomly said good luck and he said thanks, then left the classroom.
Yuki: That sub must be nice, and that’s what I heard. By the way, next time, make sure I am there.
Rin: But remember you said that you don’t want them to see you interact with him?
Yuki: Oh, right. Just to protect him, I guess.
Retasu: I’m sure you will think of something. You have plenty of time going to the same school with him.
Yuki: That’s true though. Well, I am gonna hit the cafeteria.
Rin: Okay. We’ll be there once me and Retasu find the textbook for our final exams.
Yuki: All right.
Rin and Retasu are heading to the conversation room, and inside. Ron and his two other friends are there.
Ron has a list of nine people in his paper to bully and he cross out two of them.
Ron: So far, we picked on two people from this school.
Guy1: So who’s next?
Ron: The next dork will be Minoru. The guy who keeps getting mischief in his class.
Guy2: Oh yeah. He’s such a loser.
Rin and Retasu sees the door very slightly opened and they became suspicious since they see them laughing inappropriately.
Rin: (silence) Retasu, look what these guys are doing. They are laughing at something.
Retasu: (silence) The best thing to do is listen. This is looking suspicious.
Ron: So our next guy to pick on is Minoru Tamara. The loser in the school is humiliated by teachers all the time and does some weird stuff in the hallways.
Guy2: Also the rest of these dorks in that list will learn their lesson.
Rin and Retasu came in and point at Ron.
Rin: Ron! Are you picking on someone?
Ron: Why did you two pop up in here?!
Guy1: It’s none of your business!
Rin: I wanna know what’s going on! Who are you picking on?!
Retasu: Yeah!
Ron: Ladies, please move on somewhere else. We are busy with our meeting.
Retasu picks up the list and reads it.
Retasu: List of losers to pick on. Kenta, Mikaru, Oka, Minoru! How dishonest!
Rin: Yeah! You are popular just like Yuki and you are doing this behind our backs?!
Retasu: That’s gonna ruin your reputation if everyone knows!
Girl1: Please go back to your class!
Ron: Look, you don’t have to tell Yuki about this.
Rin: Oh, yes we can! Maybe that’s why she didn’t think you’re a good person.
Ron: What are you two saying? Yuki didn’t say that. All she said that she’s not ready for a relationship.
Retasu: This isn’t about relationship! I can’t believe you were hiding about this and harass others who are smaller than you!
Guy1: Girls! Please get out!
Rin: I can’t believe you are doing this!
Ron: Fine! I’ll stop! Now get out of here!
Rin: We’ll tell Yuki anyway!
Retasu crumbles the paper to a ball and holds it.
Ron: Go ahead!
They both left and ran to Yuki and got her to the roof.
Rin: Yuki! We found something terrible about Ron!
Yuki: What is it?
They both explain what happened to the conference room with Ron and his two other buddies. They mostly explained about them planning to bully Minoru and few others.
Yuki: I can’t believe this! I knew he has something dark inside! I can tell!
Retasu: And I even took their list.
She gives the list to Yuki.
Yuki: Losers to bully. Minoru is on the list! I feel bad for him. Aww, poor Minoru! At least you two stopped him.
Rin: Well, we had to.
Yuki: Thanks for founding out about this.
Retasu: No wonder why you keep rejecting Ron.
Yuki: Calling him names gets on my nerves! It bothers me more than how it bothers Minoru! I can’t stand people like this!
Rin: At least we didn’t blow your cover at all. They don’t even know about your love.
Yuki: You guys played that very well. Though, you both told him that you were gonna tell me. Looks like I’m gonna have to talk to him in the safe way.
Rin: I think you should be more calm and tell him that it will hurt his reputation for doing that.
Yuki: That’s what I plan to do. I can’t believe he was hiding something like that!
Retasu: Yeah.
Later after school at the gym, Yuki sees Ron and came up to him.
Ron: Yuki? Umm, did your friends tell you about something?
Yuki: Well, yes they did. I am kinda disappointed. Look Ron, I don’t believe you should pick on anyone at all. It will hurt your popularity if you are exposed as a bully in our school.
Ron: Yeah, your pals taught us a lesson.
Yuki: And also, I don’t want to have someone who is secretly picking on others. It embarrasses the both of us since some of our fans are still shipping between us.
Ron: I see. They are just rumors and you seem to be fine by denying it.
Yuki: That’s because I am not ready for a relationship. I got a lot of things to take care of, remember?
Ron: Oh yeah, you mention that.
Yuki: I got other things to worry about and I don’t want to be with anyone who secretly picks on people. You disappoint me. I am a kind person to anybody in this school and I don’t like bullies, understand?!
Ron: All right. I’ll make sure I stay out of trouble.
Yuki: Good. I better get home.
As she was about to leave, Ron called her.
Ron: Yuki! Despite the rumor between us, if you are finally ready for a relationship, you are always welcome to be with me if you want.
Yuki: Didn’t we just talked about this just now?
Ron sees Yuki a little frustrated and decides to leave her.
She left the gym and walks in the hallway. While she walks, she talks to herself.
Yuki: I will never be your girlfriend, Ron! You don’t understand! I knew you were gonna pick on Minoru, and that’s what makes it harder for me to confess my love to him just to protect that guy from you. You better change that habit and hopefully I won’t have to worry about it.

Next Chapter: Summer Party
It’s almost the last day of school for their freshmen year. Both Yuki and Minoru tries to plan to meet each other before the school ends. There’s a party in school that invites everybody in the gym. Minoru Tamara tries to be more brave to his feelings towards Yuki and Yuki wants to meet Minoru somewhere in school and wants to go for it. How will they meet each other before school ends right before summer? Tune in next time!