Chapter 11

Earlier in the day

I aimed to keep things discreet and not draw attention, but at times, others weren't content with what I possessed and felt compelled to showcase it. It seemed like because I had lunch with Hajime-san, they felt a need to intervene, wanting him exclusively for themselves.

I found myself in the restroom, standing at the sink and cleansing my hands when a group of girls barged in, their voices ringing loudly. I paid them no mind, focusing on rinsing off the soap. I didn't look up when they called my name, accompanying it with a derogatory term. That prompted me to look up and meet their gaze through the mirror.

"I heard you fucked the math teacher and now you're getting your grubby hands on Hajime-senpai," one of them, said in a condescending tone.

"If you want him so much, then you can take him," I said. "I wonder if you can."

"So, you did fuck the math teacher," she said, ignoring my statement.

"Did I?" I asked. "You know that's illegal."

I turned around to face them squarely, seeing the three girls facing me. I didn't know them, had never seen them before and I think they must be in the same year as me, it seems that they knew Kousuke-san and they called Hajime-san as senpai.

They embodied the quintessential image of popular, beautiful girls within the school. Their backgrounds aligned with the usual narrative: stellar academic records, hailing from affluent families with successful businesses, often only children or having a younger sibling, and maintaining a history of multiple previous relationships. They seemed to always be involved in some sort of absurdity, such as targeting and bullying other girls who obstructed their path.

"You should stay away from Hajime-senpai," the second one warned.

"If you're brazen enough to tell me, you can tell him what you say to me," I said. "The fuck do I look like to you?"

"Don't be annoying, you bitch!"

"Don't you know who we are? We can make your family poor with just a snap of our fingers."

"If you care about yourself and your family, I suggest you listen to us," the third one said with a laugh, a haughty look spreading across her face. "And if you're lucky, you can join our group as our little pet. Maybe we let Hajime-senpai include you too!"

I let out a sigh. My assumption was accurate. Their fathers own multiple companies, and they presumed that one of my parents must be employed within their company. This deduction indicates that the company owned by their father holds considerable significance and influence, boasting a sizable workforce.

"Threatening and blackmailing me in one go, how brazen can you three be?" I asked with a smile. "Feeling a bit haughty now, are we? Is Daddy feeding you too much premium food to think others are trash and be used as pets? What would Hajime-san think when he hears you say this kind of crap?"

The girl in the center held a position of leadership and didn't take kindly to my comment. With flared nostrils, she moved swiftly to strike me, but I reacted by blocking her. The other two stepped in and tried to pin my arms to allow their leader to attack freely. I had no intention to retaliate and I didn't like how this situation turned out so I merely defended myself.

The leader attempted to slap me, grabbing at my collar forcefully so she could have access to my face. I struggled, needing to free an arm to shield myself from further harm. In the scuffle, she scratched my arm and face with her sharp claws drawing blood. The sight of blood startled the trio, causing them to hastily flee the bathroom, leaving me behind with a racing heart.

Turning to look at the mirror to see the damage, I let out a curse. 

…

A few minutes later, I entered the sick bay with a glum expression. The nurse who attended me previously looked up upon hearing someone enter and she broke into a smile but froze when she saw my face. Immediately, she got up and told me to sit by her desk so she could gather the first aid kit.

She didn't ask questions, merely got to work and let me brood. I took out my mobile phone and sent a message to Hajime-san that I was in the sick bay again but assuring him that it wasn't a bad fight nor did I sustain heavy injuries. I kept my phone aside and thanked the nurse for not asking probing questions.

She gave me a smile and hoped that I would come here immediately to get treated or if I needed a space to rest. I nodded again in thanks and we fell silent once more. It was not a few minutes later when I heard running outside and a harried-looking Hajime-san appeared by the doorway seemingly out of breath.

"Hajime-san!"

"I got your message. Are you okay?" he asked as he panted, walking inside the room to see the extent of damage on my face. His brow furrowed as he assessed me, and I could tell that he was getting angrier by the minute. "Who did this to you?"

"I don't know," I answered truthfully. "I was ambushed in the washroom. They wanted to stay away from you by blackmailing my family."

Hajime-san turned stark white at my words. He grasped my shoulders, his sea-green eyes widening in panic. I stared up at those beautiful eyes of his; the striking resemblance to the beautiful ocean that I saw on a magazine. I was struck by the prettiness and seemed to forget the pain on my face.

"That's bullying and harrassment, Izumi," he said firmly. "We need to report to a teacher!"

"And what can they do?" I answered angrily. "What can they do?"

He couldn't answer.

…