What's with the bears?

Sakata Akio's POV

I arrived at school on the usual time, which is 30 minutes before classes starts. There are a bunch of students crowding over the school's bulletin board. I hurriedly placed my shoes in my locker and changed into my indoor shoes.

Out of curiosity, I approached the board and made my way to the posted announcement. As they saw me, their faces were annoyed with their furled brows. I was wondering what I did to make them react that way.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

The student/s listed below will be exempted for the school's tournaments from this day onwards due to confidential reasons:

1. Sakata Akio

2. xxxxxxxx xxxx

Approved by: Sakata Hiroto

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I can feel their glares stabbing me. Students started murmuring and whispering around me.

Student1: I understand the situation of the second student because she was diagnosed with an illness. But, Sakata-sama's son? Just after one knockout, he gave up. Easy to escape because he's someone's son.

Student2: Coward piece of shit.

Student3: Why is he even friends with the rookie king and Yamazaki Tatsuo-san? They're not even on the same level.

Student4: At least he's got some brains. He's the top on their grade level.

Student5: I heard his brother was also a student here and he excelled on both. He's nothing like his older brother.

Student6: Hey! He might hear you.

I heard tons of criticism and insults around me. I felt relieved that I won't be joining the tournaments anymore. I know I sound selfish. Having the freedom all to myself. It was also thanks to my mother that I get to have this luxury.

I turned around and faced them. I put on an innocent smile on my face and excused myself to pass by them.

They gawked at me in disbelief. I even heard them complain on how thick skinned I was.

I didn't mind them and continued walking towards my classroom. Meters before reaching the classroom, my eyes met with a familiar gleaming purple eyes.

It was Oto Itsuki-senpai. He halted and beamed at me.

Itsuki: Oh! Hello Akio-kun! Why are you not gonna join tournaments anymore? I had fun sparring with you.

Fun? What does he mean by that?

Itsuki: I can read your face. I don't mean it in a bad way. Chill! I really had a hard time with you. You have potential but you don't use your skills to fullest. What's stopping you?

I soughed in relief. I had too much negativity early in the morning. Finally, a positive remark about me. But who has potential? Me? Nah.

Akio: Thank you, senpai. But, me? Potential? Hehe. No. That's not it.

Itsuki: Have confidence in yourself. Let's talk during lunch time. I want to get to know you.

He drew closer and reached out my head and rubbed my hair gently.

He complimented me? A king? Complimented me?

As soon as I realized, my cheeks grew hot. A loud slap was felt at my back.

Tatsuo: Yow! What are you doing there? Standing like an inanimated object.

Tatsuo-kun then looked at my face. He tilted his head and reached out his hand on my forehead.

Tatsuo: Hey? Are you sick? You're red as a tomato!

I just shook my head and replied casually.

Akio: Nah. It's just that I felt hot. Let's go to our classrooms.

He just smirked and tapped my back hardly thrice.

A sudden smack on the head from the back was received by Tatsuo-kun. No one else smacks Tatsuo-kun but Rei-kun.

Rei: What are you doing to Akio-kun again?

*RIIIIING RIIIIIING*

The bell rang. Tatsuo-kun didn't get the chance to respond Rei-kun.

Tatsuo: Gotta go. Bye!

Both Rei-kun and I just waved our hands in reply and headed to our room.

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Lunch break came and I finally get to eat. My stomach's growling and now Rei-kun, Tatsuo-kun and I are in the line waiting for our turn to get food.

As soon as we got our food, we sat on a vacant table nearby. I sat near the edge of the bench, Rei-kun sat beside me, and Tatsuo-kun sat across Rei-kun.

We were all silently munching our food. While I was so indulged on my food, I didn't notice someone sitting beside me.

I only noticed the surroundings became noisy. When I raised my head to see what's going on, Rei-kun and Tatsuo-kun were already staring at me. I was wondering why they're staring at me but Tatsuo-kun pointed the supposed to be empty spot beside me with his mouth. I looked and saw Oto-senpai grinning at me from ear to ear.

Itsuki: Yow!

He slightly raised his hand and slightly waved hello.

My eyes widened as I almost forgot what senpai has told me in the morning.

Akio: A-ah! Hello, senpai! I r-remembered what you told me in the morning. I didn't forget it. Really! I-it's just that I was so hungry.

Oto-senpai just lightly tapped my shoulder twice while smiling softly.

Itsuki: My, my. You need not to worry about that. Just calm down and let's eat our meals peacefully together.

I resumed eating. I can hear people talking about me around us. Rei-kun and Tatsuo-kun's faces were annoyed. They started to glare at them. I reached out to their hands that were on the table and just shook my head, telling them not to mind them. I continued eating and I suddenly felt a stare that made me feel awkward. I looked at Oto-senpai and scratched my nape in embarrassment.

Akio: Ah, senpai? Is there something wrong? Oh, right. What do you want to talk about, senpai?

He just silently stared at me while smiling. I unconsciously gave out an awkward smile. It took him a while to open his mouth.

Itsuki: You are a strong hearted kid, huh? You didn't even bother what others are talking around you.

I shyly grinned.

Akio: It's because getting affected would make them happier. And no matter how you respond they'll only think of it as an excuse. That would be more troublesome. And not minding them would put less stress on me and my friends.

Tatsuo: Awww. Yeah you better not stress us out especially- OUCH!

No need to explain what happened. Rei-kun's common attack.

Itsuki: Hahaha. Okay. I really like you more and more, Akio-kun.

Rei: What like, senpai?! As in like like? Or friendly like?

Rei-kun grabbed me closer to him protecting me from Oto-senpai.

Both Oto-senpai and I paused and laughed.

Akio: Hahaha. What are you talking about, Rei-kun? There's no way that like like your talking about is gonna happen. My shyness has all vanished.

I teared up laughing.

Tatsuo: Why are you treating Akio-kun like a baby? You're so overprotective.

Rei-kun turned red while his brows crossed.

Rei: It's just that different weirdos just come approach Akio-kun. But I'm not saying Oto-senpai is a weirdo. It's just that-

Itsuki: Hahahaha. I know. I know. I understand. No need to elaborate. Akio-kun's quite famous. You even caught the attention of Kiyohiro-kun. He even thought I might lose that match.

Rei: Yamaguchi-senpai?! Wow! You're being noticed by the Kings, Akio-kun. I am so proud of you!

He exclaimed excitedly.

I just scratched my nape awkwardly.

Itsuki: Oh. You're the Rookie King I heard of. Nice to meet you. My introduction is late. I am Oto Itsuki. And hello there, Yamazaki Tatsuo-kun. You also quite a brute fighter. Ahhh. What a lovely trio.

Tatsuo: Hello sempai. Thanks.

Itsuki: Now I think about it. You three are like the cartoon tv show characters with three different bears? Your hair colors are similar to the characters. I want to call you the Teddy Bears!

Akio: Uhhm..

Tatsuo: Teddy... Bears?

Rei: I'm sorry, but no, senpai. That doesn't sit right with me. We're fine without a name, senpai. We just want to stay low profile for now.

Oto-senpai just rubbed his index finger on his lips, thinking what name would be better.

Itsuki: Gummy Bears?

Akio: S-senpaii! That's...

Tatsuo: That's still... Bears?

Itsuki: Baby bears? Because you are freshmen!

I don't know how to react with all the naming with bears. Rei-kun just looked at him deadpan.

Itsuki: Itsuki's Babies! Since I am so fond of you starting today! Think of me as your papa.

A huge built man appeared before us. He grabbed Oto-senpai's arm and made him stand up.

Rei: Yamaguchi-senpai?

Rei muttered his name softly.

Kiyohiro: Hello kouhais. Please don't mind what this idiot senpai of yours is saying. Better head back to your rooms now before he starts to babble nonsense.

We smiled and stood up, carrying our empty food trays and empty packs of yoghurt drinks.

Oto-senpai's face looks at us looking like he's about to cry. It's as if a mother who lost her children.

Itsuki: Let's talk again soon, my babies!

Yamaguchi-senpai still held his arm, stopping him from chasing us.

Kiyohiro: Glad to meet you, guys.

We smiled and slightly tilted our heads performing a somewhat a light bow.

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Days have passed before the next upcoming tournament, Oto-senpai has been hanging around with us every lunch break with Yamaguchi-senpai. We've got everyone's attention lately. And thanks to the senpais, students talking bad about me has piped down.

Saito-chan is still my sparring partner but I don't get beaten up that much when we fight. Watanabe-san checks on me from time to time. The Silent Killers just glare at me every time we pass by each other maybe because they never had the chance to fight me after their proclamation to somehow 'kill' me. My mother only stays at home. We can't let her become stressed.

Also, unexpectedly, our trio had a name. I don't know who spread it. We were so dumbfounded when we heard about the rumors. We were named A.R.T. Bears (Akio Rei Tatsuo).

I heard that not only ART meant our initials but also the name, Art, meaning, a bear man which is a Celtic-Gaelic origin. It is also an independent name probably derived from the Greek 'arktouros' meaning, keeper of bears, or as a male name variation of Artio, the female Celtic bear goddess.

Who would have put so much effort and meaning into making our trio name? We never even planned having one. And, everything has something to do with bears. I'm sure Oto-senpai is somehow at fault on how we bacame bears.

Surprisingly, we have quite a number of 'fans' of our newly built trio group, some freaked out, some were annoyed, and some don't care about who we are. Who would have expected this to happen?

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On our way to the school's dojo after class, a group of boisterous mix of freshmen and upperclassmen students gathered around us. Not that we were scared but the three of us were on guard. Seeing them surrounding us sounds dangerous and suspicious. They don't look like they're fond of us, so we stood on each other's backs.

A gigantesque student with a shaved head departed from his position and headed towards us in a lofty manner.

Shaved-headed student: What are you? Bears? I am more suited to be a bear than you three.

Before he could continue his so-called speech, Tatsuo-kun interrupted him.

Tatsuo: Uhm.. I'm sorry to rain on your parade on your opening remarks for this special program you've set up for us. But, who are you? We don't even know you.

The shaved-headed student went ballistic and his face turned red in anger.

Shaved-headed student: WHAT?! YOU?! DON'T KNOW ME?! I was known as Japan's undertaker before you three came here especially you, Matsumoto Rei! You beat me in the match and there's now way I am cool with that! That was all pure luck!

The three of us just looked at him stolidly. I scanned the students that were rounded up about us. Among the gathered students, one caught my eye.

Akio: Asami-san?

The shaved-headed guy turned his gaze towards me and smirked sheepishly.

Shaved-headed student: Oh! You're acquainted with Asami-chan? Asami-chan, come here.

He extended his hand towards Asami-san's direction and moved his fingers with his palm facing downward, telling her to come forward in a bossy manner.

Asami-san moved forward slowly and it looks like she was forced to be part of them. Rei-kun, Tatsuo-kun, and I worriedly stared at her as she moved closer.

Akio: Asami-san? Did they force you here?

Her eyes showed fear and uneasiness as she looked at me. She remained silent and approached the guy that called her.

As she drew nearer, the guy raised his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Shaved-headed student: As you see, even a strong fighter like her was tamed by me.

It broke my heart seeing the cheery Asami-san changed her atmosphere into a darker one.

Shaved-headed student: Knees to the ground.

Asami-san obediently followed what the guy said.

I widened my eyes in surprise.

He then grabbed Asami-san's hair, making her head tilt upwards.

Without hesitation, I charged towards him.

Without realizing, Rei-kun and Tatsuo-kun followed my lead and charged towards others and the rumble began.

The two were busy trying to wipe out the others while I was fighting this shaved-headed guy.

Asami-san was confused on whether to join the fight or not. I opened my mouth and yelled.

Akio: It's okay. Stay there. Leave this to us. You've suffered enough.

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End of Chapter 19