Bonding (2)

I walked downstairs with my bag over my shoulders and stroked my hair back. I shook my head and looked at Aki who was waiting for me at the door. "No one else is here?"

"Rena said for us to have one on one bonding time until we figure our shit together. Honestly it's bullshit, but whatever." Aki said.

I shrugged and walked to the door. I put my shoes on and we left the house together. I locked the door behind us and we continued down the path to school. I took my airpods out of its case then handed one to Aki. She looked at it then closed her eyes and took it then put it in her ear. I began to play music since I knew we weren't going to talk much along the way, but this was our special way of bonding. Words didn't need to be said for us to get an understanding of what the other is thinking. She's gotten better at reading me.

We made it to campus and Aki fixed her hair then sighed. I took my airpod out of my ear and put it back in the case. Aki took the airpod out of her ear as well then handed it to me. I took it and put it in the case. As we walked to the building, Raidon purposely bumped into me. I looked at him and he turned around to look at me.

"Aki, why are you hanging around this pervert?" Raidon asked.

"It's very funny how a misunderstanding makes a person switch up. I'm used to it because a lot of bitches in America does the same thing." I said then placed my hands in my pockets.

"You said what?" Raidon asked and looked at me.

"Your gang act doesn't scare me. It looks like I know who my real friends are." I said then grinned slightly. "But then again, Rena is right about you. Just another clown who can't move on."

Aki looked at me then looked at Raidon.

"Rena told you that huh? The only thing saving you is her. You cower behind her. You aren't a real man. If you are a real man, meet me on the roof at lunch." Raidon said.

"Why should I fight you? I don't even hate you. The fight will be pointless and both of us will get in trouble for nothing. Think smarter...not harder." I said then grabbed Aki's hand then walked off with her.

Aki blushed as I grabbed her hand, but just allowed it and followed me. "Archer...he's definitely gonna try to kick your ass now.."

"Let him. If my mom ever taught me anything it's to never fight fair. My dad taught me the fundamentals, but my mom was always a wild fighter and her style will help a lot more, but I can incorporate that into the fundamentals. I'm not gonna let him press me." I said.

We walked into the cafeteria and sat beside one another and just talked. Our conversation, though short because of the time frame, it was pretty enjoyable. Aki told me more about her life, opening to me a bit more. She told me things like Raidon was the only boyfriend she's ever had, how her dream was to make it to the Olympics one day, and how she wants to open her heart again to people.

I still didn't know much about her parents and whenever I'd ask, she would always change the subject and I wouldn't ask again for that conversation. It was almost like she resented her parents. She always looks so troubled when her parents are brought up. I didn't want to ask Rena who seemed to know everything about the other women because it seemed like a very personal matter.

The bell finally rang and we got up to go to class together. We never walked to class together, so I knew Aki was a little embarrassed about walking together with me. The other students were also surprised at the fact that we were walking together. We seemed like the least compatible people and Aki made it well known the first few days I was here that she didn't want me anywhere near her. Now that we are walking together, people believe that we are a couple.

"This is so embarrassing..." Aki said and held her arm.

"I can see why...but I can fall behind if that will make you feel better." I said.

As I say that she grabs my jacket sleeve and looks down. She didn't have to say anything for me to know that she didn't want me to fall back. Her subtle actions contains more said than her actual spoken words.

"Alright..I get it." I said and smiled a bit.

She let me go and we walked into class together. We sat in our seats and I noticed Momoko's jealous expression and Sayaki's unwavering face. It was like she wasn't surprised by the uproar of the school.

"Hey you two." Sayaki spoke.

"Hmm?" I looked at Sayaki and Aki did as well.

"There's rumors spreading around the school about you two. I already told Rena about it and she's gonna track down the perpetrator and stop the rumors." Sayaki said.

"Rumors? What rumors?" I asked.

"Well the rumor about you, Archer, is a nasty one. Someone is going around saying that you're a redneck pervert who's blackmailing Aki." Sayaki said.

"What..?!" I asked in shock.

"W-What? Blackmailing me?! I spend most of my time with this fool and never once has he ever blackmailed me!" Aki said in an outburst. She was just as surprised as I was and knew what was being said shouldn't be allowed to spread across the university.

The students looked at our section as Aki said that. Aki quieted down and lowered her head.

"The other rumor is that you're secretly sleeping with Archer and you're a whore." Sayaki said.

"Who the fuck is spreading around these lies..?! Yeah I hang out with Archer but we are NOT sleeping together!" Aki yelled. "And I'm not a whore!"

After Aki said that, a laugh was heard in the classroom. A girl with a long brown ponytail and hazel eyes was seen laughing. The girl was none other than Rin Amano.

"I can't take it! Are you really that clueless? My boyfriend and I obviously spread those awful rumors. Now your "guardian" is going around trying to get it to stop but come on...this is Akechi Blossom University, once a rumor starts it never ends." Rin said.

"Rin...why..? Why would you do that?! You're gonna ruin my reputation! If the coaches hear about it I'm not gonna be able to enter the race!" Aki yelled.

"The 800 Meter Dash? Oh well..~ Guess you're gonna have to miss out of the race. Are you gonna cry to mommy about it? Oh wait, you don't have one because she abandoned you! And about your friend, I can tell he's 100% a pervert...imagine how damaging it will be when everyone learns you're hanging out with a pervert!" Rin laughed then stopped when she heard me stand up.

I was going to say something but the professor walked into the class and I just sat back down. I looked at Aki and noticed her head was now hanging low. Her hair shadowed her face to the point where I couldn't even see it anymore.

The whole period I was only thinking about ways to cheer Aki up but knew nothing would work. I decided during Gym Class I would confront Raidon directly. I wasn't going to let him get away with hurting Aki like this. I couldn't play the nice guy anymore since now people are looking at me differently. People are so quick to believe words instead of the facts, but when you have a high influence around the university like Raidon has...it's impossible to doubt them. That's how the social system works unfortunately.

The bell rang and I quickly grabbed my bag then stood up. I looked at Aki and rubbed her hair. "Aki, let's go."

Aki sat her head up. "Why..? Nothing matters anymore. I won't be able to enter the race because by now the rumors have spread to the coaches and they won't allow me to enter the race. We lose..."

"You've never been the one to quit. Why are you quitting now? We can't just sit here and mope around-"

Aki stood up and grabbed her bag. "Just stay away from me. All of this is happening because of you...Maybe it's better if we don't be friends. Maybe it's better if you just move out completely."

"Aki wha-"

Before I could finish my sentence, she hurried off and I was left standing in class alone in disbelief. We've come so far, she was just starting to accept me. We had a wonderful night together and it's all just falling apart...

I walked out of class and my mind was made up. I walked down the hall, pissed off. I went into the locker rooms to change then felt someone bump me. I heard Raidon and his goons laughing. Raidon is the one who broke Aki's heart and now he's trying to ruin her life...her dream. The more I thought about it the more pissed off I became. I've endured a lot since I've gotten here. I've endured isolation, I've endured being physically beat up and now I'm on my way to enduring false rumors. I wasn't planning to take anything more than this. I wasn't going to let anyone else walk all over me like I did back in my Senior Year of High School.

I walked outside and walked onto the track. I heard some of the students talking about the rumors and some of them looked at me.

"Aki...they are talking about Archer. We have to do something about it." Mitsuki said worriedly.

"Don't get caught up with him anymore. He's just gonna lower your reputation as well." Aki said.

I walked to Raidon then gripped his shirt and punched his cheek. The others looked surprised at my action. Even the coach was surprised. I went for another punch, but he blocked it and made my release him by pressing a pressure point in my wrist. I groaned lightly and looked at him.

"That was cute." He said and kicked me on the ground.

"Hey! Hey! Stop this right now!" The coach yelled and ran to us.

I sat up then stood up. I held my stomach then ran to Raidon and tackled him. He withstood my tackle and grabbed my shoulders then kneed my stomach. I grunted and coughed then groaned as he elbowed my back.

"You still want some, Pervert?! Where's your guardian now?! Where's that bitch Rena?!" He yelled and struck my cheek with a right hook.

I fell to the ground again. Raidon was stronger than I thought he'd be. At first I thought it was just because he caught me off guard, but no...it was stronger than I was. I coughed and groaned softly. I noticed more students rushing over to the track to watch the fight. Mitsuki and Aki noticed the fight as well and looked surprised.

I stood up once again then wiped my lip. I looked at Raidon and panted. He smirked and watched me run to him again. I yelled and went for a punch, but he weaved my attack then jabbed my face. I groaned and stumbled back. He swept my legs from under me with a kick, making me fall back on the ground. He rushed over to me and mounted on top of me then grabbed my shirt and punched my face, leaving a bruise on my eye. The coach was finally able to push through the crowd and pull Raidon off me.

I laid there on the ground, curled up in a ball and held my eye. Some students came to check up on me, but I just wanted to be left alone. One by one the crowd dispersed, but the only one who stayed was Aki. She walked towards me and sat on her knees then hesitantly touched my shoulder.

"Why..? Why the fuck would you try fighting him?!" Aki asked.

"...I did it for you..." I said softly and didn't look at her.

"But why? Why?! Why Archer why?! It's because of me that you're in this mess! It's because of me you got beat up! It's because of me why these rumors are spreading! What is your fascination with me?!" Aki yelled and gripped my sleeve.

"I've spent the most time with you out of all the other women...I've grown to understand you! What don't you get about that..?" I asked and sat up. I looked at her and she looked at my black eye.

"You keep doing these things I never asked for! I only asked you to help me train! I don't want you to fight for me-"

"But who else will?! No one else but Rena fought for you...I fought for you! For us...Even after you told me to stay away from you...we both know that's impossible." I said and gently held her shoulders. "I..."

Aki looked at me then noticed I had passed out. "Archer? Hey Archer!"

Rena had finally made it to the track and panted. "Shit...I'm too late."

Aki looked at Rena and looked back at me. "We have to take him home...I-I'll even nurse him just help me!"

Rena nodded and helped Aki pick me up then the both of them helped me home.

To be continued...