Ch. 16: "My hime is Bullied!"

"What?! An accident! What happened?" Akihiko's voice oozes panic and worry. Chiyo quickly saw him stand up from his seat and walk to where she is. He hurriedly opened the door of the cafe, earning a few glares. "Why are you making a fuss? I'm okay. You're disturbing other people. I just got a little wet... Let dry up a little before we go in." Chiyo nag at him, seeing a few costumer not liking their presence. Akihiko look at her from head to toe, His worried face turned serious. "What happened to you?" He ask again, putting his phone back to his pocket.

"I slipped on a puddle." She lied. Chiyo worked hard maintaining her porker face, She doesn't want Akihiko to know someone splashed her with water for 3 reasons. First, She didn't see who it is. Second, Akihiko is likely going to stir some uncomfortable rumors that won't benefit her. And lastly, Akihiko has been getting close with her parents. If he finds out what happened, then her parents, too. Chiyo want to try shaping this rumor to her advantage first before crying for her family's help. The only downside of today is that her stuff was vandalized. But with the whole class ignoring, that she thinks is a good thing. Chiyo saw a lot of perverts in school with just her two days of going there, She knows getting friendly with everyone can put her in many unpleasant situation. So, she gotta play Emo until she graduates. "You slipped? In a puddle? How? It didn't even rain. Chi, don't hide things from me. I can help." Akihiko said, looking Not convinced with her excuse.

But Chiyo won't back down. "It wasn't from the rain. It was because the gardener probably watered the plants or something." Chiyo stubbornly said. Akihiko frowned, unable to say anymore. He took off his Cardigan and gave it to her. "Anyway, Where's my parfait? I'm starving..." Chiyo added, intending to distract Akihiko from worrying. "Then, Why don't you eat first before the parfait? My treat..."

"Okay!" Chiyo said holding Akihiko's arm to drag him in the cafe.

"Hey, Iori... That's her... That's the girl, I told you about." Mika told her boyfriend, a mean-looking man with sanpaku eyes and square chin. He looks scary with his heavily styled hair with fiery red color and lots of piercings in the face and ears. They were passing by a cafe when Mika suddenly saw a familiar face. Mika is frustrated today, because Nothing seems to faze that eye-patch. Not the vandals nor the rumors... She was just pissed off because she saw the most handsome guy in class look at Chiyo differently despite the eye-patch. Now, she's even more pissed seeing her hang around a really cool-looking, older guy. What's the deal with her anyway? Doesn't she ever stop seducing people?! Plus, she have to admit that the guy Chiyo is with is ten times more handsome than his boyfriend! It's seriously pissing her off. "That her. She's a cutie. looks feisty with eye-patch and stuff... I'll see for myself if what you said is true." The guy said with a sneer, Lisa laughed. the guy thought the girl Lisa pointed was really hot, simple looking but hot. She has a great body and white skin, pretty at one glance. He started his motorcycle and made a huge screeching noise, thinking beautiful scenarios in his head.

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Akihiko got home late after sending Chiyo right by their doorstep. He's bothered by Chiyo's reaction today. She was never good in lying, though she does makes a mean poker face. Other people may not have noticed but not him. Her mannerisms were too odd that day. Even taking the initiative to hold his arm when she's always been afraid to be touched by other people. He went to the living room, thinking. Akihiko tapped on Ryu's name in his phone and quickly connected, "What? I'm tired today. I can't go to your house... My mom said she already packed your fridge with a lot of food. So let me sleep." Ryu did sound tired but Akihiko needs his advice. "Ryu, I think Hime is being bullied."

There's a short pause at the other end before Ryu answered, "Impossible! She just started school... What do you mean? Tell me what happened." Akihiko told Ryu about what happened and what he thoughts about it. If Ryu still think his overthinking... 'No, I can't turn my back into this. I'm sure something is afoot.'

Ryu was silent again, but this time there seems to be a pressure in the air. "That is bullying. Chiyo is very considerate of others. She must be covering it up because she doesn't want to trouble Yumi-san or Yoshi-san. I bet you my money it's because of her eye. Chiyo is very cute, after all."

"I want to know who's bothering Chi." Akihiko said, his face dark. He was afraid this might happen. Chiyo being homeschooled til now, it's obvious that she's isolated in school. "You can't do much. Let Yumi-san and Yoshi-san handle it. I doubt Yoshi-san will let this go."

"Either your coming with me tomorrow or not, what's your answer?" Akihiko ask impatiently. Even if he respects them, Akihiko still believe that They would be too late if they let the adults handle it. Plus, He promised Yumi-san that he will protect Chiyo. He wanted to help Chiyo. How dare they bully his hime when she just started school.

"You're being impulsive. I'll ask Chi what really happened-" Akihiko hung up. He went to his room and sat in front of his desktop.

"Argh, That Obsessive prick! What is he thinking about doing now!!!" Ryu got up on his bed and change out of his pajamas. "Mom, I'll sleep over at Aki's place!" then ran to Akihiko's house. Mrs. Ootori didn't even get to pass the homemade pudding that she wanted to give to Aki. "What set fire in that kid's ass? oh well, Next time then..." Mrs. Ootori said, shaking her head. "Ehhh, Ryu-niichan went to Akihiko-niichan?! I want to go to... mom?" Ryu's baby sister said. "No, You can't stay alone with any boys remember. Your dad will get mad."