Making More Friends?.....
"Hey, Lloyd, wanna grab lunch after class today?" Sayo asked as we packed up our things.
"Not really. I want to check out the library," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "You're welcome to come if you want."
"Well, I already made plans with some girls from Class A." She scratched the back of her head, looking awkward.
I nodded. "I see. My bad—I didn't realize you had plans."
"It's okay. We could still hang out another time, maybe?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Great! See ya later."
Just as she turned to leave, a thought crossed my mind. "Hey, have you seen Kozue lately?"
Sayo paused. "Now that you mention it... no, I haven't. She hasn't been around much."
I hummed in response as Sayo bounced out of the classroom cheerfully. Only two weeks in, and she'd already built connections with students from Class A. Impressive.
Unlike me.
It wasn't that I couldn't make friends—I simply chose not to. Connections were liabilities unless they served a purpose.
---
The Incident
On my way to the library, the afternoon breeze swept through the walkway. The school was lively, students moving between buildings, chatting in groups.
Then, I heard it.
A muffled grunt. A dull thud. Laughter.
I slowed my steps, following the sound behind one of the buildings.
There, six students—not from our year—stood in a tight circle. On the ground beneath them lay Kozue Minamikita, her purple pigtails disheveled, her uniform stained with dirt.
They were kicking her. Stomping on her. Laughing.
I stopped behind a tree, phone already in hand. I hit record.
The beating lasted another minute before one of them—a red-haired guy—pulled out a camera. He snapped a picture of Kozue's battered form, grinning like an idiot.
They were getting arrogant.
Then, the redhead grabbed her by the hair, lifting her to her knees. Tears streaked down Kozue's face, her body trembling.
Then I saw his hand go for his belt buckle.
…That's enough.
I pocketed my phone and stepped forward.
---
The fight was over in less than a minute.
Six bodies on the ground. Some unconscious, some groaning.
I wiped the blood off my knuckles and took the camera from the redhead's bag. I scrolled through the images, deleted them, and removed the memory card. Slipping it into my jacket pocket, I turned to Kozue.
She sat frozen, still on the ground. Her expression was blank—eyes wide but unfocused.
I crouched in front of her, holding out a hand. "Can you stand?"
No response.
I sighed, taking off my jacket and draping it over her shoulders. "Kozue." My voice was sharp.
She flinched.
"Focus."
Slowly, she inhaled a shaky breath.
I took out a handkerchief, dusting off the dirt clinging to her uniform. "You got into trouble because of money, didn't you?"
She nodded slightly.
"You borrowed from second-years. And they took everything."
Another nod.
I exhaled through my nose. "Reckless. Next time, think before trusting people."
She dropped her gaze, shame flickering in her eyes.
After a pause, I pulled out my phone and transferred 52,000 points to her account.
Her phone buzzed. Her head snapped up in shock.
"T-that's... half of your points," she stammered.
"Mm."
"But why?"
I leaned slightly closer, lowering my voice. "Because now I have a reason to keep an eye on you."
She swallowed nervously.
"Don't waste it," I added before turning away. "And don't make me clean up your mess again."
---
Kozue's POV
I stared at my phone.
52,000 points.
More than enough to pull me out of this disaster.
My hands trembled as I looked up at Lloyd's retreating figure.
He saved me. Gave me a second chance. But…
"Now I have a reason to keep an eye on you."
Those words stuck in my mind.
This wasn't kindness. It was something else.
I wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or afraid.
---
Lloyd's POV
The library was quiet. Students sat at tables, some studying, others lost in books. I found a seat near the back and pulled out my phone.
The screen displayed the confirmation of the 52,000-point transfer.
I stared at it for a moment before locking my phone.
Now she's in my debt.
Friendship? No. I don't believe in that.
But control? That's something I understand.