Don’t Come Near Me

"Class is over!"

The bell rang, and the boys and girls in the classroom cheered. Next to Yuujin, Gokumi immediately bounced up with excitement.

So, this so-called class was just sitting still, listening to the teacher lecture about things completely incomprehensible—dull and boring. What a terrifying form of training!

"Sirus, do you guys want to go for a walk?"

"You're not familiar with the campus yet, right? I can give you a free tour!"

Having already gotten completely familiar with Yuujin, Elisa grinned as she spoke.

Two periods of English class had ended, and there was a long break in between—just enough time to show Yuujin and the others around the campus.

"Then I'll trouble you with that."

Without refusing, Yuujin replied with a smile.

"Videl, you should come too!"

Showing a delighted expression, Elisa pulled Videl up.

Videl wasn't too keen on going. Other than Elisa, she didn't want to get too close to anyone else. However, unable to resist Elisa's persistent persuasion, she could only agree to come along in the end.

"Great! Let's head out now!"

With a victory gesture, Elisa led the group out of the classroom.

Being extremely familiar with her school, Elisa led Yuujin and the others on a tour, introducing various places as if they were the back of her hand.

As a middle school, Orange Star High wasn't particularly large, and before long, they had toured the entire campus.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot to introduce someone."

"This is Videl—my good friend."

"Sirus, let me tell you, Videl is an incredibly skilled martial artist. She's helped the city's police catch a lot of criminals. As long as you get along well with her, you won't have to worry about getting bullied by school bullies!"

Clapping her hands as if she had just remembered, Elisa eagerly praised her friend, Videl, to Yuujin and the others.

"We've already heard you call her name multiple times, and now you finally introduce her."

"Videl, I'll be in your care from now on."

Feeling slightly speechless, Yuujin still smiled and greeted Videl.

Videl didn't seem interested in talking to them. She merely nodded faintly.

"Videl, did we do something to upset you? You seem..."

"No, I just don't want you getting too close to me."

Yuujin asked with some curiosity, but Videl responded coldly.

"Videl."

Gripping Videl's hand, Elisa kept signaling with her eyes.

Videl knew Elisa's intentions and what she was thinking, but she still said:

"Elisa, thank you for always caring about me. One friend like you is enough for me—I don't need anyone else."

"Anyway, once they find out about my father, they'll be like everyone else. Instead of waiting for that to happen, I'd rather they keep their distance from the start. That way, it's better for everyone."

"Jeez, Videl..."

Elisa felt touched by Videl's words, yet also helpless, and more than that, heartbroken.

Videl hadn't done anything wrong, so why did everyone treat her that way?

"Interesting."

"Videl, can you tell me why? Why should we keep our distance from you just because of your father? What happened to him?"

Even though Yuujin already knew everything about Videl, he didn't show it. Instead, he put on a curious and intrigued expression.

"It's nothing. Just ask anyone around, and they'll tell you."

"My father is that 'arrogant Satan.' Now do you understand?"

"If you get close to me, nothing good will come of it. You'll just end up being shunned and laughed at like I was. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"Alright, class is about to start. I'm heading back."

Videl spoke in a self-deprecating manner, then turned to leave.

"Wait a moment, Videl."

Yuujin stepped in front of her, causing Videl to frown.

"What else do you want?"

"Videl, your father is Mr. Satan?"

"What, can't hold back your laughter already?"

"That's right, my father is Mr. Satan. He's listed in the dictionary as 'the arrogant Satan,' a living idiom. Go ahead and laugh if you want!"

With a cold sneer, Videl's tone became completely indifferent.

Things were getting out of control. Elisa, standing beside them, began to regret forcing Videl to come along. If she hadn't, none of this would have happened.

Meanwhile, Yuujin was speechless. He knew Mr. Satan had been called "the arrogant Satan" after the Cell incident, but he hadn't expected that it had gone so far as to be recorded in the dictionary as a living idiom. Just how miserable had that guy's life become?

Although Yuujin disdained Mr. Satan's theft of Son Goku and the others' achievements, he still believed that, objectively speaking, Mr. Satan had never done anything truly evil. In fact, later on, he had even genuinely saved the Earth. It was excessive for ignorant people to insult him like this.

"Videl, if I recall correctly, your father Mr. Satan participated in the Cell Games seven years ago, standing as a martial artist representing humanity to fight against the powerful and evil android Cell."

"Regardless of how he performed in that battle, no matter what others think or say, the fact remains that when the Earth was in crisis, your father stood up. In my eyes, he is a true hero."

Yuujin looked at Videl seriously as he spoke.

This wasn't Yuujin trying to curry favor with Videl—she didn't have the qualifications for that. It was his genuine belief.

(T/N: Ok Bozo)

Even though Mr. Satan had been weak yet overly arrogant, and even though he had joined the Cell Games partly for fame, at least he had the courage to step up and fight. Compared to those who just hid at home waiting to be protected, he was already a hundred, even a thousand times stronger.

So, Yuujin had never denied Mr. Satan's status as a hero. Back then, when martial artists who participated in the Cell Games were honored, Mr. Satan had also received his due recognition.

"My… my father is really a hero too…?"

Hearing Yuujin's words, Videl trembled all over.

All her life, people had only ridiculed and insulted her father. Even she had been ostracized and mocked by children her age. This was the first time someone had called her father a true hero!

Covering her mouth, Videl took two steps back as tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Videl, are you okay?"

Yuujin hadn't expected his casual words to impact Videl so much—to the point of making her cry. He felt a bit awkward and instinctively reached out to comfort her.

However, Videl, overwhelmed with emotion, forcefully slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me!"

Turning away, she took to the skies and quickly disappeared.

"Ah, Videl just flew away."

"Videl! Videl!"

To be continued…

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