Fight and a 'Normal' Day afterschool !

During lunch break, everyone gathered—including Ena.

They had all naturally settled into their own groups, though two members still didn't mesh quite as well as the other two lovebirds who hadn't confessed yet.

"So tell me, Miss Mashina," Ena began casually, "how long have you known my bro Irishki? I mean, I've only known him three days. It's not like I can't talk to new people or anything."

Saki gave him a deadpan stare, voice flatter than a pancake."Sixteen years."

Then, twisting the knife a little deeper, she added, "And of all people, you had to talk to the newest guy in school—just because you can't make friends."

Yasuna had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She didn't want Ena feeling more disrespected than he already did.

Before Ena could even recover, Yasuna kindly pulled Shikaru aside—nearly making him drop his beloved lunch: a steaming bowl of oyakodon, leftover from last night. It was partly leftover fate, and partly Saki's unspoken punishment for the chaos yesterday.

"Careful, dude! I'm trying to eat here!" Shikaru grumbled, clutching his food protectively. "Also, watch how you interact with her. She could snap anytime."

"Forget that, man!" Ena hissed. "Why's she talking to me like I tried to rob her or something? You've known that cutie since birth and didn't tell me?"

Shikaru just shrugged."She talks like that to every guy. I don't know why. And yeah, somehow, I'm still the only guy who's survived her that long."

He even gave himself a tiny round of applause, clearly more interested in diving back into his food.

Ena wasn't thrilled with the answer, but he let it go—until a new idea struck him.

"Has anyone ever gotten into a real fistfight before? Like, full-on—"

SLAM!

Shikaru's hand hit the table with a loud crack, silencing everyone.

"I'm going to the cooler to get water," he muttered stiffly, standing up.

Everyone knew it was a lie. But no one dared call him out. None of them had the heart to meet his eyes.

As he walked away, he was intercepted by Inaru's glare and Yasuna's worried expression.

Before he could offer an apology, Saki stepped forward, surprisingly calm.

"Honestly," she said, spinning her fork in hand, "I don't understand men. They really are stupid."

She walked toward Ena, lowering her voice."It's not your fault. It's his. He likes to fight. But here's a little advice from me to you…"

She paused, now standing right in front of him."Never, ever bring that up again. Not until he does. Got it, child?"

Ena gulped. "Oh, whatever you say, sweetheart. I'm willing to do as you say."

Saki didn't flinch. Not even a blink.

She just shrugged."Irishki's had better pickup lines than that poor excuse of flirting."

Yasuna and Ena both burst out laughing.

Not because Ena was trying to flirt.

But because Saki wasn't even offended—she was just brutally disappointed in the quality of his attempt.

Meanwhile, near the cooler, Shikaru stood silently, lost in the past."Fights, huh… been a while since I heard that word. Bloodshed's the last thing I want to think about," he muttered under his breath. "But it's not really his fault. It's not like he knows anything about my past."

He had done absolutely nothing at the cooler and began heading back—only to see Saki casually chatting with Ena. She looked comfortable, even walking close to him.

But instead of jealousy, he waited until she spotted him, then flashed that same sly grin she'd worn when she first caught him with Yasuna.

From a distance, just close enough for her to read his lips, he smirked."Looks like someone's going soft."

Saki turned bright red, so flustered she tumbled off her chair in shock.

She shot up, fire in her eyes.

"Oh, you wanna play that game?"

She charged at him with reckless speed, launching into the air and swinging her leg at his head.

But Shikaru wasn't about to go down that easy. He sidestepped with a half-smile, barely dodging in time.

"White, huh? Isn't that your favorite color?" he teased, eyeing her skirt. "Not that I'll see it for long—you know I'll win."

She huffed, cheeks burning hotter."Still as sharp-eyed as ever. Yeah, white's my favorite, and you remembered that? Impressive."

Then she added with a grin,"I never said I was gonna win. But I'll try my best."

With that, she launched a flurry of punches his way. Nimble as ever, she was fast—her small frame darting with precision.

But power? Not her strong suit.

Still, one punch slipped through, landing squarely on Shikaru's right cheek.

He blinked in surprise and finally asked,"Can I hit you back? Don't cry if it hurts."

"Yes, you ca—"

Before she could finish, his fist moved with lightning speed—slamming into her stomach. She dropped to the ground, breathless.

From across the courtyard, Ena and Yasuna had been watching, barely able to keep up with the rapid movements.

But they did see the final blow.

They leapt from their seats and sprinted toward them.

Ena's voice rose in disbelief."Are you out of your mind?! You hit a girl!"

Yasuna rushed to Saki's side, checking her face for any sign of real pain.

Before Yasuna could even scold Shikaru, Saki held up a hand and interrupted.

"Wait. Ena—let me ask him something."

Ena scowled."No way. He hit you. That's not okay."

But Saki's glare stopped him cold.

He backed off, muttering nervously,"O-Okay… I'll stop. For now."

Saki turned to Shikaru, her voice sharp."Why'd you hold back? You think I couldn't handle it?"

Then she spun toward the others.

"And you two—shut up. I told him to hit me. He wouldn't have unless I said so. So stop blaming him."

She narrowed her eyes at Ena."And whatever-your-name-is—I gave him permission. So get off his back."

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break.

Shikaru looked down at her and spoke calmly."I held back because we're in public. And don't act like you weren't holding back too."

He sighed."Sorry about your stomach. Let's go before we're late for class."

Saki slowly got up, brushed herself off, and walked with Shikaru like nothing had happened.

Ena and Yasuna stood frozen—unsure what to say, or what they could say.

All they could do now… was head back to class.

After school, once Yasuna and Shikaru had wrapped up their duties in the Report Club, they strolled out together. Since Shikaru was new, his job was mainly to double-check the written reports for mistakes. It turned out to be tougher than expected. The Report Club's main task was publishing newspapers about school events—both past and upcoming—which helped the student body stay informed. It was actually a crucial role, yet only six members were in the club.

As they walked toward the school gate, Shikaru asked,"Why would the president want to shut down your club when you guys are doing such a great job?"

Yasuna gave a resigned shrug."Well, if they disbanded us, the student council would've just taken over the job of making the papers themselves."

Shikaru frowned."That still makes no sense. It's messed up."

Yasuna agreed with a nod."I don't get it either."

As usual, Saki was waiting near the gate—but this time, she hadn't been waiting long. She'd recently joined the track team, which meant she ended her practice around the same time as club activities.

When Yasuna and Shikaru reached her, he casually asked,"So… how's the track team?"

Saki blinked in surprise."Huh? How'd you know I joined? I haven't told anyone."

He just smirked."I saw you from the clubroom window while checking reports."

Saki smirked right back."Were you checking the reports or checking out girls in gym clothes?"

Yasuna suddenly fell deep into thought. Was that why he kept looking out the window? Did he have a thing for gym outfits? Was that his weird fetish?

Shikaru quickly smacked Saki lightly on the head."I already told you I'm not a damn peeping tom, and I don't have some dumb fetish."

Yasuna blinked. He answered her unspoken question without her even asking. She briefly wondered if he had some mind-reading powers—but quickly let that thought go.

They kept walking until they reached an intersection that split off toward their homes. But as they rounded the corner, they spotted a group of motorbikes parked ahead—and people sitting on them.

Normally they'd take a different route, but there was a problem: it was a one-way road home.

The way those guys dressed and talked wasn't exactly polite either.

Saki nudged Shikaru and whispered,"Those are thugs, aren't they?"

Shikaru sighed, glancing over."Yeah. If we walk past them, they'll probably ask for cash. And if we refuse, we'll get beat up. What a pain… Wanna rock-paper-scissors to see who fights?"

Yasuna froze. She had never encountered thugs before. Unsure what to do, she acted calm—but inside, it definitely bothered her.

After ducking behind a pole and three rounds of rock-paper-scissors, Saki ended up winning.

Grinning with excitement, she stepped forward, followed by Shikaru and a very anxious Yasuna.

As expected, one thug barked,"Hey kids, wanna pass? Hand over some money. Or else—"

"Cut the speech," Shikaru interrupted, yawning. "How many of you are there? I don't have time for this."

The other thugs burst into laughter.

A larger man stepped forward, cracking his knuckles."There's fifteen of us, punk. One of you. Trying to impress your two girlfriends?"

Shikaru pointed to Saki with a smirk."Actually, you'll be fighting the 'Speed Devil.' I wish you luck."

He turned to Yasuna."Let's take a few steps back. The show's about to start."

Little did those thugs know—they'd just picked a fight with the wrong people.