Is Aiko's love actually real?

As the girls left, I got ready to change into my gym clothes. The boys kept on chatting—Some about girls, others about games—but I remained uninterested, changing alone at my desk.

Ever since Kai became a kid, my presence among the boys had weakened, but oddly, it grew among the girls. I wasn't sure how that worked, but I realized Kai's presence mattered to me. I let out a deep sigh, knowing I had to figure out how to change him back.

"Hey!! You jerk!! I'm talkin' to you! You deaf or what?!" A rough, aggressive voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 

"What?" I replied, my tone flat and unbothered.

I glanced up briefly, still focused on pulling on my gym shorts. Five students surrounded me, their faces twisted in annoyance. I recognized them as the ones with the worst reputation in school. I'd heard stories about how they got into a fight with another school in their first year, yet they hadn't been expelled. Apparently, they were good at their studies and hadn't caused any real damage to school property.

Well, that's education for you. It only cares about students who can memorize useless facts; it doesn't pay any attention to their behavior outside of school.

Huh?! You're acting brave!!?" one of them yelled, his voice booming enough to make my ears ring. He was built like a train from years of martial arts, muscles rippling beneath his shirt. His face, however, was surprisingly ordinary—just another face that could easily get lost in a crowd, nothing about it that stood out.

"What do you need? Class is starting soon, so I don't have much time," I replied, keeping my tone steady and unfazed, still focused on changing into my gym clothes.

I glanced a little to see how my classmates were reacting, and as I expected, their faces showed fear. I couldn't help but wonder why they felt the need to scare this guy.

"Who's that pretty girl you were talkin' to yesterday?!! Is she your new target, you jerk?! Aiko was fine, but another one? That ain't gonna forgive your si—"

"Oh, you mean Suko?" I interrupted, my voice cutting through his rant "I don't have a relationship like you're thinking now." I was almost finished changing, not about to let him drag me into his drama.

"Su-Suk-Suko!!! You're on a first-name basis now? That's unforgivable, man!!" he shouted, his voice dripping with aggression, as if I had just crossed a line I didn't even know existed.

"You know, your voice is so loud!" I said, covering my ears from his useless yelling.

"Hah?! What the hell did ya just say?!!" he shot back, his face contorted with anger.

"Just like you heard, your voice is so loud."

Without a second thought, he swung his right arm directly at me, aiming for my face. Wow, he really blasted away, huh?

As his fist came toward me, I braced myself, ready to counter. I sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of air as his punch whizzed past me. It wasn't hard to avoid; I had spent enough time in this kind of drama to know what his next move was going to be. Honestly, I was more worried about what might happen among them than about him.

"Hey, you wait—!!" he yelled, swinging his arm again, this time with more force. I ducked low, narrowly escaping the blow, but it was clear I couldn't end this without giving him a hit that might drop his jaw.

*Rustle*

Just as I was thinking that, the door suddenly swung open. Aiko walked in with some of her friends. She looked completely normal, but a chill ran down my spine; something felt off.

"Oops! Boys, sorry for barging in without knocking. I just forgot something," she said, her hands in a praying gesture, her tone playful as usual. She had changed into gym clothes, but there was an unsettling edge to her demeanor that crept me out.

Is… Is she planning to kill them…? My thoughts ran wild as I sensed an aura around her that felt dangerously intense. Did she see what the guys were doing?! What?! Is she angry…? What's going to happen…?

"..."

"Hey, Ren… You listening?" Aiko waved her hands in front of my eyes, snapping me back from my chaotic thoughts.

"W-what! Oh, Aiko..?" 

"Yeah, I'm Aiko.. But, right now, let's just go~" she said, hugging one of my arms and trying to drag me out.

"He-hey! Wait! What are you doing?!" I asked, even though I knew exactly what she was doing. She still had that intense aura, still angry… she was really going to kill them!

"...Hey! You jerk, Wait!!!" The guy with the loud voice, who had been silent until now, finally snapped back to reality when he saw Aiko trying to pull me away. He charged at us, ready to attack.

*Thwack!* *Slam!*

But luck wasn't on his side, as I quickly pulled my legs in his way, causing him to slam down to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Sorry, loud spiky." I said, smirking despite knowing he wouldn't accept the humiliation. But I needed to do it; if I hadn't, Aiko would have really gone after him.

As I turned my face, I noticed Aiko's expression hadn't changed much, but I could feel that she had calmed down a little.

*phew*… Somehow, I managed to keep the situation from escalating further.

***

P.E went by, and it looked like nothing had happened, despite all the worries that had been swirling in my mind. I was so lost in thought that I accidentally hit a volleyball right into the P.E. teacher's face.

Well, I get a good scolding for that. But right now.

I let out a deep sigh thinking about the situation I'm in now.

"Ren, you tired? I can carry the bag for you~" Said Aiko, looking a bit worried but also excited, as if she was eager to help me.

"Nay, as Master Ren faithful servant, I shall take on this task. Allow me to carry the bag, Master." Suko chimed in, her expression as blank as ever, making it hard to read her. But in her eyes, I could see she genuinely wanted to help.

Yeah, you guessed it right. After school ended, I was heading home with Aiko and Suko.

Aiko was really a pusher; she just dragged me and Suko along to go home together. I didn't know how she managed to bring Suko with us, but I worried about what would happen if they got into a deadly fight again. Luckily, the streets were crowded. I had learned that when there were a lot of people around, Aiko's scary side didn't show.

"Eh? Master? Servant? What are you talking about? If you're a servant, then don't come between us!!" Aiko exclaimed, her confusion evident as she processed Suko's sudden declaration about our relationship. I mean, yeah, I guess it is like that…

"Nay, I do believe that it is not possible." Suko replied calmly, her steady voice cutting through Aiko's frustration.

"Hmph, what an annoying servant… Hey, when did you keep this woman as your maid." Aiko grumbled, her anger simmering as she turned to me.

All I could do was laugh at her question. How was I supposed to answer that?

"Hey, Aiko. Do you really love me?" I asked after a moment of walking in silence. I wanted to gather as much information as I could

"Huh? …Ren, are you starting to fall for me? Yayyy~" Aiko's eyes widened in shock for a moment before she burst into excitement.

"No, that's not going to happen. But Aiko, I want to ask you why you love me. What do you see in me that makes you feel that way? Even if you know I don't understand what love is." My question lingered in the air, heavy with the meaning. Why did Aiko love me? I knew it could be something magical, like what happened with Kai, but even if it was magic, I sensed there was more to it.

"Eh? Ren, you really are mean~ Hehe~ I told you before." she replied, a playful smile on her face.

"But I want to hear it again," I insisted, in reality, this would be my first time truly hearing it.

"Hmm~" she placed her index finger to her lips, pretending to think. "Oh! It was back when we were in middle school!"

"Middle school? I don't remember that."

"Eh? You really are mean, Ren. You forgot that when I was left alone during the school trip, you helped me out."

"Hmm, I do?" I tried to recall, but the girl I remembered was nothing like the Aiko standing before me now. Her hair had been messy, like wild grass, and she had a dark aura… Wait, are you telling me that was Aiko?

"Yeah, you did. From that moment on, I always, always loved you." She smiled brightly, looking like the happiest person alive.

Wait!?! What? 

I stiffened, my thoughts spiraling. You're telling me Aiko loved me back then? But she was with Kai? Was it all a lie? Or…

Just as my mind was about to burst from overthinking, a soft chuckle echoed behind me.

"Ren, Ren~ don't try to guess anything more of useless scraps. I will tell you what you want to know" Sisha suddenly appeared, popping into the conversation like a bubble that had just repaired itself.