Chapter 24: A Knight in Shining Armor

Jiko takes a step closer, his tone growing colder. "Joking? Really? You think mocking someone who's been nothing but kind to you is funny?" His voice rises slightly, and his jaw clenches. "Well, guess what? It's not. It's rude, and it's pathetic."

The girls exchange uneasy glances, clearly sensing the shift in his demeanor. One of them tries to play it off, laughing nervously. "We didn't mean anything by it, honestly—"

"Seriously?" Jiko cuts her off, his voice firm. "What, you think just because she's not afraid to show she cares makes her desperate?" He shakes his head, a bitter edge creeping into his tone. "You've got it all wrong. Julie isn't desperate. She's just… nice. You could learn a thing or two about being decent."

The girls' faces turn bright red, shrinking back. Jiko's words hit harder than they expected, and it's clear they've been caught off guard by his reaction.

Julie, who had been walking just a few feet behind, steps closer, watching the confrontation unfold. She tilts her head slightly, a mix of surprise and warmth bubbling inside her. She hadn't expected Jiko to stand up for her—especially not like this.

When the girls finally slink away, Jiko turns to Julie, she was beaming like she was seeing an angel. Jiko clearing his throat awkwardly, as if trying to brush off the moment. "I know, you didn't need me to do that," he mutters, shrugging it off. "And it's not like I'm some knight or anything."

Julie raises an eyebrow, amused. "Oh really? That didn't seem too knight-like to me. You looked more like you were ready to take on an army."

Jiko smirks, a bit sheepishly. "Well, I've had practice dealing with people who don't know when to shut up."

Julie chuckles softly, shaking her head. "I didn't realize you were such a defender of my honor."

Jiko gives a half-shrug, his smile crooked. "It's just—" He trails off, unsure how to explain himself. "I don't like seeing you treated that way. You didn't deserve to be talked about like that."

There's a pause between them, the weight of his words settling in. Julie looks at him, her expression softening. For a moment, she doesn't know what to say. No one had ever defended her like that—not in such a personal, fiery way.

"Thanks," she finally says quietly. "I guess… I didn't expect you to step in like that. No, sorry, you have previously step to save me, it was the first day when you save me from the dog."

Jiko shrugs again, but this time, there's a trace of something genuine in his voice. "It wasn't just because you're nice to me. It's… you didn't deserve to be treated like that. Nobody should be talked about like that—especially not you."

Julie looks at him, her eyes searching his face. There's something in his expression—a mix of annoyance, protectiveness, and something else she can't quite put into words. She frowns slightly, realizing he cares more than he lets on.

"Why do you even care?" she asks, her voice soft but curious.

Jiko hesitates, looking away for a moment before answering. "I guess…" He pauses, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't know. I just don't like seeing people hurt you." His words are simple, but there's something heavier behind them.

Julie tilts her head, a little surprised by his bluntness. "You don't like seeing me hurt?"

Jiko sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I guess. It's… annoying, dealing with people who think they can say whatever they want. But with you, it's different."

Julie's eyes soften as she watches him, feeling something shift inside her. It's the first time she's really seen this side of him—the one who isn't just aloof or sarcastic, but someone who genuinely cares, someone who has more layers than she thought.

"Well, thanks," she says again, smiling faintly. "You didn't have to do all that."

Jiko shrugs, finally letting out a low laugh. "I know, but I did. Maybe I'm just… tired of seeing people mess with others who don't deserve it." He pauses, glancing at her. "Besides, I don't like feeling like I owe anyone. Least of all you."

Julie raises an eyebrow, amused by his comment. "Owe me?" she repeats, teasing. "You think you owe me now?"

Jiko lets out another laugh, shaking his head. "Not in that way. I just… I don't know. I guess I just don't like feeling like I'm in someone's debt."

Julie smiles, watching him carefully. "Well, if you keep defending me like that, I might start expecting more."

Jiko rolls his eyes, a playful smirk forming. "Yeah, good luck with that. I'm already way over my 'helpful' quota."

They both chuckle, the tension from earlier slowly melting away. For the first time, there's a comfortable rhythm between them—a teasing banter, but also something deeper, something real.

Julie feels a warmth blooming in her chest, and for once, she doesn't question it too hard. Maybe this was something different—something she hadn't seen before. And maybe, she was starting to understand Jiko a little better.

One day, a huge storm rolled in. Dark clouds hung low over the school, and lightning flashed in the distance. The rain came down hard, soaking everything. Everyone had already gone home, but Jiko and Julie were stuck at school, taking shelter under a small overhang near the entrance. They sat quietly, watching the rain run down the glass, the sound of the raindrops a steady, soothing rhythm.

The air between them felt heavy, filled with the quietness of the moment. The storm outside seemed to match the turmoil they were both feeling inside. Jiko glanced at Julie, who was staring out at the rain, lost in her own thoughts. She pulled her hoodie tighter around herself, her shoulders hunched, as if she was trying to disappear.

After a long pause, Julie finally breaks the silence. "You know, I've always felt… invisible." Her voice is soft, almost a whisper, as though she's speaking more to herself than to him. "Like, no matter how hard I try, I'm always just... there. In the background."

Jiko turns to her, frowning. "What do you mean?"