After barely surviving that torturous history class, I kept as much distance as humanly possible from Xiao Qin. I endured until 5 p.m., and finally—I could go home.
My house is only a ten-minute walk from school. Xiao Qin, on the other hand, has to walk to the subway, ride for two stops, then walk some more before she gets home. That's at least half an hour… and during rush hour, probably even longer.
Your house is literally closer to better schools—why don't you just go to one of those? There's even a private academy nearby that blows our school out of the water. Sure, it's expensive and stuffed full of rich kids… but with Auntie Ren's long-standing martial arts reputation, you shouldn't be short on money. My dad recently mentioned she's entered the film industry and is now working as a martial-arts director.
Speaking of martial arts—it was my childhood passion. I even wanted to… forget it. That was just a dumb, immature dream.
As soon as Teacher Yu dismissed us, I grabbed my bag and dashed out of class. My nearly empty backpack bounced behind me as I sprinted like lightning toward the school gate.
No way Xiao Qin would catch up. I was finally free.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and was just about to relax—
—when someone tugged the hem of my uniform.
It was Ren Xiao Qin.
She stood at the school gates with her head lowered, bangs covering her eyes. I had no idea how long she'd been waiting there. She wore a maroon Hello Kitty backpack stuffed to bursting with new textbooks, and she carried her uniform bag in her other hand. She looked like she was heading off to military training.
You ran faster than me while carrying all that!?You monster!
To anyone walking by, she probably looked like a sweet, quiet, introverted girl.
Introverted, my ass.
The security gate slid open under the guard's control. The guard on duty was the young one—niece of the veteran guard who worked here forever. She barely knew me. She glanced through the glass of the security booth, saw the two of us standing close, and gave me a knowing grin.
She even gave me a thumbs-up, as if to say, "Your girlfriend's been waiting a while. Nice."
Why are you gossiping when you're supposed to be a professional!? Also, weren't you asleep earlier!? Did you dream your way into a lucky lottery win? Is that why you didn't see Xiao Qin open a portal and teleport straight to the gate?
It's because you guards always slack off that sketchy guys can sneak in through the back gate!
Xiao Qin still gripped my uniform tightly, twisting her foot inward like some shy schoolgirl.
"Haruya… could you walk me home?"
"You're pushing it! I only promised not to bully you this afternoon—I never said anything about escort duties!"
And let go of me already! What kind of rumor are you trying to start? The guard is literally watching a live-action soap opera from her booth!
"B-but… this morning… someone molested me on the subway…"
"…Hah? Stop joking. Who's stupid enough to molest you? Just throw a Tatsumaki or a Hadouken and KO him!"
"I already told you, Haruya… I'm trying to be more feminine. I've stopped using violence."She looked up innocently. "Even though I still like fighting games, I don't fight in real life anymore…"
Would you seriously allow yourself to get molested for such a stupid reason?Then again—when it comes to Ren Xiao Qin, logic does not exist.
"What did the guy look like?"
"Umm… he was a middle-aged man with a briefcase. It was really crowded. He used the crowd to sneak up and touch my butt…"
A surge of anger shot through me.
Don't misunderstand. It's not because I think of Xiao Qin as my girlfriend or because I'm possessive. It's because adults who do that sort of thing are disgusting.
People like that—people who can't control their desires and scar others for life—they're the scum of society. Like my dad, drowning in regret… do they want to ruin someone else's kid too?
I don't ever want to become an adult like that.
"Even if you couldn't fight back, couldn't you scream for help?"
"You're right, Haruya. When I first realized I was being molested, I was so shocked I froze."
God, just poke his eyes out and kick him in the crotch!
"I always thought stuff like that only happened in manga," she said. "So I was surprised. I thought: Wow, perverts really exist…"
"Stop using Japanese terms! He's just a creep!"
"Um… after I got over the shock… I felt a tiny bit happy…"
"HAPPY!? You were happy someone molested you!? Are you a pervert!?"
"Because… it was my first time wearing a skirt. It made me feel… recognized as a girl…"
"I can't believe you. So you let him touch you the whole ride?"
"Of course not. I ran away pretty quickly." She stuck her tongue out mischievously. "But… I might run into him again on the way home. That's why I hoped you could be my protector…"
"I refuse."
"D-do you not care even if your girlfriend is getting molested…?"
"Who said you're my girlfriend!? And just because he molested you once doesn't mean he'll appear again. There are dozens of cars on a subway—it's nearly impossible you'll meet him twice!"
I tried to leave, but she still refused to let go.
"If you walk me home, I'll give Optimus Prime back."
And just like that—I was frozen.
I'm already fourteen, so I don't really play with robot toys anymore…But if I can get Optimus Prime back, I will absolutely be thrilled.
"You'll really give it back?"
"If you don't believe me, we can pinky swear." She held up her pinky. "Walk me home, and I'll return Optimus Prime. You can wait outside my building or watch me the whole time.—But don't think that just because my mom's not home, you can do whatever you want!"
Who the hell would do anything!?The moment you give Optimus Prime back, I'm OUT.
We wasted so much time that groups of students were already walking past us.
"Holy crap, they're bold—flirting in front of the school gates like that! Didn't the school just release those rules banning boy-girl contact…?"
"Hush! Don't you know who that is!? Even the head teacher's scared of him!"
A group of girls slowed down, shamelessly staring like they were watching a street performance.
"Lil' Red, do you think she's actually dating him?"
"No clue… rumor says she's being coerced…"
"You guys, listen—during lunch today I heard—ahhhh he looked at us! He's terrifying!"
I suddenly felt a sharp gaze burning into the back of my skull. I turned around—
Yup. The class leader, Shu Sha, was walking out of the school with Loudmouth, her gossip-loving sidekick, and their loyal follower, Glasses Bro.
They were still far away, but with Shu Sha's eagle-eyed vision, she definitely saw Xiao Qin's flushed face and my reluctant expression.
She's absolutely going to think I'm harassing Xiao Qin after school.
To avoid a lecture tomorrow, I grabbed Xiao Qin's hand and rushed her out of the school gates.
…In retrospect, that was a terrible idea.
Now it looks like I'm dragging her off somewhere suspicious.
Ugh, whatever. I'll deal with it tomorrow.
Thankfully, the class leader can't outrun us, so she couldn't catch up.
Xiao Qin practically sprinted with me all the way to the subway entrance. She stopped to catch her breath, her cheeks crimson, sweat glistening on her forehead.
You're kidding me. You're tired after THAT short distance?Or is your teleportation ability on cooldown?
"Because Haruya was holding my hand… I got nervous… and my heart was beating too fast…"
I quickly let go.
The softness lingering in my palm was unexpectedly delicate and… cool.That coolness poured gasoline on my blood, igniting me all over again.
"This is the one and only time I'm walking you home," I warned.Once I get Optimus Prime back, you're done for.
When the train arrived with its loud chime, the doors opened—
Packed.Shoulder-to-shoulder crowded.
Not even rush hour yet.
Xiao Qin and I found a spot near a fire extinguisher. I grabbed the overhead strap easily, but she couldn't reach it.
Amazing…Three years ago, you were taller than me. Now I'll be looking down at you forever.
When the subway accelerated, Xiao Qin lost her balance and crashed straight into my chest. She grabbed my arm for support.
I didn't complain.
"Do you want me to hold your bag?" I asked.
"Thanks—but don't worry about that. Just protect me with all your heart."
I nodded and scanned the train for suspicious creeps.
An engineer-looking guy clutched his briefcase like someone might steal it.A heavily made-up high school girl made eye contact with me once, panicked, and hid her iPhone in her purse.A mom in a floral headscarf hugged her baby tighter after noticing me.
Do I really look that dangerous!?
Fine—protect your bags and phones.But why act like I'm going to kidnap your baby!?