Violet glanced at Kentarou with a curious expression.
"So... is that girl your—"
"She isn't!" Kentarou interrupted before she could even finish the question.
His quick response made Violet blink in surprise.
"...I wasn't even done asking," she said with a small smile.
"I know what you were going to ask," Kentarou replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "And no, she's not."
Violet couldn't help but laugh.
"I'll believe you."
After returning the borrowed book, the four of them left the library while Hee-Young remained inside, quietly continuing her studies.
The afternoon breeze welcomed them as they walked through the campus together.
Yui looked at Violet with a friendly smile.
"So, you're Violet, right? I've heard your name before."
Violet nodded politely.
"Yes. You're Yui Takamura?"
"That's me."
"I'm glad to finally meet you."
"The feeling's mutual," Yui replied warmly. "Kentarou doesn't usually bring anyone from outside school with him."
Kentarou sighed.
"Can we not make this sound weird?"
Yui giggled.
"I'm just teasing."
Violet smiled.
"You're really cheerful."
"My friends tell me that all the time."
"What about you?" Yui asked. "What do you like doing?"
"I love drawing clothes," Violet answered. "I want to become a fashion designer one day."
"Really?" Yui's eyes sparkled. "That's amazing! I like sketching sometimes, but nowhere near that level."
"I'd love to see your drawings someday."
"And I'd love to see your designs," Yui replied.
Watching the two girls get along so quickly made Kentarou smile.
Senku quietly leaned closer to him.
"Looks like they became friends faster than we expected."
"I think that's a good thing," Kentarou answered.
"It definitely is."
---
After walking for several minutes, they arrived at a cozy café near the shopping district.
The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as they entered.
They chose a table beside the window.
A waiter approached them with a smile.
"What would you like to order?"
After looking through the menu, everyone decided.
Kentarou: Iced coffee and a slice of chocolate cake.
Violet: Strawberry milkshake and a cheesecake.
Yui: Mango juice and a blueberry muffin.
Senku: Hot cappuccino and a chicken sandwich.
As they waited for their orders, the conversation continued, filled with laughter and playful teasing.
As Violet and Yui waited near the entrance of the mall, three boys from Kentarou's school approached them with smug smiles.
"Well, look who's here," one of them sneered. "Two pretty girls all by themselves."
Another laughed.
"Maybe they're waiting for their boyfriends."
The third boy looked directly at Violet.
"Why don't you come hang out with us instead?"
Violet's expression changed. She instinctively took a step back.
Yui stepped in front of her.
"Leave us alone."
The boys ignored her.
"Oh? Trying to act brave?" one of them mocked.
Just then, a calm voice came from behind them.
"Ladies should always be respected. Don't you know that?"
The three boys turned around.
Standing there were Kentarou and Senku.
Kentarou looked at them without fear.
"I remember you," he said, recognizing one of the boys as the student who had been talking with Lyoid Akimiya that morning.
The boy smirked.
"So you're Kentarou."
Without another word, he threw a punch toward Kentarou's face.
Thud!
Kentarou caught his wrist before the punch could land.
"You'll have to do better than that," Kentarou said calmly.
The boy tried to pull his arm free, but Kentarou twisted it just enough to force him back.
"Agh!"
The other two rushed forward together.
One aimed a kick.
Kentarou stepped aside, causing the kick to miss completely. Using the attacker's momentum, he lightly pushed him forward.
Bang!
The boy stumbled into a nearby bench and fell.
The third attacker charged wildly.
Before he could throw another punch, Senku stepped in.
"You're fighting two against one? That's not very fair."
Senku grabbed the boy's arm and swept his legs.
Thump!
The boy landed flat on his back.
The first attacker, now free, rushed at Kentarou again.
This time Kentarou ducked beneath the punch and delivered a quick strike to the boy's stomach.
"Ugh..."
The boy dropped to one knee, gasping for breath.
The remaining two exchanged nervous glances.
"You guys..."
Kentarou said in a calm but firm voice,
"If you have a problem with me, face me. But don't drag innocent girls into it."
The three boys slowly stood up, rubbing their bruises.
"This isn't over," one of them muttered before the three hurried away.
Silence returned.
Yui let out a relieved sigh.
"I didn't know you could fight like that."
Senku chuckled.
"I've told you before. Kentarou doesn't like fighting... but if someone crosses the line, he won't hesitate to protect his friends."
Violet looked at Kentarou with admiration.
"...Thank you."
Kentarou smiled softly.
"I couldn't just stand there and watch."
The four of them then continued walking through the mall, unaware that this encounter had already attracted the attention of several students nearby. It wouldn't take long before rumors about the fight began spreading throughout the school.
KSenku quickly bought a bottle of water from a nearby vending machine and handed it to Violet.
"Here. Drink some water," he said gently.
"Thank you," Violet replied softly.
By then, the three boys had already run away.
Kentarou walked over to Violet with a worried expression.
"Are you alright?"
Violet nodded, though her hands were still trembling.
"I'm okay... thanks to you."
"I'll walk you home," Kentarou said. "I don't want you going alone after what just happened."
Violet smiled faintly.
"Okay."
Yui and Senku decided to head back on their own, leaving Kentarou and Violet to walk together.
---
On the way home
The streets were quiet as they walked side by side.
After several minutes of silence, Violet finally spoke.
"When I was little... I used to get bullied."
Kentarou looked at her in surprise.
"They would make fun of me, take my things, and laugh at me every day. I couldn't do anything about it."
She lowered her head.
"That's why... whenever I see someone being bullied or people fighting, those memories come back."
Kentarou listened quietly.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Violet smiled sadly.
"It's in the past now... but it still hurts sometimes."
Kentarou stopped walking for a moment.
"I promise... as long as I'm with you, I won't let anyone hurt you."
Violet looked at him, her eyes sparkling.
"...Thank you."
---
They soon arrived at Violet's house.
Kentarou looked at her apologetically.
"I'm sorry today turned out like this."
Violet shook her head and smiled warmly.
"It's okay... as long as you're with me."
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Then Violet waved goodbye and walked inside her house.
Kentarou waited until she had safely entered before turning around and walking home.
---
Later that evening
Kentarou entered his room and quietly closed the door behind him.
His calm expression disappeared.
He clenched his fists.
"Lyoid..."
His eyes hardened.
"I won't forgive you."
He had already realized those boys weren't acting on their own. Someone had encouraged them—and he was convinced Lyoid Akimiya was behind it.
— End of Chapter 25 —