I returned to class with Shouko-this did not go unnoticed by the girls in the glass, most of which gave her light glares, but she either ignored them or didn't see-I couldn't tell.
Shouko noticed that I didn't pay attention to the lessons so she kept trying to get me to concentrate, by mostly poking me in the ribs. She eventually gave up to my relief and the lessons passed as usual-with me in the land of dreams.
At the end of the day, after everyone else had left,I woke up yawning and stretched my arms and back. I got up ready to leave until I noticed that Shouko was still there sleeping on her desk, guess that she was waiting for me. It was an hour later than the school ending time, *guess she got a tired waiting for me and fell asleep* I thought as I moved her shoulder to wake her up.
She proceeds to slowly open her eyes, yawns and wipes a little drool on the corner of her mouth. As she gets a grip on her surroundings and realises I'm also there, looking at her awkwardly her entire face turns red and she quickly faces away from me.
Rei: "So... do you want to go home together... I mean, I heard that friends do that kind of thing?" I ask her with a quiet voice.
Shouko turns around with the brightest smile on her face, and raises her thumb high in the air. We exit the school and I found out our houses were in the same direction, I make some jokes and tease her a little before we arrive in front of her house. It seems that we arrived at the same time as her mother, a very beautiful woman to say the least. She introduced herself as Nishimiya Yaeko and thanked me for being Shouko's friend. I did notice that their relationship is pretty awkward(as in the anime so I wasn't surprised), as after greeting each other, her mother asked nothing else and just entered the flat.I waved goodbye to Shouko, making my way home and thinking about how to deal with the bullying problem and improve the relationship with her mother.
-2 day Timeskip-
It was during a boring lesson of history,when the bullying began. It was when Ishida rolled his book,making a mini megaphone, and shouted loudly right next to her ear.
*Rargh* he roared loudly from behind her, shocking Shouko greatly and causing some giggles around the class.
*The fuck do you think you are* I thought to myself as I glared in his direction.I'm only going to let it get this far, I cannot let it go any further...*time to show the Ishida and his group just who you don't fuck with*.
I started by chuckling pretty loudly-everyone was surprised to say the least since I didn't really show any emotion in the past 3 years I was here.
Rei: "Haha...ha...Ishida... that was a good one.... now...let me show you something funnier." I said this while still chuckling. I got up from my seat and made my way towards Ishida, everyone else including Shouko just looking plain confused at what I'll do next. I stand in front of Ishida with a chill smile on my face,and as I was at least a head taller than him I looked quite menacing. Out of the blue, I use my right hand to grab his hair, bring his ear right next to my mouth and let out a shout at the top of my lungs.
*Silence*
Everyone including the teacher is in shock of what just happened, with Ishida trembling in his seat but none daring to do anything. I glance at Shouko with a gentle smile on my face, then went to sit back down and do what I usually do...sleep.
*His family is yakuza, we cannot provoke him* was the thought of every single person in his room, with the exception of a certain someone. That certain someone being Shouko of course.
Shouko: *Did he do that because of me? Why did he do that for someone like me? Could it be....* her face a bright red but as soon as those thoughts appeared... they got countered by thoughts of doubt.*No... just being his friend is more than I could hope for...he wouldn't want someone like me* smiling melancholically at herself.
-1 week later-
The class used to avoid me before, bu tone they're scared to even look at me; especially Ishida. Unfortunately,because of this, Shouko is now also an outcast to the class. *Guess that they now know who the lion is, and who the sheep are* this thought suddenly springing to my mind.
Rei: "Let's go Shouko!" I shout at the doorway of the class, as it's time to go home. Shouko looked in my eyes for a few seconds, perhaps thinking of something before nodding her head.
I'm pretty sure that she told her grandmother and mum what happened, because every time I drop her off they try to invite me inside their house.
Rei: "I'm sorry Miss Yaeko and Granny Ito, I can't now... maybe some other time?" I smiled apologetically at the both of them, waving goodbye to Shouko and making my way home.
-Inside the Nishimiya Household-
Ito: "He's such a lovely boy Shouko, you need to grab him before anyone else does! You know what he did for you...I mean who cares he's the son of a Yakuza... that means he's got money and power! More of a reason to go for it girly!" Granny Ito advised an extremely red faced Shouko.
Shouko: [But Granny... look at me... do you think he'll want someone like me?] she then points towards her hearing aids.
Ito: "Do you think he'll do what he did just for anyone? You're cute and I'm sure you'll be sporting a great figure when you grow older! Don't hold yourself down!" She reassured her beloved grandchild. This left Shouko fidgeting and thinking to herself in silence.
-Back to Rei-
I spend all of my evenings after school making dinner for roughly 35 people, all of which I consider family.I also teach Raku how to cook in during time, letting him wash the vegetables or stirring while I give him advice. Finishing that, I go to my room and play the piano for 1 hours and the violin for another while the house enters a state of soothing silence-the only sound being my playing. Ryu with the other guys usually grab some seats and listen in silence inside my room, immersing themselves in the music. I know how dangerous their jobs are(as yakuza your death could be any moment), so I don't mind their presence,actually,I am very grateful for being able to grant them this daily gift.
I tried to teach Raku how to play the piano when he was 4, but no matter what I did he didn't like it so I gave up after two weeks. I'm the type of person that dislikes forcing someone to follow a specific path in life, I believe that everyone has the right to their chosen aspirations.
Right before I go to sleep, I made myself a little ritual since mom died.I always make sure to read a little of her books, as it gives me an unexplainable comfort and warmth which helps me sleep peacefully.
*I'll make sure to spend every second of this new life not regretting anything!* my small conviction, before drifting off to sleep.