Whether the issue between Satsuki and her brother, Akira, had been resolved or not wasstill up for debate, but that very same day, Satsuki told her parents that she wanted to live alone.

She had been commuting from her parents house because of its proximity to her university, but she wanted to experience living on her own while she still could, which she conveyed to her parents.

As for her parents, they must have felt very sad to see her go. But her resolve was firm, and so, they apparently gave her permission to live alone, albeit reluctantly.

She immediately communicated this to Ryuichi and also added that although there was a rift between her and Akira, she wanted to forget about him for now.

Ryuichi-kun, you can come over to my new apartment anytime, okay?

Well, Ill think about it.

Ryuichi gave a wry smile as he responded to her words, which were filled with anticipation. She had rented an apartment nearby, and Ryuichi could visit anytime he wanted to.

Chisa was going to come over to celebrate Satsukis first attempt at living on her own, giving her a lot of advice while she was at it.

You better be there too, you hear me?

Since Chisa had sternly warned him, well, Ryuichi had no choice but to go. He could have ignored her, but Chisa had a scary side to her whenever she got angry. They were in a sex friends-like relationship, but just as hed said before, she was also like a nagging older sister to him.

That was why he didnt want to do anything to anger her too much.

He was relieved to hear that they had decided to meet up at Satsukis place on the weekend, but now at school, Makoto gave him a nudge on his shoulder, truly amused at what he was seeing.

Man, hes totally glaring at you. His face is just screaming, You fucking piece of shit, you ruined my relationship with my sister. Go to hell.

Shut up.

Just when he thought the problem with Satsuki had been taken care of, he was now up against an Akira who was ruefully glaring at him, which he had expected in a sense.

His friends were puzzled as to what the hell was going on, but they backed away from him once they realized it was Ryuichi he was glaring at.

Man, they seem hellbent on avoiding a confrontation with somebody as scary as you.

Its pretty funny to watch. I guess they find it easier to just not get involved in the first place rather than wasting their time otherwise.

You said it. Well, Im sure you wont have anything to worry about, but if something does happen, lemme know.

Whats up with you today?

Normally Makoto wouldve left the conversation off with a jab at him, but today he was telling him to tell him if something happened; in other words, that he would help Ryuichi.

Since Ryuichi was a friend of Makotos, there was nothing wrong with him helping out, but since he was a little different than usual, Ryuichi was curious.

I had a chat with Chisa-san at the club yesterday. You see, we were talking about you.

Hmm?

Heh, yknow, theres no end to the amount of topics we can talk about when it comes to you.

Hold up, what the hell did you two talk about?

I would like to know the answer to that as well.

Ryuichi and Makoto reflexively jumped to their toes when they suddenly heard a voice. They had been sure that they were the only two people in the room, and yet when they turned to look at where the voice was coming from, they saw Shizuna standing there naturally as if it were a matter of course.

The two were truly shocked to see her, who had given them no sign of her presence at all.

What, Ive been here the whole time, you know! You dont have to look so shocked!

That makes you all the more terrifying!:

Sensei

Shizuna cut him off. Ryuichi couldnt see her expression, but whatever it was made Hamasaki take a step back from her.

I know full well that Ryuichi, Fushimi, and some of the other people I am close with are considered delinquents. But there is no rule that says I cant interact or associate with them based on that alone.

Rindo, Im telling you

Thud.Shizuna stomped her foot on the floor. It was a light stomp, but it was enough to stop Hamasakis voice.

Thud.

Shizuna stomped her foot on the floor. It was a light stomp, but it was enough to stop Hamasakis voice.

Sensei, you said that the teachers are there to protect the students, right?

Y-Yes, I didwhat about it?

Why do you speak that way about Ryuichi-kun and his friends when they are also students? Doesnt that go against what you said?

Those words mustve come as harsh to Hamaski. Ryuichi understood from the get-go that teachers wanted to get rid of students who were inconvenient to them.

Even if they werent directly affected, if there was even the slightest of ill-natured rumors, they would want to avoid getting involved with them and would even want them to disappear.

Although frustrating, I do understand where the teachers are coming from. But still, I choose to follow my feelings rather than my logic. Hey, Sensei, did you know Ryuichi-kun is a very kind man? He saved me when I was being harassed by a playboy and chased him away.

Huh?

Honestly speaking, I too had only known about the bad parts of him up until that point. Yes, there are legitimate reasons he is called a delinquent by everybody else.

But I dont want to completely shut out the other person without hearing their side of the story first, especially if its someone I care deeply about.

Ryuichis eyes widened at those words. He had received many words from her, but this was his first time hearing her say that she cared about him dearly in front of others.

He wasnt used to being told that he was important, that he was cared for. Her words touched his heart because the person he wanted to hear those words from, the person he wanted to have tell him he was precious, even if it was a lie, had always told him that he was a nuisance, a mistake.

Sensei, if youre worried about me because Im a good student, then thank you. You dont have to worry about me anymoreIm abad girlnow.

Sensei, if youre worried about me because Im a good student, then thank you. You dont have to worry about me anymoreIm a

bad girl

now.

This was something shed said to him once before: that she was a bad girl. He didnt expect to hear those words again in the form of a declaration to a teacher. He tilted his head in confusion at his strangely pounding heart as Shizuna walked down the stairs, only to come across Ryuichi waiting there.

Ah, Ryuichi-kun.

Heyyou talked about some really embarrassing things back there, huh.

Fufu, so you were listening. But its okay; nothing I said was a lie. I just said what was on my mind.

Then, Shizuna, who seemed to have thought of something, grinned and hugged him. She tiptoed as high as she could and kissed him on the cheek. Knowing that Hamasaki could clearly see them, she then said.

Im a bad girl; Im more than willing to do even this at school.

Shizunas smile at that moment was truly beautiful,Ryuichi would later say.

Shizunas smile at that moment was truly beautiful,

Ryuichi would later say.