Tuesday, April 10th

  That morning, hushed whispers filled the hallway as the students made their way to school.

  The entrance was full of gossip, raising interest and specution amongst the noisy ctter of lockers.

  “Hey, haven’t you heard?” the girl with braids whispered to a friend, darting around. “Apparently, there was a whole thing st night involving two students from another css.”

  “Yeah, something’s definitely going on between those two...” her friend replied, completely convinced.

  “You think so?” a guy leaned in, curiously.

  The number of voices grew—doubled, tripled. More students joined in, adding their own bits of gossip and theories.

  “I heard they were caught arguing in the library, after hours!” a cheerleader emphasized.

  “Well, I heard they were seen leaving together!” a male student bragged, causing a collective gasp among the listeners.

  “You mean the Pristine Queen… and that dork with the gsses?” one asked, curling her lip in disdain.

  A meek girl lowered her voice. “D-do you think they—?”

  The words spread like wildfire, each retelling sparking new, more ‘shocking’ details. It wasn’t a whisper anymore, only an outcry for the most attention.

  By the time the story reached the end of the hallway, the truth was unrecognizable! It’d been radically retold through a game of telephone, on a ndline set abze.

  But hey, those were just rumors.

  Soon to be forgotten, left to crash and burn…

  * * *

  “Yo, Kagami!”

  I turned at the sound of heavy footsteps, someone was approaching, closing in rapidly.

  Great, it was him.

  Brayden Namihiko.

  He was one of the worst people to run into—bulky and intimidating, with a blue varsity jacket straining against his shoulders. Rugged from sports and training.

  He seemed to know it too, as he folded his arms, demanding attention from the onlookers.

  “Heard ya wouldn’t be organizing that project of yours! Must be lucky, huh?” He gave a self-important grin. “Since ya got extra time! Means you can do it for us, no?”

  How’d you reach that conclusion?

  “...Sorry, not interested. I’ve got enough work to let others take my time right now.”

  “Just a little favor, nothin’ much.”

  “I’m not offering any at the moment… Ask again some other time?”

  He stomped forward, unamused. “Outta order today? Too bad I wasn’t askin’!”

  “Look, I wasn’t interested in the first pce. Not even after you two came and bothered me!”

  “No, you’ll help,” he stated firmly. “Or would ya like your face smashed in for flirtin’ with my girlfriend?!”

  Unbelievable. Did they set that all up?

  What a pain.

  “It’s rather unnecessary, don’t you think?” I replied, trying to maintain my stance.

  “Now, excuse me, I don’t have time for this,” I turned to the pair, sick of their insistence. “Since you need advice, I’ll offer it at discount price…”

  “Remember to leave me out of your next scandal.”

  I shook my head, heading off, before muttering. “...Besides, you think Arisa and I would actively spend time together?”

  “The hell was that, punk?!” He stormed over, clutching my colr. “Got some nerve to be callin’ her by first name already!”

  “Must be close, are ya?”

  “All the more reason to bash in your—”

  “Leave him alone!” Yuzuki demanded, stepping forward.

  “Lucent’s not running errands today!”

  Gabriel appeared on the other side. “Yeah,” he replied, wiping off juice from the apple he’d been eating. “If you need organizin’, we’ll get you sorted!”

  “This doesn’t involve ya! An’ new guy, you’re a bold one, uh? I suggest you move outta the way! ‘Less you’d like to be next in line!”

  “Excuse me?! We’ll gdly take you on!”

  Gabriel pced a hand on her shoulder calmly, scowling ahead. “Don’t push it, Namihiko. We’re not here for your lousy tricks.”

  He turned back to the onlookers. “Can’t try anything if everyone else is watching!”

  Gabriel’s theory was confirmed as whispers echoed through the hallway. Suddenly, everyone was interested in the exchange.

  “What’s going on over there?”

  “Is it true?"

  “Kagami hasn’t done anything wrong, after all?”

  Ironic. Even bystanders who’d been gossiping, so intent on watching, had begun to murmur about taking our side.

  The hunch I had about their scheme had become crystal clear.

  They’d attempted to manipute me for “easy-work” benefits.

  After their earlier setup failed, they resorted to a confrontation, foolishly hoping I’d assist in their project. It was infuriating!

  “Find someone else to do your dirty work! Or don’t!” Gabriel shrugged with indifference.

  “...Haven’t you wasted enough time?” Yuzuki muttered under her breath. “Take care of it yourselves, zy idiots!”

  A vein pulsed from Brayden’s forehead, frustration bubbling, likely realizing the end wasn’t worth the risk. “Tch, what a bothersome group…”

  “Got lucky your caretakers are here this time, little shit…”

  “C’mon,” he jerked his head back, motioning for her to follow. “We’re outta here, Ari.”

  Arisa followed silently, arms crossed. She took the chance to shoulder me on their way out.

  “What’s her problem?” Gabriel asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I swear, the nerve of some people…” Yuzuki uttered in irritation.

  My eyes narrowed as the pair walked away.

  That’s not how you ask for favors…

  I bit back the urge to yell out. It wasn’t worth insulting them further.

  The entire hallway went silent after the ordeal, sharing awkward gnces, unsure of what to do now.

  All of a sudden, Gabriel cut through the tension. “Alright, folks! Show’s over! Mind your business! Get out of here!”

  Most of the crowd had already left out of boredom, while the remainder dispersed, feeling uneasy, casting gnces back as they were ushered away into their next css.

  “Thanks for that,” I murmured, rubbing my shoulder. “But you don’t have to stick up for me so much… It’s really not—”

  “What are you sorry about?!” Yuzuki snapped.

  “We saved your butt back there! Otherwise, you’d be all bent outta shape! And then you go apologizing all the ti—!”

  She cut herself off, regretting her outburst. “...I didn’t mean that.”

  Gabriel sighed heavily. “Gotta admit she’s right on this one, dude. That’s kinda why we’re here?”

  He gestured over to the empty hall.

  “Well, you know what they say. If it’s you, it’s true. Cause they say gss is forged in the harshest fmes!”

  “...Isn’t that steel?” she corrected, before cracking a smirk. “You were sooo off!”

  Gabriel huffed, flushing after his blunder. “You seeing this? I try to be all motivational over here, and look what I get!”

  Their usual antics were enough to lift my broken spirit.

  I scratched the back of my head. “No, you’re right, guys… I shouldn’t beat myself up over those two.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ve got your back,” he nodded, resting a hand on his chin.

  “Now, why don’t we meet up for a bite ter? My treat!”

  Yuzuki stifled a ugh. “Alright, but this time we’ll all decide?”

  “Yeah,” she continued, shaking her head. “Cuz there is no way we’re going back to Greasy Bill’s!”

  * * *

  They always knew what to say when I was down, always there to lend a hand or a reason to smile.

  But what about me?

  What did I ever do for them?