Chapter 38: The Man Who Solved Bullying [Side: Narumi Ise]
I'm Narumi Ise, and I was pretty timid when I was little. People kept saying I was cute, so I thought that's just how I was, but among girls, that can make enemies. Gradually, because I was timid, they started calling me names like coward or worm.
I was drawn to the strength and aesthetic of the gals I saw in magazines, who didn't care about others' opinions and pursued their own kind of cute or pretty. Before I knew it, I had become a gal myself.
Being a gal means people don't mess with me much. Selfish? Tough? Whatever, it helps me out.
I was in the volleyball club with my friend.
I didn't really like it that much, and after becoming a gal, I cared even less.
But my friend Kita-chan got targeted by a senior in the volleyball club and started getting bullied. Of course, I stood up for her.
Then I got bullied too.
Because I stand out, I became the main target.
I'd get hit with balls on purpose, called out pointlessly during lunch break, or forced to run as a penalty for any little thing. Both Kita-chan and I were getting it bad, and it seemed to be escalating.
One day, a senior took a bamboo sword from the kendo club without permission and started hitting me and Kita-chan for fun, saying stuff like, "Let's play! Bad coach game!"
What did I even do? Anger and the fear of these days continuing drove me crazy.
I started thinking stupid things like, if this happens again tomorrow, I'll kill that person and then die myself.
The next day, the bullying suddenly stopped.
That's weird, there's no way.
I'm flashy and apparently fun to bully, so that nasty senior should've loved picking on me.
I'm not as strong as I look, nor am I tough. But I desperately put on a brave front.
I want to be strong like the gals I saw in magazines and go my own way, but being weak makes even that impossible.
The nasty senior is looking over here, seeming frustrated, but isn't coming to mess with me today?
The next day was the same.
'Narumi-chan! I figured it out! The reason!'
'Really?'
Apparently, there was bullying in Class 2, and Tachibana-kun, who was being bullied, confronted and beat Aoi-kun, the one bullying him.
'And twice, no less!'
'Is that true?'
I was in the same class as Tachibana-kun back in early elementary school, but he was a shy kid, not the type to get into fights, right?
Kita-chan continued.
When he fought Aoi-kun at the riverside, he apparently gave him a handicap, letting him throw the first three punches before completely winning.
'What? Aoi is that weird guy from the kendo club, right? Doesn't he have crazy high physical test scores?'
'And after that duel, he turned over a new leaf. Aoi-kun cried in front of everyone, confessed to the bullying, and the whole school was in an uproar. The school is now cracking down on bullying, investigating every club, committee, and class in detail to make sure no more issues happen. So right now, no one can bully!'
Seriously? Tachibana-kun is amazing!
So, the one who stopped this bullying was Tachibana-kun?
'And on the day of Aoi's confession, he and Kashii-san split up to convince every single classmate in Class 2, completely wiping out the teasing and bullying there!'
Rena Kashii, huh... I hate her. She's always acting like she cares more about others than herself.
Is there really a hero-like guy like that? I went to the classroom to see, but he just had a plain, mob-like face, no real standout features as a guy.
After that, I didn't hear any more rumors, but when the year changed, I ended up in the same class as Tachibana-kun.
I was curious about Sho Tachibana.
When I looked at Tachibana, he turned toward me.
Our first conversation.
'What are you looking at?'
(What should I talk about? We don't have anything in common.)
'Oh, sorry.'
Tachibana quickly looked away. Huh? Do I give off that bad of an impression?
Tachibana is average height, average build, not particularly good-looking, maybe a little refreshing at best?
I know he's average in studies, good at marathon running, and in the soccer club.
Since our middle school is a continuation from elementary, pretty much everyone knows each other, or someone knows them, unless they're a recent transfer.
Right after the bullying incident, Tachibana-kun was the center of attention, but once things calmed down, he was just a regular student.
Kita-chan and I were saved by the ripple effect of Tachibana-kun's actions.
I really wanted to ask him something, so I asked if we could talk later, and though he refused at first, I forced a promise out of him.
I took him to the special classroom building and brought up the topic.
'Hey, can you tell me about the bullying stuff and the thing with Aoi?'
'No way.'
So I asked, 'Then can you tell me someone who knows the details?' and he said,
While prefacing that he didn't want to talk about it himself, he told me Tanaka from Class 3 and Aoi would know the details.
The next day,
I asked Aoi.
'Oh! That thing! It was my fault. Some people say Tachibana used violence, but I attacked him first and got taken down! Honestly, Tachibana is a real man!'
(Aoi lost to Tachibana, but he likes him this much?)
It's strange. Aoi, who used to be a dangerous guy, has mellowed out a lot, reflected on his bullying, and now really likes Tachibana, the guy who beat him?
Apparently, the thing about letting him throw three punches or giving a handicap was a lie, but he did let Aoi throw one punch first, then gave him a three-minute break when he was out of breath.
It sounds fake, but since he's saying it himself, I can't quite figure it out, right?
Next, I asked Tanaka.
Tanaka was nervous when I talked to him, but when it came to Tachibana and Aoi's story, he suddenly got talkative. Still, it felt kind of awkward.
'Really, really! It was amazing! Did you ask Aoi-kun too?'
Tanaka was bullied by Aoi, but now they're friends. Can someone who was bullied really become friends with their bully?
When I asked about the fight,
'Wanna see the video?'
There's a video?
In it, you could see Tachibana giving a tired Aoi a three-minute break and letting him throw the first punch, then after a few seconds of fighting, Aoi collapsing. It was a bit far away, but it was definitely recorded.
'What? Seriously?!'
'Seriously, seriously! Ise-san, you're in the same class as Tachibana-kun, right? Lucky! Tachibana-kun is a real man!'
'? Yeah, he's a guy, isn't he?'
'No, I mean, not exactly, but he's a *man*!'
I don't really get it, but I understand that Tachibana-kun is an amazing guy who solved the bullying issue. I'm grateful too. Is a 'man' some evolved form of a guy? Like a Pokemon or something?
And apparently, Tachibana is close with Rena Kashii. While that girl is busy acting nice to everyone, I'll get Tachibana to join our group!
Hearing all these stories from people around me, I've suddenly become super interested in Tachibana (no need for '-kun' anymore, right?).
He's a loner, so if I talk to him, he'll become a friend in no time, right?
For now, I've figured out he likes warlords, values family, and cares about friends!
Plus, I'm pretty cute, so Tachibana might fall for me real quick!
I've thought about it in my own way, but I don't really have a plan, so I guess I'll just wing it?
Worst case, with my feminine charm, I can make it work, right? If I take my time and keep talking to him patiently, even a shy loner will open up, right?
I'm not stupid, so I don't think Tachibana will fall for me right away.
From what I've heard, he's childish? Reserved? Doesn't have many friends? Doesn't seem to talk to girls at all?
Even if I want to get close to him, it might take time, right?
Plus, I'm a bit concerned that Rena Kashii seems to care about him a lot, and even though she's pretty close to him, she hasn't won him over yet.
Well, I figured I'd take it slow.
The next day,
We had a seat change, and we ended up next to each other in the same group.
Nice, this might be my chance to get close to him.
Five of us put our desks together for introductions? Nah, we don't need introductions, right?
That's what I was thinking.
Tachibana?
He's coming on to me super strong?!
Am I being targeted?! What was with that cold response yesterday?
I might be kinda weak to pushy guys. No way, we just met, you know?
We should get to know each other more first...?!
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Ise-san felt awkward when she went to talk to Tanaka.
(Ise-san... those are some huge boobs!!)
Tanaka saw huge breasts up close for the first time and couldn't look away.
(I was pretending to look at Ise-san's face, but I kept staring at her chest.)