Chapter 160: Campus Headline
The last class of the afternoon was PE, and the faint golden light from the windows painted long shadows across the court. The sound of students laughing in the hallway mixed with the thud of balls from another class nearby, a noisy but oddly peaceful kind of chaos.
Kouya was about to head to the gym equipment room to fetch the basketballs for class when the long-black-haired girl Machiko walked over. Her hair shimmered like a silk curtain under the sunlight, and she gripped her notebook nervously, her eyes darting away the moment their gazes met.
"K-Kouya…"
"Hm?"
Her voice was so small it almost disappeared in the bustle. She pressed her lips together, hesitated, then whispered, "Um… can I tell you something?"
Kouya raised a brow, curious but calm. "Sure."
Machiko exhaled, relieved, and took out a folded application form from between the pages of her notebook. "It's like this — the school is planning to hold a sports day next week, and the teachers require both boys and girls to participate, s-so…"
Kouya frowned slightly, instantly realizing why she was here.
If everyone had to participate, he couldn't possibly avoid it. After all, there were only two boys in the entire class, and skipping out would only draw more attention.
Seeing his frown, Machiko flinched. Her long, dark hair trembled as she quickly waved her hands. "I-It was the teacher's idea, not mine! I swear!"
'Who said it was your idea? Why are you panicking like that?'
'You've been acting so weird since this morning. Did you hit your head or something?'
Still, Kouya sighed inwardly. Sports day wasn't fun, but it was part of school life. Fine, he'd just deal with it.
He gave a nod. "Alright, I'll join. Come with me to the gym first—"
"Gy-gym?!" Machiko froze. Her eyes went wide, and for a moment it looked like her soul flew straight out of her head, leaving behind a ghostly outline.
Poor girl — she immediately recalled that erotic manga she had read yesterday, the one about cruel campus discipline. And of course, the story took place in a gym.
"C-c-could it be that Kouya wants me to agree to that kind of thing just to let him join the sports day?!"
"I-I was only delivering the teacher's message! Why do I have to pay such a terrifying price?!"
"A-and even if that did happen, it can't be in a public gym…"
Kouya blinked. "Huh?"
Machiko stood there like a broken statue, eyes glazed, lips trembling.
Kouya's mouth twitched. She was obviously thinking something insane again. He sighed and said lightly, "If you don't say something, I'll just—"
He was about to finish with leave, but before he could, Machiko suddenly flinched, bowed deeply, and shouted with a trembling voice, "Please, spare me!"
Kouya: "..."
All he wanted was for her to help carry basketballs. Why did she act like she was about to be executed?
"I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have disturbed you, Kouya!" she cried, shaking like a leaf as she turned and fled. "I swear I won't tell Vigne about this! S-so please don't do anything scary to me, sob~"
She bolted so fast that she didn't see the loose tile ahead. Her foot caught, and she tripped forward with a shrill yelp.
"Ahhh!" Her voice echoed down the hall.
Kouya's brain shifted gears instantly. If she hit the ground like that, she'd either flash her panties or slam her face — either way, he'd be blamed. If she got hurt, everyone would assume it was his fault.
He could already imagine tomorrow's news headlines spreading across the school forum:
"Male student pushes girl in public — what happens next shocks everyone!"
"Boy forces female classmate into shameful position — the truth will horrify you!"
'Nope! Not taking that blame!' (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Kouya lunged forward, catching Machiko by the wrist just before she hit the floor. The impact never came.
Machiko slowly opened her tightly shut eyes, realizing she was suspended halfway to the ground, Kouya's warm hand gripping her wrist. His scent, faintly of soap and sweat, filled her nose.
Her stunned face softened into disbelief, then flared red like a cherry blossom in spring. Her cheeks burned, her neck flushed, even her ears turned pink.
She squeaked softly, body stiff as a board, like a statue about to topple.
Kouya sighed. "Be careful next time."
"S-sorry!" Machiko squealed, yanking her hand back and sprinting away as if chased by wolves. Her retreating figure truly looked like a terrified rabbit fleeing into the woods.
In just seconds, curious classmates gathered nearby, whispering and pointing.
"Hey, isn't that the famous Kouya from Class One?"
"Yeah, the one everyone talks about."
'Wow, I'm that well-known now?'
"I heard he steals girls' stockings and even blocks the girls' restroom to charge toll fees!"
'Oh shut the hell up!'
'I've never stolen stockings or guarded restrooms! Do you idiots even hear yourselves?'
"Wait, wasn't that the class rep, Machiko-chan? Did he… bully her?"
'Bully your sister! We said maybe ten words!'
"So scary, so scary!"
'If you think it's scary, stop gossiping! Keep running your mouths and I'll smack you all into next week!'
Kouya's expression darkened, and his sharp gaze swept the crowd like a predator scanning prey. Instantly, the onlookers scattered with panicked squeals.
"Oh my, has the lustful Kouya finally given in to his instincts and decided to prey on innocent girls?"
A voice, calm yet teasing, drifted from behind him. Turning, Kouya saw a silver-haired beauty walking over gracefully. Her angelic smile was pure elegance — if only her words matched.
Raphiel.
Kouya glared. "Remove the word 'lustful.'"
Raphiel giggled, her wings twitching slightly. "Alright, then how about 'Kouya, ruled entirely by his lower half'?"
Kouya's brow twitched. "If you want to be ruled by my lower half, keep talking."
Raphiel stuck out her tongue playfully. Lately, she'd gotten frighteningly good at toeing his limits. With a mischievous smile, she clasped her hands and switched topics.
"Hey, Kouya, are you free tomorrow afternoon? Let's go have coffee together."
"What?" Kouya stared at her sideways. "Did you take the wrong medicine this morning?"
Raphiel only laughed softly, her golden eyes gleaming. "Maybe I just want to see what kind of chaos follows you next."
...
Kouya thought the whole incident would die down after class.
But when PE officially started, Vigne approached, her brows furrowed with concern. "Kouya… why did you bully Machiko?"
'Bully her?! I barely spoke five sentences to her!'
Vigne hesitated, glancing around before whispering, "Then why are people saying you tried to… k-kiss Machiko under the big banyan tree, and when she refused, you pushed her down?"
"Pff—"
Kouya nearly spat blood.
'Which damn idiot started this rumor?! Come out here — I swear I won't kill you… maybe!'