80 - Scolding
“I really thought you were a teacher for a second there. Got a scare.”
It was usually time for me to take my potion around now. Yuna seemed to be fitting in fine with the class, goofing around with air games, so I'd come to the bathroom to wash the flask too, feeling relieved. But after chugging it down once like an atomizer cigarette, I just couldn't bring myself to drink that liquid straight anymore.
It was a bit late to be worrying about it, but I figured it was time to look out for my tongue's well-being. So I decided to use magic one more time. Luckily, the bathroom exhaust fan was running fine, and I climbed up on a chair to secretly vent the smoke out through it. That way, the smell wouldn't linger much. It was a perfect plan with zero chance of getting caught.
Until a curious kid spotted me.
“Isn't that an e-cig...? Kids our age aren't supposed to smoke.”
Haru pointed at the thing in my hand.
“You see this flask here? It's not a cig—it's my potion.”
It had started as a crude setup with an empty ballpoint pen Yuna gave me, but now I'd gotten the hang of it, and it looked pretty much like the real deal. No need to connect it directly to the flask anymore—just refill the solution.
“Why drink potion like that?”
“'Cause it tastes awful.”
“Awful?”
“Didn't you see Yuna last time? This stuff is way grosser than it looks.”
I'd thought it tasted like Pocari Sweat at first, but clearly my taste buds were off back then. Everything tasted bland no matter what I ate—my body just wasn't normal. Lately, smells were coming through clearer, and I could distinguish flavors beyond just sweet. Good sign my body's entering recovery phase. Though the downside was the potion starting to taste even more repulsive.
But why was she shivering like that? The window was open, sure, letting in some chilly outside air.
“Anyway, you won't snitch to the teacher, right?”
“Yeah, I won't. So can you let me go now?”
“Alright then.”
Rotary Motion
With a click, the bathroom door swung open again.
“Before you head back to class, wanna chat in the hallway for a sec?”
“With me? About what?”
“Just school life stuff. I'm a transfer student, so I don't know much about the academy. Heard you were class rep last year. You running again this time?”
“Yeah... pretty much. Wait, Nami, you're not running too...?”
“Nah? Why would I bother with that hassle?”
“Phew, good.”
Haru let out a sigh of relief. As if—she hated being group leader for projects; no way I'd want some annoying role like that.
“But why do class rep elections here so late? First school I've seen do it in early April.”
Cherry blossoms were already in full bloom, fresh green leaves sprouting on the branches. A breeze slipped through the hallway window, tousling our hair before fleeing.
“That way, you get a month to get to know your friends and see who's best for rep. Being good at studying doesn't mean you've got responsibility.”
“True. Si-hu or Yuna as rep would be kinda iffy.”
“Right? That's what I think too! Seo Yuna only cares about herself. Last year we were in class together, so I tried looking out for her, even talked to her, but she straight-up hit me! Look, it bruised bad for a week right here...”
“Hmm... you think so?”
“Yeah! And that boring air game or whatever—she grits her teeth just to win. You should've seen it. Look, my hand's all red?”
Haru held out both hands, palms down. If she wanted sympathy for the pain, tough luck.
“Haru, come closer? Lemme see your cheek.”
“Why? Something on my face?”
“Yeah, probably?”
Haru bent her knees a bit. Perfect height. She even closed her eyes softly, thinking I was wiping something off her face?
Close enough. I was gonna peel off that rudeness clinging to her.
I pinched her little cheek hard and yanked.
“Ow ow ow! Wha mmmph yur doin(What are you doing)!”
“Don't badmouth people behind their backs unless you wanna say it to their face. And air games? I taught 'em on purpose, so calling them boring kinda hurts.”
“Leh go firs(Let go first)!”
“Huh? Relax your face, I Ha-ru. Tense up and it'll hurt more.”
Did I look that easy 'cause I'm small? Back in the day, even the empire's three dukes groveled before me.
Haru kept trying to pull away, so I used aura to make her legs go limp. But I caught her under the arms so she wouldn't fall and hurt herself, carefully kneeling her down in the hallway.
“Don't badmouth 'cause it's for your sake too. Maybe Haru got annoyed with Yuna sometimes. But from my side listening? Might think you're the type who trash-talks anyone.”
“Ugh...”
“Even if we get close later, I might think, 'Oh, she'll badmouth me the second she's mad.' Then I wouldn't trust you enough, right? You get that?”
“Yeah...”
Haru answered in a gloomy tone.
“Weird. Yuna might be a bit arrogant, but she's not the type to hit without reason. Did she really do that?”
“You too...”
“Huh?”
“You just called Yuna arrogant too!”
“I could say it to her face.”
Yuna would just grin if I did.
“So?”
“Truth is... I dunno. Don't remember well.”
“Guess I'll ask Yuna later. If you were wrong, you'll apologize? And if she hit you, I'll make her apologize proper.”
“No, don't ask!”
Haru suddenly grabbed my wrist, pleading desperately.
“Why?”
“Please. I'll just go apologize to Yuna now.”
“You trash-talked her? Or got caught gossiping...”
“No... nothing like that...”
“Now you make me more curious.”
What'd she do to make a seven-year-old swing a fist at her solar plexus? Was Yuna amazing for punching her friend's chest, or Haru for pissing her off that bad...?
“Sounds like I need both sides. Probably some misunderstanding between you two. I'll talk it out, so don't worry. And sorry for hurting your cheek.”
Can't know what happened from one side. Victims remember forever; perps forget. Like Haru stewing on getting hit—Yuna probably had her side too.
Seeing Haru's red hand and cheek tugged at my heart.
“Wha else you gonna do...!”
“Cup your hands over your face nice. Won't hurt.”
Tissue Regeneration
Tissue regeneration again. Using it a ton lately. Maybe stock a scroll?
The red skin faded back to normal. Haru stared at her hands, amazed.
“Not going back to class?”
Class was ending soon; better show my face or teacher'd come looking.
But Haru stayed kneeling, unmoving. I went back to ask why.
“Hurt that bad?”
Was she a drama queen? I hadn't pinched that hard.
“Sorry... truth is... I said really mean stuff to Yuna.”
“Why crying all sudden?”
“I called her... a loner with no dad... I wanted to be besties with you too... but you'd hate me hearing that... You too... got adopted...”
Haru confessed, biting her lips hard, holding back tears.
How'd she know I'm adopted? Not from silent Yuna. Kids' info networks were no joke.
“Yuna had reason to get mad. But if you apologize for real, she'll forgive.”
“You don't care...? Not mad?”
“I'd be mad hearing that. But you wanna be friends with me, right?”
“Yeah...”
“Simple then. You apologize, I accept. I'd love having a popular kid like you as a friend.”
Dead simple. Thinking of folks who can't do simple shit boils my blood.
“Floor's cold—up you get. Catch a cold.”
I offered a hand, but Haru clung to my leg, burying her face.
“I... regret saying it so bad... Mom died in an accident last winter. Made me realize how harsh I was. Sniff...! Feels like karma 'cause I said that crap to Yuna...”
Mom died? News to me.
“I barely gossip...! Last year, I looked out for Yuna 'cause no other girls would... So unfair why only me... waaah...”
“Must've been tough for you, Haru. Holding it alone?”
She nodded, sniffling in a stuffy voice.
“Miss Mom... sob... so much...”
I patted her back silently; she had more to say.
“When you pinched my cheek... it hurt bad. Never even got hit by parents. Yuna was first. You too...”
“Sorry for upsetting you. Apologize sincerely again.”
“Apologize for scaring me in the bathroom too...”
“Yeah, that too.”
Sneaky grudge-holder, huh. Ended up consoling her in the hall till class ended. Bell rang—we dashed back hand-in-hand.