Chapter 11: Heart-Pounding First Experience
Molester. A term for creeps who sexually harass people mainly on subways or buses. In such crowded places, physical contact is inevitable, so these perverts often exploit the chaos to satisfy their filthy urges. But targeting a teenager—who's barely lived half my life—with upskirt photos? Of course, if the girl noticed and reacted, that'd be one thing, but she just stood there blankly, oblivious to what was happening to her.
"……Ugh."
Wait, she did notice her back being touched. Her body flinched, and only then did she turn her gaze. The molester let out a displeased grunt and flashed a sleazy smile.
"Heh heh, sorry about that, kid. Uncle here's got a bit of a gut…… Think you can bear with it even if it's a little stuffy?"
"Ah, y-yes……."
"Ahem, thanks…… Heh heh heh."
The girl turned back to the front, while the creep grinned lewdly and aimed his smartphone under her skirt again. The whole scene was plain as day to me alone—and as a law-abiding adult in a classmate's body, it was utterly intolerable. No physical harm, sure, but satisfying his dirty lust with impure intent? No way I could just stand by. Still, calling it out in this chaotic crowd wasn't smart. She hadn't even noticed, and if the guy bolted into the throng after being accused, it'd be a headache. Better to stop the act itself rather than report it outright.
Decision made, I eyed the umbrella in my hand and the gaps around me, plotting how to take him down.
-This station is XX Station, XX Station. Those getting off, please move to the left……
Perfect timing. I slipped quietly through the crowd, positioning myself behind the creep as he geared up for another shot. Carefully, so no bystanders got hurt—aimed squarely at him.
-Screeech.
The train slowed to a stop, inertia surging forward. Seizing the moment, I raised the umbrella tip and jabbed it straight into his leaning body.
And squelch! Right between his cheeks.
"Squeeeeeal!!!"
The agony piercing his sphincter made him shriek, his smartphone tumbling to the floor. Prime evidence secured. With the train braking at the station and doors opening, I snatched the phone and prepared to bolt.
"Y-you little shit, what the……!"
"Sorry for popping your clogged pipe open."
The molester raged at the interruption and pain, but as passengers rushed out and new ones poured in, the chaos widened the gap between us. I didn't miss a beat—grabbed the evidence and dashed off, yanking the still-dazed girl's hand on the way.
"Come on."
"Ah, ack!"
I pulled her along, sprinting out of the subway. As the doors closed, sealing off the creep, I finally caught my breath and checked the phone. A snort escaped me.
Whoa, this guy's a serial offender—tons of this crap. Handing it to station staff should be enough for an arrest.
That's when I noticed the girl I'd dragged out staring at me with wide, sparkling eyes, still not grasping the situation.
"You knew you were getting groped, right?"
I laid it out bluntly. She flinched, blurting out her shock.
"M-molester?"
"That guy was about to assault you. If you knew, you should've screamed. Standing there like a statue just makes it easier for creeps."
"……."
She fidgeted silently, then looked down sheepishly and explained why she'd frozen.
"It was my first time…… in a situation like that. I didn't…… know what to do……."
"……Yeah, fair enough."
A girl with no real-world experience would find an adult's malice terrifying. Satisfied, I approached a station worker, explained everything, handed over the phone as evidence, and prepped to leave with her.
"No worries about the creep now. Evidence is with staff—he'll be nabbed soon."
"Uh, yeah. Th-thanks……."
"Don't thank me. My nosiness almost made us late together."
Now what? The molester derailed me a few stops early. Backtracking meant waiting for the next train—not feasible. Taxi to fix it quick? Student allowance wouldn't cover that comfortably. Running on foot? No dice……
Ah, right. Perfect solution.
"You know how to ride a bike?"
"B-bike?"
"Public bikes parked over there."
That should get us to the entrance ceremony on time. But even after explaining, her response lacked confidence.
"I…… don't know how to ride a bike……."
……Isn't biking basic by high school? Nah, in this well-connected era, maybe not essential.
"Then hop on behind me. Hold the umbrella too—it's pouring."
Time was tight regardless. I unlocked a public bike, settled on the seat, but she just stood three steps away, staring blankly.
"What're you waiting for? Get on."
"C-can I really……?"
"Yeah, unless you wanna be late."
Was she wary of her rescuer? Or uneasy about biking with a stranger? Either way, she finally climbed on back. Good enough. With her holding the umbrella over us, I pedaled off into the rain.
-Splashhhh.
Rain hammered down as tires cut through puddles. The slip risk kept me tense, prompting occasional worries for her.
"Gonna speed up—hold tight."
"L-like this?"
"Tighter."
She hugged me closer, still hesitant. Super timid kid, I thought, pedaling on till we reached our destination. I parked and looked up at the building.
Hyeoeun High School. The capital's top elite academy, famed for college prep across the board. Fittingly, it drew top students—but ironically, no kids at the gate now. Class time must be wrapping up.
Urgency hit. I stepped away from the umbrella girl, ready to sprint inside.
"See ya."
"W-wait……."
"Sorry, gotta give a speech at the ceremony. Save the thanks—maybe we'll cross paths again."
If she's a freshman, we'll meet in school soon enough. Hoping the teachers cut slack for my good deed and tardiness, I bolted to the auditorium, leaving her behind.
*****
And so, one girl was left alone where he'd departed.
"……."
She stood there silently for a while, gazing at the spot he'd vanished from, quietly reliving the recent events. How he'd saved her from the molester, then ridden with her to school. And all the contact along the way.
"His back……."
Feeling the lingering warmth, she pressed a hand to her chest and whispered softly.
"A boy's back…… is sturdier than I thought......"
A pubescent high school girl for whom boys were still unfamiliar. That first brush with a peer boy was enough to make her quiet heart pound wildly.