Chapter 11

"Stop pretending, let's go home quickly." She felt a little uncomfortable, pulled the person up, and dragged him two steps.

Amemiya obediently let her hold his hand, and his slender and long shadow cast a shadow over Naoko, like a gentle hug.

Originally, everything was normal except holding hands.

But when she stopped at the traffic light, she felt a slump on her shoulder - Amemiya deliberately rested his face on her shoulder.

"What are you doing again..."

"It smells so good, it smells like Naoko." He hugged her tightly through the backpack, "Did you change your shampoo? But it smells good too."

Naoko blushed and elbowed him, "Hey, a lot of people are looking this way! Hurry up and get up. Are you a little too excited today?"

"I like Naoko."

After saying this, Amemiya fell silent, and the hot air from his breath hit her neck, making her feel itchy. It is said that

people who grew up together, for some reason, find it difficult to feel emotions similar to love for each other.

Naoko appreciated this, as it freed her from being captivated by Amemiya-kun's charm and becoming one of the "nezumi" (rats) he belittled and mocked.

Rather than being attracted to him, she felt Amemiya's behavior was more akin to playfulness, perhaps even a testament to his charm.

"See, even you, Naoko, can't resist my face," the beautiful demon said.

In short, for the rest of the day, Amemiya-kun clung to her like a dog-skin plaster.

Even during meals, he'd make ambiguous remarks and perform flirtatious actions,

like deliberately serving her food or offering her water, even when it was completely unnecessary.

Even Ms. Kawase Misato seemed to notice, glancing at them both with strange eyes.

It wasn't just at home; Amemiya's behavior intensified at school.

He insisted on holding hands with Naoko as they walked into the academy, claiming it was the proper way to be in a relationship.

Of course, she firmly rejected this unreasonable request.

So, Amemiya lagged behind her half a step, his gaze fixed on her with a resentful intensity that sent a cold sweat down her spine.

But before long, the "popular person" himself was lost in the enthusiastic crowd, his cold gaze following her.

After about a dozen steps, she heard a commotion behind her.

She could hear someone being hit by Amemiya, but Naoko never turned back.

As they passed a small, fenced garden, they heard a rustling sound. Irie Reo, his face gloomy, cornered her in a corner.

After only a few days, he looked even more haggard, his stubble patched around his lips, his greasy hair drooping at his forehead, giving him a dull, lifeless look. She

didn't dare approach, so she tentatively offered a hello: "Irie...senpai?"

Irie glared at her with disgust, his teeth clenched. His hands, hanging by his sides, gradually clenched into fists, gleaming with a menacing green light.

Naoko, a little frightened, took a cautious step back, her eyes scanning the surrounding exits.

"Kawase Naoko, I don't know how you can always hang around Amemiya-kun. You're such an eyesore."

She took a step back, and Irie took a step forward. By the time she came to her senses, she was cornered.

"Are you still hoping Amemiya-kun will come to rescue you?" he sarcastically asked. "Kawase, how can you have the confidence to stand next to Amemiya-kun?

" "You're obviously not very likable...but Amemiya-kun keeps so much attention on you, and so cold to me!

" "...Ah, right. Was it you, Kawase? You made Amemiya-kun ignore me, right?"

As if finding some justification to support himself, his eyes reddened, and he paced back and forth excitedly.

"Yes, that's right. It's you, Kawase. So, if I just kill you—"

With that, the thin man spun around, suddenly leaping up, grabbing Naoko's neck and pinning her against the wall.

He must have used up all his strength, because she could clearly see several obvious blue veins on his pale arms.

But within a dozen seconds, Naoko felt difficulty breathing and had to struggle desperately, scratching the hand that was across her neck with her long nails.

Her vision began to blur and her head was congested. She knew that her eyes must be filled with fear at this moment.

But she didn't want to die.

Fortunately, a second before she completely passed out, a blurry figure flashed in front of her. The grip loosened, and her limbs became weak and she slowly slid down the wall.

Irie's screams of pain came to her ears. He seemed to be kicked away by someone and fell into the bushes.

She had never longed for air as much as she did now. When the fragrance of Amemiya's body filled her lungs with oxygen, a pair of slender arms took her into his arms.

Warm and familiar.

Her tense nerves relaxed, she was finally saved: "Amemiya...kun..."

Amemiya's angry question came: "Naoko, you idiot, didn't I tell you to stay by my side? You almost died, you know?"

She no longer had the strength to retort, and slowly narrowed her eyes.

"And you, ugly rat." Amemiya finally raised his eyes, glaring coldly at the panicked Irie.

Because he fell into the bushes, Irie's face and neck were all scratched by sharp branches. The blood slowly dripped down his skin, looking a little creepy.

But he didn't care at all. With tears streaming down his face, he crawled over to hug Amemiya's calf, but he was kicked away coldly.

"Amemiya-kun, Amemiya-kun... It's all Kawase's fault, isn't it? It's all her. If it weren't for her, we would have been able to live happily together! She must have seduced you, it must be... it must be..."

Amemiya narrowed his eyes and looked at him, not hiding his harshness and disgust: "Damn rat, ugly thing. Stay away from her, okay? How could I possibly fall for an ugly and stupid trash like you?"

When he saw the conspicuous pinch mark on Naoko's neck, he became even more furious and kicked Irie hard again.

"If it weren't for…" He paused, glancing down at her, then cut himself off with a cold snort. "Why would I even approach a diseased rat like you? You're so disgusting… Get away from me, okay?"

Irie rolled aside after being kicked, but soon climbed back up, crawling to her feet and praying.

"No, Amamiya-kun, I can't live without you… Please, Amamiya-kun, please don't say such hurtful things to me…"

Amamiya stepped back, avoiding his touch, and spoke slowly, "If you can't live, then die."

His voice trailed off, as if savoring the pleasure this thought brought.

"It's best to die now."

With that, he carried Naoko in his arms and headed for the infirmary.

When Naoko opened her eyes again, it was already noon.

Amemiya sat beside the bed, arms folded, eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on the hideous bruises on her neck.

She soothed him, "It should heal soon, Amemiya-kun, don't worry."

But Amemiya snorted in anger: "This is clearly my place, and a stinky rat like that touched it... I wonder if there are any germs."

Soon, an alcohol pad was thrust into her hand.

"Huh?"

"Are you stupid again?" He urged, frowning unhappily. "Disinfect quickly! What if you get infected? Naoko, do you want to turn into a stinky rat too?"

It wasn't that exaggerated...

But meeting Amemiya's fearful gaze, she perfunctorily wiped her neck.

"And here, wipe it too."

His warm fingertips pressed against her skin, making her shudder. "That's enough, Amemiya-kun, take your hands off."

"Naoko, it doesn't seem like you can clean it all by yourself. Let me help you."

"I told you not to!" Unsure if there was a doctor on duty in the infirmary, she blushed and lowered her voice, "You're hurting me, Amemiya-kun."

As expected, Amemiya didn't move. With a smile, he commented, "You've become cunning, Naoko."

After applying some swelling medication and being "disinfected" by him, Naoko felt much better and prepared to return to class.

Amemiya followed her, carrying her backpack. "Do you need me to hold you? Naoko, I'd be happy to help you right now."

"I told you not to."

If he really carried her into the classroom like a princess, she'd probably be dazzled by the stares from the others.

Besides, the other students in the class didn't like her much anyway.

"Don't you think it's inconvenient for you to walk like this?"

"My injury is my neck, not my foot. It won't affect my walking at all, okay?"

"But I really want to hold Naoko."

"..."

Naoko was still more accustomed to this guy's sarcastic and venomous tone.

"Isn't it okay? Can't I just hug you?" His arm fell naturally, wrapping around hers.

She turned around to glare at him fiercely, but her gaze met his downcast. He

actually looked a little pitiful.

"...Okay, but only in private. Absolutely not in the academy."

With that, she coldly pried his hand away.

As the two of them walked into the classroom, one after the other, most of the class looked over at them and watched them take their seats.

Suzuki-kun turned his head stiffly and said in a chilling voice, "Amamiya-kun, you're back. What happened? You're late today."

Normally, Amamiya would have told him to get lost coldly, but today he seemed in a rare good mood.

"Of course it's with Naoko..." He dragged out the last word, "But, what's it to you?"

Hey, please don't end the conversation in such an ambiguous place! Isn't it just because of an injury that I went to the infirmary...

She shouted in her heart, but her poor social anxiety made it difficult for her to speak.

Although most of his face was covered, Naoko could see from his overly long bangs that he was thinking about something.

If he didn't explain, something terrible would probably happen.

"Well, actually..."