Chapter 5: I'm Actually a Man

I'm Actually a Man

"Kyaaa! Onizuka-kun! Look this way!"

"Onizuka-kun! So cool!"

Just as I was finally on my way home after my encounter with Ayanokoji and Nagumo, a scream-like cheer pierced my ears.

The high-pitched cheers came from several girls at the end of the hallway.

They leaned out of a fourth-floor window and waves to someone outside.

Onizuka-kun...?

Despite having a bad feeling, I followed their gaze.

As expected, there was Onizuka walking outside.

"Shut up!"

Onizuka looked up at them, yelled at them, and then left the school gates.

"Kyaaaa!!"

This elicits cheers again.

They seemed to be completely smitten.　

Wh, what's so good about that guy...?

As someone who has never had a girlfriend, I have almost no understanding of women and the good qualities of the men they like.

Jealous that such a violent man was so popular, I gritted my teeth and headed for the school gates.

I'm a first-year student at this school – Hoshizora Private High School.

The first-year classrooms are lined up on the fourth floor, making this the grade that has to walk the most to and from school.

It's a fairly large school, with a playground, tennis courts, and basketball courts.

It may be a well-known high school in the local area.

Well...

"Where am I...?"

I left the school gates, but within seconds I was lost.

After all, the scenery is different on the way there and the way back, so it can be difficult for people who are directionally challenged.

All I remember is that there was a drugstore with a bright blue sign near my house.

If only I could get to that drugstore, I'd know the way...

I walked back and forth, searching for a familiar sight that I must have passed by on my way to school.

"Ah."

"Oh."

I bumped into him.

Onizuka came out of the convenience store.

I pretended I didn't know him and turned around.

However, Onizuka would not allow it.

Casually he grabbed my shoulder.

What's with this guy? He's getting too familiar.

"Hey, don't be rough with girls."

With a slap, I shook off the hand.

"Then act more like a girl."

I couldn't say a word back.

Onizuka snorted and laughed.

"Why don't you at least say hello to your acquaintances?"

He started talking like a troublesome relative.

I didn't remember ever getting to know you.

"Hello. Well then, goodbye."

As if by natural movement, I turned my back on Onizuka.

"Are you a robot?"

"Guh."

He grabbed me by the back of my collar and I was left standing there helplessly.

Resigned to my fate, I turned around and faced Onizuka.

"Is there something I can help you with...?"

Finally, I managed to force out a polite smile.

Onizuka continued talking, ignoring my aura of wanting to get out of the way quickly.

"Why are you here? Is your house this way?"

"My house is the one near the big drugstore with the blue sign..."

"So, it's on the other side of the school?"

"…………"

"…………"

There is silence.

"...Did you get lost on your way home from school?"

He looked at me like I was a complete idiot.

I turned around without saying a word and headed back the way I came.

That way I could go back to school again.

"That's not the way to school."

"…………"

Once again, I turned my heels.

As I tried to pass by Onizuka, he grabbed me by the back of my collar again.

"Guh."

Don't make me sound like a squashed frog over and over again.

"Pfftt, wait a second. You're amazing, seriously, hahaha."

Onizuka could no longer contain his laughter.

I feel frustrated that I can't say anything back.

"I'll show you to the drugstore, so just follow me."

"…………"

I have no choice but to obey.

I nodded and Onizuka started walking.

If I come home late, I'm sure my mother will get angry with me.

I hurriedly followed Onizuka's broad back.

Differences in stride length due to differences in height.

Onizuka's step was nearly twice as long as mine.

By increasing the rotation speed of my feet, I managed to hang on and avoid being left behind.

"...You don't fawn over me like other girls do..."

Suddenly, Onizuka said something rude.

"Haa?"

Fawn?

Who?

Me?

To you?

"Don't be so conceited."

Oops, the truth slipped out.

Onizuka stopped in his tracks and glared at me.

This is bad, I forgot about the difference in our abilities and one-sidedly started a fight on my own.

"You're suddenly getting aggressive, aren't you?"

"Kyaa, Onizuka-kun, you're so cool."

"As soon it gets inconvenient you switched side. Stop that robot-like way of speaking."

The obvious brown-nosing didn't seem to work.

Onizuka started walking again.

Apparently, my cheeky mouth was overlooked.

...Damn, Onizuka, you're too fast, slow down a little will ya.

After walking for about five minutes, and starting to get a little out of breath from walking so fast──

"Yo, Onizuka! What's with you, you've brought a girl with you!"

A bald male student from another school started bothering Onizuka.

The number was five.

"Tch, here comes a troublesome one."

I stole a quick glance at Onizuka.

His handsome features are frowning, and he looks genuinely troubled.

...Well, it's just problem between delinquents.

I'm sure there's some silly grudge between them.

It doesn't concern me!

"Oh, well, it looks like your friend has come, so I'll leave from here..."

I quickly put on a beautiful girl smile and tried to retreat.

But, as expected, it didn't go so well.

After all, this is the world of girls' manga.

"Hey, wait a minute!"

"Kyaa!"

One of the delinquents from another school roughly grabbed my arm.

My resistance was futile, and both of my wrists were easily twisted behind my back.

Hey, is this a hostage situation thing?

"Onizuka! If you don't want this woman to feel any pain, then be obedient and become our punching bag!"

"Such a dirty trick...!"

Onizuka acted unsure of what to do.

No, don't worry, don't mind me.

Our relationship isn't deep enough to worry about.

"Hehe, if that's how it is, then you're finished too, huh?"

Onizuka was suddenly grabbed from behind by one of the delinquents.

Another delinquent punched Onizuka in the stomach!

"Ugh!"

With a dull thud and a groan, Onizuka endured the punch.

Two, three hits later, the hands tormenting Onizuka showed no signs of stopping.

One of the delinquents who continued to take turns hitting Onizuka noticed something shiny on his chest.

"What is this necklace?"

"Don't touch it!!"

As soon as he put his hand on the necklace, Onizuka's demeanor changed completely.

Apparently, it's something important.

"So ugly!"

The delinquent saw this, grinned, and ripped the necklace off.

"You!!"

Boom!

Onizuka instantly released his restraints and punched one of the men behind him in the stomach.

"Guh...!"

The blow caused the first delinquent to sink to the ground.

"Hey, don't act violently! Have you forgotten about this girl!?"

The second delinquent grabbed my arm and called out to Onizuka in a trembling voice.

"..."

As soon as Onizuka made eye contact with me while I was restrained, he became quiet.

"That's right, that's all you need to do, okay...!"

The delinquent number three punched Onizuka in the cheek.

Onizuka just glared at him with a sharp gaze and didn't retaliate.

...This is really unbearable.

I confirmed the location of the second delinquent, the person in charge of restraining me.

I'm not used to fighting, but it's not like I've never fought before.

"Hmph!"

"Ugh!?"

I threw my head back, headbutted the second delinquent under the jaw.

Slosh!

The attack seemed to hit at just the right time, as the delinquent went dizzy and collapsed to the ground.

"Don't underestimate me, you idiot!"

What a cowardly thing to do.

I spat at the second delinquent, who was still twitching and unable to move.

All the men, including Onizuka, had their eyes widened at my actions.

"You woman! What are you doing?!"

"What am I doing? I'm the one who supposed to say that!"

I just got lost on the way home. Don't involve me in your problem

"Don't kid around with me!"

The fourth delinquent, whose head vein had burst due to my response, was about to attack when...

Gah!

A sharp fist slammed into his right cheek.

It's Onizuka.

Wait, didn't he was getting beaten up by delinquent number three...

When I turned around, the delinquent number three was already lying face up on the ground, unconscious.

It seems that he took advantage of the brief moment when everyone was paying attention to me and knocked out the delinquent number three that was beating him with one punch.

Wow, so strong...

"Hey, what about you?"

Four out of the five had lost consciousness, and Onizuka turned his gaze to the remaining person.

"H, Hiiiiiiiii!"　

He let out a pathetic cry and ran away.

On the contrary, abandoning all your friends showed you have a lot of courage.

I picked up Onizuka's necklace, which had fallen to the ground and had been torn off earlier.

It was necklace with a simple silver cross.

"You're really good at fighting."

Impressed, I hand over the necklace.

"No, forget about being strong or anything."

Eh?

"Why are you joining in a men's fight? It's dangerous."

Onizuka lectured me as he received the necklace.

I'm complementing him, but I never expected to be scolded.

No, if I tell him the truth here, maybe he'll believe me instead.

Let's give it a try.

"I'm actually a man."

"What is that robot-like response?"

I was flatly rejected.

Well, that's true.

I didn't really want to make you believe it either.

"You really are a strange woman."

Ah!

He smiled.

It was the first time I saw Onizuka smiled, as he had always had a sullen look on his face since we first met.