"Kouta, go away. " I heard Ryu say from behind me.

I turned around.

"What? " I said.

"You're pathetic. " he said.

"Hey what's going on? " Noriko said.

"Noriko stay out of this. It's between me and Kouta. " Ryu said and pushed her away.

I stepped forward.

"Ryu, don't push her like that! " I said.

He frowned.

"I can do whatever I want to Noriko. She's mine."

I swung my arm out to hit him but Ryu caught and started to twist my arm.

It... Hurts...

"Stop! " Noriko shouted.

But Ryu just kept twisting and twisting my arm further into the probable fracture zone.

Then something happened that I did not expect in the slightest.

Hitomi had kicked Ryu in the gut making him double over and let go of my arm.

Everyone in our little group and a few strangers were now all staring.

"I won't let you hurt him, Ryu. Got that? This wimp has bigger balls than you. Remember that. " Hitomi said.

Hitomi... Why?

+-+-+

Let's be besties!

Come on, Kouta!

You're kinda cool...

Forgive me?

+-+-+

Guess it still hadn't gotten through my head yet.

Hitomi is my friend.

We are friends.

And yet, her smile isn't friendly...

It's a different emotion.