A Brother's Sacrifice

The morning sun raised, in order to inform me that it was time to step up Miyake's bullying a notch and make her suffer even more.

Me and Aki were changing our shoes at the shoe locker. After we changed it, we patiently waited near the shoe locker. Kinoshita hasn't come to school yet as he was doing a thing for me.

And the one whom we expected, arrived at last. Miyake was just walking towards us, where the shoe locker was. She noticed us and became more alerted to us.

She was only focusing on us. We did nothing and just stared at her. Miyake couldn't figure out what we were trying to do, so she proceeded to change her shoes.

She took out her shoes from the shoe locker slowly, as she was still thinking and focusing on us. She removed her own shoes to change into indoor shoes.

"Kyaaa!!"

When changing her left shoe, she screamed and the surrounding people were surprised by this scream. Eventually, they looked at what's going on.

Miyake, who was still in pain, removed the indoor shoe and saw what was in the shoe. A pin was found in the shoe. Miyake looked at us at the corner of her eyes. My hand moved to my lips and made a shush sign to her that implemented,

'Don't say this to anybody.'

Miyake got the message as she had a helpless and painful expression. She tried to get up, only to find out that her left leg was injured pretty badly. It was bleeding at the bottom of her leg.

She was trying to stand up with the support of the locker but her injured leg wouldn't let her do it. She was thinking about how to get out of this situation quickly.

"Are you okay Miyake?"

That reassuring voice called out to Miyake. She turned her sight towards that voice and saw Ryusaki's worrying face. But she wasn't that happy about this encounter, as me and Aki were seeing all of this.

"I'm...fine."

"But you're bleeding!"

"I-It's just a scratch."

"How did you get that?"

Miyake glanced at us for a moment before saying,

"...There was a small pointy rock in my shoe so I didn't notice it. Don't worry, it'll be fine with just some bandages."

Ryusaki wouldn't leave Miyake in this situation alone. So he really cares about her that lot.

"Are you able to walk normally with that injury? If not, I'll help you get to the infirmary."

"It's alright, I'll go my-Aaaahhhh!!!"

Miyake was struggling to stand straightly. Her balance is unstable so she would probably fall all the time.

"I knew it. Hang on to me. I'll support you."

"No it's-"

"I won't hear a word from you. Put your arm around my neck."

"But class will be starting soon. You should go now. I don't want to drag you down."

"You are more important than class to me right now. Let's go."

Miyake was surprised by Ryusaki's attitude. She didn't know that Ryusaki was that much caring towards her. She surrendered to his stubbornness.

Miyake was supporting onto Ryusaki, and they were heading towards the infirmary. This scene of Ryusaki helping Miyake was a success for us. Miyake can be seen blushing while Ryusaki hasn't still noticed it.

Watching them makes me want to vomit. I myself didn't know that I had grown this much hatred towards 'love'. I diverted my mind to the tasks that were fulfilled.

"You planned all of this and predicted that this would happen, didn't you?"

"I told Kinoshita to do something that would make Ryusaki come at the right time. But I didn't know that you would go as far as put a pin instead of something else."

"In the end, I did what you told me. A pin or something else, it doesn't matter as long as it does the work. Right?"

"Well said. The plan is going accordingly. Miyake will soon realize that Ryusaki cherishes her after this incident. Still, we need one last push before going into the final phase."

"Then should we do it in the break?"

"Sounds good to me. Kinoshita will do it this time."

Aki was a bit worried and questioned hesitantly.

"Aren't you...pushing him a little too far? If you do push him too quickly, he will lose his mind, don't you think?"

"I know what you are trying to say but, this is the last thing that he'll do for this mission. Don't worry, I won't break him. He's on our side, remember?"

"...Yeah. I hope so."

That's right. I have to push him further so that he will be fully under my control. Now, time to meet Kinoshita to explain to him what he will be doing.

....

It was break and I already told Kinoshita what to do. He was hesitant at first but, as always, he agreed to do it, for his family's sake.

Ryusaki and Miyake was eating together in class. They got closer after that shoe locker incident. Miyake wasn't able to sit comfortably due to the injury. But she tried to conceal her pain in front of Ryusaki.

Ryusaki was deeply concerned about Miyake's health. But she didn't want to make Ryusaki worry about her. Both of them were eating silently but worrying about each other at the same time.

"I'll throw this in the bin."

Miyake picked up a piece of plastic wrapping, which was on the table while getting up.

"Give it to me, I'll throw it."

"Let me. I don't want to bother you every time. You've already done enough this morning."

"But-!"

"Calm down. It's not that big of a deal. It should be healed enough by now."

Miyake stood up slowly from her seat to do her task. Miyake turned around to head to the dustbin but suddenly, she was pushed by someone and was falling over.

"Miyake!"

Ryusaki acted quickly to save Miyake from the fall. And he was successful in his rescue plan. His reflexes and speed from playing soccer saved Miyake.

Ryusaki was angry and it was clearly shown on his face. He looked at the person who pushed her and said furiously,

"Can't you see where you are going!? Who the hell are you!?"

The person concerned calmly said,

"That stings me a little bit. I'm your classmate and you don't even know me?"

Miyake slowly stood on her 2 feet with the aid of Ryusaki. Miyake heard that unforgettable voice and knew who it was.

"Kinoshita...?"

"At least your girlfriend knows my name. Remember it very well Ryusaki."

Miyake was blushing when hearing the word 'girlfriend', but Ryusaki was still angry about Kinoshita's attitude. He responded,

"Why should I? And who want to remember the name of a guy who acts arrogantly and can't even apologize when he did a mistake."

"So you are saying that I should apologize? Sorry, but since me and Miyake are friends, there are no 'sorrys' in between us. Right, Miyake?"

Ryusaki turned his attention to Miyake and said,

"Is he really your friend?"

"....No...."

"Did you listen to her? Now apologize."

Kinoshita ignored Ryusaki and instead, glared at Miyake. Miyake retreated back behind Ryusaki when seeing Kinoshita looking at her.

Ryusaki immediately grabbed Kinoshita by the collar of his school uniform. Kinoshita was unfazed by Ryusaki's action.

"The hell are you glaring at!?"