Everyone in the class knew well, Kiyo and Sunny became closer.

They often go together, and start going up Kikyo Hill or going to the backyard more often.

In addition, there are components out of jealousy or whatever they are, from slandering only Sunny, turning to scandal Kiyo. Even match-making them.

Kiyo didn't care about the gossip about him, but if it was about Sunny, it would really piss him off.

One day, while sitting quietly in class, Kiyo heard something rustling outside the door.

What's going on?  He snuck out nearby.

....

They bullied Sunny again.

But unlike usual, Sunny didn't show any fear, he just stood still, resolutely looking into their faces.

"What?! How dare you make that face? This useless brat!"

"If you say I'm useless, why don't you take a look at yourself? Bullying others... is cowardly."

"Are you saying I'm a coward?!"

The bully went crazy, ready to hit Sunny. He kept his composure, preparing to dodge the blow.

Kiyo lunged forward, holding the other's arm.

"That's enough. Stay away from Sunny."

"He made me have bad grades."

"It's not his fault that you get bad grades."

That guy was going to use his foot to trip Kiyo, but no, Kiyo had already calculated that possibility, so he dodged the attack and kicked the other guy hard, kicking to the end of the class, causing many tables and chairs to fall to the floor.

Kiyo pressed his foot against it, growling loudly:

"Get rid of that attitude. Or I won't stop here, this is still too light for you."

But unfortunately, the headmaster witnessed it all. He called the three to his office to talk.

The teacher said with a serious face that, even if there was a reason like before, it should not be solved by violence, but instead be peaceful and talk to the teacher. But Kiyo disagreed with that.

"Do you know how many times Sunny has been threatened by my classmates? If I don't hit them, they won't stop."

"Kiyo..." - Sunny looked down at the floor.

"But that doesn't mean you can do that. The other guy too."

"Fine. You want to kick me out of school, I'm okay with that. But you'd better deal with our class."

After a few hours, the case was cleared up.

Some students who harassed Sunny were suspended for two months.

So did Kiyo, but because of fighting for his friend, he was only sent home for two weeks. That's because he hurt some people within two years.

* * *

The first suspended week was here.

It was true that he felt a bit pity of for not being able to go to school anymore, but he did not regret what he had done. Instead, he would have to go on that disgusting duty  within two weeks of his suspension.

At noon, when he was eating his meal, there was a rattle outside. That's the sound of Sunny's bike.

He got up and went to the front door.

"Kiyo, I brought notebooks for you to copy."

"Okay, thank you." - Kiyo said while taking the notebook, then he opened the gate for his friend to come in.

"You don't have to share lunch, I've eaten on my way." - Sunny followed Kiyo into the house.

He sat down in front of the table Kiyo was eating, and Kiyo quickly cleared the dishes.

"Does something happen today?" - Kiyo asked.

"No, it's just... I want to apologize for what happened the other day."

"Why are you apologizing? What did you do?"

Sunny hesitated, not knowing what to say.

"Is it because of the day I hit him?"

"Yeah. Why did I let you go to such trouble..."

"I told you, it's not your fault. Everything is fine." - Kiyo said.

Sunny sighed, clutching his face in thought.

Kiyo thought that it was more his fault. I made Sunny blame himself like this. And made others get hurt.

He stepped closer, patted Sunny's head, and let his friend swoop into his lap.

"I hate... myself for many things."

"Why?"

"I can't help you, yet you often run into trouble."

Kiyo clearly heard the breaks in Sunny's voice now.

Is he still as sensitive as usual?

"Come on, don't blame yourself like that. It's normal for me to help you, isn't it?"

Sunny did not answer. He just laid his face on Kiyo's shoulder. And he seemed to hold on tighter.

Kiyo realized that Sunny was in a bad mood, so he thought it best not to let Sunny feel even sadder.

Then Kiyo patted him.

The two were silent for a moment. Suddenly Sunny pulled away again, looking into Kiyo's eyes. It's like he has something to say.

"What's wrong?" - Kiyo asked surprised.

"I..." - Sunny's cheeks turned pink.

Kiyo was still waiting for an answer.

"No, it's nothing." - Sunny lowered his voice. He stood up and picked up the bag.

"I guess I can't stay longer here. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll study programming with you again the next day."

"That's okay."

Sunny pulled the bag, walked out the gate, and then took the bike out.

"Bye." - He turned his head. Kiyo said it too.

After locking the gate, Kiyo returned to the table, sitting quietly thinking.

Sunny from earlier was quite strange. He looked like he had something to say to Kiyo for a long time, and he got a flustered face too.

Wait, maybe he likes...

.....

No, there's no way Sunny likes me, I'm thinking nonsense again. We are just friends.

Kiyo sucked on a cinnamon stick. Now he is probably addicted to cinnamon, take it everywhere he went.

I guess I should focus on my studies and work more than this...

He took out a handkerchief from a box.

Sunny has given this to him for a while, but it's still clean (because he always washed it when it's dirty) and still lingered on Sunny's scent.

What a good smell..