THE ARTICLE WAS UP BY NOON.

The president of the newspaper club worked fast, that was an undeniable fact.

As one would predict, Takumi had become the talk of the school in less than four hours. The reputation of Kanome High School's golden boy was besmirched in half-baked lies and unproven facts. After Mr. Fujinaka searched our belongings, he found the answer sheets to our math and science exams tucked loosely between the pages of Takumi's textbooks, as if begging to be found, and he'd been mercilessly dragged to the principal's office for answers. Naoya, who'd been the first to come to his aide, had earned understandable suspicion, which led him to be dragged down along with him. By now, their parents must've been called, and hell on Earth must've been brewing in that office.

Then again, here I was, spending my lunch break staring listlessly at the graffiti students had mercilessly scribbled onto Takumi's photograph. The article was everywhere—in nearby students' hands, taped to the walls, out in the school courtyard classrooms. In no time at all, Takumi was what all students at Kanome High School were gossiping about.

A couple of months ago, I would've enjoyed this situation. Takumi's name being dragged through the mud, and his reputation, marred.

I would've enjoyed this a lot, actually.

"You really do have an unlucky taste in men," Moe remarked, mock tears bubbling in her eyes. "But, it's okay. You still have hope for a happy ending."

Saeki nodded, equally empathetic. "There's a slim chance he won't be expelled, so that's good news."

Expelled?

I made a face at the two of them. "Why are the people of this school acting like this is the first time a student here cheated on a test?"

"Takumi isn't just a "student,"" Moe answered. "He's hope personified! How many kids our age have achieved as much as him? Literally no one. There are a lot of students who admired him. So, finding out that he was a fraud this whole time is like, a huge blow to the gut. Who else will they look to now to lead them?"

"At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if spears started raining from the sky," Saeki added.

Well, Moe and Saeki's theatrics weren't anything new. Besides, they were right. Takumi was beloved by all. Him losing this much respect—and this quickly—destroyed the very balance of the school.

My stomach churned indescribably.

"Enjoy lunch without me," I told them, spinning on the heels of my shoes.

"Where are you—"

I ignored their unanimous shout and bid them off with a wave over my shoulder. I zigzagged through the crowds and down a flight of stairs to the first floor. The main office had been surrounded by an onslaught of curious students. I spotted multiple teachers shooing them off and telling them to mind their business.

Which meant, he was still here.

I circled to another hallway—and ducked behind the wall. If true, Takumi had been in there for hours. Meaning, he had to be leaving soon. Knowing the principal, he would likely suggest Takumi leave only once lunch ended. The crowd would be gone by then, so he wouldn't have to be fed directly to the wolves.

That being said, it wasn't guaranteed. I'd still take my chances though.

Once the bell chimed, signalling the end of lunch break, I braced myself, hiding as the gaggles of students were forced back to class. The slew of teachers followed suit. Before long, the hall had cleared, and grew eerily quiet.

Following an agonizing ten minutes, the door to the main office creaked open. It was but luck alone that Takumi—and Takumi alone—emerged. He definitely had better days. Shaky on his feet, harrowed to his very soul. Although his normally pale complexion stood out, at this moment, his face was dissolved of all humanely colour. You could've told me he was a ghost and I'd have believed it in a heartbeat.

"Bad morning, huh?"

He didn't even hear me approach. His lifeless eyes lifted upwards from the linoleum, only to quiver once they landed on me.

I pursed my lip. "Actually, don't answer that. You look like you could pass out at any second."

He swallowed thickly, his Adam's apple bobbing. "What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me too?"

I fought a heavy sigh. "Do I look like I'm here to do that?"

"I wouldn't put it past you." He glazed the nearby bulletin board, where lo and behold, hung a deeply slandering article. Forget ghostly, he seemed utterly sick to his stomach. "Or. . . anyone else."

If I could, I would've rolled my eyes. I shuffled over to block his view of the board. "I'm not going to laugh, idiot. Or make a mockery out of you. You're innocent."

His jaw fell. Sputtering noises escaped him, identical to a car engine starting up.

"Y—You believe in. . ."

"It wasn't up for debate," I cut him off. "I never doubted you. Of course, you didn't exactly make that easy considering you never made an effort to defend yourself."

His speechlessness made me groan.

"You're not the type to smuggle test answers. Let alone willingly cheat on an exam. I know you, Takumi. I hate to admit it, but I do. You're hardheaded, and a sore loser. But, deep down, you have a good heart. You don't take shortcuts, especially when it comes to school and competitions. Every ribbon, medal, trophy. . . Every volunteer opportunity, whether at food shelters, senior homes, the local library—everything you've done, you earned fair and square. You'd rather die than accept a win or compliment you didn't earn. Your biggest fear is disappointing others. That's just the type of guy you are. If anyone should know that, it's me."

This time, it wasn't subtle. It wasn't a trick of the light, or my eyesight playing a trick on me. His skin flushed an undeniable red.

"I paid attention to you too." The corners of my lips nudged upwards. "All these years, I made the conscious effort to listen to just about every piece of gossip I could about you. Because I couldn't wait for you to finally slip up at something, and fall flat on your face. And I'll admit, while I still look forward to that day, today isn't it."

"How can you have so much faith in me?" Takumi frowned, albeit pathetically. "Maybe I did finally reach my breaking point. Maybe I did stop caring about academic integrity, and gave in to the pressure, and— What are you grinning about?"

I couldn't help it—I laughed. "Sorry. But, can you blame me? You're a horrible liar."

"I'm not—"

"All right. Whatever you say. I hope you realize you aren't very convincing when your cheeks are as red as strawberries."

If his complexion was red before, now it was on fire. "I—I'm angry!"

"Right," I agreed, smiling. "Let's cut to the chase, dummy. We're going to clear your name."

"W—we?"

"You and I." I nodded. "This ordeal is too complicated for you to get out of alone. Especially since Naoya's in trouble too."

Although cooperating seemed to be the last thing he wanted to do, in due time, his shoulders slumped.

"Because he defended me," he responded. "Nao's an idiot. His mom was livid. She dragged him out of the principal's office by the ankles."

The image cracked me up. "Wish I could've seen that. But, he did all that because he believes in you. He's a good friend."

Takumi's stormy eyes tentatively met mine. He couldn't argue against that.

"He's done dumb things since the day we met."

"Like roll around in the mud on rainy days? I've heard."

"He wouldn't quit that until middle school." Pinching the bridge to his nose, he shook his head. Compared to when we first started talking, he'd regained a lot of spirit. "Don't even get me started on the first snowfall of every year. He'll randomly drop to the ground and start making snow angels and snow forts."

What a cute bromance.

"At this point, he's used to getting yelled at and lectured. But, I can't let him go down with me."

I always wondered how the two of them could be such close friends, but in hindsight, it made perfect sense. I couldn't imagine Takumi willingly befriending anyone else. Likewise, I couldn't picture anybody but Naoya happily approaching somebody as grumpy and as bullheaded as Takumi.

"—As I said time and time again, sir, that doesn't sound like my son! He didn't do it!"

A familiar voice carried into the hall. Mrs. Riri, arguing with who I assumed was the principal. As expected, she was defending Takumi as her life depended on it. How sweet. Mom of the Year Award went to her.

Surfacing my cell from my pocket, I tugged on his hand. It was incomparably bigger than mine, and his ivory skin was much smoother than I assumed. It also scalded against mine, which could be a direct result of his earlier blushing episode.

"Seems like Mrs. Riri won't be confiscating your phone, so here."

"Wh-what are you—"

"My contact info." I gestured for him to pull out his phone to add it. "So we can be in touch easier."

I could practically feel him radiating heat. "We don't need to—"

"If we're going to be working together, this is necessary." My lower lip extended into a petulant pout. "I'm getting it one way or another."

Sure, it was a lot to ask when, for the longest time, we hadn't even been on speaking terms. Unfortunately, this was for efficiency's sake.

Flustering Takumi beyond compare was just an added bonus.

"W—why do you always have to. . ." Unable to conceal his newfound blush, he begrudgingly retrieved his cell and brought it to mine. "You're a bully."

What a turn of events.

"Stop fidgeting."

"I'm n-not."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm deleting it as soon as this is over," he stammered.

Of course, he was.

Once exchanged, I tucked my phone back into my blazer. In comparison, he stood in a daze, studying my name on his screen, as though if he were to look away, it'd disappear.

"You make it sound so easy. But who's. . . who's trying to frame me?"

The melancholy in his voice left me stunned for words.

Deep down, I had an answer.

This was my fault.

The office door clicked open. Mrs. Riri had finished arguing her case, and by the look on her face, it was a losing battle.

I avoided catching her gaze as I turned tail and ran.

"I'll fix this, don't worry."

____________

I genuinely have a lot of fun making graphics for this story, but that's precisely why updates take longer than usual. That, and school started back up again and I'm already swamped with assignments and tests 🫠

I feel so behind with everything. I'll hopefully be able to update the next few chapters soon though, seeing as I'm just about done with them, but we'll see how it goes lol.

Vote & Comment! <3