Chapter LVII: The Kouhai, Part 1
As Kota and the others are going to commence in their Taiku, a girl can be seen watching from the 4th floor of the school building although she's in the middle of their class.
"Can you solve this on the board, Tatehira?" (The Teacher)
The girl keeps looking directly at Kota for some reason.
"Tatehira!"
*startled* "Yes sir?"
"For god's sake girl, another daydreaming I take it? Focus on class will ya?!"
"Sorry sir it won't happen again"
So the girl goes up in front of their class to solve the math problem. When she gets back to her seat, flashbacks get up into her mind.
Way back then on November, she saw Tengen and Kota walking towards the oval. She then develops a crush on both of them but much more entirely with Tengen. However when she tried to text Tengen during Christmas Eve, the latter doesn't sees the message and doesn't reply back.
Just after Kota's Valentine's Accident, she texted him.
"Hi Mister, do you know me?" (The Junior)
"Uhm, nope" (Kota)
"Maybe you've seen me around the school" (The Junior)
"Now thinking about it, I think I might have" (Kota)
He then asks, "So what grade level are you in?"
"Grade 8" (The Junior)
"Oh, a junior. What's your name by the way?" (Kota)
"Megumi Tatehira" (The Junior)
"That's a nice name, kinda reminds of that Isekai anime" (Kota)
"Uhm, you look kinda down today, do you have a problem?" (The Junior: Megumi)
"Nope, I'm fine as better", he says although he's kinda heartbroken at the moment.
"Ok, can I call you Oni-chan?" (Megumi)
"I don't know why not but ok"(Kota)
They then chat for an hour long until they go to sleep.
After their teambuilding, on a Monday, Kota usually goes to the cafeteria until he sees chicken nuggets on the table. A letter is on top of it with the words,
"To my Oni-chan, Kota"
Kota is so surprised with this and pockets the letter immediately.
"Aww, this is so thoughtful", he thinks to himself and realizes,
"Wait, it's her birthday, I'mma greet her later in the night"
The gang goes to his side.
"Hey, fancy you having fast food this very noon" (Akiko)
"Well I-uh…" (Kota)
"It was from someone" (Hanako)
Kota's forehead wrinkles due to what Hanako said and says,
"It was from my mom"
"Oh nice, chicken nuggies", says Enmei as he gets one and shoves it in his mouth.
"Hey Kota, I take it those are nuggies right?" (Gin)
"Yup, why?" (Kota)
"Nuggets, Nig-" (Gin)
"EHHH NO NONONONONONONO! Don't you dare say that word bro" (The whole gang)
"Why?" (Gin)
"Even though we're Asians, doesn't mean we're going to do that, saying a racist word" (Kota)
"Well, fair enough" (Gin)
They then eat lunch again, from afar, Megumi is watching them and smiling.
"Hey, what are you doing?" (one of her friends)
"Um, nothing I was looking for a spare table"
Her friend then raises his eyebrows and says,
"Hmm, ok"
Every night after their class, she seeks advice from him.
"Umm, Big Bro Kota, can you help me with this?"
"Yeah sure, no problem, what seems to be the problem?"
"So there was this gay friend of mine that keeps saying he's better than me"
"Why?"
"Because he said so"
"I know this may sound crazy but just ignore him. He'll realize his works and eventually will get some karma"
Megumi agrees with this. He adds,
"Don't try violence, it will get you more in danger and harm. Silent backlash is much more fitting"
Every time at lunch, he gets a letter under his usual seat. Some of it reads,
"Hi Big Bro Kota, I hope you liked the fast food I ordered for you, ILY Big Bro"
One time at the cafeteria, Enmei sees the note.
"Yow, what is that?" (Enmei)
"Nothing, just a letter" (Kota)
"A letter from who?", Akiko interjects with a glare on her face.
"From my…" (Kota)
"From?" (Akiko)
"Cousin, at junior high school" (Kota)
"Oh, ok" (Akiko)
When they are about to go home, Kota bumps into her on the way home. They chat but from afar, Akiko is watching them.
"Blasted idiot! What is he up to know?", she thinks.
"You know, the best thing to overcome fear is faith. Fighting demons with demons is irrational but either way, keep up, you're fighting it the best you could, and I'm proud of you keeping up the battle"
When Kota waves her goodbye, Akiko comes out of the bushes and surprises him saying,
"Ok, I saw that, can you explain to me what the hell was that?"
An astonished Kota looks at her but eventually says,
"It's actually a junior. Don't get the wrong idea please I'm not flirting with her. Besides, I'm practicing patience now. All those narcissistic vibes back then, yeah I'm all over that. You already know that I don't have a sibling right?"
"Yes, why?" (Akiko)
"I think I've spoiled myself in my childhood. Never had any playmates, just me playing all by myself, never ever got to be social with others until the fifth grade. Never had much in my childhood. " (Kota)
"That's so harsh. Same goes for me as well, though there are my brothers. I feel bad for you, not having any brothers or sisters at all, your way of life, but as we age, we change and move on and be our better selves on progress. Cheer up Kota, I know you're sentimental, but I see the change in you, that's what I love about you, a guy who can explore things, and doesn't just think with the mind but with also the heart." (Akiko)
"You know, from that kid, I see our child" (Kota)
Akiko pauses for a while, slowly turns her head to him, and says,
"WHAT THE FRACK are you even saying?!"
"I mean, it just reminds me of how our child/children will be growing up" (Kota)
Akiko turns red due to this. She shivers and says,
"D-do you think we can still be in the future?"
"You know what? Maybe we can, as long as we're there to love each other. I see the future in us, as long as we're there to care, support, comfort, and love for one another" (Kota)
They then both hug tightly as the evening wind sweeps through the air.
"Hey, it's getting late now, let's go home now" (Akiko)
Kota gets up from the concrete seat.
"Ok, let's go home then my ai lol" (Kota)
Akiko laughs as well due to this and then they go home while chatting to one another.