Unsolicited School

The question mark box

Mullet

Day 5

It's day five. The morning vibe wakes him up from his sleeping device. His battery of energy still low as he hasn't warmed up yet. He opened the curtains before he starts the day. The sunlight with a few white clouds brightly shines, which colored the sky to the yellow-pink-purple gradient. Always beautiful and peachy.

Mullet wants to linger on his window, and even that, he wanted to move to the rooftop to enjoy the sunrise. But he decided not to do so since he had to reach the bus stop on time. He begins his morning choirs. Then followed by brushing his teeth and breakfast.

The time is still 5:40, one hour before he must go. Today, he cooks breakfast for his big brother and himself. His brother bought the groceries last night. Therefore, it is Mullet's responsibility to cook it. His brother does not mind his cooking because it still tastes good.

After 30 minutes of cooking, he called his brother. Hiro, to have breakfast together. They both didn't change their outfit as they are enjoying their morning feast.

"Oh yeah, Makoto. Can I speak to you?" asked Hiro.

"Sure," Mullet nodded.

"I heard you had a problem at school. right?"

Felt confused, Mullet asked, "What problem?"

"I heard you had a fight in the cafeteria. Am I right?"

"Oh yeah. But I didn't start it," Mullet remembered about his fight with the bullies three days ago.

"Who then?"

"The bullies," Mullet answered.

"You win?" Hiro asked densely.

"No. But I didn't lose either,"

Mullet's answer made his brother confused. He holds his spoonful of rice like a statue as he doesn't fathom it.

Mullet sighed before answering, "The cafeteria chef stopped our fight. And banned me from eating there,"

Hiro snickered as he heard Mullet's loss, "Haha… worth it. I see you losin', dude,"

He changed his tone to cheering his little brother, "But don't worry. That's what I want from you. You picked the right decision. Teach them a lesson, and they will think twice before they try to bully you,"

"Yeah, teach them with the coercive approach? Yea, whatever," Mullet mocked him.

"Hey, I'm trying to cheer you up!"

2 minutes after they are done eating. Mullet and his brother wash their dishes together for another 2 minutes. Then He turned off the tv and moved back to his bedroom to get dressed. He changed his nightclothes to the school uniform. He walked down the stairs and put on his shoes together with Hiro.

After they finished with everything. The brothers walked out of the house, where Mullet and his big brother separates.

"A'ight, I see you later," said Mullet.

"Yeah, later, bro," Hiro replied. He already wears his helmet, and his WWII-style motorbike is clean like new. The sound of the motorbike brings the vintage atmosphere to his yard. At the same time, waking up the neighbors nearby. Reflection from the classic green gas tank can be seen as the bike is clean.

Hiro hits the gas and left Mullet behind him. And Mullet finally walked out of the house yard. The color of the morning sky was replaced by the blue skies accompanied by small amounts of clouds. The tri-color of the morning is finally disappeared until they come back again at sunset. But with a different tone. Mullet looked at his watch. It's 6:38 AM. 12 minutes before the bus arrived. He still has much time to walk and wait. The asphalt he walked over is completely dry as there is no rain last night.

The time reached 6:45 as Mullet arrived at the bus stop. He also can see Robbie sitting in front of him. Neither Robbie nor he spoke until the bus arrives. As usual, the bus greets the passengers with its cold air from the inside. Made the bus like a moving fridge. But not cold enough to make ice cubes. Today, Mullet sits next to Robbie because there's no seat left, and also some empty seats are also occupied.

By looking at Robbie's sitting posture, Mullet knows if something's not right with him. What is he concerned about? If Mullet could read his mind like a wizard, he will know everything about Robbie. Especially about why is he being rude since day one.

Friday morning. It's time for PE class. All the 2-2 students marched to the locker room, where it was separated by gender. The march of the students can be heard by other students inside of their classroom, sitting down and studying.

Mullet was the first who walked into the locker room. The room is less spacious than in his previous school. The blue-white painted wall is similar to the bus he always rides to the school. The bench in front of each locker is sturdy, like new. The white steel locker is similar to US-style school lockers and has no rust at all. Mullet opened his locker. His sports clothes hung neatly inside. Added with the track jacket inside. The orange-white-black color of the clothes represents the tiger's color. Made any students look dashing when wearing it.

After 5 minutes of changing, Mullet walked to the school gym. He wears the track jacket to hide his athletic build as he doesn't want to be in the limelight. Most of his classmates were not using their jackets, including Kano, who is preparing the basketball for today's lesson.

"Alright, everyone. You all already know today's lesson. I am gonna divide all of you into 2 teams. But because Shiratori has not joined yet. I will decide him," He took a deep breath before he continues, "Shiratori will join the right team. I hope all of you agree and no objections. Shiratori, you can sit down now,"

Mullet obeyed him and took a seat on the right team. However, Mullet had to face his own friend. Kano, who was on the left side. But he doesn't mind as long as it was just a game.

5 minutes later, the boys started playing basketball while the girls cheer them up. Mullet, who is still using his track jacket, had to take it off. Now he had to think if someone, especially the girls, looking at his athletic body. What will happen next?

The whistle was blown by the PE teacher screech out loud and began the game. The movement of the game is really random and made Mullet a little bit hard to make his strategy and strike for the ring. Each member of his team has their own opponent that they had to face. Such as Kano, who had to be rivals with Mullet. But he still capable of overcoming Kano and his team. However, the game ends up a tie, with Mullet mostly scored the game than everyone else.

After the lesson was ended, the students moved back to the locker room. While on the way, the girls and also the boys praise him. And he went back to the top again. These dudes think if I'm the star. Darn it.

While Mullet is changing his clothes to the school uniform. His mind returned to the second day at school when Hideki warned him and Robbie on the roof.

You don't have enough time.

You will be welcomed to hell.

Get out while you still can.

Those three sentences swirled around his brain. His movement slowed down as he is remembering that weird yet scary moment. He also recalled on day 3rd, when someone behind him said "Welcome to hell" and terrified him to the bone. Was that real?

He recalled again when Robbie saved Yuu, and he brought that kid to the infirmary where Mullet saw him.

Is what Hideki said really true? But all he had to do is confirm his suspicions and see the two of them. Is their scar still remains?

The school bell rang as the time reached 12:00 noon. Mullet, who already changed his clothes to school uniform, walked out of the classroom as usual to lunch. This time, he walks to the cafeteria alone because Kano brings his own bento. The students inside the hallway filled the atmosphere of the class.

On his way to the hallway, Mullet saw a girl that he already knows. It's Erika, the girl he saved from her suicide attempt.

He recalled the 2-days-ago accident, where Erika tried to kill herself by drinking a bottle of bathroom cleaner. She had a convulsive seizure when Mullet found him in the storage room. Another bottle of bathroom cleaner was spilled as Erika tried to drink it. Her body violently shakes like she met the grim reaper in front of her eyes. It was so painful for her as she failed to die.

Mullet swallowed hard as he recalled that tragedy. I hope they forget about it. Without realizing it, Nino and Shouko came out and followed that girl.

"Oh, there's Mullet," Nino's voice can be heard from afar. Their eyeballs focused on his existence.

They approached Mullet with annoyed faces. Their expressions leave a question mark on his face.

"Mullet…. Did you lie to us?" Nino asked with a frown drew on her face.

"What?"

"You said Erika tried to suicide last Wednesday," Nino pouted. But serious face can be seen how she talked.

"Yeah. I saw her-"

"Good job on tryin' to insult me, boy. But I have no will to kill myself. What purpose for me doing so?" said Erika repulsively.

"But… I saw you back then," said Mullet as he's almost running out of words.

"I dunno, Mullet. But what did you told them was a big fat lie. And that ain't good! R u tryin' to diss me or somethin'?" Erika's words made Mullet had no chance, except he had to ask her about what is she doing last Wednesday.

"Alright, Erika. Now I want to know from you. What did you do last Wednesday after school?" Mullet asked her to confirm his suspicions.

"What did I do after school? Well, I went to my clubroom to do my daily stuff," Erika's acknowledgment made Mullet confused and speechless. What?

The silence passed through their conversation. Nino talked to Robbie as no one speaking.

"As you can see, Erika didn't try to commit suicide. And one more thing, Mullet. You better talk to Robbie about Yuu. He said he slashed his own neck, But I didn't see any scar!"

Felt desperate, Mullet fell silent. He has no idea what to say. His mind became blank and clueless about what he saw right now. He stared at Erika from top to bottom. There were no signs of poisoning on her body.

"Sorry," he muttered and walked away sadly.

"Hey, Mullet! Sorry that I'm yelling at you," Nino apologizes before chasing him, who has walked a few meters away.

"No. please, I need some time to be alone," Mullet's refusal made them felt guilty for what have they done.

While Mullet walks through the hallway, he changed his expression and started thinking again. There were no signs of poisoning on Erika. Does that mean Yuu's neck is okay too?

Mullet's hypothesis made him impatient and eager to see Yuu after lunchtime, which it's the perfect time to look at him.

After 2 minutes of walking, Mullet arrived at the cafeteria. He immediately ordered the same food as he doesn't mind eating the monotonous food there with the same dialogue.

After his food arrived at the counter, Mullet picked up his food and moved to the middle of the cafeteria. He remembered when he had a fight between him and the bullies and got banned for one day. But the warm tray that is conducted by the food forces him to take a seat at the vacant lunch tables.

He walked a few steps and scoped the cafeteria again. He saw Mary, who sits alone at the lunch table. There is no one accompanying her today. Being stared at, Mary looked at Mullet in return. Her eyeballs show the idle expression like she doesn't mind Nino's disappointment about Robbie and Mullet's lie.

"Stop standing like a statue, Mullet. Everyone will be laughing at you if you keep doing so," She called.

"Uhh… may I sit with you?" asked Mullet.

"Mmhm,"

Mullet quickly walked to Mary's seat and sat down facing her. Again, Mullet didn't see her expression. Only blank and awkwardness filled the situation as they were eating. The food eaten by him has the same taste. The salmon still tastes delicious, and the milk always tastes sweet. There are no changes with his food, including texture, warmth, color, composition, and price.

After they're finished eating. They let out some breath. Mullet left both his arms hanging and leaned low on the chair, while Mary put both of her elbows on the table to support her head with her hands like a depressed person.

Mary sighed, letting out a small voice to express her satiety.

"That food really good. It filled me in one stop!"

"Yeah. I know right?" Mullet replied.

Mullet remains silent as he was satisfied and defeated by the food that he ate. After a few seconds, he speaks up.

"Hey, Mary. May I ask you two questions?"

"Uh… sure" Mary nodded.

"Did you see Hideki? I didn't see him for three days," he asked.

"No, why?" Mary shook her head.

"Uhh… I think he felt depressed after that accident,"

"Don't worry. You didn't make a mistake at all. It was his fault who tried to bully you," Mary snickered before she continued, "By the way, the second one?"

"Well… D'you know why Nino and Shouko don't want to lunch together with us?" Mullet deliberately made small talk to ensure.

"Yeah. Because you and Robbie lied to them. You shouldn't do that," Mary warned him without scolding him.

"Wait, you're not mad at all?"

"Nope," Mary shook her head and continued, "Look. I may be a person who likes to mock anyone, but I know how to cheer up my victims. And I don't have to be angry at all if someone made a move to solve it. Although I will be involved like right now,"

Mullet felt relieved as she explained herself, "Well, at least you're not tsundere tho,"

"Haha… I used to be tsundere before. But not anymore. I feel like everybody likes me without edgy violence," Mary snickered.

"But seriously, man. You and Robbie better apologize for what you did to those girls. But not right now," Mary grinned while warning that 17-year-old boy.

"Oh, yeah-"

Another student walked to their table, notifying Mullet of a message.

"Are you Mullet?" the kid asked.

Mullet nodded.

"Someone wants to talk with you behind the school at 3,"

"Oh hey, Ren. What's up?" Mary greeted him.

"Good as always," Ren replied.

Ren leaves them after he told Mullet the message. Now they're ready to leave the lunch table and back to class.

"By the way, let's get back to class," Mary persuaded.

After they cleaned their dishes, they walked back to the hallway until Mary parted ways with mullet when she arrived at her class. 2-5.

Mullet looked at the classroom to his left while walking. Several students already inside the class. But he can't find Yuu in the classes he looked at until he reached class 2-3, where he found Yuu - having a friendly conversation. He slows down to focus his sight on him. And as he thought, His neck is not injured at all. There is not even a single cut at all on his neck. His mint condition stunned Mullet like a clueless person. How?

Mullet stopped to look at Yuu clearly from top to bottom. There is no blood or even scars at all on his lower body. Even his sitting posture is good. After finished inspecting, he slowly walks through the while his eyeball focused on that white eyeglasses student.

Mullet blinked once as his eyes exhausted to see him straight. Suddenly, when he opened his eyes, the atmosphere turned 180. The class is repulsively empty. Only left Yuu, who was dead sitting on his desk. The classroom is stained in blood like the students have been massacred. Mullet panicked as the 2-3 class's environment turned b****y.

Without blinking, he looked at Yuu. His neck is b****y. His blood stained his school blazer and his shirt. His shirt collar was now soaked by the red color of the blood. His grey eyes looked dead. His body looks like a sitting carcass. Emotionless. He holds a Katana in his right hand. That Katana was covered in blood like he just killed someone brutally.

Mullet became scared and confused as he looked at Yuu. It feels like he can't help him, and he doesn't have any idea what Yuu just did right now. Has he killed someone a few hours ago? Or is he will kill someone on an upcoming day?

Mullet blinked once again. Yuu's appearance back to normal like nothing happened. The students came back, and the b****y environment vanished in one blink. It feels like someone turned back the lights on. Like a jumpscare, Mullet recoiled because the situation reverts. What was that?

The school bell rang as the time reached 3:00 PM. As usual, the students go to their clubroom, including the going-home club. Mullet, who haven't joined any club, strolled to the lobby room. The bulletin board on the right has no paper attached, while the left one has some attached pamphlets, which are club invitations and promos.

He bought a latte and an energy bar on the vending machine. He took out his money and put it inside that red vending machine. The way vending machine sucked Mullet's money like an ATM. As the vending machine speaks, he chose the latte first. Then his canned drink came out at the bottom. He repeats the same procedure to buy his Knockouts snack.

He sits down on the bench to enjoy his quick replenishment. He eats his Knockouts quickly, followed by a sweet latte in the can for a few gulps.

Mullet walked outside after throwing out the rubbish to where they belong. He kept his promise and walked to the back of the school. He saw Robbie, who also walk in the same direction. Robbie looked back at him, who was being tailed about 15 meters behind. Luckily, he looks forward and doesn't mind. Is he going to the back of the school too?

While he almost reached the school backyard, two students ambushed Robbie by holding his arms. They're the bullies that Mullet knew 3 days ago. Robbie struggled hard to break free while being restrained. Another bully sneaked behind Mullet and battered him with a baseball bat. They keep hitting him with the bat as Mullet tries to struggle. He looked at Taro-senpai, who also appeared. He repeatedly punches Robbie while he intimidates.

"I told you to not mess with us!" Taro scolded while punching Robbie like a punching bag, "Do you think you can walk away with your problem?"

"What have I done to you?!" Robbie snapped

"Stop pretending that you don't know!" said Kuro while apprehending Robbie's right arm.

"I literally have no idea! Just tell me why!"

"Then what did you do to Hideki?!" Kuro's question made Robbie confused while he is holding his pain.

"I did nothing wrong with him! He just acted weird when I saw him!" Robbie's rejoinder made the bullies confused as well.

"Forget it! He won't tell us the truth!" Taro snapped before he continues, "Ask his boyfriend!"

"Sena! Ask him!" Kuro inquired.

Sena, the bully girl who still beats Mullet, snapped at him, "What did you do to him?!"

Mullet answered with the same question as Robbie's.

"Liar! You freaking-"

Before Sena continued, she swung the baseball back to charge her attack. Mullet got his chance to counter-attack her. He immediately bumped his shoulder to Sena's body. Sena, who tries to attack that mullet-haired boy, gasped as Mullet bumped him. Her large breasts contact with Mullet's back head. She blushed and dropped the baseball bat from her grip.

Mullet reflexively turned around and pushed Sena until she fell before seizing the baseball bat with one reach and runs towards Taro-senpai while he pulled the bat back. He decided to joust with that upperclassman who got alerted. Taro-senpai charged his fist at Mullet and aimed at his head, but Mullet dodged his attack and swung the baseball bat violently to his liver. As Taro-senpai half-incapacitated, Mullet re-swung the bat again to his rear shoulders to disable him.

Kuro and his friend, who was still holding Robbie's arms, looked at Taro-senpai. Their concentration broke as they look at their ally is down. Robbie kicked Kuro's left thigh, followed by his right elbow - striking Kuro's nose until his nose bled. Having a much advantage, Robbie sent the bullies to Mullet for help (as Mullet wields the baseball bat.)

While they're fighting at each other, a student screeched out like a megaphone. The whole student glared at the voice source. It's the disciplinary committees. They came after someone snitched the fight.

"Both of you! Stop right now or-"

"Or what?! Spraying your skunk spray on us?" Taro interrupted.

"Don't try our patience! All of you stop fighting or we will report all of you to the counselor's office!"

They silenced as Minami, the Disciplinary Committee President, warned them. They obeyed the warning, and they walk away from each other. Robbie dropped the baseball bat instead of hand it out to the DCP, then he walked back into school. Mullet knows where he'll go. Rooftop. Mullet follows him since he has nowhere to go (except he and Robbie have joined a club) until the school's over.

"I can't believe you guys have a fight in your first days," She sighed.

"Let's get outta here," said her partner.

"Yeah, Let's go," she replied.

While Mullet is walking through the hallway, he recalled what Taro-senpai said. It's about Hideki. Neither he nor Robbie saw him today. Hideki's absence left him and probably Robbie a question. Did Hideki not come to school after sending the duo a horror message back on the second day in school?

"Dude, I didn't see Hideki for three days," Robbie spoke to himself.

His voice can be heard by Mullet, who tailed him also made Mullet conclude if everyone didn't see Hideki since the rooftop scene. But he still needs to think about the reason why Hideki didn't come to school. He didn't say any words to him and Robbie, and he doesn't feel compelled to avenge like his friends. Mullet's brain alibi leaves him 2 questions.

Is he possessed?

Is he tried to ask us to leave?

To be continued…