Unsolicited School

Everything I've heard

Mullet

As the bus driver puts his foot down, the passengers inside the bus do their own business. The bus is less occupied today. There are only 10 out of 34 seats were occupied by the passengers (excluding the bus driver). Mullet began to listen to everything his friend said as all of the back seats were empty.

"You said that I collapsed in the class after the school bell rang, right?" asked Robbie.

"Yeah,"

"Did you see me when I'm passed out?"

"No," Mullet shook his head, "I didn't see you at all yesterday. All I know is I went to the restroom just before the school bell rang,"

"Exactly. They're wrong about it. It's actually fake news. You didn't know what actually happened to me, as you said. I was almost killed by the whole student in the class. But luckily, I was saved by that shadow person. He told me that I was almost spotted because of my suicidal move," Robbie explained.

"Whoa. But how about Maekawa-sensei? Kano said he brought you home," asked Mullet.

"Again. Did you see me yesterday?"

"Oh, sorry. I was just trying to confirm it," Mullet scratched his head.

"Dude, are you doubting me?" Robbie sighed with his arms folded.

"Nonono, continue, continue," Mullet snickered.

"Anyway, the shadow dude told me to search a guy. He's from our school. All I know is his appearance. He has blonde hi-fade hair and wearing the school uniform," said Robbie.

"Blonde? Delinquent?"

"I don't know," Robbie shook his head slowly, "But did you remember about our coffee talk last Monday night?"

"Yeah. At This Pizza, right?" Mullet nodded.

"Mmhm. I don't know if this was a coincidence or a planned fate. I've met a person who could help us. He wants to meet us together,"

"That was great. How did he know about it?" asked Mullet.

Robbie explained everything about Alco-san's explanation that Mullet didn't know. They had to keep their voice low as possible to not let anyone inside the bus heard their conversation. Luckily, their conversation was as smooth as a flowing river.

"Whoa, so Tommy-sensei did this all? For his son?" Mullet asked.

"Yeah, I guess his son won't let his dad do so," Robbie frowned, "I want to ask you something. Do you know a student named Jimi?"

Jimi?!

The word Jimi echoed into his brain like an infinite choir. He remembered that name as Kano told him about Jimi since the second day of the school.

"One year ago, there's a student named Jimi, he's really a bad student, the true bully."

"He was caught robbing the convenience store with his friend. That made him expelled, and jailed."

As the words spoken by Kano returned into his mind again, Mullet answered him with an astonished expression like he saw something phenomenal just now.

"Yes! I know him. Kano told me,"

Mullet took a breath before continuing. His heart rapidly paced as he struggled to recall his memories about Jimi, "He's an infamous bully in the school. But he got expelled a year ago,"

"But did you know everything about him?" Robbie asked.

"No," Mullet frowned and stared down.

"But at least you know some, right?"

"Yeah," Mullet nodded.

"Tell me,"

Mullet tells Robbie all he knows about Jimi. He told Robbie exactly what Kano said about that bully kid. And again, Mullet kept explaining as low as possible to avoid attention from everyone inside of the bus. Not to forget to speak faster without any repetition as the bus is still on its way.

"Okay then, thanks for the info about him, Mullet. I guess he's the guy, that blonde dude," said Robbie after he heard the story.

"Yeah, thanks for completing his identification. His hair matches with his personality too, tho,"

"By the way, I wanna know from you. Do you know where the food we eat every day in the canteen comes from?" Robbie asked.

"No,"

"It comes from rotten ingredients, infested with maggots," Robbie answered in disgust while smiling.

"WHAT THE-"

Mullet immediately covered his mouth with both of his hands. Suppressing himself not to vomit as his breakfast inside of his stomach jumped almost to his throat. After his food went back into his stomach, Mullet took out his water bottle and drank it in a few gulps to wash his throat.

"Hey, Robbie. Could you please don't tell me about it right now? I ate a chicken burrito for this morning, ya know," Mullet scowled.

"Yeah. I know knowledge is pain. But you had to know it before you went too far," Robbie chuckled.

"Yeah, bite me. You better give me advice for lunch, Mr. food inspector," Mullet sighed, "Darn, how many rotten lunches I ate? Forget it!"

"Don't worry, Mullet. I brought a bento. I'll share my food some for you," Robbie smirked.

Just after the duo talked to each other, the bus finally arrived at the school. Mullet was the last one who walked out of the bus. A thought crossed his mind about how he will have lunch later.

After he changed his shoes, Mulet kept holding the handle - letting his shoe locker opened

"Hey Robbie, where are we going to eat?"

"Rooftop, I guess… why?" Robbie replied.

"I would like to ask you something if the situation is promising,"

"Alright. And let me know if you want my bento," Robbie recalled.

"Yea, thanks," Mullet smiled while he shook his head, "See ya at lunchtime, dude,"

Mullet kept walking together with Robbie until they reached the third floor, where the second-years study there. The hallway filled with first-year to third-year students, including some teachers, who also go to do their business. Therefore, human traffic in the hallway goes smoothly today without something horrible happened.

The school bell rang, informing the students to have lunch with their friends. The harmonious melody of the school bell relieves all of the students after sitting on the desk for 4 hours like a busy office worker without a day off. Mullet vigorously walked out of the class to proceed to the rooftop. He kept his promise to meet his friend, Robbie, on the roof. But just before he left the class, Kano paused him in front of Shouko's desk – petrifying him.

"Yo, Mullet. Wait up!"

"Yeah, yeah," Mullet sighed.

"Come on, dude. It's no good to leave your friends alone," Kano grinned and tapped his left shoulder.

"Hey, I'm the one who should say that to you because you're always left us," Mullet flipped back his words, followed by Shouko's chuckles.

"Hehe, sorry," Kano scratched his head, "By the way, wanna go to the cafeteria?"

"Sorry, Kano. I wanna go to the roof right now, I wanna-"

"What, someone wants a word with you?" Kano cuts his words.

"Nope, I want to hang out with Robbie. He wants to enjoy his bento there,"

"Oh," Kano replied with a single word.

"Ara, I can see you guys are getting closer now," Shouko smiled.

"Hey! It's a brotherhood, Shouko onee-san," Mullet pouted while mocking her.

"Wait, why you call her onee-san?" Kano asked.

"Welp, she looks like a 19-year-old girl tho,"

"Well, you and Robbie look like 20-year-old boys," Kano mocked.

"Yeah, whatever," Mullet snickered.

"Anyway, I have my bento for today too. I guess we can't eat together with you, Kano," said Shouko while standing up from her desk.

"Oh, come on, don't leave us alone," Kano scowled.

"Sorry dude. But it must be eaten you know. By the way, I see you in the next class, buddy,"

Mullet walked out of the class together with Shouko while Kano still stayed inside to take some stuff. They walked together to the stairway like a royal couple, making everyone in the hallway dumbfounded when they walked together. But such a flattery atmosphere forced them to walk faster to not let them be in the limelight.

As they reached the stairway, Mullet went downstairs while Shouko walked upstairs. She stopped immediately and asked him why.

"Why d'you walk downstairs,"

"Buy some snacks," Mullet answered like a dense kid.

"Why do you- wait. where's your bento?" Shouko forgot the fact that Mullet doesn't bring his lunchbox.

"Yeah," Mullet sighed, "I didn't bring it,"

"Mullet, you shouldn't lie. You should've known if one lie put one step to being a traitor," Shouko warned him with a bit scrunched face.

"Well, I didn't say to him if I bring my bento. I just said I want to hang out with Robbie,"

"Oh, sorry," Shouko puts her left hand on her chest, "Anyway, where d'you want to go?"

"School lobby. I want to buy potato chips and an apple juice,"

Shouko decided to follow him down to the lobby. They directly walked straight to the ground floor. It was rare for students to be here during lunch except for several events that were held there.

After Mullet bought the potato chips and an apple juice from the vending machine, they walked back to the stairway without any transit to their class. While they're walking through the stairs, Mullet speaks up to fill the awkward situation.

"Hey, Shouko. To be honest, you're beautiful with such height, tho,"

"Thanks, but you better be careful if you said that to the others," Shouko smiled.

"Hey, it's flattery. But sorry, I shouldn't say that,"

"It's okay,"

"Anyway, Shouko. I wanna know-"

"It's 170 cm. My height is 170 cm," Shouko cuts his words, making the situation more awkward.

"Uhh… yeah, thanks for letting me know,"

I didn't ask you that. I wanna know your lunch today.

They finally reached the school roof. The beautiful blue sky charms the student's mood. The clouds decorated the scenery like a utopian paradise. It feels like the students don't want to leave the roof, and they just want to enjoy the beautiful view while they can.

Mullet looks to the left, where the beautiful scenery can be seen there. But he had no time to take a look at that beautiful scenery as his stomach growled. Suddenly, Robbie called him - asking him to join. Without further ado, Mullet and Shouko joined him on the bench. Funny enough, Mullet is the only one who brought potato chips and apple juice for his lunch.

"It's okay dude, I can share some of my lunch if you want," said Robbie while he taking out something from his bento, "Here, I have spare chopsticks,"

"Thanks, Robbie. I appreciate it,"

"Ara, You guys really look like brothers, you know?" Shouko puts her left palm on her cheeks, "You can have my lunch too, Mullet,"

Suddenly, an idea flew into Mullet's brain and forced him to speak up, "I have an idea. How about we share our lunch, including mine. Therefore, all of us can enjoy lunch. What do you say?"

"Hey, I guess that's a great idea. I agree with you," Shouko smiled.

"Why not?" Robbie nodded.

The trio moved to a coffee table to put their food on it. Mullet opened his potato chips and decorated them on Robbie and Shouko's bento neatly like a professional chef. The way Mullet rearranges their food made it looks more appetizing than before. After Mullet rearranged the foods, the trio rubbed their hands before eating.

After done eating, the trio leaned lazily on their chair as the food-filled their growled stomach. No one talks to each other for a moment as they need some time to let the satiety disappear. After a few minutes of silence, Mullet looked at his watch while his friends still hanged their arms.

"Let's see. Guys, it's 12:38. Shall we go now?"

"I think we better stay here for a moment. I want to see the panoramic view again," Robbie replied.

Mullet folds his arms, looking around the rooftop that is still crowded by some students. He looked left, where he saw some students who were still hanging out with their friends. Also, the white iron door opened to let the students go to the roof.

Mullet looked at right. Where the scenery is still beautiful but covered by the students as it was still lunchtime. But his eyes suddenly focused on a student. It's Sena. She paced back and forth on the low wall while looking down - finding something like a dazed woman. After four times doing so like a shuttlecock, she walked towards the trio.

"Step aside, guys," Sena spoke rudely.

The trio fell silent as they got bewildered by her existence. Despite Sena asked them to move away was a little bit rude, but her face shows a concerning expression. They didn't know what she was worried about, but they didn't want to ask due to she kicked them off.

"I said step aside! Jeez, I'm serious!"

They stepped aside from the coffee table and let Sena walk to the ledge. Again, she looked down from the low wall to see something at the back of the school. But this time, she looked down a little longer than before. Mullet looked at her as her head turned left and right like a metronome. Fortunately, the trio heard what she was murmuring about.

"Gosh, I swear I saw something here, but what is it?"

"Uhh… Sena, can I help you?" Shouko asked.

"It's none of your business!" Sena answered without turned her back.

After she was done looking, Sena walked away from the low wall and walked towards the trio while carrying Robbie's empty lunchbox.

"Both of you. I'll give you guys chances," said Sena while returning Robbie's empty lunchbox, "Especially you, Makoto,"

"Who are you talking to?" Robbie asked.

"You and your friend here," Sena answered by pointing her finger to Robbie, then Mullet.

Just after she talked to them, the view that Mullet sees changes. The school environment was so messed up, and the view was unsettling. It looks like he landed on a post-apocalyptic world, and the whole student's crowd disappeared, including Robbie, and Shouko who was standing between him. He startled like a cat and tried to revert back his sight by blinking. But thankfully, it works.

Sena walks into the stairway and probably proceeds to her class as she has done doing her business on the roof. As she was out of their sight, the trio walked back to their coffee table to wrap up their stuff and go back to the class before the school bell rang.

"Welp, that was one random act of kindness tho," said Robbie.

"Well. I dunno, maybe she likes you," Mullet teased.

"Hey, I already have a girlfriend,"

"Prove me,"

Robbie pulled his cellphone and showed Mullet and Shouko a picture, where it's a picture of him and her girlfriend. She has long, wavy purple hair with a mint-green eye and pale skin like Shouko. She's wearing a pink off-the-shoulder sweater while Robbie wears an unbuttoned red flannel shirt.

"What is her name?" Mullet asks as he doesn't believe Robbie.

"Ichika,"

"Full name,"

"Ichika Miyazawa. What, you want to know more about my girl?" Robbie starts to frown.

"Nonono. It's cool you have a girlfriend, tho," Mullet flattered him as he didn't want to start a fight.

"Come on. Don't quarrel. You guys are still cool with or without a girlfriend," Shouko stopped them.

"Yeah, sure. You know what, guys, I think you better find your own partner. It would be nice if you take good care of her or him," Robbie recommended.

When Mullet tried to reply to him, the bullies came to the roof abruptly (minus Sena). They looked around like punks. Mullet knew if he and Robbie would be the target as they were still not satisfied because they hadn't bullied them. As he expected, the bullies walked towards the trio.

"Hey! I'm not done with both of you!" Hideki scolded, "You guys really tried my patience you-"

"Yeah whatever ya say. Boi," Robbie cuts his words.

"Yea, you better have fun dissing us. But I got a surprise for your shoes," Hideki replied.

"Whatever you say, losers. It's useless if you want to fight with us, so sod-off lanky boi," Mullet smile with a smug.

The whole student on the roof laughed at him as Mullet made a savage reply to those bullies. Mullet and Robbie can feel their victories as all of the students sided with the duo. Who's the trash now?

"You freakin'-" Hideki growled, cracked his knuckles, and moved towards the duo like he was ready to fight (but literally). But just before he closed to them, Shouko shifted to the front of Mullet and Robbie.

"You better stop it now, Hideki!"

Neither Mullet nor Robbie has seen Shouko angry. This time they know if Shouko's wrath is more terrifying than her friends. It feels like her anger is enough to make Mary cry. Followed by the whole students who currently talked to each other who suddenly silent after she speaks up.

"Step aside, woman! It's not of you busine-"

Shouko swiftly used his right hand and punches straight to Hideki, but she stopped almost at his chin to give him a final warning not to bully her, Mullet, and Robbie as they did nothing wrong. The bullies recoiled like a coward. Especially Hideki, as his chin almost got punched by that girl. He can't believe if Shouko could fight too. But just after Hideki almost got punched, he smiled as he got a new dirty idea.

"Fine, I'll not touch your bodyguards then. Come on guys, let's get outta here," Hideki left Shouko an evil grin.

The bullies left the rooftop like cops leaving a crime scene, and the situation reverted to normal again for a short amount of time. Knowing it's almost time for the next lesson, some students start leaving the roof, followed by the trio.

As Shouko walked faster than the duo, Mullet started to speak.

"Yo, Robbie. Hideki man, he's back to normal,"

"I know, right. But is he really back to normal at all?" Robbie asked.

"I dunno," Mullet shrugged.

"I think the devil has done possessing him," Robbie whispered.

"Yeah, probably,"

While walking down to his class, Mullet's brain swirled by Robbie's words about Hideki's possession by the devil. How in the world did he stop possessing a person? Mullet found Robbie's statement didn't make sense. Mullet knows if a ghost or a devil highjacked a person, it would stay within. Unless Hideki has been purified. But just before Mullet speaks to him, Robbie has few meters away from and followed by the school bell rang loudly – asking the students to get back to class.

The school bell rang again. Informing the students to proceeds to their club. As usual (after Mullet joined a club), Mullet goodbyes Kano before separating ways. He walked to the club room together with her friend Shouko and Robbie from class 2-1. Mullet didn't see Mary and Nino as he had lunch on the roof today. He knows if those girls would be disappointed if they heard Mullet will eat bento for lunch.

The trio walked together into the club room. They were the last who arrived at the photography club, where the introverts unleash their imaginations here. Piko-senpai and Yuna-senpai met him as they came.

"Yo dudes, and Shouko-chan. Come on, sit down," Piko-senpai greeted him, "Here, take a look at these pics, guys. Ain't it cool?"

"You better pack your stuff, Pikkun," Yuna-senpai came from another side of the room and warned his friend, who is also a club president.

The trio accepted his offer and walked to the computer - seeing the pictures they have taken from anywhere and pictures they downloaded from any sites as reference and inspiration for another photo shooting. Mullet takes the lead to operate that newly upgraded computer while Piko-senpai brings his camera to the camera studio room.

"Hold up. Let me browse the folders," said Mullet, "Here ya go,"

*Click*

To be continued…