Chapter 234: Do You Understand the Value of School Bullying?
Chapter 234: Do You Understand the Value of School Bullying?!
More than 10 minutes later, Itsuki walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a bath towel. Ichika and the other three looked up, about to call her over.
Itsuki, however, spoke first, saying weakly, "I’m so sleepy, I’m going to bed." After speaking, she walked upstairs on her own. Under the gaze of the four, she entered her room and clicked the door shut.
The four looked at each other. After a brief exchange of glances, they decisively went upstairs and gathered in front of Itsuki’s door. Ichika reached out and grasped the doorknob, trying to open it, but it was locked.
She looked at Nino and the other two and whispered, "The door is locked." Then she knocked on the door and asked, "Itsuki, are you feeling unwell?"
Itsuki’s weak voice came from inside the door. "I’m not feeling unwell." Inside the room, Itsuki was muffled under the covers. The bloody scene from not long ago still echoed in her mind. She pulled the covers tighter, as if only this way could she feel a sense of security.
"Itsuki, I made your favorite meat buns. Do you want to eat some before you sleep?" This was Nino’s voice. She was the family’s head chef, and her cooking was delicious, especially her meat buns.
Meat... This word immediately brought to mind the image of Tomie growing flesh and blood, and the internal organs and flesh buds growing out of the man’s body made her want to gag even more. Enduring extreme discomfort, Itsuki replied to Nino with difficulty, "No... I don’t want to eat. I want to sleep."
Nino’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even Itsuki’s favorite meat buns couldn’t tempt her, and her tone seemed to convey a sense of revulsion. Who can tell me what’s going on?
Itsuki actually didn’t love her meat buns! Ichika and the others had almost the same expression as Nino."Things seem to be serious," Ichika murmured. They had never heard or seen anything like Itsuki’s situation. Things were developing much more terrifyingly than they had imagined.
Nino still wanted to call Itsuki again, but Ichika shook her head. "Let her calm down for a night. We’ll ask her tomorrow."
The others thought about it and agreed. Itsuki clearly didn’t want to say much right now, and given her personality—which could be described as earnest, or, less kindly, stubborn—it would be difficult to get her to open up at a time like this. They had no choice but to temporarily drop the matter and decide everything the next day.
...
The next morning, as if by agreement, Ichika and the other three got up early to wash up. Then Nino quickly prepared breakfast and bentos. The four quietly waited for Itsuki.
Click! Itsuki’s room door opened.
"Ah ha~" Itsuki, with sleepy eyes, yawned. She naturally went downstairs and greeted the others. "Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, good morning." Then she groggily walked into the bathroom to wash up. Just like always.
"She... she seems perfectly fine?" Nino was even more confused than Itsuki who had just woken up. She looked so troubled yesterday, and now she’s fine? Ichika glanced at the bathroom, rubbed her temples, and said helplessly, "Let’s observe her first."
The four began to quietly observe Itsuki. Eating, no problem. On the way to school, no problem. At school, although the Five Sisters were not in the same class, they sometimes gathered together during breaks. After observing, Itsuki’s every action was similar to usual, and even the interactions between the sisters had not changed.
Until noon, during lunchtime. They had expected the Five Sisters to eat together with their bentos as usual. Unexpectedly, Itsuki said she had something to do and left alone.
"Something’s wrong! Let’s follow her!" With such an obvious problem, Ichika and the others certainly wouldn’t miss the opportunity. Under the strange gazes of others on campus, the four followed Itsuki from behind.
Itsuki stopped. The few of them looked up and saw Class 1, Second Year. What was Itsuki doing here? Doubt filled their hearts. There were a total of 15 classes in the high school. Ichika was in Class 4, Nino in Class 6, and Miku and Yotsuba were in Class 7. As for Itsuki herself, she was in Class 5. So why did Itsuki specifically come to Class 1?
Itsuki glanced at the classroom, where there were still people. But she didn’t see Yukino or Ren.
Miura Yumiko, who had stayed behind to wipe the blackboard for duty and was about to leave, saw Itsuki repeatedly looking into the classroom as she passed by the door. She kindly asked, "Are you looking for someone, fellow student?"
Itsuki nodded shyly. "Um... Hello! I’m Nakano Itsuki from Class 5. I’m looking for Ren-kun. Do you know where he went?"
"Ren-kun?" Yumiko sized up Itsuki; she was a very pretty girl. Another beautiful girl was getting close to Ren. How many was this now? Yumiko was speechless. Every day, besides the girls in their class, many people from other classes and other grades came over. Unfortunately, all of them were rejected by Ren.
Although Ren had several girlfriends in the club, one could say he was a scumbag. But he was also very good to each of his girlfriends and ignored other women. Yumiko just didn’t realize that those people simply hadn’t caught his eye. Anyone he took an interest in would fall into his trap step by step, just like herself.
Facing a girl who was about to pester Ren, Yumiko didn’t want to bother. But Itsuki’s next words made her hesitate. "Ren-kun helped me yesterday, and I want to thank him properly."
"Helped you?"
"Yes." Itsuki didn’t explain in detail, nor could she, so she could only nod in confirmation. Yumiko scrutinized her again and again. It seemed Itsuki wasn’t faking it, so she passed her review, and Yumiko said, "Then come with me. Ren-kun should be there."
And so, Yumiko led Itsuki to the Supernatural Research Club. The Supernatural Research Club was quite special now. According to Ren, only those who were familiar with it, or those who truly encountered supernatural events and sought help, could think of and discover the existence of the Supernatural Research Club in the school now. She also didn’t understand the exact principle, but she just felt it was very impressive.
"..." Ichika and the other three girls looked at each other, blocking the way. "Itsuki left with a girl we don’t know!"
Yotsuba said nervously, "This isn’t some school bullying, is it?" School bullying! This word immediately changed the expressions of the others; they thought of something very terrifying.
Biting her silver teeth, Nino resolutely said, "We’ll follow them. Even if Itsuki is being bullied, we must save her!"
"Mhm!"