Lesson Learned

But I can't ignore it either

"Fuck off, Asano!!" Rio threw a cushion at him.

Gakushuu caught the cushion and glared at her. "Stop trying to molest my sister!"

"She's my girlfriend, you fucking creep!" Rio shot back. "Stop saying I'm molesting her!" She clambered up to her feet. "Give me that phone!"

"I'll file for assault charges is you come closer!" Gakushuu threatened.

"I'll give you assault!" Rio lunged at him and tried to grab his phone. "I'll smash this stupid thing in your face!"

Gakushuu tried to put her in a headlock. "I'll charge you for the damages, you delinquent!"

"Guys, stop it!" Mitsuko cried, trying to pry them apart.

The others were laughing and Karma was on the floor clutching his stomach.

"Oh, God!" Sugaya had tears in his eyes. "Guys, please, I can't breathe!"

Ren couldn't stop laughing. "S-someone please get a picture!"

Karma calmed his laughter down long enough to snap a photo on his phone. "That's going in the group chat!"

***

It was around six in the evening when everyone minus Karma started leaving until only Nagisa and Kurahashi were the last ones left to go.

Mitsuko hugged Kurahashi goodbye. "Thanks for coming!" She grinned, touching the beetle necklace around her neck. "And thanks for the necklace!"

Gakushuu still looked confused by the taxidermy green beetle she'd given him from the doorway. "Uh...yes. Thank you?"

Kurahashi smiled. "It's fine! I had fun!" She waved goodbye when her brother honked the horn from the silver the car across the street. "Bye!"

"Bye!" Mitsuko waved, and then looked at Nagisa who kept checking his phone. "Is your dad coming to—"

"No." Nagisa's smile set her on edge. "My mom said she would pick me up so..."

Gakushuu looked horrified. "You told her where we lived!"

"Uh..." Nagisa smiled sheepishly. "Well, yeah, otherwise how could she pick me up?" He scratched the back of his head. "Don't worry! She's different now."

Mitsuko and Gakushuu exchanged a doubtful look.

"Really!" Nagisa gave a strained laugh, raising his hands. "We talked and she's a lot nicer now. Sometimes she still yells and she can be mean but...things are better." His smile softened. "If your dad can change, so can my mom."

Mitsuko frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, but you still have to be careful." She smiled grimly. "We're still wary of our dad a little, even if he has changed."

The blue-haired boy nodded, lowering his gaze. "Yeah..." Then the smile was back. "But I'm giving her a chance and so far things are good."

Gakushuu was staring at him with a frown like he thought he was lying. "People can relapse..."

"Yeah..." Mitsuko's smile was painful. "So if that happens, you're welcome to stay with us!" She looked at her brother. "Right, Gaku-nii?"

Her brother remained silent for a while, looking at Nagisa with an unreadable expression. "Yes..."

Nagisa looked surprised by his agreement but then smiled feebly. "Well, thanks, but I'll be okay." He gave a nervous laugh. "Plus, I think your parents might be put off having a friend stay over with how Karma is acting."