c h a p t e r 4
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IN ALL HER time with Gun, Crystal could not recall a single time where someone had managed to break his powerful grip. And a small teenage girl at that? So many things were strange about her. Where did she come from? Every encounter they've had so far, Y/N had surprised her with something new.
"You..." Gun narrowed his eyes, though you couldn't really tell through his sunglasses. "So you ain't the usual spoiled brat, eh? Interesting..."
Without any warning, Gun's leg raised up an at incredible velocity and angle. Daniel, who stood next to Y/N, foresaw the attack coming and prepped his body to block Y/N. Is he really—?! I can't let Y/N get hurt—!!
Thought his reaction speed was impressively fast, Gun switched his angle of approach last second so that the kick directly hit in between the teen boy's shoulder.
He fell on impact and clutched his injured spot. Still, he was glad Y/N didn't get hurt.
"Woah," The girl's unaffected face said otherwise. "That was a little rude, don't you think? Attacking someone so recklessly like that." She looked at Crystal with a small pout, "Your friend is a bit violent. I'm not sure what to make of his first impression."
Gun was perplexed, yet amused. He lifted his sunglasses slightly above his eyes, peering down at Y/N. "You..you're pretty strong, aren't you?" Judging by how she wasn't the least bit affected from his sudden attack made it clear. Either she had no sense of danger or she was a skilled fighter. He opted for the latter.
Shrugging, she replied vaguely, "Depends on your standard of strong. Do you want to test that out?" She teased at the end.
Gun didn't say anything for a brief moment, then proceeded to break into a fit of laughter, covering half his face as he threw his head back. "...I like you. You've got guts!" Throughout his life, he had met and fought all kinds of people. He never thought he'd end up sparring against someone so fragile looking. Rolling up a sleeve ambitiously, Gun grinned, "Maybe I do want to test that out—"
"Just a second!" Crystal blurted frantically. "Gun! He said to only keep watch. You don't need to.."
"Hey glasses." A muscular, tattooed man entered the scene, two chocolate milk cartons clutched in the palm of his hand. "I saw everything..you punk."
"V-Vasco?" Daniel shrunk back meekly in confusion.
"Phew..who are you? His friend?" Gun uninterestedly landed his eyes on the tattooed man.
"Yeah, his friend."
Their intense stare down was interrupted when Vasco felt a little poke on his arm. He traced back the poke and found a fascinated Y/N observing his tattoos like they (rightfully) were a work of art.
"Woah~! These are sick! I have one too, but on my shoulder," The girl pulled down the collar of her shirt to reveal an intricate [favorite flower] tattoo beautifully inked into her skin. S-she has a tattoo—?!? Crystal and Daniel's mouths dropped, a few flies probably making a home in there.
As soon as his eyes set on Y/N, it was like there was suddenly cherry blossoms floating around her in slow motion. Vasco's mind went blank and his limbs just melted. P-pretty.. A goddess just complimented me...
It took a moment, but he snapped out of it, remembering his original objective: delivering justice for his new friend by teaching this bad guy a lesson. Rolling his shoulder back, he warned, "Don't mess with him. Or you mess with me."
Gun didn't need another word.
Within a millisecond, his fist has already collided directly with the boy's face, not an ounce of mercy.
However...
"Your glasses...take them off."
Oh..? Y/N thought, delightfully surprised. She grew fonder of this Vasco character from the tough front he put on. How cute. He's barely able to maintain his balance right now, yet he's holding on for the sake of his pride.
"I'm surprised again," The older male inquired. "This school is really fun." Crystal saw him take off his glasses as he said that statement and went into panic. "Wait! He didn't lay a finger on me! Shall I tell him you've been fighting again? And tell him to send you back? If you do go back, Goo will really like that!"
"...I lost my reason since I haven't fought in ages," His glasses were now back on. "I should tone it down. I have to take the GED test."
With a quick and sincere apology, Crystal ushered her and Gun back to their car, leaving the three teens behind in the parking lot, partly speechless. As soon as the two were out of sight, Vasco inevitably collapsed on his bottom. Complete defeat in his voice, he muttered to Daniel, "I can beat you again if we fought...but...I can't defeat that guy. I'm still...too weak."
The blinding ray of light hitting his vision became blocked by a head of H/C hair. A breeze of warmth engulfed him from the radiance of her smile. Out stretching her palm, she offered, "Hey, I like you. Wanna be friends?"
Vasco passed out.
"Eh—? Well, there goes another one," Y/N sighed and stood up, almost as if this was a normal daily occurrence. "Bummer, I wanted to ask for his name."
"A-ah—!" After getting over the fact that Vasco just fainted, partly from Y/N's smile and partly from Gun's punch, Daniel was all of a sudden reminded of a fatally important event. M-my duet with Duke—! It's going to start soon!!
Fumbling to leave, Daniel apologized sincerely with a frantic bow, "I-I'm really sorry, but I forgot I promised a friend to do something important. I will make it up to you Miss Y/N! Sorry!" The handsome boy raced off without letting her get a word in.
Y/N was indeed fascinated by this school. There were less people than she could count on her fingers that have left her hanging like that. Prior to announcing her arrival, she had already noticed plenty of familiar faces within J High that piqued her interest. Particularly, a quiet boy with blonde hair and a charming lad with bright, multi-colored hair.
That was it. She had made up her mind.
Starting tomorrow, she would become a student of J High.
Excitement couldn't grasp her emotions right now. Her yearn for adventure could be fulfilled here with the right people. She was sure of it.
A cheery grin still plastered on her face, she clicked a small button out of many on her bracelet that rang out a brief "ding." No more than 5 seconds passed when a tall, strange man in a suit appeared by her side from what seemed like thin air.
"How may I assist you Miss Y/N?"
Gesturing at Vasco, she explained, "Keep an eye out for my friend on the ground over here until he wakes up. I wouldn't want the poor guy to get robbed or kidnapped while he's like that. Don't let him know you're here though, it would probably make him uncomfortable. Just keep a watch and then you're free to return once he's up. Ah—!" Her eyes lit up.
The moment her fingers snapped, a woman whom was also dressed in professional attire appeared and handed her a pen and paper with haste. Y/N hummed happily whilst ripping off a small piece of the paper and writing a small note on it.
Hope I see you again soon!
It was fun meeting you, chocolate milk boy.
;)
Holding up her creation with a satisfied look, she placed the note firmly in the palm of the unconscious boy.
"Wah~~!!"
On cue, loud cheering boomed from the general direction of the festival stage along with chanting of the performers' names, particularly the name of a familiar good-looking boy. Seems like you have talent too..my eyes weren't wrong. The corner of her soft lips curled knowingly.
The rumbling of her motorcycle engine slowly faded away, the sound of the roaring crowds leaving her ear the farther she drove off.
This day marked the beginning of Y/N's ever expanding hare—friendships.
Friendships. Yes, that.
•••
If you also live in the US did y'all also get hit with a shit ton on snow past two weeks-
Not complaining