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Chapter 19 - Tuesday, April 2 (An unexpected approach)

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Even though he wasn't noticed by the trio of hooligans surrounding the "loli," who was Setsuna Kiyoura, he knew he had a chance to make a good impression on her, so he approached to mediate.

—How are you doing, classmates? I hope you don't mind taking me to my deskmate, class president, and future friend.

Arriving out of nowhere for the trio, and for Kiyoura, who was relieved to see the face of a familiar face, she tried to reach him, but the three hooligans, with intimidating poses, hands in their pockets, and terrifying looks, approached Javier.

—Hey, hey, who asked for a faggot, it was you, Ayahito, you who likes to get into everything that moves.

—Ahahaha…. I prefer something with more meat in the right places, (lick), although I don't mind trying side dishes—.

—What's going on now, huh? The mice ate your tongue, because you don't talk, faggot.

—... I don't want any trouble, friends. Because we haven't forgotten that something happened here and we've retired to our classrooms.

He said without falling into the childish provocations of the trio.

—Puff, hahahaha—. X3

—Kiyoura-san, come on, we'll be late for class—.

—Y-yes—.

Kiyoura, also wanting to leave, was about to run away when one of the hooligans put his hand on her shoulder, paralyzing her.

—Where do you think you're going, bitch?—.

—Do you really want this to end…—.

Not needing to speak, the hooligans laughed at seeing Javier's serious face.

—And what is the ladybug going to do to us?—

—Kyuichi, I know a guy who works at a prostitution place, I'm sure he'd be interested in having a foreigner. He gets guys with very unusual fetishes there.

—Hehehehe, you guys are fucking degenerates. I hope you have women worth it.

—Kyaaa!—.

Kiyoura was pushed and fell on her backside, and the three hooligans attacked Javier, who hadn't even raised his guard.

-I must regulate my strength or I'll kill them by accident-.

He thought as he watched the hooligans move in slow motion.

Hearing a second scream from Kiyoura Setsuna, who closed her eyes in fear of seeing people fighting in front of her, Javier, who could already see the pimples on the faces of all three and cavities on one, decided to raise his knee, hitting one of them in the stomach.

—!—.

—You bastard, how dare you hit Wataru!—.

Not caring about the hooligans' barking, seeing one on the ground, clutching his stomach, moaning in pain from the strong blow, Javier quickly moved to Ayahito who knew the guy who owned the prostitution establishment.

Thud!

Crossing a hook straight to the face, Ayahito was thrown backward with force. Javier stood motionless, returning to a relaxed position, not noticing the redness on his cheek from the blow that missed him.

—... Don't get too excited just because you know how to fight!—.

Kyuichi exclaimed furiously, attempting a low kick. Aware of the move, Javier launched an upward kick, connecting squarely with Javier's chin, lifting him off the ground with a simultaneous sound like a potato sack falling.

-How troublesome, not only must I measure my strength, I must also protect him so that he doesn't get seriously injured and only become unconscious-.

—Fuuuu…. Are you okay, Kiyoura-san? You hurt yourself—.

—... That's what I should say—.

Amazed at what Javier managed to do in just a few seconds, dealing with three guys at once. Seeing Javier approach and offer his hand to help her up, Setsuna gratefully took it and looked worriedly at the trio.

—Aren't they getting up?—.

—They'll be unconscious for a while, come on, it won't be long before the bell rings.

Nodding, the two began to walk, if not before Setsuna would look back and catch up with Javier.

—Do you practice martial arts?—.

—I'm an amateur, no better than other people—.

—?... You talk about amateurs, but you didn't even give them time to defend themselves.

—Ahahaha, what can I say, I'm kind of good at street fights—.

—I don't see the funny side of hurting yourself... Thank you for saving me.

—You're welcome, although it feels strange to be scolded and thanked.

—That's what happens when you take pride in something as barbaric as fighting.

—But if I didn't know how to fight, I wouldn't have been able to defend you with words.

—That… that and this are different things, you fought to defend me, not to play who hits harder—.

Trying not to let her red cheeks show, she moved faster, but Javier, having longer legs, could keep up.

—By the way, Kiyoura-san, what were you doing in such a lonely place?—.

—The same thing I think you were doing.

—Oh, so you wanted to check it out around the school too.

—Yes, but I never imagined this would happen, just because I went out to explore the school a little.

—Well, what can I say? There are always those kinds of people in the world. When I lived in Spain, I met these kinds of people.

—Mmm, so you were living in Spain and why did you decide to move to Japan?

Thoughtful about how to tell him the reason why he moved to Japan when he had a good life in England, where his parents were.

-I can't tell you that the only reason I came to Japan was to buy more manga, eroge, and meet the seiyuus who voiced my favorite characters, and I can't forget about the merchandise either... I'd better give you an adult answer.

—Well, I had personal reasons that made me come to live in Japan—.

The conversation stalled, but there was no awkward atmosphere, and they arrived. Both stood in front of the door, but didn't enter immediately.

—Don't say anything about what happened... Please, I don't want Sekai to worry.

—I'm a tomb, I don't even remember what I was doing after leaving the library.

—Ehehehe, what does that mean...? Are you okay?—.

Asked about the redness on his cheek, Javier answered without any problem.

—If you ask me, I'll say I ran into some criminals on the way to the Institute, of course I won't mention anything about what happened.

He said winking at her, to say.

—Ladies first—.

—... How gentlemanly—.

A natural smile sprouted from her face as Setsuna entered the classroom first. Javier waited a second to follow her and see her chatting with Sekai. Walking past, he saw Makoto and Ryuto chatting, but stopped when he saw him.

—What's wrong with both of them, do they seem strange?—.

He said, leaving the briefcase on the desk and waiting for Ryuto to leave, which he did, but so did Makoto, neither of them speaking, and Javier just sat down.

—The trial of the defendant Javier Valderrama hereby begins. I, Judge Ryuto Miyake, will issue the charges before you.

"You're implicated in having a beautiful cousin and betraying your friends Makoto and Ryuto. You're also accused of coming to court with the class president, Kiyoura Setsuna—which is to say, indicted."

Javier, who was listening and seeing Ryuto's serious expression as he dealt with the matter, imitating a lawyer, with his hands behind his back.

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Javier changed his expression to a frantic one as he joined in the game.

—He completely rejected the accusations! Evidence, I want proof of your words.

—Don't make it difficult, defendant, Javier. You wouldn't be called to court if there wasn't evidence... let the victim, Makoto, come in.

Turning around during the pause Ryuto made, Ryuto spoke with all seriousness to a sad Makoto.

—Your Honor, the man sitting there is guilty. Yesterday at the exit gate, he denied being my friend in front of his cousin. And ever since then. I've been depressed, I've been to a psychiatrist, I'm on heavy pills, but—but I haven't done the same thing I did back then. Uhhh—

Pretending to be crying, Makoto, a very bad actor, by the way, Ryuto patted him on the shoulder before looking at Javier with a serious face.

—You've heard the testimony, Mr. Javier, and if you're not convinced, the psychiatrist is here, please come in, Miss Sekai Saionji—.

—Hey, I... cough, good morning, judge.

Catching Sekai off guard, she looks at Ryuto who implicated her and winks at him to continue.

—Um, good morning, now I explained the condition your patient Makoto is in—.

—Yes, yesterday, patient Itou-kun came to my office and told me everything, including the process of various tests, but my patient's emotional state is serious. Several therapies will be necessary for him to recover to some extent, but the damage is irreparable.

Playing his part with a pitying expression as he concluded his report, Javier stood up and, with open palms, struck the podium of his desk.

—I protest against what I am accused of!!—.

—Ohhh, and what will you say in your defense, speak—.

"My cousin is conservative, because of a past incident with men, she has an aversion, and all I've done is give her space and time to open up again. With me in the house, she's still reluctant to speak to me, as she might do to a stranger who's looking at her, and it wasn't necessarily my face."

—Cof, accused Javier, refrain from talking about things that are not relevant.

Almost breaking character when he was stared at by the girls and not necessarily being friendly, he still denied every word Javier said as false.

—Let's move on to the next accusation: You are accused of coming with the class president, Setsuna Kiyoura—.

-That is-

Showing traces of doubt on his face, Ryuto's smile widens.

—Why doesn't the accused speak?—

—...—.

—She doesn't want to talk, so we'll continue with one of the friends who witnessed what happened, Lady Sekai.

—As Judge said, that man and my friend arrived at the same time, but he stayed outside. I saw him when Setsuna came in, and he smiled something he doesn't often do at a guy.

—I hear, accused Javier, something you have to add.

—Yes, I just ran into her in the hallway when I arrived, that's all, Your Honor.

—Um, with the evidence gathered, the jury will render its verdict. Jury who heard the words, Javier is either guilty or not guilty!

The class had at some point begun to pay attention to the fabricated drama Ryuto and Makoto started with Javier. Someone in the class stood up and said.

—Your Honor, in the first two cases the defendant is guilty, but no one on the jury believes he spoke the truth.

The entire classroom united against Javier, who could only tell the truth, but with the promise to silence what he did to Setsuna.

Feeling Setsuna's gaze nod and shrug in a "whatever" tone, Javier sighed exaggeratedly.

—Ahhh, okay, I'll say it… While I was looking around the school grounds, I came across Kiyoura-san surrounded by three hooligans, I saved her and that was it—.

Confessing, he crossed his arms and waited for the commotion to begin.

—Is that true, President Kiyoura-san?!—.

Speaking quickly, Ryuto, surprised and wanting to know the truth from the whole class, looked at Setsuna for confirmation and she nods.

—It's true, everything he says—.

Ohhhhhhh!!!

—Silence, your noise can be heard even in the hallway!

The sliding door suddenly opened, and the teacher's voice echoed in the classroom, prompting everyone to return to their seats. Stepping up to the podium, Professor Tenma dropped his books and looked at Javier and Setsuna.

—I don't know what you're doing, but I heard some harassment against student Kiyoura, something to say, student Valderrama—.

—Sensei, those involved are by the unconscious incinerator, after trying to attack me—.

The class falling silent, the teacher walked to the door again and looked at Setsuna.

—I'll go check if they're still there, student Kiyoura, come with me so I can point out those involved.

Leaving without saying anything else, Setsuna gets up from her seat while Sekai looked at her worriedly, but she just smiled at her, telling her that she was okay, leaving the classroom, with no teacher in charge and Setsuna leaving. The only one who knew the truth, Javier, was surrounded by all the students wanting to know what happened.

Spending the entire morning listening to classes that started in the second period, since those involved were caught still unconscious so that Setsuna could later confirm them as her attackers, the students, unsatisfied with hearing the boring truth, became interested in Javier's family background, not leaving him alone until the second period began.

During recess, while Setsuna and Sekai were preparing to eat their bentos, Javier stood up and walked to the door.

—Wait, Javier! You're going to the cafeteria.

—No, I'm going to the library.

—Library, you?—.

Reluctant to believe him, Javier frowns.

—There's some problem, go there—.

—No, there isn't, but you don't give off the vibe of reading books.

—Hahaha you would be surprised to know that I cook myself, I even make my own bentos and those of my cousins.

—Ah, you know how to cook—.

—Of course I get up in the morning and make them a fresh bento—.

Showing the bento in his hand, Javier smiles victoriously at Makoto who looks away with her bento in hand.

—...—.

Moving to the hallway so as not to interfere with the door, Javier along with Makoto asks her.

—What's wrong? Is there something in your bento you don't like?—

"It's not that. This bento was made by my mom. It's a burger with salad and rice, which I like, but listening to what you're cooking, I feel like I should put in more effort. They say a man who cooks is popular with the girls."

—Hahaha, you worry about meaningless things, Makoto, I wouldn't give anything to eat my mother's homemade food.

Showing sadness in her eyes, Makoto noticed how low the mood around Javier had become.

—O-of course, you live alone with your cousins, you must miss your family abroad.

Trying to change the conversation, Makoto shakes his head, Javier showing melancholy on his face.

—My parents died a year ago, in a plane crash.

—... S-sorry! I didn't know aa ...

—Come on, man, don't get nervous, it's been a year since the accident.

—No, I'm sorry for being inconsiderate, for saying something like that...—.

A little tense, Makoto, Javier, tried to cheer him up before separating, heading straight to the Library with his bento in hand.

Whether or not he knew two people had heard them, Javier headed for the library. Without further ado, he entered. The first thing he saw were boxes piled up next to the door, and sitting behind the desk was a young, innocent first-grader with short, straight brown hair and dark brown eyes.

—S-sorry, but the library is closed—.

Noticing Javier, the boy gestured nervously. Looking around unsuccessfully, he found the sensei approaching the desk, placing her hands on the table.

—Boy, do you know where the library sensei is?—.

—S-Sensei is in the teachers' lounge, handing out the list of books to be donated, why are you looking for her?—.

—Umm... Do you know of any book called [The Veil] that Sensei left behind?—.

Not knowing if the boy would know anything by asking, he ended up asking anyway. When he heard the name of the book, he was a little surprised and pulled out a note.

—So I see you're the student in the book. Sensei left you a note, and here's the book.

Taking the book and the note, he read it.

[For the student who was fascinated by the book, you're in luck, I'll give it to you, if you're interested in this author, I'll tell you to go to the central library there you'll find more by the same author, if you don't want it you can buy it online to have it sent to you, this is the page where you can find the volumes and many more books that may interest you.]

{www.lbrotimol.com}

Putting the note in his pocket, he picked up the dark red, gold-lettered book.

—Thanks for the message. What's your name? I think I'll be coming to the Library often.

—Yuuki Ashikaga, my pleasure—.

—Javier Valderrama, a pleasure too, goodbye—.

Leaving the library Javier, Yuuki, who had nothing else to do while remaining silent, opened a small book and sank into reading, but abruptly snapped out of it when he heard the door open.

—Excuse me… the library is open—.

With a soft voice, the girl could be seen withdrawn, she had long dark purple hair, like her big eyes, long legs with black stockings up to her thighs, highlighting her pale skin, which covered them.

Childish features that were soon to disappear and transform into more delicate and feminine features. Large breasts for a high school girl's age made boys look like idiots and girls jealous.

The boy Yuuki, with the normal altered hormones for his age, looked like an idiot looking at her, making the girl feel uncomfortable.

—I-I apologized—.

The girl was about to leave, Yuuki wakes up and gets up in a hurry because he realizes he did something wrong, just like something his sister told him.

—I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'm sorry... But the Library isn't open today, they're checking out some books, but it's open tomorrow—.

The girl stopped when she felt the boy's sincerity in his voice, at the same time Yuukio smiled, but she realized that he didn't give her face, only his straight back was given to her, but for Yuukio it was enough.

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Returning to the classroom, since he didn't want to eat outside, seeing that there was almost no one there, he sat down at his desk.

Not minding eating alone, as he had become somewhat accustomed to it through his work, he pulled out the book "The Veil" from where he had left off, eating with one hand and reading with the other.

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