The End of Akira
Chapter 19: Reasons

"Kids, today we will make wooden crafts with chisel techniques. In front of you are already some equipment such as chisels, knives and small hammers. Please be careful, lest anyone get hurt, okay?" Obviously Mother Teacher.

"Understand Mom" said the student simultaneously.

"Isn't this really dangerous?" Ayano said to Akira.

"Therefore, we must be careful" Akira smiled.

Ayano nodded. "Should we start sculpting?" Ayano said again.

"It looks so."

The students then began to carve the wood with the pattern that had been given by the teacher. The teacher also unceasingly reminded all students to be careful and not to get hurt.

The atmosphere in the classroom was quite silent, no conversation was heard in this class except the sound of iron and wood clashing together and the sound of the teacher constantly reminding to be careful. The disciples were very focused on their respective work including Akira.

"It turns out sculpting is hard huh?" Akira smiled.

"You're right" said Hana who was standing next to Akira. "about?! Ta-" Hana said in surprise.

Akira quickly placed his index finger in front of his lips hinting Hana to be quiet and not speak anymore.

"Please don't make a fuss, it's not a big deal." Whisper Akira.

"But it's-"

"I don't want to make a fuss. It's my fault and I don't want to be scolded by Master Ma'am either. I'm fine, it's dry soon" said Akira smiling.

"That's dripping Akira, come on"

"How's Akira? Is it done?" Tanya Ma'am Guru approached Akira.

"A little more Ma'am" Akira replied smiling. He hid his hands under the table.

"Then go ahead" said the Teacher smiling.

"Good ma'am" said Akira who also smiled. The teacher then went to see the other students.

"Come to the UKS, Akira! The blood is so much" Hana said in a panic but Akira shook his head.

"I'm doing fine. Please don't fuss, Hana" Akira said again.

"But-"

"Kids, Mom should take the absentee list in the teacher's room. You go on with your work and remember, be careful, lest anyone get hurt."

"Good Mom." Answer the students. After that, the teacher came out of the room.

"Akira, come with me" said Sou to Akira and suddenly pulled his hand.

"Wait for Sou, where are we going?" Akira was confused.

"Shut up and just follow me" Sou said without seeing Akira and kept pulling Akira out of the room.

"Sou, where is Akira going?" Hana said a little screamed but was ignored by Sou. 

"Sou, where are you going?" Hiro asked shouting which Sou also ignored.

"Where are you going?" Ayano asked Hana.

"Don't know, Sou suddenly took her" explained Hana.

"Where did they go?" ayano was curious.

"I'll follow him first" Hana said then went out of the room. "Sou took Akira where? Doesn't he know Akira's hurt?" Said Hana who lost track of them.

"Hana, where are you going? Why leave class?" Said Mrs Teacher.

"That's.."

"You don't intend to skip, do you? Come inside!" said Ma'am Guru pressed his sentence at the end which made Hana afraid. He had to follow Master's words and go back to class.

The other...

"Sou, where are we going?" Akira asked a little panicked. "Sou let go, don't pull like this" Akira said again.

Although Akira had already asked, there was still no answer from Sou. He kept pulling it and got into the UKS room. Sou then places Akira on the edge of the bed. 

(What will Sou do?) The mind of Akira is confused. Sou then left for a while and returned with a P3K box in his hand. He then squatted in front of Akira.

"Give me your hand" Sou said, pulling Akira's right hand. "You shouldn't have hidden it. Look, there's a lot of blood. It looks like the wound is quite deep" Sou said without seeing Akira.

"It must hurt. Why are you hiding it? What if it's an infection?" said Sou now looking at Akira worriedly.

"I'm sorry, I just don't want to make the others worry and I don't want to be scolded" explained Akira staring at his bloody palm.

Sou then opened the P3K box. "No one will scold you if you get hurt like this. Hold on a second, yeah."

Sou then treated Akira's wounds with antiseptics and other drugs with great pain. 

Akira noticed Sou who was treating his hand. (Why would Sou know?)

"Aww.."

"Hold Akira, the wound is quite deep" Sou said without looking at Akira.

"I-iya" said Akira while holding the pain.

"It must be sick?" Said Sou staring at Akira and Akira just nodded. "I'm sorry, please hold on for a while" Sou said, refocusing on Akira's hand.

A while later, Sou finished treating Akira.

"Well, it's done" said Sou smilingly looking at Akira.

"Thank you" Akira said staring at Sou.

"Other times, you should be more careful and tell the teacher if something like this happens" Sou looked at Akira. "Or if you're afraid, you can tell me. Don't get hurt again, I'm worried about you." 

Akira looked at Sou for a while then nodded in understanding.

"Then how now? Want permission to go home?" Ask Sou.

Akira shakes. "Only my hand was injured, so I was still able to follow the lesson" Akira smiled.

"Well if it's like that. Come back, Master must be looking for us" Sou smiled.

"Yes." Yeah."

They then left the UKS and went back to class.

"Later let me help sculpt your wood" Sou looked at Akira.

"No need for Sou. My hands have been treated by you, I'm fine" Akira refused.

"How can you say you're okay with such a deep wound? Don't refuse. I know your hand still hurts, right?" say Sou again.

"But-"

"I don't really like being rejected, so let me help you" Sou smiled.

"Alright, if Sou doesn't mind please help me" said Akira, who was taken by Sou.

By the time they returned to class, it was empty and there was only the class leader.

"Where have you been? Everyone is done" asked the class president . "Finish the task and deliver it to the teacher's room yes, I first" he said again. He left both of them in class.

"Sorry Sou, you are left behind" said Akira regretfully.

"Whatchu mean? It's not a big deal. We just need to finish it and rest, right?" Said Sou smiling.

Sou then took his chair and sat down in front of Akira.

"Here, let me help you" said Sou, taking Akira's wood.

"No. Finish your job first, then Sou can help me" Akira refused.

"It's okay. Get it, I can do it quickly" said Sou will take Akira wood again.

"No. Don't hurry Sou, later you will be injured like me" said Akira took the wood.

"Alright, wait for me for a moment huh" said Sou resignedly.

"I'll also do mine" said Akira taking the tools again.

"Don't get hurt again" Sou looked at Akira.

"Yes, I won't trouble Sou anymore" Akira smiled. He then began to sculpt back carefully.

"I don't feel bothered and I don't care if it's bothered by Akira" Sou said, focusing on the wood.

"What did you say? Don't be like that, Sou" said Akira who also focused on the wood.

"I'm serious, I don't care if I have to be bothered by Akira" Sou looked at Akira who was also staring at him.

"But I don't feel good if I have to trouble Sou" Akira said, bowing his head.

"Even if you say it like that, I will still come for you to bother" said Sou who made Akira smile.

"Sou is there" said Akira with a faint smile.

"Don't force it if your hand still hurts. I'll be done soon."

"My hand is not sick and I am not forcing myself" said Akira, who is still focused on her work.

Sou then noticed Akira who was trying to sculpt his wood. (About very adorable in focus) Sou smiled and returned to work.

"I heard after the break, there will be no lessons because the teachers will be meeting for our final exam" Sou said.

"really? Does that mean we'll be home early today?" Tanya Akira enthusiastically.

"Looks not. We have to wait for the teacher to finish the meeting to find out the result." 

"Ah, Sou's right" Akira nodded in understanding.

"Do you have any training today?"

"No, my practice's 1 week off."

"Why?" Said Sou staring at Akira.

"Because the evaluation is done" Akira said looking at Sou who was looking at him in confusion. "Evaluation is a match to know the improvement of our abilities" explained Akira.

"As it turned out" Sou nodded in understanding. "Then, would you like to see a basketball club practice?"

"What's the basketball club practicing today?" 

"Yes, we are taking the time to train because the tournament is near" Sou explained.

"Can I see it?" 

"of course. A lot of people were deliberately watching our rehearsals" Sou explained.

"I just found out" said Akira smiling.

"So how?" Ask Sou again.

"If I may, I want to see it" Akira smiled.

"Alright it's decided yes" Sou smiled. "My job is done. Here, let me help you" Sou smiled.

"No need for Sou, I'm also almost done" Akira smiled.

"You sure?"

"Knew!" akira is excited.

(I can't bother Akira when he's excited like this) Sou said smilingly watching Akira.

"Slow down, the time is also still long" said Sou again, who is embraced by Akira.

(He's really adorable) Inner Sou noticed Akira.

"Yeeeyyy is finally done!" akira was happy.

"Thank God. Akira's good work" Sou said with a smile.

"Thank you" said Akira smiling.

"You are here it turns out" said Ayano and Hana who suddenly came.

"We're looking for you. You're okay, right?" Tanya Hana was worried about Akira.

"I'm fine" Akira smiled.

"Other times, you should be more careful Akira. Look at your hand like a mummy" Ayano pointed at Akira's hand.

"Yes, I'll be more careful" Akira smiled. "Sou sculpted very well" Ayano said again approaching Sou.

"About, let's collect it before the break" Sou asked.

"That's right, collect quickly" Hana agreed.

The four of them then walked out of the classroom. Sou walked first followed by Ayano followed by Akira and Hana behind.

"Did Sou do it?" Tanya Hana looked at Akira's hand that had been bandaged.

Akira nodded. "Yes." Yeah."

"Thank God, I've been looking for you. I'm worried, your blood is so much that it drips like before" Hana said again.

"Thank you for worrying about me. I'm fine" Akira smiled.

"I guess I went to class first" Ayano smiled.

"Then I also went to class first, Akira" said Hana.

"Yes Ayano, Hana, see you" Akira waved his hand.

In the teacher's room..

"Where have you been? Did you guys skip my lesson?" Said Mrs Teacher.

"Sorry Mom, Akira's hand was injured so we went to the UKS to treat the wound" Sou explained.

"really? You all right?" Ask the teacher worried.

"It's okay, ma'am."

"Thank God, why didn't you just say that?" Said Master checking Akira's hand.

"So Mom went to the teacher's room to take a hiatus" Akira said, looking down in fear. "Sorry Mom."

"Other times you have to be more careful. Yes, come back to class" said the Teacher again.

"Thank you, ma'am" said Sou bowing respectfully.

"Thank you, ma'am" Akira said, bowing respectfully.

Sou and Akira then left the room.

"I told you, didn't I? You will not be scolded" Sou told Akira.

"But I'm still scared."

"Is it still sick?"

Akira shakes. "No."

"Thank God" said Sou smiling.

In class...

"Friends, I have good news" said the class leader. "After this, there will be no lessons because the teachers are in a meeting and we are not given any assignments" explained the Head of the class who made all the students cheer. 

"Only, we can't go home first. We'll be home at our usual hour. Enjoy your time friends" said the Class Leader smiling.

Sou then looked towards Akira and smiled. Akira who saw Sou smile, also smiled.

Sou then stood up and approached Akira.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Said Sou approaching Akira.

"Yes. I suspect Sou has an insider" Akira smiled.

"What's right? People in what?" Ayano was confused.

"It's not important" Sou said, not wanting to answer Ayano. "You eat there anyway" Sou told Akira again.

"May" Akira replied smiling.

"Where are you going? I'm coming" Ayano said again.

Akira looked at Sou for a while as if asking how. Sou then nodded.

"I want to see basketball club practice" explained Akira.

"Basketball? I'd like to see, too, would you?" Ask Ayano.

"As far as you go" said Sou coldly.

"Thank you" Ayano smiled.

"But Sou, I have to buy a spoon first in the canteen. I can't eat with chopsticks right now" Akira said, showing his injured hand.

"Then let's go to the cafeteria together. I also want to buy food" Ayano smiled.

"I'll wait here" said Sou, who was taken by Akira and Ayano.

Akira and Ayano then go to the cafeteria together. When he got there the atmosphere was very crowded with long queues of students who would buy food at each store.

"It's a lot.. Does Ayano always wait for a queue like this?" Ask Akira.

"That's how it is" Ayano smiled.

"Ayano!" Call someone and that's his friends. The three of them then approached Ayano and Akira.

"Let's eat together" said one of Ayano's friends.

"Sorry guys, I promised Akira and Sou to eat together" Ayano smiled.

"Ehhh that? Hi Akira" he said to Akira. 

"Hello" said Akira smiling.

"Then you're going to the club tonight?" Ask the other one.

(Club?)

"Hmm. later I will tell you again" said Ayano smiling.

"You should come, your sugar daddy always asks you. Anyway, have to come!" say the other one.

(Wait, what are they.)

"Yes, I'll tell you again" said Ayano.

"That's it, get ready guys" whispered the third friend.

A schoolgirl walks in front of Ayano's friends and she suddenly stumbles upon something and falls down. Seeing that Ayano's friends laughed instead and Ayano just watched the girl with a sharp look.

"Are you okay?" Akira asked to help the student stand up.

The student looked at Akira with shiny eyes.

"Thank you" he said, then left Akira.

(Is he crying?)

"Oh?" Akira looked at the paper dropped by the student earlier.

"Wait a minute" Akira told the student. Akira picked up his fallen paper and caught up with it.

"The boy was not cool" said one of Ayano's friends staring at Akira.

"That's how he is" Ayano smiled.

"I'm amazed, you can still be friends with him. If I were you, I'd be so fed up" he said.

The other...

"Wait a minute" said Akira running after the student.

The student stopped and turned her body.

"You dropped it" Akira said after arriving in front of the schoolgirl and handed her the paper.

"Thank you" said the student, looking down.

"I'm sorry about Ayano and her friends. Please forgive them" Akira said, bowing.

"Why are you apologizing? Are you one of his friends?" 

"I'm Ayano's classmate but I don't know any other students. I'm sure I saw him purposely sticking out his leg to block your move. I'm sorry" explained Akira.

"I should have just seen you with them. It's okay, it's commonplace" said the student, looking down

"Ordinary?" Akira was surprised.

"Yes, they always cheated on me and other people they didn't like" he explained while playing a paper given by Akira.

"How can they be like that?" Akira said in disbelief.

The student shook his head. "Thank you yes. If it's not wrong, you're Akira from 1A right? "

"Yes, I'm Akira" said Akira smiling.

"Thank you very much Akira. You are a good person, it would be better if you do not approach them. Ah, I'm sorry. It's your right to be friends with anyone, but I beg you not to be influenced by those people even though I'm sure you won't be affected by them" the student smiled. "Okay, excuse me. Once again thank you" he said again, bowing and then leaving.

"Yes, see you" said Akira staring at the departure of the student.

(Ayano's friends are so rude, is Ayano like that too? It can't be, can it? Akira believes Ayano is just following along, he is a good person) Akira said in his heart.

"You've been a long time!" yell Ayano. "Come here" Ayano said, leaving a distance between them for Akira to line up.

Akira shakes. "I have to march first" said Akira because behind Ayano there are 5 people who have lined up.

"It doesn't matter Akira, just get in here. It will be a long time if you go back" said Ayano's friend.

"No, I'll line up in the back. The other friends were already lined up from me, I couldn't interrupt the queue" Akira explained then lined up behind.

"Ckk.. has been given easy even choose the difficult!" said Ayano's friend again who can still be heard by Akira.

"I'm sorry" said Akira smiling.

(About a little dislike of them) Akira's inner gaze at Ayano's friends.

"I guess you'll interrupt, Akira" said Hiro who was waiting in line behind Akira.

"I know how to queue properly" Akira smiled.

"You are indeed different from them" he said again with a smile. "Did you know? This is the reason Sou has always been cold to Ayano" Hiro explained.

"really? I understand now" Akira said, nodding in understanding.

"Let's go ahead Akira" Hiro said again with a smile.

"Yes Hiro" said Akira who also smiled.