HIH: A Chapter 26 Preview Part 2 (Patreon)

They both wanted to cry out for help but they were frozen. Megumi inched forward hesitantly but before she could do anything, two yells emerged from the crowd in unison.

“Back the hell off!!”

“Only I’m allowed to touch Mako-chi like that!”

In a flash the male student that was restraining Makoto was hit from both sides by a punch to the face and a kick in the side. The sounds of both attacks reverberated throughout the cafeteria like thunder, instantly silencing the crowd. While both would be enough on their own, the combined might was enough to knock the student out multiple times over. Standing in defense of Makoto, Furyu and Chihiro menaced the onlooking students with intimidating glares. While they didn’t say anything explicit, the look of “ready and willing to fight anyone” was soul-piercing. As the male student fell to the ground, Makoto was finally free and the crowd quickly dispersed at the sight of her saviors. Aside her momentary relief, only two things floated around in her head. Cursing herself for needing to be saved once again, and Megumi. Her look of relief was also pretty evident behind her look of sadness. They both stood there in silence for a few moments before being called out by both Chihiro and Furyu.

“Tch, why is it so hard for you to stay outta trouble.” She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms at her. At the same time, muffled words of concern squeaked from within Furyu’s pocket.

“Waaaahhh, I’m so so sorry I couldn’t get to you earlier Mako-chi!! I swear I’m gonna make that asshole’s life a living hell once he wakes up!” Chihiro said hugging Makoto tightly before freezing in place as the menacing glare of her greatest rival full upon her back. “W-Well, look at the time! Gotta go, uh run laps around the school! Take care Mako-chi!!”

Cold sweat dripped down her entire body and she slowly released Makoto from her embrace. Chihiro nervously, and without even exchanging a glance towards Furyu, got up and ran away. The track star’s voice faded into the distance and soon enough, Makoto, Megumi, and Furyu (and Rentaro) were left alone together in the cafeteria.

“So, wanna explain?” Furyu said looking towards both of them. Makoto tried to build up the courage to speak but before she could, Megumi spoke up for the first time that day.

“Let’s talk… in the club.” Averting her gaze and awkwardly shifting position, she started to walk towards the club while to two (three) of them were momentarily stunned.

In the club, the atmosphere was just as tense as it was when they all lost hope at yesterday’s disastrous club meeting. The silence was deafening and in a few minutes, Furyu was about ready to snap and drive her hand straight through the wall. Violence and property damages were avoided, however, as Megumi stood up.

“I’m sorr—”

“The hell you are!” Furyu yelled, confronting her similarly to Makoto. “I ain’t got a clue about how cushy it was for you at your old school, but shit like what happened yesterday happens all the time! You can’t let it get to you and you sure as hell can’t go off sulking on your own!”

“You’re not alone, Megumi and whatever you’re blaming yourself for, please understand that it’s not your fault. You should never feel like you disappointed us. In this club, we’re a team, but most importantly, we’re your friends.” Rentaro said, poking his head out from Furyu’s pocket. They both happily comforted Megumi as tears ran down her face while Makoto awkwardly watched from across the room in contemplation. Megumi tried to speak, but her words were mostly unintelligible as she cried. While Furyu held the crying girl in her arms and Rentaro gave head pats amidst a sea of pleasant-smelling silver hair, the two finally decided to ask about everything that led up to their little cafeteria mishap. Still a little dissatisfied with the whole ordeal, Makoto didn’t have the energy nor patience to carefully explain every annoying experience. Instead, she just sighed and slid her phone across the table toward the three sappy goofballs.

Pulling her face away from Furyu’s nonexistent bosom, Megumi was the first to finish skimming through her phone’s notepad app. She had an inkling of an idea as to why she was speaking so loud in the hallway but reading her plan put everything into context. With every sentence she read, Megumi could feel the firey optimism in her heart return in waves along with an immeasurable sense of admiration for Makoto. Tears still in her eyes broke away from Furyu’s hug and tackled Makoto with a hug of her own. Falling softly to the ground with a comical crash along with some nearby chairs, Megumi held Makoto in a tight embrace with a beaming grin plastered across her face. If even the slightest bit of affection and physical contact from Megumi made Makoto blush, having her entire body pressed up against hers was more than enough to completely short-circuit her brain.

“We’ll do it!” Megumi said, a newfound look of determination appearing on her face along with her happy-go-lucky smile. Makoto, all too flustered to respond properly, could barely form thoughts let alone sentences. Her face was as red as red could be resembling more of a tomato than a beet and her heart was out of control.

“D-Do it..? B-But we’re still in school…” To the average person, the sight of Megumi’s body pressed against Makoto may have given certain inappropriate impressions, but within the context that everyone present was more than aware of, Makoto’s response jumped the gun and then some.

“We can still do your plan in school, silly!”

(In fact, it was the only place where the plan would work)