Chapter 13: Justice Man
“Go, Justice Man!”
On the television screen, a man in a yellow jumpsuit, white cape, and a shiny bald head punched a formidable-looking enemy, sending him crashing to the ground.
“Wow, he’s so strong!” Bubbles exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she sat on the floor with her classmates, watching their favorite animated show.
It was their nightly entertainment time, and tonight’s feature was a popular series about a man who, after undergoing “rigorous training,” transformed into Justice Man, a superhero dedicated to fighting evil.
The catch was that after gaining his incredible powers, the man… well, he lost all his hair. Give and take, that was the way of the world. But one thing was for sure, Justice Man was incredibly powerful.
A hero needed to be strong to fight villains, but this bald-headed man was ridiculously overpowered. No matter how strong the enemy, he always won with a single punch.
“Bubbles wants to be as strong as Justice Man someday!” Bubbles declared, pumping her fist in the air, her face flushed with excitement.
“Ugh, this show is so boring,” a bored voice drawled from behind them. Bubbles jumped.
“Kosan! It’s not boring! Justice Man is super cool!” Bubbles protested.
“Super cool?” Kosan stared at the cartoon superhero on the screen, his generic henchman face and shiny bald head, and frowned.
“Bubbles, your taste is questionable.”
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “What’s so cool about him?”
“Justice Man can defeat any enemy with one punch!” Bubbles puffed out her chest proudly.
“That just means he’s strong. Anything else?”
“Um… well…” Bubbles racked her brain.
“It doesn’t matter, as long as Bubbles likes it,” Kyoko interjected.
“Hmph, that’s not the point.” Kosan was about to retort when something on the screen caught her eye.
“Bear Biscuits!” she exclaimed. “They have a new flavor!”
Several children who had been looking down perked up at her words.
As the episode ended and the next one began, a commercial filled the gap.
On the screen, a cute cartoon bear poured honey onto a biscuit and took a bite, his face lighting up with delight.
“New flavor, new experience! Get yours today!” The anthropomorphic bear gave a thumbs-up and winked at the viewers.
“Honey flavor…”
“That looks good.”
“My dad bought me some before.”
“I want some!”
“It looks so yummy!” Bubbles stared at the happy bear on the screen, her mouth watering.
“There’s a bakery in the city center that sells Bear Biscuits,” Kosan recalled. “Ugh, I’m craving them now!”
“You’re such a child,” Kyoko said dismissively, seeing Kosan’s eager expression.
“You’re a child too! Don’t you want any?” Kosan retorted.
“Not really,” Kyoko said nonchalantly. “Besides, I’m thirteen. Ms. Eve said I’ll be going to middle school soon.”
“Not like you, little Kosan.” Kyoko stood up, towering over Kosan.
“Ugh, you’re so mean!” Kosan glared at her. “Don’t forget to bring us some Bear Biscuits when you visit! And make sure they’re the new honey flavor!”
“Visit?” Kyoko looked at her, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Aren’t you about to graduate?”
“Yeah, so?”
“So…” Kosan hesitated. “Where are we right now?”
“Private Cherry Blossom Elementary School, duh. Have you forgotten already?” Kyoko looked at her with disdain.
“No, I mean…” Kosan stammered, “This is… elementary school. You’re going to middle school…”
“…” Kyoko froze, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks.
Graduating from elementary school to middle school had seemed like such a simple, natural progression.
‘Oh, I’m going to be a middle schooler soon.’
That was the extent of her thoughts on the matter.
She had never considered the implications, the changes it would bring… until now.
“I… I’m going to middle school,” she said, her voice hollow.
“Kyoko?” Bubbles looked at her, confused by her sudden change in demeanor.
‘This idiot really hasn’t thought about it at all,’ Kosan realized, frowning.
She scanned the room, searching for a certain someone.
There he was, looking at Kyoko with concern.
Kosan quickly caught his eye and gave him a meaningful look.
“Oh my god! I almost forgot, I’m graduating soon! Time flies, doesn’t it? I’m going to miss you, Aze!”
Yo laughed, slinging an arm around his roommate’s shoulder.
“What are you talking about? We’re going to the same school, remember?” His roommate looked at him, puzzled.
“Come on, don’t be so cold!”
“You’re the one being weird!”
As the two boys bickered, a look of relief washed over Kyoko’s face.
That’s right, graduation meant separation.
Soon, she would be leaving her favorite teacher, her adorable Bubbles, her mischievous Kosan…
Kyoko knew why she was at this school. They were different, ostracized by normal society.
Their options were limited. Ms. Eve had mentioned that there weren’t many ‘special schools’ in the city.
Which meant… Private Cherry Blossom Elementary School had a middle school program!
‘Yo is graduating too. We’ll be together,’ she thought, her anxiety fading away.
It would be sad to leave everyone behind, but as long as Yo was with her, it would be okay.
As long as he was there, everything would be alright.
“Bubbles, you better not become one of those friends who ditches their friends for a boyfriend,” Kosan said, pointing at Kyoko with mock disapproval.
“Huh?” Bubbles tilted her head, confused.
“What are you talking about?” Kyoko snapped, her cheeks burning.
“Oh, come on, don’t deny it. You were just thinking how it wouldn’t matter if Bubbles left, as long as your boyfriend was still around.” Kosan gave Bubbles a sympathetic look. “Don’t worry, Bubbles, Kosan’s still here for you.”
“I’ll take care of you!”
“That’s not true!” Kyoko protested, her face turning even redder.
“Kyoko…”
Seeing Bubbles’ crestfallen expression, Kyoko quickly added, “Don’t listen to Kosan, she’s just teasing!”
Ignoring Kyoko’s pleading look, Kosan smirked.
“Then tell us, what were you thinking about just now?”
Leave a Reply