Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Ishida Shoya Seems to Have a Short Memory

The bell rang as the class ended, and Hojo Kyosuke believed that this sound was the most beautiful music in the world. No matter how many times he heard it, it was always so pleasing to his ears.

Nishimiya Shouko turned her chair around and sat facing Hojo Kyosuke, ready to start studying.

"Classmate Nishimiya, so you can actually hear, right?"

Ueno Naoko walked over to Nishimiya Shouko and spoke.

Nishimiya Shouko was happy that a classmate was talking to her, but she first turned her head to look at Hojo Kyosuke. After all, they had agreed to study at this time, so chatting felt impolite to him.

"It's okay, Shouko. Go ahead and chat with your friend."

Hojo Kyosuke was pleased to see Nishimiya Shouko communicating more with others. It was similar to learning a foreign language; you had to listen and speak more to learn quickly. The reason Shouko couldn't speak before was because no one was willing to talk to her, nor did anyone want to listen to her.

"Yeah, because I wear a hearing aid, my hearing is enhanced a bit."

As usual, Nishimiya Shouko wrote down what she wanted to say on her notepad. She felt happy because just like Hojo Kyosuke, Ueno Naoko was also slowly starting to talk, and she could hear her clearly.

Previously, during class, thanks to Ueno Naoko telling her about what the teacher was saying, Nishimiya Shouko thought Ueno was really a good person.

"A hearing aid? What's that?"

Ueno Naoko looked curious. In reality, she only struck up a conversation because she couldn't stand how close Nishimiya Shouko and Hojo Kyosuke were. But now, she was genuinely curious. After all, hearing aids like that were something a bit distant for elementary school students like them.

"It's probably a device that can amplify the sounds from the outside to a volume that I can hear."

After writing these words, Nishimiya Shouko pushed her hair that covered her ears to the side, revealing the hearing aid she was wearing in her cochlea.

"It seems pretty amazing. Can you let me see?"

Though she felt a bit embarrassed, Nishimiya Shouko didn't hesitate and took off the hearing aid from her right ear, passing it to Ueno Naoko.

The little girl's movements were swift, and Hojo Kyosuke didn't have time to stop her.

"Oh, is that how it looks?"

"Ueno, what's that? Let me see."

A voice came from behind Hojo Kyosuke. It was Ishida Shoya. The area at the back of the classroom was his and his little gang's designated entertainment space. After every class, they would use their bodies to polish the floor until it gleamed.

Hojo Kyosuke found these three annoying, honestly. They disturbed his reading during breaks. He was curious whether these three could really make the floor shine before graduation.

Hearing Ueno's words, Ishida Shoya became curious. He had only intended to interrupt because he was irritated by the intimacy between Nishimiya Shouko and Hojo Kyosuke. But now, he was indeed curious. After all, for elementary school students, things like hearing aids were a bit remote.

"Seems like a cool thing. Can you show me?"

Struggling with his embarrassment, Ishida Shoya's expression turned fierce. However, he made a sudden exclamation and took a few steps back, preparing to throw the hearing aid out of the window.

"Are you really ready to do that?"

Hojo Kyosuke finally caught up with the situation and grabbed Ishida Shoya's wrist, stopping his action.

On the other side, Nishimiya Shouko, who had been standing up anxiously, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Was Hojo Kyosuke really a time traveler sent from the future to protect her like Doraemon?

"Hey, you really like to meddle, don't you?"

Frustrated, Ishida Shoya's expression turned menacing. Combined with the resentment from their previous encounter, his face turned red, and he tried to free his wrist from Hojo Kyosuke's grip.

"I just hope you consider your mother's feelings for once."

"What are you blabbering about for no reason? Hirose, Shimada, come help!"

"Sure~"

Though he agreed verbally, Hirose Kazuki still leaned against the window ledge lazily. As for the chubby Shimada Tomohiro, he did step forward to hold Ishida Shoya's arm, but he didn't exert any force. Hojo Kyosuke didn't feel any strength from his grasp.

"This hearing aid costs at least 200,000 yen. Are you sure you want to throw it away?"

"So what?"

"Do you know how long your mother has to work, how many customers she has to serve to earn 200,000 yen?"

Hojo Kyosuke could tell that Ishida Shoya was furious. With a little force, he separated Ishida's hand from the hearing aid and took it.

"Even if you can't make your mother happy, at least don't burden her further."

Handing the hearing aid to Nishimiya Shouko, Hojo Kyosuke lectured Ishida Shoya with a tone that kids hated.

"You jerk!"

Is it because elementary school kids have limited vocabulary? Ishida Shoya seemed to only know one insult: "jerk."

Suppressing the pain, Ishida Shoya got up from the ground. With his face reddened by embarrassment and anger, he charged at Hojo Kyosuke again.

Hojo Kyosuke prepared to defend himself properly. But suddenly, Nishimiya Shouko rushed over, stood in front of him with her eyes tightly shut, clenched her fists by her sides, and appeared ready to block the punch with her face.

What a cute little fool. Seeing this scene, Hojo Kyosuke's heart warmed. He extended his left hand to gently pull Nishimiya aside, and with his right hand, he accurately grabbed Ishida Shoya's wrist as he swung his fist, guiding it away.

With a series of thuds, Ishida Shoya fell to the ground once more. He also managed to knock over the storage cabinet at the back of the classroom, causing various objects to fall on him.

Tsk, thankfully, it's just books. It would have been amusing if there were a flowerpot.

Hojo Kyosuke stood in place, composed. He watched as Hirose Kazuki helped Ishida Shoya up.

"Hey! What are you guys doing?"

Takeuchi's shout came from the classroom door. Shortly after, he quickly walked over to the back of the classroom.

Glancing at everyone present, Hojo Kyosuke? Can't provoke. Nishimiya Shouko? A special case, can't provoke either. Ueno Naoko

? A well-behaved little girl. Hirose Kazuki and Shimada Tomohiro? Ishida Shoya's lackeys.

Then, Takeuchi decisively pointed at Ishida Shoya's name. Whatever happened, it had to be the fault of this "bad kid" who was always causing trouble. Even if he wasn't at fault this time, he probably was.

"Ishida Shoya! What are you up to again? Come with me to the office immediately!"

Ishida Shoya didn't say a word and, with Hirose Kazuki's help, managed to stand up. After two hard falls, he was having trouble standing now.

"Everyone, continue with your self-study."

Takeuchi instructed and then led Ishida Shoya to the office.