The Final Play

I found myself thinking on that rooftop, wondering what would become of me. Everything remains the same. When I entered university, I thought everything would change, but here I am, in the same situation.

Sighs.

"I'd better head home, even if it means skipping the rest of my classes."

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the stairs leading to the rooftop.

A guy peeked his head out and said, "Well, well, so here you were."

I turned to see who had been looking for me. Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I realized it was Ren.

I replied, "What could the most popular guy in class want from me? Are you here to make fun of me?"

"Make fun of you? Of what? Of how you ran away after I defended you without even thanking me?" Ren said with a half-smile, leaning on the rooftop railing.

"I just got scared and ran off. Besides, I didn't ask for your help," I answered, avoiding his gaze.

"You're a complete idiot, you know," Ren said provocatively.

"Are you here to pick a fight or what?"

Without realizing it, we had taken fighting stances. We began throwing punches at each other. He dodged all my blows as if he had the ability to see the future, all while landing his own punches perfectly. I tried to avoid him but couldn't; his movements were swift and precise. I mimicked the boxers I'd seen on TV, shifting from right to left, but nothing worked.

"Come on, dodge this if you can!"

"Watch out for the right!" He tricked me and hit me with a left jab.

"Watch out for the left!" I thought I had learned all his techniques, but he used a feint that disoriented me. Finally, he delivered a final punch, and I collapsed to the ground.

With a smile, he said, "Wow, you're really bad at fighting, haha. Let's call it a day. I don't want you getting hurt any worse."

He extended his hand toward me.

"My name's Ren Nakamura."

"Are you mocking me?" I asked.

"No, of course not. I just thought it'd be good for you to let off some steam."

I accepted his handshake and said, "I'm Iwase Ishikawa."

"Nice to meet you, Iwase. From now on, I'll be your friend."

"Ahhh, are you, the popular guy in university, really saying you want to be friends with someone as low-ranking as me, a mere side character?"

"Yep, I don't see anything wrong with it, do you?"

Suddenly, a loud sound rang out—it was the bell signaling it was time to return to class. Ren said, "Hurry, or we'll be late."

He grabbed both our bags—his and mine—and took off running.

"Wait, are you stealing my stuff?!"

I ran after him but hit my knee on the doorframe of the rooftop entrance and tumbled down the stairs. To my horror, I realized my pants had ripped. Worse yet, I hadn't noticed that Roxy and Akane were standing right in front of me, screaming in unison:

"KYAAAHHHHH!"

"It's the same pervert from this morning! Are you planning to harass us again?!"

I tried to explain, "I just tripped and fell! I'm not harassing you!"

Roxy snapped back, "Then why don't you have pants on?!" and slapped me, yelling, "Pervert! Haven't you done enough?!"

"What? No pants?" I looked down, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment. Overwhelmed with shame, I bolted, but Ren was heading in my direction.

"Iwase, where are you? Hurry, or we'll be late!"

We ended up face-to-face. Ren burst into laughter.

"Why are you running around campus in your underwear? Don't tell me this is some secret fantasy of yours, or is it just your style now?!"

"Damn, I didn't know you were the kind of guy who'd do anything crazy. If you were thinking of streaking through campus, what do you think would happen?!"

"Shut up!" I shouted. "It was just an accident—it's not my fault!" I kept running, with Roxy and Akane chasing after me, yelling, "Catch that pervert!"

"Why is my luck so terrible?!" I weaved through students in the hallway until a tall, burly man with glasses blocked my path. It was Professor Takeshi, with a stern expression.

"Stop right there!" he commanded. "What is the meaning of this commotion?!"

I froze, out of breath and panicking. Roxy and Akane caught up, pointing at me accusingly.

"Professor, that pervert is running around in his underwear!" Roxy shouted.

"And he was harassing us!" Akane added.

Professor Takeshi looked me up and down, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Is this true, young man?" he asked gravely.

I tried to explain, but the words got stuck in my throat. How could I make him believe me while standing there in my underwear, accused by two girls?

"I… I…" I stammered, feeling my face flush.

At that moment, Ren arrived, out of breath.

"Professor Takeshi!" Ren called out. "I can explain everything!"

The professor turned to Ren with a raised eyebrow.

"Let's hear it, Nakamura," he said skeptically.

With inexplicable confidence, Ren began to weave a ridiculous tale:

"You see, Professor, Iwase and I were… well, on a sort of date on the rooftop. You know, a private moment to get to know each other better…"

My eyes widened in shock. A date?! In what universe?! Roxy and Akane stared at us, their mouths agape.

Ren continued, "But Iwase is a bit shy, and when the bell rang, he got so excited he ran off… and, uh, accidentally ripped his pants."

The professor looked utterly unconvinced.

"A date? In underwear? Harassing these young ladies?"

"No, no, Professor! It's not like that!" I tried to cut in, but Ren interrupted.

"Iwase just wanted to impress them," Ren said with a mischievous grin. "He's a man of action!"

Roxy and Akane looked at me with a mix of confusion and distrust. I wanted to disappear.

Professor Takeshi, now red with anger, bellowed, "This is unacceptable! Running in your underwear, harassing students, and spouting absurd stories?! All of you, to the principal's office!"

"But, Professor…" I tried to protest.

"Not another word!" he shouted. "And you, Ishikawa, should be ashamed of yourself!"

Ren, realizing he'd made things worse, tried to apologize, but the professor wasn't having it.

"Move along!" he ordered, herding us toward the principal's office.

Seizing the opportunity, I slipped between the professor's legs and sprinted toward the exit.

"Iwase, come back here!" the professor roared, but I was already gone.

I ran as fast as I could, the adrenaline fueling my escape. Eventually, I made it to my apartment, exhausted and humiliated.

"This day has been a complete disaster," I muttered, collapsing on the couch. "And it's all Ren Nakamura's fault…"