Recipe For a Ruthless Delinquent

Chapter 18 Trying to Become a Better Man

A football flew across the field, slammed into the net. The goalkeeper dove too late.

“Good game!” someone shouted.

I was sitting on a bench just outside the school, staring at the field where the after-school sports clubs were still training. I watched the guys kicking the ball around, but I wasn’t really into it. I checked my phone—it was almost 6:00 PM.

I stood up and headed back into the building.

Just as I stepped inside, a couple of stuck-up girls and guys walked out, holding several papers. I gave them a quick nod. They returned a barely noticeable bow and kept walking, but I barely caught a whispered, “Is that him?”

I almost stopped and turned around, but I kept walking forward like I hadn’t heard it.

Assholes. If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.

I continued down the hall. I’d seen them before—they were some of Alice’s colleagues from the student council.

I lingered in the hallway for a while. Nothing. I sent Alice a quick message.

“Where are you?”

No response. After a minute, I was about to step into the room when she finally replied.

“Sorry, I was busy. I’ll be out in a while. There’s still a ton of work…”

“I’ll wait for you,” I typed.

Again, it took her a couple of minutes.

“You can go home if you want. I’ll text you later.”

I sighed and decided to take another lap around the school grounds. By now most of the club members were already packing up their equipment.

I’m happy for her… but we really don’t get as much time together as we used to.

My mind drifted back to the beginning of last week.

“Iryoku, I might have to stay even later after school from now on,” Alice had told me, eyes sparkling with excitement. “They gave me more responsibilities, and now I’m handling a lot of the work for the student council. The student president position will eventually be mine.”

Her face had looked so happy and eager.

Of course I knew she could handle it all by herself—she was amazing like that. But the thought of our close time shrinking still bothered me.

I kept walking along the track field. Maybe I should start bringing my gym uniform and use this time to exercise… I’d been a lot less consistent lately since I’d focused more on my grades. But then I’d end up all sweaty, and I wouldn’t want Alice getting close to me like that.

A few moments later I reached a set of high pull-up bars. I glanced around—no one nearby. Maybe a couple would be okay.

I peeled off my school shirt, leaving just my thin black undershirt, and gripped the cold bar. I pulled myself up smoothly.

One… two… three… four… five.

I barely managed the last one, arms burning.

It really surprised me how hard these were. I thought I was pretty strong since I could bang out a good amount of push-ups and sit-ups, but…

I had only started doing pull-ups a couple of weeks ago. Back then I could barely manage even one without dying. Now I could do five, and I actually looked forward to this. The burn in my arms felt strangely satisfying.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

I dropped down, breathing a little heavier, and checked the screen.

It wasn’t Alice.

“Look, this is you hahaha,” Yui had sent.

Attached was a picture of a weird, scruffy cartoon raccoon with a goofy expression and tired eyes.

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. This girl…

I typed back quickly.

“How’s the new job going? I see you have enough time to mess around.”

“You’re not fun. 🖕 Delinquent-boy. It’s all fine,” she replied instantly.

Since the cinema incident, Yui had really warmed up to me. She’d started sending me random funny pictures and occasionally bothering me with messages like this.

It actually felt nice—having a good relationship with her. It felt like she’d finally accepted Alice and me together.

I kept texting her for a while and completely lost track of time. When I finally glanced at the time, it was already 7:00 PM.

“Shit!”

I stood up quickly, not even bothering to put my uniform shirt back on, and rushed toward the school building in just my thin black undershirt. But the side door was already locked.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

I ran around to the front entrance, pushed the door open, and stopped dead in my tracks.

There stood the fatty, bald teacher.

“Hey, you! What are you doing here this late?” he scoffed. “You’re not even in any extracurricular activities, are you?”

Ah, this fatty…

“Is there a problem, Mr. Tanaka?” a calm voice came from behind the teacher.

I turned and saw a thin, tall guy wearing big glasses and a perfectly ironed uniform—well, almost. A small part of his undershirt was slightly crumpled. The classic stuck-up nerdy type.

“Oh, Yoon-kun,” the fatty teacher’s voice suddenly turned much softer, almost respectful. “Are you finally finishing with your council duties?”

He glanced at me and added, “I was just questioning this student. I was wondering if he was up to no good, being this late and not even wearing his uniform properly.”

Yoon…? Where have I heard that name before?... So that’s the student council president. He looked pompous as hell.

“Please don’t judge people like that, Mr. Tanaka,” Yoon said calmly. He turned to me with a polite smile. “Taiyou-san was probably just waiting for Fushigi-san, right?”

I blinked in surprise. He knows me?

He clasped his hands together and gave a small bow. “She already left together with the rest of the council. Sorry for keeping her so late. We’ve been very busy preparing for the upcoming festivals and the winter celebration. My apologies.”

Well… he actually seemed pretty humble.

“Okay,” I muttered and turned to leave.

But I caught the fatty teacher mumbling under his breath behind me, “Why is a straight-A student like Fushigi mixing with these types of guys…”

Shut it, fatty.

I kept walking without looking back.

I pulled out my phone and fired off a quick text. “Where are you? I’m heading out the front gate.”

No answer.

Shit… I really don’t like her being alone this late. The sky was already completely dark.

As I walked down the quiet street, a figure suddenly shot out from the shadows beside me.

I tensed, ready to throw a defensive punch—but it was a small, familiar body that leaped straight into the air. I caught her on instinct, arms wrapping around her waist.

“Alice! You scared the hell out of me,” I breathed, heart still hammering. “I almost kicked your ass!”

She grinned up at me, bright and playful. “That’s so bad of you—already thinking about fighting.”

I let out a shaky laugh and calmed myself, lowering my face closer to hers. Her cheeks were flushed a deep pink, eyes sparkling under the streetlights. Seriously… every single time I look at her, she gets prettier and prettier.

I leaned in and kissed her.

We hugged tightly. Alice leaned fully into me, her soft body pressing and rubbing against mine, making my little friend react instantly. My voice dropped to a hoarse whisper against her ear. “Let’s go to a hot—”

But my phone buzzed loudly in my pocket.

The screen lit up with Haruka Fushigi—Alice’s mom.

My mind suddenly went ice-cold.

Alice looked visibly annoyed, cheeks still flushed, but she reluctantly pulled back.

I answered the call.

“Where are you? Where’s Alice? I’ve been calling her nonstop and she hasn’t answered!” Her mother’s voice was sharp and loud.

“We’re already on our way back, ma’am,” I said quickly.

Alice clicked her tongue in irritation and snatched the phone from my hand.

“Mom, don’t get so worked up,” she said, voice calm but firm. “I got out late because of council work. If you need confirmation, you can call the school. Even Professor Tanaka can vouch for me.”

Alice closed her eyes as she listened to her mother’s reply.

“Yeah, of course. Who do you think I am? I’m your daughter. Trust me more,” she said, her tone serious. “And of course he’s sending me back home right now.”

I felt a pang of guilt. Here I was only thinking about sex… and she was just looking forward to a couple of kisses.

She finally handed the phone back to me. “She wants to talk to you.”

“Shit…” I muttered.

“You haven’t come to visit us lately,” her mother’s voice came through, still sharp but not quite angry.

I practically bowed while on the phone. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll come by more often. I’ll pass by to say hi.”

I sighed...

Again, I’m entering the lion’s den…

Yui was sprawled on the living-room sofa, watching TV. “What’s up, kiddos?”

“Hello,” I said politely.

She stood up from the sofa and headed toward the kitchen with a grin. “Iryoku-boy, you’re staying for dinner. Matriarch’s orders.”

We followed behind her. She suddenly stopped mid-stride, spun on her heel, and punched me square in the chest.

“Ouch!” It didn’t really hurt, but I still recoiled for effect.

“This is for getting home so late,” she said with a smirk.

Alice glared at her. “Stop that.”

I quickly sent a text to my mom letting her know I’d be eating here.

Dinner was… well, I got chewed out again. It wasn’t as brutal as the first time, but the whole pride was back: Reina-Big-Bubble-Butt-Oneesan and Mio-Huge-Milky-Tits-Oneesan were visiting. No baby Haruto this time.

Of course I fought with every ounce of my soul not to stare at their incredibly hot bodies. This is exactly why I always avoid coming here… ahh.

Not to mention Elegant-Haruka-Matriarch-Mommy-Queen sitting right across from me. I’m definitely gonna have to jack off the second I get home.

Good thing I’d already gotten used to Yui… at least a little.

I wonder if every guy is like this… perverted and horny all the time.

After a long, much-needed release, I threw myself onto my bed, staring at the top bunk while replaying this crazy day in my head. One more second back there and I would’ve dragged Alice somewhere private and taken her right there.

The refractory period finally cleared my head a little.

That delinquent front I’ve built for myself doesn’t help either. It probably hurt Alice when people saw her with me. Well… let’s try to get better, little by little.

Who can I even ask about all this? It’s not like I have any male friends…