Character Story – Gray Reverse #2

[kozvme]

Billy: Was Asch-paisen that scary?

Gray: Eeeh...!? W- What are you saying suddenly, Billy-kun.......?

Billy: You and Asch-paisen were in the same class at the academy, right?
I've heard that you have been bullied, but I can’t stop thinking about how. When all's said and done, I'm a curious guy. ♪

(Uuh...... If he gives me that innocent look...)

Gray: W- Well... A lot happened, but he's been teasing and treading on my toes consistently... those kind of things...?
Asch controlled the top of the school caste and... it felt as if you'd be targeted by people all over the academy if he had his eyes on you...
Like, getting splashed with juice in the corridor, getting weird papers attacched on the back... Or getting dumped in the trash...

Billy: Woah... That's a picturesque school life, the not so good kind.
It was pretty peaceful when I attended, though. Maybe you were born in a bad period?

Gray: I- It could be... You and I are 6 years apart, after all...
I failed the tryouts twice, too.. Haha...

Billy: NO, NO! That negative attitude is no good, Gray~! I'm sowwy for putting that expression on your face.
Both in movies and comics, everywhere actually, it's rare for the bully to play the protagonist in such situations.
The bully acts as a foil. The bullied plays the leading role, so be confident, Gray~♪

Gray: L- Leading role...?
Heek!!

Billy: Aah, Asch-paisen must have woken up. It's kinda easy to understand when the sound of the door opening and closing is too loud, huh?

Gray: M- My heart almost stopped......

(We have the day off today, but I wonder if Asch is going somewhere...? I'd like to stay away if possible...)

Billy: Oopsie, look at the time! I better get going~

Gray: Eh...... Where are you off to, Billy-kun...?

Billy: Days off is when I make the most moneyー. I'm gonna go gather information for a short while to do away with jobs I accepted a while ago.
I'm going to stop by the candy shop on my way home, so I'll buy you something, Gray ♪

Gray: Eh... I- Is that okay? Thank you...
That's not it, Billy-kunー

Billy: Well, bright and energetic, off I go! See You!

(H- He's gone......
What should I do...? As soon as Billy-kun isn't here anxiety rushes in immediately...)

Asch: Oi, Geek! Where are you, Geek!?

Gray: !?



Asch: So you were here?
Did you leave this trash in the living room? It was you, bastard, wasn't it?

(!! The first generation legendary hero "The Lightning" premium figure from the HELIOS hero series arrived yesterday......!
Oh no... I was having an unveiling party by myself in the living room and forgot to bring it back......)

Asch: Don't leave otaku stuff in my flat.
Tch, worst way to start my morning... Oi, where's the trash can?

Gray: Eh...!? W- Wait, by trash can...

Asch: This kinda stuff is like trash to me. I'm telling you I'm going out of my way to throw it away, so be grateful.

Gray: !! Stop...!

Asch: Wh-......!



(I, I grabbed the figure and ran away without thinking... Doing such a thing to Asch...
But, I can't let the premium figure be thrown away after finally getting it...!)

Gray: Wah...!
I- I'm sorry... for bumping into you...

(I ran for my life, but ended up going on a lower floor...
Maybe I'm imagining things? I feel like today there are a lot of civilians... especially a lot of high schoolers...)

Male student A: Hey, hey, do you think we'll be able to meet a "hero"? I wanna meet Jay!

Male student B: Me too, me too! If we meet him, I'm gonna shake his hand and get an autograph!

(They're all on good terms and friendly... It's exactly as Billy-kun said, maybe I was just born in a bad period...
Now that I think about it, Asch used to take my figures away in the past too...
Calling me otaku, making fun of me in front of everyone... Aah, I recalled something bad...
Many years have passed since then, and yet I haven't... changed at all...)

Asch: Found you, Geek.

Gray: !!

Asch: You had the nerve to bite back, earlier? Can I take it as a defiant attitude toward me?

Gray: ......!

Billy: The bully acts as a foil. The bullied plays the leading role, so be confident, Gray~♪

(The bullied plays the leading role...? Be confident...?
... Am I even able to stand up to Asch?)

Asch: Oi, why do you keep silent? We're awfully rebellious today, ya know.

Gray: Ah!! G- Give it back...!

Asch: Is this trash that important? Fine, I'll just dump you in the trash can with it, then.
Doesn't it sound nostalgic? Do you remember how many times I've dumped you in one back at the academy? Kuku...

Gray: ......!

(I knew it... to me...)

Male student A: Uhm, excuse me~

Asch: Haah? What's with you bastards...

Gray: !!

Asch: Ah... Oi! Wait, Geek!



Billy: I'm backー! I bought you a souvenir, Gray~ ♪

Gray: ...... Welcome back......

Billy: Woah, that scared me! Why are you wrapped in your futon?

Gray: I- It's nothing... Don't worry about it...

(Even though Billy-kun encouraged me, I couldn't do anything... My figure also got stolen in the end...
It's impossible for me to face Asch... An entire lifetime, such a thingー)

Billy: Anyway, weird rumors are circulating on SNS. Have you seen them already, Gray~?
"Asch Albright was a hardcore otaku!?" kind of rumorsー

Gray: ... Eh?

Billy: Even a funny photo was uploaded, you know. Asch-paisen photographed with a premium hero figure.
The hero otaku students who came to see the tower swarmed around him, and he looked reaaally confused. Ahahah, what a blunder!

Gray: ......

Billy: What's wrong, Gray?




Gray: N- No... Fufu, it's nothing...