Shoot returned to the classroom before the warning bell. His classmates, assuming he’d been bullied by Nakazato again, “as usual,” pretended not to notice. Some even laughed at his apparent plight.

(These bystanders! Those who laugh at me, those who pretend not to see or know—they’re all the same scum as Nakazato…)

Muttering such venomous thoughts about his classmates, Shoot went to his desk. On his way, a student called out to him.

“Good morning, Shoot-kun…”

Shoot turned to see a girl with shoulder-length black hair tied in two buns greet him hesitantly.

It was Kumi Hanamiya, the class president. She was serious and truly a model student, unlike Nakazato, always properly dressed in her uniform.

“Um… did something happen? Did Nakazato and the others…”

Kumi, known for her somewhat boyish tone, spoke to Shoot with concern. However, this only irritated him further.

“If you’re asking if those guys did something, are you going to do something about them, Hanamiya?”

“That’s… ……”

Kumi fell silent apologetically, her voice subdued by Shoot's sharp tone. Shoot clicked his tongue and sat down.

“Don’t talk to me anymore. And stop calling me by that name.”

“…I’m really sorry I can’t do anything to help.”

“…”

Watching Kumi retreat with a look of regret, Shoot inwardly criticized her as well: if all she could do was apologize, she shouldn’t have said anything at all.

Kumi Hanamiya, like Shoot before his ordeal, was a girl with a strong sense of justice. However, there was someone she couldn’t stand up to: Yuta Nakazato.

Kumi’s father worked for a large company, controlled by Nakazato’s father as chairman. Her father was subordinate to Nakazato’s father, naturally.

Even if Kumi got involved in a conflict, it would jeopardize her father's position. Nakazato had directly threatened Kumi with this. That’s why Kumi couldn't confront Nakazato and was powerless to stop the bullying of Shoot.

(Whatever their circumstances, it's none of my business. Hanamiya is just like the other bystanders…!)

Before the bullying started, Shoot and Kumi were close friends, likely drawn together by their shared sense of justice. But now, Shoot actively avoids Kumi, and their friendly conversations are a thing of the past.

(The teachers are useless too; they’re all the same, blind-eye-turning scum. Ugh… Maybe I should just skip school. This school…)

Shoot attended a prestigious private middle school with a high ranking and widespread recognition. Because of its high profile, any scandals would severely damage its reputation and credibility. Fearing this, the school implicitly chose to ignore bullying, never taking any serious action to address the problem, something rumored to be condoned by the principal himself, according to the school's anonymous online forums.

Shoot was disappointed and despairing at the fact that even in this seemingly elite middle school, full of supposedly bright students, so many people willingly bullied others and so many adults and students turned a blind eye. If this was the case here, he reasoned, lower-ranked schools must be even worse.

He had convinced himself that there was no one in this school who would help him.

But couldn't he seek help from adults outside the school? Knowing his situation, some people might try to help. However, Shoot didn't do that.

Or rather, he couldn't. He was trapped in the belief that "It’s ridiculous, shameful, and pathetic that I’m being bullied like this," "How embarrassing," and similar thoughts.

The very idea of telling someone about his ordeal filled him with shame and mental anguish. Even thinking about it caused him intense psychological distress.

Therefore, Shoot hadn't even told his family about the bullying.

In any case, even if he told them, it wouldn't change anything, Shoot had long since given up on that idea. The reasons for this would become clear later.

During lunchtime, intending to eat where no one could see him, Shoot was about to leave the classroom when someone stopped him. He thought it was Kumi again, as in the morning, but the address, "Mitsuki-kun," made him realize it was someone else. Turning, he saw that it was indeed a different girl approaching him.

“Um… what is it, Itakura-san?”

Shoot responded surprisingly to the girl—Nene Itakura—calling to him. This beautiful girl with dark, wavy brown hair was popular in class and throughout the school. If there were a school beauty contest, she would undoubtedly win by a landslide.

Nene’s refined features and excellent figure made Shoot nervous. Her skirt was significantly shorter than other girls’ uniforms, and a sweet perfume wafted from her.

Like other boys, Shoot found Nene’s appearance exciting. However, he also wondered why she was talking to him and felt somewhat wary.

Unaware of Shoot's confusion, Nene approached him in a friendly manner and continued her conversation.

“I want you to stay in the classroom after school today. There’s something I want to tell Mitsuki-kun…”

“Something to tell me?”

“Yes. Something important…”

Nene blushed slightly, fidgeting as she spoke. Shoot was completely thrown by this unexpected behavior.

(What’s this about!? Nene Itakura and I have nothing to do with each other. And the way she is… is it really that important?)

“Uh, it’s like that! See you after school!”

After saying that, Nene rushed off to her friends, looking embarrassed. The classmates who had witnessed the exchange looked back and forth between Shoot and Nene, wondering what was going on. Kumi also looked at Shoot nervously.

(C-could it be… a confession!?)

—No way! Shoot immediately dismissed this possibility. It was too far-fetched—they’d barely even spoken before, and a sudden confession was too much to believe. It had to be something else… he tried to tell himself.

But then, what was Nene’s behavior all about? Shoot found himself more confused than ever.

(…Wh-What in the world…?)

———

Before he knew it, the afternoon classes and homeroom were over, and it was time for after school. Since he was on cleaning duty, Shoot deliberately slowed down his work.

“…”

As time passed, Shoot’s heart beat faster. While wondering why Nene Itakura had called him after school, he also found himself harbouring a faint expectation.

After finishing cleaning and waiting at his desk for ten minutes, the door slid open, and Nene Itakura herself entered.

“—Sorry, I’m late.”

From Shoot's perspective, Nene's cheeks looked flushed. Shoot, with a nervous expression, spoke to her.

“Itakura-san, what's this important thing?”

“Yes, um… that’s…”

Nene looked embarrassed, seeming to hesitate.

(Could it really be…?)

Tension and anticipation made Shoot’s tightly clenched fists sweat. Finally, Nene, looking determined, spoke.

“I’ve liked Mitsuki-kun for a while now. So, I called you here today to confess my feelings!”