[Classroom]
"Such a pathetic body."
"That bruise on your stomach, was that from Saki's kick yesterday?"
As yesterday, the classroom is empty after school. I'm surrounded by the same three girls and Sakura-san. My uniform has been stripped off, leaving me in only my underwear, and I'm left in the classroom.
"......Can I put my clothes on?"
"Are you stupid? Of course not."
"Ugh, you're so weak and pathetic. Makes me sick."
"You're nothing like the guy Saki likes."
"Hey, don't compare him to this loser, I'll be mad."
"Sorry, sorry."
"I have plans later, so I'll let you off this time."
She says this as she dumps a bucket of water, meant for cleaning, over my head.
My body and the floor are soaked. The water is incredibly cold, stealing away my body heat.
"Ahahahahaha!! So lame!"
"We took off your clothes so you wouldn't get them wet this time, so be grateful."
"Wow, Saki, you're so kind."
"......Yes. Thank you, very much."
"Clean up the floor, loser."
As if nothing happened, Sakura-san and the other girls leave the classroom.
"......Ugh."
---
[Passageway]
As I finish cleaning the classroom floor and walk down the passageway towards the shoe lockers, I spot Mahima-senpai and her close friend, Miyachi-senpai, talking.
...This is the worst.
I can't get to the lockers without passing them. Should I try to stall somewhere? But I don't know how long their conversation will last...
Fortunately, they're engrossed in their conversation and haven't noticed me yet. I try to pass by them quickly, trying not to be seen.
"Hey, you. Wait a minute."
Wh-why...? If they're having a good time, they should just ignore me.
He calls out to me, and I can hear the sound of his shoes clicking against the passageway as he approaches.
"Your uniform is a mess."
"Huh...? Aaah!"
Miyachi-senpai steps on my foot, making sure Mahima-senpai can't see. He pretends to fix a button on my uniform, but whispers in my ear.
"Why do you always have to interrupt our happy time?"
"......I-I'm sorry."
His foot presses harder. Mahima-senpai is facing away from Miyachi-senpai, so I think she can't see his face, but she's glaring at me with furrowed brows right now.
"Get lost."
She pushes me on the chest. As she steps away from me, she transforms back into the kind, popular Mahima-senpai that everyone admires.
"Be more careful next time."
---
[Home]
I endure the bullying at school again, and when I enter my room, it’s completely trashed, as if a typhoon had swept through.
...It’s Yui-neesan.
It’s worse than usual. Something must have gone wrong at university or somewhere else, and she’s really upset.
"......What? No!"
But this time, she didn’t just trash the room. My photos are gone. All the photos I had with my mom, they’re all gone.
"Yui-neesan!"
"......What do you want, you little pest?"
I confront Yui-neesan, who’s relaxing on the sofa in the living room.
"Where are my photos?!"
"Huh? Why are you asking me? It’s not like I’m your mom."
She answers without taking her eyes off her phone.
"But, it’s always you who trashes my room when you’re in a bad mood, Yui-neesan!"
"I don't know what you're talking about. Don't just assume it’s my fault, it’s annoying."
She continues to ignore me, glued to her phone, and I feel a surge of anger.
"......Give them back!"
I approach Yui-neesan on the sofa and grab her shoulder.
Those photos are precious memories of me and my mom. I’ve cherished them ever since she passed away.
Give them back! Give them back! Give them back!
"Ow! You’re hurting me!"
Yui-neesan, stronger than me, easily pushes me back, and I fall to the floor.
"Ugh!"
"I told you I don't know! You're so annoying!"
She starts to punch and kick me as I lie on the floor. My stomach, back, knees, arms, face, neck… pain courses through my entire body.
"How many times do I have to say I don’t know! You’re such a pain!"
"Give them back... Mom's photos... Please give them back."
"......You're really pissing me off. I’m going to keep hitting you until you apologize."
I try to fight back, but I can’t withstand Yui-neesan's endless barrage of violence. My spirit breaks.
"......I'm sorry. I was wrong."
"Ugh… ugh… You're so annoying."
Satisfied with my apology, Yui-neesan slams the door shut and exits the living room.
"......Why... why?"
---
[Home]
The dresser and bookcase are overturned, and manga are scattered everywhere. I lie on the bed in the room, after Yui-neesan's violence has subsided.
"......"
I'm so tired... I can't take it anymore.
With heavy steps, I get out of bed and leave the room. Then I leave the house.
The sun is setting outside, turning the sky orange.
If I’m going to die, I have to do it without causing anyone any trouble. There’s a river near school, I should go there…
I’m walking aimlessly, and I realize I’ve arrived at a railway crossing.
"Huh..."
I spot a young girl standing frozen in the middle of the crossing.
"Wh-why...?"
The girl is inside the crossing, but no one around seems to notice her. It’s as if she’s invisible.
A train is approaching quickly. If she stays there, she’ll be hit and killed.
...If I’m going to die anyway, I should help someone before I go.
I don’t even look at the approaching train. I run blindly, rushing into the crossing and pushing the girl out of the way.
"Huh...? Why can you see me— "
I was in time. I saved her—
*CRUNCH*