"The general story is that Ishida did something at the start of the school year and was then ostracized by the entire class. Eventually, he couldn't take it anymore and lashed out at Shimada Ikki."
Miyamura Shizuka's calm explanation hung in the air.
"Miyamura Auntie, I don't get it," Yuzuru said after swallowing a bite of rice. "If that spiky-haired guy was isolated, why would he target the blond one?"
"I don't know why he chose him specifically," Shizuka admitted with a shrug, sipping her iced water. "From what I heard, other classmates stopped him before he could go too far."
She set her glass down and added, "But remember, these details are just what parents heard from their kids. How accurate it is… who knows? What I do know is that Ishida's mother is considering transferring him to another school."
Yuzuru quickly lost interest and began chatting about her own school life instead, sharing funny stories while Akira quietly finished his meal.
Though he didn't speak, his mind was already piecing together the likely truth.
Shimada Ikki must have been spreading stories about Ishida ever since the first semester—bringing up everything from sixth grade.
One of those stories, Akira recalled, was about Ueno Naoka being splashed with water in the girls' bathroom, twisted into another rumor about Ishida being a bully. Combined with other whispers he'd overheard earlier in the year, it wasn't hard to imagine Ikki leading the class in isolating him.
But this wasn't Akira's business. He had no interest in being anyone's "light in the darkness" or saving Ishida from his situation.
After nearly an hour, they left the restaurant and returned to school for the afternoon events.
The taiko drum in the northwest corner thundered, sending vibrations through the grandstands as cheer squad members rushed up the steps in their "Victory" headbands. The lingering scent of oden mixed with the sharp smell of pain relief patches.
The brass band tuned their instruments; rice grains stuck to a flute clinked against the keys. From the sports storage shed, slips of paper for the "Red vs. White Obstacle Race" fluttered into the sunlight like pale petals.
Shouko took Yuzuru to the class cheering section for Ayumi, who was competing. Yuzuru was quickly swept up as the "little sister mascot" of the group.
Meanwhile, Akira lay down with earplugs in, asking Shouko to wake him before his sprint. Shizuka mingled with nearby parents, chatting about daily life and answering questions about study habits.
"Akira, it's time. Your sprint's in ten minutes." Shouko leaned over, shaking him gently.
"Slap!"
Before he could stir, Shizuka smacked his thigh. "Up. Now."
"…Fine, fine."
Akira pulled out his earplugs, rubbing his eyes. "Where's Yuzuru?"
"She's playing with Ayumi and Takagi-chan." Shouko pointed toward the stands, then sat beside him with a serious look.
When he didn't answer, her expression shifted to annoyance.
"Slap."
"Wh-What now?" He rubbed his thigh again, wincing.
"Our school trip might be canceled."
"…What? They haven't even announced that yet."
"Nobe-sensei said so at lunch. The Principal hasn't decided, but it's very likely. Something about first-year safety."
Her voice trembled with disappointment. She'd been looking forward to the trip all semester.
Akira sighed, then offered lightly, "How about Kasai Rinkai Aquarium during winter break? We can see the penguins."
Her mood brightened instantly. "Yes! Let's bring Takagi-chan and the others too!"
Before Akira could respond, the announcer's voice echoed:
"First-year sprint participants, please gather at the starting line."
Akira stood, ruffled her hair, and walked off.
"Akira, good luck!!" Shouko shouted after him, drawing glances from nearby parents.
At the starting line, he tightened his spikes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shouko, camera in hand, lens trained on him.
The whistle blew.
Pain from a stray piece of gravel pressed into his palm, sparking a memory of last month when he fell during training—and Shouko's frantic rush from the Art Club to check on him.
The gun fired. He exploded forward.
Wind roared in his ears. He crossed the finish line first, breaking the first-year sprint record.
As Mr. Sakai rushed over with the scoreboard, Akira doubled over, gasping for air.
"The only reason I ran that hard…" he thought, "…was because of her voice."
Shouko was already there, offering him a can of iced barley tea.
"Congratulations, first place."
He took it without hesitation.
"Mr. Sakai said you broke the record," she added softly. "So… as the new record holder, will you promise me one condition?"
"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" he teased.
Her smile tilted mischievously. "Then fine—I'll promise you one condition."
"Good. Open this for me."
"…That's it?!"
By twilight, the sports meet ended. Clean-up dragged on with the usual complaints from first-years until Nobe dismissed them.
"Let's go, Shouko. Mom and Yuzuru are waiting in the parking lot."
She nodded, slipping her hand into his. Together they left the classroom, ignoring the stares of classmates behind them.
On the drive home, Yuzuru chatted excitedly about her day while Shizuka and Shouko responded here and there.
A sudden notification lit up Shouko's phone. She muted it, opened LINE, and froze.
「Congratulations to Miyamura-kun for winning the sprint. I wanted to bring you water, but someone beat me to it. (Amazing.jpg)」
Shouko wordlessly showed the message to Akira before replying and tucking her phone away.
Five minutes later, they reached the restaurant, where Yaeko Nishimiya was already seated with Daiki. Yuzuru's face lit up as she hurried forward.
At home that night, after a hot shower, Akira heard his mother's voice from the living room.
"I heard you're going to Kasai Rinkai Aquarium with Shouko and the others during winter break."
Later, while stretching, she reminded him again: "Be careful. The New Year crowds will be intense."
Akira shrugged. "It wasn't my idea. Shouko said the aquarium is collaborating with that… chickenzilla mascot. Don't ask me why."
He glanced at the clock—22:21. "I'm heading to bed. Good night."
Nearly a month passed after the sports festival.
On the third day, Nobe officially announced the first-year school trip was canceled, citing safety concerns.
Ishida Miyako failed to transfer her son. Instead, Shouya was reassigned to a new class with Ueno Naoka and Kawai Miki. He wasn't bullied, but he remained isolated, walking to and from school alone.
Once, Akira spotted him by the old bridge. But judging by his vacant eyes, Ishida hadn't even recognized him or Shouko.
Not my problem, Akira thought, brushing it off.
More pressing was his father's New Year command: stay home to help receive guests.
It was a headache. Every year, visitors came bearing gifts—but he usually found an excuse to spend the holidays at Shouko's house.
This time, though, avoiding it might not be so easy.
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