Remaining in the classroom, the other students shivered as they cast worried glances at Shoya Ishida. Even the friends behind Ishida pulled on his sleeve.
In Shoya Ishida's eyes, the worried looks were a kind of humiliation—a far greater humiliation than Ryosuke Hiratsuka's cold-faced taunt. To Ishida, being looked at with such concern felt like pity for a coward and a weakling.
Why does everyone think I'm inferior to Ryosuke Hiratsuka? That scaredy-cat who didn't even dare to do the river jump to prove his courage? You all think I'm weaker just because he constantly wears a cold expression?
Ishida's angry pompadour bristled. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, yelling at Ryosuke, "Damn you... I've been tired of you for a long time, you arrogant jerk! Don't look down on me!"
He charged, fists flying, hoping to land a punch on Ryosuke's arrogant face. Ryosuke, however, simply sidestepped, moved his foot half a step, and hooked his heel slightly.
Ishida went flying, face-first, into a trash can. Seeing his clumsy, pathetic state, someone in the classroom let out a snicker. The suppressed laughter that rippled through the room only infuriated Ishida more. The mental anger and humiliation were so intense that they even drowned out the stench of the trash can on his head and the pain from his fall.
He took the trash can off his head, ready to fight again, but the first thing he saw was a fist rushing toward him, whistling through the air. The fist grew larger and larger, looking like a giant meteor falling from the heavens. The overwhelming shadow of it fell upon him. There was no escaping it, no way to dodge. The wind from the punch blew his hair back, and he could already feel a stinging sensation on his face.
I'm going to die! Does that bastard Ryosuke Hiratsuka want to kill me?!
Shoya Ishida felt that this single punch might kill him. The fear of imminent death surged from deep within his heart, filling his entire body. His legs felt like they were filled with lead, unable to move a single step.
Just as Ryosuke Hiratsuka's fist was about to connect with Ishida's face—twisted with terror—two untimely voices spoke up at once.
"Stop! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Hiratsuka-kun, don't!"
The first voice belonged to their homeroom teacher. When Ryosuke heard it, he didn't intend to stop. Even if he were expelled, his grades would allow him to transfer to another school. What truly made him stop was the second voice—the urgent, slurred voice of a girl.
"Why?" Ryosuke asked, looking at Shoko Nishimiya.
Ryosuke's fist remained in place, barely a centimeter from Shoya Ishida's face, without being pulled back.
Ishida, feeling like he had just cheated death, slumped to the floor as if his bones had been pulled out. A warm sensation spread across his lower body.
Shoko Nishimiya stepped forward and gently held Ryosuke Hiratsuka's fist. "I don't want you to get punished by the school because of me, Hiratsuka-kun." She was worried that if Ryosuke really did beat up Shoya Ishida in the classroom in front of everyone, there would be severe consequences. Although bullying was a common unspoken rule in Japanese schools, it was still not something that was done openly. Publicly fighting at school in front of so many people would be taken seriously by any school, and Ryosuke might even face expulsion. She didn't want him to take such a big risk for someone like her.
"Please, just let it go, Hiratsuka-kun," Shoko Nishimiya pleaded, shaking her head.
Ryosuke withdrew his fist and cast a contemptuous look at the terrified, pee-stained Shoya Ishida.
"Who can explain to me what happened here?!"
With the situation having escalated this far, the teacher, who was used to just coasting through the day like a "salary thief," could no longer pretend he didn't see what was happening. Ryosuke saw the out-of-breath Hachiman Hikigaya behind the teacher and understood what had happened. Hachiman must have been the one who went to get him.
"You did something unnecessary, Hikigaya-kun," Ryosuke said.
Hachiman smiled sheepishly and scratched his head. Schoolyard fights were always a serious matter, and he didn't want the situation to worsen. If he had to make the choice again, he would still risk being disliked by Ryosuke to get the teacher.
"Hiratsuka, don't say a word until I get the full story," the teacher said, a headache beginning to form.
A moment later, the students started talking over each other to explain the situation. The teacher listened to the whole story and nodded. He then looked down at Shoya Ishida on the floor and said sternly, "So, the whole thing started because Ishida threw Nishimiya's hearing aids?"
"Yes, Teacher. Ishida always bullies Nishimiya-kun," Naoka Ueno quickly added, distancing herself from him.
"That's right, Ishida is always causing trouble in class. You know that, Teacher, right?"
"Exactly, and Teacher…"
The students chattered on, each trying to prove their innocence to the teacher. Shoya Ishida felt as if he had fallen into a deep freezer. Why are you all saying this? Aren't we friends? You were all in on the pranks we pulled on Nishimiya, weren't you? He wanted to shout it out, but the words were stuck in his throat. He couldn't utter a single one. Because what they were saying was the truth.
An icy coldness swept over Shoya Ishida. He realized that the people he used to joke around and go on dares with were now kicking him while he was down. They were all trying to distance themselves from him, including some of his best male friends and even Naoka Ueno, the girl who always seemed to like him. Shoya Ishida felt like he had fallen into a frozen lake, the icy water wrapping around his body, almost suffocating him.
In this scene, there were only two students who could observe rationally.
Hachiman Hikigaya witnessed the ugly side of human nature. He observed the true faces of his classmates, a look of disdain on his face as a thousand thoughts raced through his mind. As I suspected, you can't force friendship. Not fitting in just means I can't stoop to the level of these people. Ishida had so many friends before, and look at what they're doing now. He then looked at Ryosuke Hiratsuka and asked himself, Can Ryosuke be considered a friend? Probably not. We've barely spoken before, and I only got the teacher to prevent the situation from escalating. He didn't care about what would happen next. He went back to his desk and began packing his things, ready to go home. As I thought, my little sister Komachi is the cutest. Yes, that's a perfect score on the "big brother" scale.
"Hiratsuka, Nishimiya, and Ishida. All of you, come with me to the office. I'll notify your parents to come to the school," the teacher said, adjusting his glasses and making his decision. He had his own dissatisfaction with Shoya Ishida. He was about to go home for the day, and Ishida just had to cause trouble. Of all people, he had to get on Ryosuke's bad side. He had known about Ryosuke's background for a few years now. The image of those burly men barging into the office was still fresh in his mind, forcing the principal to give in and directly expel the students who had hidden Ryosuke's shoes. He could have just asked the parents to come in the next day, but remembering Ryosuke's background, he didn't dare to delay.
"Everyone else, go home. It's getting late," he announced, then turned and left the classroom.
Ryosuke Hiratsuka gently held Shoko Nishimiya's warm and soft hand, silently telling her not to worry. She looked up at him and forced a smile, but a shadow of gloom had fallen over her heart. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. Am I going to have to transfer schools again? This school was so much better than the last one... If I do have to transfer, will Hiratsuka-kun miss me? Probably not. We've only known each other for a day...
"Let's go, Shoko," Ryosuke said.
"Okay, Hiratsuka-kun!"
"You can just call me by my name from now on."
"Eh?"
Shoko Nishimiya's head snapped up. She looked at Ryosuke, and a spark of light reignited in her eyes. Her lips trembled, but no sound came out. She was afraid that if she spoke, she might wake herself up from this beautiful dream. Shoko took a deep breath, mustering all the courage she had, and timidly tried calling his name.
"Ryo... Ryosuke."
The single word seemed to drain all her strength. Her voice was faint but still sweet and soft.
"Yes, I'm here."
Ryosuke's soft response made Shoko Nishimiya feel like she had been blessed by the gods of fortune. A feeling of pure happiness surged from her heart, enveloping her whole body. She was afraid this was just a wonderful dream. In her heart, she silently prayed, Dear god, if this is a dream, please let me have this beautiful dream for a little longer!
Ryosuke Hiratsuka held Shoko Nishimiya's hand and walked toward the office. As he passed Shoya Ishida, a look of contempt flashed in his eyes.
If you want to protect someone, you must share their burdens and face greater pressure. Only by becoming stronger can you ensure you won't be crushed by that pressure. If you want to hurt others, you must be prepared to be hurt yourself.
You attract attention with the performance of a startled clown.
You try to prove your courage with reckless, idiotic acts.
You find joy in bullying a disabled, vulnerable classmate, using it to feel "strong."
Shoya Ishida, in your current state... you seem even more pathetic than a peeing frog.