The next day, on my way to school, I saw three boys bullying a student named Ken.
Ken was from the same school as me.
I stopped walking.
Something inside me felt uncomfortable.
I walked toward them and asked quietly,
"Why are you bullying him?"
One of the boys laughed.
"So what? Will you fight us?"
The three of them laughed together.
I took a breath.
"I don't want to fight," I said.
"Just… leave him alone."
They laughed again.
"Why should we listen to you?"one of them said.
"Do you think you're some kind of hero?"
My hands were shaking, but my voice stayed calm.
"Just leave him,"I said again.
Something snapped.
I punched one of them.
They stepped back, and let Ken go, and then they attacked me together.
I couldn't win.
I knew that.
But I didn't regret it.
Just then, a girl appeared.
It was Miya — the same popular girl from yesterday.
She looked at them and asked,
"Why are you fighting him?"
The boys went silent.
After a moment, they walked away.
Miya turned to me.
"Why did they beat you?"
I felt pain in my body, but I forced a small smile.
"It's nothing,"I said.
She looked at me for a second, like she wanted to say more.
Then she nodded.
"Okay. I have to go. I'm in a hurry."
She left.
When I reached school, Ken ran up to me.
"Thank you, Ren… for helping me."
I shook my head.
"Anyone would've done the same,"I said.
Even though I knew that wasn't true.
Later, his friends came to thank me too.
When I entered the classroom, everyone already knew about the fight.
Whispers followed me.
Some people laughed.
I sat down and looked at my desk.
Same as always.
John came over and asked,
"Did you really fight those three guys?"
I smiled weakly.
"Yeah. They just beat me a little."
John clenched his fist.
"How can you smile after that?"
I looked away.
"If I don't smile," I said quietly,
"it'll hurt more."
After school, I went home.
The house was empty.
My parents had left money on the table.
I bought vegetables, cooked dinner, finished my homework, studied,
and then went to sleep.