When break time arrived, Airi and Nanao headed to the office to submit their History assignments.
Afterward, Airi took Nanao on a tour around the school as she had promised earlier.
They first walked toward the library.
"This is the library," Airi said, pointing toward the tall bookshelves.
Then they walked toward the restroom.
"This is the restroom," Airi said briefly.
After that, they visited the other facilities around the school. Airi showed Nanao each place one by one.
When the bell for the next lesson rang, Airi and Nanao quickly headed back to the classroom.
"Nanao..." Airi called hesitantly.
"What?" Nanao replied, turning toward her.
"Why do you talk to me?" Airi asked quietly.
"Because we're seatmates," Nanao answered casually.
"What does that have to do with it?" Airi asked again.
"Well, seatmates are supposed to get along with each other," Nanao replied.
"If we weren't seatmates, would you still talk to me?" Airi asked.
"Of course I would," Nanao answered.
"Why?" Airi asked curiously.
"Because you're pretty," Nanao answered without hesitation.
Airi stared at her skeptically.
"That's not a very convincing reason."
"I'm serious," Nanao said.
"By the way, why did you transfer here?" Airi asked.
"Oh, that's because I was expelled from my previous school," Nanao replied.
"Expelled? Why?" Airi asked in surprise.
"Because I bullied someone so badly that they almost became depressed," Nanao said casually.
Airi fell silent for a moment, feeling both surprised and confused.
"Come on, let's hurry to class. We'll be late," Nanao said as she quickened her pace.
They arrived at the classroom, and the teacher entered and began the lesson.
Throughout the class, Airi remained silent, focusing on writing down the material in her notebook.
Every now and then, Nanao glanced at her curiously.
"Why are you so quiet?" Nanao asked.
Airi didn't answer and continued writing diligently.
Deep inside, she thought,
I knew it... She's just like the others.
When school ended, Nanao stood up.
"Airi, let's go home together," she said hopefully.
Airi suddenly stood up and ran away, leaving Nanao behind.
Nanao stared at her in confusion.
"What the heck is wrong with her?" she muttered to herself.
Airi ran all the way home, gasping for breath.
She closed the door behind her, and tears began to fall from her eyes.
"Why does it have to be another bully...?" Airi whispered as she tried to hold back her tears.
---
The next morning, Airi got ready and left for school.
When she entered the classroom, it was still quiet.
She saw Nanao already sitting in her seat.
Airi sat down and lowered her head.
"What's wrong?" Nanao asked softly.
Airi remained silent.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Nanao tried again.
Airi still didn't answer. She simply stared at the book in front of her.
Nanao began to get frustrated.
She slammed her hand against the desk.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!" she shouted.
The students who had already arrived immediately turned toward them, curious about what had happened.
Airi kept her head down and didn't look at Nanao.
Her body was trembling violently.
She was even afraid to breathe.
Her hands trembled on top of the desk.
Nanao noticed the movement.
Her hands are shaking... Why? Nanao thought.
She looked at Airi's expression, an expression she had never seen before.
She was scared.
Truly scared.
Without realizing it, tears began to roll down Airi's cheeks.
Seeing this, Nanao fell silent.
She immediately regretted what she had done.
Only then did she realize that her anger had frightened Airi.
Nanao waited, waiting for the right moment to apologize.
Just then, the teacher entered the classroom, and the lesson began.
---
When break time arrived, Hana, Luna, and Rina walked toward Airi's desk.
"Airi, as usual..." Hana said with a sinister smile.
Before they could say anything else, Airi immediately ran out of the classroom, leaving Nanao, Hana, Luna, and Rina behind.
"Did she run away?" Rina asked in surprise.
"Looks like she's finally brave enough to stand up to us," Luna said while watching Airi disappear into the distance.
Nanao immediately tried to chase after her.
"Airi, wait!" she shouted.
But Airi kept running without any particular destination.
Eventually, Nanao lost sight of her and decided to go to the cafeteria to buy a drink.
Meanwhile, Airi returned to the classroom.
However, Hana, Luna, and Rina were waiting for her.
"Why did you run away earlier?" Hana asked sharply.
"Were you running away from us?" Luna asked.
"Don't you want to do our assignments anymore?" Rina asked, glaring at Airi.
Airi lowered her head, still frightened.
"No... That's not it..." she said quietly.
Luna gave her a sinister smile.
"We're going to teach you a lesson."
Hana kicked Airi in the stomach, Luna pulled her hair, and Rina threw a bag at her.
Suddenly, Nanao appeared from the cafeteria with a drink in her hand.
She saw Airi being bullied by the three girls.
"What are you doing?!" Nanao shouted firmly.
The three girls immediately stopped.
"This happened because she ran away when we approached her," Hana replied.
"That's enough! Stop it! Don't bully her anymore!" Nanao said firmly.
Hana stared at Nanao for a moment before shrugging.
"Fine... We'll stop for now," she said.
Hana, Luna, and Rina walked away and returned to their seats.
Nanao immediately ran toward Airi.
She noticed a small amount of blood around Airi's mouth.
"Airi, are you okay?" Nanao asked while reaching for her hand.
Airi instinctively pulled her hand away.
Her expression was still filled with fear.
She couldn't bring herself to look at Nanao.
---
Airi immediately returned to her seat and began fixing her hair.
Nanao stood nearby, still hesitant.
She didn't have the courage to apologize yet.
Suddenly, the teacher entered the classroom.
"Students, your parents are required to come to school tomorrow. We'll be discussing your upcoming study trip," the teacher announced firmly.
"Yes, Sir," all the students replied in unison.
After school, Airi walked out of the classroom.
Her face was no longer sad, but her eyes were distant.
Nanao followed behind her.
"Airi..." Nanao called softly.
Airi was startled and turned around.
"I'm sorry for frightening you," Nanao said quietly.
Airi became nervous.
"I-it's okay..." she replied while lowering her head.
"I want to ask you something... Why have you been avoiding me?" Nanao asked.
Airi looked slightly frightened.
"I'm scared..."
"Scared?" Nanao asked curiously.
"I'm scared that you'll bully me too," Airi said quietly.
"Why would you think that?" Nanao asked, slightly surprised.
Airi lowered her head.
"Earlier, you said you came to this school because you bullied your friend until they almost became depressed. That's why I avoided you... I've also been traumatized by bullying."
"I don't want to bully anyone anymore, especially not you," Nanao said firmly.
"Thank goodness..." Airi said with a faint smile. "I'm sorry for thinking badly of you."
"It's okay. Just don't be so quiet around me anymore, okay?" Nanao said with a smile.
Airi glanced at her and gave a faint smile.
"Okay."
Airi walked home with a relieved heart.
When she arrived home, she thought to herself,
Thank goodness... She's not like I thought she was.
That night...
Airi suddenly remembered that parents were supposed to come to school the next day.
What am I going to do?
She decided to call her uncle.
The call connected.
"Hello, Uncle," Airi said nervously.
"What's up, Airi? It's pretty late," her uncle replied warmly.
"Sorry for bothering you..." Airi said.
"No, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Why are you calling this late?" her uncle asked.
Airi hesitated.
"Umm... How should I put this...?"
"Just tell me," her uncle replied patiently.
"Tomorrow, I'm supposed to bring a parent to school because they're going to discuss our study trip. Can you come?" Airi asked.
"Umm... I can't go there because I'm not at home right now. I'm sorry," her uncle replied.
"It's okay... I'll just go by myself tomorrow. By the way, where are you right now?" Airi asked.
"I'm currently working abroad in Laos," her uncle answered.
"Laos? Hehehe, can you actually speak Lao?" Airi asked curiously.
"Of course I can," her uncle replied.
"Really? How do you say something? I want to hear it," Airi said excitedly.
"Painon mansa," her uncle said.
"What does that mean?" Airi asked.
"Go to sleep... It's already late," her uncle replied with a laugh.
"Really?" Airi asked.
"Yep. That's what it means," her uncle replied.
"Teach me some Lao sometime, Uncle," Airi said with a smile.
"Sure. Now go to sleep. Don't stay up too late," her uncle said with a laugh.
Airi laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. You're so naggy."
"Go to sleep before you wake up late tomorrow," her uncle said one last time.
"Yeah, yeah... Good night, Uncle."
"Good night."
The call ended.
Airi immediately lay down and fell asleep peacefully.