Chapter One

The golden sunlight of the last few days streamed through the classroom windows, bringing with it the promise of the end of one phase and the beginning of another. Katsumi sat in the last seat, watching her classmates share laughter and memories, her heart aching with a mixture of relief and anticipation. May 7th—the last day of high school. “Finally!” she whispered to herself, carefully placing her books in her bag. Three whole years of silent suffering were ending today. She no longer had to endure the chiming stars, or malicious whispers, or… other things she preferred not to think about. She looked out the window toward the courtyard, where groups of students were gathering for farewell pictures. She remembered how she had dreamed of this day, of being a part of those laughs, of those friendships. But sometimes dreams remain just dreams. “Katsumi-chan!” She turned to see Hiroko approaching her, the only girl in the class who sometimes spoke to her. Not a real friendship, but at least human kindness. “Are you coming to prom?” Hiroko asked with a shy smile. Katsumi shook her head lightly. “I don’t think so. My brother is waiting for me at home.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. She knew her brother would worry if she was late, especially after what happened yesterday. She ran her fingers over her wrist where the hot water had left a light mark, trying to hide it under the long sleeves of her shirt. “Okay… I wish you the best of luck in the future.” Hiroko smiled and left to join her group. Katsumi slowly gathered her things, making sure to leave most of the students. It was her usual strategy—sauntering off until the hallways were clear. Less friction, less trouble. She walked out of the classrooms and down the long corridor, her bag swinging over her shoulder. The only sound was the echo of her footsteps on the polished tiles. She reached the main staircase when she heard a voice that made her heart stop. “Aren’t you waiting for us, Katsumi?” She stopped in her tracks. It was Rika’s voice, the leader of the group who made her school life hell. She slowly turned to see three girls approaching her, their faces wearing those cold smiles she knew so well. “I thought you guys had left,” Katsumi said quietly, trying to hide the tremor in her voice. “How could we leave without even saying goodbye to our best friend?” Rika laughed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Especially on our graduation day.” Katsumi took a step back, but the girls surrounded her on all sides. It was past 4:00, and the building was nearly empty. Even the guards had left early to celebrate the end of the school year. “We want to give you a special parting gift,” Rika whispered, leaning in closer. “Something to remember us by.” “Please… don’t do this.” Katsumi backed away even further until her back hit the wall. “I didn’t do anything.” “You didn’t do anything?” one of the girls yelled. “Your mere existence is disgusting! Always silent, always clutching that orphan brother of yours!” Katsumi felt anger well up in her chest at the mention of her brother, but she held it back. Anger wasn’t going to help her now. The girls began to thrust and thrust at her, their voices erupting in a familiar nightmare. But this time it was different. This time they were more violent, more ruthless, as if they wanted to release all their built-up hatred in one last session. Katsumi fell to the ground, her body aching all over. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. Everything around her seemed blurry, and the sounds came to her from far away as if she were in a tunnel. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a motorcycle engine approaching the building. The girls stopped hitting her and she looked towards the entrance curiously. “Who is that?” one of them whispered. Katsumi couldn’t see clearly, but she heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Before she realized what was happening, an angry male voice filled the corridor. “Get away from her. Now.” It was deep and quiet, but clearly threatening. Katsumi could see a tall shadow approaching, but her vision was still blurred from the blows. “Who… who are you?” Rika stumbled, her usual confidence gone. “This isn’t your concern.” The reply came in Japanese, but with a slight accent. “The important thing is that you leave this place now, and if I see you approaching her again…” He didn’t finish the threat, but the way he said it was enough. Katsumi heard the sounds of quick footsteps moving away, and the girls whispering fearfully as they ran away. She tried to get up, but her body wouldn’t obey. She felt strong hands helping her sit, and a gentle voice asking if she was okay. “Can you stand?” She looked up at him, but her vision was still blurry. All she could see was the silhouette of a tall figure wearing a black hoodie, dark hair glinting under the corridor lamps. “You…” she whispered weakly. “You’re the one who saved me yesterday too.” She heard a soft laugh. “Don’t worry now. Let me take you home.” Before she could protest, she felt the weapons gently holding her. The last thing she remembered was the sound of a motorcycle engine, and feeling safe for the first time in years. Katsumi woke up to the familiar sound of laughter and the sweet smell of cookies. She slowly opened her eyes to find herself sitting on one of the chairs in Takuya's uncle's restaurant, while Koharu, her brother, and Takuya's uncle stood around her with wide smiles. "Surprise!" they all exclaimed. In front of her on the table was a beautiful cake with "Happy Birthday Katsumi" written in elegant calligraphy. Small candles danced on it, their warm light filling the faces of the people she loved. "How... when...?" she stumbled, trying to comprehend what was happening. "We've been planning this for weeks!" Koharu laughed as she sat down next to her. "We wanted to celebrate your graduation and birthday together." Katsumi looked at her brother, who was smiling proudly. Despite all the hardships he'd faced at work and school, he hadn't forgotten an important day in her life. "How did you get here?" she asked suddenly. "A boy on a motorcycle brought you." Takuya's uncle answered, cutting a piece of cake. "He said you died at school. He looked cute." Katsumi felt her heart race. Then it wasn't a dream.

Katsumi smiled despite the pain that still lingered. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, someone truly cared for her without her even asking. “Come on, cut the cake!” her brother urged enthusiastically. She reached for the knife, her heart brimming with gratitude. Here, surrounded by such kind people, she could momentarily forget what had happened at school. She could pretend it had all been just a bad nightmare. But when Koharu touched her shoulder and asked, “By the way, who was the boy who brought you? He looked handsome from behind.” The knife fell from her hand and hit the floor with a sharp thud. It was all real.