Chapter 28: Light in the Darkness

I learned a single lesson that day: that staying silent for too long only convinces people that you lack the capacity to fight back. —Mayonaka Nozomi

Lunch break.

I opened my bento box. Sandwiches. Simple. Unassuming.

"You really shouldn't use mayonnaise... considering you are mayonnaise yourself."

The laughter erupted, predictable and jagged.

"Ito-kun, don't be like that. You'll make her cry."

"Careful now, she might flood the entire school with mayo."

The laughter intensified. I didn't turn around. I didn't retaliate. I didn't react. If I reacted, I lost. But if I were to be honest—my chest felt hot. Just a little.

"Wow, I didn't expect to actually find an empty seat."

The voice appeared out of nowhere. It was casual, carrying an air of nonchalance that seemed to ignore the social toxicity of the room. I looked up.

Kengo.

"Anoo, Mayonaka-san... would you mind if I sat next to you?"

He didn't hesitate. He didn't look afraid.

"Y-you can..." I stammered, shifting slightly to make room.

The whispers resumed instantly. "He's actually sitting there?" "He's got guts." "Fresh transfer and he already made the wrong choice."

I lowered my head, staring into my lunch box, trying to make myself as small as possible. Kengo broke apart his chopsticks, then paused.

"Ah... I forgot to bring sauce." He turned to me. "Could I borrow yours?"

"H-here..." My hand trembled as I handed him a small sachet.

"What's wrong? Why so nervous?"

"N-nothing... it’s just... the food is a bit spicy..."

A snicker drifted from behind us. "Told you, they’re a perfect match. A packaged set."

I looked down even further. Kengo took a bite of his food. Silence. Then—

"Um, Mayonaka-san... what you gave me was hot sauce. I asked for ketchup."

I panicked. "I-I'm so sorry!" I scrambled to replace it.

He opened the new sachet, pouring it slowly. Then, in a voice loud enough to carry, he said, "Ah... this is exactly what I needed. Ketchup really is the best."

The room went still.

"Kengo-san... you like ketchup?" I asked softly.

"Yeah. A lot. If people think all sauces are the same... it just means they don't understand flavor."

His tone was light, effortless. I stole a glance at him, and without realizing it, I smiled. It was a small smile, but it felt weightless—like a burden being quietly set down in the dark.

"Kengo... you're funny."

"What’s that supposed to mean? Are you making fun of me?"

"No, not at all."

The whispers returned, confused this time. "Why is he so relaxed?" "Doesn't he realize?"

You're wrong. He realized. He just didn't care.

"Hey... if the sauce is this good... can I ask for more tomorrow?"

"Sure!"

At another table, someone clicked their tongue in annoyance. But no one laughed. Because no one had taken the bait.

In the days that followed, he continued to sit beside me. Every single day. And the atmosphere shifted. It wasn't warmth; it was tension.

"Does he think he's invincible?" "Just because he’s got one person..."

I could feel it. The resentment. The envy. And most of all, their growing impatience. During the next lunch break, their gazes were different—sharper, more predatory.

Kengo suddenly stood up. "Mayonaka, let's eat somewhere else."

"Huh?"

He grabbed my hand and pulled. I was stunned. His hand was warm. We stopped behind the school building—a place of quiet and stillness.

"Kengo-kun... what’s going on?"

"Mayonaka..." He looked at me with a startling intensity. "Are you sure you want to keep going like this? Are you just going to stay silent?"

I offered a small, weary smile. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to it. My mother always said... patience is important."

He let out a heavy sigh. "But listen to me, Nozomi."

I froze at the sound of my name.

"Patience has its limits. There comes a time when you have to fight."

"Kengo...?"

For the first time in my life, I felt protected. And deep within me, something flickered—like a small candle finally being lit in a room that had been dark for far too long.

The day finally came. The cafeteria.

"Answer me, you bookworm."

I remained silent. Kengo did the same.

"You think you can keep protecting her forever?"

Silence.

"No," Kengo answered flatly. His voice was like a spark hitting tinder.

"What did you say?!"

A fist flew. I gasped. But Kengo moved. Fast. In one fluid motion, he sidestepped and shoved. The bully stumbled, his balance failing him. A bottle of sauce fell, the contents splashing across his face.

Laughter. This time, it wasn't directed at me.

He lunged again. Kengo stood his ground. "What? Is it that you're only brave... when the other person doesn't fight back? You're pathetic."

"DAMN YOU!"

He attacked again.

CRACK.

Kengo’s fist was faster. The bully’s nose began to bleed. The cafeteria fell into a suffocating silence. His friends hesitated. I was trembling, but for once, I wasn't alone.

"Does anyone else want to find out?" Kengo asked. No one moved.

He turned to me. "I told you, Nozomi. Patience has its limits."

That afternoon, he was called to the counselor's office. I waited outside the door, my heart hammering against my ribs. When he finally emerged, I rushed to him.

"Kengo... are you okay?"

"Yeah."

I looked down, my hands clenched. And then, I hugged him.

"Thank you... truly..." My voice wavered, sounding like someone who had finally found their way home after being lost in the wilderness.

We walked home under a brilliant orange sky.

"Kengo... do you have a dream?"

He reached a hand toward the horizon. "I don't know. The journey's still long."

I looked at the clouds. "Dreams are like small lights. Sometimes they dim. Sometimes they almost go out. But as long as you're alive... they aren't gone."

He was silent for a moment. "I'm tired..."

"If you're tired... stop for a while. But don't let the hope die."

He looked at me. "Patience has limits, right?"

I nodded. "It does. Patience... isn't meant to be used to let yourself be destroyed. When it passes that limit..." I gave a small smile. "Stop being patient with the things that hurt you."

the evening wind blew, and for some reason, my chest felt warm. I looked at him, my pulse quickening. Like a light that had finally found its reason to stay lit.

Perhaps... this is what they call love.