It was an accident!

I was extremely popular when I was a kid.

I was smart and athletic. The perfect combination of characteristics any young boy could dream of having. I also had a good relationship with my crush, Shimizu Midori. This was possibly the only time I’ve been truly happy.

My peaceful life ended when I was playing with Shimizu during recess. We were playing tag along with the other kids and I accidentally pushed her while tagging her, causing her to cry and scrape her knees.

I was in a daze. Seeing my crush on the ground crying and bleeding from her knees from something that I did made me frozen stiff.

The other kids instantly rushed over to check on the crying Shimizu asking if she was alright. The boys and girls looked at me with disgust. As if I was filth.

“What’s your problem Watabe?!”

“Why’d you push Midori?”

“You’re nothing but a brute!”

I was under a lot of pressure, so I replied as best I could.

With my voice shaking, I let out. “I d-didn’t push her on p-purpose… I swear!”

“Yeah right! We saw you push her!”

“...But I didn’t push her.”

It was then that the crying Shimizu Midori spoke.

“You’re so mean Katsuo-kun… why did you push me?”

I felt my heart shatter at that moment. No one would believe me now. 'Why did she say that?' I thought to myself then. I mean, I get it now that the pressure might have gotten to her. But the fact that I got betrayed doesn't change.

“See! You pushed her!”

“You’re just like a bully!”

It wasn’t long before rumors began to spread. I guess the rumors reached the teachers as I got a huge scolding from them and called my parents.

As I was walking back home dejected after today’s turn of events. ‘At least my parents would believe me!’ I thought to myself as I ran home.

I arrive at my house and opened the door. My mother greets me with a look of contempt in the hallway whilst my little sister, by a few months, stands behind her with fear in her eyes.

“I didn’t raise you to be so violent, Katsuo.” She said coldly. “You always cause trouble for your parents. Can’t you be more like your sister?”

“Mom, I can explain!” I replied, wanting to defend myself.

“Explain what? Explain how you pushed a kid to the ground?” She replied promptly. “Now I have to call their parents and apologize for your actions! How will our family be perceived now!?”

My mouth opened and closed without letting out a single sound. Nothing I said would get her to listen. It didn’t help that my sister looked at me as if I was some kind of monster ready to strike whenever. Feeling even more dejected, I walked to my room and shut myself in. I lay down on my bed and cried myself to sleep that night.