Summer Rain

Summer: 2014

 I had officially become the bullies' slave after the last victim transferred schools. Most of the bullies were third-year students, and only a few of them were in their second year.

               Come here, I heard someone say. It was the leader of the bullies, Asahi Kurosawa. He was fierce, with highlighted hair, and was rumored to be a part of the Yakuza. Everyone feared him including me. I went to him quickly. 

               Did you need me, sir? I said out of fear. He pointed towards his drink. I did not understand what he meant. Was he out of it? Does he want a new one? Did he want me to throw it? 

                   "If you don't say it, I won't know what to do", I said in a low voice. He looked at me fiercely. 

                       "Do you want your parents to know how much of a slut you are? Or do you want to get famous? I have plenty of shots of your little—"

                            "I'll go buy you a drink" I interrupted. Running towards the vending machine I bumped into Akira. Seeing him made me remember that night. My breathing became abnormal. My heart raced. I couldn't breathe well. Akira shook me furiously. 

                            I came back to my senses. I felt nauseous but I held it in. What's wrong with you, Haru-chan? I heard him shout. I didn't reply. I didn't want to start a fight at school. 

                       "Hey, I asked you a question, Haru?". I ignored it and ran toward the vending machine. He followed. I took out a cold coffee from the dispenser. I was about to leave but Akira gripped my hand. I couldn't let go. "Please leave me alone, Akira", I begged. He pulled me closer and kissed me intensely. I broke the kiss by kicking his nuts.

                          I ran towards Asahi to be saved. The whole gang was there by the time I reached. "Your cold coffee, sir. Can I go to my classroom?", I gasped. No, they said playfully. 

                     Akira was not far behind. On reaching, he punched me and I fell to the ground. I tried to get up but my knees gave up. I was stricken with fear when I saw Akira's enraged face. He punched me several times. The other bullies joined in and kicked me for fun. 

                        "Hey, stop guys", ordered Asahi, "You're going to kill the gay boy". He stood up and walked towards me and knelt. 

       "He has a pretty face, doesn't he, Akira? What should we do with him?", he said looking at Akira. I fell unconscious.

         When I woke up, it was raining. It was washing away the blood from my face. I didn't want to get up. My vision was blurry. I faintly saw someone coming with an umbrella. The person held me up and took me home. 

                        It was Aki-senpai. I didn't understand what his deal was. He hurts and saves me. He throws punches and he holds me. He says hurtful words and yet caresses me. Even now, we were in his bed. He had taken off my clothes so I wouldn't catch a cold. I'm sure Akira didn't understand himself either. I didn't even have the strength to go back anyway. I felt calm but little did I know that it was calm before the storm. 

          Akira was on top of me. His hands held mine above my head. I couldn't escape. He did as he pleased. I froze when he was tainting my body. I didn't fight against it. I hated it. I wanted it to end. Tears were not rolling down my face. I could do nothing and felt nothing. I was empty inside out. 

            "Aki-nii-san", someone called out from outside the door. Come out. Let's play.

           I was ready to shout but Akira stuffed my mouth with a cloth. He got out of bed and slightly opened the door. "Nii-san has some business going on. We'll play tomorrow, little princess", he faked his voice. 

         I went home devastated. When mom asked me what had happened to my face I left them unanswered. I couldn't look her in the eye. I felt ashamed. I cried myself to sleep. I wanted to end it once and for all. The next morning, I went to school earlier than usual and headed straight for the terrace. I stood at the high railing which was meant to protect children from falling over.

           At that moment, I thought about all the things I wanted to do in life. I wanted to become a voice actor. I thought about my mom and dad. I had no friends to think of. It was all going to end. I'd be free from everything. 

           "Don't do this, Ishikawa-san", I felt someone hold on to me. I didn't want anyone to stop me. I couldn't lead such a miserable life. I couldn't take it anymore. "Leave me", I demanded.

       "I won't. I must protect you", she said, gripping more firmly. I gave in to her.

              "Goto-Sensei, why must you save me? I must die", I wept and she embraced me gently. 

              "There there, child. Don't cry. Everything will be alright. Sensei is here with you", she said gently. Fuyuko-sensei's voice was kind and calming. I calmed down within minutes.

           "Why are you here early in the morning, sensei?", I asked. She told me that somebody had locked her up after school when she went to take something she had forgotten. 

          "I don't know if he did it on purpose or unknowingly", she said in her sweet voice. 

           She suggested that we go to her place since it was near so that she could change and talk openly and deeply. I agreed.