Shina was still sitting on the bathroom floor, her tears not yet completely dry, when the door opened. The sound of light footsteps approached before a very familiar voice filled the air.
"Shina?" called her friend, Rin, with a tone of deep concern. "Are you okay?"
Shina was startled, seeing her friend Rinka, or usually called Rin. She quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, trying to erase the traces of sadness still etched on her face.
However, her red and swollen eyes were difficult to hide.
Rin approached with furrowed brows, clearly not fooled by Shina's attempt to appear normal.
"Shina, you've been here for a long time. I'm worried. What's wrong?" Rin asked gently, sitting down next to Shina with a concerned gaze.
Shina forced herself to smile, although her lips trembled slightly. "I... I'm fine, just... a little dizzy," she answered, her voice sounding weak.
Rin frowned even deeper, clearly unsatisfied with that response.
"You look like you've been crying. Is there something you want to tell me?" Rin asked softly. Rin was the most understanding friend, someone who had been friends with Shina since they were little, along with Yamashita.
The three of them were like a small family, and Rin always knew when something was wrong.
Shina shook her head quickly, although the pain in her heart was becoming heavier. "No, nothing. I just... felt a little nauseous earlier."
Rin looked at her skeptically for a moment before finally letting out a long sigh. "Then, let's go out. You shouldn't be alone in here."
Shina nodded slowly, trying to gather her strength. She stood up with Rin's help, and the two of them walked out of the bathroom, towards the quiet corridor.
But every step Shina took felt heavy. Not only because of her exhausted body, but because of the big secret she was hiding from her friend, from Yamashita, from the world.
...
As they walked towards the classroom, the sound of loud conversations began to be heard from the direction of the corridor. Shina and Rin walked slowly, but the voices grew clearer.
"Have you heard the news about Kazuma?" one of the female students' voices was full of hatred.
"Yes, they say he's now being treated at the school infirmary. Thank goodness! Someone like him deserves that," another student replied with the same cynical tone.
"He should just die, it would be better for all of us," a third student added cruelly, not even trying to lower his voice.
"Why is he still here, anyway? The only thing he knows is how to fight. Every time I see him, I want to vomit," another continued.
"I agree. I hope he never comes back to school. The world would be better off without Kazuma," another student said in a derogatory tone.
Every sentence Shina heard was like a blow to her chest. Their words were so sharp, full of hatred, as if Kazuma was no longer human. Although Kazuma was often involved in trouble, Shina knew that behind it all, there was a side that these people did not see.
Rin, walking beside her, let out a long sigh.
"They're always like this when it comes to Kazuma," she said softly.
"Kazuma does cause problems, but I never like hearing people talk like that."
Shina remained silent, her eyes fixed on the floor of the corridor. The pain in her heart grew deeper.
She knew Kazuma was not a good person—she herself often felt confused about her relationship with Kazuma—but hearing others curse him so cruelly... that was too much.
Without realizing it, tears were about to fall from Shina's eyes again. She stopped walking and turned to Rin.
"Rin, can you go to the classroom first? I... I have something I need to do," Shina said, her voice trembling slightly.
Rin looked at her with concern, but finally nodded.
"Okay, if you need anything, just let me know," Rin said before continuing on to the classroom.
After Rin left, Shina stood there for a moment, listening to the murmurs of hatred from the students in the corridor who were still talking about Kazuma.
Without thinking any further, Shina made a decision. She turned around, not heading to the classroom, but to where Kazuma was being treated.