Fukushū no Kage
Arc 1: Shiroi Academy
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The boy's name was Ryo Nakamura. The day after the encounter on the stairs, Haruto saw him in the cafeteria, sitting alone in a corner, his gaze fixed on the table. Even though the room was filled with students laughing and talking, it seemed as if an invisible wall separated Ryo from the rest.
—It's him again —Haruto murmured to Aya, who was sitting next to him.
Aya nodded, looking at Ryo with concern. —Should we talk to him?
Before Haruto could respond, Mikasa joined the conversation. —Talk to who?
Haruto discreetly pointed toward Ryo. —That guy. I think something's going on with him.
Mikasa observed him carefully, her dark eyes filled with curiosity. —What if we invite him to sit with us? Maybe that'll help.
—What if he doesn't want to? —Renji interjected, always cautious.
—There's only one way to find out —Mikasa said determinedly.
An Attempt at Connection
Mikasa, with her usual confidence, was the first to approach Ryo.
—Hey! Why don't you join us? —she said with a friendly smile, pointing to the table where Haruto and the others were sitting.
Ryo looked up, clearly surprised. It took him a moment to respond.
—I... I'm fine here. Thanks.
—Come on, we don't bite. Well, except for Yuta when he's hungry, but that's manageable —Mikasa joked, earning a shy laugh from Ryo.
He finally agreed, standing up hesitantly and following Mikasa to the group's table.
—Hello —he said quietly, sitting next to Haruto.
—Hi —Haruto replied with a smile, trying to make him feel comfortable. —I'm Haruto, and these are Renji, Yuta, Emi, Mikasa, and Aya.
—Ryo Nakamura —the boy murmured, avoiding eye contact.
The conversation started off a bit awkwardly, but Mikasa, with her boundless energy, managed to break the ice. Slowly, Ryo began to relax, though he still seemed reserved.
The Truth Behind the Facade
As the days passed, Ryo began spending more time with the group. Although he never shared much about himself, Haruto and the others noticed small details: the bruises he tried to hide, the way he tensed whenever someone mentioned the third-year students, and the way he always looked over his shoulder, as if expecting something bad to happen.
One afternoon, after classes, Haruto found him alone in the school's back yard, staring at the sky with a melancholic expression.
—Is everything okay? —Haruto asked, sitting next to him.
Ryo didn't answer immediately. Finally, he sighed. —Why do you care?
—Because I know what it feels like to be alone —Haruto said sincerely.
For the first time, Ryo looked directly at him. His eyes were filled with something Haruto could only describe as desperation.
—You wouldn't understand —Ryo murmured, looking back at the sky.
Haruto didn't insist. He knew that forcing him to speak would only push him further away. Instead, he decided to offer him something he himself had longed for: company.
—Well, if you ever need to talk, I'm here.
Aya's Warning
Later that night, while walking home with Aya, she voiced her concerns.
—Ryo seems like a good guy, but something is clearly wrong —she said, frowning.
—I know —Haruto admitted. —I just want to help him.
—Haruto... sometimes, helping someone can be dangerous. If he's in trouble with the third-year students, we could get involved in something big.
Haruto looked at her, surprised by her words. Aya was usually the most optimistic of the group.
—So, what do you suggest? Letting him be?
Aya sighed. —No, but we have to be careful. If he really is being bullied, confronting his tormentors directly isn't an option.
Haruto nodded, knowing she was right.
The Beginning of the End
The following week, rumors about Ryo began to spread. Some students said he had been involved in a fight with the third-year students. Others claimed they had stolen money from him.
The group decided to investigate further. Mikasa and Emi spoke with some students in their class, while Renji and Yuta searched for information in the hallways. Aya and Haruto tried to get closer to Ryo, but he seemed more distant than ever.
Finally, Mikasa managed to get a lead: the names of the third-year students who seemed to be behind the bullying.
—Kenta Hirose, Riku Tanabe, and Daichi Sato —she said, pronouncing the names like a curse. —They're the ones who are always causing trouble.
—Then we have to do something —Aya insisted.
—But not without a plan —Renji warned.
The group decided they needed proof before taking action. They knew they were stepping into dangerous territory, but none of them were willing to abandon Ryo.
As Haruto walked home that night, he couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen...