The next day…
Everything felt different.
Morning sunlight spilled across the school gate, soft and golden, like nothing bad had ever happened there.
Benji paused for a moment before walking in.
The wind was hot and he started shaking a little bit before .
His stomach wasn't tight .
His shoulders weren't stiff.
Still… he was nervous.
Two students passed by him at the gate
"Good Morning, Benji"they said
Benji blinked and he was shocked ,he looked at them for few seconds and then he said
"…Morning?"they said in a friendly voice
They didn't laugh and curse him.
They didn't shove him.
They just kept walking.
They didn't even give a bad look at him.
He touched his chest lightly.
No bad looks.
No insults.
No whispers.
He walked though the gate ,everybody walking beside him were talking and laughing with their friends. And he understand no one is following him today .
And then he entered his school building .
He go to his shoe locker and then near the shoe locker, a boy bumped into him by accident.
"Ah—sorry! For that "
Benji temporary floze in confusion
"…It's okay."
The boy smiled and hurried off.
Benji stood there for a few seconds and think
What Just happened he… apologized? He apologized to me.
And then Benji start walking to his classroom .
As he walking though the corridor,
The students chatted like normal teenagers. Some laughed, some argued about homework And just thinking what to do
No one stared at him, no one give weird look and no one pointed him.
Outside near his classroom door there were a group of girls were talking nearby.
"Hey… isn't that the guy Ryo used to—" she said and stopped mid sentance by the another's girl .
"Shhh. Don't talk about that."
Benji lowered his gaze, confused.
They stopped gossiping too…
Inside the classroom, he hesitated before approaching his desk.
It was clean.
No glue.
No stink bombs.
No drawings.
Nothing.
He slowly pulled out his chair and sat down.
Is this…
Freedom? Am I really free.
A faint smile touched his lips.
And he felt a little relieved in his heart that now his school day become peaceful .
And then after few hours , lunch break period started.
He take out lunch box
He ate lunch alone—but peacefully and no one snatched his food.
Two boys played basketball nearby. He simply watched them, sunlight reflecting off the court.
He read during break without someone slamming his book shut.
A teacher patted his back lightly after class.
And Benji take a glance at teacher and he said
"Good job today."
The words almost felt unreal like he was in a dream
In the bathroom, no one pushed him.
His locker opened without damage.
Students chatted around him as if he had always belonged there.
Bright sunlight warmed the schoolyard.
For once, his heartbeat stayed steady the entire day.
So this is what normal feels like…
His Nightmares passed.
And peace stayed.
One evening, as the sky turned soft orange, as Benji walked though the market to his home with the smallest smile.
He turned a corner—
And stopped.
Someone was leaning casually against a wall.
Hands in pockets. Eyes closed
"…E-Elliot?" Benji said in a low voice
Elliot open his eyes turn his head
Elliot looked up slightly.
A faint smirk appeared.
"Yo. You look alive now."he said
Benji hurried closer and bowed awkwardly.
"T-thank you… for everything."
Elliot looked away, almost dismissive.
"Don't thank me. I just hate scum who abuse power and hurts other"
Benji hesitated.
"Why are you here… again?"
Elliot crossed his arms.
"I grew up around here."
Benji blinked.
"That school was mine too," Elliot continued.
For a brief moment, Benji imagined a younger Elliot wearing the same uniform. Walking these same halls.
"Then I entered the fighting world," Elliot said happily.
"And then my journey as a fighter start."
"And eventually… Dark Bulls."
The name carried weight and pride.
Benji's eyes widened slightly.
As they were talking they notice a old woman fall with her stuff scattered across the ground. "Why this has to happened to me" she said in a frustrated voice.
Elliot noticed her and rushed over to help the old woman and to pick her stuff .As the old woman looking at him with slight smile.
And after help, the old woman said " god bless you ,my son" she said .
"Oh you welcome" Elliot said
As Benji watched them from a far.
Elliot come back to Benji
"So you came… to see this place again?"Benji asked
Elliot nodded once.
"Yeah. And to meet my family."
There was something softer in his tone when he said that.
Then his gaze shifted back to Benji.
"Come to my house today. You're interesting."
Benji stepped back feeling nervous and he hesitate and said
"S-sorry… I have to go home."
Elliot smiled faintly.
"Another time then."
He pushed himself off the wall.
"Stay safe, Benji."
Benji gave a small wave.
"You too…"
Elliot walked away without looking back.
But this time, Benji didn't feel small watching him leave.
He felt… inspired.
The next morning, the school gate was lively again.
Benji was walking through the gate
this time the whispers weren't about fear.
They were about newcomers.
A group of fresh students walked in—polite, disciplined, cheerful. And they were like new shinning star.
Nothing like Ryo's group.
Benji feel happy which normally he doesn't feel.
A fresher accidentally blocked Benji's path.
"Oh—sorry, senior!"he said in fast and shaky tone.
"It's okay." Benji said calmly
The word senior felt strange.
Another bowed slightly.
"Good morning!"
Benji smiled softly.
"Good morning."
These kids aren't like Ryo…
The atmosphere felt clean.
Light.
Warm.
Over the following days, something unexpected happened.
Benji helped a new student find his classroom.
He ate lunch near a few quiet classmates. Not close friends… but not alone either.
He walked through corridors without scanning for danger.
He even laughed lightly at someone's joke.
Studied peacefully and reads his book and his favourite novels
Played a little basketball by himself after school.
Sunlight reflected in his eyes.
Teachers spoke to him normally.
He walked home relaxed.
Sometimes through the park.
Sometimes along the river.
His steps were lighter now.
One evening, he stopped at a small bridge.
The water below reflected the fading sky.
He leaned over slightly and looked at his reflection.
No bruises.
No fear.
No trembling.
Just feeling peace like a warrior after war
The wind blew softly.
Cherry petals drifted across the river's surface.
He smiled.
A real smile.
"These… are the best days of my life."
The school building stood in the distance, bathed in orange light.
For the first time—
Benji felt free like a bird flying in the beautiful sky after getting out of his cage .