Sunlight filtered through the trees in the school yard, casting soft shadows that moved gently with the breeze.
Students filled the space with noise. Laughter... Footsteps... Voices overlapping without pause...
Haruki Kazuma walked through the school gate.
He passed by the trees, glanced for a brief moment, then continued walking.
"Just another place... nothing special."
That was the only thought in his mind.
Some students noticed him.
"Is that the new guy?"
"He looks quiet..."
"Kinda strange..."
But Haruki didn't respond.
Inside the Classroom
Silence dominated the room.
Only the sound of pens could be heard... scratch... scratch...
The door opened.
The teacher entered.
"Take your seats."
Then he looked toward the door again.
"We have a new student."
The class went silent.
"Come in."
Haruki stepped inside.
His footsteps were clear in the quiet room.
He walked forward and stopped in front of everyone.
"Introduce yourself."
A short pause.
"No need to say much."
"Haruki Kazuma."
"Where are you from?"
"Another city."
"...That's all?"
No answer.
The teacher sighed lightly.
"Go sit in the back."
Haruki walked calmly to his seat near the window.
He opened his book.
"Just another day."
The lesson began.
The teacher explained... pens moved...
"Write this down."
Haruki held his pen, wrote, then paused.
"Doesn't matter."
He glanced around the class briefly, then returned to writing.
Time passed slowly.
"Break time."
Cafeteria
The place exploded with noise.
Students rushed in... chairs moved... voices grew louder...
The smell of food filled the air.
Haruki entered the cafeteria.
He stopped for a moment, looking around.
Tables were full.
"No space..."
Then he spotted an empty table in the corner.
He walked toward it and sat down.
He placed his tray in front of him.
He didn't eat immediately.
He just watched.
"Pointless noise."
On the other side, Tsukimi Hinata was walking carefully, holding her tray.
Step... step...
Suddenly, someone tripped her.
"Ah—!"
She fell.
Her tray hit the ground.
Food scattered everywhere.
The cafeteria went quiet for a second.
Then laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Look at her!"
One of them stepped closer and poured soda over her head.
It dripped down her hair and face.
She started crying quietly.
From the corner, Haruki was watching.
"Not my problem."
He looked at his tray again.
But then he heard her quiet sob.
Silence.
"...Annoying."
He stood up.
Walked toward her.
"Get up."
She didn't respond.
He reached out his hand.
At that moment—
"Hahaha!"
"Look at that!"
"The new guy wants to be a hero!"
More laughter.
Some students started recording.
"Pathetic."
Suddenly, someone poured soda over Haruki's head.
It slowly ran down his face.
Silence for a moment.
Then laughter again.
"He's just like her now!"
Haruki didn't move.
He wiped his face slowly.
"Enough."
He grabbed Hinata's hand and helped her stand up.
"Thank you..." she said weakly.
"Sorry."
Then he said, "Let's go."
They started walking.
But someone grabbed his arm.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Running away?"
A punch came.
Haruki pushed Hinata aside, dodged it, and punched back.
The guy dropped.
"Ah—!"
Silence.
Then chaos.
Three rushed at him.
Fast movements... dodging... strikes...
One fell. Then another. Then the third.
Students were shocked.
"Impossible..."
"He's strong..."
But from behind—
A chair.
A heavy hit.
Then another.
And another.
Six times.
The sound echoed.
Haruki dropped to one knee.
Blood started to appear.
His back was torn.
Hinata froze.
"Should I... help...?"
She couldn't move.
Silence filled the cafeteria.
Then—
Haruki stood up.
Slowly.
He grabbed the chair.
Lifted his head.
And turned.
That look was enough.
Students stepped back.
Fear spread.
The cafeteria fell into complete silence.
To be continued...