I woke up to a sharp, piercing pain coursing through my body.
"Ugh… what is this? It hurts…"
I groaned, clutching my head. The pain from yesterday still lingered, draining my energy completely.
"Maybe I should take the day off…" I muttered.
But after a moment of silence, I sighed.
"I don't even have anything to do at home…"
Resigning myself to fate, I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for school.
When I finally reached class, completely drained, a familiar voice called out.
"Haruto! You okay now, buddy?"
I glanced up to see Yahiko, grinning as usual.
"Yeah, I'm fine now," I replied, forcing a small smile.
"Hehe, you know what, Haruto?" he teased.
"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He pulled out something from his bag with dramatic flair.
"Daaadaaa! Look at this One Piece Monkey D. Luffy Limited Edition figure!"
My eyes widened like a little kid seeing candy.
"Oi, Yahiko! Where did you buy this?!" I asked eagerly.
He smirked. "Haha, wouldn't tell."
"C'mon, tell me! 300 yen!" He suddenly stretched out his hand.
"Huh? 300 yen?!"
"Yes," he replied smugly. "Or just forget it. I won't tell you otherwise."
I sighed. "Fine, here!" I handed him the coins.
"Good choice," he grinned. "But instead of me telling you, why not just go buy it after school?"
"Sounds good. But if you're lying, I'll kick your ass, Yahiko."
"Haha, don't worry, Haruto. I wouldn't."
After class, we headed straight to the figure shop.
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes sparkled with excitement.
Naruto figures, One Piece, Bleach
"I'M IN HEAVEN!" I cried out dramatically.
Yahiko facepalmed. "Stop acting like an idiot and buy it already."
"STFU, Yahiko! Let me enjoy this holy land!"
He sighed. "Fine, whatever. I'll be looking around too. I want a Makima figure from Chainsaw Man." His eyes filled with lewd thoughts.
"Such a damn perv," I muttered.
"See ya later!" he laughed, dashing off in search of his waifu.
I turned back to the shelves. "So, what should I buy?" I mumbled to myself.
Just then
A girl brushed past me.
A sudden chill ran down my spine.
It felt… familiar.
Like I knew her.
I turned around instantly but she was already gone.
"What… was that feeling?" I muttered under my breath.
A few moments later, Yahiko returned.
"Oi, Haruto! What did you buy?"
"A Naruto Gaara figure I replied."
"Nice choice!"
"What about you? Got your Makima?"
His face dripped with saliva. "Of course."
I sighed. "You're hopeless."
"Hehehe."
I shook my head. "Let's go eat something."
"Sounds good he replied."
We entered a café, ordered our food, and had dinner.
"Haruto check my makima haha"
Isn't he hot "he asked"
Yes,she is I replied uninterested
Yahiko, in a serious tone
Hinata Or Sakura
"Ofc Hinata who likes Sakura, she is literally dusbin "
"Haha yes I agree with you on this he he replied "
"As we were both laughing and enjoying our meal"
But then
My phone rang.
I glanced at the screen. Mom.
"Haruto, come home fast! Your father he's not feeling well!"
My heart dropped.
I rushed out of the café, leaving Yahiko behind.
As soon as I reached home, I burst through the door.
"Mom! Where's Dad?!" I asked urgently.
She looked up from the kitchen, confused.
"Your dad? Of course, he's at the office."
I froze.
"Wait… but you called me just now!"
Her expression didn't change.
"Haruto, my dear, I didn't call you."
A chill ran down my spine.
I quickly pulled out my phone.
"It has to be in my call history!"
But
There was nothing.
Still confused, I sat down for dinner, my mind racing.
"Haruto, eat properly. Don't daydream while eating," Mom scolded.
"Yeah… okay, Mom."
"How's school?" Dad asked.
"It's going well," I replied absentmindedly.
"Good! Study hard and become a doctor like me!" He laughed proudly.
"Oki, Dad," I replied, completely uninterested.
Because my dream… was different.
I wanted to be a novel writer.
I wanted my stories to become manhwa or anime one day.
But I never told my parents.
I didn't want to disappoint them.
"I'll tell them when the time is right," I thought to myself.
After dinner, I got up.
"Okay, Mom, Dad. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, honey." Mom smiled.
"Sleep well, son." Dad replied.
As I lay in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about the call.
"What was that? It wasn't even in my call history…"
It felt too real to be a dream.
But there was nothing I could do.
"Forget it. Maybe it was just some prank call."
And with that, I drifted off to sleep.
The Next Day at School
"Good morning, Haruto!"
I turned to see Tsubasa, smiling softly.
"Good morning, Tsubasa."
"Morning, you two!" Yahiko greeted with full energy.
I stared at him, deadpan.
"Sigh, Yahiko. Where do you get all this energy?"
"Hehe, it's a secret!" He winked.
Then suddenly, Yahiko's expression turned serious.
"Oh yeah, Haruto. Is your dad alright?"
I stiffened.
"Yeah, he's fine," I replied.
But inside, my mind was spinning.
"So it wasn't my imagination after all…"
"Maybe it really was a prank call?"
I decided to brush it off for now.
"Good to know that I was worried about uncle"
"Hehe my prayer worked I guess Yahiko said in a proudful face "
"Yes it did thank you I replied"
"Tsubasa are you not feeling well I asked, you look sick"
"No I am fine Haruto she smiled just a light headache "
"I placed my one hand on her head and one on mine everything feels fine I said "
"Haruto in a shy voice Tsubasa called me "
" I quickly noticed what I did and took my hand off "sorry I said
"No it's fine Haruto ,she said while blushing "
"Oh what a lovely couple, said Yahiko teasing us "
Sigh shut up yahiko,
Ehh he smirked as he watched me
I said stop it yahiko
I blushed
"He bursted out laughing " How cute someone is blushing .
Than suddenly a sharp voice all of you get inside the class
It was our home room teacher
Okay mam, we replied and went inside
Classes ended, like it was a dream
After school, as I was packing my stuff, Tsubasa approached me.
"Haruto… can we walk home together?"
I smiled. "Yeah, why not?"
As we walked, I glanced at her.
She seemed troubled.
"Something bothering you?" I asked.
"No… nothing," she replied quickly.
I doubted it.
When we reached the part where we usually split paths, she waved at me silently before walking away.
But…
Something didn't sit right.
So I followed her.
She turned down a deserted street, looking around nervously.
Then
She stopped.
"Next to the road and started walking
Straight to a speeding car
No
My body moved on its own. I grabbed her hand and pulled her back just in time.
The car sped past.
For a moment neither of us spoke. Then she turned to me with blank lifeless eyes.
"…Why did you save me" she asked.
Her voice was emotionless yet it cut through me like a knife.
My heart pounded. "Because I care about human life And you're my friend"
"Friend" she repeated as if the word was foreign to her.
"Of course We're friends" I said firmly.
She looked down. "Oh I thought you didn't think of me that way."
"What are you talking about Of course I do"
She was silent.
I took a deep breath. "Why did you do that What's wrong"
She didn't answer. By now people had started gathering around staring at us. I quickly grabbed her hand and ran leading her to a quiet alleyway.
There I finally asked again "Tell me the truth. What's happening"
"It's my problem" she whispered. "Why should I tell you"
"Because we're friends. And friends share their problems right"
She looked at me with a lifeless face.
That caught her attention. She looked up at me her expression unreadable.
"giving up isn't the answer. fight it ."
Her shoulders trembled. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I always get bullied at school" she finally admitted her voice cracking. "They treat me like a servant. They call me an ugly pig they beat me. I couldn't take it anymore."
"…Who" I asked.
"…Sakura and her friends."
Sakura That bossy girl
"I thought she was your friend" I asked.
"She only pretends in front of everyone. Behind closed doors she makes my life hell."
I sighed.
"I know it's hard" I said gently. "But throwing away your life isn't the answer. You have to fight back."
"I can't."
"You can" I said firmly. "And if you need help I'll be right by your side. Always."
She stared at me her face flushed.
"Really" she whispered.
"Really" I replied patting her head.
She sniffled and wiped her tears.
"Come on cheer up What's gone is gone. Just don't do anything stupid again okay" I said trying to lighten the mood.
"…Or I'll be lonely I said jokingly"
Her face turned even redder.
"Really" she murmured.
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Are you fine now? I asked
Yes she smiled
"See ya tomorrow, don't do anything like that again and waved her bye"