Lunchtime came quickly. A crowd of curious students flocked around Noelle, bombarding her with questions.
"What was your previous school like?"
"Your hair's so silky! What shampoo do you use?"
She smiled awkwardly, startled by the attention. Meanwhile, Takumi stood up quietly and walked to the canteen, uninterested in the commotion.
As he lined up for food, a muscular arm hooked around his neck from behind.
"You think you're lucky, just because you sit next to Noelle?" The voice was deep, mocking.
Takumi turned slightly, expression calm. "Ah… sorry, but I can't do anything about it. Now if you don't mind, I'm running late for something."
The grip loosened.
"Running late, huh? Fine. See you next time."
It was Shido—the class bully. Everyone knew he shook people down for money or worse.
Takumi muttered under his breath as he walked away, "What's with him? I never bothered him… and now he wants trouble? He's welcome to try."
A flicker of memory rose—blood splattered on the ground, a dozen boys groaning where they fell, and Takumi staring at his reflection in broken glass. His wide eyes whispered the thought:
I shouldn't have done it.