Chapter 2: The Edge of Despair

Fukushū no Kage

Arc 1: Shiroi Academy

The atmosphere at Shiroi Academy was becoming increasingly oppressive.

What had started as a series of silent harassments

—messages and mockery—soon escalated into something more physical and cruel. It was as if Ryo's death had awakened in Kenta Hirose and his group an insatiable thirst for domination and violence.

Haruto felt it with every step he took through the hallways. He could no longer walk without hearing murmurs or suppressed laughter around him. The pressure was crushing him, and each day was a test of his sanity.

It was a rainy afternoon when Haruto was the first to face the next level of torment. While heading to the bathroom to escape the comments that followed him during lunch, he encountered Riku Tanabe and Shun Takagi.

Both were leaning against the wall, as if they had been waiting for him.—Look who decided to show up —Riku said with a twisted smile.Haruto tried to ignore them, but Shun blocked his path, his expression reflecting cruel amusement.

—Where are you rushing off to, Akiyama? —he asked, pushing him lightly on the chest.—I don't want any trouble —Haruto said quietly, trying to stay calm.—Trouble? —Riku repeated with a bitter laugh.

—That's exactly what you got when you got in our way.

Before he could react, Shun grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the wall.

—Listen, Haruto.

We don't want you to forget who's in charge here —he whispered as Riku pulled out a black marker and began writing insults on his uniform.Haruto remained still, feeling humiliation consume him.

When they finally let him go, the two walked away laughing, leaving him there with his uniform ruined and his dignity in shreds.

The aggression didn't stop with Haruto.

Every member of his small group of friends began to suffer in different ways, as if Kenta and his gang were testing how much they could break them before they collapsed.Yuta was found locked inside one of the gym lockers after P.E. class.

His hands trembled as he tried to explain what had happened, but the words got stuck in his throat.

—They told me this was my place —he finally whispered, while Mikasa and Aya tried to comfort him.

Mikasa, on the other hand, received an even worse surprise.

During one of the classes, someone had placed manipulated images of her on every desk in the classroom, covered in vulgar comments. The murmurs and laughter from the other students made her want to disappear.

—They're… a bunch of damn monsters —she said through tears to Aya, who held her tightly.—This can't go on —Aya responded firmly.

—We have to find a way to stop them.

A Light of Hope

Despite everything, Aya remained strong. Even though the situation seemed to worsen every day, her spirit never wavered. She became the support everyone needed, especially Haruto.

—We can't give up —she told him one night when she found him sitting alone in the school's back courtyard, staring at the ground.

—Aya… I don't know how much more I can take —Haruto admitted, his voice breaking.

—You can take it because you're not alone —she replied, taking his hand. —And because we won't give them the satisfaction of seeing us fall.

For the first time in days, Haruto felt something different. It wasn't exactly hope, but Aya's words sparked a small ember inside him.

In a dark corner of the building, Kenta Hirose met with Riku, Shun, Daichi, and Takuya.

The gang leader leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette with an expression of absolute disdain.

—How's the plan going? —he asked, exhaling the smoke slowly.

—Haruto is about to break —Riku said with an arrogant smile.

—His little group of friends too.

—And the girl? —Kenta asked, referring to Aya.

—She's tougher than she looks

—Daichi chimed in, crossing his arms.

—But everyone has a breaking point.—Then make sure you find it —Kenta ordered, his tone sharp.

—I don't want any of them standing after this.

Takuya, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward slowly. There was something in his gaze that was even more unsettling than the others' aggression.

—We'll take care of it —he murmured, his cold voice leaving no room for doubt.

As the days passed, the attacks intensified. The insults became more direct, the threats more terrifying.

Haruto and his friends started avoiding the main hallways, taking longer routes to their classes, but even that didn't seem enough.

One afternoon, they found Mikasa's locker completely destroyed, her books scattered across the floor and soaked in some unknown liquid.

Another time, Yuta was pushed down the stairs, ending up with an injured leg.

Haruto started feeling like the world around him was collapsing.

But every time he was about to give up, Aya was there, reminding him that there was still something worth fighting for.

—Haruto, no matter what happens, don't let them win

—she told him one night, her voice full of determination.

He looked at her, trying to find in her eyes the strength he needed. And for a moment, he thought that maybe, just maybe, they could make it through this together.

But the pain and darkness surrounding them only kept growing, and Haruto knew the worst was yet to come.

One afternoon, as Haruto was gathering his things after class, he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. It was Daichi Sato, accompanied by Shun Takagi and Takuya Mori.

The atmosphere became suffocating in an instant.

—What are you doing here so late, Akiyama?

—Daichi asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Haruto knew better than to respond. If he did, it would only make things worse. He tried to move past them, but Takuya blocked the doorway with his body, his cold stare locked onto him.

—Where do you think you're going?

—Shun asked, laughing.

Before he could react, Daichi shoved him against a desk. Haruto stumbled but refused to fall.

He gripped the desk to stay on his feet, his hands trembling with rage and fear.

—Come on, show some spirit, kid

—Daichi said, slamming the desk in front of him.

—Don't you have anything to say?

—Leave me alone

—Haruto muttered, his voice breaking.

That only made them laugh harder.

Shun pulled out his phone and started recording, getting closer to capture Haruto's face.

—Look at this, Daichi. This is the face of someone who's already given up.

Haruto clenched his fists, but he knew fighting back was useless. He was alone. After a few more minutes of mockery and shoving, they finally let him go, but not before dumping the contents of his backpack all over the floor.

As Haruto silently picked up his things, he felt smaller than ever. Every word, every laugh, was like a knife against his skin.

That night, Haruto came home late, trying to hide the damage to his uniform and the trembling in his hands.

He thought he could go unnoticed, but his sister, Hana, was waiting for him in the living room.

—Haruto, what happened to your uniform?

—she asked, pointing at the stains and tears.

He hesitated, searching for an excuse.—It was... an accident. I tripped in the courtyard.

But Hana wasn't easy to fool. She stood up and walked toward him, crossing her arms.

—Don't lie, Haruto. I know you better than anyone.

Haruto averted his gaze, unable to hold her intense stare.

—It's nothing, really

—he insisted, but his shaky voice betrayed him.

Hana sighed and stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

—Are they bullying you at school?

Those words, spoken so gently, broke something inside him.

Haruto felt his eyes well up with tears, but he refused to let them fall.

—It doesn't matter —he murmured.

—I can handle it.

—Of course it matters!

—Hana exclaimed, her voice firm but filled with concern.

—If someone is hurting you, you have to tell me.

Haruto shook his head, taking a step back.

—You can't do anything, Hana. No one can.

—Who is it? —she pressed, her tone now more serious.

He remained silent, and Hana understood that she wouldn't get a direct answer that night. But in her heart, she decided she wouldn't let her brother face this alone.

Hana's Promise

Later that night, Hana sat alone in her room, going over everything she had noticed in the past few weeks. Haruto was quieter, more withdrawn, and now with his ruined uniform, everything clicked into place.

—I won't let this continue —she whispered to herself.

The next morning, as Haruto got ready for school, Hana approached him.

—Haruto, listen —she said with a determined tone.

—No matter what's happening, I'll always be here for you. You're not alone.

Haruto looked at her, surprised by the intensity in her words. Though he didn't respond, something in his chest felt just a little lighter.

But as they left the house, Haruto couldn't shake the thought of what awaited him at Shiroi Academy. The weight in his chest remained, reminding him that the worst hell had yet to unfold.