Chapter 3: Echoes of Cruelty

Fukushū no Kage

Arc 1: Shiroi Academy

Volume 2

The Routine of Oppression

The atmosphere at Shiroi Academy had become suffocating for Haruto. Each day was a test of endurance, and every interaction with his tormentors pushed him further into despair. Meanwhile, the aggressors themselves seemed to relish every moment of their reign of terror.

Kenta's Circle

In one of the most secluded corners of the school's backyard, the group of bullies often gathered. That morning, their conversation flowed with laughter and careless remarks, as if nothing in the world could disturb them.

"Did you see how he almost cried yesterday?" Daichi Sato asked, lighting a cigarette as he recalled the incident with Haruto.

"Of course I did," Riku Tanabe let out a mocking laugh. "That idiot always has the same defeated look. It's like he already knows there's no way out."

"It's too easy." Shun Takagi pulled out his phone and played a video he had recorded the day before. "Look at this, I uploaded it to our chat. The way he tries to pick up his stuff... pathetic."

"Do you think we should make it more public?" Takuya Mori asked, sitting quietly while playing with a small knife in his hands.

Kenta Hirose, the leader of the group, finally spoke, breaking the lighthearted tone of the conversation.

"No." His voice was low but firm, enough to silence the laughter. "If we make it public, the teachers will start snooping around, and we don't need that. Keep it discreet."

Riku raised an eyebrow, surprised by Kenta's seriousness.

"Since when do you care what the teachers think?"

Kenta looked at him directly, his smile disappearing.

"It's not about them. It's about control. If we mess this up, we lose control, and that's not something I'm interested in."

The others slowly nodded. Though they often joked and laughed together, they knew Kenta was the one who set the rules. He wasn't just a bully; he was a strategist who knew how to manipulate both his victims and his surroundings.

In the classroom, Haruto sat at his desk, trying to focus on his notes while the background chatter of his classmates became an unbearable hum. However, Aya Takahashi, who had become a quiet source of support for him, approached his desk.

"Haruto, are you okay?" she asked softly, her face reflecting concern.

He slowly looked up, noticing the sincerity in her eyes.

"I'm fine," he replied, though both of them knew it was a lie.

"If you ever need to talk, I'm here." Aya gave him a small smile before returning to her seat.

Haruto watched as she walked away, feeling a faint spark of hope barely holding on amidst the storm.

Hana Seeks Answers

Meanwhile, Hana Akiyama was restless. Ever since she suspected something was wrong with her brother, she had started paying more attention to the school's dynamics. That afternoon, during a break, she decided to approach one of the few people she trusted—Mikasa Hoshino, a close friend.

"Mikasa, have you noticed anything strange about Haruto lately?" Hana asked, trying to sound casual.

Mikasa shook her head, wanting to keep Hana from getting involved, but her expression hardened as she remembered what was happening.

Hana, not getting a clear answer, turned to leave but said,

"If something is going on, I won't leave you alone. You can count on me."

Mikasa thanked her for the support and reassured her that she could rely on her as well before heading back to class.

Hana nodded, grateful for her friend's support, but she knew she had to handle the situation carefully. If she intervened without knowing all the details, she might make things worse.

A New Scheme

Back in the schoolyard, the bullies were discussing their next move.

"We need to step things up," Daichi said, bouncing a ball against the ground repeatedly. "This is getting boring."

"I agree," Shun added, still scrolling through videos on his phone. "We need something bigger, something that will truly break him."

"How about humiliating him in front of everyone?" Riku suggested eagerly. "We could do something during the school festival."

Takuya, who had remained silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke.

"That can wait. Right now, we need to keep him weak and isolated. Don't give him room to breathe."

Kenta smiled, pleased with the direction of the conversation.

"Exactly. Slowly but surely. If we crush him too quickly, it won't be as fun."

Hana's Discovery

That night, Hana finally got the confirmation she had feared. As she searched through Haruto's backpack, she found several crumpled sheets filled with insults, along with a notebook where someone had drawn cruel caricatures of her brother.

Her hands trembled as she held the papers, a mix of rage and helplessness surging within her.

"Haruto..." she whispered to herself, her eyes welling with tears.

She carefully closed the backpack and made a silent vow—she would do whatever it took to protect him. She didn't know how yet, but she wouldn't let her brother face this alone.

The Storm Spreads

Cruelty was not limited to Haruto alone. His group of friends was also a constant target of abuse. Mikasa Hoshino, who had been his loyal friend since childhood, and Emi Nishikawa, a quiet and reserved girl, were living their own hell.

Mikasa used to be energetic and brave, but every day at Shiroi Academy drained her more and more. She could no longer walk down the hallways without feeling the contemptuous stares and hearing the whispers of mockery.

—Hey, Mikasa, why do you keep coming to school? —asked one of the girls who followed Emi Fujimoto, Daichi's girlfriend.

Mikasa clenched her fists, refusing to answer. She knew that any response would only encourage them to keep tormenting her.

—Maybe she likes being treated this way —added another girl with a mocking smile. —Perhaps she even enjoys being stepped on.

Mikasa lowered her gaze and kept walking without responding. She didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing her react.

Meanwhile, Emi Nishikawa also suffered in silence. She was neither strong nor someone who could stand up to her tormentors. Riku Tanabe had made sure to turn her life into a nightmare.

—Hey, Emi, what do you have in your backpack? —Riku asked, intercepting her in the hallway.

Before she could answer, he snatched her bag from her hands and emptied it onto the floor.

—Oh, what a mess! —he said with fake surprise, while the others laughed.

Emi quickly crouched down to pick up her things, but Riku shoved her, making her fall.

—You should hurry up. We wouldn't want Miss Nishikawa to be late for class —he mocked before walking away with his group.

No one in the hallway did anything to help her. Everyone pretended not to see what was happening.

That night, Hana could no longer hold back. She gathered the notes and papers filled with insults and went downstairs to the living room, where her mother, Mikako Akiyama, was sitting on the couch watching television.

—Mom, we need to talk —she said firmly.

Mikako looked at her with annoyance and sighed.

—What is it now?

Hana threw the papers onto the table.

—It's about Haruto. He's being bullied at school. Look at this.

Mikako picked up the papers and read them with a serious expression, but she didn't react the way Hana had hoped.

—And what do you want me to do? —she asked coldly.

Hana felt a wave of anger surge through her.

—What do you mean, "what do I want you to do"?! He's your son! They're making his life miserable, and you just... you just sit there!

Mikako sighed and placed the papers back on the table.

—Haruto is a man. He has to learn to endure it. That's life. It won't always be fair.

Hana felt her heart break a little more with each word.

—How can you say that? Mom, he's suffering. We can't ignore this.

—I'm not getting involved in this, Hana. If Haruto wants to solve his problems, he can do it on his own. I don't have time to worry about something that has no solution.

Her mother's words were a harder blow than any insult. Hana stared at her in disbelief before grabbing the papers and running back to her room.

She locked herself in, clenching her fists. If her mother wasn't going to do anything, then she would find a way to help her brother herself. She wouldn't leave him alone.

The next morning, Haruto walked to school with a hollow feeling in his chest. He knew what awaited him. There was no escape.

As he entered the classroom, he saw Mikasa and Emi with exhausted expressions. Everyone was on the verge of despair.

Kenta's group was gathered in the back of the room, laughing among themselves.

—Today's going to be fun —Riku whispered with a malicious grin.

—Let's see how much more he can take —Daichi added with a sadistic look.

Kenta smiled without saying a word.

The nightmare continued...