The anger still echoes in his breath.(part13)

Anger still echoed in his breaths, but his steps remained firm, measured, strong like those of a man carrying something greater than himself. (13)

Ahmed grabbed the nearest bully, the one who had tried to stumble away, pulling his shirt collar firmly, his eyes burning with unwavering anger. The other two bullies exchanged bewildered glances, then followed him without a word, for the look Ahmed gave them... could not tolerate defiance.

The distance to the administration building was short,

but it felt like a corridor to justice –

heavy footsteps piercing the silence of the schoolyard,

and the eyes of some students following them with curiosity.

Ahmed entered the principal's office,

stood steadily before him, then pointed to the three and said in Japanese,

in an angry yet controlled voice, as if every word carried the weight of truth:

Ahmed:

"These guys are bullying students at school!"

The principal raised his head from his papers, looked at the three boys,

then at Ahmed, his expression a mix of surprise and admiration.

He knew those boys...

faint, belated, unsubstantiated complaints had always reached him,

but no one had ever dared to bring them in like this...

with such clarity.

The principal rose from behind his desk, approached them,

and then said in a stern tone:

The Principal:

"Stay here... We will start the investigation immediately."

Then he looked at Ahmed, his eyes full of hidden gratitude,

as if saying: "Thank you for what you did, even if I don't say it explicitly."

Ahmed nodded silently at him, then turned and left,

leaving behind three trembling faces,

and the testament of a young man...

whose features began to transcend alienation,

and become something closer...

to a hero who needs no cape.