Chapter 48: The Glass Boy part 3

TL: Sponsored Chapter again. Thank you once again for supporting me. Was supposed to be released tomorrow but with a lot of effort it’s done. Now this will be the last part of The glass boy. Enjoy!

---

“Yu-chan, do you think we can play today?” (Hinagi)

A boy and a girl were walking side by side on their way to school in the morning.

Hinagi Suzurikawa, asks the boy next to her with hollow eyes. The boy noticed that a little more strength was put into his hand she was holding.

“I’m sorry, Hi-chan. I was busy yesterday with things I had to do.” (Yuki)

“Tao-chan wants to play with you too!” (Hinagi) 

“I think we can play today.” (Yuki) 

“Hooray!” (Hinagi) 

　Her twin-tails jumped up and down. Tao-chan is Hinagi’s younger sister, Hiori Suzurikawa. If Hinagi is my childhood friend, then I guess you could say that Hiori is also my childhood friend.

　With a big smile on her face, Hinagi walked down the street. She looks very happy. Her words are straightforward. The warmth of her emotions. The girl who expresses her emotions so honestly is purely on the boy’s side, no matter how far he goes.

Yukito Kokonoe thought. “Why am I bothered by such a trivial thing? Enemies and allies. The priority is always the ally. And yet, I’m only dealing with my enemies, and I’m losing time playing with my friend Hi-chan. It’s not worth it to deal with the enemy. What a waste of time.”

“I’ve got to get this over with.” (Yuki) 

“?” (Hinagi)

　The words had reached the ears of Hinagi Suzurikawa. She did not understand the meaning. Even so, Hinagi did not ask back. Because the boy next to her always sees things differently than she does. Even though they were childhood friends, it does not mean that she had to understand everything about the boy who was only a childhood friend to her. What was important was that their hearts and minds were connected. If she could believe that she was thinking of him and he was thinking of her, then there was no need to worry.

　The expression of Hinagi Suzurikawa darkened as Yukito Kokonoe walked over to get slippers for the guests.

“Yu-chan, did you not find your shoes?” (Hinagi) 

　The fact that Yukito Kokonoe was wearing slippers meant that he still hadn’t found his shoes.

“Hmm? Don’t worry about it. They’ll be back by the end of the day.” (Yuki) 

“…… I see. Right. They will be back!” (Hinagi) 

　Her big eyes stare at the boy. The boy’s expression is always the same. Still, there are things she can understand. If he said it will be back today, it must be true.

Hinagi doesn’t doubt Yukito Kokonoe’s words, because she believes in him. Because he is a man of his word. So, she was sure he would be fine. She really wants to find it with him right now. But if he says so, she believes him. That’s what trust is.

“Let’s go! Yu-chan.” (Hinagi) 

　She will not let go of this hand. She knew that not letting go was the only thing she could do. At this time, she certainly felt it. It was not a matter of logic, but of pure childlike innocence, or perhaps instinct.

　Still, it was true that at this moment, the girl understood more precisely than anyone else that her heart was connected to the boy, and she had come up with the right answer.

　It was only a little later that she lost sight of that.

---

[Multiple PoV]

Yukito Kokonoe stepped into his classroom, and from that moment on, a huge amount of hostility pierced through him. Looking at his desk, he saw that it was even worse than yesterday. What is written on desks and textbooks are already not doodles but insults. The cloth bag his mother had made for him had been torn to shreds by something sharps, probably scissors.

“Ora, you litlle! How dare you throw our shoes in the pond?” (Takayama)

　I’m gonna get my mom in trouble again. As Yukito Kokonoe was thinking about that, someone was shouting something. A group of three boys approached. Takayama, right? He never had any deep contact with him before, so that’s all he knows about him, but they seem to be angry.

“You did it, didn’t you?” (Takayama) 

“It was soaked through and  I couldn’t get home!” (Takayama’s friend) 

“What are you talking about?” (Yuki)

　Yukito Kokonoe had forgotten all about it. He was busy yesterday. Because he was moving around so much, he couldn’t even play with Hinagi Suzurikawa. It was late when he got home, but he had a lot of things to do after that. In such a hectic time, he had lost track of what he had done.

“You’re the one who threw my shoes in the pond!” (Takayama) 

“…… Ah! I didn’t know that had happened. I didn’t know that. I think you’ve been robbed.” (Yuki) 

　He remembered doing something like that, but he shrugged it off. It was the thief who did it. If it was a thief who hid his shoes, it must be the same this time. It had to be. There was nothing strange about it.

“Quit messing around!” (Takayama) 

“Maybe the thief hid it. I don’t know.” (Yuki) 

　It seemed that it wasn’t just the group of boys who didn’t like the response. Boys and girls alike looked at him with disgust and disdain. The hostility became even more intense, and the equilibrium that had been maintained by surface tension was about to collapse, like a glass of water about to spill.

“Beat the crap out of him!” (???)  [TL: Remember this sentence]

　Someone said these words. It was a woman’s voice. But even if the woman hadn’t said it, someone else would have said the same thing. Or the boys in front of him would have reached their limit sooner. That was the only difference.

“F**k you! You’re dead!” (Takayama) 

　The three of them, Takayama, Ito, and Kitagawa, all hit him at once. No one tries to help. Yukito Kokonoe was beaten helplessly. His classmates look on in amusement. There is an expectation there. The basic principle of getting rid of people who piss them off and foreign objects. It was absolutely the right thing for the boys and girls to do.

Because it was him who soaked their shoes, it was all his fault. It is Yukito Kokonoe who is at fault, Yukito Kokonoe who is evil, and Yukito Kokonoe who is the enemy.

“Stop it! It’s not me! It hurts!” (Yuki)

　Yukito Kokonoe pleads. But the violence didn’t stop.

“Shut up! We don’t need people like you!” (Takayama) 

“Die, thief!” (Ito)

Several people attack Yukito Kokonoe with violence.

[Kosuke Takayama PoV]

　The group of boys, including Kosuke Takayama, are excited by the sight of Yukito Kokonoe, who shrinks down to the ground, protecting his head without resistance. The adrenaline secreted by the group destroys the brakes and removes the reason. Once they start moving, they can’t stop. They can’t control it.

　What we are doing is justice. Even our classmates are supporting us. Kosuke Takayama felt a sense of joy. The other side is a criminal, the bad guy who drowned our shoes in the pond. Even the five-man squadron on Sunday morning’s Super Hero Time lynch their enemies in groups. Yukito Kokonoe is the one who is a criminal and the one who is wrong. There is no obstacle to the use of reason.

“It’s not me! You’re hurting me! Stop it!” (Yuki)

　The classmates laughed and shouted mercilessly. “Do more! Beat him up!” No one stopped the assault, as if they were too angry about getting their shoes wet. Takayama and the others couldn’t stop themselves anymore. Some of them wanted nothing to do with it. However, this also made no sense in the charged atmosphere.

Kosuke Takayama felt his taste buds being satisfied. He was the absolute strongest one. An existence that oppresses others. The one who reigns over the weak. “I am a strong one. I have the power.” He was drunk on this sense of omnipotence as he punched the annoying guy crouching in front of him.

　I am the dominant one. In the early grades of elementary school, the concept of school caste had not yet been fully established. Nevertheless, it was definitely about to be created. People are not equal, and the weak are not allowed to challenge the strong. That is the strict rule of this world.

“You’re hurting me! Stop it! It’s not me!” (Yuki)

　Suddenly, Something felt strange. Like a broken record…..

　But such trivial discomfort is drowned out by an overwhelming sense of euphoria. The only thing he can think about now is making the miserable trash in front of him crawl around in a heap, crying and laughing at him.

[Sanjoji PoV]

“What are you doing!?” (Sanjoji)

“Everyone stop!” (Himiyama)

　Suzuka Sanjoji and Misaki Himiyama came running into the classroom.

“This guy’s bad!” (???)

　Suzuka Sanjoji was heartbroken that her bad premonition had come true. In the past few days, Misaki Himiyama has also become more and more exhausted.

　Yesterday, after school, there was a bit of a commotion. It was because the shoes of the students were drowned in the pond. At first, one student reported that the shoes had been hidden. But it wasn’t just one person who reported it. The shoes of the entire class were missing. It was too big of a revenge for a single person. The goal is too broad. So if it’s not revenge, then what is it?

　The students, Suzuka Sanjoji and Misaki Himiyama ran around the school to find out. However, they find it in a place that is not inside the school. They found it in a pond in the courtyard.

　There was no Yukito Kokonoe among the students who were searching for him. It was definitely Yukito Kokonoe who had done it. Sanjoji remembered what Yukito Kokonoe had said. He said that we were all enemies, that’s what he said. Normally, I would have had to summon him right away. There was no way she could let him do all of this and not report it to his parents.

　But even so, even if she was sure it was Yukito Kokonoe, Suzuka Sanjoji hesitated.

　They had just framed him for a crime he hadn’t committed. They had just told his mother about a crime he hadn’t committed and advised her to tell him off. No matter how convinced they were, no matter how sure they were that Yukito Kokonoe was the culprit, they couldn’t treat him as the culprit when they had caused the false accusation and had no proof to back it up.

　So they hesitated.

　The next day, they postponed our plan to hear from Yukito Kokonoe.

　She tried to convince the students, but they were not convinced. She had made a mistake again. That lax judgment led to the assault this time. It was not a fight. It was a one-sided assault. He was crouched down weakly. It seemed to Suzuka Sanjoji and Misaki Himiyama that this was a scene they wanted to disbelieve, but the scene in front of them was the truth.

“It’s not me! Stop it! You’re hurting me!” (Yuki)

　Takayama and the others did not stop their assault even though they could see the teacher. No, they couldn’t stop. They were beyond the point of self-control.

[Kosuke Takayama PoV] 

　Ah, this is fun. Why is it so much fun to trample over the weak? Punching them, kicking them, and bringing them to their knees is the most fun of all. It’s the greatest entertainment in this space right now.

　It could be called a human instinct. Bare animal nature. No matter how mature human society becomes, it will never disappear. Everyone always wants to trap, trample, and bring others to their knees, if they have the chance!

　That’s why.

　To counter such violence…

　The only thing that can stop that kind of violence is…

　It was always–

　More violence.

　For a moment, Suzuka Sanjoji felt her gaze meet Yukito Kokonoe’s.

　At that moment, as if nothing had happened, Yukito Kokonoe stood up and kicked Kosuke Takayama away.

　He was kicked away, scattering the desk and chair.

“Eh?” (Himiyama)

　Misaki Himiyama couldn’t understand. No, a “?” was floating above the heads of everyone present. The classroom that had been so noisy was instantly enveloped in silence.

　Yukito Kokonoe bent Ito’s fingers backwards as he grabbed him and punched him.

“Gyaaaaahhh!” (Ito) 

　He punched Ito, who immediately let go of his hand.

“Wh-what the hell are you doing?” (Kitagawa)

　Unable to hide his upset at the sudden outburst, Kitagawa came at him, but even though he swung his punches, his lower body didn’t follow.

　In the first place, Yukito Kokonoe was accustomed to fights. The boy, who was unlucky in any way, had his fair share of experience being involved in such things. It was nothing special, and he felt it was nothing more than that. In order to confront the situation, he had been running and doing strength training on a regular basis. He didn’t think that he would be able to deal with someone who would just come at me with vigor and excitement.

　When he swung his unsteady leg, Kitagawa’s body easily collapsed.

　He dragged him down and kicked him away like a soccer ball.

“…… Guh!” (Kitagawa) 

　The desk and chair scattered again with a loud noise.

　Takayama wakes up with a look of confusion on his face, as if he doesn’t know what just happened. But the euphoria that he had been feeling earlier still overwhelmed him and he hit him.

“Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!” (Takayama)

　He kicks Takayama vertically in the knee, which hits him straight on, and he falls back with a thud. He slams the knee straight into his face.

“Pugya” (Takayama) 

　He collapsed, his voice unbearable to hear. His nose was bleeding. Yukito went on to grab Takayama by the hair and pull him up, slamming his face into the wall.

“…… Gah!” (Takayama) 

　No one was able to move. They didn’t know what was going on.

　And it was the same for Takayama and the others.

　I was supposed to be the strong one. I was supposed to be a hero. I was supposed to be the overwhelming presence that trampled down, brought to its knees, dominated and violated the weak!

　And yet, why, why?

　It’s me who’s being beaten now, isn’t it?

No matter how much I refused to understand, nothing would change, and the heat that had been arousing me was rapidly receding. Once I became calm and the adrenaline stopped flowing, all that awaited me was the reality of pain.

“Oh, by the way, Takayama. I don’t have my shoes, have you seen them?” (Yuki)

“Wh-what are you talking about….” (Takayama) 

　The cold, horrifying words reached my ears.

　That’s strange. Just a moment ago, you were begging so miserably, so haplessly!

　And yet, the man slammed his face into the wall again, seemingly unconcerned, as if none of that had ever happened.

“–Stop, stop!” (Takayama) 

　There was a dull crunching sound.

“You didn’t stop when I said that, did you? And did the thief steal my shoes?” (Yuki)

　He hit him again.

“Hey, Takayama. You know where they are, don’t you?” (Yuki)

　The torment in Takayama’s eyes had dissipated. What was in his eyes now was fear. The reality of unpredictable fear and pain overwhelmed his exuberant mood and made it shrivel up.

“Bring it to me.” (Yuki)

　He just told him that.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” (Takayama) 

　Kosuke Takayama ran out of the classroom, screaming and crying.

[Third person PoV]

He turned his face to his classmates, who had been agitated and screaming at him. He then walked over to them in a huff. Everyone wanted to run away. But their legs trembled and they couldn’t move. The world had changed in the blink of an eye, and they couldn’t keep up with it.

“Beat the crap out of him, right? So, that means I can hit you too, right?” (Yuki) 

“Eh? …… ah, no, …….” (Akari)

　He grabbed Akari Kazahaya by the chest.

　Cowering in fear, I couldn’t speak. It was heartbreaking to see my shoes soaked in water and the person who did it being beaten. I wanted him to suffer more. That’s why I was cheering. There was nothing wrong with me. That should have been the case, but why, why is this happening? (Akari) 

　As if she were unbound, Suzuka Sanjoji came to her senses and raised her voice.

“You can’t hit a girl!” (Sanjoji)

“We live in a world where men and women are equal.” (Yuki) 

“N-no, that’s not what I meant!” (Sanjoji)

She hurriedly approached Yukito Kokonoe and stopped him. He was grabbing her chest with frightening force. He managed to pull it off, but he did not return the favor at all.

“We’re equally guilty. One way or the other, I was getting beaten up. And these guys were encouraging it. Don’t you know? That’s violence, too. You saw it, didn’t you?” (Yuki) 

“T-That’s …….” (Sanjoji)

At this point, Suzuka Sanjoji finally realized. It was too late to come to that realization. The assault by Takayama and the others had started before they came to the classroom. And it continued even after they arrived. This boy had gone out of his way to show it to them.

To justify his actions, even though he could have bounced away from the beginning. And there was nothing wrong with what he was saying. Abetment, or aiding and abetting. No one was going to help him anyway. That only meant that they were all guilty of the same thing to him.

“What you did to me was also a violation of law.” (Yuki) 

“That’s ……!” (Sanjoji)

　There was no room for argument. That’s right. She was the cause of all this. She didn’t listen to a single word he said, and this is what happened.

“I’m going to beat the crap out of all of them now.” (Yuki) 

“What? ……! I didn’t do anything!” (Classmate)

“I don’t know them! They did it on their own!” (Classmate) 

　Evasion of responsibility, self-preservation. The crowd starts to buzz. Anyone would do that if they heard such words. They did it right in front of me. He’ll do it without a reason.

“No! You can’t be violent any more!” (Himiyama)

“What would you do then? My textbooks and the bag my mother made for me are in tatters. Isn’t this violence?” (Yuki) 

“Why did they do this horrible thing ……” (Himiyama) 

　Misaki Himiyama held the tattered cloth bag in her trembling hands. She could not look away, as if she was being told that this was her sin.

“Contact the parents of all these people. You can do that, can’t you? I contacted my mom even though I didn’t do it. But everything these guys have done is true.” (Yuki) 

　It was impossible to hide it anyway. Misaki Himiyama had no choice but to contact Takayama and his parents. But the boy in front of her seemed to have no intention of letting that be the end of it. What Yukito Kokonoe was saying was that he wanted them to tell all the parents about their foolish act and then have them come and apologize.

“Wa-wait! Please, just give me some time! I won’t pretend this never happened. This time, I want to hear your story properly!” (Sanjoji)

　Dismay, bewilderment, confusion. She can’t think of anything, she doesn’t know where to start. For now, all she can do is to try her best to put things in perspective.

“—-What are you making a fuss about?” (Toyama)

　The one who interrupted Suzuka Sanjoji’s thoughts was the vice principal, Toyama.

---

[Sanjoji PoV]

“Sanjoji-sensei, what’s this all about?” (Toyama) 

“No, this is …….” (Sanjoji)

　The vice principal, Toyama, asked Suzuka Sanjoji. But she couldn’t figure out how to respond, so she was at a loss for words.

　Why is the vice principal here?　I thought so, but with all the noise, the rest of the class would have heard it, and maybe the vice principal happened to be passing by and took notice. Either way, it was bad luck. I would have to wait until the situation calmed down a bit before I could explain.

“Oh, I’ve been waiting for you, vice principal.” (Yuki)

“You’re ……. Are you the one who caused all this trouble?” (Toyama) 

However, for some reason, it was Yukito Kokonoe who spoke to the vice principal, Toyama, in a friendly manner. Both Suzuka Sanjoji and Misaki Himiyama intuitively knew that this would be a bad idea. If that boy does anything, it can only go in the worst direction.

“No, I’m not. It was an one-sided beating.” (Yuki) 

“What? Explain it to me from the beginning.” (Toyama) 

　Even though he is unconcerned, Yukito Kokonoe has been beaten up so badly that he is a wreck. Even a casual observer can tell that this is not a lie. Toyama’s eyes grew stern, but Yukito Kokonoe continued as if it didn’t matter.

“Anyway, Vice Principal, can I ask you to repeat what you said yesterday?” (Yuki) 

“What are you talking about? Explain what happened.” (Toyama) 

“It will all become clear when the Vice Principal tells us. I beg you. Let me hear it again.” (Yuki) 

“What’s that about……?” (Toyama) 

Tohyama was caught off guard by Yukino Kokonoe, who bowed to him honestly.

“Hah. ……. I get it. Then what do you want to ask me?” (Toyama) 

“Thank you very much.” (Yuki) 

　Suzuka Sanjoji was beginning to understand what was about to happen.

In front of the classroom, Yukito Kokonoe continued to ask questions to the vice principal, Toyama.

“The Vice Principal passed by this classroom corridor after school three days ago, didn’t you?” (Yuki) 

“Yes, that’s right. I had plans to go to the warehouse down the street to get some supplies.” (Toyama) 

“What time was that?” (Yuki) 

“It was a little after 4:00 p.m., I think.……?” (Toyama) 

“Was there anyone else in the class at that time?” (Yuki) 

“Yes, there was only one student left. I remember I told him to be careful and go home without any accidents.” (Toyama) 

“Eh?” (Himiyama)

　It was Misaki Himiyama who spoke up.

　That day, class ended before 3 p.m. Students rarely stayed in class until around 4 p.m.

“Who is that student?” (Yuki)

“Yes? Right.…… Oh, it’s him.” (Toyama) 

　The vice principal, Toyama, looked around the class and pointed his finger at him. Kazuhiro Okamoto looked down and shuddered.

“Thank you, vice principal. One last question. Where was he at the time?” (Yuki)

“Hmm? He was sitting right there, getting ready to leave.” (Toyama) 

“It’s all settled now. You’re a great Vice Principal. You’re handsome, kind, and admirable. You are the mirror of a teacher! I respect you.” (Yuki) 

“Oh, that’s sudden. I’m grateful to you for saying so, but what in the world do you think you’re going to find out with information like that ……?” (Toyama) 

　Yukito Kokonoe approached Kazuhiro Okamoto and punched him in the face.

　Gash!

　And with a loud bang, Kazuhiro Okamoto was blown away.

“Wh! What are you doing? Stop it!” (Okamoto)

　But Yukito Kokonoe dragged Okamoto up and threw him to the front of the class.

“Vice Principal, the desk where Okamoto was getting ready to leave. It’s actually my desk.” (Yuki)

“What?” (Toyama) 

“Okamoto, you. What were you doing in my seat?” (Yuki) 

　At this moment, both Suzuka Sanjoji and Misaki Himiyama are mere bystanders. That’s why they can’t move. It’s as if they are the audience of a play. This means, in other words, that what he is doing is absolution.

“I didn’t do anything! I just happened to be sitting there–” (Okamoto) 

“You were getting ready to leave? What were you taking out of my desk? No, what were you going to put in there? You stole that woman’s compact, didn’t you?” (Yuki) 

“Y-you got it wrong! I–” (Okamoto) 

“You stole it” (Yuki) 

“No! I was going to return it back —-!” (Okamoto) 

There is no expression like a noh mask that didn’t twitch, whether it is acting or even threatening. However, the confession was confessing the sin more eloquently than anything else.

“That’s enough! What the hell happened tell me  right now!” (Toyama) 

Toyama, numbed by the situation, raised his voice.

　Yukito Kokonoe looked around and said.

“It’s easy, these guys got together and framed me for the crime. That’s it.” (Yuki) 

　”These guys.” Suzuka Sanjoji and Himiyama Misaki sensed that they were included in what Yukito Kokonoe had called them.

　Unexpectedly. For Kazuhiro Okamoto, there was no other way to put it. Scared by the growing commotion, Okamoto couldn’t even come forward to say that he was the culprit, he could only watch from the sidelines. But in the end, it was a crime.

“How could you……” (Toyama)

Toyama looked bitterly at him. Yukito Kokonoe had told them everything from the beginning. And neither Suzuka Sanjoji nor Misaki Himiyama could lie in such a situation. In the meantime, the crying Takayama came back with Yukito’s shoes, but Yukito hit him again, and there was another struggle, and the three who had been hit were moved to the infirmary.

“Fortunately, the Vice Principal witnessed the incident and saved the day, but I was going to consult a lawyer.” (Yuki) 

“Eh, a lawyer….” (Sanjoji)

“I didn’t touch the compact at all. So, the compact should have the fingerprints of the culprit on it.” (Yuki) 

“If that were the case……” (Sanjoji) 

She couldn’t hide her shock at hearing the word “lawyer” come out of a child’s mouth. If that had happened, the uproar would have spread outside the school and would have expanded dramatically. However, it was not Yukito Kokonoe who came up with such wisdom. Sekka Kokonoe had consulted with her sister to see what she could do to find the culprit. Sekka Kokonoe only mentioned it as one of the possibilities, and she didn’t order him to say it. It was just that Yukito Kokonoe took it in stride and said it.

“I understand the situation. Sanjoji-sensei, how did things get so tense? Don’t you think you could have done better?” (Toyama) 

“I understand. but…….” (Sanjoji) 

　That was exactly what Suzuka Sanjoji herself had asked herself over and over again. There must have been many times when she had to turn back before things got to this point.

And the infuriating thing was that it was Yukito Kokonoe who had given me that chance. He had reached out to us many times before today. To ourselves and to his classmates. There was a time limit. Until lunchtime, he said. But no one was going to help him. He presented the evidence that he was not the culprit. But no one believed him.

　The end result was the worst thing that could have happened. It was our own fault for pushing his hand away. Everything was our own fault and there was no excuse for it. I can’t imagine how much it hurt him, how much it angered him.

“But hitting him is wrong. You understand that, don’t you?” (Sanjoji) 

“Of course I do.” (Yuki)

　There was something that really bothered Suzuka Sanjoji.

“You didn’t have to go that far with Takayama-kun and the others, did you?” (Sanjoji) 

“What the hell are you talking about? Oh, I’m sorry. I misspoke.” (Yuki) 

“You…!” (Sanjoji) 

“Okay, look. I was being beaten one-sidedly. I couldn’t help it, I just fought back. I can’t afford to go easy on them.” (Yuki) 

　That’s a lie!

They all thought so. But there was no way they could blame it on a lie. After all, it was Takayama and the others who made the first move, and they were the ones who saw Yukito Kokonoe being beaten. As long as he doesn’t admit that it’s a lie, it will never be overturned.

　The absolution continues solemnly.

　Yukito Kokonoe turns his gaze toward her. What dark eyes. The eyes, tainted like a murky muck, do not reflect any emotion.

　Suddenly, she remembers. Come to think of it, he hasn’t called her “sensei” once today. She have not been called. She remembers what he said yesterday. Well, he is. In his mind, they are no longer teachers, but–

“You’ve been telling me a lot, that if you did something wrong, you should apologize. But none of you have apologized. Not you, not Takayama and his friends, not the people in this garbage classroom, not that thieving b*****d over there.” (Yuki)

　Misaki Himiyama looked up.

　In other words, they are confronted with the fact that they too have not carried out any of the things that they have been saying to Yukito Kokonoe.

“You are the liars.” (Yuki) 

---

[Misaki Himiyama PoV]

Since then, Suzuka Sanjoji and Misaki Himiyama have been living in hell. It took several days just to gather information about the situation. Days of going to the parents to apologize. Even the parents, who were furious that their own child had come home beaten, had no choice but to lower their raised fists when they heard what their child had done. They had only themselves to blame.

　Above all, the atmosphere in the class was terrible.

　Takayama and the others were scared and frightened, and they looked like different people. All they could do was looking at Yukito Kokonoe. All the scribbled textbooks had to be paid for. The culprits who slashed the cloth bag with a knife were Takayama and his friends, but Yukito Kokonoe beat them mercilessly again.

“Ko-Kokonoe-kun, it’s terrible of them to treat you like a criminal!” (Akari)

“Don’t talk to me. You’re annoying.” (Yuki)

Akari Kazahaya tries to flatter him, but it’s too late. Okamoto, the culprit behind all of this, became more and more isolated and lost his place, but no one could do anything about it, not even his homeroom teacher, Suzuka Sanjoji. After all the commotion, the rest of the class knew about it, and it was difficult to even move classes.

　Misaki Himiyama was at her limit. It was too much to bear for a mere educational intern. Still, her pride told her that she could not go on like this. She could not allow it to end like this, so she struggled to endure the little time she had left.

　How can she be forgiven? How can she be understood? She knew that even if she could escape here, Suzuka Sanjoji could not. She would have to continue to be the homeroom teacher in this broken class. That was another concern.

　Now, her relationship with Suzuka Sanjoji is not just that of senior and junior. A strange friendship had developed. Or perhaps they are accomplices in the same crime. They kept in close contact and talked about many things.

　Why did she decide to become a teacher?

　What did she want to do after becoming a teacher?

　She loves children.

　That’s why she believed it was her profession.

　She didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes.

　She didn’t want to hurt anyone.

　And yet, the reality was so heartless.

　She was too stupid.

　The only thing she could do to support herself was to believe that improving her relationship with him was the last thing she could do.

“Well then, today will be the last day for Misaki Himiyama. Please give a round of applause.” (Sanjoji)

　The clapping of hands echoed roughly. There was no sense of fulfillment, no sense of accomplishment, and there was nothing that could be regretted. Of course. All she has done is bring discord to this class and cause it to fall apart. She wished she had never come. Maybe it’s better that she was told that to her face.

　She greeted him in front of the students. When she look at him, he is indifferent. She doesn’t think he’s listening to her at all. But it couldn’t end like this. There was no way it could end.

　That’s why Misaki Himiyama went over to him.

　She bowed her head deeply.

“I’m really sorry. I should have believed in you. I should have listened to you. I know it’s unforgivable to apologize now. But still, please let me apologize. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused your parents.” (Himiyama)

　Whether he understood her or not, she couldn’t read anything from his expression.

“This is how I feel. I want you to read it when you get home.” (Himiyama) 

　She handed him the letter. It was the one that Misaki had written yesterday after staying up all night. She rewrote it over and over again. It was important to apologize in words, but she wanted to leave something tangible. She wanted to believe that what she had done so far was meaningful, even though it had come to this.

　A letter that contains all of her feelings.

　Perhaps this was Misaki Himiyama’s way of redemption, and at the same time, her naive desire to be forgiven.

　Yukito Kokonoe ignored her and headed straight for the exit of the classroom, carrying his school bag.

“Ah…..” (Himiyama) 

“Well then, goodbye.” (Yuki)

　This is how Misaki Himiyama’s heart was broken and she gave up her teaching career.

---