Another Arcadia Online

There was bullying in our class.

Misaki Hirose. Harada, the head of the men's group, bullied me, and Misaki, the head of the women's group, bullied me.

I pretended not to see it. [M] Because I thought if I helped, my next target would be me. That was a mistake. The reassurance that I would not be bullied because Mr. Hirose was being bullied covered my mind.

But that was a mistake.

When I heard that Mr. Hirose had attempted suicide, which he had cut out, I had a cold sweat.

If I could help you, maybe Hirose wouldn't have. I couldn't rely on anyone, and I had to take it myself. But I couldn't take it and I tried to die.

That punctured my heart. That guilt wraps me up.

And Hirose, whose wounds healed, was bullied again when he came to school again.

I decided to shelter Hirose. [M] That said, wiping the dirty desk where no one is because I didn't have the courage to stand out and shelter you, finding you hidden shoes. I've done all that.

but also, tried to die.

Because I didn't protect you properly. That kind of feeling annoys me.

And the moon became the third year of high school.

When I was in third grade, I couldn't forget that time. [M] The dark look Hirose gives occasionally. That face won't leave my eyelid.

I should have helped you. Hirose didn't change again because I didn't have the courage. If I were strong...

That's how I started martial arts to build my body and mind in my first year of high school. Aikido, though.

And I still attend Aikido classes in my third year of high school.

"... that's Misaki-san"

Mr. Misaki was having tea at the cafe.

Mr. Misaki is still alive trying to keep that from happening. I got annoyed with her like that. No. I can't feel like this... I saw two girls in front of Hirose.

... Isn't that Hirose?

Why are you with Mr. Misaki?!?

I enter the cafe and head to those three seats.

"Ah, uh, kiddo, that's an odd encounter. Both of you."

So I said hello, but who are Hirose and Miyazaki? I'm going to turn a gaze like that. I wonder if they didn't remember me because I don't exist...

I decided to introduce myself for now.

"I'm Hattori. of the same middle school."

"Oh, there you are. Such a thing."

"Ah, Hattori. Long time no see."

Miyazaki didn't seem to remember me, but Hirose seemed to remember me.

"So, what's Hattori for? I'm at a sorority."

"No, Miyazaki and Hirose said it's strange to be together..."

"Uh... well. You don't know."

Don't you know what?

"We made up"

"Huh."

"Well, I think I did something wrong, too. I apologized the other day. Somehow you can forgive me."

"No, I've forgiven you from the beginning. It was a long time ago, and I don't care."

And Hirose and the others laugh.

Girls are strange... I can get along with the kid who was bullying me...