The next morning, Ishida Shoya walked into the classroom under a wave of strange gazes from his classmates—but he didn't care. He tossed his bag into his desk and bolted outside to play like always.

Not long after, Akira and Shouko stepped into the classroom and were making their way to their seats when a familiar figure burst through the door.

"Haha... I can't believe our class actually took first place! Akira, aren't you jealous?"

Miu Matsuoka beamed with smugness, arms crossed. Since she'd known Akira, he had always come first—until now. But this time, she had won, and that felt pretty great.

Before Akira could answer, Shouko quickly grabbed her arm and whispered:

"Mui, don't say that right now… someone might hit you."

"It's fine," Miu said softly, patting her chest. "I believe Akira will protect me."

Akira rolled his eyes and replied dryly, "No, no, Miu Matsuoka, you're thinking too much. If someone hit you, I might even sneak in a few punches myself."

Miu blinked in mock horror, lowering her voice. "I see what this is… you're jealous that I stole your spotlight, huh?" She wrapped her arms around herself like she was trembling.

Akira scoffed and rested his head on his desk, clearly unbothered.

Miu shrugged, pulled over a chair, and sat beside Shouko, happily chatting. Sahara Miyoko joined a little later.

Five or six minutes passed before an angry shout tore through the hum of voices.

"Shimada, what was that supposed to be yesterday?!"

The classroom froze. All heads turned. Crew Cut Guy had grabbed Shimada Ikki by the collar, seething with fury.

Shimada hesitated, then glanced around the classroom. Sizing up the shifting stares, he made a decision. In a soft, wronged tone, he said:

"Yesterday, Ishida forced me. I was just going to the restroom—he was the one who dragged me out."

The class blinked. Silence fell—until someone backed him up.

"I think Shimada might be telling the truth," Yuki chimed in. "He's never been in trouble before. And he's always nice to people."

More students nodded. Shimada didn't have a bad record, after all.

Even Crew Cut Guy seemed unsure—until he remembered how Shouko had cried the night before. His face twisted, and without another word, he punched Shimada in the jaw and stormed back to his desk.

Shimada rubbed his cheek, muttered a few more "innocent" lines, and then quietly returned to his seat—conveniently shifting his desk away from Ishida's spot.

The class saw that and filled in the blanks themselves. "He must've been dragged into it," someone whispered. "Ishida just didn't want to get scolded alone."

From where he was lying, Akira watched it all with narrowed eyes. He'd expected Shimada to turn on Ishida, but this? This fast? Their six-year friendship… it really had meant nothing.

"Shimada, why are you sitting way over there?"

A few minutes later, Ishida Shoya returned with Hirose Keisuke. Spotting the empty seat beside him, he looked around, confused.

Shimada didn't answer.

"I said—"

SLAM. The classroom door banged open. Mr. Takeuchi stormed in, a Japanese language textbook in hand. He hurled it onto the podium with a sharp crack, sending a cloud of chalk dust into the air.

The room fell still.

Akira noticed something: bruises—barely visible—on either side of Takeuchi's face. Someone had hit him. Hard.

Takeuchi's eyes scanned the room and locked onto Ishida's indifferent expression. His face darkened.

SLAM. SLAM. SLAM. He pounded the textbook again.

"Ishida and Shimada. Stand. Explain. Now!"

Both stood slowly.

Neither said a word.

With a snarl, Takeuchi snatched the textbook and hurled it at Ishida—missing him, but making him flinch.

"You're so talkative usually—what, cat got your tongue now?!"

Ishida hesitated, mouth opening—

But Shimada cut in, voice trembling:

"I didn't want to leave. Ishida made me. I—I swear I wanted to come back."

His voice cracked. He even sounded like he was crying.

Ishida stared at him, shocked.

So did Hirose.

Akira frowned. Even from here, he could see the betrayal on Ishida's face. And the confusion. Like something just snapped inside him.

Takeuchi narrowed his eyes but waited. Still, Ishida said nothing.

Shimada sniffled, muttered a few more self-pitying lines, then ran from the classroom like a weeping heroine in a soap opera.

A few more students added their voices to defend Shimada. Even Crew Cut Guy, who'd hit him earlier, mumbled something in his favor.

"Say something, Ishida!" Takeuchi barked.

"I... I... didn't…"

He stumbled over the words. Lost.

Takeuchi clicked his tongue. "Fine. If you're too ashamed to talk here, let's discuss this in the office. Everyone else, self-study. Ito, go get Shimada."

Without waiting for a reply, he stormed out of the classroom.

Ishida trailed behind, quiet and pale.

---------------

POWER STONE!!!

Support me at patréon com/Lukas25