Arthur woke up to a voice.
“Hey, Arthur. Breakfast is ready. You know you have school.”
For a moment, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Her voice was gentle.
Familiar.
Normal.
Too normal.
Inside his head, another voice responded quietly—not like a thought, but like a fact being confirmed.
I am Arthur.
A middle school student.
He got out of bed and got ready without really thinking about it. His body moved on its own, following a routine he didn’t remember learning.
Soon, he stepped outside.
The morning air was cool against his skin as he started walking toward Nagohara Public School.
The streets were already alive.
People passed by in small groups, talking, laughing, complaining about nothing important. Their voices blended together into a dull hum. Faces were bright under the morning light, relaxed and full of ease.
Arthur slowed his steps.
He watched them carefully.
The way they smiled.
The way they laughed without hesitation.
Something about it felt… off.
His chest tightened slightly, though he didn’t know why.
How could they be so happy?
When Arthur reached school, he saw students greeting each other.
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“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
Their voices were cheerful. Light.
No one looked at him.
It was as if he didn’t exist.
Arthur walked to his seat and sat down quietly. As always, he chose the middle front bench. Close enough to be seen—yet still invisible.
No one even knows me.
Classes passed in silence.
Then lunch break came.
Arthur left the classroom and headed toward the restroom. Around him, students gathered in groups, talking loudly, laughing, sharing food and stories.
Everywhere he looked, there were voices.
Just not for him.
There was no one to talk to.
He stepped into the toilet.
The noise faded behind him.
Inside, the air felt heavier.
That’s when he saw them.
The bullies glanced up.
Their eyes locked onto him.
They smirked.
“Well, look who’s here,” one of them said.
“Hey, it’s the quiet freak.”
Arthur froze.
His heart sank as they started walking toward him.
His body tensed, instinct screaming at him to step back. For a brief moment, his feet refused to move.
But then—
He forced himself forward.
Not out of courage.
Not out of confidence.
He walked toward them slowly, his steps stiff and uncertain, his eyes lowered as if he were bracing for what was coming.
That was when the punch came.
A fist slammed into his face.
Pain exploded through his nose, and warm blood immediately began to drip down. Arthur staggered back, but he didn’t fall.
One of the bullies turned toward another boy—the one already being bullied.
“Alright, you little nerd,” he sneered.
“If you beat up this loner freak, we’ll let you go.”
The second bully laughed loudly.
“Oh, that’s a great idea.”
Arthur stayed silent.
Blood ran past his lips.
Then he spoke, quietly.
“I’ll give you money,” Arthur said.
“Just let him go… and let me go.”
For a moment, there was silence.
Then they burst out laughing.
“Ohhh, the loner freak—”
One of them stepped closer, grinning, while the others laughed behind him.
“Alright then,” he said.
“Sounds fair. You pay us… and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
Their laughter echoed off the bathroom walls.
Arthur lowered his head.
Arthur lowered his voice.
“I will,” he said.
“But meet me at the back of the school… after class ends.”
For a moment, the bullies just stared at him.
Then they glanced at each other.
The second bully shrugged.
“Okay.”
After class ended, Arthur went to the back of the school.
The place was quiet.
Too quiet.
No teachers.
No students.
Only the cold air and the sound of his footsteps.
They were already there.
Three figures standing together, relaxed and confident—like they already knew how this would end.
Arthur stopped a few steps away.
His heart pounded.
He swallowed and forced his voice out.
“Come closer.”
Bully 1 stepped forward.
Just one step.
Arthur moved.
His foot shot out and slammed straight into the bully’s crotch.
The impact folded him instantly.
Arthur jumped back as the scream ripped through the air.
Bully 2 charged next, fist raised.
Arthur struck first.
His punch crashed into the bully’s jaw, snapping his head sideways and sending him stumbling back.
Then—
Bully 3 rushed in.
Too slow.
Arthur twisted and drove his fist into his face.
The blow dropped him on the spot.
Silence followed.
Should I countinue this
