I Was Blackmailed Into Accepting Bullying Using My Childhood Friend as Leverage, But When I Found Out My Friend and Bully Were Together, I Abandoned All Compassion and Swore to Take Revenge with Everything I Had - Chapter 09: Choosing the Right Path? It's Impossible to Save My Heart

Chapter 09: Choosing the Right Path? It’s Impossible to Save My Heart

Note: This work contains depictions of violence and sexual content, but it does not promote any of these actions.

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That night…

Through an acquaintance who was a judicial scrivener, whom I met when I started earning an income as a novelist, I managed to contact a board member of the prefectural board of education. From there, after pulling some strings, I was finally given the opportunity to have a video conference today with the Minister of Education.

Officially, it was presented as a discussion with the highly popular high school author who is currently making waves about his views on the current state of schools.

“I see, Fudo-sensei, so you’re still a high school student, and you’ve been writing since middle school. On top of that, you have a stockpile of written works equivalent to ten years’ worth. Truly, you are a genius, a modern literary master.”

The minister, who was as old as my grandfather, spoke to me with respect.

“That’s true, but my personal life hasn’t been as happy as the stories in my novels.”

I told the minister in detail about the severe bullying I faced at school, how I was treated in class, and how the teachers, fearing the names and authority of the bullies, didn’t help me. I also explained that my childhood friend, whom I thought I was protecting from Iketsuki for personal reasons, had actually been in a physical relationship with him, engaging in sexual acts in the classroom. They even defiled the last keepsake I had from my deceased mother, a cherished diary, in a horrible way.

When I mentioned my diary, I could hear the murmurs of what seemed to be bureaucrats behind the minister, off-screen.

“Fudo-sensei… no, perhaps it’s better to call you Komada-kun at this point. We are truly sorry for what you’ve gone through.”

I heard the sound of fabric brushing against the microphone, and the minister disappeared from the screen. He was probably bowing in apology over the phone.

“No, there’s no need for you to apologize, Minister. I just want you to know that someone needs to deliver justice to the trash who abuses their parents’ social status to trample on the weak without a second thought. And also to the trash that secretly had a relationship with that bully, while knowing full well that I was being tormented, and then joined in to mock me—my so-called childhood friend.”

After a heavy silence, the minister took a deep breath and began to speak again.

“My role is to ensure that Japan’s educational environment becomes a more meaningful and nurturing place for the young people who will shape our future. The humiliation and violence you endured are absolutely unforgivable, but I cannot condone you resorting to the same actions as they did.”

“I see… Minister, you are a person of such integrity that I wish you would become the future leader of this country. Aside from my own mother and my aunt, you are the first adult I’ve met who deserves respect. What you say is fair and the right response.”

“”However…””

The minister and I both spoke words of disagreement at the same time.

“Komada-kun, I cannot approve of your actions, but… I sense from your demeanor that mere words of apology are no longer enough.”

“Minister, I take full responsibility for my actions. I just want you to understand that there are people in this world who shamelessly trample on others’ dignity, using the law as their shield.”

A silence lingered between us…

“My conversation with you has been one of surprise and deep reflection. I can only hope that a talented young man like yourself will be properly recognized, choose the right path, and use the remarkable talents given to you by God for the good of the world.”

I bowed deeply over the phone. 

“Minister, I deeply apologize for taking up your valuable time. As a mere high school student, I am truly grateful for the time you’ve given me.”

With that, I quietly ended the call.

It’s impossible to save my heart now, Minister.