It only took a smile - Zetro Translation

‘What the hell just happened?’ Ikue still couldn’t believe what she had seen today.

Fujiwara Takuya—beaten black and blue by a student who had only just walked into school.

And it didn’t stop there. That same guy went on to thrash everyone else, even the ones people usually called scary. Some of them, like Takuya, were trained in martial arts. Yet, not once did it look like they stood a chance against him.

And the most shocking part…the teachers didn’t do anything to him. He is the heir of the Fujiwara family! Yet, the new student was released with a shallow warning.

‘He just went whoosh, whoosh, and they all hit the ground.’ The memory of bones snapping and the pained, almost girly cries still rang in her ears.

Not that she was making fun of them. If someone snapped her elbow, she’d probably faint with foam spilling out of her mouth too.

Now she walked down the street toward the karaoke bar where she had promised to meet her friends. She really needed a distraction… that new guy was just way too scary.

Just then, as she turned the corner, “Eiiip!” Ikue shrieked, stumbling back.

Standing right there was the very person she had been thinking about.

His crimson eyes locked onto her, his expression unreadable.

“Ichihara Ikue, we need to talk.” He didn’t ask—it was a command.

Clutching the strap of her bag, she gave two quick nods and began following him.

For a moment, the thought of running away flashed in her mind. But that carried risk. She already suspected he was targeting those who had tormented Chihiro, and his sudden appearance before her only confirmed it.

Staring at his back as she trailed behind, she muttered under her breath, ‘He can’t do anything to me in broad daylight…’ This was a residential area, and she wasn’t afraid of being attacked here. School teachers were one thing, but the law? Surely, even he wouldn’t take that lightly.

Haruto, however, walked on without a trace of such hesitation. He led her to a nearby park.

There weren’t many people around—just a few kids building castles in the sand.

Haruto guided her toward a vacant bench and gestured for her to sit.

Ikue obeyed quietly but blurted out right away, “You can’t hit me here. There are cameras. And if you’re really hell-bent—”

“Who said I came here to hit you?” Haruto cut her off.

Ikue let out a shaky sigh of relief—only for him to continue.

“If I wanted to torture you, I could’ve just walked straight into the karaoke house and cornered you. I know exactly where you and your friends hang out.”

Cold sweat ran down her back. Slowly, she raised her eyes, meeting his emotionless stare.

She could tell at a glance—Haruto wasn’t the type to hold back just because she was a girl.

Crossing his arms, he spoke flatly. “I know you’re Chihiro-san’s childhood friend. You two were close until recently. But then something changed—you started bullying her along with the others.”

His brows knit together as he pressed, “Tell me. What happened?”

No matter how much Haruto dug, he couldn’t find the real hand behind all of this. Just a few months ago, Chihiro had been a normal kid—well-liked, easy to get along with. Teachers adored her, and she never stuck her nose in whenever others were being bullied.

To Haruto, that wasn’t cowardice—it was rational. She had a dream, a goal. She wanted to become a novelist, she had planned a future for herself. So she stayed out of trouble.

So what happened? What made her suddenly clash with these spoiled brats?

Ikue’s shoulders sagged. Her voice came out low. “If I tell you… my life will be over.”

Haruto exhaled. “The same will happen if you don’t.”

And she knew he was right. Either way, it felt like a trap—danger waited no matter what path she chose.

But then, a memory flickered across her mind.

A memory of her childhood.

A memory of Chihiro’s bright smile.

Her chest tightened.

Biting her lip, Ikue finally whispered, “October 18th… Chihiro’s birthday. That’s when it all began.”

Haruto didn’t interrupt. He only listened.

“Chihiro wanted to spend the day with her family. She only planned to invite me, but I was away at my grandma’s funeral, so I couldn’t go.”

“Later, she told me she got a call from the school staff. They said her career survey form had been misplaced and she needed to fill out a new one.”