It only took a smile - Chapter 5- Bullied

“Yes, I am going!” Chihiro called out with a bright smile before rushing out of the house, her footsteps quick and eager as she headed toward the school.

She could still feel her mother’s gaze on her back, heavy and searching.

Chihiro knew she was worried—ever since that day a few nights ago when her mother accidentally walked into her room and saw it…those marks which she always tries to hide.

That was why Chihiro had been acting so lively lately, forcing smiles and laughter, pretending to be cheerful… pretending not to crumble.

But deep inside, she knew—

‘I think I failed.’ Her smile faltered as the memory of last night resurfaced.

Her father had been there. After all these years, he suddenly appeared, claiming he came to wish her mother a happy birthday.

But he had never done that before. Not once after their divorce.

Chihiro knew the truth. No matter how firm her mother’s decision to divorce Kenji had been, her feelings had never gone cold. She still loved him.

So, when she saw those marks on Chihiro’s body… she must have contacted him.

‘But it’s strange… he never asked me about it.’

Relief had settled in her chest. Her father had finally rebuilt his life—after prison, after locking himself away in silence for years. Two years ago, he joined a private hospital. Now he was a lead surgeon, respected, admired.

Chihiro didn’t want to ruin that. She didn’t want to destroy his new life by dragging him back into her own misery.

‘Just one more year… once I graduate, I’ll leave. I’ll leave behind these people, and these nightmares.’

Clutching the strap of her bag, she walked faster until the familiar outline of the school came into view.

Inside, the atmosphere instantly weighed her down. She lowered her head and made her way to the shoe lockers.

Once, she had been greeted warmly by classmates. Now, silence. Now, backs turned.

And she couldn’t blame them. Being friendly with her was enough to make someone a target too. That was why she never lifted her head, why she kept her eyes on the floor as she exchanged her shoes and trudged toward her class.

*Slide*

*SPLASH*

The moment she slid the classroom door open, icy water poured down her head. The shock made her shiver.

“Pfft—ahahahah!!” A loud, shrill laugh tore through the room. A blond-haired girl slapped her thigh, grinning widely, as if she had just witnessed the funniest thing in the world.

The rest of the class froze for a second… then lowered their heads, pretending not to see. Pretending not to hear.

Chihiro bit down on her trembling lip, removed the dripping bucket from her head, and quietly placed it in the corner of the room. She was about to step inside—

“AH!”

A sharp kick struck her from behind. Her body lurched forward, arms flailing.

*Crash!*

Her face slammed against the floor, pain searing through her nose and lips. The classroom erupted with muffled snickers, the sound of hands clapping over mouths failing to hide the cruelty.

“Move it, bitch.” The boy who kicked her sneered, stepping past as if she were nothing but garbage in his way.

Her cheeks burned with humiliation. Hands shaking, she scrambled to her knees, pulling down her skirt quickly. She didn’t dare look up.

But then, heavy footsteps stopped in front of her.

A shadow fell over her.

Crouching low, the boy wrinkled his nose dramatically. “Guh… you stink.” He dug into his pocket, pulled out a can, and sprayed directly into her face.

“Hhh—ahhh!”

Her eyes burned instantly. She cried out, covering them, tears mixing with the sharp sting of chemicals. The spray reeked of deodorant, suffocating, invading her nose and throat. She coughed, gasping for breath.

“Tch. Weak.” The boy straightened, bored, and strolled off as though she were nothing.

Then came another.

A pair of black shoes stopped in front of her.

Chihiro forced her swollen eyes open, and through the blur of tears, she saw long red hair cascading down and two cold, black eyes staring at her.

The girl’s lip curled. “Pathetic. As always.”

*Spat!*

Saliva hit her cheek. Chihiro froze, trembling.

The girl walked away without another glance, her hair swaying proudly as she returned to her seat.

The entire class—thirty students—had witnessed everything.

Not a single one moved.

Not a single one dared to call for help.

Not a single one stood by her side.

Silence reigned, heavier than the laughter, heavier than the blows.

And in that silence, Chihiro could only shake as the humiliation soaked into her bones.

Just then, the teacher stepped inside.

“Ah…what is this?” He groaned seeing the slimy liquid near the entrance.

The blond gyaru who was laughing earlier called out, “Chihiro caused it, sensei.”

The bald man frowned before saying, “Chihiro…you know you have to clean the mess you have caused, right?”

While weeping, she slowly got up.

There was no point in telling the man what exactly happened.

The two who entered the class last were not regular students. Their parents were big names in the business industry and also the lead funders of the school.

She got up and walked towards the door.

Through her blurry eyes, she saw a man standing there.

He was wearing the same uniform as the others, but she couldn’t see his face.

Chihiro was about to walk past him, when suddenly, a gentle voice came,

“Are you okay?”

She didn’t know why…why just a single gesture of kindness it all took and tears began to spill.

She shook her head and said, “No…nothing is…” Saying so, she walked away.

Naoto looked at her retreating figure, his gaze turning cold.

*******

A/N:- Thanks for reading.