It only took a smile - Chapter 7- Can\'t keep up

Chihiro sat stiffly in her seat, the most anxious soul in the classroom, her eyes drifting again and again to the boy beside her.

He was new. A transfer student. He had chosen the empty desk next to hers, not knowing how cruel a mistake that was.

Everyone who had ever tried to sit with her, to speak kindly to her, or even show the smallest warmth… had been crushed, broken, and left with scars. At some point, she had even forced herself to avoid looking at people, stealing only brief glances, afraid that even her gaze might drag them into her misery.

Her life hadn’t always been like this. Just two years ago, she was living the high school days she had dreamed of—quiet, simple, filled with hopes of graduation and the future that waited after. She wanted to enter a good university, to lose herself in literature, to follow the ordinary but beautiful path she had built in her heart.

But then, someone appeared. An obstruction. No—worse than that. A nightmare. Because of that person, everything had changed.

The same high school that once felt like a second home now felt like a bad dream she couldn’t wake up from. Every day was a trial. Every day she was only counting down the hours, the weeks, the years—until it was finally over. Until she could run far away, and start over.

But now… that wasn’t her only worry.

Her deskmate was in danger.

The boy looked decent, like someone from a good family, and he was new to this place. He didn’t know the rules of survival here. If he got tangled up with them… if he tried to defend her… his life would turn into the same hell as hers.

Her chest tightened. “It’s bad… It’s already the fourth period,” she thought. Lunch break was near. That was always the time they cornered her. She could handle it—she always did—but what about him? What if he tried to interfere?

The thought stabbed her deeper. What if he ended up like Ryouta? What if he became just another person ruined because of her?

No. She couldn’t let that happen.

Her hands trembled as she pulled out a small sheet of paper. Without a sound, she scribbled a note, then carefully slid it across the desk.

She chose this way on purpose. Too many eyes were already watching the new boy. If she spoke to him, even a whisper, it would only paint a target on his back.

So she prayed the note would be enough.

Naoto unfolded the note with calm fingers. The handwriting was delicate, rushed, as though written under the weight of fear.

*Please ignore me during lunch time. And if possible, change your desk… it is for your own good.*

His eyes lingered on the words before a faint smile touched his lips. Slowly, he looked at the girl beside him.

Chihiro was already staring at him, her gaze trembling, filled with fear and desperation. She looked like a cornered bird, fragile and waiting for him to push her away.

Naoto held her eyes for a moment, then gave a small nod. That simple gesture was enough.

Her shoulders dropped in relief, and she let out a soft breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. At least he understood. At least he wouldn’t—

*Bzzz*

The buzzer rang, shattering the fragile moment as the teacher announced the end of the period.
“Revise the portion I told you,” the teacher said before leaving the room.

Chihiro’s throat tightened as she swallowed hard. Lunch break. Thirty minutes. She only had to survive thirty minutes. If she could make it past that, she could slip out through the back route after school, avoid their eyes, avoid their hands.

Just thirty minutes. She clenched her fists beneath the desk.

*Clank.*

She flinched. Her deskmate had opened a small black lunchbox, and the scent of fried chicken spread warmly through the air. He turned to her with a smile.

“Want some?”

Her cheeks flushed, and she shook her head in a panic. Just then,

*TWANG!*

Something sharp struck her head, making her wince. A snicker followed.

“Move your ass and bring me lunch,” Takuya’s voice rang from behind, cruel and commanding.

“Sweet bun for me!” Ikue added, her tone dripping with mockery. “And don’t forget to hand over the rest of your money. I’m hitting karaoke later.”

Chihiro’s nails dug into her palm as she bit her lip. She had lied to her mother, telling her she needed the extra pocket money for books and supplies. But all of it… all of it ended up in their hands.

‘I’m sorry, Mom…’

Her apology echoed only inside her heart, where no one could hear.

“C-Can you move a little?” Chihiro asked softly, her voice almost swallowed by the noise of the classroom.

The boy beside her didn’t shift an inch. He simply continued eating, chopsticks moving with unhurried grace.

Her chest tightened. She tried again, a little firmer this time.
“Um… I need to hurry. Please, can you move?”

Still, he gave no response.

Chihiro’s heart began to pound. She risked a glance toward Takuya. His expression was already darkening. Making him wait would only make things worse.

Her pulse quickened as panic rose in her throat. This time, she forced her voice louder, trembling but desperate.
“Can you move?!”

At last, the boy looked up. His gaze was calm, steady.
“You have your own bento, don’t you? Why not eat it?”

The words struck her harder than a slap. Her lips parted soundlessly. Why was he saying that? Why was he dragging himself into this? Couldn’t he see what was happening? Couldn’t he understand what kind of hell she lived in?

Before she could even form an answer, Takuya’s growl cut through the air.
“Just move already, bitch!”

He yanked off his shoe and hurled it toward her with a vicious cry.

Chihiro flinched, arms rising instinctively to shield her face. She braced for the sting, the laughter that would follow—

But the pain never came.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

A hand was there. His hand. Held out in front of her face, fingers tightly gripping the shoe that never touched her.

The entire class froze. The air grew heavy, all eyes locked on the transfer student as he calmly rose from his seat.

Naoto’s gaze shifted, steady and unshaken, locking onto Takuya, who was already seething with rage.

‘Haah… forgive me, Kenji-san….but I can’t keep my cover for long.’

******

A/N:- Thanks for reading.