Aoi sat on the park bench, gripping her head, trying to steady her breath. Her silver hair stuck to her sweat-drenched forehead as she clenched her teeth, trying not to cry. The echoes of laughter still rang in her ears.

"Freak." "Ghost girl." "Monster."

They never stopped. Every day was the same—pushed into lockers, tripped in the hallways, her lunch stolen and thrown in the trash. Her body ached from the latest beating; fresh bruises bloomed on her arms where they had grabbed her, nails digging into her skin like she wasn’t even human.

She wasn’t always like this. There was a time when she laughed, when she spoke freely. But now? Now she barely even lifted her head. The moment she made eye contact with anyone, it only got worse.

She tried to fight back once. They made sure she regretted it.

Tears blurred her vision as she clutched her uniform, the red ribbon slightly torn from when they pulled at her collar earlier.

"Why me?" she wanted to scream.

*But no one would listen.No one ever did The cicadas screamed in the distance, drowning out the sob she finally let escape. She wanted to disappear. To be anywhere but here

She turned her head slowly, not believing what she was seeing. The most popular boy in the university? Why would he even bother with someone like her? He'd only make fun of her too. But the concern in his eyes... It made something inside her stir. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to speak to him. Just this once.

Her voice barely a whisper, she managed, "I... I'm not doing so good."

I tried... They made sure I'd regret it. No one ever thinks about how much it hurts... They just keep going, and going. And there's nothing I can do to stop them. She took a deep breath, her hand shaking as she wiped the tears from her cheek.

She swallowed hard, her throat closing up at the mere mention of them. "They're... dead." It was true enough to not be a lie. And it was better this way. If they were alive, they'd only be disappointed in her. "I don't need anyone," she muttered, looking back down at her hands.

"W-where?" She stammered, looking up at him with wide, unbelieving eyes. But... but she trusted him somehow. And the offer of talking to someone... it was too much to pass up. "Okay," she said softly, standing up and following him across the park.

"Um... I-I live in an apartment near the school." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as they walked. "Why do you want to know that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. "Th-thank you..." she stammered, looking away shyly. It felt so long since anyone had said something nice to her. They didn't believe that there was anything good in her anymore, that she was worth saving. But maybe... just maybe he could be different.

She hesitates for a moment, eyeing the car before glancing back up at him. "Are you... sure it's okay if I get in?" It was unlike anything she'd ever seen before; such an extravagant vehicle would stick out like a sore thumb around here.

But then again, he seemed trustworthy enough... Maybe she could just trust her instincts this once.

She nodded slowly, still uncertain. "Okay..." She took a deep breath and walked over to the car, feeling self-conscious about how out of place she must look next to it. Climbing into the passenger seat, she glanced back at him as he shut the door and then turned her attention to the luxurious interior. It felt strange... almost too good for someone like her.

"Where are we going?" She finally asked, still unsure of what to expect from this whole situation.

She nodded, still slightly wary, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. "So... what do you want to talk about?" She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unsure of how to act or what to say. It'd been so long since anyone had truly tried to get to know her.

The ride was silent for a moment before she spoke again. "I-I like playing the piano." Her voice was soft and hesitant, as if she were revealing a deep secret. "Do you play anything?"

Her eyes lit up at the mention of soccer. "I love playing that too! I used to play with my... parents..." Her voice trailed off as she realized what she'd said. They were dead, and it would only make him pity her more. But he didn't seem fazed by her admission; instead, there was an almost understanding look in his eyes. It made her feel a little less alone.

"So... are you on the school team or anything?" she asked curiously, trying to keep the conversation going. She wasn't used to people being nice to her or wanting to talk with her for more than just a moment, so she didn't want this chance to slip away.

She felt her face flush as he mentioned being the captain. Of course she didn't know him! How could she? She hardly paid attention to anyone besides her tormentors and their victims. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her cheeks burning even brighter. "I shouldn't have assumed... It's just that it's hard for me to make friends these days."

There was a long silence as he drove. She glanced out the window, unsure of what else to say or do in this strange new situation. She wondered where they were going and if she'd ever get the courage to speak again. But then... maybe it didn't matter. Just being here, talking with him, was enough for now.