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

Aoi glanced over as the voice spoke to her, barely registering that it was another classmate. Her tears continued to fall silently as she tried to wipe them away with her sleeve. She didn't answer, unsure if she had the strength to speak up again today. The last thing she wanted was more attention or pity from anyone else

Hey...I'm not supposed to talk about it, okay? Just...leave me alone...please...

I...don't want to...make it worse...they always target me when I fight back...I just want them all to leave me alone....

I...don't want to say their names. Please just leave me alone....

I don't want to be alone...please just stay with me...it feels safer....

I'm sorry...just...please stay....They always come back when I'm alone....Please....

It...it doesn't matter. Nothing I say will change anything. They just keep hurting me....They hate me because I'm different....But it wasn't my choice....Please...just leave me alone....I don't want to talk about it anymore....

It's okay...I guess....Just please stay with me...until I feel better....Don't leave me alone again....

Please...I'm sorry....Don't get in trouble because of me....They never listen to anyone else anyway....Just....please stay with me....

Thank you...staying with me like this....It feels safer when I'm not alone....I don't know why they hate me so much....I never did anything to them....Why can't they just leave me alone?

I...don't think so....They never say anything nice about me even when I try to help them....It doesn't matter what I do....I can't change who I am....I just wish they would stop hurting me....And making me feel like this....

I know....It's not like they haven't seen me cry before....But I just...don't want to give them that satisfaction anymore....I have to be strong....For myself....Even if it hurts....

You're right...I have to be strong....But sometimes it's so hard....When I think about everything they do to me and how no one ever helps....I just want to give up....But I can't let them win like that....I won't....So, I'll keep on fighting....Until things get better somehow....Even if it takes forever.

I...don't really have anywhere else to go....My parents are always at work and I don't want to bother them with this stuff....And my friends just seem to vanish when things get tough....So, I come here....Just to be alone and try not to think about it all for a little while. But it never works....

Sometimes I wish there was someone who actually understood what it's like for me...but I guess that's just the way it is....I have to learn how to deal with it on my own.

Really? You'd be my friend? Even after what they said about me....I don't know if I can trust anyone right now....But it feels nice to think that someone might understand....Thank you, Harunai....It means a lot to me.

Perhaps...just maybe...things won't always be this bad....Maybe there is hope for a better future after all. And having a friend like you by my side would make all the difference in the world.

Oh....Harunai....Thank you...that means so much to me. You have no idea how much it hurts when everyone just keeps saying those awful things about me....It's hard not to believe them after a while....But knowing that someone out there sees the real me, well, it makes everything seem just a little brighter somehow.

I promise I'll do my best to be a good friend to you too. And maybe...just maybe...we can help each other get through this together. We don't have to face our problems alone anymore....As long as we have each other, nothing can stop us from being happy.

Smiling shyly, Aoi leans against her new friend, taking comfort in the unexpected kindness. "I hope so," she whispers, wiping another tear away. "It would be nice to finally have someone I can trust and rely on." She pauses, thinking for a moment before adding, "Even if we are both very different from each other."

As they sit together under the watchful eye of the cicadas, Aoi feels a small spark of hope ignite within her. Perhaps this won't be the end of things after all. Maybe there is still beauty and joy to be found in the world, even if it sometimes hides behind pain and sadness. And with Harunai by her side, she knows they can face whatever comes their way together.

No, thank you....I'm not really hungry anymore....But thank you for asking....You're such a sweet person, Harunai....I think I was lucky to have found you today....And I promise I won't take your kindness for granted. You deserve so much better than me and all my problems.

She pauses, gathering her strength, then continues, "But...if there is ever anything I can do for you, anything at all...please don't hesitate to ask. We're in this together now....And I want us to be happy together." Her voice trails off, but the sincerity in her eyes speaks volumes.

For now, she will take comfort in the knowledge that she isn't alone anymore and focus on cherishing every moment with Harunai. Perhaps, just maybe, they can build a beautiful friendship from the ashes of heartache and isol

Shaking with fear, she clutches at Harunai's hand, eyes wide with terror. Tears stream down her cheeks as she stammers, "P-please...help me..." She hides behind her new friend, seeking protection and comfort from the person who hurt her. The look in Aoi's eyes is a mix of fear and desperation, pleading for Harunai to keep them both safe.

Her heart pounds erratically as she whispers, "I-I don't know why they do this...why they keep hurting me..." Her voice trembles, betraying her fragile state. She leans harder into Harunai, seeking solace in the only person who seems to understand her plight.

"P-please," she whispers again, squeezing Harunai's hand tighter in a silent plea for protection and kindness. Despite

She sniffles, nodding shakily as Harunai promises to keep her safe. Tears stream down her face uncontrollably; her entire body trembles with fear and relief. The scent of blood mingles with the air around them, a somber reminder of past hurts and ongoing torment. Aoi's silver hair falls across her tear-streaked face as she burrows deeper into Harunai's protective embrace.

Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she whispers, "Thank you...thank you so much..." She clings to Harunai like a lifeline, feeling utterly helpless and exposed without her newfound friend by her side. The shadows seem to lengthen around them, enveloping Aoi in their protective fold as she cowers behind the only person who has shown her kindness today.

A shiver runs down

Her voice shakes with fear and anger as she tries to muster the courage to speak up against her tormentor. Tears stream down her face uncontrollably, mixing with snot and blood from where she has been beaten before. She clings tightly to Harunai's hand, finding strength in their touch as she manages to choke out, "Why do you always hurt me? What did I ever do to deserve this?"

Her body trembles with rage and terror, her once ethereal beauty marred by tears and injuries. The cicadas' shrill cries seem to echo in the distance, their mocking laughter adding to the agony Aoi feels deep within her soul. She squeezes Harunai's hand harder, silently pleading for protection and understanding from the one person who seems willing to listen.

Her words are barely audible over the pounding of her heart as she listens to Harunai stand up for her against their tormentor. She feels a surge of gratitude wash over her, followed by an unexpected flash of anger and determination. She clenches her fists, fighting back the urge to confront the man directly herself.

The man's face twists into a mask of rage as he lunges at them, only to be met with Harunai's swift defense. There is a sickening crunch as their fists connect, sending him sprawling to the ground in a heap. Aoi watches, wide-eyed, as Harunai stands over their fallen attacker, panting heavily but unharmed. Tears still streak down her face, but there is now a spark of defiance burning bright within her eyes.

She glances up at Harunai,

Still trembling, Aoi takes a deep breath and tries to wipe the tears from her eyes. Her voice shakes as she speaks, but there is a newfound strength behind her words. "Thank you...thank you so much for coming with me and standing up for me like that..." She squeezes Harunai's hand tighter, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

"I don't know what I would have done without you today..." she trails off, looking down at the ground. "You really are such a kind person." As they sit there in silence, Aoi can feel herself beginning to relax, the tension slowly draining from her body. For once, she doesn't feel alone. And for that, she will always be grateful.

"I...I'm sorry for putting you through all that..." she whispers, her voice barely audible. "It must have been so scary for you too." She pauses, gathering her courage, then looks up at Harunai with a tentative smile. "But thank you again. For being there and standing up for me. You're the best friend I could ever ask for." The words seem to catch in her throat as she continues, "I hope we can always be like this...looking out for each other, sharing our troubles."

There is a moment of silence between them, filled only with the chirping of birds and the soft rustle of leaves. Then, slowly but surely, Aoi feels herself beginning to relax completely, her body losing its rigidity as exhaustion finally sets in. As she leans against Harunai's shoulder, her eyes drift shut, allowing sleep to finally claim

Her eyes flutter closed as she nestles further into Harunai's embrace, feeling an unfamiliar sense of safety and warmth envelop her. "I hope...I hope I can make it up to you somehow," she whispers softly, her voice thick with sleep. "For putting you through all this..." But even as she speaks the words, she knows that she'll be forever grateful for Harunai's presence in her life. Even if things don't get better, at least now she has someone who understands. And isn't that what really matters?

As exhaustion finally claims her, Aoi allows herself to slip into a fitful sleep, the sound of Harunai's gentle breathing lulling her into a peaceful slumber. For once, she dreams not of bullies or pain, but of a world where kindness and friendship reign supreme. A world where she belongs

Her lips curve into a small smile as she feels Harunai's gentle touch on her cheek. "Am I?" She asks sleepily, still not quite fully awake. "What am I doing that's so funny?" Her eyelids feel heavy, and the world around her seems to spin in a lazy circle as exhaustion continues its persistent pull.

"Mmhmm..." Harunai hums, brushing his thumb across her lips in what she could almost swear was a teasing gesture. "Very cute." Aoi blushes despite herself, the feeling of warmth spreading from her cheeks to the rest of her body. She yawns widely, stretching her arms above her head before letting them fall back down against the ground.

"Thank you," she whispers as another wave of drowsiness washes over her. "I don't know what I'd do without

"Good night, Harunai," she murmurs, drifting back into sleep. As her consciousness fades, the last thing she feels is safe and warm, wrapped up in the embrace of her newfound friend. The sensation lulls her into a deeper slumber, and for once, her dreams are filled with nothing but peace and contentment.

Throughout the night, Aoi tosses and turns fitfully, her body adjusting to the strange sensation of feeling truly relaxed. She moans softly in her sleep, unaware that Harunai's hand moves gently through her hair, soothing her with a touch that seems almost magical. The sounds of crickets and the distant hooting of owls provide the perfect soundtrack to their restless slumber, their rhythms mimicking the ebb and flow of sleep itself.

As the morning light creeps through

The warmth from the sunlight on her face feels so comforting as it slowly peeks through the leaves above them. Her eyelids flutter open, revealing sleepy green eyes that gaze up at Harunai with a mixture of gratitude and confusion. She can't remember the last time she felt this rested, or this safe.

"Hey..." she yawns, stretching languidly before sitting up and looking around. "Where are we? Did we sleep here all night?" The thought makes her blush slightly, but she can't help feeling a sense of contentment spread through her. It's been so long since anyone has looked out for her like this.

Harunai laughs softly, brushing some stray hairs from Aoi's face. "We fell asleep in the park. But don't worry about it; I made sure nothing happened to you while we

Oh, my stomach is growling rather loudly now that I think about it. "Yes, actually...I am kind of hungry." She grins sheepishly up at Harunai, embarrassed by her obvious hunger but grateful nonetheless. "Well then," Harunai says with a smile, "how about we go find some breakfast? I know this great cafe nearby that serves the most amazing pancakes." He helps Aoi to her feet, careful not to touch her injured areas, and offers her his hand. "What do you say?" Aoi hesitates for only a moment before taking Harunai's hand, feeling a flutter in her stomach at the contact. "I'd like that," she says quietly, trying to hide the excitement in her voice. "Thank you again, Harunai...for everything."

"Oh! I didn't realize you got food already..." She blushes, feeling a little embarrassed at her own lack of awareness. "Thank you so much, Harunai...you really don't have to." Her stomach rumbles again in protest, making it impossible for her to sound anything but grateful.

Together, they walk through the park, heading toward the small café where Harunai had promised to treat her to breakfast. As they walk, Aoi can't help but marvel at how different this day has been from any other in recent memory. For once, she feels safe and cherished, her heart full of hope instead of despair. And all thanks to her newfound friend.

"So," she says after a while, trying to make conversation as they walk side by side. "What do you like to do for fun when you're not hanging out here?" She

Harunai grins at her question, "Well, when I'm not here in the park, I love to go hiking with my friends. The scenery is always beautiful and refreshing." His gaze takes on a distant look as he reminisces about his past adventures. "We often cook over an open fire and tell stories late into the night. It's one of my favorite things to do."

Aoi listens intently, her curiosity piqued by this image of Harunai being part of a group of close-knit friends. She wonders if she could ever be part of something like that too, or if her past would always keep her isolated from such experiences. "That sounds really fun," she says wistfully, "I wish I could go hiking with you sometime."

"Well, maybe once we've both recovered from our injuries, we could give it a