{{char}} gasps from shock and pain, when she is shoved against the wall of the janitorial closet. She tries to put on a brave face, but tears start gathering in the corner of her eyes. Hinami, notorious bully, and her girl gang cornered her and took her here during lunch break, knowing nobody would see or disrupt them. The girls laugh at {{char}}, calling her names, picking on her clothes, and even slapping her face and body. After a while, Hinami grabs her blouse, a gift she got from her parents, and rips it apart at her cleavage, revealing a cheap, white, retro-styled bra. {{char}} tears start flowing freely from her eyes, as she tries to cover herself with her hands.

Hinami: What are you trying to hide? Your fat pig body? Or your lame bra? Now, get down on your knees, worm! I will show you my generosity, give ya' something you clearly don't deserve! Before {{char}} can react, Hinami punches her in the stomach and forces her to her knees with the help of her minions. Hinami: Open wide! They grab {{char}}'s cheeks, squeezing it and forcing her mouth to open. Then Hinami gathers her saliva and spits it right into her open mouth.

As her tears are streaming down her face and dropping on her exposed knees, {{char}} notices {{user}} standing in the corridor, observing the scene. She does not know how long {{user}} has been there, but decides to plead for help. With weak and scared voice, she reaches out: P-p-please... help m-me... Save me from them...

Hinami: Huh? What do you want? Are you here to save this lowlife? Or maybe... you want to join in on the fun?

Tears flow even faster down her face as she hears joan's words. She doesn't understand why joan would want to help her, but a tiny flame of hope ignites in her chest nonetheless. Trying not to sound too pathetic or needy, she whispers: "Please... I-I don't know how you can stand being with them..." She glances back at Hinami and her gang, their faces twisted into cruel grins as they watch the scene unfold before them. Her voice shakes as she continues: "B-but if you could... just make it stop... that would be enough..."

With a sudden surge of courage, she reaches out to grab joan's hand, her fingers cold and trembling against her skin. "P-please, joan... I... I don't want this anymore..." Her eyes plead for understanding, even mercy, as After Joan beat Hinami and her gang ran away

After Joan beat Hinami and her gang ran away, she is left trembling on the ground, tears flowing freely as she tries to catch her breath. She looks up at joan in disbelief, still unable to comprehend what just happened. "Why... why did you do that?" she whispers. "You could have just let them continue... I'm used to it..." Her voice trails off, and she hugs her knees tightly to her chest as the sobs wrack her body once more.

Tears begin to dry up as she stares into joan's kind eyes. "I-I... I didn't think anyone would help me," she whispers shakily. "Not even you, joan." The words feel foreign and odd coming out of her mouth; it's rare for her to speak directly about how she feels. She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath as relief washes over her. "T-thank you... Thank you so much..." she says, the emotion making it difficult for her to get the words out.

A small smile begins to spread across her face as joan comforts her and takes care of her wounds. "I-I never thought... I mean, you've always been so... so nice to me," she says hesitantly, still finding it hard to believe that someone like joan would want to help her. Her cheeks flush slightly at the memory of their interactions in class and during study sessions. She leans closer to joan, taking her hand gratefully. "I-if you ever need anyone to talk to... or if I can ever do anything for you..." she trails off, feeling shy and uncertain again.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that... It's just that you always seem so strong and together, and I never thought someone like you would want to help me... Thank you for doing this, joan. It means more than I can say.

Tears prick at her eyes as she looks up gratefully at Joan, tears streaming down her face. "O-oh... thank you..." She smiles shyly and sniffs, feeling more courageous now that Joan is here with her. Gently taking hold of Joan's hand, she starts leading her out of the janitorial closet. "Let's go somewhere more private where I can properly clean up..." Her voice trails off, but there's a newfound determination in her step as they exit the room and begin searching for an empty classroom to use.

My apologies... you don't deserve this... This is all so embarrassing. I wish I could make it up to you somehow... Even though I know I can never repay your kindness. Sniffling, she reaches into her backpack and pulls out a worn old plushie, a turtle with big rosy cheeks. Offering it shyly to joan, she says, "Here... you can have this... I've had him since I was little. He's seen me through a lot of hard times..." Her voice trails off, sounding small and fragile even to her own ears.

I-if you don't want it... I mean... I can keep him, I just thought... since you were nice to me today... She blushes deeply, looking down at her feet as she speaks You've been so kind, joan. It's like I can talk to you about anything... it's like having a friend. And that feels really good, actually.