The news spread like wildfire.
"Breaking News: A bullying case involving Yuzuki has come to light. The victim has filed charges against four girls from Renshou High. In light of this scandal, the school will remain temporarily closed as the administration re-evaluates its discipline and anti-bullying measures."
The entire country was watching. Even students, even families—everyone had their eyes on Renshou High.
---
Scene: The Park Near Their Houses
Airi sat alone on the swing, staring blankly at the ground. The rustling wind carried the scent of summer grass.
"Airi!" a familiar voice called.
Hikari came running toward her. She looked nervous, unsure, and yet determined.
"Hikari…" Airi looked up, blinking slowly as if waking from a long dream.
"All of it happened so fast," Hikari whispered, voice trembling. "I didn't realize what was going on. I—I should've believed you. I was such an idiot to trust that bastard…"
Her head hung low in shame.
Airi gently cupped Hikari's face and lifted it.
"You don't have to apologize," she said, her voice calm, forgiving. "You're my best friend. So I forgive you."
Hikari's eyes welled up, and she smiled. "Thank you, Airi…"
Just then, another voice chimed in.
"Hey, you two!"
It was Sakura—and beside her stood Renji.
"What are you doing here?" Hikari asked, eyes narrowing at them.
"Same as you," Sakura replied with a small grin. "We just wanted some fresh air."
"Yeah," Renji added. "After everything that's happened, we figured a walk might clear our minds."
They all looked up at the sky together, watching the clouds slowly drift by.
"It's so relaxing," Airi said softly.
"Huu…" Everyone exhaled together and nodded.
Renji sighed and murmured, "Yuuta should come too. He needs this kind of peace."
The moment he said it, he felt three glares on him.
He turned slowly to see Airi, Hikari, and Sakura all staring at him.
"Did I… say something wrong?" he asked, sweating nervously.
"Forget it," Hikari muttered. Then, turning to Airi, she added, "Hey, how did you even find out Takamura was the one spreading those rumors about you? Yesterday, when you confronted him—how did you know?"
Airi's expression darkened slightly.
"Yuzuki told me," she replied. "She suddenly called me and confessed everything. At first, I couldn't believe it. I thought… Renji was the only one on my side all this time when things got bad. But I was wrong."
She looked back up at the clouds, her voice barely a whisper.
"But Airi," Hikari asked, "don't you want to know who made Yuzuki tell the truth? Who saved you?"
"I don't know…" Airi said honestly. "For a moment, I even thought maybe Takamura was helping me… but he turned out to be the traitor."
"I think I know who it was," Renji said quietly, raising his hand.
"HA!?" the three girls exclaimed.
"If you knew, why didn't you tell us earlier?!" Sakura scolded.
"Because…" Renji hesitated. "I only recently found out. I met him and asked everything. He told me not to tell anyone. Especially not you, Airi."
A moment of silence passed.
"Tell me," Airi said, stepping forward. "I want to know who saved me."
"Say it already!" Hikari added.
Renji took a deep breath. "It was… Yuuta."
Airi froze.
"What kind of joke is that?!" Hikari snapped. "That bastard is just like Takamura!"
"I'm not joking," Renji said firmly. "Let me explain."
He looked straight at Airi.
"Do you remember the vote? You were going to lose, Airi. Nobody voted for you… but Yuuta's older brother is the student council president. Yuuta begged him to change the results to protect you."
"What…?" Sakura whispered in disbelief.
"And Yuzuki?" Renji continued. "Yuuta tracked down her address. He convinced her to confess. He did all of this behind the scenes."
"You're lying," Airi said, her voice cracking.
"I'm not," Renji replied.
"Then why did he leave me? Why did he go to Saya?" Airi asked, trembling.
Renji sighed. "I didn't want to say this. Yuuta told me not to. But… you need to know."
He looked her in the eyes.
"Saya is working with Takamura. They planned everything together. To learn the truth, Yuuta pretended to date Saya. He made her believe he didn't care about you anymore."
Airi gasped. Her knees buckled, but Hikari caught her hand and held it tight.
Renji pressed on.
"The day Takamura tried to hurt you… Yuuta was the one who sent me to help. He gave me proof. He told me to go to school at exactly 6 p.m.—and that's when I heard Takamura confronting you."
Airi's breath hitched. Her memories came flooding back.
Yuuta. His quiet presence. The way he always stood just close enough… never asking for thanks… just staying.
"I never noticed…" Airi whispered.
"He was always there," Sakura murmured.
"You guys…" Hikari said, wiping her eyes and then grinning, "what are we waiting for?! Let's go to that bastard hero's house and tell him everything!"
Renji nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
Airi stared at the sky once more, her lips trembling… and then she smiled.
"Let's go."
---
End of Chapters
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