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Junpei was sure. He, in his entire 17 years of life, had never gotten his way of loving reciprocated to him, neither was he loved the same, nor was he loved more than he loved the person. It was always like that. His parents never loved him as much as he did...How could they? If they loved him they wouldn’t have left him behind, in this hell, while they were working abroad. They left him here, where he was bullied and faced torment every day. They never took him seriously when he talked about the bullies at school, always shrugging it off or believing it couldn't be "that bad". He was bullied in school constantly, and now, to add onto his misfortune, his parents were abroad as well.He was all alone, living at his parents house, while his parents sent him money to get by and occasionally called him.At least his finances were managed, but there was still something missing...He wanted to have someone there for him. Someone that would hug him, someone that would comfort him, someone that would make him feel like his life wasn’t hopeless, someone to give him a purpose to live through this hell.Junpei was sitting at his desk, doing random rough strokes with his pencil on his notebook. As he drew, his eyes fell onto his graffitied desk, filled with all kinds of slurs and insults on it. At this point it happened so often that he gave up on cleaning it and just went with it. He let out a deep sigh, averting his gaze from his desk and looking out the window. It was autumn, the leaves were falling from the trees and gliding onto the streets, creating a colorful coat of crunch which people walked on. Sun rays were penetrating the small holes in the tree crowns, causing the leaves around the opening to gleam warmly.‘Today is quite nice, yet it doesn’t feel like before...why does it feel so meaningless now?’ Junpei thought to himself.As Junpei was in thoughts, suddenly the teacher entered the classroom, demanding attention from each and every student.Junpei sighed and looked into the teachers direction as he subtly itched the dry skin under his bangs, making sure that nobody got even the smallest glimpse of the scars he was hiding underneath.The teacher said that they would be having another student join their class.Junpei scoffed and looked down as he started drawing into his notebook again.‘Another student? Who cares, honestly?’Junpei couldn’t care less about a new student joining. All the hardships he had faced over the years had trained him not to get attached or set expectations for anyone. They would leave his life at some point. Either they’d ghost him and slowly exit his life or they decide to tear another hole into his heart, making sure he’d never recover form their betrayal, and then leave him. Over all, goodbyes were never really Junpei’s best experience, so why say hello in the first place?As Junpei doodled into his book, trying to ignore the stinging of his bruised body underneath his clothes and the itchiness of his burns, the teacher signaled the class to quiet down. The class went quiet as the only sound that was heard, was the echo of wary footsteps entering the room.The student walked to the front of the class. There was a silence that hit the class for some seconds, which was soon interrupted by the new students voice.“Hello everyone. My Name is (y/n). I’ve recently moved to Japan because my mother was stationed here for work. I hope we can get along.”‘Hmm?’As Junpei heard the voice he raised his head, curious to whom this soft voice with the slight accent belonged to.As he raised his head, his heart stopped for a second. His heart started to beat quickly as a warmth spread from his chest to his face. It felt like cupid had struck his heart.Their smile, it exuded warmth and made them seem like they were glowing. Their smile was...So...So cute. Their smile had made Junpei instantly crush on them.(y/n) was smiling nervously at the class after they had introduced themselves, but in that moment Junpei felt like they were only smiling at him.“Okay, enough with introductions. Class, take your books out. We’re behind schedule already. (y/n), you can take a seat over there.” the teacher said as he pointed towards the window-seat in front of Junpei.As the teacher started class, Junpei was pulled out of his trance. He blushed as he had caught himself staring at the new student a bit to long. He looked down quickly, so the new student couldn’t see his flushed face.The new student walked towards the seat in front of Junpei and sat down.‘Great now they’re also sitting in front of me. I hope they didn’t notice me staring...’The class was in session and the students attention was directed to the teacher as there was the sound of occasional faint scribbling.As Junpei was paying attention to class he couldn’t help but occasionally land a glance on the new students. Their nape was slightly exposed, a ray of sunlight illuminated it, as Junpei caught himself staring again, he blushed red and looked down at his book again.‘What’s wrong with me? Junpei, stop staring at them! That’s weird...’ he scolded himself and returned his focus back to the board as the lecture resumed.
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The school day finally came to an end. Junpei quickly left the classroom. He did not want to deal with his new found attraction to the new student neither his bullies that would be waiting for him.He quickly went to his locker and got his stuff and swiftly headed toward the exit. As he was running with the heap of stuff that was threatening to leak out of his hold he forgot to look where he was headed and bumped into someone. He instantly fell to the ground as his stuff spilled all over the floor.‘Why does this always happen in the worst moments! I swear-‘“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking, I-“ Junpei utered frantically. As Junpei looked up he noticed he had run into the new student. They were rubbing their head after the impact and looking at all the papers spread all over the floor.Junpei’s heart stopped and his cheeks tinted a pink colour. He forgot what he wanted to say.“Ehm- I-“Junpei stammered as he tried to make up a sentence.(y/n) looked up from the floor and met eyes with Junpei.For a second it seemed to Junpei that time had stopped and there was nothing else than them. It seemed that all sounds and people in the hallway were toned out. Just them.(y/n) spaced back and remembered that they had just made a mess on the floor and the hallway was busy as well, seeing how occasionally people stepped on the papers. They sighed and let out a defeated chuckled.“Seems like we both weren’t really paying attention. Let me help you.”(Your Name) started picking up the papers as Junpei couldn’t help but follow their action. There was a silence, as the only thing that was heard over the loud hallways were papers being picked up.Junpei occasionally glanced over at (y/n) as he picked up the papers. His blush started to fade as his face slowly cooled down.After they were done picking up the papers from the floor they both looked at each other. The hallway had grown less crowded by now. (y/n) chuckled a bit at the awkward silence between them, causing Junpei to let out a slight chuckle as well.It was a bit odd to Junpei, how they were able to take this situation so lightly, he would usually be scolded if he ran into a student, but (y/n) took it quite lightly, they even chuckled a bit at the situation. It was going rather well right nowJunpei felt a fuzzy feeling in his stomach, a warm fuzzy feeling. How odd. Junpei wasn’t used to feeling so light, and his laughter with the new student....it felt....strangely genuine.Both the students moved out of the hallway, to an area were they wouldn’t need to care about blocking the way, and started looking through the papers together to see which paper belonged to whom.“This is probably yours. Right?” (y/n) held a paper towards Junpei.“Eh. Not quiet. I don’t have a handwriting like that.” Junpei said with a slight stutter.“Oh, you’re right. Sorry, sometimes I can barely recognise my own writing.” (y/n) chuckled slightly as they put it into their organiser.Junpei chuckled. “No no. It’s no problem. I feel that. Happens to me as well.”As both continued to organise their mixed up papers Junpei started to loosen up a bit. He liked this light atmosphere. It felt sort of...comforting. Junpei would almost want this moment to last a bit longer...Yet all moments come to an end. They soon had organised and retrieved their respectable papers and it was time to bid their goodbyes.“Ehm...Thanks for picking up my papers and taking the time to sort them out with me.” Junpei said as he scratched the back of his head gently. He looked at the clock, which made his eyes widen.
“That late already?! I’m sorry for taking so much of your time!” Junpei bowed apologetically.“Oh? No worries. I didn’t have anything planned today anyway. Don’t sweat it.” (y/n) said with a reassuring smile as they gently nudged his shoulder. “But it is getting late now. I’ll be going then. See you tomorrow.” (y/n) waved at Junpei and left the school building.Junpei held his shoulder where the new student had nudged them. He still felt the warmth of their touch. He looked after them as they left the school in a dazed state.“Tomorrow...” Junpei thought to himself as he looked at his organised files. He couldn’t help but let a small smile hush over his lips.As he caught himself smiling he blushed red and smacked both his cheeks.“What was that....Stop that. It’s not going to end well....” He whispered to himself.Suddenly he felt a firm grip on his shoulder. His heart sank. Oh no...
[Warning! After this the bullying would start. Read only if you feel like you can! Don't force yourself!]
“What do we have here, a little Loverboy?" Shota mocked. "You actually think you have a chance with the new student? Hmm?" Koji laughed momentarily, returning to a more serious look. "Pathetic..." He smirked. "They were just being nice and here you are imagining your future together. What a creep, hah!” Minoru sneered. Junpei clenched his backpack straps in his hands, biting his lower lip as he looked down. “Please....Just leave me alone...” Junpei whispered softly as he started shaking. The hand of his bully that rested on his shoulder caused the panic in him to flare up.“What did you say?....Ey people, did you hear this rat squeaking?” Shota retorted with a mocking laughter as his minions laughed along.“Please, leave me alone...” Junpei said a bit louder. He was visibly shaking as his breathing started to lose it’s rhythm and became uneven. His mind was racing with thoughts of what the bullies would possibly do to him this time....“Huh?” Minoru raised his brow and pulled Junpei by his shirt collar, making him face them. “What you say, twink?” The bully gave Junpei a death glare.Junpei felt hot tears escaping from the corners of his eyes. “Please...I-...Why are you doing this? I did absolutely nothing but lay low today? So why? Please just let me go-“Before Junpei could finish his sentence his face collided with a fist, causing him to fall to the ground. He groaned in pain as tears continued to flow down his face.Junpei sobbed as he gently felt the side of his face only to be met with a sight of his crimson blood speared on his hand. The side of his lip busted open.He tried to calm his breathing which only made him hyperventilate and sob more. He held his gaze low in fear of provoking the bullies by maintaining eye contact, yet he was only met by another hit. Koji kicked him in the stomach causing him to curl up in pain and desperately try to breath as the air was knocked out of his lungs.He was panting as he tried to steady his breath. Shota squatted down to his level as he met Junpei with a his usual laid back gaze and that condescending smile plastered across his lips as he pulled Junpei's face up by his hair, making Junpei hiss in pain. Third degree burns were revealed underneath his bangs, which were pulled back, the size of small pebbles. “This is your fault. You just had to play superhero when I was having a little talk with Ren. You wanted to protect your little friend. Now you got to atone for him.” Shota said as he gently tapped Junpei's cheek.“You know what’s funny?” Shota retorted as he started to let out a small laugh. “The fact that Ren ran away in the end, leaving you in this hell. What friendship? Am I right?” He laughed as the others laughed along.Junpei’s vision was blurry and burning from the tears, as he continued to stay on the floor. His head felt like it was going to explode from the pain he felt. ‘...’ The bully wasn't wrong....After that incident, Ren stopped talking to him and started avoiding him even when they weren't in school....“Kenji, I could really go for a smoke now. Got a lighter?” Shota said as he chuckled and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, opening it and putting a cigarette between his lips. Junpei looked up at them in terror. “What? No- Please-““Hold him down, guys.” Shota commanded one of his minions.Junpei’s face drained of color. “No...Please...”He was pinned down by the others.“No! Please! Don’t do this! Please! I’m begging you!” Junpei screamed out between sobs and cries.“Hold still.” Kenji it Shota's cigarette with a smirk.Not long and there were screams of agony and loud cries echoing through the empty hallways.As the bullies sizzled his skin, Junpei caught a glimpse of a teacher looking at what was happening in the hallways through a crack in the door. Junpei looked at the teacher pleadingly as he wasn’t able to utter clear sentences through the pain. When the teachers gaze met with Junpei’s he quickly averted his eyes and closed the door.‘Please....Someone...’Junpei continued to cry and scream out in agony as his voice slowly lost it’s volume and he had lost his ability to cry.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The next day Junpei seemed to appear like a walking corpse. His curtain bangs that usually only covered a part of his face was now covering more than half of his face, hiding even his right eye. He had swollen eyes and dark circles under them, probably from crying yesterday.He quietly took his seat and looked out of the window like he usually did. It was pouring outside, making the leaves that remained on the trees look dark an earthy in it’s color. The ground was muddy and there was no a single trace of the usual crunch of the leaves to be heard. Only a wet noise with every step someone walked on it.(y/n) took a their seat in front of Junpei. They glanced at him a bit worried as Junpei aimlessly looked out of the window while resting his head on this hand, seeming a bit gloomy.Junpei had a scab on the corner of his lips and there was a bruise, colored yellow with a tint of blue next to it. He also seemed a bit more hunched over than usual, his hand placed against his stomach. (y/n) was about to say something but was interrupted by the teacher entering the classroom and starting class.(y/n) sighed as their opportunity to talk to Junpei was taken. They gave Junpei one more glance and turned around to pay attention to class. They’d just have to talk to him after the lesson.As the lesson started and everyone was paying attention to what the teacher was showing on the board Junpei hadn’t even gotten his books out. He continued to look out of the window as the rain poured heavily, seemingly growing in intensity, as there was a faint thunder coming closer with each strike.Junpei looked at Mr. Sotomura in the front. He felt annoyed yet not surprised.It was the teacher from yesterday that decided to shrug him off while he was mercilessly bullied.Junpei gave the teacher a cold glare. He scoffed. As Junpei met eyes with the teacher in the front, the teacher flinched slightly.Mr. Sotomura quickly avoided his gaze as he continued to teach.Junpei couldn’t help but chuckle at this.“Wow...” He whispered to himself as he couldn’t hold back a laughter.Some of the students started to notice Junpei’s hoarse laughter and started looking at him weird. This caught the teacher’s attention.“Is something the matter, Junpei?” The teacher asked hesitantly with a raised eyebrow. Students turned their heads in Junpei’s direction, as the attention of the class stared to shift towards him. Some students started to whisper to each other while others looked at him with annoyed or weirded out expressions.Seeing how each of the students looked at him made his heart sink. He slowly started to fall into despair and slight hysterics, causing him to laugh louder as tears started to stream down his face unknowingly.“Hmm? What do you mean? I’m fine. Why would you ask?” Junpei said with his voice breaking, as his laughter started to calm down, turning into a slight chuckle. The tears started to burn in his eyes. The students’ whispers grew as they saw Junpei like this.“Oh my god, has he lost it?” One student whispered to the other.“He’s gone mad.” Another student whispered to their friend.“What a weirdo...” One whispered as they furrowed their brows.“Ehm... It’s pretty obvious. I can see that somethings not right, Junpei. Are you sure you’re-“ Mr. Sotomura was interrupted by Junpei.“Oh? So now you can see that somethings not right? Now you can?” Junpei choked up between sobs.“What about yesterday? You didn’t seem to really see anything wrong with me being bullied so gruesomely yesterday!” Junpei said as the tears kept on falling.“What about Yesterday? Huh? WHAT ABOUT YESTERDAY!” Junpei started yelling even though his voice was hoarse and kept breaking because of his sobs in between.(y/n) gasped and looked in the teachers direction as they covered their mouth in shock.The teachers face became pale and then turned red as he furrowed his eyebrows.“Junpei! What tone are you using against your elders?! I will not tolerate this behaviour! Go to the principals office right now!” The teacher responded as he became increasingly angry at Junpei.Junpei let out a bitter laugh between sobs. “Wow... So that’s your response? You decide to send me to the principals office when I’m being a threat your image in front of the other students? Hah, what a role model.” Junpei said in a sarcastically, letting out a slight scoff.“TO THE PRINCIPALS OFFICE! NOW!" The teacher yelled as his face was red of embarrassment and anger.“Gladly.” Junpei said as his smile vanished. He picked up his bag and he gave Mr. Sotomura one last look of resentment as he got up from his chair and exited the classroom, slamming the door shut behind him. As Junpei headed towards the principals office, he heard a faint yelling from the classroom but he didn’t care. He didn’t care if it was disrespectful. He just wanted to go home.When Junpei arrived at the principal office, as expected, the principal sided with the teacher that caused him to be here in the first place.And with that Junpei was put on 3 weeks of suspension...
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The door fell shut, as the clicking of the lock was heard. Junpei had arrived at home. He took off his hoes lazily and headed upstairs. Junpei pulled all the curtains shut, surrounding himself in a void of darkness as he burrowed himself in his bed, hidden away in the sanctuary of his warm bedsheets.Junpei’s eyes were swollen and burning from how much he had cried today. He had cried so much that in the end, the exhaustion had gotten the best of him, cause once he had touched the pillow with his head, he had fallen asleep within seconds. - - - He was sitting at his desk while all eyes were set on him. He squinted with his eyes as there seemed to be a bright light on him. The teacher suddenly entered the scene and silently stared at him. Junpei cleared his throat. What is this situation? He felt the urge to look away but wasn’t able to move. The teacher was coming closer with each passing second.Mr. Sotomura suddenly stopped in his tracks, just some a meter before him, then looked down. “You’re being disrespectful..." He whispered. 'What is this?....Where am I?' Junpei thought to himself. Suddenly Mr. Sotomura snapped his head up, looking at him with a ominous glare. The teachers eyes furrowed as his expression got angrier. "GO TO THE PRINCIPALS OFFICE NOW!" He suddenly screeched, causing Junpei to cover his ears in reflex as he fell of his chair. “B-But I didn’t do anything....I was the victim...I-“ Junpei said back quietly as a mouse as he seemed to have forgotten how to speak, only to be interrupted by the teacher again.“GO! NOW!” The teacher yelled, making his eardrums ring. There were students around him forming a circle, as they looked down with all kinds of negative expressions, surrounding him like a wolf pack surrounded their prey. The students around him suddenly started to whisper amongst each other, as they got increasingly louder and louder. "What a loser." One said. "He should just vanish. I bet nobody would miss him anyway." The other laughed mockingly. "What a waste of space." Another said. Suddenly all of them turned their head back towards Junpei, looking down at him as he sat on the floor, surrounded by them. “People like you deserve to be bullied.” They all said in union, as the corner of their lips rose and they grinned at Junpei in a degrading manner. They burst out into loud laughter. Laughing...at him. The Junpei put his hands over his ears, trying to shield his ears from the unbearable, mocking laughter, only for it to seep through his fingers and be heard in a throbbing volume. - - - Junpei woke up in a cold sweat as his chest heaved up and down erratically. His panic spiked when he couldn't seem to see anything in the dark. He quickly turns on his nightlight, the light finally illuminating the eerie feeling room. He swallowed as he tried to come back to his senses. His pants growing slower and his heartrate slowly returning to double digits. “It was just a dream...” He whispered. Well, it was partially a dream....Junpei rubbed his red eyes as the adrenaline slowly left his body and allowed him to feel the pain of his horrid sleeping position and the wounds that his bullies had caused, which were still healing up.Junpei groaned as he was reminded of what terrible state his body was in.Junpei looked at his alarm clock only to see that it had just hit 4:25 am in the morning. Junpei sighed.He had noticed that his plushy had fallen of the bed as it was looking up at him from the ground. Junpei bend down slowly as he picked up the plushy. He dusted it gently to clean it and sat it in his lap as he gently hugged it.“I’m sorry...” Junpei whispered hoarsely at it, as he gently petted it apologetically. As he looked down at the Cinnamoroll plushy in his lap, his vision started getting blurry.Junpei sniffed and wiped his eyes as they threatened to overflow with tears once more.Why? Why was his life like this? Why was all of this happening to him?
Why wasn’t he able to escape this hell? Why?
Junpei couldn’t hold back a sob. He lied back into his bed and pulled his blanket over him and his plushy, that he pulled it tighter against his chest.As he was quietly sobbing in the warmth of his bedsheets, a person came to his mind. (y/n).They must think very little of him now...They probably won’t be kind to him anymore like that time they had bumped into each other...Now that they’ve seen how Junpei get’s treated in school they’ll probably start avoiding him so that they don’t get caught up in this mess called his life...Junpei weeped.“I knew I shouldn’t have developed any expectations...I’m so stupid...” Junpei scolded himself.He knew that nobody sticked around for long. (y/n) had barely interacted with Junpei. Yet there had been this small glimmer of hope, that always sparked when he met a person that was even just a bit kind to him.'Maybe they would be different' he would tell himself, yet always he would be met with the same outcome. Betrayal, Loneliness, Abandonment.In the end it was his fault for having expectations.Junpei sobbed into the night as the only guide in the darkness at the moment seemed to be his star shaped night light on his nightstand, and the only sense of warmth and comfort being his Cinnamoroll plushy and his bed. His room was his only sanctuary in this cold and cruel world. If that would ever change? ....He doubted it.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Junpei startled awake. Someone was ringing his doorbell continuously.Junpei groaned as he pulled his blanket over his head to dim the sound. 'Just go away...'But the bell only got more and more annoying with the time, as it was continuously pressed.Junpei groaned and got out of bed annoyed. "Ugh...I swear...If it isn't important..." He put on his slippers and headed downstairs to see who was so persistently ringing his doorbell.Junpei quickly opened the door. “What?!” Junpei exclaimed annoyed. His eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight coming into his dark house, having to squint a bit at first. As his vision adjusted, his squint softened, as the image cleared. (y/n) was standing in front of his door. Their eyes meeting his as their finger was hovering in front of the doorbell, probably ready to press it again. Junpei’s eyebrows softened their crease only for them to frown confused.“(y/n)? What are you doing here?” Junpei asked confused.Junpei looked them up and down. They had a backpack with them but were dressed in casual clothes. What were they doing in front of his house on a Saturday? How did they know where he lived?“Oh...Good Morning, Junpei.” (y/n) said with a small wave. “I kind of.... just wanted to.... you know... check on you...Since.. Ehm...What happened yesterday at school....” They said as they fiddled with their fingers awkwardly.Junpei’s expression darkened at the mention of yesterday._“There’s nothing to check up on.” Junpei said coldly. He knew he shouldn’t trust anyone. All are the same._ _All of them._ He was about to close his door again. though they stopped him just in time, prying the door open. “Wait! I-“ (Your Name) tried to talk.“Ugh...Why are you really here? Are you here to make fun of me? Give me the last blow?” Junpei said angrily. He knew that he was being rude but he couldn’t help it at the moment.“Just leave me alone! Haven’t you seen me suffer enough already!” Junpei accidentally yelled. He covered his mouth at his sudden tone, he had never spoken to anyone like that. He looked up at (y/n), as he backed away slightly in fear of being scolded or hit.(y/n) looked at them shocked. They surely didn't expect that reaction...(y/n)'s face softened as they calmed themselves. “Sorry for randomly showing up. I just came to bring this.” (y/n) spoke gently, pulling their bag off their shoulders and started rummaging through it.Junpei looked was still a bit warry of them but he slowly came closer as he recognised no bad intentions in them at the moment. They came to bring him something? He remained at a slight distance as he was still distrusting.(y/n) pulled out some of Junpei’s books and handed them to him. “I found these somewhere in the trash bin...I thought you...you might want them back... before they were thrown out by the students on cleaning duty or the janitors.”Junpei looked at the books. They were indeed his. As he looked at the books (y/n) was holding out to him, his gaze fell on the new graffities on his books, slurs all over them as wide as the eye can reach, some pages seemed torn or even drenched in an unknown liquid. Junpei looked away as memories of school came back. He rubbed his eyes as he tried to hold back tears.“I won’t need it. I won’t be going to school for some time. I was suspended.” He said bitterly as he couldn’t look (y/n) in their eyes.“Suspended?” (y/n) asked as their eyes widened. They were about to say something but as they saw how vulnerable Junpei looked they decided to refrain from mentioning it, not wanting to further cause Junpei any pain. “I see...That sucks...” They scratched the back of their head as they seemed to be thinking deeply about what to say. Junpei was feeling the awkwardness in the air, it was making him uncomfortable. He was about to tell them to just leave, so he wouldn’t have to be in this situation any longer until-“I still think you should take these books. You might not need them for the time being.... but they’ll be useful for exam period later on.” (y/n) said.Junpei blushed a bit out of embarrassment. What was he saying. He couldn’t just send (y/n) back with his books when they went through the trouble of bringing them. He quickly took them off of their hands and mumbled a small “Thank you”. Junpei was about to close his door on (y/n) again, to go back to bed, as he thought they had finished socialising but was stopped of doing so by (y/n) putting their foot between the door and the entrance.“Ouch...” (y/n) said quietly as their foot had been squeezed in. Junpei sighed a bit annoyed, yet slightly feeling a bit guilty for squeezing in their foot. “..Is there something else you want to tell me?”“Ehm...I wanted to say that...” (y/n) tired to find the words. “I’m sorry that you went trough that yesterday....I...I didn't know that you were being bullied....” They sighed. "Heck....I didn't even know Mr. Sotomura would be such an ass...."Junpei looked (y/n) up and down. He wasn’t expecting that. He was looking for any sign of dishonesty in them but he couldn’t find any. They were being serious. Junpei’s face relaxed a bit as he sighed.“Why are you sorry? You just transferred here yesterday. You don't know anything of the situation.” Junpei said coldly. (y/n) froze, standing in his doorway shocked at Junpei's cold response. "You brought me my books. Spare me with your fake sympathy." He looked them up and down. "And leave." Junpei gestured (y/n) to remove their foot from his entrance. (y/n) reluctantly removed their foot and had the door shut on their face. Junpei locked the door and put his back against it, letting out a deep sigh. 'I can't do this again...I don't want to get my expectations up.....Not again.....My heart can't take another blow....' He thought to himself. (y/n) was still standing in front of Junpei's house, staring at the door as they processed what had just happened. They sighed. “I will not just go away.” (y/n) whispered in a slightly irritated tone. They took out a post-it block and a pen out of their bag. Holding the pen lid between their lips as they opened it and scribbled something on it. After finishing their scribbles they pushed it through from below the door, in hopes of Junpei eventually seeing it. They quickly put their stuff back in the bag and headed home. Junpei had heard slight noises behind the door and looked down between his legs as the small post-it note got passed through from below the door. He looked at it curiously, with hesitancy to unfold it and see what was written inside. He slowly kneeled down and picked it up, opening it slowly. 'Dummy! I won't leave that easily. Call me if you feel like you want to talk to someone.' the post-it said, as the number was written below with a small star next to it.Junpei looked at the note, as a small smile hushed over his face. He cleared his throat as he caught himself once more starting to get his hopes up. "Junpei, not again. It's not going to end good." He said to himself as he looked at the note again. He traced his thumb over the star that was quickly doodled next to the number. "It wouldn't hurt to keep this save......Just....Just in case...."Junpei folded it in half and put it into his pocket, as he headed back upstairs to his room, feeling a bit lighter than usual as he ascended the stairs.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Junpei nuzzled into his scarf as the cold breeze of autumn blew at him. He pulled his beanie lower, making sure his ears were fully covered, as he headed towards the convenient store. It had been about a week of suspension. He had been mostly keeping up with assignments and keeping track of what he was missing at school, as the school posted them to him daily. He sighed. 'Well at least they're still keeping me updated on school work, with no social interaction needed.' Junpei had been recovering from his injuries and was finally able to catch a breather from people for some time, he had gotten used to his life style and honestly wished i would last forever....As he entered the convenient store a warm gust of wind welcomed him and the familiar 'ding' of the door was heard. He grabbed himself a shopping basket and started scavenging for the things on his shopping-list. 'Where is the ramen....Ah, there it is.'
'I should probably get something that isn't fast food too....Hm...'He ticked off one thing after another. After he had ticked everything off the list, at last he arrived at his favourite section. The magazine and comic section. He was feeling a bit bored being all alone at home all day, doing nothing but studying,so something to read might make it slightly more bearable. He browsed over the issues, seeing if anything peaked his interest. HIs eyes fell on a new issue of Chainsaw Man. He picked it out and paged through it, as a smile plastered over his face. 'Can't wait to read this one at home.' He thought to himself. He was at the self check out, ringing up his items, as he glanced outside to see that it had started raining quite hard.He sighed. 'Shoot....I didn't bring my umbrella...'He glanced over at the umbrella's for sale, near the cash register. Should he.....Junpei shook his head. He didn't want to buy another umbrella. He just had to walk some blocks till home, but.... he didn't want to get himself and the groceries wet... Neither was he in a hurry. He bought himself a hot drink and sat near the window, opening up the manga, as he started reading, waiting for the rain to stop. ------Junpei was peacefully enjoying his hot drink as he read his manga. Most people had resorted to buying an umbrella instead of waiting out, as the rain didn't seem to stop anytime soon, but Junpei wasn't really in a hurry. It wasn't like anyone would be waiting for him at home... And the convenient store was open 24/7 anyway. Junpei was deeply invested in his book, as he held back a laughter at some of the panels. There was the familiar sound of the doors of the store opening. Once again a soft 'ding' rang. A person had just came running in, panting as their hair seemed drenched and their glasses were fogged up, water droplets on the fogged up glass. Junpei looked up from his book momentarily, his attention swaying towards the person. He squinted. 'Do I know that person?....Why do they seem so familiar?'The person calmed their breathing, as they pushed the hair out of their face, removing their glasses to clean them. They opened their jacket, using the lower of their sweatshirt to wipe their glasses dry. 'Is that....!' Junpei's eyes widened. The person put on their glasses, their gaze traveling over the convenient store as they adjusted to their aid being put back on. Their eyes fell on Junpei, as a big smile spread on their lips. "Junpei?" (y/n) called out. Junpei startled. 'Dammit....Talk about not running into classmates....' He quickly hid his face behind the book, hoping that they'd think they were mistaken and just leave him alone. (y/n) had other plans though, as they walked straight towards him, till they were right in front of him. "Long time no see."Junpei sighed. Seems like he couldn't put his facade up any longer. He lowered the book, looking at (y/n). It really has been some time... (y/n)'s hair was wet from the rain outside, their felt coat being in no better condition. Junpei silently nodded. "y-yeah...It has..."(y/n) chuckled. They looked him up and down. They almost said something, but they backtracked. They could see how Junpei was still wary around them. They cleared their throat. "Wait a second." Turning around and disappearing into the isles of the store. Junpei furrowed his brows. 'What?' He was confused. 'Where were they going?'He sighed as he saw the top of (y/n)'s head shifting through the isles. He shrugged. He immersed himself back into his book. As he flipped to the next page, he suddenly heard the chair in front of him making a creaking noise from being moved. He looked up from his book. There they were. (y/n) had gotten themselves a hot drink as well, and some snacks, as they sat down in front of him. (y/n) cracked open their tinned hot drink, taking a sip as they looked at Junpei reading through his manga. They gulped and put their drink down. "So. How have you been? It's probably been slightly more than a week since we've last seen each other." They chuckled. Junpei closed his book, putting it aside. "Yeah....guess so...." He answered with a lowered gaze, fiddling with the bottom of his can. "Have you been well?" Junpei felt a bit uncomfortable at that question. It was unusual having someone ask that, specially if it was someone he barely interacted with. "Ehm...Yeah....A-and you?" (y/n) smiled. "I've been well too. A bit sleep derived but that's not something unusual." They joked, letting out a slight chuckle. Junpei nodded quietly. He felt a bit awkward. 'what am I supposed to say now?....How do people hold conversations again?'(y/n) was at a loss of words as well. What would you even talk about with someone that had given you such a harsh goodbye last time you had met them? It's not like they knew each other, right? (y/n) was looking at Junpei in scanning manner. They really wanted to become friends with him, since they felt a platonic attraction towards him from the beginning of transfer, but how would you make friends in such circumstances?...As strangers?...(y/n) cleared their throat, trying to come up with something to talk about, to put a stop to this growing awkward silence between them, till their gaze fell on to Junpei's book of choice. "Oh....Chainsaw Man? Are you a fan?" They asked as their eyes sparked up. Junpei flinched slightly. What was he suppose to answer to that? "Ehm...Yes?" He fiddled with his sleeve, preparing himself to be ridiculed for his bizarre choice of manga. (y/n)'s eyes sparked up. "Really? Me too!" They grinned. Junpei was caught of guard, his eyes slightly widening. "Y-you are?""Yeah! It's a very interesting and unusual series. I find it has quite the complexity and depth. In my opinion people just don't really seem to like it cause their not used to such bizarre themes. It's not palatable for everyone." Junpei heart skipped a beat. He relaxed his shoulders slightly. "I gotta agree with that....It definitely isn't palatable to everyone" He let out a slight chuckle. His attention was peaked. He cleared his throat. "S-so....What do you think about the manga?" He asked curious of their explanation. (y/n) smiled. "Haha, well there's a lot that I like about it. I'd probably bore you with my analysis and rambling though..." They said a bit shy, plucking at the back of their neck out of nervous habit. Junpei wasn't really used to meeting people that were so open about their interest, usually people hid their interests or toned them down to not seem like a nerd to others. So seeing someone who potentially shared one of his interests with an equal passion as him... He was curious. He gulped. "Ehm...Well...I wouldn't mind actually...." He said a bit hesitant. (y/n)'s eyes widened. "R-really?"Junpei shyly nodded.(y/n)'s smile grew. They took a deep breath. "Alright then. But don't regret it later." They chuckled. Junpei flashed a small smile, nodding as he rested his elbows on the table. "Go ahead then." "Well. I personally really like how it's so unpredictable. It totally surpasses common tropes and the story telling is so unconventional yet so fluid. People might think that the story is messy or to fast paced, but I disagree. It has such a nice fluidity to it, shifting between dark themes and comedy so easily. Their characters and themes are so raw, in my opinion. Like Denji! A lot of people think that he's a dumb and shallow character for only wanting to 'cop a feel' or whatever, but I personally think it's so much more than that. Cause Denji was raised in poverty, he lived off of scraps and never really had the time nor the capacity to think about what he wanted in life, since he's been acting in other peoples favour. So he's such a cool character! The readers get to see someone, who never even thought about what he wanted in life, develop over the chapters, and truly get to find out what his desires are and what makes him happy. And-" (y/n) rambling on and on about it, speaking with a deep passion for it. Junpei couldn't help but stare in awe as they articulated his thoughts so nicely. He never really knew how to put his passion for the manga into words....It was such a nice feeling to hear someone with equal passion, just understand the feeling. He felt warm inside. Junpei tucked some lose strands behind his ear, as he agreed with (y/n) and also added his perspective. Both shared their opinions on the manga, as they found happiness in talking about a sared interest. It was like time had halted, as they discussed, laughed and let their inner nerds out.
As time passed it had gotten quite late. (y/n) smiled, holding an open bag of snacks towards Junpei, gesturing him to feel free to take some, to which he happily accepted. As he munched happily, (y/n) got a call. They pulled their phone from their pocket, as their eyes widened once they saw the caller and what time it was. They cursed under their breath. Junpei raised an eyebrow. '?' (y/n) quickly picked up, to which they were met by a loud, scolding voice on the other side. (y/n) flinched slightly at the volume of their voice, distancing their phone from their ear slightly. As the scolding calmed down, they talked. "I'm sorry, mom....I forgot the time. It was raining very hard and then I met someone from school and we started talking and...."Junpei finally understood, probably their mom. "Yeah. I'll head home soon. Yeah.....Immediately....Yeah. See you soon....Bye." (y/n) hung up. They looked towards Junpei, a bit embarrassed. "Sorry about that....It was my mom. She kind of got worried because I wasn't at home yet." They chuckled as they got up from their chair and started putting their coat on. Junpei felt a bit sad that they had to leave, they were having quite the interesting conversation and just getting to know each other more....But he understood that they had to leave. The rain had stopped as well, he should be heading home himself, even if there really wasn't anyone there that was waiting for him. He got up as well and put on his scarf and beanie, as a sense of loneliness returned in him. (y/n) had completely gotten ready and gotten rid of the empty snack bags and cans. They were about to leave through the door, yet they stopped and turned to face Junpei. Junpei was surprised, looking at them as he silently continued putting his jacket on. (y/n) rummaged through their pockets and pulled out their phone, holding it up towards Junpei. Junpei looked at it confused. "What?"(y/n) chuckle at Junpei's confusion. "Your number, silly." Junpei's eyes widened as he took the phone, looking back at them, still surprised by the sudden gesture. "Why?"(y/n) smiled. "Well, I had fun talking to you. And since you seem to have lost mine, I want yours." They teased. Junpei was reminded of that note, that they had pushed though underneath his door, from last time they met, and flushed a bit. He did kind of forget about it, thinking that it was probably just a small gesture that didn't mean much....But they wanted him to reach out to them?Junpei held back a smile, trying not to seem overexcited about their gesture and typed in his contact info, handing the phone back to them. (y/n) smiled and stoved their phone away in their jacket pocket. "Well then. Get home save. I'll text you." They said with a wide grin as they pointed a finger-gun at him and waved goodbye, exiting the convenient store. Junpei stood there in front of the convenient store exit, just processing what just happened. He couldn't hold back a smile any longer as he grinned from ear to ear, feeling so warm on the inside. 'What just happened....' He thought to himself as he locked up towards the CCTV monitor, seeing himself genuinely smile, since a while. He let out a small chuckle as he exited the convenient store himself and headed home, swaying his groceries in a jolly manner as he replayed what had just happened in his mind, giggling to himself occasionally.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Junpei entered the warmth of his home, his hair was slightly drenched as it had started pouring slightly again, about a block before he got home. He hummed a small tune, as he removed his shoes at the entrance and hung up his outer clothing on the hooks. He chuckled to himself recalling what (y/n) had said at the convenient store. They said they would text him...The boy chuckled, putting on his house loafers, and heading into the kitchen to put the groceries away. Junpei placed his phone on the counter and started emptying the bag. He couldn't help but occasionally catch himself glancing over at his phone, in hopes of getting a notification from a special someone. Junpei folded the bag and put it into their polatine gabinet. He pulled a chair to the counter and sat down. Resting his elbows on the surface and his head on top of his palm, as his gaze lingered at the dark screen of his phone. Junpei stopped momentaily. 'Huh?'The boy sat up straight, realising. 'What am I doing? Am I seriously waiting for a text message?' He flushed and hid his face in his hands, letting out groan. 'Seriously...How lame...' Junpei ruffled his hair, letting out a sigh. He was doing it again. He was letting people in to fast. 'I shouldn't have to many expectations. Just.... be neutral. Yeah...' The boy decided to take a shower, trying to get his mind off of his phone. --------------Junpei rubbed his hair dry with the towel, making sure to not accidentally damage the newly regenrated film of skin on his burns, which finally created a protective layer. He had finally recovered to a certain amount for him to shower normally. He didn't want to have to start again with his recovery. So better to be careful. He looked himself in the mirror, applying the oitments and creams to his body. He felt relieved. He was actually feeling less depressed when looking in the mirror. His burn scars would take a very long time to heal and who even knew if they would ever fade, but he felt that it was slowly getting easier to look at himself. He tied his hair back in a small bun, so the hair wouldn't stick to the medicine, freshly applied to the cigarette burns. He plopped onto the couch, grabbing the remote, as he was excited to watch some movies and have a more laid back evening.Junpei was browsing through the catalog on the TV, as he heard the sound of a notification. He got up and went to the kitchen to check his phone curiously. Who could possibly be texting him at this hour? Was it his parents again?He opened his messenger app.
---New Chatroom---
Unknown Number
Hey hey :) Got home safe?
------
Junpei squinted at his screen. 'Unknown number?....Could it be...' His eyes lit up. '(y/n)?'Junpei quickly typed.
---New Chatroom---
Junpei
(y/n)?
Unknown Number
Yep! In the flesh and in the blood!
-------
Junpei's smile widdened. He quickly calmed himself, clearing his throat. Typing in his reply hesitantly.
---New Chatroom---
Junpei
I got home safe. How about you?
(y/n)
Yeah. I got home safe too :)
------
Junpei hesitated. 'What now? What do I say now?' He raked his brains trying to come up with what to write next. Until his phone pinged once more. He looked back at his screen.
---New Chatroom---
(y/n)
Are you busy right now?
------
Junpei was taken a back. 'What?'
---New Chatroom---
Junpei
No?
(y/n)
Then are you alone? (0w0)
------
Junpei furrowed his brows. 'What? Where is this going?' He texted back.
---New Chatroom---
JunpeiYes? Why though?
------
Junpei waited for an answer, yet he seemed to have been left on read for now. He furrowed his brows confused. 'What?' he groaned, itching his head, as he tried to asses the situation. Suddenly his phone started ringing. He startled as his phone slipped out of his grip. He managed to catch it just before it hit the ground, looking at who the caller might be.He squinted at his screen. '(y/n)? Why are they calling now?' He felt confused but he slowly picked up. "H-Hello?" He spoke nervously into the phone. "Hey! I thought it would be best to call, since I really wanted to talk to you more. I felt like it would be to much texting, so call it is, am I right?" They chuckled. Junpei blushed a bit, they...Were they really that excited to talk to him? He cleared his throat. He didn't really like calls, but he didn't want to mention that right now... well....atleast it wasn't a videocall. "I-I see..."(y/n) paused. "Wait...Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I forgot that not everyone likes to be called! Do you mind if we call? If you like text more we can also continue with that...." Junpei flinched sligthly at the sudden loud voice. He fiddled with his pyjamas. "O-oh nonono. I'ts fine....It's alright. We can just continue talking on the phone, since you already called. I don't mind..." He said a bit tense. "You sure?" (y/n) asked to make sure. Junpei took a deep breath, away from the phone and put it back to his ear. "Yeah. It's fine." He said a bit more relaxed. "So...What did you want to talk about?" (y/n) paused think. "Well, I want to talk about a lot actually....But for starters maybe....How did you get into Chainsaw Man? If I may ask that is." Junpei relaxed a bit. He was scared at first that this call would contain things like small talk, he wasn't the best at it...But if they were talking about something he's interested in, then he could relax a bit more.His shoulders relaxed. "W-Well....I was kind of already into some horror manga back when it started releasing. Like Junji Ito and and Sui Ishida...And..I was a big fan of movies in general. So when I started hearing of a certain horror comedy manga that had an author that frequently put cinematic easter eggs in his work I kind of got curious...And now I'm a fan." He chuckled. "Woah, it must've really resonated with you then." (y/n) said. Junpei thought about it momentarily. "Well, yeah actually....When I got into the Chainsaw Man fandom, it was kind of when also the time when I started meeting people like 'me' I suppose. I loved going on forums to discuss easter eggs and refernces with other fans, it really got me through some stuff." Junpei said slightly smiling at himself as he recalled all the times he found solance in Tatsuki Fujimoto's works. (y/n) paused momentarily, making Junpei feel a bit anxious. Did he say to much? He awaited a response on the other side but it was silent for quite a while. His anxiety started to spike. "Ehm...Sorry about that..That must've been a bit mu-""Oh nonono! It wasn't. I promise. Sorry if I wasn't saying anything. What you said kind of just got me thinking...." (y/n) quickly reassured. "Thinking about what?" Junpei asked with slight curiousity. "Well...I never really though that deeply about wha meaning Chainsaw Man had for me. I always thought that I just kind of liked the funny elements and the depth that can be explored by analysing the manga and the symbolism in it...But you're right...It does have some type of special feel to it...It's kind of like....A weird manga that brings together a community of the 'weird people' that usually wouldn't be welcomed so openly in society. It really is like a save haven, cause the fandom sees it as so normal..." (y/n) explained. Junpei was surprised. They thought the same? "Y-Yeah...I agree."He was a bit surprsied to hear (y/n) mention 'the weird kids community', it almost made him curious. Junpei collected all his courage, as he wanted to ask a bold and rather personal question. "(y/n)...say...ehm.....Would you view yourself as one of...those 'weird kids' then?" He asked hesitantly. Did he perhaps overstep there? Only one way to find out. He waited for (y/n)'s response patiently. Suddenly there was a small chuckle on the other side of the phone. "You got me on that one. Was it that obvious?"He let out an audible sigh. Good thing they didn't take it the wrong way. "Just a hunch honestly." "Well you're right. I really am a 'weird kid'. Hahah." they chuckled. Junpei felt a bit more at ease knowing that they both might be more similar than he initially thought. "So...Why do you consider yourself a weird kid?" He asked a bit curious, shifting in his seat. "Well. That's a bit of a hard question. Doesn't everyone think what their doing is normal unless told otherwise?"Junpei had to agree to that. "Well I suppose so, but what do you think?" "Well. I don't really know, but what I've observed is that people don't really like when you are very direkt, and talk to much about your interest. Which...I kind of do all of that..... Especially if it's something that usually is kept behind closed doors, like I don't know that many people, from where I lived before, that read manga or watched anime openly during school breaks....I kind of remember me talking about One Piece to my non-anime friends and how cool I thought Luffy's dedication to being a pirate was, when he like...without any hesitation cut himself with the knife, so he could have a scar too, like how Shanks and the others of his crew had. I found that a bit cool, but my friends thought I was weird by saying that. They were like saying that I needed help and shouldn't get to invested in anime. They really thought I was a psychopath or something..." (y/n) said, letting out a sigh.Junpei was a bit surprised to receive such an open answer from (y/n), usually people didn't really elaborate that much. But he felt more at ease seeing (y/n) so open with him. "I understand...And I...honestly agree. It definetly must hurts being told that by someone you consider a friend....I honestly can relate... once when I was younger I had a copy of a Juji Ito's manga with me, and some classmates found it and told me I wasn't right in the head, for reading stuff like this...." He sighed..."Oh yeah...I totally understand. I honestly don't really understand how people can judge others so easily! Like what? Is it my fault that I have interests of my own?" Junpei chuckled. "Yeah!" (y/n) chuckled along."I really hated being a weird kid back in my childhood....People would occasionally even bully me honestly...." They said a bit bitter, letting out a small chuckle, trying not to pay it to much mind. "People can be so oblivious of the consequences of their actions some times..." They sighed. Junpei was taken a back. "Wait...You too?" (y/n) gasped on the other side. "Oh my god! You were bullied too?!""Yeah..." Junpei chuckled. Well he still was, but he didn't want to share to much just yet. "Oh goodness, same....Its really scary to think that little kids can come up with such things, so young... and do such stuff to others!" (y/n) said annoyed. Junpei chuckled at their seriousness. "Yeah. It really is." "That reminds me....Did you know I once actually broke my bully's leg?" Junpei's brows furrowed. He burst into laughter. "Where did that come from?" (y/n) chuckled along. "I just remembered again, when we got to the topic of bullying. It was like in first grade of something." Junpei chuckled. "First grade? Dang what a delinquent..." (y/n) burst out into laughter. "I know right!" "Okay but...Is it bad that I kind of want to hear more about it? Like...A broken leg? That's wild." He chuckled. "Well it's quite simple actually. I was raised with the mindset 'Tell them to stop once, maybe a second time. And the third time you hit them back twice as hard!'" Junpei laughed. "That surely sounds appropriate." He teased. (y/n) chuckled. "I know right. It surely helped me then though. I had like this bully that would bad mouth me a lot and say mean things about me. Once day he came to me, in day care, trying to do his usual thing. I told him stop once, then the second time. And the third time I just kicked his shin very very hard, making him crouch down and let out a scream, and then I ran away so teachers wouldn't have witnessed it."Junpei burst out into laughter at the image that formed in his head. "Hahaha, you ran away?! Hahaha!" (y/n) laughed out loud. "I had no choice, I didn't want to get into trouble! I knew my parents had my back... but I didn't want to seem like a bad kid." Junpei couldn't stop laughing. ----------As the conversation progressed they opened up more and more and discussed all kinds of topics. It honestly was a surprise to Junpei, when he saw that he had talked to (y/n) for almost five hours. He chuckled at the initial shock. Talking seemed very easy with them...He felt a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest. He hadn't laughed so much in a long time... 'It was nice getting to talk to someone like that again...."He put his phone on the charger and crawled into bed, looking up at his ceiling, filled with glow in the dark star stickers. He smiled at himself, hugging his Cinnamoroll plushy tighly. "Today was fun..."He let out a small sigh and closed his eyes, drifting to sleep.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Junpei let out a low groan as he let his head fall onto his desk, creating a thud sound. He turned his head, looking at the school work that he still had to do. He couldn't help but furrow his brows annoyed. It's been about a week since Junpei and (y/n) started texting and talking on the phone together. Junpei loved doing it, especially since it's been some time since he last had this much fun with someone else. Yet it was hard to talk to each other so much, when one was suspended and forced to do stuff from home, while the other was constantly in school, attending classes. Junpei honestly didn't like school and really didn't mind staying home, but it was hard for him to pass the hours when (y/n) wasn't there to talk to about movies, manga or other fun things. He lazily poked the stack of school books on his table. He would really like to just quit school and live in a happy little bubble with (y/n) and him having the time of the world, to talk to each other and discuss things they like together. Had he grown a bit attached?....Perhaps....He sat up, shaking his head and slapping his cheeks gently. "Get it together, Junpei! They aren't obligated to be there for you 24/7! You both have your own lives in the end...."Junpei put his headphones and started one of his playlists, trying to get back to his school work. -----Junpei was looking up, playing with his phones flashlight, as he traced star constellations, connecting the star stickers on his ceiling, in his mind. He let out a sigh. "Why am I like this?" His mind had been filled with (y/n) lately. It was as if he saw them everywhere....Everything reminded him of them....He would look at his manga collection, recalling all the things they had discussed and which manga he would love to lend them. Junpei would listen to his playlists, thinking about how he wanted to recommend the songs to (y/n), as they told him, they listened to pretty much anything, and also seemed to enjoy some of his previous recommendations. He cursed under his breath. 'Not getting to close, my ass...'He couldn't help but think that he was opening up to fast again. It was always like this...He would encounter someone who by coincidence liked the same stuff he liked. They would be kind to him and he'd get happy like a child. And at some point... they'd leave and or betray him and it would start from the beginning. Junpei really wanted to toss away this part of himself. Countless times he would try to discard that little piece of himself, that would believe, that this time it would be different. Just how many times would he have to take the blow to understand and finally be able to drop his naivety. The world was cruel...Especially regarding people who trust to easily....He didn't want to be such an easy guy....'So why....' He buried his head into his pillow letting out another groan. He heard his phone ring, as his eyes sparked up, thinking it might be (y/n). He took a deep breath, sitting up. 'Calm yourself, Junpei. Just...Calm down. Be neutral.'Junpei picked up at his phone, to see who was calling him. His expression hardened. He sighed. 'Guess it's about time for their weekly check in again...' Junpei picked up the call, holding the phone in front of himself, fitting his frame in the screen. Junpei's mother greeted him with a smile. "Hello, Jun! I haven't heard about you in a while, so I thought I'd call you~" she chuckled. Junpei hummed in response. "Indeed..." He said rather distant. "How have you been? How's school going?"Junpei let out a slight sigh. "I was suspended....Remember?"Junpei's mother's smile faltered. "Oh....Still? I thought it was over by now." She let out a nervous chuckle. "There's still a week left." He said dismissively. Junpei couldn't help his rather distant attitude towards his mother. He used to be really close to his mother....But it changed, when...."I see...Well, it's ending soon then." She chuckled nervously. Junpei's mother looked Junpei up and down. "Say....Are you sure nothing is wrong? I mean...I was really surprised when I received a call from the principal, saying that you were suspended for being disrespectful towards a teacher. Are you sure nothing is going on?"Junpei shook his head. "Yeah...I'm sure. Everything's like usual." Nagi looked at him with a hint of doubt. "Are you sure? I can't help but feel like you've been keeping stuff from me lately...Not telling me as much anymore...You know you can talk to me about everything, you know that, right?" Junpei sighed. Well...There used to be time when he really was able to talk to his mother about everything...A time where he could tell his mother....But that had changed since she had decided to chose that man over him..."It's alright... Everything's fine." He said once more.Nagi seemed to still have doubt, but didn't want to press her son to much about it. "Alright....Just....Just know that I'm here." Her gaze momentarily landed on Junpei's bangs, shifting her gaze back to his expression. Junpei nodded. "Alright."Junpei fiddled with his sleeve. He really didn't like these videocalls with his parents...He looked up. "How have you been? You seem tired like always. I told you already, to go to sleep earlier, and not constantly work so much overtime...." Junpei's mother smiled softly. "I know...I'm trying. But occasionally it can't be helped I suppose....But I'll try harder. Okay?" Nagi reassured, flashing a grin. A small smile hushed over his lips. "Yeah...You better." Nagi chuckled. "Of course. How could I not if my son is so adamant about it?" Junpei chuckled at her comment. It's been some time since he didn't feel so deflated during their videocalls. Maybe it was because he was feeling more happy lately, that he couldn't help but let his walls crumble a bit. Nagi smiled, seeing Junpei chuckle. "I gotta say...It's been a while since I last saw you smile like that. Something good happened?" She teased. Junpei chuckled. "Mm...I don't know. Maybe." Junpei's mother let out a chuckle. "Hm...Does it maybe have to do with someone special? A lover?" She teased. Junpei grew red. "WHat?!" his voice cracked. "Of course not! Their just a friend!" Junpei retorted, embarrassed. Nagi burst into laughter. "Oh! My bad then. You can't really blame me here though. You are a big boy living by yourself, in a big house... so I'll never know~" She teased further. "Mom!" He groaned into his hand as he facepalmed, feeling more embarrassed by her statement. "It's...It's nothing like that....We're.....we're just friends....." He mumbled. Junpei's mother calmed her laughter, seeing her son who had grown red to the ears. She cleared her throat. She didn't want Junpei to suddenly close up around her again, so she held her tongue from further teasing. "I see. Well then.....If you ever have time, make sure to introduce you're new friend to us. Okay?" She smiled. Junpei let out a sigh of relief, seeing that his mother had stopped her relentless teasing. He lowered his hand. "Well. I'll have to see. Maybe one day."Junpei didn' want to tell his mother, that he himself wasn't sure if this friendship was going to last or if it was going to wilt away someday, like usually. So he didn't want to make her expect to much of him. Nagi nodded. "Alright then. Well, whenever you get the chance. I'd love to meet them." She grinned, resting her head on her palm. Junpei's mother looked at her watch. "Oh, Hajime should be coming home soon. He also wanted to talk to you."Junpei froze at the mention of the name. "What? He wants to talk?" Nagi nodded. "He was looking forward to talking to you, actually. If you'd give him a chance that is..."Junpei's smile faded, his eyebrows furrowing. "I don't want to..."Junpei's mother's smile wavered. "Hm? Why? Don't you think that it's about time to let him actually talk to you? He wants to apologize Junp-"Junpei clenched his fist. "I said no!" He exclaimed annoyed, startling his mother slightly. Nagi wanted to say something, but was cut off by Junpei. "I refuse to hear someone out, that walked out on his family, only to walk back into in as if nothing happened..." Junpei said bitterly. His mother sighed, looking at him softly, with a hint of pity. "Alright....I won't force you....I'll tell him not today...."Junpei almost wanted to yell out, that there would never be a day where his opinion of talking to that man would change, but he didn't want to let out his anger on his mom. He sighed and nodded silently. Nagi couldn't help but quietly watch Junpei through the screen. "Well....Anything else you want to tell me? Any need for more money or anything?"Junpei silently shook his head. "No....I'll probably just eat dinner and go to sleep now." Junpei's mother nodded. She wanted to talk a bit longer with him but she could tell it wasn't the best time. "Alright, make sure to eat properly and on time....And don't stay up to late, okay?" Junpei nodded. "Alright. Bye then-""Junpei."Junpei looked up, looking at his mother. "Yeah?""I love you. Don't forget that...Okay?"Junpei turned his head to the side momentarily, taking a deep breath. He turned back to face his mother. He nodded and let out a hum, trying his best to smile genuinely. "Mm....I love you too..."Nagi waved Junpei goodbye, as Junpei returned the wave through the screen, and cut the call.He plopped back onto the bed, covering his eyes. 'Damn it....' He sighed.He felt the corners of his eyes starting to heat up, a tear falling down his cheek. "Damn it all..."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Junpei plopped on his bed, letting out a sigh. The time had really come. His suspension would finally over tomorrow...His week had passed by quietly, he wasn't really behind in school materials either, since he been receiving the materials through suspension and just worked on them from home. Yet that wasn't really the thing that had him so stressed. He chewed at his cuticles as he thought about all the things that could possibly happen tomorrow. He was like a lamb being thrown back into the lions den after he barely escaped it. It would be an understatement to say he dreaded it. He traced his fingertips against his forehead, feeling the bumpy skin underneath his bangs. His scars had just started to heal up....He didn't want to run into Shota and his minions again. Yet it would be hard to avoid them when they both went to the same school...Not only his bullies would be an obstacle, but he was pretty sure that Mr. Sotomura still held a grudge against Junpei for accusing him in the middle of class last time...He sighed. "How am I going to survive this...They'll rip me apart." He nervously itched at his scars.As he looked at his Cinnamoroll plushie he couldn't help but also be reminded that the other students would probably be talking about him too....'Would (y/n) start to avoid me too?...' he thought to himself as he gripped his plushie tighter, nuzzling into it. HIs stomach starting to ache because of the images generating in his mind. He would love to just be able to graduate without having to go to school...But he couldn't really do that. He sighed. He turned to his side, grabbing his phone off of the night stand, being greeted by the bright light of his home screen as he turned it on. He squinted, opening the messenger app. He opened his chat with (y/n), reading through some old messages to take his mind off of the growing hollow feeling in his stomach. A smile flashed across his lips, as he read through their messages. They didn't talk everyday due to different schedules, but when they texted or called, it would last for hours. They would talk about all kinds of things, starting from shared interest, somehow always ending up with philosophical and existential questions they debated about, before they'd say goodnight and go offline. Junpei went through his favourite messages, feeling happy as his attention was caught by one message specifically. "I really love how easy it is to talk to you. It's as if we just get each other :)"Junpei smiled at the screen as a warm feeling spread through his body, his previous attention on his stomachache being reverted and his worries slowly drifting to the back of his mind. He put his headphones in and opened his spotify, picking out one of his playlists and starting to listen to it. His music palette had definitely grown since (y/n) and him had become friends. They'd exchange recommendations, which was kind of refreshing to Junpei's usual fixation on the same songs. He let out a sigh, his body relaxing further as he looked up at his ceiling, enjoying the soft tunes. He himself didn't know why but he was feeling a bit more at ease now. A small spark had ignited within him. Was it hope? Hope that tomorrow wasn't going to be as bad as he thought? He felt his eyelids grow heavy by the second, as his body started to register how tired he was feeling, from all that staying up and overthinking. His eyes slowly fell shut. He snuggled into his blanket as the soft tunes in his earphones lulled him into a drowsy state. Perhaps tomorrow would be different. Perhaps the tides had turned. Junpei himself didn't know, neither did he want to get his hopes up. But he felt a bit less afraid of tomorrow at the thought of another person potentially being excited to see him....(y/n)...He soon fell asleep, as tomorrow awaited him behind the horizon, waiting to rise accompanied by the sun. ---------Junpei startled awake at the sound of his alarm. His face was full of red marks, from him sleeping on his headphone cables. He quickly turned off his alarm and looked at the time. 6:15 am...He sighed, brushing his hair back and taking his headphones out. Junpei silently sat on his bed, his eyes closed as he took in the morning vibe.After some time he opened his eyes and got out of bed. "Let's start this day. And get done with it as soon as possible..."He quickly got ready for school. Having a glass of milk for breakfast and leaving the house. The boy was walking towards school. As he got closer to his destination, students filled the path more and more. Occasionally he'd see a classmate of his, as they'd make eye contact, turning around to whisper to their friends. Junpei wanted to hide, right about now....He silently continued walking towards the school grounds. He felt countless stares on his back as he entered the school building, even more when he entered the classroom. His stomach felt like it was being twisted like a wet rag, making him feel nauseous. He swallowed, trying to get rid of that pit in his throat which only seemed to grow bigger. He got to his seat, freezing at the sight of his desk. 'what?'His desk seemed to have been cleaned of most of the graffiti that were on it before he was suspended. There were still some traces, but it was mostly clean. He swallowed. 'Who could've...' Junpei thought about it momentarily, as his fingers traced over his desk. 'It was probably the janitor.' He shrugged and took a seat, taking his books out. He looked at the clock, seeing that he still had time before the lecture began. He pulled out his phone and put his headphones in, trying to distract himself from the overwhelming feeling of eyes on him and the occasional whispers around him. His gaze fell onto the desk in front of him. (y/n)'s desk... 'Seems like they aren't here yet.' He turned his head, looking out of the window. The sky was grey, clouds blocking even the smallest ounce of the sun, making the view seem rather bleak. The colourful trees he had seen last time, had mostly lost all their leaves, having been stripped bare by the constant wind in recent days. 'The weather report said it would rain today....Good thing I bought an umbrella this time.' He was suddenly taken out of his dissociative state, as someone tapped his shoulder. He turned his head. His eyes fell on (y/n) as they smiled and gestured Junpei to momentarily take out one of his headphones. He hesitated, though he slowly obliged, looking at (y/n) expectantly. "Good morning! Long time no see, Junpei." They grinned.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Junpei shyly looked at (y/n), he was hesitant to return this greeting. Was it alright for him to greet them so casually here?Junpei's attention fell onto the students behind (y/n). Some students across the pair, started whispering and mumbling under each other, as they saw (y/n) with Junpei, others snickering at the sight. Junpei swallowed hard, his attention returning to the person in front of him. "G-Good morning....It indeed has been some time since we last met." He lowered his gaze, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He couldn't bring himself to look (y/n) their eyes, as he feared that they'd potentially would face backlash with associating with him at school. (y/n) sat in their seat, turning their chair towards Junpei and scotting closer. "So. Did you read the newest chapter yet? They totally out did themselves as always!" (y/n) grinned with their eyes sparkling. Junpei looked at (y/n) in slight shock. He was surprised by (y/n)'s nonchalant attitude, seemingly ignoring the people around them. Junpei felt his shoulders relax a bit, feeling slight happiness that they didn't treat him any different. He hesitated. Should he really talk with (y/n) so openly? He'd never forgive himself if they were to get roped into his situation....Yet a part in him wanted to talk, wanted to pretend that nothing would happen even for just a moment. For just a moment he wanted to cling to the illusion of being a normal student, just discussing something with a friend... A slight smile hushed over his lips. "I'd have to agree on that. The art style and story telling are just on a whole new level." (y/n) nodded eagerly. "I knew we'd think alike!" they chuckled as they continued their praise of one of the webcomics they both recently started reading together. Junpei couldn't help but smile as he listened, adding to their discussion himself, as the others around them seemed rather surprised by how well they seemed to get along. 'Maybe...I can live a normal life after all....'(y/n) was about to say something but was interrupted by the teacher finally entering the classroom just as the bell rang. "Alright, alright. Sit down everyone. Class will start now." Mr. Sotomura said in a grumpy tone. (y/n) sighed a bit dejected that they couldn't continue talking to Junpei. "Talk to you during lunch." They whispered, as they gave him a last glance and turned their seat to dace the front again. Junpei felt a slight ache in his heart, he wished they could've talked more, but that thought was soon put aside as his gaze landed on Mr. Sotomura. Mr. Sotomura's gaze scanned the classroom, as he took attendance, his gaze stopping at Junpei. Junpei's body stiffened. How could he forget the situation at school so quickly. Of course with wouldn't be all butterflies and sunshine.Junpei could feel the intense, piercing feeling of the teacher's gaze, his heart pumping rapidly as he awaited the teachers response. The teacher clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes annoyed and continuing to take the others attendance. Junpei felt his body instantly relax, as he was dismissed. He sighed in relief. 'Alright...Wasn't as bad as I expected...' He looked at Mr. Sotomura, as he was deep in thoughts. 'He'll probably still be hostile towards me, but let's hope it's not going to be to unbearable....' He clasped his hands together, as if to say a little prayer in hopes of his situation finally being able to take a turn.And with that the class had started. --The bell for lunch break echoed through the halls, the teacher dismissing them and leaving the classroom silently. Junpei stretched his body, feeling the satisfactory cracking and popping of his back. He sighed, rubbing his eyes gently. He definitely should have slept instead of thinking so much yesterday. (y/n) turned their chair and looked at Junpei with excitement. "It's finally lunch~ That means we can continue talking." Junpei felt warm inside, at the thought that they could continue nerding out about their favourite things again. "Yeah." Junpei felt a bit weird. It was somehow a weird feeling, having a friend to talk to during lunch again...It's been a while since he had any company to begin with. (y/n) and Junpei were about to continue their discussion, as three students approached them. Hana, Haru and....Ren?"Hey, (y/n). Wanna go to the cafeteria as usual?" Hana asked, her eyes momentarily landing on Junpei only to dismiss him and look back at (y/n). Junpei stopped, his shoulders slumping. Oh.... His gaze lowered a bit as he realised. 'Must be (y/n)'s friends.' He felt a bit sad, but he knew that he couldn't monopolize (y/n)'s time. (y/n) wasn't like him. Of course they have friends, they were different from Junpei. Junpei fiddled with the end of his shirt, waiting for (y/n)'s response. (y/n) nodded getting up. "Sure." Junpei bit the inside of his lip. 'Of course...' Seemed like he'd be eating lunch by himself as usual. "Mind if Junpei would tag along?" (y/n) asked. Junpei's head jolted up in surprise. 'What? Me?' He thought to himself, his gaze shifting between (y/n) and the others. Hana froze, her gaze shifting between Junpei and (y/n). Junpei could feel that the others seemed at unease with (y/n) suddenly asking that. Junpei mentally crossed his fingers, hoping for them to be alright with it, even though the chances were small. He patiently waited for a response, as the silence in the room grew bigger and bigger. The silence was soon broken by Haru, another member of the group, as he spoke up. "Well...I guess he can. Nobody's stopping him." He said, shrugging his shoulders, as he turned and headed out of the room. "Let's just get to the cafeteria quickly. I don't want them to be out of the good stuff." The other members of the group seemed hesitant but slowly nodded along following after him. (y/n) smiled and turned to Junpei. "Shall we continue our conversation on the way them?" (y/n) walked towards the door, looking back at Junpei to see if he was coming. Junpei hesitated, he looked back at the group which seemed to clearly be opposed of him joining. His eye falling specifically on Ren, who seemed to avoid eye contact with him. Ren...He might've not said anything for formalities sake, but Junpei knew that he was probably the most displeased by this decision. He quickly tagged along, walking side by side with (y/n). He tried to downplay the awkward silence that was between the other members of the group and him, as he talked to (y/n).They got some bites to eat and had managed to secure a spot at a table. Junpei taking the seat next to (y/n). The cafeteria was filled with chatter and noise, in contrast to the awkward silence at their table, as they seemed to be getting some odd gazes from here and there. Haru looked up from his food, finally breaking the silence. "Say guys, have y'all heard that supposedly they finally announced the release of the final season of Attack on Titan. Seems like we're finally ending it." Hana nodded, swallowing before she spoke. "Yeah I heard it. I gotta say though... I don't know if I'll be able to watch it...The manga ending was too much, so I don't know how I'll feel if it's animated..." (y/n) chuckled. "Mm...I'm just glad that anime-only's are finally getting the immunity to spoilers. The manga readers are really hard to avoid when your feed is full with Attack on Titan stuff." (y/n) chuckled. Junpei silently nodded in agreement. He looked at how the others broke into a conversation of their own, seeing even Ren join. He silently watched, feeling to shy to include himself in the conversation. His gaze shifted between them as they talked. Haru, Hana and Ren were all from the Anime-Appreciation-Club, If Junpei remembered correctly. (y/n) did mention, in their chat, that they had joined the Anime-Club, so it wasn't a surprise to him that they became friends. They must've gotten close though club activities. His gaze lingered on Ren, who seemed to talk so openly with the others, leaving a slight bitter after taste in his mouth. It wasn't to long ago, that Ren was in the Movie-Appreciation-Club. Ren had switched clubs abruptly, shortly after that incident....Junpei gathered his courage to speak up and try to add himself to the conversation. "Ehm...I believe that in my opinion...Isayama is getting a bit to much hate. Like...Of course some characters are dying but I believe it's only natural. I don't really get the hate towards him."The group went silent, their attention on Junpei. Junpei swallowed as he waited for their response. (y/n) was about to say something to Junpei's comment till Ren spoke up. "I guess." He shrugged. "But guys did y'all also hear about-" Ren continue to talk, seemingly dismissing Junpei's input. Junpei lowered his gaze, focusing back on eating to cope with being shrugged off. He silently ate as the others continued talking, as he felt his insides become hollow no matter how much he ate. 'I should've just kept my mouth shut...' He bounced his leg under the table as he continued to be a silent spectator as the conversation continued without him. As they talked he had finished eating, as he started to feel as if his presence as a whole was like a void, as if he wasn't even there. He felt slightly nauseous from the thoughts he was having. He needed something to take his mind off with. He silently got up from the table. (y/n) looked up at Junpei curiously. "Junpei? Where are you going?" they asked. Junpei startled slightly as (y/n) called out to them. He quicky came up with an excuse. "Ehm...I was just...planing on buying something to drink."(y/n) nodded and quickly got up themselves. "Then I'll come along." They smiled at him. Junpei felt conflicted, seeing the face expressions of the others, who seemed even more displeased by Junpei suddenly whisking away their friend. "W-Well you don't have to, I can just go by myself-" "Nah. I'm coming with you." They grinned. Junpei looked at (y/n), flabbergasted by their response. He bit the inside of his lip, feeling the atmosphere getting more hostile, yet he knew that (y/n) wasn't going to change their mind, so he simply nodded in defeat. "A-Alright."(y/n) turned around, asking the others if they wanted anything, to which Hana let out a sigh. "A green tea for me please..." her gaze lingering on Junpei, as her distain slowly faded by the thought of a drink. "Alright. Got it. See ya in a bit then." (y/n) headed towards the drink station of the cafeteria. Junpei quickly followed behind (y/n), as they went to look what drinks the cafeteria had to offer. "Oh damn. As expected. They're out of the good drinks already. Guess we'll have to go to the vending machines." (y/n) turned on their heal gesturing Junpei to follow them, to which Junpei followed closely. They soon had left the bustling area of the cafeteria, the chatter fading more and more into the background as they headed towards the vending machines."What's your favourite drink." (y/n) asked, breaking the silence. Junpei was surprised initially, but he was open to discuss anything at the moment, to get his mind off of the memory of the others being subtly hostile towards him. "Ehm...I'd say...Milk Tea, the plain one."(y/n) nodded and hummed. "Not bad. Mine has to be orange juice." (y/n) nodded with certainty. Junpei hummed in response. "I see..."They soon arrived at the vending machines. Junpei got out his wallet to get some coins. (y/n) quickly gestured him that he doesn't need to. He was puzzled. "What?" "It's on me. A little celebration to you finally finishing suspension." They grinned, as they let out the drinks and handed Junpei his drink. Junpei looked at the bottle, then at (y/n). He carefully took the bottle off of their hands and nodded his head slightly. "Thanks..." "No problem." They smiled. (y/n) was sipping the orange juice happily, as they walked back as Junpei couldn't help but look at his bottle of milk tea. 'A little celebration, huh?' He felt a small smile hush onto his lips, as he opened and drank a sip. As they were walking, Junpei hadn't noticed that a person was waling in front of him, causing him to bump shoulders with someone. Junpei slightly choked as he had bumped into someone while he was drinking, having spilt some on his shirt. He looked up at the person he had bumped into. "Oh. Sorry about that Tsubasa. Didn't see you there." he slightly lowering his head, bowing in apology. He quickly checked her uniform for potential stains and was relieved to see that he had luckily not spilt any on her. After Junpei had made sure he hadn't spilled anything on her he looked back at her, only to be met by a look of pure disgust.Junpei slightly startled at her very annoyed and disgusted expression. She let out an annoyed sigh, dusting the part of her clothes which Junpei had bumped into. "Disgusting." Tsubasa mumbled under her breath. She turned and clicked her tongue, as she continued walking her way, not sparing Junpei even another glance. Junpei froze. He clenched his fist, as he lowered his head, looking down at himself and his shirt which was partially drenched in milk tea. He felt the wish to just disappear into the ground right about now. He was used to being told stuff like this, so why was he feeling so hurt by it? It wasn't anything new...(y/n) let out a gasp. "What? What the hell was that?" They furrowed their brows displeased. Junpei looked down at the floor, as the words of Tsubasa seemed to sink into him like a snakes poison. The expression she had made, repeating in his mind. He knew he wasn't really liked, but it had been a while since he was made to face the reality he lived in. There were people that simply just... disliked him. He was suddenly taken out of his trance as (y/n) waved their hand in front of Junpei's face, making him snap back to the moment. "W-What?""I asked if you're alright." (y/n) said with a serious expression, glaring in Tsubasa's direction. "You know....If you want me to I can go back and have a small chat with her. Just say the word." they clenched their fists. Junpei looked at (y/n) momentarily. 'Ah....I forgot that newly there's someone that cares about me....' He let out a bitter scoff. He looked up at (y/n). He couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle. "I'm alright." he lied. He was glad that (y/n) was so caring, but he didn't want them to be dragged into this entire mess. He couldn't bring himself to. (y/n) looked hi momentarily, analysing his expression. "Are you sure?" Their expression seemed to be carrying a tinge of worry. 'Why were they looking at him like that...' He wanted to change the topic. "Yeah. I'm fine. So no need to be a delinquent this time." He diverted, by referring to (y/n)'s childhood experience, they had told him about. (y/n)'s expression widened, they blushed slightly at Junpei bringing up their childhood. They let out a long sigh and chuckled. "Damn...You're really unbelievable. I can't believe you're holding that over me." The laughed. Their expression softened. "I'm not going to turn into a delinquent. I just wanted to make clear that I got your back. Nobody treats my friends that way." (y/n) explained, gently nudging Junpei's shoulder. Junpei gently rubbed his nudged arm, as small smile forming on his lips. "Alright then. Thank you for that." His face softened. It was new to him, that someone was willing to have his back. He knew that he was taking that little statement to serious. He knew they probably would change their mind later on eventually....But he felt glad in the moment. "Let's get back before lunchbreak ends." (y/n) said. Their gaze fell onto Junpei's partially drenched shirt. "And let's also get you clean before lecture." They chuckled. Junpei looked back down at the state of his uniform, chuckling himself. "Yeah. Let's do that."They both continued heading back.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
After lunch, they were back in class.Junpei felt less tense, seeing that, it was someone else teaching the class this time, and not Mr. Sotomura. His head turned to look in front of him, seeing (y/n) sitting there. In his mind there echoed, what (y/n) had said to him before. 'I got your back. Nobody treats my friends that way.' Junpei's insides started feeling warm as he couldn't help it, as the corners of his lips lifted slightly at the fond memory. He cleared his throat, diverting his attention to the teacher in the front again, continuing to take notes silently. --Finally the last lecture of the day had ended. Junpei stretched himself letting out a slight groan, as he slumped back into his chair. He started packing his bag, (y/n) doing the same. The group exited the classroom, standing on the side of the bustling halls, as the others still seemed to be wary of Junpei's presence. Junpei was a bit confused as to what they were waiting for. Why weren't they going home?(y/n) nudged Junpei lightly, capturing his attention. "So. I just noticed, I never really asked you what club you were in." They chuckled. "Mind telling me?"Junpei eyes widened in realisation. He had totally forgotten that students usually had club activity in the afternoon's. It had slipped his mind, since he didn't attend clubs anymore due to....ehm...reasons....Junpei thought momentarily, should he be honest tell them that he doesn't have club activities anymore? Or would that only lead to more questions?He cleared his throat. "Ehm. I'm in the movie-appreciation-club. Though we don't really have activities today..." He lied as he fiddled with his fingers. Well...He didn't entirely lie when he said that. "Wait really? Ren used to be in that club!" (y/n) said excitedly, as they quickly looked at Ren. Ren tried to avoid their gaze, not seeming like he wanted to talk about it. "I guess...But that was long ago." "That's quite the coincidence. Did you perhaps know each other from before, then?" (y/n) asked out of curiosity. Bingo. (y/n) had hit the mark, as both tensed up at them being so accurate, yet neither wanting to talk about it right now, so both remained silent. Hana and Haru could sense that the atmosphere was getting a bit tense, so Hana quickly butted in. "(y/n) look at the time. If we continue chatting we'll be late. And you know how prez doesn't like people showing up late." (y/n) looked at the clock and noticed what Hana meant. "Oh dang. You're right. We'll then." They turned to face Junpei again. "Then I'll text you later" They smiled. Junpei was taken a back by their statement, he still wasn't fully used to having a friend again. He tried holding back a smile, as he nodded in response. "Yeah."(y/n) waved goodbye and started heading to their club room with the others. Junpei waved after them, feeling a bit sad as (y/n) left. He sighed. 'Well, time to go home.' He put his headphones in and headed towards the exit. Junpei was silently enjoying his tunes, as he came to a sudden stop before the school gates. The song that had just started catching his attention. He looked down at his phone, to see which song was playing at the moment. He smiled slightly at the song he was listening to. 'I should send this to (y/n), they'd probably like it.' As he was about to send it to them, Junpei was suddenly grabbed from behind and had a hand put over his mouth. His phone falling to the ground, merely holding onto his headphones which soon slipped out as well. His eyes widened, trying to scream and hitting around himself, as an attempt to free himself from the persons grip, as he was being pulled behind the school. 'What the hell! Let go!' he protested in his mind.
[Warning!!!: This is where the Stong depictions of Bullying Start!!! Proceed at own risk!!!!]
Junpei was thrown to the ground, the air being knocked out of his lungs by the sheer force. He struggled to breath momentarily, trying to calm his erratic breathing. As he looked up he was met by the sight of Koji and Kenji, grinning down at him mockingly. Junpei's gaze shifted behind them, seeing Tsubasa standing behind themwith her arms crossed as she looked down at Junpei with that previous look of disgust. 'Don't tell me...' "He was totally oogling at my breast!" Tsubasa reclaimed to them. Koji pulled Junpei up on his feet only to land a punch on him ad send him crashing into the metal fence. Junpei held his cheek, feeling a pulsating pain travel up his jaw. Kenji chuckled. "She does have a huge rack, so they bounce when she runs." He said to Koji, making both of them burst out laughing. "I get why you'd do it, Junpei." Koji grinned as he looked down at him. Junpei panted, trying to calm his anxiously beating heart, his gaze low, as anger brewed inside of him. 'If there was a button that would make everyone I hate die... I probably wouldn't press it.' He thought to himself, trying to focus his blurry eyes. "Shut up you guys..." Tsubasa said embarrassed at Kenji and Koji's comments. 'But if there was a button that would make everyone, who hated me, die....' He looked up, glaring at them as hatred rooted his heart. 'I'd push it without hesitation.' Kenji glared back in a threatening. "So? Were you looking before?"Junpei clenched his teeth. Obviously, he wasn't. He had simply bumped into her in the halls before, and checked if he had spilled anything on her, why would he- "Of course I wasn't!" Koji chuckled and kicked him in his stomach, making him curl up on the floor. "So you're saying Tsubasa is lying to us?""He was definitely looking at them!" Tsubasa protested in a whiny, annoyed tone, glaring down at Junpei. "Hey! Teach him a lesson first!"Junpei groaned at the pain spreading through his abdomen. 'Shit...' He looked up, seeing Tsubasa grinning at the predicament she had caused. 'That woman is just using me to see where she stands... and she's enjoying it!'Koji saw Junpei momentarily looking in Tsubasa's direction. "So you were looking, then" He kicked Junpei again, making Junpei's face retort in pain as he let out another groan. Junpei panted, glaring at Tsubasa. "You shouldn't think anything of this....The only reason they're fawning over you is....cause they think you'll let them bang you-" Junpei had received another kick to the head, making his vision fade into deep darkness.Kenji and Koji continue landing hit's on him, as Junpei had long lost consciousness. They panted, seeing Junpei lie there unconsciously, rage building inside of them at Junpei revealing their plans to Tsubasa. "Ay" Koji said, trying to get Kenji's attention. He pulled his pack of cigarettes out and lit one, taking a long drag and holding it towards Kenji as he exhaled the smoke and grinned mischievously. "Make him eat that, hahaha" Junpei heard faintly, as he was slowly regaining his consciousness. His mouth suddenly being forced open. Junpei slowly opened his swollen eyes, trying to focus his eyes. His eyes widened, at the feeling of a lit cigarette bud being shoved into his mouth, making him turn onto his stomach and reflexively spit it out. Laughter echoed around him. Koji roughly sat Junpei up against the metal fence, his nose still dripping blood onto his clothes, as they took pictures of the state Junpei was in, laughing at his misery. Junpei slowly felt his vision getting blurry, as he slowly lost consciousness and returned to the familiar darkness once more.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The sun was starting to set behind the horizon, as students slowly started finishing up with club activities. People opening their umbrella's to the faint rain, as they headed home. (y/n) who had also just finished up, exiting school. "Oh, it's raining. The weather forecast was spot on." They held their hand out, feeling the faint droplets against their skin. "Well, damn....I didn't bring my umbrella." Haru sighed. "Haha, should've checked before leaving the house." Ren chuckled. "Let's just share mine. We live close to each other anyway." Hana gestured Haru to get under her umbrella. Haru quickly got under Hana's umbrella. "Thanks, my saviour." He said jokingly with a grin. Hana's brows furrowed. "Haha, very funny. I can also take my offer back if you're going to be weird about it." "Okay, sorry sorry. I'll shut up." Haru did the gesture of zipping his mouth and throwing away the zipper. (y/n) chuckled at their antics. The four were heading towards the school gates. (y/n) was looking at their phone, seeing Junpei had texted them. "Hm?" They opened the text, though it seemed to be more of a keyboard smash than an actual text. (y/n) furrowed their brows in confusion, starting to type as they walked. "Hey guys. Check it out. Looks like somebody had a bad day." Ren pointed towards the ground, to a phone with a cracked screen, headphones still plugged in, just....lying there on the ground. "What? Who would just leave their phone here? Broken or not, that's seems like a waste." Haru retorted. "Should we hand it into the lost and found?" Hana asked, looking towards the others. (y/n) looked at the phone. It was placed rather strangely too, just splayed out there. How odd. They looked back at their chat with Junpei, sending the message they had typed out, as the phone in front of them suddenly lit up and vibrated. The group startled, looking at the phone confused. "Seems like it got a message. So it's still working at least." Haru picked the phone up. He looked towards (y/n). "It's a message from you." Haru showed (y/n) the notification. (y/n) furrowed their brows. A text from them? Could it be....They send another message into their chatroom with Junpei, as the phone vibrated once more, showing up the notification. "What? That's Junpei's phone...." (y/n) took it off Haru's hands looking at its condition. 'Why would he leave his phone on the ground like that? Where is he? Didn't he say he was going home, since he had no club activities?'(y/n) looked around the area, to see if there was anything else of Junpei's that had been dropped. The others silently followed them. (y/n)'s gaze fell on a trail of scuff marks on the lawn nearby. It seemed like something or someone was dragged. "People....This doesn't seem right...." Hana said nervously. "I don't really think we should follow this trail, or we might be caught up in something we'd rather not be a part of." Ren said to the others.Hana and Haru looked at each other, nodding as they understood what Ren was hinting at. (y/n) also slowly seemed to piece together what was being hinted at. "You mean.....bullies?"Ren nodded. (y/n) looked back at the trail, their heart sinking. Why would his bullies go out of their way to drag him to bully him? Wasn't that a bit extreme? Well was it honestly surprising them that those bullies would go to that extent? Not really...It was a big enough sign when they struggled to clean those graffities off of his desk, since there were so many. (y/n) started following the trail. Ren's eyes widened, as he quickly held (y/n) back. "You shouldn't intervene. If they're still at it we might end up getting caught in the crossfire. We'll become their targets too!" he warned. (y/n) looked at Ren, with a blank stare. They yanked their arm out of their grip. "I couldn't care less about that right now, Ren. Junpei might be in danger right now. I'm not just going to stay back to not be bullied myself. He's my friend." they turned and continued following the trails quickly as the down pour started to pick up, making the scuff trail starting to fade. Ren looked towards (y/n)'s back as they continued walking, then back at Hana and Haru. "Are you not going to do anything to stop them? You know how big of a problem this could become." Hana and Haru stood their silently, guilt ridden faces. They averted their gaze from (y/n) as they disappeared behind the school, then back at each other. They sighed, as they both followed in (y/n)'s path. Ren's eyes widened. "What are you doing?! Have you learned nothing?! We'll be put through hell if we intervene!" He shouted after them, dropping his umbrella to the ground. Hana turned. "(y/n)'s right. We shouldn't stand back just cause we might be caught in the crossfire. I'm not going to let the guilt that weights me down become a bigger burden with looking away again. I can't.""Neither can I. I don't want to feel shitty, cause I just stayed back and watched when a classmate was being beaten half to death, when I could've stopped it. We have to make things right. We have to stop scapegoating on Junpei." Haru said. Ren scoffed at their comments. "Y'all must be insane...Are y'all mad?!" Yet neither Haru nor Hana payed further attention to Ren, as they soon disappeared behind the school as well. They had made up their minds and were going to pull through with it. Ren stood there in the rain, trying to process what just happened as the rain poured down on him, his umbrella swaying on the floor next to his leg. --(y/n) walked around behind the school, trying to find more of the trail, but the rain seemed to have annihilated any chances of that. They sighed. "What now." They started scouting the area, looking for more clues on Junpei's whereabouts. Hana and Haru soon joined (y/n) as all of them started scouting the area together. (y/n) was looking further behind the school, as they found a familiar bag in the bushes. They quickly picked it up, calling Haru and Hana over to the area. "Found something?" Hana asked. "Yeah. His backpack, but it's mostly empty." (y/n) answered. The three looked around as found a trail of papers and demolished school books, the trail getting bigger as they approached the back area of the school, near the sport field. (y/n)'s heart dropped as they saw Junpei lying there unconscious, against the fence. Blood leaking from his nose and mouth, and his face being ridden with bruises. His bangs sticking against his forehead, seemingly to the flesh of opened scars on his forehead. They quickly went over to him. Hana and Haru stood there frozen in shook, seeing the condition Junpei's body had been put in. Hana covered her mouth, looking away as the sight was unbearable. Haru lowering his gaze. (y/n) fell to their knees next to his body, checking frantically if he was breathing and if his pulse was still there. Trying to swallow this nauseating ball of mater, clogging their throat. Their heart rate seemingly just exhilarating more and more, as they tried to think logical in the moment. (y/n) looked up at Hana and Haru. "Someone call the ambulance. We need to get him to a hospital asap!" They quickly exclaimed, to which Haru and Hana nodded and quickly started dialing. (y/n) looked back at Junpei. He was breathing, but his pulse seemed rather weak to the touch. His lips were blue from being out in the cold rain to long, his clothes drenched completely. (y/n) quickly held their umbrella over him, taking their jacket off and covering his cold body with it, in hopes of warming it even just a bit. They put Junpei in the unconscious person position, making sure his head was tilted up so he could breath better. They covered him a bit more properly with their jacket, as the coldness around them and the rain pouring on their head seemed to be their least worry right now. "They said it'll take some time till the ambulance will arrive, since it's raining pretty badly right now." Hana said to (y/n) kneeling down next to her. (y/n) looked down at Junpei's state, their eyes starting to tear up. They really hoped that Junpei was going to be okay. Hana saw (y/n) starting to tear up, as she gently placing her hand on their back. "(y/n)....We did our best....Now we can only wait for the ambulance to arrive...." (y/n) nodded, letting out a slight sob. Haru checked the time. "I'll go to the front of the school gate. Someone needs to lead the ambulance here after all." He pulled up the hood of his jacket and sprinted to the front. A soft siren was heard from the distance, getting louder and louder by the second. (y/n)' gaze was focused on Junpei, making sure to hold the umbrella over him. "You'll be alright....I hope you'll be alright...." The sound of muddy stomps coming closer were heard, as the EMT's quickly approached the scene. They gestured (y/n) and Hana to move aside, both quickly following. Junpei was carefully transferred to a stretcher and carried off the scene, being put into the ambulance. The three looked after the vehicle, as it started to move out of sight, hoping and praying that Junpei was going to be fine.
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Hello my fellow readers :) I have come today, sadly not with another chapter, but with an announcement. I will be going on hiatus. Fret not, I will not suddenly dip and never retunr to my fic again. So don't worry. I'm simply taking some time off cause my life has had quite some changes in enviroment and suroundings, like my work, so I simply want some time to adjust myself accordingly. We just finished a major arc so I thought that now would be the best time to take a break. I hope you can understand that and that you won't be to saddened by this. You have all suppoted me this far. I truly love writting this fanfic and seeing the kudos some of you left behind. And I do read every comment that gets left, so do know that I am very happy to have you reading my fic. So this break is definetly not the end. I will be coming back on the 25th January at 8am (EST) with another chapter. Since this major arc is done we will surely have some changes and major plotpoints coming up soon. So I hope you'll continue looking forward to this fic and continue reading it. I love you all. I hope you'll staz healthy and happy in the meantime, and that your gaols will be reached. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again on the 25 Januray :)
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It was a dark and cold space, Junpei found himself drifting in. "Am I....dead?" He wondered, looking around. He looked at his hands, seeing a blue hues spreading over them. It was so cold.....He closed his eyes curling into himself to inevitably preserve any type of warmth as the idea slowly started to sink in. "I'm dead......." He said to himself, the void echoing his voice back to him. "Maybe it's for the best....." he mumbled to himself. Though he soon found his body deny his words. As he felt a sight pressure building inside of his chest. He found himself reminiscing on his life, on the choices he made. The way his life had seemed more bearable lately, how he had even began to think that this was his turning point. 'I thought it was getting better....' He thought to himself. "But I guess it was to early to make that judgement. I mean... your surroundings don't just change at the snap of a finger....." He felt his eyes starting to burn. He bit his lower lip, trying to hold back the moisture that started to inevitably escape his tear glands. "I wish I could've said goodbye to mom, at least....She's probably very sad right now...." He sniffled. He wiped his eyes letting out a sob. is situation was so pitiful. Why did that have to happen to him just when he was starting to actually live.... "Why me...." He said into the void....As the echoes were the only thing close to an answer to his deep rooted question. "Why would my life end like this..." He sobbed. "Miserable through and through......I didn't even have a chance at seeing things turn out for the better...." He sniffled, his vision blurring, as he continued to wipe his eyes. He let out a sigh, trying to calm himself at this cruel fate, looking back at the abyss he was surrounded by. "It just started to get better......" He sniffled. "I just started to get better and now...." He sniffled. "Why!" He cried out into the void. He let out an exasperated sigh. 'I wonder....if it would have been the beginning to something better....' He thought to himself. (y/n) entering his life....Him having eaten with other classmates again since in a long time, even if it was a bit awkward....His relationship with his mom finally showing a chance of improvement, even with that deadbeat of a father re-entering their life......Why did it have to stop right before the good things in life would've reached him? He sobbed, not caring anymore, if his tears fell. He held his knees against his chest, as he cried into nothingness, into a void where nobody would hear him, a place where he would not be judged...After some time crying, Junpei couldn't help but feel sleepy, as he shut his swollen eyes to rest. As he was swaying between consciousness and unconsciousness, he felt the warmth of a hand on is back. He sighed, his body relaxing at the warmth that spread through his body, fighting of the cold. He slowly started to fall into slumber at the comfort of the hand on his back. A warmth that he had so desperately needed for so long......His heartrate slowed as he entered the world of dreams, whispering one last thing with his hoarse voice. "Mom...."--Nagi's hand slowly traced circles into Junpei's back, as he laid there before her, still laying unconscious. He hadn't woken up yet and was being kept under surveillance due to his critical condition. She sniffled with teary eyes at the sight. He was wrapped in bandages, all kinds of bruising and scaring distributed over his skin. 'So this is what you were going through while I was gone?.....'Junpei's mother had received a call from the hospital asking for her, as his guardian. She had quickly grabbed the earliest train and was met by the sight of her son, tied up to multiple cables, in this state, unconscious. Truly, a mother's worst nightmare. She couldn't help but cry at the sight, as she repeatedly stroked his back in a gentle soothing manner, as you did to children. --It was a hot day, at Junpei's grandmother's house, the cicadas where singing their familiar tune. A tune people would usually fall asleep to in the sun, yet even with the sun shining, it wasn't really sunny in Nagi's mind. She rested her back against the wood of the paper door as Junpei's tiny five year old self was resting against her. He had fallen asleep after playing to much in the garden. She was rubbing gentle soothing circles into Junpei's back, as he steadily breathed with his head resting comfortably against her. Next to her lied a phone, the messages displayed on the screen being from Hajime.
---Hajime---
"I'm sorry.....But I don't think I'm suited for raising a kid...I feel like I can't compete with you. I feel like I'm doing something wrong and it's making me lose my mind..""I feel like I need to work on myself before I can actually tackle this chapter as a father. I tried for five years.....But I can't hide it anymore. I feel like a failure.....A failure of a human being.....I can't even look you in the eye anymore Nagi....""I'll pay child support, whatever amount you want, I'll pay it.....But I'm afraid our ways will part here for now. It's best for all of us....."
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Tears ran down Nagi's cheeks. She truly had been left to raise Junpei by herself....The love of her life having left her to go on a journey to find himself, not even thinking first to ask for any help or talking about it first.....He had grabbed the earliest ticket to a diffrent city. 'Guess I always liked them dumb...' Nagi thought bitterly to herself, as she looked down at Junpei's sleeping form, resting peacefully, so unknowing of what happened in the life of the adults. Nagi sniffled, wiping her tears and stroking through Junpei's hair gently, pushing the loose hair strands, that stuck to his sweaty forehead, behind his ear. 'You look so much like him too....' she sighed. She gently placed a kiss on his forehead. "Guess it's just you and me now, Jun..." She whispered quietly, as Junpei nuzzled closer into her in his sleep, gently clutching the fabric of her shirt. --The sky was grey, creating the illusion of sunlight shining into the hospital room, the wind was whipping against tree branches and the leaves that had been previously spared, outside of the window. Junpei squinted at the light, as he slowly woke up, trying to adjust himself to the brightness. One eye didn't seem to open properly, making his hand lift to inspect it. A pain coursed through his aching body with the movement of his arm, making him hiss slightly. He lifted his hand in a more slower and careful manner, feeling the bandages on the side of his face, a change to the layer of bangs that usually covered it. His gaze fell down to the tubes connected to his arms.He looked at his surroundings. 'A hospital room? I'm.....not dead?' He thought to himself as he slowly started to fully perceive his surroundings. There were fresh flowers decorating a vase on a nearby table, a basket full of fruit, neatly wrapped with a big bow, next to it. Those two objects seeming to be the only type of vibrant colour in the room. He tried to turn from his side to his back, only to be stopped by something. He looked behind him, seeing his mother resting her head on propped up arms. His gaze widened slightly at the sight. 'What is mom doing here? Isn't her workplace in another city? Why is she here?' His attention went to the eyebags under his mothers eyes and how swollen and red the skin around her eyes seemed to be. His gaze softened, as he gently brushed some lose hair that was falling into her face aside, to the best of his abilities. 'I told her she should take more care of herself.....' He thought to himself. His gaze lowered seeing the hand that was still resting against his back. It made him feel a bit nostalgic, as his mother always did this whenever he would cry or feel anxious as a child. His eyes started tearing up, seeing that his mother had come for him. She really knew when he needed her most, huh? 'I'm happy to see you again....' He couldn't help the wave of emotions coming over him as he saw her. It had been so long since she had visited him. She was usually busy with work, and their distance only worsened when his mom had run into his father, seemingly a changed man, when she was stationed in a better position in another city. He broke into sobs as his walls slowly crumbed down, being crushed by the weight of emotions he was carrying and suppressing within him for so long. It had been to long since he last seen her in person. Crying felt painful with every time he breathed for air, yet he couldn't stop. Not now that the waterworks had started. He felt pain in his ribs as he sobbed, yet that wasn't his main concern right now. Nagi was woken up by the sounds, quickly sitting up half asleep yet alert. "Junpei?" She was met by the sight of Junpei crying and sobbing uncontrollably. Her eyes widened, seeing that her son was awake. She instinctually pulled him into a careful hug, slowly rubbing circled into his back. "Shh....It's okay Junpei......I'm here now....You're alright now." She whispered softly, trying to calm him down, cause or else he might reopen wounds. Junpei sobbed. "M-Mom...." He said with a hoarse voice. "Yes Darling....It's me....I'm here.....I'm here." Her son had woken up.....He was alright.....She gently kissed the top of his head. "You're alright....Thank goodness you're alive......Oh god Junpei......I'm sorry......I'm sorry..." Relieve and guilt felt her being as she couldn't stop herself from crying as well. "I'm here Junpei.....I'm here...." She repeated continuously like a mantra. Junpei could feel the pain in his body intensify at his mother hugging him, he had surely broken a rib or two....But right now, he wouldn't dare letting go of his mom. "M-Mom..." He sobbed into her shoulder, weakly wrapping his arms around her. Both sobbed into each others embrace, both not wanting to let go, in fear of it potentially being a dream that they would wake up from once they let go. The sun started to peak through from behind the clouds, as the sky slowly started clearing. As the clouds dispersed a rainbow found it's way arching across the sky. The storm had finally passed.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Junpei was resting against his mother, slowly calming both their sobs after a good cry. He sniffled as his mother cupped his cheeks and wiped them gently with her thumbs, making Junpei flinch occasionally when she traced over a bruise. Now that Junpei had calmed down and let out all his emotions he had held back, he felt rather feeble, like an autumn leave about to be plucked off the tree by a gust of wind. His throat was feeling very dry, he really needed a sip of water. He was about to open his mouth to ask his mom, but she quickly pulled a bottle out of her bag, cracking the cap open and gently holding it against Junpei's mouth. Junpei was a bit taken a back at first by how his mother quickly came to his help, it was unusual to him, but he soon relaxed his shoulders and started drinking. As he drank his gaze drifted through the room, taking a proper look at his surroundings once more. He really had ended up in a hospital room, he sighed, taking a last sip as he gestured his mom that he had drunken enough for now. He let the remaining water in his mouth slowly pour down his throat, as it left a moist trail down ,feeling a lot better. His gaze fell on his phone which rested on the bedside table. It's screen was broken. He found himself choking slightly. He coughed as his mother hurriedly rubbed his back. "My phone....the screens is broken?" Junpei asked between coughs. His mother looked over at the phone then back at him. "Oh, yeah. (y/n) told me they found it like this.....You were really lucky. Hadn't you dropped it your friends wouldn't have found you." his mother answered, gently pushing his lose hair strands behind his ear. Junpei looked surprised. "Wait what? You know (y/n)?"Junpei's mother smiled at him. "Well. They were the one to return the phone in the first place.""Huh? What?" Junpei looked dumbfounded. He was sure he had lost his phone when he was dragged behind the school....so it had fallen down near the school gate.....--(y/n) was still standing at the school gate, rain was pouring down on them as they looked into the direction the ambulance had driven into some minutes ago. Thoughts jumbled in their head. 'Will Junpei be okay?..... Who would do such a thing?..... I hope he's alright.....' They clenched the damaged phone in their hand as the black cloud of turmoil grew inside of them, with thought jumbling left and right. "Why wasn't I hear sooner...." they whispered under their breath.Suddenly the rain stopped, (y/n) looked up seeing Hana hold their umbrella over them, shielding them from the rain. Their gaze shifted to Haru wo was also next to Hana, both looking a bit worried. "(y/n) I think we should slowly head home now...." Hana said, as they held out (y/n)'s umbrella to them. "I'm sure Junpei will be fine. We did our part.....Now we can only wait and hope for the best." she tried reassuring. (y/n)'s eyes widen slightly. 'Oh, I must've worried them. Jeez I probably look very gloomy right now.' They quickly flashed as small smile. "You're right. Let's go home then." (y/n) took their umbrella off of Hana and started heading towards the school gate. They noticed that Hana and Haru hadn't started walking yet, quickly looking behind. "Guys?" (y/n) asked, trying to flash another small smile to calm them down. "Let's go. The rain isn't going to get any less with the longer we wait, you know?" (y/n) chuckled. Hana and Haru looked at each other then back at (y/n), they knew that (y/n) was definitely acting a bit off. They knew that (y/n) seemed to have a lot on their mind, but they decided to keep quiet about it for the moment. If (y/n) was trying to play it off as nothing big, they must not be ready to share it then. Then soon followed after (y/n) and started walking home. They walked next to each other in silence, till they were at the intersection. The trio said their goodbyes and parted. Haru and Hana couldn't help but look back at (y/n), who still seemed deeply in thoughts. "You think she'll be alright?" Hana asked Haru. "They'll take some time but...yeah. They'll be fine." Haru said. (y/n) was walking down the street, heading home. They passed by a familiar convenient store, momentarily stopping to look at it. They pulled out Junpei's damaged phone out of their pocket, staring at it. 'Should I....go to his house and return it?' They looked back at the convenient store lights, shinning in the heavy melancholic rain. They quickly turned on their heel and started heading towards his house. (y/n) stood in front of Junpei's fence, being met by the house. Their gaze shifted from window to window. 'There's no light burning....Are his parents not home yet?' They slowly approached the door, ringing it's doorbell. A loud silence echoed after the bell was heard. They rang once more. "Hello? Anybody home?" (y/n) sighed. 'Seems like nobodies home.' They were about to head back to their house and call it a day for now, until the damaged phone in their pocket started vibrating. (y/n) looked at the caller. "Mom?" (y/n) read. 'Oh, perfect timing!'They looked at the screen in silence, contemplating on picking up or not. 'Well....I should probably inform her on his whereabouts and return his phone....' They picked up the phone. "Hello?"There was a long silence on the other end. '?'"Junpei? Is that you?"(y/n) cleared their throat. "Ehm...No. This is (y/n). I'm a friend of Junpei's."There was another long silence ".....Why do you have his phone?" "Oh....Well I wanted to inform you on that actually......" (y/n) said hesitantly. (y/n) slowly started to explain the entire situation in the calmest way possible. --"And that's how I found out. They were the first to tell me, after that I got a call from the hospital you were at. As soon I got to the hospital I called them over so I could understand the situation better. And after our little talk, they left behind your phone for you." Nagi explained. Junpei nodded silently taking in all the information. He looked back at is mom. "What did they say?"Junpei's mother swallowed. "Well. They did tell me how they had found your phone near the school gate, next to a trail of scuff marks....And once they went to investigate they found you lying on the ground behind the school.....bloodied and beaten...." Nagi plucked at her fingers. "You were really very lucky...Jun.....I really wouldn't know what I'd do if you..." Nagi sniffled feeling her eyes starting to burn again. Junpei gently patted her back reassuringly. "Don't worry....I'm not....I'm awake now, no?" He said softly. Junpei's mother looked at him, softly nodding as she wiped her tears. "Yeah. You're right. I shouldn't delve to much into the past."Junpei nodded. "Yeah."After Nagi had calmed down a bit, Junpei asked another question. "Did you talk about anything else?" He asked curiously. He was kid of curious, since (y/n) and his mother, both were rater talkative, so who knows what they talked about. Junpei's mother thought for a moment. "Well...." Her gaze softened. "They surely talked a lot about you....." Junpei furrowed his brows. "What?" What was that supposed to mean? Talk about him? Nagi smiled, gently brushing Junpei's hair behind his ear. "They told me how you two met, how both of you got so close..... how you call each other a lot~" Nagi giggled. Junpei felt his cheeks heat up. "W-What?" Nagi chuckled. "Don't worry. I know you two are just friends. But I do gotta say.....Since when does my introvert of a son so keen on talking on the phone?" Nagi nudged him gently in a teasing manner."Mom! Don't say it like that....." he said embarrassed, as he covered his face with his hands. Junpei's mother laughed. "Don't worry...." Nagi gently patted his back, as Junpei slowly appeared behind his hands again. "Their a good kid. I'm happy you managed to make a friend like that." She said softly, gently rubbing his back. Junpei relaxed his shoulders, feeling a small warmth kindle in his chest, at the thought of how (y/n) and him became friends...."Yeah.....I'm glad we met...." he mumbled quietly.
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Junpei let out a long sigh as he looked out of the window. The weather was so nice, the sun was shining brightly, not a cloud to be seen, the birds were chirping gleefully as they assembled and got ready to migrate towards somewhere warmer, as winter was approaching. He was feeling bored. With his mother away for the day under the excuse of managing some paperwork, he was left by himself in this wardroom. His gaze drifted towards his phone that was sitting on his table quietly. He hadn't received any messages as of late, not even from (y/n), as they were probably taking midterms in school at the moment. He sighed, covering his eyes with his hands. He probably had to take a make-up exam after he was discharged from the hospital. Thankfully his mother had already talked to his school about his situation. Not only had she told the school that he was hospitalised, but she had also brought to attention that it was due to him being bullied on school grounds. And due to that the school was now working with cooperation with the police to investigate that matter. Junpei looked at his ceiling, missing the glow in the dark stars that he was so used to from his room. 'Well...Maybe this way they'll actually take this matter seriously.....These would stop the bullying....no?' He turned in his bed carefully, being met by the sight of his quiet phone once more. His heart felt heavy. He felt a sense of dread, seeing that nobody had contacted him yet....Not even (y/n)....Thoughts jumbled through his mind. What if (y/n) decided to stop interacting with Junpei after him being passed out behind the school in that state. Past memories flashed before him. The way his 'friends' had severed all contact with him after they had found out that Shota couldn't stand Junpei's guts. His 'friends' dropping him in fear of being bullied themselves. Them blocking him on everything and avoiding him like some kind of curse. The way their gazes turned the other way as he was being tormented repeatedly....All in fear of being dragged into Shota's wrath. His vision blurred, his heartrate speeding up and his breath harbouring. Would history repeat itself? What if (y/n) was going to start avoiding him too now....'That wouldn't happen....(y/n) wouldn't do that...' Or would they?He tried calming himself, remembering that the police was involved this time. The school couldn't help him, but this time it was different. The police would help....Right?'Shota couldn't possibly......' Or could he? His influence surely outweighed your safety, so why wouldn't the police be the same?'Well....but at least (y/n) was there....' Are they? Do you actually think they are close enough friends to priorities you over their own safety? Wow, you're really full of yourself. Just cause they have been nice to you lately? How delusional of you....'It's not prioritizing me. Of course I want them to be safe. But at least they wouldn't throw me into a ditch like the others. They would at least stay by my side, through it-' Why would they though? Why would they even remotely even pity someone like you. A cursed person that brings misfortune to anyone around them. 'They....' Don't forget what happened to Ren.Junpei's shoulders dropped, that voice in his head was right. How could he be so selfish to repeat history. --"Stop! Why are you doing that to Junpei! He didn't do anything to you! Stop!" Ren shouted at Shota as he was held back by Kenji and Koji. Both their laughter echoing through the club room. Shota relit his cigarette, the tip of it crumpled and stained with blood. He takes a long drag and looks at Ren with a grin. "Oh? Is someone trying to play hero now?"Junpei was laying on the ground, Minoru holding him down. He was drenched in sweat, as he could barely look straight form the pain that coarse through his face, tears were dripping down his cheek as he simply wanted to be put out of this misery. Ren clenched his jaw at the sight of Junpei. He looked up at Shota. "You can't actually expect to get away with this shit! You fucking psycho! Let him go!" He fought against Kenji and Koji's grip, yet they didn't budge. Shota broke out into laughter, taking another drag from his cigarette, the smell of burning flesh had long filled the room. "You sure about that?" "I'm going to tell the dean of what twisted shit your doing! Everybody in this school knows. They would all rat you out if an investigation was to start!" He threatened Shota. "Are you sure? I think you gotta reevaluate the odds." He lowers his cigarette. "I'm sure that money outweighs virtue, why do you think your other friends left?" Ren's eyes widened."I've got this entire school in my palm. Each an everyone here is a pawn of mine. You could say I'm a god in these halls." He laughed, looking back at Ren. He pointed his cigarette towards Ren. "Are you sure you're ready to challenge a god?"Ren's colour drained out of his face as his situation started to become clear to him. "You-""I'm giving you an option. Either we can settle this quietly, with you simply walking away, or you can be our new punching bag." He pointed at Junpei who laid on the ground barely conscious. Ren's blood felt like it froze in his veins. His gaze shifted between Junpei and Shota. He couldn't possibly leave his friend alone in situation like this. "You really must be fucking insane-"Before Ren could finish his sentence he was punched in the gut with an overwhelming force, causing him to curl up in Kenji and Koji's grip a they cackled at the sight. Ren had the wind knocked out of his lungs. He gasped for air desperately, as he was forced back onto his feet. "Let's see how long you'll keep this friendship-is-magic shit up." Shota said as he approached Ren slowly, pushing his sleeve up and clenching his fist. --Junpei blankly stares out of the window as the sun sets slowly behind the horizon. Maybe it's for the best that (y/n) stops contacting him. He'd rather be the one to suffer, than watching his loved ones take the blow. It seemed like that's what he'll always be. A mere side character to meet his tragic end, only to bring the plot of the actual main character forward. That's what he'll always be....
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The room was filled by silence. Nagi ha left the room to take a stroll at Junpei's request to be alone for a while, leaving only him. With only him laying in his bed the room almost seemed larger than it was before, he felt so small, the white walls surrounding him feeling overwhelming. He pulled the blanket over his head, resting his eyes from the setting sun outside. He had turned off his phone, re-embracing the solitude he was so used to. Yet....What was this tense feeling in his chest, and why were tears streaming down his cheeks? He sobbed under the blanket, the muggy air inside the blanket making it harder to keep his breath steady. He tried to wipe his eyes continuously, as his tears wouldn't seem to find an end, continuously trickling, as if from a faucet that was broken. He had made his choice. He wasn't going to contact them anymore. He was going to keep a distance so they wouldn't be involved. He should be used to this loneliness by now. But what is this pain then? Why is his chest hurting? Why is it so hard to breath? Why won't his tears stop?It was as if bushes of briar were growing over his heart, causing and aching sensation. Junpei clenched his chest, accompanied by another sob. 'Why....Why me?' He thought to himself as his thoughts overpowered the silence of the room effortlessly. He was reflecting on his life. How he hasn't been able to keep up any relationship of his alive, how they always have to leave one way or another. How it all ended up with him, and him alone. His father that left him, his mother that had chose that man over him and moved to another city, taking away his only chance to a support system in his darkest times. Ren who had distanced himself due to the misfortune Junpei seemed to be a magnet for. And now.....(y/n).....He had really thought that he had found the person that would stick around.....But he was obviously wrong. He was cursed to be this way. To be someone who was always the later option, someone who was made to be a filler character. A cannon fodder. What a horrid fate. A person made to get along with people, yet cursed to be drag anyone into ruin if they stayed long enough. A terrible fate. But couldn't it be that he has simply not encountered such a person yet? Who was he kidding, he had tried countless methods....yet all ended up the same. He was doomed to have his decisions always branch out into the same alley-end. His sobs slowly lowered in volume and force, as he felt his eyelids become heavy from all the crying. His eyes burned, so he decided to close them for the time being. To close them and only hope and pray for his life to take a turn for the better. For his curse to be lifted. --As Junpei slept, the soft creak of his door echoed through the room. 'Huh? Is he asleep?' The person thought as they approached the patients bed with a bouquet of white tulips. They headed towards the flower vase on the table, it's flowers had started wilting. The person gently removed them and changed out the water of the vase, carefully placing the tulips inside. Their gaze lingered on them. "Speedy recovery and 'I'm sorry', huh?" they talked to themselves. They turned back towards Junpei. They had noticed that Junpei had pulled the blanket over his head. They quietly approached the bed and lifted the blanket, tucking him in nicely, as he remained asleep at the gesture. The person let out a slight sigh, gently pushed his lose hair strands behind his ear, making Junpei slightly flinch in his sleep. They quickly froze at the flinch. As they were sure that Junpei was still sleeping they slowly retreated their hand. They sat in the seat next to the bed, as their gaze scanned his face. His eyes were puffy and red, probably from crying. Bruises planted all over his face, the one on his left cheek being especially dark. "Hey there...Junpei....It's me....(y/n)" they let out an attempted chuckle, though they soon stopped and sat here looking at him blankly. A storm was brewing within them, yet the stopped it from leaving their vessel in any form, continuously swallowing that nauseous feeling back down, for it to come back the next second. (y/n) looked at their friend. The way they had been beaten up was a sight (y/n) had never seen before. Their throat started closing up, as if a string was pulled tighter. Their vision becoming blurry. They placed their hands over their eyes, propping their elbows on their knees. 'And I promised myself not to cry here. Get it together!' They quickly wiped their eyes, the burning sensation being the only thing remaining. They wanted to say so many things, ask Junpei so many questions, but nothing seemed to come out. The only thing (y/n) mustered to let out was a repeated whisper. "I'm sorry....." They whispered under their breath again and again. They had spend about 10 minutes sitting there in silence next to Junpei, thinking back on how events had progressed. How they had parted before club activities. How (y/n) was looking forward to call him as soon as school ended and have another one of their talks, only to be met by the sight of his unconscious body, laying in the garden behind the school. Blood splatters in the grass, that had dried up from being there since who knows when, the coldness of his body in their arms and the weak pulse of his subtly vibrating against their hands. (y/n) took in a sharp breath, trying to keep their breathing steady, attempting not to burst out into tears right there. (y/n) wiped their eyes again. They had turned red from wiping them with their sleeve to much. Their gaze looking back at Junpei. With a shaky quiet voice, they mustered up a few words. "I don't know what to do in this situation.....I don't-......" They sniffed, taking another deep breath. "I don't know how or why this all happened........But...." They looked at his sleeping body. "But I will try my best that this won't happen again." (y/n) mustered up, the flame of determination flaring up in their eyes. They knew they were weak. They knew that they couldn't do much to physically protect him. Neither did they have the names of those who did that to Junpei. But they had made up their mind. They didn't know how yet, but they will do anything to protect Junpei from further torment.
And that was a promise.
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The days started getting colder, the weather looking as if it would snow soon in the upcoming days. There was a constant layer of clouds that seemed to block the direct sunlight, making it even colder than it initially was. (y/n) had arrived at the school entrance, Hana and Haru already waving towards them, calling them over to them. "(y/n)! Over here!" They slowly approached the group, flashing a fatigued smile. "Good morning. Did y'all all have a nice sleep now that midterms are over?" Hana shook her head, her eye bags pretty visible. "I wish I had. But someone decided it would be a good idea to game with full volume, even though their neighbour was trying to sleep." She flashed Haru an angry look. Haru shrugged his shoulders. "Other neighbours didn't seem to complain.""That's cause it's a two apartment building you dumbass!" Hana punched his arm. Haru hissed in pain, massaging the spot Hana had punched. "Ouch. So aggressive. No wonder you still don't have a boyfriend." He retorted. "You little-" Haru and Hana started bickering again, as all of them headed inside the school building. (y/n) was walking behind them, smiling at their antics. Their gaze fell on Ren who was walking next to them, seemingly deep in thought. It was a bit odd seeing Ren join their group again, after that incident with Junpei. (y/n) looked him up and down, pressing their lips together as they tried to place this feeling in their stomach, weighing down like lead. Was it discomfort? Hatred? Something else perhaps. Ren didn't seem to notice their gaze on him, as he continued walking next to them, while looking at the ground, seemingly in his own world. (y/n) swallowed. 'He must know something. Something about who is bullying Junpei.' They were in the same club, yet had this weird atmosphere around each other, whenever they crossed paths. Were they friends by any chance? There must've been something that had happened, something that had caused them to drift apart. They entered the classroom and took their seats, as class started. (y/n) couldn't help but occasionally glance over to Ren. How would they approach him best about this? Just as (y/n) was thinking of opportunities to bring it up, the teacher spoke up. "Today the students on cleaning duty will be, (y/n) and Ren. Don't forget it. And make sure to clean properly, or else I'll make you do it again." He said with a serious tone, continuing his teachings after finishing u with the miscellaneous things for the day. (y/n)'s eyes widened, that was their opportunity. The class continued as background noise, as (y/n) thought of ways to mention it to Ren. --As the time passed, lunch had arrived. The three sat outside on the nearby meadow. Ren had said that he had to do something during lunch so he didn't join them. (y/n) looked at the empty spot Ren should be sitting it. 'Had he noticed that I noticed? Is he purposefully keeping a distance?' Their thought jumbled. Ren was their only opportunity to get a better look at the situation Junpei was facing, but if he was being avoidant that would definitely complicate things. All they could hope for was that Ren wasn't going to ditch cleaning duty. Hana and Haru looked at (y/n) that seemed to be zoned out while staring at a patch of grass. They looked at each other with a worried expression, already guessing what (y/n) could potentially thinking about. Hana cleared her throat. "Ehem. (y/n) are you alright? You seem a bit lost in thought is something bothering you?" (y/n) snaps out of it, looking up at Haru and Hana, as both looked at them a bit concerned. They cleared their throat. "Oh it's..." they hesitated. Should they involve them in their plan? Better not. "It's nothing much....I was just a bit worried about Junpei....I wonder if he's recovering properly and stuff...." They said. Well that wasn't entirely wrong either. Hana furrowed her brows a little, sensing that there was more to it, but she quickly rested her knotted eyebrows, not wanting to pry to much. "I see....Yeah...I get that."Haru nodded. "Well..." He looked up. "Since midterms are done and the witness report stuff with the police is settled, should we all give him a visit?" He scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I don't know about me and Hana, but he'll surely be happy to see you, no?" (y/n) let out a small chuckle, a bitter taste in their mouth started to pool. "Well....I don't know about that...." They fiddled with their fingers, pulling at their cuticles. Junpei had been ignoring their messages completely. At first he didn't even receive the messages, cause his phone was probably off and at some point (y/n) was left on received. He didn't even open their chat anymore. (y/n) gave them a small reassuring smile, through the thoughts that were making them feel anything but reassured. "But we can try. So sure, let's pick a time that works for all of us." At the mention of us (y/n) couldn't help but think of Ren again. 'Would he also like to visit him with us? I wonder....' --Hana and Haru looked at (y/n) bummed. "Are you sure you don't want our help? Cleaning the classroom alone.....I can't believe it..." Hana shook her head with crossed arms. Haru nodded. "I can't believe Ren just ditched after lunch break. How inconsiderate."(y/n) shook their head with a chuckle. "It's fine. I'm sure Ren will be back soon. He left his things here after all. I'll just start cleaning first. You two can go home." Hana furrowed her brows. "Ugh....But-""It's fine. Really." They gave them a reassuring smile. Hana let out a sigh. "Fine. Do as you'd like it. But promise us that you'll tell us tomorrow if he actually showed up.""Huh why that? (y/n) chuckled. "That way Haru can beat his ass for you." Hana patted Haru's back. "Me? Why me?" Haru whined. "Fine then. I'll beat his ass, since you're such a coward." Hana retorted. (y/n) waved them goodbye as they continued bickering. (y/n) picked up the broom and started cleaning the room by themselves, as they suddenly heard the door creak. They looked up. Their eyes widened, their broom falling to the ground. It was Ren, looking dishevelled, as he held his side with taking pained breaths. "Ren! What happened?!" (y/n) approached him quickly. They supported hi as he walked to a chair. "It's nothing.""What?! But you obviously-" Ren interrupted (y/n). "I fell down the stairs! I swear...." (y/n) looked at him confused, following his shifty gaze, as he seemed to be wary of someone watching. (y/n) slowly puzzled things together. The bullies of Junpei must've threatened him to keep his mouth shut. They quickly got a paper and wrote down on it. 'Are you being watched?' Ren red the paper as subtle as possible and wrote back. 'Yes.'
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Hello my dear readersI hope you all are having a nice day right now,hope you're hydrated and sitting right now, cause I've got some news that might be upsetting to some of you. I've been devoured by a shark again, my lower half is missing... And since regeneration takes time, I will be posting the next chapter next week. Sorry for leaving y'all on the cliff hanger. I will take this dela and use it to try to speed up my recovery process and overlook my previous chapter once more, potentially also rewriting them so there are no plot holes or grammar mistakes. I hope you all understand and aren't to upset about these news. Don't worry. It'll be faster than you think, you'll blink and then I'm back here again :) During this time I hope you all stay healthy, find happiness in your daily lives and stay hydrated. I love you all. Thank you so much for the support you have given me so far, I never expected a fic of mine to be liked so much, it really warmed my heart. You really showed me how much I love writing. See you all next week :D