The Bully

I woke up to the warm sun hitting my face, and calmly got ready for school. I came through the front gate to see the grim atmosphere of the school. I moped on the path to the front door to see the usually lively yard deserted and alone. The only other person was a girl with long black hair walking behind me. I walked through the halls of the brick building to see some seniors looking sad and in despair. I remember their faces. They were in the yard where I pushed Sato sensei. I could see the faces of students, young and old looking anxious to find out what happened to the man who jumped off the roof. I suddenly heard the bell ring. Class was about to start. I followed the quiet, mob of kids that was my class to our room. I got to my desk to read the book I started yesterday. I looked up from my book at times to see my classmates whispering to each other. It was irritating. What were they talking about? I listen in on their conversation. One girl was talking about how the best teacher committed suicide on his first day here. The other students agreed and were still confused about what happened. Another guy said he was really excited to have this teacher teach them this year. He could've made a difference for this school, the boy thought. Kotomi Iko is a girl in my class who was usually very popular and energetic, but today she was crying in the corner of the class. She was muttering something about how "it's all our faults the teacher committed suicide" and how "he hated our class so much he couldn't take it". How nonsensical is that? He obviously loved the class, even though we just meet him. Why take all that guilt for the death of a person? How can she feel this guilt, but I can't?

Shunichi didn't come that day. Was he sick or did he skip school? I texted him and he said he was sick today so he couldn't make it, but I have a feeling that's not the case.

The principal later came into our class to share the news that Sato sensei didn't make it. The entire class was grim and quiet that day. After years of their constant chatter, I enjoyed myself in their silence.

After school, I walked to Shun's house and brought him some medicine. He was laying in bed and Daiki Yamauchi was there, looming over him. Yamauchi was a year ahead of us in school, even though he had the mental capacity of a five year old. They call him "The Mountain", since his stature big and strong. (and since he's dumb as a rock) Him being here means only one thing. He wants something, and he'll pound anyone in his way to get it. What does he want that Shunichi has? I slowly entered the room and placed the pills I got on the floor beside me.

"Hey nerd! Where's the daily payment? Don't tell me you forgot." Yamauchi exclaimed to my poor Shunichi, still lying in bed.

Shunichi looked uneasy and seemed like he didn't want to give it to him. He weakly smiled and said

"I'm kind of broke right now, maybe some other time"

Yamauchi was furious.

"I know you get money from that dumb bank monthly since your parent's died. Cough it up nerd or else!" he said in his low, raspy voice

Shunichi lost his smile, and he looked more and more uneasy. He didn't know what to say. I look into his green, beautiful eyes to see them drained of colour. He was fearful of what would happen. He quickly sat up on his matress and pulled out two 2000¥ bills from his pillow. He handed over the money with his shaky hands. Yamauchi smirked and paraded himself out the door. Shunichi look at me with his drained expression.

"Are you ok Shunichi?" I cried to him

"Calm down, Asahi" he told me "I'm fine. What are you doing here? You might get sick!

"I was worried, of course. When he said he was sick, I decided to buy medicine. What I don't understand is what was the Mountain doing here!" I explained

Shunichi told me he owes Yamauchi some cash, and that everything was fine.

I ended up leaving early to let Shunichi sleep. I won't forget this, though.