Chapter 11

The next day, Nick arrived but didn't find Akito. Stretching his neck left and right, he paced back and forth in front of the door of Class 3-4. After finishing morning self-study, Akito finally appeared.

He wore a shirt, buttoned up to the top, with two Band-Aids sticking to his neck. Without greeting anyone, he just sat there, staring blankly at nothing. Ryohei, sitting close to him, noticed the irregular red marks under the Band-Aids on his neck.

At the end of the class, Nick called for Akito at the door for a long time before he came out. Ryohei pretended to be indifferent but discreetly observed.

Nick handed Akito a sizable bag, but Akito didn't take it. Instead, he threw a punch at Nick's face. Nick staggered back a few steps, looked at Akito for a moment, then turned around and walked away.

Ryohei lowered his head and saw the bag that fell to the ground, revealing something inside. It was a black, thick sponge cushion.