NOTE: Character's names had little changes for the purpose of maintaining the purity of the actors' true image.

For this story: Shida Mirai as Kitahara Mirai; Kamiki Ryunosuke as Kashiwagi Ryunosuke; and Irie Jingi as Arakawa Jingi

PS. While writing this, I play along Yui's song entitled Love and Truth. (It kinda set my mood XD)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

There she is again...Kitahara Mirai...walking in the hallway with her usual tiny steps, in slow pace. Her face almost covered by her long hair. With the crowded hallway, it was just her footsteps that echoed a single per second and the deafening murmurs and whispers, and glares and gestures from around. With her petite size, attention was undeniably big.

She slid open the door of her classroom only to be greeted by a crumpled paper thrown on her forehead, followed by loud giggles. She stood stiff in her feet as bullies circled around her. She swayed lifelessly as they beat her back, then followed by a push in her shoulder until she’s rained by trashes over her head. No complaint bowing and silent, no trace of annoyance on her pale image, nor self pity. Her expression was neutral, no feelings...dead.

There she is Again, Kitahara Mirai—bullied, despised, humiliated...hated. There she is again, Kitahara Mirai...

A girl leaned closer to her face. “Mother killer.”

...Kitahara Mirai...the murderer.

*****

Without the light outside the window, her face was almost invisible in shadows. She was chewing abruptly her lunch which is consist of rice and processed tuna. That was never new, that was an everyday lunch perhaps.

She stopped chewing as footsteps can be heard coming.

“Mirai-tan! How’s lunch?” It was Arakawa Jingi, the leader of all bullies in her class. She is aware of the guy’s hatred towards her. She doesn’t know the most valid reason why, it doesn’t matter anymore when everyone around her hates her too. “How’s lunch?” He repeated in a louder voice.

The guy slammed his hands on Mirai’s table but the girl’s face emits nothing but neutrality. He pushed her chin up by his hand making him meet her beautifully round eyes which is filled with her dead expression. “I’m talking to you!”

Mirai did nothing but stare back at the guy. The rest of Arakawa’s troops came closer yet no trace of fear in the girl. She remained silent.

Arakawa removed his hand on her chin harshly that Mirai’s face moved sideways and strands of her hair covered her face. She didn’t say anything as she swiped the stray hair, but before she can completely do it, Arakawa slammed his hands on her table again. “You’re annoying.” He said in a creepy whisper.

With his crumpled forehead, he shouted as he wiped the girl’s lunch box on the table, making everyone turn on their direction.

His troops laughed and later on, everyone in the class followed. A smirk grew in Arakawa’s face. Mirai slowly moved her seat, stand and pick up her failed lunch.

Later, Arakawa joined her on the floor. “You know what, this lunch is worthless. You’re mom could do better. Oh! I remembered, you have no more mommy. Ah...” He placed a hand in his chin. “Let’s see...what happened to her again?” He let out a mocking and quick laugh. “Oh, yeah...you killed her.” It’s almost a whisper but enough to sting Mirai.

Arakawa stood facing his classmates. “Hey everyone! Who among you here wants to spend the entire year with a murderer?!”

No one talked. No one reacted.

“No one.” Arakawa nodded abruptly. He looked down at Mirai under his feet. “No one wants to be with you...Everyone hates you. No one is in your side...No one but the Juvenile Law. That damn Juvenile Law which kept you young criminal free.”

Mirai curled her fist in a clench as she listened to Arakawa Jingi.

He said nothing but the truth. She’s a criminal. Her hands are stained with the blood of the woman she called ‘mom’. But she’s nothing but free. It happened a year ago when she was 17. At that young age, she was already a murderer. She’s still a minor and the law is in her side. So she might as well say hello to Juvenile Law and kiss goodbye to imprisonment.

Everyone started throwing their food at Mirai who was on the floor. As if it was a food fight with a little change in the mechanics, since there is only one target.

Arakawa’s loud laugh slowly vanished when everyone stopped throwing food on the girl.

They were as shock as Mirai who sees a figure in front of her. It was a boy who wears the same uniform as the others, but she doesn’t know him that much.

A smile grew in Arakawa Jingi’s mouth. “Ryunosuke.”

Kashiwagi Ryunosuke, the transfer student who just arrived that week, frowned at the bully’s informality of calling him in first name. “This is too much...All of you are being too much. “ He eyed each of the people inside the classroom. “Especially you.” His eyes landed in Arakawa Jingi.

The latter laughed. “Me? You’re making me laugh, Ryunosuke.” He looked at Mirai. “This is just the lowest level, ne Mirai-tan? Criminals like you can endure better than this ri—“

“Arakawa-san!” Ryunosuke cut him from continuing.

It wasn’t the intensity of Ryunosuke’s voice, but the murderous look at Ryunosuke that made Arakawa stop. Arakawa’s friends were about to beat the hell out of the other boy when he gestured to let Ryunosuke pass this time. He laughed as he left with his troops.

Mirai lifted herself up, standing behind the boy who just saved her. She stepped back as the boy turned in front of her.

“You look dreadful.” He looked at her stained by their classmates’ food.

Mirai looked down and when she’s about to leave, Ryunosuke grabbed her in the wrist.

*****

He waited for Mirai outside the girl’s dressing room. Not too long, Mirai went out wearing the gym uniform.

Ryunosuke looked at her from head to toe before he offered a melon bread. “Hmm.”

Mirai quickly glimpse at him and then back to the melon bread.

He shoved it closer to her. “Just take it. I’m not letting you pay for it.”

Mirai hesitantly but took the bread not because the boy said he won’t make Mirai pay for it, but because she saw a sweet little smile in the boy’s lips.

She had not seen someone smile at her before. And it sure feels warm inside.

*****

They poured chalk powder on her, making her cough and they playfully laugh. The rest were just watching at the scene in front of them as if it’s a live show.

Arakawa smiled playfully. He picks up the eraser on the teacher’s table and held it as if playing baseball.

“WWWHHHOOOOOOOWWWW!!!!” Everyone reacted excitedly at his next move.

“Here it goes...the most amazing pitch in history!” As if it went slow mo, Mirai