Hinata had had enough of these incessant provocations. For days, Jack had been shoving her, slipping sly remarks, provoking her in the corridors. She couldn't take it anymore.
So she gathered her courage and went straight to the principal's office to explain everything.
Jack was summoned. Hinata, too. And Mayohi, a direct witness, had to join the office right after.
But as soon as she entered, Jack shot her a dark look... a look that said nothing but promised everything else:
Speak, and I'll crush you.
She paled.
The principal looked at them one by one, then asked in a calm voice:
— Miss Mayohi, is what Hinata says true?
Hinata immediately turned her head toward her best friend, already certain that Mayohi would confirm. After all, she had seen everything: the shoulder bumps, the taunts, the looks, the whispered insults... It was impossible to forget that.
But instead of speaking, Mayohi froze. Her throat tightened.
She lowered her head. Her hands trembled.
— I… I didn't see anything, sir principal…
Hinata sat up sharply:
— What?! Mayohi! What are you saying?! You saw everything! You—
Jack intervened immediately, confident, an insolent smile glued to his lips:
— You see, principal?
— Hinata is trying to intimidate Mayohi to make her say anything! She's the bully here.
The principal raised his hand, exasperated.
— Enough! All three of you out. Immediately!
Hinata felt something break inside her.
She grabbed her bag without a word and left the room first, her gaze lost, as if what had just happened was unreal.
In the hallway, Mayohi and Jack came out in turn.
Hinata walked ahead, arms along her body, head slightly tilted, looking disappointed... deeply hurt.
Mayohi felt her heart tighten. A violent, almost suffocating guilt swept through her.
— You better have, little one.
Jack put his hand on her head like he was crushing a cigarette.
— Otherwise, what would have happened to you wouldn't be pretty to see.
The shiver that ran through Mayohi wasn't just fear: it was a mixture of shame, terror, and a black sadness that tied her up inside.
She looked at Hinata, alone, who walked away without a word, and felt tears welling up in her eyes.
What did I do?
Why… why did I say nothing?
Hinata… I'm sorry…
But Hinata didn't turn back.
And Mayohi stood there, tiny in a too-large corridor, crushed by the weight of her own cowardice.
The next morning, Hinata was already seated in her place, motionless, her gaze lost through the window.
The pale morning light carved her profile: jaw clenched, hand against her chin, fixed and cold eyes.
She looked like she had spent the night trying to understand why Mayohi had done that... and had found no answer.
She knew her reputation as a bully, fueled by rumors and Jack's provocations, hadn't helped with the principal.
But that wasn't what hurt her the most.
What stabbed her was Mayohi.
The only friend she had ever had.
The only one she truly cared about.
The only one she had let her guard down with.
And yet, she was the one who had let her down at the crucial moment.
Hinata felt her heart pinch at that thought.
She didn't even want to look at her anymore.
A few minutes later, Mayohi arrived.
She stopped in front of Hinata's desk, holding her things against her.
Her eyes were red, as if she had cried before coming.
"Hello… Hinata…" she said, her voice small, hesitant.
Hinata didn't answer.
Not even a nod.
She kept her eyes fixed on the window, her expression closed like a door locked from the inside.
Mayohi froze, her hands trembling.
She wanted to reach out to Hinata's shoulder… just a touch, a start of an apology…
But the teacher entered the classroom at that moment.
"Mayohi, please take your seat."
For the first time since their friendship began, they did not sit together.
Mayohi moved away slowly and sat at another desk, shoulders lowered, looking completely devastated.
The class began, but Mayohi followed nothing.
She didn't listen to a single word.
Her gaze kept going towards Hinata, who stayed upright, silent, completely unreachable.
Guilt crushed her chest.
Why did I do that? Why didn't I speak? Why did I leave her alone? I should have tried harder.
The principal's words still rang in her head.
And especially… Jack's threatening look.
Her trembling fingers scribbled a message on a small torn piece of paper from her notebook.
She breathed deeply, stood up, and advanced toward Hinata's desk as if each step cost her.
She quietly dropped the paper on her table — a tiny action, but one that felt like a ton.
Then she turned toward the teacher, holding her breath:
"Ma'am… can I go out for a moment?"
"All right, but don't linger," the teacher replied.
Mayohi went out immediately, almost running, as if the air in the classroom had become too heavy for her.
Hinata remained still.
She felt the paper under her fingertips but hesitated for a long time before taking it.
She still had the bitter taste of betrayal in her mouth.
She didn't want excuses.
She didn't want lies.
But her heart, despite everything, pushed her to read.
She finally opened the little paper.
And there was only one sentence, written in trembling handwriting:
"Hinata… I beg you, wait for me after classes. I need to talk to you."
The sun was slowly setting behind the rooftops, casting an orange light that outlined the corners of the alleyway. Hinata had followed Mayohi in silence, troubled by the evasive look her friend had all day long. The noises of the school had faded behind them, replaced by the distant hum of the city.
Mayohi suddenly stopped.
She stood facing Hinata, arms slightly trembling. It looked like she was fighting against something rising inside her.
— I'm a coward, aren't I? she whispered in a tight voice.
Hinata frowned. Not anger, no. A sad incomprehension. She didn't respond right away, trying to understand what was breaking so violently in her friend's eyes.
Mayohi lowered her head... then her legs gave way.
She fell to her knees, as if the weight of guilt was finally crushing her.
— I… I'm sorry, Hinata… I… I'm so sorry…!
Her shoulders began to tremble. She clenched her hands against her thighs, unable to lift her head.
— I should have spoken… I should have defended you… I should have done something… but I… I was scared…!
The sobs cut off her voice. Each word seemed to tear her throat.
— Jack… you don't know… I don't know what he could have done to me if I had told the truth… He looked at me… always with that smile… as if he knew things about me… as if he could… break me…
She breathed with difficulty, then let out a breath full of shame:
— Anyway… I was cowardly… I left you alone… and I should never have… never…
Hinata felt her heart tighten. It wasn't Jack's fear that touched her... but Mayohi's total sincerity. That repressed anger, that shame that ravaged her. She never imagined seeing her fall like this.
A moment passed, heavy, wounded, deeply human.
Hinata took a step toward her.
Hinata watched her for a long time before finally exhaling, in a calm but hurt voice:
— Honestly, Mayohi… I won't lie to you. Your behavior deeply disappointed me.
Mayohi curled in even more. Her fingers clenched. The sobs grew louder. Hinata was silent, letting the sound of her cries resonate alone, as if it had to cleanse something between them.
She breathed softly.
— But… on the other hand… I understand you too.
Mayohi lifted her head a little, surprised to hear those words amid her own shame.
Hinata — I understand your fear. And I respect your courage to tell me now.
She stepped forward.
Not everyone can stand up to Jack… He is scary. He manipulates. He crushes. So yes, I resent you… but I can't blame you for being human.
Mayohi closed her eyes, tears continuously sliding down her cheeks.
Hinata crouched down and placed a firm and sincere hand on her shoulder.
— Mayohi… look at me.
With difficulty, Mayohi raised her eyes.
Hinata smiled slightly, a tired but real smile.
— It's forgotten. Okay?
She wiped a tear on Mayohi's cheek with her fingertip.
Let's move on. Together. If you still want me as a friend.
Mayohi hiccupped, shaking her head with almost childlike urgency.
— Of course I want to… of course…
She threw herself forward, hugging Hinata in a brusque, awkward but sincere gesture, as if she was afraid to lose her again.
Hinata recoiled slightly in surprise, then slowly closed her arms around her.
Their embrace remained for a moment, in the small alley where the daylight slid diagonally as if to hide their flaws.