⚠️ Content Warning: Bullying
This chapter contains scenes of childhood bullying, verbal insults, and intimidation. Please read with care if these themes may be sensitive or triggering for you.
"I'm not stinky!"
A little boy stumbled backward onto the grass, falling hard as tears welled in his eyes. He rubbed them with his small fists, already trembling.
"Yeah, you are. My mommy said your family does stinky jobs."
The older kid—bigger, broader, and smug—stood over him with hands planted on his thick waist.
Two more boys stood on either side, forming a tight semicircle around the crying boy.
"M-My mommy's not a liar! My family… my family gives sleeping places to people who turn into angels…"
The little boy protested, though even he didn't sound confident. His voice cracked at the end.
"Shut up, freak. With your weird ghost eyes."
The three boys stepped forward, ready to pounce—
When a sharp, high-pitched voice cut through the field.
"Stay away from him! Or I'll call Shiro on you!"
All three bullies jerked around.
A tiny girl stood behind them, glaring furiously… while holding the leash of a dog three times bigger than her tiny frame.
The little boy blinked through tears, trying to see her clearly. Everything looked blurry, so he rubbed his eyes again—sniffling.
"Oh no—it's the Big Dean's girl!"
The bullies paled instantly.
Everyone knew Big Dean's dog… and feared him. The dog growled once, tail swishing like a warning.
"Run, you cowards!"
She stomped her little foot. "And don't you ever bother him again!"
The older boys didn't wait. They bolted, tripping over each other in their hurry to escape the small girl and her monstrous dog.
The crying boy watched them go, then looked at the girl. The huge dog towered over him, sniffing him curiously with a wagging tail.
Terrified, the boy tried to pull himself up—but his legs had gone numb from sitting. He failed and fell back onto the grass.
"P-Please… don't hurt me," he whispered, shrinking away from the dog's enormous head.
"It's okay!"
The girl skipped closer. "Shiro is a good boy. He likes you."
Her voice was cute—slightly unclear, as if she was still learning how to pronounce words—but full of confidence.
"No one likes me…"
The boy looked down again, tears gathering. "I'm a freak. With weird eyes."
The girl didn't even hesitate.
She crouched down to his level—bringing her small face inches from his—and the boy froze, startled.
"W-What are you doing?" he whispered.
The girl leaned in even closer, squinting into his eyes with serious concentration.
"Looking at your eyes," she said.
"You have a flower blooming inside them."