Morvella smiled softly. It wasn't a fake smile, nor was it entirely genuine; it just existed—an innocent, practiced expression that she wore like a mask.
It was a small act of defiance against the world's harsh whispers, a way to blend in, to hide what she really felt inside.
She shut her locker gently, the metallic click echoing softly in the quiet corridor.
Without haste or hesitation, she turned and walked toward her new classroom, her steps slow and deliberate.
The hallway was alive with fresh energy—students chatting, laughing, exchanging greetings.
Everything felt new, unfamiliar, yet somehow comforting in its normalcy.
As she entered the room, her gaze swept over the unfamiliar faces—bright, eager eyes, some curious, others indifferent.
The room was filled with the scent of books and chalk dust, the walls decorated with posters and colorful charts.
Desks were arranged neatly, and sunlight streamed through the large window at the front, casting warm patches of light on the polished wooden floors.
Morvella moved in quietly, her smile still in place, and her eyes lowered shyly as she made her way toward the front.
She paused beside a middle-aged man with kind eyes, the teacher, Mr. Philip.
He was a gentle-looking man, with a warm smile that made students feel at ease.
"Guys, I would like to introduce you to Morvella Takahashi," Mr. Philip announced with a welcoming tone.
"She's all the way from Japan. She might not speak English properly because it isn't her first language so make her feel welcomed"
Morvella's eyes flickered with a hint of nervousness but she maintained her calm, composed posture.
She looked down shyly, then took a few slow steps forward, trying to find an empty seat.
Her gaze settled on a desk near the window—a peaceful spot with plenty of sunlight—and she quietly sat down, a small, tentative smile on her lips.
"After class, you all can go and greet her and get to know each other," Mr. Philip added kindly.
"Today is resumption day, and we have some new students joining us from last term. Let's make them all feel welcome."
He paused, then continued,
"Now, open your books to page 284."
His voice faded into the background as the students reached for their books, pens moving swiftly across pages.
The classroom buzzed with activity, a gentle hum of chatter and the rustling of pages.
Suddenly, the bell rang through the school halls like a herald announcing the arrival of a much-anticipated break—lunch time.
The sound was lively, full of energy, and it signaled a pause in the day's lessons, a favorite time for students to relax, chat, and enjoy a brief escape from the classroom.
At the cafeteria, Morvella sat stiffly at her table, her back perfectly straight, her eyes lowered to her tray.
She carefully arranged her utensils, holding her fork like a knife, trying to mimic the confident manner she saw others do.
She took a delicate bite of the sad-looking bread, stabbing it with a faintly trembling hand, her expression carefully neutral.
She smiled faintly, a small attempt to mask her discomfort—just in case anyone was watching, anyone noticed how she awkwardly held her fork, how her gaze darted nervously around the room.
Across the cafeteria, a girl with vibrant red hair and warm brown eyes spotted an empty seat nearby. Her face was kind, her smile genuine and inviting. She hesitated briefly, then approached Morvella with gentle steps.
"Can I sit?" she asked softly, her voice calm and friendly.
Morvella looked up briefly, her eyes meeting the girl's warm gaze. She glanced down quickly, then nodded silently in agreement. The girl settled into the seat with a gentle smile, her eyes full of kindness.
"My name is Hana," she said softly, her voice soothing. "Nice to meet you. I'm in your class."
Morvella nodded in return, offering a small, tentative smile.
"Hi... to you too... I... I'm Morvella Takahashi," she replied shyly, her voice quiet but steady.
Hana's smile widened, but then her expression shifted slightly as she glanced at her watch, a look of concern flickering across her face.
"Oof, we need to go," Hana said quickly, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Why?" Morvella asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
Hana's eyes darted toward a group nearby—bullying was a familiar, unpleasant sight here.
"Naoki and his friends come every day to bully that boy," she explained softly, her voice tinged with worry. "They pick on anyone they see. It's always rough."
Morvella's face shifted—not with concern, but with a cold, unpleasant smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
It was neither kind nor practiced; it was sharp, almost hostile.
"No, I am not going anywhere," she said firmly, her tone final and unwavering.
Hana's face fell slightly, feeling a twinge of pity, but she understood the look in Morvella's eyes.
She shook her head gently, a mixture of sadness and frustration, then reluctantly got up and walked away, leaving Morvella alone once more.
Morvella sat quietly, her expression blank but her mind racing.
Just like Hana had said, Naoki and his friends came to the cafeteria.
Naoki had a typical build—not too big, not too small—but he carried himself like the space belonged to him. His hair was perfect, styled without effort, and his expression was rough, bored, the kind of face that looked down on people without needing a reason.
Behind him were three boys, all grumpy-looking, all following his lead.
Some students lingered.Some slowed down.Some watched and waited.
At one of the tables sat the boy Hana had mentioned.
He wasn't tall, but not short either—average for a boy his age. His hair was silky and neat, falling just over his ears, not long enough to tie, not messy enough to hide behind. He had delicate features: soft pink lips, big eyes behind thin glasses. From certain angles, you might almost mistake him for a girl.
Naoki noticed immediately.
He stepped forward, stopping right in front of the table.
"Hey," Naoki said, glancing back at his friends. "Joon. Minjae. Seok."
They snickered.
Naoki looked down at the boy slowly, eyes dragging over him.
"What's with you?" he asked. "You trying to be a girl or something, sissy?"
The laughter around them grew louder.
The boy's hands tightened around the edge of the table.
"Leave me alone," he said.
His voice shook.Just a little.
He stood up, chair scraping softly against the floor, clearly trying to walk away.
Naoki sighed, irritation flashing across his face.
"Annoying," he muttered.
He shoved the boy forward.
The push wasn't wild—but it was enough. The boy lost his balance and fell to the floor, his tray tipping over, food sliding across the tiles.
The cafeteria went still.
Naoki crouched down, picked up the burger from the floor.
He dragged his tongue across the bun.
Then he dropped it onto the boy's chest, letting it roll up toward his face.
"Eat," Naoki said.
Quiet. Flat.
The boy's eyes filled instantly. Tears slipped out despite his effort to hold them back. His shoulders shook as he let out a small, broken sound, trying desperately to swallow it.
Naoki frowned.
"Didn't you hear me?" he said, voice hardening. "Eat."
The boy cried softly now, breath uneven, humiliation crushing him as he stared at the food without touching it.
Around them, students looked away.
No one moved.
Naoki straightened up, clearly bored now.
"Pathetic," he muttered, brushing his hands together.
He turned and walked off, his friends following, laughter trailing behind them like noise after a door slams shut.
The boy stayed on the floor, crying quietly, tears soaking into the front of his uniform, his glasses slightly crooked as he tried to wipe his face with trembling hands.
No one helped.