"Even in this world, cases of bullying still exist."
I used to be bullied too, back when I barely talked. But I dealt with it quickly using raw strength—my fists. Even so, I still hate bullies. They're people who stir up trouble for no clear reason, and that really gets on my nerves.
I took my phone out of my pocket, then turned on the front camera. I held my breath when I saw my face—a handsome young man with blue eyes and black hair. This level of good looks could make the entire world stop and stare.
I smiled in satisfaction and finally understood the reactions of the people in class earlier. After fixing my hair a little, I put my phone back into my pocket and started walking home.
"So what? I just want to go home and relax," I muttered quietly.
I hope there are games in this world that can entertain me. Or should I go patrol with the city security department?
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away.
Not now. That sounded way too dangerous.
"I do hate it—but only when it happens near me."
If the bullying is happening far away from me, why should I go out of my way just to get annoyed?
The system fell silent after my answer, and I walked toward the nearest bus stop. Since I had missed the previous bus, I'd have to wait quite a while for the next one.
While waiting, I heard footsteps. From the side, Nora—looking disheveled—walked over and sat down beside me.
"Who were they?"
I asked, wanting to confirm whether they were from our class. I hadn't really paid attention to anyone earlier.
Nora took a deep breath and replied in a small, trembling voice.
"T-They're just some kids from the class next door. They're always like this… mocking me, calling me awful names…"
"Oh, I see."
Hearing that, I felt a little relieved since it meant I wouldn't have to deal with noise early in the morning.
"Y-Yeah… I'm always the quiet girl, always alone. So they see me as an easy target."
"Who asked?"
I cut her off so she wouldn't keep talking. I wasn't interested in listening to a woman vent.
"I'm sorry."
Wow, now the system was really trying to pick a fight with me. If earlier I could treat it as an intro, then what was this supposed to mean—blocking my view now?
Oh, so you can read my thoughts too. Fine. Then shut up. I don't care about the nonsense you're showing me.
"…Why are you here?"
I frowned when I heard her question. Was she trying to chase me away or something?
"I should be the one asking that. I hope you stay away from me."
Looking at her closely, she looked really messed up. I was worried someone might report me to the police and think I had done something bad to her.
Too late, and I don't care. So shut up.
"I-I… I was just… sitting here earlier… drawing…"
"Who asked?"
This time… she doesn't look back.>
Reading the system's message, I looked to the side and saw that the girl had already walked far away.
Wait—wasn't this basically me chasing her off? Then how was she supposed to get home like this? I just meant for her to sit a little farther away from me. I felt frustrated now.
I was about to call out to her, but I wasn't sure my voice would reach her. Honestly, I was too lazy to try.
"Host, you're really a bastard."
"Shut up!" I snapped, growing even more irritated by this annoying system.
I turned my head to the side. There, a notebook lay half-open near the edge of the bench. A small sketch peeked out from between the pages. It looked like me.
That sketch really bothered me—not because it was bad, but because it looked exactly like my face. Now that I thought about it again… a quiet girl, likes drawing, gets bullied—wasn't that the typical personality of those weird webs?
If that was the case, then wasn't she one of those types, drawing my face for her own fantasies? Damn it, this girl was seriously messed up.
"I didn't mean to… come back."
A voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked forward.
"I just couldn't leave it. This… is the only thing I have."
Nora stood there, slightly out of breath, pointing at the notebook in my hand.
"Were you masturbating to the sketch of my face that you drew yourself?"
I asked bluntly.
Nora's eyes went wide in shock. She stammered, her cheeks turning red.
"W-What?! No! Of course not!"
"W-Why would you even ask something like that?!"
I had to admit, the system was pretty helpful here—and now I knew I was truly in trouble.
Nora stepped back. Her voice dropped into a trembling whisper.
"I—I draw because it helps me breathe."
She lowered her head, her hair falling to cover her face.
"I didn't draw you for reasons like that. I drew you because… for a moment today… I didn't feel invisible, or at least that's what I hoped."
A tear slid down her cheek—but she quickly wiped it away, as if showing pain was forbidden.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "For being near you."
"System, am I really a bastard?"
I let out a slow breath. I was exhausted today. Fine then—I'd return the notebook tomorrow.
This time, I followed the system's instructions.
I flipped the page—and another drawing caught my eye: a girl (I assumed it was Nora) standing alone beneath a tree. Above it were words written in small, careful handwriting.
"If I disappeared… would anyone notice? Or would they just say I was never really here at all?"
My breath caught.
I gently closed the notebook.
And without thinking—I started running after her.