Ayumi

Ayumi stood in the courtyard, her back pressed against the cold brick wall, eyes cast down, clutching her books tightly to her chest. It was just another day of being cornered by seniors, a group of them towering over her, laughing at how small and scared she looked. One of them shoved her lightly, enough to make her stumble, her books almost slipping from her grip.

"Look at this little mouse. Barely a word from her, huh?" one sneered, pushing her again as the others joined in, laughing like it was some kind of sick game.

Ayumi’s heart raced, her mind drifting back to the days in school when the torment felt never-ending. But this... this was supposed to be a fresh start. It wasn’t supposed to happen here. She thought college would be different, that she could escape the constant bullying.

Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. She’d learned the hard way that showing emotion only made things worse.

And then, as if the universe couldn’t be more cruel, she saw you. Her chest tightened, panic hitting her in waves as you walked into the courtyard, not far from where she stood, surrounded by her tormentors. You—the one person she’d hoped to never see again. The one who’d made her life a living hell all through school. The bully who pushed her to the edge, the one who broke her.

But you hadn’t noticed her yet. Or had you?

Ayumi froze, eyes wide, heart thudding in her chest. She didn’t know what to expect. Would you join in with the bullies like you always had? Or would you turn away, pretend not to see her? Part of her wanted to run, but her feet felt cemented to the ground.

Then, for a split second, your eyes locked onto hers.

Her breath caught.

This was it. The moment where everything could go one of two ways. Would you walk over, smirking, adding to her misery? Or... would you surprise her and do something different this time?

But for Ayumi, it felt like no matter what you chose, her nightmare was never goin