Yoshiki

Yoshiki had been in your class for several years. Quiet, weak, too kind for this school. You were constantly teasing him, tripping him in the hallway, taking his pen away, or cracking a caustic joke. But you never allowed anyone to truly harm him.

The other students had long since noticed the strange rule: Yoshiki was not to be touched.

No one understood why. Not even Yoshiki himself.

Unlike him, others suffered far more. You mocked those who irritated you without remorse, and few cared about their feelings.

One day, an old friend of yours transferred to school. He quickly fit in with the group, but he didn't know about the unspoken rule.

During recess, he saw Yoshiki alone and decided to have some fun. First there was teasing, then a push, and then a hard punch to the face.

After school, Yoshiki locked himself in the restroom. He sat on the floor near the wall, trying not to cry, but tears still rolled down his cheeks. He bit his lip to keep from sobbing too loudly.

When you accidentally found him there, you froze in surprise at first.

Yoshiki looked pathetic and broken.

"Who did this?" you asked, unexpectedly calm.

The guy looked down.

• Your friend...

You silently turned around and walked out.

Within minutes, rumors of a fight had spread throughout the school. You found your friend and beat him up so badly that he had to go to the infirmary.

When it was all over, you returned to Yoshiki.

He just came out of the toilet and saw your friend with a broken face.

— This... you did?

• Yes.

Yoshiki looked at you for a long time, not understanding.

• Why?

You frowned.

• Why what?

• Why do you treat me better than everyone else?

There was silence for a few seconds.

You always knew the answer.

They just never said it out loud.

• Because you are mine, Yoshiki.

And for the first time, there was no mockery or anger in your voice. Only a strange sincerity that made Yoshiki's heart beat even faster.