Kuroda [After School / Old Gym]

A boy sat at the very top of the bleachers in the old gym.

Kuroda.

A third-year.

Unlike the boys who had attacked Hara before, he never raised his voice.

If anything, his calmness made him more unsettling.

(Kuroda) : “You look more ordinary than I expected.”

(Hara) : “So do you.”

Kuroda smiled.

(Kuroda) : “Work for me.”

(Hara) : “No.”

(Kuroda) : “Fast answer.”

Kuroda showed him his phone.

A shot of Hara clenching his fist.

A student looking afraid.

Cut out of context, the clips made Hara look like the bully.

(Kuroda) : “People don’t watch the whole story. They watch the part they want.”

Koharu looked at the screen.

(Koharu) : “You edited it.”

(Kuroda) : “Can you prove that?”

He turned off the screen.

(Kuroda) : “Do what I say, and the videos and rumors stop. Otherwise, do whatever you want.”

Hara didn’t step toward him.

(Hara) : “Then I’ll do whatever I want.”

For the first time, Kuroda’s expression turned cold.

(Kuroda) : “You’ll regret that.”

On the way out, Koharu asked,

(Koharu) : “You okay?”

(Hara) : “No.”

She looked surprised.

Hara gave a small grin.

(Hara) : “I said I’d stop lying and saying I’m fine.”

Koharu smiled too.

That night, edited videos began spreading through the school.