Responsibility [Student Affairs Office]

One of Kuroda’s underclassmen had been called in too.

After sitting with his head lowered for a long time, he finally confessed.

Moving the stolen camera.

Editing and distributing footage.

Sending threats.

Provoking Hara in the gym so he would throw the first punch.

The separate phone that had vanished from the equipment room was eventually found in Kuroda’s bag.

The unedited footage was still on it.

Kuroda’s manipulation came to light.

But that didn’t erase what Hara had done.

He had shoved a student hard enough to injure him outside the broadcasting room.

He had taken part in fights.

Hara admitted it.

(Teacher) : “Being a victim and being responsible for what you did are separate things.”

(Hara) : “I know.”

Koharu sat beside him in silence.

In the end, the school issued disciplinary action and recommended that Hara transfer.

The old Hara would have called it unfair.

He didn’t now.

(Hara) : “I’ll go.”

On the day he cleaned out his desk, the first bully who had tormented him stood at a distance.

(Bully) : “You’re... really leaving?”

(Hara) : “Yeah.”

(Bully) : “I’m sorry.”

Hara looked at him.

(Hara) : “Don’t do it to the next person.”

He said nothing more.

That was enough.

On the way out of school, Koharu asked,

(Koharu) : “Do you regret it?”

Hara thought for a moment.

(Hara) : “Having this power still scares me.”

(Koharu) : “Me too.”

(Hara) : “But I don’t regret saving people.”

Koharu smiled.

(Koharu) : “Then that’s enough.”