Where did it all start?It doesn't matter anymore. The only thing that matters now is what's right in front of me.I've come this far because of the people who were dear to me.So I can't be half-baked anymore.No matter what happens, no matter what it takes—this time for sure... I will not lose.
A third-year high school student, Ito Tatsuki, stared out the window, lost in thought.
The final bell rang, signaling the end of class. Without wasting a second, Ito walked straight toward the washroom.
He slipped into one of the stalls, hoping to wait out the lingering students. But before long, a group of boys entered.
"Ito-kun, where are you?" one of them sneered. "We just wanna have a little talk."
Their footsteps echoed closer.
BANG!
One of them kicked open the stall door, revealing Ito inside.
"You really thought you could hide from us?"
Another boy smirked. "We heard, Ito. You told the teacher about us smoking in school. Because of you, we got suspended for weeks."
Ito's body trembled. His voice caught in his throat.
The one who kicked the door grabbed him by the collar and slammed a fist into his gut. Pain surged through his stomach as he doubled over.
Then, all three of them started beating him mercilessly until blood dripped onto the tiled floor.
The leader, Kuroya, yanked Ito up by the hair. His voice was laced with cruel amusement.
"Ito-kun, from now on, you're our punching bag. We'll beat you whenever we feel like it."
"And if you tell anyone…" He smirked. "Well, let's just say today will feel like a warm-up."
The three of them walked away, laughing.
Ito lay there, gasping for air.
His fingers throbbed in pain—broken. His mouth was filled with the metallic taste of blood.
He tried to stand, his legs shaking beneath him.
"They weren't even that strong… so why?"
"Why didn't I fight back?"
A sinking feeling settled in his chest. Was I scared?
Clutching his injuries, Ito dragged himself to the infirmary.
"How did this happen?" the nurse asked.
Ito hesitated. If he told the truth, they would come after him again.
"I… tripped while running," he lied.
He even hid his broken finger to avoid suspicion.
After school, he walked home, his only source of comfort being his time with Sakura—a girl he had talked to for a long time, the one he secretly liked.
Her voice and presence were the only bright part of his day.
When she noticed his bruises, concern filled her eyes.
"Ito… what happened to you?"
Ito forced a smile. "It's nothing. Just an accident."
He didn't want to involve her.
After chatting for a while, they parted ways, and for a brief moment, he forgot all the pain.
But then… he saw the worst person possible—Kuroya.
The cycle repeated. Day after day, the beatings continued.
Bruised. Broken. Silent.
But today… today was different.
Because Sakura wasn't there.
The next morning, Ito rushed to school, searching for her. When he finally saw her, he called out—
"Sakura!"
But she ignored him.
Like he didn't even exist.
His heart sank. Confused, he stepped closer.
"Sakura… what's wrong?"
She turned, her voice cold.
"I don't want to talk to someone like you. Never speak to me again."
It was like time froze.
He couldn't bring himself to speak.
Then… a voice behind him.
"What happened, Ito-kun?"
His blood ran cold.
He didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
Kuroya and his friends stood there, grinning.
"Yeah, we did that," Kuroya chuckled.
"A weakling like you thought he could get close to a girl?" He laughed. "I told you—this will only get worse for you."
Raindrops began to fall.
The three of them ran off, leaving him standing there—alone.
Ito walked forward, his mind spiraling with emotions.
"Why? Why is this happening to me?"
"I didn't do anything wrong… so WHY?"
Tears mixed with the rain as he kept walking aimlessly.
"I can't take this anymore."
"I just want to run away."
He closed his eyes, gripping his arms tightly.
Then—a spark.
A strange electricity flickered around him, crackling through the air.
The moment he opened his eyes—
The rain had stopped.
And in front of him…
A vast field of grass stretched endlessly beneath a sky bathed in golden sunset.
Where… am I?