– Oh my, did it rain yesterday? – Katsumi observed the wet trees as she got off of the bus.

High school was only a few streets away from the bus stop and she arrived early today. Wasting no time, she ran as fast as she could. A smile sat on her face.

Although yesterday’s events were a bit hazy, she knew her new best friend probably has some stories to tell. And how excited she was! She can finally be part of the conversation and through this experience she might just meet some new friends!

Giggling like a little girl, she turned around the corner to see… nobody.

– Whoa, the streets are so empty! Feels like they were cleared out just for me. – she covered her mouth and giggled. – Nyehehe, I’ll have such a fine day!

She arrived on the school’s yard in record time. Going through the front-gate, it felt like hopping into another realm. People were more lively than usual, many of them making phone calls or joining larger groups to chitchat.

– Good morning! – Katsumi made sure to greet everyone on her way.

– Oh, uhm… hi… Momo…

– My-my, people know my name! – she happily thought to herself.

One group of people stood out from the rest. They were boys, mostly unpopular ones. Katsumi always really liked their nerdy attitude, being able to carelessly talk about the most niche subjects.

– Hi guys! – Katsumi put her hand on one of the boy’s shoulder. – Watcha’ doin’ there?

– Don’t touch me. – the boy said without looking at her.

– Ay-ay! Why so serious? Have I told you what a cool-ass show I found last weekend? It was about this dude getting reincarnated as a slime and…

– I said – he firmly grasped Katsumi’s wrist – don’t touch me! Are you deaf, whore?

His grip was stronger than what you’d expect from such a thin boy, yet it was still enough to hurt. He threw Katsumi’s hand aside and turned away.

Katsumi didn’t know what to make out of the sudden aggression, so she shrugged it off and walked to class.

– He probably had a bad morning. It stings he’d say such words, but… yeah, I might be going a bit too soft on him. I’ll make sure to catch him after school and tell him it’s not okay. Yosh, it’s decided! Diplomacy wins again!

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t catch the scornful looks people gave as she walked by them. It wasn’t until bumping into the principal that things started to feel strange.

– Miss Katsumi, is it? – he was a chubby man, only a few inches taller than Kats.

– Yessir! – she raised his arm into a cheerful salute.

– Could you come with me?

– Yessir!

The principal led her towards the cafeteria. He spoke none, which made Katsumi a bit nervous. Thus, she tried her best to break the tension.

– Wonderful! I’ve yet to drink a good warm cappuccino today! Does the principal like cappuccino too?

– So you’re telling me you haven’t visited the billboard today?

– What? I mean, no sir. Why, did something important happen?

She started to notice the weird looks people gave and the quiet whistling they tried to hide. Worry crept up her spine as they entered the cafeteria and the principal led her towards the billboard.

It was used for information about important events and the like, having something new posted every day. They could be called patch notes, just in real life. The dining hall was just next to it, making it quite practical as this way everyone could see whenever something new was put out.

– Miss Katsumi! Perhaps it’s just the hormones that come with growing up, but that’s still not an excuse. Could you please tell me the meaning of this?

As they arrived by the billboard, a group of new, pink papers caught Katsumi’s attention. They covered the entire board with blurry pictures. A handwritten note hung next to them.

And as Katsumi saw the content of these photos, her entire world came to a halt.

‘Hi! My name is Momo Katsumi. I’m a sophomore in your high school, desperately looking for friends! My hobbies include daydreaming about 2D boyfriends and watching anime, but mainly hentai. As you can see, I’m very lonely and have yet to experience a man. If you’d like to give me a try, feel free to contact me at…’

Her address. Her phone number. Her email. Most of her private information.

But worst of all were the pictures. As if the letter wasn’t humiliating enough, it was surrounded by photos of her exposed, bare skin. Her chest and lower parts all visible. She knew it was hers, because every one of them bore her drunken smile.

– Now, I want you to know – the principal raised his voice –, this could easily get you expelled. Though, fortunately for you, we live in a democracy. Some have yet to arrive, but when all the other teachers are here, we’ll have an emergency meeting about your ‘friend’ situation.

Katsumi couldn’t speak. Her body became a cold statue with only two twitching hands showing signs of life. Even her mind solidified into a shaken mist, not allowing any thoughts to be born in this state of shock.

– Until then – the principal took down one of the photos –, I’ll have half of these confiscated as proof of your immature behavior.

– What? – Katsumi snapped back to reality.

– The others will stay. To turn such degeneracy into a disincentive example is the job of every principal.

– Oy-oy, what the hell are you talking about? Do you actually believe I put these here?

– Ah, here we go…

– I was set up! This isn’t even my handwriting! Someone made this to humiliate me! – tears appeared in her eyes. – I-It was Judea! H-He’s one of my classmates, I was out drinking with him and…

– Drinking? Alcohol? How old are you again?

– That’s not important, but you have to believe me! He told me to come up to his room and…

– I’ll make sure to have a long talk with your mother. I hope she didn’t have any high expectations for you, otherwise you’ll become an even greater disappointment.

– No! – she screamed out. – Listen to me, god damn it! I didn’t do any of this! Now give me those photos! I don’t want anyone to see me…

A crowd started to form. To the average student, her breakdown was interesting. Not because they could learn anything new from such event or sympathize with the girl. It’s fun, because they’re not the one suffering. They can point towards someone and laugh all they want, because look! Somebody, who they barely know anything about, can be called trash or human waste without any feelings of guilt. Why would they feel sorry for her? Such a pathetic person doesn’t deserve their sympathy. They don’t deserve anything. And for this, it makes people feel better about themselves, because as long as they can point at someone and laugh, they feel like they have more worth than the one they are pointing at.

Katsumi felt this. She felt every eye looking at her, waiting for another embarrassing act or burst of anger. All these emotions, the shock, the humiliation, the anger and sadness, it all boiled down to one red hot burning pot that was her heart, ready to burst out in a bloody explosion.

– That’s enough! Now go to your classroom and…

– No! Please, please, just listen to me for once! – she grabbed the photos in the principal’s hand.

– What are you doing?

– You have to give this to me! I cannot have anyone see me…

– Who do you think you’re talking to? – he raised his hand. – Do you know no respect?

– I do, but you have to…

Slap!

A burning pain rushed through her cheek as the crowd of students burst into a frenzied laughter. Such a humiliating act, such an ignorant strike… it cannot be left unanswered.

She reached into her pocket.

– I said – she pulled out a pen –, give it to me, you fat fuck!

Stab!

Loud gasps, followed by silence. Time stayed like this for a short second, before a singular scream gave way for many more, as if a domino of panic just got knocked over.

It pierced right into his neck and thick crimson blood began to flow from the circular wound. The man slowly took hold of the pen, but couldn’t force it out. He fell to the ground before any of that, breathing like a wounded donkey.

– Quick, he’s having a heart attack! – someone shouted from the crowd.

Deep inside this catastrophe was Katsumi, looking at the consequence of her actions in disbelief. She too would’ve fallen next to the man if it wasn’t for an all decisive thought rushing through her brain, poisoning it with the blinding malice of anger and pain.

– I have to find Judea and make him pay. Not with any amount of his shitty cash… but with the trash blood of his worthless fucking life!