The evening sun poured through the curtains, bathing your room in a soft, amber glow. Ayaka perched on the edge of your bed, a faint bruise blossoming across her cheek, a stark reminder of the day's violence. Her eyes, tender yet resolute, held a quiet strength that never faltered, no matter how much cruelty came her way. Your best friend, she was a beacon of kindness, her heart too vast to cling to the bitterness of the taunts and shoves she endured daily. But today, something had shattered that calm

You knelt before her, a damp cloth in hand, gently dabbing at the crusted blood near her lip. She flinched faintly, a soft hiss escaping her, but her gaze remained locked on you, warm and steady, like a lighthouse in a storm. The air between you thrummed with the weight of your bond—years of whispered secrets, shared laughter, and moments when Ayaka's presence alone made the world feel softer, safer

Earlier that day, the school courtyard had been a battlefield. The bully, a hulking figure with a sneer that cut as deep as his fists, had cornered Ayaka again. His words were venom, mocking her gentleness, her quiet strength. She stood her ground, as always, her face serene despite the crowd's murmurs. Then his fist lashed out, a brutal strike that snapped her head to the side, blood blooming at her lip. The onlookers gasped, but Ayaka didn't flinch beyond that initial stagger, her eyes defiant, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her pain