Akira was talking with Ms. Yoshinaga at the classroom podium when he suddenly heard the faint sound of Shouko crying outside.
"Akira, you—"
Ignoring Ms. Yoshinaga's voice, Akira spun around and dashed toward the door. Seeing his urgency, Yoshinaga hurried after him.
As Akira rushed out of the Sunflower Class, he noticed a group of children gathered nearby, all staring at something on the ground. There, he saw Shouko lying on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Two classmates were standing close by, speaking in low voices. Without hesitation, Akira hurried over.
As he got closer, he saw Shouko lying on the ground, her back marked with footprints. Blood from her nose mixed with tears on her face.
"Look, that little devil is here. He must be scared now. He should know how powerful we are," sneered the boy with the crew cut to the mushroom-haired boy beside him. Both gave Akira arrogant, challenging looks.
For a moment, Akira felt fear—but it was quickly replaced by determination. He ran forward, gently helping Shouko sit up, leaning her against him.
"Akira,I accidentally knocked over your lunch," she sobbed, her voice strained. Her crying grew louder.
Akira barely heard her words. Lunch was the last thing on his mind.
Quickly, he pulled a tissue from his pocket and gently wiped the blood around Shouko's philtrum. Supporting her head with one hand, he tilted it forward slightly. Then, pinching the bridge of her nose, he pressed gently to stop the bleeding.
Just then, Ms. Yoshinaga appeared at the classroom door. Seeing the blood on Shouko's face, she rushed over anxiously.
Akira kept comforting Shouko while carefully inspecting her injuries. Scratches covered her knees, left arm, palm, and cheek. Sadly, her hearing aid had been knocked out, so she couldn't hear his words; she could only see his moving lips. She wanted to turn and hug him, to cry in his arms, but the pain held her still.
As Ms. Yoshinaga came closer, Akira took a deep breath and calmly said, "Ms. Yoshinaga, please help me support Shouko." The teacher quickly knelt down to check her condition.
"Shouko's nosebleed should have stopped. Here's a tissue," Akira said, handing over a fresh tissue. He gently stroked Shouko's head, then looked toward the two boys.
They glared back fiercely, the boy with the crew cut mocking Akira with a throat-slitting gesture he had seen on TV.
At that moment, Ms. Ueo hurried over from another angle. She knelt down beside Shouko and said urgently, "Yoshinaga, take Akira to the infirmary immediately." She reached to take Akira's hand.
Ms. Yoshinaga, worried Akira might be outnumbered, said quickly, "Akira, calm down. The teachers will handle this!"
But Akira was already charging at the crew-cut boy, who hesitated, believing the teachers' presence would hold Akira back.
Before the mushroom-haired boy could react, Akira's swift kick sent the crew-cut boy doubling over in pain. He followed with another kick to the cheek.
The mushroom-haired boy went into a defensive stance. Akira, knowing Mr. Ueo would soon intervene, aimed a controlled kick at the boy's vital area. He held back the force, to avoid serious injury.
"Akira!" Mr. Ueo shouted, trying to stop him, but Akira didn't listen.
The mushroom-haired boy bent over, wailing in pain. When he looked up, Akira's fist connected with the bridge of his nose, sending him sprawling backward.
Akira raised his fist again, ready to strike, but an adult hand grabbed his wrist. He looked up and met Principal Takakura's stern gaze.
Ms. Ueo and Ms. Yoshinaga, who was still tending to Shouko, sighed in relief. The two boys suddenly cried louder, cowed by Principal Takakura's presence, who seemed far more intimidating than Akira.
"Alright, Akira," Principal Takakura said calmly, "leave this to the teachers."
"Okay," Akira replied, though Principal Takakura held his wrist tight.
Seeing the principal relax slightly, Akira seized the chance and kicked the mushroom-haired boy once more.
"Akira!?" Principal Takakura's voice was sharp.
Akira quickly said, "Understood. This is the last time."
Principal Takakura knelt down, holding Akira firmly still. Akira felt baffled. Was this really necessary?
Turning to Ms. Ueo, Principal Takakura said, "Take these two boys to the infirmary for a check-up."
"Got it," said Ms. Ueo. She helped the boys up, offering no words of comfort as they whimpered in pain, wiping tears from their faces.
Ms. Yoshinaga picked up Shouko gently, ready to escort her to the infirmary.
"Ms. Yoshinaga, Shouko's hearing aid is still nearby," Akira called.
"I'll get it. take Shouko for treatment at the infirmary," Ms. Ueo said. She let go of the boys and turned serious. "Follow Principal Takakura to the infirmary."
The children watched as the group left. Akira's fight quickly became legendary. The tale grew from Akira standing strong against two boys alone to the teachers struggling to stop him, until the fearsome 'Principal Takakura' finally stepped in and restored order.
In the infirmary, Shouko was laid gently on a bed by Ms. Yoshinaga. Akira held her hand, whispering softly, "Hang in there, Shouko. It will be over soon."
Shouko replaced her hearing aid and heard Akira's words clearly. Tears welled in her eyes as she squeezed Akira's hand tightly, bracing as Ms. Ueo tended to her cuts.
Meanwhile, Principal Takakura checked the boys' wounds, while Ms. Yoshinaga headed outside to call their parents.