Chapter 20: Performance (3)

'This is Ishikawa-kun's true nature...'

Kita Ikuyo didn't know what she was feeling at that moment. As an ordinary person, she couldn't comprehend the thoughts of the person on stage.

Individualistic, unconventional?

No, he was someone who truly let his true self shine. He said it very clearly.

He simply wanted his surroundings to be good. He wasn't saving anyone, helping anyone, but rather changing the environment.

A person facing a wall of despair, where even those who agreed with him dared not help, facing this small society.

Yes, even if Ishikawa Hayato hadn't said, "Don't speak up for me in class."

Kita Ikuyo still wouldn't have dared to say a single word to Ishikawa Hayato at that moment.

Returning to his seat, he was all alone.

However, by the afternoon, a boy who looked like a bullied victim came up to him.

At the same time, two people were missing from the class.

Everyone knew that those two were still in the infirmary.

Many people had witnessed the bullied boy being forced to attack Ishikawa Hayato at lunchtime.

The next day, at lunchtime, three people gathered around him, eating lunch together.

The once unified class seemed to have shattered into pieces. The atmosphere became strange, and many people secretly eyed the four people who were happily chatting and laughing.

The next afternoon, someone who appeared to have no connection to the bullying joined their group.

Laughter began to spread from a corner of the classroom.

On the third day, that person who seemed to have no connection to the bullying had a few bruises on his face.

But at the same time, that morning, a fight broke out right there in the classroom that morning.

Two people were beaten to the ground by Ishikawa Hayato without any mercy. He held their heads down, making them apologize, and if they didn't, he continued to beat them.

In the class, some of the guys who used to bully others watched the two beaten and utterly disgraced as individuals with pale faces.

Thugs who lose face are the lowest of the low in school.

Then, the morning assembly was taken over by Ishikawa Hayato.

As if to bring a final end to this drama, he leisurely walked onto the podium.

All the students in the class watched him, watching this man who seemed to want to change this small world.

As Ishikawa Hayato walked, he casually said, "Gentle people are fools."

"Because they dare not hurt others, and are even afraid, dare not see harm, so they will avoid it."

"But when they can't avoid it, they can only accept the harm."

He occupied the teacher's position.

But Mr. Ishida didn't stop him. He backed away a little, somewhat afraid.

"But some people are simply idiots with no remorse. They act on their instincts, with an innate malice that hasn't moved past childlike behavior."

"They carry uneducated childish habits into adulthood, knowing pain, but still tirelessly creating pain."

Ishikawa Hayato pressed his hands on the podium and asked, "What is your life looking right now?"

"Bullying the weak to boast of your strength, without ability, without a foundation, boasting from a small corner."

"Then, when you are eventually defeated, the balloon bursts, and you are met with disdain and cold stares from others."

At this moment, someone made a defiant sound.

"You're no different. You're just a bit more capable, lecturing others here."

Ishikawa Hayato didn't look to see who said it. He didn't care about that at all.

"That's how it seems to you, isn't it?"

"But have you thought about why the principal stands behind me, why a law firm supports me?"

"I'm just bringing you into the adult world ahead of time."

"Stupid children, accept the beatings from adults early."

"Oh, and."

"People like you need the fear of others, the awe of others to form your dignity and support yourselves. I don't need that."

"False dignity that is obtained from others is an obstacle on the path to happiness. I, Ishikawa Hayato, do not need it."

"Next, if anyone else wants to make a move, I will make him kneel on the sports field and apologize in a voice that the entire school can hear."

"As you've all seen, no one has been able to endure it without crying out so far."

"Because those who bully others are often the weak holding knives."

After saying that, Ishikawa Hayato walked down from the podium. He began to bow and apologize to each classmate who had observed the situation over the past few days.

"Furutani-kun, I'm very sorry to have dragged you into this."

"Ryugu-kun..."

"Mizuya-kun..."

Then, amidst the classmates' bewildered expressions, he returned to his seat. After the morning assembly, Kita Ikuyo felt that the atmosphere in the class had actually improved.

Everyone fully understood who Ishikawa Hayato was. They knew that by gathering around him, they would be protected, without having to suffer the oppression brought by small groups.

During lunch break, most of the class greeted him and asked about his daily life. After learning that he had joined a band, they all expressed their desire to see his performance.

Ishikawa Hayato, however, said that the band hadn't fully formed yet, and they should come and enjoy the music once it was complete.

On the fourth day, the class atmosphere completely changed, becoming more relaxed and casual.

Those who used to bully others and rule from a high position became isolated instead.

Ishikawa Hayato changed the environment.

He shattered and reshaped all the cliques that had formed since the beginning of the school year.

Kita Ikuyo felt as if he was a heroic figure, like a god who, seeing her boredom with everything, descended before her eyes.

A pervert hero.

And tomorrow was the day of the LIVE performance.

Kita Ikuyo's heart was clouded with a layer of gray. Ryo-senpai, Ishikawa-kun, Ijiichi-senpai, their band must be very interesting.

She wanted to join, but she knew it was no longer possible.