June had entered its final stretch.

The humid heat typical of summer had not yet arrived, but instead the rain of the rainy season continued to fall.

Looking outside the classroom window, the Tokyo cityscape that had been visible just a week ago had now been swallowed by dark clouds and even the view had turned gloomy.

"How depressing."

What purpose does the rainy season even serve?

Is it for farmers growing vegetables? Or for people who like rain?

There may be scientific reasons, but those are not reasons that make me personally satisfied.

"Yeah, it really sucks."

Ichinose, sitting in the seat beside me, agreed.

It seems this feeling of sluggishness and fatigue is universal.

Or perhaps it is only common among Japanese people.

If someone from overseas came to Japan during the rainy season while traveling, what would they think?

Then again, they would probably research beforehand and avoid visiting during the rainy season.

As I continued such meaningless thoughts, time quietly slipped away.

Before I realized it, school was over for the day.

"Sigh... this weather really drags down your mood."

"Yeah... I wish the rainy season would just disappear."

"True. I don't see the necessity."

"This sucks..."

At the moment, I was heading to Keyaki Mall together with Ichinose, Amikura, Kanzaki and Shibata.

Why?

Because we were going to karaoke.

Apparently Ichinose and Amikura had practiced a duet and wanted to perform it.

Shibata, who had previously said he liked Ichinose, seemed nervous.

It can't be helped. I suppose I'll help him.

"I'm looking forward to hearing you two sing."

I gave Shibata a signal from the corner of my eye.

"Y-Yeah, me too! I was feeling like singing again anyway."

"I feel like Shibata is always in that kind of mood."

"That's true."

Shibata's goal, apparently, is to win Ichinose over with his singing voice.

Well, I won't say it's impossible, but it will be extremely difficult.

And for the past two weeks I had been dragged along with them constantly.

About once every two days we went to karaoke.

And on top of that, it rarely became my turn to sing, so I was forced to listen to Shibata's practice.

Try putting yourself in my position.

Although, since Shibata pays for everything, I don't really mind.

We were not walking in a single row.

Ichinose, Amikura and I were in the front row, while Shibata and Kanzaki walked behind us.

Then it happened.

Several students with unpleasant-looking faces approached us from the front.

There were three of them, directly in our path.

When they got close, I pulled my left shoulder slightly back to avoid bumping into them.

But just after I thought we had passed each other—

"Damn, that hurts!"

A shout came flying toward me.

At the same time, a dull impact struck my left shoulder.

If it had just brushed against me that would have been fine, but it seemed I took a solid hit.

Even after several seconds, the pain still throbbed.

"Hey, you. I'm talking to you, dumb-looking face."

Just as Kanzaki and the others were about to say something, the man glared at me.

It didn't feel particularly intimidating, but the others here might find it scary.

"My apologies. Are you alright?"

Watanabe once told me about people like this.

They are called collision scammers.

They deliberately bump into someone and then demand money under the pretense of compensation.

An ugly, pathetic and annoying kind of person.

But if you stay calm, they are not frightening.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"No, that is not true. That incident was caused by carelessness on both sides."

"What? Are you saying it's partly my fault? What class are you in?"

He glared again.

Honestly, the acting is impressive.

"I'm Ayanokōji from Class B. As a matter of courtesy I'll ask, what class are you in?"

"Class B? I'm from Class C. Looks like that rumor about Class B being a kind class was a lie. I'll report this to the school."

Report it to the school.

How very classic.

"No, please don't do that. I would prefer not to make this situation worse—"

"I've been listening for a while now and you've said quite a few things I can't ignore."

Just as I tried to settle the situation peacefully, Kanzaki spoke up.

The others quickly followed.

"Yeah. Anyone could see you were the one who ran into him."

"The security cameras will show it anyway. What will you do then?"

"Ayanokōji-kun isn't the type to bump into people on purpose! Don't insult him!"

I really do have good friends.

I'm grateful they defended me in this situation.

"Tch. Just remember this. This isn't over."

Leaving those words behind, he walked away.

What exactly was he trying to accomplish?

Well, that doesn't matter right now.

"Thank you. That helped."

I honestly expressed my gratitude.

Gratitude is important.

It plays an essential role in mutual respect.

"Don't worry about it. But Class C, huh..."

Kanzaki stared in the direction the man had left.

"Think they'll come back?"

"That last thing he said was weird."

"He said it wasn't over. But if we're careful, it should be fine, right?"

* * *

Contrary to their words, from that day onward harassment from Class C toward Class B only intensified.

"This is pretty bad."

In the corner of the classroom, Kanzaki muttered while standing beside my desk.

"Yeah. The scary part is they stopped approaching us directly after that."

It was now the final week of June.

Subtle harassment had spread to nearly everyone in Class B.

Even students who were not core members like Ichinose or Kanzaki were being followed around like stalkers.

This situation was extremely bad.

First, it threatened to damage my school life.

I had finally found a place I could call my own.

I did not like the idea of others trampling over it with their shoes.

Second, my friends were also being affected.

This violated my personal principles.

I could not ignore it.

"They don't approach us directly, so the school refuses to properly deal with it."

Exactly.

Concerned by the situation, Ichinose explained everything to Hoshinomiya and requested punishment for Class C.

But Hoshinomiya dismissed it, saying there was nothing she could do since no direct harm had occurred.

This revealed that the school would ignore minor misconduct.

Apparently the claim that the school was sensitive to bullying was a lie.

"Isn't there anything we can do?"

"I don't think so. Even if we confront them they'll just deny everything."

We have no evidence.

And unless they actually attack someone, driving them away seems impossible.

There must be some kind of solution.

"What if we provoke them?"

I finally spoke.

"What do you mean?"

Kanzaki asked.

But the meaning was exactly what it sounded like.

"If things continue like this, everyone's mental state will gradually wear down. So before that happens, we should make them strike first."

"No. That's not allowed!"

Ichinose immediately stopped me.

"I can't accept Ayanokōji-kun getting hurt, even if it's for everyone's sake."

"Ichinose is right. You're my friend too. I can't allow you to end this conflict by getting yourself hurt."

"That's right. Ayanokōji-kun is an important classmate too. We can't let you push yourself like that."

They all opposed my suggestion.

I was confused.

I thought it was a good idea.

If Class C could be neutralized simply by me getting punched once, there would be no reason not to do it.

"For now, let's tell everyone to avoid walking alone. We'll think of other countermeasures."

"Yes... there's nothing we can do right now."

"It's frustrating, but we have no choice."

It seemed today's meeting was over.

Well, it is true we currently have very few options.

"You understand, right? Ayanokōji-kun, you are not allowed to act on your own. If you do, I'll be angry."

Ichinose gave me a stern warning.

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

"...Understood. I won't act on my own. I promise."

"Good. Let's go home."

"Yeah."

I hope no further problems arise.

* * *

However, the following week, Class B would suddenly be pushed into an unexpected crisis.

Because Class C filed a complaint claiming that Shibata So had attacked a student from Class C.