(The air behind the gym carried the scent of wet grass and the warmth of the late sun. The place was almost deserted; only the distant sounds of birds and loud laughter, resembling a mocking whistle, could be heard. Ahmed advanced with cautious steps, and beside him, Misaki felt a strange tightening in her chest when she saw the girl surrounded by four older students, harassing her and laughing loudly. Fear was evident on the girl's face, her eyes glistening with suppressed tears.)
(Ahmed froze for a second, then his face completely changed. His calm features were no longer the same; there was a sharp glint in his eyes, resembling a spark of anger that erupted from the depths of patience. He took a rapid step forward, and his voice came out powerful, resounding as if the whole place fell silent to listen to him.)
Ahmed (in clear Japanese, with a loud voice):
"Stop right now! What are you doing?!"
(The group turned toward him in surprise, one of them laughed scornfully and said mockingly:)
"What business is it of yours, foreigner? Go back where you came from!"
(But his words had barely left his mouth when Ahmed reached him. With a swift movement, he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and lightly pushed him toward the wall with astonishing agility, without hurting him, but with enough force to freeze him in place.
A heavy silence descended; no one was laughing anymore. Ahmed stood before them, his gaze sharp and steady, his expression stern in a way they had never seen before.)
(One of the bullies approached from behind, trying to act rashly, but Ahmed quickly turned his body, grabbed his wrist, and twisted his arm with a swift movement that made him retreat, crying out in slight pain.
The others exchanged fearful glances, stepping back one after another, unable to believe that this calm young man they saw in the hallways could unsettle them all so easily.)
(Misaki stood a few steps away, her hands trembling, her heart pounding strongly, but she couldn't take her eyes off him. In that moment, he looked different... not just a Yemeni student in a Japanese school, but the shadow of a human who doesn't tolerate silence when someone is humiliated.)
(Ahmed moved closer to their leader, gripping his shirt and lifting him slightly, until their eyes met closely.
Ahmed's eyes were calm, but in their depth was something stronger than anger—dignity that cannot be bought, and persistence that cannot be broken.)
Ahmed (in a low, but clear voice):
"If you consider yourself strong, try to be human first."
(No one uttered a word. Even the wind passing through the trees stopped for a moment, as if watching this small scene of justice.
Ahmed released the bully's shirt, but he did not step away from him. Instead, he pointed at him steadily.)
Ahmed (sternly):
"Now... to the principal's office. All of you."
(The bullies exchanged confused glances, then slowly began to move toward the back door of the gym, their heads lowered, not daring to look at him.
As for the girl who was crying moments ago, she looked at Ahmed with shy gratitude, silently wiping away her tears.
Misaki walked beside him, her face a mix of confusion, pride, and astonishment.
The entire scene was silent, but in her heart, one sentence rotated non-stop:
"He did it... he defended her as if he carried the whole world on his shoulders.")