HERO
The school corridors were alive with activity. Students spilled out of classrooms, filling the air with laughter and chatter. For most, it was an ordinary day, but for Hiroshi, it was just another battle he had to endure.
Keeping his head low and his books clutched tightly to his chest, Hiroshi navigated the crowded hallway, heading toward his locker. His heart raced as he noticed a familiar group of boys lingering near his destination. They had been giving him a hard time lately, and he knew what was coming.
"Well, look who it is," one of them sneered as Hiroshi approached. "Our resident bookworm."
Hiroshi said nothing, focusing on unlocking his locker. He hoped they'd get bored and leave, but that was wishful thinking.
"Hey, we're talking to you," another boy said, stepping closer. He smirked and added mockingly, "Too busy planning your next love story with Hina?"
The others laughed, and Hiroshi's face burned. He shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Oh, come on. We've seen you two chatting. You think you're special now?"
"I—I don't…" Hiroshi stammered, but his words were cut off as one of the boys shoved him against the locker.
"Don't act all innocent," the ringleader said. "You're just a nerd who got lucky. But don't forget where you belong."
Hiroshi winced but stayed silent, knowing that fighting back would only make things worse.
---
The taunts were interrupted by a sharp voice.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
The boys turned to see Hina storming toward them, her expression fierce. She didn't hesitate to insert herself between Hiroshi and the bullies, glaring up at them despite being shorter than most of them.
"Hina, this isn't your business," the leader said, though his confidence wavered under her gaze.
"It is my business when you're harassing my friend," she shot back, her tone steady and defiant.
Hiroshi looked at her, wide-eyed. Friend?
The boys exchanged uneasy glances. One of them muttered, "Come on, let's go. This isn't worth it."
The leader hesitated but eventually relented, muttering curses under his breath as they walked away.
---
As soon as they were gone, Hina turned to Hiroshi. "You okay?"
Hiroshi nodded, though his hands trembled as he adjusted his glasses. "Y-Yeah. Thanks."
"Don't thank me," she said with a huff, bending down to pick up the books he had dropped. "Thank those cowards for being smart enough to back off."
Her words brought a small, reluctant smile to his lips. "Still… you didn't have to do that."
"Of course I did," she replied, handing him his books. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"
Her words triggered something deep in Hiroshi's memory—a flash of another time, another defender.
---
He was six years old, sitting on the swings at the park. A group of kids had surrounded him, teasing him for being too quiet and always reading instead of playing.
"Look at him," one boy had jeered. "He probably doesn't even know how to play!"
"I bet he reads fairy tales," another chimed in, laughing. "What a baby!"
Hiroshi had clutched his book tighter, tears welling up in his eyes. He didn't understand why they were being so mean.
"Leave him alone!"
The voice had come from a boy about his age, dressed in a scruffy T-shirt and shorts. He had short, messy hair and a fierce scowl as he stepped between Hiroshi and the bullies.
"Why should we?" one of the bullies asked.
"Because if you don't, you'll have to deal with me!" the boy declared, raising his small fists.
The bullies had laughed at first, but something about the boy's determination made them hesitate. Eventually, they shrugged and walked away, muttering about how it wasn't worth their time.
The boy had turned to Hiroshi, grinning. "Don't let those jerks get to you. They're just jealous because they're dumb."
Hiroshi had stared at him in awe. "Th-Thanks…"
"Don't mention it," the boy had said, holding out a hand. "I'm Hinata. What's your name?"
"H-Hiroshi," he had replied, shaking the boy's hand.
"Nice to meet you, Hiroshi. If anyone messes with you, just call me, okay?"
Hiroshi had nodded, feeling a warmth in his chest he didn't fully understand at the time.
---
Back in the present, Hiroshi blinked as the memory faded. He looked at Hina, who was watching him with concern.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked.
He nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah. I'm fine. Really."
"Good," she said with a relieved smile. Then, her expression turned mischievous. "You know, if you want to thank me, you could always treat me to dinner."
Hiroshi's eyes widened. "D-Dinner?"
"Yeah," she said, smirking. "You owe me for saving your butt."
To her surprise, Hiroshi nodded. "Okay."
"Wait… what?" she asked, her smirk faltering.
"I said okay," he repeated, his cheeks turning red. "If you really want to…"
For a moment, Hina just stared at him, her mouth slightly open. Then, she burst into laughter. "Wow, you're way too easy to mess with."
Hiroshi scratched the back of his neck, feeling both embarrassed and amused. "Well, you did save me…"
Hina shook her head, still chuckling as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "You're something else, Hiroshi. Come on, let's get to class before we're late."
---
As they walked down the hallway together, Hiroshi couldn't help but glance at Hina out of the corner of his eye. There was something about her that felt so familiar, yet he couldn't quite place it.
But one thing was certain: she made him feel safe. And for someone like Hiroshi, that was everything.
CHAPTER END 🫠