Monday
The morning bell rang, echoing through the hallway. Students shuffled between classes some laughing some buried in their phones, he walked among them not a hero not an outcast just present. Friends waved, girls smiled.
''Hey did you finish the math homework?'' His friend Rindou nudging him as they walked toward their lockers.
''Yeah, barely I swear those problems were assigned to make us cry'' He replied with a grin
''Typical Mr. 'I'm fine with everything'' Rindou laughed punching his shoulder lightly.
Beside them Mio, always cheerful waved and called, ''Lunch today don't bail this time!''
He nodded, smiling. ''Not bailing this time!''
He knew these halls like the back of his hand: squeak of the locker in the far corner, the way sunlight hit the gym at exactly ten, the faint smell of the cafeteria pizza on Mondays
Everything ordinary predictable.
By third period, they were sprawled in their casual corner of the classroom. Small talks, shared jokes, teasing teacher from afar flowed in its comfortable rhythm. And yet somewhere deep inside, a part of him wondered if ordinary days could last forever.
Tuesday-Thursday (Blend)
The next three days passed in pretty much the same rhythm. Classes, cafeteria, lockers brief chats in hallways. He noticed the little things like: Rindou tapping her pencil when nervous, Mio laughing a little too loudly when she was hiding something,
Lunch under the oak tree behind the gym became a familiar routine half serious debates about sports, weekend plans and shared jokes. By Thursday afternoon glancing at the calendar, he realized how close it was: Friday.
Friday
The sun hit different today, or maybe he simply noticed it differently. The halls felt heavier than before. Students whispering about summer plans exchanging yearbook rumors, strange mix of nostalgia and excitement.
Rindou slapped his back. ''Can u believe it? Last day.''
Mio twirled a strand of her hair eyes sparkling. '' We survived it who knew…''
He smiled nodding, feeling the ordinary weight of an ordinary day but also something unspoken in the air. For him this Friday wasn't just another day. It was a turning point he didn't know it yet.
The school ended and he was walking to cafe with Mio. They did this every week it had become a small comforting ritual in his life. The streets were warm with a late afternoon sunlight .
Mio walked a little closer, her usual cheerful energy tinged with something new. ''You know I've been meaning to tell you something'' she said fidgeting with the strap of her bag.
He glanced at her, curious ''Go on'' he prompted lightly.
''I… I like spending time with you,'' she admitted a faint blush raising across her cheeks. ''more than just… u know friends.'''
He said grinning ''Im happy to hear tha'' then stopped mid-step
In the narrow alley to their right, two men were exchanging small plastic packets for folded bills. A drug deal- clear as daylight. One of the men looked up, eyes sharp like broken glass.
''Keep walking'' he whispered to Mio.
But the men were already stepping out, wearing crooked grins.
''The hell you looking at dumbass!'' One of them spat
He shifted, standing in front of Mio without even thinking. His stance wasn't aggressive, just protective kinda nervous. ''We're not looking at anything. We're just passing.''
''You see it,'' the other said, voice venomous. ''That means you don't get to just pass.''
Mio gasped, grabbing his sleeve. ''Stop. Don't please!''
He gently pried her fingers off and took half a step forward shielding her completely. His heart was pounding so bad, but his voice held steady. ''She didn't see anything. Leave her out of it.''
''Oh then you'll take it for her?'' The knife man laughed while cleaning his knife with his t-shirt.
Before he could even answer, a violent shove slammed him against the alley wall, and the knife tore into his side.
The pain was instant, raw. His breath hitched.
Another stab came, harsher, twisting deeper this time. He gasped, eyes wide, the world snapping into white-hot agony.
Mio shrieked, her voice cracking. ''STOP! PLEASE! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!''
The thugs froze for a second, realizing her screaming would draw attention.
The one holding the knife wiped the blade on his sleeve cold and careless.
''Should've kept walking'' he muttered
They ran not in panic, but with practiced ease- disappearing into the maze of backstreets.
Mio stumbled to him catching him as he slid down the wall. Her hands was shaking crazy uncontrollably, red staining her hand as she tried to press on the wound.
''Somebody help! PLEASE!'' She screamed, the throat tearing from the sound.
Students on the main street froze, then rushed over. A crowd formed some freaked ,some filming some frozen in shock. Someone yelled:
''Call an ambulance! NOW!''
Phones came out, trembling fingers dialing emergency lines.
A girl took off her jacket pressing it against the bleeding.
A boy shouted directions into his phone, voice breaking.
''St-stay awake'' Mio begged, holding his face with both hands.
''Don't close your eyes, please.. please don't close your eyes!''
He coughed, metallic warmth filling his mouth. His vision blurred, but he managed to meet her eyes. His voice faint, barely a whisper
''Its… okay.''
Sirens were approaching fast-frantic, desperate but his pulse was fading faster.
The shouts blurred.
The pain softened.
The world turned distant, like he was sinking.
Mio's voice echoed one last time, a raw cry swallowed by noise and sirens:
''DON'T DIE ON ME!''
Then everything fell silent.
Black.