Morning light spread softly over the quiet neighborhood, turning rooftops golden as birds flew across the sky in lazy arcs.
Inside a normal house, sunlight slipped through half-open curtains and landed on a messy bed.
"Benji! Wake up!" Said by a familiar voice called from downstairs.
Benji groaned quietly and rolled onto his back. A pillow crease marked his cheek.
"Yeah ,I'm up"
He pushed himself up and stretched and then look around is room
"Oh ,Mom is calling me"
That's my mom, Sumire Arata. A Kind woman who always slimes
Downstairs, the scent of breakfast filled the house. Steam rose from freshly made dishes as Sumire moved around the kitchen with a natural warmth.
Benji sat down at the table next to his father.
Benjiro Arata sat straight-backed, eyes
focused on a tablet while calmly eating.
Sumire placed a plate in front of Benji.
"Benji, Eat your food properly before heading out for your school ." Sumire said
"Okay, Mom."
Without looking up, his father spoke.
"Focus on school, Benji."
Benji glanced at him briefly.
"Benjiro Arata ,That's my dad, a doctor. Quiet. Serious, disciplined and a respected man. I guess that's normal."
Benjiro stood, adjusted his coat, and headed for the door.
"Have a good day! And don't forget to enjoy your day" "Sumire said called brightly.
The door shut with a soft click.
Benji grabbed his bag.
"Don't forget your delicious lunch made by me!" Sumire reminded him.
"Oh I almost forget about that, thanks" he said
Moments later, Benji stepped outside into the gentle daylight.
And that's how every morning starts.
Such a normal morning routine
On the way to school Benji saw a fight it was between two guys and they were talking like this
"Today I am going to smash you into the wall" said in confident voice
"Oh you think so" said in slightly annoyed
And they were fighting over a bet and I think it is about money. And let me explain you about the world.
In this world there are many types of professions but one of them is fighting which is considered the most respected and most common profession you can found
And the streets were alive because of this
Office workers hurried toward stations. Students in uniforms laughed in groups. A few shirtless young men trained openly on the concrete sidewalks, throwing punches into the air, striking posts, conditioning their bodies.
Our world divides into two kinds of people.
(1)Normal people
(2)Fighters.
At twelve, anyone could apply to become a Legal Fighter.
Posters on city walls advertised registration open.
Fighters didn't use weapons. No armor. No tools.
Only their bodies.
Strength, skill, will.
And this is their Pride
It was said that a true Fighter's body was sharper than any blade and stronger than diamonds
Across every region there are four official Elite Teams represented as the strongest teams. They trained together, competed together, fought under a shared name.
But above them all stood one individual.
The Champion.
The strongest solo Fighter of the region.
Elites fought in teams.
Champions fought alone and also the one who stood alone the battlefield
Every two years, the League championship determined who stood at the top.
Stadiums filled with thousands of cheering filled with joy like spectators. Fighters were treated like celebrities. Heroes and sometimes even their god
Everyone wanted to become one.
Everyone except me.
Benji walked alone toward the school gate.
Students gathered excitedly near the entrance.
"I'm turning twelve next week! I'm applying for Fighter training!" They said
"You? You would lose your teeth in a second!"
Laughter filled the air and some students were trying
Benji walked past unnoticed.
And this is my school "NAYUTA High"
"He's creepy as hell"
"Why does he always look so dead inside?"
The whispers followed him like background noise.
"Same thing and some people" Benji said
He entered the classroom and took his usual seat near the window.
The teacher began writing on the board.
And all students start writing things and start saying in a whisper to each other things like
"He is weird as hell " and "He is pretty lonely"
"I'm not good-looking. I know that." Benji whispered
And after a two hour went through very quickly . And the afternoon lunch break started
Everyone start taking out their boxes and start eating their foods on their friend branches
And the Teachers at already gone to their office to eat their food .
And then A paper ball hit his desk.
Benji looked up calmly And he saw
"Yo, Arata" one boy called out. "Do you Got a formula to fix your life and your ugly face"
Laughter erupted in the class
Benji returned to his notes without reacting.
And start writing .No point in responding. It never stops.
The teacher eventually stepped out.
The room grew louder.
And then a
SLAM.
The door opened by force and he saw the guy he hated the most in the school
Ryo Kanezuka entered
Tall, broad-shouldered, Dark hair falling casually over sharp eyes.
"Good morning ,you tiny losers"
The classroom fell silent. And not even a single word coming out of the mouth of anyone.
Ryo's gaze landed on Benji. And then he said
"Morning, Arata. You are putting into the book again" he said
"Yeah, I am " Benji said
"You're such a drag. No friends, no looks, no fight spirit in you." He said
He leaned down, towering over Benji.
"I dont want to fight" Benji replied quietly.
Ryo grabbed his collar tightly
"Of course not. You'd break in one hit." said in very arrogant tone.
A knee drove hard into Benji's stomach.
Air left his lungs instantly. And If his eyes just lose their color .
He doubled over, gripping the desk.
Ryo's eyes were cold.
"Can't even make a sound? Pathetic." he said
"Easy" Shiro muttered behind him. "The teacher might"
Ryo smirked and having devious smile
"Then maybe he'll teach Arata how to stand."
Benji slumped against the desk, silent.
"Look at me when I talk and to see your confident face broken in to tears " he said
then He snatched Benji's notebook and threw it across the room.
"Don't act better than us, ugly."
Laughter followed as Ryo walked out.
The classroom returned to its normal chatter.
No one helped him.
No one said anything.
After that beating by him
And now it is a time of sunset
The bell rang and The sky burned orange as Benji walked home alone.
His stomach still ached.
They will turn 12 soon and
After that, they'll become Fighters.
They'll leave school.
That would be better
He stared at his reflection in a shop window bruised but expressionless.
"What about me? That's fine. I'll just keep studying."
The wind brushed past him gently.
After some walking and the clock which is 7:00 p.m. and now it is a night time
The Arata house stood quietly under a dark sky it was looking very silent and looking very nice
As he enter his house
"Welcome home, Benji! "his mother called
"I'm home, mom"
He slipped past her before she could notice the bruises.
"Dinner in fifteen minutes! "she said
"Okay, Mom. "
Inside his room, he dropped his bag and lay flat on his bed. Moonlight filtered in through the window.
He stared at the ceiling.
In this world, Fighters are everything and everyone is running to become a fighter to have Pride.
His eyes reflected pale silver light.
And he said "people like me.
are not invisible but even more transparent than the transparent mirror himself
You don't even get notice by the light himself
There will be good days."