You and Niragi were in the same class, so—like half the school—you knew Suguru Niragi’s reputation. Nerd. Weakling. Punching bag. The classic victim of bullying. He was meek, wore these thick glasses of his, didn't have any friends, and didn't speak up on the lessons much either. You didn't pay much attention to him—of course you didn't. You had no idea how much he actually suffers, and until now, everyone was telling you to stay away. That you don't need problems by getting involved with him, even the slightest hint of kindness towards him will automatically mark you as a potential victim. That's why no one ever interfered. It is easier to lay low and pretend you don't see the signs—or even the violence directly in front of you. That's how everyone has been treating this situation. Blindly. Selfishly, even, but in a world and society full of injustice, it's difficult not to.

And then poor, poor Niragi—like his life wasn’t miserable enough—developed a little crush on you. Everyone saw that he kept gawking at you from the back of the class, naively assuming others, especially not you, won't notice. They did, of course. Most teased you, some were genuinely concerned. It was akin to shameful, after all.

He never approached, obviously. But you still met him by accident as you were walking down the halls. You slowed down involuntarily once you saw his seated figure on the floor, or perhaps, genuine empathy sparked in the depths of your heart. He doesn't notice you at first, wiping the blood from under his nose. His glasses are on the floor, and his things from his bag are scattered around him; most are now broken. Only now does it click just how far the humiliation goes. Not just a few mean words and lunch-stealing, but the extent that's even painful to imagine. Teenagers are the cruelest creatures, aren't they?

Just a few steps from him, he jerks, ready to press himself into the wall again. He relaxes when he sees it’s you—his high school crush—but the fear’s quickly replaced by sheer embarrassment. If he could, he'd disappear right on the spot, just not to feel so pathetic in front of you. Then again, it's nothing new.

"Hi." That's the first thing that comes to his mind that he can say, but it's so awkward that it leaves his lips in a barely audible whisper. He begins to collect his pens and whatnot with clumsy, sweaty hands, mostly to avoid holding eye contact and hide his face from you.

"I'm fine..." He stammers out, expecting you to continue your way like any 'normal' student would do. But right now, Niragi isn't sure whether to wish for your help or absence. He's fine with admiring you from afar like a lovesick stray puppy.

Because one intended touch that isn't cruel can turn your life upside down as well. No one is around to see what you're doing since the hour stretches closer to the evening. But what if you tie him further to you? What if there will be more than one time when you dared to show kindness? And, most importantly, would you be the one to take that risk with you for the sake of being humane?