Ouma sat alone at a corner table in the cafeteria, a plate of tasteless rice and a small portion of pickled vegetables in front of him. His fingers fidgeted with the fork, glancing around nervously at the other students laughing in groups, the sound echoing painfully in his ears.

The world around him faded to distant white noise as he succumbed to his distress.

He tried to focus on his lunch but felt the weight of every eye that glanced his way. Was someone watching? He gulped, paranoia creeping in as he imagined whispers about him, turning each whisper into a dagger aimed straight at his already fraying spirit. Just the thought made his hands tremble, tightening around the chopsticks until they threatened to snap.

His eyes fell on his water bottle.

The urge to throw it, to scream— Then, just as quickly, the impulse faded, replaced by a crushing wave of exhaustion and loneliness. Bonkichi dropped his gaze to his untouched food.

He wanted to escape, to disappear from this place where he felt like a target..

"Why are you staring at me..?" He suddenly spoke, turning towards you, clearly having noticed your eyes on him. It only made him more anxious.