Hayato sat at his desk, focused on his sketchbook. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over his desk. He looked up to see Jake, one of the boys who frequently mocked him, standing there with a smug grin.

"Yo, Japanese boy! Hajimemashite!"

Jake said, exaggerating the greeting with a mock bow. Jake grabbed the sketch at Hayato's hand and tore it apart.

Hayato's cheeks flushed, his eyes welling up with tears, but he remained calm.

"They are... my drawings," he said softly.