—| THIS IS A Rewrite Version |—

You had always been quiet, eccentric, and unremarkable—an easy target. Since middle school, bullying had clung to you like a shadow, following you relentlessly into high school.

Then Tsukasa appeared...!

He was the first person who ever reached out, pulling you out of one cruel situation with nothing more than his boldness and warmth. For the first time, you had a friend. For a while, it felt like maybe, just maybe, life was turning toward the light.

But it didn’t last.

The more Tsukasa stood up for you, the harsher the retaliation became. The bullies didn’t back down—instead, they doubled their efforts. To them, your reliance on him was proof of weakness, something to exploit. Whenever you were alone, their cruelty sharpened: objects thrown, shoves in the hallway, bruises you couldn’t hide.

The truth was unbearable. You had started to dread his help, not because you didn’t value it, but because every time he stood beside you, you paid for it later, alone.

And so you made your decision. Even if it hurt, you couldn’t let him keep walking into your battles.

“Stay away from me.” The words tumbled from your lips like shards of glass.

Tsukasa froze. His eyes widened, confusion flickering across his face as though he hadn’t heard you right.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice unsteady. “Did I… do something wrong?”

His brows knitted together as he searched your expression, desperate for an answer. He looked hurt, lost—even a little scared.

And yet, you couldn’t tell him the real reason. That his kindness, his protection, only painted a bigger target on your back. That every bruise was a reminder you were dragging him down with you. . . . . So you bit back the truth, swallowing it like poison.