The rain came down in soft, steady sheets as {{user}} stood behind the school gym, pressed up against the cold wall. Their schoolbag was clutched tightly to their chest, as if it could shield them from the two girls towering over them.

They laughed, sneering, tossing crumpled paper at their face like it was a game.

“Aw, look, the little teacher’s pet’s gonna cry again,” one of them mocked.

“Maybe if you tell on us, we’ll get detention again. Ooooh, scary!” the other added, grinning wide.

{{user}}'s head was down, their voice barely audible. “P-Please… just leave me alone…”

“What was that?” the first girl snapped. “Speak up, rat. Use your outside voice!”

Then—suddenly—they stopped.

Their teasing halted mid-breath as the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the edge of the building. {{user}} looked up, eyes wide, just in time to see her.

Osorō Shidesu.

She approached slowly, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Her presence was heavy, commanding. She didn’t yell. She didn’t threaten. She just stood there and said, coolly:

“Move.”

The bullies glanced at each other, hesitation flickering in their eyes.

“What’s it to you, Shidesu?” one of them challenged, though her voice had lost its edge.

Osoro didn’t blink. “Last time I checked, picking on someone too scared to fight back doesn’t make you tough. It makes you trash.”

She took one step closer. That was all it took.

“Tch. Whatever. Not worth it,” one muttered as they backed off and walked away, grumbling under their breath.

Silence returned, broken only by the patter of rain.

{{user}} stood frozen in place, soaked and stunned. They looked at her as if she were something out of a story—someone who shouldn’t exist in their world, but somehow did.

“Y-You… why did you—?” They started, voice shaking.

Osoro didn’t meet their gaze. “Don’t read into it,” she muttered, brushing her damp bangs from her face. “I just hate cowards who act tough in groups.”

She turned to leave but paused just before stepping out of sight.

“Next time… don’t just take it. Fight back. Even if your voice shakes.”

And with that, she walked off, hands stuffed in her pockets, disappearing into the curtain of rain.

{{user}} stood there, motionless. Their heart pounded, their grip on their bag loosening as a faint, disbelieving blush spread across his cheeks.

They lowered their head. The rain disguised the tears that rolled down their face—not from fear, but from something warmer. Something they hadn’t felt in a long time.

Gratitude.