"Huh?"

Yui's small face was lit up with wide-eyed surprise. "Yukino, you want to know about bullying or ostracism cases that have happened or are still happening at Sōbu High?"

It was lunchtime, and Yukino had called Yui to the library. The quiet, tranquil atmosphere made it a perfect spot for a private conversation.

Yui had been nervous the whole time, thinking it might be something serious maybe something dramatic or emotional.

But it turned out to be... official business?

Yukino nodded calmly in response.

Japan's social atmosphere was unique. The strict senior-junior hierarchy, combined with the unspoken rule that everyone must blend in and avoid being KY (clueless), created a culture where people could speak softly and kindly while just as easily unleashing cruelty under the guise of conformity.

"Everyone else was doing it I was just going along with the group."

"If I didn't, I'd be the one getting left out."

This sort of "must be the same as everyone else" mindset had clung to Japanese society like an infectious disease for decades. Yukino didn't pretend she could cure it.

But what she'd said to Shouko Nishimiya hadn't been empty words. She truly hoped that what had happened to her and to Nishimiya would never happen to anyone else at Sōbu High.

If group bullying and exclusion were to be analyzed as a social phenomenon, you could probably write dozens of academic papers on it. But Yukino didn't have the patience for such abstract theorizing.

She preferred to tackle things directly. If she approached it like a contagious epidemic, then all she needed to do was identify the source, the transmission routes, and the at-risk population. Then the school could take preventative action.

Humans, after all, were still beasts ones who needed the restraint of law and ethics.

As long as she could gather enough data from enough real cases, Yukino was confident she could design the right kind of "cage" for the beasts of Sōbu High.

Yui looked a bit overwhelmed by the sudden importance of the task she'd just been handed. She fidgeted, scratching her cheek and murmuring awkwardly.

"Why'd you come to me first about something like this, Yukino?"

Her voice was quiet, and she didn't dare meet Yukino's eyes. Every word was laced with hesitation.

Yukino thought, Isn't it obvious? You're well-liked and know all the school gossip.

As if hearing that thought directly, Yui pressed her index fingers together and mumbled, "But Yumiko's way more popular than me..."

You're all more popular than me. What do you want me to do, run a popularity analysis comparing you one by one? That's ridiculous.

Yukino grumbled internally but said instead, "It's different. Miura's always at the center everyone flocks around her. That means all she sees is a harmonious, cheerful version of school life. All she hears are stories of upperclassmen and underclassmen helping one another."

"But you, Yui, are kind and approachable. You don't put up any walls. People feel comfortable telling you anything be it gossip, complaints, or the people and things they hate most."

Miura was like a radiant sun. Yui was more like a gentle moon.

If Miura had a flaw, it was that her presence could be too intense too high above others to feel reachable. Yui, on the other hand, sometimes lacked boundaries and could be overwhelmed by others' expectations and her own kindness.

"So this is something only you can do, Yui," Yukino said quietly. "You're the only one suited for it."

Yui's cheeks flushed pink.

She'd always been gentle by nature, never competitive, never hungry for the spotlight. Compared to her confident, talented friends, she felt ordinary nothing special, lacking even ambition.

But now Yukino was saying there was something only she could do. That she was needed.

"I-I'll do my best!" she stammered.

Her heart fluttered with unfamiliar excitement the rare feeling of being truly needed and trusted.

Clutching a book tightly to her chest to hide her nerves, she said, "Whether it's old stuff or what's going on now, I'll gather everything I can and organize it for you!"

"There's no need to rush…"

As the two spoke in hushed voices across the library table, the door creaked open and three more students walked in.

Miura entered with a stack of documents in her arms, dragging along Junko Kamisawa and Keika Onozawa.

Yesterday, Junko had subtly hinted that Yumiko should try figuring out who exactly Yukino had meant when she said, "I like girls."

But instead of catching on, Yumiko had seemed inexplicably gloomy all day. She'd looked at Junko and Keika like they were cold-hearted parents tearing apart a couple in love.

Junko: "..."

Keika: "..."

Then, apparently after talking to Yukino again, Yumiko had bounced back to her usual self and dragged them both to the library. She claimed she wanted to "share some new knowledge," "broaden their horizons," and most importantly teach them how to be "kind and open-hearted."

Junko didn't know what Yukino had said to cheer Yumiko up, but if it worked, she wasn't complaining. "Kind and open-hearted" sounded doable.

At least it wasn't calculus.

Let's go!

But the moment Junko walked in, she spotted them Yukino and Yui seated in a quiet corner of the library. The atmosphere between them was soft and intimate, like it was radiating pink bubbles.

They were leaning in so close they could practically kiss.

Keika's expression changed in an instant. She immediately tried to push Yumiko back out the door.

"Yumiko! I just remembered I left my phone in the classroom!"

They'd suspected the two had something going on, but this… this was too much. Yumiko couldn't see this. Not like this.

She couldn't be allowed to witness this moment.

But Yumiko blinked, confused. "Your phone? Isn't it in Junko's bag?"

Keika was always losing her stuff, so Junko usually kept her essentials for her.

Yumiko tapped the tiny shoulder bag slung over Junko's shoulder and grinned smugly. "See? Still in there. You dummy. Already forgot again."

Keika: "..."

Why can't Yumiko be this sharp when it comes to Yukino?!

The two of them froze, helpless.

But it was too late. Yumiko had already brushed past them, all smiles, and stepped into the library.

Her footsteps came to a sudden halt.

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