Natsumo's eyelids fluttered open, revealing the same bathroom where Aya and her friends had brutally assaulted him. The fluorescent lights above seemed to mock him, casting an eerie glow on the faces of the teachers surrounding him. Their expressions were twisted in disgust and contempt.
The headmaster, Mr. Tanaka, grasped Natsumo's collar, his grip like a vice. "You're the worst student here, Natsumo," he spat. "I'll expel you! You're a cancer to this school."
Slap after slap rained down on Natsumo's face, each blow fueling his shock and terror. Never had he experienced physical punishment before, nor had his parents ever received a call from the school. The teachers' words cut deeper than any physical pain.
"You're a disgrace, Natsumo!" Ms. Nakahara shouted. "A wine-drinking, rule-breaking menace! How could you betray our trust?"
The teachers fabricated a story, claiming Natsumo had bought wine in school and consumed it, violating school rules. They took turns berating and slapping him, their words and actions relentless.
"You're a liar, Natsumo!" Mr. Tanaka bellowed. "You're a manipulator! You think you're better than everyone else?"
Natsumo's mind reeled, trapped in a nightmare. He couldn't speak or move, frozen in shock. His eyes pleaded for mercy, but the teachers showed none.
Before his parents arrived, the teachers unleashed their fury, humiliating and slapping Natsumo relentlessly. The bathroom echoed with the sound of flesh hitting flesh.
Finally, the headmaster intervened, "Enough! The parents are here. Leave him."
The teachers smirked, departing with satisfied glances at Natsumo's battered face.
His parents, Maya and Hiroto, arrived, their expressions cold and accusatory.
"What happened, Natsumo?" Maya demanded, her voice devoid of concern.
Natsumo tried to explain, but his voice trembled, and words failed him.
Hiroto scowled. "You've disappointed us, Natsumo. You'll pay for this."
At home, Natsumo retreated to his room, trauma consuming him. He slept early, skipping dinner, his body and mind shattered.
Midnight found Maya and Hiroto huddled in their room, discussing their predicament.
"Our bet's lost," Maya whispered, her voice laced with malice. "The scholarship's gone. What now?"
Hiroto's voice dripped with calculation. "The teachers won't listen. It was a plot from the start. They'll never believe Natsumo."
Maya's concern was monetary. "I don't care about that. We need money. We can't pay our debts otherwise."
Hiroto's eyes gleamed. "Our last resort... We can blame the school and gain more. A lawsuit would bring in millions."
Maya's voice chilled. "Let's kill Natsumo. Get his life insurance money. We'll be set for life."
Hiroto nodded. "I'll gather evidence. Tonight's the best time. Natsumo's sleeping."
As they crept into Natsumo's room, he felt touches but didn't wake. Suddenly, he found himself falling from the 4th-floor balcony.
Maya and Hiroto waved goodbye at his falling body while smirking.
Natsumo's scream was silenced as he landed on pointy glass shards.
Blood gushed from his eyes, mouth, and body, his vision fading to black.
The last thing he heard was his parents' laughter.
Their voices echoed in his mind as darkness consumed him:
"Good riddance, Natsumo."
"We'll be rich now."
"No one will ever suspect a thing."