It was early spring, and the sakura trees were on the verge of blooming. Soft pink buds clung to their branches, ready to burst into life at any moment. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Coby's life.
The school bell had just rung, signaling the start of the next class. The classroom buzzed with noise. Students are gossiping in clusters, laughter and giggles echoing from one corner to another. Some students are shouting for no reason. It was the usual chaos.
Yet in the middle of it all, Coby slept at his desk, his head buried in his folded arms, completely detached from his surroundings. He looked utterly exhausted, as if the world around him had simply faded away.
Most likely, this was the result of staying up far too late watching Kirsche's stream.
Now, you might be wondering, who exactly are Coby and Kirsche? And why would Coby sacrifice his precious sleep just to watch her stream?
Simply put, Coby is a high schooler. He has black hair, green eyes, and… well, how should this be said? He's overweight. No..actually, he's more than just overweight. Compared to other students, he stands out noticeably.
Alright. Let's not dance around it.
He's fat.
There. I said it.
But don't get the wrong idea. Despite his shortcomings, Coby is a genuinely kind kid, one who carries far too much weight on his shoulders, both literally and figuratively.
As for his outfit, it was nothing special. A plain blue T-shirt, simple black pants, and a pair of cheap shoes, the kind you'd expect to find in a shady alley's thrift shop. He wasn't someone standing out too much, and honestly, he didn't want to.
But unlike Coby, Kirsche lived in a completely different world.
She was a small but steadily growing VTuber with a promising future ahead of her. No one had ever seen her real face; she existed only as an avatar on screen, known for her cute voice and lively personality. She often streamed her gameplay on popular platforms, drawing in viewers bit by bit.
So why was Coby so fixated on her streams?
Well… that's something you'll find out soon.
While Coby slept peacefully, unaware of what was happening around him, his bully, Nick, was busy doodling a fake mustache on his face with a marker.
This wasn't the first time Nick had pulled something like this.
He was a well-known school bully, someone who seemed to have nothing better to do than inflict suffering on his classmates. Everyone knew about his behavior, yet most chose to avoid conflict with him. The reason was obvious.
Nick was big.
Despite being a high schooler, he far surpassed his peers in terms of physical build and strength. His large posture alone was enough to make others think twice before speaking up, and so, more often than not, his cruelty went unchallenged.
Suddenly the classroom door opened and the teacher entered. The room immediately quieted down. The students wouldn't have cared if it was any other teacher. And the classroom would have continued to be a fish market. But this was not any other teacher. His name was Thomas Ponche and he is well known for his strict demeanour in the entire school. Rumor has it he used to work in a wine factory in Dallas but for some reason he got a layover. And was forced to be a teacher in Coby's school. Because of that he always seemed grumpy.
Teacher Thomas noticed Coby who was still sleeping and called out his name sharply. Coby jolted awake and stood up rubbing his eyes groggily. As soon as Coby came to his senses, he apologized quickly. I'm sorry teacher, I didn't slept well last night because I was busy studying.
Teacher Thomas didn't believe a single word coming from Coby. Because he used to have fairly decent grades, but these days his grades are dropping significantly. Beside what made teacher Thomas really angry is he had a thick mustache of his own. And mistook Coby's fake mustache face as an insult.
Are you trying to mock me? Not just your grades are dropping. But you are making study as an excuse to sleep in the classroom. Now in the past I've caught you some slack, because you used to be a nice kid. But today.. Today you have crossed the line by mocking your own teacher. By pretending to have a fake mustache in your face.
In my face?
Coby had no idea what was going on at first, but the moment he touched his face and saw the marker leftover ink in his hand and then reality hit him. He became the joke of the day again. Suddenly the entire class burst into laughter.
It did not bother him much though, Nothing new, just usual stuff. and he doesn't mind what other students think of him. But he recalled something.
Then his eyes quickly scanned the room until they landed on Lea. Lea was a childhood friend of his. She had grown into a quiet and elegant girl. Her striking red and purple eyes always seem to glow in the dullest classroom light. Her long blonde hair sheemered softly, tight neatly with two red ribbons. She wore a red frock with delicate white lines. A look that made her stand out from the rest.
She sat farther away in the class. Her head lowered, focusing on writing something in her notebook. She looks so determined that she hasn't even glanced his way, that made Coby both relieved and strangely sad.
She looked like someone from another world, someone far out of reach now.
When they were little Lea used to play with him often. She had even visited his old house. But now she doesn't speak with him at all. He wondered if she had realised he was not anything special, or maybe she thought he was a loser. Someone not worth her attention anymore. Maybe even talking to him could hurt her image.
Seeing Coby looking around the classroom instead of him, made teacher Thomas even more angry. He shouted, hey you want me to attach a bomb on your testicles? and threw a chalk at Coby.
Immediately Coby snapped out of his thoughts. In a panic not to reveal who he was actually looking at, he blurted the first thing that came to mind.
It was Nick, who had drawn the moustache. He's been doing things like this for a while now. But quickly he realised what he had just done and what would be coming for him. But there is no turning back now.
Nick immediately tried to deny the claims. No teacher I was studying, And i have no Idea what this fatty is talking about?
As much of a slimy bastard Nick was and tried to act as a moderate student. Teacher Thomas knew what kind of spoiled brat Nick actually was. Thanks to Nick's father who specifically had told the teacher about the real character of his own son. And not to get persuaded by his son's cunningness.
Teacher Thomas instantly lashed out.
Shut up! You think I'm a fool? You too pretend to study yet your grades are not different from Coby. So I'll be talking to both of your parents later.
Hearing this Nick fumed with rage and haterated, thinking how will punish Coby that will satisfy his anger.
At the same time Coby interprets how he will be escaping his inevitable fate that would be bestowed upon him by Nick later that day.
If Coby really put his all, he might be able to beat Nick to pulp. Because he knows one or two things about boxing from his father DSP. When he was little his father went postal and never returned. But he did care for Coby and taught him some valuable lessons. And one of them was boxing. His father might not have been a decent gamer, but he was a good boxer, at least that's how he portrayed himself in front of Coby back then. But Coby knew what would happen, if he applied his father's teaching to anyone without thinking. If he did anything too reckless, not just him but also his mom will face the consequence. Because Nick's father was the CEO of DikSukin Factory and had all kinds of connections. All it would take is one phone call to fire her mother from her job. And if Coby saw his mother to lose the single hope that she is clinging to he might also go postal. And that is what he feared the most. After his father went postal he had seen first hand what horrific effect it left in her mother.
So Coby took the cowardly way and as soon as the bell rang, Coby tried to escape the classroom as quickly as possible. But Nick caught up with him, and dragged him behind the school building.
On the way Coby noticed Lea again. This time walking home with another student named Stacy, chatting with her as if nothing had happened. She didn't even look at him, she just walked passed calmly but then she looked back for a second and asked hey Nick what do you think you are doing? Hope you are not planning to have revenge on Coby after he told the teacher about you. If you do then I'll tell the teacher. You do not want to cause troubles on school grounds, you know teacher Thomas feels about that stuff.
Hearing this Nick's face twitched a little but he managed to keep his composure. Oh.. no, you are getting this wrong. You see Coby and I have come to an agreement and I hold no grudge against him. I'm sure Stacy understands. Right Stacy?
Getting the hint from Nick, Stacy quickly diverted the topic. Hey you're being too paranoid, Nick is not that bad of a guy who would cause trouble for that small of a thing.
But Lea did not believe what her friend just said and pressed further. But I.. I have never seen Coby hang around with anyone that much.
Ahh.. you're thinking way too deep about it for no reason, Nick replied with a cunning smile. You know how boys are, we fight in a second but then we make up in the next second. And if you're that suspicious of me you can ask Coby about it. I'm sure his own words will be able to convince you.
Lea looked for confirmation, but Coby did not say anything, just awkwardly smiled. Coby knows what will happen if he tells the truth. And he didn't want to drag Lea into his troubles.
Stacy further persuaded her friend, See he doesn't have a problem with it as well. And we should not be getting in their way actually. Remember you promised to help me with my studies.
Lea did not believe her or Nick's explanation but was unable to do anything due to Coby's silence. Then Stacy started to drag her friend out of there. Lets get out of here before it gets dark outside. After getting further away in the hallway Stacy started to talk mean stuff about Coby. Seriously, How many times have I told you, that you shouldn't be getting tangled with that stoopid fat fuck! He's no good.
Even though they were in a distance away in the school hallway Coby can clearly hear their conversation. Coby seethed after hearing Stacy bad mouthing about him to Lea, and thought to confront Stacy right then. But got pulled away from this thinking because of Nick who just grabbed his neck tightly. See? she is gone, and no one is gonna come to save you now my friend. Nick mocked Coby with a twisted smile on his face.
Then Nick took Coby to the school backyard and not long after he started beating Coby. angry about being blamed earlier in class. You.. Who do you think you are? You dare to snitch on me? You just I'll make an example out of you.
Rementing the past, Nick continued to break Coby's back further.
After a while Nick got tired and left Coby lying near the dumpster. Because of being fat Coby was able to endure Nick's heavy blows. And for once his extra fat saved him from being buck broken.
Coby's life was tough, but even tougher was the fabric of his clothes, which were still keeping his immense belly together.
Coby lay there, staring at the pale spring sky and noticed.
The sakura buds were ready to bloom.
He wondered if he ever would.