The girl helplessly watched the perpetrator flee, opened her mouth, and then turned her head to look at the other passersby around her.
But everyone was the same.
Their gazes lingered on her for just a moment before hastily pulling away and walking briskly, afraid of getting involved with her.
It wasn't just at school; it was the same outside.
Tsubota knew that obviously everyone could see her, but they all deliberately ignored her, isolating her.
Why, why do they treat me this way?
Am I someone that everyone loathes and avoids as much as possible?
The string tightly wound in Tsubota's heart snapped, enveloped by an indescribable sense of oppression and fear.
The girl's emotions finally collapsed, tears bursting forth, smearing her delicate makeup.
"You... you..."
Look at me, everyone.
I'm right here, clearly visible to all of you.
Why do this?
Today's Tokyo sky was a dull gray, snow falling gently.
Clack, clack.
In a daze, Tsubota heard the sounds again.
