The morning sun beamed through the curtains as Mark pulled himself out of bed. It was another school day, one he approached with his usual routine. After brushing his teeth and fixing a quick breakfast, he meticulously arranged his small apartment.
The bed was made, dishes cleaned, and every item in its proper place. He liked the order—it gave him a sense of control, especially in a world that often felt chaotic.
With his bag slung over one shoulder, Mark stepped out, locking the door behind him. The school was only a short walk away, but even that walk was enough to gather his thoughts.
As he entered the school grounds, students milled about, chatting and rushing to their classrooms. Everything seemed ordinary until a loud voice echoed from the courtyard.
"You're suspended for three days and will serve detention every day for the rest of this week!" barked Yoshioka Maki.
Mark paused mid-step and turned his head toward the source of the commotion. Near the main entrance, a slender boy with messy black hair stood trembling under the intense glare of Yoshioka Maki. His name tag read "Jakr," though most students called him Jake. Mark watched with narrowed eyes as Yoshioka Maki's sharp voice tore into the boy. Around them, students stared but said nothing—most too scared to speak out.
"But I didn't start it!" Jake pleaded, his voice cracking. "They pushed me! I just fought back!"
"No excuses!" Maki snapped. "Violence is violence. I've already suspended the other students, but you will not be excused from punishment just because you claim self-defense."
Mark clenched his fists. His jaw tightened as Jake lowered his head, humiliated and furious, before walking away. Mark's eyes followed him until he disappeared into the stairwell.
He knew that look. That defeated slump, that quiet rage. Mark had seen it on his own face years ago. Watching this injustice ignited something within him. He didn't know Jake, not really, but he had to know more. He slipped inside, taking the side stairs to the upper floors.
Minutes later, Mark crept through the rooftop access hallway. As he neared the door, muffled voices reached his ears. He stopped and leaned in.
"That woman's a tyrant," Jake's friend whispered.
"Seriously," Jake muttered. "Those guys cornered me near the lockers. I shoved one off when he grabbed me, and now I'm the bad guy? And the worst part is—no one cares. No one says anything."
"Yeah, they're too scared. Maki doesn't tolerate anything she sees as 'disorder.' Even if it's the truth." Said a voice as Jake friend Esil slump on the ground
There was silence for a moment. Then Jake sighed. "I should've just taken it. At least I wouldn't have gotten detention."
Mark's lips curled into a grin—cold, calculated, and far from friendly. He'd heard enough. He backed away quietly and then opened the rooftop door as if he'd just arrived. The two boys turned around in surprise.
"Oh—uh, hey?" Jake said awkwardly.
Mark stepped closer, hands in his pockets. "You're Jake, right? I saw what happened downstairs."
Jake blinked. "Yeah… you did?"
Mark nodded. "Yoshioka Maki is a parasite. She punishes students for defending themselves just to keep her authority untouchable. I hate people like her."
Jake's friend looked uneasy, but Jake nodded. "Exactly. It's like she doesn't even care about the truth."
"I heard what you said through the door," Mark admitted, his voice calm. "And I agree. It's about time someone reminded Maki that students aren't her puppets."
Jake tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Mark's grin widened, a glint in his eye. "Let's just say… people like her can't stay in power forever. Sometimes they need a little push."
Jake stared at him, curious. "Are you saying you're gonna do something?"
Mark turned toward the rooftop edge, wind ruffling his jacket. "Let's just say I don't like bullies. Whether they wear school uniforms or staff badges."