Ding-ding-ding!
The phone, plugged into the charger, rang with its usual alarm by the bed. But the girl on the bed didn't stir.
Ding-ding-ding!
Ding-ding-ding!
…
"Mmm… so noisy…" Kinugita Taoko murmured, turning to the other side and continuing to sleep.
Ding-ding-ding!
"Ah, enough! I get it, I get it!" Finally, struggling against her sleepiness, she sat up in bed.
"Aaa~ Haaa~" she yawned, rubbing her sticky eyes.
Turning off the alarm on her phone, Kinugita Taoko lowered her head, sitting on the bed. A second later, she collapsed back onto the pillow.
"So sleepy… Don't want to go to school… Maybe I should skip today?" she muttered.
…
"Wait! What am I thinking?! I want that perfect attendance reward!" she jolted, fully shaking off her sleep.
Kinugita got out of bed and approached the window. Morning cicadas had already begun their song. Despite it being autumn, their chirping still filled the air, and the morning sun blazed as intensely as in summer. But a gentle autumn breeze, wandering through the shaded streets, brought a pleasant coolness. In well-positioned apartments or high-rise buildings, this refreshing breeze could be enjoyed in the mornings and evenings.
Stretching in a lazy yawn, Kinugita felt the breeze touch her face like a soft pat. She involuntarily squinted with pleasure.
"Heh-heh… So nice… If only I were on the bed… it'd be perfect…" she mused dreamily.
…
She nearly succumbed to the cozy temptation of autumn.
"Hm? Ouch! Almost fell asleep standing… Autumn really is dangerous!" Kinugita jolted, wiping drool from the corner of her mouth.
Stepping away from the window, she approached the table and grabbed a carton of milk.
A gulp… another… another…
"Aha~ Awesome!" she exclaimed, downing the liter carton in one go.
"Wait! I haven't brushed my teeth yet!" she realized.
Only now did her morning truly begin.
Smoothing the wrinkles on her skirt and shirt, Kinugita combed her hair.
"Mmm~ Perfect! Time to go!" she declared.
Grabbing her backpack and locking the door, she left the apartment.
"Good morning, Grandma Nishio! Going for a walk again today?" she greeted cheerfully a neighbor who was just stepping out.
"Heh-heh, good morning, Taoko. The weather's nice, so I decided to take a stroll. I woke up anyway and don't feel like sleeping," the old lady replied with a smile.
"Oh, I see! Then take it easy, Grandma Nishio, I'm off to school!" Kinugita said, playfully saluting.
"Oh, wait, Taoko!" Grandma Nishio called.
She pulled two red bean buns from her bag.
"I just baked some red bean buns, made too many. You like them, don't you? Take a couple for a snack."
"Th-these are Grandma Nishio's red bean buns?!" Kinugita accepted the bag with trembling hands.
"Thank you so much! Your buns are super-duper delicious!"
"Heh-heh, run along to school, be careful on the road," the old lady smiled.
"Yeah! I'm off! Thanks, Grandma Nishio!" Kinugita shouted, waving.
Opening the transparent bag, she inhaled the aroma of the two warm buns. For an ordinary person, such buns would take several bites—unless they had an enormous mouth. But Kinugita did something unbelievable.
Both buns disappeared into her mouth in a second. Her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel stuffed with nuts.
"Mmm… mmm… Amazing! Grandma Nishio's buns are the best! Oh… ate them all at once again… I always forget to savor them… Aaa, my stomach's hungry again…" she complained, rubbing her belly.
Kinugita seemed to forget she'd just had breakfast. The morning was early, and the streets were nearly empty, with only the occasional schoolchild passing by. A sense of foreboding hung in the air, as if something was about to happen.
And indeed: two guys, clearly from the street thug crowd, were walking along, smoking. Logically, such types usually hang out late into the night, then sleep until noon or evening to resume their "business." But these two broke the pattern. In the morning harmony—when schoolkids head to class, workers rush to jobs, and elderly stroll—these two stood out like foreign elements.
With sinister gazes, they scanned their surroundings, seemingly hunting for prey. Spotting Kinugita Taoko walking at a distance, the first guy elbowed the second and nodded toward her. The second, following his gaze, lit up with eager eyes and nodded back. Without words, they devised a thousand and one plans.
Unsuspecting, Kinugita continued thinking about whether she'd have time to buy something for breakfast at the school kiosk.
Her mind was on food, while the guys plotted. Their paths crossed.
R-r-rip!
A sound like something tearing rang out.
"Hey, girl!" one of the guys shouted behind Kinugita.
"Hm?" She turned around, puzzled.
"Girl! Watch where you're going! See what you did to my new gear?!" the second guy raged.
His jacket, which looked decent enough, was torn at the sleeve. A tattooed arm protruded halfway from the hole.
"Ehh? Did… did I do that?" Kinugita stammered, clearly panicking.
"Who else?! This is a new jacket, expensive as hell!" the second guy barked.
The first guy promptly pulled out a magazine and opened it, pointing at a page. A model flaunted the exact same jacket as the second guy's. The caption read: "New release, limited-edition Adidaz jacket, price—10,000."
"B-but… I didn't even touch you…" Kinugita muttered, pressing a hand to her chin, growing more confused.
"Hah? Of course you didn't! What, you think you're a ninja who tore it with inner force?" the second guy sneered.
"T-then why…"
"Because of your stuff, that's why! Look at your backpack!" he pointed at her bag.
On the zipper of Kinugita's backpack hung a crescent-shaped keychain with a sharp edge, a scrap of fabric from the jacket dangling from it.
"Eh?! Where did I get that keychain?" she wondered.
"Hah? Want to say it's mine? Girl, you're not planning to pay, are you?" the second guy pressed on.
Inside, they rejoiced. This trick they'd pulled dozens of times: choosing deserted spots without cameras, attaching a pre-prepared keychain with a fabric scrap to schoolkids' backpacks—especially girls—then ripping their fake "brand" clothing. The scheme worked flawlessly. They often operated near schools for wealthy kids, where students, accustomed to luxury, feared trouble and easily agreed to "compromises." Recently out of money, they'd gone "hunting" in the morning when few schoolkids were around.
With sinister smirks, they eyed the trembling Kinugita. The second guy began sizing her up from head to toe. Though not as stunning as Xuan, Kinugita was quite attractive—on the level of a "class flower." Unclean thoughts stirred in his mind.
"Anyway, girl, since you're a schoolkid, we won't demand the full amount. Hand over half and have some fun with us—then we'll part ways. Half price! Cheap, practically a steal!" he said with feigned generosity, though his tone dripped with arrogance.
"B-but… I don't have that kind of money… And anyway, you've been talking like some third-rate manga or drama thugs from the start, it's really annoying!" Kinugita replied, tears welling up.
…
Her words stunned the guys. They fell silent, exchanging glances.
"What did you say?! Who's third-rate?! Watch your mouth, brat!" the second guy exploded.
"Exactly! What third-rate?! We planned this to scam people like you!" the first chimed in.
…
The situation grew awkward.
"See… you said it yourself," Kinugita said quietly, pointing at the first guy.
The second guy immediately smacked the first on the head.
"Talk less, you idiot! Shut that filthy mouth!" he cursed, continuing to hit his partner.
The first guy collapsed to the ground, while the second went on:
"Anyway, girl, you're not getting out of this! If you don't pay, I'll call the cops. Let's see who's got better evidence!"
"E-evidence? There's a camera…" Kinugita said timidly, pointing to a lamppost with a surveillance camera.
…
The camera was positioned to capture everything from a perfect angle.
The second guy resumed kicking his fallen partner.
"I told you to check for cameras! You lazy bum!" he yelled, not stopping.
"U-um… can I go?" Kinugita asked, standing aside.
Hearing her, the second guy stopped kicking, leapt to her, and grabbed her arm.
"Where do you think you're going, brat?! You're not leaving without money!"
The first guy sprang up instantly, grabbing her other arm.
"W-what… what are you doing?!" Kinugita exclaimed, feigning the fear expected of a girl in such a situation.
"Come with us!" the second guy barked.
Exchanging a glance and a nod, they dragged Kinugita into an alley between shops.
"Wait! What are you doing?! It hurts! Let go!" she shouted.
Ruthlessly, they pulled her into the narrow passage between buildings, where darkness concealed everything from prying eyes.