🌑 Chapter 2 – "The First Fracture"
The morning sun barely lit the narrow streets leading to Sakura Elementary School.
Aiko walked quietly, her small bag slung over one shoulder. The distant chatter of classmates made her stomach twist.
She entered the classroom. Rows of wooden desks shone under the morning light.
Teacher, Ms. Fujimoto, a tall woman with sharp eyes, greeted the students.
"Good morning, class," she said.
"Sit quietly. Let's start with today's math exercise."
Aiko sat in the corner, as usual.
No one noticed her unless she spoke.
Her pencil scratched the page nervously.
---
The Teasing Begins
Riku, her cousin, sat a few desks away.
He nudged Hana and whispered something. They both laughed.
Aiko heard it clearly. Their laughter felt louder than it should have.
Even a small giggle, a small glance, felt like a storm in her chest.
She gripped her pencil tighter.
Her hand shook.
For other children, this was nothing. For Aiko… it was unbearable.
"Stop staring at me!" she muttered quietly.
No one responded. They didn't hear her.
But in her mind, the teasing grew louder, sharper, crueler.
---
Teacher's Comment – Another Spark
Ms. Fujimoto walked past Aiko's desk.
"Are you even paying attention, Aiko?"
Aiko's heart sank.
Other kids might shrug it off.
Aiko's chest felt like it was being crushed.
Why didn't anyone understand? Why was she always wrong?
She wanted to shout, to scream, to run away.
But she stayed quiet.
Because she knew… crying or shouting would only make them laugh more.
---
The First Hint of Darkness
That night, Aiko sat on her futon again, alone.
She replayed every small insult, every glance, every word.
Why do they treat me this way?
Why am I always so different?
A small, dangerous thought crept in:
"If no one will see my pain… then maybe no one should be safe from mine."
Aiko did not smile.
Aiko did not cry.
She just stared at the ceiling, her eyes wide, her mind spinning.
The first seed of the psycho that she would become in the future had quietly taken root