Kenji had always been an ordinary high school student.
He wasn't weak, but he wasn't strong either. He wasn't loud, nor did he crave attention. He was the kind of boy teachers liked—bright, polite, and calm. His grades were good, his manners better. A normal life. A peaceful one.
But recently, everything changed.
His father had been transferred to another city for work. A sudden decision. A sudden move. And just like that, Kenji's entire world shifted. New streets. New house. New faces.
And now—
A new school.
On the morning of his first day, Kenji woke up earlier than usual. He stood in front of the mirror, adjusted his uniform, and forced a small smile onto his face.
It'll be fine, he told himself. It's just another school.
His father drove him there in silence, offering a few words of encouragement before dropping him off at the gate. Kenji nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The school building felt… heavy.
Students walked past him, laughing, talking, shoving each other. Everyone seemed to know where they belonged.
Kenji didn't.
When the bell rang, he entered his assigned classroom. The teacher introduced him briefly, mentioning his transfer and asking the class to make him feel welcome.
No one clapped.
No one spoke.
Dozens of eyes looked at him—some curious, some bored, some cold.
Kenji bowed slightly and moved toward an empty seat near the window.
He sat down.
The class passed quietly. Kenji took notes, listened carefully, and tried to ignore the strange atmosphere. Something felt off, but he couldn't tell what.
When the bell rang and class ended, the room filled with noise again.
Then someone stood in front of him.
Kenji looked up.
The boy had sharp eyes and a presence that made the surrounding students fall silent. His uniform was worn loosely, confidence dripping from every movement.
"This seat," the boy said coldly, "is mine."
Kenji froze.
"I—I'm sorry," he said quickly, standing up without hesitation. "I didn't know."
The boy stared at him for a moment longer, then sat down without another word.
The silence in the classroom deepened.
Kenji moved to another seat beside a quiet-looking boy with glasses. The boy glanced at him nervously but said nothing.
Later that day, Kenji learned the truth.
The boy by the window was Kamado.
The leader of the school.
No one talked to him unless spoken to. No one disobeyed him. His word was rule.
Kenji swallowed.
So that's how it is…
Despite that, he managed to make one friend.
The boy sitting next to him finally spoke during lunch break.
"My name is Koji," he said softly.
Kenji smiled. "I'm Kenji."
Koji was calm, intelligent, and kind—just like him. But there was something else too.
Fear.
Koji flinched whenever footsteps passed by. His hands trembled slightly when he spoke.
It didn't take long for Kenji to understand why.
Koji was being bullied.
Not just by one person—but by a group.
Every class had its hierarchy. And at the top of theirs stood a gang of five students—three boys and two girls. They controlled five classes, collected money from weaker students, and punished anyone who disobeyed.
Koji was one of their victims.
"They told everyone not to talk to me," Koji whispered one day. "If they do… they'll get bullied too."
Kenji clenched his fists.
"But that's wrong," he said quietly.
Koji looked at him in shock. "Kenji… you shouldn't—"
Too late.
One of the bullies noticed them talking.
She leaned over to the others and whispered something. A grin spread across her face.
Soon, the group entered the classroom.
The air turned cold.
At the center of them walked a tall boy with cruel eyes.
His name was Sado.
The ruler of five classes.
He looked at Koji like prey.
"Bring them," Sado said.
Two boys grabbed Kenji and Koji by their arms and dragged them out of the classroom.
They were taken near the bathroom, to a narrow street-like area behind the building. Cigarette smoke hung in the air. Broken walls bore scars of past violence.
This was where weak students were beaten.
Sado stepped forward.
Without warning, he kicked Koji in the face.
Koji fell to the ground with a cry, blood spilling from his mouth.
Sado laughed.
"Pathetic," he said. "You still breathing?"
Kenji's heart pounded.
He had never seen something like this.
Never experienced such cruelty.
Sado turned his gaze to Kenji.
"You're new," he said. "Where you from?"
Kenji swallowed. "From…
Sado's expression changed.
Surprise.
Then—
Interest.
"That place," Sado said slowly, "is rich."
A smile spread across his face.
"So you must be rich too."
Kenji shook his head. "I'm not—"
"Tomorrow," Sado interrupted, "bring money."
Kenji froze.
"If you don't," Sado continued calmly, "you'll get the same treatment as him."
He pointed at Koji.
Koji's body shook violently.
"I—I'll bring it," Koji said desperately. "Please… just don't—"
Sado laughed.
"Good," he said. "Now get lost."
They were thrown aside like trash.
As Kenji helped Koji stand, one thought echoed in his mind—
This school isn't normal.
And his peaceful life—
Was already over.