Thirteen Months

Bathroom

TW // bullying, homophobic slurs, racial slurs, cyber-bullying, self-isolation

Note: This chapter contains racial and homophobic slurs in the context of bullying. It is part of the story so I decided to include it. However, if I have overstepped on gone too far, please do not hesitate to let me know. I want to create a realistic picture of the bullying I have faced as a person of color, but if you have any concerns again please let me know.  Also, I wanted to make it clear that Mizuko is black, born in Japan to African-American parents (this will be explained in a later chapter).  She has braids that go about half-way down her back.  If any of my description of her character is offensive in any way, please let me know.  Thanks for your understanding.

The following Monday, the third years decided to all eat their lunch on the roof. Asahi munched on his sub sandwich while reading a book. Mizuko sat in between the large boy and Daichi with Sugawara on Daichi's other side forming a small circle. Mizuko tapped Daichi's arm and whispered something into his ear.

"He would love that, you should ask him," Daichi responded. "Hey, Asahi," he said, ignoring Mizuko's frantic head shaking. "Mizu has something to ask you."

"Oh, okay," Asahi said, sitting up a little straighter. His soft demeanor seemed to put Mizuko at ease almost immediately.

Safe? She signed to Daichi. He nodded, understanding the meaning of the sign as he had been practicing sign-language with her quite often.

"Asahi may look scary, but he really is a giant teddy-bear," he assured.

"Hey, I'm not scary-looking!" Asahi protested. "Am I?"

"Dude," Sugawara said. "You're like seven feet tall and pretty much have a full beard."

"I'm six foot seven." Asahi pouted. Mizuko laughed a little. Daichi was right, the tall guy really was a huge softie.

"C-can I b-braid your h-h-hair?" Her soft voice forced out the words in a stutter.

"Of course, if you want to," Asahi said, his cheeks flushing a little. "Suga does it all the time." Mizuko clapped her hands together happily and moved behind him, undoing his bun and running her fingers through his soft locks.

Sugawara and Daichi talked volleyball strategies and homework, Asahi continued to read his book, and Mizuko braided his hair. When finished, the girl took a step back. Asahi used his phone's camera to admire her work. "Wow, Mizuko," he said. "This looks great! I'm going to keep it for practice!" He slipped his headband over the braid and continued to admire it through the phone screen. 

"Let me see," Sugawara said, moving to crouch next to Mizuko. She adjusted a small piece of the braid. "Whoa, this looks better than mine!" Sugawara explained, his hand reaching out to feel the braid. Suddenly, Mizuko jerked her hand back, having accidentally brushed Sugawara's hand with her own.

"Sorry," she squeaked. "I didn't mean-- I just-- I--" she didn't finish her sentence. Instead, stumbling back from Sugawara and grabbing her backpack. "I'm just gonna..." She pointed towards the restrooms weakly before fleeing.

"It's okay, I'm sorry," Sugawara tried to say, but it was too late; she was gone.

Daichi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't take it personally," he said. "She had another nightmare last night and has been jumpy all morning."

"But normally she's okay with me...I mean, she hasn't let me touch her yet, but I just thought...I don't know," Sugawara murmured.

"It's okay, Suga," Daichi said. "You were just in the wrong place wrong time."