Target Acquired - VOLUME 1

CHAPTER 10 - "Illusion Time"

"Maehara!" I cry out, running down the stairs. Shinobu attempts to hold me back, but my brain temporarily shuts off at the sight of one of my friends laying on the ground in pain. I sprint through my classmates, who stand in shock, and kneel down next to Maehara. He's sitting up, bent over his stomach while holding onto it. I fling an arm over him and hug him tightly. He must be in so much pain. After all, that was a direct blow from a trained adult.

A figure looms over the two of us, and I look up to see that it is the new gym teacher. He smiles sadistically and introduces himself as Mr. Takaoka. He observes me as I move Maehara and I away from him. Isogai helps Maehara to his feet, but I can't find the courage to stand up and face Mr. Takaoka.

"Megumi Yanagisa, isn't it?" Mr. Takaoka asks me. I nod slowly but keep my eyes on him. He crouches down next to me and grabs a piece of my hair, observing it. The only thing I can feel right now is fear.

"Sir, could you..." I begin to ask but am cut off by him. "Well, aren't you a pretty one?" My body tenses up as I prepare for the worst. He tugs my hair, pulling me towards him, and snarls, "Guess we'll have to change that." He holds up his hand and...

Slap!

I collapse onto the ground ten feet away, my right cheek stinging. I tentatively hold a hand up to my face and stare back at the man who just hit me. He laughs and says, "Aw, it didn't work! Maybe I should do it again!"

Karasuma clears his throat. I look over to him, desperation creeping into my expression. He shakes his head slowly but sadly. He can't do anything to stop Mr. Takaoka.

"Hey!" someone yells from a distance. Everyone turns to see Shinobu standing at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes shining with hatred. He moves over to Mr. Takaoka, who looks both amused and annoyed.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Shinobu starts. He steps closer to Mr. Takaoka, making him move back a bit. The man begins to raise his hand when, in the corner of my eye, a small, blue blur quietly moves behind him.

A knife suddenly presses against Mr. Takaoka's throat. Shinobu laughs out, "Should've been paying more attention, huh? Little Nagisa has you at fuckin' knifepoint, asshole!" Mr. Takaoka freezes up and falls to the ground, being pushed by Nagisa. He looks horrified.

Karasuma rushes over to the situation and tells Mr. Takaoka that he's been permanently suspended from being the E-Class' gym teacher. Thank god! Shinobu hurries to my side and assesses my face. He offers to take me to the clinic, but I decline. It doesn't sting anymore.

Besides, I can't look weak in front of my classmates.

~

"Five to three!" I yell. I'm refereeing for a group of my classmates' volleyball game. We've been given free time for the rest of the P.E. period because of what happened earlier today with Mr. Takaoka. "Five to four!"

I don't know why, but everything feels so distant right now. I can barely focus on what's happening a few feet ahead of me. The group takes a quick break, and I decide to go for a walk in the forest surrounding the building.

The buzz of insects makes a calming ambience as my shoes crunch green leaves beneath me. I hum a song I listened to earlier today. Such an ear worm! Aside from the rest of the noises of the forest, a quiet ticking sound rings in my ears.

I glance around quickly. Where could it be coming from? It's probably just my imagination, anyways. Before I can start to head back towards the building, I hear someone sniff.