New Kid | Soukoku

17

FLASHBACK

All the boy's classmates watched as the ginger boy threw a huge tantrum with the teacher over not understanding a question. He was in the front of the room, daring to have a steaming argument with the teacher.

"I don't understand this stupid fucking lesson!" he took the paper and ripped it to shreds. He felt himself lose his touch with dignity, angered. "I hate it, I hate it, I hate math!"

"Nakahara Chuuya!" his teacher raised her voice, making him wince. "Do you know how disrespectful that is?! How dare you rip your paperwork apart and use such language!?"

Chuuya kicked the desk down, upset with her. "But I don't understand it! I wanna be with my mom, not you! You're mean to me and I don't like you!"

She gave him an intimidating glare. "Tell me, boy, are you okay in the head? You're not normal compared to the other kids. I'm sure your mother is very appreciative of how burdening you are."

The class snickered at her remark, agreeing that he was an aberration. He was deemed as one of the 'special' kids. Nobody in that entire classroom acted the way that he acted. They were all matured. But Chuuya, he wasn't mature at all.

"He's so childish, jeez," one of the boys quietly whispered at the boy's behavior. "I know my mom would never want me to act like that."

"I don't know how his mom even deals with him," another girl giggled as she stared at Chuuya. "He seems so annoying to take care of."

"Right," another boy, Kaji agreed. "He's the only one who doesn't understand the lesson, too—"

"Shut up!" Chuuya said, making them quickly turn their heads. "I can hear you, dipshits!"

They quickly shut up, even though they were still whispering and giggling about it. It's not like anyone was going to be afraid of a fragile, easily angered voice.

Being angry doesn't always mean you're dominant and scary. Sometimes it just means you're weak and sensitive. Someone who can't handle the real world without getting angry.

The mistress ignored Chuuya's disrespectful choice of language, continuing her lecture. "You are in the 5th grade, Chuuya, and you have the mind of a kindergartener. At this rate, you'll get held back so many times you won't make it to middle school."

Chuuya felt his eyes start to water as his lips quivered. "But I'm trying, I swear—"

"If you were trying, then you would be normal!" she raised her voice. "I don't wanna hear another word from you! Pay more attention next time!"

As soon as she raised her voice at him, the tears came pouring down.

He was crying.

Again.

"Crybaby!" one of the boys laughed. "How do you not understand basic math!"

"Shut the hell up!" More tears fell down Chuuya's face. "I can fucking do math-"

"Nakahara, did I or did I not tell you that I don't want to hear another word from you?!" she asked, making Chuuya quickly shut up. "Watch your language!"