Arata watched from afar, his patience worn thin. Sira's relentless bullying had to stop.
He spotted Sira cornering a freshman, taunting him.
Arata pulled out his phone and began recording.
Sira, oblivious, continued his verbal assault.
"Hey, crybaby, what's wrong? Can't handle a little teasing?"
The freshman's tears streamed down.
Arata's anger boiled over.
That's enough.
He approached Sira, phone still recording.
"Sira, leave him alone."
Sira sneered.
"Mind your own business, bookworm."
Arata stood firm.
"Not when you're hurting others."
The freshman escaped, grateful.
Arata turned to Sira.
"You're going down for this."
_Principal's Office_
Arata handed the recording to Principal Nakamura, Sira's father.
Nakamura's expression darkened.
"Sira, explain yourself."
Sira's smirk faltered.
"Dad, it was just a joke."
Nakamura's voice turned cold.
"A joke? Bullying is never a joke."
Detention slips filled out, Nakamura's disappointment evident.
"Two weeks, Sira. No extracurriculars. And apologize to that freshman."
Sira's face reddened.
"Fine."
As Sira stormed out, Nakamura turned to Arata.
"Thank you, Arata. You've shown courage."
Arata nodded.
"Someone had to stand up to him."
Nakamura's gaze lingered on Arata.
"I think you've earned a friend's gratitude. Taro's, perhaps?"
Arata's cheeks flushed.
"Perhaps."
