Una noche aterradora: La Cruz

Chapter 2

There were exactly three minutes left before Ryota arrived at school. Three minutes that marked the difference between a complicated day and a total catastrophe. Every step he took seemed insufficient, and his breathing grew heavier as time relentlessly ticked away. Without thinking twice, Ryota started running as if his life depended on it, his legs moving in a desperate rhythm. His pulse pounded in his ears, competing with the city's noise.

—Sorry! Excuse me! Move out of the way! —he shouted repeatedly, pushing through the crowd, dodging pedestrians with clumsy but effective movements. The streets became an obstacle course, and traffic lights were ignored—a luxury he couldn't afford.

Finally, the imposing silhouette of Kagetsu no Tani Kōkō appeared in the distance. That majestic building, a symbol of excellence in District 14, stood as a constant reminder of his place in the world: a space where he never seemed to fit in. At the main gate, the morning guard—derisively nicknamed "Post-kun" by the students—raised his authoritative voice, cutting through the air like a whip.

—Run faster! You've got seconds left to enter before you're marked late!

Ryota pushed his body harder, ignoring the burning in his legs. Around him, other classmates were also rushing, casting sidelong glances at him. Their eyes reflected a mixture of disdain and distrust. It was a sight Ryota was all too familiar with. He had learned to endure those looks since being labeled a "half-vampire." But just as he was about to cross the entrance, an unforgivable mistake changed the course of his morning: his shoelaces were untied.

—No, no, no! —he exclaimed in panic, as his feet tangled in the loose laces. In an instant, he fell to the ground with a thud, scraping his hands and knees in front of everyone. Laughter erupted around him, a cruel echo that amplified his humiliation. Even so, Ryota didn't stop. With surprising speed, he tied his laces and resumed running, his cheeks burning with shame.

—Ryota Gallardo! —the guard's voice stopped him just as he crossed the threshold. It was like a blow straight to the chest—. Late again. You're in trouble.

—Please, Poste-kun, let me in! I'm in serious trouble! —Ryota begged, his breathing ragged, his eyes shining with desperation.

The guard looked at him with a mix of disdain and superiority, his words dripping with venom.

—No! Rules are rules. It wouldn't be fair to the others. And by the way, don't call me Poste-kun!

—But... everyone calls you that... —Ryota muttered, trying to contain his confusion.

—Exactly! People call me that. Not you. —The guard emphasized the last word with a deliberate tone, as if he wanted it to embed itself into Ryota's soul.

The word "vampire" wasn't spoken, but it lingered between them, heavy and implicit. Ryota lowered his gaze, biting his lip to avoid responding. His frustration simmered beneath the surface, but he knew that any poorly chosen words would only make things worse.

—Go to the principal's office —the guard ordered, not bothering to soften his tone—. She's waiting for you.

Ryota walked toward the office with heavy steps, feeling the stares of his classmates like daggers. Some whispered among themselves, others outright laughed loudly, and the boldest ones hurled hurtful comments that pierced his skin like small thorns.

"Why do they look at me like that? What did I do to deserve this?" he thought, clenching his fists. "I'm not a monster... I don't want to hurt anyone..."

When he reached the office, Ryota raised his hand to knock, but the door opened before he could. The principal greeted him with a severe expression, her cold gaze fixed on him.

—Ryota Gallardo, come in. I've been expecting you.

The office's interior was oppressive, every corner perfectly ordered, as if reflecting the rigidity of the person in charge. The principal, seated behind her desk, watched him with disdain as she gestured for him to sit.

—This is your twelfth tardiness this semester. What are we going to do with you? —she asked, each word falling like a hammer.

—I'm really sorry, Principal. I had a problem on the way here, and... —Ryota tried to explain, his voice faltering.

—I'm not interested in your problems —she interrupted coldly—. This is a serious institution, and your behavior is not only unacceptable, but it also tarnishes our reputation. Frankly, your very presence here already does that.

Ryota felt the air leave his lungs. The brutal frankness of her words was almost unbearable, but he could do nothing but listen. The principal continued, her tone relentless:

—You know very well that this school only accepted you because of a political arrangement. Someone powerful pulled the strings to get you in. Otherwise, we would never have allowed your admission. Do you think that's fair to the other students?

Blood boiled in Ryota's veins. For the first time in a long while, his self-control crumbled.

—Fair? —he repeated, lifting his gaze to meet the principal's—. Do you think it's fair that a 17-year-old boy has to endure insults, threats, and fear because of something he didn't choose to be? Is it fair to be rejected by my classmates, my teachers, and even you, just because I'm half-vampire? Is that fair?

The principal's face hardened. She slammed her hands on the desk, her voice rising.

—Don't you dare raise your voice at me! —she exclaimed, her authority resonating in the small room—. I am your principal, and you will respect me.

—I deserve respect too! —Ryota shot back, his voice cracking with bottled frustration.

A tense silence filled the office. Finally, the principal spoke with calculated coldness:

—You are suspended for one week. If you disrespect me again, you'll be expelled. Now go to your classroom.

With his head bowed, Ryota left the office. His steps were heavy, and though his body was present, his mind was lost in a whirlwind of dark thoughts. When he entered the classroom, the laughter and whispers resumed. Some classmates deliberately moved their desks and chairs away, while others threw crumpled balls of paper at him. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to ignore the weight of their gazes.

During lunch, he escaped to his usual refuge: the rooftop. The cool wind slightly soothed the burning in his eyes. However, hunger struck as he rummaged through his bag and realized he had forgotten his lunch at home. Hugging his knees, he sat in a corner, trying to suppress the emptiness he felt.

—I knew I'd find you here —a soft voice said behind him.

Ryota looked up and saw Miss Yumi's warm smile. Her presence was a balm amidst the chaos.

—Miss Yumi... —he murmured, surprised.

—I noticed you seemed more down than usual today. Want to talk? —she asked gently, sitting beside him.

—It doesn't matter... —Ryota replied, averting his gaze.

The sound of his stomach growling interrupted the moment, and Ryota's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Miss Yumi's light laughter filled the air.

—Here, I brought this. I always carry extra —she said, pulling a carefully prepared bento box from her bag.

Though hesitant, Ryota accepted it. The first bite left him speechless.

—This is incredible! —he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

—I'm glad you like it —she responded with a calm smile.

For the first time in a long while, Ryota felt peace. Though the world rejected him, in that moment, he wasn't completely alone.