The golden sunlight painted the waves with shimmering gold as Class 3-E began to unwind on the beach. Laughter and splashing filled the air, the students eagerly letting go of the tension that had weighed on them during their battle with Takaoka.
Nagisa stood quietly at the edge of the beach, watching his classmates play. Their smiles were genuine, and their joy infectious. It was a stark contrast to the brutal confrontation he had endured earlier. His body still ached, but he didn't want to ruin the moment for anyone.
"Hey, Nagisa!" Sugino called, jogging over and grinning. "Get in the water already! You've earned it!"
Nagisa gave a small smile. "Alright, alright," he said, reaching for the hem of his shirt. As he pulled it off and folded it neatly, the world seemed to stop.
The first to notice was Kayano, standing nearby. Her eyes widened in shock. "Nagisa..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Bruises covered his slender frame, vivid and angry shades of purple, green, and yellow marring his pale skin. The sight of them—so raw and painful—sent a ripple of alarm through the group. One by one, their laughter faded, replaced by stunned silence.
Kayano's Thoughts
How could he just... act like everything's fine? Kayano's chest tightened as she stared at the bruises. Did he seriously take all of that from Takaoka? And not just today—there's no way this is the first time...
She stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Nagisa, why didn't you say something earlier? Those look awful!"
Nagisa waved a hand, his expression soft but dismissive. "It's not as bad as it looks," he said quietly. "Really, I'm okay."
Karma's Thoughts
Karma clenched his fists, the smile he'd been wearing vanishing. "Not as bad as it looks," huh? Don't give me that, Nagisa. How long have you been brushing things off like this?
He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he examined the bruises. This isn't just about Takaoka. Some of those marks are older—they don't match today's fight. What's going on with you, Nagisa?
He forced his voice to stay even, though it was laced with frustration. "Nagisa, if you keep acting like this is normal, we're going to have a problem."
Sugino's Thoughts
Sugino couldn't stop staring. This guy took all of that punishment and still stood up to that maniac? How... how did he manage that?
He felt a pang of guilt in his chest. I should've noticed something. All this time, Nagisa's been dealing with stuff on his own, hasn't he?
Sugino scratched the back of his head, trying to mask his worry. "You're insane, man," he said with a nervous laugh. "Seriously, though—next time, let someone else help, okay?"
Nagisa just nodded, his small smile never wavering.
Irina's Thoughts
Irina lowered her sunglasses, her usually playful demeanor replaced by something much more serious. Those bruises... no way are they just from today. I've seen enough to know when someone's trying to cover up something bigger.
She watched Nagisa brush off everyone's concern, and a pit of unease formed in her stomach. You're a tough kid, Nagisa, but this isn't normal. If no one else is going to say it, I will.
She stood up, brushing sand off her legs. "Nagisa," she said sharply, "you can't just smile and pretend this kind of thing is fine. It's not."
Nagisa hesitated, his gaze dropping for the first time. "I guess... I'm just used to a few bruises," he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Karasuma's Thoughts
Karasuma felt a chill run down his spine at Nagisa's words. Used to it? The idea of someone as young as Nagisa being "used to" this kind of pain made his stomach churn.
