(COTE X OC)The cheater is the red child

Chapitre 3-The bus scene

PDV Hishida

??? – Uuh, excuse me.

I woke up, thinking someone had spoken to me. I opened my eyes with some difficulty, trying to identify the person. But to my dismay, the words were not addressed to me.

I started to look around to find the source of the voice. Eventually, I became aware of my situation and what was really happening. I was on the bus, heading to my new school. I had planned to make the most of this unfortunate first day back to school by sleeping, to prepare for the tough day ahead. But thinking a girl had spoken to me (which wasn't the case), I woke up, much to my misfortune.

I wanted to sleep more, but I couldn't, as I wanted to know who had disturbed my deep sleep. I wanted to punish them with a loud growl.

The voice belonged to a girl. Since all the seats on the bus were taken, she was standing, facing the person she was really addressing. Beside her, there was an elderly lady, quite old, who seemed concerned by the girl's words. It seemed like the girl wanted to help the elderly lady, and the boy in front of her was there just to address the old woman's problem.

To identify the problem, you had to see where the boy was sitting. He was sitting in a priority seat.

The girl had noticed the old lady struggling to stay standing due to all the seats being occupied, and she asked the boy sitting in the priority seat to give it up. This "priority seat," according to her, was meant for disabled or elderly people who were tired of standing.

It was a logical situation. And to my great annoyance, I decided to listen to the somewhat mundane conversation.

??? – This is a priority seat, right?

She spoke in a shy and gentle tone to get the young boy's attention, but he didn't seem to pay any attention. The girl continued.

??? – You see, this old lady is getting a bit tired from standing, and she's been like this for hours. Could you please give up your seat?

She seemed to be a kind-hearted girl, appealing to the boy's emotions. She emphasized certain words to justify her request. It wasn't an order, but rather a way to make him feel pity in his heart. But his response surprised more than one person.

??? – Well, well, pretty girl! You're asking me to give up my seat for this old lady just because she's tired of standing? Well, that's an interesting point. What benefit would I get from giving up my seat? If I stand like her, I'll get tired too. It would be a waste of energy.

??? – But it would be a contribution to society. She's old and tired, can't you show some empathy?

??? – Contributing to society doesn't interest me! And it's true that I should show some respect because she's lived longer. But that's where it ends. Even though she's old, she's from a different era. Society doesn't need old people, it needs young people who will support the future. You want me to give up my seat just because I'm young? Isn't that a bit presumptuous?

His demeanor and words clearly reflected his egocentric nature. But from this point of view, I could understand him.

??? – But...

The girl tried to respond, but the elderly lady, who had been silent until then, interrupted her. The girl was disappointed to see her efforts go to waste, and the old lady felt guilty for putting herself in that situation.

Elderly lady – Don't worry, young girl. You've done enough. I'm already grateful for what you've done.

The old lady was already embarrassed by the situation, believing she was the main cause. She couldn't stand seeing the girl humiliated by the boy, so she decided not to escalate the problem.