𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔, [nishinoya yuu x reader]

𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝟷𝟹

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 of September, the start of the autumn season. Although faint, the green leaves left from summer were starting to turn the colour orange. September also (dreadingly) meant the beginning of the second semester.

School wasn't exciting – after all, you're a third-year in middle school now; equivalent to a ninth grader in the west. Something about going into high school didn't excite you as everyone hyped it up to be. There was so much stress – especially now as you have to start studying for entrance exams. Not fun. 

Fortunately, for your last year here at Chidoriyama you had Nishinoya in your class, but was split up with your other two friends. You silently laughed at the fact that you were still stuck with that one specific person – Okamoto Mei. 

She just had to be seated two seats ahead of you in class, didn't she? Her big head filled with a small brain took up most of your view of the blackboard. It was a pain. 

After the whole snow incident last year, she decided to ditch you three – not that any of you complained, but it seemed that she would've liked to be around you guys for the rest of the year. If that were true, you probably wouldn't be here right now. Instead you would be at home, away from Mei. 

Lunch had rolled around, but you weren't in the mood to walk to the courtyard where Harue and Keiko probably were headed. They would understand... that sleep comes first. 

And so, laying your head on your forearms on the desk, you closed your eyes. But was soon interrupted by obnoxious laughter that came from in front of you. Of course, Mei and her group of lackeys. Trying to ignore it, you shut your eyes once again. 

"I can't believe you did that, #1!"

"Well, it was easy. No one around would want to help a loser like her. Besides, this is all according to keikaku."

"You mean 'plan', #3?"

"Oh, yes! That. Anyway Mei-chan, it's so fun pushing her around! Makes her the easy target."

"I spent two whole nights with her. I know all of her weak spots. I know that might sound like little time, but I just know how to press the right buttons."

"Why are we doing all this anyway? I feel kind of bad for her. We've been doing it since like, March. Won't someone catch on?"

"If you're that reluctant to join #2, just don't hang out with us."

"No– That's not what I meant... Um... Have you guys checked the group chat lately?"

"The one we made with all the girls and some boys from our cohort? Oh– my gosh. This is just so bad. Look at them at the courtyard and look how close they are– Do you think they're...?"

"Trust me," It was Mei's voice. "they're up to something."

What the actual hell was going on that conversation? Are they really bragging about how fun it is to bully someone? They mentioned that they've been going at it since the beginning of the year... So, around the end of your second-year? 

Having a superiority complex is an incredibly dangerous thing; to you that is. It allows people to make stupid and rash decisions just to boost their ego. People don't stop until they're better than their peers. 

It's especially dangerous when it's paired with bullying – pushing down one to step forward; and continuing to pressure them to give up so they can in turn, indirectly make you feel better. It's a whole cycle; a shit one too. 

It made you wonder, what made people develop this kind of complex? Ah, perhaps it was fuelled by an underlying inferiority complex. You think that you're worse at another, and so in turn, you tear them down – hence lighting the flame to become superior.