A Quiet boy's Normal Day - Hidden Bruises
School ends, but suffering rarely stays behind classroom walls. Some pain follows quietly through the streets and into homes.
School ended in the afternoon.
Students happily left the building and talked about games, shows, and plans.
Sota walked alone.
The sky was turning orange as the sun began to set.
He kept his head down and walked along the quiet road toward his home.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Until footsteps approached from behind.
Tanaka's voice echoed.
"Hey Kobayashi."
Sota stopped.
Before he could turn around, someone shoved him hard.
He fell onto the ground.
Pain shot through his arms.
Tanaka and the others surrounded him.
Ryota cracked his knuckles.
"Thought you could leave peacefully?"
Daichi kicked his side.
Kenji stepped on his hand.
Takeshi punched his shoulder.
Haru laughed loudly.
Sota curled slightly as the hits continued.
Dust covered his uniform.
His lip split slightly.
Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Maybe this will teach you to work faster," Tanaka said coldly.
He delivered one final kick before walking away.
The others followed.
Soon the street became silent again.
Sota slowly pushed himself up.
His body trembled.
His face had bruises forming already.
He looked at the ground for a moment.
Then he continued walking.
When he reached his house, the lights inside were warm and welcoming.
He opened the door quietly.
"I'm home," he said.
His mother came from the kitchen.
"Sota, welcome back."
She froze.
Her eyes widened when she saw his injuries.
"Sota! What happened?"
His father quickly stood up from the living room.
"Who did this?"
Sota forced a small smile.
"I just fell."
His parents clearly did not believe him.
His mother gently touched his cheek.
"You did not fall like this."
Sota looked away.
"I am fine."
But worry filled their faces.
That night, while lying in bed, Sota stared at the ceiling.
His body ached.
His mind felt heavy.
Still, tomorrow he would go to school again.
Just like alweys.
Even when he lies, his parents see the truth. Their worry grows while Sota hidis deeper behind Ouiet smiles.
