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[Bag of bones ] - [Mitski]

The stairway to happiness seems to recede further from her grasp with each passing moment. Vienna's despair is palpable—a bitter disappointment settling in as she realized that most people prefer to remain bystanders.

Standing up for what's right only invites the bullying to turn on them, leaving her feeling increasingly isolated in her struggle.

After the bullying was exposed, you'd think Vienna's life would improve. But you'd be wrong. The remaining group of girls, once friends with Hana, now saw Vienna as a thorn in their side.

They relentlessly mocked her voice in class without fear, tripped her when she distributed worksheets, and even splashed red ink on her chair to mock her with 'menstrual blood' stains whenever she sat down.

Jungwon tried to intervene on several occasions to help Vienna. She also tried to stand up for herself. However, each attempt only seemed to make the bullying worse.

Even when Sakura tried to assist, she almost became a target herself. In the end, it seemed there was no solution in sight.

The school resembled a community of biological organisms, where just as animals instinctively seek benefits and avoid disadvantages.

Vienna's classmates naturally distanced themselves from her, now the target of bullying and ostracism.

It was time for PE. Vienna felt tired and sweaty after playing basketball with Jungwon.

While he continued energetically with his male friends, Vienna headed back to the classroom to rest.

Seeking shade from the blazing sun, she hurried towards her classroom. Passing by the trees, she noticed several shadowy figures lurking beneath them.

Her heart sank.

At the forefront stood Hana, tall and slim, her eyes filled with unmistakable hatred, leading a group of others whose hostile intentions were all too clear.

"Well, well. Did you enjoy whoring around with Jungwon?" Hana sneered, her voice cutting through the air like a whip.

They advanced toward Vienna, who stood frozen in place. She felt like a small rat caught in a trap, on the edge of peril but helpless to change her circumstances.

Hana gestured to her group of friends, who quickly surrounded Vienna. They began pulling and tugging at her despite her resistance, delivering a few stinging slaps in the process.

Just as they were about to drag her away, an angry voice interrupted them, "What on earth are you guys doing?!"

"Who allowed you guys to enter the school grounds, huh?!" The furious form teacher continued chastising the bullies.

However, Hana and her friends ignored the form teacher, refusing to respond to his barrage of questions.

Clearly, they were not intimidated in the least. Rolling their eyes at his scolding, Hana and her group gradually started to disperse from the scene.

The form teacher was livid, calling every single parent of Hana and her friends.

Despite his pleas for them to take responsibility for their children's actions, the parents were dismissive, too busy with their own affairs to care. This only fueled his anger further.

Vienna stood frozen in place, her hair disheveled and her clothes a mess from the altercation.

Before, She had placed all her hopes and dreams on the upcoming examinations; now, the path to hope appeared delicate and far out of reach.

The following week, Vienna didn't dare to travel to school alone. Instead, the form teacher escorted her to and from school.

During these trips, Vienna often spotted her bullies; they seemed like persistent specters, never far away, always watching her from a distance.

As graduation approached, the form teacher became increasingly burdened with responsibilities.

Consequently, he could no longer spare the effort and time to assist Vienna with her troubles.

One day, the form teacher regretfully informed Vienna that he could no longer accompany her to and from school.

Instead, he urged her to contact him immediately if she faced any difficulties on her way to school.

That afternoon, she hesitated to remain in the classroom after school ended. Fearful of encountering her tormentors, she lingered near the school gates.

Feeling trapped and helpless as her classmates hurried past, like a mortal unable to venture beyond the protective boundary set by the immortals.

As Vienna's legs grew numb, she sat down on the steps of the school gates. The silence enveloped her.

Staring into the darkening sky, she felt as though she were trapped in her own grave.

She was at the end of her rope.

A faint memory flashed across her mind. Quickly, she retrieved Shotaro's card from her school bag.

By the time the officer arrived, the sky had already darkened completely.

Soft glows of yellow light radiated weakly from the open windows of nearby houses, each like an old lantern.

Vienna quietly sat on the steps, her body curled into a small ball.

"I'm sorry I'm so late, work's been overwhelming." Shotaro huffed and puffed as he approached Vienna.

Gently, he patted her frail shoulders. "Let's go."

Vienna didn't move. Her arms wrapped around her legs, and her head rested on her knees.

She was simply too tired.

The gentle night breeze drifted past Officer Shotaro's sweat-soaked back, sending a chill up his spine.

Gradually, he realized something was off. He recalled his promise to her: that if she told the truth, those bullies would be punished.

However, they weren't punished—not even in the slightest. Ultimately, the person dragged to hell was her. Vienna. She mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.

"You promised..."

"I'm... I'm sorry."

Vienna gave him a small, weary smile, a smile that spoke of resignation and acceptance. She stood up slowly, her movements heavy with exhaustion.

"Will university be any better?"

Shotaro nodded, though his heart ached, knowing he couldn't promise her a better future with certainty.

Vienna turned her gaze away, her eyes reflecting a distant sadness. "Officer, did you know Mei told me something before that day?"

His attention sharpened, every word she spoke now laden with significance.

"She said, 'Is it the eyes that are blind or the hearts?'"

Can't all of you see that?

Why isn't anyone doing anything?

Why aren't you guys doing anything?!

Mei wanted empathy, not sympathy. Sympathy is easy—it comes from a position of power.

But empathy? Empathy is kneeling down, looking someone in the eye, and realizing you could be them—the only thing separating you is luck.

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maybe theres a ni-ki int he next chpp hehe