8:25 School

Kai approaches the board of the Top-20 students.

STUDENT TEST SCORES

1st place – Amaya – 98 points
2nd place – Kai – 97 points
3rd place – Lia – 90 points

...

In his eyes, one can see endless sorrow and disappointment. He is surprised, but even that is hard to notice because of the fatigue in his eyes. Tilting his head, he slowly enters the classroom like a living corpse. The students are talking, playing. He quietly sits down on a chair and collapses onto the desk with his upper body.

At that moment, Morio and Kiyoshi enter the classroom.

Morio: Well, what’s with you guys? Our handsome guy failed?
Kiyoshi: This time Ami outdid everyone. And I told you…
Kai: Shut up.
Kiyoshi: What??
Morio: What happened? Is it because of Ami or what?
Kai: Shut up.
Kiyoshi: What’s wrong with you?! (hits the desk with his fist)
Morio: Kiyoshi, calm down. (turns and looks at Kai) We’ll talk when you cool off.

Morio and Kiyoshi walk away and sit at their seats.

Kai: What have I done?! (runs his hands through his hair and collapses onto the desk again).

18:15 Kai arrives home

The situation at Kai’s home had always been tense. A hysterical mother, always obsessed with grades, driving Kai to states no child should experience.

Today was the day he understood there was no way to avoid punishment. His head had been pounding all day.

Kai: I’m so tired…

The door to Kai’s room suddenly opened. Kai’s mother entered the room.

Kai’s Mother: Well? Are you the first? (serious, threatening look)
Kai: Ah, yes, of course. Who else.
Kai’s Mother: In 15 minutes, we’ll see. Last time you also said you were the first, and what happened in the end? What were you hoping for when you lied?
Kai: I don’t even remember…
Kai’s Mother: Better never forget what awaits you if you don’t live up to me and my expectations.
Kai: Yes (lowering his head).
Kai’s Mother: Well, fine.

18:28 Shower

Kai: My head is pounding! Or maybe the rumors are true, and this virus…?

It hurts… (grabs his head and falls to his knees)

Am I dying? So soon? (sad eyes) Although… it’s not that bad. No one will hit me anymore. (sad smile). And it won’t hurt anymore.

But Morio and Kiyoshi… We quarrelled today over some nonsense. It will be sad when they learn about my death. They will blame themselves, too.

Sigh, for their sake, I could have endured all this, and then… I would have run away from home. But apparently, that won’t happen.

Doorbell

Kai: Oh, here it begins (falls to the side from pain).

Ah, no, it’s already over. I… I… forgive you…

From afar, his mother’s voice can be heard:

Kai’s Mother: Ah, you… dared to lie to me! What miracle do you expect? Open the door! Open it right now!

Silence. She opens the bathroom door and sees him lying on the floor, after which she loudly screams.

»»————-　✼　————-««

The next day. Principal’s office

Morio: Suicide?!
Kiyoshi: He couldn’t. He would never…
Principal: A fact is a fact.
Morio: You lie! All of you adults..! (runs out of the office to the roof).
Kiyoshi: Morio! (runs after him). Wait!

Roof. Morio and Kiyoshi sit back-to-back.

Morio: (eyes full of tears) He couldn’t just… No… He…
Kiyoshi: I don’t believe it either. To end your life just over grades… No, never!
Morio: And us? What about us? Fool, fool, fool! Why didn’t he think of us?!
Kiyoshi: He would never have done that.
Morio: Then maybe it’s that virus?
Kiyoshi: So it’s not just a rumour?
Morio: If people are talking about it, then something is definitely there. But why him? Why a young guy? He was completely healthy!
Kiyoshi: I don’t know. (tears fill his eyes)
Morio: (looks at Kiyoshi) Ki… Kiyoshi…
Kiyoshi: (looks at Morio with a sad gaze) What?
Morio: Nothing, never mind.

Only months later did we learn that Kai had been beaten at home. Not even for bad grades, but for not being first in class. The thing we laughed at turned out to be the most painful topic, and it cost Kai his life. He never told anyone about it. Not even us, his closest friends.

After that, we became more serious and tried never to quarrel with each other. We never laughed at others’ weaknesses. We tried to help classmates in some way. But still, the reminder that we and Kai never reconciled suffocated us even on the coolest nights.