1 Strange Circle

Laughter echoes throughout the hallway as I step into the classroom; my backpack barely hanging onto my back by a few threads and the comments from my classmates about someone being a "piece of sh*t" fading into the background—just another day in this cesspool of judgment.

"Good morning, Sensei," I manage to greet Mrs. Nanami, the hottest teacher in our school. She has taken a liking to me for some unknown reason, treating me like her little brother despite being a single mother. Today, though, her usually warm expression is replaced by a stoic demeanor.

"You're a bit late today. Is there any problem?" Mrs. Nanami asks, her eyes searching mine for answers.

"I woke up late, Sensei," I admit, rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment.

"Call me by my name, like the others do," she says, her expression neutral.

Confusion gnaws at me, but I comply, "Okay, Mrs. Nanami."

Something feels off, but I head to my seat, only to be halted by a voice.

"Wait!"

Okun, one of my classmates, shouts. Grinning, he approaches Mrs. Nanami and me, an air of mischief surrounding him.

"Okun?" I mutter with surprise while adjusting my glasses to confirm that I'm not hallucinating. His grin widens, and I can't help but wonder what trouble he's cooked up this time around.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, Mrs. Nanami, but I don't think you are taking the appropriate action concerning this issue. Maybe I have to inform the principal instead," Okun declares, a smirk on his face.

What's he talking about? My confusion deepens.

"Owen, you know... there have been several allegations against you for being a pervert and a weirdo," Mrs. Nanami says, biting her lower lip and looking at me with pity in her eyes before dropping the bomb. "This time, there's evidence."

Fear and confusion grip me as she mentions past accusations of me stealing girls' socks and peeping on them while they were in the toilet.

"Bastard, see for yourself… I caught you red-handed," Okun sneers while shoving his phone into my face to show me a video where I seem to be jerking off on my meat intensely.

"T-This..."

I stammer, my anger building at Okun's betrayal. Mrs. Nanami on the other hand remains silent, her disappointment evident. The weight of this accusation hangs heavy in the air, and Okun's accusations drown out my attempt to defend myself.

"Owen, I understand that you're a boy and it's normal for boys your age, but it just made everything complicated because of the allegations made against you in the past. Moreover, I am disappointed in you," Mrs. Nanami says, staring intensely at me.

"Haa, I am sorry, Mrs. Nanami," I apologize, hanging my head in guilt.

Mrs. Nanami doesn't say anything and simply turns her gaze to Okun who has had a grin on his face the whole time.

"I know that Owen might get expelled if the principal finds out about this. However, Okun, you could also be expelled from this school along with Owen because the school doesn't permit videoing, peeping, or peeking at someone in a private place like the toilet while they are carrying out their business. It's a serious offense," Mrs. Nanami says, giving Okun a serious glare too.

"T-That… I forgot… B-but the principal can't expel me because my family makes several donations to the school!" Okun stutters while clutching his phone tightly at the possible consequences of his actions.

"Oh… should we see about that? Do you think you're untouchable? I guess you want to see me use my authority in this school," Mrs. Nanami immediately retorts.

Ah… this woman, despite what I did, she is still standing up for me.

Looking at Okun, I see him gritting his teeth in anger while veins pop up on his forehead. And then, a smile suddenly spread on his face.

"Mrs. Nanami, I'll delete this video. However, I want you to know that next time, he won't be so lucky," Okun says, unlocking his phone to delete the video.

Once the video is deleted, Okun goes back to his seat while my classmates glare at me with pure disgust.

"Owen, you can go to your seat, and make sure you see me after school," Mrs. Nanami says.

"Okay, Mrs. Nanami," I reply with a small bow before walking to the seat at the farthest corner of the classroom with other empty seats surrounding it.

____________________________________________________________

Right now, I am standing on the edge of the school rooftop, my gaze fixed downward. Following this morning's incident, I visited Sensei as she had instructed.

Contrary to my expectations, she wasn't angry at all. In fact, she encouraged me to call her Sensei when we were alone. However, she urged me to stop visiting her apartment; expressing her concern about Okun's potential retaliation. Moreover, she couldn't afford to jeopardize her well-paying job, which was crucial to helping her provide for her child.

Sigh… what a challenging life I led. The person who used to provide me with dinner now wants nothing to do with me. But well… I understand Sensei.

Allow me to introduce myself…

I am Owen Hunter, a seventeen-year-old, half-American, half-Japanese high schooler. I am also a shut-in, nerd, and orphan with average looks who resides in Sensei's house— a property that was inherited from my father's deceased best friend.

I had previously endured an abusive uncle's torment. However, at sixteen, I escaped and found refuge with my dad's friend, who also enrolled me in this school.

Unfortunately, he vanished a year ago, leaving behind a huge mystery. Rumors circulated about his fate, ranging from death to overseas travel; in other words, abandonment. Luckily, my good grades earned me a scholarship.

Frankly, I always lead a tumultuous life where nothing seems to go my way. I've noticed that those who attempt to assist me face misfortune and bad luck one way or the other. This contributes to the intense dislike my classmates harbor for me.

Despite my perverted tendencies, I used to associate with my male classmates until strange incidents began to occur and they attributed those incidents to me. Oddly enough, this didn't extend to one person—Shin Udo, my only friend. However, he has been absent since last week and when I went to his house, I didn't find him or his parents there.

Over the past week, nagging suspicions have been creeping in. What purpose do I have in life if I can't peacefully exist without bringing disaster to those with good intentions? Why not end it all? Perhaps death will offer the solace of eternal peace that I have been craving; an escape from this wretched existence.

With this grim determination, I step off the rooftop. With gravity pulling me down, I observe Okun and some of my classmates below; engaged in a fierce discussion. The timing seems perfect. Perhaps, in my demise, they'll find the satisfaction they crave to have me disappear. It's just a shame that I'll die a virgin.

With the ground fast approaching, I notice a peculiar sight beneath Okun and the others—a glowing green circle adorned with strange symbols.

WHOOOM!!!

A burst of blinding light envelops me as I land within the circle. Strangely, there's no pain—almost like landing on a soft mattress.

Is death meant to be this serene and blissful?

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