Ran's POV:

It's another day of school. I really don't want to go. I know I'll have to deal with... them. I hate it. I hate that they've managed to get to me like this.

Tomoe told me to get evidence so I could file a report, but... how? How am I supposed to do that? I mean... I do know their names so... maybe it'll be easier than I think?

I was still laying in bed. I don't want to get up. I know I have to soon or else I'll be late to school. That'll make everyone worried. I don't want them to worry about me.

That means I better get up. I groaned in annoyance as I sat up. I don't want to. I'm tired. I'd really like to just go back to bed. I shouldn't have stayed up as late as I did.

I got out of my bed. I sighed and grabbed my uniform. I went to the bathroom and changed. I splashed some cold water in my face to try and wake me up more.

I went back to my room after that. I glanced at my phone. The group chat we made had some new messages in it. I looked over what they were sending. It seems like it's just to make sure we're all up.

I sent a quick good morning text to it. I then grabbed my school bag and headed downstairs. I made myself a quick bowl of cereal. I don't have much time to eat. I slept in a little too long.

I had to leave right after I was done. I had to walk faster than I liked. I really need to get better at time management. This sucks.

"Hey, Ran."

The others were all waiting for me at the entrance. I greeted them and then we walked inside.

"You seem tired." Himari commented.

Do I? I didn't think I looked that bad. I didn't see any bags under my eyes or anything. I guess it's just my posture or something.

"Stand still, you're uniform is all crooked." Moca said and then started tugging my uniform all over the place.

"Did you not sleep well?" Himari asked.

"No. I just lost track of time. Stayed up a little too late." I mumbled.

"Doing what?" Tsugumi asked.

"I was reading a book."

"There. You look better now." Moca stepped back.

"Thanks?"

The bell rang. Well, I guess it's time to face them. I said goodbye to them and then made my way to class. I have until break to figure out how to handle them.

I kinda have an idea on what to do, but... I don't want to do it. I need evidence so... they means either a video or picture. And, I don't think I'll get a video of them bullying me.

I could see if they could force the school to hand over their camera footage. But, is that reliable? I don't really know. There's the chance the cameras won't be any help. So, the only thing I could do is let them leave Mark's and take photos to submit as evidence. I don't want to let them hurt me that bad but, if this is the last time they can, I think it will be alright.

I glanced over at where they were sitting. They were whispering to each other. I wonder what they're talking about. Is it about me? I hope not.

The teacher came in, so everyone found their seats. I wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying. I kept spacing out.

DIVIDER--

Somehow, I ended up dozing off in class. The teacher didn't do anything about it, though. This is the first time I've ever done that. Maybe she understands? Who knows. I'm just glad I'm not gonna get written up for sleeping in class.

I only woke up when the bell rang. I got up and lazily shoved my books back into my bag. I headed out of the room. I didn't get very far before they found me.

I was shoved into the wall, "Going somewhere?"

"What do you think? You attack me at the same times every day." I shot back. I'm too sick of them to feel fear anymore.

That got me slapped across the face, "Being cocky today, aren't we?"

"I'm tired. I don't wanna deal with you and your bullshit." I growled.

"I'm gonna make you regret running that mouth of yours." The leader growled.

She slammed be hard into the wall. I yelped in pain. I was then thrown to the ground. The two of them started kicking me. I curled up into a ball as they did. They weren't light kicks. These were really hard. They hurt a lot.

"Hey! Get away from her!"

Someone yelled at them. I couldn't recognize the voice. It was muffled by the noise around me. The girls stopped attacking me when they yelled, though. That's good.

I hesitantly looked up. They had run away. Someone bent down and offered me a hand. I grabbed it and let them pull me up.

"Are you okay?" They asked me.

I looked at them. Oh. This is... Hina, right? Tsugumi has talked about her before.

"I... I don't know... how do I look?" I stammered. While it does hurt, unless there're any bad wounds, it doesn't matter that much.

Hina looked me over, "Well, it doesn't look like anything is bleeding, but you do have some nasty bruises. Let me walk you to the nurse."

I nodded. Hina wrapped an arm around me and then we started walking. I'm not that steady on my feet now. I'd have fallen over by now if she wasn't holding me.

We soon made it to the nurse. She sighed as she saw it was me. I have come here often. I guess she's annoyed by that.

Hina helped me sit down. She stayed with me while the nurse put some ice on my bruises. I texted Himari and told her what happened. I explicitly told her that I didn't want any of them to visit me right now. Hopefully she'll listen.

"Has this been going on for a while?" Hina asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah... I don't remember how long it's been."

"How come you didn't report them?" Hina looked confused.

I sighed, "The school didn't do anything when I told them."

Hina pouted, "That's no good. You're gonna fill out a form and I'll make sure it gets taken seriously. I'll help you press charges if you want too."

"Let me think about that... I don't know if I want to get legal with them." I mumbled.

"Okay! Can you walk?" Hina asked.

I nodded. I think I still can. She helped me up and we started walking. I guess we're going to fill out that form. I hope Hina can get them to listen and do something about those girls. It would save me a lot of trouble.

We arrived at the student council room. I sat down in a chair while Hina sifted through a stack of papers. Eventually, she pulled one out and set it down in front of me. She handed me a pen.

"Just ask if you need help filling it out." Hina said.

"Okay... thank you for helping me..." I should probably thank her. She did save me from getting beat even worse.

"No problem. I can't let someone get hurt like that." Hina said.

I did my best to fill out the form. I did end up needing to ask Hina for some help. The wording was confusing in some places.

"There. I think I finished it." I stated.

"Okay." Hina took the paper from me and looked it over.

After a few minutes, she set it in a pile. I guess that means it's good to go. Hopefully it won't take long to be read. I don't want to have to deal with those girls any longer. I'm sick of them.

"Well, can you walk by yourself?" Hina questioned.

I shrugged and stood up. I have to test that. I took a few slow steps. I think I'm good.

"I should be fine. Thanks for your help." I said.

"It's nothing. If you need anything else just let me know." Hina smiled at me.

I nodded and then left the room. I better get to the roof. Hopefully they stayed up there and didn't try and visit me. I quickly checked my phone. Himari did agree not to visit. They should be at our normal spot then.

I headed up to the roof. They all looked relieved to see me. I sat down and then the questions started.

"Are you okay?"

"What happened?"

"Do you need us to help?"

"I'm fine." I cut them off before they could ask more questions, "It's okay. It'll be handled."

"How?" Tomoe questioned.

"Hina interrupted them. She filled out a report and said she'll make sure the school acts on it." I replied.

"I should've thought of that..." Tsugumi mumbled.

"Well, let's hope Hina can get things to happen."

DIVIDER--

When school ended, Tsugumi asked if I would come to the student council room with her. Apparently Hina wanted to talk to me more. We had to fight a bit before the others let us go by ourselves. They wanted to come too.

Hina was excited to see us. She happily held out a paper for us to take. Tsugumi took it and read it over. She smiled and handed it to me.

So... they've been expelled. That means it's over. I don't have to worry about them in school anymore. That's good.

"How'd you do that so fast?" I asked. I was expecting it to take a while, as much as I hated that it would.

"I have my ways." Hina smirked.

"She's really obnoxious sometimes, so it helps get people to do things faster so they can get rid of her." Tsugumi whispered in my ear.

I see. Well, that came in handy. Now I'm free from their torment. It feels like a weight has been lifted off of me.

"Well, you can go. I'll be here for a while." Tsugumi said as she took the paper from me.

"Okay." I nodded.

I made my way out of the school. The others were waiting for me.

"So...?" Moca asked.

"They've been expelled." I said.

"Awesome!" Himari hugged me.

"Yeah. Glad that's finally been dealt with." Tomoe patted me on the head.

"So, any other problems we need to deal with?" Himari asked.

I shook my head, "That was all."

"Good. So, what do you guys wanna do? I say we go get some food." Moca said.

We all laughed. Moca always wanted to get food after school. That wasn't that much of a surprise.

"Sure. Just make sure to save some for Tsugu."

"Yay!"

So, things are finally better. Now, I can focus on doing what I like. I'll be fine in school now. And now I can put more energy into band practice.

That's what I want to focus on now. I wanna get better at the guitar and singing. This band means a lot to me. It's a way to keep connected with them. I wanna give it my all.

I wonder what our goal should be?