The Heart of Zero

In the classroom, the afternoon sunlight poured through the windows, casting dappled shadows that danced on the desks. Shingin sat quietly in the last row, his headphones still firmly on, the music isolating him from everything around him. The teacher's voice became a vague murmur in his ears, turning into nothing more than a distant background noise.

Beside him sat Riyugi, the quiet and kind-hearted girl. She sneaked a glance at Shingin, her brows furrowing slightly, her mind filled with questions. Why was he always so silent? Why did he always wear headphones? Her fingers absently twirled around her pen, her gaze drifting back and forth between Shingin and her textbook, as if searching for an answer.

Suddenly, Riyugi's hand slipped, and her eraser fell to the floor with a sharp clink, breaking the silence in the classroom. She hurriedly bent down to pick it up, and just as she did, Shingin also bent down. Their fingers brushed together in midair. In that brief moment, it felt as though a faint electric current passed between them, their heartbeats quickening, and time seemed to stand still.

"Sorry..." Riyugi's face instantly flushed a deep red, and she quickly withdrew her hand, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shingin froze for a moment, an unfamiliar sense of panic rising within him. He scratched his head and awkwardly stammered, "N-no... it's fine." The words sounded dry and weak even to his own ears.

The brief awkwardness hung in the air, subtly shifting the classroom's atmosphere. Riyugi's face burned with embarrassment, and her mind raced with the thought of "say something" but every word seemed stuck in her throat.

As time passed, the tension gradually eased, and the teacher's voice continued to echo from the front of the class. The other students seemed oblivious to the brief interaction. But Riyugi couldn't focus; her heartbeat was still racing. She couldn't help but sneak another glance at Shingin, a question lingering in her mind: Why does he always wear headphones?

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and the room erupted in noise. Shingin and Riyugi silently packed their bags, neither saying a word. They left the classroom together and walked down the dimly lit hallway. Riyugi trailed behind Shingin, her lips lightly biting her lower one, her expression thoughtful.

"Shingin..." Riyugi gathered her courage and spoke quietly, her voice as faint as a whispering breeze.

"Hm? Are you looking for me?" Shingin turned to her, surprised and curious. This was the first time Riyugi had initiated a conversation with him.

Just then, a burst of loud laughter interrupted their exchange. A group of older students casually walked down the hallway, their voices filled with mockery and their eyes laden with intent.

"Hey, look who's here. The new school flower," one of the upperclassmen sneered, his eyes scanning Riyugi with disdain. The corner of his mouth curled into a malicious smile. His gaze slithered over her like a snake, making her skin crawl.

Riyugi's face drained of color, her palms sweating with anxiety. Instinctively, she hunched her shoulders, like a frightened animal trying to hide. Yet, the students' gaze was like a trap, and there was no place to escape.

Shingin felt a surge of unease spread through him. His instincts kicked in, and he stepped in front of Riyugi, blocking the malicious looks aimed at her. His heart thudded loudly in his chest, every beat urging him to stand firm and protect her.

"What do you think you're doing?" Shingin's voice was cold, a controlled edge of anger beneath his calm exterior. His grip on the strap of his bag tightened, his fingers turning white from the force, and though his face remained stoic, his heart raced with tension.

The leader of the group of older students scoffed, stepping forward and blocking their path. "Trying to leave? Not so fast." His voice was deep and mocking, as if he were a predator toying with prey. His friends chuckled crudely, the air thickening with tension.

Riyugi stood behind Shingin, her legs trembling, feeling like she was frozen in place. Her breathing quickened, her face no longer flushed but pale with fear. She cast a furtive glance at Shingin, and a wave of reliance washed over her. His broad back made her feel less alone, yet the oppressive atmosphere still gripped her tightly.

Shingin gritted his teeth, his mind racing to find a way out of this. The tension in the air was palpable, and he knew that if things weren't handled soon, the situation could escalate.

"I don't want trouble," Shingin said, his voice low but firm, his eyes narrowing. "But if you don't move, I won't hold back."

The air seemed to freeze, and the laughter died down. The leader of the group narrowed his eyes, as though weighing the threat in Shingin's voice. After a long pause, a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, as if he were enjoying the drama unfolding before him.