Koji's POV
Yes…
No one cares.
No one sees me.
Why?
What did I do wrong?
Was it because I wasn't strong enough?
Because I stayed quiet?
Because I tried to survive instead of fight?
Would they even notice if I vanished one day?
Would they laugh like they always do?
I can't take this anymore.
Johan was right.
I have to fight back.
But… what if I don't?
What if I stay weak?
Will Johan… leave me too?
No.
He's kind.
He wouldn't do that.
He's all I have.
---
In Class
"Koji," Iruka-sensei called from the front, irritation laced in his voice, "are you even listening?"
Koji stared ahead, blank eyes blinking slowly.
The whispers started again, like needles under his skin.
"What's his deal?"
"Freak's talking to himself again."
"He's losing it. Crazy bastard."
"Stay away or you'll catch it too."
Laughter. Sharp. Cruel.
Like glass shattering in his chest.
He's right. No one will save me. Only Johan… only he can.
"Koji!" Iruka's voice rang louder now, worried, but distant. Fading behind the fog of thoughts.
He heard the class fall quiet. All eyes on him. All judgment.
And then, mercifully the bell ranged.
Chairs scraped. Feet rushed. Voices buzzed.
Escape.
He bolted for the door.
"Koji, wait!" Iruka called, reaching out.
But he was already gone.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow" iruka said.
---
Johan's POV
Good.
Don't listen to them, Koji.
Listen to me.
Only me.
Their laughter is poison. Their concern, a lie.
They want you small. Silent. Broken.
But I…
I want you whole.
Even if I have to break you first.
Soon, you'll stop being Koji.
You'll become mine.
---
Evening – Koji's Home
He walked like a ghost, shoulders low, eyes dull, muttering softly to himself.
"I must do it. I must do it. He said so. He said I have to."
The door creaked open.
His uncle was sprawled on the couch, beer in hand, eyes glazed.
"You're back, you worthless leech," he slurred. "Took you long enough. Go make dinner."
He cackled, voice like sandpaper on raw skin.
"Maybe I should start beating sense into you again. Worked before."
Koji stood there. Still. Silent.
Whispers crawling through his mind.
"I must do it…"
"Huh?" his uncle snapped. "What're you mumbling now, you little freak?"
Koji's hand moved slowly into his bag.
Fingers closed around the cold metal of a kunai.
His eyes didn't show hate.
Or fear.
Or anything at all.
Just emptiness.
When his uncle stepped close, Koji moved.
Fast. Desperate.
The blade flashed.
A shallow slice across his uncle's cheek.
Red bloomed.
His uncle roared. "You little--!"
The kick came hard. Fast. Cracking into Koji's chest, slamming him into the wall.
Pain flared white-hot. But Koji stood. Staggered. Raised the kunai again.
"I must do it…"
Another charge.
This time, his uncle was ready.
He caught Koji's wrist, twisted hard until the kunai dropped.
Then he beat him.
Again.
And again.
Until Koji didn't move.
Didn't cry.
Didn't scream.
Just lay there.
Small. Broken. Bleeding.
"Crazy little bastard," his uncle muttered, dragging him into his room.
He locked the door behind him.
Took another swig of beer.
"Guess I'll start hitting him more often."
Next Morning,
The morning was peaceful, a quiet sky hanging above Konoha. But no one knew the tragedy waiting to unfold.
In Class
Iruka stood at the front, scanning the attendance list.
"Ino?"
"Present."
"Sakura?"
"Present."
"Koji... Koji."
He frowned. "He's absent. He always came late, but never absent… What happened to him?"
"Does anyone know?"
No one spoke.
Iruka sighed. "Okay, let's start the class."
In the back, Johan sat calmly, his face painted with a warm smile, as if all was normal. But inside…
So he has done it… good boy.
He sighed softly to himself.
Looks like the end is near… it was… how should I say… good while it lasted.