![](https://static.penana.com/images/chapter/1115802/QR_1766f081ef979a3e408340289256.png)
Chapter 3: Overcoming Rumors
As Mizuha grew more accustomed to her high school life day by day and week by week, her classmates' initial hesitations began to fade. They started opening up to her, engaging in conversations, and forming connections. Mizuha's relationships with Hikaru, Shimizu, and Zul also flourished as they spent recess together, sharing laughs and enjoying each other's company.
Shimizu was initially not part of Mizuha's group with Hikaru and Zul, but she slowly joined as she was often there when Hikaru came to Mizuha's class during the break, and they became close.
The classmates were afraid to talk to Shimizu because of her boyish style and somewhat delinquent appearance, but she was not actually a delinquent.
“I see our classmates are afraid to talk to you, Shimizu” said Mizuha.
“Yes, she's right. I also noticed it. They seem to be trying to avoid you. Are you okay with this?” said Hikaru.
“Oh, don't worry about that. It has been happening to me since middle school. Maybe my appearance causes it, but I’m okay with it,” replied Shimizu, relaxed as she explained to Mizuha that she was used to it.
“But are you guys okay with me here? I worry my presence is a burden to you,” said Shimizu again.
“We never think like that. I'm really happy you join us during breaks recently,” replied Mizuha.
However, deep down, seeing Shimizu's situation, Mizuha couldn't help but think, "I talk with everyone, but I don't hang out with anyone besides Shimizu, Hikaru, and Zul." It seemed her situation was similar to Shimizu's but she cannot blame Shimizu for that.
Beside Shimizu, their natural charisma attracted others, causing discomfort among those with hidden feelings for them. Unbeknownst to Mizuha, her growing closeness to Hikaru and Zul stirred up envy and unease among some of her classmates as both of them very popular to female student.
As the days passed, Mizuha began to notice subtle changes in her classmates' behavior. The once-warm greetings became cautious, and friendly faces started wearing distant expressions. During class activities, she found herself being chosen last for group work, with partners who seemed reluctant to engage with her.
Whispers began to follow her down the hallways, becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. They served as a constant reminder of the growing skepticism and doubt cast upon her. Confusion and hurt gnawed at Mizuha's heart as she struggled to make sense of this sudden shift in her social landscape.
One day, as Mizuha sat with Hikaru, Shimizu, and Zul during break time, she overheard a group of girls nearby:
"Look at them, always together." "I heard Mizuha is just using them..." "Shh! They might hear us!"
The girls quickly dispersed when they realized Mizuha had noticed them. A small frown creased her brow, but she tried to shake it off, turning her attention back to her friends.
Amidst the seemingly easy and pleasant days of her high school life, a serious problem began to emerge. Malicious and baseless rumors targeted Mizuha, damaging her reputation. Someone might have spread these false rumors out of jealousy towards Mizuha's relationship with Hikaru and Zul.
The rumors attacked the most important part of Mizuha's identity, questioning her integrity and talents. Initially, they started from a small group of individuals whispering during lunch breaks and between classes. However, as more people heard them, the rumors increased, reaching more students each day. The false rumors created a bad situation, leading many students, especially the girls, to develop hatred towards Mizuha.
Some rumor say Mizuha is using Shimizu to force Hikaru and Zul to become close with her. The rumor saying the Shimizu threat both of them
Unaware of the changing atmosphere, Mizuha started to notice the once-warm greetings turning cautious and friendly faces wearing distant expressions. The whispers that accompanied her down the hallways became increasingly difficult to ignore, constantly reminding her of the growing skepticism and doubt cast upon her. Confusion and hurt gnawed at Mizuha's heart as she struggled to make sense of this sudden shift in her social landscape. How could people believe such unfounded accusations? Had she unknowingly given them a reason to doubt her?
Determined not to let the false rumors define her, Mizuha summoned her courage and decided to confront the situation head-on. She approached her classmates individually, meeting their eyes with sincerity, and spoke from the depths of her being. Her words carried the weight of her honesty and conviction as she pleaded for them to see beyond the web of lies woven around her.
One afternoon, Mizuha found herself approaching a group of girls who had once been friendly. "Hi, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
One of the girls, engrossed in whispered conversations with her friends, barely acknowledged her presence. "What do you want?" she replied coldly.
Mizuha took a deep breath. "I noticed things have changed lately. I wanted to check if everything is okay between us."
The girl rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I don't have time for this."
Trying her best to remain composed, Mizuha pressed on. "If there's a misunderstanding or if I did something to upset you, can we talk about it? I believe it's important to communicate and find a resolution."
The girl’s response was dismissive. "I don't need your drama. Just leave me alone."
Though disappointment washed over her, Mizuha refused to let it extinguish her resolve. "I was hoping we could clear the air and maintain a friendly atmosphere in the class. It's important to support each other, especially during difficult times."
The girl responded with a cutting remark. "I have better things to do than talk to someone like you. Find someone else to bother."
Undeterred, Mizuha's spirit remained unyielding. She knew that despite the setbacks, she would persist in her pursuit of a positive environment, refusing to let the coldness of others dampen her resolve.
The whispers persisted wherever she walked through the corridors, eventually catching the attention of her class homeroom teacher, Mr. Akihiko. One day after class, he approached her with genuine concern. "Mizuha, is everything alright? You seem a bit troubled today."
Mizuha forced a smile. "Oh, it's nothing, Mr. Akihiko. Just some minor things on my mind."
Mr. Akihiko leaned in closer, his eyebrows furrowing. "Are you sure? If there's anything bothering you or if someone is giving you a hard time, please remember that you can always talk to me."
Mizuha hesitated for a moment. "Thank you, Mr. Akihiko. But really, it's nothing serious. Just some rumors going around, but I can handle it."
Mr. Akihiko's expression grew serious. "Rumors? What kind of rumors?"
Mizuha tried to downplay the situation. "Just silly things people say, you know? It's not worth paying attention to."
Mr. Akihiko's concern deepened. "Mizuha, I want you to know that if you ever need support or if these rumors escalate into something more serious, please don't hesitate to come to me. Your well-being is important, and I won't tolerate any form of bullying."
Touched by his words, Mizuha felt her eyes welling up with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Akihiko. I appreciate your support. But for now, I think I can handle it on my own."
Though Mizuha tried to appear strong, a glimmer of uncertainty remained in her eyes. She knew that Mr. Akihiko's offer of help was genuine, a lifeline she could grasp if the need arose. As they exchanged a final reassuring nod, Mizuha carried the weight of the rumors with her, determined to find a way to overcome them and protect her friendships.
As Mizuha continued walking, her mind consumed by the weight of the rumors and whispers that plagued her, she felt a firm grip on her hand from behind. Startled, she turned around to see Hikaru, his expression filled with a mix of concern and determination.
"Hikaru? What happened? Do you need something?" Mizuha asked, attempting to hide her troubled state.
Hikaru's grip tightened slightly as he met her gaze with unwavering eyes. "Mizuha, I overheard your conversation with Mr. Akihiko, and I've noticed the tension between you and your classmates. Don’t try to brush it off. I can see something is wrong. Please, be honest with me."
Mizuha's heart raced, conflicted between opening up and protecting herself from further scrutiny. She knew Hikaru wouldn't let it go easily. Feeling the urgency of the situation, she made a bold decision. "Let's go to the school rooftop," Mizuha suggested, her voice barely above a whisper. "We can talk privately there, away from prying eyes."
Hikaru nodded, understanding the need for discretion. They made their way up the stairs in silence until they reached the rooftop. The vast expanse before them seemed to mirror the weight of Mizuha's burden.
Taking a deep breath, Mizuha began to share the truth. She recounted every detail of the rumors, how they had spread like wildfire, and the identity of the person responsible for tarnishing her reputation. The mix of anger and confusion in Hikaru's eyes intensified with each word she uttered.
"How could someone be so malicious?" Hikaru's voice seethed with indignation. "They have no right to drag your name through the mud like this. I promise you, Mizuha, I won't stand by and let them get away with it."
Mizuha was moved by Hikaru's unwavering support, feeling a glimmer of hope rekindle within her. She reached out, gently grasping Hikaru's hand, and looked into his eyes. "Thank you, Hikaru. Your words mean the world to me," Mizuha said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I can't express how much it means to have you by my side, fighting for me."
Hikaru squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We're friends, Mizuha. That means I'll always be there for you, no matter what. Together, we'll find a way to fix your reputation and put an end to these rumors."
After Mizuha poured her heart out to Hikaru about the rumors plaguing her, she returned to her classroom feeling a mix of anxiety and frustration. As she entered, her heart sank at the sight of her drawing equipment scattered across her desk and her carefully crafted artwork stamped on and smeared. To make matters worse, Mizuha noticed her desk was scribbled with hurtful words and insults.
Tears welled up in Mizuha's eyes as she whispered to herself, "This is too much... Why would they do this to me?"
Before Mizuha could even process what had happened, Shimizu burst into the classroom, having hurried back from the cafeteria. "Mizuha! Are you okay? What happened here?" Shimizu exclaimed, her eyes widening in concern as she took in the chaotic scene.
However, their moment was abruptly interrupted by one of their classmates, pointing an accusatory finger at Shimizu. "It was her, Shimizu! She's the one who ruined your drawing. We all saw her!"
Shimizu's face contorted with disbelief and rage. "What are you saying? Do you have any proof?" she shot back, her voice shaking with anger as she grabbed the collar of the classmate who accused her.
Mizuha, though upset and shaken herself, stepped in quickly. "Stop it, Shimizu!" she pleaded, her voice firm with conviction. "I know you didn't do this."
With a forceful shove, Shimizu pushed the accusing girl away, her hands trembling with frustration. She then turned to Mizuha and began helping her clean up the mess, her movements swift yet deliberate. "Thank you, Mizuha," Shimizu said earnestly, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and hurt.
"Damn it, on top of the rumors, they've also vandalized your belongings and are trying to make us fight each other too," said Shimizu again.
Mizuha looked up at Shimizu with unwavering trust. "It's okay. I know you. You would never do something like this to me," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding and reassurance.
As they worked together to restore order to Mizuha's desk, the tension in the classroom remained palpable. Other classmates, who had been watching the scene unfold, exchanged uncomfortable glances, unsure of what to say or do next. The atmosphere was thick with suspicion and mistrust, casting a shadow over Mizuha's previously peaceful high school life.
The incident left a bitter taste in Mizuha's mouth, but it also strengthened her resolve. She knew now more than ever that the rumors were not just gossip—they were actively harming her relationships and her sense of belonging at school. Yet, Shimizu's unwavering support served as a beacon of hope, reminding Mizuha that true friendships endure even the darkest of times.
At the end of the school day, with all classmates already returned to their homes, Mizuha stayed a bit late to fix her drawing that had been ruined earlier. Then, two of her female classmates who had witnessed the vandalism approached her.
"Umm... Yuki-san..." said one of them.
"Yes, can I help you?" replied Mizuha.
"Actually, Shimizu wasn't the one who did that to you. It was them," they said, referring to the group who had accused Shimizu earlier.
"We're sorry we didn't tell you earlier about that. We were too scared to say it in front of them," they added.
"Oh, don't worry about that... I know. Anyway, thank you both of you for telling me” Said Mizuha, smiling at them.
"One more thing, Yuki-san. We actually don't believe the bad rumors about you, so please don't give up. Keep fighting, we will support you, okay?" they said. Both girls then left, waving goodbye to Mizuha as they headed home.
"I see, there are still some classmates who trust and support me," Mizuha thought, feeling relieved. After the girls disappeared from sight, Mizuha continued her drawing and finished it before leaving for home.
As she exited the school gates, her head suddenly began to hurt, and she heard a voice in her mind: "Stop it, please don't do it to me, stop, please!"
Mizuha touched her head. "Huh, what happened? Did I mishear something?" she said, confused. The voice then disappeared along with the pain.
"What was that just now?" Mizuha wondered. "Anyway, I'd better get home and rest. Maybe I'm just too tired," she said to herself as she headed home.
199Please respect copyright.PENANAFlVlBq1qc0