Kronii fumbled around with the vending machine, accidentally letting her coins drop to the ground.
She hurried to pick them up. All she wanted was a cold drink.
She heard a snort and a giggle from behind her.
God, not today.
She recognized it well. She was the target of Korone's gang frequently.
Having taken a special interest in her, they'd chase after her and harass her frequently. She was their chew toy, which was only appropriate for a pack of dogs.
Mercifully, it seemed like Korone was by herself this time around.
She quickly tried to leave, only to be stopped by a yell.
"Hey, moron!"
...
Korone was by herself today. And this has been going on for months.
What usually manifested as subservience, today turned into frustration.
She'd get back at her... with an insult!
"Well, at least I'm the one who's not gonna have to repeat the year. Isn't that right, senpai...?"
She'd quickly come to regret this, as Korone was right next to her in an instant.
"Hmmm? I didn't hear..."
Even so, she steeled her resolve.
"I said, even if I'm a moron, at least I'm the one that's getting good grades while you have to get back home to get yelled at by y- GWAK!"
Kronii's face contorted in pain, being forced to throw up spit, as a fist caved directly into her stomach.
It knocked the wind out of her, and unfit as she was, she quickly fell to the ground, gasping for air.
The coins she had worked to collect scattering all over the floor, yet again.
"...I still didn't quite hear you."
"Come on, repeat what you've said."
"Have confidence."
Kronii was coughing profusely, unable to respond to Korone's demands.
She crouched down, looking the incapacitated Kronii in the eye.
"...No confidence?"
Kronii didn't respond. She backed away instead.
Korone simply patted her hard on the back, laughing.
She also snatched up Kronii's coins, keeping them for herself.
"Come meet me and the others at the entrance. After class."
"We'd like to get to know you... a little more personally."
"If you don't show..."
Korone simply left, refusing to finish her sentence.
But Kronii knew well what she'd meant.
She slowly got up, clutching her aching stomach, and cried softly near a wall.
She'd trained herself not to cry near teachers, since getting them concerned would get her in trouble with Korone.
But at least for today, she was alone... to at least have this reprieve.