The Mystery of the world

Chapter 2

- STUDENT OFFICE -

"Hmm, you want to start a mystery club?" the student president asked, his gaze sharp.

President Sakamoto was a top student, admired by everyone in High University. He consistently topped the academic charts and held a certain allure for the female students. He was known for his enigmatic personality and serious demeanor.

"Yes," Ben replied, a knot of nervousness tightening in his stomach.

"I can approve your club," Sakamoto said, "but the minimum number of members is three. You only have two. Come back when you have enough members."

"Okay," Ben said, deflated.

They left the student office.

"Ugh! How am I supposed to find another member? I was already lucky that Mica wanted to join. This is hopeless!" Ben muttered, clutching his head in frustration.

"Um, Ben? Are you alright?" Mica asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about where we're going to find another member," Ben said, his voice laced with disappointment.

"Hmm?" Mica pondered.

"I know!" Mica exclaimed, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "We can make flyers and put them on the student bulletin board! Everyone will see them. I'm sure there are other people who love mysteries like we do."

"That's a good idea! Let's meet at the coffee shop later," Ben suggested.

"Okay, bye!" Mica said, waving.

"Bye," Ben replied, and they headed towards their respective classrooms.

- CLASSROOM -

Ben entered the classroom, and three boys immediately approached him.

"Well, look who's here. Our friend Ben," the first boy said, throwing an arm around Ben's shoulder.

"Hey, Ben, how was the faculty office? Scary, huh?" the second boy taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.

They both laughed.

"Quiet, you two," the third boy said, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Yes, boss," the other two replied instantly.

"Hey, Ben," the third boy said, his gaze menacing. "You didn't forget what we talked about, did you?"

"N-no, I didn't forget," Ben mumbled, his head bowed, his voice trembling with fear and sadness.

I almost forgot my real life, thanks to Mica. I thought I could be a normal student for once. But I was wrong, Ben thought, his head still lowered, as he stood before the three boys.

"Good. Let's go, boys," the third boy said, turning back to his seat. The other two followed him.

Ben walked to his seat, his head still down. He felt the eyes of his classmates on him.

Just like always. They still look at me like I don't belong, he thought, sinking into his seat.

The bell rang, and their teacher entered the classroom.

"Okay, that's all for today's lesson. Don't forget your assignments, everyone. Goodbye, class," the teacher said.

"Goodbye, Sir," the class replied.

As soon as the teacher left, the three boys who had spoken to Ben earlier stood up and left the classroom. Ben watched them go, his heart heavy with dread. He then made his way to the back of the school.

"You got it?" the third boy demanded.

"This… this is all I could get," Ben stammered, his hands shaking as he handed over the money.

"That's it?" the boy snapped.

"It's… it's all my allowance," Ben said, his voice barely a whisper.

"We agreed on two hundred. This is only one hundred and fifty!" the boy said, his voice rising.

"I'm sorry…" Ben said, his eyes filled with fear.

"We've been nice to you because no one else wants to be your friend. But if you can't follow simple instructions, you know there will be consequences," the third boy said, his voice laced with menace.

"Boys," he said, gesturing towards Ben.

"Yes, boss," the other two replied.

The two boys began to beat Ben, who curled into a fetal position on the ground, taking the blows.

"Stop," the third boy said.

The two boys stopped, and the third boy approached Ben.

"Next time, you'll do what we say if you don't want to get hurt," he said, lightly tapping Ben’s cheek. "And don't forget to do our assignments."

He then turned and walked away, leaving Ben lying on the ground, bruised and broken. Ben lay on the ground, his body aching, his spirit broken. He stared up at the sky, the clouds swirling above him like a cruel mockery of his helplessness. He felt a wave of despair wash over him, a sense of utter isolation.

This is my life, he thought, the bitterness rising in his throat. Always alone, always the target.

He slowly pushed himself up, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his ribs. He stumbled towards the back gate, his footsteps heavy and uneven. He needed to get away, to disappear. He couldn't face anyone, not like this.

He found himself wandering aimlessly, his mind a blur of pain and humiliation. The world seemed to fade into a gray haze, the sounds of the city muffled and distant. He didn't know how long he walked, but eventually, he found himself in a small, dimly lit park. He sank onto a bench, his head in his hands.

Why do they do this? he wondered, the question echoing in his mind. Why me?

He felt a tear escape, then another, and another. He tried to stifle his sobs, but the pain was too much. He was alone, broken, and utterly lost.

Suddenly, he heard a soft voice.

"Ben?"

He looked up, his eyes swollen and red. Mica stood before him, her expression filled with concern.

"Mica… what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"I… I was worried," she said, her eyes scanning his bruised face. "I went to the coffee shop, and you weren't there. Then I saw you walking this way, and…" Her voice trailed off.

Ben looked away, shame burning in his cheeks. He couldn't bear to see the pity in her eyes.

"What happened?" Mica asked, her voice gentle.

Ben hesitated, then, in a rush of words, he told her everything. The bullying, the extortion, the constant feeling of being an outcast. He told her about the fear that had been a constant companion since childhood.

Mica listened, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and anger. When he finished, she didn't say anything for a moment. Then, she reached out and took his hand.

"Ben," she said, her voice firm. "You don't deserve this."

He looked at her, surprised.

"No one does," she continued. "You're not alone. I'm here. And we're going to do something about this."

Ben stared at her, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. He had never had anyone stand up for him before.

"What… what can we do?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"We start by telling someone," Mica said.

"Your teacher, the principal, anyone who will listen. We can't let them get away with this."

Ben hesitated. The thought of confronting his bullies filled him with terror.

"They’ll just make it worse," he whispered.

"Maybe," Mica said, "but we can’t let them control us with fear. We have to try."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with determination.

“And besides,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips, “We’re starting a mystery club, right? Solving mysteries is what we do.”

Ben looked at her, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a spark of something other than fear and despair. He felt… hope.

"Okay," he said, his voice stronger. "Okay, let’s do it."

Mica smiled. "Good. First, let's get you cleaned up. Then, we make a plan."

And so, in the quiet of the dimly lit park, Ben and Mica began to plot their first mystery – a mystery that involved not some ancient secret, but the very real and dangerous darkness that lurked within their own school.