side character

Maria accepted my help, even though she sensed something strange about me. Of course she would be suspicious; I was doing things I shouldn't be able to do. This wasn't my true self, but another self I'd created, a positive version of me. A me that consistently ignored fear without considering the worst consequences. A me that prioritized others above myself.

I like this version of myself. I feel like I can accomplish anything.

Because of that, Maria's problem wasn't difficult to solve.

After listening to Maria's story in her room, I understood it was a case of defamation that led to her being bullied throughout the school.

She was accused of being a high school girl who sold herself for money. The entire school learned about the rumor. She was even called to the principal's office. Luckily, she received leniency, but today she was supposed to bring her parents to school to discuss her situation.

Maria cried as she told me this. She didn't want her parents to know about this terrible thing she didn't do. But she couldn't fight back or deny it because the evidence was clear: a photo of her holding hands with an elderly man and heading to a hotel together last Thursday.

She explained that she was only helping the old man because he seemed to have difficulty moving and didn't know how to get to the hotel where his family was staying that day.

After seeing the photo, I became even more convinced that Maria was innocent. The old man was indeed very old and was wearing casual clothes suitable for the beach. But one thing puzzled me: the hotel in the photo was the furthest from the nearest beach in the city. This led me to ask for clarification:

"Why was he wearing beach clothes?"

"He said he wanted to go to the beach with his family. But he was late and decided to follow later, letting his family go ahead. He mistakenly thought the beach was nearby, so he chose to walk around and got lost. He asked for directions from people nearby. I happened to be there and couldn't just leave him like that."

Maria's answer was plausible and logical. She didn't seem to be lying and answered without hesitation.

This problem seemed rooted in envy. Maria's popularity made it highly likely. She also frequently rejected boys who tried to date her. That must have created resentment in some people.

I didn't know who did this to Maria or why, but from the beginning, I knew what to do. And I also knew why Maria wanted to commit suicide.

What Maria needed was someone who believed in her. I could play that role well because I truly believed her. I know how awful it feels to be isolated and lonely. Therefore, I knew I didn't need to solve Maria's problem to prevent her suicide. I just had to prove that I genuinely believed her and stood by her side. That's why I suggested this:

"What if I go to school in place of your parents?"

"Huh? B-but... What if the principal refuses?"

"Don't worry, we just need to create a situation where he can't refuse me as a substitute."

"Huh?... What are you going to do?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Just get ready for school. Leave this problem to me."

"B-but... Explain it to me first!"

"Come on, go take a shower and put on your uniform!"

"Uhmm... Okay..." Her expression was unpleasant to look at. Her beautiful face was clouded by a furrowed brow, worrying about something.

So I told her:

"Don't worry, I'll go to your school with you."

She smiled, then replied, "Thank you, brother," but soon after, she seemed to realize something and exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? Together?"

"Yes, together. Wait for me in front of the house; I'll catch up," I said, heading towards her bedroom door to get ready as well.

"What about your work? Are you off?"

"No. I'm not off."

"Huh? Are you going to skip?"

"Yeah, you're right."

"B-but!-"

"Relax, you don't need to worry. I just have to lie with another excuse. It's not like I'm skipping without doing anything, right?"

After that, Maria could only remain silent and follow my instructions. Meanwhile, I tried to ignore the guilt I felt towards her, which would surely bother me.

Finally, as planned, I went as her representative. I faced the principal directly. But as Maria had said, I wasn't accepted as a representative. So I told the principal:

"My parents are out of town; they can't be here today."

"Aren't you just trying to protect your little sister? Do you know what your little sister did? This is defamation of the school!"

"Do you believe that rumor?"

"Huh?"

"Did you see my little sister do it?"

"There's a photo."

"So, if I were in that photo right now, would you say I'm also selling myself to that old man?"

"Ahaha, maybe. After all, you're her brother, right? Why are you siding with her? Do you know what she always says about you?"

That question made me a little curious. I looked at Maria, who looked anxious, and finally understood. Even before the principal said it, I had already guessed.

"She always says bad things about you. She says you're trash, that you shouldn't have been born, or something like that. Or maybe it's all true? Are you just being a hypocrite in front of your little sister? Why?"

"For myself. I do it because I want to. You might be right, I want to be acknowledged by her, as a brother."

"Wow... Disgusting. Maria spread rumors that you ruined her life. Is that true?"

I paused for a moment then answered, "That's true."

"Ahahaha, I figured you two were really close siblings. You're both societal trash. The big brother is a troublemaker, and the little sister is a slut. You're both is a perfect family, aren't you?"

After that, I received the principal's abuse until he finally called my home phone. Unfortunately, I had already cut all the home phone wires with scissors. It was the only way to prevent the school from contacting our parents.

In the end, the principal believed that my parents were out of town. But he immediately told me to go home because he felt he had said what should have been discussed.

I understood what my parents would feel if they were in this situation. I just wasn't sure they wouldn't take their anger out on Maria afterward. But... all this made me realize that even if I solved this case, Maria would still be in a school where the teachers were bad adults.

I even saw how the teachers taught there. Most of them just made their students memorize books and gave them tests. Even when I saw some teachers explaining something, they explained what was already clearly written in the book. There was no intention to teach; they were just workers tired of their repetitive work every year. That's why I thought that solving Maria's problem wasn't a good solution. Because even if it worked, Maria would still be in a bad environment.

Friends who didn't support each other, teachers who had no intention of teaching, and even a principal who dared to belittle students and student representatives just because he had someone he could rely on when he was cornered or had problems. Because there were rumors that the investors had more power than the principal himself.

All of that make me change my mind.

"Then I'll go to class first, brother," Maria said, looking around anxiously at the people around her.

Meanwhile, I just stayed silent and pulled her hand. She had no reason to study at this school anymore. I didn't want her to experience this kind of treatment just because of envy or a simple misunderstanding.

"O-oi! What are you doing, brother? I have to go to class soon!"

She looked anxious, but she didn't resist at all because I was sure that deep down, she wanted someone to take her away. Because I had been in her shoes, only no one had pulled my hand.

She kept chattering and trying to look really angry. But slowly, her voice softened, not because of pain, but because she began to realize her true desires.

In the midst of that atmosphere, I took her home on my motorcycle. She was calm and simply accepted her fate.

"Maria, do you have any friends at that school?" I asked her.

"Why are you asking that?"

"Just curious."

"Hmm..."

She paused for a moment, as if thinking about something. There was a possibility she would lie; I knew that. But in this situation, I was sure she wouldn't. Because I was the only person by her side. But if she lied, it didn't matter to me. It would mean there were still other people by her side besides me.

"What do you think, brother?"

"Why are you asking me back?"

"I don't understand."

"You doubt?"

"Ah... That's right, maybe I doubt."

"You doubt yourself? Or they?"

"Maybe... Both..."

"Does that mean you have a friend who seems to believe that you are a victim of false accusations?"

"They told me to my face that they didn't believe it. But... I can't know if they didn't gossip behind my back."

"Oh... I'm a little relieved to hear that."

"Huh? What do you mean? You like me being a loner like you?"

"Ahaha, you might be right, deep down I do."

"Huh? You're Really trash."

"You right about me, But what I mean right now isn't about whether I like it or not."

"Then what?" Maria's tone became heavier with annoyance.

"I just realized that you don't have any chains holding you back from leaving."

Maria looked surprised to hear that, but she just stayed silent and understood. She didn't ask further what I meant. I was sure that deep down, she was also thinking the same thing. It's just that our parents were a huge obstacle for her.

But this time was different; I was with her. I wasn't carrying the same burden as her; I was just trying to lighten that burden from her shoulders. I only needed a little more push for her by saying:

"I'll talk to Dad."

Maria was silent for a moment, looking at me. I'm sure she was thinking about the strangeness that happened to me all of a sudden. Although for me, it took almost half a year for me to take the right path.

I don't know if this will end well. I also don't care if the loop will still happen. At least I have to find a way to help Maria. And about the loop, I can find out about it later.

Maria bowed her head, I don't know what she was thinking about me and her situation at that moment. But afterward, she smiled. Although she didn't smile at me, I felt the warmth of her smile. It was a form of hope, growing in her heart over time, making me realize that I had truly chosen the right path this time.

I also smiled, feeling satisfied with what I had accomplished. Suddenly surprised because Maria said something I never expected from her. I even doubted that she would be able to say it to me. Because what she said was:

"Thank you, brother."