Every day, just like always, the school bell rang at the same time.
Dingggg—dingggg!
“Alright kids, pack your bags. Today’s class ends here. And before leaving, clean the classroom together — don’t forget the windows. Bye.”
The teacher said this and left the room.
Students began putting their books away when suddenly—
SLAP!!!!
The sound echoed so loudly that everyone turned around.
“Ahahahaha! Hey, are you a chick or what? One slap and you almost fell?”
Another boy walked over and added,
“Hey Mark, go easy on our little chick. What if something happened to him? Hey Nacht, you okay?”
“Y-yes… I’m fine. My mind was somewhere else. Thanks for asking, Rauf…”
Rauf smirked.
“So Nacht, I asked out of concern — like a good friend. So… won’t you repay my kindness? You’ll stand by your dear friend, right?”
Nacht stiffened. He lowered his head.
“(Y-yes… why wouldn’t I…)”
“Hahahaha! That’s what friends say. So listen — today you’ll clean my and Mark’s part. No problem, right? Hmm? Tell me.”
Nacht said nothing.
His whole body felt numb.
The room went silent.
Then—
BANG!!
Rauf slammed his hand on Nacht’s desk, the crack echoing through the classroom.
“So tell me, Nacht… will you repay me or not?”
His tone had lost all friendliness.
His eyes looked like a true bully’s — cold and demanding.
Finally, Nacht whispered,
“Y-yeah… I’ll do it. I don’t mind… a-after all, that’s what friends are for…”
His trembling voice made his fear obvious.
Rauf raised his voice dramatically.
“Ahem! Dear classmates — boys and girls — today our lovely friend Nacht will clean the entire classroom for all of us. And he’ll be happy to do it! Right, my dear friend?”
Nacht stayed silent.
Tears welled up in his eyes… but he forced them not to fall.
Slowly, everyone left.
Only Nacht was left behind.
After hours of cleaning…
Ohh… I should’ve said no. I wouldn’t be this late… hmf. At least I didn’t get into a fight today.
A small sigh escaped him.
Mom and Dad won’t be mad that I’m late again…
While walking home, he saw a girl from his school being cornered by boys from another school.
(What should I do…? If I interfere, Mom and Dad will get angry again… They’ll think I fought… Ahhh, what do I do…)
“Senoritaaa~ Why’d you reject the handsome leader of our school? Say sorry and we’ll let you go, hehe!”
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
“Yeah, don’t act high and mighty just because you’re pretty.”
The girl rolled her eyes.
“Huh, do whatever you want. I’m not scared of idiots. I rejected you because you’re trash.”
“You little—!”
WEEEOOOWW—WEEEOOOWW!
(Police siren!)
“Bro! Police?! If they catch us messing with her, we’re dead!”
“Tch… let’s go. Next time.”
They ran away.
The girl turned and saw Nacht behind her, holding his phone.
“Ohh… so it was you behind this,” she said.
“Ahh, yeah… I thought they wouldn’t leave easily, so I had to do something. Are you okay?”
Nacht asked.
“I’m fine. Thanks for helping. You’re from Furin High too, right?”
“Yeah. I’m Nacht.”
“And I’m Shuna. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too… Umm, what are you doing out here this late?”
“I should ask you that. I work part-time, so I get home late. What about you?”
“Umm… it was classroom cleaning today, so I got late.”
“I see. Anyway, my house is here. I’m going now. Byeee, Nacht~”
“Byee, Shuna…”
As she walked away, Nacht felt a strange gaze behind him.
He turned.
No one.
“Arghh… maybe I’m overthinking. I’m really tired…”
Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
“Mom… it’s me. Nacht.”
He stood there for a moment.
Just as he lifted his hand to knock again, the door opened.
A woman — around thirty — stood there in only her bra and underwear.
She glared furiously.
“Argh!! I got a call from your workplace! You didn’t go there AGAIN! You must’ve gotten into a fight, right?! How many times have I told you — go straight to work after school!!”
She didn’t let him speak.
Nacht tried anyway.
“Mom, today at school—”
SLAP!!!!!
She hit him so hard he fell to the floor.
“When I’m talking, DON’T interrupt me! And no excuses! Look at your clothes — filthy! You were fighting again, weren’t you?! Does your mother, the one who abandoned you, look like she’ll magically appear and clean your mess?! Answer me!!”
“I-I’m sorry… Mom… I made a mistake… please forgive me…”
“If you want forgiveness, fine. Your punishment: NO dinner tonight. Now go to your room.”
He slowly stood up.
As he walked past her, she grabbed his shoulder.
“And this month’s salary — give it ALL to me. Understand?”
Nacht nodded and quietly went to his room.
His stomach growled.
“Huff… I guess it’s just water tonight…”
He poured himself a glass.
“I was maybe ten when they found me in the park.
I remember nothing — not my mom, not my dad… not even my real name.”
He stared out of the broken window, watching a family celebrate a birthday.
“What does parents’ love feel like?
What’s it like to have people who care?
To laugh with friends?
To have someone… who is yours?
I say I have friends, but… I don’t have even one.”
He sat on his bed.
“If God were in front of me, I’d ask…
Why is there so much pain in my destiny?
Why am I always alone?
Why do I cry quietly?
Is death the only peace for me…?”
He wiped his tears before they could fall.
“It’s okay… maybe somewhere in life’s forgotten pages, something is written for me.
Maybe it says, ‘Nacht, your story begins now.’
Ahahaha… but is there even a book where my story exists…?”
He lay down.
“Sometimes… I just wish someone understood my silence…
Someone who would sit beside me without asking anything…
Someone I could trust…
Someone I could call a friend…
Someone who is… my…”
He fell asleep mid-thought.
Cold wind blew through the broken window.
No blanket.
A hard mattress beneath him.
Yet, somehow… he slept.
Chapter One ends here.
I hope you guys truly enjoyed the beginning of this journey.
Please support the novel — something big is coming soon.
I’m still a new writer, so forgive any mistakes and keep supporting me.
— Lysera: Where My Story Truly Begins
