Free Web NovelChapter 269: A Doll
As a child, Ayaka had always understood that people looked at her as if she were a doll. Sometimes a fragile one, sometimes something meant to be played with and discarded once it lost its shine.
Her mother, Mira, treated her the same way. She decided what Ayaka wore, what she ate, how she spoke, how she behaved. Everything had to be perfect. Everything had to be beautiful.
Even so, perfection did nothing to protect her from cruelty, whether it came from children or adults.
One day, in an empty alley, a girl suddenly shoved Ayaka hard against the wall.
"Your mother is a monster with an ugly face," the girl sneered. "You must be the same, right? All of this is just makeup, isn’t it?"
She reached out and roughly wiped Ayaka’s face.
It was true that Mira had burn marks on her face. Ayaka never knew why. Her mother had never explained it.
But that imperfection was the reason Mira dressed her like a doll, as if beauty could hide everything else.
"No, Emi. What are you doing? Stop it," Ayaka shouted, pushing her back. Emi lost her balance and fell to the ground.
"Hey," one of the other girls yelled. "Don’t hurt her like that, you monster’s child."
The others rushed to help Emi stand.
"You hurt me first," Ayaka said, her voice shaking.
"And I’m not a monster’s child. My mother is human. I’m human too."
"You’re lying," Emi snapped. "My mom said you’re an affair child. You are disgusting!"
She shoved Ayaka again, harder this time. Ayaka hit the wall and slid down to the ground.
"Eww," Emi said.
The laughter came all at once. Loud, sharp, merciless.
Ayaka could only tremble where she sat, frozen by fear and confusion. Their mocking faces burned into her mind, something she would never forget, even years later.
The next day was worse.
When school ended, her shoes were gone. She had no choice but to walk home in her indoor slippers. As she stepped outside, something suddenly fell from above.
Papers. Books. Everything from her locker rained down around her.
Laughter erupted from the classroom windows. The girls leaned out, pointing at her. Some boys joined in, watching like it was entertainment.
Ayaka did not understand why they were doing this. She only knew that she could not leave her things behind.
She knelt down and scrambled to pick them up. The more she rushed, the louder the laughter became.
Tears spilled before she could stop them.
She was humiliated, angry, and completely helpless, with no way to fight back.
A hand suddenly appeared in front of her, holding out one of the books that had fallen to the ground.
Ayaka looked up and froze. It was someone she recognized.
The boy from the class next door. The one many girls whispered about, the one half the school had a crush on.
Haruto Hayase.
"Don’t cry," he said calmly. "It’ll only make them happier."
He crouched down and began gathering her scattered things, stacking her books and papers without hesitation. Ayaka stood there, stunned, watching him.
Once they were done, Haruto straightened and turned toward the classroom windows where the girls were still watching.
Their faces twisted in irritation, but the moment Haruto glared at them, the windows shut one by one. The laughter vanished as if it had never existed.
"Thank you so much for helping me," Ayaka said, bowing deeply as she wiped her tears. She still did not understand why he had helped her at all.
"No need," he replied. "Why don’t we go home together?"
"But your house is the other way," she said hesitantly. "Mine is far from the village."
"Oh?" He raised a brow. "Are you stalking me or something?"
He turned and started walking away. Ayaka let out a quiet sigh of relief. She felt awkward standing beside him, unsure how to act around someone who had just saved her.
She had never been good at socializing, and it always turned uncomfortable far too quickly.
Then his voice cut through her thoughts.
"What are you standing there for? Come on."
His tone was impatient, almost commanding. Ayaka startled, then hurried after him.
Haruto walked ahead with long strides. Even though she was taller, he somehow felt bigger. There was something about him that made her hesitate to walk past his side.
They did not go far before he stopped at an ice cream stall. Ayaka rarely ate sweets. Her mother never allowed them, saying they were unhealthy.
That did not stop Haruto. He bought one and pressed it into her hand without asking. She had no choice but to take it.
They stopped on a bridge overlooking the river below. Water flowed steadily beneath them as cars passed by from time to time. Ayaka stared at the view while quietly eating her ice cream.
The world felt vast and beautiful from here. And yet, for some reason, she felt stuck inside it.
"What do you think exists beyond this village?" she asked.
"Buildings, more people, more cars, pollution," Haruto replied lazily. "I don’t care."
"Don’t you want to leave someday?" she asked. "A lot of adults are already doing that."
"This village is perfect for me," he said simply.
She tilted her head, unsure how to continue. He felt distant, hard to read.
Then she remembered something. "Ah, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is—"
"Ayaka Yoshida. Class 5-B," he interrupted with a smirk. "I know you."
Her eyes widened. She had not expected him to know someone like her.
"Let’s stop this boring conversation," he continued. "Don’t you want to sit on top of the railing? The view from there is even better."
Ayaka looked at the river far below and realized how high the bridge actually was. Before she could answer, Haruto stepped behind her and grabbed her waist.
She gasped as he lifted her up, not giving her a chance to refuse. He placed her on the railing and climbed up beside her as if it were nothing.
And he was right.
From here, the view was even more beautiful. In the distance, the ocean shimmered, reflecting the light like scattered glass.
"Wow," Ayaka said softly. "You’re right. It’s beautiful."
"Do you know what’s even more beautiful?" Haruto said, turning toward her with a crooked smile.
" This."
His hand shoved her. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Ayaka felt the railing vanish beneath her as her body tipped backward, the world dropping away all at once.
