NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3 - For the Family
What causes bullying?
Would it not happen if I were not there?
No. I am sure that bullies will find other weak people, and the bullying will be repeated.
Whether in real life or on the Internet, people find people who are inferior to them and want to attack and criticize them.
By doing so, they probably would like to think they have become a great person.
Such human psychology seems to remain unchanged no matter where you go—an unfortunate reality.
“Hey, you! This damn idiot is so slow at cooking!”
Even at the restaurant where I worked part-time, I was treated in the same way as I was at school.
“Dojima brought you here, so I’m hiring you! Don’t just stand there and do your job!”
“I’m sorry…”
Right, I’m working part-time here because of Dojima’s introduction.
Dojima is the guy from my class who used to treat me like a punching bag.
Of course, his referral wasn’t out of the goodness of his heart.
As a referral fee, he takes half of my salary away.
“There’s an international exhibition coming up this weekend, so it’s a good time for us to get a lot of foreign visitors! I don’t care if you cut your finger with a knife or break your hand in the dishwasher; you will work like crazy.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
“Phew. My whole body hurts.”
I continued to cook, dragging my body, which still ached from the bullying.
Even if I wanted to quit because I was afraid of Dojima, I couldn’t quit; I had to work my ass off to save money, even if it meant cutting my salary in half.
My father is a drunkard, and my mother is the one earning the living expenses all by herself.
I’m working hard to contribute as much as I can, and if possible, I want to send my sister to college too.
So, I have to do my best…
“Ugh, there you go again, getting bullied by that bald guy.”
Ms. Kanai, a high school girl, said so and laughed from the counter.
As the restaurant became a little empty, the other girls on the hall staff gathered around.
“But well, Fushimi can’t be helped.”
“Yeah, he’s always so timid and scared.”
“That’s why he becomes an easy target for bullies.”
I know she was saying that just for the sake of passing time. But that presence was soothing my heart, which had mistakenly believed that there were only enemies around.
Words of gratitude involuntarily come out of my mouth.
“Thank you”
“What? Why are you thanking me?”
“Because…like everyone…you don’t bully me.”
As I said that, the female staff members in the hall let out a deep sigh with eyes full of disdain.
“Really pathetic, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, he’s a complete failure as a man. too lame.”
“I’m not interested in bullying you.”
“Ah, it’s a waste to talk to such a guy.”
The girls quickly put me out of sight and started chatting and laughing, changing the subject.
“If I endure it, Dojima and the others won’t lay a hand on my sister. If I work, I can save money. I can protect my family.”
Holding that feeling in my heart, I once again put in my best effort to prepare the food.
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