(Tw* this chapter contains ugly nasty boys and assault

In the months I've been at Karasuno- or rather the time I've spent in Japan as a whole- I didn't face any extreme racism or bullying.

I've heard stories and watched YouTube videos about Black people's experiences in Japan, and it seemed like it was mixed reviews. Some got treated well, others not so great. For the most part, a main theme I've collected from all the videos and blogs I've seen is staring.

Which, I've gotten plenty of since I came here. I've heard small phrases like "Oh, the black girl is here" or "it's the black girl!" But I wouldn't put that in the racism category.

So, up until now, my experience has been pretty good in Japan.

But today I'm starting to think it's just because I didn't know the language all too well back then.

"She's so dark, do you think she puts mud on herself everyday to get like that?" I hear someone snicker.

School has already ended, but I decided to stay in the classroom for a little bit to study otherwise I'd just be in my room and I'm tired of that.

What a mistake I've made.

For the past almost 10 minutes, a couple boys who had walked in the classroom and sat in seats at the front have been making comments about me and laughing.

I was hoping they'd leave by now, but they haven't.

"Eh? You think so? Maybe it's sharpie marker." Another of them says, making them all let out an obnoxious laugh.

I wish I was still shitty at Japanese.

"How can she be seen as attractive? Is that what they like in America? She's so...fat compared to Japanese girls. Why'd she even come here? I bet even her tits and ass are fake!"

"Hah! I heard almost all Americans get plastic surgery like that."

"Hey...should we check just to make sure?"

I tense up hearing that, and begin to calmly put my stuff away.

I'm scared. Holy shit- I'm actually scared right now.

I can't make it look like I'm in a hurry, because they'll know I understood them and probably rush at me. I try to keep calm as I stand up and put my backpack on.

I don't look at the boys as I head for the exit. Just before I get there, one of them slips past me and blocks the doorway.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Idiot, she doesn't even know what you're saying." A guy from behind us laughs.

"Excuse me." I mumble quietly, trying to move past him.

My hands are grabbed from behind me and held behind my back. I hiss in pain, my school bag sliding off my shoulder, the weight of it only holding down my hands even more.

The first guy roughly grabs my face, a nasty grin coming over his lips as he looks at me.

I'm really getting manhandled by guys who are like 2 inches shorter than me. This is embarrassing.

"Now, let's see..." Guy #1 hums.

He pushes my jaw up, and I whimper slightly at the pain.

"Please sto-"

My words get cut off when I feel this guys lips on my neck.

I think I'm going to throw up. I feel his tongue on my skin and I gag.

"Aw. It doesn't taste like chocolate." He lets go of my face and I see a frown on his lips.

My eyes narrow and I grit my teeth, bringing my knee up as hard as I can to meet his balls.

The guy doubles over groaning in pain.

"You stupid bitch." Guy #2 growls, pushing me up against the wall. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"

I don't know completely what he's saying, but I know he's cursing at me.

Did they not like me assaulting their friend? Weird.

Guy #2 grabs my bag and throws it away from us, calling for the rest of his friends to help hold me. My chest and cheek is pressed up against the wall and they're laughing. They're freaking laughing at me.

Tears spring to my eyes, knowing I'm completely defenseless in this situation. I can't even pay attention to what they're saying anymore as I try not cry, praying over and over again in my head.

Once I feel one of them put their hands under my skirt and onto my thigh I just start bawling.

I'm crying so much that I don't notice someone else come in.

By some miracle their hold on me releases, and I fall to the floor. My legs are too weak to hold me up right now. I pull my knees up to my chest, burying my head in them as I continue to sob.

I flinch hard, feeling someone's hand on my shoulder. I immediately smack their hand, looking up and trying to scramble away. I'm shocked to see Tsukishima kneeling where I was, looking at me in pity.

"Are you okay?" He asks, worry lacing his tone. "A teacher is coming, okay? You're safe."

I break into another round of sobs, putting my head in my hands.

"I'm scared." I choke out. "I'm scared."

~

"Something better be done right now! This is ridiculous. How can you let something like this happen?! You promised my daughter would be safe! Do you think this is considered safe?"

I lean my head against the wall, sighing. I can hear my dad's yelling from outside the office.

I was told to wait outside as the adults spoke with one another. The adults which consisted of my parents, the principal, the teacher (who's the volleyball advisor) Tsukishima called, and the parents of the students who touched me.

"You should go home. Or least go back to practice. The principal has already talked to you." I mumble to Tsukishima, who hasn't left my side since he found me.

"It ends in 5 minutes- I'll just have Yamaguchi take my things home with him." He says, his fists clenched. "I won't leave you alone when those guys are just in another room."

I can barely manage to understand what he says in his second sentence, and sigh.

I haven't even been able to look at him properly. I feel bad for even getting him involved, but if he hadn't walked in when he did...god. I don't even want to think about it.

Why did he end up coming anyways? Did he leave something? I sometimes see the athletes at the vending machines, and there's one with cold drinks inside the school. Was he going there?

Whatever the reason is, I'm grateful.

"Do you want me to walk home with you?" He asks and I shake my head.

"My parents are here."

"Oh...right." He says, and out of the corner of my eyes I see his fists unclench.

We sit in silence for a bit, neither of us wanting to start another conversation.

My shoulders slump, and I slowly lean towards Tsukishima until my head rests on his shoulder. He puts his hand under my head and lifts it.

I'm about to apologize, but he leans closer to me and sets my head back down on him. Ah, this is much more comfortable.

"Thank you." I say as I close my eyes, feeling overwhelmingly tired. "If you didn't come...I don't- I don't know what-"

"Shhh." Tsukishima cuts me off. "It's okay. Don't think about it."

Tears spring to my eyes again and I only shut them tighter so they don't spill out.

"I'm sorry for not being there." He says quietly. "I won't let anyone hurt you anymore."

"Hm?" I question, not really paying attention to what he's saying. I have too much on my mind right now to process another language.

"Nothing." Tsukishima sighs.