**Chapter 6: The Calm Before the Storm**

As we walked home from school, the warm sun on our skin and the gentle breeze in our hair, I couldn't help but feel a sense of euphoria. Hange's plan had worked, and I was finally free from the constant harassment of the popular girls. I glanced over at him, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. But as we turned onto our street, I noticed something that made my heart skip a beat. A black SUV was parked outside my house, its tinted windows reflecting the sun's rays like a dark mirror. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I recognized the vehicle's make and model - it was the same one that Hange's security team used. "What's going on?" I asked Hange, my voice low and cautious. He followed my gaze to the SUV, and his expression turned serious. "I've increased the security detail around you," he said, his voice firm. "With Akane's suspension and the school board's involvement, I think it's prudent to take extra precautions." I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and unease. On the one hand, I was grateful for Hange's protection; on the other hand, I didn't want to feel like I was living in a bubble, constantly surrounded by guards and security measures. As we approached the SUV, one of the guards stepped out, his eyes scanning the surroundings before focusing on us. "Mr. Hange, we've received a report of a suspicious individual lurking around the neighborhood," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We think it might be related to the situation with the popular girls." Hange's grip on my hand tightened, and he pulled me closer to him. "Let's go inside," he said, his voice firm. "We'll assess the situation from there." As we entered the house, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The atmosphere felt tense, like a storm was brewing on the horizon. I glanced at Hange, and his eyes locked onto mine, his expression reassuring. But as we sat down in the living room, I noticed something that made my heart sink. There was a piece of paper on the coffee table, with a message scrawled on it in red ink: "You think you've won, but you're just getting started." I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized that Akane was not going to give up easily. She was going to fight back, and I was the target. I looked at Hange, and his eyes were already scanning the room, his mind racing with strategies and countermeasures. The calm before the storm was over, and the storm was coming. I could feel it.