Chapter 1: Fractured Bonds

The sun had long since set on the city, casting a warm orange glow over the sprawling metropolis. Haruka's mom, the influential and powerful owner of the city, stood on the balcony of their high-rise office, gazing out at the breathtaking view. Meanwhile, inside, Haruka and Mai were locked in a heated argument. The tension between them was palpable, and the air was thick with unspoken words. Haruka's eyes flashed with anger as she confronted Mai, her voice low and even. "How could you, Mai? Hanabi would never skip class without a reason. What did she do to deserve that kind of punishment?" Mai's expression remained stern, but a flicker of guilt danced in her eyes. "She was skipping class, Haruka. It's not acceptable behavior. I had to take action." Ruka, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the sidelines, stepped forward, her eyes filled with compassion. "Mai, I think Haruka needs to see something," she said gently, her voice a soothing balm to the charged atmosphere. Mai's eyes narrowed, but Ruka continued, unfazed. "Hanabi came to me for treatment earlier today. She had... injuries." Haruka's eyes widened as Ruka pulled out a series of photographs from her pocket. The images depicted slashes and bruises on Hanabi's back, a stark contrast to the usual bright and cheerful girl. Haruka's face went pale, and her voice trembled with rage. "Mai, how could you do this to her? She's just a child!" Mai's expression faltered, and for a moment, she looked like she had been punched in the gut. "Haruka, it wasn't my intention to hurt her. I just... I was trying to maintain order." The argument continued to escalate until finally, Haruka stormed out of the room, leaving Mai and Ruka in an uncomfortable silence. Yuu, the assistant principal, entered the room shortly after, concern etched on his face. "What's going on? I could hear you two shouting from down the hall." Midori, who had been quietly sipping tea in the corner, set her cup down and stood up, her eyes filled with a deep understanding. "I think we need to talk about what's really going on here," she said, her voice calm and soothing. As the five of them stood in the room, the weight of their complicated relationships hung in the air. Haruka and Mai's fight was just the tip of the iceberg, and it seemed that the fractures in their bond were only just beginning to surface.