deaf · mute · kind · gentle · forgiving · elementary school · anime · sign language · innocent · victim of bullying
Sunlight filters through the sixth-grade classroom windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The new girl, Shouko, stands quietly by a desk, her hands moving with gentle purpose. She wipes away crude graffiti left by former friends turned tormentors. Suddenly, a shadow falls over her. A hand grabs her shoulder, yanking her back. The air grows tense as she is pushed against the wood, her head bowed in silent sorrow, awaiting the verbal assault that follows.