I wasn't completely sure if I could, but I finally found the rock. The letter and opened envelope are still sitting on top. I rush over and grab hold of it. I read it.

// TW (trigger warning): abuse //

The handwriting is scrawled and awful... But I can make it out. It says:

"Gin. Why the hell did you have to get yourself in trouble with the police? Now I have to pay for that useless camp you're at. You know how much I need for beer. Are you still trying to ruin my life? I thought after I beat you, you wouldn't act up. Isn't that scar I gave you a constant reminder? Get your fucking act together. Once you get back here, I'll beat more sense into you so you never bother me again. Maybe I should throw you onto the streets so I don't have to see your face again. Be prepared. Fucking weak sissy..."

I'm horrified. This letter... is from Gin's dad...? What kind of dad would say such awful things...? And... he beat Gin? He gave him a scar? Tears pool in my eyes. No... Gin... I'm so sorry you had to go through that... I had no idea...you had to live with such an awful man... Compared to your situation, mine is...nothing... My parents never hurt me...they've just neglected me...which is a form of hurt, but Gin's is so much more awful...

My tears fall onto the letter. I crush the letter in my hands. I don't want to look at it anymore. No one should see this. Gin shouldn't have read this... He shouldn't have come here alone and suffered quietly... I'm glad I followed him... I'm glad I could try to comfort him... Is there anything else I can do...? I feel so helpless and useless... What can I do when Gin's past is more awful than I would have thought...?

"Hey!! You again!? Are you trying to make me angry!?" The officer from last night stomps through the forest towards me. I turn to him. He stops. "Hey... Why are you crying...?"

I quickly wipe my eyes. Of course this bastard had to appear... I said I didn't want to meet him again... And he talks big, but he somehow looks kind of pathetic with his dumb haircut. He's got brown hair and eyes, and that seems like an annoying amount of brown. I want him out of my sight.

I begin walking past him. Then he grabs my arm.

"Let go, asshole...!" I exclaim, trying to pull out of his grip.

"I... I'm asking why you're crying!!" He asks again. Seriously, what's with him? Why does he care? Last night Gin was in more pain than I am now, he should have been worried about him then. But instead he yelled at us.

"What does it matter! Let go!" He looks dumb and weak, but his grip is surprisingly strong. I can't pull out of it.

"What is going on here?" A deep menacing voice startles both of us. We look and see Yuuma standing there. Where'd he come from...?

"Sir...!!" The officer immediately lets go of me. "I apologize!! This convict was causing trouble and I—"

"Akiara," Yuuma says.

"Huh...?" The officer asks.

"He has a name. I'm sure I informed every officer of everyone's name beforehand."

"Oh... Yes... Of course...! I'm sorry..."

"You may go, Officer Hida," Yuuma dismisses him. The officer hurries away. Then Yuuma looks at me. "You were causing trouble...?"

"No, Counselor Yuuma... I—" I try to explain.

"Officer Hida told me you were out here at night. And you're back here this morning. You're past the boundary of the camp, and you're late to breakfast. You've broken the rules. I'll have to order a punishment," he said with his cold, unwavering voice.

"Huh...? But I—" I can explain. I can show him the letter. Can I show him...? Would Gin hate me if I did...? But Yuuma is a part of the police, can't they do something about his dad...? Isn't this letter something like a confession to what he did to Gin?

"All of you have followed the rules thus far. I started to wonder if I even had to give any punishments. But you've broken the rules and I have to deal with you as I said I would. There won't be any favoritism." He began walking away.

"But Counselor Yuuma, if you'll just listen...!" I hurry after him.

"No excuses. I've caught you in the act myself, besides Officer Hida's account. Gin was here last night too? He'll need to receive a lighter punishment than you." He kept talking without listening to me.

He's not even willing to listen to me. I had higher hopes for him... I put my trust in him... Do I have to take all that back because of the way he's acting right now? I thought... His eyes showed me he was truly kind and understanding... Was I wrong...?

I crumple the letter in my hand even more as I follow after him. Fine... I'll receive the stupid punishment... But I will make him listen to me once he's satisfied. We have to help Gin. We have to toss his deadbeat dad into prison for abusing his own child.

Yuuma makes me change into the uniform since I haven't changed yet. I placed the crumpled letter in my bag. Then I followed Yuuma to the cafeteria. When we entered, everyone was sitting together. They looked at me, confused and wondering where I've been. I have to look away. But then I glance back at Gin. He looks especially confused. Seeing him hurts... Does he cover himself even in hot weather to hide his scar...? And maybe bruises too...? That's too awful... I'm going to cry again... I can't look at him anymore... I feel too bad...

Yuuma instructs me to sit alone and far away from the others as my punishment. I comply. He says I'm not allowed to talk to them for the rest of the day. Then, I have to stay after the day is over to talk with him. Fine. I'll do it. I'll get to talk to him then. I rest my chin in my hand and look away.

Ana gives me my breakfast. Yuuma tells me to hurry and finish. I quickly eat. Strange... It doesn't taste as good... Ana can't be the problem... Is it because I'm not with the others...? This is a fitting punishment... Since I want to be around the others where it's fun and happy... This is more awful than I first thought.

The others keep looking at me from a distance. Matsu looks concerned. Kentaro is completely confused. Gin looks down. Hisashi even looks a bit disturbed, not smiling as much.

During community service, Gin sneaks over to me while Yuuma isn't looking.

"Akiara....?" he asks.

"I'm sorry..." I say. I turn away. I can't get in any more trouble. And I'm also saying sorry to him because I now know about the letter...

The day continues to drag on. I have a lot of time to think by myself. I definitely have to get Yuuma's help. I have to explain. He'll understand once he just listens. Then we can take care of Gin's dad. I won't let Gin get hurt again.

The end of the day finally comes. Gin's punishment is to help Ana clean the kitchen, so he does that now. I sit down with Yuuma in the cafeteria. He sits across from me. There's silence. Then he finally speaks.

"Do you understand why I punished you?" he asks.

"...yes..." I reply.

"Why?"

"...because... I broke the rules..."

"Yes. To be a good member of society, you have to follow rules. They aren't there to be ignored. They're usually for your own good. Why do you think I draw the boundary line at the forest?"

I think for a moment. I was focused on figuring out how to explain why I did what I did, but he's asking me the wrong questions... He won't let me explain... Will I finally get to speak if I answer these questions...?

"Um... because... we could try to escape through the forest?" I say.

Yuuma is quiet. Oh shit. Wrong answer.

"That has a little bit to do with it..." he explains. "But the real reason is because the forest is dangerous. You could get lost or injured in there. I may know how to get around that forest, but none of you do. So I set the boundary line. And you're not supposed to go beyond it. For your own good."

He looks down at the table. He scratches the back of his head. "I care about all of you. I don't want any of you to get hurt. I wouldn't know what to do if you got lost in the forest and Officer Hida didn't find you. Don't make me worry like that."

He meets my eyes. Those same caring brown eyes. I look down. I feel a bit guilty. I guess he acted that way because he was truly worried about me getting lost...? But I know better than to randomly run into the forest... I wasn't trying to escape... I already know my chances of survival if I tried... Maybe Yuuma is too much of a worrywart... And if that's the case, he'll definitely help, right...?

"Then... Please help, Counselor Yuuma," I say, meeting his eyes again. "Help Gin so he doesn't have to get hurt again."