The Helpers Club room was quiet, sunlight slanting through the high windows as Ivy reviewed a list of maintenance requests. Zhihao sat across from her, silently folding the same sheet of paper in a precise pattern again and again.
The door banged open. Riley marched in with a first-year trailing behind her. The girl looked like she'd rather sink through the floor than be here.
"We've got a case," Riley said, dropping her bag on the desk. "This is Noa. She's being picked on."
Noa gave a tiny wave. Her voice barely carried across the room. "I-it's not bullying. Just... some of the older students are a bit rough during drills. That's all."
Riley scoffed. "They're pulling rank, using cheap shots, laughing when you flinch. Sounds like bullying to me."
Noa shifted uncomfortably. "I'm fine. It's just... annoying."
Zhihao hadn't moved since they entered. His eyes were fixed on the table, the paper in his hands now clenched tightly.
"We should report it," Riley said. "File something official. Get a warning issued."
"Wait," Ivy said. She met Noa's eyes gently. "Can we watch the next drill? Just observe. If it's as bad as it sounds, we'll step in. If it's not... well, then we'll know for sure."
Noa nodded. Zhihao said nothing.
The indoor training hall smelled faintly of metal and dust. Ivy and Zhihao stood near the edge of the mats, wearing borrowed helper vests. Noa's group was already warming up, three second-years and her.
At first, it looked normal. Drills rotated. Energy pulses fired, barriers raised. But then one of the second-years clipped Noa's ankle during a reset. She stumbled. No apology.
Next, they targeted her when her cooldown ended, double-teaming her in mock sparring. Every time she hesitated, they smirked. She kept moving, no complaints, but her hands were shaking by the third set.
Ivy's arms were crossed, face calm. But her fingers tapped slowly, steadily. Zhihao hadn't spoken once. He just watched, shoulders drawn tight.
Then one of them hit Noa hard with a concussive pulse. Too hard. She went down on one knee, winded.
Zhihao moved first.
He crossed the mat in a few quick steps and knelt beside her. "You okay?"
Noa nodded, startled. She looked more confused than hurt.
One of the second-years chuckled. "Didn't know the ghost could talk."
Ivy arrived a second later, arms at her sides but her eyes cold. "We've seen enough."
The second-years started to protest, but a voice from behind cut them off, an instructor, arriving late but clearly briefed by someone. Probably Riley.
After a tense conversation, the older students were pulled aside for follow-up. Ivy gave Noa a nod, then turned and walked away.
Zhihao followed slowly, silent.
Back in the Helpers Club room, Riley sat cross-legged on a table, flipping a pen between her fingers. Noa sat nearby, sipping tea someone had prepared.
"Thanks for... y'know," Noa said quietly.
Ivy smiled. "You did fine."
Zhihao hadn't sat down. He hovered near the door, arms folded, gaze distant. His hands were shaking.
Riley looked up but didn't comment.
Noa left a few minutes later. Riley offered her a chocolate bar as a reward for surviving.
Ivy turned toward Zhihao once they were alone. "You alright?"
He didn't answer.
She waited.
Still nothing.
He wasn't just quiet. He looked afraid. Worse than before.
Ivy didn't press. She returned to her desk, pulling out her notebook.
Zhihao didn't move from the door.