Chapter Text
Valt wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, his breath still shaky from the emotional release. He couldn't believe he had finally told someone the truth about who he was. He had been holding onto this secret for so long, afraid of what people would think of him if he revealed it.
Shu looked at Valt, his eyes shining with a warmth that Valt had never seen before. "Valt, I want you to know that I support you no matter what," he said, his voice firm and reassuring.
Valt felt a lump form in his throat. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have a friend like Shu. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Valt's steps were hesitant and slow, as he and Shu moved out of the musty cleaning cupboard. His eyes darting around nervously as he tried to avoid the gazes of his classmates. Some students seemed to be avoiding his gaze, while others were openly staring at him, their eyes filled with confusion and judgment.
He could hear the whispers behind his back, the hushed tones that made him feel like a spectacle on display. He couldn't help but feel self-conscious, his cheeks burning with embarrassment and shame.
Shu could sense Valt's unease and reached over to put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get through this together," he said, his voice steady and comforting.
Valt nodded, grateful for Shu's support. He tried to take deep breaths to calm his nerves, but it felt like his body was betraying him, like he was constantly on edge, waiting for the next wave of stares and whispers to wash over him.
As they reached the end of the hall, Valt couldn't help but feel relieved. They were almost there. He just had to make it through one more class, and then he could go home and be alone.
As Valt and Shu turned the corner, their footsteps echoing in the silent hallway, they were suddenly startled by the sound of the school intercom crackling to life. It was a loud and jarring noise that seemed to fill the air, making Valt's heart race with fear.
Then, a voice boomed out of the speakers, calling Valt's name with urgency. It was a deep, authoritative voice, one that Valt had heard many times before, but it sounded different now, more ominous.
"Valt, please come to the counsellor's office immediately," the voice said, its tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Valt's legs felt like they had turned to jelly as he stood frozen in the hallway, his mind racing with a million different thoughts. He knew that this was the moment he had been dreading, the moment when his secret would be exposed to the whole school. He could already hear the whispers and the jeers that would follow, the mocking laughter and cruel taunts.
His heart was pounding in his chest, and his breath was coming in short gasps as he turned to Shu, his eyes wide with fear. "What do I do?" he asked, his voice shaking.
Shu's hand on his shoulder was a small comfort, but it did little to ease the panic that was rising in Valt's chest. The thought of going to the counsellor's office made him feel sick to his stomach, like he was walking into a trap that he couldn't escape from.
But Shu's reassuring tone gave Valt a small measure of hope. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out," he said, his voice steady and confident even though he felt just as scared as Valt.
Valt nodded, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. He knew that he had no choice but to face the unknown, but he couldn't help but feel like he was walking into the lion's den.
As he took his first shaky steps towards the counsellor's office, Valt was now even more hyper-aware of the eyes of the other students on him.
Shu noticed Valt's hesitation and turned to him, a reassuring smile on his face. "You've got this," he said. "I'll be waiting for you when you come out."
Valt gave a hesitant tug on door knob, his brown eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail. The walls were painted a shade of bluey green most likely aquamarine, with motivational posters and art prints hung up. A large window let in the afternoon light, casting a warm glow over the room.
The bookshelf behind the counsellor was filled with books on self-help, mindfulness, and psychology.
Valt found himself drawn to a book with a bright orange cover, titled "Finding Your True Self". He wondered if he would ever find his true self or if he would always feel like he was hiding behind a mask.
The counsellor's gentle voice brought him back to the present. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed, Valt," she said. "Why don't you start by telling me a bit about yourself?"
Valt took a deep breath, finally decided to sit down on one of the chairs it clenched at his back as he felt the eyes of the unfamiliar woman gaze at him. He wasn't sure where to begin. "Well, I love watching Beyblade," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "And I have a lot of great friends, like Shu."
The counsellor smiled encouragingly. "That's a great start," she said. "What else would you like to share?"
Valt hesitated, unsure if he was ready to reveal the truth. He decides against it for now, he didn’t know if this person had his best interests at mind.
Valt took a deep breath, his eyes flickering around the room. "I don’t really know, just drained from PE… don’t like the teacher. They kept on screeching at me and I guess I panicked.” He said.
The counsellor nodded, understandingly. "It sounds like you had a stressful experience in PE class today," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "Can you tell me more about that?"
Valt's mind wandered, his thoughts drifting back to the loud, crowded field and the stern-faced teacher barking orders at him. He felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest, and he struggled to put his feelings into words.
"It was just... overwhelming," he said finally, his voice small. "I couldn't focus, and everything seemed too loud and too bright. And the teacher... I don't know, they just made me feel like I was doing everything wrong."
The counsellor nodded again, her expression sympathetic. "It's understandable to feel that way when you're under a lot of pressure," she said. "But you don't have to face these feelings alone. We can work together to find ways to manage your anxiety and build your confidence."
The room was quiet, save for the sound of the counsellor's pen scratching against paper as she took notes. The only other noise was the soft hum of the air conditioning, which made the room feel cool and pleasant.
Valt glanced around, taking in his surroundings. The door was solid wood and had a small window in it, covered by a thin curtain. The window was letting in a little light, and Valt felt a faint breeze on his face. He noticed a box of tissues on the corner of the desk, and he wondered if he should take one.
As if sensing his thoughts, the counsellor pushed the box closer to him with a kind smile. "Feel free to take one if you need it," she said.
Valt's cheeks warmed with embarrassment, but he gratefully took a tissue and blew his nose. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself, feeling a bit more in control.
The counsellor looked at him with concern, her eyes kind and understanding. "How can I help you feel better?" she asked.
Valt hesitated, not sure how to articulate his thoughts. "I... I’m not sure if I feel ready.” He admitted.
The counsellor nodded understandingly. "That's okay," she said. "You don't have to tell me everything if you're not ready. But if you ever do want to talk, I'm here to listen."
Valt felt a sense of relief wash over him. He appreciated the counsellor's understanding and patience. He glanced around the room again, noticing a painting on the wall depicting a serene landscape with a river flowing through it. He wondered who had painted it and what it meant to them.
The counsellor followed his gaze and smiled. "That painting was done by one of our students a few years ago," she said. "She found art to be a great way to express herself, and it's something we encourage here."
Valt nodded, feeling a flicker of interest. He had always enjoyed drawing and painting, but he had never considered it as a way to express himself.
The counsellor seemed to sense his curiosity and leaned forward. "Have you ever tried art as a way to express your feelings?" she asked.
Valt shook his head, feeling a little shy. "No, I haven't," he admitted.
"Well, it's worth a try," the counsellor said, offering a small smile. "You might be surprised at how it can help you process your thoughts and emotions, perhaps if I see you again we could help you find your own way to express your emotions, you mentioned watching beyblade, tell me a little more about that?”
Valt felt a little surprised that the counsellor was taking an interest in his hobbies, but he appreciated her effort to make him feel comfortable. "I've been watching Beyblade since I was a kid," he said, his voice growing more confident. "It's a sport about battling tops, but you can tell how well the competitors work together and it looks fun to play."
The counsellor nodded, her eyes bright with interest. "That's great," she said. "It sounds like you really enjoy it. Have you ever considered joining a Beyblade club or team?"
Valt's eyes widened at the thought. He had never considered that there might be other people who shared his interest in the sport. "I didn't even know there were clubs for it," he said, his voice full of excitement.
"Well, there are plenty of clubs and teams out there," the counsellor said. "It might be worth looking into if it's something that brings you joy and helps you connect with others. You are free to go for now but come back anytime you like. No explanation needed, times get tough sometimes and sometimes we just need a bit of support. My door is always open."
"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. He walked out of the office and was greeted by Shu, who was waiting for him outside.
"How did it go?" Shu asked, his voice fill of worry, his crimson eyes held his face with Valt’s own brown ones.
Valt looked up at Shu, his eyes shining with a sense of hope. "It was good. She suggested that I try Beyblade as a way to express myself," he said, his voice laced with excitement.
Shu nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "That's great," he said. "You've always talked about how much you enjoy it. Maybe it could be a way for you to connect with others who share your interests."
Shu's smile faded a bit as he asked, "Did you tell her about...you know?" he trailed off, not wanting to push Valt.
Valt shook his head. "No, I didn't. But it's okay," he said, his voice steady. "I think it's a good first step, and maybe Beyblade can help me feel more comfortable in my own skin."
Shu and Valt walked side by side down the school hallway, their conversation punctuated by the clacking of their shoes on the linoleum floor. Valt's head was down, his eyes focused on the ground, but he would look to Shu every now and again and give him a smile or a thumbs up.
Shu, on the other hand, walked with a stride, his gaze fixed on Valt. His snowy white hair, seemed to gently sway around every step he took.
As they approached the end of the hallway, Shu turned to Valt and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Valt," he said, his voice soft but you could hear some form of excitement. "You know what we should do?"
Valt looked up, his eyes filled with apprehension. "What?"
Shu's smile was infectious. "Let's go to the beyblade shop down town after school and pick out a new beyblade for you. It'll be like a fresh start, a new beginning."
Valt's face lit up with excitement, the first time he had shown any genuine emotion on his face since talking to the counsellor. "Thank you, Shu," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Shu nodded, his eyes shining with warmth. "You don't have to thank me, Valt. That's what friends are for."
The school bell rang, interrupting their conversation and signaling the start of their next class. The two parted, each heading off to their respective classes. Valt couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth, a large smile tugged at his face. He couldn't wait to see Shu again, to thank him properly for his kindness.