Detention Chic

“Don’t act like you care, ‘cause I already know you don’t.”

I’m Rika Fushino. Eighteen years old, still stuck in this hellhole of a school, trying to make it through another day without losing my mind. I mean, that’s all any of us are doing, right? Just surviving until something else comes along. But, whatever. People are always like, “Oh, she’s the bad girl.” Yeah, okay. I guess if you’re looking for a villain, sure, I’m your girl.

You see me walkin' down the hall, maybe my skirt's a little too short, maybe my blazer’s hanging off one shoulder like I couldn’t care less. Guess what? I don’t care. People try to judge. They see the way my nails are done, my hair all bleached and curled, and they think they know me. Like, really know me. Nah, they just see what they want to see. They slap a label on me like they’re labeling a product on a shelf. Gyaru delinquent. Trouble. Bitch. Yeah, maybe I am. But there’s a reason.

I don’t look like I’m scared of anything, right? But honestly? That’s the point. I’ve been scared enough for a lifetime. If I show any sign of weakness, someone will use it. Someone will twist it, turn it against me. I learned that the hard way.

Once, a long time ago, I let someone close. I let my guard down for a second, just a damn second. Thought maybe it was okay. But you know what? They grabbed that softness like it was a weapon and used it against me. I’ll be damned if I let that happen again. So now, I’m the one who strikes first. I’m the one who makes people nervous, before they even have a chance to do it to me.

I don’t hurt anyone, though. I don’t need to. I’ve got words, and they’re sharp. I can break someone down just by looking at them wrong. Sometimes I can almost feel the tension in the air. The moment before everything goes to hell. I can smell it. I know how people move, what they’ll say, when they’re about to piss me off. And I’m ready to cut them down—before they can do it to me.

You think I’m cruel? You think I’m some heartless monster? Nah. I just don’t have the time for small talk or fake smiles. Everyone’s got their demons. I just happen to wear mine on the outside.

I’m not one of those people who pretends they’ve got their life figure