( video: )

[dualer]

Um... [ whoever this boy is, there are three things immediately noticeable about him: firstly, he's short as hell. secondly, what is up with his hair. thirdly - there are bruises and a scrape or two on his face, fresh. ]

I found this website a couple of weeks ago, and it looked kind of like a general help forum. I didn't need anything then, so I just left it alone, but... It came back today, so it feels like maybe I should just ask for help with a problem? I mean, I have one... [ he takes a breath, as if to say, here goes nothing— ]

Uh, does anyone know how to deal with bullies? [ he cringes and looks embarrassed. ] It's kind of silly, I know. I just thought someone might be able to say something to help me. I don't like to fight, so even though I've told them to stop, there's not much else I can do...

[ he leans his cheek against his hand and immediately pulls it away with a small hiss of pain. he smiles sheepishly. ] S-sorry, I know it's a lame thing to ask. Oh - and I'm Yuugi. It's nice to meet everyone.

Comments

[heavenlyhome]

It is not something that you need to apologize for, Yugi-kun. I'm sorry that others are bothering you in this way. Could you, perhaps, tell a teacher or their parents? Or, ask a friend or two to walk home with you until everything can be worked out.

Ah- I almost forgot, my name is Tendou Kasumi. It is very nice to meet you.

[dualer]

Well, the teachers know about some of them... But if it's someone like Jounouchi-kun, then I don't really want to get him in trouble. If I did that, he'd never be my friend. The only friend I have is Anzu, and she probably has better things to do than walk home with me all the time.

[ even though he sounds so gloomy, he still smiles. ] Thanks, Tendou-san.

[they_call_me_sonic]

[There's the urge to start to say something like a Sonic Says, but he represses it.]

Have you told anyone else? Er, anyone else besides us?

...and the name's Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog.

[And thus Sega and Konami meet.]

( 1/2 )

[dualer]

It happens at school, so a lot of people already know about it... But no one except Anzu would really defend a guy like m—

( 2/2 )

[dualer]

... A-a hedgehog? Is this a joke?

[twotailmechanic]

No need to be sorry, though this place is more than just a help forum. You should talk to a teacher or someone about it as support can really help.

Oh and I'm Tails.

[dualer]

Mm... The teachers help in some cases, but sometimes I get the feeling they really don't want to be bothered with this stuff. [ because for some reason, domino city only hires really horrible teachers. ] It's fine for the really horrible kids, but Jounouchi-kun and Honda-kun don't deserve something like that... If I want them to be my friends, it'd be bad for me to tell on them.

permavid

[windgodgirl]

Spread rumors about them if you're unable to defend yourself!

[dualer]

N-no way...! Don't you think that's too cruel?!

[fightbymoonlight]

Have you tried talking with a teacher about it?

[dualer]

The teachers don't really like to get involved with this kind of thing... I'll tell them about the ones that are really awful to me, but they can't always help. And Jounouchi-kun would definitely hate me if I told on him, so I can't do that.

[text]

[thatsmyyogurt]

[...poor kid.]

It depends on what kind of bullies you have.

[dualer]

Oh - well... There are a few different ones, I guess. [ he smiles, but it's a half-cringe, like he knows exactly how pathetic this makes him seem. ] Jounouchi-kun and Honda-kun just make fun of me and mess around, mostly... There are other guys that will beat me up, though.

[stillneedawish]

I'd probably tell my parents or my friends if something like that happened to me. But um, I don't think it's a lame thing to ask at all! Are you sure you're okay?

[dualer]

Yeah, I'm fine! It's not so bad. I just got pushed around a little today. [ he smiles, and it's genuine - just accompanied by a sheepish wince. ] Anzu already knows, but it's not fair of me to expect her to be around to help all the time. And I wouldn't want to worry Grandpa or Mom with it...

[of_many_treasures]

[Caaaaards no okay, he'll calm it for a second. Thinking about it, Kaitou replied.]

Looks like a lot of people have given you ideas. Although finding an authority figure who would help is a key element in dealing with bullies.

You should also get that cheek looked at.

[dualer]

Ah, r-really? Then, I'll go to the nurse's office at school tomorrow. It seems like everyone's saying that about people in authority, though. [ he laughs sheepishly. ] Maybe I should try talking to more teachers about it...

[dekillerqueen]

Are you, by any chance, interested in learning self-defence?

[dualer]

Oh, I couldn't do something like that! Even if it's only to defend myself, I don't want to use violence at all! Anyway, I'm so weak it probably wouldn't help at all... Thanks for the offer, though.

[Video]

[unknownrival]

If you've already told them to stop, and you can't get the teachers involved - which is a terrible failing on their part - the most you can do is try to react as little as possible. Don't talk to them, just pick up your bags and go to class. It's a difficult thing to ask you to do, but eventually they'll lose interest.

My school hasn't had much of a physical bullying problem, though, so I can't say I'm an experienced source of advice. I'm sorry.

[dualer]

Okay. That could actually work, with people like Jounouchi-kun... I'm not so sure that it's going to be the same for someone who's really violent.

video;

[moonspell]

Bullying is a difficult thing to face, Mr. Yuugi. I'm afraid I don't have much worthwhile advice, but if you own up to whatever it is you're being bullied for and are the first one to point it out, many times it becomes more difficult for people to do anything besides try to avoid you.

I'm sure that's not what you had in mind, but I hope it's helpful.

[dualer]

I think everyone knows why I'm being bullied... In fact, they probably always knew. I'm the loser who sits by himself and plays games, so I'm sure that everyone just thinks of me as an easy target.

[makewayforroze]

No, it isn't silly. No one has the right to bully you.

There's also no reason to be sorry. Have you talked with anyone in your world about this?

[dualer]

Not really... Anzu knows, and she helps me whenever she's around, but I haven't actually told anyone.

[hunterofpeace]

Hey, it looks like you do have a little bit of a problem there.

[dualer]

Oh, this? [ he touches a bruise. ] It's not really a big deal.

[brokethecamera]

Hm...what do they usually bully you about?

[dualer]

Being a nerd, mostly... Jounouchi-kun doesn't think I'm a "man". I'm weak and I spend a lot of time by myself, so it's not surprising that I'm an easy target.

[fairyofwind]

Have you tried talking to them about it? The bullies, I mean.

[dualer]

Yeah, I have... That's the first thing I did, of course.

Can we pretend I'm not abysmally late?

[grey_grief]

[Dude, what's wrong with your hair?]

Don't ignore them, for starters. They'll just try that much harder to get a rise out of you. Assuming authority figures haven't worked out, try turning and smiling at the bully and say something like "You look very nice today" or "Did you do something new with your hair?" It throws them off and gives you a chance to get away.

only if we can pretend i'm not abysmally later. (thank you for that, life...)

[dualer]

Wow... But, wouldn't I need a lot of confidence for that to work? I'd probably get nervous and mess it up, hehe...