《InHuman's LawBook》


 Chapter 0: Cleaning starts

    The gymnasium echoed with the soft shuffle of feet on the floor as the P.E. class carried on. A group of three girls stood at the sidelines, their voices sharp with excitement. Dressed in their skin-tight gym clothes¡ªa red t-shirt and ultra-short gym pants¡ªthey seemed to embody the image of Erito Institute¡¯s elite students. Erito wasn¡¯t just known for its rigorous academics; it also boasted the best-looking girls in the country, and everyone knew it.


    As the girls gossiped, their conversation took a dark turn. They spoke in hushed whispers, as if savoring the drama of it all.


    ¡°Did you hear?¡± one of the girls asked, wide-eyed. ¡°Hanji¡ªhe¡¯s dead.¡±


    Another girl gasped. ¡°No way! But wasn¡¯t he that bully from our class?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They say a gang beat him to death right in the middle of the road yesterday,¡± the third girl chimed in, her tone laced with fascination. ¡°I heard he was making trouble with the wrong people. What kind of a bully gets taken down like that?¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    They chuckled, but there was a lingering unease in the air. The story of Hanji¡¯s gruesome death had spread like wildfire across the school, turning the tragic incident into just another piece of gossip.


    As the girls continued talking, their words barely registered with Kaito Arakawa. He was far from the crowd, standing on the edge of the school¡¯s roof, staring down at the vast school grounds below. The day was darker than usual, the sky overcast with thick, gray clouds. A soft wind blew across his face, but his thoughts were clouded with something far heavier.


    One gone.


    He whispered the words under his breath, barely audible. His piercing gaze remained fixed on the grounds, his mind racing. What could a 17-year-old have done to be involved in something like a murder? Kaito¡¯s thoughts were sharp, cold. He¡¯d seen enough of the world¡¯s darkness to know that nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.


    But as the storm clouds gathered above, Kaito Arakawa¡¯s face remained unreadable¡ªhis thoughts lost in a maze of uncertainty and calculation. The world he lived in was not kind. He knew that better than anyone.

 Chapter 1: The First Step

    The day was bright and sunny, with a few soft clouds drifting across the sky. The grounds of Erito High School were buzzing with activity. Seniors stood near the entrance, greeting the freshers with practiced smiles, while faculty members ensured the ceremony ran smoothly. It was a day filled with anticipation and nerves¡ªstudents stepping into one of the most prestigious schools in the nation.


    Inside the grand auditorium, rows of students sat waiting for the entrance ceremony to begin. The atmosphere was thick with murmurs and whispers, with freshers exchanging cautious introductions.


    In one corner of the auditorium, a cheerful voice broke the tension.


    ¡°Hi! I¡¯m Umaki Sayori,¡± said a girl with long, flowy, wavy brown hair. She had a radiant smile, her excitement evident in her sparkling eyes. ¡°By some miracle, I got admitted to Erito High! I heard it¡¯s a great place to build a solid future. I¡¯m really excited. What about you? What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The girl sitting next to her glanced over with a look of mild annoyance. Her dark black hair was messy, falling over her shoulders in uneven waves, and she exuded an air of disinterest.


    ¡°Nijuri Tokato,¡± she replied curtly, her voice devoid of enthusiasm.


    Sayori blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness, but quickly recovered with a sheepish smile. Before she could say anything else, the crackle of a microphone drew everyone¡¯s attention to the stage.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    A man stepped up to the podium. The principal of Erito High School looked young for his position, his striking white hair shimmering under the auditorium lights. His sharp features and intense expression commanded silence as he surveyed the room.


    ¡°Everyone, pay attention,¡± he said, his tone calm yet firm.


    The room fell into complete silence.


    ¡°This is not a place for fun and games,¡± he began, his piercing gaze sweeping across the crowd. ¡°You are here to learn¡ªlearn how to survive and thrive in the real world. Erito High does not simply educate; it transforms. You will be ruthless. Without sacrifice and determination, you will be crushed.¡±


    The weight of his words hung in the air as he continued. ¡°But for those who endure, the rewards are unparalleled. You are the seeds of this generation, and only the strongest among you will bloom.¡±


    His tone softened slightly as he concluded, ¡°You are dismissed. Staff and seniors will guide you to your classrooms. Good luck.¡±


    With that, the principal walked off the stage, leaving the freshers to process his chilling yet motivating words.


    Seated amidst the crowd, Kaito Arakawa remained expressionless. His crimson red hair glinted faintly in the light, but it was his eyes that stood out. Cold and hollow, they seemed to draw in the light around them. Anyone who dared meet his gaze would understand the true meaning of the phrase, ¡°If you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.¡±


    The student council president stepped up next, her voice cheerful as she gave practical instructions. ¡°Freshers, please follow the staff through the doors to your classrooms. Welcome to Erito High, and good luck in your journey!¡±


    ---


    The scene shifted to Kaito as he stepped into his assigned classroom.


    Class B was one of four classes for freshers: A, B, C, and the mysterious Class S. Class B, where Kaito had been placed, was nothing special.


    The classroom was spacious, with large windows that let in the bright sunlight, illuminating the pristine desks and chairs. Trophies and plaques adorned the walls, a constant reminder of the high expectations placed on the students.


    Kaito walked in, his presence drawing a few curious glances from his classmates. But his cold demeanor and piercing gaze discouraged any attempts at conversation. Without a word, he chose a seat near the back, by the window. The sunlight warmed his desk, but the chill he exuded remained untouched.


    The day had barely begun, but Kaito knew one thing for sure¡ªthis was the first step in a long and unforgiving journey.

 Chapter 2: The Dark Stones

    The classroom of Class B was filled with murmurs as students exchanged names and got to know one another. New faces, new friendships, and some nervous excitement buzzed in the air. Arakawa, however, remained seated at his desk, staring out the window, uninterested in the chatter around him.


    The bell rang sharply, silencing the room. The door slid open, and a woman with an air of confidence strode in. She had dark hair tied back, a form-fitting shirt and blazer, a short skirt paired with leggings, and glasses that added a sharp edge to her look. Her revealing chest area made her instantly likable among the boys, some of whom couldn¡¯t stop staring.


    ¡°Everyone, sit down,¡± she commanded, her voice clear and authoritative. The students quickly took their seats. She walked to the front of the classroom and faced them with a professional yet slightly playful smile.


    ¡°I am Yui Sizumu, your homeroom teacher for your time here at Erito High. I look forward to working with you all,¡± she began, her gaze sweeping over the room. ¡°Now, let¡¯s start by introducing ourselves. Stand up and share a little about yourself, starting with the back row.¡±


    The last student rose from his seat¡ªArakawa. He introduced himself in a monotone voice devoid of excitement, his cold demeanor sending a chill through the room. The girl next to him, Nijuri Tokato, followed suit, her introduction equally disinterested and aloof.


    As the introductions went on, the atmosphere shifted. Hiroshi Tanaka shared his passion for sports with a grin, earning some nods of approval. Hina Koboyashi spoke softly, her words barely audible. Then came Umaki Sayori¡¯s turn. She stood confidently and introduced herself in a voice she thought would make her seem important, but instead, it rubbed some classmates the wrong way.


    Sakura Suzuki, on the other hand, stood up with a cheerful energy that filled the room. Her bubbly personality instantly won over many, which Sayori noticed with a twinge of jealousy. Takeshi Yamamoto introduced himself last, his natural charisma and confident tone drawing admiration from both the boys and girls. By the time the introductions were over, it was clear that Sakura and Takeshi had already become the most popular students in the class.


    After the students finished introducing themselves, Yui Sizumu, their homeroom teacher, adjusted her glasses and called for the class''s attention. The students, intrigued by her confident demeanor, quickly fell silent.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Now that introductions are over, I need you all to listen carefully," she began, her voice firm. "Erito High operates under three primary rules. Breaking any of these rules will result in your immediate expulsion. Additionally, your class will lose 50 points for every expelled student."


    Murmurs swept through the room as the students exchanged curious glances.


    "Each class starts with 100 base points. By the end of the year, whichever class holds the highest number of points will receive a significant reward in Dark Stones¡ªan amount that could potentially change your lives," she continued. "However, if your class comes in last, you will be penalized heavily. That class will owe the school a large sum of DS. The second and third classes will face no penalties but will not earn any rewards either."


    Yui paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.


    "Your actions here directly impact your class''s future. Keep that in mind before you decide to break the rules," she concluded with a sharp tone. "To reiterate, the rules are:


    1. never engage in physical violence with other classes.


    2. taking outside help for schoolwork is strictly prohibited.


    and finally,


    3. everything is legal as long as it happens within the school grounds.


    The gravity of the rules left the students thoughtful. Arakawa, however, remained expressionless, his cold gaze fixed forward. Nijuri Tokato, sitting nearby, subtly observed his demeanor, her curiosity growing.


    Yui¡¯s voice broke the silence once more.


    ¡°As you know, Erito High is located on this remote island, isolated from the mainland. The school operates on its own currency system called Dark Stones, or DS for short. One DS is equivalent to $100. You¡¯ll use DS for everything¡ªbuying clothes, food, paying dorm fees, and more.¡±


    The students murmured among themselves, intrigued.


    ¡°To earn DS, you must excel in academics, sports, or other school activities. At the beginning of each month, every student receives 57 DS from the administration for their basic expenses. To give you an idea: dorm rent is 20 DS per month, and two daily meals for 30 days cost 30 DS. You¡¯re free to exchange DS for real money or vice versa, as the system is fully integrated. Keep in mind, however, that with enough DS, you can buy almost anything within the school.¡±


    The bell rang, marking the end of their first session. Yui smiled lightly, signaling dismissal. "That''s all for today. Explore the campus and familiarize yourselves with the facilities. Your journey begins now."


    As the students dispersed, groups began to form. Sakura Suzuki quickly became the center of attention among the girls, while Takeshi Yamamoto was surrounded by boys and girls alike, his confidence drawing people in. Umaki Sayori, watching from a corner, clenched her fists in irritation as she saw Sakura basking in the limelight.


    Arakawa silently left the classroom unnoticed by most, though Nijuri¡¯s sharp eyes followed him. Ren Saito, sitting quietly in the corner with a book, remained untouched by the unfolding social dynamics, his isolation almost tangible.


    Outside, Arakawa opened his school-issued phone, logging into his account to read through the school rules again. His cold eyes caught one particular line:


    "You can buy anything with enough DS."

 Chapter 3: The Demon鈥檚 Creed

    <div>


    After class, Arakawa wandered through the school grounds, silently observing the vast campus. The sky was bright, but dark clouds loomed in the distance, hinting at an impending storm. The day unfolded uneventfully, the hours slipping by like water through fingers.


    By nightfall, Arakawa found himself back in his room. The dorms of Erito High were towering structures, twenty floors tall, housing students and staff. Arakawa¡¯s room was on the 19th floor, offering a sweeping view of the island.


    After a quick shower, he changed into casual clothes and stepped onto the balcony. The night sky was mesmerizing¡ªdark and endless, painted with hues of white and purple. A full moon illuminated the campus below.


    Arakawa pulled out his phone and opened Fabbook. The first post that appeared sent a chill through the otherwise serene night:


    "Suspect acquitted in rape case due to lack of evidence."


    The details followed.


    The suspect, Kurogane, a 38-year-old working at a low-paying medicine office, had been accused of assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl six days prior. The incident allegedly occurred under a bridge late at night. When her parents noticed she hadn¡¯t returned home, they searched frantically, finding only her scattered clothes under the bridge. The girl had later identified Kurogane, but the court ruled in his favor due to insufficient evidence.


    The post didn¡¯t reveal the girl¡¯s identity, but Arakawa knew who she was¡ªa junior from his previous school. Her name lingered in his memory, but no emotion accompanied it.


    Rage? Sympathy? Sadness? None of these surfaced. Arakawa felt nothing.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    For most, such news would ignite anger or pity, a call to action to seek justice. But Arakawa wasn¡¯t like most. He wasn¡¯t the heroic protagonist of a typical story. He was something far darker.


    The emotions that drive people to outrage¡ªhelplessness against society¡¯s rules or the ideals of justice¡ªwere alien to him. To Arakawa, morality was a fragile construct, a delusion to comfort the weak.


    Looking down at the street, he noticed a stray dog and a cat locked in a fierce fight. As their silhouettes clashed under the moonlight, his mind drifted.


    "Right and wrong are illusions. Everyone justifies their actions from their perspective. The rapist might say his loneliness drove him. The victim cries for justice. But in the end, none of that matters. The only truth is strength. The strong dictate reality; the weak submit to it."


    His thoughts wandered to his past.


    "When I was seven, my parents had a fight. They threw things¡ªfurniture, plates, whatever was within reach. And then...a knife. It struck my baby sister, killing her instantly. After that, they pretended she never existed. They divorced, leaving me in a dorm, funding my life but never visiting. It was as if I didn¡¯t exist either."


    His only solace came from his grandfather, who visited occasionally. His words stayed etched in Arakawa¡¯s mind:


    "Right and wrong are constructs of the weak. Do what you must, and never look back."


    Those words had defined him ever since.


    Below, the dog managed to sink its teeth into the cat¡¯s leg, but the cat retaliated, blinding the dog with its claws. The injured canine yelped and fled.


    Arakawa¡¯s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile.


    "The world is simple. What¡¯s precious to me, I¡¯ll protect. What¡¯s irritating, I¡¯ll destroy. That¡¯s all there is to it."


    He turned back into his room, letting the balcony door click shut behind him. His modest room had all the essentials: a double bed, a study table, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. It wasn¡¯t luxurious, but it was enough.


    As he lay down to sleep, the moonlight cast long shadows across the room.


    The Next Morning


    News broke across Fabbook, and the details were grisly.


    Kurogane had been found dead. His body was mutilated beyond recognition¡ªa scene so grotesque it could nauseate even the most hardened. His genitalia had been shoved into his mouth. His hands were stuffed into his rear, his eyes replaced by his severed testicles, and his brain lay splattered on the ground, being pecked at by ravens and stray dogs.


    It was a scene from a nightmare, a testament to humanity''s boundless capacity for evil.


    And yet, to Arakawa, it was simply another page in the story of a broken world.


    "Humans," he thought, "are the cruelest of all creatures. The only reason they pretend to be good is to maintain society¡¯s facade. Deep down, they¡¯re no better than beasts. If they were gone, the world would finally find peace."


    As he prepared for the day, his face betrayed no emotion. To the world, he was just another student. But inside, he was a demon, unbound by the chains of morality, carving his own path in a world of chaos.


    <div>

 Chapter 4: True nature of Humans.

    The day began with a gentle breeze sweeping across Erito High''s island, carrying with it the faint scent of salt from the nearby sea. The sky was clear, with scattered clouds casting a blueish tint over the school grounds. Arakawa walked toward the main building where his classes would be held, his posture relaxed, yet his eyes sharp, scanning everything.


    Upon reaching Class B, he quietly entered and took his seat without a word to anyone. The classroom was already buzzing with chatter, but he paid no mind. Nijuri was seated near the window, her head tilted slightly as she stared at the outside world. As if sensing his presence, her gaze shifted toward him. Their eyes met.


    For a brief moment, time seemed to pause. Nijuri¡¯s eyes widened, and then, as if burned, she looked away in a hurry. Arakawa smirked to himself.


    "Interesting."


    The bell rang, and Yui Sizumu, their homeroom teacher, entered. Her commanding presence silenced the class almost instantly.


    ¡°Good morning, everyone,¡± Yui began, her voice crisp. ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready, because starting today, your academic classes will begin. As I mentioned yesterday, Erito High operates on a point system. The class with the most points at the end of the year will receive significant rewards, while the losing class... will suffer.¡±


    The room was heavy with tension. Some students exchanged uneasy glances, while others leaned forward, eager to hear more.


    ¡°To clarify,¡± Yui continued, ¡°this system doesn¡¯t just penalize students¡ªit penalizes teachers too. So I hope all of you will give your best effort.¡±


    Arakawa leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing.


    "Punishing teachers too? Now that¡¯s an interesting way to ensure loyalty."


    Takeshi Yamamoto raised his hand. ¡°Miss, if the classes are competing for points, doesn¡¯t that mean we¡¯ll face each other in class vs. class events?¡±


    A murmur spread through the room. Some students whispered, impressed by Takeshi¡¯s foresight. Yui nodded.


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯ll soon be informed about your first major event. As you may know, Classes A, B, and C consist of students admitted from outside. However, Class S comprises students who have been with Erito High since their junior years.¡±


    This revelation sent a ripple of concern through the room. Takeshi, Sakura Suzuki, and even Arakawa shared the same thought:


    "If they¡¯ve been here longer, they already have an advantage. And if there¡¯s only one Class S, does that mean the other junior classes failed to advance?"


    The day progressed with classes in social studies, math, science, and economics. By the end of the first session, Takeshi walked to the front of the room, his confidence radiating.


    ¡°Guys, can I have five minutes?¡± he asked, his voice calm yet commanding. ¡°Let me formally introduce myself. I¡¯m Takeshi Yamamoto. As you heard today, we¡¯ll be competing against other classes. That means it¡¯s a 50 vs. 150 match. If we want to win and make Class B number one, we need to stick together.¡±


    The room buzzed with energy. Takeshi¡¯s charisma was undeniable. Even the quiet students found themselves nodding along.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°So,¡± Takeshi continued, ¡°I think we should get to know each other better. Why don¡¯t we create a Fabbook group? Also, let¡¯s start introducing ourselves.¡±


    Sakura Suzuki stood up, her enthusiasm infectious. ¡°Yes, guys! Let¡¯s all be friends!¡±


    Arakawa observed the scene, his sharp mind dissecting every detail.


    "Building unity? Not bad. But human nature is greed. The moment these students realize there¡¯s no self-benefit in cooperation, they¡¯ll sabotage each other. I should keep an eye on the most problematic ones."


    When it was Arakawa¡¯s turn, a few students approached him, introducing themselves. He responded politely, masking his indifference. Even Takeshi came over, offering a warm smile.


    ¡°Hey, you don¡¯t talk much, do you?¡± Takeshi asked.


    ¡°I just haven¡¯t met anyone with the same interests as me,¡± Arakawa replied nonchalantly.


    ¡°I get the feeling we¡¯ll be good friends,¡± Takeshi said with a grin.


    ¡°Hope so,¡± Arakawa said, though his tone betrayed nothing.


    ---


    After class, Arakawa walked toward the school field, eager to escape the noise. As he turned a corner, a beautiful white-haired girl bumped into him.


    ¡°Ah, sorry! I¡¯m in a hurry,¡± she said, her voice soft yet rushed. ¡°My name is Riko, from Class S.¡±


    Arakawa¡¯s mind reeled.


    "Class S already? That was faster than I expected."


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m Arakawa from Class B.¡±


    Riko nodded quickly, murmured another apology, and disappeared down the hallway. Arakawa glanced at the ground and noticed a folded piece of paper. Picking it up, he unfolded it to reveal a message:


    ¡°Come to the gym storage room, my love.¡±


    Curiosity piqued, Arakawa decided to investigate.


    ---


    The storage room reeked of sweat and stale air. Dim light filtered through a small window, casting eerie shadows. From behind a stack of equipment, Arakawa watched as four boys and Riko stood in the center.


    The boy in the middle, with golden hair and a confident smirk, spoke first. ¡°Takemichi, what are you waiting for? Didn¡¯t you say you needed money? Come on, touch your girlfriend and entertain us. We¡¯ll give you 10 DS.¡±


    Riko¡¯s face twisted in horror. ¡°What?!¡±


    She started thinking, "Who have I started dating. He''s a scum. Not worth my time. She was disgusted and afraid. Crying to someone to help her."


    Takemichi hesitated, glancing between Riko and the golden-haired boy. ¡°Sorry, Riko. I... I need the money. Just this once.¡±


    ¡°No! Stop!¡± Riko screamed as Takemichi grabbed her wrist. She struggled, but he pushed her to the floor, his hands moving in her breasts and her private part.


    She kept crying to help, soon lossing consciousness.


    If this was a anime or some bullshit light novel then the Main protagonist would have stopped them and saved the girl, without gathering any evidence for future, resulting in their own downfall in moving forward. Ultimately making them question their life choices and telling themselves that they did the right thing while their own life was ruined. But this isn''t a anime or light novel. It''s real life. Everything needs calculating and caution.


    So, Arakawa¡¯s phone recorded everything, his expression emotionless. He observed the scene as though it were a mundane occurrence.


    After a few minutes, the golden-haired boy, Yashiro, clapped his hands. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    The three boys left, laughing and taunting Riko. While leaving the golden hair boy touched Rikos private part his his shoe and made some motion. Then he took Takemichi''s phone and transferred 10 DS. Takemichi followed, head hung low. Riko lay unconscious on the floor, her clothes disheveled.


    While leaving the 2 boys said with a smark, "Yo Yashiro that was fun to watch, we should do that more often."


    After they left and the place was safe Arakawa stepped forward, fixed her clothes, and propped her against the wall. Then he left, unnoticed, his phone safely in his pocket.


    ---


    That night, Arakawa stood on his balcony, the cool breeze brushing against his skin. He replayed the video on his phone, his sharp eyes analyzing every frame.


    ¡°How interesting,¡± he murmured, his lips curling into a devilish smile. ¡°Yashiro... I¡¯ll be seeing you soon.¡±


    Even the moonlight seemed to shy away from his expression, a smile so dark it could make the devil himself shudder.

 Chapter 5: The Prettiest Girl in Class

    The day was clear, with no clouds in sight. The sky stretched endlessly, its soft blue shade giving the island a serene atmosphere. Inside the classroom, Arakawa sat in his seat, arms crossed, staring blankly at the whiteboard as Miss Yui conducted her lessons.


    Unlike the previous day, there were no major announcements¡ªjust regular classes. Arakawa listened in silence, occasionally glancing around at his classmates.


    Once the final class ended, the students began leaving for lunch or their dorms. Arakawa, uninterested in casual conversations, packed his things and headed toward the hallway.


    As he walked, a voice called out from behind.


    ¡°Hey! Wait up!¡±


    Arakawa turned his head slightly to see Sakura Suzuki, the most popular girl in class, catching up to him.


    ¡°Hello,¡± she greeted, flashing him a bright smile.


    Arakawa, unfazed, replied with a simple, ¡°Yes?¡± His voice was calm, devoid of any warmth.


    Sakura raised an eyebrow. ¡°What a cold response,¡± she said, crossing her arms.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°I never talked to you before, so I wasn¡¯t sure how to react,¡± Arakawa answered.


    But in truth, he simply had no interest in talking to her. It was nothing personal¡ªjust another thing to avoid unnecessary complications.


    Sakura smirked. ¡°So why not start talking to me now? I¡¯ll help you improve your social skills.¡±


    Arakawa¡¯s sharp eyes fixed on hers. ¡°If you¡¯re offering me something, that means you also want something from me. So what is it?¡± His voice remained calm, but there was a piercing curiosity in his gaze.


    Sakura feigned innocence. ¡°What do you mean? I just want to help a fellow classmate. Nothing more, nothing less.¡±


    Arakawa studied her for a second before shrugging. ¡°Well, thanks, but I haven¡¯t eaten yet, and classes will resume soon. If there¡¯s nothing else, can I leave?¡±


    Before he could take another step, Sakura¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Wait, why don¡¯t we eat together?¡±


    Arakawa glanced at her, unimpressed. ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why not?¡± she asked, tilting her head.


    ¡°I want to keep my social life peaceful,¡± Arakawa stated plainly. ¡°I don¡¯t want unintended attention by eating with the prettiest girl in class.¡±


    Sakura blinked, momentarily stunned by the unexpected compliment.


    ¡°¡­So I must refuse,¡± he finished before turning away. ¡°I¡¯ll be going now. Bye.¡±


    Without another glance, Arakawa walked off, his disinterest evident in every step.


    Sakura remained standing in the sunlit hallway, watching him disappear into the crowd. The sunlight reflected off her face, illuminating a smile that was both enchanting and unsettling¡ªa mixture of admiration and something far more dangerous.


    ¡°I found you, darling,¡± she whispered to herself.


    Her expression, bathed in golden light, was truly a divine sight. But beneath its beauty lay something more¡­ something that could easily turn into obsession.

 Chapter 6: Past to present of Nijuri

    "When I was in elementary school, I loved my big brother."


    I remember how he would call me cute names and always take care of me. We used to play together all the time. But as we grew older, everything changed.


    When my brother entered high school and I started middle school, I began to ignore him. I don¡¯t even remember why. Maybe it was the influence of TV, the idea of being a "gal" who was rebellious and carefree. Over time, I changed. I started being rude to him, nagging at whatever he said, rolling my eyes whenever he tried to give me advice.


    He used to warn me not to wear revealing clothes, saying they attracted the wrong kind of attention. But I laughed at him, thinking he was just being controlling. I had a group of friends¡ªhigh school 1st-years¡ªwho made me feel cool and mature. I thought they were just friendly.


    One evening, my brother saw me at a juice shop with them. When I got home, he was waiting on the sofa, his face serious.


    "Nijuri, come here," he said.


    I sighed and replied in a rude tone, "What do you want?"


    His sharp eyes narrowed. "I saw you with some boys today. Who are they to you?"


    I scoffed. "Why should I tell you? You¡¯re not a part of my life, so it doesn¡¯t matter what I do."


    A cold expression crossed his face. "Maybe you don¡¯t know this, but there¡¯s a rumor those guys go to nightclubs where prostitution happens."


    I gave him a disgusted look. "Ew, gross. How can you say that to your own sister? Also, don¡¯t believe rumors. I don¡¯t need you to worry about me."


    He just sat there, his gaze a mix of concern and something deeper¡ªsomething I ignored. I clicked my tongue and left the room.


    A few days passed. I kept meeting my friends, talking about lewd stuff. It was fun, being around older guys who treated me as one of them.


    After 2 week from when I had that conversation with my brother school sport festival started.


    Our school and my brother¡¯s school were part of the same campus, just divided into two buildings¡ªone for middle school, one for high school. I was in my gym uniform, participating in a few games.


    At around 12:01 PM, my friends from the 1st year came up to me. "Hey, we¡¯ve got something to show you."


    Excited, I followed them. The sky was cloudy and dark, adding a strange tension to the air.


    They led me to an abandoned classroom in the older part of the school. After looking around and not seeing anything interesting I asked, "What, are you gonna show me a ghost that haunts this place?"


    One of them smirked. "What are you talking about? We¡¯re feeling lonely. Let¡¯s have some fun."


    I blinked. "Huh? What do you mean? Like, games?"


    They chuckled. "Yeah, a game where we all love you alot and make each other feel good."


    A chill ran down my spine. "What?! You¡¯re joking, right? I don¡¯t like you guys like that. I don¡¯t want to do anything with you guys. We are friends right?"


    They laughed and said with a smirk face, "Huh, what are you talking about? You hang out with us, talking about dirty stuff, dressing like that¡ªbecause you also want to do it, right?"A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    I started to back off until I hit the room wall, "No why would I want to do it with some assholes like you. My brother was right. You all are scumbags."


    They stepped closer. One of them sneered, "Aw, in that case you should have listened to your brother. Too bad he ain''t coming to save you now."


    Before I could react, two of them grabbed me and pushed me down on the floor.


    Panic surged through me. Maybe I should¡¯ve listened to my brother.


    I struggled, trying to scream, but the middle guy took off his shirt and pants, his disgusting body moving closer. His penis dangling like a disgusting shit.


    "HELP! SOMEONE, HELP!"


    They laughed. "No one can hear you. This place is isolated from the whole school. Just accept it."


    He came on top of me, tearing my gym t-shirt, revealing my breasts. He started to foundle my chest.


    I struggled to brake free. Throwing my legs. But he was too strong for me to resist.


    Then he took off my shorts, leaving me in my panties.


    He started rubbing his penis against my underwear.


    I cried for help.....Oniii.......


    Then¡ªBANG!


    A loud crack echoed through the room.


    The guy in front of me collapsed, unconscious, blood pooling from his nose.


    A masked figure stood behind him, a steal bat in hand, eyes filled with terrifying calmness.


    The other two barely had time to react before¡ªBANG!


    Another one hit the floor, his mouth bleeding, teeth shattered.


    The last one¡ªhis face twisted in horror¡ªscrambled back, hands trembling. "P-please! I didn¡¯t do anything! I swear, it wasn¡¯t my idea!"


    But the masked figure didn¡¯t stop. He bashed the guy¡¯s eye with the bat, the sickening sound of an eyeball bursting filling the air. blood flowing from his eye like a fountain with red water.


    Then, he moved methodically¡ªone by one breaking their hands, their legs, crushing their balls by stomping on them.


    Their screams rang so loud that their vocal cords must have torn apart.


    And yet, he didn¡¯t hesitate. He did it calmly. Coldly. Like it was routine.


    After finishing, he cut off each of their ring fingers.


    Then, he turned to me.


    With a blank expression, he removed his mask.


    It was my brother.


    Shock. Relief. Fear.


    I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t even process my thoughts.


    He handed me my shorts, gave me his shirt, and took me home in his arms. Neither of us spoke a word. While leaving I heard a ambulance sound in the distance. I was too shaken and weak to question why a ambulance was at my school.


    After reaching home the first thing he did was take out the hand and shoe gloves which he used when he was killing those boys and burned them.


    That night, as I showered, the weight of what happened crushed me.


    The next morning, my phone buzzed.


    A news article: "Three High School Boys Found Beaten Nearly to Death in Sakurazawa Institute¡¯s Abandoned Building. But for the fast reaction of Sakurazawa hospital they were saved. When asked who called the hospital, they didn''t find any lead to the informant. The police is trying to find the caller as he might know who did it."


    Then, I saw it.


    A video on my school¡¯s FabBook page.


    A blurry recording¡ªshowing those three bastards trying to assault a girl. The girl¡¯s face was blurred, but I knew it was me.


    I clenched my fists. My brother leaked this.


    But then a sickening thought hit me. If he recorded it all¡­ why didn¡¯t he stop them earlier? Why did he wait?


    Rage. Confusion. Betrayal.


    I stormed into my brother¡¯s room. He looked tired, but I didn¡¯t care.


    "WHY DIDN¡¯T YOU SAVE ME SOONER?!" I screamed.


    He didn¡¯t answer. Just stared at me with cold, dead eyes.


    "You let them do that to me¡­ ARE YOU EVEN MY BROTHER?!"


    He still said nothing and turned to leave.


    Furious, I slapped him.


    The next moment¡ªPAIN.


    I was on the ground, cheek burning, my body frozen in shock.


    My brother¡ªthe one who never laid a hand on me¡ªhad just slapped me back.


    He looked down at me. His voice was ice.


    "Save who? You¡¯re not my sister. Those who don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for them don¡¯t deserve love."


    And then, he left.


    Days passed. The whole school whispered about the three boys.


    Their parents¡ªfilthy rich¡ªstayed silent. They were too ashamed of what their sons had done.


    Some students even said, "They got what they deserved."


    Months later, two of them killed themselves. One cut his veins. The other drank poison. The third was sent to a psychiatric prison.


    For the next year, rape and abduction cases in Japan dropped to near zero.


    After that I was never able to look at my brother or talk to him.


    He left home to attend Erito High.


    That¡¯s when I made my choice.


    I trained in martial arts, studied endlessly, worked harder than ever¡ªto reach him.


    All just to gain the confidence to call him Onii, and to say "thank you Onii for always being there for me."

 *Chapter 7: Somethings going down*

    The rain drummed persistently against the windows of Class B as Miss Yui took attendance. The gray skies and constant downpour gave the day a somber mood. Miss Yui ended her lecture early and began an announcement.


    "As you all will be participating in events against other classes soon, you will be subjected to an inner class competition first. This is both for measuring your standing and helping you gain some experience. You will be competing in chess, fitness measurement, and one group work activity, the details of which will be provided later," she explained. "As a reward, everyone who gets first place in chess and fitness will each receive 10 DS. The chess and fitness measurements will be held tomorrow during gym period. Good luck, everyone. Today''s class ends here."


    As the class was dismissed, everyone made their way to the cafeteria for lunch. Arakawa quietly bought himself lunch and found a seat in the large hall room. The cafeteria was spacious, with a kitchen on the opposite side of the entrance. Employees served various meals from behind a clean counter. Round tables with three chairs each were scattered around the room, the tables'' white surfaces gleaming under the lights. To the left, a transparent glass wall offered a view of the walkway to the gym, framed by patches of green grass.


    Arakawa had just started eating when a commotion caught his attention. Nijuri, carrying her food from the kitchen counter, had accidentally bumped into a boy, spilling her meal. The boy, now covered in food, looked furious.


    The boy was Yashiro.


    "What do you think you''re doing, bitch? How could you spill food all over me? You have to pay me now," Yashiro snarled, his voice dripping with menace.


    Nijuri, not one to back down, retorted, "What do you mean? You''re the one who was walking the wrong way and bumped into me."


    "You dare talk back?" Yashiro''s glare intensified, his fists clenching at his sides.


    Nijuri''s hand subtly moved towards the lunch knife that had fallen on the floor. Her eyes flashed with a dangerous resolve, ready to defend herself. Just as she was about to grab it, the student council president, Sayaka Himura, intervened with a commanding presence.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "What happened, happened. I think you both are at fault. Now, you can either act like it was a mistake on both your parts and let it go, or I''ll have to take this to the authorities. So, which will it be?" Sayaka''s voice was calm but firm, her red eyes piercing through the tension.


    Yashiro clicked his tongue in annoyance and walked away, glaring at Nijuri. She put down the knife and stood up, thanking Sayaka.


    "Thank you, President Himura. I appreciate your intervention," Nijuri said with a slight bow.


    "Just be more careful next time," Sayaka responded, her tone softening slightly before she walked away.


    The entire scene went unnoticed by most, but not by Arakawa. He clearly understood what Nijuri had been about to do.


    After lunch, he followed Nijuri to her room and discovered that she was assigned to the room right next to his. That night, Arakawa stood on his balcony, drinking coffee, seemingly waiting for something.


    The night was cloudy, with no moonlight, but a light breeze carried the cool air. Nijuri stepped out onto her balcony, her hair fluttering in the wind. She noticed Arakawa on the adjacent balcony and her eyes widened in surprise.


    "You!?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with both shock and curiosity.


    Arakawa responded with a curious expression. "Hi. You''re Nijuri, right? I''m Arakawa."


    Nijuri, flustered, replied, "Oh, yes. I''m Nijuri. Nice to meet you. I didn''t know we were neighbors."


    "Same here. It¡¯s a small world," Arakawa said calmly.


    "So, how has your experience at Erito High been so far?" Nijuri asked, trying to keep her voice steady.


    "Pretty normal, I guess. What about you?" Arakawa replied, his eyes studying her intently.


    "Not too well. I had a really rough day today," she admitted, a hint of frustration in her voice.


    "You''re talking about what happened this noon? You know, you should think before acting. The stunt you were about to pull today was dangerous," Arakawa said, his tone serious but not judgmental.


    Nijuri was shocked, knowing exactly what Arakawa was referring to. She stammered, "I... I didn¡¯t think anyone noticed."


    Arakawa''s expression remained unreadable. "Just be more careful next time. You don''t want to get into unnecessary trouble."


    Before she could respond, Arakawa said goodbye and went inside his room, leaving her standing there, deep in thought. That night, all she could think about were Arakawa''s words. Did he care about her? Was he interested in her to the point of concern? Or did he have some ulterior motive?

 Chapter 8: The First Pawn

    The morning was gloomy, with the wind carrying a quiet chill across the island. Arakawa stepped out of the shower, water droplets sliding down his well-toned body. Though his physique remained hidden beneath his uniform, it was the result of rigorous discipline. He ran a towel through his crimson-red hair, then dressed in his usual composed manner.


    Today felt different.


    As he reached for the door handle, something instinctively told him he wasn¡¯t alone. The moment the door swung open, a flustered face greeted him. Nijuri stood there, her eyes darting away, cheeks tinged with red.


    "Um... hi," she mumbled, her voice slightly uncertain. "I just got out too. So, wanna go to class together?"


    Arakawa¡¯s expression remained unreadable, yet something about the situation amused him. "I don¡¯t see a reason not to."


    He stepped forward, and Nijuri naturally followed, her footsteps syncing with his.


    The walk was quiet at first, the air thick with an overcast glow, the sky casting a pale blue light over the entire island. Then, Nijuri attempted to make small talk.


    "Is there something you like?" she asked hesitantly.


    Arakawa responded without much thought. "I enjoy reading books."


    Nijuri¡¯s eyes lit up slightly. "Oh? I like murder documentaries. Weird, isn¡¯t it?" She let out a small, nervous chuckle. "I haven¡¯t told anyone this yet, so don¡¯t tell anyone, okay? I don¡¯t wanna seem¡­ weird."


    Arakawa glanced at her. "Then why are you telling me this?"


    She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "Well¡­ you seem like the type who wouldn¡¯t judge, no matter what I said."


    "Is that so?" Arakawa said, holding her stare for a brief moment.


    The moment was short-lived as they arrived at the classroom, only to be met with an unexpected commotion.


    The Weight of the Past


    Inside, Hiroshi Tanaka, the athletic jock, stood squared up against Ren Saito, the quiet bookworm. Between them, Takeshi Yamamoto attempted to mediate, his usual charisma barely holding the situation together.


    Tanaka¡¯s voice was sharp with frustration. "You need to report it, Ren! This isn¡¯t something you can ignore!"


    Ren shook his head, his expression guarded. "I don¡¯t want to get anyone involved. Please, just drop it."


    From the doorway, Arakawa leaned against the frame, silently observing. The tension was suffocating.


    Moments later, Ms. Yui entered, her presence commanding order. "Everyone, take your seats."


    The students reluctantly complied, but before Tanaka sat down, Ren whispered under his breath. "Please don¡¯t tell anyone. Don¡¯t make my life any harder."


    Arakawa¡¯s ears picked up every word.


    The lesson proceeded as usual, but the weight of the earlier confrontation lingered in the air. Before leaving, Ms. Yui made an announcement. "Due to a staff shortage, your class event will be postponed until next week."


    Once she was gone, the students quickly dispersed, yet an underlying tension remained.


    Tanaka approached Takeshi, his voice lower but heavy with meaning. "Are you gonna let what happened to Suguro happen to Ren too?"


    Takeshi visibly stiffened. For the first time, the ever-composed leader seemed unsettled.


    "What happened to Suguro was his own fault," he muttered. "He didn¡¯t want any help, so he did what he did."


    Tanaka¡¯s fists clenched. "So you¡¯re just gonna let another one of our classmates die?"


    The room fell silent. Some students exchanged uneasy glances, confused by what they were hearing.


    Arakawa, however, had already pieced it together.


    Tanaka and Takeshi had gone to the same middle school. There was a boy named Suguro. He had been bullied. And now¡­ he was dead.


    Arakawa¡¯s lips curled slightly in amusement. Perfect. I might just find my first pawn.


    Tanaka slammed his hand against the wall. "If you won¡¯t do anything, I will!"


    Takeshi¡¯s face darkened. "Don¡¯t do anything stupid."


    But Tanaka had already stormed out.


    As students started leaving, some patted Takeshi on the back, telling him not to dwell on it. They saw him as their leader¡ªsomeone who carried the class on his shoulders.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Takeshi sat down, running his hands over his face, lost in thought.


    Arakawa observed him for a moment but saw no further opportunity to gather more information. He turned and left.


    A Shadowed Past


    Alone in the now-empty classroom, Takeshi stared blankly at his desk, his mind spiraling into the past.


    What do you know, Tanaka? You only cried because our friend died. I¡­ showed those bastards hell.


    Suguro had been their friend. A quiet, bookish boy, always keeping to himself¡ªuntil the day he met Takeshi.


    It started in a math class, where Suguro had struggled with a problem. Takeshi, the ever-helpful, outgoing type, had lent a hand.


    From that moment, Suguro found his first real friend. And soon, he was introduced to Tanaka, the athletic meathead.


    The three of them became inseparable.


    Until the day Suguro came to class covered in bruises.


    Tanaka and Takeshi had been horrified, demanding to know what had happened. Suguro had simply smiled, lying through his teeth. "I just fell. It¡¯s nothing."


    But they didn¡¯t buy it.


    So, they followed him.


    What they saw that evening changed everything.


    Suguro met with two boys¡ªone overweight, the other thin and smug. The fat one threw the first punch, sending Suguro to the ground. The skinny one laughed.


    Tanaka rushed forward, demanding they stop.


    The fat boy said with a smug smile, " Stop what? We''re just playing. Ask him yourself."


    "Suguro, is this true? Are they beating you?"


    Suguro hesitated, his eyes darting in fear. "No¡­ we''re just friends."


    Tanaka¡¯s patience snapped. "Bullshit! We¡¯ll handle them!"


    But Suguro pushed him away, pleading. "Just leave it alone! Please!"


    And then he ran.


    Tanaka angry and unable to handle it punched the fat boy sending him flying, the fat and skinny boy were scared and ran off.


    What Tanaka did know was Takeshi already recorded the part where the fat kid had punched Suguro.


    That night the fat boy told his parents that''s the boy next door Suguro bullied and beat him and his skinny friend. Then the fats boy father went over to Suguro''s house and shamed his parents for raising such a criminal son. Suguro''s stayed silent. The fat boy gestured Suguro''s neck getting cut with his hand.


    Then Suguro''s loving mother cried saying, I shouldn''t have raised a criminal. It was as if the earth had vanished from under of Suguro''s feets.


    The next few days, Suguro avoided Tanaka and Takeshi. The bruises only worsened.


    Tanaka and Takeshi begged him to report it. But Suguro never did.


    Then one night¡­


    Takeshi was eating breakfast when the news played.


    "A young middle school student was found dead in his room this morning, leaving behind a suicide note."


    Takeshi¡¯s stomach twisted.


    "Mom, I¡¯m sorry. I should have spoken up. But those boys said they''ll hurt you if I did. I was afraid. I hope they get what they deserve. I loved you. I wish I could have grown up like the kids on TV."


    Takeshi¡¯s father turned to him. "Isn¡¯t that kid from your class?"


    He didn¡¯t remember falling. But suddenly, he was on the floor.


    Suguro was dead.


    And the bastards who drove him to it?


    Untouched.


    The fat boys father ran a dojo and the skinny boys father was a big businessman.


    The fat boy¡¯s father pulled strings. The skinny boy¡¯s father silenced the case. The police did nothing.


    When Suguro found out the boys were released due to lack of evidence. He showed his father the video where the fat kid was beating Suguro. His father told him, let''s go to police station son. He was determined to bring them to justice.


    But after reaching the police station the police told to go away, because it didn''t prove anything.


    Takeshi wanted to argue with the police but his father stopped him and left.


    When going home his father told him, "Son, always do what you think is right. Even if it means taking someone else life. But remember there are people who care about you as well. Cheat in exam but don''t get caught"


    Those words to Takeshi was like the word of God. It meant he had someone who had his back.


    His dad went on saying with a smile, " your dad''s the mayor of Hiyama, so don''t worry too much."


    Takeshi exactly knew what needed to be done.


    The following days he waited for a opportunity, to teach those boys a lesson which will be remembered for decades to come, such a gruesome site no one have witnessed in decades.


    One day Takeshi waited outside of the fat and skinny boys classroom, when they walked outside, he told them, " come to the hill river side after school, or you''ll get exposed for killing Suguro."


    They didn''t buy what Takeshi said but they got angry and wanted to beat him. So they thought going there would be the best way to teach him a lesson.


    When they went to the river side, they didn''t see anyone. They started shouting "where did you go coward? Go die like you friend did? The world world be a better place without you shits."


    After saying that the fat boy went flat on the river rock. Seemed like a big rock hit him in the head. The skinny boy confushed looked around and saw Takeshi holding a big rock in his hand, the next moment another rock hit him in the leg, making him unable to run.. Takeshi went over and tied them up all.


    He did all that while wearing gloves and plastic all over his body. He sure did his research.


    When the fat boy woke up he didn''t seem to be able to move, he was inside a cave of some sort. He found the skinny boy crying and screaming in agony, he was confused about what happened.


    The next moment he was some dogs chained to the cave wall, eating something. He looked over at the skinny boy and the dogs back and forth and saw that the boy didn''t had his legs or arms. He understood and started screaming too.


    The dogs were eating the skinny boys hands and legs. He tried to look around to find a way to get a way to escape and call the police.


    But he regretted even looking around, Takeshi was holding a axe sitting on the entrance waiting for something.


    When he saw the fat boy had woke up, he went over and said,"Took you long to wake up."


    The next moment he chopped off the boys right hand.


    He cried in agony and saw the dogs feed on his arm, he started saying " you won''t get away with this psycho."


    Takeshi laughed," Owh is that so, and who''s gonna catch me for punishing some people who took my friends life? No one?"


    He left out a sinister laugh, so sinister that the hell and havean both must have shivered.


    He slowly went on chopping the 2 boys whole boy and feeding them to the dogs only leaving their heads.


    After all the body parts were eaten he burned the plastic and gloves. And let the dogs go in the forest to be never seen again.


    After few days an anonymous Email contacted Hiyama police department, saying a body was waiting in the cave deep on Hiyama forest.


    The police searched and only found 2 heads almost unidentifiable.


    The families of those boys went into shoke and tried to find the culprit but didn''t seem to have any luck.


    The police assumed it was done by a serial killer who was really good at killing.


    There was only one thing left for Takeshi left to do. Spread rumors through the whole country that the boys died as a punishment of bullying a boy from another class.


    After that incident bullying went fully silent in Japan for a whole year.


    Now in present-


    Takeshi thinks to himself, I''ll do whatever is right to me Tanaka, your no one to tell me what to do, with a sinister smile in his face.

 Chapter 9: Deal with the devil

    As Arakawa stepped toward the staircase leading to the first floor, two voices called his name from behind. He wasn¡¯t particularly surprised¡ªpeople had started noticing him more¡ªbut what did catch him off guard was that there were two voices.


    Turning around, he saw an awkward yet intense stare-down between two girls. One was Suzuki, exuding her usual bubbly energy, while the other was Nijuri, her face nearly devoid of emotion. However, the way they looked at each other made it clear what they were thinking:


    "What does she want with him?"


    Arakawa sighed internally. This again. He casually broke the tension.


    "Yeah? Need something?"


    Suzuki, ever the forward type, seized the opportunity before Nijuri could react. "Wanna come to the student council with me? I''m thinking about joining. And after that, I¡¯ll treat you to lunch."


    Arakawa glanced at Nijuri, who, despite maintaining a neutral expression, had a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. She hesitated for a second but quickly steeled herself.


    "I thought we could get lunch together," she said firmly. Then, in a sharper tone¡ªone clearly directed at Suzuki¡ªshe added, "And after that, we could walk to our rooms together."


    Arakawa tilted his head slightly. Interesting. Nijuri wasn¡¯t the type to pick fights, yet here she was, openly challenging Suzuki, the class¡¯s unofficial leader. Daring, yet reckless.


    Despite the amusement the situation provided, his decision was clear.


    "Nijuri, let''s do that tomorrow. I think I wanna check out the student council today."


    A fleeting disappointment crossed Nijuri¡¯s face, but she quickly masked it. "...Okay. Tomorrow then."


    As she descended the stairs, Suzuki waved her off with a smug expression, a silent declaration of victory. Nijuri didn¡¯t respond, but the tension in her posture was unmistakable.


    Arakawa and Suzuki made their way toward the third-floor student council room. As they walked, Suzuki suddenly said, "You¡¯re pretty cute sometimes."


    Arakawa blinked. He hadn¡¯t expected that. Still, he kept his composure.


    "You¡¯re pretty cute as well."


    Suzuki''s face immediately turned a deep shade of red. "Geez! I thought I could catch you off guard!" she huffed, crossing her arms. "But you¡¯re just the same as ever."


    That last sentence made Arakawa pause for a fraction of a second. Same as ever? A slight unease crept into his mind, but he quickly regained his composure.


    "And what do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice controlled but with an edge of warning.


    Suzuki waved her hands defensively. "Hahaha, just kidding! I was just teasing you!"


    Arakawa narrowed his eyes slightly but let it slide. I¡¯ll have to be more careful around her.


    They arrived at the student council room. Suzuki knocked before pushing the door open. Inside, only two people were present.


    A girl¡¯s voice, sweet and light like cotton candy, greeted them. "Oh my, are you two first-years?"


    Suzuki nodded. "Yes, ma¡¯am! We¡¯re here to check out the student council."


    Arakawa, ever indifferent, added, "I only came for the free meal after this."


    The girl giggled. "You two are cute. Well then, welcome to the student council room. The president¡¯s late, so it¡¯s just us for now. I¡¯m Rika Hoshino, and this is¡ª"


    Before she could finish, a voice interrupted her.


    "I¡¯m Ryusei Tenji. Student council vice president."


    The boy sitting at the far end of the table exuded a tense, almost intimidating aura. His sharp gaze landed on them like he was sizing them up.


    "We¡¯re not accepting new members this year, so once you¡¯re done looking around, you can leave," he stated bluntly.


    There was something off about him¡ªhis stiffness, the slight agitation in his expression. Rika gave them an apologetic look.


    "Sorry, he¡¯s not in the best mood today. Something¡¯s bothering him," she explained. "Normally, he¡¯s much friendlier."


    Suzuki offered a polite nod. "No worries. Sorry for dropping by at a bad time."


    Rika clapped her hands together. "As an apology, why don¡¯t I treat you both to lunch? I¡¯m starving anyway. Tenji, do you want anything?"


    "...No, I¡¯m fine."


    Just as the three of them were about to leave, Tenji suddenly looked up and locked eyes with Arakawa.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Hey, first-year. Stay. I need to talk to you."


    Both Suzuki and Rika looked surprised¡ªand slightly worried.


    "Come on, don¡¯t look at me like I¡¯m going to eat the guy," Tenji said, sighing. "I just need to ask him something. I¡¯ll send him to the cafeteria once we¡¯re done."


    Suzuki frowned but turned to Arakawa. "You sure?"


    Arakawa nodded. "Yeah. You two go ahead."


    With hesitant glances, Suzuki and Rika left the room, leaving him alone with Tenji.


    A thick silence filled the air.


    The student council room wasn¡¯t particularly large. One side had a tall bookshelf stacked with neatly arranged documents. A large wooden desk sat against the far end¡ªmost likely the president¡¯s. In front of it was a six-seater meeting table. A separate small table held tea cups and an electric kettle.


    Breaking the silence, Tenji pulled out his phone and slid it across the table. The screen displayed a grainy CCTV recording.


    The footage showed the intersection between two school buildings¡ªwhere Arakawa had met Riko just a few days ago.


    "That¡¯s you, right?" Tenji¡¯s voice was firm, but his eyes searched Arakawa¡¯s face for a reaction.


    Arakawa¡¯s mind raced. What does he want? Why bring this up now? He wasn¡¯t ready to get involved with the student council yet¡ªthere were still too many preparations to be made. But perhaps, if he played his cards right, this situation could work in his favor.


    His lips curled into a slight smirk. "Yes, I believe that¡¯s me. Why are you showing me a CCTV recording?"


    Tenji¡¯s eyes stayed locked on him. "If that¡¯s you, then you can also see that you went after Riko. I want to know if you know what happened that day."


    Arakawa kept his expression neutral, though internally, he processed every possible move he could make.


    "And what if I do know?" he asked smoothly. "What are you going to do then?"


    "From that tone, I would assume you know something that you think is useful to me? Otherwise I advise you to apologise right now."


    "Owh, I guess you don''t need me then. Well goodbye senpai." , Arakawa started walking towards the door after making that statement.


    Tenji a little impatient started to explain what was on his mind exactly, "I like Riko. She took care of me when I was injured last year in sports festival. She proposed to me, but as the school doesn''t allow senior and junior dating I couldn''t go out. That day few of your classmates from different class did something unspeakable to Riko. I need someone who saw what happened so I can take action."


    "So senpai, your saying your feeling guilty because you think what happened to that girl was your fault as you rejected her? Isn''t she a bitch for going out with someone else just after getting rejected by you?" , Arakawa stated in a peculiar manner, almost like he was trying to provoke Tenji the student council vice president.


    Tenji stood up from his chair, giving Arakawa a daring look, as if he was going to kill him, "Try saying that again. Don''t think the school will protect you from me. Know your plac....."


    Arakawa stopped him in mid sentence and pulled up his phone, showing him a video of something. After seeing that Tenjis eyes widened. It was the video Arakawa took that day.


    Tenji understood the situation and braced himself. Trying his hardest to control himself, as he needed that video. "Listen, give me that video and I''ll forget you ever said shit about the person I like."


    Arakawa leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied Tenji.


    This is it. The perfect opportunity to plant my pawn within the student council.


    He straightened his posture, his demeanor shifting into something almost professional.


    "Tell you what," he said, voice smooth and calculated. "You want those boys to suffer for hurting the people you care about, right? Without getting your own hands dirty."


    Tenji looked up, interested in what Arakawa just said. Thinking, " this might work in my favour. After using him to get rid of those boys, I''ll dispose of him."


    Tenji replied, "Yes, but ho....."


    Arakawa cut off his words again and continued,


    "And you¡¯re willing to do anything for it?"


    "Sure, I¡¯ll do anything."


    A slow smile crept onto Arakawa¡¯s face. Got him.


    "In that case," he said, "I can take care of them for you."


    Tenji went with Arakawa''s flow, thinking he was just a stupid kid trying to play the boss, "Really?"


    Arakawa tapped his fingers on the table. "It¡¯s not for free, obviously. I have a few conditions."


    Tenji laughing inside. "What conditions?"


    "First," Arakawa said, "you will keep our contact and conversation private. No one shall know we ever spoke about this."


    Tenji nodded. "Okay. I''ll keep quiet."


    "Second," Arakawa continued, "I want access to every CCTV recording in this school. Even after this whole thing is over."


    Tenji amused . "Okay. That¡¯s doable."


    "And lastly," Arakawa said, a smirk growing slightly, "you will persue and make three people join the student council: Sakura Suzuki, Nijuri Tokato, and Takeshi Yamamoto."


    "But, we aren¡¯t accepting new members this year," Tenji replied immediately.


    Arakawa¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. "Not my problem, is it?"


    Silence stretched between them before Tenji finally exhaled in surrender.


    "Okay¡­ I¡¯ll somehow get them on board." His replied while thinking. "Play the boss all you want kid, I''ll destroy you when I got your worth."


    Arakawa tapped his fingers on the table. "One last thing. The school holds power over students even after they graduate, right?"


    Tenji furrowed his brows. "Yes¡­? Why are you asking that?"


    Arakawa didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he pulled out his phone and pressed play.


    A voice recording echoed through the room.


    "And you¡¯re willing to do anything for it?"


    "Yes, I¡¯ll do anything."


    Tenji¡¯s breath hitched. His face drained of color as realization struck.


    Arakawa chuckled¡ªlow, dark, and brimming with amusement.


    "This is just a precaution," he said smoothly, tucking his phone away. "Just so you don¡¯t forget me after everything is over. I hope you stay loyal." He turned, heading for the door before glancing back. "Oh, and¡­ I hope you¡¯re okay with letting a few first-years die before the year ends."


    Before Tenji could react, the council room door swung open.


    The presence that entered was unmistakable.


    The student council president.


    Arakawa stood up, his demeanor shifting instantly back to something polite, almost casual. He gave Tenji a final glance before stepping toward the door.


    "Well then, goodbye, senpai." His smirk returned. "Thanks for the help."


    With that, he strode past the president, exiting the room.


    ---


    As he made his way toward the cafeteria, Arakawa¡¯s thoughts swirled in satisfaction.


    "It couldn''t have gone any better. The seed is already planted. Just a little longer before I can harvest the fruits it produces."


    A small, sinister smile tugged at his lips. No one was there to see it, but if they had, they might have felt an inexplicable chill run down their spine.


    Arriving at the cafeteria, he immediately spotted Suzuki and Nijuri sitting together at a table. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension¡ªneither looking at the other, yet clearly aware of each other¡¯s presence.


    When they saw him approach, both of them perked up.


    "Arakawa!" they said in unison.


    Then, as if realizing they had spoken at the same time, they turned to glance at each other¡ªthen immediately looked away, awkwardness hanging in the air.


    Arakawa sighed internally.


    "Right. I forgot about this situation."