《The Subconscious of The Damn Mountain [ Romance | Tragedy ]》


 Prologue of Volume 1: Destirling Shouichi

    "Taxi!" The young man raised his hand to call out for a cab. It was a damp afternoon filled with a grey cloudy sky. The taxi came to a full stop close to the sidewalk next to him and a pale thin driver rolled down a car window.


    "Hi¡­ I wonder if you can take me to Kurohashi town?" The young man spoke up with a slight desperation in his voice. This was not the first taxi to refuse his ride.


    "It has been a while since my father and I left this town¡­ Who could have thought I would have to come back again after so many years." He was lost in his thoughts while waiting for the hesitant driver. He had just arrived at this station via train about 2 hours ago, and this was his 4th attempt to find a means to get back home.


    "Kurohashi¡­, Oh, that town is quite far from here, isn''t it?" The driver spoke hesitantly as he rubbed his chin. While checking out the time on his console, it displayed 15:31 hours.


    "Get in, boy! But be advised, the fee ain''t gon be cheap!" The thin man finally answered. The boy''s eyes lit up with hope that he could go home.


    "That should be alright. Thank you so much, mister." He spoke. It felt somewhat foreign to speak Japanese again. He put his baggage on the side and buckled up. The taxi started moving shortly after.


    The ride was smooth and quiet. The silence was creeping up and causing tension in the air. The young man gazed out on the side of the road, letting his mind wander off.


    Soon, they left the city behind, and the view shifted from houses and buildings to dense bushes and towering trees. Amber streetlights flickered to life on either side of the road, casting a flashing glow as they drove past.


    "It''s dark already¡­ This damn weather!" The pale man finally broke the silence. His face looked paler, the young man could sense the uneasiness in his eyes.


    "Say, young man¡­ My name is Tamura¡­ What''s your name? It doesn''t seem like you are from around here." The driver asked.


    "It''s Destirling Shouichi. Or you can just call me Yamamoto Shouichi." The young man rubbed his graphite-black hair with a two-block cut. He exchanged a weak, amicable smile with the driver.


    "Oh¡­ Yamamoto-kun, right? What a nice name. It suits your handsome face perfectly," The driver chuckled nervously, his laughter betraying his unease.


    "I have been living aboard, please do not mind my Japanese. It''s really been a while." Shouichi continued as he felt a bit of relief. He rested both hands on his knees.


    "Oh, really? May I ask where you are from?" Tamura asked while stealing a glance at Shouichi through the rearview mirror.


    "I lived in Australia for about... Maybe 12 years, give or take," Shouichi said, counting the years in his head.


    "That long, huh? The way you spoke, I couldn''t tell you were Japanese at first," Tamura replied, his grip on the steering wheel loosening as the conversation lightened. They both chuckled.


    "Kurohashi Bridge is just up ahead. We''ll be there soon," the driver said, his voice tense as he gripped the steering wheel, almost as if bracing for something.


    As the car passed through a thick forest, a long, black steel bridge came into view. Shouichi couldn''t help but notice how eerily empty the road was ¡ª there hadn''t been a single passing car since they left the main street.


    The tension returned. The sunlight had faded, leaving only the harsh glow of the headlights illuminating the path ahead. Shouichi peered out into the endless dark, the silence weighing heavily in the air.


    "¡­What on earth?!" Shouichi gasped, his heart racing as he swore he saw several pairs of glowing eyes flickering in the dark forest.


    "What!? What did you see?" Tomura asked, his face was so pale as if his blood was completely drained out.


    "Eh¡­ Probably deer or something," Shouichi muttered, his voice tinged with uncertainty. His heart raced, and he absentmindedly rubbed a scar on his left wrist, trying to calm himself.


    "Oh, kid! Don''t scare me like that," Tomura scolded, his shoulders relaxing in relief.


    "We''re almost there. Once we pass this mountain, we''ll reach the town. Where do I drop you off again?" Tomura asked, glancing at Shouichi.


    "It''s the Yamamoto Residence, 4th Murei Street," Shouichi replied, pulling out the letter to confirm the address.


    ***


    Kurohashi was a secluded quiet town with a population of over 5,000 residents. The town was surrounded by mountain ridges, making its geometry shaped like a frying pan. Oddly enough there was only one passage to enter or leave the town, it was through a dark long steel bridge called Kurohashi Bridge.


    At 19:56, the lamplights flickered dimly along the narrow street. Not a single soul was in sight, and the eerie quiet gave the place the unsettling feel of a ghost town. Yet, Shouichi noticed a few homes still had lights on, hinting at the faint presence of life amidst the stillness.


    The taxi arrived in a narrow single-lane street.


    Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialised beside the car, making Shouichi jump. "Ehh!?" he yelped, startled.


    The mysterious man, dressed in a suit, approached with an unsettling, unwavering focus. Before Shouichi could fully react, a sharp bang rang out as the man pressed his face against the glass. Shouichi''s breath hitched as he caught a glimpse of his eyes ¡ª utterly blank, glazed over, as if trapped in a trance.


    "I could swear I saw his eyes flash! What''s wrong with him? Is he drunk?" Shouichi thought to himself, his heart pounding out of his chest. At the same time, the driver slammed on a brake and froze at the strange figure.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Please... water..." the man slurred, his voice dripping with drunkenness.


    Shouichi, heart racing, glanced at the driver for guidance. In a panic, he grabbed a bottle of water and tossed it through the half-rolled-down window. The man lunged for it but missed, his focus snapping to the bottle as it landed nearby. With a terrifying urgency, he ripped it open and chugged the entire contents.


    "Arrahhh!" The sound of him vomiting echoed, a grotesque display of excess.


    Seizing the moment, the driver quickly shifted the car into gear and sped away. A cold silence followed, the tension still heavy in the air. Both Shouichi and the driver sat frozen, feeling a chill creep down their spines. Finally, they exhaled in relief as the bizarre figure faded into the rearview mirror, the eerie encounter slipping into the darkness behind them.


    ***


    The car passed by rows of beautiful homes, each a testament to upper-middle-class affluence. Eventually, it slowed to a stop at the designated address. The house before them was a sleek, modern two-story structure, enclosed by a pristine white concrete fence that radiated quiet sophistication. A modest sign near the entrance read, "Yamamoto Residence."


    Shouichi paid by handing cash and thanked Tomura with a respectful bow.


    "Whatever you are doing in this town¡­ Good luck, kiddo!" Tomura said before he drove off and disappeared.


    "What an odd thing to say." Shouichi thought while scratching his head. He shifted his focus to a bell button next to a shiny red mailbox. Shouichi was reminiscent of his mother but ended up with a hazy figure. It had been 12 years already since they left. The young man with graphite-black hair rubbed his bangs to adjust it into shape. His face had a delicate, almost feminine quality for beauty, complemented by his cinnamon-brown eyes.


    "Ding, ding!" Shouichi pressed the doorbell. Waiting for a few minutes before he began to reach out his finger to press it again.


    "Good evening! Yamamoto Residence. May I ask who this is?" A gentle female voice came through the speaker.


    "Umm¡­ this is Destir¡ªSeito Shouichi. I''m here to visit my mother, Seito Yoko. Is she home?" Shouichi stumbled over his words, almost using his new family name. He realised people here might not recognise it since the family name had been changed after his father immigrated ¡ª for reasons he still didn''t fully understand. He decided to stick with his original family name, "Seito."


    "Did I get the wrong house? That voice sounds too young. Could my mom be living with a cousin or something?" Shouichi fidgeted, lost in thought.


    "My, my¡­ Shouichi-kun! Please wait a moment. I''ll get the door for you," The soft voice replied, brimming with excitement.


    A few moments later, a buzzing sound signalled the door unlocking.


    "Welcome home!" A feminine figure stepped out through the metal-sized door into the lamplight. The long-haired woman walked toward him, and Shouichi immediately recognized her. Her graphite-black hair and matching light brown eyes were unmistakably familiar.


    Shouichi stood there, slightly taller than her, speechless and dazed. He hadn''t expected his mother to look so youthful and elegant. Dressed in a dark green gown, she exuded a graceful beauty.


    "Uh¡­ are you Seito Yoko?" Shouichi finally snapped out of it and asked hesitantly.


    "Yes! Though I''m no longer a Seito. I go by Yamamoto Yoko now. But you can call me Mom ¡ª or Yoko, if you like. I''d feel closer to you that way!" Yoko replied warmly, her soft tone inviting.


    Shouichi could sense her genuine welcome. It surprised him, though; it wasn''t common to address a parent by their first name.


    "You''ve grown into such a fine young man. Please, come inside the house," Yoko said, reaching out with a sweet smile and gently grabbing his hand.


    "Thank you¡­"


    "...Yoko-san." Shouichi hesitated before addressing her by name but decided to go with it. Perhaps it felt more natural after living in the West.


    "I''m so happy to see you! Let''s head inside. You must be hungry, right? I''ve got some food in the fridge," Yoko said, leading him into the house without letting go of his hand.


    Shouichi didn''t expect her to be so affectionate. His father had always been distant and cold.


    "Maybe this is just her way of showing love," he thought.


    ***


    The inside of the house was spacious, clean and tidy. There was not a lot of furniture, indicating that Yamamoto Yoko had been living alone for a long period of time.


    "Thank you for your hospitality. Since I''m not very hungry, could I have just a small meal?" Shouichi asked politely as he dropped his bags and sank into the comfy sofa.


    "Of course," Yoko replied with a warm smile. She moved to the kitchen counter, taking a white apron from a hanger and tying it on. With a quick press of the remote, she turned on the TV for some background noise.


    Shouichi instinctively pulled out his phone and scrolled through social media to pass the time.


    About 30 minutes later, Yoko called him to the dining table. A simple yet inviting meal awaited him ¡ª grilled fish, steamed rice, and a cup of warm green tea.


    "Oh! It''s¡­ delicious," Shouichi said after taking his first bite. He sipped the tea, surprised by its slightly sweet taste, which was uncommon. He dismissed it, thinking it might just be a regional variation.


    "Thank goodness. You had me worried there for a bit," Yoko said, a playful relief in her tone. "Since I''ve been living alone for so long, no one''s commented on my cooking in years."


    They both laughed softly, the atmosphere already feeling warm and familiar. Yoko rested her elbows on the table, propping her chin on her palms as she watched him eat with a smile.


    "Mom really is a sweet lady. I wonder why Dad left..." Shouichi thought to himself.


    "About your school," Yoko began, "You''ve already got the transfer letter to Seihei, right?"


    "Yes, I do," Shouichi replied promptly. "It''s in my bag. The letter says I can start next week. Is that when the semester begins?"


    "I believe so," Yoko answered, her light brown eyes meeting his with a gentle smile.


    "Once you''re done eating, I''ll show you to your room," She added, explaining that the house had four bedrooms and three bathrooms. She used just one upstairs, while his room was almost directly across from hers.


    After finishing the meal, Yoko prepared a bath for him. The bathroom''s luxurious design featured a spacious bathtub, and the lavender aroma from the bath salts filled the air. Shouichi eased himself into the warm water, letting his mind wander.


    "I wonder what life will be like from now on," He thought. "Everything here feels so foreign¡­ but at least Mom''s been incredibly kind. I don''t remember her being this stunning when I was a kid¡­ Then again, that was over a decade ago ¡ª I was only five back then."


    Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared, standing motionless in front of the frosted glass door. Shouichi''s heart pounded in his chest, his stomach tightened, and a shiver ran down his spine, leaving his skin prickling with goosebumps.


    "Oh dear! Did I startle you?" Yoko''s voice broke the silence.


    "N~Not at all," Shouichi stammered, relieved but still anxious.


    "I just wanted to let you know I''ll leave your blanket and new clothes by the door, okay?" Yoko said gently. "Or would you prefer I hand them to you in the bathroom?" She teased with a light giggle.


    "No, no, please just leave them by the door. That''s fine!" Shouichi replied, flustered by her odd joke.


    "She''s kind of a quirky woman," He thought, sinking deeper into the warm water as her footsteps faded.


    Then it hit him...


    "Wait¡­ something''s not right. I didn''t hear her footsteps when she approached the door," He reasoned unsettledly.


    After finishing his bath, he dressed in the provided pyjamas. "Men''s pyjamas¡­ were these Dad''s? If so, why has she kept them all this time? Poor Mom," He thought, a pang of sympathy in his chest.


    His room was a standard setup with a medium-sized desk and a double bed. The fresh aroma from the bedding suggested it had been recently laundered. He unpacked his bags, scattering documents, letters, clothes, books, and other items across the bed.


    Picking up an open bottle of a famous liquor from among his belongings, Shouichi frowned. "Dad''s memento¡­ Why did he always keep this with him? Was he an alcoholic? But I barely remember him drinking."


    Shouichi lay down on the bed, making himself comfortable. As thoughts of tomorrow stirred in his mind, he closed his eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.

 2 Morimura Ayane from a Bookstore

    Before Shouichi realised, it was already dawn, the clock on his bedside table read "05:37". It was too early to actually do anything, he yawned and stretched his body. Although it was not a good sleep, he no longer wanted to go back to bed.


    "Hmm?!..." In the corner of his eyes caught a humanoid figure with flashing eyes. It disappeared immediately in less than a fraction of a second. He felt a bit of relief that was gone. It might have been his wild imagination again or maybe a trick of the light.


    "Wait¡­Why was my door opened ajar? I could swear I had locked it last night." He tried to justify these strange phenomena which had been occurring since yesterday. Shouichi hurriedly dressed up with a tee and jeans, completing with a jacket. Then he walked down the stairs that led to the ground floor.


    "Good morning, Shouichi-kun. I didn''t know you were such an early bird." His mother greeted him with the same kind smile. She was humming and eating her breakfast joyfully.


    "Haha¡­ I''m not an early bird, I just couldn''t sleep well last night. It might take a while for me to adjust." Shouichi replied while taking a seat across from her.


    "Indeed¡­ do you need breakfast? I could reheat it for you, my dear." His mother replied.


    "Yoko-san, did you open my room last night?" Shouichi confronted her, figuring it was wise to clear suspicion of the only person in the house as soon as possible.


    "No, why did you think that? Did something happen last night?" Yoko spoke so casually, her voice sounded natural.


    "Nothing¡­ I might have forgotten to lock it," Shouichi muttered, his eyes darting away. He decided not to pursue the matter further, brushing off the thoughts and suspicion.


    "Right¡­ If I were to unlock your room, I''d have jumped in and slept with my sweet boy. Maybe you would like me to sing you a lullaby tonight? Or a cuddling session?" Yoko teased, her tone suggestive, then put out a cute giggle, cupping her lips.


    "Stop¡­ Haha¡­ Alright! I probably forgot it!" Shouichi rejected his mother''s offer, his face flushed. For a brief moment, he swore he saw a void in Yoko''s eyes. "What the hell..." he muttered inwardly, a wave of fear rushing through him.


    "How could an ordinary sweet lady like Mom have a weird expression all of a sudden?"


    "Was it all happening in my head?" Shouichi wondered and quickly gathered himself up to hide his dismay.


    "Ummm¡­ Since Seihei starts next week, I''ll grab a measuring tape from the shop to measure your size. You''ll need a uniform for class, right?" His mother said cheerfully, quickly changing the subject.


    "Yeah, you are right." He replied.


    "...By the way, I''ll leave for work soon. What would you like to do today?" She asked attentively.


    "I dunno¡­ Maybe I''ll walk around town, exploring for a bit. Umm¡­ What kind of work that you do, Yoko-san?" He returned, keeping the conversation flowing.


    "Oh my! Did I not mention it?" Yoko exclaimed, cupping her cheeks with her palms. "I run a caf¨¦ in the Hoshimashi Shopping District, near the main street. It''s only a 5-minute walk from your school. You''ll see it once you''re there," She added with a soft giggle.


    "Maybe we should hang out and talk more. Between¡­ a mother and a son." She added while circling around Shouichi and cleaning up the dining table.


    "Eh?!" Suddenly, two hands enveloped Shouichi from behind. It was Yoko, gently embracing him. Her arms rested firmly on his shoulders, her head resting lightly on the back of his. He could feel the warmth and softness of her embrace, mingled with the sweet scent of elderflower. Shouichi didn''t pull away or protest; he understood her fully. It had been a long time since mother and child had been apart.


    "Mom¡­" Shouichi finally spoke up since it felt like an eternity. Although it felt nice, it was an affection that was so unfamiliar to him. His dad would never hug him. Not even once. This was something entirely new.


    "Haha¡­ sorry I couldn''t help it¡­ I''m so happy that we finally are together." Yoko said and let Shouichi go.


    "Umm¡­ May I ask why did Dad leave?" Shouichi couldn''t help but ask. His thoughts fired up and searched for reasons that took this experience away from him. This motherly affection that he missed.


    "Hahaha¡­ That''s why I said we needed to hang out more. We got a lot of things to talk about." Yoko smiled weakly and tapped Shouichi''s nose. Yoko tied up her black hair in a single high ponytail and walked out the front door.


    "I''m off. Why don''t you come visit me at the shop sometime in the afternoon?" She waved and smiled one last time, Shouichi nodded in participation before she closed the door. The young man could hear the car start and drive off.


    After a few minutes, everything fell silent.


    ***


    Shouichi strolled around narrow streets. It was bright and not scary at all, unlike last night. The atmosphere was so different, he could see people living their ordinary lives. He finally felt a big relief. The townspeople waved and smiled at him. "What a friendly neighbourhood." He thought.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Before Shouichi knew it, he found an entire street filled with shops and stores. It was a buzzing shopping district that acted as a city centre, there were commuting people and busy traffic everywhere.


    "Yoko''s shop must have been here according to what she described." He thought while looking around. Shouichi spotted an old wooden bookstore and as expected it indeed gave off the odour of old books.


    "It might be a great idea to read books and revisit my Japanese before school starts." He figured while rubbing his graphite-black hair. Shouichi decided to head inside and check it out.


    The store was filled with a variety of genres categorised into sections. The bookstore owner was an old man, who perhaps was daydreaming about his time of youth. Although it was a quiet store, there seemed to be another customer inside. Shouichi searched for his favourite genres. "Thriller, horror or psychology" would be nice. There he found it. He quickly skimmed through the collections shelf by shelf with excitement.


    "The Lady Killer by Yoshida Shuichi" Something interesting caught his eye. It was a famous psychological thriller novel in Japanese about the psyche of a mysterious and dangerous woman who committed crimes. However, the book was located on the upper shelf slightly beyond his reach. Shouichi tiptoed to reach for it to no avail. He felt a soft touch and was hit by the faint, sweet vanilla aroma. Before he knew it a girl was standing right behind him, she elegantly reached out and grabbed the book he was aiming for. Shouichi then realised she was way taller than him. "Hey, that''s kinda rude¡­" He thought to himself.


    "Hey! Lady! That is my book." Shouichi claimed it and pointed at the book in her hand.


    "?" The tall girl with long jet-black hair remained silent.


    When Shouichi finally got to see her face. She was a beautiful and elegant girl with a face resembling a fox. The girl dressed in quite a boyish manner with a large oversized tee and dark-colour jeans. Her violet-purple eyes enchantingly stared right back at him and screamed the word ''Innocence''.


    "At least, say something!?" Shouichi continued to press her.


    "Umm¡­ I''m not into shorty like you." She retaliated with a straight face. "What a rude girl with a cute face¡­ I wasn''t trying to be flirty, this girl just thought I was feeling her?... God damn it! I''m so pissed off right now¡­ "


    "Got nothing to say? Stop wasting my time then¡­ Oh! Perhaps *Short kings* (in a broken English pronunciation)." She was quick to add salt to the wounds. Shouichi snapped back from his malicious thoughts. He had never been so humiliated by a girl before. "She also made fun of my Japanese for sure¡­ there''s no way she''d intentionally say it in English¡­What kind of English was that? It''s so terrible¡­Man, I shouldn''t make fun of people with their language¡­ But she started it first!" There was an argument broke out in Shouichi''s head.


    "Sigh¡­" In the end, Shouichi let the pretty girl walk out with his supposed book.


    "What a great day!" He thought sarcastically as he saw her disappear.


    "Come to think of it, today was quite hot and humid too." Shouichi peeked at the time on his phone, it was almost noon. Time to visit his mother''s cafe, he figured it might have an air conditioning unit. Desserts and food would definitely soothe his pain.


    "I''m still growing¡­ What do you mean I''m *Short king*" He thought and imitated her pronunciation to vent his frustration.


    Shouichi arrived at Yoko''s store. To his surprise, it was the only cafe in town that he had seen. The cafe was plain in design with about 15 tables. It was spacious yet felt cosy at the same time. Some customers were hanging around to chat about their random topics. Yoko eventually noticed her son and put out a big gentle smile.


    "Welcome to Yoko Sweet Shop!" His mother playfully greeted him as if he was a customer. Shouichi felt somewhat disturbed and embarrassed.


    "Hi, Mom!" Shouichi replied and raised his left hand as a gesture to make her stop joking around.


    Shouichi took a seat in the quiet corner, close to the counter. He soon realised that his mom''s cafe was doing quite well but not overcrowded. That was to be expected from the only cafe in town. On top of that, he noticed there were no other workers behind the counter. "Could it be that she runs the cafe alone?... man, it must have been tough for Yoko-san." Shouichi sympathised with her. He quietly monitored his mom working from a distance. Shouichi saw a lovely and sweet lady who enjoyed serving customers with kindness. At the same time, her customers were also kind and respectful.


    "Perhaps this town isn''t so bad after all." He consoled himself.


    "Yoko-san! May I have another black coffee, please!" A similar voice was heard. Shouichi recognised it right away. It was that girl from the bookstore. She sat on the bean bag with one hand raised and the other hand holding a book, his book! She was so absorbed in her reading that she didn''t even notice he was sitting there the whole time. Shouichi just analysed that she was comfy enough around his Mom, she''d even call her by Yoko''s first name.


    "What a nerd!" Shouichi thought as he saw she was actually wearing rimless circular glasses. Yet, she didn''t wear it on their first encounter.


    "Got it! Ayane-chan. But I think you should NOT drink more than 3 cups of coffee a day. You could become addicted to this thing you know!" Yoko replied with a bit of a serious tone.


    "I know that. Just the last one, please. Sweet Yoko-san." The girl begged with her innocent eyes with a dark purple hue. Yoko eagerly complied and served her a hot black coffee, then she walked around for a bit before she beelined toward Shouichi''s table.


    "Mom! Who''s that girl?" Shouichi rushed to inquire while keeping his voice down as much as possible, his curiosity finally got the better of him.


    "Dear! Not you too." Yoko started to blush as she was going with the wrong idea.


    "Not like that, Mom! Keep your voice down! I was just curious since I ran into her earlier." Shouichi clarified, this time he spoke a bit louder.


    "That''s Morimura Ayane-chan. She''s been a regular here since she was a kid. I believe her cute presence is like the lucky cat who brings a lot of customers to my cafe¡­ Why did you ask? Don''t tell me¡­ Did you fall for her already?" Yoko spoke proudly as it was something to boast about.


    "Haaa?! Of course NOT!" Shouichi opposed the idea firmly.


    "Thanks, god. I wouldn''t want my Sweet Shou to get heartbroken this quickly. Although Ayane-san is a sweet young lady, I''ve seen her brutally reject a lot of boys in the past. I''ve even seen the whole thing happening in this cafe! It was such a dreadful sight¡­" Sweet Yoko added while also starting to nickname him ''Sweet Shou'' out of sudden.


    "For the brutal part, I''d believe you, Yoko-san." Shouichi agreed. "A wolf¡­ more like a fox in sheep''s clothing!" He thought.


    "My! You caught on quickly. That''s my smart boy. Must be nice to be young, and experience love, but love sometimes can be painful." Somehow Yoko turned this whole conversation into a ''Love'' lecture. "I wonder if she still got the wrong idea about this whole thing." Shouichi pondered.


    "Sigh¡­" Shouichi exhaled, frustrated.


    "Can''t I just have some peace?" He asked himself.


    "I''ll bring some food out for you in a bit, hang around for a while, okay?" Yoko asked softly while giggling, and then she walked behind the shop and disappeared.

 3 Incident

    Suddenly, A loud car horn could be heard followed by a bang! The source of the sound came from across the street. Shouichi quickly walked up to the nearest window to search for the source. As expected, it was an accident; the truck had crashed into an electric pole. Shouichi could easily see the entire scene from where he stood inside the store. A chubby truck driver came out of the car looking confused.


    "Is that an injured? Is he okay?" A female voice could be heard. Shouichi swiftly glanced at the girl who was peeking next to him. Apparently, Morimura Ayane still didn''t acknowledge his existence.


    "Someone doesn''t know about personal space¡­ Tsk!" He thought while following her line of sight. There was indeed an injured man lying on the ground not far from the crash site. It appeared one of his legs was broken and there was blood everywhere. "What a gory sight, it''s not something you''d see every day. It''s like in a movie." Shouichi thought and let out a quick grin out of thrill.


    "Weirdo¡­" The foxy Ayane-san finally recognised him and worse, called him out. She looked at him with disgust, frowned, and then continued to gaze out the window while adjusting her glasses. "There¡­ it couldn''t be worse timing¡­" Shouichi cried inside.


    The injured man got up and looked around in confusion. That''s when his empty eyes met Shouichi. The man let out a bloody smile which sent a chill down Shouichi''s spine.


    "Huh?" Shouichi was frightened and stumbled back. Simultaneously, Morimura was hiding behind his rear, grabbing onto his shirt tightly which obstructed him from reversing. "Damn it! This girl¡­ why would she block me?" His thoughts screamed in terror.


    The bloody man was struggling and limping toward where Shouichi stood while letting out an inaudible noise. Shouichi''s heart was pounding so fast but his body remained dazed in fear. "Eeeeeek!" Morimura let out a scream and held Shouichi tightly. The bloody man with a smile was so close that he reached out of his hands to touch the window, leaving a bloody handprint on the screen. "Is he crazy? Did he get hit by the head or something?" Shouichi''s thoughts ran wild and his heart raced.


    "Catch him! What are you doing!?" The adults gathered around and held the injured down to prevent him from further self-harm. That was when he started to vomit bloody liquid everywhere. True horror could be seen in Ayane''s eyes.


    Shortly after, the man calmed down and acted differently as if he were another person. A team of paramedics came to take him to a stretcher and secured him tightly before carrying him into an ambulance. Once they left the scene, everything was quiet, the pedestrians started returning to their daily lives.


    "Eek!..." Now one person was still clinging to Shouichi, and wouldn''t let go. He noticed a tear gathered under her charming purple eyes.


    "Would¡­ would you please let go of my shirt?" Shouichi spoke up in a much gentler tone than usual. "She''s scared to death¡­ At least I should pretend to be more considerate." He thought.


    "Uh! I''m so sorry!" Ayane finally snapped back to her true self. "Boy, she did lose the fence then¡­" Shouichi agreed in his head.


    "Oh my! Are you two alright? I miss the whole thing since I was focusing on cooking in the back. Is it a car crash or something?" Yoko''s voice could be heard. Ayane quickly ran and hugged Yoko-san and started to sob softly. Yoko-san responded by consoling her with a soft voice and a gentle pat on the girl''s back.


    "It was definitely something truly bizarre. Was the man trying to reach out to me or Morimura Ayane? It''s difficult to tell." Shouichi contemplated the whole ruckus.


    When the dust eventually settled, the terrified girl had calmed down to some extent. The three of them started to naturally chat again.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "So¡­You are a long lost son of Yoko? Really?..." Ayane asked with disbelief in her eyes. She looked at Yoko-san then back at Shouichi and then back to Yoko-san again where Yoko-san simply smiled and winked.


    "First of all¡­ Ain''t you too young to have a full-grown weirdo of a son?..." Ayane asked then paused to look at Shouichi carefully. "She''s back for real¡­ her mean facade was back again. " Shouichi commented in his mind.


    "...But when I really think about it¡­ he looks just like you, Yoko-san" She continued flatly.


    "The eyes and the hair, they match perfectly!" Ayane continued to rationalise her thinking.


    "No shit, Sherlock!" Shouichi responded in his head.


    "Even the faces. Yamamoto-kun''s face looked femininely pretty just like you, Yoko-san!" Ayane concluded as she reached out her hands to grab his face firmly in disbelief.


    "Hey¡­ No touching! And it''s Seito, not Yamamoto." Shouichi eventually spoke up with annoyance. In response, Ayane quickly retracted her hand while Yoko burst out giggling.


    "Say¡­ Did you come for a visit or something? You definitely don''t sound like a native." Ayane was curious.


    "Hahaha¡­ You are both right and wrong. See, Kurohashi is actually my hometown but I migrated to Australia with my dad and have lived there since." Shouichi explained, nonchalantly


    "What happened to that?" Ayane asked.


    "Well¡­ My Dad passed¡­ There was no one else to take care of me." Shouichi replied with a flat tone. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.


    "Sorry¡­ Did I hit a sore spot?" Ayane added and reached out her hand to pat Shouichi''s shoulder gently.


    "From now on, Mommy will take care of you, Shouichi-kun. Do not worry." Yoko cheered him up with a big smile. Her smile was so sweet, Shouichi couldn''t feel any happier.


    "On the bright side! Will you also start school at Seihei next week, right?" Ayane''s eyes lit up with a dark violet hue.


    "That''s right. What about you?" Shouichi responded.


    "Same! Sorry for the late intro. I''m Morimura Ayane from Class 2-1!" Ayane finally opened up with a big smile. "Damn¡­ When she''s nice, she''s so cute!" Shouichi blushed internally.


    "Oh dear! Isn''t that also your class?" Yoko asked with excitement in her voice. Shouichi nodded in response. At the same time, Ayane was surprised that they were roughly the same age.


    "Please take care of my son¡­ Ayane-chan." Yoko pleaded with a slight bow out of the blue.


    "Mom!" Shouichi quickly retorted.


    "Please don''t bow to me like that, Yoko-san¡­ I guess I''ll try my best¡­" Ayane responded with slight embarrassment. The cute foxy girl glanced into Shouichi''s eyes for a few seconds then looked away.


    "Sorry about your book, the Lady Killer, that book is such an intensive and interesting one. I''ll lend it to you when I''ve finished." Ayane confessed.


    "Now, she''s being nice to me because my Mom tells her." Shouichi reflected internally.


    The three of them continued chatting for a while inside the closed Yoko Sweet Shop. Shouichi felt a stronger bond forming with both ladies.


    ***


    When the sun began to set, Ayane bid them goodbye and left the store. Meanwhile, Shouichi was helping his mother, cleaning the store and stacking chairs on tables.


    "It''s so nice to have a strong man to help around the store. Fufufu." Yoko complimented her son and chuckled, cupping her lips endearingly.


    "No worry, Mom. " Shouichi responded.


    "Now, now. Rest here for a bit, I''m gonna get my stuff in the back." Yoko said and disappeared for a long time.


    While Shouichi was standing idly, checking his smartphones, ''Eh?!" Suddenly, Yoko''s arms reached out of both sides from the rear, startling him.


    "Tada!" Yoko exclaimed with excitement as she held out a measurement tape with a cunning grin.


    "Haha, did I startle you? Now stand still while I measure your size. Starting from the waist." Yoko added while wrapping a tape around her son gently before he could even reply.


    "Oh! I remember what you said about the uniform this morning." Shouichi said with slight embarrassment in his voice as he was taken aback a little. Yoko was standing strangely close, he could feel her body pressed against him while she was working on her precise evaluation of his physique.


    "Yoko-san really has no concept of personal boundaries. But who could blame her? To her, she probably thought I was still a 5-year-old." He thought to himself.


    It took Yoko a few tries to read out the measurements required for the uniform.


    "Woah! I didn''t realise you are a fit young man. Fufufu," She giggled as she intrusively rubbed his refined abdominal muscles.


    "Mom! Stop it! It''s tickling! Haha!" Shouichi responded with a yelp and let out a soft laugh.


    "Say¡­ Back in Australia, did you play sports or something?" Yoko questioned him curiously.


    "Oh right. I was in a footy club, umm, like rugby?" He explained while blushing slightly.


    "I see, I see. That explains why you''re so energetic and athletic, Shouichi-kun," Yoko remarked with a gentle smile. Soon after, the mother and son filled the store with joyous chatter and laughter, making up for the moments they had lost during their time apart.

 4 School Day

    One week of happiness flew by quickly. Today marked a new start to Shouichi''s high school debut in Kurohashi, Japan. The pretty boy woke up earlier than usual. He started by preparing a tuna sandwich for his lunch and then two omelettes over rice (omurice) for breakfast. One for his sleepy head of a mother and one for himself. The young man was already dressed up in a Seihei uniform with a wrist sweatband on his left hand, which he used to cover up a distinct scar.


    "Gooood morning! Shouichi-kun." Yoko came down from upstairs rubbing her eyes. She let out a yawn and covered her mouth as she headed toward the kitchen table. The lady of the house wore a white gown-like pyjama and her black hair appeared to be a bit messy.


    "Hi! Good morning, Yoko-san! Are you ready for breakfast? Please take a seat." Shouichi pointed to the dining table.


    "Huh?... Wow! Did you make me breakfast?... Thank you so much, my sweet Shou." Yoko spoke with appreciation and excitement. It did seem like she was fully awake now. Shouichi eagerly put two dishes on the table.


    "Thanks for the meal, I''m digging in now!" Yoko-san said aloud. "That''s a cute thing, Japanese people do." Shouichi smiled and thought.


    "Ah, my! Delicious! Shou-kun, you are a Masterchef!" Yoko-san took a bite and complimented him without chewing.


    "I''m happy you love it, Yoko-san." He was flattered.


    "My dear, you shouldn''t prepare a meal for me, every day. I should be the one taking care of you, you know?" Yoko added in a serious tone then smiled gently.


    "Hahaha, I was just early today and got nothing better to do. Don''t worry about it, Mom. I won''t be taking your job." He replied lightheartedly.


    After a while, they finished their meal and Shouichi was ready to leave for school.


    "See you, Yoko-san. I''ll be off now." He announced before closing the front door.


    Shouichi noticed a dark jet-black head popping out from the fence. He immediately figured out that it was "Morimura Ayane-san!" He greeted her while opening a mandoor.


    The gorgeous young lady, dressed in a high school uniform, a black blazer jacket, and a purple bow, appeared overly feminine which added beauty and overwhelming cuteness to her character. Shouichi subconsciously compared this diva to a foxy girl in a boyish costume he met last week.


    "Weirdo!..." Ayane blushed a little when Shouichi appeared dazed by her radiant beauty.


    "Say something, would you?" She continued to press with a shy smile.


    "Ah! My bad, my bad, I was just thinking you look so, um, lady-like today. Haha." Shouichi clarified and laughed it off.


    "Umm, why are you at my house today, Morimura-san?" Shouichi asked her out of curiosity.


    "This!" Ayane said, pulling out a book from her bag and handing it to him.


    "The Lady killer! You finished it already?" Shouichi asked with a surprised expression. She nodded in participation.


    "Thanks, Morimura-san." He said as he received the book with care.


    "Just call me by my first name, um, Ayane is fine¡­ Let me know what you think when you finish, okay?" Ayane added and glanced away. It looked like she wanted to say something else so Shouichi waited patiently.


    "Umm¡­ I apologised for our first encounter. I didn''t intend to call you a shorty or anything¡­" Ayane spoke up and bowed slightly with grace, her face remained cold as ice.


    "Hey! I already forgot about all that, Haha. Ayane-chan, it''s alright, it''s alright." Shouichi forgave her immediately. Ayane initially seemed ice-cold toward strangers, but once you got to know her, she revealed herself to be a kind and considerate person.


    "Now that I say my piece, don''t get the wrong idea. I''m not asking you to walk to school with me or anything." Ayane started to yap about something but meant something else. Shouichi figured she often did that when she felt either uncomfortable, flattered or embarrassed.


    "Wait? Wait? Wait? I wasn''t gonna do that." Shouichi retaliated.


    "Then see you! Shou-i-chi-kun" Ayane said out loud almost like a shout and dashed away. "Did I piss her off somehow? I truly don''t understand women." Shouichi contemplated disorientedly, nudging his temple with his thumb.


    The morning air was refreshing and chilly. Shouichi walked along a clean narrow street, then into the main road. The traffic was as lively as ever during peak hours like this. The closer he got to the school, the louder and busier the street became.


    "The school must have been close by. There are a lot of students here despite being a small town." Shouichi remarked internally. He saw the excitement in the crowd as friends and lovers were eagerly chatting over frivolous topics. As he walked through the school gates and onto the campus, he quickly noticed a large crowd gathered around the announcement boards.


    "That''s prolly the class list. Thank goodness, I''ve already known my class number from the invitation letter." Shouichi walked past the school board and went upstairs to his class. The hanging sign above his head read "Class 2-1". This must be it. Shouichi opened a door.


    "Eh?" He pulled and then pushed. Nothing happened.


    "Slide it¡­ bro¡­ like this." A male voice reverberated from behind. The young man then showed him how to open this type of door while amicably grinning at him. Shouichi eventually got a clear look at the boy.


    A tall, handsome student stood there with a smug expression on his sharp features. His messy silver hair perfectly complemented his slender frame, accentuating his striking appearance, "This guy is absolutely dazzling!" Shouichi thought to himself.


    "Yo! I''m Aoyama Shinji!" The tall young man introduced himself gleefully, pointing at himself with his thumb. His lavender-purple eyes strikingly gazed at Shouichi with anticipation.


    "Hi! I''m Destirling Shouichi." Shouichi responded with his introduction.


    "Des-tir-lingu?" Shinji tried to pronounce the name with a bit of difficulty.


    "Oh, just call me ''Seito Shouichi''." Shouichi corrected himself. Destirling was his Australian name but his family name was initially Seito while on the other hand, Yoko changed her family name back to Yamamoto after the divorce.


    "Umm¡­ Are you not Japanese? I thought you were. Sorry, sorry!" Shinji''s eyes lit up with enthusiasm as if he never met anyone from the outside world before.


    "That''s aight (alright). I''m Japanese but I''m from Australia." Shouichi explained matter-of-factly.


    "Ohh! I got it now! A cool international boy!" Shinji exclaimed and gestured a pistol hand sign at him. The cheerful tall teenager definitely had his charm in abundance. They walked inside the classroom together. There were a few people already there. A thin, short boy and a chubby girl waved at them eagerly before returning to their conversation.


    "Have a seat next to mine, it''s empty for now," Shinji instructed, pointing at where his desk was. It was located in the middle column and last row. Shouichi put his bag on the desk and sat down obediently. They chatted for a bit over trivial stuff to pass the time. Shinji was nice, smart, and funny. On top of that, his height might be over 190 centimetres with an athletic physique. To complete his perfect character, let''s throw a nice, short messy haircut with a silver hue into the mix. Despite Shinji''s perfection and the short conversation they had, Shouichi felt like they were bonded already.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    After a while, the classroom began to fill with students. Shouichi noticed Morimura Ayane entering through the back door. Her beautiful presence seemed to brighten the atmosphere.


    "He~ya! Morimura-chan, how was your school break?" Shinji waved at her with anticipation. Simultaneously, Shouichi also smiled at her.


    "Tsk!" Ayane clicked her thought, side-eye-ing at them in disgust. Then she ignored them completely like they didn''t exist. Shortly after, Ayane headed to her desk next to the window and sat down. "Heheh, that''s just Ayane''s usual facade. I nearly forgot she was like that when we first met. " Shouichi noted internally.


    "Ahem! Good Morning! Students of Class 2-1." The thin short man in his 30s stood in front of the class, signalling the students to quiet down.


    "I''m Edon Takeshi, your class homeroom teacher. I''ll be taking care of you all throughout this academic year. Feel free to come to me if you run into a problem, alright?" Takeshi-sensei announced with a deep-yet-clear tone.


    "Most of you guys might already have been in my class before, welcome back. For those who just joined my class. Please raise your hands." The teacher inquired as he lifted his right hand. Shouichi looked around hesitantly, no one seemed to raise their hands.


    "Umm¡­" The cute girl with round glasses put her hand up timidly, she was sitting in the 2nd row from the front. The girl had brown bop hair with full-air bangs. Reflexively, Shouichi followed, raising his hand.


    "The two of you, come out to the front, please. We''ll introduce you to the class." The teacher said promptly. He handed out black markers to the bop girl and Shouichi. They instinctively wrote their names on the whiteboard. "Destirling(Seito) Shouichi" and "Tomako Momo".


    "Male student, you go first. " Takeshi-sensei commanded.


    "Hi everyone! I''m Destirling Shouichi, but Seito Shouichi works too. I''m a transfer student from Australia. Nice to meet you all!" Shouichi introduced formally and bowed slightly. Suddenly the class filled with chatters. Shouichi figured it''s indeed not common to have an overseas transfer student here.


    "Quiet now!" The thin teacher yelled. The babbling toned down almost instantly.


    "Your turn, Tomako-chan," Takeshi-sensei added in a much gentler voice.


    "Ha..hi! I''m¡­I''m Tomako Momo. I''m a transfer from class 1-2. Plea-Please, be friends. I mean, Let''s be friends." Momo girl was stuttering terribly. Shouichi noticed she was also heavily sweating. The petite girl bowed her head as low as possible.


    Tomako Momo was a delicate girl with a petite physique. Her shy and gentle demeanour had a natural charm that could easily captivate people. Shouichi noticed that her lovely, large eyes carried a subtle orange hue beneath the round glasses she wore.


    "Ummm¡­" Shouichi could see her white semi-translucent undershirt hanging down by gravity. It exposed her fair, dewy skin, he couldn''t help but swallow a big gulp of saliva to mend his nerves. Momo caught his stare and looked at him ponderingly. Shortly after, she raised her head and fixed her glass, acting like nothing happened. Shouichi immediately averted his entire head, blushing.


    "That was unintentional. Damn my eyes!" Shouichi cursed to himself.


    The teacher signalled them to get back to their seats and the first session began shortly after.


    Before Shouichi realised it was already noon. The bell alarm went off and the chatter was getting louder almost instantaneously. Unexpectedly, the classmates gathered around his desk with anticipation.


    "How was it like to live in Australia?"


    "I''m so jealous!"


    "My mom took me to Sydney when I was 6¡­ I wanted to go back ever since."


    Shouichi was bombarded with questions from his classmates. After a while, the interest sort of died down, and people were getting back to their desks to have lunch.


    "Hey!" Ayane whispered as she tapped Shouichi''s shoulder, signalling him to follow her outside. Her expression was cold and distanced, unlike this morning when they met in front of his house. Shouichi glanced at Shinji with puzzlement. The handsome boy waved him off. In response, Shouichi nodded, grabbed his lunchbox, and followed Ayane out of the classroom.


    Ayane and Shouichi walked in a pair. He couldn''t help but notice prying eyes filled with jealousy as though he had committed such a hideous crime on his first day, "Well, she must have been popular like Yoko-san claimed." He noted.


    They walked upstairs to the rooftop of the building. The sign clearly stated "Access Restriction - Authorised personnel only."


    "Umm¡­ Ayane-chan, are we really allowed to go up there?" Shouichi hesitated.


    "Of course! We are." Ayane spoke up excitedly as she pulled out a key, and unlocked the door.


    The rooftop was peaceful and quiet with a great view of the small town. At first glance, it appeared empty and clean, with a high metal fence surrounding the edges. A soft, gentle breeze blew past the two students, creating a cool and refreshing atmosphere. They decided to sit on the floor under a shade; Ayane sat so close to Shouichi that her shoulder gently brushed against his.


    "I just hate the crowd. You owe me a favour now ''cause I help getting you out of those pests." Ayane claimed while pointing her finger at him. Shouichi realised that this was the first time he saw her smile since morning. "I wonder why she would act cold in the class¡­ I guess she''s just a weird nerd who is socially awkward."


    "Ouch! That hurts. What was that for?!" Shouichi yelped as he suddenly got pinched on his upper arm.


    "I''ve seen what you did in front of the class. Try to be slick, ain''t you, Mr. Pervert?" Ayane interrogated him, her brows furrowed into a frown, Shouichi wasn''t sure how serious she''d make it to be.


    "I''m soooorry. It''s never intended, my eyes slipped." He made an excuse, pleading for her forgiveness.


    "I''ve already agreed with Yoko-san to look after you at school. But you made yourself a pervert on your first introduction¡­ My, my¡­ The eyes are up here, perv!" Ayane scolded him while gesturing by pointing two fingers to her dazzling purple eyes.


    "Got it! My boss lady! I''ll do better next time!" He pleaded formally. Ayane was feeling so satisfied that she started to beam again. She must love to boss him around.


    "Thanks for bringing me out. To be honest with you, it''s quite overwhelming for me today¡­" Shouichi opened up to her while simultaneously chowing on his tuna sandwich.


    "This place is so peaceful. I hope my life can be at peace like this forever. You really did me a solid. Haha." Shouichi continued and smiled at her foxy face.


    "Don''t mention it¡­ Also, your lunch sucks. That''s definitely not Yoko''s cooking, right?" Ayane commented with a condescending tone, pointing at his poor man''s sandwich. "That''s Ayane for you¡­ she''s as harsh as ever." He remarked in his mind.


    "Haha, I tried to pack my own today. " Shouichi confessed, keeping a happy face.


    "Here! Say aaaaahhhh." Ayane said out of the blue. Unexpectedly, Ayane fed him one of her egg rolls with her chopsticks.


    "Is~is that an indirect kiss?" Shouichi thought to himself, his cheeks reddening slightly at the idea. Still, he complied. The taste was delightful, a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness.


    For the rest of the afternoon, the couple stayed at Ayane''s secret spot, their laughter echoing through the air, brimming with joy and bliss.

 5 The Evening Stroll

    The loud, resonance chime of the school bell echoed through classrooms. It dictated an ending of the first day''s lectures. The murmuring began as students were excited to leave the tedious lessons and move on to their leisure lives. Some might hang around to talk with their friends. Some might dash off to their homes. Shouichi in this case was the centre of the attention once more. It seemed like enthusiasm for the new international classmate had returned.


    "Why don''t we hang out after, Seito-kun?" The charming seat neighbour, Shinji, proposed an idea out of the blue.


    "Hmm¡­ I actually didn''t have anything planned for this afternoon, what are you feeling?" Shouichi replied with a slightly surprised look on his face.


    "I dunno, I haven''t thought that far. " Shinji replied, his voice trailing off almost like a whisper.


    "Hahaha¡­ That''s alright¡­ I wanna check out the shopping district a bit more, it sucks to go alone you know?" Shouichi suggested with a smile.


    "Didn''t you mention that your Mom owned a shop there as well?" Shinji probed.


    "That''s correct! We can go visit Yoko-san''s cafe afterwards." Shouichi replied and then nodded twice.


    "It''s settled then. Let''s roll, bro!" Shinji excitedly concluded with a handclap then he spotted Morimura Ayane heading toward the exit. As usual, she gave them a quick side-eye with an expressionless face.


    "Morimura-chan¡­ Ain''t you interested in joining us this wholesome afternoon? Haha¡­ You don''t mind that right? Shouichi-kun." Shinji tried to persuade the impossible while nudging Shouichi with his elbow.


    "No. I don''t mind at all." Shouichi confirmed.


    "..." Ignored by Ayane again. Shinji put one of his palms on his forehead, lifting part of his silver bangs up in disappointment. He sighed to let out his frustration before swiftly reversing to his cheerful self.


    Shinji and Shouichi walked across the school grounds and headed toward the front gate. A tall, handsome boy complimenting his unique silver hair and a gorgeous boy with dazzling brown eyes, this duo easily stood out among the moving crowd.


    "Wow!¡­ look at those two, he''s so tall and handsome, and the other guy is so cute like a puppy."


    "Yeah. the tall one is Aoyama Shinji. I went to middle school with him. But I dunno about the short one, though."


    "Aoyama Shinji is so handsome and elegant. His hair is so cool and fluffy. He must have used an expensive hair conditioner. Maybe I''ll ask him when there''s a chance."


    "Fat chance, he''s mine! *Giggle*"


    "I heard that black-haired boy was from Australia. I''m sooo jealous, I wish he was in my class."


    "Damn, bro. Those two stole all the spotlight on the first day. Screw ''em!"


    There was plenty of gossip and curious glances from the adolescents around them. It made Shouichi feel quite nervous, but Shinji seemed completely unfazed.


    "Look, look! Our ride is here!" Shinji pointed out at the black luxurious sedan parking on the sidewalk beside the school gate.


    "Why didn''t you tell me your parents came to pick you up? I thought we''d walk there." Shouichi asked curiously.


    "Haha, of course not. This is my driver, Murakami Tori-san," Shinji introduced. The tall, thin man dressed neatly in a suit stepped out of the vehicle to greet them. His thick, circular glasses perched on his slightly hooked nose. His bang was pull-back neatly giving off a stern and professional look.


    "Wooooow, you got your own driver?!" Shouichi exclaimed. "...And I thought he was funny, tall, smart, and handsome. He''s also rich. What a perfect guy." Shouichi pondered.


    "Young master, please let me help with your belongings." Murakami slowly held out his hands.


    "Nah, it''s alright. I''ll carry it with me ''cause my friend here, Seito Shouichi will come along too."


    "Understood, master. It''s my pleasure to meet you, Master Seito." Murakami nodded calmly and put out a friendly smile at the short boy.


    "Please just call me Seito or Shouichi, haha. Nice to meet you too. Murakami-san." Shouichi responded with a nod, exchanging a smile with the driver.


    Shinji rushed to open the car''s door and get in before Tori could do it for him, Shouichi instinctively followed suit.


    "Good afternoon, Lady Ayane! How was school?" A loud female voice suddenly resonated from just behind Murakami''s vehicle. Shouichi noticed Ayane talking to a lady in front of a black European-brand SUV. It seemed like someone was also picking her up. "Man, it''s like I''m the only broke boy around here." He thought in sorrow.


    "Nothing much¡­ your lunchbox was soooooo good even my friend loved it!" Ayane cheerfully talked to her, raising her voice. Simultaneously, she was looking at Shouichi and smiled before she got in her car.


    "Well! I''m flattered, Lady Ayane. Did you just say your friend loves ''em? As in like friend-friend? You made a friend today!? That''s so gooooood! I''m so happy." The female driver joyfully continued to subsequent Q&As with her young master, they were both enjoying themselves.


    "Master Aoyama, would you like to go home now?" Murakami Tori asked politely when they finished buckling up.


    "Can you take us to the Hoshimashi shopping district? We''ll hang out there for a bit." Shinji replied with excitement, then he briefly exchanged a grin with Shouichi.


    "Understood, young master Aoyama." Tori nodded in acknowledgment.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Hey¡­ Please don''t embarrass me in front of my new friend, I''ve told you to just call me Shinji." Shinji argued.


    "Understood, Master Shinji," Tori replied calmly, unbothered which made Shinji give up.


    Their ride was smooth and comfortable, this was due to the masterful way of Murakami Tori''s driving skills. Shouichi noticed Shinji was scrolling through social media with his smartphone.


    "Look, look! Shouichi, you know the CCK?!" Shinji urged him to watch as he showed Shouichi a short video clip of the idol groups dancing and singing gleefully. There were 4 members and some backup dancers on the colourfully decorated stage.


    "No, I don''t know¡­ Ohhhh! That''s a girl group idol. Which one is your Oshi?" Shouichi responded attentively. Those girls were extremely gorgeous and cute in those videos.


    "Glad you asked, bro!" Shinji pulled back his smartphone and started vigorously fidgeting.


    "This one! She''s the cutest!" Shinji flipped the screen around. It''s a picture of him with an idol gesturing a duo heart sign on some of those exclusive meet-up events.


    "Huh?! Isn''t that Ayane-chan?!" Shouichi exclaimed with both astonishment and shock.


    "Hahaha! No bro! Look closely¡­ This is Sahara Yukiko." Shinji laughed and pointed out.


    When Shouichi inspected the photo closely, he could finally distinguish between them. Ayane didn''t have a mole beneath her lower lip on the left side, and Yukiko appeared to be shorter. However, at a quick glance, they were nearly impossible to tell apart.


    "Girls with make-up bro, they all look the same," Shinji concluded with a grin, then both Shinji and Shouichi giggled in unison.


    "Master Shinji and Master Seito, we have reached our destination." Tori made a statement shortly after they stopped giggling.


    The duo stepped out of the vehicle and headed to the Hoshimashi mainstreet. The place was crowded with students and office workers either looking for their dining places or shopping. After walking around leisurely for 15 minutes, browsing various shops, Shinji stopped in front of a bubble milk tea shop.


    The shop was just a small stand with no tables, adorned in a cute, girly theme. Many customers were already queuing up when they arrived, and a young female cashier, dressed in a B&W maid costume that perfectly complemented the shop''s charm, attended to them.


    "I''ll get some boba green tea, you want sum?" Shinji asked Shouichi with a spark in his radiant purple eyes.


    "No, I''m good, you go ahead." Shouichi refused. He had one too many sweets for the past week, helping Yoko around the store.


    After a while, the duo eventually reached the front of their queue.


    "Welcome, Master! How may I be of service to you today¡­ Shinji-kun?!" The maid cashier greeted him enthusiastically, but her expression froze in surprise when she recognised who it was.


    "Yo! Momo-chan!" Shinji greeted while lifting his hand up, wearing a big smug on his face. "Wait¡­ Momo? Tomako Momo? Is she the new girl in our class?" Shouichi asked repeatedly, confused by the stark differences between the two. The cute maid had long blonde hair with curly tips and a small mole beneath her right eye. She also appeared taller than Tomako Momo. The most obvious difference, however, was that Tomako Momo had a super timid personality.


    "... It''s a bit embarrassing to see me like this," Momo said with a red plum face. Now that she looked like a completely difference person, she became a charismatic young girl.


    A flash of her snowy skin and the white undershirt she wore this morning appeared before Shouichi''s eyes. His perverted thoughts began to creep in, spiralling him into a dream-like state.


    "Huh?! Huh?!... What?" Shouichi finally regained his consciousness after getting nudged by Shinji.


    "Bro! Stop dosing off. She asked if you need anythin''?" Shinji raised his voice a bit louder. It appeared that he had already ordered and gotten his bubble drink. "Damn! How long have I zoned out? That''s so embarrassing." Shouichi asked himself.


    "Oh! N~No, I''m okay." Shouichi replied while looking at her big feline eyes, her orange eyes were breathtakingly beautiful and transformed to a stunning golden hue when hit by the afternoon sun.


    "Thank you for visiting, Maid & Tea Bliss¡­ Next customers, please." Momo carried on with her duty as the duo walked out and continued to stroll aimlessly.


    "You alright, Shouichi? You''ve got questions written all over your face." Shinji spoke up after he finished devouring his green tea, he definitely didn''t chew.


    "I''m still surprised by Tomako-chan. When I met her this morning, she seemed like the shy type, right?" Shouichi said, expressing his confusion.


    "Yeah, I would be too. But I have known her since middle school. Momo-chan is essentially a shy girl but when she works, she''ll be able to crank up some confidence. I''d admire her for that." Shinji responded, nonchalantly.


    "Oh! I didn''t know that. She was sitting in the front and never talked to you once in the class." Shouichi continued.


    "Hahaha right? What an awkward girl. She''s kinda¡­ cute, though. If you are so ken¡­" Shinji asked with a sly smug on his face.


    "I totally agree that she''s indeed cute and gorgeous in her maid uniform. But it''s nothing like that, hahaha. " Shouichi dismissed him. Shinji threw his empty cup like a basketball and it projectiled into the middle of the trashcan.


    "Perfect Goal!" Shinji celebrated.


    "Girls and their makeup, bro. I told you. Believe me now?" Shinji turned to make a cool remark to Shouichi. They both giggled and then burst out into laughter.


    An hour flew by and the sun began to set behind the mountain, casting a large shadow over the town. The duo ended up walking through a familiar street. It reminded Shouichi of his first day in this town. It''s the same spot where he met with a drunk salaryman in a suit.


    "A funny story time." Shouichi struck up a conversation and cleared his throat.


    "What?" His tall friend asked and listened attentively.


    "Last week, when I arrived on this spot in a taxi. I met a drunk man in a suit, begging for water. He used his head to tap the car''s window. Bang bang like this." Shouichi spoke nonchalantly and recreated the gesture from his memory.


    "What happened then?" Shinji dropped his usual smile and asked.


    "Well, I was so shocked. I basically threw a bottle of water out the window, haha. Then he chucked the whole bottle in one go, and he puked right there afterwards." Shouichi continued and pointed at where the man vomited.


    "Wow! That''s quite terrifying actually. I''ve been here since birth, I legit have never seen a drunk person before." Shinji responded, serious in his expression.


    "Really?" Shouichi spoke in disbelief. "Wait¡­ realisation hit him, there''s no liquor store anywhere in the shopping district. That''s something truly bizarre about Kurohashi." Shouichi observed and noted internally.


    "Look at this fat cat! Haha, why is it bald?" Shinji exclaimed, holding up the chubby cat and patting its bald head. They both giggled at the shaved-head kitten. "Another weird thing I''ve seen in this town," Shouichi thought to himself. Shinji had such a short attention span that he could barely sit through any story longer than five sentences.


    The dazzling duo eventually showed up in front of Yoko Sweet Shop. Naturally, Shouichi pushed the front door open while casually talking to Shinji.


    "Eek!" Shouichi bumped into Ayane causing her to fall flat on her bum. He was so immersed in the conversation with Shinji that he didn''t see the girl coming.


    "Oh, No! Now I''m getting her mad again." Shouichi subconsciously expected a reprimand from her.


    "Ouch!... Are you not gonna help me up?" Ayane let out a soft, painful cry and reached out with her hands.


    "Sorry! I''ll help." Shouichi promptly pulled her arms up. He realised that her slender arms were soft, warm and immaculate. Because Ayne often acted cold and independent when they were around, Shouichi did not expect her to ask for help, especially in front of Shinji.


    "Thank you¡­" She muttered, her face was slightly red. She glanced at Shouichi with her cute, big eyes, they stood so close to each other that Shouichi could smell a faint, sweet vanilla fragrance from her.


    "Your book, Morimura-chan." At the same time, Shinji picked up her book from the floor and handed it to her. His words prompted Shouichi to let go of her arms. It seemed Ayane was so absorbed in her novel when she bumped into Shouichi. So no one was at fault.


    "Oh! Thanks." Ayane replied softly.


    "I''ve got to go now. See you." The beautiful girl bid them farewell before gracefully walking out of the store. Shinji and Shouichi exchanged an awkward glance. They continued to hang out at Yoko''s store until Murakami arrived to pick Shouichi up and take him home safely.

 6 The Club Activity

    "JOIN THE CLUB!" The big message was announced by the main school board. Featuring multiple club descriptions and introductions of their representatives. The keen students gathered around the board filling the school''s atmosphere with exciting chatters. Shouichi was also interested in this clubbing, he did have a fair share of it during his time aboard.


    "Yo! Shouichi-kun!" The light tap on his shoulder was followed by a greeting. His unmistakably silver hair made Shouichi recognise him right away. It was Aoyama Shinji, his best mate.


    "Good morning, Shinji!" He greeted back.


    "Any interesting club in mind?" Shinji put his arms around Shouichi''s shoulder. Despite the sporty look, he surprisingly smelled sophisticated and distinctive with a hint of spice and cinnamon. It might be one of those men''s expensive colognes.


    "Yeah¡­I was thinking of joining something similar to my old club¡­"


    "Which sport did you play over there?" Shinji asked, his height towering over Shouichi.


    "It''s Australian rules football¡­ um¡­ it''s similar to rugby but goaling is different." Shouichi eagerly explained.


    "Ohh! There''s none of that here. What a bummer." Shinji swept his eyes around, replied and put his hands on the back of his head.


    "Why don''t you join the rugby club then? I know the captain, Ito Toru-san. A great man with an undying spirit."


    "I''ll think about that. I might join that one." Shouichi hesitated.


    "Ummm¡­ Aoyama-senpai¡­ Could I ask you to join my club?" A tall, slightly chubby girl politely approached Shinji. Standing next to both of them made Shouichi look like a child.


    "And who are you?" Shinji asked nonchalantly.


    "Sorry! I forgot, um, I''m Ito Emi from Class 1-1. I''m the candidate manager of the rugby club. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Emi introduced herself as she bent her waist to bow as low as possible to signify politeness and respect toward the seniors. Her hands were clasped together in front of her, fingers intertwined in a gesture of humility. Her brown eyes matched her brown hair, her ponytail fell gracefully. Shouichi couldn''t help but notice her huge dynamites aka chuckas hanging down with gravity. He pretended to avert his eyes away. "Not a good time to be a perv." He recalled Ayane''s words of wisdom the other day.


    "Ohhhh! It''s Ito Junior. Toru''s sister. Did he put you up for this?... C''on, you can tell me the truth." Shinji persuaded her with a charming smile.


    "Your assumption is correct, senpai. He said if I could convince you to join our club, I''d be promoted to a real manager." She responded truthfully. As it turned out, Ito Emi, the tall thick girl was Ito Toru''s real sister.


    Suddenly, Shinji put his arms around her shoulders playfully and softly tapped her prominent nose with his finger. The girl didn''t object to him at all and remained fairly submissive. Toru''s sister was slightly shorter than Shinji but they appeared to be a good match, at least height-wise. "Shinji does have that charisma in him where he could captivate any girl with ease," Shouichi observed.


    "I''d have to decline. Ito Junior." Shinji replied nonchalantly and walked off.


    "Please, senpai! I''d do anything." Emi insisted as pulled up her supposed trump card., her adorable canine glinted every time, she opened her mouth.


    "Anything?... Like Anything anything?" That sentence intrigued Shinji enough. He turned back to her. Emi nodded with innocent puppy eyes. Shouichi as a third wheel started to get a second-hand embarrassment from his friend.


    Shinji claimed he was inexperienced with the girls, zero girlfriends, and zero exes. It seemed contradictory to what was happening at the moment.


    "Will you be my girlfriend then?" Shinji asked clearly with a sudden, serious expression.


    "What the flip?!" Shouichi exclaimed, and thought, "One does not simply ask someone you just met to be your girlfriend." The crowd erupted in whispers and gasps. Emi''s face immediately turned a deep shade of red as she stood there, momentarily stunned. But then, she''s determined to respond.


    "Well¡­ I¡­ Um¡­ " Emi was lost for words but she quickly gathered herself. She''s back with her unwavering will.


    "Hahaha! I''m just kidding. Sorry sorry. Did I scare you there?" Shinji burst out laughing and the crowd''s babbling continued in the background.


    "Senpai! Would you please stop joking around? People are going to get the wrong idea!" Emi was slightly annoyed. "Man¡­ I wonder if Ito-chan was gonna say ''yes'' there. It''s indeed a hot bargain." Shouichi imagined.


    "For real this time. I''ll join if and¡­ only if Shouichi here joins. " Shinji proposed and pointed at Shouichi.


    "Eh? Why me?" Shouichi asked. Then Emi instantly directed her attention toward Shouichi. Her huge chest was staring at his face, he couldn''t look any else so he had to look up.


    "Is there something in the sky, senpai?" Emi asked with a question mark on her face.


    "I''ll be lonely, of course!" Shinji simply interrupted them.


    "You are Seito Shouichi-senpai, right? My pleasure to make your acquaintance." Emi inquired politely. Shouichi was a bit surprised that she knew his name already.


    "Pleased to be your acquaintance, Emi-chan. I''m still thinking about it. Is it alright if I hold you on to that for now? I''ll need to sleep on it for a bit." Shouichi reasoned with a gentle tone.


    "That''s understandable. Please let me know once you have reached your decision. However, I''d not accept any refusal from Aoyama-senpai, I''ll do anything to get him on the team." Emi stood her ground. Shouichi was baffled by her persistence.


    "Undying spirit like her brother. " Shinji whispered to Shouichi after the girl left. He was always so proud of his smartass remarks.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    A moment later, the school bell chimed, followed by the announcement of the Journalism and Broadcasting Club.


    "Good Morning, Seihei student! The homeroom will start in 15 minutes. Today''s weather is sunshine with an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. What a fantastic day to start the lecture. This is Wanabe Ririku speaking as the Journalism and Broadcasting Club''s representative. I welcome you all to Seihei and please enjoy the youthful life while you are here. The front mainboard has been updated with a "Join the club" event, there are various interesting clubs to select from¡­ " The female announcer spoke with a clear and cheerful voice. She was as professional as an anchor that you would see on the news.


    The duo arrived at the class on time. But unexpectedly, it was Ayane who greeted and waved at them first. Her ice-cold demeanour had inexplicably softened.


    "Good morning, Ayane-chan." "Good morning! Morimura-chan." Shouichi and Shinji greeted her with a smile respectively.


    "By the way, I''ve seen you guys were approached by Emi-chan. You guys gonna join her club?" She asked, nonchalantly.


    "We still think about it, what about you?" Shouichi responded flatly and grabbed Shinji''s shoulder, he nodded accordingly.


    "Yeah, I''m joining the going-home club." She answered gleefully, they giggled and laughed. It seemed like three of them started to get along better.


    After the class finished, Ayane, Shinji, and Shouichi decided to visit Yoko Sweet Shop.


    "Welcome back! Oh, My! you three are together today, Yoko couldn''t be happier!" Yoko greeted them as they entered the cafe. It was Tuesday evening when there weren''t a lot of customers since it was still early into the week. As a result, Yoko''s cafe would be closed early at 4.00 PM every Tuesday.


    "Good evening, Yoko-san" "Hey! Mom." "Good evening, Yamamoto-san." The trio greeted back in unison. They took the table in the corner, which was supposed to be more private.


    After the last customers left. Yoko headed toward their table with a gentle smile. She tied her long silky black hair up in a single ponytail with a curly tip. Yoko appeared as elegant and captivating as ever.


    "What can I get you, guys?" Her cinnamon-brown eyes lit up as she spoke. With Yoko''s natural beauty and light makeup, she seemed way younger than her actual age, one could easily mistake her for one of those high schoolers or college students.


    "Ice coffee, please!" Ayane replied while lifting her index finger. Yoko nodded and looked at the striking duo.


    "Green tea for us, please," Shinji answered politely.


    Ayane and Shouichi started reading novels and exchanged each other''s ideas and thoughts while Shinji was playing some mobile game on his smartphone. After some time, those two left and Shouichi remained with his mom at the cafe.


    "Phew! Closing the cafe was quite tough. I still don''t know how you have been managing all these years, Yoko-san." Shouichi praised her after he just finished stacking all the chairs and mobbed the floor clean.


    "You are helping me lots, Shou-kun. I can do this forever with you." Yoko spoke as she appeared from the back of the store. She grabbed his hands and gently rubbed them with a cold towel, leaving Shouichi puzzled.


    "Feel better? Is it too cold?" Yoko spoke with a soft tone, almost like a whisper. Her face was a light shade of red. The boy just nodded submissively.


    "Mom¡­ It''s fine now I can do the rest myself." Shouichi eventually objected, he couldn''t hide his embarrassment.


    "Just a bit more." Yoko insisted gently and used a cold towel to tap slightly on his cheeks. She was overly close to him and he could feel her warmth.


    "All done. Good boy." Yoko patted his head lightly. His graphite hair two-block cut started to get a bit longer, and the tips of his bangs slightly were underneath his brows.


    In a spur of the moment, Yoko pulled him close and hugged him tightly. Shouichi was hit by the sweet aroma of her elderflower fragrance.


    "After all these years, your father took you away from me¡­ Please don''t leave me ever again, Shou-kun. I don''t wanna be alone¡­ Could you promise me that? " Yoko sounded sentimental while holding him tightly in her arms. "This must have been a mother''s love..." Shouichi reasoned in his mind. He no longer felt foreign to Yoko''s unusual affection.


    "I promise you, Mom. I''ll be by your side until the day I die." Shouichi replied wholeheartedly, wrapping his arms around her. There, they stayed in that cherished moment for a while.


    "Umm¡­ It''s getting hot and I''m sweating again." Shouichi spoke up and broke the silence.


    "My bad, hahaha." Yoko apologised and let go. Her beautiful eyes glistened with the onset of tears. She wiped them out with a towel. They both giggled gleefully in unison. The bond between mother and son became strengthened as Shouichi could understand her personality better.


    Two days later, Shouichi had decided to join the rugby club. After class, Shouichi and Shinji arrived at the large club room with its respective sign "Rugby Club".


    "Welcome to the rugby! Aoyama-senpai and Seito-senpai. Please come on in!" A tall chubby girl ran out to greet ''em with a big smile. She knew instantly that her prayer had been answered.


    "Yo! Emi-chan! Where''s your brother?" Shinji asked while casually patting her head like she was a little kid. She pointed out to the big man standing at the doorway.


    "Looking for me? You brat!" A muscular man with spiky hair in the black & blue tracksuit spoke up. He got a big smug on his face like Shinji did.


    "Hey! Toruuuuuuuuu. How are ya?" Shinji spoke joyfully. Shouchi instantly noticed the sudden dense in the air.


    Two men stood and confronted each other as if they were going to fight. Then they lunged, with their hands collided and interlocked; The contest of the mighty began.


    "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Shinji appeared to be able to hold down Toru''s incredible strength despite the differences in physique. But soon Shinji started to lose his balance and step back. Now the cunning silver wolf shifted his weight and tackled Toru''s waist! Shouichi and Emi were perplexed by the sudden strategy.


    "Argh!" Toru lost his footing and fell to the ground. He sat down for a bit while wearing a grin. Later, Shinji held out his hand to offer help.


    "Amazing! You still got it in you, you smartass brat!" Toru accepted his hand and pulled himself up.


    "Onii-san, are you okay?" Emi asked out of concern, sweeping her eyes up and down. Toru didn''t answer her.


    "Shinji, you are incredibly stronger than you look." Shouichi complimented his junior. In response, Shinji rubbed his nose with a pointer finger proudly.


    "By the way, why are y''all here?" After a while, Toru questioned their motive.


    "Are they joining our club?" Toru quickly turned to ask his sister before the duo could respond to which she nodded vigorously.


    "Shinji, you never joined us before despite our multiple attempts in the past. What exactly did Emi do to change your mind?" Toru spoke firmly.


    "Nothing¡­ " Emi raised her voice to answer but Toru dismissed her with his cold glance.


    "I''ve sent Emi to do the impossible task ''cause I don''t want everyone to think that she got her position just because I am a captain of this club. The girl needs to prove her worth." Toru explained nonchalantly. The captain was a coarse masculine man but reasonable, and level-headed. "Now it made sense why Emi was super keen on getting Shinji on the team," Shouichi noted.


    "I also heard you tested my sister''s resolve by asking her out as a trade. That snitch happened to see you three the other day." Toru continued with an indifferent expression then he pointed out to a muscular, short boy with curly hair, Shouichi learned that his name was Naggi shortly after.


    "Wow¡­ the captain''s so blunt and way too honest," Shouichi remarked internally.


    "Haha. I''d like to apologise for that too. It''s just a joke." Shinji bowed his head apologetically.


    "Apology accepted. Hahaha." Toru put out a roaring laugh. The coarse man seemed pleased with the results whatsoever.


    "Good job, Emi. You really impressed me this time." Toru turned to praise his sister which made Emi genuinely happy. Shouichi just witnessed a heartfelt moment between a brother and a sister of the Ito family.


    "Umm¡­ and you are?" Toru eventually acknowledged Shouichi''s presence, he might have been too small to be noticeable.


    "I''m Seito Shouichi, I''m here to join your club today. Pleased to meet you, Ito-senpai!" Shouichi responded respectfully with his raised voice.


    "Seito Shouichi, I''m Captain Ito Toru. A pleasure to meet you." Toru shook Shouichi''s hands firmly.

 7 Monday’s Club Lunch

    "Shinji, Good morning," Shouichi called out to the silver messy hair sticking out of the fence. It was Aoyama Shinji who loitered at the front of Shouichi''s house early Monday morning. The weekends seemed to fly so quickly when Shouichi was busy helping around at Yoko Sweet Shop and spending his time reading novels from Ayane. The second week of school had passed without any trouble.


    "Yo! How did you spot me, Shouichi?" Shinji beamed at him mischievously.


    "Your head just poked out of the fence, pole head. Why are you here? Where''s your driver, Murakami-san?" Shouichi started shooting questions.


    "Haha. I have him drop me off here. Um¡­ Is Yoko-san here?" Shinji giggled and looked around.


    "You got something with my mom?" Shinji continued questioning and Shinji nodded vigorously as a response.


    "She''s a lil sleepy head every Monday, I might have to wake her up," Shouichi explained nonchalantly.


    "Well¡­ Please don''t bother then. I''ll just give this to you." Shinji handed him a box of red big grapes. It had a fancy red and gold package lined with premium fabric cushioning.


    "Wow, can you not tryna hit on my mom?" Shouichi teased him while narrowing his eyes in suspicion and nudging with his elbow.


    "Well¡­ She''s single and a beauty after all. Haha." Shinji playfully answered and they both burst out laughing.


    "Actually, it''s from my mother. She felt like it was courtesy of the Aoyama family since Yoko-san has been treating me well at her cafe." Shinji revealed the truth.


    "Man, Yoko would be thrilled to receive such a gift from the Aoyama family. What exactly are they? I haven''t ever seen this type of grapes before." Shouichi continued to question his friend.


    "It''s ruby grapes from Ishikawa Prefecture. One of those fancy stuff, I don''t understand why though." Shinji answered with a flat tone as he put his hands over the back of the head.


    "Got it! Thanks, Shinji. I''ll put it in the fridge with a note then. So wait here for a bit." Shouichi walked back to his house.


    Not for long, Shouichi emerged by his house, and the star duo began their journey to the school together.


    "How''s everything?" After a long silence, Shinji was the one to speak up first.


    "I think it''s falling into places. I no longer feel foreign now." Shouichi spoke his mind.


    "That''s good. Let me know if there''s anything you need help with, okay?" Shinji reassured him with a gentle smile. Then he wrapped his long limbs around Shouichi''s shoulders like they were best-est bros.


    "Thanks, mate. Now put your arm back before people start having the wrong idea." Shouichi said with a smirk. "People around me got no sense of personal space at all, especially Shinji." He thought.


    "Hahaha. Who cares what people think, you are my bro." Shinji spoke confidently and loudly. There was a group of junior girls next to them, who started to whisper into each other''s ears.


    "By the way, CCK dropped a new bomb! Have you watched it on YouTube yet? My Yukiko is extremely cute." Shinji changed the subject, he seemed overexcited about this new MV.


    "No, I haven''t yet~¡­" Shouichi replied but was interrupted by one of the junior girls. It was a girl with long black hair.


    "Umm, Good morning, senpai. Please accept my letter!" The girl confronted them as she handed over a letter with both hands, she was petite and somewhat cute with her soft voice. The duo was flabbergasted while the cheering girls supported her from afar.


    "Is it for me?" Shinji asked since she didn''t specifically aim at either of them. Shinji was about to lift his hand to receive it.


    "I''m so sorry, senpai! It''s for Seito-senpai!" She corrected with a slight embarrassment in her expression. Shouichi received it with care and the group started babbling in a high-pitched noise like a little bird''s chirping. The girl bowed one time before she left to catch up with the rest of her group.


    "Man, my Shouichi got taken away already, that''s not even two weeks. I''m gonna be so lonely after this." Shinji jested, bracing himself.


    "Haa! Stop saying nonsense!" Shouichi retaliated.


    "That''s the first ever actually¡­ What an odd experience." Shouichi murmured to himself while inspecting the pink envelope.


    "I guess if you are still single. This is not going to be your last." Shinji said honestly with a playful wink.


    "Hmm¡­ What about you, Shinji? Did you say you are single?" Shouichi asked out of curiosity.


    "Yep yep. It seems like I can''t bag anyone, man. Life sucks!" Shinji replied with a hint of discontent with his perfect life. "What an obvious lie. I remembered the way he flirted with Ito Emi last week. He could''ve bagged her right then and there." Shouichi disagreed in his mind.


    "Haha. I don''t think that''s the truth at all. You just don''t wanna put in the effort." Shouichi responded and they both giggled.


    The school lesson began as usual. The students of class 2-1 were diligently participating in the class. After a long while, the school bell signalled for a lunch break.


    "It''s the Monday''s club lunch today!" Shinji announced while tapping on Shouichi''s shoulder.


    "What''s that?" Shouichi asked with a blank on his face, obviously confused.


    "Eh? Haven''t you read the club group chat at all?"


    "Wait¡­ Is there a group chat?" Shouichi missed out on the whole thing.


    "Oh shoot! I forgot to send you an invitation. My bad, bro. Grab your lunchbox, we''ll head down to the rugby club right now!" Shinji facepalmed himself. Shouichi urgently grabbed his stuff and headed out.


    "Umm, can I tag along?" A hand appeared to grab Shouichi''s wrist on his sweatband.


    "Eh?" Shouichi was baffled. It was Morimura Ayane who gripped his hand tight. Not knowing what to do, he looked back at Shinji for some advice.


    "Of course, you can come. We are best friends after all. Ito-san and the club mates will be thrilled though." Shinji replied promptly. Ayane''s face lit up with a big smile. "Oh! I completely forgot about Ayane. She usually has lunch with us now since she doesn''t have her own group of friends." Shouichi remarked internally.


    "That''s the Aphrodite trio of second year, right?"


    "The good-looking always lump up together, man."


    "They can''t be dating right? Otherwise, it''s gonna be a pair."


    Whispering and chatter could be heard as the trio coursing through a crowded corridor.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "The Aphrodite Trio? That''s the first time I heard of that alias." Shouichi thought nervously as he realised the crowd was gossiping about the three of them with occasionally prying gazes. However, Shinji and Ayane seemed unbothered at all.


    "It''s my pleasure to accommodate the Aphrodite trio! Hahaha, I heard that''s what some creative kids referred to you guys now." Ito Toru welcomed them warmly. He was still as blunt as ever. One would think that he absolutely had no filter. There were Ito Junior/Emi-chan, and two other members in the clubroom already.


    "I''m sorry to tag along without asking first. May I have lunch with you guys?" Ayane bowed her head respectfully to Ito Toru-senpai.


    "Hahaha. Of course, lady Ayane. You are allowed to do whatever you like here. You have my words as a captain of this club." Toru spoke and slightly nodded his head in response.


    "Naggi! Hinoda! Help them set up a table. Monday club lunch will begin soon." He ordered his two lackeys with a tough guy voice. Two guys were from Class 2-2. Naggi was a short curly-haired boy with a muscular but short physique. He was the snitch from last time.


    Besides him, the other one was Hinoda, he was the opposite of Naggi since he was thin and tall. Hinoda''s eyes were small and his dark hair was cut short. They eagerly followed the order and started lifting the table and putting it together into a long big one. Shouichi and Shinji also helped along the process while the two girls were chatting about some trivial stuff with make-up tips and shows.


    "Let''s have a seat, guys," Toru said after the set-up was completed. Naturally, they started unpacking their lunch on the dining table. The food they brought looked delicious, especially the ones from Aoyama Shinji and Morimura Ayane. Shinji, Ito''s siblings, and two other club members also bought extra portions to share. Shouichi was the only one with a tuna sandwich because he did not get a message.


    "Emi-chan. Why did you pack such a small portion for yourself?" Ayane asked out of curiosity. Her violet-purple eyes stared at Emi''s lunch box with only a quarter was filled.


    "Umm¡­ I''m not really hungry these days." The slightly plump manager replied shamefully.


    "I told her many times, that you needed more nutrition and exercise more. Simply cutting down your calories is not an efficient way to lose your weight." Toru spoke up with a straight face and put some of the food into her plate.


    "Big brother! I''m trying here." Emi retorted with a slight shade of red on her face.


    "That''s some dedication, Emi-chan. I didn''t know you were worried about your weight. Anyway, you are already so cute!" Ayane complimented Emi with a gentle smile.


    "Let''s dig in!" "Thanks for the food!" "We''re digging in!" The gangs started eating the food while chatting about random topics. Emi seemed to be enjoying herself when Ayane was around as she seemed to fully adsorb in their girly conversation.


    "Captain, I heard you just got into a representative team that plays in the national high school championship, right?" The thin and tall Hinoda spoke up.


    "You heard correct," Toru answered while crossing his arms.


    "I meant to go with him, but he ditched out on me." Toru pointed his index finger at Shinji while Shinji was putting egg rolls in his mouth. Shinji froze a second and later put out a shameful smile. "Wow! I never expect Shinji to be that good at sports. Guess it''s one of those ~you can''t judge a book by its cover~ ah moments." Shouichi thought.


    "If he''s a bit serious about things, he could also go nationals." Toru continued indifferently.


    "That''s why you were so keen to onboard Shinji." Shouichi turned to talk to Emi.


    "That''s correct, senpai," Emi chimed in after finishing her chewing while cupping her mouth with her hand.


    "Now, it''s a bit too late for him. But I''m glad that my club is growing. As a captain, I still have my responsibility here to turn it into a real rugby club. Initially, we didn''t have enough members at all. With Emi-chan''s help, I''ve noticed an increase in interest and club members..." Toru continued as others were listening carefully.


    "That''s honourable of you, Cap''. And once you graduate you will be joining the nationals, right?" Naggi continued to glaze his captain.


    "Yes. The idea is there." Cap'' Toru replied nonchalantly.


    "Lady Ayane, may I ask you to come to the practice today? I think it''ll boost the popularity and morality of my club. Those juniors got nothing but urges and hormones anyway." Toru bowed his head as a request. It was so strange that he only addressed Ayane as though she was a princess.


    "Big brother! You are too direct! I''m sorry for this, Morimura-senpai." Emi interrupted him.


    "Will you guys be there, though?" Ayane turned to ask her friends, specifically Shouichi.


    "Of course! We got stamina and endurance practice today." Shouichi replied confidently.


    "Guess I''ll show up for a little, then." Ayane finally gave out the answer. Naggi and Hinoda did a high five to celebrate, they were a bit too excited before the captain Toru gave them a hard stare.


    Not long afterwards, the lunch break time seemed to slip fast, and the Aphrodite trio decided to return to class. Shinji, Shouichi, and Ayane strolled together along the second floor''s hallway. At the moment, the hallway appeared empty as there were no other students to be found.


    "Woah!" The hard collision on the back of Shouichi. He reflexively turned and saw a junior girl rushing to a girl''s restroom. Shouichi noticed she was covering her mouth as if she was about to vomit. He also caught a glimpse of her pale face and tears welling up beneath her eyes. Somehow, the girl appeared to be in pure terror.


    "What''s her problem?" Shinji wondered out loud.


    "Shouichi-kun, are you alright? She bumped you pretty hard though." Ayane was concerned, rubbing his back gently.


    "Haha, I''m okay, what just happened? She looked pretty frightened and upset." Shouichi had confusion on his face.


    "I dunno, let''s go bro. We''ll be late to the class." Shinji urged them to carry on, pointing at his metal watch.


    "You guys go on ahead. I need to use the toilet first." Ayane told them.


    "Alright, don''t be late," Shinji emphasised while putting his arm around Shouichi''s shoulder. The male duo parted ways with Ayane.


    ***


    Earlier, in the student council room...


    "Lock the door, Miku-chan," the young man instructed the new arrival in a deep tone. The council room was dark with all the curtains drawn.


    "Plea~Please don''t make me do it." The girl shakingly pleaded in fear in her eyes.


    "But we HAVE a deal, right? Are you going to back down on it?" The young man continued to press and then he placed a photo in front of her.


    "But¡­ I''ll repay it soon. I mean¡­ I''ve just started a job at the convenience store. I''ll get paid next week." The girl explained. Her voice wavered, soft and unsteady.


    "That''s wonderful. Don''t you know that your interest will be doubled by then? Haven''t you had an economy class before, we don''t want that, do we?" He continued to speak very slowly.


    "Come closer, I barely made out what you were saying, Miku-chan." The man gestured to her. She submissively complied and stood beside him. Then almost immediately, the despicable boy started to sexually caress her bottom with his fingers.


    "Eek! Stop that¡­ Please!" Miku yelped and pleaded one more time but that made him even more aroused.


    "I happened to be in a good mood today. So I have a proposition, I can deduct your interest for this week¡­ if you help me with this." The young man let out a mischievous smile and pointed at his crotch.


    "..." The girl was silent as she feared for her life.


    "You got great assets, it would be a waste to not use them as collateral, economically speaking." He looked at her with his lustful eyes. "I can''t laugh yet¡­ I have to hold it in." His crotch was bulging with his twisted thoughts.


    "Or I''ll leak your contract including that naked photo of you. The choice is entirely yours. Haha." He continued and giggled softly, covering his mouth and nose with both hands. The girl was on her knees admitting defeat. Her world crumbled into pieces as she had no choice but to do what the man commanded.


    "Good girl." The man mocked her by patting her head like an adorable pet. She reluctantly unzipped his pants and his rigid rod was poking out.


    "Hurry up, please. The lunch break will be over soon." He urged the girl. She started licking it while her body was trembling in fear. "It''s so horrible. It stinks so much¡­ I wanna puke!" A thought crossed her mind.


    "That''s good¡­ I feel charitable today, so I''ll tell you how to do it properly. Now you need to swallow it whole."


    "No please¡­ please!"


    "Don''t make me repeat it TWICE. Keep going!" The man brushed her brown hair tightly.


    "Click!" The sound of a photo being taken was accompanied by the flash of a smartphone camera. The girl looked up in panic while the young man ejaculated inside her mouth. It was too late, the man had already taken a photo of her in the act.


    "Please don''t spit it out. Otherwise, it would be for nothing." The man said, pleased with himself. Miku hysterically rushed out of the room covering her mouth, while holding the disgusting liquid in.


    ***


    A few moments later, Miku was hunched over the toilet, vomiting. The thin frail girl was broken beyond repair mentally and physically. Her long brown hair was a complete mess.


    "I''m so pathetic¡­ My life is over¡­ What should I do?" she murmured softly to herself, tears streaming down her face as she cried uncontrollably.


    "... Are you okay? Are you Miku-chan, right?" Ayane asked softly while putting her hands up as a sign of peace and meant no harm. Miku realised that she had completely forgotten to close the door after she rushed inside.


    "Ah, Senpai¡­ Yeah, yeah¡­ I''m fine. I''ve gotta go now." Miku replied, pretending to conceal her breakdown. She coughed a few times. However, there was no use since Miku appeared obviously distressed and her eyes were swollen pink.


    Without uttering any more words, Miku decided to get up and try to leave.


    "It''s the president of the student council, President Sakurai Hiroshi, isn''t it?" Ayane eventually confronted her with determination in her deep purple eyes.

 8 Maid & Tea Bliss by Tomako Momo I

    The afternoon arrived, and the sun turned a warm orange, casting its reflection on the clear blue sky and painting it with various shades of yellow. It was a perfect day for Shouichi''s first outdoor practice. Toru had meticulously planned a regimen for the Rugby Club to develop their skills across several areas, including stamina, endurance, team coordination, strategy, and weight training. This well-thought-out plan showcased the brilliance of Ito Toru, a true rugby prodigy.


    Shouichi was inside the male changing room, trying to change his uniform into a tracksuit. However, he was disturbed by the presence of the girl with long jet-black hair.


    "Why couldn''t you wait outside, Ayane?! This is a male changing room, girls ain''t allowed here!"


    "Ho, ho? Is that so?" Ayane looked up briefly before getting back to her novel. Shouichi had no choice but to turn his back toward the girl.


    "Duh? I''ve got nowhere to go, I''d rather read here. And if I wait for you outside, people will gossip that I''m waiting for a boy or worse." Ayane gave an illogical reason. "If someone sees us, it''d be even worse." Shouichi disagreed in his mind. He sighed in disbelief, thinking it couldn''t be helped.


    "Promise I won''t peek, I''ve got something much more interesting than your naked, thin body. Now hurry up and change already!" Ayane ordered him with a flat tone.


    "Fine! Don''t you dare look, you perverted lady!" Shouichi argued, turning his back on her. He started stripping his shirt and then his pants until the black boxer was the only piece of cloth on his body, his face got a deep shade of red.


    "... I feel¡­. a stare¡­" Shouichi caught something in his peripheral vision and reflexively turned to look at Ayane.


    "Huh?!" Ayane was staring at him with a book covering half of her face. Shouichi never felt so violated by a girl before. "AAAAAH!" He screamed on impulse.


    "It''s her plan after all. Who could''ve thought Ayane was such a pervert!" Shouichi cried in his mind.


    "Shhhh! Stop making noises like a girl. Geez!" Ayane retorted, averting her gaze away.


    "My goodness¡­" Shouichi swore in desperation, turned his back on her again, and quickly put on his gym shirt. While he was pulling the shirt down, the female hands appeared, wrapping around his waist, and fondling his abdominal muscles.


    "Ohhh! It''s actually real abs. I thought those girls were joking!"


    "Yike! Stop touching me! You indecent woman!" Shouichi barked while swiftly shoving his legs into the pants.


    "Hahaha, I just wanna prove it with my own eyes. As the enlightened one said ''Don''t believe because someone tells you.'' " Ayane playfully quoted. Her eyes appeared abysmal as though a real sociopath.


    "Don''t try to play it off with some philosophy!" Shouichi returned his remark with frustration and shame in his voice.


    "How come those girls know you more than me? Aren''t we bestfriends?" She continued with a big terrifying smile.


    "...Weirdo," Shouichi called her out after he finished dressing.


    "Fufufu, I''d never say I''m not," Ayane giggled, and dismissed him like nothing happened.


    In the end, the two turned up to the trackfield later than intended. Shinji was casually talking to the tall Hinoda and the short Naggi. When he noticed the new arrival, he waved his hands at them energetically.


    "Hey, we''re waiting for you. The juniors already started running with Cap Toru though." Naggi informed, then pointed at the track where Toru was leading in front of the packs while underclassmen followed him from afar.


    "The kids couldn''t really keep up with Cap'' Toru''s speed and stamina," Hinoda remarked with a weak smile.


    "Wait?! Is that Emi-chan on the way~way back? Why is she running? I thought she was just a club manager." Ayane asked of her favourite junior with a surprised expression.


    "Well¡­ Not around here. See, Cap'' Toru has a different idea of managing the manager. Hahaha," Hinoda quipped with his odd sense of satire, his height towering over Ayane.


    "Let''s go guys. We each got 5 km to clear today." One of the guys suggested with enthusiasm.


    "Yeah!" "Let''s roll!" "Fighting!" The four men shouted collectively before running in the tracks. Ayane waved at them before heading to the audience stage. She decided to sit a few metres apart from the others. Ayane began to be absorbed into her imaginary world by reading her book.


    "Lady Ayane, thanks for cheering us today!" Toru suddenly shouted from the track field followed by, "LADY AYANE, THANKS FOR CHEERING US TODAY!" Those were the roaring repeats from juniors. They seemed to be brimmed with energy after Ayane returned with a simple smile like it was one of her magical abilities.


    "Isn''t that Morimura-senpai?"


    "Why is she here today?"


    "Didn''t I just hear, she is here for the rugby team?"


    "Rugby club sucks, man! No one wanted to join ''em."


    "Hey, I might wanna switch up to rugby right now, bro."


    The babbling noises from soccer and baseball club members reverberated through the running field.


    Shouichi managed to hear those too while he was running past them, "Damn! Captain Toru planned them all along! He''s definitely not just some muscle brain for sure." He thought while catching his breath.


    After they cleared a 5-kilometre jog, the team stopped to cool down and perform stretching. It turned out Emi couldn''t finish her round with the rest as she was carrying too much weight on her.


    "They are as big as melons, they must have been real heavy, heheh," Shouichi intrusively concluded in his mind.


    "That''s a good start, kids. Rugby is not all about stamina. Even so, we need to run and sprint over a long distance in the game. Do you know how long is the rugby pitch? Anyone?" Toru asked with his arms crossed during his lectures. Not a single sweat was spotted on his forehead.


    "..." There was no reply from the underclassmen as they were busy catching their breaths including Shouichi. On the opposite, Naggi, Hinoda, and Shinji seemed calm and unbothered at all.


    "...100 meters!" Toru enlightened them and continued to lecture for the next 15 minutes before dismissing the club session.


    A week later, Shouichi had been managing his after-school time between clubbing and Yoko''s cafe. It''s quite an easy, chill life. There were some love letters in both Shinji''s shoe locker and his. They were filled with unprecedented views and thoughts of the duo. One fangirl even sounded like a cult member, using a word like "worshipping". It''s both funny and terrifying at the same time.


    More underclassmen started joining the rugby club, reducing Ayane''s involvement. She no longer attended practices and instead spent her evenings at Yoko''s Sweet Shop, as she always had.


    "Hey, Shouichi. We are done for today right?" Shinji asked after Toru dismissed the club activity for the day. Shinji used his long neck to hang a white towel while occasionally wiping off his sweat. The heat was almost unbearable.


    "Yeah. What are you thinking, Shinji?"


    "It''s BOBA time!" Shinji exclaimed with joy, wearing a big grin.


    "Right! We haven''t gone there for a while. I wonder how Tomako-chan is doing." Shouichi responded while nodding in approval.


    "That''s my man! You already know what I''m talking about." Shinji raised his hand and Shinji clapped into a high-five.


    The duo walked down the main street in white and blue tracksuits, heading toward the Hoshimashi district. It was Shinji''s idea that he didn''t want to bother his driver and decided to walk there. They soon realised it was not a good idea, the landscape was not entirely flat but had small hills to climb up and down.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "I''m tired already¡­ There are too many hills around here." Shinji whined at his own suggestion as he swayed left and right from fatigue.


    "Yeah... me too. You wanna rest a bit?" Shouichi asked kindly and tried to catch his breath himself.


    "No, I don''t wanna miss it, I need my green tea with ''em big, big pearls!" Shinji continued to press on while complaining all the way.


    "Ah! I remember there''s a shortcut that not a lot of people know about! It has a big long stairway though." Shinji''s light purple eyes lit up with hope, and then he urged Shouichi to follow, "C''on! Let''s go this way!"


    ***


    About two hours earlier, the shy Tomako Momo hurriedly packed her stationery into her bag. Her petite frame, paired with her brown bob haircut, gave her a modest and unassuming appearance.


    "Momo-chan! Do you want to go karaoke with us today?" One of her friends asked her.


    "Oh¡­ T~that''s quite sudden, I, um, I''ve actually got a plan to¡­" Momo stammered her words, trying to excuse herself and tap her round glasses into place.


    "Come on! You always go home early. Let''s hang out sometime!" Her friend insisted on her with peer pressure. Momo seemed visibly uncomfortable because she didn''t have the heart to refuse it outright.


    "Don''t bother her, she''s busy this evening¡­ " Her other friend interrupted while Momo was pondering anxiously.


    "Maybe another time, Momo-chan."


    "Sorry, guys. Ple~Please, let me know beforehand next time! I''ll definitely join you!" Momo apologised and bowed slightly. Shortly after, the petite girl rushed out of the exit with her short legs.


    Momo walked through a long stairway with red outlines. Her house was just 15 minutes away by taking this shortcut.


    Unexpectedly, five tech school students were loitering near the stairway. At first glance, they resembled typical delinquents, their presence reeking of cigarettes. It seemed as though they were deliberately blocking her path.


    "Let the nerd pass, bro." The leader of the packs with a buzz cut barked his order to his grunts loudly. His loud command spooked her at the same time.


    "This way, please lady." One of his grunts stepped out of the way and gestured for her to walk through. But they created just a small gap between them for her to pass through.


    The girl appeared extremely uncomfortable to squeeze past them but she did it anyway.


    "Man, I''m soooo horny! I haven''t had some in a while." A grunt with crooked teeth vented loudly. Fear for her safety, Momo quickly picked up her pace, keeping her profile as low as possible.


    "Nobu! Stop saying weird shit! Can''t you see you''re scaring her?" A good-looking man with a silver chain sneered at him. Later, they all laughed loudly, disturbing everyone living nearby.


    "Sorry, sorry! I''m not interested in a flat board like you." Nobu spoke up, showing his crooked teeth.


    "Get outta here! I wanted ''em big tits. Hahaha," Nobu scuffed, causing Momo to tremblingly flee in terror.


    "Phew! That''s really scary..." Momo thought to herself after she got out of the situation safe and sound. Luckily, they weren''t interested in her.


    Momo rushed back to her place and soon transformed into a maid uniform, she had a duty to open her store in the evening. However, she was already late due to an unexpected encounter earlier.


    "Sigh¡­ It can''t be helped¡­ That means I need to take ''that shortcut'' again. But will they still be there? Let''s find out." She thought as she adjusted the bow to finalise her maid transformation.


    Momo glanced at her reflection in a full-length mirror nearby and was struck by the transformation she had created. The blonde wig with soft, curly tips made her stand out in a crowd, while her heeled shoes added height, elegantly elongating her legs. A push-up bra enhanced her curves, lending her figure a more alluring silhouette. To finish the look, she had added a small, strategically placed fake mole, a subtle touch of charisma that transformed her otherwise unremarkable appearance.


    After a brief moment, she cautiously peeked around the corner at the hidden stairway. The delinquents had moved on. Letting out a relieved sigh, Momo began her descent down the stairs, heading toward her shop.


    "Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! May I ask for your service, maid lady?" It was a coarse and familiar voice from a guy called ''Nobu''. He appeared at the bottom of the stairs with two goons. His lips curl up to a big smirk, showing off his crooked teeth. Momo was completely shocked but reflexively retraced her steps and her instinct told her to run off when she still got the chance.


    "Nobu, stop scaring the lady, the boss told you too many times already!" The good-looking, thin man with a silver chain appeared on top of the stairs along with a big brute, the pack leader with a buzz cut. They headed down the stairs closing the distance between them. There was no way to escape for Momo to run as both ways were blocked.


    "Please! I need to go somewhere!" Momo mustered up her courage to beg, although her heart was beating fast from pure fear.


    "The only place you can go dressed like that is my house. Hahaha!" Nobu cackled maniacally, inching closer with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Momo stood paralyzed in fear, her mind racing for an escape, but her body refused to move.


    "It seems like my prayers have been answered today. Big ''W'' for Nobu!" he mocked, flashing his crooked teeth in a grotesque grin.


    "Shut your damn mouth!" The boss barked, his voice booming and sharp. He stepped forward, placing a hand on Momo''s trembling shoulder. She flinched at the contact, her body quivered like a frightened kitten.


    "Come with me¡­" the boss said, his tone unexpectedly gentle, though his breath reeked of stale cigarettes. Momo hesitated, caught between fear and the flicker of hope that he might protect her.


    "You boys can do whatever you want after I''m done with her! Tsubara, you''re next," he added, turning to his right-hand man, a smirking figure with sharp features named ''Tsubara''.


    Momo''s face drained of all colour. Her tears welled up, and her chest tightened as she fought the urge to break down.


    "Ahhh, damn it! I wanted to go first¡ªor at least second," Nobu growled, grinding his ugly teeth in frustration. His bloodshot eyes glinted with a sickening mix of lust and rage. "Fine, I''ll take third. And if anyone complains, I''ll smash their skull in!"


    Suddenly, Momo felt a hand creeping onto her chest. A strangled gasp escaped her lips.


    "Ple~Please let me go..." Momo softly objected, her tears trickling down her face.


    "What are you just saying? Babe. You can say it out loud now that we are dating." The boss man mockingly role-played as if they were a real couple.


    "Babe, I''ll let go of my hand if you kiss me, on my mouth," The boss said with a deep and serious tone. Momo attempted to break away from his grasp but failed miserably. Her strength was unmatched by the big boss.


    "Hahahahahahaha! That''s a good one. Let me remember that one." Nobu burst out laughing while jumping up and down hysterically. This man was completely sick in the head.


    "No kiss? Save it for your boyfriend, hmm? Come on! Forget ''bout him! I''m your new boyfriend now!" The pack leader rationalised, forcing a kiss on her. But Momo raised her hands to cover her mouth with a petrified look on her face. He was annoyed by her persistence and stopped his abuse.


    "Let''s roll then! I know a good place for us. Boys, follow me!" The leader put his big muscular hand around her small shoulders and forced her to walk with them. The packs surrounded her from all sides, blocking all the possible escape routes.


    "This must be the end for me..." Momo mournfully thought as all hope was lost.


    "MOMO-CHAN!"


    "TOMAKO-CHAN!"


    The voices echoed down the stairwell, sharp and filled with urgency. Two figures emerged at the top of the stairs.


    One was tall, with messy silver hair that caught the dim light, giving him an almost ethereal presence. The other was a strikingly handsome boy, his cinnamon-brown eyes blazing with determination, his hair styled neatly in a two-block cut.


    There was no mistaking them ¡ª Aoyama Shinji and Seito Shouichi had arrived!


    "Punks! Don''t stick your head into other affairs!" Nobu barked fiercely like a rabid dog.


    "The girl here is actually the boss''s girlfriend," the good-looking one said calmly, his tone polite but firm. "They just had a little lover''s quarrel, but she''ll be coming home with us now. Please, leave."


    "Haaaa? What kind of nonsense is that? You stupid lowlives!" Shinji retorted in an angry shout.


    "Momo-chan. Come on, tell them that we''re together. We don''t want any misunderstanding, do we?" The pack leader said, staring into Momo''s eyes.


    "¡­PLEASE HELP ME, SHINJI-KUN! SHOUICHI-KUN!" Momo screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice trembling with desperation despite the terror gripping her.


    Shinji and Shouichi exchanged a knowing nod, silently agreeing to their plan of attack. The dazzling duo sprang into action, dashing down the stairway in perfect sync. Before the delinquents could even react, they had already closed the distance. Momo-chan instinctively ducked, keeping her head low.


    "URGH!!!" Shinji performed a high kick at the pack leader first, the brute''s arms guarded up reactively to protect his vital part. However, the powerful impact swayed his entire body, causing him to lose his balance. His lackeys were still frozen in shock, still processing the incident in their minds.


    "Momo-chan. Are you alright?" Shinji asked while putting his fists up readily.


    "Yeah, I''m fine now," Momo replied with a slightly trembling voice. The girl wiped her damp face with her finger and ran toward them.


    "Get behind me, Tomako-chan!" Shouichi blocked Momo with his body.


    "THE HECK Y''ALL DOING? KILL THEM! Bastards done broke my arms!" The leader snapped with fury and commanded his grunts to enter the fray. The leader looked at his broken limbs as they were bent awkwardly.


    "SCREW YOU! DIE ALREADY!" Nobu dashed up through the steps and lunged toward Shouichi with his fists. Nobu swung a right hook, aiming for the face. Shouichi read the trajectory and dodged accordingly, and then swiftly returned a left hook straight into Nobu''s ugly face. Nobu''s face was moulded by the shape of Shouichi''s fist as they collided.


    The other two followed up blindly with japs and kicks to which Shouichi circled back to escape their range of attacks.


    "ARRRHH! MOTHER FU.." Nobu let out a wail in pain and agony over his bloody face. His jaw was hanging, dislocated and one of the teeth was barely hanging onto his gum.


    "Back down, handsome!" Shinji threatened Tsubara, his lavender-purple eyes glinted with a killing intent like one of those apex predators.


    "Hahaha¡­ Don''t worry. I''m not the fighting type." The good-looking Tsubara raised his hands up, signalling his defeat. Tsubara and Nobu carried his boss by his wings and escorted him out of the scene.


    "BOYS! WE ARE LEAVING!" Tsubara signalled to the two who were still swinging their fists madly at Shouichi, they immediately backed down. Realising the other side was defeated, Shouichi put his guard down.


    "YAH!!!" Suddenly, one of the delinquents lunged forward, landing a sucker punch to Shouichi''s stomach before quickly darting back.


    The impact sent Shouichi to his knees, his torso bent in agony, "Arrh! Damn it!"


    "BASTARDS!" Shinji shouted angrily at escaping delinquents with tails between their legs.


    "Shouichi, are you alright?" "Seito-kun!!!" Shinji and Momo rushed toward the injured friend. Shinji then lent his hands to help Shouichi stand on his feet.


    "A knight without wound is the one who never goes to war. Let me help you!" Shinji put out his smartass remark while carrying Shouichi up on his shoulder.


    "Haha! What kind of quote is that? Ugh, they got me.." Shouichi tried to laugh it off but he felt a numb sensation, followed by a pulsing pain all over his abdomen.


    "I''m~I''m so sorry, Seito-kun. It''s my fault!" Momo-chan said, guilt in his expression, her pretty face stained with tears.


    "Don''t be sorry¡­ Just call me Shouichi¡­ or something¡­" Shouichi trailed off before his consciousness faded to black.


    "I think, um, he fainted..." "Wah! Wh~what do I do, Shinji-kun¡­?!"


    Shouichi could faintly hear their voices in the background, but soon, everything faded to silence as he slipped into the darkness.

 9 Maid & Tea Bliss by Tomako Momo II

    "..." The dark sky filled with a strange red sun, hovering in the distance. Shouichi found himself lying in the shallow black water, simmering the dark crimson glow on its surface. He looked around in panic, he could barely make out anything but darkness from his surroundings.


    "What the?" The man thought puzzledly.


    The thunder could be heard in the distance followed by the flash of lightning. It temporarily blinded him. He instinctively covered his brown eyes with one of his palms.


    "Where am I?... Am I dead?" He thought, swallowing a big gulp of saliva and started walking aimlessly. There was no horizon, no path, nothing.


    "..." A lightning flashed across the black sky once again. This time a silhouette of a man was standing in front of him.


    "Leave¡­, Leave¡­, Leave¡­," He kept repeating himself. Shouichi reluctantly stepped closer to make out who he was.


    "Sir! What is this place? Where am I?" Shouichi got closer and closer but he still couldn''t see the man''s face. His heart kept pounding with increasing anxiety between each step. Shouichi reached out to grab the man''s shoulder.


    "WE''RE CURSED!" The man''s thunderous scream in Shouichi''s eyes, his father''s face emerging from the shadows with hollow, darkened eye sockets.


    "ARRRRRHHHHHHHHH!" Shouichi jumped up with a horrified scream. It startled Momo who was right next to him. Shouichi was sweating heavily.


    "Shouichi-kun! Are you okay? What happened?" Momo asked with a concerned expression. The girl was still in her maid costume.


    "Um, I think I just had a terrible nightmare. It''s awfully scary¡­ Auck!~My stomach hurts, so bad." Shouichi explained, wiping sweat off his face with his hand.


    "Where am I, Tomako-chan?" Shouichi probed, disorientedly looking around, it was an unfamiliar environment. The room appeared like a girl''s bedroom filled with pink and pastel decorations.


    "Umm¡­ you fainted¡­ so we brought you to my place since it''s the closest. Shinji-kun did all the lifting though." Momo explained, softening her tone.


    "Oh, so this is Tomako-chan''s room, right?" Shouichi asked and noted internally, "She''s really the sweet girl type, it does match her personality."


    "Yes." She nodded.


    "Where is Shinji?"


    "Your stomach is bruised because the man had a knocker duster on. So Shinji is out to get some medical supplies. He said you need a cold pack." Momo explained.


    "Umm, for now, I''ll need to keep the ice on your wound. Please take off your shirt, Shouichi-kun!" Momo instructed softly and put the ice into a fabric sag.


    "It''s alright, I think I''ll be fine¡­" Shouichi kindly refused, wearing a weak smile. "I don''t wanna strip in front of girls anymore. Damn you, Ayane-chan!" He reminisced about that day in a male locker room.


    "Please, don''t resist! You helped me, so I have to repay you somehow. It''s the least I can do," Momo said, her voice trembling though her resolve remained firm. Tears welled up in her eyes, making it seem as if she might cry again.


    "Please stop blaming yourself, Tomako-chan. It''s not your fault¡­ Fine, I''ll take it off." Shouichi consoled her with his gentle smile. He stripped his shirt off. It showed a dark red bruise on his pack.


    "You were really cool when you clutched a 1-v-3..." Momo admired him as she drew her eyes on his naked torso. In response, Shouichi smiled dryly and thought. "I haven''t really used my brain then. It''s lucky, I got out alive at all."


    "Ummm¡­. Shouichi-kun, your abdominal muscles kinda¡­" Momo''s face turned red. She shook her face intensely and focused on applying the ice bags to the wound.


    "How does it feel?" Momo leaned in and kept the pouch in contact with his belly. She was awfully close to the point that her blonde hair gently brushed against his skin. Shouichi could smell the sweet candy aroma of her body.


    "I don''t mind if you call my first name, Shouichi-kun." She told him softly almost whispering.


    "Shouichi-kun?¡­ Are you listening?" Momo spoke softly and erotically while maintaining eye contact with him, her amber pupils sparkled beautifully. Her seductive mole beneath her right eye was drawn to him. The girl leaned in closer and closer. Her plum and pink lips were slightly parted and were a hair''s breadth away from his lips. Shouichi felt the hot air from her breath.


    "I''m back!" Shinji announced as he opened the door, a plastic bag in hand. His knuckles were wrapped in fabric, hinting at recent use. His sudden entrance startled both of them, causing Momo to jerk back almost instantly, her face flushed a deep red as if she were on fire.


    "Damn you, Shinji! You cuck master," Shouichi thought in frustration.


    "Eh? What happened here?" Shinji asked cluelessly.


    "Nnn~Nothing!" Momo snapped.


    "Here''re some cold packs and pain relievers." Shinji picked out the supplies and explained them one by one.


    "You are quite knowledgeable about this thing." Shouichi complimented him.


    "Duh? I asked ''AI'' for that." Shinji let out a smug and showed the AI chatbot on his smartphone.


    "Right, I''ll help put cold packs on." Momo eagerly opened the package meticulously with her small fingers. Shouichi noticed she had cute black nails. Momo then applied the cold pack sticker gently on his abdomen.


    "This is for your pain reliever. Please drink the water afterwards." Momo gently put a pill in his mouth and brought the water bottle for him to drink. "Why did she treat me like a little kid? I could do all that by myself." Shouichi pondered but compiled.


    "Shouichi, where''s your cloth, man?" Shinji suddenly asked him, causing him to almost spill his water from his mouth. Shouichi quickly forced it down his throat.


    "Well, I didn''t want to get my shirt wet while Momo-chan was applying the ice packs earlier." Shouichi defended firmly.


    "Yeah, yeah. In the fight, you gotta be more careful, man¡­ " Shinji warned Shouichi out of pure concern.


    "But that''s soooooo rad though! We beat the crap of outta ''em! Like one of those anime shows, Tokyo Revenger or something." Shinji continued to yap proudly, imitating by punching the air.


    "Hahaha¡­ you guys were so cool. Thank you so much, I''m truly in your dept." Momo spoke and bowed her head in appreciation.


    "Don''t mention it, Momo-chan. That''s what heroes do." Shinji replied, and he beamed with satisfaction, showing his white perfect teeth. "Again with his smartass remarks." Shouichi thought. They all giggled after.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Alright. I needa go now, bro. My parents don''t want me to come home late." Shinji spoke up after checking his phone.


    "Hey, what about me?" Shouichi tried to get up but his pain persisted.


    "I dunno, Momo can take care of you for a bit or something¡­" Shinji brushed off all responsibility from this point. "This guy just left me alone in a girl''s bedroom, damn your pole head!" Shouichi whined in his mind.


    "Don''t worry, Shouichi-kun. You are more welcome to rest here until you feel better. The pain reliever should take effect in less than an hour." Momo reassured with her soft and gentle voice. Shinji made a thump-up before hurriedly leaving.


    The room fell quiet all of a sudden.


    "Umm, I''m so sorry about earlier, Shouichi-kun. I didn''t know what I was thinking." Momo eventually broke the silence, covering her rosy red cheeks with her palms.


    "It''s alright. It''s alright. Haha," Shouichi replied and waved his hand. "Why would she apologise?" Shouichi wondered. Soon realisation hit him like a truck. "Did she just imply that I''m dating Ayane? Are Ayane and I hanging out way too much? Is that what people really think of us? If Momo-chan kissed me, it''d be considered cheating, right? Damn you, Ayane-chan! Even your ghost continues to haunt me to these days!" Shouichi was lost in his train of thought.


    "Are you living alone? Momo-chan." Shouichi asked, changing the subject.


    "No, I''m living with my big sister but she works night shifts in the hospital these days."


    "Oh¡­ She''s a nurse or something?" He asked attentively.


    "No, she''s just a helper¡­ there. Ugh¡­" she replied, suddenly appearing to be in discomfort.


    "What''s wrong, Momo-chan? You look distressed. Are you hurt anywhere?" Shouichi asked with concern.


    "I''m sorry, Shouichi-kun. I''m wearing a corset and it started to bug me a lot. Would you mind turning away briefly? I''ll be quick." She said shamefully. Her pleading voice was cute and somewhat alluring.


    "Ah, okay¡­ I''m not looking." Shouichi complied obediently.


    "I''m doing it now, so please don''t look," Momo said as she began stripping off her maid uniform, carefully hanging it up in an organised manner.


    Curiosity got the better of Shouichi, and he sneaked a quick peek. "I couldn''t help it! God forgive me, for I have sinned." he thought to himself.


    His eyes caught a glimpse of her fair, pristine skin and the exposed nape of her neck as she removed her wig and placed it gently on the stand. It was a mesmerising sight.


    "Eh? It stuck!" Momo whispered to herself, surprised, it looked like the zipper on her corset wouldn''t come off, and she couldn''t reach it properly with her own short limbs.


    "Um, Shouichi-kun. Would you mind helping me with something?" She begged shamefully.


    "It''s the zipper." She told him with pinkish cheeks.


    "Of course not, I¡­ um, don''t mind at all," Shouichi replied, determination flickering in his brown eyes, even as his heart raced.


    Now, she looked much more like the original Momo ¡ª his classmate with the bob hairstyle. However, her carefully applied makeup remained intact, presenting an even more captivating version of her.


    "Thank you! I thought it''d be stuck forever." Momo said after Shouichi managed to unstick the zipper by forcefully pulling it up and down a few times. Her porcelain back was exposed to him, and Shouichi could feel a hot sensation. He couldn''t help but swallow his saliva, calming his nerves. "Momo-chan is so freaking hot! I have to hold it in. Endure!" His perverted mind eventually acted up, causing him to blow air out of his nose.


    "Are you not gonna turn back? Do you want to see them, Shouichi-kun?" Momo whispered in a soft but erotic voice, teasing him.


    "Ah? Sorry, sorry. I''m turning back now." Shouichi spoke nervously and averted his shy eyes away. He never had this type of experience before. "Man¡­ Damn me! I''m such a chicken! A coward!" He condemned himself.


    "But she''s my friend! I should never disrespect her like that! Have some decency, Shouichi!" A battle broke up in his mind.


    After a while, Momo completed her transformation back into his usual classmate, now wearing her familiar round glasses. Shouichi, feeling more composed, noticed the heat that had overtaken his body earlier had subsided ¡ª it had truly been just a fleeting moment.


    He let out a deep sigh of relief, realising that, in his heart, he regarded Momo as one of his friends.


    "I''m feeling much better now. Hahaha." Momo told him and giggled gleefully.


    "Haha. Now, you look like Momo-chan in my class." Shouichi jested lightheartedly. They both chuckled in unison.


    "So, in the end, you didn''t get to open the shop today?" He asked, his voice tinged with empathy.


    "Yes¡­ Shinji was so angry, he didn''t get his sugar intake."


    "Nah, don''t feel sorry for him, I bet he has fancy desserts at home. Maybe even an ice cream machine. Who knows." Shouichi speculated.


    "He does have it in his manor," Momo revealed and laughed, covering her mouth.


    "Really? Have you been to his house?" Shouichi probed with a surprised look.


    "Yeah¡­ I''ve been there a few times." Momo replied, tapping her glasses.


    "Shinji only told me that you were his former classmate in middle school. I didn''t know you guys were close." Shouichi continued to probe attentively.


    "He''s more than that actually¡­ It was Shinji-kun who helped my sister with Maid & Tea Bliss. The shop was originally run by her. Long before she got a job at the hospital." Momo explained firmly.


    "Oh really? I thought you were just working there as an employee. Apparently, you are the shop owner?"


    "Partially. So the location is really expensive. Shinji asked his parents to rent it out for us at no cost." Momo continued her story. Shouichi noticed she was a cheerful girl when you got to know her: A new side of her that Shouichi never thought he would see.


    "Shinji is a great guy, isn''t he?"


    "Indeed. Shouichi-kun, I wasn''t always pure and innocent, you know? You are also being so nice to a girl like me, I feel like you should know something about my past. But I''m not sure if you wanna hear it though¡­" Momo said with uncertainty in her expression, her eyes bouncing around nervously.


    "Please feel free to dump it on me. Momo-chan." Shouichi said in participation, reaching out to grasp her delicate hand. He squeezed her tenderly, letting her know that he truly sympathised with her.


    "Ye~yes¡­ Here, I go¡­" Momo cleared her throat and began to tell him about her past.


    "My parents¡­ they were in an accident while leaving Kurohashi via the bridge. It was raining heavily that day, and the car skidded and plunged into the water below. Their bodies were never recovered because our town didn''t have the proper equipment, and hiring help from outside was far too expensive.


    My sister was in high school at the time, and we both had to figure out a way to make ends meet. She tirelessly worked two jobs while attending school every day. I felt so useless, like a burden. I wanted to help¡­


    Then one day, a man approached me with a job offer, as a karaoke hostess. With the help of a senior there, I learned how to disguise myself with makeup, wigs, and so on. It had only been a week before Shinji found out¡­"


    Momo paused, her gaze distant as she reminisced. After a moment, she took a long gulp of water, her hands trembling slightly.


    "How did he find out at all?" Shouichi probed attentively.


    "Well¡­ the customers groped me one night, and I was so terrified, didn''t know what to do. So I came running out of the store. That''s when I bumped into Shinji. I think he saw my pink eyes, he asked what happened." Momo continued, and her big, beautiful eyes started to glitter.


    "Oh..." Her lore left Shouichi speechless.


    "I told him everything. So he offered to help us open a shop. I asked why would he care about me at all. He said it was because he wanted to have green tea with big pearls every day. What a rich spoiled kid, right? How could a kid like that be so kind and gentle¡­ When I''m a dirty one, a tainted girl." As narrated, Momo''s tears ran down her face, her voice was shaking uncontrollably.


    "I feel you, Momo-chan. Let them all out¡­ That doesn''t change anything for me. You are still my friend, Momo-chan that I know. I don''t regret jumping in to protect you¡­ You know what If that happened, I''d do it again a hundred times, a thousand times." Shouichi consoled her softly. He didn''t need to think about those words at all, they just came from his heart.


    "Thank you so much. Shoui~" Suddenly, Momo''s words were interrupted when Shouichi pulled her into his arms around and tenderly pat her hair. They were embracing one another for a good while.


    "Thank you. I feel so much better." Momo spoke while wiping her damp face.


    "No worries," Shouichi said with a warm smile. He soon didn''t harbour any romantic feelings for Momo; what he felt was the essence of pure friendship. Tomako Momo was someone he genuinely cared for.


    ***


    An hour later, Shouichi was picked up by his beloved and caring mother, Yamamoto Yoko. He told her the whole thing, about the fight, and Momo''s past.


    "Poor girl¡­" Yoko was tearing up a little after hearing Momo''s story.


    She was driving a car in the middle of the night. It was late and the street was as serene as the first day he arrived in this town.


    "I''m sorry, Mom. I didn''t mean to worry you like that."


    "My, I''m so glad you grew up to be a very different man than your father. But you need to be more careful next time okay? I don''t want you getting hurt!" Yoko warned, her voice firmed yet caring.


    "Yes, Ma''am," Shouichi replied playfully.


    "So, so..." Yoko''s eyes glittered with a mischievous smile.


    "Shou-kun, are you dating Ayane-chan or Momo-chan? You can''t have both. As a man, you have to choose one only." Yoko probed, teasing the boy.


    "Haaaaaaa?! What are you saying, Yoko-san? I''m not dating either of them! We''re just friends!" The question caught him off guard, causing a blush to spread across his face as he quickly responded.


    "Ohhhh¡­ That means Shou-kun is still mine! I couldn''t be happier!" Yoko proclaimed with joy as she turned to look at him and smiled gently.


    "Hahaha, you could say that, Mom." Shouichi chuckled, partially agreeing with her, and he remarked internally, "As usual, Yoko-san is still an overly attached mother."

 10 Lover Incident With Ishikawa Misaki

    "The dark sky¡­ shallow black water¡­ the red esclipse¡­ These are something from my dream¡­" Shouichi pondered.


    "Am I trapped here again in this nightmarish abyss?" Shouichi wondered. He swept his eyes around the realm without a horizon. There was nothing beyond where he stood. Nothing but darkness.


    "Whaaaaaa?! I''m sinking. Help!" Suddenly, he felt like his body was pulled into the water below.


    "Water¡­, Water¡­, Water!" Shouichi saw a vision of a man in a suit asking for the water.


    Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of a bloody man tapping his head on the glass window.


    "Die!" A man in a raincoat shouted, his face twisted in fury as he walked down the familiar corridor. Without warning, he lunged, driving a knife into Shouichi''s chest. A sharp, burning sensation surged through him, followed by a rush of dark blood pouring out.


    "Hmm?!" Shouichi opened his wide eyes in panic. He quickly got up but it was not a single-size bed that he usually slept on. Still disoriented, he rubbed his eyes and saw his mother sleeping next to him. He felt relieved after he recalled that Yoko invited him to sleep with her last night.


    "Hmmm¡­" Yoko moaned in her sleep. It could be her response to a ruckus he made earlier.


    Yoko was wearing a satin blouse, but a top button was undone leaving her lewd upper chest exposed. Despite having her teenage son, she still appeared young and enchantingly beautiful.


    "Man¡­ I need to get up and shake this unsightly image out of my head." Shouichi banned ugly thoughts.


    "One month has passed but those bizarre events still haunt me¡­ Am I slowly losing my mind?" Shouichi thought while brushing his teeth.


    "Gooood morning, Shou-kun!" Yoko stretched and let out a big yawn, covering her mouth with her palm. She still hadn''t buttoned the top button of her blouse, leaving a hint of her white upper chest visible. Shouichi instinctively turned his gaze away.


    "Oh my! Shou-kun, are you flustered by me? Fufufu. Well, Mommy''s still young after all." Yoko teased him even more while covering her upper chest with her hands.


    "Damn you, Mom! You indecent woman!" He cursed in his mind.


    "Wanna see the whole thing?" Yoko continued her teasing with a slight red face, it made her very alluring.


    "EHHH?!" His jaw dropped so far it almost dislocated. Yoko burst into laughter, clearly enjoying his bashful reaction.


    "This isn''t one of those lewd anime moments, right!?" Shouichi thought to himself, his mind racing.


    ***


    On Saturday, Shinji and Shouichi made a plan to watch a movie together. It was one of those scary movies where a vengeful ghost haunted a house and couldn''t be exorcised, a bit cliche but they heard it had a good scare with above-average reviews. Ayane refused to watch any scary movies so she backed out immediately when invited. Momo got to tend to her Maid & Tea Bliss. As a result, that left with just two handsome duo.


    Shouichi stood in the public bathroom, checking his hair and overall look. His bangs had grown longer, now just above his eyelashes. "Man, I do look a bit edgy. I might ask Yoko-san to trim them for me tonight," He thought.


    Still, the longer bangs gave his pretty face a touch of mystery. Believe it or not, girls seem to like men with long bangs these days. Shouichi slid on a stylish pair of sunglasses. While it was common to wear them in Australia due to the high UV index, it wasn''t quite the same in Japan, where sunglasses could be seen as a sign of insincerity or deceit.


    "I couldn''t care less, the sun was too bright today." He argued in his mind.


    Shouichi walked out of the bathroom and waited for his friend in front of a cinema, it was the only cinema in town. It was quite crowded in the afternoon. But Shouichi managed to secure two tickets for Sadoko''s Haunted House Part 7, and it was almost meet-up time so Shinji should be arriving soon. For the record, Shinji was a punctual guy as he was never late more than 5 minutes.


    Shouichi kept scrolling on his phone to pass the time and to appear less awkward.


    "Oopsie!" A girl bumped into him and scattered all her belongings. There were Gachapons with cute cat figures of different breeds and poses. Utilising his quick reflex, Shouichi managed to grab her small waist, preventing her from planting into the floor.


    "I''m so sorry, I didn''t see you!" The girl responded and stepped back. Her voice was so gentle, sweet, and cute. Shouichi kneeled to help her, picking up her stuff.


    "My bad, I should have seen you coming," Shouichi said, finally getting a proper look at the girl. There stood the prettiest girl in his dream, a literal ten. Her eyes were strikingly large and expressive, an obsidian hue with a subtle pink undertone. She dressed in a pastel off-white blouse and pastel blue poodle skirt, exquisitely adorned with ribbons and bows ¡ª a perfect example of the "Sweet Lolita" style. Her long, black hair caught hints of dark purple in the sunlight and was styled into twin tails, each secured with large, cute bows that allowed the curls to cascade elegantly. Unfortunately, the lower half of her face was covered with a black mask.


    "Here, lady." Shouichi helped put items into a paper bag.


    "Thanks, you are so kind, umm¡­ If you don''t mind, may I ask for your name?" She asked. Even her voice was angelic, matching perfectly with her look.


    "Not at all, I''m Seito Shouichi. Nice to meet you." Shouichi introduced himself and consciously extended his hand out for a shake.


    "I''m Ishikawa Misaki, nice to meet you, too!" The Lolita girl pulled down her mask with her finger, her sweet smile exposed and then eagerly shook his hand. It was absolutely one of the sweetest smiles, he had ever seen in his life. "Oh, goodness! She''s so darn cute!" The girl''s sweet fragrance engulfed him, it had an appealing sweet and flowery scent.


    "Everything about her is just perfect, per~fect." Shouichi was lost in sauces.


    "Ding!" A notification on his phone. Shouichi finally snapped out of his euphoric state.


    The message read, "Sorry, bro. I have bad diarrhoea, I can''t go to the movie with you. Unless you want to watch me strain the whole seat, XD. ~Sorry, Shinji."


    "Um, what happened? Did your date stand you up?" Misaki probed him after seeing his frown expression. Shouichi was surprised that she was still around.


    "No, nothing like that. Well, it''s not a date. My friend, he got sick all of sudden so..."


    "Really? Is he alright?"


    "He''ll be fine."


    "Well, um, do you have a girlfriend?" The Lolita girl asked anticipatingly out of the blue.


    "Eh? That''s quite a sudden¡­ I don''t have any." Shouichi replied honestly. "Hmm, where is this going? " Shouichi asked himself.


    "Really? I''m so glad. You don''t strike me as a person who would stay single for long." Misaki''s obsidian eyes sparked with anticipation, she intertwined her fingers together and put them on her chest, Shouichi could see her long beautiful pink nails. "Is it my just imagination or does the girl want to talk to me?... She looks like a girl that would either be the biggest love or the biggest heartbreak¡­ Man, should I shoot my shot or back out before I get hurt?" Shouichi was contemplating hard in his mind.


    "By the way, you look like a senpai to me, how old are you?" She asked with an intriguing expression. The girl appeared to be roughly the same height as Shouichi.


    "I''m 17 years old. What about you, Ishikawa-san?" Shouichi replied and asked.


    "I''m so correct! Yippy! I''m your junior, just one year younger. Can I call you Shouichi-Senpai?" She replied excitedly. "What a sweet and gentle girl... Misaki couldn''t be more perfect, she''s the best. Does that mean that I fell for her already? Damn it, Shouichi, Pull yourself together" He thought, daydreaming already.


    "Yeah¡­ yep¡­ you can call me that, Misaki-chan. Haha."


    "Don''t call me Misaki like everyone else, Shou-senpai. Call me Misa-chan, please?" Misaki asked him politely.


    "Oh! I''m on cloud nine right now¡­ Are we really skipping straight to the cute nickname phase?" His thoughts raced, imagining their life together already.


    "Hahaha. Shou-senpai seems a bit zoned out. Is your head alright? Is it because I bumped into you previously?" Misaki asked caringly, outstretching both of her delicate hands to gently touch his cheeks. Undoubtedly, her hands were soft and warm. Her sparkling eyes stared deeply into his heart and soul, Shouichi couldn''t stand them so he forced his gaze down at her voluptuous chest instead. "E-cup? Or F-cup? What am I thinking? Damn my eyes!" Shouichi cursed at himself.


    There was one solution left, he awkwardly resorted to looking up instead.


    "Hahaha, you are so funny senpai, what are you looking at? It''s just a ceiling." She giggled gleefully and pulled her hands back.


    "Time to shoot my shot! Or else, I''ll never see her again!" Shouichi made up his mind at the end.


    "Misa-chan¡­ Do you know the haunting house part 7?" Shouichi asked while feeling his heart pounding like crazy.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "Sadoko''s part 7?! Yes, I know that one. I wanna watch it too but the ticket queuing was too long." Misaki replied with a hint of disappointment in her tone.


    "W~Would you like to watch it with me? I got two tickets and my friend just happened to no-show." Shouichi mustered his remaining strength and invited her.


    "Wow! Is it really okay? Like really, really okay?" Misaki asked to confirm, her pale face lit up with enthusiasm.


    "Yes! Please join me! Misa-chan!" Shouichi spoke firmly with confidence.


    "I''m so happy, who could have thought I''d get to watch it today? I thought Part 6 was such a cliffhanger and it''s been almost 6 months before we got to see Part 7! Let me grab popcorn and drink first, Shou-senpai." Misaki responded, beaming brightly.


    "I guess it''s not bad after all, thanks Shinji. I''ll remember your sacrifice. I''d treat you green tea boba next time." Shouichi saluted to his friend.


    Shortly after, the sweet Lolita girl came back with a big popcorn bucket and a drink.


    "Shou-senpai, try this one. It''s a new flavour soft drink called ''Bloody Diamond''." Misaki suggested, putting her index finger on the straw and aiming it at his lips.


    "Aaaah! Open wide, please!" She ordered. Shouichi submissively opened his mouth to drink but she mischievously pranked him and stuck her finger into his mouth.


    "Eh?! Misa-chan, what are you doing?" Shouichi asked. He had never been so confused. The girl just tricked him into sucking on her finger.


    "...Like this¡­" Misa then seductively licked the tip of that finger then pretended to bite it erotically. Shouichi''s face was in a deep shade of red. He felt like his breath became hot and heavy. "That''s an indirect kiss on the first date (which I wasn''t sure if I should call it a date), This is so cliche." Shouichi thought bashfully.


    "Hahaha I gotcha!... For real, this time, senpai. Try it! It''s so good, I can guarantee." Misaki seriously let him try her drink this time. It was a sweet pomegranate soda with a hint of vanilla.


    "Oh¡­ It''s really refreshing, Misa-chan."


    "Hahaha I''m glad you like it, Shou-senpai." She giggled and replied cheerfully.


    "Let''s go! The movie will start soon!" Misaki urged as she wrapped her hand around his arm and walked side by side. Her bosoms brushed against his skin as they went. "This is what it''s like to have a clingy and loving girlfriend!" Shouichi teared up with joy.


    The movie was terrifying with a great amount of jumpcares. Every time it happened, Misaki would hide her face in Shouichi''s shoulder. Shouichi hoped that the jumpscare would never last. The movie ended with a signature undying ghost even when the haunting house had been demolished. The Sadoko''s curses still remained attached to the soil, setting up for a sequel, part 8 the final chapter.


    "Aah! The movie was so scary and fun, senpai." Misaki spoke, stretching her body, her physique appeared alluring and really erotic. "How could this girl blessed with such large assets? The gods are so unfair." Shouichi wondered about his taller friend Ayane.


    "Yeah, it''s overall fun. The ending was kinda meh though."


    "Hahaha, like, ever. All of their endings suck because they weren''t meant to be. It''s all set up for the next sequel. I''m sure Part 8 will have a satisfying ending for sure!" Misaki rambled excitedly. She must be one of those movie geeks, even if she didn''t look the part.


    "What would you like to do next? Misa-chan?" Shouichi asked, embarrassed but determined. He felt like it was the right time to ask.


    "Hoho? Did you just ask me out on a date, Shou-senpai?"


    "Eh?...something like that," Shouichi admitted softly with a blushed face.


    "Then, Let''s go on a date. I feel like it''s our fate that I ran into you today. It''d be such a huge waste if I don''t get to know you more, right?" Misaki replied with a gentle smile.


    "GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!" Shouichi imagined himself scoring a rugby goal again and again.


    The couple looked around at the clothing shop, it was one of those Lolita-style merchandise that Misaki was wearing. She tried a few combinations in the changing room, showing it to him. Her divine beauty and model-like physique could make all of them fit her nicely.


    "Senpai, what do you think about this one?" Misaki asked after she stepped out of the curtain.


    "Wow!" Shouichi exclaimed, stunned by her stylish costume. Misaki wore a light pink blouse that hugged her silhouette, accentuating her curves. Her mini skirt showcased her long, slender legs, which were completed with white patterned leggings.


    "Any comment, please?"


    "Oh, hahaha. This one suits you well, Misa-chan. The mini skirt is so cute." He replied, looking at her in admiration.


    "Right? I think it made my legs look longer." She agreed cheerfully.


    "If you don''t mind, can you take a picture for me?" Misaki requested politely.


    Shouichi took out his phone and began signalling, "Got it! Say, one, two¡­shoot!" The clicking sound of taking photos occurred.


    "One more, Misa, The, Cutie!" Shouichi cheekily invented his way of counting, it caught Misaki off guard that she let out a unique and fluttering smile. She smiled lovingly at him and they both giggled gleefully.


    "How''s it, senpai? Am I cute?" She asked and clung to his arm with both of her hands. She leaned in closely to look at his screen. Her twin-tails brushed softly against his shoulder.


    "You are the cutest!"


    "Haha, I like this one the most. The one when you said those words, fufufu!" She pointed at one of the photos that Shouichi took. She beamed widely, happiness in her eyes. Her sweet and flowery scent engulfed them revivingly.


    "Please send it to me, senpai. Here''s my number!" Misaki requested pleadingly.


    "All done! Did you get it?" Shouichi sent the picture through a messenger. She nodded happily in response.


    "??????" Misaki replied in the chat.


    Although Misaki seemed to like clothes there, she decided not to buy any at this time. The girl mentioned that she would usually wait for a sale at the end of the month.


    "What would you like for dinner, senpai? I''m feelin'' a bit peckish already." Misaki probed, her big eyes interlocked with his.


    "Whatever you like."


    "Strawberry Crepe!" Misaki exclaimed loudly like a little kid. "But that''s not a real dinner¡­" He exhaled but decided to indulge her anyway.


    The two of them ordered two strawberry crepes from a food truck. Later, they found an empty bench under the tree.


    The sky, once clouded, glowed orange, gradually fading to purple as it stretched toward the horizon.


    "It''s so beautiful¡­ The sunset, I mean." Misaki told him, taking a small bite out of her crepe. It was sweet and delicious. Misaki appeared to be glancing over distance clouds in awe.


    "Yeah¡­ The sunset is indeed beautiful." Shouichi muttered as he gazed tenderly at her face, his eyes tracing every feature of her with affection. He knew that he had already fallen for her.


    "Misa-chan¡­ Would I be able to see you again?" Shouichi asked her, uncertain of their future.


    "Why not? You can come to see me at school if you want, senpai." She replied flatly.


    "Wait, wait, wait?! Let me ask you this. Are you a Seihei student? All this time?!" Shouichi asked repeatedly. He was shocked by that fact. His brain was not braining properly.


    "I thought you already knew¡­ if you ever read my letter¡­" Misaki replied, keeping her eyes on the ground.


    "What letter?" Shouichi asked, and then he realised it could have been one of those love letters in his shoebox. He hadn''t had a chance to read them.


    "Nothin''! It''s embarrassing, it''s just an intrusive action anyway. Please don''t mind it, Senpai!" Misaki brushed him off. Her face turned slightly.


    "Eh? So you are my junior at the school?!" Shouichi asked again, his brown eyes widened with astonishment.


    "Yes! That''s true!" Misaki confessed, mischievously sticking her tongue out to the corner of her lips. "That means she knew me before we bumped into each other..." Shouichi pondered.


    "Say¡­ I had so much fun, Shou-senpai. I really don''t want the day to end," Misaki said as they walked past a bookstore.


    "Oh, that''s the first store I visited when I came to this town," Shouichi recalled in his mind.


    "Me too~Eh?" Shouichi was a bit surprised to run into Morimura Ayane this time. It appeared Ayane just exited after book browsing.

 11 Secret

    "Shouichi? What are you doing?" Ayane asked sharply; he could sense a hint of hostility in her voice.


    "Oh! Morimura-senpai, nice to finally meet you. I''m Ishikawa Misaki, a first-year student from Seihei school." Misaki introduced herself with a bow.


    "It seems like you already know who I am. Tsk! Shouichi, you need to come with me right now!" Ayane urged him before returning a cold glance at the junior.


    "Umm, what should I do? What just happened? I understand that Ayane sometimes acts cold toward strangers but it''s never to this extent." Shouichi pondered, unable to grasp the gravity of the situation.


    "It~It''s okay, Shou-senpai. I have to go as well. See you later!" Sensing the tension in the air, Misaki responded, bowing at them with respect.


    "Ye~yeah, see you. Take care, Misa-chan." Shouichi returned with a weak smile at Misaki. The girl waved and soon departed in the other direction.


    "Hey, Ayane. What was that!?" Shouichi asked with a frown face, still puzzled by her sudden stance. Ayane didn''t answer but kept pulling his hand, leading him somewhere.


    "Wait? Where are we going? Ayane?" Shouichi repeated, confused.


    "..." Ayane remained silent, her lips pressed tightly together. She pulled him toward a nearby park. It was nearly dark, and the area was completely deserted. The dim glow of lamplights cast long, faint shadows as Ayane gripped his wrist firmly.


    "Ayane, please tell me. Is something troubling you?"


    "Talk to me!" Shouichi pressed again. "She seems super pissed! Man, what did I do again!?" Shouichi wondered, sweating nervously.


    "...Why are you with her? Aren''t you supposed to be with Shinji?" Ayane finally spoke, her voice firm and unyielding, her eyes locked on his with a serious intensity. Shouichi was taken aback, surprised that she was actually referring to Ishikawa Misaki.


    "Misa-chan?" Shouichi asked to confirm.


    "Yes¡­" Ayane confirmed flatly.


    "You see, it''s a bit of a coincidence. Shinji was sick and I bumped into her by accident." Shouichi explained nonchalantly. He lied a little, it was actually Misaki who bumped into him but she didn''t need to know that.


    "The girl is bad news! Stop hanging out with her, Shouichi-kun. " Ayane said firmly. Her violet-purple stared right into his soul.


    "...May I ask why?"


    "Just stop!" Ayane said, raising her voice. She was obviously upset.


    "But¡­" Shouichi was lost for words, flabbergasted.


    "Do you like her?" she finally asked. Her tone was a blend of discontent and sorrow. Shouichi studied her carefully, trying to gauge her emotions.


    "Why does she have to ask that? Is she jealous of Misa-chan? Could Ayane really be jealous? Impossible!" Shouichi''s thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the situation.


    After a few moments of silence, Shouichi didn''t say a word but gave a slow, deliberate nod. Tears welled up in Ayane''s glittering eyes, threatening to spill over.


    Slap!


    Unexpectedly, Ayane slapped his cheek. A hot, stinging sensation spread across his skin, leaving it numb. Yet, Shouichi remained calm and composed. But internally his head was in turmoil as he gritted his teeth bitterly.


    "...Goodbye," Shouichi said softly as he turned his back and walked away, a storm of confusion, hurt, and anger swirling within him.


    "The girl is a murderer, a murderer!" Ayane eventually shouted out the truth, the truth that she didn''t want him to know.


    "Seriously, Ayane?... Did Misaki kill someone? How did it happen? Misaki wouldn''t be capable of doing that, right? Nothing seems to make sense right now." Way too many questions floated in his mind.


    "Doesn''t matter, I''ll be the judge of that," Shouichi replied to Ayane before leaving the park.


    Ayane sat alone in the dimly lit park, tears streaming down her beautiful face, her expression a mix of profound regret and overwhelming sadness.


    Shouichi got home with sadness lingering in his eyes. His face still felt numb, and his heart ached. He wondered if Ayane''s hand was alright. How could an amazing day turn sour toward the end? He let out a deep exhale to vent his frustration.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "Ding!" Suddenly, his phone vibrated.


    "Shou-senpai! I had so much fun today. I hope we can do it again sometime." Misaki messaged him, followed by a cute sticker of her avatar blowing a kiss. It really did lighten up his mood a little.


    "Hahaha. Yeah, let''s do that again, sometime." He texted back.


    "Ring!" Suddenly she video-called.


    "That was quite sudden," Shouichi thought as he walked toward the bathroom mirror to check his face. He looked miserable, but it didn''t matter. He wanted to talk to Misaki.


    "Senpai! I miss you already!" Misaki greeted him, her cute face laced with a cheerful smile. Shouichi noticed that the girl had changed into casual clothes, letting her silky hair cascade down freely.


    "H~Hi! Misa-chan, why are you calling me so suddenly?" Shouichi replied, faking a smile.


    "What happened to your face, senpai?"


    "I fell on my way back, Haha."


    "Oh, I didn''t think you''d be that clumsy. That''s not good. Please be careful next time!" Misaki cheered him up with a gentle smile, she appeared genuinely concerned about his well-being.


    "Sure, I will!" He reassured her, firm in his voice.


    "What do you like to do in your free time?"


    "Well¡­ I usually read some novels. I don''t understand some kanji since it''s been forever since I used Japanese."


    "Wow! That sounds interesting. I don''t understand some kanji myself, despite having lived here my whole life. Hahaha." Misaki stuck her tongue out playfully, and Shouichi felt a bit of his sorrow lift.


    "What about you? What do you like to do?" Shouichi asked in return.


    "Oh! I''m glad you asked! This!" She replied with enthusiasm, panning her camera toward her desk. Although her room was shown briefly, Shouichi noticed the pink decorations and anime posters on her walls. She was secretly a huge anime fan and a movie geek, he noted.


    "Oh, Nekoneko collections," Shouichi murmured as he spotted the small cat figurines. Misaki proudly introduced her rare items and favourites, one by one.


    "One moment senpai!" Misaki suddenly spoke up. Soon she placed her phone on a desk facing the camera toward her.


    "Wait?! What are you doing, Misaki-chan?" Shouichi shouted in shock as he saw her begin to remove her top, revealing her white bra and pale, pristine skin. "Is she some kind of exhibitionist?! That''s a bit too daring," he thought, his heart racing.


    "Fufufu, did I make you flustered?" Misaki mischievously smiled at him.


    "Of course not¡­" Shouichi lied, covering his eyes with his hands. He could still peek through the gaps between fingers though.


    "Hang on, I''m just gonna show you my favourite Lolita costume!" Misaki explained while she was taking off her pants. Soon Misaki had only undergarments on her, namely a bra and a pantie. "It''s too lewd!" Shouichi''s mind short-circuited. But at least he got a confirmation that her breast size was an F-cup, with a minimum E-cup!


    "But¡­ but you can change off camera, though?" Shouichi pretended to whine but still, he couldn''t keep his eyes away from her alluring body.


    "Tada! How''s it, senpai? Senpai?! Are you there?" Misaki asked excitedly after finishing her transformation into a black and red-accented Lolita costume. Her signature twin tails were back, adorned with large black bows. She was pushing the limits of sexiness, a stark contrast to the sweet Lolita style she wore on their first date.


    "Ah? Sorry! I spaced out again." Shouichi admitted.


    "Fufufu, this is a Gothic Lolita style. Do you like it better?" She probed, grabbed her skirt and swung around gracefully.


    "Yeah, I love it! This is a bit more mature and sexy."


    "Hahaha, I''m happy! Maybe I''ll wear this on our next date!" Misaki said, intertwining her fingers and placing them on her chest cutely. "Next date mentioned? Does that mean she likes me?" Shouichi pondered.


    "~Sorry, I gotta go now," Misaki said after she heard knocking on the door, she whispered, "Good night, Shou-i-chi senpai!"


    "Ah, good night, Misa-chan," Shouichi replied and the call disconnected.


    After a few moments, silence filled Shouichi''s room once again. He lay on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind began to process the events of the day, Ayane''s outrageous claim still lingering in his thoughts.


    "Misa-chan is a murderer?..."


    "...And what''s wrong with Ayane? Maybe I need to talk to her properly this time. I won''t let my emotions cloud my judgment this time." Shouichi made up his mind with unwavering determination.


    The morning arrived, and Shouichi in a school uniform strolled along the same path to school. After a while, he spotted crowds near the front gate of the school.


    "He~ya! Shou-senpai!" Misaki greeted energetically.


    "Oh, good morning, Misa-chan."


    Misaki stood in front of the school gate, waiting for him. She looked cute in her school uniform, the large red ribbons in her twin tails complementing it perfectly. Her hair was a deep shade of purple, and her obsidian eyes gazed at him innocently.


    "I was just waiting for you, can we walk to class together?" She suggested and leaned in close.


    "Yeah, I don''t mind that at all."


    "Yippy!" She exclaimed in excitement.


    Without wasting a second, she instinctively linked arms with him, her chest brushing gently against his arm, sending a spark through his core. Doing this in school is a bit bold for me, he thought but complied anyway.


    The couple walked across the school grounds together, and Shouichi soon noticed the prying eyes of other students directed at them.


    "Misaki is really popular among the male students. Strangely, I haven''t seen her around before," He thought.


    "Are they dating?"


    "Ishikawa is walking with that international student, don''t turn too quick!"


    "What a cute couple."


    "F**K! My Ishikawa-chan is taken!"


    "Blud got ''W rizz'' but you don''t. Just give up, man!"


    Gossip echoed through the field as they went.


    "Tsk!" A female clicked her tongue in exasperation as she followed them from a good distance. It was Morimura Ayane with a melancholic expression. Her frameless glasses concealed her face partially.


    Ayane bit her lips discontentedly as she stared at the cheerful couple.


    The lunch break began and Monday''s club lunch proceeded as usual...


    Today, Ito Emi, Morimura Ayane, Aoyama Shinji, and Seito Shouichi were sitting at a big table in the rugby club room. Meanwhile, Ito Toru, Hinoda, and Naggi had some errands to run so they couldn''t show up.


    The dense atmosphere and dark unpleasant air filled the room, causing a stale dining experience.


    "...What happened between you two?" Shinji eventually broke the silence, pointing to both Shouichi and Ayane.


    "Hmph!" She angrily turned her face away, her cheeks puffing up into a cute pout. It was somehow irresistibly adorable. Shouichi smiled weakly at Shinji, unsure of where to begin.


    "Cheer up, you two. We ain''t got all day," Shinji said, partially forcing them to make up.


    "Ayane-chan, if I offended you in any way, I''m sorry..." Shouichi finally apologised, though he felt like it wasn''t entirely his fault.


    "Shouichi-kun, I also apolo~" Ayane began, but soon was interrupted by someone.

 12 Advancement

    "Senpai~! Emi-chan!" A playful, familiar voice resonated from the club entrance.


    "Misaki-chan!" Emi greeted Ishikawa Misaki, wearing her gentle smile.


    "Sooo¡­ This is where you are every Monday, hmm? I wonder why you leave me so often. I''m soooo lonely, you know." Misaki came in and hugged her friend who was sitting on one of the chairs. Misaki''s chest pressed gently against her friend''s head.


    "I told you already there is a club lunch every Monday, didn''t I?" Emi argued, lifting her eyebrows up.


    "Ah, maybe I forgot about it," Ishikawa Misaki replied, cutely tapping her head with a playful expression. As she spoke, her eyes met Shouichi''s, locking onto his gaze. A smile soon spread across her pretty face ¡ª the same sweet, radiant smile as before. It was the absolute, irresistible charm that made his heart flutter like an adiabatic pulse of warmth.


    "Wait? You two know each other?" Shouichi probed, tilting his head slightly.


    "Of course, Emi-chan is my classmate and my best friend!" Misaki replied firmly, leaning on Emi''s shoulders, curving on her squeezy assets as she pressed.


    "Come to think about it now; the two best friends share a similar feature. I bet their bras'' sizes are the same, they could switch their bras if they wanted and it would still fit them¡­ Dang it! What was I thinking" Shouichi''s thoughts ran wild.


    "Ahem! Shouichi, your eyes." Shinji urged, nudging and then whispering in Shouichi''s ear. It appeared Shouichi lost in the sauce while staring at those dynamites without even blinking his eyes.


    "Fufufu!" Misaki seductively giggled, cupping her lips.


    "By the way, may I join you guys for lunch at the club?" Misaki asked politely.


    "Umm¡­" Emi hesitated, looking around for opinions.


    "That''s fine. The more, the merrier, or so they said," Shinji replied firmly with his smartass remark.


    "I guess," Ayane said indifferently, not batting an eye.


    "...I, um, I wouldn''t mind at all. " Shouichi added.


    Once everyone was on board, Misaki pulled a chair to sit across from Ayane and between Shouichi and Emi. The silence and awkwardness sonn filled the air, while Misaki''s eyes darted around slightly uncomfortable.


    Misaki eventually turned to her senior, "Shou-senpai, would you like to try my sausage? Say ahh?" She hovered it close to him, using her chopsticks.


    "That''s alright, Misa-chan. I''m feeling a bit stuffy right now," he kindly refused. "This feels like d¨¦j¨¤ vu," he added, a quick flashback of being on the rooftop with Ayane flashing through his mind.


    "What''s with the nicknames? Misa-chan? Shou-senpai? Did you two, um,..." Emi probed, trying to put two and two.


    "Jeez, stop nagging him, already..." Ayane said, stern in her voice with a hint of hostility. Her sudden words startled Misaki, Emi, and even Shinji.


    "Huh?... Sorry, Morimura-san," Misaki apologized with a respectful bow to Ayane. The senior didn''t respond, merely resting her chin on her palm in silence.


    "What the freak, bro? Is this what I think it is?" Shinji whispered to Shouichi, so quietly that only he could hear it.


    "I dunno, Shinji." He replied.


    "Say¡­ Shou-senpai, would you like to hang out with me this evening? I can wait for you after your club practice, then we can go to karaoke!" Misaki continued to suggest.


    "Ugh, this is the worst timing ever. Misa-chan could have asked in chat or literally any other time. Did she do this deliberately to spite Ayane?" Shouichi pondered, frustration evident in his thoughts.


    "Shouichi-kun, tell her that you don''t want to go..." Ayane eventually snapped, her voice obviously sounding irritated.


    "Hooo? Stop putting your words into his mouth! Are you his jealous girlfriend or something?" Misaki retorted, raising her voice.


    "Nnn~No. " Ayane replied, her voice softened to almost inaudible.


    "Then this is none of your business!" Misaki yelled.


    "Huh? Speaking for yourself, you are no good for him." Ayane retorted, still calm and composed as ever.


    "H~Hey guys, calm down¡­ " Shouichi interjected agitatedly, trying to deescalate the situation.


    "...Tsk!" Ayane grimaced in exasperation, her brows furrowing into a frown as her lips curled downward.


    "Well, answer me this, Morimura-san. Do you like Shou-senpai? Why are you jealous of us?" Misaki boldly contronted her senior, wearing a condescending smirk.


    "Hey, that''s too far, Misaki-chan!" Emi interrupted as she tried to pry the girl away, serious concern written all over her face.


    "... " Ayane did''t utter a word, and then she sprung up on her feet.


    "Eek!" Misaki yelped as Ayane abruptly grabbed her arm and pulled up her sleeve, exposing her bare skin. A series of faint slit marks lined Misaki''s delicate wrist, shocking everyone in the room into stunned silence.


    "Holy¡­ are those scars from multiple suicide attempts?" Shouichi thought, his mind racing. "I''ve never seen them up close before. How could a perfect, lovely girl like Ishikawa Misaki be coping with depression to this extent? Could Ayane''s accusations really be true? Did she¡­ did she actually kill someone?" He contemplated hard, the revelation shaking him to his core.


    Misaki''s eyes brimmed with tears, her composure crumbling under the weight of the moment. A heavy sense of despair seemed to envelop her.


    "Misaki-chan¡­" Emi called out softly, her voice trembling with concern.


    "I~I can''t¡­ " She replied with tears raining down on her cheeks.


    "You''re a murderer, tell us the truth! Say it! " Ayane coldly ordered, showing no sign of empathy as she continued to grip on Misaki''s wrist. Ayane was always a ruthless, heartless girl, especially to strangers.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Ye~yes, it''s my fault¡­ It''s all my fault!" Misaki shouted her confession, her voice wavering yet loud.


    "That''s enough! Ayane, Let her go!" Shouichi interupted, he could not sit idly any longer. As Shouichi locked eyes with Ayane, his eyes filled with rage. Ayane had never seen this side of him before, it terrified her.


    "You''re way out of line! Let go of her hand! Damn it!" Shouichi barked, grabbing Ayane''s wrist with a firm grip.


    "But¡­ ouch!" Ayane cried out in pain, releasing Misaki''s wrist instinctively.


    Almost immediately, Misaki bolted out of the clubroom, her wails echoing down the hallway as she ran, overwhelmed by distress.


    Realising Shouichi had put too much pressure on Ayane''s hand, Shouichi quickly let go. Ayane winced slightly as she gently rubbed the red marks on her bruised skin.


    "Man¡­ What a mess," Shinji muttered, placing a hand on his forehead in frustration.


    "I''m so sorry, senpai. If I had known this would happen, I would''ve refused when Misaki asked to join us. I¡­ I should''ve been more thoughtful," Emi said, her expression filled with regret.


    "I''m sorry, Shouichi-kun¡­ I just¡­ I wanted to protect you," Ayane said softly, her voice trembling.


    "There''s no need to shame her publicly like this," Shouichi replied, his tone stern. "Don''t you think she''s been through enough?"


    "You''re heartless, Ayane," Shouichi added, his expression serious. Rising from his seat, he turned to leave.


    "It''s not like that. Please, listen to me¡­" Ayane pleaded, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. She grabbed his wrist in desperation.


    Shouichi forcefully pulled his arm free, his tone cold and final. "We''re done."


    He walked out, his head spinning, a fiery mix of anger and confusion clouding his thoughts. Behind him, Ayane broke into sobs, the so-called heartless girl revealing her vulnerable side¡ª a soft spot for Shouichi that only made the moment more painful.


    ***


    The next day arrived, and Shouichi contacted Ito Emi, asking to meet her after practice. He had decided it was time to uncover the full story behind Ishikawa Misaki.


    When he reached the rugby club room, it was empty, so he took a seat on the couch and waited patiently. Before long, Emi appeared, still in her gym uniform, her clothes damp with sweat from practice.


    "Senpai, have you waited for long? It took me a while to finish my lapse." Emi greeted him with a smile, she unzipped her jacket, revealing a seimi-transparent t-shirt under.


    "Thanks for meeting with me after the practice, Emi-chan. " Shouichi said, signalling her to have a seat across from him. She walked around and sat down accordingly.


    "I''d like to ask you something about Misa-chan, I mean Misaki-chan." He requestet, going straight to the point.


    "Eh? I don''t know for certain¡­ Because the girl herself, Misaki-chan, never wanted to touch on this subject since. For what I''ve gathered, rumours had it that she attempted to commit a double suicide with another boy." Emi answered with a serious tone. She still sweated heavily after her exercise. Subsequently, Shouichi grabbed a cold towel from the fresh basket and handed it to her. Emi bowed slowly before accepting it with both hands.


    "Really? A double suicide? Did Ayane know this?" Shouichi asked to confirm, skeptical at the news.


    "I think so. It''s a big gossip around the school at one time. Morimura-senpai probably heard it from someone," Emi reasoned, nodding repeatedly as she rubbed a towel over her face and neck. The casual action carried an unintentionally seductive air.


    "The boy''s suicide was tragic¡­ but Misaki-chan somehow survived. The details were kept from the public, which is perhaps why some people brand her a murderer. Poor Misaki..."


    "Damn, I didn''t know that. Was that a while ago? When did it happen?" Shouichi probed like he was an investigater, his tone a mix of shock and curiosity.


    "Over half a year ago, I think," Emi replied. She pulled at the hem of her tee and absentmindedly rubbed her sweaty upper chest. Shouichi quickly averted his gaze, his face heating with embarrassment.


    "But Misaki isn''t a bad girl," Emi continued, "She was just in a bad place. I''m glad she has someone who cares about her, Seito-senpai."


    "I agree with you completely," Shouichi affirmed, his voice brimmed with conviction.


    "Maybe you should ask Misaki yourself," Emi suggested, pointing her index up nerdily, she soon added, "She doesn''t open up to just anyone, but I believe you''re an exception, senpai."


    "Thanks, Emi-chan. I''ll figure the rest out," Shouichi replied confidently, a sense of determination settling over him.


    ***


    Shouichi arrived at Yoko Sweet Shop in the late afternoon, it seemed like there was no customer to be seen.


    "Welcome back! Shou-kun." Yoko greeted him, wearing her usual sweet smile.


    "Where''s Ayane-chan? She hasn''t shown up for 2 days straight." Yoko said with concern.


    "I have no idea, Mom. " Shouichi replied flatly with a shrug.


    "Did you talk to her at all?" Yoko probed, she appeared to be concerned over her favourite cusomter''s absense.


    "I really haven''t got a chance to, um, I''ve been busy with the club activity recently," Shouichi replied, dodging her question.


    "... Shouichi, are you hiding something?" She pressed, leaning in closer.


    Shouichi let out a deep sigh of frustration, unable to hold it in any longer. He decided to come clean, and consult with his mother about the issue. It took him over half an hour to explain the entire situation, starting from the unexpected date with Misaki to the fallout with Ayane.


    "HAA!? You broke up with Ayane-chan?" Yoko exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.


    "It''s not a breakup; we weren''t dating," Shouichi clarified, rubbing his forehead. "But yeah¡­ we just don''t talk anymore."


    "That''s so sad," Yoko remarked, gently rubbing a dry cloth over a coffee cup. "Ayane-chan was a nice girl, but I agree she could be cruel sometimes."


    "And who is this new character? Ishikawa Misaki?" Yoko asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "Oh, she went to Seihei. The girl was in a bad spot, dealing with her depression, that''s all I can say right now. But when I''ve met her she''s really, really a sweet girl. " Shouichi replied softly. He took out his phone and showed Yoko the photo, it was Misaki''s photo he took that day in front of the changing room.


    "Wow! She''s gorgeous and really cute. She could be an idol if she wanted to," Yoko complimented, her tone excited.


    "Do you like her, though?" Yoko asked, nudging him playfully with her elbow.


    "..." Shouichi nodded, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.


    "I don''t know what to do, Yoko-san," Shouichi admitted, seeking her advice.


    Sigh¡­ Yoko responded with a knowing look. "If my boy was a bit more aware, he would''ve known right away¡­ When a girl treats you differently, it just means you''re someone special to her. Oh my, it''s good to be young¡­" Yoko mused, a fleeting memory flashing in her mind ¡ª Morimura Ayane''s beautiful violet-purple glance when she spoke to Shouichi. It was unmistakable; the girl was definitely into her son.


    "I can''t give you any good advice, sorry," Yoko admitted, gently patting his fluffy hair. "But I believe you''ll figure it out eventually."


    Shouichi exhaled deeply. "I don''t want to lose a friend, but I also want to follow my heart. Will Ayane ever forgive me for this?" he wondered silently.


    "Love is like that, isn''t it?" Yoko spoke with the wisdom of experience. "Sometimes it''s so pretty and wonderful, other times it''s painful and scary. Fufu."


    "Mom, I''ve decided."


    "Huh? Already?"


    "I''ll ask Misaki-chan about the truth. I need to hear it from her," Shouichi said, his decision firm.


    "Atta boy! Shou-kun!" Yoko exclaimed proudly, before encouraging him, "I''ll cheer you on, no matter what you choose!" The mother jumped up to hug him tightly, her warmth and elderflower aroma enveloping him.


    ***


    In the late evening, Shouichi lay on his bed, scrolling aimlessly through social media.


    "I wonder if Misaki is still awake," He thought, before impulsively sending her a sticker of a cat waving its paw. Almost immediately, his phone buzzed.


    "Shou-senpai! I was just about to message you, too!" Misaki texted.


    "We must be telepathically linked. Haha," Shouichi typed back, and she tapped "??" on his message.


    "I''m sorry about the other day¡­ you saw the ugly version of me," Misaki apologised.


    "That''s fine. I''m sorry too, for what happened to you. How are you holding up?"


    "I''m fine, I guess..." Misaki responded, followed by a cute selfie. Despite being bare-faced and ready for bed, she was still the cutest girl Shouichi had ever seen. "She''s a real natural beauty," he thought, his heart fluttering. Her white satin blouse was a bit revealing, leaving her upper chest exposed in a subtle yet seductive way.


    "I hate being depressed like this, senpai," Misaki confided.


    "Agreed."


    "I miss you already, though," She confessed. "She really stays true to herself and speaks her mind," He remarked internally.


    "Would you like to hang out after school tomorrow?" Shouichi gathered his courage and hit a ''send'' button.


    "Ho? Shou-senpai, you want to meet me? Is this a dream? Fufufu."


    "Not a dream. I want to see you, the real you, Misa-chan," he replied, his tone suddenly serious.


    "I want that too. Let''s meet then!"


    "??" Misaki sent a heart emoji, and Shouichi felt a butterfly in his stomach. The boy doubted he''d be able to sleep tonight.

 13 The Girl’s Confession

    "I just wanna let you know that it''s almost time to study for mid-term!..." The thin homeroom teacher spoke sternly in front of the class.


    "...I might say it too early. But next month will be over before you know it! I warn y''all now so you can prepare in advance!" Edon Takeshi-sensei added and he paused to cough briefly.


    "You over there? You got some questions for me?" The teacher pointed at Shinji who had a hand raised. The dazzling white wolf, Aoyama Shinji, wore a black turtle-neck shirt underneath his school uniform, which added style to his athletic physique and handsome face ''combo-wombo''.


    "Will the club activity stop now?" Shinji asked for the rest of the class.


    "That will be another 2 weeks. I believe. Anyone else?" Takeshi-sensei asked while gazing around the classroom. It appeared that everyone got the note.


    Soon, the class resumed as usual. Ayane in particular seemed extra focused on her study and diligently jotting down notes as she went. Ever since the club room incident, she never spoke another word to Shinji and Shouichi again. It was like she went back to being her old self, the peerless ice princess as people nicknamed her.


    The blessing school bells reverberated throughout and saved fatigued students from lethal boredom. Shouichi eagerly shoved his stationary into his school bag.


    "Clubbing time!~" Shinji exclaimed with a joyous melody as though he was singing.


    "It''s one of your favourite practices, Shouichi," Shinji spoke cheerfully and tapped Shouichi''s shoulder lightly. Shouichi looked up and saw his trademark smirking face.


    "Yeah! Kicking is super fun, Hahaha!" Shouichi agreed, chuckled with enthusiasm, and thought about his plan, "I have a meet-up with Misa-chan after the club today. Man, I can''t wait!"


    In the corner of Shouichi''s eyes, he thought he saw Ayane standing behind him with her hands outstretching. When he was about to turn, he instantly was interrupted as Shinji wrapped his arm around Shouichi''s shoulder. Shortly after, Shouichi got a chance to glance back, Ayane was already further away, and he pondered, "Maybe it''s just my imagination."


    ***


    In the male locker room, the duo changed into their tracksuits. As Shouichi glanced over, he noticed that Shinji wasn''t wearing the turtleneck he had initially assumed. Instead, it was a sleek black compression shirt that clung tightly to his athletic frame. The shirt outlined his toned physique, and Shouichi could clearly spot the defined lines of Shinji''s abdominal muscles even from a distance.


    "Oh, why would you wear that instead of normal tracksuits?" Shouichi probed out of curiosity.


    "Hahaha, um, I''m too lazy to change into it." Shinji laughed it off and gave a half-heart answer.


    "The nice hair, the tight compression shirt, amazing perfume, Shinji is going all out today. But who is bro trying to impress?" Shouichi questioned in his mind while finishing up his dress in the blue and white tracksuit. Lastly, Shouichi adjusted the sweatband on his left wrist a little to fully cover his scar.


    ***


    "Emi-chan!" Shinji called out to the manager, who stood waiting by the audience stands. Shouichi scanned the field and noticed only rugby club members were present. It seemed Emi had gone out of her way to reserve the entire field exclusively for their club that day.


    "Good evening, Aoyama-senpai, Seito-senpai," she greeted them amicably, waving her long limbs with energetic enthusiasm. Out of the corner of his eye, Shouichi noticed Ito Emi''s gaze locked onto Shinji, her eyes glimmering with something more intense than admiration. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red, and her voice took on an unusually gentle and higher-pitched tone as she spoke to him. She seemed almost entranced, her demeanour betraying a subtle yet undeniable arousal in Shinji''s presence.


    "Ahem!" Shouichi deliberately cleared his throat, sending a signal to the girl. Emi regained her consciousness, averting her gaze away and shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.


    "Ohhhh. You sly dog, Shinji!" Shouichi smirked internally.


    "Oh! Sorry. We are just waiting for my brother for now. He and the boys are getting the rugby balls from the storage room."


    "Emi-chan, you look thinner, though. It seems your diet is going well!" Shinji complimented her, shooting a charming smile. As a result, it made her even more fluttered. It was clear as days that the girl had already fallen into Shinji''s trap.


    "I hadn''t really paid attention before, but now that I think about it¡ªthe first time we met in front of the main board¡ªshe seemed a bit... chubbier. Yet her cup size has stayed roughly the same. How does that even work?" Shouichi pondered, sneaking a subtle glance to confirm his observation, feeling slightly guilty but unable to shake his curiosity.


    "Thanks, Senpai!" She accepted the compliment as she bowed gracefully. Shinji patted her head gently as if she was his kitten. However, the girl seemed to be enjoying it somehow.


    "Good girl, Cutie Pootiepie!" Shinji teased as he patted Emi''s head affectionately. Her face turned explosively red, yet she seemed to melt under his touch, offering no resistance. "Ugh, just date already, you two!" Shouichi grumbled internally, rolling his eyes at them.


    "Keep up the good work, Emi-chan!" Shouichi chimed in, encouraging her with a gentle smile.


    "Shinji! You brat! Stop treating my sister like a stray cat!" Suddenly, a loud, coarse voice resonated from a distance, it was unmistakably Ito Toru''s. The big brother fiercely threw a ball with full force, aiming Shinji''s way. It cut through the air like a bullet and hit right on Shinji''s head, Toru''s throw was as precise as they claimed.


    "Ouch!" Shinji cried out in pain, rubbing his head.


    "Senpai? Are you alright?" Emi exclaimed with her eyes widened in shock.


    "Shinji, didn''t I tell you to catch it with your hands, not your head? Hahaha!" Ito-senpai shouted, his voice booming across the field as he broke into mocking laughter. Behind him, Hinoda and Naggi trailed closely, their arms loaded with several rugby balls, smirking at the scene.


    "Sorry, Cap'' Toru!" Shinji apologised humbly. Unexpectedly, Shinji seemed recovered and unbothered by the impact, a thought crossed Shouichi''s mind, "Shinji sounds smart but his skull is so thick like literally."


    Afterwards, the club members took turns kicking the balls from various spots on the field toward the rugby goal. The rugby goal¡ªtwo tall poles with a crossbar¡ªdiffered from the goalposts used in Australian footy, which had no crossbar. Despite the unfamiliar setup, Shouichi outperformed nearly everyone on the team, except for Ito Toru, who remained a cut above the rest.


    "Good kicks today, Shouichi-kun. Getting used to the rugby goal now, huh?" Toru asked, slapping his shoulder so hard, the impact travelling downward to his feet.


    "Yes, Cap'' Toru. Thanks!" Shouichi returned with a modest smile.


    "Club''s dismissed guys! Good work!" Toru shouted so everyone could hear. Later, the captain went back to return the balls with his favourite lackeys, Hinoda and Naggi.


    "Oz!!!" The excited chanting came from the exhausted junior club members, resting on the soft grass field.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Shou-senpai!" A familiar voice echoed across the field. It was the divine voice of the enchanting Ishikawa Misaki. She had been watching him practice for a while. Shouichi turned toward the sound and saw Misaki sitting beside Emi on the stands. The girl flashed a wide grin and waved energetically. In response, Shouichi walked toward them, with Shinji following closely behind.


    "Must have been noice (nice)!" Shinji teased, making fun of his friend. The pole boy seemed to be sweating more than usual. Perhaps it was the poorly-breathable compression shirt he wore. On the bright side, it accentuated his outline even more, adding to his overall allure.


    "Hey! Misa-chan. Have you been waiting for long?" Shouichi asked once he was within earshot. She shook her head in response.


    "I''ve just arrived but I managed to catch you practising a little. You were so cool, senpai!" Misaki replied, wearing her sweet smile in admiration.


    "Emi-chan, if you don''t mind, would you like to go grab a bubble tea with me? Shouichi already got a plan with Misaki, here." Shinji asked Emi, seducing her with his striking purple eyes.


    "Odds, I didn''t tell him that I made a plan with Misaki this evening. But perhaps he''d be able to sniff it out from the get-go" Shouichi wondered at his sudden claim, and later dismissed it.


    "Sorry, Aoyama-senpai. I can''t drink sweet stuff right now." Emi refused without hesitation in her complexion. The girl could be serious about her diet and exercise among other things; undying determination truly ran in the Ito family''s bloodline.


    "...That''s so sad," Shinji said, his voice tinged with mock sorrow. The tall boy hung his head, his eyes cast downward as though his mood had just plummeted. Shinji then lifted his drenched shirt to wipe off his sweaty face, exposing his well-defined waistline. Emi was the first to react, her eyes widening in response, though she quickly tried to hide it.


    "...But I can come along with you, Shinji-senpai," Emi playfully replied, her divine answer gave Shinji a new sense of hope. His eyes sparked beautifully.


    "Really?! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Shinji shouted as though he was in a euphoric state, cloud nine as they called it. Others were amused by his overreaction, giggling collectively.


    ***


    In the evening, Misaki and Shouichi arrived at the Hoshimashi Shopping district, they decided to rent a karaoke room in the shop which was located on the top floor of a building.


    The girl rationalised that it was a more private setting for their conversation. When the couple opened the door, they found a karaoke room dimly lit and secluded, with only one small frosted window on the door. It was one of the few rooms further down the corridor.


    "Umm? Why did you pick this room in particular? Misa-chan." He asked out of curiosity.


    "I dunno, I just think it would be more exclusive for us. You don''t mind it right, senpai?" She replied gleefully while browsing on the karaoke machine.


    "Not at all," Shouichi replied, his tone calm as he waited patiently, though he was eager to get to the point. He took a long sip of his cola, hoping it would ease his nerves. It was literally his first time with a girl, of course, he would feel all sorts of emotions.


    In a matter of a second, Misaki sat down on his lap. Her delicate back rested on top of his firm chest. Shouichi could feel her warmth and smell her sweet fragrance from her nape. His heart was racing fast but his mind on the other hand went completely blank. It felt incredibly ecstatic, to be intimate with a girl for the first time.


    "Senpai¡­ Um..." Misaki seemed to fidget for the right words.


    "...Am I heavy?" She whispered softly. Despite her bold, free-spirited nature, Misaki seemed to flutter in this situation, just like any other girl might.


    "Not at all. It''s just a bit sudden. Hahaha," Shouichi answered, pretending to be as nonchalant as he could mutter, and laughing it off at the end. "Endure! Endure! Endure! She can''t know that I''ve got no rizz!" Shouichi was fighting a battle in his head.


    "About my past... I wanted to tell you¡­ Um... " Misaki fumbled her words, threading her twin tails using her fingers.


    "Please tell me, Misa-chan. If anything, I want to know you better, the past and the present," Shouichi stated firmly.


    "Right... Here we go. Last year, I was diagnosed with... depression," Misaki said softly, her voice trembling. "I couldn''t enjoy myself, couldn''t smile even though I wanted to. I couldn''t eat properly. It was like all the colours drained from my world, and everything turned grey... After a while, I couldn''t even bring myself to take my medications anymore. That''s when I met a boy named Yuta during my doctor''s visits. He was there for the same reason. Since we shared similar experiences, we clicked right away... But it only made things worse for both of us..."


    Despite the quiver in her voice, Shouichi understood every word. He wanted to comfort her, to touch her shoulders, but he hesitated, unsure if it was the right moment.


    "... Misa-chan." Shouichi gasped, his heart ached as he pitied the girl immensely.


    "I''m okay, senpai¡­" Misaki murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "We decided to leave this world. Nothing really mattered to us at the time. Everything felt like too much. So we decided to overdose in his hospital room... I don''t know how long I was out, but when I woke up, I was in my hospital room. My mother was there, crying her eyes out. Later, I found out that Yuta-kun never woke up... He''s... he''s really gone..."


    Misaki''s words were thick with sorrow and regret, each gesture of hers heavy with the pain of those memories.


    "I kept lying to myself that he was an angel that finally got to return home, to his heaven. It only worked for a bit, then my depression worsened so I attempted it again but it was too painful, I didn''t have a heart to continue..." Misaki''s expression faltered as she grew emotional, her voice trembling. She slowly rolled up her sleeve, revealing the faint but visible scars on her wrist. The marks, evidence of her struggle, spoke volumes in the silence that followed.


    "Maybe I''m a failure¡­ Maybe I am a murderer like they all said." She continued with self-deprecating. She began to cry and tears flushing down her beautiful face.


    Shouichi was silent, his words caught in his throat. He couldn''t find anything to say, overwhelmed by the weight of her revelation.


    "Shou-senpai... Are you going to hate me too?" Misaki asked and was about to stand up, knowing her plea might not be answered.


    In the heat of the moment, Shouichi wrapped his arms around her slender waist, holding her close. It was a silent promise, a gesture that spoke louder than any words could.


    "I''m glad..." Misaki sighed in relief, her eyes closing and gently ran her fingers across his veiny arms as she let herself absorb the feeling of his heartbeat, his warmth, and the quiet acceptance in his embrace.


    After a good while of their mutual embrace, Misaki spoke up like a vow, a promise, "...Senpai! To be completely honest with you. I don''t wanna die any more!"


    Misaki shifted slightly, closing the distance between them. Her flushed face was mere inches from his, and Shouichi could feel the warmth of her breath and the sweet scent of candy lingering in the air. With a slow, deliberate movement, she leaned in and pressed her soft lips against his.


    Their tongues intertwined in a passionate dance, exploring every corner of one another, exchanging their sweet nectar as they continued the naughty yet ecstatic endeavour.


    Misaki wrapped her arms around Shouichi''s shoulders, pulling him closer. The warmth of their embrace enveloped them as they shared a tender, lingering kiss. Shouichi''s heart raced, overwhelmed by the new sensation. It was his first kiss, and the feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced before¡ªintimate, yet full of promise.


    "...Senpai, your ''down there''¡­ It''s bricked, Fufufu." Misaki teased and giggled cutely. Her seductive eyes fixated on the thing.


    "Sorry, you are so hot, Misa-chan, I... I couldn''t help it." Shouichi shamefully stuttered slightly and truthfully praised the girl. "She is so beautiful and irresistibly erotic," Shouichi pondered.


    "Hehe, do you want me to calm it down?" Misaki whispered the sweet words into his ear but her hands already had started working by fondling it sensually, it throbbed in response to her tease.


    Shouichi nodded like an obedient boy, he needed it now.


    Knock! Knock! "Time''s up!" A sudden knock on their door, followed by the clerk''s voice. The couple jolted in surprise and jumped apart almost immediately. The hour went by so fast, they didn''t know how long they had been engaging with each other.


    "Yes! W-We''re just finishing!" Misaki nervously called out. The girl was still flushed from their recent actions as she pretended to fix her clothes.


    Soon after, the karaoke clerk opened the door, she poked her head inside with a sly grin. "She knows exactly what she''s doing, and she just cucked us!" Shouichi thought. He could still feel the lingering sensations, hot and tickling all over his body, especially his lower abdomen. Shouichi did his best to shake it off for the time being.


    ***


    The couple strolled down the narrow, empty street in the evening sun. Misaki had returned to her cheerful self. Her twin tails caught the sunlight, shimmering with a hint of purple. Her delicate figure and graceful curves seemed almost divine. Her eyes, full of life, sparkled with an obsidian hue and a pink accent that could captivate anyone who looked into them. They held hands as they walked, having set aside their faults and fully accepting one another.


    "My house is just around the corner, thanks for walking me home, Shou-senpai," Misaki said, a bright smile lighting up her face.


    "No problem," he replied casually.


    "Since I''ve met you... I want to live to see what tomorrow holds," Misaki said, her voice full of sincerity as her eyes shimmered in the golden sunlight.


    "That''s awesome, Misa-chan. I''m truly happy to hear that," Shouichi replied, his heart warmed by her words.


    "Senpai... I..." She hesitated, her voice trembling slightly, and her eyes bounced around.


    "Shouichi-senpai, I love you since the day we met!" Misaki confessed boldly, her eyes wide with innocence.


    "You really are the colour in my otherwise grey life," she said, staying true to herself, her voice a little shaky yet filled with determination.


    "..."


    Shouichi''s heart skipped a beat, dazed by the sudden confession. This whole experience was something completely new to Shouichi.


    "It''s a bit too early, isn''t it?... I¡­" Misaki started to waver, her confidence faltering for a moment.


    "I love you too, Misaki-chan." Shouichi returned with his verdict. For once, Shouichi followed his heart.


    The beautiful junior smiled sweetly, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his cheek. Shouichi felt a warmth spread through him, a mix of heat and tenderness. This couldn''t be anything but ''love''.


    The wind blew gently, causing Misaki''s twin tails to flutter gracefully, her delicate ribbons dancing in the air like the wings of an angel. It was a sight too beautiful to put into words.

 14 Nakamura Maria’s Infirmary

    "Good afternoon, esteemed students of Seihei! Apologies for interrupting you during your dining experience. This is Wanabe Rikiku, from the Journalism and Broadcasting Club, we have a special guest with us today. It''s the president of the student council..." Ririku''s professional announcement came from the speakers.


    "Good afternoon! Thanks for having me today, Wannabe-san. I''m Sakurai Hiroshi, your devoted president." A man''s voice replied.


    "Pleasure is all ours, Sakurai-san!"


    "...A bit of your time and attention please, everyone. As the midterm examination is coming up in two weeks. We''ll enter the exam study period today, which means all the clubbing activity will be halted until the exam finishes. Effectively immediately." Hiroshi explained, his voice firm yet soothing.


    "Understood! I hope everyone hears it loud and clear." Ririku added with her usual cheerful tone.


    "I understand that clubbing is important but we have to set aside the fun just for the moment and focus on the academic achievement¡­" Hiroshi continued to babble about the student''s responsibility for a good whole 10 minutes.


    "Guess, we won''t be going to the club today," Shinji spoke up after he actively listened to the announcement, his arms crossed. At the same time, Shouichi was still chewing on his food.


    "Uight? Ue uoughtta utudy." Shouichi spoke with his mouth full.


    "Stop talking when you are eating, idiot. You gonna choke!" Shinji scolded.


    "...Sorry! Hahaha." Shouichi replied after he downed a bottle of water.


    "Anyway, I need to go to the toilet, I''ll be right now," Shouichi informed his friend and began to make his way toward the exit.


    Meanwhile, Ayane, who had just finished her lunch alone on the rooftop, appeared to have been stopped by a group of random seniors on the staircase. By chance, Shouichi happened to cross paths with them and took the opportunity to eavesdrop from a safe distance.


    "Morimura-chan, did you drop this?" The seniors surrounded her, one of the guys was showing her a keychain.


    "That''s the rooftop key. " Shouichi remembered.


    "Why would you go to have lunch alone up there? That makes me sad." The short senior mocked while imitating a sad face.


    "... "


    "If you are lonely, you can hang with us, you know that right? Ice princess. I promise we''ll cherish you very, very much." The tall senior persuaded her, his dirty eyes traced her facial features.


    "Give it back¡­ Please¡­" Ayane requested politely as she reached out her hand to grab it but he teasingly winched it.


    "Ah~ah? Why would we? It''s not yours at all. This is a school''s property. Maybe I''ll return this one to the prez." He teased her.


    "Tsk! " Ayane clicked her tongue and bared her teeth in disdain. Her usual cold, cruel persona resurfaced.


    "Just one date with me. I''ll return it to you, how''s that sound?"


    "Stupid fatso, one date with EACH of us!"


    "Yeah!" The seniors seemed to be conflicting among themselves.


    "Why do you want to date me, senpai?" Ayane asked with a cold tone in her voice, her face remained indifferent under any situation.


    "Well, you are cute and... single! That''s why." The fat one replied proudly, he was the one the the least braincells.


    "Wrong answer. You guys are disgusting. Please, get out of my sight!" Ayane retorted, her voice hardened. Her words infuriated the seniors greatly, Shouichi noticed the fat guy turning red, like furiously red.


    "You cold-hearted bitch! We''re just being nice, and this is how you treat your seniors?" he bellowed, his face twisting into an ugly grimace.


    "I''m treating you like the disgrace you are," she shot back, her tone calm and unwavering. Shouichi, watching from a distance, was stunned by her ability to stand her ground against the bullies. A mix of awe and admiration stirred within him.


    "You damn brat!" the shorter guy snarled, his hand snapping up to slap her. Even his friends froze, clearly startled that he would take it this far.


    Slap!


    Suddenly, Shouichi stepped between them. The slap meant for Ayane landed squarely on his face instead, the force sending him tumbling backward, landing hard on the ground. His cheeks burned red shortly after.


    "Shouichi-kun?!" Ayane exclaimed, flabbergasted.


    "What the f**k did you do? You poked the brat''s eye!!!"


    "I didn''t intend to, this rascal came outta nowhere!"


    "Screw this shit! Let''s leave!" The seniors darted, stumbling on their way in a panic.


    "Argh!" The slap landed slightly off target, and one of the fingers poked Shouichi''s left eye. For a brief moment, he thought he might have gone blind as sharp, searing pain shot through his eye and deep into his skull. Tears streamed uncontrollably, blurring his vision.


    "Shouichi-kun, are you okay? Can you see me?" Ayane asked anxiously, holding his head with both hands, her expression brimmed with worries.


    "I dunno. It kinda hurts," He replied in pain, keeping his wounded eye shut.


    "Open it for me!" Ayane ordered.


    "It''s all blurry to me," Shouichi complied obediently as he pried his eye open.


    The girl then took a thorough inspection of it, and she uttered, worried, "It''s bad. Your eyeball is bloody red. I think it might be bleeding internally."


    "Man, so much for playing a hero. Now I''m blind too, Hahaha." He jested, meaning to lighten a mood.


    "This is not a good time for a joke, Shouichi-kun. Come with me I will get you to the infirmary." Ayane urged, pulling him up and her arm interlocked with his.


    "Ayane, I can walk on my own. I''m not completely blind," He protested, mildly embarrassed by her unexpected display of care and closeness, a thought crossed his mind, "She smells heavenly too... Oh, sweet Neptune!"


    "Don''t pretend to be a tough guy now. You were just crying like a baby a while ago!" She mocked.


    "Huh? I ain''t crying, it is the eye!"


    "Stop being so stubborn! Just let me help you," she retorted. Ignoring his protests, Ayane pushed them forward, arms linked, as she guided him to the infirmary.


    ***


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Let me look through your eyes."


    "Follow the pen¡­, Good." A female school nurse with sunken eyes instructed with her dragged voice as she diagnosed him thoroughly.


    "I can tell you that you ain''t going to be blind. That would''ve sucked for a cute guy like you." She spoke up, relieved.


    "Thanks, Namakura-san." Shouichi expressed his gratitude with a bow.


    "I''d prefer Maria, though¡­" The gloomy nurse said indifferently and shrugged.


    "Is he going to be alright?" Ayane asked to confirm, still concerned.


    "Yeah, it seems so. I''m going to apply a cold compress to that eye and maybe some eyedrops. If it doesn''t improve, you''ll need to go to an actual hospital," she explained, already weary.


    "That''s a relief," Ayane said and smiled at him softly.


    "...Since your girlfriend is with you, I''m just gon'' leave the supply here. You two can manage yourselves, right?... I just wanna go napping terribly..." Maria discussed as she yawned, her mouth open widely, while she was picking items from her medical cabinets.


    "Huh? She''s not~!" Shouichi started to correct her, but his words were muffled by Ayane''s hands. Her face turned a slight shade of red.


    "I''ll do it!" Ayane spoke up, confidence and determination sparked in her purple eyes.


    "Go back to class, Ayane. You''ll miss the math class, they have a mid-term exam review today. " Shouichi gently reminded her as he lay flat on a metal frame bed.


    "No! I said I''d take care of you!" Ayane insisted, sitting on a round chair beside him.


    "Alright, supplies check, we got a cold press, an eye drop, and some condoms..." Maria mumbled to herself, pushing a cart into a partitioned room.


    "A what now? ...Did I mishear it? Ayane just gave her an odd look too. Did she also hear it?" Shouichi thought nervously.


    "Alrighty. I''m spent... Please no more cases for the day..." The nurse grumbled as she stepped out and pulled the curtain close, giving the couple some privacy.


    "Maria-san¡­ She, um, she''s super weird, don''t you agree?" Ayane whispered in his ear, visibly bashful. Then she got up and rubbed her hands with a sanitiser.


    "Yeah, she is an oddball," Shouichi replied, keeping his tone down.


    "Stay still. I''ll apply the eyedrops," Ayane instructed, leaning in close. Unintentionally, her collar shifted, giving Shouichi a glimpse of her upper chest and a hint of her pink bra.


    "O~okay¡­" Shouichi stammered, he couldn''t focus on anything else.


    "Hey! What are you looking at, pervert? I can trace your line of sight, jeez!" She caught him, blushing while squeezing a few droplets into his injured eye.


    "Oh, I''m sorry, I''m sorry. Hahaha," Shouichi laughed it off shamelessly. Despite her words, she still let him watch them without further complaint.


    "Now, cold compress. Close that eye for me please," Ayane added as she meticulously placed on a cold compress and used a gauze to secure it in place.


    "How do you feel? Is it too tight?" She probed.


    "It feels alright. Thanks, Ayane-chan."


    "Now this." Ayane suddenly spoke with a cunning grin, showing a pack of condoms to him, Shouichi''s mind imploded, "What the hell is going on?!"


    "Wait?! Wait?! Wait?!" Shouichi exclaimed.


    "Fufufu, I''m just joking!" Ayane let out a mischievous giggle, cupping her lips with her hands.


    A few moments later, the room fell silent, and the awkwardness loomed. Apparently, they hadn''t spoken to each other in a week or two, but it felt great to eventually reconnect.


    "Thank you for helping me, Shouichi-kun," Ayane said first.


    "That''s alright. I couldn''t forgive myself if I stood by while my friend was in trouble," Shouichi reasoned softly.


    I''m truly sorry for that day. I''ve reflected on it, and I realise I didn''t handle it properly. Losing control of my emotions like that¡­ it wasn''t like me at all," she apologised earnestly, her eyes filled with regret.


    "Me too, Ayane. I''m sorry for saying those hurtful words. I didn''t mean any of them," Shouichi replied sincerely, their eyes eventually locked with silent forgiveness.


    After a moment, Shouichi spoke up with a serious expression, "There''s something I need to ask of you, Ayane-chan."


    "Y~yes?" Ayane responded, slightly flustered. She sat up straight and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.


    "I need to peeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Shouichi confessed abruptly, his face deadpan, he added, "I''ve been holding it in since I left the classroom."


    "¡­" Ayane''s irritation was visible as she glanced around.


    "Use this!" Ayane suggested, handing a urine bottle, holding her laughter the best she could. It was somehow conveniently placed under a supply cart.


    "Huh?! Can''t I just go to the toilet?" He refused.


    "You can''t! Someone will spot you, loitering around the hall." Ayane reasoned, she was dead serious about it.


    "So what if anyone sees me?! It''s not a crime for what I know," Shouichi argued.


    "Knock, knock! Don''t go out or you both will get caught and maybe get detention¡­ Also, keep it down, you lovebirds, someone''s trying to sleep here." Maria''s voice suddenly interrupted them as she poked her head out of a curtain and then quickly disappeared like a ghost.


    "Sorry! Maria-san!" They both said in unison. They exchanged a confused look at each other and back to where they left off.


    "Just believe me and use this! Can''t you just do what I said for once?" Ayane insisted shamelessly. At that moment, nothing could change her mind.


    Shouichi exhaled, defeated, "I''ll do it. But you have to look away. Got it?" Shouichi made her promise.


    "Of course! I won''t look. I''m not interested in that little worm of yours anyway," Ayane retorted, pretending to cover her eyes with her hands, but little did Shouichi know, she could still see between the gap of her fingers.


    "Ugh! I can''t hold this anymore. It''s alright, I will do a quick one," Shouichi decided to do it with his back turned.


    "Ahhhh...." It felt heavenly. As though all of the pain and suffering washed away, replaced with pure pleasure.


    A sudden thought crossed his mind, the "post-pee" clarification dawned on Shouichi, "Wait! Ayane is a complete pervert and a weirdo at that. Crap! I almost forgot about the locker room incident!"


    Shouichi melancholically turned his head, checking on the girl.


    "So! This is how the boys do it? Fufufu!" Ayane exclaimed out of nowhere, magically teleporting right next to him, her striking eyes, like those of a sly little fox, gazed at his freaky finger.


    "AAAH~!" Shouichi nearly screamed, but Ayane quickly muffled his mouth with her hand. She scoffed, "Stop screaming, or you''ll wake Maria-san!"


    "I''ve got nothing to lose anymore... Ayane saw everything...." Shouichi cried inside. His male dignity was stripped away by no one but Morimura Ayane.


    ***


    "Feel better now?" After a while, Ayane asked, wearing a cunning smile.


    "No! You lewd lady! Stop leering at me with your lustful eyes!" Shouichi argued while keeping his volume down.


    "Well, like all biologists or physicists then? I''m practically studying anatomy in real life. This is educational for the mid-term!" Ayane claimed, conceited.


    "It''s tiny and cute, though, fufufu." She teased, staring at his crotch.


    "Ay! It''s a grower, you know!" Shouichi retorted and thought vengefully, "Count your days, Ayane!"


    "Also, I meant your eye, not your feeling." Ayane coldly corrected.


    "Oh?... Well, it doesn''t hurt anymore," He replied, gently brushing with his finger.


    "Hang on, I''ll check it for you," she said, sitting on the bed beside him. Shouichi felt her knee lightly press against his leg. Her jet-black hair cascaded down, brushing softly against his face as she carefully and gently unwrapped the gauze. He blinked a few times, testing his eye.


    "Wow, I can see normally now!" Shouichi stated happily.


    "It''s slightly red but I think it almost heals." She told him, throwing a used wrap into a bin.


    "That''s strangely effective, I don''t really think it would heal that fast," Shouichi mumbled to himself, astounded.


    "Haha, All credit to me! Because I''ve done it correctly," Ayane spoke with pride, placing a hand on her chest.


    The couple both giggled collectively, it started to feel like a good old day.


    ***


    "Ahhhh! So that''s why you were missing the whole afternoon. And Maria-san helped cover up too? Crazy nurse lady," Shinji said with a surprised look after the couple told him everything. Except for the embarrassing parts like a condom and a urine bottle.


    "Man, you''re lucky, you recovered from it," Shinji spoke in relief, leaning in to look at Shouichi''s eye.


    "Shinji, it''s on the left side..." Shouichi said irritably.


    "Hahaha!" Shinji let out a rowdy laugh, and added, "Basically I''d trade Shouichi''s left eye for Ayane-chan. Isn''t that a great deal?"


    "Fufufu, that indeed was." Ayane chuckled.


    "That''s funny because I''m the one who got all the cons here," Shouichi murmured to himself.


    The Aphrodite trio, all three members, strolled across the school grounds, passing the gym, oblivious to the faint creak of the door being shut behind them.


    ***


    "Miku-chan! Fancy seeing you again," greeted the medium-height boy with a wide grin. He had an unassuming appearance, with light brown hair styled in a parted fringe (comma style) and small, piercing amber eyes. Despite his ordinary looks, there was a cunning glint in his gaze. This was Sakurai Hiroshi, the student council president, who stood waiting for her in the dimly lit gym.


    "President Sakurai¡­ I''m, um, I''m here to pay my debt." Miku said softly, visibly afraid of the boy. Miku was tightly wrapping her arms around her bag. The cute girl had long brown hair and a thin physique.


    "Huh? Already? You got 100,000 yen with you there?" Hiroshi asked and then sat comfortably on a bench.


    "100,000 YEN?! This isn''t the amount I owe you! Something is clearly wrong here!" The girl argued, agitated. Miku remembered clearly that she only borrowed 50,000 yen from him.


    "Sigh¡­ You are an airhead or something. Remember this picture?" Hiroshi spoke coldly, wearing a cunning smirk. He showed her the picture he took in the council room, it clearly depicted a sexual act between her and his rod.


    "That costs 50,000 yen to delete actually. Like we agreed, I haven''t accounted for any interest at all. I''m so generous, especially for you, Mika-chan!" He mocked.


    Miku stood there frozen as she lost her marble before crumbling on the gym floor. She eventually realised this was a trap that she could never get out of.


    "The gym is closed to the public now. So we''ll be using it to settle your debt. Sound great, right? Hahaha!"


    He walked up to her and caressed her pale face gently. His devious eyes locked right into her blank eyes. The girl already knew what she had to do as she unzipped his pants submissively. When that was over, Sarukai''s repulsive liquid was dripping on her trembling cheeks.


    Sakurai Hiroshi seemed pleased with his plaything for the time being.


    "You''re getting good at this, Miku-chan. I''ve trained you well!" He spoke up, handing her a towel to wipe her face with.


    The girl no longer felt anything any more, no shame, no hope, nothing.


    "Well, I do have another proposition¡­" The monster in front of her continued to whisper something in her ear, a chance for redemption.

 15 Fire Festival I

    "The dark sky¡­ shallow black water¡­ the red esclipse¡­ These are something from my dream¡­" Shouichi pondered.


    "Am I trapped here again in this nightmarish abyss?" Shouichi wondered. He swept his eyes around the realm without a horizon. There was nothing beyond where he stood. Nothing but darkness.


    "Whaaaaaa?! I''m sinking. Help!" Suddenly, he felt like his body was pulled into the water below.


    "Water¡­, Water¡­, Water!" Shouichi saw a vision of a man in a suit asking for the water.


    Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of a bloody man tapping his head on the glass window.


    "Die!" A man in a raincoat shouted, his face twisted in fury as he walked down the familiar corridor. Without warning, he lunged, driving a knife into Shouichi''s chest. A sharp, burning sensation surged through him, followed by a rush of dark blood pouring out.


    "Hmm?!" Shouichi opened his wide eyes in panic. He quickly got up but it was not a single-size bed that he usually slept on. Still disoriented, he rubbed his eyes and saw his mother sleeping next to him. He felt relieved after he recalled that Yoko invited him to sleep with her last night.


    "Hmmm¡­" Yoko moaned in her sleep. It could be her response to a ruckus he made earlier.


    Yoko was wearing a satin blouse, but a top button was undone leaving her lewd upper chest exposed. Despite having her teenage son, she still appeared young and enchantingly beautiful.


    "Man¡­ I need to get up and shake this unsightly image out of my head." Shouichi banned ugly thoughts.


    "One month has passed but those bizarre events still haunt me¡­ Am I slowly losing my mind?" Shouichi thought while brushing his teeth.


    "Gooood morning, Shou-kun!" Yoko stretched and let out a big yawn, covering her mouth with her palm. She still hadn''t buttoned the top button of her blouse, leaving a hint of her white upper chest visible. Shouichi instinctively turned his gaze away.


    "Oh my! Shou-kun, are you flustered by me? Fufufu. Well, Mommy''s still young after all." Yoko teased him even more while covering her upper chest with her hands.


    "Damn you, Mom! You indecent woman!" He cursed in his mind.


    "Wanna see the whole thing?" Yoko continued her teasing with a slight red face, it made her very alluring.


    "EHHH?!" His jaw dropped so far it almost dislocated. Yoko burst into laughter, clearly enjoying his bashful reaction.


    "This isn''t one of those lewd anime moments, right!?" Shouichi thought to himself, his mind racing.


    ***


    On Saturday, Shinji and Shouichi made a plan to watch a movie together. It was one of those scary movies where a vengeful ghost haunted a house and couldn''t be exorcised, a bit cliche but they heard it had a good scare with above-average reviews. Ayane refused to watch any scary movies so she backed out immediately when invited. Momo got to tend to her Maid & Tea Bliss. As a result, that left with just two handsome duo.


    Shouichi stood in the public bathroom, checking his hair and overall look. His bangs had grown longer, now just above his eyelashes. "Man, I do look a bit edgy. I might ask Yoko-san to trim them for me tonight," He thought.


    Still, the longer bangs gave his pretty face a touch of mystery. Believe it or not, girls seem to like men with long bangs these days. Shouichi slid on a stylish pair of sunglasses. While it was common to wear them in Australia due to the high UV index, it wasn''t quite the same in Japan, where sunglasses could be seen as a sign of insincerity or deceit.


    "I couldn''t care less, the sun was too bright today." He argued in his mind.


    Shouichi walked out of the bathroom and waited for his friend in front of a cinema, it was the only cinema in town. It was quite crowded in the afternoon. But Shouichi managed to secure two tickets for Sadoko''s Haunted House Part 7, and it was almost meet-up time so Shinji should be arriving soon. For the record, Shinji was a punctual guy as he was never late more than 5 minutes.


    Shouichi kept scrolling on his phone to pass the time and to appear less awkward.


    "Oopsie!" A girl bumped into him and scattered all her belongings. There were Gachapons with cute cat figures of different breeds and poses. Utilising his quick reflex, Shouichi managed to grab her small waist, preventing her from planting into the floor.


    "I''m so sorry, I didn''t see you!" The girl responded and stepped back. Her voice was so gentle, sweet, and cute. Shouichi kneeled to help her, picking up her stuff.


    "My bad, I should have seen you coming," Shouichi said, finally getting a proper look at the girl. There stood the prettiest girl in his dream, a literal ten. Her eyes were strikingly large and expressive, an obsidian hue with a subtle pink undertone. She dressed in a pastel off-white blouse and pastel blue poodle skirt, exquisitely adorned with ribbons and bows ¡ª a perfect example of the "Sweet Lolita" style. Her long, black hair caught hints of dark purple in the sunlight and was styled into twin tails, each secured with large, cute bows that allowed the curls to cascade elegantly. Unfortunately, the lower half of her face was covered with a black mask.


    "Here, lady." Shouichi helped put items into a paper bag.


    "Thanks, you are so kind, umm¡­ If you don''t mind, may I ask for your name?" She asked. Even her voice was angelic, matching perfectly with her look.


    "Not at all, I''m Seito Shouichi. Nice to meet you." Shouichi introduced himself and consciously extended his hand out for a shake.


    "I''m Ishikawa Misaki, nice to meet you, too!" The Lolita girl pulled down her mask with her finger, her sweet smile exposed and then eagerly shook his hand. It was absolutely one of the sweetest smiles, he had ever seen in his life. "Oh, goodness! She''s so darn cute!" The girl''s sweet fragrance engulfed him, it had an appealing sweet and flowery scent.


    "Everything about her is just perfect, per~fect." Shouichi was lost in sauces.


    "Ding!" A notification on his phone. Shouichi finally snapped out of his euphoric state.


    The message read, "Sorry, bro. I have bad diarrhoea, I can''t go to the movie with you. Unless you want to watch me strain the whole seat, XD. ~Sorry, Shinji."


    "Um, what happened? Did your date stand you up?" Misaki probed him after seeing his frown expression. Shouichi was surprised that she was still around.


    "No, nothing like that. Well, it''s not a date. My friend, he got sick all of sudden so..."


    "Really? Is he alright?"


    "He''ll be fine."


    "Well, um, do you have a girlfriend?" The Lolita girl asked anticipatingly out of the blue.


    "Eh? That''s quite a sudden¡­ I don''t have any." Shouichi replied honestly. "Hmm, where is this going? " Shouichi asked himself.


    "Really? I''m so glad. You don''t strike me as a person who would stay single for long." Misaki''s obsidian eyes sparked with anticipation, she intertwined her fingers together and put them on her chest, Shouichi could see her long beautiful pink nails. "Is it my just imagination or does the girl want to talk to me?... She looks like a girl that would either be the biggest love or the biggest heartbreak¡­ Man, should I shoot my shot or back out before I get hurt?" Shouichi was contemplating hard in his mind.


    "By the way, you look like a senpai to me, how old are you?" She asked with an intriguing expression. The girl appeared to be roughly the same height as Shouichi.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "I''m 17 years old. What about you, Ishikawa-san?" Shouichi replied and asked.


    "I''m so correct! Yippy! I''m your junior, just one year younger. Can I call you Shouichi-Senpai?" She replied excitedly. "What a sweet and gentle girl... Misaki couldn''t be more perfect, she''s the best. Does that mean that I fell for her already? Damn it, Shouichi, Pull yourself together" He thought, daydreaming already.


    "Yeah¡­ yep¡­ you can call me that, Misaki-chan. Haha."


    "Don''t call me Misaki like everyone else, Shou-senpai. Call me Misa-chan, please?" Misaki asked him politely.


    "Oh! I''m on cloud nine right now¡­ Are we really skipping straight to the cute nickname phase?" His thoughts raced, imagining their life together already.


    "Hahaha. Shou-senpai seems a bit zoned out. Is your head alright? Is it because I bumped into you previously?" Misaki asked caringly, outstretching both of her delicate hands to gently touch his cheeks. Undoubtedly, her hands were soft and warm. Her sparkling eyes stared deeply into his heart and soul, Shouichi couldn''t stand them so he forced his gaze down at her voluptuous chest instead. "E-cup? Or F-cup? What am I thinking? Damn my eyes!" Shouichi cursed at himself.


    There was one solution left, he awkwardly resorted to looking up instead.


    "Hahaha, you are so funny senpai, what are you looking at? It''s just a ceiling." She giggled gleefully and pulled her hands back.


    "Time to shoot my shot! Or else, I''ll never see her again!" Shouichi made up his mind at the end.


    "Misa-chan¡­ Do you know the haunting house part 7?" Shouichi asked while feeling his heart pounding like crazy.


    "Sadoko''s part 7?! Yes, I know that one. I wanna watch it too but the ticket queuing was too long." Misaki replied with a hint of disappointment in her tone.


    "W~Would you like to watch it with me? I got two tickets and my friend just happened to no-show." Shouichi mustered his remaining strength and invited her.


    "Wow! Is it really okay? Like really, really okay?" Misaki asked to confirm, her pale face lit up with enthusiasm.


    "Yes! Please join me! Misa-chan!" Shouichi spoke firmly with confidence.


    "I''m so happy, who could have thought I''d get to watch it today? I thought Part 6 was such a cliffhanger and it''s been almost 6 months before we got to see Part 7! Let me grab popcorn and drink first, Shou-senpai." Misaki responded, beaming brightly.


    "I guess it''s not bad after all, thanks Shinji. I''ll remember your sacrifice. I''d treat you green tea boba next time." Shouichi saluted to his friend.


    Shortly after, the sweet Lolita girl came back with a big popcorn bucket and a drink.


    "Shou-senpai, try this one. It''s a new flavour soft drink called ''Bloody Diamond''." Misaki suggested, putting her index finger on the straw and aiming it at his lips.


    "Aaaah! Open wide, please!" She ordered. Shouichi submissively opened his mouth to drink but she mischievously pranked him and stuck her finger into his mouth.


    "Eh?! Misa-chan, what are you doing?" Shouichi asked. He had never been so confused. The girl just tricked him into sucking on her finger.


    "...Like this¡­" Misa then seductively licked the tip of that finger then pretended to bite it erotically. Shouichi''s face was in a deep shade of red. He felt like his breath became hot and heavy. "That''s an indirect kiss on the first date (which I wasn''t sure if I should call it a date), This is so cliche." Shouichi thought bashfully.


    "Hahaha I gotcha!... For real, this time, senpai. Try it! It''s so good, I can guarantee." Misaki seriously let him try her drink this time. It was a sweet pomegranate soda with a hint of vanilla.


    "Oh¡­ It''s really refreshing, Misa-chan."


    "Hahaha I''m glad you like it, Shou-senpai." She giggled and replied cheerfully.


    "Let''s go! The movie will start soon!" Misaki urged as she wrapped her hand around his arm and walked side by side. Her bosoms brushed against his skin as they went. "This is what it''s like to have a clingy and loving girlfriend!" Shouichi teared up with joy.


    The movie was terrifying with a great amount of jumpcares. Every time it happened, Misaki would hide her face in Shouichi''s shoulder. Shouichi hoped that the jumpscare would never last. The movie ended with a signature undying ghost even when the haunting house had been demolished. The Sadoko''s curses still remained attached to the soil, setting up for a sequel, part 8 the final chapter.


    "Aah! The movie was so scary and fun, senpai." Misaki spoke, stretching her body, her physique appeared alluring and really erotic. "How could this girl blessed with such large assets? The gods are so unfair." Shouichi wondered about his taller friend Ayane.


    "Yeah, it''s overall fun. The ending was kinda meh though."


    "Hahaha, like, ever. All of their endings suck because they weren''t meant to be. It''s all set up for the next sequel. I''m sure Part 8 will have a satisfying ending for sure!" Misaki rambled excitedly. She must be one of those movie geeks, even if she didn''t look the part.


    "What would you like to do next? Misa-chan?" Shouichi asked, embarrassed but determined. He felt like it was the right time to ask.


    "Hoho? Did you just ask me out on a date, Shou-senpai?"


    "Eh?...something like that," Shouichi admitted softly with a blushed face.


    "Then, Let''s go on a date. I feel like it''s our fate that I ran into you today. It''d be such a huge waste if I don''t get to know you more, right?" Misaki replied with a gentle smile.


    "GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!" Shouichi imagined himself scoring a rugby goal again and again.


    The couple looked around at the clothing shop, it was one of those Lolita-style merchandise that Misaki was wearing. She tried a few combinations in the changing room, showing it to him. Her divine beauty and model-like physique could make all of them fit her nicely.


    "Senpai, what do you think about this one?" Misaki asked after she stepped out of the curtain.


    "Wow!" Shouichi exclaimed, stunned by her stylish costume. Misaki wore a light pink blouse that hugged her silhouette, accentuating her curves. Her mini skirt showcased her long, slender legs, which were completed with white patterned leggings.


    "Any comment, please?"


    "Oh, hahaha. This one suits you well, Misa-chan. The mini skirt is so cute." He replied, looking at her in admiration.


    "Right? I think it made my legs look longer." She agreed cheerfully.


    "If you don''t mind, can you take a picture for me?" Misaki requested politely.


    Shouichi took out his phone and began signalling, "Got it! Say, one, two¡­shoot!" The clicking sound of taking photos occurred.


    "One more, Misa, The, Cutie!" Shouichi cheekily invented his way of counting, it caught Misaki off guard that she let out a unique and fluttering smile. She smiled lovingly at him and they both giggled gleefully.


    "How''s it, senpai? Am I cute?" She asked and clung to his arm with both of her hands. She leaned in closely to look at his screen. Her twin-tails brushed softly against his shoulder.


    "You are the cutest!"


    "Haha, I like this one the most. The one when you said those words, fufufu!" She pointed at one of the photos that Shouichi took. She beamed widely, happiness in her eyes. Her sweet and flowery scent engulfed them revivingly.


    "Please send it to me, senpai. Here''s my number!" Misaki requested pleadingly.


    "All done! Did you get it?" Shouichi sent the picture through a messenger. She nodded happily in response.


    "??????" Misaki replied in the chat.


    Although Misaki seemed to like clothes there, she decided not to buy any at this time. The girl mentioned that she would usually wait for a sale at the end of the month.


    "What would you like for dinner, senpai? I''m feelin'' a bit peckish already." Misaki probed, her big eyes interlocked with his.


    "Whatever you like."


    "Strawberry Crepe!" Misaki exclaimed loudly like a little kid. "But that''s not a real dinner¡­" He exhaled but decided to indulge her anyway.


    The two of them ordered two strawberry crepes from a food truck. Later, they found an empty bench under the tree.


    The sky, once clouded, glowed orange, gradually fading to purple as it stretched toward the horizon.


    "It''s so beautiful¡­ The sunset, I mean." Misaki told him, taking a small bite out of her crepe. It was sweet and delicious. Misaki appeared to be glancing over distance clouds in awe.


    "Yeah¡­ The sunset is indeed beautiful." Shouichi muttered as he gazed tenderly at her face, his eyes tracing every feature of her with affection. He knew that he had already fallen for her.


    "Misa-chan¡­ Would I be able to see you again?" Shouichi asked her, uncertain of their future.


    "Why not? You can come to see me at school if you want, senpai." She replied flatly.


    "Wait, wait, wait?! Let me ask you this. Are you a Seihei student? All this time?!" Shouichi asked repeatedly. He was shocked by that fact. His brain was not braining properly.


    "I thought you already knew¡­ if you ever read my letter¡­" Misaki replied, keeping her eyes on the ground.


    "What letter?" Shouichi asked, and then he realised it could have been one of those love letters in his shoebox. He hadn''t had a chance to read them.


    "Nothin''! It''s embarrassing, it''s just an intrusive action anyway. Please don''t mind it, Senpai!" Misaki brushed him off. Her face turned slightly.


    "Eh? So you are my junior at the school?!" Shouichi asked again, his brown eyes widened with astonishment.


    "Yes! That''s true!" Misaki confessed, mischievously sticking her tongue out to the corner of her lips. "That means she knew me before we bumped into each other..." Shouichi pondered.


    "Say¡­ I had so much fun, Shou-senpai. I really don''t want the day to end," Misaki said as they walked past a bookstore.


    "Oh, that''s the first store I visited when I came to this town," Shouichi recalled in his mind.


    "Me too~Eh?" Shouichi was a bit surprised to run into Morimura Ayane this time. It appeared Ayane just exited after book browsing.

 16 Fire Festival II

    Later, Shouichi strolled around the venue, noticing the crowd growing larger as the evening went on. He occasionally took a quick sip of his drink, feeling the potent matcha flavour hit him ¡ª slightly bitter but nicely balanced by the sweet red bean. His verdict: "The perfect matcha!"


    "Shouichi!" The gorgeous black-haired girl called out to him, waving her hands vigorously. She was standing in the stall with his mother. The store behind her was double the size of Maid & Tea Bliss, but simpler in design and five small tables provided for a dine-in option.


    "Ayane! Yoko-san!" Shouichi''s face lit up with joy.


    Some customers walked in and began admiring the bite-sized, rectangular cakes displayed neatly in the glass case. They mulled over the options ¡ª strawberry cream, cheesecake, tiramisu, matcha ¡ª faced with an irresistible variety.


    Normally, his mother sold cakes in larger slices, but for this special occasion, she had redesigned them into smaller portions to encourage sampling multiple flavours. The strategy was working brilliantly, as customers happily spent more without even realising it.


    "Hehe, Yoko-san is definitely a smart woman, a business one at that." He remarked, stealing glances at Ayane and Yoko as they were working diligently. It took them a good while to eventually serve all incoming waves of customers.


    Despite Ayane''s lack of prior job experience and her typically reserved demeanour toward strangers, she excelled as a cashier, proving to be a surprisingly perfect fit for the role. Her innate sense of when to be gentle and approachable allowed her to adapt effortlessly to each situation, a quality that Shouichi couldn''t help but admire.


    "Ayane-chan, please take a break for now. I can watch the store, no biggie!" Yoko said, her sweet voice carrying a hint of motherly care.


    Eventually, Ayane and Shouichi sat down together on an empty table inside her store.


    "Hey! Gimme that!" Ayane suddenly asked and snatched his drink out of his hand.


    "Ay! Grab your own, damn it!" Shouichi retorted, frowning for a moment. When she ignored him, he added, "That''s special matcha! Last I checked, you don''t even like sweet stuff..." Hoping his words would convince her to return his drink.


    "Doesn''t matter, I''m basically low on sugar," Ayane replied casually as she glanced at the used straw before sucking on it anyway.


    "Ah! That hits the spot!" She exclaimed with her eyes closed and her lips curled up, then she read the label aloud, "Maid & Tea Bliss¡­"


    While Ayane carefully inspected the cup, Shouichi waited, resting his jaw on his palm.


    "Huh? What is this?... Enjoy, Shouichi ??!" Ayane read aloud a red, handwritten note on the side of the cup.


    "What?" He asked, clueless.


    "Do you want to explain?!" The fox girl snapped furiously, her bloodshot eyes piercing through him. Her dark purple gaze sent a shiver down his spine.


    "Eh? I didn''t know it was there!"


    "Who is it? What''s the deal with the heart? Did you flirt with every cashier you saw? You filthy rizzler!" Ayane began unloading questions, reprimanding him.


    "Ay? Wait a damn minute! Calm down!" Shouichi replied, feeling the weight of karma strike back.


    "Explain!" Ayane pressed, tightening her grip on the cup. The paper cup almost crumpled under her hand.


    "I didn''t know it was there! It was Momo-chan who set me up!"


    "Momo-chan? Tomako Momo, our classmate?" Ayane asked, incredulous and puzzled.


    "Stop lying! I walked past that store earlier, and there were two girls in maid costumes. Neither of them was Tomako Momo!" She continued the interrogation, her voice harsh with anger.


    "Looks can be deceiving, Ayane-chan," Shouichi argued smugly. "Momo-chan is the one without the cat ears. She''s a master of disguise!" He added nonchalantly.


    "Hmm? Really?" A look of surprise crossed Ayane''s face.


    "Do you know CCK?"


    "CCK? The group idol that sang ''The Runaway Girl''?" Ayane replied, taking another sip of his drink.


    "Yes, that''s one of their hit songs," he cheekily responded, lifting his finger nerdily.


    "What about them? What are you even talking about?" She questioned, while Shouichi began fidgeting on his phone, searching for something.


    "Well, this is Sahara Yukiko, um, Shinji''s favourite," Shouichi said, showing Ayane a picture of the idol on his screen.


    "Wow, she''s pretty. But what does this have to do with Tomako-chan?" Ayane asked sceptically, enjoying his sweet drink without his consent.


    "Well, Sahara-san looks just like you, thickhead!" Shouichi pointed out the obvious.


    "Ha? I don''t have the mole on my lower lip, and I''m pretty sure I''m taller, let alone smarter too," She refused to admit.


    "Perhaps... But if you did your makeup like hers, no one would be able to tell the difference, right? My point is that Momo''s makeup and wig transformed her into someone else," he explained excitedly.


    "Ahhhhh, I finally got it now!... Okay, smartass! You''re lucky, I let you off the hook this time," Ayane eventually admitted defeat. She took a long slurp of his drink, which seemed almost empty.


    "...My sweet matcha..." Shouichi noticed.


    "Which one''s your favourite in CCK, by the way?" Ayane couldn''t deny a sudden urge to ask. The blushing girl even refused to make eye contact with him.


    "Of course, it has to be Sahara Yukiko! She''s the visual of the group!" He confidently affirmed.


    "Well... Um... Then, between me and Sahara-san, who... umm, which one is prettier?" She asked, uncharacteristically shy all of a sudden, fidgeting with her braided hair.


    "What kind of question is that?"


    "Eh!? Never mind! Forget what I asked!" She lashed out at him, fully embarrassed, and asked herself regretfully, "What the hell was I thinking?!"


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "You guys seem to be enjoying yourselves. My, my, it''s good to be young, hmm?" Yoko chimed in, appearing next to them. She then placed two cups of coffee and some cheesecakes on their table. It was apparent that Yoko was taking a short break from the store.


    "Mom!" Shouichi said, slightly blushed.


    "Thank you for the coffee, you''ve read my mind, Yoko-san," Ayane spoke in gratitude, smiling at Yoko sweetly.


    "Sorry to intrude, but Ayane is definitely prettier than that idol. You don''t know what filters or cosmetic surgery they''ve gone through to look like that," Yoko spoke up, answering Ayane''s previous question.


    "Yoko-san, I''m flattered..." Ayane said, holding her cup of coffee.


    "That''s true. Well, I can''t argue with that," Shouichi agreed, popping a piece of cake into his mouth.


    In his mind, Ayane was more of a natural beauty ¡ª a divine presence that could effortlessly captivate people without even trying. But Shouichi decided not to tell her that. She was already too prideful; no need to add fuel to the fire, he thought.


    "Say... why don''t you two search for the lucky pond?" Yoko spoke with enthusiasm, giving a soft handclap.


    "Lucky pond?" Shouichi asked. He was baffled. He''d never heard of it before.


    "Well, the forest behind the temple has a secret trail. Legend says there''s a hidden pond, and if you find it, you''ll be blessed by the gods of fortune!" Yoko gleefully clarified.


    "I''m not interested in searching for a vaporous legend," Shouichi replied indifferently and shrugged.


    "Hmm... I''ve heard a different version of the story..." Ayane murmured softly, Shouichi almost couldn''t make out of what she said.


    "My, don''t you think if you find it, you might get lucky with your mid-term? Don''t you need all the help you can get? Fufufu," Yoko persistently coaxed the young ones, giggling adoringly.


    "Yoko-san, is it alright for me to go?" Ayane turned to ask. As a casual employee, she needed permission from the owner.


    "Huh? You really want to go?" Shouichi turned to Ayane, surprised by Ayane''s rash decision. She responded with a quick nod.


    "Of course, you''ve already helped me plenty. You deserve a break and a refreshing walk," Yoko reassured her, then smiled gently. Yoko was always too kind to a fault.


    "Fine..." Shouichi grimaced and reluctantly accepted the side quest.


    ***


    After Morimura Ayane and Destirling Shouichi finished their dessert and coffee, the couple headed out to find the mystical pond said to bring luck. They walked past the enormous stone statue of a goddess and saw workers stacking large logs in a square formation.


    "Ayane, what are those logs for?" He asked, pointing at the workers.


    "It''s for the fire ceremony tonight. They''re going to light the whole stack to create a massive flame wall around the statue," she explained nonchalantly, her eyes glittering with excitement.


    "It sounds majestic... and cool," He commented.


    "Yep, it is!" she smiled excitedly.


    The couple circled behind the large statue, and after a few minutes, the black Torii gate came into view. It was still late afternoon, and no one else was around. Strange, Shouichi thought to himself.


    "Yukiyui no Mori," the wooden sign next to the gate read. An old, stone path led into the dense forest behind it.


    "Fortune forest¡­ Happily bonding forest¡­ Interesting," Ayane mumbled to herself, tapping on her cheek ponderingly.


    "What did you say?" Shouichi turned to ask, curious.


    "Nothing¡­ I was just trying to translate the Kanji."


    "Let''s go, Ayane-chan," Shouichi signalled, ready to begin their journey.


    The stone path ended abruptly after a 15-minute walk and turned into a dirt trail. Dense bushes and trees lined both sides of the steep, narrow passage.


    "Wait for me, Shouichi-kun! Hey!" Ayane called out, her voice strained as she bridged her arm over his shoulder, trying to catch her breath.


    "This place seems mystical and mysterious. But something''s off," He said, looking around warily.


    "Huh? What? Are you seriously saying that right now?" Her voice trembled slightly.


    "You haven''t noticed?" Shouichi continued, a strange feeling lingering. He felt like someone ¡ª or something ¡ª was watching them the whole time.


    Suddenly, Shouichi spotted flashing eyes in the deep forest, "There!" He pointed, reacting instinctively.


    "Eh? Where?" Ayane asked, spooked, her eyes following where his finger pointed. But the flashing dots had disappeared before she could see them.


    "...It''s gone," Shouichi muttered, feeling an unsettling emptiness in his stomach.


    "Shouichi-kun, stop playing around. I''m scared now." Ayane looked up at him, her face filled with fear as she gripped his jacket tightly.


    "Meow, meow!" A small kitten suddenly appeared, mewing as it wandered toward them.


    "Oh¡­ it''s just a cat," Shouichi said, feeling a wave of relief, though his eyes still scanned the forest around them, just in case.


    "See? You''re imagining things, Shouichi-kun. You got me scared for nothing," Ayane scolded him, though she smiled a little. The kitten approached them slowly, its movements friendly as it begged to be petted.


    "Wow! Hahaha. What happened to its head? Why is it bald?" Ayane giggled, gently petting the furless spot on the kitten''s head. It amusingly looked like an old man''s egghead.


    "It''s Borudo-chan. I met this kitten before, with Shinji," Shouichi told her, remembering when Shinji had encountered the very same bald kitten a while back in the Hoshimashi shopping district.


    "Borudo-chan? That''s a cute name! Fufufu," Ayane laughed, gleefully scratching the kitten''s belly. The cat seemed unusually submissive, purring and enjoying the attention.


    "There! They''re still here." Shouichi noticed the glowing dots again, now with two pairs of eyes. His heart raced, his body breaking into a cold sweat. Panic began to creep in.


    "Ayane, Let''s get out of here¡­ Ayane¡­ Ayane?!" Shouichi''s voice faltered as he swept his eyes around, but the girl and the kitten had vanished into thin air. His mind raced with confusion and now genuine terror.


    "Goddamnit! Where did she run off to?" Shouichi yelled, frustrated in his tone, his pace quickening as he searched for Ayane. She couldn''t be far, he thought.


    "What the flip?!" The dirt path split in two, and Shouichi hesitated, unsure of which direction to take.


    "Lefty bad, righty right," He thought randomly, instinctively choosing the right path.


    Shouichi ran as fast as he could, though the uneven terrain and hills slowed him down. Ayane was nowhere to be found. The trees grew denser, blocking out much of the sunlight, and the air grew eerily colder.


    "Gaawwwhh!" A growling sound echoed through the forest, followed by rapid footsteps behind him. The noise startled Shouichi, immediately triggering his fight-or-flight response.


    "I''ll run back. I think this is the wrong way!" Panic gripped him as fear clouded his mind. He turned and began to sprint, but the terrifying sounds from both directions grew louder and louder, closing in on him.


    "GAAAUHHHWWW!" A sudden terrifying roar sent Shouichi running into the bushes in a blind panic.


    Shouichi kept running, tumbling forward as fast as he could, hoping to reach the other path by cutting through the dark forest. He could faintly hear the footsteps behind him, always chasing, always on his tail.


    "There! I saw an opening, maybe another passage?!" Shouichi spotted a path just ahead of him.


    "Woahh?! Urrgh!" He tripped on the exposed root of a tree and fell, his face slamming into the dirt while a sharp tree branch grazed his neck. He felt the sting but couldn''t find any blood. "Lucky I have thick skin¡­" He thought.


    "Shouichi-kun! Are you alright?" Ayane''s voice reached him. The beautiful girl in a pink yukata poked her head through the bushes to investigate.


    "Ayane? I was looking for you!" Shouichi said, a mix of anger and frustration lacing his voice.


    "Oh, sorry. Borudo-chan ran off, so I followed him." She answered blankly while pulling the boy up.


    "Don''t run off like that again, damn it. You got me so worried!" He scolded Ayane seriously, catching his breath.


    "Sorry, sorry, Unc (Uncle)! I won''t do it again." Ayane mocked as she somehow found some humour in this horrifying situation. Though it irritated him slightly, Shouichi maintained his calm composure.


    "Let''s get out of here. Listen!... Something''s following me. Something sinister!" Shouichi yelled agitatedly, brushing dried leaves off his clothes.


    "Are you sure? Is it truly something sinister?" Ayane asked, cocking her head to the side. She didn''t seem convinced. Ayane then pulled a few leaves from his graphite-black hair.


    "Hey... Shouichi, look." She whispered and gracefully pointed to a small deer that poked its head out of the bushes, its eyes full of curiosity.


    "Oh¡­ It''s just a small deer¡­" Shouichi mumbled, a wave of relief washing over him. Though his body shuddered, still hadn''t fully calmed down.


    "Stop freaking out like a baby!" Ayane laughed, her voice teasing.


    Shouichi had no reply, letting her have her fun as he fell silent.


    "Fufufu, you chicken, huh?" Ayane teased, nudging him playfully with her elbow.


    His only response was a deep exhale.


    Her gaze shifted, and her excitement seemed to spark anew. "Look! Look!" Ayane''s voice rang out with childlike enthusiasm, and she pointed to the clearing up ahead, her eyes sparkling. "The pond! It''s right there!" Her smile stretched even wider, a perfect expression of joy as if she had just found the greatest treasure.

 17 Fire Festival III (R18)

    [Contain: Explicit Content!]


    Right before the couple lay a clearing encircled by shallow bushes and maple trees, their leaves whispering softly in the breeze. As they approached, the pond came into view ¡ª a natural wonder shaped like a heart. Beside it stood a small, aged wooden shrine, weathered yet sacred in its quiet dignity. The pond''s water was crystal-clear, revealing a cobblestone bottom adorned with white gravel and scattered, colourful fallen leaves. At its centre, pink lotuses blossomed in radiant clusters, their beauty reflected in the still surface. The scene was an embodiment of serenity, a tranquil masterpiece of nature''s artistry.


    "A heart-shaped pond?" Shouichi asked astoundedly while turning to his beautiful friend. Ayane did not look back, she seemed to be deeply lost in her thoughts.


    "You remember when I mentioned that Yoko-san''s pond was different from mine?" Ayane said, her lips curling into a condescending smile.


    "Yeah, What are your thoughts on this?" Shouichi probed eagerly, his eyebrows raised.


    "Well, in my version, it''s not a lucky pond. It''s a lover pond!" She cheekily enlightened him, pointing her index upward with excitement.


    "Huh? Why didn''t you say so?" Shouichi asked, frowning in surprise.


    "Hehehe, well I wasn''t completely sure about it, but... I kinda hope I was right!" Ayane replied promptly, then let out a short giggle.


    "Man¡­ We came all this way for nothing," Shouichi thought aloud, his head hanging low in quiet frustration. He exhaled sharply through his nostrils, venting his irritation. With a heavy sigh, he sank onto a stone bench beside the water, hoping the serene atmosphere might soothe his soul and ease his weary body.


    "C''on! Cheer up, Shouichi-kun! We can still pray for good fortune." Ayane found herself, sitting next to him as her gentle words carried a consolating tone.


    "You''re right... Since we''re here anyway... Here goes nothing..." Shouichi shut his eyes and clasped his hands into prayer, there his relentless mind began to relax and his concentration was directed toward his good future.


    A few minutes passed, and suddenly Shouichi felt a hot, soft air blowing on his cheeks. His eyes abruptly opened and right in front of him, he saw Ayane''s face a few millimetres away, she was gradually leaning in close, her motion deliberate and unhurried.


    At that moment, Shouichi knew the cunning fox was trying to sneak a kiss on his lips.


    "Ay!? What are you doing, Ayane-chan!?" Shouichi recoiled reflexively, his body shifted an arm-length away almost instantly.


    "What do you think?... I''m answering your prayer," The girl responded, her voice not faltering, "Dummy!" She boomed, sticking out her red tongue, and winking at him mischievously.


    "Stop playing around! Damn it! I''m trying to pray here." Shouichi sneered, glancing at her with irritated eyes.


    "Shouichi-kun! Wait!... Your neck is bleeding." Ayane spoke up and pointed her finger at his neck, the crimson liquid trickling down on his otherwise fair skin. It might be from when he tripped and fell earlier. Ayane gently inspected his wound, her fingers involuntarily outstretched to it.


    "Huh? Yeah¡­ It''s just a small cut. Don''t worry about it." Shouichi spoke, backing away from her grasp. His fingers located where a throbbing pain was, and soon he found blood smeared on his fingers.


    "Hey, don''t back away! Let me see it!" Ayane insisted, her tone part-ordered, past requested.


    "Nah! I said I''m fine!~" The boy repeated and lifted his hands up defensively. But too late, Ayane already darted fast and close, her hands moved his head to the side to expose his neck, and her eyes inspected the wound carefully. Meanwhile, Shouichi studied the girl''s expression, there was no doubt Ayane was worried about him. Ayane never took a ''No'' for an answer, he had learnt that by now.


    "Um, it''s just a shallow graze, right?" Shouichi asked nervously after she took longer than he anticipated, she did not answer. His eyes absentmindedly found themselves gazing at the mystical pond before him.


    "..."


    Unexpectedly, Shouichi felt a moist and warm sensation on his neck and instantly flinched. It was Ayane who started licking his wound meticulously.


    "Stop! You~ Perverted lady! Stop!" He reciprocated, his face deep red while feeling a tingling sensation beneath his lower abdomen, surely his body was provoked.


    "Fufufu, I''m just sanitising the wound! Do you like it?" Ayane''s lips drew a smirk while fixating on the boy with her lustful eyes.


    "This is all your fault, Ayane!" Shouichi boomed, his hands instinctively gripping both her wrists, steadily securing them in place. His ''thing'' became unbearably rigid, throbbing with filthy agony.


    Her allure eventually shattered his resolve. Not only did his primal desires take root, corrupting the very fabric of his thoughts, but they also veiled his once-clear judgment in a suffocating haze of temptation.


    Shouichi was compelled by the unknown urges. His consciousness faded out and he found his body, acting on its own, pinning her slender frame onto the bench.


    "I''ll become the biggest perv to end your mockery once and for all! Your day is numbers now, Ayane!" He erupted under his ragged breath, a mixture of fury and lecherousness laced his every word.


    Shouichi felt his heart race with an ever-intensifying rhythm, deceiving himself into believing that this was what he truly desired.


    Unexpectedly, the girl lay on her back, she did not squirm or object but was submissive in her motion, with Shouichi''s body on top of her irresistible elegant physique. An embarrassed expression appeared on her face, turning her cheeks to pinkish red. His prominent nose was so close, almost touching hers. Together both Ayane and Shouichi were breathing heavily as the hot air brushed against their faces.


    "Take my revenge!" He murmured softly, leaning in to sensually bite her long neck. His tongue slithered erotically on her immaculate skin and his lips suctioned pulsingly and greedily. Her sweet vanilla aroma filled his lungs, even more potent than ever, it aroused him greatly.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    No longer a master of his own body, he was in something called a ''Berserk mode''.


    Ayane let him have his way, gasping and moaning enticingly as he worked on caressing her throat, toying with her as she did to him. One of his hands impatiently reached inside her yukata, finding its way to a soft, tender mound, fondling her breast simultaneously.


    "Wait, what? Why doesn''t she wear a bra?!" Shouichi thought, snapping out of his primal instinct and regaining his consciousness. However, his fingers still worked themselves, twisting a cherry on top of her bosoms.


    "What the heck? Her nipple is stiff¡­ Does she feel aroused by it?!" Shouichi remarked as he stopped to look at her. Ayane''s libidinous purple eyes glanced down at him, seductively biting her red plum lips and then they shaped into a menacing smile.


    "Ahhh?! What the flip am I doing?!" Shouichi jerked away almost instantly, terrified of what he had done and her devious smirk. The numbness spread across his body, his face turned into a stone.


    "Sorry... Ayane, I''m sorry!" His voice trembled before cracking. He bowed his head several times, apologising to her.


    His guilty eyes darted in and out, unable to find their place while Ayane was lying on the bench, motionless, with her knees raised and her legs spreading.


    Shouichi stumbled back, overwhelmed by his emotions. The weight of his guilt pressed down on him, causing him to crumble to his knees. His face remained blank, devoid of expression, as his dignity as a man shattered into a million pieces.


    It eventually dawned upon him that he had lost it big time.


    "...You put me up to this! You set me up! You~" Shouichi lashed out, blaming Ayane for her games, but cut short by her cold words, "I thought you wouldn''t stop there."


    "You like it, don''t you? Like all men... Fufufu," She continued and giggled in satisfaction, the bewitching girl sat up unhurriedly, her motion calm and deliberate, with her yukata exposing her pristine upper breasts. Ayane alluringly flicked her braided tail across her shoulder.


    "Ayane-chan, listen... It''s just a blind moment! I didn''t~" Shouichi rationalised his actions but she did not let him finish for the second time, "The man can lie to himself all he wants, but his body can never." Ayane quoted as she shifted on her seat to cross her legs ever so gracefully and majestically tucked her chin on her palms. Eventually, she gave him an odd and hard stare at his bulging crotch.


    "Huh?" Shouichi blushed, covering his little guy with his hands.


    "Tell me Shou-i-chi-kun, what do you feel right now? Is it regret? Filthy? Or... " Ayane followed up, then paused slightly before exclaiming with the grin of the winner, "Guilty?"


    Ayane casually traced her slender fingers along Shouichi''s feverish cheeks. Strangely, she wasn''t angry with him at all. Instead, she gazed at him with an almost affectionate air, like one might admire a tiny, helpless hamster ¡ª her little pet. Yet, a dark thought lingered in her mind, imagining how effortless it would be to snuff out its fragile breath with just a small squeeze.


    "All of them..." Shouichi admitted, his face as pale as a ghost, carrying the misery of a grieving widow. His eyes had become dark, hollow abysses, and his body trembled uncontrollably.


    The weight of regret crushed him, knowing he had failed to stop himself, letting his fleeting emotions dictate his actions.


    He felt sullied, filthy, and consumed by shame for succumbing to his primal urges and violating the trust of his dear friend, Morimura Ayane.


    Guilt gnawed at his core for betraying the love of his girlfriend, Ishikawa Misaki, in the most unforgivable way.


    Ayane studied his pathetic face while fixing her yukata, "Aww, I''m sorry about that. But it does seem like you''ve reflected well¡­" She eventually broke the silence and pitied the boy. A smile on her lips carried neither resentment nor anger.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t tell anyone about our little game. Not even Ishikawa Misaki..." Ayane spoke, her tone firm and serious, twirling her silky jet-black hair. Her words struck him like a truck, it snapped him out of his thoughts, and back to reality.


    "You knew?... About Misaki and me?..." Shouichi mumbled softly, raising his eyebrows in shock.


    "Of course! For a record, I''m really smart, well, people often say I''m a genius," Ayane bragged, her tone crystal.


    "Umm... I..." Shouichi stammered, his mouth opened and then closed, but no audible sound came out of his lips.


    Ayane reached out her hands to cup his shoulders and gently squeezed, "You are dating her, right?" She asked him nonchalantly. The boy nodded slowly in response.


    "Ayane-chan, I''m so sorry. I don''t know what happened to me!" Shouichi apologised again, his voice clear and firm this time.


    "I know, I know, don''t beat yourself up too much... You can''t possibly resist it, can you?" She responded matter-of-factly and locked her purple eyes with his. Then she continued sternly, "Don''t ever do this to any girl again, especially to the ones that aren''t yours, you got that?"


    "Understood!" Shouichi accepted without a thought, but his mind still lingered, he needed to get it out of his chest, "But why? Why aren''t you mad at me?"


    "Well, like you said, we got caught in the moment, leading to an awkward situation. With that in mind, I couldn''t really be mad at you," the dazzling beauty explained. Her answer eased Shouichi''s mind a little.


    "Misa-cha~ I mean, Misaki isn''t a bad girl. She''s just been in a rough spot, she¡­" Shouichi pondered aloud.


    "I know. I''ve already talked to Emi-chan about her condition and all that. But honestly, I couldn''t care less how or who your girlfriend is." Ayane brushed him off indifferently.


    "Shouichi-kun, I just want to protect you. The last thing I want is to see you get hurt," She admitted, her purple eyes locking onto his with a gaze so deep it seemed to pierce his soul.


    "Humanity is a fragile thing. It can shatter so easily. I only wish I could help you reinforce it," Ayane said thoughtfully, her eyes drifting towards the distant forest.


    Before long, she eventually spoke up, "You''re gentle, kind, and sweet. I''d hate to see that stripped away... By the people... By this town¡­" Her voice softened as though she was talking to herself.


    "Uh? I don''t quite understand what you mean, but thank you for having my back." Shouichi said earnestly, though his thoughts painted a different picture. "Although her methods are... unorthodox and weird," He mused silently.


    Ayane responded with a warm, pleasing smile.


    A few seconds later, Ayane uttered and slapped his shoulder playfully. "Cheer up! You can''t be so gloomy all the time! At least you managed to restrain yourself. That''s no small feat when you''re with a girl as pretty as me. Hahaha!"


    Shouichi forced a small smile in response.


    "Well, who knows what could''ve happened if I hadn''t stopped there," His mind wondered, a mix of relief and self-reproach washing over him.


    Despite his disappointment in himself, he felt a strange sense of gratitude and relief that it had happened with Morimura Ayane ¡ª someone who genuinely cared for him and always found a way to pull him out of trouble.


    "By the way, what did you wish for earlier?" Ayane asked curiously, shifting the subject.


    "I haven''t had the chance yet. What about you?" Shouichi replied, his mood lightening up.


    "I already got my wish granted, you dense idiot..." Ayane murmured softly to herself so that he couldn''t hear it.


    "What did you say?" Shouichi asked, frowning.


    "Me too. I haven''t prayed yet," She answered cheerfully, a glint of mischief in her eyes.


    Lastly, the two of them stood together in front of the pond and made their wishes properly this time.


    "May we please be blessed with good grades, almighty gods and goddesses!" They both stated their prayers aloud. Their voices echoed briefly before they turned to each other and burst into wonderful, heartfelt laughter.

 18 Fire Ceremony I: Misakis Arrival

    Early evening, the couple emerged from the black Torii gate behind the temple. They casually joined the crowded commercial areas. ''Festive and enthusiastic'' would be an understatement to describe the vibe in the air. People were joyfully noisy and their chatter echoed all over the place.


    The hanging, handcrafted lanterns were lit with an amber glow, illuminating the shrines and buildings and transforming them into a mesmerising display of light.


    In the empty left corner of the shrine office, a group of townspeople began releasing paper lanterns into the air. The wind carried their amber glow skyward, forming a breathtaking trail of light that illuminated the darkness of the evening''s canvas.


    "Shouichi-kun¡­ The star is beautiful, isn''t it?" Ayane suddenly said, her dazzling purple eyes fixed on him. They shimmered with admiration ¡ª and something more.


    "Hmm? You mean the lanterns?" Shouichi asked puzzledly and pointed at the light trail.


    In Kurohashi, where light pollution was minimal, Shouichi was usually greeted by a clear night sky filled with glittering stars. Tonight, however, was different ¡ª the glowing lanterns had become the main attraction.


    "Eh? Yeah¡­ Whatever." Ayane said, looking away and flustered slightly.


    Shortly after, they returned to Yoko Sweet Stall. A large group of energetic crowds swarmed the place, their voice babbling loudly and inaudibly, there was no doubt that Yoko''s store became quite popular and thriving.


    "Oh! Yoko-san needs my help. I gotta go now, See you!" Ayane quickly told her friend, waving and then dashed behind the counter without wasting another second.


    Ayane bowed slightly to Yoko, both in respect and as an apology for her tardiness, before promptly beginning to take orders from customers. Her gestures were professional and polite. Yoko, in return, smiled warmly and giggled lovingly at her. Working side by side in an organised rhythm, the two moved seamlessly as a team. Shouichi watched them with quiet admiration, noting how well they complemented each other.


    "Ding! Ding! Ding!" His phone rang, and when he peeked on the screen, it was his girlfriend calling.


    "Hello! Misa-chan!" He greeted her cheerfully.


    "Shou-senpai! Hi~ya! Where''re you at?" Misaki greeted him, reciprocating with an even more positive vibe. Without a doubt, Misaki was a cheerful, sweet girl. It was unfathomable to imagine her in the past, in her depression era, Shouichi pondered.


    "It''s hard to hear you! But I was in the main aisle, in front of Yoko''s sweet shop!" Shouichi raised his voice to counteract the loud noises of the crowd.


    "Don''t go anywhere, senpai! I''m going to you right now!" Misaki instructed.


    "Okay!" He replied obediently.


    After a while, a group of familiar faces emerged from the mass. There were Ito Emi, Aoyama Shinji, Hinoda, Naggi, Ito Toru, and an unknown gyaru lady. "Is she Toru''s girlfriend? The tanned lady is overly clingy to Cap'' Toru." He noticed.


    They were all dressed in various colours of yukatas and outfits. Emi wore a light blue yukata, while Shinji''s was black with an exaggerated flower pattern. Hinoda and Naggi wore matching dark blue yukatas. In contrast, Toru and the unfamiliar woman were dressed in regular clothes rather than traditional attire.


    "Hey! Guys!" Shouichi shouted, waving his hand energetically.


    It was Aoyama Shinji, his good-looking best friend who heard him, his lips cracked a smile almost immediately, "Shouichi!" He called out.


    "...Hmm, he''s walking awfully close to Ito Emi. Suspicious." Shouichi remarked inwardly as he watched a titan couple approaching him.


    "Shouichi! How are you doing?" The fluffy silver-haired boy ran out to him, barely hiding his thrill.


    "Hey! Shinji!" Shouichi spoke up, smiling at him.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Yo! Shouichi!" The hoarse, masculine voice came from the side. It was the voice of Ito Toru with his assumed girlfriend.


    "Nice to meet you! I''m Himemiya Kazumi!" The gyaru lady casually introduced herself.


    Kazumi''s outfit was undeniably bold ¡ª a camisole paired with short denim jeans, leaving her toned curves and tanned skin prominently on display. Her faint abdominal muscles hinted at a disciplined routine of regular exercise and a balanced diet. Her long, straight hair transitioned from black roots to blonde tips in an unintentional ombre, adding to her rebellious aura. In every sense, Himemiya Kazumi embodied the quintessential image of a beautiful and dazzling gyaru.


    "My pleasure to meet you, Himemiya-san," Shouichi replied politely, bowing in return.


    "My! Please speak with me casually, I''m not ready to be treated like an old lady yet." Kazumi said playfully. Her fierce, sharp eyes were captivating and extremely charming.


    "Hahaha, don''t mind him, he''s always a polite guy. Shouichi is one of my favourite kickers in the club." Toru chimed in and let out a roaring laugh, he appeared a bit slightly outgoing than usual.


    "Toru! Have you started letting only handsome guys into your club now?" The gyaru girlfriend teased playfully, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Shouichi couldn''t help but notice her toned biceps ¡ª she must work out regularly. The two of them were undeniably a matching couple. Still, it was surprising, considering Toru rarely spoke about his personal life, let alone something as private as his girlfriend, at the club.


    "Hahaha, I''m not that handsome, Himemiya-san." Shouichi humbly disagreed.


    "Shouichi-kun, when are you guys gonna start weight training?" Kazumi voiced her thoughts confidently in her tone. And then she leaned in, whispering to Shouichi''s ear, "I''m happy to teach y''all!"


    "Hahaha, that''s not entirely up to me," Shouichi replied, his face tinged with a slight blush.


    "It''s all part of the regime; we''re on a break for mid-term at the moment," Toru added matter-of-factly.


    "Seito-senpai! You haven''t met with Misaki-chan? Where is she?" Emi asked, sweeping her concerned eyes, seeking her best friend.


    "Emi-chan! Well, I just talked to her on the phone, she should arrive any minute now." Shouichi reassured her firmly.


    "Thank goodness!... I''m glad, Misaki always makes me worry for no reason," Emi whined, averting her eyes away and cupping a hand on her huge chest.


    "Naggi, Hinoda! Good evening!" Shouichi called out, turning to fist-bump both of the approaching guys.


    "Hey! Shouichi-kun!" Naggi greeted him, flashing a wide, friendly smile.


    "Bro! Nice Yukata." Hinoda complimented him, tapping on his shoulder firmly.


    "Thanks!" Shouichi replied modestly.


    "Shou-senpai!" The designated girlfriend finally arrived, her blissful energy instantly filling the atmosphere. Shouichi had seen her earlier during their video call in the afternoon, but Misaki was a hundred times more stunning and gorgeous in person.


    As she elegantly approached him, the people around her were captivated by her overwhelming beauty, as if she were the Oiran of the night.


    "Misa-chan!" Shouichi called out, extending both arms. Misaki quickly embraced him, and they hugged warmly for several minutes. She felt as delicate as a flower, her skin soft like plush, and her fragrance sweet ¡ª candid, playful, yet innocent, just like he remembered from their first encounter. She couldn''t have been more perfect, as if she were the goddess''s favoured creation, crafted with the utmost care and affection.


    Ishikawa Misaki was the only one whose mere presence could make his heart flutter.


    "I wish I could have been here sooner, Shou-senpai. I miss you so dearly!" Misaki whispered softly in his ear, her big doe eyes looking up at him with an innocent and sincere gaze.

 19 Fire Ceremony II: The Bonfire

    "That''s fine. You are here now, Misa-chan!" Shouichi said, snuggling her warmly. Her candy-like, sweet body odour was delightful. It was one of the best feelings Shouichi had ever encountered in his ordinary life.


    Shouichi was still uncertain how he managed to make Ishikawa Misaki, a literal ten, become his girlfriend at all. The way Misaki and Shouichi effortlessly clicked and became a loving couple, was too good to be true, wasn''t it? The thought alone terrified him at night.


    "...Okay, lovebirds¡­" Shinji let out a big envious sneer, while Emi giggled at his oddly-contorted facial features.


    "Shou-senpai, did you change your perfume?" Misaki asked nonchalantly, sniffing at his neck and then the fabric of his yukata.


    "Eh? N~Nope¡­" Shouichi answered, his face poker, but his eyes parted with her suspicious eyes.


    "Really... that''s odd... I thought I smelled a faint vanilla aroma... " The girlfriend grumbled under her breath, her eyes glancing downward with her thoughts pondering, "Did you work at Yamamoto-san''s stall today?" Misaki probed, finding the root cause of the aroma.


    "Oh! Yeah!" Shouichi burst, playing along with her idea, "I was in the shop for a while, I guess. Hahaha." His twitching smile was insincere followed by a dry laughter.


    But in reality, "It must have been from Ayane''s scent earlier when we were doing the deed... Yikes! " Shouichi got a quick unsightly flashback, swallowing a big gulp of saliva, composing himself.


    "Man, I''m super jealous right now." The tall and thin friend, Hinoda, spoke to Naggi, his tone nothing but pure jealousy, "Must be noice (nice)!" He said fluently in sarcasm.


    "Couldn''t help it, brother. We both got ''L rizz''," The muscular boy with curly hair, Naggi, cheered up his brooding tall friend, wearing an understanding smile.


    After a while, the bell chimed loudly from the main shrine, Misaki reflexively looked at the time on a silver watch on her wrist.


    "Senpai! The Fire Ceremony is about to start! Do you hear the bell ringing?" Misaki urged, her fingers finding his hand, and soon they were intertwined firmly. Her dark obsidian eyes glittered with a pinkish hue under the light of the festival lanterns. As her small hand gently tugged him, Shouichi felt as though they were a real couple, the kind destined to be together for the rest of their lives. A warm sensation filled his heart like never before. With every beat of his heart and every breath he took, he was constantly reminded of Misaki.


    "Y~Yeah? I think I heard it," Shouichi eventually replied, straining his ears. The large bells echoed through the chattering crowds.


    "Are they starting soon?" Kazumi excitedly turned to ask her big boyfriend, Ito Toru.


    "Yeah! I think so, we should move to the front." Toru answered, flat in his tone.


    ***


    The group slowly made their way toward the direction of the goddess''s statue, flowing with the moving crowd. A maiden wearing a strange mask danced around, performing a ritual while holding a large torch. Under the moonlit night, the long pole with a fiery tip created the illusion of a floating fireball, rising and falling as she twirled and moved in sync with the background music.


    People were watching it with awe, grasping as the torch maiden performed an incredible stunt, backflipping while holding the torch.


    It was fierce, bold, yet beautiful like a fiery phoenix soaring through the night sky, illuminating everything in its path.


    "Wow¡­" Shouichi gasped in astonishment. He was one of the crowd being captivated by the electrifying performance.


    "Hehe, it''s really amazing," Misaki murmured softly, though her gaze was not on the show at all. Her large eyes, brimming with affection, traced every feature of Shouichi''s face like she wanted his image to etch to her retinas for eternity. Anyone could tell instantly that she was beyond admiration ¡ª she was deeply, madly in love with her boyfriend.


    "Eh? Misa-chan," Shouichi asked, looking at her questioningly. "Did my face have something on it?"


    "Nope. I just love you so so much!" Misaki confessed, bold and forward, complimenting with her sweetest smile. As a free spirit, she always chose to stay true to herself and her feelings.


    "Hahaha¡­" Shouichi couldn''t contain his joy, overflowing through his complexion, "I love you, too." He replied, returning the same sentiment. His hands pulled her closer, her delicate frame pressing against his chest. He then brushed her beautiful, glassy hair gently. In response, Misaki smiled and purred contently like a little kitten.


    ***


    After a while, four masked monks began lighting the pile of wooden logs in each direction of the statue. It took them a few attempts before the flames finally caught. The crowd watched eagerly as the fire spread rapidly, growing larger and larger. The heat was so intense that even from ten meters away, they could feel it radiating on their skin.


    "Good evening, Ishikawa-san!" Suddenly a familiar voice came from beside Misaki, Misaki turned to find a jet-black-haired girl walking toward her. Her striking purple eyes expressed a strange friendliness toward Misaki.


    "Huh? Good evening, Morimura-senpai," Misaki''s voice trailed off, uncertain how to react. Their recent dispute still tainted her mind. Soon the junior decided to respectively bow her head to her senior, Morimura Ayane.


    "There you are, Ayane-chan!"


    "Morimura-senpai!" Shinji and Emi greeted her with a gentle smile while poking their faces to welcome her. They were standing on the left side of Shouichi. Ayane simply smiled and waved back in response.


    "May I watch the Fire Ceremony with you guys?" Ayane asked impressionlessly. Misaki''s hesitant eyes darted at Shouichi for advice.


    Shouichi encouraged his girlfriend with a quick nod and soft smile.


    "Yes, please join us, Morimura-san!" Misaki eventually answered and the tension in the air lifted slightly.


    Ayane did not speak, she simply nodded. Soon her gaze shifted toward the main attraction.


    "I guess, that''s fine? I was worried for a little bit there." Shouichi thought, feeling a sweat trickling down his face.


    The fire erupted into a raging inferno, like an amber wall of flame burning brightly around the statue, giving the illusion of the goddess surrounded by a fiery aura. It was a breathtaking and magnificent display. The crowd fell silent, gasping in pure astonishment.


    "Shouichi-kun, Misaki-chan, do you guys know what the Fire Ceremony is for?" Ayane spoke up after a while, quizzing them like a reality show.


    "I have no idea, I''ve been wondering that too actually," Shouichi replied cluelessly and shrugged.


    "I''ve heard it symbolises the rebirth of Amaterasu Omikami, the goddess of the sun... Is that right?" Misaki said, surprising Shouichi with how knowledgeable she was. But then it dawned on him ¡ª Misaki was also a big movie geek, with a vast knowledge of films, especially in the horror genre.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "10 points for Ishikawa-san!" Ayane proclaimed theatrically, pointing at Misaki, "Zero points for Shouichi-kun..." Her voice shifted to a sneer at Shouichi as Ayane gestured a zero with her fingers.


    "Yay!" Misaki exclaimed with joy, clapping her hands gleefully.


    "This Fire Ceremony is a worship ritual, dedicated to the sun goddess, demonstrating a fraction of Amaterasu Omikami''s radiant power," Ayane explained, lifting her finger as she spoke.


    "What a huge nerd, Pffp!" Shouichi thought, containing his laughter internally.


    "I''m smart, right? Shou-senpai?" Misaki asked cutely, brushing her shoulders on his firm chest.


    "Hahaha, of course, you are!" Shouichi involuntarily petted her like a cat.


    After a moment, Shouichi voiced his speculation, "The statue looks very ancient, though?"


    "Nice observation, Shouichi-kun! It''s said that the statue existed long before Kurohashi town was founded," Ayane replied. Misaki, unusually attentive, listened closely to her explanation aka ''Yapping session''.


    "Wow, that''s crazy..." Shouichi exclaimed, intrigued.


    "Right? Senpai! I didn''t know that before," Misaki agreed, nodding her head repeatedly.


    "You''re really knowledgeable, both in and out of the classroom, Morimura-senpai... You''re a genius, just like they claimed!" Misaki said, her tone sincere.


    "Hahaha!" The girls chuckled aloud, and it seemed as though they had never been foes to begin with. The mood lightened, and the tension dissolved from the air around them.


    For a long while, Ayane appeared to be fidgeting with her braided hair, her mouth opened and closed, although no words escaped those lips.


    Eventually, Ayane spoke up, "Ishikawa-san¡­ I''d like to apologise for that day. It was insensitive and horrible of me, especially considering your past." Ayane bowed deeply, her gesture a clear sign of a sincere apology.


    "Eh? Morumura-san?" Misaki gasped, baffled by the sudden turn of events, cupping her mouth.


    "I''ve reflected on my actions and I''ve truly regretted them ever since. I''m genuinely sorry, Ishikawa-san," Ayane repeated, her voice filled with empathy.


    "Morimura-san, I''m sorry too! It''s~ it''s my fault, I should have explained it better, but I was totally out of line, I wasn''t thinking straight then," Misaki stammered, her words rushing out as she bowed her head in return, pleading for Ayane''s forgiveness. They both apologised to one another thinking they were at fault.


    "Huh? Thank you so much, Ishikawa-san," Ayane replied, her voice softening. It was the last thing she would expect from Misaki so Ayane accepted her sincere apology right away.


    "I know you were just trying to protect Shou-senpai, I believe it was never ill-intentioned," Misaki reasoned.


    "I guess you guys just got off on the wrong foot. I''m glad we can put that behind us now," Shouichi chimed in, never imagining that the two girls could speak so casually after that day.


    "May I hug you, Morimura-san?" Misaki asked gently, fluttering.


    "Right away," Ayane responded, extending her delicate arms to embrace the junior. They held the hug for a good minute before letting go. "How did this turn into a Yuri episode?" Shouichi''s lewd thought crept up on him.


    "I''m really happy... Actually, do you know you were my idol, Morimura-san?" Misaki asked, sincere in her dark obsidian pupils.


    "Huh? What do you mean?" Ayane asked, tilting her head to the side in puzzlement.


    "Well, you''re really smart, elegant, beautiful. On top of that, you are the coolest girl at our school... I wish I could be like you sometimes, but my brain wouldn''t allow it," Misaki explained, her gaze drifting to the flickering wall of flames.


    "Ayane is the coolest girl in the school? Did I go to the wrong school or something?" Shouichi disagreed inwardly.


    "Hahaha, I''m not that good, you know!" Ayane said flatteringly, waving Misaki off, "Although part of them might be true," She soon added, directing at Shouichi with her conceited eyes.


    "Also, people say you are the Sahara Yukiko of Seihei! That''s what the junior called you!" Misaki told her a secret and giggled, "Fufufu!"


    "I didn''t know that before... Until recently..." Ayane answered Misaki but her eyes always stayed with Shouichi.


    "By the way, Morimura-senpai, you smell really nice. Is it a vanilla-based fragrance? What brand is it?" Misaki asked switching a subject out of a sudden.


    "Aha, good nose, Misaki-chan! It''s my favourite perfume from Dioru, do you like it?" Ayane replied softly, pulling out her inner wrist and letting Misaki sniff it one more time. The girl nodded cheerfully.


    "...That''s oddly coincidental because I also smelled a faint vanilla aroma like this on Shouichi-senpai," Misaki said to Ayane, although her tone seemed natural, she gave Shouichi a quick, strange glare. It was an empty void, yet it carried a sinister undertone, as though it were the unending abyss of hell itself. Fear crept and nested inside his chest until it felt like an explosion from within.


    "Holy moly, did I get caught? Did Misaki figure it out already? I could still say I work in the shop with Ayane, right? That could be a solid cover!" Shouichi racked his brain, his thoughts racing in panic while Ayane remained completely, blissfully clueless.


    "As they say, ignorance is bliss."


    "Idiot! Don''t forget the lover pond!" Shouichi motioned to signal Ayane, but she did not even glance his way, ignoring even his vigorous waves.


    "Really?" Ayane sniffed herself a few times, sceptical of Misaki''s claim.


    "Ah, I got it! Because you both were at Yamamoto''s stall earlier, right? Hahaha. No wonder it kinda stuck on," Misaki gleefully concluded by herself.


    Shouichi turned his face away and exhaled deeply in relief, "Oh my goodness... I thought this was going to be the end of their truce!" He told himself.


    "Guys, what is that?" Suddenly, Ayane asked, with her volume rising, pointing toward the bonfire. Shouichi and Misaki turned responsively.


    There were four monks, each carrying a large long bag, and later they dumped those bags into the raging flames. The impact stirred the flame sparks in the air.


    "Isn''t it a bag of charcoal? Maybe they want to add more fuel?" Shouichi tried to rationalise, rubbing his chin. "It does look like a body bag at first," his thought argued.


    "I know what it looks like¡­ It''s a cadaver pouch... The kind they use to carry corpses," Misaki said slowly, her tone deliberate and designed to spook both seniors.


    "Eh? Ishikawa-san, what are you saying? That''s very unlikely," Ayane objected, her expression tightening as a grimace spread across her face, a chill running up her spine.

 20 Floating Lanterns I: The Charms

    "Emi, I''m leaving," Toru''s hoarse, loud voice cut through the chatter, his expression emotionless and indifferent as he linked arms with his clingy girlfriend. "See you, sis-in-law!" Himemiya Kazumi called out playfully, waving with unrestrained energy. She was a whirlwind of spirit, a towering presence like a raging flame before them.


    With a final wave to the group, the couple turned on their heels and made their exit. Naggi, Hinoda, Emi, Shinji, Shouichi, Misaki, and Ayane stood by the bonfire, watching them go. The faint sound of traditional folk music echoed through the air, adding a layer of eerie calm to the scene, as if the night itself held a quiet, lingering mystery.


    Next, Shinji also raised his voice, addressing the group with a grin, "Well... we''re off to grab some food too. Have fun, guys!" With that, he casually wrapped his arm around the tall, busty girl''s shoulders, walking away together like a picture-perfect couple.


    "Huh?" Hinoda with his long neck, gasped before lowering his voice so only his friend, Naggi, could hear, "Bro, when are those two dating?"


    "What~What do you mean?" Naggi replied, scratching his cheek questioningly.


    "The manager and the silver wolf, of course!" Hinoda clarified enthusiastically, nodding towards Shinji, who was whispering jokes into Emi''s ear. She laughed joyfully, though her brown eyes remained fixed on Shinji''s angelic face. The girl was utterly captivated by him, no doubt.


    "Ohhh... I don''t think they''re dating. Shinji''s always been a flirty guy, but he''s never once gotten serious with anyone," Naggi remarked, his tone flat and dismissive. "Didn''t you hear the rumours? I reckon there''s a bit of truth in them." The muscular shorty didn''t seem too keen on continuing the gossip as he turned his attention back to the ceremony.


    "You reckon?" Hinoda''s eyes widened, tinged with curiosity, though he didn''t look entirely convinced, "Man... That''d be my first time hearing that... Can''t believe a perfect guy like Shinji got such a crappy reputation..." His passive grumbling nagged at his short friend.


    Before Hinoda could utter another word, Naggi spoke up, half rotating his head to Hinoda, "Hey! Shouichi''s leaving too?" They watched as the boy was about to depart, and two beautiful ladies followed at heels.


    "You leaving Shouichi?!" Naggi shouted while vigorously waving at the party emerging from the crowd.


    "Oh! Naggi, Hinoda," Shouichi called out as his eyes landed on the pair, standing 10 metres out. With a friendly wave, he led his group toward them, Misaki on his side while Ayane on his rear.


    Once they were within earshot, Shouichi spoke cheerfully, "We''re heading to buy some Omamori charms. Misaki-chan said they''re closing soon. Wanna tag along?" His signature cheerful smile accompanied the invitation.


    "Thanks for asking, but nah, we''re good," Naggi replied promptly, wiggling his nose as he offered a weary smile.


    Shouichi nodded understandingly, "Alright, you two have fun then!" With that, the charming boy continued on his way, Ayane and Misaki following closely.


    Hinoda forced a half-smile as he waved, watching the trio disappear into the bustling crowd. His smile quickly faded into a sour expression as he sighed aloud. "Sigh¡­ Shouichi, at least leave Ayane with us!" He whined, hanging his head and crossing his arms in exasperation.


    "Ahaha! Cheer up, mate. At least you''ve got me!" Naggi quipped, slapping Hinoda hard on the lower back.


    "Yeah, my high school life sucks bad, man. I really need a girlfriend!" Hinoda lamented, shaking his head. "I''ve never even held a girl''s hand ¡ª except for my mum''s! Let alone kissed anyone or¡­ anything else."


    "Who needs a girlfriend when you''ve got these?!" Naggi exclaimed with glee, flexing his large biceps. The veins popped out dramatically, and his muscle bulged as though it doubled in size.


    To spite Hinoda even more, Naggi raised his biceps dramatically and kissed it theatrically, pressing his lips to the muscle with an exaggerated flourish.


    "Now this is real love," He said with a grin, striking a pose and flexing his muscle fibre harder.


    Hinoda groaned, rolling his eyes. "You''re unbelievable, man."


    Naggi chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he had on his friend. "Hey, someone''s gotta appreciate the goods, right?" He winked, still holding the flex.


    "But I don''t have muscles, bro¡­" Hinoda groaned, deadpan.


    Naggi burst into hearty laughter, clapping Hinoda on the shoulder. "Mate, you''re hopeless, but at least you''re funny!"


    ***


    Shouichi walked alongside Misaki, with Ayane trailing behind them. After a 10-minute stroll from the goddess''s statue and the bonfire, they arrived at the shrine office situated next to the temple grounds. The shrine was beautifully adorned with lanterns, their soft glow casting a serene atmosphere, much like the main shrine but without the overwhelming crowd.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Inside the shrine office, a large display of various charms caught their attention, each one carefully arranged to showcase its unique appeal.


    A cheerful shrine maiden greeted them with a warm smile as they paused in front of the display. "Hello and welcome to Kagehiro-jinja Temple!" She said in a friendly tone, over-excitement even. "Would you like to browse our charms today? We have a variety, each with different meanings. Please feel free to take your time, and let me know if you need any assistance!"


    The trio nodded politely, offering their thanks before they began to sweep their eyes through the assortment of charms laid out before them. Each charm seemed to carry its own promise, from the vibrant red one symbolising wealth and prosperity to the soft pink one for love and relationships, and others dedicated to themes of protection, success, and good health. They each carefully studied the selection, hoping to find the one that resonated most with their own personal wishes.


    "The kitsune charm keychain is so cute, it kinda reminds me of Ayane-chan," Shouichi thought with a smile, picking up the delicate charm.


    "The Inu charm would be a perfect fit for Yoko-san," He continued, selecting another charm with a fond look.


    "Lastly, the Neko charm necklace in rose gold is gonna look amazing on Misa-chan," Shouichi mused, carefully placing the charms in a small basket. He discreetly handed the basket to the seller without the other two noticing.


    "That''s a total of 8,800 yen! Such a kind gentleman," the shire maiden remarked cheerfully.


    Shouichi''s face soured as he pulled out his wallet, hands slightly trembling. "It''s so pricey... sob," He muttered under his breath, but paid it anyway, feeling a stab of guilt at the cost.


    Misaki, noticing the exchange, asked Ayane casually, "Morimura-san, did you get anything?"


    Ayane shrugged. "Nope. I already bought mine last year." Her tone was flat, unbothered. "What about you, Misaki-chan?" She inquired in return.


    "Well, I haven''t bought anything for myself..." Misaki replied with a bright, loving smile then she paused and turned to Shouichi, her eyes sparkling. "But I got this for you, senpai. Good luck with your first mid-term!" Misaki continued cheerfully as she extended her hand, presenting a pink Omamori charm adorned with a delicate heart pattern.


    Shouichi raised an eyebrow. "Isn''t that for love?" He thought, but smiled and accepted it gratefully.


    With a cunning grin, Shouichi pulled out his own gift. "And for my lady... This one is for you!"


    Misaki gasped in delight, cupping her mouth in surprise as he dangled the beautifully crafted Neko charm necklace before her eyes, hypnotising the girl. "Wow, it''s so pretty!" She exclaimed, her face lighting up with a smile as radiant as the first cherry blossoms of spring.


    "Can you put it on me, senpai?" Misaki asked, her voice lilting with excitement as she hummed a cheerful melody. Her body swayed slightly, unable to contain her anticipation. She turned her back to him, her braided hair cascading down like a ribbon of silk. With a graceful motion, she swept it aside, revealing the delicate curve of her nape, its soft, pale skin catching the glow of the festival lights. To Shouichi, the sight was utterly mesmerising, her natural elegance leaving him momentarily breathless.


    "R~right now? It''s a bit crowded," He hesitated, feeling a flutter of nerves and a butterfly in his stomach from the prying eyes of onlookers; attention drew everywhere they went.


    "Please, Shou-senpai!" Misaki half-turned to him, her eyes brimming with adoration like a fawn, oozing its cuteness. Those eyes were impossible to refuse, holding a gentle yet commanding allure that effortlessly enslaved his body.


    Ayane bent in close, lips whispering so only he could hear, "Virgin, eh!?" Then his deep blushing amused her as she chuckled softly.


    "Ye¡­ yes! I''ll do it," He stammered, gathering his courage, all that he could round up. He carefully placed the necklace around Misaki''s neck, his heart throbbing, his hands unsteady. But when the deed was done, the rose gold glinting against her pale skin, complementing her delicate features ever so perfectly.


    Misaki beamed, her eyes sparkling with divine delight. "It''s so cute! Thank you, senpai!" She said, her voice full of joy as she gently cradled the necklace in her hands, as if it were the most precious thing in the world.


    With the gentle melody of her voice, the glimmer that danced within her eyes, and the tender grace in her every movement, it felt as though it truly was.

 21 Floating Lanterns II: Wanabe Ririku

    The dazzling man, accompanied by the two most beautiful ladies in Seihei High School, didn''t just walk ¡ª they seemed to glide effortlessly like a group of angels soaring through the air. Their magnetic charm turned heads as they passed, drawing admiration and awe from onlookers. Shouichi, Misaki, and Ayane strolled side by side, their casual banter weaving a warm camaraderie. They shared thoughts on their daily lives, interests, and even indulged in a mutual grumble about a certain teacher they all disliked.


    Along the way, they stopped at small shops, sampling snacks and grabbing food to satisfy their hunger. With the bonfire fading into the backdrop, their attention turned upward, to the final spectacle of the festival ¡ª the floating lanterns. Guided by the anticipation of witnessing the glowing orbs ascend into the night sky, they made their way toward the launching platform, eager to end the evening on a magical note.


    "Rey-kun, can you hold it properly?" A familiar voice drifted over from a few metres away, catching Shouichi''s attention. He turned instinctively, spotting a bubbly girl with striking pink hair, eagerly snapping selfies with a large, cheerful boy.


    "Sorry, sorry! It keeps pulling up. Hahaha!" The boy, clearly struggling to steady the paper lanterns, replied with a sheepish laugh.


    The pink-haired girl shuffled around, adjusting her angle for the perfect shot. In her excitement, she accidentally backed into Shouichi.


    "Oh!" She exclaimed, her wide, pink-hued eyes sparkling with surprise and apology. "Sorry, mister! I didn''t see you there!"


    As Shouichi took a better look at her, he noticed her unique hair ¡ª vivid pink with soft, curly tips that cascaded gracefully down her chest. She was slightly shorter than him, just a few centimetres shy, with adorably round cheeks that gave her face a sweet, doll-like characteristic.


    "Wanabe-san!" Ayane''s voice broke through the moment, filled with a mixture of recognition and surprise.


    "Wanabe Ririku? The Journalism and Broadcasting Rep?" Shouichi exclaimed, mystified. Though he had never met the representative before, he recognised her distinct voice and tone from the school''s daily announcements.


    "Her voice matches her image pretty well," He thought to himself, mildly impressed.


    "Huh?... So you guys are my underclassmen?" Ririku asked, squinting slightly as she focused on the group.


    "Yes! I''m Morimura Ayane, second year! Pleased to meet you, Wanabe-san," Ayane introduced herself cheerfully, bowing as a sign of respect. Her neatly braided hair flowed gracefully with the motion, resembling a silken rope swaying in the breeze.


    "Strange, Ayane is less cold and more friendly with people today or... did she simply have a great time of her life?" Shouichi asked internally.


    "Oh! Morimura-chan! Then you must be Seito-kun and his girlfriend, Misaki-chan, right?" Ririku guessed with uncanny accuracy. It was no wonder she held the reputation of being Seihei''s intelligence centre ¡ª nothing escaped her state-of-the-air radar.


    "Pleased to meet you, Wanabe-san," Shouichi and Misaki replied in unison, nodding politely.


    "Ah, sorry I didn''t recognise you guys at first glance. I forgot my contacts at home. Hahaha," Ririku said casually, laughing as she flashed her perfectly aligned white teeth.


    "Wow! The reputation of Wanabe Ririku-senpai isn''t exaggerated at all ¡ª she really is the ears of Seihei!" Misaki remarked with a cheerful tone, her admiration clear.


    "Hehehe! Of course! News and information are power, you know!" Ririku said, abundance in excitement, puffing her chest out with pride.


    Just then, Rey, the large boy accompanying her, tapped her shoulder gently. "Umm... Ririku-chan," He muttered, clearly growing impatient.


    "Oh! Sorry, sorry! I got carried away," Ririku said, giving the trio an apologetic smile. "It''s nice meeting you guys, but I need to float this lantern now! Hehe!"


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Would you like me to help take a picture of you and your boyfriend?" Misaki offered kindly, extending her palms toward Ririku.


    "Really? Would you do that for us?" Ririku asked, her pink eyes lighting up as she glanced between Misaki and Rey.


    "Don''t worry, Wanabe-san. I''ve got you covered. I''m particularly skilled at taking photos. Fufu," Misaki assured her with a confident grin. She then took charge, helping the couple capture amazing pictures before they released a lantern into the night sky.


    "Thank you so much, Misaki-chan," Ririku said, flashing a wide smile that revealed a tiny fang, a subtle quirk that added to her charm. She leaned closer to Misaki, whispering in appreciation, "Let me know if you ever need any gossip or insider tips, alright?" And then she signed her promise with a cunning wink at Misaki.


    "See ya!" Ririku called out, leaving with Rey in tow.


    "Who knew she was so chill? It''s hard to imagine her looking like that while giving the morning announcements all professionally, right?" Misaki said, turning to Shouichi and Ayane.


    Both nodded in agreement, sharing a chuckle as they watched Ririku and Rey disappear into the crowd.


    Once Shouichi purchased a lantern from a nearby stand, the trio gathered around to prepare it for flight. Shouichi crouched slightly, flicking the lighter repeatedly until the fire ignited the fuel ring beneath the lantern. The ring combusted, burning steadily as it began to generate thick, warm smoke.


    As the smoke filled the lantern, its delicate paper shell expanded and bloated, gradually taking shape. It became buoyant, tugging gently upward, but the trio kept it firmly grounded, holding it down with both hands. The glow of the fire illuminated their faces, casting warm hues that flickered with the rhythm of the flames.


    They exchanged glances, their excitement palpable as they waited for the perfect moment to release it into the night sky.


    "It''s so cool, senpai!" Misaki exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. Her lips curled into a radiant smile, and her eyes, half-closed in delight, reflected the warm glow of the lantern.


    "Let''s make a wish?" Ayane suggested, stealing glances at the couple, her tone calm yet filled with a hint of curiosity.


    "Let''s!" Shouichi agreed with a slight nod, closing his eyes as he focused on his silent, heartfelt wish. Misaki and Ayane followed suit, each holding their hopes tightly within.


    "One! Two! Go!" Misaki counted enthusiastically, her voice cutting through the hushed murmurs around them. Together, they released the lantern. It floated upward, carried gently by the warm air, its soft glow contrasting against the deep darkness of the night.


    The sky above was a mesmerising canvas of floating lanterns, their lights weaving trails that shimmered like a constellation in slow motion. The trio stood there, gazing in awe, their breaths momentarily stolen by the inspiring beauty of it all. Each lantern carried the dreams and wishes of its maker, small glimmers of hope rising together in silent harmony.


    "Who knows," Shouichi thought as his gaze followed their lantern''s ascent, "Maybe one day, these wishes will come true."


    ***


    For a good solid hour, the trio went on a shopping spree, visiting various game shops and food stalls. They enjoyed wonderful crepes at an old man''s food stand, Misaki was so fond of her strawberry flavour, Shouichi nibbled on his citrus flavour, while Ayane picked a plain vanilla one to enjoy. It was a simple thing yet a fun and memorable experience for teens like them. Toward the end, the group found themselves strolling along the entrance corridor, lined with rows of tall maple trees on both sides.


    "Thanks for today, Shou-senpai, Morimura-san. It''s really awesome!" Misaki turned to them, and her smile never faltered.


    "Well, that''s alright, I have fun too," Shouichi said, running his palm gently on top of Misaki''s fluffy head. The girl blushed a little as she purred contentedly in response.


    "Yeah. It''s pretty terrific," Ayane interjected and smiled as she was catching up to the couple.


    "Oh!" Misaka gasped after checking her smartphone, "Woah, it''s this late already?! ... Wendy~I mean, my driver will be arriving any second now," Misaki grumbled and reluctantly swept her eyes around.


    "Misa-chan, do you, um, have a curfew or something?" Shouichi asked, frowning, fingers scratching his neck.


    "Mm, mm!" She nodded twice before leaning in and smooched on his cheek, her motions lightning fast that his brain hadn''t yet registered.


    "Sorry, I gotta go now! See you, Shou-senpai..." The girlfriend frantically waved at him and then at Ayane, "Goodbye, Morimura-san!"


    Shouichi''s fingers lightly brushed against his cheek, lingering where her lips had graced him moments ago. A soft warmth spread beneath his touch, as if her kiss had etched itself into his skin, leaving behind an everlasting aftertaste.


    "See you, Misa-chan," Shouichi and Ayane called out, their hands raised in a small wave toward the beautiful junior. Standing in front of the main gate, they watched as Misaki climbed into a sleek black European sedan amidst the bustle of other cars coming and going from the pickup spot.


    A few minutes later, Misaki''s car disappeared into the busy street, swallowed by the flow of traffic. Suddenly, an eerie voice whispered from just beside Shouichi, sending a chill down his spine.


    "Just you and me now..." Ayane said, her tone deliberately slow and laced with an unsettling playfulness.

 22 Floating Lanterns III: EOD

    Shouichi turned, startled, only to find Ayane wearing a peculiar expression. Before he could process, she added with mock seriousness, "I''m going to touch you..." Her dazzling features betrayed nothing except a faint mischief glimmer in her purple eyes.


    "Okay... What the flip?" Shouichi blurted, his face a mask of horror as he instinctively took a step back, arms raised in defence.


    And then, her lips cracked into a wide smirk before she erupted into raw, uncontrollable laughter, clutching her stomach, "Hahaha! I''m just kidding! You should''ve seen your face!"


    "Damn you, Ayane!" Shouichi cursed inwardly, shaking his head in exasperation. He sighed, resigned to her endless teasing as her laughter rang out like a victorious melody.


    ***


    It didn''t take long for the couple to return to Yoko Sweet Stall, where the store owner greeted them with her trademark, energetic smile. Despite long hours of serving customers, Yoko''s cheerful expression hadn''t faltered, and the eagerness in her brown eyes was just as vibrant as ever.


    Most shops had already closed, leaving only a handful of people lingering on the temple grounds. A few shrine maidens and monks were diligently picking up trash, their plastic bags rustling softly in the cool evening breeze. The festive atmosphere had dimmed, but a serene calm now settled in the air.


    Inside the now-closed stall, Ayane, Yoko, and Shouichi sat around a small table, their bodies visibly relaxing after the day''s exertion.


    "How''re you doing, Mom?" Shouichi asked, his gaze lingering on Yoko. She appeared sweatier than usual, her skin glistening under the soft glow of the fluorescent lights overhead.


    "Haha, it''s been great... and fun!" Yoko replied softly, her hand reaching up to massage her tense shoulder. "I didn''t expect us to be this overwhelmed, though," She murmured, a hint of exhaustion in her tone.


    "I have to thank you, Yoko-san. It''s been an amazing day for me," Shouichi said wholeheartedly, standing and moving behind her seat.


    "I''m glad you had fun too, Shou-kun," Yoko replied with a gentle smile, her eyes fluttering shut.


    Without a word, Shouichi placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage them with tender care. His fingers pressed into her tense muscles, kneading them with a steady rhythm.


    "Ah... That''s the spot," Yoko murmured softly, her voice carrying a note of relief.


    "Your body''s really stiff, Yoko-san," Shouichi observed matter-of-factly, his hands working to loosen the knots in her shoulders. Gradually, the tension melted away, and Yoko''s muscles softened under his firm but soothing touch.


    "Ahhh, much better," Yoko sighed, her posture relaxing completely. Shouichi continued his work with quiet focus, happy to help her unwind after such a long, demanding day.


    "What about you, Ayane-chan?" She turned to ask the black-haired girl who was sipping a cup of tea.


    "Yes! It''s fantastic! Thanks for having me, Yoko-san." Ayane politely bowed her head.


    "Oh, my dear! I should be the one thanking you! Your presence definitely brought out the most of the shop... umm, like I had the beckoning cat with me today!" Yoko returned, her words laced with genuine appreciation. Yoko drifted to the counter and soon handed a thick envelope to the foxy girl.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Please accept this as my gratitude, I''ve added a bonus for you as well!" Yoko locked eyes with Ayane, implying that she must not refuse under any circumstances.


    "Th~Thank you, Yoko-san," Ayane murmured, reluctantly accepting her reward with both hands, clutching it gently to her chest.


    "Thanks, Ayane-chan for everything," Shouichi chimed in, watching as she squirmed with uncharacteristic modesty, a stark contrast to her usual prideful demeanour.


    Fishing into his pocket, Shouichi retrieved a small Kitsune keychain and an Inu charm he acquired earlier from the shrine office.


    "Ayane-chan, I''d like you to have this one," He said, extending the keychain to her. Her purple eyes widened, shimmering with a mix of awe and surprise.


    "Ho~ho! Doing this behind your girlfriend''s back, are we?" She teased, a mischievous grin curving her lips.


    "Heh? We''ve done much freakier things behind Misaki''s back..." Shouichi mused internally, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. He quickly shook off the memory of the lover''s pond, pushing the thought to the recesses of his mind.


    "Sneaky little creature¡­" Her playful jab brought laughter from both of them, the sound echoing warmly in the quiet store.


    "And¡­ this one is for you, Mom. I think it suits you perfectly," Shouichi added, offering the Inu charm to Yoko.


    "Thank you! The puppy on it is absolutely adorable," Yoko replied, her face glowing with gratitude as she leaned in to embrace him with a tender warmth.


    Unexpectedly, a red Omamori charm dangled just a few millimetres from his nose. "Eh?" Shouichi yelped a little.


    Meanwhile, Ayane''s face was flushed a deep shade of crimson, her gaze darting anywhere but at him. Blushing like a shy child, she mumbled in a mix of insistence and awkwardness, "Take it! It''s... a good luck charm, a real one!" Her voice wavered, as if both informing and coercing him to accept her offering.


    "Huh? Is this for me?" Shouichi tilted his head to the side, disbelief shining in his eyes, "Oh, so she did lie to Misaki after all... You are just as crafty as I am, Ayane-chan," Shouichi dissected in his mind.


    "Of course, who else? Dummy!" Ayane snapped, her blush deepening. She glanced at him briefly, her eyes meeting his for just a moment before retreating again.


    "Thanks, Ayane-chan." Shouichi took the charm into his palms, inspecting its intricate design. A warm smile graced his lips. "This is the first gift I''ve ever received from a girl¡­ I''ll definitely cherish it!"


    "You better!" Ayane retorted, quickly crossing her arms as if to guard her flustered heart. Tsundere to the core, she added with a huff, "But don''t think this means I''m going easy on you. You''ll need all the luck you can get for the mid-terms! Not that it''ll matter ¡ª there''s no way I''m letting go of my rank 1 spot!" Her voice carried a mix of playful teasing and genuine embarrassment.


    Shouichi chuckled to himself, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. He had long since graduated from the Academy of Morimura Ayane''s Grand Psychology and could now read her like an open book.


    If he were to categorise her, Ayane was an eccentric cocktail of personalities ¡ª a peculiar mix of kuudere (cool and reserved), tsundere (playfully combative), and perhaps, just a teeny, tiny bit of yandere (possessive and obsessive).


    Granted, he wasn''t entirely confident about the yandere part. The evidence was scarce, but something told him that if Ayane ever got herself a boyfriend, the glacier might crack, revealing an unexpected side of her lurking just beneath the surface.


    Without warning, Ayane burst into laughter, her giggles ringing out like a melody. "Haha¡­ hahahaha¡­" She covered her mouth, the joy on her face infectious. Her gleeful, dopamine-fueled laugh was so endearing it pulled him along, leaving them both laughing uncontrollably.


    That evening, under the gentle glow of the lantern-lit night, Shouichi''s heart brimmed with contentment. From the quiet moment at the pond with Ayane, to the engrossing fire ceremony with Misaki and the others, to this shared laugh ¡ª it was a constellation of perfect memories. Moments like these, he knew, would stay etched in his heart for eternity.


    ***


    The next morning...


    In the quiet precinct, the sharp ring of the landline phone shattered the stillness, echoing off the walls. A young female officer stepped forward, her crisp, light blue uniform catching the overhead fluorescent light. Picking up the receiver, she brought it to her ear with practised ease.


    "This is the Kurohashi Police Department. How may I assist you?" Her tone was professional, but her relaxed posture betrayed a hint of boredom. She leaned casually against the table, her long, slender legs crossing as she shifted her weight.


    The voice on the other end said something that made her freeze.


    "...What?" She blurted, her shock cutting through her polished demeanour. Her voice spiked an octave higher, trembling with alarm. In a flurry of motion, she pinned the receiver between her shoulder and neck, freeing her hands to pull out a crimson notebook from her pocket. The tension in the room shifted as she hastily flipped it open, her pen poised to capture the urgent details spilling through the line.

 23 Akiyama Suzuki I

    "Please stay calm, sir. Now slowly walk me through it." The female''s stern voice commanded before she started to vigorously take notes.


    "Yes¡­ Yes¡­ Are you sure?" The officer continued to talk on her phone as tension hung in the air around her, whatever they discussed on that call, it wouldn''t be delightful news.


    The female officer appeared to be in her mid-20s, her presence commanding yet undeniably captivating. Her athletic physique was a testament to her discipline, with curves that many would envy ¡ª particularly her peach-shaped bottom, which was both striking and elegant. Her dark, glossy hair framed her face perfectly, complementing her deep, equally dark eyes that held a quiet intensity. Unaware of her own allure, she absentmindedly twirled a strand of her healthy black hair between her fingers, a small, endearing habit that softened her otherwise poised demeanour.


    "We''ll send someone down immediately, please do not touch the crime scene or let anyone near it." Her authoritative voice instructed sternly then she hung up the phone and strutted gracefully toward a senior officer Nagoya, informing him of the recent report.


    "Well, that someone is you, Akiyama-san," Nagoya suggested to her flatly and then he smirked briefly. The lady understood the assignment immediately, she saluted to her senior before heading out the exit in a rush yet cool manner.


    "Hey! Akiyama-san. Don''t forget your officer''s cap!" Nagoya, the thin, pale man in his 40s, reminded her, raising his voice.


    "Oh! Sorry about that. I''ll get it right away. Thanks for the reminder," She said, her voice crisp and precise, each word delivered with the discipline of a seasoned ground infantry officer. With that, she turned on her heel, her movements sharp and purposeful, and headed back to retrieve her cap. A moment later, she strode confidently through the precinct''s double-door entrance, ready to embark on her new assignment with an air of unwavering determination.


    ***


    The female cop hopped on a police car and took a minute to put on her officer''s cap. She gently adjusted the rearview mirror so that she could properly see her own reflection.


    The beautiful but fatigued lady in the reflection stared back at her. She had an oval face, slightly long indicating that her womanhood had reached maturity. Her fair skin was immaculate but slightly pale. Akiyama Suzuki had a prominent nose bridge and a small flaring, which was considered desirable in a modern beauty standard. Her lips were plump and alluring but her lack of care caused them to be dry.


    "An officer shall maintain the perfect appearance when on duty." She recited the codes she learnt when she was in the police academy. Suzuki applied a rose red lipstick hoping it would hide her imperfect skin.


    "Now don''t forget the cap." Her mumbling reminded herself. The elegant police officer placed a blue cap on her fluffy black hair a few times. She seemed dissatisfied with the shape of her hair, so she loosened it up, letting the hair curl down her shoulders, tailing slightly beneath her plump bosoms.


    "Now, now! Let''s try it again."


    Suzuki had a habit of repeating herself quietly. The pretty lady retied her hair into a flat-head ponytail style. The volume of the hair and fluffiness created an elegant round head shape. She seemed pleased with the current set-up.


    "The cap!" She put on her cap and locked it in place with a couple of hairpins.


    "Final check." The gorgeous and energetic young female officer smiled warmly, her unique double-fanged canine teeth gleaming against her bright white smile. Every aspect of her appearance made Akiyama Suzuki the perfect representation of a charming female officer in a TV drama.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ***


    Suzuki arrived at Kagehiro-jinja temple at 08:36 hours in the morning. The aftermath of the fire festival still remained to be seen, the temporary shops and stalls were still there, along with bags of trash and garbage from the visitors. It was a messy side that most visitors had never seen. Suzuki did not attend the Fire Festival the day before due to her overpacked schedule. She decided to stay late at the police precinct to finish the paperwork.


    The officer strutted toward the main aisle and met with a few shopowners and workers who were demolishing and then demobilising their stalls out of the temple grounds.


    Suzuki waved at them briefly but maintained her course toward the main objective, a gigantic statue that could be seen from the distance.


    "Huh? There''s a curious crowd gathering around it..." Suzuki talked to herself as she approached the base of the goddess statue and unsettling chatters got louder and louder.


    "This is Officer Akiyama, batch number 077." She loudly announced herself to the crowd, their gossip halted immediately as they directed their attention to her. An old man, who made the phone call, stepped out to greet her.


    "G~Good morning, officer... Um, th~thanks for coming." The petrified old man struggled to put out words, his eyes distracted and all over the place.


    "Calm down, sir. Did you make the phone call earlier?" She asked.


    "Yes! I did." He answered anxiously, his fingers clawing at a bald spot on his head.


    "Did you tell people not to disturb the scene?" The officer asked, keeping her tone stiff.


    "Ye~yeah, I told them... This way, please. Officer Akiyama." He led her to piles of ashes beneath the statue and what remained of last night''s bonfire. Suzuki quickly inspected the crime scene, pulling her latex gloves and sliding her fingers with fluid motions.


    "Dark grey skeletons, resembling human remains..." She mumbled, her voice barely audible as she dug through the ashes with her gloved hands. The brittle fragments crumbled under her touch, but soon, long, shadowed bones emerged, hidden beneath the ashen debris.


    "There were 4 of them¡­" The old man told her seriously as he pointed at other piles. The terrified townspeople began to gossip and speculate, and their deafening noises resumed.


    "What a mess..." Suzuki circled around the scene and her hands started to poke around the ashes on the opposite.


    "No freaking way¡­ A human skull?" This confirmed her prior assumptions. 4 corpses were being burned to the bone in the ritualistic fire ceremony last night, she noted in her mind. The speculating crowds gasped as they saw Suzuki''s hand pick up a human skull, horror stuck in their eyes.


    "Alright, everyone. I need to call for backup ¡ª this is a serious crime scene," Suzuki announced, her voice firm and authoritative as she turned toward the old man and the gathering crowd.


    "Are they really human skeletons?"


    "So they were murdered before burning? That''s awful..."


    "Officer Akiyama, who would have done things like this during the Fire Festival?"


    The crowd was surrounding Akiyama Suzuki and bombarding questions at her. She was taken aback, overwhelmed by their inquirues but quickly gathered herself up.


    "I can''t answer those at this time. As a police representative, we need to further investigate this case. Shortly, the forensic team will arrive. Please do not obstruct the officer''s work." Suzuki spoke with a loud and reassuring voice. As soon as she finished, she yanked latex gloves off her fingers.


    "This couldn''t be the worse timing, as if we haven''t had enough on our plates," Suzuki whined inwardly and began to bite her nails to ease her anxiety.

 23 Akiyama Suzuki II: Epilogue of Volume 1

    After 20 minutes, three officers in blue arrived at the scene and started to barricade the area. They diligently inspected and collected the evidence. Subsequently, Suzuki stepped aside to let them work more freely.


    The beautiful officer strolled along the main aisle, looking for potential clues. Perhaps it would be best if I could talk to the people who saw the fire ceremony yesterday, there was a possibility that they might have noticed something strange, she contemplated.


    Suzuki started to question the shopowners lingering around the centre of the temple grounds. Despite their busy work with demolition, they were inclined to answer. To no avail, most shopowners claimed that last night they were too occupied selling and serving their customers, they hadn''t seen anything.


    "Eh? Yesterday. Sorry, I didn''t watch it..." One of the shopowners answered eagerly. She was a bewitching lady in a black dress with graphite black hair, probably in her mid-20s. Her striking brown eyes stared at Suzuki puzzledly.


    "Sigh¡­" Suzuki exhaled, desperate for details, and then slid her notebook into her vest pocket,


    "Is it true, Officer Akiyama?" The lovely owner asked her softly. She was quite a tender and kind lady, Suzuki observed.


    "Yes¡­ we''ve found human remains in the ashes," She said with a steady voice. "There are two likely possibilities: either someone dumped the bodies into the bonfire during the fire ceremony, or the bodies were already hidden beneath the logs prior." Crossing her arms, she fell silent, her brow furrowed as she pondered relentlessly.


    "Look like you need a cup of coffee, officer. Or would you like tea?" The kind shop owner asked.


    "Oh, is your shop open?" Suzuki asked, a hint of surprise in her voice as she took a few steps back to glance at the shop''s nameplate. It read ''Yoko Sweet Shop'', with a "Closed" sign hanging just beneath it.


    "Fufufu, you really look like you could use a cup or two, officer. That''s fine... I''ll make one just for you," the shop lady cooed, her voice as sweet and gentle as a lullaby.


    It wasn''t as if much persuasion was needed ¡ª Suzuki''s resolve had already crumbled. The desperate longing for a hot drink to chase away her fatigue had been written all over her face.


    "If that''s not bothering you too much, may I have a cup of hot green tea?" Suzuki asked politely and smiled as she felt as though her fuzziness had already dissipated.


    The officer was sitting in the closed shop at one of the empty tables. She casually sipped a hot of sweet green tea while staring at her crimson notebook.


    "There was no point in racking my brains about it now, I need to talk to people more, more evidence, more description, anything..."


    "Maybe the monks and their abbot need to be reeled for questioning. How do we do this again? Do we need a warrant for this? I might need to ask Senior Nagoya for permission." Her murmuring was quite buzzing around her like flying mosquitos.


    "Yoko-san! Good morning!" The young boy greeted the owner, stepping into the store. He was a fit young boy in a white tee shirt and jeans. His cinnamon-brown eyes met with the female officer''s when she was enjoying her tea. "Eh? Are we open today?" Shouichi turned to ask the shop lady, Yoko.


    "Good morning, Shouichi-kun. Actually no, but I offered the officer some tea and a place to rest for now," Yoko answered gleefully.


    "Haha, got it, got it." Shouichi started to stack multiple cartons and carried them out with ease. Suzuki was still adsorbed in her thoughts, not noticing a kid.


    After a while, the boy came back to pick up the chairs and tables next to her, it looked like they were demobilising the stall.


    "Oh, sorry. I''ll finish my tea now." Suzuki considerately told the boy, her tone softened.


    "Umm... I can do that one last. So no worry, officer." Shouichi answered with a smile, "Enjoy your drink, officer!"


    That was when Suzuki finally got a clear look at his face, framed by the kindest smile she had seen in a while. The boy bore a striking resemblance to the shop owner, Yoko. His graphite-black hair fell in soft, long bangs, perfectly complementing his pretty, almost feminine features. But it was his eyes that truly captivated her ¡ª dazzling cinnamon-brown, framed by long lashes and delicate double eyelids, like the crown jewel of his visage.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    They were full of life and an undeniable gentleness, radiating warmth. Suzuki felt her heart skip a beat, an unexpected flutter rising in her chest as she stared into those gorgeous, enchanting eyes.


    "Oh¡­ My¡­ God¡­" Suzuki murmured softly, her voice barely audible as if the words had slipped out on their own. One hand instinctively rested on her chest, her fingers grazing over her uniform, rubbing at the faint, burning sensation that seemed to blossom there.


    "Are you alright, Officer?" Shouichi asked her, worried.


    "Oh, sorry. Hahaha." Suzuki chuckled sheepishly like a little girl who just met her sweetheart for the first time. Soon, she shook the thought out of her head, this didn''t seem ethical.


    "Ahem... I''m Officer Akiyama Suzuki, batch 077¡­ Nice to meet you!" Suzuki introduced herself out of nowhere, slightly hot on her face. "What am I doing? Why did I just introduce myself to him? Ugh, I got no tact at all." She cursed at herself, and embarrassment rose in her mind.


    "Oh, my name is Seito Shouichi. It''s nice to meet you, officer," Shouichi said with a polite bow before turning his attention back to his task. He began stacking the chairs methodically, arranging them into a neat, organised pile.


    Suzuki gathered herself, getting back to her main objective, "Excuse me? May I ask if you watched the fire ceremony last night? Especially, when they lit the bonfire?"


    Meanwhile, Yoko was packing items on the counter, eavesdropping them attentively.


    "Oh, yes. I have actually. What happened?" Shouichi replied, returning a clueless, blank stare.


    "So we found human remains in the ashes this morning¡­" Suzuki clarified, consistent in her tone.


    "Human remains?! B~bone?" Shouichi stammered, disbelief in his eyes.


    "Mmm, mmm... Did you happen to see anything strange at all?"


    "W~well... Let me think¡­ Oh! I think after about an hour into the ceremony, we saw the monks dumping large bags into the flame," He answered nonchalantly as if the last night''s memory had come to him vividly.


    "Really?"


    "Really, we thought they were bags of charcoal at first but they were really long. Like cadaver pouches." He added.


    "You said "we", so there was someone else with you?" She questioned intriguingly and stepped closer to him.


    "Despite those sweats from labouring, he smells really nice..." Her intrusive thought slipped out after she caught a good whiff of his aroma.


    "Yes! It''s my friends. Morimura Ayane and Ishikawa Misaki¡­" He answered earnestly.


    "Ayane-chan?" Suzuki repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise.


    "Yes, you know her?" Shouichi asked, cocking his head to the side.


    "Kind of, she''s my distant relative," Suzuki explained with her hands.


    "Hahaha, what a coincidence!" He giggled cheerfully.


    "Well, mind if I get your contact details? I might need to call you in later for the statement." Suzuki requested firmly, maintaining her authoritative stance.


    "I guess that''s fine¡­" He pulled out his phone and showed his numbers. Naturally, Suzuki scribbled it down into her notebook.


    "Thank you! I''ll ask Ayane-chan to confirm the details of the event." Her black eyes brightened up with hope yet again. The officer shuffled about like she was ready to leave.


    "Thank you for your kind hospitality, Seito-san and Yamamoto-san." She bowed gracefully before exiting the store.


    "My, my... That Officer is quite a lewd lady, the way she looked at Shou-kun¡­" Yoko, who had been speculating the whole conversation, kneaded her own cheeks with both palms.


    "Yoko-san, this needs to go where?" Her son turned to ask her while packing the supplies. "Huh?... Oh, that just went into that box over there." Yoko snapped back to reality and smiled at her helper.


    "Thank you so much, Shou-kun. You are a big help!" Yoko praised the boy loudly.


    ***


    "What!? We can''t get the warrant to search the temple? Are you kidding me?" Suzuki was screaming through her phone, with pure exasperation in her tone.


    "What do you mean the higher-ups said no!?" She lay on her single bed tiringly while keeping the phone tucked in her ear.


    "...Understood, Officer Nagoya." After a while, she hung up the call and tossed it gently on her bed.


    "Useless¡­ In the end, the police couldn''t do anything!" Suzuki grumbled and buried her face in her pillow and screamed out of desperation. She had never felt so powerless until today.


    "The abbot of Kagehiro-jinja temple must have a really big tie to the police force¡­ Another case left unsolved¡­ It seems to stack up to the moon and no one cares!" She complained aloud, mostly to herself. Her volume turned out more booming than she intended.


    "Shouichi¡­ Seito¡­" The female officer put the back of her hand against her forehead, now wearing nothing but a white tee and black panties.


    "What a beautiful boy¡­" She began to fantasise, her lustful thoughts ran wild as her lower abdomens felt warm and tingling hot.


    "Ah¡­ ha.... ah... " She tenderly rubbed her own thighs, caressing them erotically. The lady felt some warm thick liquid leaking out. Her fingers instinctively fondled the wonderful folds while another hand creepingly rubbed her pink nipple, it stiffened in response. The simultaneous motions gave her much greater pleasure, causing her body to tremble and squirm.


    The libido and the primal urges had taken full control, Suzuki was no longer a master of her own body for a brief intense moment.


    The louder she gasped and moaned, the greater she was to the peak of Mt. Everest of pure indulgent euphoria.


    "Ahhhhhhhhh..." Her body shuddered vigorously as the dopamine flooded her system, filling her mind with incredible ecstasy and fulfilment. The warm desirous nectar dripped out of her private part below, straining her pastel pink bedsheet.


    "Geez¡­ I must have lost my mind¡­" She whispered as she wrapped her arms around her knees into a self-embrace. No matter what she did, she couldn''t stop shaking out the boy she met on that day.

 24 Afterwords: Volume 1

    [-This is not a chapter!-]


    Thank you for reading The Damn Mountain! This marks the end of Volume 1. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and reviews. (I think I can handle most criticisms as long as they make sense... I think.)


    But fret not, for this is just the beginning of the story. The journey of Destirling Shouichi will continue with ever-increasing intensity!


    The secrets of Kurohashi run deep, hidden within the walls and streets of this mysterious town. There is so much left to uncover ¡ª what truly happens behind those closed doors? What does this seemingly ordinary town have in store for Shouichi? Is it all connected, forming some kind of web? So many questions remain unanswered, right? What else to do but keep reading? Hahaha!


    A lot of inspiration for this story came from mangas and animes, which is why I chose the light novel format and included visual elements.


    I''d also like to recommend a few anime and manga that greatly influenced this work: Boy''s Abyss by Ry¨­ Minenami for her exceptional ability to grip attention with shocking moments and nerve-wracking chapters one after another, and Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama for his pacing and brilliant storytelling (he supposedly wrote AOT backward, as many claim).


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I hope you''re enjoying the oddities woven into this story. There were reasons behind all those interactions ¡ª hints and foreshadowing were key for me, as well as an intricate, well-crafted, twisted plotline. Character development was something I paid extra attention to, ensuring each character had intriguing depths like Morimura Ayane and Ishikawa Misaki for example.


    Lastly, I''d like to express my gratitude to my wife, who supported me throughout this journey. She patiently listened to all my ramblings about the plot for six months. Despite getting the first draft, it was an utter mess compared to the serialisation version you guys read.


    Last-Lastly, as an amateur writer, this is the first story that I''ve written. For that, I apologise for any mistakes that may have occurred, linguistically or otherwise. I often re-read and re-edit my work overtime to ensure the quality is up to standard, so I truly appreciate your understanding and patience.


    Thank you again for being part of this journey with me and see you at Volume 2!


    PS: For the tragedy fans, hold your horses ¡ª because you might be in for a treat soon!


    ----------- Current Updating on Webnovel, once I''ve received more interest here, I''ll start constantly updating here too!


    Or else I''ll only upload (batch) once Volume 2 Finish!

 1 Sleeping Time I: Prologue of Volume 1

    On the Fire Festival night...


    Yamamoto Yoko, Morimura Ayane, and Seito Shouichi squeezed into the cramped seats of a mini truck, uncomfortable as it might be, there wasn''t much choice to begin with. The vehicle itself, ideal for small businesses in Japan, featured a long cargo bed that offered ample storage space but compromised on passenger capacity, making it difficult to transport more than a few people at a time.


    "I''m truly sorry, Shou-kun. I know it''s a bit cramped but hang in there, alright?" The female driver reassured the boy with graphite-black hair before getting her attention to the street.


    Tonight, the streets were alive with the bustle of vehicles returning home from the fire ceremony at Kagehiro-jinja Temple, rumbling noises from their engines echoing in the otherwise quiet and empty road.


    "Ahh..." The jet-black-haired girl, Ayane, moaning sound escaped in her throat as the wheels rammed an uneven surface, her rear was pressed against Shouichi''s lap.


    "It''s fine¡­ mom¡­ ugh¡­" It was the boy''s turn to groan as Ayane''s bums bounced on his lap. Shouichi was beyond embarrassed, almost unable to contain his urges.


    ***


    "My, do you have someone to pick you up, Ayane-chan?" A flashback from 15 minutes earlier replayed in Shouichi''s head when Yoko asked Ayane at the stall.


    "Well, I don''t wanna bother Namie-san¡­ I mean my driver." Ayane replied, rubbing her forearms.


    "Would it be okay if you stay with us tonight? I can give your parents a call, your mother''s name is Kaoko-san, right?" Yoko asked her, slightly sparkling in her brown eyes.


    "I, um, don''t mind that at all. Also, my parents are out of town at the moment. But is it really okay with you guys?" Ayane reconfirmed, uncertain of her kind offer, especially Shouichi''s opinions.


    "Mom¡­ That''s kinda weird~" Shouichi rejected the idea bluntly, not overly rude, but got interrupted by his mother. "Of course! We can go to eat late-night ramen! Don''t worry my house has 4 bedrooms, we could take one each. No problem!" Yoko joyfully clapped her hands.


    "That sounds wonderful, Yoko-san. I''ll just let my carer know, right away," Ayane replied, not looking at Shouichi, then she rapidly tapped her phone to relay the message to Namie.


    "Wonderful my ass!..." Shouichi snapped, but the girl did not even heed his voice. He instead turned to his mother, agitated in his motions, "Yoko-san! This is beyond foul!"


    ***


    Shouichi clenched his jaw, maintaining his composure as the mini truck jolted over the rough rural streets of Kurohashi. The bumpy ride caused his friend''s rear to inadvertently press into his lap, each jolt magnifying the awkwardness of the situation. Veins bulged on his neck and forehead, his patience tested by the unforgiving terrain. He hadn''t anticipated just how bad the streets would be in this rural town, and the discomfort was becoming impossible to ignore.


    "Hey! We''ve arrived!" Yoko exclaimed gleefully. Shouichi observed that the ramen shop was especially crowded for the night. Without wasting a second, the three stepped down from the vehicle and headed to the empty seat.


    "Welcome, welcome! Beautiful youngsters!" The owner greeted them with a loud and friendly voice. He was an old man in his 50s, slightly overweight with belly fat and dressed in a white jacket and a white hat, a little bit stained from working with the soups and noodles throughout the day.


    "My, my! I''m not that young, mister." Yoko replied dismissively, flattered by his sweet talk.


    "Here''s the menu, dear patrons. Let me know if you would like to order anything." He laid down the menus in front of the group, and his unwavering smile made them feel extremely welcome. The chef went back to his stove and served delicious-looking ramen to other customers. Meanwhile, the trio was still discussing what they should order.


    Stolen story; please report.


    When the chef returned, with his ever-service smile, "I''d like to get spicy miso ramen, please!" Ayane was the first to finalise her decision, he nodded twice, rubbing his hands in anticipation.


    "Well¡­ I''d get the same, please." Shouichi put down the menu and ordered.


    "My! Nothing beats spicy ramen after a long day at work. I''d like to have the same please." Yoko followed suit, discarding whatever she initially planned.


    "Right away! Boy and girls!" The chef replied with joy, as he turned to repeat the order loudly to his crews behind the counter.


    Just after 10 minutes, three bowls of spicy ramen with miso-based broth arrived at their counter table. Its smell dispersed in the air, wonderful and drool-inducing. Just their dense aroma alone was enough to determine that they were going to be sublime for taste.


    "Thanks for the meal!" The group said in unison before starting to chow down on the ramen loudly.


    "Ah! It''s so spicy yet it''s sooooooo tasty." Ayane moaned in pleasure, cupping one of her puffed cheeks.


    "Haha right? This is the first time, my taste buds are burning," Shouichi added while occasionally sipping a cup of water beside him.


    "They called it a painful pleasure. Hehehe!" Yoko interjected and giggled.


    Not for long, the trio managed to finish the spicy ramen down to the broth, empty out the bowls, filling up their stomachs with satisfaction. They were shuffling around, ready to leave as Yoko motioned the waiter for bills.


    "Thank you so much!" Yoko received her change from the friendly shop owner and soon they left.


    ***


    It turned out the ramen shop was just a 10-minute drive from Yamamoto''s residence, which made the trip less sufferable. They arrived at the house shortly afterwards, and Shouichi opened the door to let the two ladies pass through. Then Shouichi and Ayane leisurely went to sit on the sofa while Yoko told them she was going to prepare the bath.


    Ayane moved around the cushion, finding her comfy spot, and somehow decided it to be next to Shouichi.


    After a while, Yoko poked her head out of the bathroom on the ground floor. "Ayane-chan, please feel free to take the bath first. It should be ready in roughly 15 minutes."


    "Thank you, Yoko-san. You are too kind." Ayane bowed slightly at the lady, showing gratitude.


    "Also, please change into the clothes I provide in the bathroom, okay?" Yoko smiled gently at her.


    "Understood!" Ayane replied gleefully.


    It was Ayane''s first time visiting the Yamamoto residence, despite knowing Yoko for nearly a decade. The house was surprisingly spacious yet sparsely furnished, its emptiness resonating in the quiet air. The couch they sat on was modest, far from luxurious or expansive. As Ayane swept her curious eyes to gauge the surroundings, the scattered details painted a clear picture: this was a home that had accommodated solitude for a long time.


    "Ayane-chan, would you like to watch something?" Shouichi asked her while handing her a remote controller.


    "Nah, I''m good. Put on some music I guess?" She suggested with an indifferent shrug.


    "Good idea." Shouichi opened the music app and let it run autonomously. Without a doubt, his playlist was of the popular pop songs.


    "Say¡­ How is your preparation going for the mid-term?" Ayane asked curiously out of the blue, fidgeting her fingers.


    "Well¡­ I just started a week ago. But I''ve managed to summarise all the notes." Shouichi naturally replied. Not looking up at her as he casually scrolled through social media with his smartphone to pass the time.


    "Nice..."


    "What about you, Ayane-chan?" He asked politely, still keeping attention on the phone.


    "Oh, I have already finished my reviews in advance during normal study sessions," She replied nonchalantly.


    "So you are not lying about being the rank 1, huh?" Shouichi probed, smiling as he unintendedly glared at her violet-purple eyes.


    "Definitely not." Ayane poised herself straight, confident to the point of almost conceit.


    Then her fingers nervously played on her braided her, struggling to get words out, eventually, she asked, "Say¡­ Shouichi, what would you like to do in the future?"


    "Hmm¡­ I dunno. I haven''t really thought about it yet." Shouichi replied honestly. Noticing her quiet request for his participation, Shouichi put down his phone on the table, and the girl had his full attention now.


    "Do you want to go to Tokyo University? ¡­ or something?" Ayane asked sheepishly, it was clear that she had been staring at him with passion in her complexion from the start.


    "Oh, you meant, the uni¡­ I think I''ll go back to Australia or something," Shouichi replied with a mock seriousness yet his lips curled up a little.


    "Oh really? What about Yoko-san? Are you really going back after the graduation?" Ayane burst out questions in quick succession, her eyebrows furrowed in discontent. Shouichi noticed a sudden sorrow in her beautiful eyes.

 2 Sleeping Time II

    "Want me to stay?" Shouichi questioned, still holding in his smirk.


    "Ye~Yes!" Ayane replied humbly, now blushed as she found herself incapable of meeting Shouichi''s gaze.


    "Ahahaha, I gotcha!" He revealed with a roaring laugh.


    "Shouichi! You lil brat!" She snapped, her face shifting to adorably anger as her fists started pounding his shoulders, playful in her manner. Ayane could be cute when she was fuzzy like this, her face was all red and pudgy like a little kid, he remarked inwardly.


    "Of course, I''m not leaving¡­ Ouch! Ouch!"


    "Would you promise me that?" Ayane asked with seriousness in her eyes.


    "Yes, I promise. Hahaha... You are acting weird today, Ayane." Shouichi told her matter-of-factly before jesting, "Is it the spicy ramen that got you worked up?"


    "''Cause you are the dummy!" She replied, her tone louder than intended.


    "So¡­ you are going to Tokyo University, huh?"


    "Yep! I wonder what it would be like to live in the city." She replied, clasping her hands on her chest in anticipation, her shoulder brushing his slightly.


    "It''s nothing to fantasise about, really," Shouichi told her, waving dismissively. "She is awfully close right now." He couldn''t help but notice her warmth on his body.


    "You could say that because you were from Melbourne! Tokyo is definitely different." Ayane argued, persistent in her tone and stubborn in nature.


    "Hahaha, true." Shouichi giggled, partially agreeing with her sentiment, "Still, it''s just full of people, you know. Tokyo would be worse in that regard. You wouldn''t like the crowd." and explained his reasons.


    "How did you know I didn''t like the crowd?" Ayane asked puzzledly.


    "Isn''t that what you told me? On the rooftop? Got amnesia or something?" Shouichi teased, a sly grin spreading across his face as he reminded her of that very first day at Seihei school. "Or did the spicy ramen mess with your memory too?" He added playfully, reaching out to gently pat her fluffy, jet-black hair, his fingers sinking into its soft texture.


    "Of course, I remember that¡­ Why wouldn''t I?" She bantered, slapping his hand away but her voice palably faltered. "I just never thought you would..." Ayane mumbled, almost to herself, the weight of his words tugging at her heartstrings. She had never felt like this before¡­ so vulnerable, so dependent on a mere boy.


    "Hey¡­ It''s been 15 minutes, you should go to the bathroom." Shouichi informed and pointed his finger at the bathroom. The jet-black-haired girl nodded before obediently following what he said.


    ***


    "Don''t forget to lock the door..." Shouichi reminded himself while checking his own room''s doorknob. Twisting it a few times, it was confirmed to be secured tight. Then he threw himself on the bed, letting his tired body relax to the full extent.


    "Phew... I''m spent. What a day¡­" The boy thought to himself. His eyelids fell heavy and his mind started to drift.


    Knock~Knock!


    There was a soft yet hearable knocking sound on his door, "Shouichi! Open the door!" It was unmistakably Ayane''s voice, she whispered from the other side.


    Knock~Knock!


    The sound echoed again, this time louder and more insistent. Shouichi groaned, dragging his exhausted husk of a body upright. Each step felt heavier as he stumbled through the dark, his sluggish feet scuffing against the floor. Reaching the door, he blindly swung his hand to grasp the handle and yanked it open, his movements clumsy and unfocused.


    "What?" Shouichi whispered, his voice vague as his eyes adjusted to the dim hallway light.


    Standing at his doorway was Ayane, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Her gaze darted back and forth nervously, like a child caught sneaking out past curfew. Her hands fidgeted behind her back, and she bit her lip as though she were contemplating whether to speak or retreat.


    "Don''t laugh." She whispered to him sheepishly, "I''m afraid of ghosts. I can''t sleep."


    "Sounds like a your problem than my problem." Shouichi quipped as he yawned and shut the door on her face.


    Knock~Knock!


    A soft knocking came again. It really started to bug him to his core.


    "What?" He opened it again and asked. But this time Ayane didn''t ask for his permission, she walked into his room and sat on his bed, as inconsiderate as she could be.


    "It stinks so bad in here." She commented brutally, wiggling her nose with a sour face.


    "Ay! What you think you''re doing?!" Shouichi asked in puzzlement, he quickly slammed the door shut. The last thing he wanted would be his mother catching him and Ayane huddling in his room.


    "By the way, I''m sleeping on this bed." She simply informed, clearly not a request as she lay down on the bed. With the right amount of light seeping through the curtain''s gaps, Shouichi eventually caught a glimpse of her black nightgown, to make matters worse, it was one of those revealing ones.


    "Yoko-san¡­ What have you got her to wear¡­ sob," He cursed at his mother in his mind.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Ayane! You can''t just take my bed. Get off right now..." Shouichi ordered her while keeping his voice down in a whisper.


    "Hehehe, it''s really comfy. I like your blanket, so warm, super fluffy." It was too late, Ayane had already buried herself in his blanket.


    "And she said it stank just three seconds ago..." He thought and let out a big air from his nostrils.


    "Whatever, man! I''m getting in!" Shouichi''s mind wasn''t in the right place with the drowsiness creeping up his mind, he decided to foolishly lay in his bed next to his gorgeous friend.


    Reality often diverged from expectation, and Shouichi was no stranger to such discordance. Yet, he found himself unprepared for the sight before him. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, each beat reverberating in his ears. His face burned hot, a deep flush creeping across his cheeks as his gaze fixated on Ayane''s exposed elegant back. Worse, the curve of her exposed upper bottoms peeked just above the fabric of her outfit.


    Struggling to maintain his composure, Shouichi instinctively took a scoot back further, leaving a deliberate gap between them. It was as though he were constructing a mental barrier ¡ª a fragile but necessary partition to safeguard his spiralling thoughts.


    "Hehehe, I gotcha!" Suddenly, Ayane shuffled and turned around to face him. Scooting closer, her mischievous eyes stared at him like a predator looking at its prey.


    "Eh?" Shouichi gasped, momentarily baffled. Not to realise that his breath was getting heavier and harder.


    "Come in, you don''t wanna get a cold, right?" Ayane teased, lifting up the blanket to cover his body, unintentionally, his eyes gawked at her naked chest from the loose V neckline. "She~she doesn''t wear any bra! What the freak¡­" The boy was beyond flustered. Didn''t know what to do, his mind short-circuited. Not knowing what to do, he just lay there, unmoving like a stone.


    "Hahaha, you definitely don''t know how to handle girls, Shouichi-kun..." Her fingers traced sensually on his chest, "You really are a virgin, aren''t you?" Ayane teased, whispering in his ears so close that Shouichi could feel her soft minty breath brushing against his cheek.


    "Y~yes¡­ You are not wrong..." Shouichi replied, trembling in his tone.


    "Wanna continue what we left off at the pond?" She whispered, deliberately slowing down each word to sound more erotic.


    "Definitely not, I''m not falling for the temporary desire and the pleasure of the flesh..." His citing voice hardened and his mind was reinforced, no amount of teasing would make him falter. As if Shouichi became one of the monks with unwavering resolve and unyielding perseverance.


    "Hooo, hooo. Hahaha. You are... so funny." Ayane chuckled cheerfully.


    "Begone Thoth!" He cited in his mind.


    "...How about this?" She suggested and began to libidinously caress his abdomen.


    "Hold the door! Hold the door! Hold the door!" Shouichi chanted, fighting for his life. But he was a simple man, no matter how strong his resolve was. He couldn''t hold it down any longer, a raging rod broke out, straining against his pants.


    "Ummmm, please stop, Ayane-chan..." Shouichi begged with frustration in his trembling voice, Ayane, who almost touched his private part, paused in an abrupt motion.


    "Now that I think about it... Didn''t you get stiffy during the ride home as well? Fufufu, I could feel it pressed against my butts." She continued her ruthless operation, like sleep was never her option to begin with.


    After a long pause, the bewitching girl offered him a condition, a game of the night, "...If you come, I promise I will go back to my room... Let''s start..."


    "You lewd succubus¡­" He grumbled as he accepted defeat with a new-found realisation that he could never truly refuse when it came to Morimura Ayane.


    Shouichi kept his eyes shut tight and prepared himself to be rubbed lewdly.


    Five minutes passed and nothing happened, Shouichi fluttered his eyes open in bafflement before realised the lewd assault had never been delivered.


    "...Zzz... ...Zzz... ...Zzz..."


    "Ayane...?" Shouichi whispered softly, his voice laced with a mix of concern and hesitation. His hand hovered just above her shoulder, the urge to gently shake her awake almost overwhelming. Yet, as he leaned in closer, he realised the truth.


    Ayane''s breathing was slow and steady, her head slightly tilted as she slumped in place. She had fallen asleep mid-sentence, the day''s events having drained her entirely. Shouichi sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.


    "Even you have a limit, hmm?" Shouichi spoke to her, knowing she was completely knocked out.


    "Ayane-chan... Thanks for helping out at Yoko''s shop, joining me on the trek to find the lucky pond, making amends with Misaki-chan, and lastly strolling food stalls together. You truly made it a wonderful day for me, the day that I can never forget..." He reflected effectively, his eyes traced her beautiful facial features.


    "Hehe... You know you can be so cute if you stop being a lewd weirdo, you know?" He adoringly stared at her serene expression. Shouichi watched her purring quietly, he couldn''t help but pat her lush hair on her head.


    "Good night..." He said his farewell and then eventually, he got to enjoy his peaceful and tranquil slumber.

 3 Kobayashi Rinae’s Class

    Monday was a complementary holiday and Shouichi spent the entire morning helping with the demolition of Yoko''s stall. In the afternoon, he crammed as much material into his brain as possible, fully aware that he only had one week to prepare for the midterms.


    The next day, the school resumed as usual...


    Shouichi kicked off his day by doing his routines from brushing his teeth, washing his face with lukewarm water, and preparing his own lunchbox. It wouldn''t take long for him to complete his dressing into the school uniform, topped with a black blazer.


    "I look peak in this!'' He exclaimed, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His graphite-black hair framed his fair, healthy skin, which seemed to brighten his entire appearance. Cinnamon-brown eyes, dazzling and almost femininely attractive, were complemented by elegant long lashes and perfectly shaped double eyelids.


    The charming young man slightly adjusted his jacket and collar to stay in place. Despite the long sleeves, one could easily catch a glimpse of his muscular arms underneath.


    "Hmm? I must''ve gained some muscles from the club practice." He analysed inwardly, twisting his arms around to compliment his biceps and triceps.


    For the finishing touch, Shouichi slid a sweatband onto his left wrist, concealing the nasty scar beneath. He had no memory of how he got it, but his father once told him it was from an injury he''d suffered when he was five years old.


    "Shou-senpai!" A familiar voice resonated as he emerged from the house. As it turned out it was the most beautiful girl in Shouichi''s entire world.


    Shouichi found himself grinning like an idiot, "Misa-chan. Good morning! Fancy seeing you here." Shouichi greeted his girlfriend, who was standing in front of the gate.


    "Good morning! I''ve missed you sooooooo much!" Misaki greeted, her trademark twin tails bouncing with every step. She never failed to captivate him, and her unwavering smile could only be described as ''extremely cute.''


    "Hahaha, already? It''s only been one day!"


    "~Senpai, you didn''t say it back!" Misaki cut him mid-sentence as she approached and grasped his blazer tight, "Don''t you miss Misa-chan too?" She asked in a baby voice, an octave higher to pleading for his attention.


    "Of course, I miss you a whole lot!" Shouichi replied, patting softly on her dark purple hair.


    "So¡­ Misa-chan, why did you drop by today? Did you come to walk to school with me?" Shouichi asked flatly as they both began to walk.


    "Um, um! I wanna walk to school with my boyfriend," Misaki said, her arm slipping around his as her fingers intertwined with his. He felt a soft, bouncy sensation as her chest pressed gently against his side.


    "I see!... This will be our first time, right?"


    "Right? Fufufu!" Misaki chuckled sweetly.


    "Would you like to hang out with me at Yoko Sweet Shop afterwards?" Shouichi asked.


    "Umm¡­" Her face darkened all of a sudden, "Sorry senpai. I have a tutor at home, my carer, Wendy-san..." She explained, bitter in her tone.


    "Oh? Wendy-san is not just your driver?" Shouichi inquired, raising his brows in a mixture of intrigue and puzzlement.


    "Fufufu... Nope!" Misaki giggled, shaking her head. "She was originally my dad''s secretary after she graduated with her master''s degree, but somehow, he ended up assigning her to be my carer instead," she clarified.


    "Oh¡­ That''s Wendy-san''s lore,"


    "Hahaha, I agree." The girl giggled, "Don''t worry, I would never cheat on you, senpai!" She slipped erratically.


    "That''s quite a curveball¡­" Shouichi''s thought lingered.


    "Look, look! Shou-senpai!" Misaki urged, each hand lifting her twin tails, showing her delicate neck with a rose-gold necklace dangling elegantly.


    "Huh? You''re wearing it to school?" Shouichi asked, astounded, "It looks really nice, Misa-chan." He praised, her cheeks dusted with pink.


    "Of course, it is the most valuable gift from my beloved boyfriend, I''d cherish it until the day I die!" Misaki vowed with genuine determination in her obsidian eyes.


    "That''s Misaki for you, she''s as honest and candid as ever." He observed internally.


    Ding! Ding! Ding!


    Abruptly, Shouichi''s smartphone buzzed. Meanwhile, his curious girlfriend clung to his arm, her eyes fixed on the screen. "Akiyama Suzuki," It read.


    "~Sorry, I need to take this one real quick," Shouichi told his girlfriend. And Misaki puffed her cheeks into a fuzzy pout.


    "Hello! Akiyama-san." Shouichi answered his phone.


    "H~Hi! How are you doing, Seito-kun?" Suzuki greeted him, a hint of nervousness in her tone.


    "I''m good, actually," Shouichi replied.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "What are you doing?" Suzuki asked, oddly casual in her tone. "What is she even on about?" He thought.


    "I''m, um, I''m walking to school right now..." Shouichi replied politely, noticing Misaki poking his cheek with her pointer, "W~with my girlfriend!" He added after interpreting the signal. Misaki approved with a nod.


    "Oh¡­ Do you have a girlfriend already? Hahaha, that''s pretty common for the high schoolers, right?" Suzuki asked nervously before letting out a hollow laugh.


    "I guess so¡­" Shouichi replied, keeping it short.


    Realising she was holding him up, he felt his patience wearing thin. "Um... Akiyama-san."


    "Hmm? Seito-kun?" Suzuki responded unhurriedly.


    "Why are you calling me?" Shouichi eventually asked, cutting straight to the point.


    "Oh, my bad¡­ Umm¡­ You see, I was thinking." Suzuki began to fumble with her words.


    "Akiyama-san, deep breath, please. You''re starting to worry me."


    "R~Right. I already talked to Ayane-chan about the monks dumping the cadaver pouches into the bonfire during the festival. She said the same thing!" Suzuki explained, seemingly back to her normal self.


    "Oh, that''s good to hear, I guess," Shouichi replied, slightly irritated. "And?" He pressed.


    "That''s all, Seito-kun. Thank you for your statement!" Suzuki said abruptly.


    "Glad I could be of any help. See you, Akiyama-san."


    "Eh?"


    Shouichi hung up before Suzuki could say another word. "She''s so awkward and weird on the phone," He remarked inwardly. "She does act normal in person, though."


    Misaki''s eyebrows furrowed into a frown, "Shou-senpai! Who is this hag?" She interrogated bluntly.


    "Officer Akiyama, you got me in trouble!" He cried in his mind.


    "Well, I met her yesterday when I was helping out at the stall~" Shouichi explained calmly but soon interrupted mid-sentence, "~Is this old hag your new mistress? Did you cheat on me, senpai?" Misaki''s fingers gripped onto his blazers tight.


    "Listen, Misa-chan. Let me explain, she''s a cop!" Shouichi raised his voice, louder than he intended. That seemed to work as Misaki calmed down to a degree.


    "Ahem... Yesterday, the police found skeletons in the ashe piles. As a result, Officer Akiyama has been investigating that ever since. I guess, she was just asking around for more clues." He explained, his hands clasping on Misaki''s in reassurance.


    "Oh, that''s what it is¡­ Why didn''t you say so?!" Misaki smiled, satisfied.


    "Ugh... That''s what I''ve been trying to say..." Shouichi grumbled to himself. Misaki abruptly froze to process. "Wait?! So the cadaver pouches were real?!" She lashed out loudly in realisation.


    "It appeared so," Shouichi replied nonchalantly.


    "Hehehe, my eyes are pretty sharp, eh?" Misaki smirked, almost prideful. The boy nodded several times in response.


    "I thought she would be terrified, but instead, she was intrigued¡­ Misaki was indeed a scary movie geek underneath that pretty shell," He analysed.


    "Still! Don''t, don''t talk to her again! This Akiyama hag is all over you, senpai!" Misaki ordered sternly, her expression serious as she jabbed her index finger at his face.


    "Huh? But isn''t that illegal? Ignoring an officer''s inquiry?" Shouichi countered, raising an eyebrow.


    "I know! But you have to be careful! Don''t fall for an old lady like her, do you understand?!" Misaki warned, her tone growing darker. She must have had a sixth sense, Shouichi thought.


    "Understood, hahaha," He replied, brushing it off with a laugh.


    ***


    After their short stroll, Shouichi and Misaki parted ways at the main building entrance. Her classroom was on the first floor, while his was on the second.


    "See you, Senpai!" Misaki called out with a cheerful farewell. The girl eagerly waved her hand at him before disappearing into her class.


    Shouichi climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered through the backdoor on the left. His back was slightly hunched as he already felt drained from the morning stroll with Ishikawa Misaki.


    "Hey, why so gloomy, bro!?" His best friend Shinji shouted. Shouichi turned to see his grinning face.


    "Hey, Shinji!" Shouichi replied, perking up a little.


    "Shouichi-kun, good morning," Ayane greeted warmly, turning toward him with a gentle smile.


    The renowned Aphrodite trio was now reunited in perfect harmony.


    ***


    Before long, the homeroom teacher entered the classroom and the lively chatter died down almost instantly. Takeshi-sensei, a thin and short man in his 40s, was accompanied by a mature, busty woman. Her alluring presence was more than enough to leave the male students slack-jawed.


    "Good morning, students of class 2-1. I hope you all enjoyed the last event before the midterm," He began, his voice slow but stern. "I''m aware that something sinister occurred, rumours and all, but that''s no excuse to slack off. The test is less than a week away."


    "For the midterm, we''ll tackle two main subjects each day, consecutively for three days: starting with Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science, and Japanese. So, it''s your responsibility to organise your preparation accordingly¡­" Takashi-sensei continued his lecture, murmuring on.


    However, he completely failed to address the elephant in the room ¡ª or more accurately, the crane standing elegantly beside him, a true symbol of beauty.


    "...And this is your new Mathematics teacher from Osaka. Please introduce yourself to the class."


    At last, the long-awaited words captured everyone''s attention.


    "Good morning, class. I''m Kobayashi Rinae and I''m your maths teacher from now on. Please to meet you!" Her voice was gentle but yet firm. She bowed to the class and the gap between the shirt collar showed the white and alluring upper chests. "Another boobs monster¡­ Sadly this isn''t Hentai." Shouichi thought.


    The siren teacher dressed in her tight, white shirt and short pencil skirt like a sexy secretary, complemented by black leggings. Her outfit exaggerated her figure, especially her oversized hips and chests. Red Boston-style glasses perched on her prominent nose. Her large, dark eyes and well-styled black hair, gathered neatly into a flower bun, added to her distinctive look. A charming mole on her left cheek further maximised her overall allure.


    "Besides, the next session should start now, may I begin my first lesson, Takeshi-sensei?" She gracefully turned to ask her colleague, clasping her hands together. He nodded a few times and left the room.


    "All right! Class... Phew... Enough with the formality, please call me Rinae or something," Rinae-sensei said, switching to her casual demeanour. She casually sat in the chair, crossing her legs enticingly. Her relaxed gesture shifted the tension in the air, and the class seemed to relax along with her.


    "Wow¡­ I didn''t know she''s chill like that."


    "She''s so beautiful."


    "Man, maths class oughta be fun, now."


    Excited male students started to gossip quietly.


    "That''s how I like it." She swept her gaze across students, familiarising herself with their faces.


    Rinae began by reviewing the recent curriculum and lessons with the students.


    She explained that the upcoming test would be in a multiple-choice format, then proceeded to summarise all the key topics that could appear on the midterm next week.

 4 Free Marks I: Calculus

    [Trigger Warning: Contains potential headaches!]


    "How about this? Since I''ll be working on the midterm paper." Rinae-sensai lifted her finger excitedly as if she had some bright idea.


    "If you manage to solve this math problem. You''ll get a free 5% mark in the midterm!" She explained, brimmed with enthusiasm and the students started to murmur in amazement.


    "Hehehe, I know you''ll be excited about it." She turned to write down the problem on the board. It read "dy/dt-y = 1, y(0) = 0, find y(t) =???"


    "Please find ''y'' for me!" Rinae-senpai smiled mischievously as the class gasped and groaned as the mix of desperation and frustration hung in the air.


    "This is definitely foul."


    "We can''t solve this with a normal integration method. We only learn how to do one variable at a time!"


    "I have never seen this type of problem before." The students burst into complaining at the complexity of the problem, it was beyond their high-school curriculum for Calculus.


    "This is one of the Ordinary Differential Equations or ODEs. Anyone would like to try for the class?" Rinae taunted, waving the markers on her hands. Most students had already given up.


    "I want to try it!"


    "Can I try it?"


    Simultaneously, Ayane and Shouichi spoke and raised their hands. It surprised the teacher a little.


    "Hooo. We have two brave souls! Come on out, you two can show me on each side of the board." Her dark-colour eyes glittered with ecstasy.


    "She must be a genius freak," Shouichi remarked inwardly.


    They both took out one marker each and started vigorously writing down their solutions, squeaking sound reverberating across the room. The classmates were flabbergasted by their fast scribble.


    "If anyone can solve this, it has to be Morimura-san."


    "Is Seito-san doing it right? I have never seen anything like that before."


    "Wow, those two are really going at it."


    Quiet chatters from the students could be heard in the background.


    After 10 minutes, the high-pitched sounds of markers stopped.


    "My! You both got it right! Despite using different approaches." Rinae praised them with pure astonishment, clasping her hands.


    The final answer was "y(t) = Ce^(t)-1 and C = 1".


    "Starting with you, Morimura-san, right? What do you think about this problem? Fufufu" The teacher giggled gleefully.


    "This problem is really advanced but not beyond the high school''s Calculus," Ayane responded to her teacher, her face frigid cold as ever, "To begin, I employed the integrating factor of u(t)=e^(t) on both sides of the equation and used the integral product rules to rewrite it into an integrateable form. After the integration, I rewrote it into the solution as shown here." Ayane explained, her speech was rapid yet crystal clear.


    The classmates gasped in awe and were absolutely captivated by Morimura Ayane''s intellect.


    "100 points for Morimura-san! Good job! Now now, Seito-kun''s turn." The teacher switched to point her hand toward Shouichi.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Clearing his throat he stepped up, "So I applied Laplace transform to the equation then rewrote it to be in capital "Y(s)" equal something... like this," He pointed at the equation on the board, paused to make sure everyone was still following.


    "I had to perform the partial fraction decomposition to break down the equation into two terms. Once that''s done, I applied the Inverse Laplace transform to get the final equation... hence the answer," Shouichi carried on with confidence in his tone.


    "Wow! 100 points for Seito-kun!" Rinae stared at him with seductive eyes. "But you are using University level''s Calculus. This is no longer high-school mathematics, Seito-kun." She stepped closer, her large chest almost touched him.


    "How did you learn about this?" She probed with pure curiosity under her glasses.


    "Eh? I guess I''ve read it somewhere¡­" He modestly brushed her off, averting his face away from her massive balloons.


    In truth, he had been secretly studying the engineering textbooks his father had left behind. The complexity of those books felt like a challenging puzzle, stimulating his mind and serving as a way to exercise his intricate thought process.


    Rinae turned to the class with a grand, theatrical gesture. "Well, I guess you all remember the answer, right?" She announced with a satisfied smile.


    "As promised, this will be an extra question on the midterm," She emphasised. The joyful class erupted in cheers and applause, clapping enthusiastically for both Ayane and Shouichi.


    ***


    The class finished for the day without any issues. Ito Emi, Aoyama Shinji, Morumura Ayane, and Seito Shouichi walked as a group along the school grounds. Shouichi and co. Already decided to continue their study session at Yoko Sweet Shop. As for Shouichi''s girlfriend, Misaki, she was picked up by her tutor plus carer plus driver, Wendy-san and headed straight to a private session at her house.


    "Eh? Isn''t that Wanabe Ririku-senpai?" Ayane asked loudly, noticing a pink-haired girl washing her hair at the handwashing station.


    "Good afternoon, Wanabe-senpai!" Shouichi called her out and waved at her. The girl appeared to be awfully tired and brooding, which contradicted the cheerful and vigorous version they met at the temple.


    "Good afternoon, underclassmen..." She spoke, dragging her words.


    "What''s with the hair?" Ayane asked with a puzzled expression.


    "Ah? I think I might have slept on the glue or something¡­ some idiots were not cleaning properly after their work in the clubroom." Ririku explained while rubbing her unique pink-coloured hair.


    "Eh? You sleep in the clubroom?" Ayane was surprised that Ririku-senpai was different from the image in her mind.


    "Hahaha. I can''t stand 8 hours of lectures¡­ I need to sleep in between¡­ or die tiring, I mean trying." Ririku explained, brightening her mood up a little.


    "It''s really rare to see you at school, senpai. I swore I''d never met you here before. Not counting your announcement." Shouichi chimed in.


    "Yeah¡­ I''m actually an introvert, I rarely go anywhere besides my clubroom and my class." Ririku clarified with ease.


    "Oh, that made so much sense. Hahaha," Shouichi giggled.


    "Alright, boys and girls. Have fun. I''m going home to sleep now." Ririku bidded her farewell and walked lifelessly toward the school entrance.


    "I suppose people have different sides to them, and personalities can change depending on the situation," Ayane concluded with a gentle smile. The group nodded in unanimous agreement before continuing on their way.


    ***


    "Good Afternoon, you got quite a crowd here, hmm? Shou-kun." Yoko greeted them as the group entered through the shop''s door.


    "Good afternoon, Yoko-san!" The group greeted her with friendly expressions.


    "We''ll be in your care, today. Yoko-san." Shinji let out a smug and gave her his strange black card with both of his hands.


    "Eh? What is that senpai?" Emi questioned him with curiosity in her expression.


    "Oh, I just got it from my old man," Shinji spoke, rubbing his silver hair.


    "Wow, Shinji-kun. Did your father just give you an AMEX black card?" Yoko inspected the credit card closely. Shouichi curiously drifted close to look at the card in his mother''s hand and raised his brows puzzledly.


    "What is AMEX?" Shouichi pried, rubbing his jaw.


    "Let me enlighten you... Ahem* It''s a credit card called "American Express Black Card". Super exclusive and invitation-only for privileged ones... From what I''ve heard you need to have a net worth of over 10 million dollars to be invited," Ayane responded with her broad spectrum of knowledge, nerdily in her gesture,


    "Damn, Shinji. How wealthy is your family?" Shouichi''s inner voice asked.


    "Hehehe. I didn''t realise that." Shinji modestly laughed it off, despite astounding gasps from his friends, "May I buy you guys some snacks and drinks with it?" Shinji suggested with a playful wink.


    "Yay!" Emi exclaimed with joy, jumping excitedly, her assets were bouncing up and down.


    "I wouldn''t mind the freebies," Ayane spoke and chuckled to herself.

 5 Free Marks II: Study Group

    Soon after, the study group gathered around a large square table tucked in the corner of the room. The table quickly became packed with an assortment of desserts and drinks, transforming into a feast of indulgence. Amid the laughter and chatter, it seemed no one remembered their original agenda ¡ª or why they had come here in the first place.


    "I think we might have ordered them excessively, Shinji-senpai," Emi spoke with a slightly shameful tone. The girl sat on the same side as Shinji across from Ayane and Shouichi.


    "Don''t worry, it''s your cheat day today, right? Emi-chan." Shinji spoke with a big smile, his white teeth gleamed briefly.


    "Hmm? I didn''t know that. The manager is off the diet?" Shouichi teased her busty junior a little. When he took a closer survey of the physique of Ito Emi, he arrived at the conclusion that she had indeed slimmed down. However, her true figure was hard to discern beneath the oversized uniform she was wearing.


    "Eh? Did you wanna spoil her rotten? That''s why you treat us today and put them on your father''s card?" Ayane accused him after sudden realisation. Then she turned to sip on her hot long black.


    "Hey, ain''t you smooth, mate?" Shouichi beamed at him playfully.


    "You caught me," Shinji confessed, lifting both hands in defeat. He was never a man without motives or stimuli, Shouichi thought.


    "Thanks for the treats, senpai!" Emi said, her voice raised an octave in appreciation, clasping her hands together. Her sparkling brown eyes passionately lingered on Shinji''s longer than they should.


    "Let''s dig it! I''m super low on sugar right now!" Shinji suggested and started to pick a strawberry-flavoured macaron and dunked it into his mouth wholly.


    From afar, Yoko imagined that the two pairs of adolescents might have been lovers enjoying a double date together.


    ***


    "Oh? It seems like we just ran out of tissue papers." Ayane muttered when she lifted the empty box.


    "One moment, I''ll go grab them for you." Shouichi kindly obliged and sprung up on his feet.


    "Thanks, Shouichi-kun." She appreciatively beamed at him. Shouichi found Ayane to behave like a well-mannered friend, which, unfortunately, only happened when others were around. Who could have expected that she would be a perverted beast underneath the pretty face, Shouichi questioned in his mind.


    Shouichi walked across the room to find the napkins, suddenly he overheard his mother arguing with a dodgy customer. Her frantic voice was urgent and alarming.


    "Admit it, mister~you just touched my butt!" Yoko''s voice now carried an upsetting tone. Shouichi turned his attention toward them, stepping closer.


    "What!? That''s absurd! Lady, why are you accusing me of that misdeed?! My hands slipped, allegedly..." A man explained with a dishonest smile, his crooked teeth glinting in the light. He was thin and pale in his 30s, marked by a prominent bald spot, thick glasses obscured his dubious gaze, adding to his unsettling demeanour.


    "Sir, you need to leave or else!" Yoko warned with a stern voice, crossing her arms. Surveying the situation now, Shouichi realised he needed to step in.


    "Ridiculous! Calm your tits, lady. It''s just an accident! What''s the big deal?" The dubious man raised his voice, his spit spilling out, "Is this how you treated your loyal customers? Yoko-san?" He smirked and remained seated in his protest.


    The distressing noises caused others nearby to stare at the source with prying eyes. Their voices were murmuring in the background.


    "I know what you did! That''s it, I''m calling the police!" Yoko concluded, turning on her heels and pulling out her smartphone.


    "You ungrateful bitch!" The man''s claw frantically grasped her by the throat tight, suffocating Yoko. She squirmed and gagged, desperate for air.


    The whole situation escalated, and images flashed like a lightning strike. Shouichi, who was a few steps from them, rushed in.


    "Get your F**KING hands off!" Shouichi yelled and swung his fist with rage. The knuckles ripped through the air as they collided squarely in his opponent''s left eye. The powerful impact sent his frail body crashing into the table behind him. His arms fell flat on the sides.


    At that same moment, Yoko collapsed to the ground, coughing and heaving for oxygen.


    "AARRRRH! Motherf**cker, you just punched me!" He cursed heatedly while his palm covered his eye. His eye throbbed sharply and an agonising pain coursed through his skull.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Shouichi said nothing as he strutted toward the ugly man, his steps slow and deliberate. His piercing eyes burned with rage and hatred, each step radiating a murderous intent. His fists clenched so tightly they flushed red, his jaw tightening as his face twisted into something inhuman, something demonic.


    A chill of primal fear coursed down the man''s spine. At that moment, he realised with terrifying clarity: this boy wasn''t just angry ¡ª he was going to kill him.


    "Shouichi, stop!" His mother''s voice rang out, firm and pleading, as she wrapped her arms around him from behind, holding him back.


    Yoko''s sudden embrace cut through the haze of his fury, grounding him and pulling him out of his violent trance. The tension in his clenched fists began to ease, his breaths slowing as the weight of her presence brought him back to reality.


    "F*ck! F*ck! F*ck!" The man scrambled to his feet and left the store as fast as his legs could allow, his left eye bruised red as a souvenir.


    "Oh my god!"


    "Damn, the kid just punched the molester."


    "Did that ugly man just grab Yamamoto-san by the throat?"


    "Serve him right, pervert lowlife."


    The gossip echoed through the atmosphere accompanied by the curious stares of the customers.


    Shinji ran up to the scene and tapped on his friend''s shoulder lightly. The adrenaline lingered and flooded Shouichi''s system, causing his body to shiver uncontrollably. He felt every beat of his heart pound, so deafening.


    "Shouichi¡­ Are you alright?" Shinji asked, concerned.


    "Y~yeah¡­ yeah¡­" Shouichi eventually replied with a quivering voice, looking at his shaking fingers and red knuckles.


    "Yoko-san, Are you okay?" Ayane asked while inspecting Yoko''s jugular, a noticeable discolouring appeared around her throat.


    "Cough, cough! I sho~I should be fine. Thank you, Ayane-chan." Yoko replied and smiled at the concerned girl weakly.


    "Yamamoto-san, please rest here for a bit," Emi suggested and led Yoko toward the booth. "Let me grab you a cup of warm water?" Ayane said calmly as Yoko settled down. In response, the injured lady nodded in obedience.


    After a few moments, everything turned quiet and a faint sense of normality returned. Shouichi already cleaned up the mess and returned the table to its original position. The black-haired shop owner took a short rest in the booth with Shouichi''s group of friends.


    "Here''s your warm water, Yoko-san," Ayane said to her, softening in her tone as she placed a cup of warm water on the table and sat next to her. Her expressive purple eyes tinged with a genuine worry.


    "Thank you," Yoko replied as she clasped her palms around the cups, letting the warmness wash over her. Then she absentmindedly stared at the ripple of the water, her mind was still processing the recent incident.


    "Mom¡­ I''m sorry." Shouichi spoke up after a long mute. There was guilt in his eyes. "I~I lashed out and I just winged it without thinking..." He explained while his hands covered his nose and mouth, shamed.


    "Shouichi," Yoko said, gazing into his cinnamon-brown eyes. "It''s not your fault." Her voice was sincere.


    "Thank you for protecting me, Shouichi-kun," She added, her gentle smile warming her face. His heart eased, and the weight of his guilt began to lift.


    "Yoko-san¡­ I thought you would be mad at me." Shouichi responded, confused at her reaction. Yet, somewhere in the corner of his mind felt a big relief, the heaviness in his chest slowly disappeared.


    "Mommy is so proud of you. Shou-kun really is my sweetest boy." She assured as her hand extended to pat on his dark hair, softly like a feather.


    "...It''s like, in a movie, a hero arrived to save a female lead. Fufufu!" His mother jested all of a sudden. It appeared that Yoko reversed back to her cheerful self.


    The oddity in Yoko''s sense of humour lightened up the air, "Haha... Hahaha!" Shouichi was amused at how an unfunny joke could be funny.


    "Yoko-san can''t be a female lead, right? Otherwise, that movie would be categorised as a MILF!" Emi chimed in and chuckled.


    "Eh? What''s MILF?" Yoko asked baffledly, poking her index finger on her cheek.


    "Nothing, Mom! Don''t listen to her." Shouichi quickly dismissed, embarrassed.


    "A true hero is not defined by the battles he wins, but by the protection he offers to those he loves." Shinji proclaimed coolly with his clever quote. But everyone instantly cracked up because of how unserious he appeared.


    "By the way, mom. Do you have any idea who the molester is?" Shouichi asked, curiosity laced his expression.


    "...umm... I don''t know him personally, but he does look familiar¡­" Yoko said, shaking her head and then she closed her eyes and concentrated deeply.


    "Is he really a regular? I have never seen him before." Ayane interjected, remembering what he said before Shouichi punched him.


    "I think he visited a couple of times¡­ Especially during the day, I guess." Yoko retraced her memory despite the fogginess in her mind.


    "Oh, that explains why I never run into this man. Since I''d be at school during that period." Ayane rationalised, sipping her coffee. It was now cold and bitter but she didn''t mind it.


    "Should we inform the police? The guy literally assaulted you." Shouichi suggested eager in his tone.


    "I don''t think he''ll ever return. Otherwise, he''s gon'' get another black eye." Yoko joked and giggled, his kind mother was back in full.


    "Maybe I''ll ask Akiyama-san about it. A man like him might be on the sexual offender list or something." Shouichi proposed naturally, lifting his index finger.


    "Right! I agree that we should ask Suzuki-san for info." Ayane added with a handclap, leaving Emi and Shinji to stare at her questioningly.


    "So, who is Akiyama Suzuki-san?" Emi eventually asked, her brown eyes were as clueless as Shinji''s.


    "Well, she''s my relative, who happens to work as a police officer!" Ayane replied, enthusiasm in her voice and her radiant purple eyes glistered with hope.


    "Yep, Yoko and I met the officer yesterday when she was working on the fire ceremony''s case..." Shouichi told his side of the story leading to his encounter with Akiyama Suzuki.


    "I heard it too. That case is awfully terrifying!" Emi added, uneased at the thought.


    "It seems like bizarre things are happening all over the place again," Shouichi concluded, resting his chin atop his palm. "I wonder if this is the start of something sinister¡­"

 6 The Rep, Wanabe Ririku I

    The long and agonising week of the midterm examination passed, and the students barely scraped by as they experienced difficulties, busting their brains to get some random numbers in the math exam, while gambling with in multiple choices on others. However, the feeling of solace quickly emerged after they were no longer bound by any type of academic responsibility.


    It seemed a group of girls had been waiting for the last member to arrive by the hallway on the second floor.


    "Let''s go, guys. Momo-chan is here." The girls urged excitedly as a petite glassed girl approached them with humility in each of her step.


    "What''s wrong, Tomako-chan?" A tall girl asked as she stared at Momo''s anxious eyes.


    "Umm... ah... I..." A girl with bop-style hair with a dark brown hue, Tomako Momo, fumbled her words.


    "Don''t tell me that you gotta go somewhere again?" An irritated friend cut her off. "Come on, we have a deal." She added, putting her hands on her hips.


    "N~no, it''s not like that." Momo burst, shaking her head anxiously.


    Suddenly, a male voice was heard from the rear. "May I come with you guys?"


    "Eh?" The girls gasped in awe as they were stunned by a sudden appearance of a silver-haired boy. His lavender-purple eyes were beautiful, captivating them under the afternoon''s light.


    "T~That''s what I''m trying to say. May Aoyama-san tag along with us?" Momo eventually broke out of her shell, "He''s been nagging me all week about the karaoke."


    "Oh! That''s what you meant, why didn''t you say so?" The tall girl''s gaze gawked at Shinji dearly while he was twirling the strand of his silver fluffy hair.


    "Of course! Please join us." Another short girl agreed, nodding several times.


    Everything was settled in a heartbeat and the group of four girls and one handsome guy casually walked out of the school entrance.


    ***


    The entire trip took roughly 15 minutes. The karaoke shop was nestled in the left wing of Hoshimashi Mall, occupying the top floor of a bustling building. The lively atmosphere was palpable as a cheerful crowd filled the expansive hall, chatting and browsing storefronts. It was the final day of the midterm exams, and students were out in droves, celebrating the end of their academic grind.


    "Aoyama-san, what kind of hair treatment do you use?" The tall girl tried to strike up a conversation with the dazzling boy.


    "Hm? Oh?" Shinji took a few seconds to ponder. "It''s my mom''s. I think it''s called Art of Hair or something on the black bottle." He answered, his fingers drawing a square shape in the air.


    "Wow, it must be one of those expensive brands." The tall girl commented.


    "Haha, I wouldn''t know." Shinji giggled dismissively, in truth, he couldn''t care less about it.


    Suddenly, Shinji could feel a light nudge on his side, it was his timid friend, Momo.


    "What?" He whispered, puzzled, as he bent down to match Momo''s height. Momo slowly pointed toward a couple walking down the opposite lane. They were his best friends from Class 2-1¡ªthe pretty boy with graphite-dark hair and the foxy girl with expressive purple eyes, who stood slightly taller than him. Completely absorbed in their conversation, they hadn''t noticed Shinji''s group yet.


    Shinji sneaked behind their backs and wrapped his hands on each side of their shoulders. "Hey, guys!" He exclaimed, surprising them.


    "Eh? Shinji?" "Shinji-kun?" The couple yelped as they jolted away.


    "What are you two doing?" Shinji asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Before they could utter a word, Momo greeted them, waving her delicate arm, "Morimura-san, Shouichi-kun, nice seeing you."


    "Hi, Momo-chan." "Good afternoon, Tomako-san." They responded in perfect sync. Momo just blinked at them with astonishment.


    "What about you, Shinji? Why are you with Momo-chan?" Shouichi countered, crossing his arms in defence.


    "Well, we are going to karaoke with Momo''s group," Shinji answered with his usual smug. "...Because you two ditched me!" He playfully accused his friends.


    "Because you were sleeping during the exam! We actually waited but you sure took forever." Ayane retorted brutally with a cold hard fact, as she lifted her index finger.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Gold explaination!" Shouichi commented with a thump-up.


    "So¡­ Wanna come with us?" Shinji asked the two out of a sudden, the couple exchanged a puzzled look.


    "S~Shinji, we should go now." Momo urged her tall, handsome friend to leave them alone.


    "We''re checking out the new bookstore~," Ayane explained, but Momo interrupted mid-sentence. "~I didn''t know you guys were on a date. We won''t bother you now. Hehehe," Momo giggled, pulling Shinji''s arm back.


    "Ay! We are not dating." Shouichi tried to defend but failed miserably as they were already out of his reach.


    Shouichi watched as they quickly rejoined the all-girls group, with Shinji as the only exception. "When does this guy get his own harem?" He wondered to himself.


    When his cinnamon-brown eyes turned to Ayane, she was already staring intensely at him.


    Without context, she pinched his upper arm, "Ouch!" Shouichi cried out in pain as he winched and asked, frowning, "What''s that for?"


    "Nothing!" Ayane snapped, clearly upset, though Shouichi had no idea why.


    She shifted her school bag to her other shoulder, revealing the unique Kitsune keychain that Shouichi had given her on the night of the Fire Festival.


    "Hey, that''s the charm I got you, ain''t it?" Shouichi pointed out the obvious, the girl wanted him to notice it for a while now.


    "Shuddup!" Ayane pouted and rammed her shoulder into him, knocking back slightly. Shouichi could only smile wearily, "Man¡­ she smells nice." A sudden thought crossed his mind.


    "We are here."


    Shouichi and Ayane arrived at the new bookstore, their faces lighting up with excitement and enthusiasm. The store gleamed with towering shelves and a wide variety of genres. Shouichi already had his mind set on where to go first. "Tragedy, Psychology, or Drama-Romance," He muttered to himself.


    His sparkling eyes followed the sign and stumbled into the large collection of his favourites. Shouichi''s eyes glittered in awe like a pirate discovering a hidden treasure.


    "Hehehe." His reaction caused the girl to chuckle, as she followed him closely on his heels.


    "What?" Shouichi asked, glancing at her briefly before resuming to browse the shelves.


    "I just remember something funny," Ayane clarified, amused in her tone.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Ayane stepped up to stand right behind him. Her slender body pressed gently against his back, leaving barely any space between them.


    "First, I have to make sure." She spoke quietly almost like a whisper.


    "Eh?" Shouichi turned to face her in a swift motion.


    "...that I''m still taller than you. Short king* (in her broken English pronunciation)." Ayane teased, visually measuring his height against hers with her hand.


    "Ay! I''m growing!" Shouichi irritatedly retorted, blowing air out of his nose.


    "Look at this book cover." Ayane''s arm outstretched to grasp a book off a shelf. She showed him the cover of a book featuring a tall male protagonist and a petite female partner.


    "Ideally, girls would prefer boys who are at least taller than them." She reasoned, lightly tapping on the book.


    "Sigh... Yeah, that''s a conventional trope that ladies need to stop fantasising about!" Shouichi responded, bitterness in his voice.


    "Height is something we, boys, cannot control. It''s in the genetics!" He further explained, putting his fist on his chest as a salute to all short brothers around the world.


    "Fufufu," Ayane let out a soft giggle. "By the way, did you get a little taller, Shouichi-kun?" She teased, stabbing his pride, before playfully pretending to pat his back.


    "I dunno... I''m not that insecure to constantly check!" Shouichi said in his defence, raising his voice instinctively, "The day will come that I''ll be taller than you, Ayane!" He grumbled loudly in exasperation.


    "Hooo? Do you think I''ll see that day coming? Fufufu" She continued, seemingly revelling in the endless teasing at his expense. However, her words eventually captured his attention and prompted him to more accurately gauge his height.


    "Wait, it''s been 2 months already since I''ve lived here..." He pondered, waving his hand over his head and Ayane''s. "The first time I met Ayane at the old bookstore, somehow I felt like she''s way taller."


    "What are you doing?" Ayane asked him and frowned at his erratic action.


    "I think I''ve actually gotten taller!" Shouichi smiled cheerfully from his revelation.


    "Duh, thanks for pointing out the obvious," Ayane replied indifferently.


    "That''s odd, two months hadn''t been that long, but I think I might have grown like 5 centimetres," Shouichi murmured to himself, unable to contain his smirk.


    "What did you say?" Ayane questioned him again while her eyes casually were browsing the bookshelves.


    "Don''t you think I grow strangely fast?"


    "Huh? And someone said he didn''t get insecure about his height¡­" Her mischievous stare was returned again.


    "Seriously, Ayane!" He urged.


    The girl paused momentarily before replying. "Yeah, perhaps it''s one of those late puberty, you know."


    "Yeah! Can be!" The boy agreed with her and put his hands on both her shoulders, rocking her with joy. "My time has come!" He said, jumping up and down as if he was a lottery winner.


    "I have never seen someone this happy about their puberty," Ayane commented coldly, rolling her eyes.


    "Ay! It''s part of your fault. You always made fun of me!" Shouichi accused her with a pointer.


    "Sorry but not sorry. Hehehe," She beamed at him, showing her pristine perfect teeth, "To be honest, I actually don''t dislike short people, I think they''re kinda cute," Ayane added while avoiding his glance.


    "Wasn''t it you who said "I''m not into shorties like you" back then?" Shouichi imitated her voice from their first encounter back in the day.


    "Alright, alright! Pffft!" Ayane leaned forward, stifling her laughter. But the moment she caught sight of Shouichi''s idiotic expression, they both couldn''t hold back and burst into brief laughter.


    "Shhhhh!" Ayane quickly hushed, pressing a finger to her lips, suddenly aware they were still in the bookstore.

 7 Aftermath I: Examination

    Seito Shouichi, also known as Destirling Shouichi, arrived at the school at 8.10 hours. He urgently sprinted to his classroom. The boy had never been late once, but yesterday, he spent hours talking to his girlfriend over trivial stuff, more like listening to her babbling on and on, along with too many matches of mobile games with his tall friend, Aoyama Shinji.


    The misdeeds often led to catastrophic consequences, as he pictured what Shinji would have preached to him.


    "Damn you, Shinji. You kept saying we couldn''t quit on the losing streak." Shouichi wholeheartedly blamed his friend in all-out resentment, "Before we realised, it was already 4 AM." The gloomy boy once again had dark circles around his eyebags like a raccoon.


    "I''d just sneak on the backdoor, hopefully, Takeshi-sensei doesn''t see me!" He decided to slowly slide the classroom''s door, making as little creaking noise as he could. Then Shouichi was crouching and keeping his head low like a cockroach.


    "Hi! Seito-san. Step from the front, please!" His stern voice startled the boy, "Woah? Dang it! Nothing can escape his sharp eyesight." Shouichi stood up straight and awkwardly walked toward the short thin teacher. He couldn''t help but shamefully ignore prying glares from his classmates.


    "I''m sorry for being late!" "Congrats on being ranked 1!"


    Takeshi-sensei and Shouichi were speaking at the same time.


    "Haaa!?" He looked at the teacher, baffled and unblinking.


    "As for your tardiness, I wouldn''t mind it this time, Seito-san." The teacher patted his lower back firmly with admiration.


    "Please give him a big round of applause guys, we, the class 2-1 have to do our utmost responsibility to be ahead of the other class, academic-wise." He turned to announce to the class.


    The big round of applause from the classmates echoed through the classroom.


    "I should feel a bit happy about this but I somewhat feel bad. I can''t explain it." Shouichi pondered with discontent in his heart.


    "Alright, maybe he''s not getting used to it yet. Go take your seat, Seito-san." Takeshi-sensei pointed toward the crowd. Shouichi''s head was in a mess from the sleepless night so it was difficult for him to grasp the recent turn of events effectively.


    "Hi, bigshot." Shinji greeted him quietly as Shouichi took the seat.


    "Heyyyyyyy, Shinji~." Shouichi returned but was shocked abruptly by his friend''s face as he was expecting to see a substantial amount of gloominess and dark circles around the eyes.


    "What the freak?" Shouichi exclaimed but quickly covered his mouth. Shinji appeared to be as dazzling and radiant as ever. As if the silver-haired friend didn''t need his 8 hours at all.


    "Congrats. Hehehe." Shinji giggled gleefully while Shouichi sulked in his deprivation of slumberness.


    ***


    The time passed awfully slowly when people struggled in a torturing moment such as this, but Shouichi managed to stoically raw-dogged it the entire episode. The final school bell marked the end of his suffering. His brain stopped ''braining'' a while ago.


    "Shouichi! Hey! Shouichi!" His consciousness slowly regained as he saw Shinji''s blissful face, it appeared his friend had been calling him several times since forever.


    "Bruh! Are you deaf?" Shinji jested. Eventually, Shouichi could comprehend Shinji''s words now.


    "Hmm? What do you want?" Shouichi grumpily replied, hunching forward.


    "I''m craving Boba! Let''s go to Momo''s Maid and Tea Bliss!" His hand slapped firmly on Shouichi''s shoulder, waking him up.


    "Shinji, can''t you go alone?" Shouichi pleaded, seriousness in his eyes.


    "Come on, bro! You just need some sugar in the system! Trust!" He insisted the same way he did last night, ''Trust'', he said.


    Shouichi exhaled deeply and stood up, feeling his body wobbly for a little. "Guess, it''s been a while since we last visited Momo''s store."


    "Yes! That''s more like it!" Shinji beamed, showing his full teeth at his zombified friend.


    A sudden thought crossed his mind, Shouichi looked around the classroom, there was a handful of students loitering around. "Where''s Ayane?"


    "I dunno, haven''t talked to her much," Shinji replied flatly with a shrug.


    ***


    The dazzling duo casually strolled down the school grounds. It seemed like the attention followed everywhere they went, heads turned and directed to them in palpable motions. It took a bit of time to get used to self-awareness, but Shouichi managed to completely shove it into the deepest part of his consciousness, as long as his mind agreed to it, nothing mattered.


    "So¡­ I haven''t seen the scoreboard yet," Shouichi opened up as he walked, hands in his pockets.


    "Really? The board was literally in front of our classroom. Where have you been the entire day?" Shinji asked sarcastically, taunting him with his smugness.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Of course! I as my body was in the school, but my brain was like turned off." Shouichi explained and gestured as if he could remove his brain from his skull.


    "Why did you ask?" Shinji probed out of curiosity.


    "I''ve been worried about Ayane..." Shouichi admitted, his voice tinged with unease. A subtle frown crossed his face as he grappled with the unsettling feeling in his gut. "Call it a premonition or whatever."


    "Don''t worry about it! She''s probably okay." Shinji quickly tapped on his phone before panning the screen at his dark-haired friend.


    "Destirling(Seito) Shouichi 99%"


    "Morimura Ayane 98%"


    "Aoyama Shinji 93%" The photo of the mid-term''s scoreboard was shown.


    "What!? So we are the top 3 of the second year?" Shouichi was amazed by his friends. Especially, Shinji to be top 3 as the man himself seemed to be a frivolous kind of guy, and not academic try-hard.


    "Yep!" His silver-haired friend eagerly nodded. "I couldn''t care less about my score though." He said with a dismissive shrug.


    "Huh?" Shouichi looked at his friend''s face.


    "It''s just for my old man, you know." Shinji glanced over the distance, there was a hint of sorrow in his lavender-purple eyes. "The Aoyama family will lose faces if I do poorly at school¡­" He continued, his face clearly saddened now. This was the first time that Shinji actually lost his carefree facade and engaged in a deep conversation with Shouichi.


    "Aey, cheer up, bro!" Shouichi lightly tapped on his friend''s shoulder. "Just let me know if you need anything. Not that I''d be a big help, though."


    "Thanks, sorry for being a spoiled sport." Shinji quickly gathered himself.


    ***


    Once the duo reached the entrance of the school, the familiar face greeted them with a vibrant smile.


    "Hi! Emi-chan!" Shouichi greeted their club manager. The tall and slender girl with an oversized chest waved at them energetically. The girl wore her usual ponytail, her hair a rich shade of brown. The previous image of the chubby girl was totally erased and replaced by her now-alluring appearance.


    "Woah, who is the cutie?" Classic Shinji jokingly wrapped his arm around the girl''s shoulders.


    "Senpai, not at the school!" She objected softly, prying herself away from him, "I don''t want people to get the wrong idea." The girl gave her reason, her tone cold.


    "I couldn''t care less what people think." Shinji returned his thought.


    "You don''t know what people are talking about you, Shinji-senpai?" Emi told him in a serious tone as her brown eyes stared at Shinji intensely.


    "What did they say?" Shouichi asked incredulously while turning to his friend.


    "You are a casanova! A womaniser! A rizzler!" Emi slipped out louder than she intended, abruptly her hands covering her mouth in regret after realising she should not be saying those harsh words to him.


    "Hahahahaha. Am I?" Shinji burst out laughing, unbothered. His smirk never faltered as the rumours seemingly couldn''t affect him one bit. Or he simply didn''t care about things like that.


    "Umm¡­ Emi-chan, you aren''t here to just tell us that, right?" Shouichi asked, changing the subject and avoiding the tension in the air.


    "Oh! Sorry, I''ve been waiting for my brother." She twirled the strand of her bang. "And also, since you are here, I wanted to inform you officially that the club activity will commence next week." She explained monotonically. Emi was back in business.


    "Understood! Can''t wait for the club practice." Shouichi replied with enthusiasm, nudging his friend with his elbow.


    "Right! Hahaha," Shinji blurted, slightly startled by his touch, "So we are going to the bubble tea shop. Wanna come with?" Shinji invited her nonchalantly.


    "I''d had to decline, Shinji-senpai." She replied without a thought, her voice unusually cold.


    "See ya then, Emi-chan." Shouichi and Shinji bid her farewell before parting with the girl.


    ***


    "Welcome to Maid & Tea Bliss!" The blonde-haired maid came out to greet them, her voice brimmed with energy and cuteness.


    "Momo-chan. May I please get the matcha with red bean?" Shouichi placed his order. "And the green tea with big pearls for me please," Shinji added.


    "Understood, masters!" The beautiful maid responded and tapping on her cashier. Shinji took out his card to pay. Then the girl gracefully disappeared into the back of the store to prepare the drinks.


    "Congrats for your success on the mid-term. Rank 1 master and Rank 3 master." Momo jokingly complimented the duo, wearing her sweet, service smile.


    "Hahaha, Thanks." They both modestly accepted it.


    "Here are your drinks, masters." Momo placed the drinks on the tray, fluid in her motions. "Please visit Maid & Tea Bliss again, dear patrons." She bowed gracefully.


    Shinji and Shouichi managed to find themselves an empty bench around the buzzing shopping district.


    "This is the best green tea ever. Momo never disappointed me." Shinji told his friend after slurping on his drink. The tall boy was manspreading widely with his long legs like a delinquent.


    "Hahaha, true. I didn''t drink matcha red bean before, but I''m addicted to this now." Shouichi nodded, sharing the same sentiment.


    "Thanks for joining me, bro." Shinji turned to look at his friend briefly.


    "It''s no sweat," Shouichi responded, casually watching passing pedestrians. Old and young, women and men.


    "Say¡­ Don''t you think Emi has been cold toward me recently?" Shinji eventually opened up; his voice laced with genuine worriedness.


    "Oh! So that''s what it''s about!" It was Shouichi''s turn to wrap his arm around Shinji''s shoulder in consolation.


    "Yeah¡­ She never said no to me before." Shinji continued to sulk.


    "Well, if you did listen to her words, you might find the answer." Shouichi imitated the sassy quote which Shinji usually did but it came out horribly wrong.


    "Hahaha, and I thought mine was terrible." Shinji began to lighten up. And the two shared a brief, lighthearted chuckle.


    ***


    At 5.15 hours, the graphite-black-haired boy arrived at his home. It had been a tiring day, and he wanted to rush to his bed and sleep. When Shouichi opened the door, he saw Yoko''s work shoes neatly placed in the entryway area. It reminded Shouichi that Yoko would be home every Tuesday.


    "I''m home, mom!" He announced but no one replied. "Maybe she is napping? Odds..." He wondered.


    Shouichi carried his exhausted body to his room on the second floor. When he arrived in front of his room, strangely enough, he found his door already opened slightly.


    "Huh? Weird, did I forget to close it this morning?" That was his initial thought. "I was in a rush anyway," He dismissed it and entered. But this time, Shouichi ensured that his door was fully closed and locked.


    The boy threw himself on the bed, face-down. "I miss you sooo much, bed-san!" He embraced his pillow firmly; he could smell a faint flowery aroma. It was melting his exhaustion away.


    Before his eyes were about to drift, he felt the presence of another being in his room. He couldn''t discern if it was the sound, the smell, or anything. But he was sure of it that he wasn''t alone.


    Suddenly, the dark-long-haired girl ghastly poked her pale face from a double-door closet. Her hair creepily covered a large portion of her face.


    "AARRRRRH!" Shouichi screamed at the top of his lungs.

 8 Aftermath II: Closet Phantom

    "Keep your voice down!" The ghost girl snarled as she stumbled slowly toward him. Scared for his life, Shouichi was huddling in the corner of his bed, covering his face with a blanket.


    "Ayane?!" A sudden realisation came, he recognised the girl from her unique vanilla scent. The eerie girl stopped the pretence, fixing her jet-black hair to reveal her face properly, and grinned in mischief.


    "Hehehe. Serve you right! Moron!" Ayane sneered, her tone furious. Shouichi took a few seconds to eventually shake off his fright.


    "Wait? How did you get in my room?" Shouichi blurted out in puzzlement, raising his eyebrows.


    "Your mom let me in. Dummy!" Ayane causally sat on his bed, just an arm''s length away, "Damn it, Ayane! I almost scared to death." He hissed under his throat, and his elevated heartbeat lingered. Then the girl proceeded to recall her story...


    ***


    "Ayane-chan, I''m finishing up the shop early, would you like to have dinner with us?" Yamamoto Yoko invited her after the last customers exited her store and she flipped the door''s sign to ''Closed''.


    "You are too kind, Yoko-san. I don''t want to intrude." Ayane replied with humility, but in truth, she would love to join.


    Knowing the girl''s personality like the back of her hands, Yoko grinned, "My dear, you are my de facto daughter. Don''t need to be too considerate with me," She pressed and let out a girly giggle.


    "Well, if you insist, Yoko-san..." Ayane accepted the invitation, her eyes nervously darting around. But once Yoko stepped closer to clasp her hand, Ayane found herself smiling and her heart blossomed in contentment, knowing that they were family.


    ***


    "Jeez, Yoko-san. You should at least let me know." Shouichi murmured to himself, scratching the back of his head.


    Then something shifted within the girl, something furious, "You, Shouichi!" Ayane suddenly lunged at him and her fingers gripping by his collar, bearing her teeth.


    "Wha~?! Ayane?!" Shouichi was beyond dumbfounded and was terrified to move.


    The girl pushed him down on his bed while still holding on to his collar tight. Her face was in the deepest shape of red, her body trembling, and then tears were collecting beneath her violet-purple eyes. He studied her quietly, not knowing what to do or say.


    Shouichi couldn''t comprehend the situation, but he felt like he needed to apologise. "Ayane. I''m sorry..."


    "You dumb! Dummy!" Ayane cried, burying her face in his chest, but he didn''t know what she sought; was it comfort? or forgiveness? Empathy? But he felt the wetness from her warm tears dripping down his shirt.


    As her weeping grew louder now, Shouichi''s mind raced for words, he wanted to comfort her at least.


    "Umm... Is it about your ranking?" The boy asked softly. Seeing her sorrow, he wanted to pat her head, to comfort her but decided against it.


    Shouichi had never seen Ayane like this before, it terrified him to the core. She never showed any sign of weakness up until now.


    "No. Because you didn''t talk to me at all¡­ You''ve been avoiding me today." Ayane sobbed quietly, she didn''t dare to face him, "Do you hate me now?"


    Eventually, Shouichi was enlightened. "Ohhh!" He gasped.


    The whole time Shouichi had been fighting for his life, carrying his lifeless body throughout the day. He completely forgot that there was his friend who had been trying to talk to him. But he was too braindead to discern it. In a weird sense, he unintentionally ignored Ayane or that must have been how it looked like to her.


    "So that''s what it is?!" Ayane exclaimed loudly after hearing his part of the story. "You made the girl cry! You heartless prick!"


    Her fists were lightly pounding on his chest. "Ouch! Ouch! Sorry!" Shouichi pleaded, raising his hands to guard. "This is hardly my fault. You misunderstood everything!" He bantered aloud.


    "And you... you thought I was mad about the ranking?" Ayane grumbled, her brows knitted, and her cheeks puffed into a pout. "You must have thought too poorly of me, Shouichi-kun." She added condescendingly, her words softening as the girl seemed to relax a little bit.


    "I''d have you know that you only beat me at English!" Ayane rationalised defiantly as she pulled out her phone to tap on the picture of the scoreboard.


    "Is there a breakdown of scores too? I haven''t seen it before." Shouichi commented while peaking on her screen. Unintentionally, he leaned in a bit closer than he should, to the point that he could smell a sweet vanilla perfume engulfing her.


    "See!" Ayane said, showing him a picture of the tabulated breakdown score.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Destiling(Seito) Shouichi


    TOTAL 99%


    MATH 100%


    SOCIAL100%


    SCIENCE100%


    JAPANESE 95%


    ENGLISH 100%


    ------------


    Morimura Ayane


    TOTAL 98%


    MATH 100%


    SOCIAL100%


    SCIENCE100%


    JAPANESE 100%


    ENGLISH 85%


    "Woahh... I did mess up in Japanese." Shouichi mumbled, rubbing his graphite black hair and wearing a modest smile.


    "Still I''m super jelly!" Erratically, Ayane''s arms wrapped around his head and made a mess of his hair. Not realising that Shouichi''s face was buried deep into her soft cushioning.


    "Ay! Don''t stop it~! I mean, stop it!" His words faltered as she kept choking him with her boobs. It appeared his brain hadn''t been completely rejuvenated yet. But he couldn''t deny that they were kinda soft.


    "You only won because you have lived in Australia before. That''s so unfair!" She continued to fist his head with her knuckles while pinning him tight. The boy squirmed in response but he couldn''t break free of her wrestling, either that or he didn''t want to.


    "~I''m¡­ out¡­ of breath!" Shouichi complained, panting, before Ayane let him go. "Are you crazy, trying to suffocate me with your boobs?" He accused sheepishly, pointing at her chest.


    "Eh!? You lewd prick!" Ayane retorted, hands covering her chest with embarrassment. But her shame only lasted 3 seconds at most, "Well... wanna see them naked?" She suggested that of a sudden, she was indeed the number one pervert and she couldn''t afford to lose this ranking too.


    "Hell nah! You indecent woman with small boobs!" Shouichi called her out. His words made her flustered to a great extent.


    "Wha~Who are you referring to?! They are not small!" She fumbled her words before defending them. Then the girl locked eyes with him, all in seriousness. "Statistically, I''m above average." She lifted her index finger nerdily.


    "Hahahaha. If you have to defend with statistics and data, then it''s probably not big enough." Shouichi argued.


    "Don''t! Don''t you dare disrespect them!"


    "Oh! Someone''s pride is hurt!"


    Without a single thought, the girl nimbly jumped atop, saddling him and lightly ramming her small fists at the boy.


    "Ouch! Sorry! Ouch!" Shouichi quickly lifted his hands to guard his face and laughed uncontrollably.


    "You¡­ have done it now, Shouichi-kun...!" She muttered between each breath as she kept pounding.


    Before Shouichi realised, this had turned into a wild scene as the foxy girl was saddling on top of his lower stomach. She grabbed both of his wrists and pinned them over his head, securing them in place. He could feel every part of her body completely pressed against him, leaving no gap in between. She was so light and soft, he gauged in his mind.


    "How the flip did I get here?" Shouichi wondered. As she essentially hummed him as her crotch ground on his lower stomach, his groin naturally became bulging from arousal.


    Ayane smiled at him knowingly. Then she bent down, bringing her lips to his ears, "Ho, ho! Something''s stiffy down there. Do you like it, Mr. Pervert?" She whispered, dragging her words erotically.


    Her beautiful jet-black hair cascaded on his face and he could smell the fresh, lush aroma. It smelled divine like heaven.


    "Hello darkness, my old friend..." Shouichi almost lost it to her seduction but he knew better. A thought crossed his mind, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!"


    Mustering all of his strength, "Stop teasing me!" Shouichi screamed, wiggling his hands with full force. When he managed to free his hands, they accidentally went to grab her sides. "Aaah!!!" Ayane let out a moan, and her body immediately jolted straight, startled by his touch like burning iron.


    Apparently, Shouichi had found her weak spots, he assured her he wouldn''t miss this opportunity, "Hehehe, my turn!" He hissed and shifted his weight, throwing her light body onto the bed. She fell and bounced up and down.


    Now it was his turn to be on top, attacking on her sides.


    "Hahahahahhahaha! Stop it! I yield! Hahaha." Shouichi softly ran his fingers to tickle, causing the girl to swirl and laugh frantically.


    "Hehehe, I can stop, if you promise that you will behave from now on..." He offered, melody in his words, toying with her even more.


    "Hahaha! Deal! Deal!" Ayane shouted, raising her white flag. Only then he would stop the tickling operation, leaving her a room to catch some breather.


    Shouichi stood proudly as he managed to claim victory against Ayane, especially in bed. As for his victim, she was still lying on her back, hyperventilating and powerless. Her straight silky hair was a bit of a mess, and her shirt slipped up slightly exposing her fairly immaculate abdomen and belly button. It was such an erotic sight to behold but he quickly hid his gaze, restraining himself.


    "Could you please stop being so lewd? For one minute!" Shouichi couldn''t help but plead. Because he knew in his heart that one of these days, he might have lost it for real, like last time at the lover''s pond.


    "Fufufu, never!" Ayane shamelessly giggled.


    Shouichi shook his head, a mix of puzzlement and astonishment washing over him. How was it that he always seemed to find himself entangled in these unintentionally provocative situations with Ayane, his alluring and enigmatic friend?


    ***


    Later on that day, Yoko surprised them by buying a large sushi tray for dinner. As she claimed she would like to celebrate the mid-term result for both of her beloved children.


    "Thanks for the meal, we are digging in!" The three spoke in unison before they started chowing.


    "My, my! Kids these days ''do'' it really loud, eh?" Yoko spoke out of a sudden and without context, as she winked at them playfully.


    "Do what?" Shouichi responded, puzzled.


    "Yoko-san! It~It''s not what you think it is!" Ayane interjected, her cheeks blushed deep red.


    Shouichi caught on a few seconds later, "Mom! It''s nothing like that, we haven''t done it!" He blurted shamefully, feeling hot in his ears.


    "My dear, please make sure both of you use protections, okay?" Yoko swam on as though she didn''t hear a single word from them.


    The dining experience initially carried a hint of awkwardness, but it quickly melted away, replaced by a warm and blissful atmosphere as the conversation flowed naturally. For once, his family felt whole, the three of them laughing and chatting while savouring the delicious sushi platter together, their joy filling the room like a soothing melody.

 9 Who is Morimura Ayane I

    It had been a wonderful week of relaxing and blissful student life at Seihei High School. The club activity was planned to start next week, and the captain, Ito Toru managed to reserve the public gym every Wednesday with the club funding. From this moment onward, the Muscle Wednesday would be in session exclusively for the rugby club members.


    "Emi-chan, Misaki-chan." A silver-haired casanova greeted the two beautiful juniors with a bright smile as they ran into each other on the first floor of the main building. Ito Emi was a tall and elegant girl. Next to her, Ishikawa Misaki was a medium-height girl, and as many proclaimed, the prettiest girl in the first year. Despite major differences, both girls shared a similar feature, namely E-cup-plus breast size.


    "Good afternoon, Aoyama-senpai, Seito-senpai." The tall girl bowed to them respectively.


    "Shou-senpai!" The sweet girl quickly leaned in closer to her boyfriend, linking their arms together.


    "Misa-chan!" He greeted her casually before turning to wave at Emi.


    "Is it alright to cling on to me like this at school?" Shouichi spoke to his girl softly. He was a bit too conscious about this thing.


    "I don''t care. The girls have been eyeing you since you''ve become number 1." Misaki gave her reason with a hint of jealousy in her voice.


    "Sorry about that," Shouichi replied.


    "It''s not your fault, senpai." She beamed at him sweetly and sincerely. "They should know that you are mine and mine alone!" She loudly added. Misaki''s free-spirit personality could be terrifying sometimes.


    "You haven''t been to my mother''s shop, right?" Shouichi asked while walking along the hallway side by side.


    "Um! I wanted to visit it someday." She replied and smiled.


    "Would you like to hang out with me today?" Shouichi asked. Shinji and Emi were following them behind but somehow there was tension between the two.


    "I wanted to but I can''t." Misaki refused politely, twirling her twin tails with a dark purple hue.


    "Oh, you got plans already?" Shouichi asked, raising his brow, "What a bummer." He was a bit let down but tried his best to hide it, he needed to be a reasonable boyfriend.


    "I need to go to the clinic. But let''s hang out next week, Shou-senpai." Misaki suggested, noticing her boyfriend''s sad expression so she tried to cheer him up.


    "Clinic? Are you okay, Misa-chan?" Shouichi wondered.


    "Are you worrying about me? I''m so happy." Misaki replied gleefully. "It''s nothing serious, just a regular check-up, senpai."


    "Oh! Right. Misa-chan if you have something to vent, please feel free to lay it on me. I am here for you." Shouichi confidently stated his mind. His words tugged Misaki''s heartstrings. "Man, I almost forgot that Misaki''s mental health is still recovering and requires a lot of care. I always get tricked by her cheerful appearance." Shouichi contemplated deeply.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Senpai, I would kiss you right now if we''re not at school. Fufufu." Misaki lightheartedly teased him. It sent him flying to cloud nine.


    Even though Misaki video-called him almost every night, he barely got to see her in person lately. As a boy, he simply craved physical interaction like a normal couple. However, Shouichi was fully aware of how things work for his fragile girlfriend.


    "My ride''s here, Shou-senpai." Misaki appeared to be looking around quickly for teachers before sneaking a kiss on his cheek. She really knew how to make him fluster.


    "I love you! Bye-bye!" The cheerful girl ran to the European black sedan, and the female driver opened the door for her. She mentioned her driver''s name was Wendy or something.


    "Emi-chan, please hang out with me. I''m lonely." A pathetic plea came from his tall friend, Shouichi overheard the conversation between Shinji and Emi. And it sounded dreadful.


    "Sorry, Aoyama-senpai. I had to go to the gym with my brother after this." Emi replied, impassive in her voice.


    "But¡­" Shinji''s mouth opened but no sound escaped as he gave up trying to convince her.


    "And I thought that my love life was a bit sad, Shinji was way worse." Shouichi thought. "Misery loves company." He muttered under his breath.


    Soon after the dazzling duo were left in front of the school gate by their girls. Two lonely boys stood melancholically.


    Shinji turned to his friend, Shouichi, with sad eyes. "Bro, boba time?" Shinji turned to plead.


    "Nope, I don''t wanna have too much sweet. You are just eating your feelings right now, Shinji." He flatly refused. "You can visit my mom''s store if you like." Shouichi proposed.


    "Sigh... Nah I don''t wanna bother your mom too much." His friend objected. Shinji opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but changed his mind.


    "Bro, you can talk to me." Shouichi consoled him with a wink. "Relationship advice?"


    "Kind of¡­ it was fun back then when we hung out together but now the girl rejects me." Shinji finally opened up.


    "Do you like Emi-chan, Shinji?" Shouichi looked him in the eyes.


    "Yes. I like her. I thought it was obvious." Shinji rubbed the back of his head. "As suspected!... Still from what I''ve seen, Shinji was an outgoing type, so he seemed to be flirty to all females. Even when he was not actually flirting, so Emi-chan could feel confused by his actions," Shouichi speculated.


    "Why don''t you just ask her out then?" Shouichi straightly asked his friend.


    "You mean, I should confess my feelings to her?" Shinji asked to reconfirm, rubbing his chin in contemplation.


    "Why not? The worst she can say is no, right?" Shouichi tried to convince his friend. "It''s better to be clear than to be vague. It gets you nowhere." He added as if he was an expert in love advice.


    "I will sleep on this for a bit then. Time to go home and play some games. See ya!" Shinji told Shouichi, his usual cheerfulness was absent.


    "See you tomorrow then." Shouichi waved and soon they parted ways.


    ***


    The next morning, Shouichi was enjoying a delicious breakfast with his bewitching mother.


    "So you have been busy recently, right?" He asked.


    "Yeah, I got quite a lot of new customers from the Fire Festival." She replied and took another bite.


    "That''s awesome," Shouichi responded with a bright smile.


    "Oh! By the way. Officer Akiyama visited the store the other day." Yoko spoke up, her complexion stiffened as though something gnawed at her, something unsettling.


    "Huh? What about her?" He asked, unblinking eyes widened as he studied Yoko''s grim expression.

 10 Who is Morimura Ayane II

    "She said the molester is the ex-convict that recently got released from jail," Yoko said straightly with a serious expression.


    "Woah, would you be okay to keep working at the shop? I mean how could you be safe?! How do I..." Shouichi boomed, brows furrowed, his face tinged with concern.


    "I should be alright. Considering, she gave me this!" Yoko interjected, showing him a box of CCTV equipment. "She said it''s an old system that got replaced at the precinct. It can even connect to a mobile app for real-time monitoring!" She eagerly explained, her gaze steady.


    "Wow, Officer Akiyama is real nice," Shouichi muttered and thought it was a bit strange but decided it might be of good faith. "I will help set them up in the store today then?" He reconfirmed.


    "Sounds great! Akiyama-san also mentioned she would come down to the store again to make sure that there''s no blind spot or something like that." Yoko continued.


    "About the ex-con... Did the officer say anything else about him?" Shouichi revisited the topic, more information to ease his nerves.


    "Yeah, she did... umm... His name is Kasunagi Nabe, 33-year-old¡­" The mother recalled details of her conversation with the officer, ponderingly resting her chin on her palm.


    "He looked way older than a guy in his early 30s... Jail time must have been uncharitable different. Did Akiyama say anything else? What kind of crime did he commit?" Shouichi asked further, intrigued.


    "I think he got caught taking un-consent explicit video of middle schoolers," Yoko replied.


    "Man¡­ What a total creep," Shouichi sneered, feeling disgusted in his stomach.


    "Right!" Yoko nodded in agreement.


    "Let''s set it up ASAP, Yoko-san. I''m really worried about you, knowing a creep like that walks amongst us," He uttered firmly, his hand clasping on hers and finding a new profound resolution in his expression; he needed to protect her at all costs.


    ***


    "Morimura-san¡­ uh," A d¨¦j¨¤ vu scenario flashed before Shouichi''s eyes as he ran into Morimura Ayane, being cornered by the senior for the second time.


    For the record, last time, he almost lost an eye, trying to protect her. This time, the guy appeared to be a decent man, at least on the surface. Namauchi Sosuke was the captain of the soccer club which was essentially a popular senior in the third year. His fluffy hair was dark brown with a charming, unique cut on his left eyebrow.


    "What do you want?" Ayane''s tone was sharp and unyielding, carrying the air of someone who had little patience for nonsense. Her cold and cruel demeanour, a trademark of hers when dealing with unfamiliar faces, was on full display.


    From a safe distance, Shouichi watched the interaction unfold, his curiosity warring with his better judgment. He couldn''t help but eavesdrop, though a knot of uncertainty twisted in his gut. Was it his place to step in? Should he intervene, or let Ayane handle this on her own?


    "You know, um, you are really cute¡­ And I''ve seen you since your first year. Do you remember I was the one who showed you around the campus?" Sosuke-senpai began rambling about his fond memory of her, confident and prideful in his motion.


    "Yes, I remember. I thank you for that." Ayane bowed her head slightly, her jet-black hair cascaded down with grace.


    "Well¡­ I have liked you since that day. Morimura-san." Sosuke-senpai confessed his feelings, his voice never faltered, and his gesture unshakened.


    "Oh! It''s just a confession. I was thinking if it''s bullying or something. Then my job here is done..." Shouichi decided to scoot away after assuring his friend was not in any immediate danger.


    "Please go out with me!" The senior declared, bowing his head with an air of elegance that seemed almost regal. Even in this humble gesture, he exuded the poise of a prince charming, his every movement deliberate and graceful.


    "Why?" Ayane asked coldly, her facial expression remained unchanged.


    "W~What?" Sosuke blurted, baffled by her impassive reaction as though no one had ever rejected him before.


    "Wait, this is getting good. I need to spy more. Hehe!" Shouichi mused, the curiosity eventually got the better of him.


    "Why do you want to date me?" Ayane asked, her tone stiffened as she stared deeply into the senior''s soul.


    Dumbfounded by her sudden quiz, Sosuke quickly regained his composure before answering promptly without much thought. "W~well... Because you are smart, beautiful, and elegant!"


    Ayane didn''t even bat an eye, unimpressed by his generic answers.


    "Here it comes¡­" Shouichi already knew the exact words that were going to come out of Ayane''s lips. He knew her way too well.


    "Wrong answer..." Ayane said exactly what Shouichi thought she would. It was kind of funny that his friend used the same dialogue as last time. Although he agreed it was proven to be highly efficient.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Wha~What?! I don''t understand, Morimura-san." Sosuke stammered, sweating heavily. He was confused beyond his feeble comprehension, he had to ask, "Is it because you already have someone you like?"


    For a moment, Ayane remained silent and unmoving before she gave a slow and deliberate nod.


    "Holy Christ... Is it Aoyama Shinji?" the brown-haired senior blurted out, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and scepticism. His brows furrowed as he tried to piece things together. "That guy is a total womanizer! Everyone says he''s bad news." Sosuke leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing some forbidden secret. "The rumours about him? They''re everywhere."


    Shouichi couldn''t help but smirk inwardly at the exaggerated tale. "Man, Shinji''s reputation is really that bad?" He thought, a tinge of amusement in his mental voice. "Guess I wouldn''t know since I''m his guy friend."


    Ayane glanced at Sosuke, resisting the urge to laugh at how animatedly he shared the gossip.


    "Fufufu, no..." Eventually, she chuckled to herself. "The other one." She replied with a menacing, wide smile.


    "The short one? Seito Shouichi?" Sosuke gasped in disbelief, scratching his brows with a thumb. "But he has a girlfriend, hasn''t he?"


    "And since when does that stop someone from liking or loving someone?" Ayane rationalised, her tone softened as her hands clasped together over her chest. She paused and listened peacefully, feeling every beat of her heart.


    Sosuke let out a long deep exhale, "I guess you are right. I can respect that." It was time for him to accept reality with nobility, the man was decent enough to admit his defeat like a champion. "Then, we are both broken-hearted people." He left his final statement before walking away.


    Shouichi, who was listening to the whole time, was flabbergasted. The heart beat like a thunder ever so deafening. His mind raced but nothing came but blankness.


    "Well, shit...." Shouichi cursed at himself.


    ***


    "You''re right, boys and girls. We will finish up early today. So enjoy your lunch!" Rinae-sensei dismissed a class with her friendly voice and then strutted gracefully toward the exit.


    "Shouichi-kun!" The sudden voice startled the boy, it was Morimura Ayane who teleported a few inches away from him.


    "Ah?! Ayane. W~what do you want?" Shouichi asked with a slightly trembling voice. He couldn''t shake the terrifying fact that she liked him. But Shouichi decided that it would be best to play dumb for now.


    "I packed extra lunch for you. Come on, let''s!" Ayane urged as she took out a pink-wrapped lunchbox from her bag and handed it to him.


    "Oh? That''s, um, quite sudden. I... have my own lunchbox. It''s a tuna san~" Shouichi kindly refused but she cut him short.


    "Enough with that, it''s not that nutritious, you know. Please eat mine!" Ayane insisted, the uncharacteristic eagerness in her tone was somewhat unnerving.


    "Just take it, Shouichi. It''s not like Ayane made it herself. It''s prolly Namie-chan''s cooking." Shinji dismissively chimed in with his assumption.


    "Not really. I made it." The girl corrected him outright.


    "HA!? I''m wrong?" Shinji gasped, jawdropped.


    "Now she made it even worse by saying that. What''s wrong with Ayane?" Shouichi pondered in frustration.


    With no other option, he promptly received it. "Thank you, Ayane-chan."


    "Let''s eat together." Shinji pulled up his table and joined them together, making a makeshift dinner table big enough for the three of them.


    "Thanks for the meal!" The Aphrodite trio chanted loudly before starting to unpack the food from their containers.


    Shouchi unhurriedly unwrapped a pink lunch box that Ayane made for him, his eyes drifted uncontrollably from agitation.


    "Wow¡­ The omelette over rice with a lot of side dishes... Moreover, they were delicately crafted into cute shapes by hand. That is way beyond my expectation coming from a girl like Ayane..." Shouichi mused as he snuck a glance at her.


    She appeared entirely focused on her lunchbox, seemingly unbothered by his gaze. Shouichi''s attention shifted to the food she was eating ¡ª it looked plain and under-decorated, a contrast to the meticulous bento she had prepared for him. A stark realisation struck him: she must have gone through multiple iterations, carefully crafting and handpicking the best one to give to him, while leaving the imperfect ones for herself.


    "Damn, you are really good at this, Ayane-chan." Shouichi praised her with a sincere expression. The girl was embarrassedly tucked her strand behind the ear. The boy noticed that her ear shape was perfectly curved and decorated with silver stud earrings. Several brown bandages on her fingers from cooking, he never realised these minor details about her before.


    "Stop staring¡­ It made me nervous, you know." Ayane told him with a pinkish face. As he studied her facial features, he realised her eyelashes were long and curled gorgeously. After he began to be more conscious of her, a new profound allure was realised, one could say he truly looked at her through the eyes of a man for the very first time.


    "Oh! My bad," Shouichi said apologetically, then he began to pick up the chopsticks. As the omelette hit his tastebud, he was overjoyed with their perfect mix of saltiness and sweetness, "It''s so good, Ayane." He praised the girl which made her beam widely.


    "Really? Can I try?" Shinji asked him curiously, as he reached out to taste it too.


    "Here," Shouichi said, offering as he lifted the box.


    "Wow, Ayane. You are also a cooking genius. A master chef!" Shinji admired loudly, but she didn''t flatter, not by Shinji''s praise.


    "I''m glad you enjoyed it," Ayane responded impassively as she rested her chin on her palm.


    Suddenly, Ayane extended her finger toward Shouichi''s face, "Oh, hang on a sec." She said casually.


    "Hey! Shinji is here! Keep your hands to yourself!" Shouichi warned with his eyes as if she would telepathically understand it.


    She gently wiped his cheek with her thumb, then held it up to show him. "It''s just a grain of rice," Ayane said with a playful gleam in her eyes.


    "What are you, a 5-year-old?" She teased, her tone dismissive yet lighthearted.


    Her dark purple eyes shimmered with expression and radiance, captivating in their intensity. At that moment, Shouichi realized something profound ¡ª her eyes were, without a doubt, the most beautiful he had ever seen. They seemed to draw him in, speaking a language beyond words.


    "Sorry. I need to go to the toilet," Shouichi muttered abruptly, springing to his feet with a jolt. He couldn''t bear the new Ayane right in front of him.


    ***


    "Goddamnit! This isn''t my first rodeo, I should not feel this flooding emotion that I can barely explain. Ugh! What''s wrong with me!?" He pondered, gritting his teeth in confusion. The boy stood in front of a large mirror in the male bathroom.


    Shouichi thought as he washed his face with water, "... Sorry, Ayane... I have to stay faithful to Misaki. She has not done anything wrong to me..."


    "I wonder if things would have turned out differently if I hadn''t dated Misaki-chan." Suddenly, I unintentionally pictured him happily going out with Ayane.


    "Damn it! What was I thinking? Ayane is my friend." He quickly shook that thought, no matter how hard it was.

 11 Officer Akiyama Suzuki

    In the afternoon, Shouichi strolled through the lively street of the Hoshimashi shopping district.


    "My goodness, I''m mentally drained," He whined internally as he was sulking, his back slightly hunched by the weight of frustration.


    "Is it me or Ayane that changed? But after the fact, I am way too conscious about everything. It''s super annoying¡­" He contemplated.


    "Shouichi-kun, you''re zoning out a lot, aren''t you?" A jet-black-haired friend asked with a concerned expression, following at his heels.


    "Huh? Oh, sorry about that." He replied impassively.


    "Are you okay? You seem strange today." Ayane stopped to properly examine his face.


    "It''s you that is acting weird!" He replied in his mind, wiggling his nose. Then Shouichi glanced into the distance at the passing pedestrians, avoiding her gaze.


    "Do you have a fever?" Ayane asked while involuntarily extending her delicate palm to touch his cheek. It was as if the world stopped spinning for three seconds. Her warm and soft hand touched not only his cheek but deep into his soul. His cinnamon-brown eyes eventually drew and intertwined with her vibrant purple eyes.


    "You are red..." She said softly, wearing her sweet smile. Shouichi hadn''t realised before that Ayane''s smile could be extremely endearing.


    "I~I''m good." The boy stammered, his voice faltered as he took a step back.


    "Seems like you are fine. I''m glad." Ayane''s gaze broke away briefly, before returning to him, "Has anyone ever told you before?" She asked, her tone shifting to a serious one.


    "What?"


    "That your irises turn golden like amber under the afternoon''s sunlight, they are so dreamy, so captivating," Ayane uttered in the most passionate tone.


    "Why is this girl rizzing me up so damned hard?" Shouichi thought, finding himself blushing. The girl chuckled at his childish reaction in a non-mocking manner.


    "Stop joking around, Ayane." Shouichi dismissed and continued stomping out. And the girl followed him closely behind.


    ***


    "Good afternoon, dear customers!" Yoko greeted the two as they emerged from the entrance door at Yoko Sweet Shop.


    "Good afternoon, Yoko-san." "Hi, Mom!" The couple collectively greeted her back.


    "By the way, Officer Akiyama is here. She is sitting over there." Yoko pointed to the booth in the corner.


    "Oh, Suzuki-san is here?" Ayane asked, her lips parted in surprise as her eyes swept around the store.


    Officer Akiyama Suzuki was sitting idly in the corner booth, enjoying her Earl Grey tea in tranquillity. The dazzling lady was wearing a crisp blue police shirt with long sleeves and blue navy trousers, completing with her utility belts with various police gear. Her officer cap was neatly placed on the table.


    "Hello! Seito-kun!" The lady waved at him with a tender smile, her white teeth gleaming under the light.


    Shouichi and Ayane approached her booth.


    "Please sit with me!" Suzuki directed him elatedly. Then the officer noticed her niece behind the boy, "Oh, Ayane-chan you are here, too..."


    "Good afternoon, Suzuki-san." The girl respectfully bowed her head. Shouichi chose to sit on the same side as Officer Akiyama, while Ayane took an opposite seat.


    "So what brings you here today?" Ayane asked her relative, frigid in her tone.


    "Well¡­ I am helping Yoko-san and Seito-kun with the CCTV." Suzuki clarified with enthusiasm in her voice. The officer''s expression brimmed with an almost exaggerated cheerfulness, her unusually radiant demeanour standing out starkly. Shouichi took a closer speculation at her from the side. Suzuki had long, fluffy black hair tied back in a flathead ponytail. Her mature, oval-shaped face was decorated by expressive dark eyes and red plump lips. When she smiled, the gleam of her slightly sharp canine teeth added a touch of seductive charm to her already enchanting appearance.


    "Ouch!" He yelped softly as he felt a soft kick on his knee. It was Ayane who nudged him because he unintentionally had gawked at the officer for more than 5 seconds. When Shouichi glared at her, she smiled innocently like she hadn''t done anything wrong.


    "May I finish my tea first, then we get started?" Suzuki asked them and they nodded in agreement. She took another sip of her delicious tea. Her alluring lips perched softly on the rim of the cup. Shouichi couldn''t help but stare at her attentively.


    "Ouch!" He got kicked again while his friend pretended to look distantly out of the windows. "I can''t have some peace now. My life is a mess." The boy vented air out of his nostrils.


    ***


    "I think this spot in front of the washroom is good, for security, it''s a strategic inspection point whether all the customers have left the store." Suzuki shared her professional opinion with Shouichi who was eagerly holding the equipment. "Because sometimes, the bad guys will pretend to stay inside the washroom until the shop closes and everyone leaves."


    "Wow, you are really knowledgeable and observant, Akiyama-san." He admired her.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "Fufufu. That''s what the police academy teaches you to think." She placed her hand on her hips, flattered. Shouichi realised that the officer was probably in her prime, her body was mature and physically fit, perfect for the ideal police officer. However, her utility belts obscured her waist, so it was difficult to discern her actual silhouette. He wondered why she never removed them, even after taking off her long-sleeve shirt.


    "Is it a bit sluggish to wear them all the time?" Shouichi asked out of curiosity while pointing at her chunky belt.


    "Oh, this? Hahaha. You know it''s for safety reasons. You see these two weapons right?" She swung around to show him that she had two guns with her. The one with the green handle was the taser, while the black-handled grip belonged to the lethal weapon.


    "I see. That makes sense." Shouichi replied, lips parted in awe. Officer Akiyama Suzuki was definitely contemplative and analytical. That was the unique charm of her, he thought.


    "Right, step on this one," Suzuki commanded, putting out a small chair as a stool.


    "Okay." He climbed on it as she directed and extended his reach to attach the security camera.


    "Let me hold you steady, Seito-kun." Suzuki''s hands firmly grabbed his hips, anchoring him in place.


    "Thanks, Akiyama-san." Shouichi replied in appreciation.


    After he successfully installed the cam, "All good!" He signalled the female officer beneath him.


    While the lady was lost in her thoughts, "Ummm¡­ Akiyama-san?" Shouichi repeated himself.


    "Huh? Oh, I''m just thinking about something. Hahaha!"


    "Would you mind let me go, Akiyama-san?" He earnestly reminded her to take her hands off his hips.


    "Oh! Sorry!" She gasped, pulling back. Her face was dusted slightly red.


    "That''s alright, officer," Shouichi replied as he stepped off the stool.


    "Say¡­ do your workout a lot, Seito-kun?" Suzuki probed him timidly, her dazes darted on and off him.


    "Huh? That''s a bit sudden... Well, I am in the rugby club and we practice almost three to four times a week."


    "That''s pretty healthy, do you go to the gym too?" Suzuki was being a bit more inquisitive than usual. Somehow, Shouichi felt like he was being interrogated.


    "Nope, but yeah¡­ we will have the Muscle Wednesday, starting next week." Shouichi was reminded by her quiz, he had almost forgotten about that.


    "Awesome! I, um, notice... your body is quite firm," Suzuki praised him with seductive eyes. Later she laughed it off to shake awkwardness in the air.


    "Tha~" Shouichi was about to reply but got interrupted by a familiar voice. "Shouichi-kun, what took you so long? I''m so bored." It was Ayane''s voice that called out to him from the middle of the accessway.


    "We just finished, Ayane-chan," Suzuki informed her niece. "Seito-kun, thanks for helping out. I can handle it from here. Just enjoy the evening with your girlfriend." Suzuki uttered softly and her lips curled up into a smile.


    "Huh? Ayane isn''t my girlfriend, it''s Misaki-chan. But I guess Officer didn''t know that. She''s probably assumed it." Shouichi pondered.


    "Darling, can you help me with my homework?" Ayane stressed her words with hidden intention as she pulled his wrist. Her voice has an unusual sweet undertone.


    "Darling?!" Shouichi murmured, baffled. He briefly excused himself with a bow to the officer. And Suzuki waved to shoo him away.


    ***


    "Are you crazy? What''s "Darling" for?" Shouichi quickly whispered to Ayane''s ear, eyes widened.


    "Chill out, darling. It''s just a joke." She smiled mischievously at him.


    "Okay¡­ Still, you led Akiyama-san to misunderstand us!" Shouichi argued, frowning at her.


    "Why would you care about it? She''s irrelevant." Ayane explained as she skimmed through her novel.


    "Sigh, I guess." Shouichi exhaled, defeated. There was no point arguing with her, he thought.


    "Or is she?" Ayane probed, glancing up from her frameless circular glasses. Her question hung in the air whether he was interested in the officer or not.


    He swallowed hard before replying, "Of course not, she is like a really mature woman and I''m just a snotty kid."


    "Good boy." Ayane praised, slowly resting her head on his shoulder.


    "A~Ayane! Don''t do that in public! People would get the wrong idea!" Shouichi warned shamefully, she didn''t recoil. Her lush hair brushed softly against his skin and her signature vanilla fragrance twirled in the air around them.


    "Hahaha. In public? You are hinting that it''s okay if it''s just the two of us?" She asked, playing on his wordings.


    "I mean, it''s not okay but at least people wouldn''t see it!" He blurted out his reason.


    "Fufufu, you are so lame. Shouichi-kun." Ayane hissed, still nesting her head on him. She was just a hairbreadth away from his face. "You should pay less attention to your surroundings and more to those who matter to you." She murmured so only he could hear it.


    Without any rebuttal, Shouichi swept his eyes around the table to ease his nervousness. Then he noticed that Ayane had been listening to something, judging from her phone and her wire earphones on the table.


    "Who uses wire earphones these days?" He pondered to himself, amused by her oddity.


    "So... what are you listening to?" Shouichi probed her, changing the subject.


    "Oh, that''s an English podcast... Well, I guess I''ll have to work even harder to beat you and reclaim my spot at rank one," She declared, her voice resolute and brimming with determination.


    Shouichi scratched the back of his head, a faint pang of guilt surfacing. "Sorry about that," he muttered, feeling inexplicably bad for unintentionally becoming her rival.


    "No need, you are simply better. It''s the same for you. I reckoned you were reading lots of Japanese literature to improve too." Ayane continued with her logic.


    The girl tilted her chin upward, "Wanna listen together? I don''t quite understand it." She suggested, picked up the earphones and handed one to him.


    "I guess, I''m curious what you are listening to these days," Shouichi responded, obediently putting one on his ear.


    "(In English) Welcome to Love Attraction: The Art of Tugging Heartstrings! Today, we''ll take a look at five ways to make someone fall in love with you! If you feel like¡­" The podcast started playing.


    "Holy crap¡­ No wonder she''s been acting super weird listening to crappy podcasts." Shouichi put his palm on his forehead, lifting his bangs up a little.


    "Curiosity kills a cat is real." He thought in melancholy.


    "Sorry to interrupt, lovely couple!" Suzuki appeared at their flank, waving at the couple to draw their attention.


    "Oh, that''s alright. Officer Akiyama." Shouichi replied, pulling away slightly from his friend.


    "I just finished a test run on the system... All seems to be in order so I will be taking my leave now." Suzuki informed them nonchalantly as she started gathering her things on the table.


    "Thank you for your kind help!" Shouichi bowed his head lowly as a sign of appreciation and respect. She smiled in response.


    "That''s alright, Just give it a try, okay? If you are unsure how it works, feel free to call me." Suzuki kindly instructed before turning to exchange a nod with Ayane.


    The officer made a quick stop to chat with Yoko at the counter before she exited the store.

 12 Muscle Wednesday I

    "How about it, guys?" Ito Toru asked with a proud grin, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he gestured toward the private gym behind him. The man with spiky brown hair stood tall, his posture exuding confidence and determination. As the captain of the rugby club, Toru had transformed the nearly defunct team into a legitimate club in less than three months. His sharp mind and leadership had earned him a reputation as the club''s prodigy.


    Beside him stood his younger sister, Ito Emi, the club''s diligent manager. Emi, with her calm yet assertive demeanour, handled everything from financial matters to budgeting with impressive efficiency. While she wasn''t as outwardly charismatic as her brother, Emi''s organizational prowess and attention to detail were the driving forces behind the club''s recent successes. Together, they were a force to be reckoned.


    "Wow! This is SUPER AWESOME!" Naggi was electrified to see the clean and spacious gym with various gym equipment. The junior shared roughly the same sentiments.


    "Listen up!" Toru spoke in a firm and stern voice. "To prevent potential injuries, I have a special fitness instructor to oversee you guys." He announced and stepped side.


    "Hello, guys! I''m Himemiya Kazumi, and I''ll be your instructor today, helping you with the proper forms and ensuring your safety," the elegant gyaru introduced herself, stepping into the spotlight with a poised and confident air. Her distinctive ombre blonde hair cascaded down her back, catching the light as she moved.


    She wore a sports bra and form-fitting tights that highlighted her toned physique, with every curve and line accentuated by the sleek fabric. Her flawless tan lines hinted at hours spent under the sun, making her presence all the more captivating.


    The clubmates, already eager to start, found themselves momentarily mesmerised. There was no denying the allure she exuded, drawing their attention effortlessly. Her confidence radiated, and it was clear she was as serious about her role as an instructor as she was about her impeccable appearance.


    "Let''s go!" The tall boy, Hinoda, shouted with enthusiasm and the junior followed suit.


    The intense workout session lasted for a gruelling two hours, pushing every member to their physical limits. By the time it came to an end, the air in the gym was thick with exhaustion. Each club member, Shouichi included, could barely stand on their own feet, their bodies trembling from the strain.


    "Hahaha! You are standing like a senile old man." Kazumi laughed at his shaky legs.


    "I hate leg workouts... sob," Shouichi grumbled, dragging his feet as he slowly made his way out of the gym. Each step felt like torture, the sharp pain shooting up through his legs, igniting a firestorm of discomfort that seemed to travel all the way to his central nervous system.


    "Manager!" Shouichi called out to Emi, who was chatting with Shinji. He winced as another sharp pain shot through his legs, but he forced himself to stand tall. Once again, his friend didn''t show any sign of exhaustion or weakness.


    "How? Is he secretly a Superman?" Shouichi remarked with a sarcastic laugh, watching Shinji effortlessly stand tall like the workout hadn''t even fazed him.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Emi, still deeply engaged in conversation with Shinji, didn''t immediately notice Shouichi''s call. "Hehehe. Senpai, I''d love to watch it," she said with a bright, playful smile, completely absorbed in their exchange.


    "Huh? Maybe they made up?" Shouichi thought.


    "Hey! Shouichi, how are your legs?" Shinji noticed his friend creeping toward him. Shinji deliberately walked to Shouichi and intercepted him in the middle.


    "They are dying¡­ By the way, what''s with you and Emi-chan?" Shouichi whispered to his friend, making sure Emi couldn''t hear it.


    "Well, I asked her out," Shinji casually spoke, rubbing the back of his silver hair.


    "Really?" Shouichi said in disbelief but somewhat predictable. Shouichi could easily tell that Emi had been into Shinji since day one when they met in front of the main bulletins.


    "Real, she said yes with a condition..." Shinji continued, handing him a water bottle.


    "Thanks!" Shouichi said as he took the bottle and sipped it. "That''s lit, but what condition?" He probed, lifting his brows up.


    "I have to stop being a rizzler," Shinji spoke with a bit of embarrassment in his face.


    "HAHAHAHA!" Shouichi burst out laughing, he quickly peeked at Emi who was watching them agitatedly from afar. Shouichi gestured a quick thumb-up to her.


    "Stop laughing, bro. I''m not one, and I don''t know how to not be one." Shinji whined as he hunched his shoulders, exasperation evident in his motion.


    "That''s easy, bro. Don''t be too flirty, I mean, overly friendly with the females," Shouichi said with a confident grin, as if he were some kind of expert in the art of female-ology.


    "Alright, alright. I''ll keep it in mind," Shinji nodded, giving Shouichi a playful look before turning to head back to his official girlfriend. The couple looked perfectly matched, their similar heights complementing each other effortlessly. Shinji, with his striking silver hair and cool confidence, stood tall beside Emi, who radiated a gentle charm. Her sweet demeanour and graceful figure balanced him out, creating an image of an ideal pair.


    "Please take good care of him, Emi-chan!" Shouichi encouraged the club manager with a gentle smile.


    "U~umm¡­ You knew already?" Emi gasped, her lips parted in surprise, and her cheeks were dusted with pink. Shouichi noticed she was actually shy when it came to romance.


    "Hahaha, he just told me," Shouichi confessed. And Emi abruptly turned to stare at her boyfriend with a slight hint of anger and displeasure.


    ***


    On the previous Sunday afternoon, a tall and elegant girl was walking along a quiet street heading toward the Hoshimashi shopping district. She nervously took out her phone and read the messenger thoroughly. It was a message between her and her crush, Aoyama Shinji-senpai.


    "It''s not even a date, right?" The innocent girl asked, trying not to fool herself.


    Today, she wore a denim overall dress with a pastel blue blouse underneath. Emi decided to switch up her usual ponytail, letting her brown hair cascade down gracefully. She noticed that it now fell elegantly to her chest.


    As she arrived at Maid & Tea Bliss, Emi''s eyes locked onto her senior, who was chatting with a beautiful blonde-haired maid. The sight of them together struck Emi like a blow to the chest, her heart sinking to the ground. It pained her deeply to see the man she cared for so much so at ease with another girl. They were engaged in lighthearted conversation, laughing and sharing moments as if everything were normal. Meanwhile, when Emi was with him, everything always felt heavy, like a burden she couldn''t shake.


    "Why did you ask me here again? Just to see you with other women? How cruel of you, senpai," Emi thought, her heart sinking even further into melancholy. Her brain screamed for her to turn and leave, but her feet felt glued to the ground.

 13 Muscle Wednesday II

    This wasn''t the first time it had happened. A week ago, Emi had run into Shinji at a karaoke bar, surrounded by a group of females. What her senior did in his free time was none of her business, she told herself, but still, seeing it with her own eyes stirred something deep inside her. Her heart ached, a tightness settling in her chest. Her face flushed with pain, her mind struggling to process the raw feelings flooding her. Her knees trembled as if they might give way at any moment, threatening to collapse under the weight of her emotions.


    "I know I''m not good enough to be with you." She muttered softly, feeling tears were about to spill over. The girl tried her hardest to change herself. To be better, thinner, and prettier in the hope that her crush would take a proper look at her as a woman.


    Initially, Emi thought that her senpai was interested in her as she was simmered down. But it appeared what was just in her head.


    Knowing full well, that her senior was always flirty to anyone.


    "Should I go back now¡­" She told herself to just give up and stay far away.


    "Would you rather hurt or feel nothing at all?" Emi asked herself while placing her hands on her chest, feeling the aching heart.


    Shinji eventually noticed her, he greeted her loudly, wearing a charismatic smile, "Emi-chan! Hey!" She quickly hid her tears. Under no circumstance, he would learn about her true feelings.


    "You are Ito Emi-san, right?" A cute maid asked, amicable in her tone as she appeared behind Shinji.


    "Y~yes. I''m Ito Emi, nice to meet you." Emi politely bowed her head with grace.


    "I''m your senior, Tomako Momo from class 2-1. Nice to meet you too." The maid bowed back to her and smiled gently. "I don''t think there''s a blondy in class 2-1¡­" Emi examined her and pondered.


    "Well, I don''t usually appear like this, haha," Momo responded with a chuckle. It seemed Momo realised Emi was trying to match her description with students of class 2-1.


    "Emi-chan, I''d like to tell you something," Shinji said, his face turning serious.


    "Ah... I think I know where this is going. Senpai''s going to tell me that she''s his girlfriend, and I should stop dreaming..." Emi braced herself.


    "You see, Momo-chan here is my business partner and a friend from middle school. My old man rents out the place to her so she can sell beverages," Shinji explained. Emi was taken aback but still didn''t quite follow.


    "Oh, right¡­ " Emi responded, staring blankly at them in pure bewilderment.


    "I just wanted to show you that Momo and I are just good friends." Shinji carried on. While Momo meticulously took off her blonde wig and showed her real bop-style hair with the brown hue.


    "Ah! You''re the petite girl I saw at the mall, with Shinji-senpai!" Emi exclaimed in shocking realisation. Momo was in the group that went to Karaoke with Shinji on the last day of their midterm exam.


    "You saw us?" Shinji asked, raising his brows.


    "Y~yes¡­ I ran into your group when the mid-term ended," Emi confessed, looking away briefly, avoiding Shinji''s purple eyes.


    "It''s nice seeing you two." Momo told them with a gentle smile before turning to Shinji, "I hope my advice will be somewhat helpful." She told him with a playful wink.


    "Thanks!" Shinji nodded in appreciation.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "Well then, I gotta go now," Momo the maid swiftly left the scene with her short legs.


    "See you, Tomako-senpai." Emi said her farewell and bowed her head gracefully.


    "Emi, now that we''ve cleared up the misunderstanding, would you like to join me for lunch?" Shinji invited his junior, his expression serious.


    "Yes, senpai," Emi replied without hesitation as she felt relieved for the first time.


    ***


    In the heart of the Morimura manor, a grand traditional Japanese mansion stood with its intricate wooden beams and sliding shoji doors. The expansive garden at its centre was a tranquil oasis, with meticulously pruned bonsai trees, a koi pond glistening under the sun, and delicate pathways lined with smooth stones. Two women walked gracefully along the polished wooden corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the tatami mats. The warm light filtered through the rice paper windows, casting serene shadows on the floor, while the faint scent of incense lingered in the air, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. The elegance of the surroundings seemed to reflect the quiet determination in their movements, as they passed under the high wooden beams and into the next room.


    "Ayane-san should be in the guest room waiting for you now."


    "Thanks, Namie-san," Suzuki replied while strutting forward, grace in every motion.


    Knock! Knock!


    Namie softly knocked on the Shoji screen door. "Ayane-san, Officer Akiyama Suzuki is here to meet you."


    "Please come in," Ayane replied as she was sitting on her calves calmly. Her postures were relaxing yet elegant. She was wearing a traditional Kendogi, a white loose-sleeve jacket with indigo wide & pleated-fold trousers. Suzuki took a seat on the cushion across from her. Meanwhile, Namie took a quick bow and shut the door tight.


    "Would you like some jasmine tea or black coffee, Akiyama-san?" Ayane offered.


    "Tea would be good. Thanks," Suzuki replied. Ayane gracefully poured a cup of tea and handed it to the officer with both hands, a slow and deliberate gesture.


    "President Sakurai Hiroshi," Ayane began, her voice steady and unwavering, "He used his position as the president of the student council to manipulate and exploit vulnerable juniors for his own personal gain."


    Suzuki, sitting across from her, nodded solemnly, her fingers delicately wrapped around the warm porcelain cup of jasmine tea. She took a slow sip before responding, her expression serious. "I''ve received your information, Ayane-chan. However, after a thorough investigation, we uncovered something far more sinister. Sakurai was merely a pawn in a much larger operation ¡ª specifically, a human trafficking syndicate."


    Her words hung in the air, as the weight of the revelation settled between them.


    "Hmm? Would you be able to take them down?" Ayane asked, remaining well-composed.


    "The cyber police had been chasing them down and cut off their online channels," Suzuki told the girl and shook her head in frustration, "But they just kept making new channels. These people were disgustingly elusive."


    "Based on what you''ve told me and the president''s involvement," Ayane said, her brows furrowing with concentration, "There''s a high probability that the kingpin is operating in this town, possibly connected to the broadcasting studio as well."


    Suzuki''s lips parted slightly in amazement, "Your intuition is indeed correct, Ayane-chan." She admired the girl''s sharp wits.


    "Then please, do something, Officer Suzuki-san!" Ayane''s voice trembled slightly as she bowed her head, a gesture filled with both desperation and hope. "So many girls at my school have fallen victim to these scums," She added, her voice shaking but her resolve for justice unshaken.


    "We are doing everything we can, Ayane-chan," Suzuki replied with a deep, empathetic sigh. Her heart ached for the victims, and if she could single-handedly take down the syndicate, she would do so without hesitation. "But we need to be patient and wise. In time, we will bring them down, I promise."


    Suzuki watched as Ayane''s eyes subtly twisted at her words, the crushing weight of the wait sinking in. "But the reality is often disappointing," Suzuki continued gently, her tone full of understanding yet laced with the harshness of the situation. "We need more information to make a move."


    "I know," Ayane said and nodded in agreement.


    "So that''s why the police hadn''t made any move to catch Sakurai, despite all the facts and evidence," Suzuki explained, making sure Ayane understood their underlying constraint. "They want to catch the bigger fish."


    "But the longer you wait, the worse it becomes. How many more lives that we need to sacrifice?!" Ayane argued, unintentionally raising her voice. Her anger and frustration gradually became palpable.


    "I got it, really," Suzuki said firmly. "I promise to do everything in my power." She stole a glance at the girl with a mix of determination and concern.


    Suzuki''s face softened, "Please, refrain from interfering with the case. The police will take it from here." She expressed her reassurance and care toward Morimura Ayane.

 14 Date with Ishikawa Misaki I

    The long overdue date with Ishikawa Misaki finally arrived. Undoubtedly, Shouichi was super excited to spend some quality time with his girlfriend. In front of the Hoshimashi mall, a cinnamon-brown-haired boy stood idly, waiting for his partner and scrolling through social media on his smartphone.


    Shouichi chose a fitted denim jacket layered over a simple tee, paired with sleek black trousers that accentuated his almost muscular frame. To discreetly add an extra five centimetres to his height, he opted for leather boots with thick soles, blending style with practicality. He meticulously styled his bangs, sweeping them back to reveal his forehead, lending a sharp, masculine edge to his otherwise feminine features. As the afternoon sun blazed brightly, he grabbed his trusty sunglasses, completing the look with a touch of effortless cool.


    "Shou-senpai!" A sweet voice called out to him. And Shouichi glanced up, searching for the source.


    "Hi, Misa-chan." He casually greeted his beautiful girlfriend, wearing his gentle smile. Her unique twin tails bounced up and down as she walked up to him, carrying an air of excitement.


    "Link arms!" Misaki shouted and wrapped her arms around his left arm. Their fingers intertwined together like a lovely couple.


    Misaki wore a stylish black blouse adorned with a large red bow on the upper chest. For the bottom, she opted for a long skirt paired with glossy black leather loafers. As always, the girl had an impeccable sense of style when it came to dressing up.


    "Miss you so much, senpai!" Misaki softly caressed her cheek on his upper arm like an adorable kitten. In return, Shouichi couldn''t help but pat her head endearingly.


    "You look so good today, Misa-chan." He praised her with a soft tone.


    "And you are so cool, today. You look more... manly, hehe!" The black-haired girl responded, giggling in glee. He noticed her hair catching the light, revealing a subtle sheen of dark purple that added depth to its rich tone.


    As his height towered over her. "Wow, I must have been over 10 centimetres taller than Misaki now! Thank goodness!" Shouichi remarked happily in his mind.


    "So, should we go?" Shouichi asked, gazing down at her.


    "Yep!"


    ***


    "Today, we''ll watch the Zhutter Part 2!" Misaki proclaimed as she pointed out the poster of the now-showing horror movie. The picture on the wall showed a ghastly figure of a ghost lady through the camera lens.


    "Hmm? That sounds similar." Shouichi grumbled ponderingly as if he had seen or heard of this movie before.


    "Yes! The Zhutter Part 1 was a great success and so many adaptations!" Misaki eagerly enlightened her boyfriend.


    "Is it? I can''t remember." Shouichi replied.


    "Eh? You never watch it, senpai?" She asked incredulously, her eyes blinking slowly.


    "I guess I might have missed it." He forced a weak smile and rubbed the back of his hair awkwardly.


    "How could you say you are a horror fan without watching the Zhutter Part 1!" Misaki hissed at him, her cheeks puffing up.


    "Sorry! I guess I can watch it later."


    "Hehehe, can we watch Part 2 today? Please, please, please!" Misaki pleaded, her voice sweet and playful as she clung to his arm like an excited child.


    "I wouldn''t mind watching the sequel first. I guess I would still be able to enjoy them." Shouichi rationalised.


    "Exactly! There''s no need to watch the first part before the second part. So many movies have their own prequels." Misaki''s obsidian eyes glinted in amazement, flashing pink gleams in her irises.


    "Alright! Let''s queue for tickets!" Shouichi suggested promptly.


    The couple strolled toward the large screen displaying movie options near the ticket machines. A cashier stood nearby, ready to assist customers who needed help navigating the machines.


    "Good afternoon, dear patrons. What kind of movie are you interested in today?" The cashier asked politely.


    "Good afternoon! May I have two tickets for the Zhutter Part 2?" Shouichi inquired.


    "Yes, which type of seating would you like?" The cashier tapped on the screen showing different types of seats.


    "They got standard, premium, special kotatsu? What is that?" Shouichi asked the lady, raising his brows.


    "Oh! The special kotatsu is the seating featuring a table with a blanket in the middle." She explained professionally without stuttering a single word.


    "Wow!" Misaki''s eyes lit up in awe.


    "So this seating is the new addition to our cinema. Best for the horror movie experience." The lady further explained.


    "Let''s take ''em, senpai!" Misaki lightly nudged his side.


    "Y~yes, I''d like to take that please for two of us." Shouichi was a bit hesitant but indulged his girl.


    "Right away, sir. The movie will start in 15 minutes. Is that okay?" The lady smiled happily and effortlessly tapped on the screen.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Yes. It works for us." Shouichi replied.


    And before Shouichi could react. "I''ll take care of this one," Misaki interjected, handing her card to the staff.


    Hey, I should pay," Shouichi insisted, his voice firm. But Misaki simply shook her head. "Too late," she teased, sticking out her red tongue to taunt him.


    "Sigh, I''ll get the popcorn and drinks then," Shouichi sighed. "What kind of popcorn would you like?" he asked promptly.


    "Salted caramel and Bloody Mary soda!" Misaki replied gleefully, without missing a beat. The ticket lady handed them the freshly printed tickets.


    "Please enjoy the movie," She said with a warm smile, waving them off.


    ***


    "Eh? Stop handing out your card. I''ll handle this one!" Shouichi scolded his playful girlfriend, but she quickly took the opportunity and tapped her credit card on the payment machine.


    "Too late! Hehehe!" she exclaimed excitedly, a grin spreading across her face ¡ª another win for her.


    With a satisfied smile, Misaki grabbed her soda and took a sip.


    "Sigh, why did you pay for everything... I feel appreciated, but also bad about it," Shouichi muttered, his weary eyes on her.


    "Hehehe. Don''t worry about it, senpai," she dismissed him with a carefree wave.


    "Next time, promise me you''ll let me pay," Shouichi said, gazing into her beautiful eyes with determination.


    "Yes, senpai! You can have the show next time," Misaki replied playfully.


    "Good girl," Shouichi said, his irritation melting away. He couldn''t stay mad at the pretty girl for long.


    "Say ah!" Misaki picked a piece of popcorn and tried to feed him. He obediently opened his mouth.


    "How''s it?" She asked, eyeing him in anticipation.


    "Delicious. The perfect mix of sweet and salty," He commented, nodding in agreement.


    "Do me! Do me! Do me!" Misaki urged him to return the favour.


    "This is one of the dump stuff you have to do when you date a girl..." Shouichi pondered but decided to do it anyway.


    "S~say Aah!" Shouichi picked a piece of popcorn and extended it to her.


    "Eh? Misaki!" Misaki seductively sucked them whole. Her pink lips perched softly on his finger. Feeling the moisture of her mouth, Shouichi''s face flushed red.


    "Umm¡­ Guys¡­ Can I serve the next customer, please?" The popcorn cashier politely urged the daring couple to move sideways so that he could serve the others.


    "Sorry!"


    Shouichi suddenly realised they were standing in front of the counter this whole time. The couple walked out in a matter of seconds.


    ***


    The kotatsu seating was very comfortable with the electric heating underneath to warm their feet. The air conditioning was working a bit too well, and Shouichi thought it was intentional to create a cold atmosphere. The couple placed the popcorn and drinks on the kotatsu table while enjoying the horror movie with ease.


    One complaint was that the table was too large so it created a large gap between the couple and essentially prevented them from leaning on one another.


    "Misaki completely adsorbed in the movie. She barely spoke any word." Shouichi thought, stealing a glance at his pretty girlfriend. Misaki''s eyes were glued to the screen, so focused it seemed like she wasn''t even blinking.


    "Misaki is really a big horror movie nerd." He remarked inwardly.


    As she noticed his glance, the loving girl smiled sweetly back at him before returning to the screen.


    "Hands, please. Shou-senpai!" she asked in a babyish tone, holding out her palm.


    "Hahaha, okay." He chuckled, extending his hand, and she took it. Her hand was warm and soft, and he could feel her long fingernails as their fingers intertwined.


    As the movie drew to a close, it had a unique twist that led to a heart-wrenching drama that captivated the audience''s hearts, compelling them to explore their empathy through the sorrowful perspective of the ghost lady.


    Shouichi noticed the girl''s soft sob next to him. It appeared that Misaki''s gentle heart sympathised and resonated with the moving ending.


    "It''s so sad, senpai!"


    Then the girl abruptly lunged at him and her gentle face buried into his chest. Shouichi put up a manly demeanour as he mewed slightly, knowing it was his time to shine.


    "Don''t be sad, Misa-chan. It''s our sorrow that makes us human. Remember, where there''s sadness, there''s also the promise of joy." He quoted in a cool, deep voice, which came out a little edgier than he intended.


    After taking inspiration from his tall quirky friend, Shinji, he thanked the man in his mind.


    "You are so cool, senpai." Misaki glanced up at him with affectionate eyes.


    "Thank goodness. My girlfriend is so innocent and pure. If it was Ayane, she would''ve said it''s lame for sure," A sudden thought came to him.


    "Feeling better now?" Shouichi endearingly wiped the tear off her cheek with his thumb. Her pinkish cheeks were pudgy and soft, and her eyes sparkled under the screen light.


    "Kiss me, senpai!" Misaki urged him and slowly leaned in. Her eyes slowly closed as she seductively stuck out her pink tongue. As their lips merged, their tongues sensually danced in a passionate kiss, exchanging the sweet taste of the honey nectar.


    The girl moaned heatedly as her nostrils blew a warm air on his skin. His hunger grew out of control and his veiny hand grasped on the back of her neck to bring her closer.


    In response, Misaki wrapped her arms around his head, caressing his hair in an erratic and enticing rhythm. Her body was so close, that he could feel her plump bosoms nudging against his chest.


    "Ah! Ah! Ah!" Collectively, they groaned in pure ecstasy as their moist tendrils curled and twined, exploring every corner of each other.


    After a while, Misaki pulled back, her eyes still locked on him, "Umm... Does it feel good?" She timidly asked, feeling the heat on her face. He nodded eagerly, wishing this endearing kiss would never last.


    ***


    The couple wrapped up their date with a satisfying meal at a cozy wagyu izakaya. One thing became clear, though¡ªdespite her slender frame, Misaki had a surprisingly hearty appetite that outpaced even Shouichi''s.


    "I might have to wash my hair after this. Hehehe!" Misaki uttered while putting the slide of beef on a charcoal grill, the burning wood aroma drifted in his nose.


    "True that," Shouichi agreed with a grin.


    "I''m so happy that I got to hang out with you senpai!" She added, her enthusiastic smile never faltered. She dipped a beef in a black sauce before putting it in her mouth. Shouichi nodded, returning the same sentiment.


    "It''s still a bit raw¡­" Shouichi observed.


    "Maybe we can go to your place to watch the Zhutter Part 1 after this." The girl suggested him out of a sudden then turning to slurp on her coconut mocktail.


    "Is it okay with you?" Shouichi asked in disbelief. Some part of him, the gentleman part, was a bit uncertain whether they were moving too fast with ''things''.


    "Absolutely. I wanna spend 24 hours 7 days with you! Fufufu!" She exaggerated and shot him a playful smile. Then lifted her finger, "How about we quit school to cuddle?" She asked as if this was the brightest idea,


    Almost spilling a drink in his mouth, "What?! Damn! That''s hella crazy¡­" Shouichi slipped out.


    "Well, I''m just head over heels for you, Shou-senpai!" Misaki replied, her eyes gleaming with sincerity.


    "Alright, I guess we can watch Part 1 at my place," Shouichi agreed, grinning and crossing his arms.


    "Yippy!" Misaki cheered, her face brimmed with excitement.

 15 Date with Ishikawa Misaki II (R18)

    [Contain: Explicit Content! - It is highly erotic!]


    In the late evening, Shouichi and Misaki arrived in front of the Yamamoto residence. The lights in the house were turned off, indicating that his mother, Yamamoto Yoko, was not home. He vividly remembered his mother having dinner with a group of her female friends at this time. That was quite uncommon for Yoko to go anywhere besides the cafe and the house. "Was it her high school reunion?" He pondered.


    "I''m home!" He spoke out of the habits after he reached the accessway. The couple took off their shoes and placed them neatly on the racks.


    "Do you need snacks or a drink? Misa-chan?" He asked. Promptly, the girl shook her head.


    Without a second to spare, Shouichi led his girlfriend to his room upstairs. "Woah! Senpai. Your room is quite organised!" She admired him.


    "Luckily I cleaned it yesterday." Shouichi thought to himself.


    It took him a few minutes to put the show on his TV via the famous steaming app. The couple was sitting shoulder to shoulder on his bed. Misaki pulled up the blanket to cover her lower face, steeling herself for jumpscares.


    Suddenly, a PTSD flashback alighted to Shouichi. It reminded him of the time when Ayane brutally commented on the smell of his blanket. "It stinks in here." Her lingering words were laced with contempt.


    "It smells nice," Misaki spoke gleefully.


    "Thank goodness, I had that washed recently..." The black-haired boy murmured, relieved.


    For the first 30 minutes, the couple was watching the movie attentively. Then Misaki shifted her sitting position and leaned softly on his chest. Her trademark sweet candy and floral aroma dispersed in the air, soothing and endearing.


    "Say¡­ Shou-senpai¡­ Should we continue from the cinema?" Misaki inquired him quietly, her tone playful and assertive. She glanced up and locked eyes with him, her obsidian eyes shimmered with thrill.


    Misaki bit her lower lips softly as she could no longer wait for her boyfriend to make his first move.


    But to her surprise, no cue was needed for the brown-eyed boy. As Shouichi bent in with his inviting lips. Then they began to indulge themselves in a loving yet lustful kiss. Her pink tendril twirled and coiled around his ever so enticingly. Proceeding below, his lips greedily mowed on her neck, nipping her soft skin with his teeth. Her high-pitched moan intensified as he amped up his pace. His warm and moist tongue weaved on her delicate skin, marching downward to her pristine collarbone. As his hands traced her flawless silhouette, gliding from her wrists to her neck, she squirmed and trembled slightly, a soft, satisfied sigh escaping her lips.


    "S~senpai... Ah!" She groaned softly.


    In front of him, was the representation of erotica, Misaki was lying flat on her back, her twin tails spread out beautifully against the bed''s white sheet. Her red, hot cheeks turned to the side yet her libidinous eyes intertwined with his.


    Unexpectedly, the sudden flashback of the lover''s pond flooded his mind, "You like it, don''t you? Fufufu!" The seductive voice of another girl, Ayane, rang in his ears. And the image of her beautiful body slowly rising swept through his mind.


    Blowing air out of his nostrils, he felt a raging and heating throb in his lower body, straining against his cloth.


    With fury, Shouichi tucked the sight away deep in his mind; he needed Misaki, not Ayane. Then, he unleashed a side of himself he never knew he had, the hungry beast, his movements growing more frantic and rough, his breath coming in rapid, erratic gasps.


    Suddenly, his fingers groped and fondled her bosoms with fiery arousal, "Ayah!!!" A loud moan erupted from her lips.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "Sh~Shou-senpai, you''re being too rough!" She whimpered, struggling to steady her voice, her body twisting as her fingers tangled in his dark, fluffy hair.


    Shouichi didn''t utter a word, letting his body language speak for itself.


    Enough with the foreplay, he meticulously unbuttoned her blouse and shoved it After a few flickers of a finger, her white bra unbuckled and came loose. Now her divine breasts were on full display, they were perfectly round and voluptuous, more beautiful than anything he had seen before.


    He instinctively slipped his fingers under her skirt, past her lingerie. Finding her private slit, his fingers slipped through the gap effortlessly, her fingers clawed on his lower back with a genuine thrill. Then his fingers flicked against her sweet spot, twisting her torso around. With each rhythm, she wailed reactively until his fingers were completely drenched in the love nectar.


    While her moan of ecstatic pleasure rhythmed loudly with each stroke of his fingers. Shouichi came to realise that this wasn''t Misaki''s first time, but he couldn''t care less. It somewhat aroused him even. Satisfying with his fingers, as the two were both consensually in the highest state of excitation, it was time for the real fun.


    This was the beast that Shouichi never thought he had. The lust had taken full control of his body and soul, "It gets what it commands." A strange voice echoed inwardly. He scrambled around his bed to find a protective rubber and planned to relieve himself of the throbbing pain between his legs.


    WAAH-WAAH-WAAH!


    A sudden and loud siren could be heard from the distance, it disengaged him out of the ''love'' drive.


    "What''s that senpai? Why did you stop?" Misaki asked, looking at him with confusion. She was breathing raggedly and her beautiful skin was drenched in sweat.


    "I~I don''t know." Shouichi quickly bounced up and peeked through the window.


    A fire truck was parked right in front of his house and a firefighter in full uniform walked and rang the bell at his front gate.


    Ding-Ding!


    The house bell rang out as the firefighter pressed repeatedly.


    "I think there''s a fire or something... " Shouichi turned to his girlfriend. Urgently, she got up and buttoned her blouse.


    "Did I just get screwed over by a damn fire!? Seriously?!" Shouichi grumbled in frustration, his voice tinged with disbelief. It was so close, yet it felt so far.


    "What should we do, senpai?" Misaki asked, nervousness evident in her eyes.


    "I guess, we need to get out."


    Then they quickly dressed up and rushed out to meet with the firefighter.


    "Hello! Sorry to bother you guys. Your neighbour just reported that their kitchen accidentally caught on fire." A female firefighter informed them nonchalantly. Her face was completely obscured by a fire helmet and a face shield. She pointed at the smoke coming out of the window next door.


    "We need to make sure you guys evacuate in case we can''t contain the fire!"


    "Understood." He took Misaki''s hands and led her out to watch the smoking house from a safe distance. Not long after, another firetruck appeared and parked next to the fence. The spreading flame became visible on the exterior of the neighbour''s house and the firefighter reactively sprayed water from hydrants in the hope of suppressing it.


    "I''m scared," Misaki whispered, her body trembling slightly so he took her in her arms, hugging her tight.


    "It''s okay. We are safe now." He said firmly while watching the firefighters in the background.


    At the same time, a curious crowd gathered and speculated from afar.


    ***


    After an intense 15 minutes of a thrilling display, the fire was eventually subdued, leaving only faint wisps of smoke in the air. The male firefighter stepped into the charred house to ensure the flames were fully extinguished, while the female firefighter removed her helmet, revealing her determined expression beneath. She walked over to the couple, her demeanour professional yet approachable.


    "Well well well¡­ We often met in odd circumstances, Shouichi-kun, and... Misaki-chan, that right?" Toru''s gyaru girlfriend, Himemiya Kazumi, greeted them amicably. Her ombre blonde hair fell on her chest neatly. Misaki glanced at Shouichi questioningly while he froze, still dumbstruck by the major twist.


    "It all makes sense now, the lady is notably more fit than your average Jane. I thought she was a full-time fitness instructor or something." Shouichi concluded internally.


    "Fufufu. Judging from your faces, is it that big of a surprise?" Kazumi teased, smiling at them brightly.


    "Y~yeah¡­ That''s quite a major shock." Shouichi responded and laughed dismissively, wiping the sweat off his forehead; they were not from the fire panic but from the recent workout with his girlfriend.


    "Thank you, Himemiya-san!" Misaki and Shouichi replied in appreciation.


    Soon after, Wendy, Misaki''s carer, arrived to pick her up from Shouichi''s house.


    At the end of the day, the kind of thrill Shouichi experienced wasn''t exactly the kind he had hoped for ¡ª it left him more drained than delighted.

 16 Morimura’s Residence

    There was a saying that time flies when you were not paying attention, and Seito Shouichi was no exception. Between studying, attending club activities, and helping out at his mother''s caf¨¦, the days blurred together. Before he knew it, a new month had already begun.


    Unfortunately, Ayane had been bothering him constantly but he shot her down whenever he could. It felt wrong to lead the girl on like that. But he couldn''t bring himself to tell her the truth.


    Shouichi pictured himself with a mysterious yet resolute expression ¡ª a so-called "locked-in" look ¡ª confidently telling her, "I know how you feel about me, Ayane. But I can''t go out with you. My heart belongs to Misaki." However, the reality was far messier than the scenario playing out in his imagination.


    "Say ahhh!" Ayane said playfully as she held out one of her eggrolls toward him. "Like I said, she''s become like my second mother," Shouichi thought, but he complied anyway.


    "Delicious!" He replied promptly.


    "Right? I tried something different. Hehehe," Ayane smiled gleefully at him.


    "It''s been a while since you lost the key to the rooftop, right?" Shouichi asked, her gesture reminding him of the time when she fed him eggrolls like this.


    "Yeah, I couldn''t care less about it, but at least those seniors no longer bother me," Ayane responded, impassive in her tone, "One more?" She asked and gestured with her chopsticks.


    "No, I''m good." Shouichi politely declined, lifting his hands.


    With the sudden tap on his shoulder, Shouichi jumped and gasped reflectively, "Eh?"


    "What did I miss?" It was Shinji who appeared behind him. He had just returned from a restroom trip earlier.


    "Nothing, nothing," Shouichi waved his hands awkwardly.


    "Cooooooool. You wanna hang out somewhere?" Shinji suggested out of the blue, "Emi already has a plan with Misaki, they said they are doing girl shopping at the beginning of the month." He added matter-of-factly.


    "I guess?" Shouichi promptly replied, turning to confront Shinji, "Where exactly?" He probed.


    "I dunno. This town is so boring! Ugh!" Shinji messed his hair in frustration.


    Wearing a cunning grin, Ayane interjected with her bright idea, "How about my place?" Her peculiar suggestion caused the boys to exchange surprised glances.


    "Why would we want to go to your place?" Shinji sneered, crossing his arms. "You''re not luring us into a slaughterhouse, are you?" He squinted his eyes, suspicious of Ayane''s recent change.


    "Come on, it''s gon'' be fun!" Ayane insisted as her violet-purple eyes glinted with excitement.


    "That would be my first time, actually." Shouichi replied with an agreeing nod.


    "Right! So it''s decided. We are going to Morimura''s residence this afternoon!" She concluded clasping her hands before anyone else could voice their thoughts further.


    ***


    "Well crap¡­" Shouichi cursed under his breath. He was clad in full kendo protection which consisted of a helmet, chest plate, and arm guards. The gear was uncomfortably chunky and sluggish with limited movement. His hands were gripping a bamboo sword in a striking pose. "The concept of fun for Ayane is beating the life out of him," He concluded inwardly after losing probably ten matches, duelling with her.


    "Here I go!" Shouichi roared as he intensely focused on his legs to dash in and swung at the girl, aiming at her torso. Ayane was not wearing standard protection gear but a white Kendogi. She gracefully side-steped, and narrowly dodged the trajectory of his sword. Then in a split of a second, she lunged like lightning to strike his chest.


    "Ouch!" Shouichi cried out of pain as he was knocked on his butt. As he stared at the ceiling above, feeling exhausted and sore all over his body.


    "My, I even used one hand this time," Ayane mocked, her hand covering her mischievous smirk, her tone condescending.


    "Let''s go! Round 12, begin!" Shinji announced as if he were the announcer of a heated match.


    "Stop! I yield!" Shouichi raised his arm in surrender, his breath ragged and his body drenched in sweat.


    "Oh? Giving up already? What kind of man are you?" The black-haired girl taunted, looming over him. Her shadow cast an eerie eclipse over his face, adding weight to her words.


    "I never imagined Ayane was the athletic type, but it turns out her lineage is deeply rooted in kendo. Just an hour ago, she mentioned that she started training at the dojo when she was just five years old, learning under her grandfather''s guidance until his passing," Shouichi reflected, recalling her story.


    Pointing her bamboo sword at his face, "Get up, Shouichi!" Ayane commanded firmly.


    "Fine!" Shouichi muttered, his voice low but resolute as he steeled himself. All he needed was one win to turn the tide.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "That''s the burning spirit, bro!" Shinji cheered loudly, putting his fist up in the air. "Round 12! Fight!" He excitedly announced.


    Shouichi started by circling around Ayane, looking for an opening, he fought her multiple times. To the point that he swore he could remember her move sets like a boss in soul-like video games.


    "Ayane''s muscle memory is her greatest strength, but it could also work against her," Shouichi analysed, his mind sharply focused in a zone-like state. His brain seemed to process every detail with remarkable speed. "Her reactions are almost automatic, driven by years of training. If her movements are purely instinctive at the start, before her conscious mind adapts, there''s a chance to exploit that! I just need to make a move she''s never encountered before!"


    "Aya!" Shouichi initiated his first strike, a swift vertical sweep. Ayane instinctively countered with a quick step to her right.


    "Knew it!" Shouichi thought, his eyes narrowing as he observed her motion. "She''s a lefty. She always moves in the opposite direction to position herself for the favourable angle."


    A plan was beginning to form in his mind.


    "Hmm!" Shouichi let go of his bamboo sword entirely, an unconventional move that made Ayane''s eyes widen in surprise.


    "Take this!" He shouted, crouching as low as possible and generating torque through his knees and feet. It was a move inspired by the fade-away technique used in rugby to execute a rapid and deceptive reversal.


    "Damn it, she''s already swinging again!" Shouichi thought as Ayane''s kendo blade arced toward him. Without hesitation, he launched himself off the ground, closing the gap between them.


    "If I can get close enough to her centre of rotation, I''ll minimise the impact!" He calculated rapidly, throwing his arms around her in a desperate bid to neutralise the strike. His momentum carried them both off their feet.


    "Crap, I didn''t think this through! She''s going to hit the ground headfirst!" Acting on instinct, Shouichi twisted his body mid-air and shoved his arm guarding the back of her head.


    With a resounding thud, the pair slammed into the ground. Ayane''s head landed safely on his arm, but the force of the fall left Shouichi groaning and rolling in pain, his body aching from the impact.


    "Ooooouch!" He winced, biting back a louder cry as Ayane blinked down at him, momentarily stunned by the abrupt turn of events.


    "Magnificent! Magnificent! Magnificent!" Shinji shouted repeatedly while clapping his hands like a maniac.


    "Are you alright, Ayane?" Shouichi examined her with worry.


    "Yeah¡­ What about you, Shouichi-kun?" The girl gasped, urgently removed his helmet and inspected his face and then his arm.


    "It seems like nothing is broken." He uttered by experimentally moving his limps around.


    "Are you crazy?! You''re not supposed to drop your weapon!" Ayane scolded, her face full of concern as she crouched beside him.


    "Hahaha, I''m such an idiot," Shouichi said between breaths, collapsing onto the wooden floor. His laughter echoed through the dojo, filling the space with an unexpected levity.


    The infectious sound made Ayane crack a smile, despite herself, and soon she was chuckling along. Shinji, leaning against the wall, burst into loud laughter as well, his voice ringing out over the entire space.


    Before long, all three were laughing uncontrollably, the tension of the intense match melting away in their shared moment of camaraderie.


    ***


    At Hoshimashi Mall, two beautiful girls strolled through the bustling shops, enjoying a lively and indulgent shopping spree. Unsurprisingly, it was Ishikawa Misaki who spent money as if it grew on trees, her carefree attitude shining through with every extravagant purchase.


    On this afternoon stroll, Misaki was dressed in a sweet Lolita style, complete with intricate frills and lace, her outfit contrasting sharply with the black mask covering half her face. Beside her, Emi sported a more laid-back look, wearing an oversized tee, black jeans, and a cap pulled low over her eyes, creating a stark yet complementary balance between the two.


    "Do you think I should redo my nails? I got bored of them already," Misaki showed her beautiful black and pink nails.


    "I think they already look so nice, though." Emi disagreed as her fingers inspected Misaki''s nails.


    "But my boyfriend doesn''t even notice ''em! He never compliments me on my nails!" Misaki complained, fuzziness laced her expression.


    "Oh¡­" Emi was stunned, speechless.


    "Say¡­ do you notice my eye bags? Look, look. They''ve got fine wrinkles already," Misaki said, pointing at the slight shadows under her eyes.


    Emi shifted awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with Misaki''s endless stream of complaints about her own face. Misaki was obsessing over every tiny flaw, being overly self-conscious about her appearance.


    Eventually, Emi decided to be honest, "B~but I can barely notice them. I doubt your boyfriend could."


    "Right, I will take your word for it then. Anyhow, men are hard to please, you know." Misaki continued as they both strutted through the buzzing hall


    "Can we visit the clinic? Please, please, please!" The pretty girl with twin tails turned to plead cutely.


    "Misaki-chan, but you just went last week!" Emi reminded, unyielding in her tone.


    "True. But I don''t think it''s working. You see, the results on my face, it is still ugly!" Misaki said, her shoulder hunched and brooded. "What if Shou-senpai goes for someone prettier? Then I''d regret not being prettier ''til the day I die, right?" Then her bantering went on and on.


    Emi exhaled deeply, frustration evident in her posture.


    She already knew that Misaki was far from ordinary. The truth was, Misaki had been pulled back from the brink of a severe depression. Emi couldn''t shake the nagging feeling that some of those old symptoms might be resurfacing, albeit subtly. "I need to be extra mindful of Misaki-chan. I''m her only friend," Emi thought, reminding herself of the responsibility she felt.


    After a deep breath, she steeled herself, determined to support Misaki through whatever came next.


    "Please take a deep breath, Misaki-chan." Emi gently placed her hands on Misaki''s shoulders, grounding her with the touch.


    "Ye~yeah... Sorry. I was just afraid." Misaki finally confessed, her voice soft and vulnerable as she shared her true feelings.


    "The best solution is you should talk to Seito-senpai." Emi met Misaki''s eyes, her expression sincere, signaling the honesty in her words.


    "But what if he... he hates this side of me?" Misaki''s gaze dropped to the floor, her face clouded with doubt, the threat of tears visibly forming in her glassy eyes.


    "I can''t really offer much advice, but I truly believe Seito-senpai isn''t just any man. He''s the kindest and most considerate person I know." Emi''s voice was filled with admiration, a warmth in her tone as she spoke of him.


    "Th~thanks, Emi-chan. I wanted to believe that too," Misaki replied, a flicker of hope lighting up her face. She wiped away a tear that had escaped, managing a sweet, grateful smile.


    "That''s my Misaki-chan," Emi laughed gently, encouraging her friend. The two girls chuckled together, the mood lightening, their bond of support growing stronger.

 17 Confession From a Friend I

    "Ishikawa-san. Please break up with Shouichi-kun." The serene voice of a jet-black-haired girl reverberated as she confronted a pretty junior. Two girls met in the fire escape stairway of an old building, an ideal spot to discuss a private matter.


    Ishikawa Misaki scowled, dumbfounded by how cold and candid Ayane''s request was.


    Mentally steeling herself, "M~Morimura-senpai, you must be joking, right!?" Misaki asked incredulously.


    "No. I am serious. Please break up with him." Ayane repeated her demand, her tone authoritative, and her gaze unfazed.


    "Huh? So that you can have him all to yourself?" She bared her teeth with anger as if someone reached out to steal her priceless possessions.


    "Only if Shouichi wants to. You know I''d never do anything to hurt him." Ayane spoke matter-of-factly, glancing away to the distant cloud painting the pastel blue horizon. "Would you?" She asked in a condescending tone, turning partly to Misaki.


    "Of course not, I''d never harm Shouichi-senpai. He is my one and only!" Misaki raised her voice to convey her true feelings.


    Ayane offered no rebuttal but a glare, the violet-purple eyes pierced Misaki''s soul, something in those eyes was unconvinced.


    "I''m¡­, I, um,..." Misaki stammered, her blood ran cold as she found it difficult to utter another word.


    Suddenly, Ayane was chuckling deviously.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "What?! What''s so funny?" Misaki''s voice hardened, her innocent face distorted.


    "I''m done talking to you." The senior turned away, but before she left, she turned her to gaze at Misaki once last time, "Just think about what I asked." Ayane coldly stated.


    "Oh... And I almost forgot... Here, take a look at this..." It appeared that Ayane had shown Misaki something on her phone before parting altogether.


    Grinding her teeth in pure exasperation, Misaki mustered a last ouch of her strength, "Wait! Morimura-senpai, I won''t give up! Even that, I won''t break up with Shouichi-senpai!" she cried out at the top of her lungs, with both hands held on her heart. Her delicate body trembled with flooding emotions.


    "I can''t lose him¡­" Her voice faltered and trailed off into almost a whisper, terrifying for her life and her relationship with her boyfriend.


    ***


    "There, you are. Ayane-chan." Shouichi greeted his female best friend as she appeared at the spacious accessway at the main building. Like any school in Japan, it consisted of several rows of shoe lockers, arranged from class 1 to class 3. Shouichi casually put down his sneakers on the ground.


    "Do you have some time?" Ayane directly asked, her hand anxiously rubbing her upper arm.


    "Huh? What chu need?" He asked, raising a brow.


    "It''s important. But I can''t tell you right now," Ayane replied, her tone carried a pang of something serious.


    "Oh, okay. I guess I should be somewhat free. After all, the school just finished and the club is not on today," Shouichi responded with eagerness. "Nothing weird happens right?" He wanted to make sure, judging from his friend''s reactions.


    "I can''t tell. So can we go, right now?" Ayane urged, reaching her hand to grab his wrist and forcefully tucking him.


    "Uh, okay. If you say so." Shouichi uttered, obediant yet puzzled.


    "Man¡­ Is this what I think it is?" He muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the chaos around them. They shuffled their feet away from the main building, heading to destinations only the gods could fathom.

 18 Confession from a Friend II

    [Contain: Explicit Content! - Only slightly erotic.]


    After a peaceful 15-minute walk, the couple arrived at a secluded riverbank beside a gentle, grassy slope. The river sparkled under the sunlight, its clear waters flowing over smooth stones along the edges. The soft murmur of the current blended with the rustle of tall reeds swaying in the breeze.


    The slope was lush and green, dotted with tiny wildflowers that added splashes of yellow and white. The air carried a fresh mix of grass, earth, and faint floral scents. A nearby willow tree draped its branches gracefully, casting dappled shadows that swayed gently with the wind.


    "Wow! This place is so awesome!" Shouichi exclaimed in glee, amazed by the spectacular view before him.


    "Right?" Ayane responded shortly as she sat down on the slope. The soft grass brushed and swayed gently by the breeze.


    "Ah! How nice!" Shouichi lay down an arm''s length from the girl. Undeniably, it was super energising to the mind and soul.


    "How''s the club?" Ayane asked.


    "It''s going swimmingly." The boy replied. "Did you know about it?"


    "Huh? It?"


    "I mean Shinji and the manager."


    "Oh, why didn''t you say so?" The girl turned to him.


    "Hehe, sorry."


    "Yeah¡­ I could see it happening miles away." Ayane conceitedly boasted as she tapped her temple.


    "Right¡­" Shouichi saw the girl pull out a tiny spray bottle. "...What is that?" Shouichi wanted to ask but he decided not to.


    Ayane flicked the cap open and lifted it to her mouth. Her pink lips opened slightly and the fine mist sprayed as she pressed down the nozzle.


    "Stop staring. Weirdo." The girl was a bit embarrassed. "I had garlic beef for lunch¡­" She justified with a slight blush.


    "I haven''t realised how refined of a lady Ayane was before," Shouichi observed.


    "..." The sound of the flowing river and the crickets soon filled the riverbank, creating a sense of tranquillity. Maybe a calm before the storm.


    "Actually, I used to come here sometimes." Ayane began to reminisce, sitting in a knee-to-chest pose.


    "Really? I thought you only juggled between the cafe and home." Shouichi quipped.


    "Hahaha. Right. I''m only here when I feel down." The purple-eyed girl seemed to glance into the glittering water reflecting the sunlight.


    "Huh? Are you saying that something is bothering you?" Shouichi sat up and looked at his friend.


    "Kind of¡­" Ayane answered. Shouichi could feel that the girl was not her usual self. She appeared to be contemplating deeply about something.


    "Do you wanna talk it out?" Shouichi responded, patting Ayane''s back. "That''s what friends are for, right?" The brown-eyed boy comforted her.


    "...It''s annoying that I''m the only one without a lover." She said and asked, "Do you know why?"


    "That''s sudden¡­" Shouichi paused momentarily, "I supposed so because you always act cold toward people, Ayane." Shouichi answered.


    "Shuddup!" The girl dismissed him with a playful push.


    After a long pause, "Listen carefully, Shouichi-kun." The girl stared at him with a passion in her eyes.


    "R~Right¡­" He stuttered but remained composed.


    "I like~" She fumbled the word, averting her eyes briefly.


    "I''m in love with you, Shouichi-kun," Ayane eventually confessed her feelings, her words unwavering, her hands placed on her heart, every beat could have been for him. Her captivating gaze yearned to meet with his cinnamon-brown eyes, desperately signalling her genuine affection.


    As their gaze met, every minute of silence felt like torture, waiting for him to see her for who she was; for how she really felt about him. And she had been dying to know if he felt the same way too.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    For a moment, the silence filled the atmosphere. Their eyes intertwined for an unknown time as if the world stopped spinning.


    "I knew that actually¡­" Shouichi answered, finally breaking eye contact. Evidently, sorrow glinted in his eyes.


    "Is it that obvious?" Ayane''s eyes widened briefly as she asked.


    "Well, I saw you with Namauchi Sosuke-san¡­ maybe¡­ last month I think." Shouichi retraced his memory as the girl sat closer.


    "Hahaha, oh really?" Ayane looked at him. "Why you didn''t say something?" The girl asked while her face adorably turned red.


    "Well¡­ I don''t know what to think." Shouichi told her honestly.


    "Why don''t you break up with Ishikawa Misaki?" Ayane spoke with a grin, Shouichi wasn''t sure if the girl was being serious.


    "..." After a long pause. "You think I should?" Shouichi turned to look at her in the eyes.


    "Yes! I promise I''ll love you, I''ll cherish you¡­" Ayane proposed with confidence. "I''ll treat you right."


    "I know that, Ayane-chan. You have been extra nice to me recently¡­ I''m grateful for that, really." Shouichi complimented.


    "There''s a but?" Ayane was captivated by Shouichi''s face, fixating her eyes on him.


    "Yeah¡­ But I can''t do that¡­ Misaki-chan has never done anything wrong." Shouichi rationalised. "I''m in love with her, Ayane-chan." He finally confessed.


    The moment of silence as suspension built up in the air.


    "Kiss me, if you feel nothing then we can pretend this conversation never happened." Her violet-purple eyes glittered in the afternoon light. Her words clung heavy in the air as they deeply clawed his heart.


    "Are you for real!?" Shouichi incredulously exclaimed, his lips parted.


    Instantly, the bewitching girl leaned over Shouichi''s body, her face flushed a deep shade of red as she drew closer. Her pink lips were full and inviting. Like a spell, the pretty boy was stunned, mesmerised by her beauty, and unable to break away as if he was turned into a stone.


    As their lips met, time seemed to stand still, and they became lost in a forbidden embrace. The girl''s delicate hands began to explore, caressing his body gently. A wave of arousing heat surged through him, pooling in his lower body.


    "It seems like it''s been a while for you..." She whispered sweet melodies in his ear, her voice smooth and enticing. "Let me take care of that." Her seductive voice teased, her warm tongue trailing along his ear and down his neck, coercing his skin with aphrodisiac poison and sending shivers through his core.


    As the intoxicating pleasure took over, the boy''s arousal grew more pronounced, straining against his trousers. Ayane''s delicate fingers slipped beneath the fabric, finding the hottest part of his body. Then she began to gently brush the sensitive tip. His rigid desire responded to her touch, pulsing in time with each stroke.


    As her fingers caressed around the girth, her touch soft like a feather, pushing him off the edge of pure ecstasy yet she playfully paused to bring him back on the edge. Playing him like a puppetmaster, she guided his movements effortlessly, his hips swaying in perfect rhythm to her command.


    A soft moan slipped past his lips despite his attempt to bite them and restrain them. Hearing that feeling like a divine revelation, Ayane pressed on her motion, fluid and purposeful, her fingers experimenting for sweet spots to please her man.


    Eventually, it wasn''t long before his pent-up urges overwhelmed him, his entire body quivering as he reached the peak of sensual pleasure. A loud groan blurted out while white murky liquid spewed over. A smile that reached her striking eyes graced her face as she gazed intently at her fingers, now glistening with the viscous juice webbing between her thumb and index like strands of silk.


    Shouichi lay on his back shamefully burying his palms in his eye sockets, his heart pounding so deafening like a thousand explosions in his chest. The great regret crept up in his mind after the post-climax clarity.


    "Shouichi-kun, I''m sorry for doing this. But now... to me, the answer is clear," Ayane uttered softly before rising to her feet. "Please take some time to reflect on what we''ve discussed." With that, she turned and drifted away, leaving him in his own demise on the green slope.


    "Well¡­ F**k¡­" Shouichi muttered softly under his breath.

 19 Trauma I

    [Content Warning: Contain NTR!]


    "Nice of you to stop avoiding me for a change," Ayane spoke to Shouichi, her tone laced with irritation.


    "Ay! I wasn''t trying to. I have been busy with life and... stuff. I mean the club practice." Shouichi defended.


    "Hehehe," Ayane chuckled. Shouichi noticed the girl had become much more adorable as of late, still, he would not allow himself to be tainted by her again.


    The two met up inside the convenience store and there were no customers at this time.


    "You said you needa help with something?" Shouichi asked, eagerly. "Get to the point, Ayane," The boy said sharply, crossing his arms.


    "You think, will this one fit?" The girl spoke up as she casually picked a small rectangular box with the number 001. Apparently, it was a box of regular-size condoms.


    "Ugh?!" Shouichi gasped, and his jaws dropped at the oddity of her humour.


    He should have expected this type of thing the big pervert like her usually pulled but he failed every single time.


    The girl picked another one with a large "L" written on it. "Maybe you need this one?" She asked with cunning eyes.


    "Stop joking around, Ayane!" Shouichi blurted, his face reddened with embarrassment. He snatched it off her hands and put it back on the shelf.


    "Ho, ho? Do you wanna do it raw?" Ayane teased, pretending to hug herself and her expression filled with disgust.


    "No! I didn''t mean it that way." Shouichi quickly told her. "We are not doing it!" He clarified, resolute in his stance.


    "Eh? Aren''t we friends with benefits?" Ayane probed teasingly, winking in mockery.


    "We are not," Shouichi replied, averting his eyes.


    "Then break up with your girlfriend, and become mine." Ayane joked lightheartedly.


    "I wouldn''t do~" Before he could finish, someone similar caught his eyes; the girl with twin tails with a black mask entered the store, cheerful in her gesture. Shouichi recognised her immediately. It was none other than his girlfriend, Ishikawa Misaki.


    "Let''s hide." Ayane urged, pulling him by the wrist to the corner of the store.


    "But~" Before Shouichi could object, Ayane led him away, and they shuffled erratically.


    The girl casually walked to the shelf. She quickly picked up two boxes of the 001 original condoms.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "What is she doin''?" Shouichi whispered, his brows furrowed into a frown.


    "Keep your voice down. Just watch." Ayane replied as quietly as possible.


    It appeared Misaki wasn''t interested in anything around her, she picked her items, headed toward the cashier, and swiftly exited the store. The whole episode took no longer than five minutes.


    "Let''s follow her." Ayane yanked his arm forward, they began to stalk the dodgy junior.


    ***


    "I''m back, senpai!" Misaki announced as she entered the luxury room.


    It was a spacious studio apartment with one king-size bed, equipped with all the necessities, such as a kitchen counter and island, a large sofa and a 50-inch screen TV, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary except, there was a naked man waiting for her on the bed.


    The man hurriedly grabbed her hourglass waist and pushed her down next to him, his motion forceful.


    "Did you get them?" He asked and the girl nodded in response.


    Apparently, they had been enjoying themselves in the guilty pleasure more times than they could count. And every time they finished the deeds, the so-called benefactor would grant her a big stack of cash in exchange.


    "Does he know? Your boyfriend. I mean." The man asked while caressing her top erotically.


    "What?!"


    "About your illness. Did Shouichi know?" The man probed.


    "No, I can''t tell him that," Misaki answered, impassive in her voice.


    Occasionally, a soft moan escaped her lips as he went on with fondling, his long, veiny arms groping and brushing like a hungry hound.


    "I guess it is what it is." The man responded while he began to undress her clothes, exposing her delicate collarbones.


    "You are quite soaked down there, Misaki," He remarked, trimming menacingly. Once she was moist and ready, he propped her succulent body on the white bed in a missionary pose and picked up a box of condoms.


    His brows folded into a frown, "Hey¡­ this is the wrong one." The man said, a bit disappointed in his tone.


    "Because you forgot to bring your own, just get it over with." Misaki sneered, a pang of annoyance in her voice as she crossed her arms under her chest.


    "These wouldn''t fit." The man explained. After the girl didn''t respond, he let out a big sigh before rising up to his feet.


    "This is the last time, we''re doing ''this'' anyway." The girl told him, her tone detached and unbothered.


    "True that¡­ To think that he would be your cure, a reliever like me would have no reason to stay," The man quoted, his tone serene, almost poetic. He paused for a beat before saying. "Well, I will go buy it then."


    "Whatever." Misaki scoffed as she rolled her eyes annoyedly.


    The benefactor picked up his clothes that hung by the chairs and started dressing himself. Being discreet with his secret identity, he deliberately put on a hat, a face mask, and sunglasses, all of those to ensure no one could recognise him.


    Eventually, he casually strode to the doorway and swung it open. Meanwhile, Misaki propped herself against the bedhead, scrolling on her smartphone updating herself on the latest fashion trends. He shot a quick glance at Misaki, exhaling one last time before closing the door behind him.


    ***


    Knock! Knock!


    Suddenly, a soft knocking on the door was heard.


    Misaki raised her eyebrow as her eyes gazed at the door, "Huh? Senpai? Did you forget something?" The girl swiftly covered herself with a white robe and rushed to open the door for him, oblivious of a person knocking on her door.


    "SHOU-SENPAI!?" A loud shriek from the girl was echoing through the room, her tone shocked and dazed as a man who stood in front of the doorway was not the one she expected.

 20 Trauma II

    Her actual boyfriend, Seito Shouichi, had caught her red-handedly, her eyes widened in bewilderment, her lips trembling unable to articulate coherent words, and her terrified face turned as pale as if all the blood had drained from it.


    Shouichi''s eyes met with her, sharing the same shock sentiment, "Mi~..." His lips failed to utter any words, his mind couldn''t believe what he just saw as his vision blurred and glassy.


    The corner of his eyes caught bits and pieces, eventually, it had become clear to him that his half-naked girlfriend spent private time in a room with another man, she cheated on him.


    Her clothes lay scattered across the floor, a careless trail of fabric leading nowhere.


    A stack of cash sat on the nightstand.


    A man''s shirt and jeans hung loosely over the arm of the sofa.


    And by the king-sized bed, a basket brimmed with unthinkable toys of indulgence, their purpose unmistakable in the dim light.


    His nervous system shut down immediately and before he knew it, he must have run five kilometres from there. Everything was just hazy flashes of a bad dream, but when he came to, he knew in his heart it was real.


    His breath grew ragged as he gasped desperately for fresh air.


    The boy ran instinctively to the quiet riverbank, his feet moving before his mind could catch up. He didn''t know why, nor did he care to understand. Perhaps it was the serenity he sought¡ª something to counter the storm of turmoil raging within. At this moment, he needed no one but himself, a fragile solitude to shield him from the chaos brewing inside.


    Shouichi knew what he saw.


    The petrified look on Misaki''s face when she opened the door expecting someone else.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Everything was so real yet hazy as if it was in a fever dream.


    Shouichi''s legs buckled from the crushing weight of loss and fell on his knees, clawing his chest and trying incredibly hard to catch a breather.


    "Don''t cry. Don''t cry. Don''t cry." He kept repeating to himself, yet he couldn''t hear his words as he drowned in his own sea of desolation.


    "Ding! Ding! Ding!" His phone appeared to be buzzing. He couldn''t care less about it. At this moment, nothing truly mattered to him any more.


    Shouichi''s tilted his head upward slightly as he stared intensely at the distant cloud, "Hehehe¡­" An abrupt laugh slipped out of his lips, and like a maniac, he began to burst into loud laughter, "HAHAHAHAHA!" The variety of flooding emotions overwhelmed him, breaking him beyond repair.


    In a stark contrast, to Shouichi, there was no hatred toward Misaki ¡ª only toward himself.


    "I guess my hands weren''t clean either," Shouichi recalled grimly. His eyes were devoid of life like those of a dead rotten fish.


    "...This must have been a karma. All the sins I had committed, circling around to drown me into the deepest bottom of the abyss," He condemned himself, loathing who he was even more. Because he knew "Seito Shouichi" better than anyone.


    ***


    After a long moment of tranquillity, Shouichi sat, raising his knees to his chest, lifeless motions. His arms embraced his knees, seeking comfort in the dark cruel world. He remained quiet on the grass slope, allowing himself some time to process everything. And for the most part, it appeared his mind calmed down, his hands steady, and his composure had returned.


    "So this is how it feels to be NTR-ed," He thought, amused yet a hollow ache spreading through his chest as though the emptiness had clawed its way in and replaced his beating heart. A numbness coursed through every fibre of his being, perhaps some kind of defence mechanism flickering to life.


    As if the thorn roots wrapped around his heart. "It really does hurt around here," Shouichi observed while rubbing his chest experimentally. The heartache seemed to be as physical as it was mental for him, he analysed. It was his first heartbreak after all.


    "I guess¡­" He murmured. Then, after drawing a deep breath, he bellowed, "YOU''RE RIGHT, AYANE!!!" His voice echoed through the empty bank, thunderous and unrestrained. "I''LL BREAK UP WITH HER!" Shouichi continued, shouting with all his might. In a way, he found solace in letting it all out, releasing the pressure weighing down his shattered heart and weary soul.

 21 Trauma III

    Although Shouichi was uncertain about his future, he decided to push forward with his life. Life went on, no matter what. Today''s sorrow would serve as a reminder of the happiness that awaited him in the future, he reckoned.


    Once again, the buzzing phone vibrated in the pocket of his trousers.


    Eventually, Shouichi picked it up and unlocked the screen. His heart raced up as his eyes swept through the screen, unnerved for what was to come. In a glimpse of his mind, he wouldn''t know what to say if it was Misaki.


    Once his eyes met with the screen, "Morimura Ayane" was shown. A big relief alighted in his chest, unloading the weight of sorrow and fear.


    His finger flicked the screen to accept the call, "Hello..." He answered it with ease, only slightly quivering in his tone.


    "Shouichi-kun, where are you?" Ayane''s soft and gentle voice came through the line.


    "...Do you believe it? I''m at the riverbank." He replied, amused at himself.


    "Are you okay?" Ayane asked, her tone laced with genuine concern.


    "Yep. I''m alive." He replied promptly.


    Shuffling noises in the background, Ayane began to walk, "Stay there. I''m just five minutes away." She ordered him before the call disconnected.


    "Time to face the truth. Sooner or later, I''ll have to deal with it, anyway." Shouichi''s mind wandered as he skimmed through his phone history.


    There were several missed calls from both Misaki and Ayane as well as a heap of messages from them.


    "I guess I got you woken up for nothing," Shouichi murmured with remorse.


    Shortly afterwards, the jet-black-haired girl appeared on the top of the slope. Her hair was damp, her breathing ragged, and Ayane was sweating heavily from the earlier attempt to chase down her distressed friend.


    "You dummy!" Ayane''s voice boomed as she irritatedly scolded him.


    Almost instantly, the girl jumped in from behind and hugged the boy. Her delicate arms wrapped around his shoulders tightly, signalling warmth and offering the comfort he didn''t know he needed. Her silky hair cascaded down his neck, brushing against his skin. Shouichi could smell a mix of sweat and her unique vanilla scent, it smelled somewhat both divine and soothing.


    Ayane''s tears were warm and soaking his shirt, "Shouichi, you worried me too much." She said, her voice wavering.


    "I''m sorry¡­" Shouichi replied, tapping gently on her arms. "Ain''t I supposed to be the one crying? I just got cheated on for god''s sake." He pondered puzzledly.


    "You knew, didn''t you?" Shouichi asked coolly, his voice steady and detached. His calm, stoic demeanour betrayed no hint of the storm within, as his mind shifted from raw emotion to cold analysis, intent on uncovering the truth.


    "Yes¡­ " She confessed while sobbing.


    "The convenience store is out of nowhere, at an awfully specific time. It sure looked like a set-up to me." Shouichi rationalised.


    "Sigh, why didn''t you just tell me?" Shouichi asked, bitterness and sorrow in his voice.


    "I wasn''t trying to hurt you but I... I failed." She blamed herself, her arms tightened around him.


    "Hmm¡­ Care to elaborate?"


    "Well¡­ About last week, I confronted Ishikawa-san." She confessed honestly, there was no point in holding back the truth any more.


    "You did what?" He gasped, surprised, raising his voice louder than he intended.


    "I found out that she was cheating on you a while ago. So I met up with the girl, trying to convince her to leave you." Ayane continued to recall her side of the story. Eventually, Ayane unwrapped her arms and sat beside Shouichi so they could properly face one another.


    "If that worked, Misaki and I would break up without me ever knowing the truth... the whole truth..." Shouichi imagined aloud, "How considerate of you, Ayane."


    "Um, um." She attentively nodded a few times to confirm his assumption.


    Shouichi examined the girl closely, noticing that her white shirt had become translucent, clinging to her skin as it was soaked with her sweat. She must have been exhausted with all these commotions.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Ah¡­ That makes sense." Shouichi analysed in his head, glancing away to the distance.


    He continued, "And when that didn''t work, you came to me."


    "No, I actually went to you first. But you were being persistent... you wouldn''t break..." Ayane stared at him, her brows furrowed before adding, "Then I went to Ishikawa and that didn''t work out either."


    "Sigh, I guess I wouldn''t believe it if you just told me the truth," Shouichi remarked matter-of-factly.


    Turning his head away, he mumbled softly. "I was too blinded by it."


    "Today was my last resort. Listen, Shouichi-kun, I couldn''t stand by any longer while she did all this behind your back," Ayane said, her voice soft but firm as she gently patted his back, offering her warmth.


    As the warm soothing smile tucked at her lips, "I''m truly glad you''re okay," She added.


    "Man¡­ I should have just believed you from the start." He lamented with regret, messing up his graphite-black hair in exasperation.


    "Exactly! Trust me! I''m your best friend so you can always lean on me." She proudly tapped on her chest.


    This was this side of Ayane that kept him positive like a lighthouse against the stormy sea on the darkest day.


    "I truly appreciate it, Ayane. I don''t know what I would do without you." He praised her, sincerity in his eyes.


    Although Shouichi''s soul was burdened with sorrow and disappointment, the presence of someone to lift him up, to provide solace, and to offer companionship made it just a little more bearable.


    Especially someone like Morimura Ayane.


    Ayane sprung to her feet and extended her delicate arm, "Shouichi-kun, let''s grab some drinks. I''m really thirsty right now." She suggested with a smile. Promptly, Shouichi grabbed her hand, hoisting himself up to his feet.


    ***


    "Shou-kun¡­ I just wanted to say that I''m here for you." Yamamoto Yoko said, while she was lying on her side facing the boy. The mother and son decided to share the same bed tonight in Yoko''s bedroom. The mother was notified of the recent turn of events from Ayane. When the girl tried to track down the runaway boy, the first person she thought of was his mother, Yamamoto Yoko-san.


    "Thank you, Yoko-san¡­" The boy''s gaze was fixed on the blank ceiling.


    After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Did you know about it?"


    "Yes¡­ Ayane told me about it on the phone," Yoko replied, her gentle voice somewhat soothing. She reached out to pat his chest, her touch gentle, offering comfort and a sense of security, her touch both reassuring and warm.


    "... I''m fine really," Shouichi responded.


    On the spur of the moment, a flooding warm tear rushed down his face beyond his control. His heart wrenched, strained in a struggle against his mind.


    "What is this? Am I crying?" Shouichi sought for reasons but found none.


    "Oh, my baby¡­" Yoko whimpered, leaned in to embrace his head and her finger threaded through his dark hair. Shouichi buried his face in her chest, seeking comfort in the warmth and protection.


    After some time, the wails began to fade away. Without a word, Yoko''s presence alone was enough to ease his pain, leading him back toward the light.


    "Feeling better?" The lady asked him. The gentle voice indicated that she cared for him greatly.


    "Hahaha, I think so." Shouichi chuckled, thinking objectively about the whole situation. A full-grown man cried in his mom''s arms.


    "Good!" She lightly caressed his cheek, Shouichi found her soft and tender touch comforting.


    "I love you, Yoko-san," Shouichi said, his voice filled with heartfelt sincerity. It was the first time he had ever expressed it to her.


    Suddenly, Yoko leaned in to kiss him, her plum lips perched gently on his cheek. It was a swift but lasting touch.


    "I love you, too. Shouichi-kun." Her face flushed with joy and affection.

 22 BDD I

    "After the major storm passes, there would then always be sunshine."


    Despite his young age, Shouichi''s outlook seemed unusually mature. Perhaps it was a result of living mostly on his own in Australia. His late father, Destirling Wakanabe, had been his sole guardian, and Shouichi rarely received parental care like other children. Although Western culture''s laid-back work environment might have seemed relaxed, his father''s fly-in fly-out (FIFO) job meant he was often absent.


    For years, Shouichi''s upbringing was largely nurtured by caregivers. That past now felt distant and almost unreal, as if it belonged to someone else, he mused. But things had changed. Nowadays, Shouichi feels a new sense of hope and reliance on the presence of someone who genuinely supports him.


    "Let''s meet at the old building''s fire escape, Ishikawa Misaki-chan." Shouichi hit the send button. His body trembled but his resolve was absolute.


    Shouichi finished the club practice like normal, then he bidded farewell to the loving couple, Shinji and Emi. It appeared they already knew about his dreadful episode but none wanted to utter anything. Shouichi thought it was best to talk to them after his final confrontation with Misaki.


    The sky was slightly cloudy this afternoon, and the sunny days seemed to be giving way to the rainy season. Shouichi reflected that, much like the changing seasons, things were always changing, regardless of what people did. He walked past the main school grounds and headed toward the old building, making his way to the fire escape stairway on the third floor, where he was scheduled to meet.


    His graphite-black bangs were long overdue for the trim but he couldn''t care less about that. It''s brushing irritatedly as he took each step. In response, Shouichi parted them neatly into each side, creating a new fashionable parted style. Not that stylish was his goal at the moment, he just needed the convenience.


    Shouichi arrived at the fire escape door, he swung it open with a creaking sound. The twin-tailed girl was fidgeting her heels on the metal floor next to the handrails. Misaki''s face was pale and gloomy. Her obsidian eyes were hollow contradictory to her usual self. Shouichi realised it must have been as difficult for her as it was for him.


    Misaki glanced up at him but no word escaped her lips.


    "Good afternoon, Misaki-chan." Shouichi greeted her first. He restrained from using her nickname this time, it didn''t feel right to him anymore.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Shou-senpai¡­ I mean Shouichi-senpai¡­" The girl stuttered but returned the same sentiment. She bit her pale lips remorsefully.


    "I''m~... I''m glad you still wanted to see me in person." She spoke up, averting her eyes with guilt.


    "I guess, I want to do it properly¡­" Shouichi replied, stepping in a bit closer.


    "I''m sorry, senpai. I truly am." Misaki bowed her head as low as possible.


    "What''s done is done, Misaki-chan. I don''t think apologies will cut it." He told her promptly.


    "Umm¡­ For what it''s worth, could you please listen to my story?" Misaki''s eyes glistened with an onset of tears, begging him.


    "I suppose that''s the least I can do." Shouichi approved with a nod, crossing his arms and straining his ears.


    "Well¡­ I never told you this but¡­" The girl was anxiously rubbing her hands together.


    "About my depression, it is caused by Beauty Dysmorphic Disorder¡­" She revealed.


    "BDD¡­ I''ve heard of that term before. It''s a disorder that makes people dissatisfied and insecure with how they look, right?" Shouichi pondered aloud.


    "Yes¡­" She nodded.


    "I couldn''t stop hating my face, senpai." Misaki glanced at him blankly. "My eyes can always be more doe, my nose can be more prominent, my lips can be more plum. These thoughts float up in my mind every time I look into the mirror."


    "Misaki¡­" He found it difficult to say.


    "It''s eating me alive¡­" She let out a tearful moan. Shouichi wanted to console her like a good old day but dismissed the thought.


    "I spent a lot of time, effort, and money. But my parents¡­ they~they cut me off. They stopped spending money on my treatment. The last thing they did, they sent me to some psychiatrist which labeled me as insane. And you already knew what happened afterward¡­" She carried on with a trembling voice.


    "Should have been me who died that day." Misaki blamed herself, wiping her cheeks.


    "Why didn''t you tell me before¡­" Shouichi grimly responded, his resolve wavered. The boy truly emphasised with her but he was also hurt to his core.


    "I''m sorry, senpai¡­" Misaki fell on her knees and started crying uncontrollably. Her flooding sorrow, guilt, and self-loath overwhelmed her.


    Shouichi finally came to understand the girl''s behaviour. Her illness had driven her to commit unimaginable acts, surrendering herself to her disorders without restraint. However, this did not give her the right to drag him down. He objectively had every right to end their relationship.


    "This is beyond what I expected. I initially thought it was just a normal cheating but damn! What should I do next? Should I break up with her as planned, right now?" Several conflicting thoughts floated in his head. The boy contemplated hard for his next action.

 23 BDD 2

    "Sorry, Misaki-chan. You know why I''m here today, right?" Shouichi gathered up his courage. He deemed it was necessary although he felt beyond awful.


    Other thoughts slipped his mind, calling him out, "Coward!" It traumatised him, he bit his lips in self-repulse.


    "Y~yes, I know that." Misaki stammered, burying her face with both hands. Her sobs grew louder, filled with an agonising despair.


    Straightening himself, "Then Misaki-chan, I''m breaking up with you," Shouichi uttered it loud and clear. He gracefully bowed his head to her.


    His words softened yet its message was sharp and piercing, "You can''t! I won''t let you!" The mournful girl objected, her voice thunderous.


    Abruptly, Misaki lunged to grab his wrist tight. Her sharp nails were buried into his skin.


    Shouichi''s face scowled, "Ahh, you are hurting me, Misaki." The crimson blood was dripping on his wrist. His eyes widened as he saw the fury in her obsidian eyes.


    Misaki''s face began to distort, "I''ve fed up with everything you did, senpai." Her voice hardened as if she was someone else, someone demonic, "You think I didn''t know about you and Morimura-san." Misaki growled through her teeth, condemning him. Is it furious in her eyes? Or hatred? Or both? Shouichi''s thought pondered.


    "Wha~what are you saying?" Shouichi blurted, baffled. "She knew? How?" He asked himself.


    "That girl showed me a video of her jerking you off," Misaki revealed, her eyes were eerily hollow, endless tears streaming out of them. His stomach churned, his head lightened and spun, and he felt like he was about to vomit.


    "You liked it, didn''t you? She asked sternly, unblinking.


    "I¡­ " Shouichi was lost for words. He was indeed guilty as she claimed. "Ayane¡­ What exactly have you done? How did Misaki know about that?" His mind raced, internally accusing his friend.


    "On that Fire festival day, you guys were doing it behind my back too. I could smell her scent all over you, senpai." She pressed him to admit.


    "Say it!" She boomed, anger in her glassy eyes.


    "It''s not true! We''ve never done it!" Shouichi defended, finally breaking free of her claws. His breathing was getting heavier and heavier, he heaved as his chest raised and fell.


    Shouichi wanted to escape and he couldn''t take this anymore. He needed to leave this place, the desolation was overbearing to him.


    "Sorry¡­ I can''t do this anymore, Misaki." Shouichi confessed, the conversation weighted down his mentality. Completely drowned him in the depths of the abyss.


    After a few moments that felt like an eternity, "...In the end, we are just destroying each other, Misaki-chan." He eventually spoke his mind.


    "B~but listen, I can forgive you, senpai. If you want her, I''ll allow it. I, I''ll do anything..." The girl snapped, bargaining as her complexion turned psychotic. Her murmuring words no longer made sense.


    "I''ll call Emi to stay by your side, okay?" Shouichi said, stepping away and rubbing his bloody wrist. Misaki''s mind completely went blank, the girl was just sitting there broken as she sobbed quietly. His heart pitied the girl greatly, if only he had the heart to forgive her, maybe he wasn''t the good man he thought he always was.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Shouichi ensured that his ex-girlfriend was escorted home safely. It was late afternoon, he didn''t feel like going anywhere so he just sat there by the bench on the quiet school ground.


    His gaze grew distant as he watched the orange sky, his mind replayed the scenarios over a hundred times, yet the outcome was always ugly and distasteful.


    A word echoed in his head, "Coward." He was disheartened by the kind of man he was, still staring blankly into the evening''s sky shifting to purple.


    In the end, who he hated the most was no one but himself.


    The inevitable tears of negativity flooded his face. Shouichi could no longer fight it any more despite biting down his teeth to hold those tears in,


    "I''m shattered now..."


    The boy wept alone under the dim lamplight, resting both fists on his knees in forlornness.


    "Seito-kun?" A female voice was heard beside him. It was his math teacher, Miss. Kobayashi Rinae. The boy quickly gathered himself, hiding his pathetic face in the shadow. He lost track of time idly sitting on the bench.


    "R~Rinae-sensei. Good evening." A slight shaking in his voice, but he managed to hide it well.


    "Oh! My, you are bleeding." The teacher exclaimed as she saw dried bloodstain on his wrist. Her hand outstretching involuntarily.


    "I''m fine. Rinae-sensei. I accidentally fell." Shouichi quickly pulled his hand back, putting out a fake smile.


    "No objection, come to the infirmary with me right now." The gentle Rinae commanded him with a stern voice, her order was absolute.


    ***


    After Rinae-sensei finished administering first aid, the boy remained on the campus grounds, sobbing uncontrollably. Under the stark white light of the infirmary, Shouichi could no longer conceal the evidence of his distress.


    "Thank you, Rinae-sensei." Shouichi bowed his head to her.


    "No worries."


    "You seemed to know your way around the infirmary." The boy commented from a quick observation.


    "Hehe. Maria is my best friend. So, I help her restock the medical supplies sometimes." The lady clarified, smiling sweetly at him.


    "The gloomy nurse, Nakamura Maria-san?" Shouichi gasped in surprise.


    "Yep, the emo and lazy Maria, that''s her."


    Rinae-sensei patted Shouichi''s messy black hair. "You know, I''m not supposed to do this to students. fufufu," She carried on.


    "But I couldn''t care less about the rules, though," Rinae-sensei said, she was more of a non-conformist.


    "Hahaha, you are quite sweet, I feel a lot better," Shouichi uttered, feeling at ease and soothing, the teacher consoled him with a pat on his shoulder.


    "Right?" Rinae-sensei asked with a warm smile. As Shouichi looked up, he noticed that she wasn''t wearing her usual red Boston-style glasses, making the alluring mole beneath her left eye more prominent. Her black, silky hair flowed freely down her back, reaching beyond her waist, and looked even more stunning than when it was styled in her usual flower bun. Her red lips were striking and captivating, attracting his glance every time she spoke.


    Rinae''s mature and reliable presence could potentially ease Shouichi''s pain and sorrow.


    "Now it took me back¡­ I meant that bench where I found you." The enchanting teacher began to reminisce. Shouichi noticed her dark eyes grew dreamy.


    "Huh?"


    "That''s a long time ago¡­ You know that Seihei was my school too," Rinae explained and chuckled. "Hehe, maybe I never told anyone that."


    "On that very place, where my world shattered to millions of pieces. I never thought I''d see myself in you sitting on that bench." She turned to sit next to him.


    "What are the chances, haha?" Shouichi cracked up a little.


    "Right?! Maybe it''s fate." Rinae patted his hair again as the boy averted his gaze with a red face.


    "So¡­ What happened? If you don''t mind me asking, sensei." He asked out of curiosity.


    "Well¡­ Just adolescent drama. But when you are in the middle of it, it''s like falling into the pits with no escape." She described.


    "I know you understand what I mean, right? Shouichi-kun." Rinae told the boy as she sprung on her feet.


    "I suppose I do." The boy nodded in response.


    "Oh look, that''s quite late already... Should we go?" The teacher urged, offering her warm and soft hand, which the student wholeheartedly took.

 24 Life Goes On I

    The morning after the rain delivered a shiver to the core. Days went by and the dream-like traumatic event seemed to fade away. Shouichi believed that the fuzzy memories of those events were the way that his brain''s self-preserved mechanism to guard itself from destruction.


    "I''m lucky to have good friends and a loving mother supporting me." The boy encouraged himself as he grabbed the door handle.


    "I''m leaving, Yoko-san," Shouichi announced like he usually did.


    "Shou-kun! Don''t walk today, I''ll escort you." Yoko interrupted him.


    "It''s too cold to be walking to school." Yoko hurriedly tied her dark hair in a ponytail.


    "Right." Shouichi agreed with her.


    ***


    The car ride was smooth and cozy. Yoko made sure the heater was on, testing the warmth by placing her hand near the vent.


    "Do you still have club practice today, Shou-kun?" The mother asked while keeping her eyes on the road.


    "I think so, why?" He responded.


    "Well, the forecast said it''d rain again this afternoon." She shared.


    "Hmm, if that happens, I suppose we''ll do an indoor practice," Shouichi replied, hugging himself.


    "Make sure you don''t run around in the rain, alright?" She warned and extended her arm to playfully mess up his graphite black hair. "Also someone needs a cut."


    "I guess." He agreed. Shouichi had styled his hair differently since the bangs became too long. He parted them to each side creating a messy comma style.


    "But you look good regardless, fufufu." She complimented gleefully.


    "Mommm¡­" He let out a shameful groan.


    "Say, Shouichi-kun. What''s the weather like in Melbourne?"


    "Pretty chaotic to be honest, I like it here better." He explained with a smile.


    "Really?"


    "Yeah, like we sometimes get three weather in one day. Hahaha," He elaborated with a hand gesture.


    "Hahaha," She giggled and smiled sweetly.


    "We should go there someday together, Mom!" Shouichi suggested. "Come to think of it, you never left Kurohashi town, right?"


    "Correct!"


    "Crazy! Yoko-san promises me that we''ll travel together sometimes." Shouichi excitedly proposed, his eyes sparking like a starry night, "Where do you want to go first?"


    "Let me think¡­ I''d love to see the ocean someday, at least once in my life." Yoko replied eagerly.


    "It''s a promise!" Shouchi said as the two signed a contract by making the pinky promise.


    ***


    "Shouichi, Lady Ayane''s here, too?" Ito Toru, the captain of the rugby club turned to ask Shouichi. The boy was so absorbed in his strategy training by catching and passing the ball around in a group, he didn''t realise it.


    It was raining that afternoon, so the practice was held in the sheltered gym, where other clubs like soccer and baseball were also gathered.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I dunno¡­ Oh, there she is." Shouichi flatly answered, noticing the elegant girl sitting next to the club manager. The girl waved eagerly at him as the boy looked her way.


    "Shouichi! Catch!" Hinoda, the tall boy, shouted but it was too late. The ball hit his head causing him to sway.


    "Are you alright? I thought you were going to catch it. Sorry." The tall boy jogged up to him in a panic.


    "Ughhh¡­ I''ll live." Shouichi groaned and inspected himself, it appeared nothing was broken.


    "Wanna rest up a bit?" Cap'' Toru squeezed his shoulder firmly.


    "I guess so." Shouichi smiled. The new set of clubmates began to form a ring and pass the balls around.


    "Ayane-chan! Emi-chan!" Shouichi approached the two pretty girls. Emi automatically picked a bottle of water from the cooler and then handed it to him. "Here, senpai."


    "Thank you." He sipped it to quench his thirst right away.


    A sudden shoulder hug from his dazzling silver wolf, Shinji. "Heyyyy, Shouichi." He greeted.


    "Shinji, need one?" Shouichi asked and pointed at the cooler.


    Naturally, the manager handed it to Shinji, "Thank you, babe," Shinji replied, shooting his trademark smirk at her.


    "Senpai, it''s embarrassing," Emi whispered with a red face.


    "Okay, lovebirds." Shouichi teased them. He glanced at Ayane briefly and the girl returned a sweet smile.


    "By the way, Shouichi-kun we were talking about the hairstyle, you think how it would suit me if I tie them up like this?" Ayane questioned as she created the ponytail with her fingers, exposing her delicate neck.


    At that moment, Ayane was so beautiful, like a hypnotist, Shouichi was too stunned to describe it to her.


    Instead, Emi was quick to compliment her senior, "Woah, senpai. You look really pretty."


    Shouichi eventually snapped of it, "I guess, it suits you," He responded with a deep shade of red on his face.


    The girls exchanged a quick glance and giggled as though their tease were accomplished.


    "Ay! You girls playing trick or something!" Shouichi ranted aloud as though his voice could hide his blushed expression.


    ***


    "Morimura-san," The gloomy junior with long brown hair called out to the dark-haired senior. She was standing quite a bit further away from the group.


    Ayane turned, "Hi! Miku-chan." She casually greeted the girl, exchanging knowing glances before she turned to the group.


    "Right, guys. I gotta bounce." Ayane told the others. The girl then swung her bag to the side and followed Miku out.


    Overwhelming by curiosity, Emi lifted her hands to cover her mouth, "Who''s the girl?" She whispered to her boyfriend. "I dunno." Shinji brushed her off.


    After a few moments, Shouichi tapped on his broader shoulder, "Shinji, we should go, too." He urged.


    Springing to his feet, Shinji bidded Emi, "Right. Talk to you later, babe." He snuck a quick forehead kiss on her, causing Emi to become flustered.


    "Senpai!" She returned, lifting her hand playfully as if she were going to slap.


    The dazzling duo gleefully exited the gym shortly afterwards.


    ***


    Ayane and Miku walked side by side along a quiet, narrow street. The rain had subsided for a while, but small puddles still lingered here and there on the pavement.


    "Are you wearing the wire alright?" Ayane asked the gloomy junior. She was lightly adjusting a bow on her shirt. Ayane ran off a few metres and signalled the girl to test it out.


    "Hello!? Senpai!?" Miku repeated herself while attentively looking at her senior.


    "Yeah, I hear you." Ayane made a hand sign, she jogged back to the girl.


    "Are you ready?" Ayane tapped on the girl''s shoulder to provide some sort of reassurance.


    "Y~yes." Miku replied, anxious but determined.


    Miku and Ayane arrived at the abandoned warehouse out of nowhere, it''s the remnant of the failed industry bloom.


    "Sakurai-san said to meet them inside," Miku informed her, the girl was a bit hesitant to step in.


    Determination in her violet-purple eyes, Ayane reached out to rub her shoulder in consolation and replied, "Don''t worry, Miku-chan. Once we get the intel, I''ll call the police right away."


    "H~here I go." Miku approached the metal door, looking around with paranoia.


    Before she knocked, the coarse voice interjected abruptly. "What do you want!?" The man asked.


    "U~um¡­ I''m here to see Sakurai Hiroshi-san¡­" She replied, slight trembling in her voice.


    "Oh, you are his debtor?" The man probed further, his tone stern.


    "Yes¡­" Miku answered promptly, hiding her nervousness. The creaking sound of the metal door indicated that it had been unlocked. Ayane, who was secretly observing from the fence, saw Miku disappear into the building. Finally, she rechecked if the hidden mic was on and pressed "record".

 25 Life Goes On II: Warehouse

    Contrary to its exterior, the warehouse interior was unexpectedly clean and well-organised, with shelves and neatly stacked stockpiles lining the pathways. The doorkeeper, a towering brute, led her down a long corridor, each side lined with rows of doors. As Miku passed several rooms, she caught glimpses of unfamiliar broadcasting equipment, their purpose unknown to her.


    "Please wait in this one," The guardsman instructed, stopping before a white door identical to many others.


    "Where is Sakurai-san?" Miku asked him, worried.


    "Hehe, he''ll be here shortly." He chuckled as he exited and closed the door.


    As it turned out, the senior with brown hair and small amber eyes had been waiting inside the room. In his casual fit, the man had several piercings in his ears which he wasn''t wearing at school to maintain his student council appearance.


    Miku disconnected the wire and exchanged a knowing nod with him. Sakurai smiled deviously as everything seemed to work in his favour.


    "She''s outside¡­ M~My dept is clear, right?" Miku asked the president to confirm.


    ***


    "Heyyy, lady. Don''t you know that this is private property!?" 3 brutes appeared before Ayane and pushed her to the ground.


    The jet-black-haired girl reflexively attempted to resist but to no avail, she couldn''t break free. They were overpowering her.


    "Tsk!"


    "This girl is feisty, I like it." The short brute commented. The man reported on a small microphone, "Hey! Hiroshi, we got her."


    Ayane was tied with her hands behind her back. Three grunts escorted her toward a large office room located deep inside the abandoned building.


    The well-groom man was waiting for her in his office chair. Next to him, the small-eyed Sakurai Hiroshi kept smirking contently.


    "Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! What do we have here?" The boss let out an excited voice after clicking his tongue.


    "So this is your plan after all!?" Ayane asked, there was fiery rage in her eyes yet her face remained as deadpan as ever.


    "All thanks to Sakurai Hiroshi." The tall boss man said. "With this pretty face here, we''ll rack millions of cash." He continued to yap.


    "Thank you," Sakurai proudly accepted the compliment. The prez circled around the prey.


    "One problem though. I''d have to train her well, Jinzo-san," He caressed Ayane''s cheek softly as he licked his lips in anticipation.


    Ayane spat on his face. "On your dream, you jerk." She cursed.


    "Hahahaha" Jinzo burst out laughing which made Sakurai even more embarrassed.


    Slap!


    Sakurai slapped Ayane''s face with full force. The red bruise instantaneously appeared on her face.


    "Not the face, idiot." Jinzo scolded him with a loud and stern voice.


    "Sorry, Jinzo-san," Sarukai quickly apologised with a bow. "I guess, we can cover it with make-up or something." He grabbed her red cheek to examine.


    "Say¡­ You think you are so smart using Miku, hmm?" Sakurai turned to ask the captive.


    "..." Ayane remained silent, grinding her teeth from the pain. Her face distorted with hatred and repulsion.


    "I''ll let you know that she''ll never betray us." He explained with a smug, his fingers threading through her soft and silky hair. "Miku is our loyal errand girl!"


    "How naive of you, A-ya-ne-chan." He taunted.


    "I''ll treat you gently if play nice. What do you say?" Sakurai offered, and he sat down to her eye level, telling it to her face.


    Ayane spat on his face, this time the president performed a powerful swing right in her stomach, causing the girl to fall and roll on the ground in agony.


    "Persistent. Guess I''ll have to do a whole lot of lectures." The light brown-haired boy ridiculed her by stepping on her head.


    However, Ayane appeared unfazed.


    "Sakurai, make sure she can act. I want to stream this one within one week." Jinzo commanded the boy firmly.


    "Understood, Jinzo-san. You won''t be disappointed." He bowed gracefully.


    "Hahahaha." Ayane began to laugh louder and louder.


    "I think she''s broken already." One of the brutes commented.


    "How sloppy of you stupid criminals, Hahaha." The girl told them while laughing uncontrollably, her purple eyes pierced deeply into his soul.


    "Did you search her before bringing her in?" Sakurai anxiously turned to ask the brutes. They all looked at each other puzzledly.


    "You f**king idiots!" Sakurai quickly searched Ayane''s pockets. He ripped her uniform in panic, exposing her pristine skin and underwear.


    After a quick search, the president managed to find her phone.


    The screen was showing the connecting call with "Akiyama Suzuki".


    Abruptly, "ARRHH!" The loud commotion could be heard just outside of the office door followed by a loud bang.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    A few seconds later, the door swung open with full force, door pins knocked out of their hinges as two young boys barged in, having their fists up readily.


    "YOU!!! AOYAMA?! SEITO?!" Sakurai cried in shock as he reflexively took a step back.


    "Don''t stand there, idiots! Get them! Damn it!" Jinzo barked, ordering his lackeys to attack.


    The short brute tried to drop kick Shouichi but he quickly ducked and returned a low kick in the face, knocking him out cold immediately.


    Shinji swung his left hook and an uppercut sending the tall brute flying before slamming into the office table, the impact scattered all stationary and documents into the air. Jinzo, the tall man became pale as his guards couldn''t stop the attacking boys.


    The last brute, the fat one, grabbed Shouichi from behind trying to suffocate him.


    Unfortunately for the brutes, un-grabbing was the first few things Shouichi learned in Rugby.


    Shouichi masterfully rolled forward as the centrifugal force pushed the fat guy crashing head-first into the ground. Before he could react, Shouichi delivered a vertical chain-attack on the face with his fist.


    "STOP RIGHT THERE!" Sakurai managed to hold half-naked Ayane on the knife point.


    "You coward!" Ayane shouted.


    "Play nice or I''ll cut this bitch''s throat." He threatened and circled around the hesitant duo.


    "Sakurai, there''s nowhere to run, don''t make it worse for yourself." Shouichi bargained with his hands up.


    "F**k it!" As the president circled close to the door, he pushed the girl toward Shouichi and sprinted out as fast as he could.


    "Ayane-chan, are you alright?" Shouichi instinctively caught Ayane as she stumbled. His eyes quickly scanned her face and body for any signs of injury.


    The tears in her clothes revealed patches of bare skin and the white fabric of her bra. Gently, he touched the red mark on her cheek with concern.


    "Ouchhh¡­ My cheek hurts, what took you guys so long¡­" The girl whined, forcing a smile on her face.


    "Sorry, we should''ve come sooner but there were more guards than expected." Shouichi quickly removed his jacket for Ayane, and the girl eagerly put it on.


    "Hey! I yield!" Jinzo put up both hands as a sign of surrender as Shinji cornered him.


    "Take this, you damn criminal!" Shinji knocked the boss out cold by slamming Jinzo''s head on the table.


    "FREEZE! THIS IS POLICE!" The female''s shouting resonated.


    The female police officer arrived at the office room. Once she ensured that the threat had been neutralised, she lowered her gun. The concerned police rushed toward Ayane and Shouichi.


    "I told you to withdraw from the case! Why didn''t you listen to me?" Suzuki began to give them an earful.


    "It''s my fault, Officer Akiyama." Shouichi bowed his head apologetically. The officer bared her teeth with frustration and disappointment before turning to track the status of the backup.


    "Officer Nagoya, what''s the ETA? Over." Suzuki talked via her radio. "About 3 mins, over," The man''s voice replied promptly.


    Suzuki swept her eyes for potential threats in the room once again. After she was certain that the threats were eliminated, she embraced both Ayane and Shouichi firmly.


    "I''m sorry, Suzuki-san," Ayane responded with guilt, returning the hug.


    "I''m really worried about you guys," Suzuki said warmly. "Damn, she''s smell nice¡­ And felt nice." Shouichi couldn''t help but notice that the officer''s mature breasts were brushing against him.


    ***


    In less than 10 minutes, the full police squad was buzzing around the abandoned warehouse to apprehend the culprits and rescue the victims. The high school trio and Officer Suzuki were sitting in a parked police car.


    "We found 3 high schoolers in the compound, of which two were in bad shape. I''ll send all three to medical checkup ASAP." Officer Nagoya shared his findings with Suzuki through a car window.


    "Make sure you get these 3 trouble-makers home safely." He commanded while glancing at the trio briefly before leaving.


    "Ayane-chan, you need to go to hospital too." Suzuki turned to the girl who was sitting in the backseat with her supposed boyfriend, Shouichi. Somehow Suzuki still assumed they were dating.


    "Man¡­ how come we are trouble-makers and not heroes?" Shinji complained. The tall guy was sitting in the front passenger seat.


    "Sigh... There''s no hero in real life, only dead or alive, you all hear?" She lectured in a tough voice.


    "Yes, Ma''am." The three replied in unison, woefully.


    "Akiyama-san, did you manage to catch Prez Sakurai Hiroshi?" Shouichi asked with a concerned expression.


    "Not that I know of. We are still trying to apprehend the guy but he couldn''t have gone far." Suzuki replied nonchalantly.


    "Shouichi-kun. Can you stay with me at the hospital?" Ayane whispered in his ear and leaned her head on him. The girl wrapped herself cozily in Shouichi''s jacket, the one that he gave her earlier.


    "Of course, I''ll come with you," Shouichi reassured her firmly as he wrapped his hand around her.

 26 Flight

    The elegant female officer dropped Morimura Ayane and Seito Shouichi in front of the hospital before proceeding to escort Aoyama Shinji home. The whole process from checking in to receiving the medication was relatively fast and smooth. Oddly enough, there were so few patients in the hospital during this time.


    The boy in a white school shirt and black trousers was waiting anxiously, sitting on one of the seats in a row. He couldn''t stop tapping his feet on the floor. His brown eyes appeared to be staring blankly into nothing.


    Ayane''s voice came beside him, "Missing me much?" The jet-black-haired girl sat down.


    "Huh? Nothing like that." He replied.


    "Come on! Why don''t you indulge an injured girl a bit more?" Ayane started to rant.


    "You seem fine, though." Shouichi neglected her petulant request. The elegant tall and slender girl was layered a uniform jacket on top.


    "Shou~!" Shouichi interrupted before she could say, "I''m glad you are okay¡­ Let''s not do anything rash like that again."


    "I know¡­" Ayane extended her delicate hand and placed it on his trembling legs.


    "Huh?" The trembling stopped as it felt her warmth.


    "It''s over, now." Ayane smiled brightly at the boy as smiling became contagious, it reached his face too.


    "So what did the doctor say?" He turned to ask. The duo exchanged a quick glance, her violet-purple eyes were charming like the midnight sky.


    "Nothing, much. I''m fine, really." Ayane replied nonchalantly.


    "The prez had one of those weak punches. Hahaha," The girl had a peculiar sense of humour.


    "Hahaha, that''s lucky." Shouichi chuckled softly at her odd joke.


    "I hope that lil'' brat gets caught soon," Ayane swore. It seemed like she had a special hatred toward that guy.


    That''s quite understandable considering how he tried to sexually assault and stream it in one of those dark webs.


    "I''m grateful for you and Shinji. It would''ve turned into a complete mess." She confided with him, hugging herself.


    "Yeah¡­ Good thing, you realise that Miku-chan could be the bail." Shouichi commented.


    "I know, still that''s why I hate people. They are disgusting! They are ready to exploit you any chance they get."


    "Come on, there are both good people and bad people." He tried to cheer her up.


    "I would never believe any of them¡­" Ayane swore with a slight anger in her voice. "Except for you" Her voice softened almost like a whisper.


    "I''d say for Miku''s case, she was beyond desperate. Like drowning people, they are willing to pull everyone down along with them." Shouichi said, lifting up his finger nerdily.


    "Hmpt! Don''t make me laugh." Ayane held back her laughter with both hands.


    "Buddy, you are not him." She sneered, playful in her tone.


    "Ay! At least it''s not corny like Shinji." Shouichi defended, yet he was ashamed.


    "But yours is super edgy. Yet, I still like it." Ayane replied, tapping on his shoulder lightly. As the conversation went on, the mood began to lighten up. It wouldn''t be long before Yoko picked them up from the hospital.


    ***


    Once they got home, Shouichi could hardly believe his mother had been complaining for a solid hour about his reckless crusade.


    "What would I do if anything happened to you?!" The long-haired lady scolded him loudly as he sat down timidly on the sofa, facing her judgement.


    "Umm.."


    "And don''t get me started on using Ayane as bait!" She continued, pausing to catch her breath, "This is outrageous!"


    "It''s¡­" Shouichi couldn''t seem to open his mouth fast enough to answer.


    "It''s Ayane who volunteered to be a bait, and it wouldn''t work otherwise," He answered in his mind.


    "She is hurt, right?" Yoko asked. He noticed the furious stare from his angry mother.


    Keeping his face downcast, "Yes¡­" He humiliatedly accepted the truth.


    "You were supposed to protect her! Ain''t you a man?" Yoko screamed at him. Her cinnamon-brown eyes glistened in fiery anger.


    Shouichi stood up and bowed as low as possible, "I apologised deeply, Yoko-san."


    Suddenly, Yoko muttered, "Silly kid." Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Despite her fury, there was warmth in her gesture, indicating how much she cared for him and his friends.


    "Don''t ever do this stupid thing again, you hear me?" Yoko spoke, her voice softened.


    The boy returned to embrace her gently. "Understood, Mom. I promise¡­" He replied.


    "W~what would I do without you?" Her voice quivered with sobs, hinting at her deep concern and despair. "You''re the only one I have left."


    "I know..." Shouichi was able to comprehend the gravity of his recent actions. The image of Yoko''s tearful face would emblem into his skull for eternity. It would act as a reminder for Shouichi to think twice before doing something radical or stupid.


    ***


    The troubled boy had been running non-stop since he left Jinzo''s abandoned building. Sakurai Hiroshi, stopped briefly to catch his breath in a dark alleyway.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The anxiety and fear prevented him from idling for long, "I have to flee, but where do I go?"


    After the ambush by the stupid trio, everything he worked hard for, had been crashing down. "My lust empire is in shambles!" He thought in melancholy.


    "Shit! I need to do something." The sudden revelation struck him. Sakurai remembered Jinzo''s words about the procedure for the worst-case scenarios. "Keep your mouth shut and destroy all evidence, the syndicate will take care of the rest."


    In the late evening, Sakurai Hiroshi reached the school by foot. There was not a single soul to be seen causing the atmosphere to be eerie and quiet. A stark contrast from the cheerful air during the daytime, brimming with cheerful students.


    Fortunately, as the president of the student council, he had copied all the keys to access the main buildings.


    He slowly walked through a long and dark corridor, beelining toward his room, his step softened to minimise the noises, and soon he reached the door of the president''s office.


    "I''ll have to make sure, nothing led to me. The trio''s words might carry some weight but they can''t catch me without concrete evidence. After all, I''m still a teenager, laws can''t be too harsh on me. I''m sure that the syndicate will be able to take care of me." The brown-haired boy thought while letting out a malicious smile.


    Sakurai Hiroshi decided to hide in the room overnight to gather his thoughts and plan for his next move. It was not as if he could go anywhere else, he was too exhausted to walk.


    In the dimly lit president''s office, the boy searched urgently for a hidden burner phone ¡ª a direct line to the syndicate for emergency instructions. It was clear that Jinzo''s group was merely a small branch of a far larger organisation. The roots of their operation ran deep, with key figures, lobbyists, and politicians among their backers.


    "Found it!" The small-eyed boy grinned as he began to tap the message into a burner phone.


    ***


    The rainy period before the summer was in full swing, and the next morning arrived with a steady downpour. Despite the rain, the school opened to business as usual, and by 8 o''clock, the excited students had already filled the school buildings, their chatters and laughers chirping in the background.


    "Ayane and Momo are missing today?" The silver wolf, Shinji, asked, tapping on his seat neighbour for attention.


    "Yeah, Ayane said she needa rest a bit, but Momo-chan, I have no idea," Shouichi replied, her message from this morning floating up in his mind. "Sorry, Shouichi-kun. My stomach isn''t feeling very well."


    "Woah, is Ayane okay?"


    "Yeah, I think I''ll pay her a visit after class."


    "Right, I wanna go too." Shinji agreed with a nod.


    "That''s settled then," Shouichi concluded with a smile.


    "I guess, I''ll message my business partner for a bit," Shinji turned to attentively tap his phone to send a message to Momo and a few minutes later her reply arrived with a ping.


    "Huh?" Shouichi glanced at his tall friend from the sound of his buzzing phone.


    "It''s Momo. She said she''s caught the flu today~ apparently not, she''s actually too busy with her shops..." Shinji replied, prideful in his tone.


    Playing along with a joke, Shouji asked, closing one eye, "Oh, that''s the common flu, right? Pretty normal during the season change."


    "Yeah, she seems to be doing okay," Shinji nodded, shoving his phone back into his trouser pocket.


    "That''s a relief, then," Shouichi commented.


    "Ding!" Shouichi''s phone began to buzz. And naturally, he took it out of his pocket and checked.


    "Eh?" Shouichi almost choked at his own saliva, looking at the content on his screen.


    Ayane had sent him a photo of her tummy. A deep purple bruise, about the size of a fist, marred her smooth skin. Unintentionally, Shouichi also noticed that she was wearing black, lacy lingerie. Her pristine waistline and the teasing hint of her cleavage were undeniably tempting.


    "What''chu looking at?" Shinji pried curiously, pointing at Shouichi''s phone.


    "Nothing!" Shouichi shut off his screen as fast as lightning. Shinji can''t see this! he thought frantically.


    The silver-haired boy grabbed his shoulder playfully. "I thought you were watching porn or something," He murmured, glancing at him with knowing eyes.


    "I''m not!"


    "By the way¡­ do you have porn in Australia?" Shinji asked, rubbing his chin. It was his strange way of starting a new topic.


    "What are you even talking about? Of course, they do. It''s all over the internet," Shouichi replied, his face heating up in embarrassment.


    "Ho ho ho¡­" His friend stared at him mischievously.


    "What?" Shouichi blurted out, frowning.


    "I know a place... A physical store. Fufufu." Shinji raised his index finger dramatically.


    "...G~Good?" Shouichi stammered, glancing around nervously.


    "The best! Way better than the online stuff," Shinji exaggerated, making a chef''s-kiss gesture.


    Despite himself, Shouichi studied Shinji''s face, trying to gauge if he was serious. When Shinji remained deadpan, he grinned wickedly.


    "Let''s go right now!" Shouichi declared with mock seriousness.


    "Hahahahahaha, slow down, cowboy." Shinji burst out laughing, and Shouichi quickly joined in.

 27-30 Highschool Slasher (1-4)

    27 Highschool Slasher 1


    "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!"


    The sudden high-pitched scream erupted from the female students near the window as though something horrible happened outside.


    "What the fu¡­" The male students gasped in shock, taken aback after peeking out of the windows.


    With curiosity, Shinji and Shouichi curiously approached the windows.


    "What''s that?!" Shouichi exclaimed, his eyes widening as he saw the security guard lying in a pool of blood. The rain amplified the horror, making the crimson pool spread more vividly across the ground.


    Not one but three men in raincoats strode toward the main building, the building he was currently in. Each step they took deliberate and menacing.


    "I~I saw those three men suddenly slit the guard''s throat¡­" The terrified classmate turned to tell her friend, voice trembling with fear.


    "What do we do!? Are they heading this way!?" The thunderous gasping and wailing filled the entire classroom, tension and dread hung heavily in the air. It was almost suffocating.


    "Shit!" Shouichi cursed under his breath, baring his teeth, as he quickly raced to tap on his phone, fingers trembling.


    Calling Akiyama Suzuki, after a minute that felt like an eternity, she didn''t pick up. Instead, Shouichi quickly snapped a photo of the dying security guard and sent the message to her. He could only hope if she read the message and came to rescue in time.


    "They are entering the building now! I''m scared!" One of the female classmates murmured, her voice terrified. Like wildfire, fear soon spread to every student, loud shriek and muffled chatters reverberated throughout the room.


    Exchanging the knowing glance at one another, "Misaki!" "Emi!" Shouichi and Shinji instinctively called out the names of their close juniors. They realised that the two juniors could potentially be in grave danger as their class was located on the first floor.


    ***


    The three drenched rough-looking brutes entered through the gate. Their heavy boots thudded and echoed through the long hallway. The largest one pulled out a sharp knife from his brown trench coat. Their murderous glares swept through the school hallway, seeking for targets. Soon, the massacre began as they lunged cold knives at anyone they had seen. Some students froze in fear, some managed to break out and run. Death came knocking, nonetheless. The splatter of blood painted the walls and floors into crimson canvas. Four students were lying on the linoleum ground, badly injured in a matter of three minutes.


    "WHERE THE F*CK IS SAKURAI?!" The big brute shouted in pure rage, his voice echoing like a thunderclap. It was as if he were driven by some demonic force, his eyes blazing with fury. His mouth frothed, resembling those of rabid dogs.


    "WE''LL SEARCH THE SECOND FLOOR!" The scarred brute and the muscular brute spoke to the large one loudly, exchanging a nod before climbing the stairs. Their hands were dripping in crimson liquid.


    "EEEEK!" A misfortune female student shrieked in terror as she saw the bloody men walking up toward her. She was trembling in fear as her gaze met their murderous eyes, her small body froze like a scared rabbit. Before she could run, she felt a piercing pain in her back followed by the warm liquid spurting out.


    "HAHAHAAHAAHAHAHA" The scarred brute laughed maniacally as he stabbed the fleeing girl in the back. The girl instantly fell on face first between the steps, liquid oozing out of her wound, straining her otherwise white school shirt.


    "KILL! KILL! KILL!" The muscular one kept chanting, his voice raw and rasp. The madness continued, and they didn''t plan to stop until they reached their goal, Sakurai Hiroshi.


    ***


    The petrified students on the first floor huddled inside the classroom, hastily piling tables and chairs against the door in a desperate attempt to block the intruders. The stomping footsteps and frantic screams echoed from the corridor, sending waves of terror through the room. The girls were crying uncontrollably, while some boys grabbed brooms and cleaning supplies, preparing them as weapons of self-defence.


    The tall girl, Emi was hugging Misaki tightly as they both were deeply horrified by the outside noises.


    "What do~do we do!?" Misaki turned to ask her tall friend, keeping her trembling voice down.


    "It''ll pass soon, let''s keep our heads down." Emi pretended to be tough but in reality, she was scared for her life. Her fingers couldn''t stop shaking.


    With a sudden loud bang on the sliding door, a hulking brute peeked through the gap, his bloodshot eyes gleaming with malice. His bloodied face twisted into a wide, unsettling grin. High-pitched screams of terror filled the room as the intruder began to tear through the barricade of tables and chairs with ease. While some brave students engaged in a desperate tug of war with the brute, others stood their ground, bracing themselves for a possible fight. On the other hand, the girls huddled together in the far corner, trembling in life-threatening fear.


    Bang!


    The flying table crashed into the intruder''s body from the side causing the large man to sway but he quickly reclaimed his balance and feet rooted the ground.


    The large man reflexively turned to the source, the one hurling a table at him. "F*CK YOU! F*CKIN'' BRAT!" He screamed and his hoarse voice cracked, seeing a silver-haired boy standing 5 metres apart with a taunting expression on his face.


    As the brute directed his attention toward Shinji, but suddenly he noticed another hazy figure in the corner of his eyes.


    "Huh?" It was too late, the black-haired boy launched himself in the air and dropped a kick at him, two feet plunged into the face with full momentum. A loud meaty thud echoed thought the hall. The impact sent the large brute slamming onto the wall of stacked tables.


    "F*CK!" The murderer muttered, yet his endurance knew no limit as he entered the stage of pure adrenaline. Frantically, the brute sprung to his feet, gripping his knife tightly, and shuffling it around in an attacking pose.


    "Shouichi!" Shinji bellowed as he dashed in and performed a high kick, sweeping his long leg like a whip. However, the blow met with air as the brute man ducked masterfully. Without a second to waste, the brute returned the consecutive elbow swing right on Shinji''s cheek. The hit connected, the tall boy flew off, forcefully crashing into the wall on the side.


    "Damn it!" Shouichi shouted, his eyes widening in shock at the sight of his friend''s bloodied head. The once silver hair was now soaked in dark crimson. Shinji was no longer moving, his arms and legs flopped to the sides. Shouichi braced himself, raising his guard as the brute turned and flashed a sinister smile in his direction.


    "YOUR TURN TO DIE! HEROIC BRAT!"


    The large man rampaged and swung his knife chaotically, but Shouichi managed to dodge and guard his endless swings with his hands.


    The boy recalled the practice he had with Ayane and Shinji at the dojo.


    Applying the lessons, Shouichi first predicted the trajectory of the blade, and then he either decided to block it or fade away. It had become clear to him that the short knife was much easier to read as the effective length was relatively shorter than a katana.


    However, each consecutive blow that he blocked caused his guards to become weaker and weaker over time. At the same time, each dodge depleted his stamina little by little.


    "At this rate, my body will give out before the attacker." Shouichi thought as he performed a long backstep. Realising his breathing heavy and ragged, his heart pounding like thunders, he examined his attacker. The brute was contradictory to his exhausted condition as the monstrous beast appeared to be in a relentless frenzy.


    "TIRED ALREADY?!" He mocked, lips creasing into a wide smile.


    "Tsk! This killer is not a normal human at all, he must be on drugs or something." Shouichi''s mind raced, his brown eyes darted to Shinji, still unconscious from the recent blow.


    "Oh?!" The brute gasped in mock surprise as he traced Shouichi''s line of sight. The man positioned in-between Shouichi and knocked-out Shinji.


    Abruptly, the brute turned his back and directed his body, legging swinging forward.


    "SHINJI!!!" Shouichi shouted with panic and rushed toward them. Shinji''s eyes fluttered open, still dazed and confused. As the monster drew close, knife in hands as he lunged forward, Shinji''s purple eyes widened in shock and his hands raised up reflexively.


    Stab!


    28 Highschool Slasher 2


    It was a trick, after all. The sly brute made an abrupt spin on his heel, turning to lung his knife at Shouichi''s stomach.


    "Shouichi-senpai!" The wailing scream from his two juniors, Emi and Misaki, their horrified eyes widened, fixating on him.


    Unexpectedly, Shouichi smirked deviously. "Hahaha," He chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. In one swift motion, he seized the brute''s arm and hurled him to the ground. The man''s large frame slammed headfirst onto the hard surface, the air knocked from his lungs.


    With precise, unrelenting force, Shouichi drove a vertical punch straight into the brute''s face. The impact warped the man''s features, his skin and bone momentarily moulding to the shape of Shouichi''s fist before snapping back with a sickening jolt.


    Meanwhile, Shinji struggled to get up on his feet, but his legs gave out and he fell back onto the floor.


    Shouichi approached and sat down next to his friend as they both caught their breath. Miraculously, Shouichi''s stomach appeared to be intact, unwounded.


    "Good thing I put some books on," Shouichi revealed, his speech shallow. He then pulled out the damaged books ¡ª the hidden protection he had tucked inside his waist and jacket sleeves. With no further use for the ragged books, he tossed them to the ground.


    Emi and Misaki rushed toward the dazzling duos, crouching close. "Senpai!" They gasped, their expression filled with worries, tears streaming down their cheeks.


    "It''s alright, girls. We''ll be fine." Shinji said as he extended his fist and bummed with Shouichi''s. The tall boy put on his tough facade and his usual smugness as ever, something only a cool guy like Shinji managed to pull off with ease.


    Running his fingers through his busted head, "Dang it, that bastard really knocked me out cold for a while." Shinji cursed while glaring at the man lying motionless on the floor.


    When they thought that was the end of it. The shrieking scream echoed through the hallway from the upper floor followed by the shuffling noises as the second-year students hastily stumbled down the stairs. Shouichi could see the pure terror in their pale faces.


    "Misaki, Emi, you two. Get out of here right now!" Shouichi quickly commanded the girls. "Go!" He shouted sternly. They nodded obediently and ran off to the exit.


    "Guess¡­ It''s time for round two¡­" Shinji raised up on his feet, his eyes glancing forward with determination.


    "Hahaha, let''s end this!" Shouichi uttered confidently, standing next to him. The duo exchanged a knowing glance, it was ride together or die for them!


    ***


    A few moments earlier, the fat teacher rushed into the faculty room in full panic, hands swinging erratically. The room was located in the old building just behind the main building.


    "There''s a mass~mass~mass~mass¡­" He stuttered hysterically.


    "Osamu-sensei, take a deep breath. What happened?" Takeshi-sensei asked with a frowned face, rubbing the distressed teacher''s shoulders to calm him down. The other teachers directed attention toward the fat man, straining their ears to listen to what he had to say.


    "There is a knife attack happening in the main building right now!" He eventually got the words out, crystal clear this time.


    Rinae-sensei anxiously sprung up to her feet, "Are you sure?!" She asked in disbelief as she walked toward to door.


    "Don''t go out, let~let~let~let¡­ Let''s call the police!" Osamu-sensei told her, using his massive belly to block the door.


    "If that''s really happening, I need to see it. Please get out of the way." Rinae-sensei hurriedly said as she pushed the fat teacher away and exited through the door.


    ***


    "Are you guys crazy?! Get out of here right now!" The elegant math teacher, Rinae-sensei, screamed at the duo. Further behind, the school nurse, Nakamura Maria, was tending to the injured. It seemed they were trying to save as many students as possible, unfazed by the terror ahead of them.


    "Sorry, Rinae-sensei." Shinji shouted, glancing at his friend. Shouichi returned a nod in anticipation. With that, the duo sprinted upstairs, not listening to a single command from the teacher.


    On the second floor, the aftermath of the slaughter was a horrible sight resembling those scenes in slasher movies. Blood and bodies were scattered on the ground, nothing but crimson red.


    Two brutes strutted out of the president''s room, both drenched in dark red liquid. They had achieved what they were sent to do.


    "Crap! We are too late." Shouichi told the silver-haired friend.


    According to the syndicate, they deemed that Sakurai Hiroshi was more of a liability and evidence that needed to be eliminated. The brutal attack on the school was the means to silence him for good. Hiroshi''s emergency message was simply a beacon for the reaper to come reaping, an invitation to his gruesome death.


    "Sup!" Shinji taunted the perpetrators with his smirk, his tone playful and unwavering.


    "Should we run?" Shouichi asked, hesitant.


    "For them to stab us in the back? Didn''t think so," Shinji remarked sarcastically. The enemies exchanged incredulous glances, how foolish of those brainless brats, they thought.


    "Let''s go!" The duo stepped in with their fists up. Bracing for the battle to come, the evil men bared their teeth in anger and gripped their weapons tight.


    Those two appeared to be relatively weaker than the large one they fought earlier, Shouichi managed to fall the scarred face with just a few hooks. While Shinji performed a stepped kick on the muscular brute sending him up in the air, only to collapse into the hard floor. A loud thud reverberated as his body slammed, limps flopping lifelessly.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "Haha, nice kicks. You learnt that from somewhere?" Shouichi spoke while his fingers brushed gently on his blood-dripping knuckles. They were busted from the impact earlier.


    "Anime, of course. Hahaha," Shinji chuckled.


    Soon, the muscular figure lay spasming violently on the ground, his body shaking uncontrollably as froth spilled from his mouth. Something bizarre in his motions, almost demonic.


    "Eh? Is he dying?" Shouichi puzzledly turned to ask his friend.


    "I dunno¡­" Shinji responded and frowned.


    The brute sat up and stared at them eerily. There was something different in his eyes this time. The hollow gaze sent a shiver down Shouichi''s spine. An unsettling familiarity gripped him ¡ª it was unmistakably the same stare as the injured man from the truck accident more than three months ago.


    "Shinji¡­ be careful¡­ I think something is off about him." Shouichi warned his friend, raising his arms to the sides.


    "AWAWAHWWAHWWAW!" The growling sound escaped his mouth. The brute went completely psychotic, limps twisting and vibrating in awkward motions as if he forgot how to get up.


    Eventually, the madman managed to scramble up on his feet, and, without a warning, he lunged toward the duo at full speed.


    "YAH!" Shinji swung his high kick aiming at the head. The powerful sweep connected to his neck, but somehow the brute caught Shinji''s foot between his neck and shoulder, pinching Shinji in place. Shinji''s body froze in bewilderment.


    29 Highschool Slasher 3


    "How the freak could he manage to do that!? His neck should be broken right now." Shouichi blurted, judging from the powerful impact.


    The raging brute seized Shinji''s foot with both hands and flung him aside. Shinji was sent airborne before crashing onto the floor, tumbling several times upon impact.


    "My god¡­" Shouichi muttered, flabbergasted by the strength the muscular man had now. As if the brute unlocked the limiters in his body, there was nothing that could stop him. Not even the pain.


    The mad brute sprinted toward Shouichi next, he tried to chaotically grab Shouichi. But the boy was quick and elusive.


    "The opening!" Shouichi swung his left hook, knuckles ripped through the air and landed square in the face.


    "HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" The brute chuckled with a bloody smile. As it turned out, the powerful punch had no significant effect on him at all.


    The man diabolically outstretched his claws and grabbed Shouichi by the neck.


    "DIE! DIE! DIE!" He chanted repeatedly, his tone as cold as ice. Using his weight, he pinned Shouichi to the ground, his hands tightening around the boy''s throat. Straddling him, he squeezed harder, choking the life out of him. Shouichi''s body jerked and twitched in agony, his face slowly turning purple.


    "..." Shouichi couldn''t make a sound ¡ª only strained, gurgling noises. His vision blurred, and his mind began to drift¡­


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The thundering boom of three gunshots rang out, startling Shouichi. Soon the death grip on his throat loosened. Gasping for air, he quickly pried the man''s hands away, choking and coughing in agony. Shouichi was desperately scrambling backward, his brown eyes widened as he saw the brute sprawled face-down on the ground, with crimson liquid pooling from the holes in the back of his head.


    "Seito-kun!" The female police officer lowered her weapon and strode towards the boy. "Are you alright?" Suzuki asked, gripping his shoulder firmly, her tone softening.


    "I''m~I''m good," Shouichi replied quickly, though his words were punctuated by coughing. His throat burned with sharp pain.


    "You little rascal~!" Suzuki started, only to suddenly pause, her sharp gaze sweeping the corridor for any lingering threats. Once she was sure they were safe, she stepped in and pulled him into a tight embrace. "You always make me worry like crazy."


    It felt a little strange to Shouichi that she''d hug him in a situation like this, but he was just grateful she''d arrived in time to save his dying arse.


    "Didn''t you get my message?" She asked.


    "Oh, I must''ve missed it somehow~Cough! Cough!"


    "Please stop trying to play the hero, Seito-kun."


    "Thank you for saving me, Akiyama-san," Shouichi murmured, pulling her slender frame closer. Despite the lingering sweat and tension, Suzuki''s scent, citrusy with a hint of jasmine, washed over him, bringing an unexpected sense of calm and relief.


    In the background, the black-haired boy cheerfully waved at Shinji, who was being treated by Rinae-sensei. Despite suffering multiple blunt-force injuries, his handsome friend still managed to flash a bright smile.


    ***


    Within five minutes, the school was engulfed in a chaotic frenzy as a swarm of police officers, medical staff, and media personnel arrived. The scene quickly descended into a complete mess, with flashing cameras, urgent voices, and hurried movements.


    The black-haired boy was standing by the side of the Suzuki''s police sedan. The medical aid was prioritised from the most critical injuries to the least one. As a result, his polehead friend was carried by the stretcher and sent to the hospital by ambulance earlier.


    Shouichi was told to wait for Officer Akiyama as she volunteered to bring him to the hospital to lessen the load of the medical staff. However, it appeared to be quite a long wait because the officer was busy with the crime scene.


    Shouichi had been trying to stay tough all this time but internally he was extremely terrified. His fingers couldn''t stop trembling as the after-effect of the adrenaline. His entire arms, hands, and throat ached all over but he maintained his stoic demeanour.


    "He is just there¡­" Officer Akiyama was talking to the teacher siren, Kobayashi Rinae. The cap lady seemed to point in his direction and then Rinae-sensei beelined, stomping her feet.


    "Crap! I almost forgot that Shinji and I disobeyed her orders previously." Shouichi thought, bracing himself for a long and hard reprimand from the sexy teacher.


    "I''m so glad you are okay." The teacher said as she wrapped her long arms around the boy into a boob embrace. It wasn''t something he was expecting at all.


    Although the hugging felt good, Shouichi was suffocated with her big assets. It''s the 2nd time someone tried to kill him this way, he thought.


    "Got anything to say for yourself, young man?" Officer Akiyama who followed behind, nagged him with her stern but somewhat cute tone. Meanwhile, Rinae-sensei let go of him. Her dark eyes glittered with tears of relief.


    "Sorry, ma''am," Shouichi said to Akiyama, his voice faltering. Then he turned to the teacher, "I''m so sorry, sensei." He apologised, bowing his head as low as possible. It was a gesture of sincere apology.


    "Sigh... I just don''t know what to do with you," Officer Akiyama said, her voice tinged with both frustration and disappointment as she looked at Shouichi. Despite her stern expression, clearly, she cared for the boy.


    "My! Is that blood on your left hand?" Rinae-sensei exclaimed in shock as she caught sight of his injured knuckles. It was the result of the powerful vertical blow he''d landed on the brute. She reached out, intending to examine it.


    Shouichi quickly hid his hands behind his back, feigning innocence. "Yeah¡­ but it''s fine."


    "I''ll be taking this troublemaker into custody now, so don''t worry about it, Kobayashi-sensei," Officer Akiyama joked out of nowhere.


    Shouichi turned to her, dumbfounded. "Eh? Am I going to jail?"


    "Hahaha, just kidding. I''m taking you to the hospital, kiddo." Suzuki grinned, grabbing his shoulders and giving them a reassuring squeeze.


    After bidding farewell to the concerned teacher, Shouichi and Akiyama Suzuki got into the police car and drove off.


    "S~Su¡­ I mean, Akiyama-san," Shouichi stammered, almost calling her by her first name. He suddenly noticed his heart pounding and his legs trembling slightly.


    "Yeah?"


    "I was curious about the whole case¡­ Were they part of a human trafficking syndicate?"


    "They were," She replied nonchalantly, keeping her eyes forward.


    "Was it because of the prez~uh, I mean Sakurai Hiroshi? Were they trying to take him out?"


    "Very likely, but we won''t be able to get anything useful out of Jinzo or his gang. Their lips are sealed tight."


    "...What a letdown."


    "Hey, Seito-kun. I''ve noticed you''re still in mild shock." Suzuki reached over, gently resting a hand on his trembling thigh. "I just want you to know, you''re safe with me, got it?"


    Her warm smile exuded a sense of security, and Shouichi found himself fixating on the way her canine tooth glinted whenever she spoke. It was¡­ oddly cute.


    "Thank you, officer. It''s just a shame that every time we meet, it''s always, um, let''s just call it ill-timed," Shouichi remarked, keeping their conversation going as if he didn''t want it to end.


    Glancing at the boy, Suzuki''s lips tucked into a sly smile, "Well, if you want it to be a good time, maybe ask me out on a date?" Suzuki teased with a wink.


    "Huh?"


    "But you wouldn''t do that, right? Fufufu~" She chuckled, cupping her mouth.


    "Yes¡­ I mean, no¡­ I dunno." Shouichi stammered, completely caught off guard.


    "Haha! I''m just messing with you. There''s no way we''d go on a date," She giggled and waved dismissively. "By the way, is your girlfriend alright? I heard she stayed home today."


    "Uh? I don''t have a girlfriend..." Shouichi replied flatly. Then, it clicked. "Wait~oh! I forgot about Ayane."


    Suzuki raised an eyebrow, shuffling closer, "Oh? You two broke up?" She probed.


    "No¡­ sigh... I''m sorry, but Ayane''s been tricking you," Shouichi admitted.


    "Hahaha!" Suzuki let out a cute laugh, "Ayane-chan can be a bit silly sometimes," She remarked, exchanging a brief glance with him.


    ***


    In the hospital hallway.


    Shouichi strode forward, feet clapping against the grey vinyl floor. His eyes swept through the rows of doors along the corridor. Eventually, "Aoyama Shinji" was inscribed on the nameplate outside a patient''s room. The intricate design of the door itself exuded the air of an exclusive VVIP suite, reserved for the most important and prestigious clients.


    As Shouichi approached, he heard a faint chuckle of a female inside. Without much thought, he knocked softly on the door a few times.


    "Coming!" A muffled voice seeped through, familiarity in the tone, yet Shouichi couldn''t recognise.


    A few seconds later, the door creaked and swung open. His ex-girlfriend, Ishikawa Misaki, peeked out. Her twin tails cascading down elegantly.


    Her smile faltered, replaced by an awkward expression. "...Hi, Shouichi-senpai." She greeted, her expression darkened as the awkwardness filled the atmosphere around them.


    "Oh¡­ You''re here..." Shouichi murmured, his words trailing off.


    30 Highschool Slasher 4


    "Sorry, senpai. Would you like to come in?" Misaki said, forcing a smile on her face and opening the door fully, revealing Ito Emi and Aoyama Shinji in the background. That was quite a relief, Shouichi thought.


    "Right. Thanks." He replied, stepping inside.


    "Shouichi! My man!" Shinji waved his head energetically, lying in a large hospital bed in a spacious suite adorned with all the convenience appliances. Shouichi noticed his head was wrapped in gauze.


    "Seem like you are doing well, Shinji." Shouichi remarked as he approached the bed and waved at Emi at the bedside. Misaki followed him closely behind.


    It had been a few days since the tragic incident but all of them appeared to have recovered mentally and physically, "Thank goodness," Shouichi thought.


    "Of course. I''m surrounded by sweet and beautiful ladies. Hehehe." Shinji jested, rubbing his nose as the mood lightened.


    "Hahaha, a nice suite you got here. Shinji." Shouichi asked, sweeping his eyes around.


    "It''s my private room¡­ My old man owns this place anyway." Shinji muttered, waving his hand dismissively, the tall boy was always humble when it was something to brag about.


    "Woah, really?" Misaki spoke up, amazed.


    "Yeah," Shinji confirmed as he casually grabbed a remote controller, turning on the TV.


    "That''s hella awesome!" Shouichi exclaimed, admiring his friend and the Aoyama family, their wealth truly knew no bound.


    "I wonder why Shinji was rushed to the hospital right after that. As it turns out he is the owner''s son, after all," Shouichi mused.


    "What about you, senpai? Is your throat okay?" Misaki asked him with concern, her obsidian eyes endearingly stared at him.


    "Yeah¡­ It''s fine."


    "I''m glad¡­" Misaki replied, averting her eyes toward the large screen TV. It featured the news of the recent massacre at Seihei school, turning Kurohashi a secluded nowhere into an infamous town of the death. Two anchors appeared to be discussing over the subject, their eyes laced with terror.


    With that, everyone in the room tuned in to the news attentively.


    "...So right now, the school is closed right?" The male anchor asked.


    "That''s right, it''s reported that the school is now closed indefinitely." The female anchor replied.


    "So today, we''d have the special guest who could enlighten us on some information about the case." The male said.


    "Welcome, Officer Akiyama Suzuki." The female announced energetically.


    The video conference connected, and a young, beautiful officer appeared on the right side of the screen. Her dark eyes were full of expression, captivating in their depth, while her black, fluffy hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders.


    "Wow, Officer Akiyama is beautiful today." Shouichi thought, mesmerised by her mature beauty. Everyone in the room, grew quiet and strained their ears to listen to what she had to say.


    "So, Officer Akiyama, would you please recap us on what happened?"


    "Right. First of all, I can only answer the nonsensitive information that can be disclosed to the public without jeopardising the case." Suzuki reported in a confident and stern voice.


    "The police had been tracking down the human trafficking syndicate that operated within our jurisdiction." She paused slightly, pondering for words.


    "Just before the massacre at the school, the Kurohashi police managed to seize their base of operation and apprehend the syndicate members. However, some of them escaped the seizure. One of them was a student, who acted as a surrogate to lure new victims and funnel them into the organisation. It''s later discovered that this student fled the scene and hid himself inside the school."


    "That''s a bastard president, Sakurai Hiroshi," Shinji commented with anger in his voice.


    "The police believe this case was closely related to the school massacre as 3 perpetrators were of the same syndicate sending in to eliminate the student."


    "Wow, that''s quite a complex case indeed." The male anchor commented, his lips parted in astonishment.


    "However, the horrifying massacre at the school seemed too extreme. What are the police''s thoughts on this?" The female anchor asked.


    "1 perpetrator was shot dead in the scene and the other two were later found deceased in the captivity. The police found an excessive content of highly stimulated drugs in their systems. This could explain their psychotic behaviour leading to the incident. As well as their cause of death," Suzuki explained confidently without stuttering.


    "Man¡­ They were completely crazy," Shouichi commented, wiggling his nose.


    "That explained it. I kicked the muscular one pretty hard. His neck should have been broken, right?" The silver-haired friend turned to discuss with the pretty boy.


    "Yeah, it''s horrifying when he caught your kick with his neck." Shouichi recollected, a shiver down his spine. Meanwhile, two girls were listening to the dazzling duo in participation.


    "I''m relieved that they''re gone now. Scums like them should not exist." Shinji spoke, eyes glueing at the screen.


    "Seito-senpai, thank you for saving us." The tall girl in a ponytail, Ito Emi, bowed her head lowly to him and Misaki followed with the same gesture of appreciation.


    "That''s alright," Shouichi responded with a sweet smile.


    "That''s what heroes do, right?" Shinji smirked and gestured double-pistol signs at him.


    Misaki fidgeted with one of her twin tails, eventually she opened up, "Umm¡­ Shouichi-senpai, I''m leaving soon." However, her lips acted as though she wanted to say more, so Shouichi anticipated for her next words as he waited patiently.


    "May I have a few words with you¡­ please." Misaki pleaded with a quick bow. Shouichi turned to look at the couple with a dumbfounded expression. None said or act, offering no comment.


    Soon Shouichi steeled himself, turning to Misaki, "Yes. I don''t mind that at all, Misaki-chan." He replied with a gentle smile.


    ***


    "Shouichi-senpai¡­ I heard that you guys came to save Emi and me on that day. Is it true?" The girl asked as they sat next to each other on the empty bench in the white hospital hallway.


    "Yeah¡­ I guess, I still care about you."


    His word struck her harder than she anticipated, she swallowed before returning, "Thank you so much, Shouichi-senpai." She told him, sincerity in her tone, "I''m so glad¡­ "


    The silence and tension crept up in the air around them, neither managed to say what they wanted to say.


    "Misaki¡­" He finally uttered his words to break the silence. His eyes lingered on the glossy hospital floor.


    "Yeah?"


    "How are you doing?"


    "I''m just getting by," Misaki answered flatly.


    "I know it must have been hard for you. I''m sorry for that." Shouichi said, remained well composed.


    The girl grew quiet again, her expression darkened.


    "If you don''t mind me asking. How''s your BDD condition?" The boy inquired further, a tinge of concern in his voice.


    "Oh, you meant that when you asked initially." Misaki figured, understanding his initial question, "I went to the psychiatrist and have been taking meds ever since." She explained with her softened tone.


    "That''s good, Misaki-chan." Shouichi said, relieved. Disregarding their current relationship, he''d feel the need to ensure that the girl was in a good spot.


    Shouichi gathered his courage and said it aloud. "I know, we are not like that anymore. But Misaki-chan, if you need anything. Just let me know, okay?" His eyes met her gaze at last.


    A warm smile tucked at Misaki''s lips immediately. His words somehow touched her heart, its warmth gradually washed away her aching.


    "Huh? Would you mind if I hug you one last time?" The girl pleaded out of nowhere. Shouichi was taken aback by her sudden request but agreed without a second thought.


    They shared a brief, heartfelt embrace. The boy could remember her sweet, floral scent, it did take him back to the good old days.


    "Don''t worry, senpai. I''m not suicidal anymore." Misaki reassured him before smiling sweetly at him.


    "Good girl." Shouichi said and patted her on the head, letting his fingers thread her silky strands, gentle with each stroke.


    "Senpai, it''s your kindness that taught me how to love myself¡­ And also, how could I throw away the life that you risked your own to save?" Misaki uttered, her words tinged with resolute. No life was ever meaningless. Understanding that at last, Misaki had gained a new perspective to combat battles to come.


    As if the time stopped for a brief moment, seeing how improve in her mental condition and stability, Shouichi was brimmed with satisfaction. It led him to think that perhaps Misaki could change or already had changed for the better.


    Misaki casually stood up, "I gotta go now, see you later. Shou-senpai." She bid her farewell with a wave before leaving the scene.


    Shouichi stared melancholy at the empty ceiling, sitting alone in the hallway. His mind began to wonder, he hadn''t been thinking as of late but to be completely honest with himself, he did miss Misaki''s sweet smile ever so dearly.


    "But I can''t turn back time... I just miss the way I used to see the old version of her," Shouichi mused.

 31 Akiyama Suzuki I

    The sound of thunder, followed by a heavy storm, resonated throughout the entire precinct. Two police officers were engaged in an important discussion regarding the interrogation of the human trafficking syndicate.


    "Is he budging at all, Akiyama-san?" asked the pale, thin officer in his forties, rubbing his chin.


    The young female officer, Suzuki, shook her head, frustration evident in her dark eyes.


    "They''re staying silent for some reason," He commented, crossing his arms.


    "Three attackers on the school are dead, Sakurai Hiroshi was murdered, and now this. I suppose we won''t be getting anything at all," She complained, removing her cap to loosen her black hair.


    "I guess it''s way above my pay grade¡­" Officer Nagoya sighed again. Probably his tenth sigh today.


    A stern-looking policeman in navy blue approached them. His uniform bore prominent insignia and badges, indicating his rank as Chief of Police. The two officers instinctively raised their hands in salute.


    "Ease up, guys. No need to be tense around me," he spoke softly, contradicting his stern appearance. Officer Nagoya turned to glance at Akiyama briefly. She noticed that the chief had likely just returned from outside, judging by his wet hair and damp uniform.


    "Any updates, guys?" The chief asked casually.


    "Um¡­ we tried to interrogate the suspects, but¡­" Suzuki hesitated, ashamed to admit her failure.


    "It''s my fault. I couldn''t get anything useful out of them. They haven''t said a word since," Officer Nagoya interrupted.


    "I see," The chief mused. "What about the Seihei attackers? I heard they were found dead in their cells."


    "Oh¡­ Seihei attackers. That''s what the media are calling them these days," Officer Nagoya acknowledged.


    "That''s correct, sir. The autopsy found excessive methamphetamine content and¡­" The female officer flipped through her crimson notebook to report.


    "¡­" The chief listened patiently.


    "Here''s the weird part ¡ª traces of water intoxication, or hyponatremia, were also found in all three attackers," She continued.


    "Hmm¡­ It''s uncommon for meth addicts to consume excessive amounts of water, right?" The chief questioned.


    "You''re right, sir. Meth is a strong stimulant, so an overdose wouldn''t normally lead to excessive water consumption," Officer Nagoya added matter-of-factly.


    "I see. Thank you, guys." The chief smiled, placing a hand on Officer Nagoya''s shoulder and nodding in gratitude to Suzuki.


    "Is there anything else you need, sir?" Suzuki asked firmly.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He shook his head before replying. "Yeah, don''t feel bad, guys. But this case is out of our hands now."


    "Huh?" Suzuki gasped in surprise.


    "I got a call from the Organised Crime Control Bureau this morning," The chief explained.


    "From Tokyo?" Officer Nagoya remained composed despite his astonishment.


    "The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department?!" Suzuki spoke louder than she intended.


    "Correct. What we need to do now is contain the suspects within our jurisdiction and prepare the transfer documents before they arrive," The chief advised before walking away.


    ***


    On the weekend, the dazzling duo, Seito Shouichi and Aoyama Shinji, strolled gleefully through the shopping district. The morning rain had subsided, leaving wet streets and small puddles everywhere. However, this wouldn''t stop them from hanging out in the afternoon, as they had a matter of great importance to attend to.


    "Lately, the weather''s been shit!" Shinji whined, walking with his hands in his pockets. The superhuman Shinji had almost fully recovered from his injuries from the Seihei attack, while Shouichi still had bandages on his knuckles and purple marks on his throat.


    "Still, it''s not too bad since it''s stopped now," Shouichi said, trying to comfort his tall friend.


    "Hehehe. True! It''s like we''re blessed by the gods," Shinji''s mood shifted instantly, his face beaming like an idiot.


    "Don''t worry, budddaaaayyyyyy." The tall boy wrapped an arm around Shouichi''s shoulders, his sophisticated aroma of warm spices noticeable.


    "Today''s gonna be wholesome," He declared cheerfully.


    "It''s ''mate'' in Australia," Shouichi corrected him.


    "I''m not your buddy; I''m your mate, eh?" Shinji joked, making them both burst out laughing.


    The steep stairway between two shops led to a mystical land for those who were lonely¡­ or horny.


    Once Shouichi climbed to the top and pushed past the curtain, he was met with a large poster stand of a naked female model.


    "Woah?! Sh-She''s naked!" Shouichi exclaimed in surprise, reflexively covering his eyes.


    "Hehehehehe," Shinji chuckled softly, covering his mouth. Shouichi''s reaction was way too innocent.


    "Welcome to the 18+ club, mate!" Shinji tapped him on the shoulder.


    The two ecstatic boys explored the store full of explicit content and adult toys. Shouichi skimmed through a shelf stacked with adult DVDs.


    "Anything caught your eye?" Shinji asked, grabbing a few DVDs from the shelf.


    "There''s way too much. I can''t decide on the fly," The graphite-black-haired boy answered.


    "How about this one? The girl with twin tails," Shinji suggested, holding up a DVD case.


    Shouichi''s face faked a sour expression, "Hehehe, don''t tease me. I''m way past that," Shouichi chuckled, thinking about his ex-girlfriend.


    "I''d prefer a non-vanilla genre, to be honest," Shouichi added while browsing.


    "Oh! This one, lil'' bro~The Libido Policewoman." Shinji handed him another case.


    "Ho, damn! The actress is kinda hot."


    "Take it! I''ll buy it for you, man." Shinji tossed it into Shouichi''s shopping basket.


    The two boys revelled in their shared amusement until Shouichi realised nearly an hour had passed.


    "Excuse me!" A young woman in a black hoodie and sunglasses announced to the boys, who were blocking her path.


    "Oh, sorry!" Shouichi quickly stepped aside, and the woman brushed past him.


    "Thank you," She muttered as she squeezed through. Shouichi could feel her chest lightly press against him. In a quick glance, he noticed her distinct canine teeth as she spoke. The mysterious woman had a strong, familiar aroma of citrus and jasmine. It definitely reminded him of someone he knew.


    As his eyes involuntarily peeked at her basket, "Damn¡­ She''s got a whole bunch of stuff and toys¡­ I guess it''s normal for girls to buy them in Japan. After all, women have needs too," Shouichi remarked inwardly.

 32 Akiyama Suzuki II: Epilogue of Volume 2

    The duo wrapped up their shopping and stepped out of the store. For Shouichi, it was his first time in a place like that ¡ª a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience.


    "Alright, I oughta bounce, lil'' bro," Shinji said, stretching his arms behind his head as he strolled ahead.


    "Wait, why didn''t you buy anything?" Shouichi asked, noticing that he was the only one carrying a shopping bag.


    "Already got the full collection in my secret playroom," Shinji boasted.


    "For real?" Shouichi asked, incredulous.


    "Absolutely not, hahaha. But I do own heaps already, got nowhere left to stash ''em," Shinji clarified just as a sleek, luxurious sedan pulled up beside him.


    "Oh, that makes sense."


    "Ciao!" The silver-haired wolf flashed a casual farewell sign before climbing into the car, with Murakami Tori behind the wheel.


    "See ya!" Shouichi waved as they drove off.


    Taking a left turn, he wandered into a quiet, narrow street. His house was about a ten-minute walk from here.


    "Seito-kun!"


    A familiar voice called out from around the corner. It was the woman in the black hoodie, the same person he''d seen in the adult shop earlier. She looked irritated, though he had no idea why.


    "Eh? Do I know you?" Shouichi asked, startled.


    "It''s Akiyama Suzuki," She revealed, pulling down her hood and slipping off her sunglasses. Though dressed casually, her presence raised a few questions in Shouichi''s mind.


    Why was she buying those weird adult products?


    "Oh, good evening, Akiyama-san," He greeted, instinctively hiding the shopping bag behind his back.


    "I saw you at the store. Care to explain why you were there?"


    "Eh? But¡­ why were you there, Akiyama-san?" Shouichi countered, dodging the question.


    "Huh? That''s the oldest trick in the book ~ don''t answer a question with a question," Suzuki scolded, her voice stern and authoritative.


    "I was just browsing!" He insisted, averting his eyes.


    "What an obvious lie. Show me what you got."


    Before he could react, the elegant officer snatched the bag and peeked inside. Her gaze immediately landed on one particular DVD; a police-themed one. She glanced at him mischievously.


    "Seito-kun, you do realise these are for people over 18, don''t you?" She asked, hands now firmly on her hips.


    "Pardon?" Shouichi felt his stomach sink.


    "Since you''re not 18, you''ve got two choices," Suzuki continued. "Either hand them over to me for safekeeping¡­ or~."


    She hesitated, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. A faint blush crept across her face.


    What''s she trying to imply? Don''t tell me¡­ Shouichi''s thoughts raced.


    "You have to watch them with me! I mean¡­ under supervision!"


    "HAAAA!?" His jaw dropped before he quickly clamped his mouth shut.


    ***


    Things took a turn for the worse when Suzuki and Shouichi entered his room. His heart pounded, the situation feeling straight out of a hentai manga. He could hardly believe his eyes ¡ª Officer Akiyama Suzuki, the epitome of discipline, was just as much of a pervert as Ayane. Must run in the bloodline, he thought grimly.


    "So this is your room, hmm?" The dark-haired woman scanned her surroundings. As expected, it was neat and organised.


    "Yes¡­ Officer Akiyama, are you sure about this?" He asked hesitantly.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Of course! Let''s start with this one!" Suzuki replied enthusiastically. She picked up the police-themed DVD and handed it to him.


    Reluctantly, Shouichi inserted the disc into the player and pressed play. He sat on the floor while Suzuki took a seat on a chair a few metres away.


    At least she''s sitting further away. Maybe she''s not trying to lure me or anything. Shouichi exhaled, trying to relax.


    The opening scene was typical, a sexy policewoman visiting a man''s apartment. She appeared to be investigating a missing cat around the neighbourhood. The plot couldn''t be bland, Shouichi pondered.


    Shouichi stole a glance at Suzuki to gauge her reaction. Her dark eyes remained fixed on the screen, her delicate features embodying modern beauty standards. Dressed casually, she barely looked older than a university student. Her lean, fit physique carried an undeniable athletic allure, and from afar, he caught a tantalising hint of citrus and vanilla from her scent, momentarily mesmerising him.


    "Hehe¡­ Staring much?" Suzuki teased with a grin.


    "Oh, my bad!"


    Suzuki crossed her legs leisurely. "I''m glad you''re more interested in me than that policewoman on screen," She quipped before returning her attention to the film.


    As the explicit scene began, moans filled the room. Shouichi sat frozen, the awkwardness in the air reminiscent of watching a love scene with one''s parents.


    "I wish you were one year older¡­" Suzuki murmured under her breath.


    "Huh? Did you say something?" Shouichi asked.


    "Nothing, hahaha." She laughed it off.


    "So far, so good," She commented, biting her lip.


    "I agree," Shouichi muttered, discreetly covering his lap with both hands.


    As the movie reached its first climax, Shouichi found himself drenched in sweat, his body overheating. The situation was far too surreal for his liking ¡ª watching a policewoman getting railed on-screen while an incredibly gorgeous real-life policewoman sat right beside him.


    "Wow, they''re really compatible," Suzuki mumbled, clasping her hands in amazement, absorbed in the scene.


    "Hahaha, I wouldn''t know that," Shouichi blurted out sheepishly.


    "Huh? You''ve never done it before?" Suzuki turned her attention to him and paused the video.


    "Of course not! I mean¡­ I''ve never, uh¡­" Shouichi awkwardly formed an O and an I with his fingers, hesitating before pressing them together. "Wait! Why did I tell her that?! I must''ve lost my mind," He thought in horror, a certain part of his brain must have been fried.


    Suzuki''s eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "Wow, I didn''t think you''d be so honest with me," She said, her tone a mix of astonishment and amusement. Then her expression softened. "Thank you for telling me, Seito-kun."


    For some reason, Shouichi always felt at ease around Akiyama Suzuki. Maybe it was her mature, composed nature that captivated him. He was so na?ve and gullible that he found himself believing everything she said without a second thought. The fact that he was watching an adult video with her in his own room was proof enough. In his eyes, she was a dependable, reliable adult ¡ª second only to his late mother, Yamamoto Yoko.


    After all, if it weren''t for her, he wouldn''t be alive right now.


    "Sorry about that," He muttered, embarrassed.


    "Hahaha, you''re adorable," Suzuki teased, her upturned eyes glinting with amusement.


    After some time, Suzuki leaned back and nodded a few times, her eyes closed as if giving a final verdict. "That one was pretty normal. I suppose I''ll allow it."


    "Really?"


    "Affirmative," She said firmly.


    "Umm¡­ what now?" Shouichi asked, unsure.


    "Well, I think I won''t take up any more of your free time," Suzuki replied as she stood up, winking at him. She caught a glimpse of his current¡­ predicament and smirked. "So I''ll leave you to your own devices ¡ª if you know what I mean."


    "Ye~yeah¡­ Thanks for, uh, helping me out, Akiyama-san," Shouichi stammered, bowing slightly in appreciation.


    The pretty boy escorted the undercover officer to the front gate, walking past the fence. Suzuki gleefully waved him goodbye before disappearing into the night.


    "That was the most awkward thing that''s ever happened to me¡­ I''m just relieved Akiyama-san is a righteous person," Shouichi mused as he re-entered the house.


    A short distance away, the beautiful girl in the black hoodie pressed her hand to her chest, checking her pulse. The rapid beating confirmed it. Her heart was still racing from the encounter.


    Though her lower body was soaking wet, her unwavering discipline had stopped her from indulging in any forbidden acts. Suzuki knew that the boy was already somewhat affectionate toward her, and if she wanted, it wouldn''t be difficult to reel him in.


    But still¡­


    It was a big red no-no.


    "At the very least, I should wait until he''s legal¡­" Her high morals whispered to her.


    Ding!


    A sudden chime from her pocket snapped her out of her thoughts. Suzuki quickly pulled out her phone, her senior officer, Nagoya, was calling.


    "Hello, Akiyama speaking."


    "Officer Akiyama, the prisoner transport bus, it crashed on the outskirts of town!" Nagoya''s voice was tense with urgency.


    "What?!"


    "The MPD bus crashed, and all the prisoners¡­" His voice faltered before continuing, "All of them were found dead. Including the two transport officers."


    "WHAT?! How did this happen?!"


    "I don''t know. Can you get to the scene? The crash site is just beyond Kurohashi Bridge."


    "Roger! I''m on my way."


    Suzuki''s expression darkened, her usual composure giving way to a grim seriousness.


    Something or someone had interfered.


    It felt as though a higher power had orchestrated the entire event, pulling the strings like a master puppeteer.


    Something or someone malevolent.

 Afterwords: Volume 2

    [This is not a chapter! Skippable, hehehe!]


    First of all, I''d like to thank you all for reading my novel thus far!


    In this volume, we''ve uncovered more about the grim, malicious substance lurking within those Resident Evil-like murderers. The chaos escalated quickly, turning Kurohashi into a national spectacle of bloodshed and horror.


    Our protagonist, Destirling Shouichi, has endured immense tragedy ¡ª both physically and mentally. Yet he remains determined to overcome it all. He''s much stronger than me, the author. Through him, I''ve come to understand just how stoic one can be in the face of relentless adversity.


    But his journey is far from over. As long as he remains in this town, tragedy will continue to pursue him.


    Looking ahead to Volume 3, I must warn you, things will take an even darker turn. A truly disturbing event awaits, one so tragic that even I, the author, feel a deep sense of sorrow for what Shouichi must go through. If you''ve made it this far, please prepare yourself, as this next volume is definitely not for the faint of heart.


    However, is it all worth it in the end? My short, reassuring answer is yes! I wholeheartedly believe that as long as people refuse to give up and keep pushing forward, just like Shouichi, they will eventually triumph. The battle will be won by those who choose to act.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Now, enough of my rambling! Before we wrap things up, I''d like to suggest a few songs that capture the vibe of the story. Give them a listen if you''d like!


    Trivial Facts:


    Ayane''s Song: Happiness ¨C back number / Shiawase


    Misaki''s Song: Pretender ¨C Official HIGE DANDism


    Momo''s Song: ºÃ¤­¤À¤«¤é.(feat.¤ì¤ó) ¨C ¥æ¥¤¥«


    Extra: δÀ´¤Ø (Mirai e) ¨C Kiroro


    Once again, thank you for reading! I truly appreciate your support, and I apologise for any minor mistakes ¡ª I''m still a newbie author, after all.


    One last question, would you prefer a faster release of the chapters (2-3 chapters daily) in exchange for a potential quality drop (minor spelling mistakes, puntuations, etc.)?


    Since I''ve rewritten drafts several times up to Volume 6, so it wouldn''t be as bad.


    Let me know, please.


    See you in the next volume!

 Vol 3.1 Instant Summer Break, What?!

    The aftermath of the bloodbath slashing incident at Seihei School led to the indefinite closure of the campus. However, there was a silver lining amid the trauma¡ªthe entire first term of the academic year had been exempted and would be merged with the second term. In short, students were no longer required to complete the remaining part of the first term or sit final exams.


    Kurohashi, a secluded small town nestled in a valley of mountain ridges, was experiencing a relentless spell of storms and rain. According to the locals, this weather was likely to persist throughout July. However, it wasn¡¯t all bad for Destirling Shouichi, also known as Seito Shouichi, as it gave him more time to clean up after himself.


    Shouichi was a strikingly pretty young man. His fair, pristine face had an almost feminine quality, accentuated by his long, curled eyelashes. Standing at 167 cm and weighing around 62 kg, his physique was slim yet well-proportioned. His fluffy black hair, plain yet distinctive with its graphite-like sheen, was styled with brow-length front bangs. However, his most captivating feature was his cinnamon-brown eyes, radiating warmth and kindness, a reflection of his gentle nature.


    Three full months had passed since Shouichi began his academic journey at Seihei School. Based on his experience so far, something felt undeniably strange about this town. Unusual events seemed to unfold behind closed doors, and eerily enough, they often revolved around him, escalating in intensity. Despite everything, Shouichi, with steadfast resolve and unwavering perseverance, pushed through these ordeals ¡ª from being betrayed by his beloved ex, Ishikawa Misaki, to nearly being choked to death by the Seihei attackers.


    Yet, despite it all, he stood firm, full of determination and resilience. However, the mental toll was undeniable, leaving him drained and exhausted. Fortunately, he was surrounded by supportive friends and family, who were like a bonfire on his coldest nights, offering warmth and comfort to his weary soul.


    ***


    The graphite-haired boy took a leisurely stroll down the long stairway with red rails and outlines. It reminded him of the time he heroically clutched a three-versus-one fight against delinquents from the technical school, saving his cosplaying friend, Tomako Momo. The memory brought a grin to his face. He could already imagine the scolding he would have received from his sweet mother, Yamamoto Yoko, if she had ever learned the full details of the fight.


    ¡°Man, that takes me back. Shinji and I were pretty cool back then ¡ª felt like we were in an anime or something,¡± he mused as he descended the steps.


    With the Seihei students essentially on summer break, Shouichi decided to visit his petite friend, Momo, for a change of pace. It had been a while since he last dropped by her store ¡ª Maid Tea & Bliss, located in the Hoshimashi shopping district.


    ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going, rascal!¡±


    ¡°Oh! Sorry.¡±


    Shouichi had unintentionally bumped into a man in a long trench coat. The figure was fully concealed in his outfit, complete with a hat and face mask. Something about him seemed off, but Shouichi dismissed his suspicions and moved on.


    ¡°Another weirdo in Kurohashi¡­ I wonder if Yoko is doing alright.¡±


    He swiftly pulled out his phone and tapped on the CCTV app ¡ª the security system he and Officer Akiyama Suzuki had installed for his mother¡¯s safety. Within moments, multiple small screens displayed various angles of Yoko Sweet Cafe.


    ¡°Hehehe, where are you, Yoko-san?¡± he murmured, scanning the cameras one by one. After a few clicks, he spotted her standing in front of his most loyal customer and best friend, Morimura Ayane. The two women were engaged in an enthusiastic discussion.


    Even though the CCTV¡¯s real-time resolution was just above 480p, Shouichi had no trouble recognising the jet-black-haired girl. Her elegant presence was accentuated by her tall, slender figure, comparable to a supermodel, and her beautiful, fox-like features, reminiscent of Sahara Yukiko, the idol from the renowned girl group CCK.


    Satisfied with Yoko¡¯s safety, he resumed his quest for the best matcha with red beans in the entire continent. Perhaps he was exaggerating a little.


    That afternoon, a long queue stretched in front of the small stall, Maid Tea & Bliss. It wasn¡¯t surprising, but the line was moving faster than usual. Was Momo working extra hard today? He wondered.


    ¡°Hello, young master! Welcome to our store!¡±


    A cheerful greeting came from a beautiful maid with straight blonde hair. Shouichi instantly realised the reason behind the shorter wait time ¡ª an extra helping hand.


    ¡°Tomako Ai-san! Good afternoon,¡± he beamed.


    ¡°Oh! You¡¯re that pretty boy¡­ Shouichi-kun, right?¡±


    It took Ai a few seconds to recall his name. The last time they met was during the Fire Festival a few months ago.


    ¡°Oz! But I¡¯m not a pretty boy,¡± Shouichi quipped, peeking excitedly inside the stall¡¯s opening window. ¡°Is Momo working in the back today?¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Hi, Shouichi-kun! Long time no see.¡±


    A smaller version of Ai appeared behind her ¡ª Momo, the younger sister of the Tomako family and the very person he had come to visit.


    ¡°Miss me, eh?¡± he teased, rubbing his nose with an index finger. Since he was the last in line, there was no rush to order.


    ¡°Yep! I was starting to wonder if I¡¯d ever see you this summer.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You think I¡¯d be that cruel?¡±


    ¡°Fufu, definitely not.¡±


    She chuckled, her blue eyes sparkling under the sunlight. Shouichi recalled that Momo wore contact lenses to change her eye colour from orange to blue as part of her transformation.


    ¡°So what brings you here today, my hero?¡± Momo returned the same flirty sentiment.


    ¡°Hehehe, that¡¯s a good one.¡± Shouichi giggled at her odd joke. It was her usual style of nicknaming. ¡°May I get... um?¡±


    ¡°Matcha with red beans?¡± She completed his sentence.


    ¡°My, you read my mind, Momo-chan!¡± He beamed brightly at the girl, handing her cash.


    ¡°Momo, after you finish with this order, just take a break, okay?¡± A sudden command from her big sister came from the back of the store. Once Momo settled the bills, she disappeared to make his drink.


    ¡°Shouichi-kun, here is your drink.¡± Momo stepped out of her stall to hand it to him in person.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re going on break anyway, would you mind hanging out with me for a bit?¡± Shouichi asked casually while sipping on his cup. As expected, the matcha with red beans, made with love by the beautiful maids, was ecstatically tasty. Shouichi believed that customers wouldn¡¯t receive this added value anywhere but at Momo¡¯s store.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The petite maid¡¯s face turned slightly red at his sudden request. ¡°Is... is that really okay?¡± Momo spoke, anxious and hesitant.


    ¡°Of course. Come with me, Momo-chan. I¡¯ll show you the world.¡± Shouichi raised his arms to the sky.


    ¡°Fufufu.¡± She giggled.


    The two secured a bench under the shade. Shouichi couldn¡¯t help but notice his friend sweating profusely due to the heat. Pervertedly, he glanced down at her exposed upper bosom with joy. Her soft, moist skin was undeniably attractive. He recalled his experience with her maid costume. After all, he had been the one to unstuck her corset¡¯s zipper.


    ¡°Huh?! Shouichi-kun?¡± She caught his eyes already.


    ¡°Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking... you must be really uncomfortable.¡± Shouichi managed to change the subject with his quick wits. As a matter of fact, he was ranked number one in the entire second year at Seihei School.


    ¡°Yeah, beauty has a price, don¡¯t you agree?¡± Momo kept pulling at her blouse¡¯s neckline to ventilate. Each time, Shouichi caught brief glimpses of her black lacy bra underneath.


    ¡°Totally.¡±


    ¡°Say... Shouichi-kun, how are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing just fine, as you can see.¡± He beamed to reassure her. ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°I mean, it was really scary when it happened, right?¡± Her expression shifted to serious.


    ¡°Truly horrifying... I was glad you were absent that time.¡± Shouichi reached up to give her a head pat. Momo was irresistibly cute and adorable.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard a lot of students lost their lives... it¡¯s so awful. How could it happen at our school?¡±


    ¡°... Yeah, I still have nightmares about it.¡± Shouichi glanced at the passing pedestrians.


    ¡°I was so worried about you and Shinji. He boasted to me about everything... playing heroes might end up getting you hurt, or worse. You know that, right?¡±


    ¡°Oh... Damn it, Shinji. You should keep your mouth shut sometimes,¡± he scolded his silver-haired friend in his mind.


    ¡°You guys are good guys ¡ª cool, smart, and athletic...¡± Momo said with admiration in her voice. ¡°But you both need to be careful, alright? Don¡¯t throw your lives away, Shouichi-kun.¡±


    ¡°Hehe...¡± Shouichi forced a weak smile as he exchanged a quick glance with Momo. Her blue eyes were full of concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. Would you listen to me for once?¡± She pleaded, grabbing his wrist firmly.


    ¡°Eh?¡± Shouichi¡¯s eyes widened with surprise.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be more careful next time, Momo-chan,¡± Shouichi answered with an honest face.


    ¡°G~Good boy.¡± Momo reached out to pretend to pat his black hair this time.


    ¡°Thanks, Momo-chan.¡± The boy smiled at her.


    ¡°For what? I haven¡¯t done anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve done plenty,¡± Shouichi said, sneaking another glance at her chest.


    ¡°Wanna hang out at my place? I can show you the world. Fufufu.¡± The cheerful maid teased him back.


    ¡°Hahaha. Don¡¯t you have to work? You can¡¯t leave your big sis alone, can you?¡± Shouichi asked, considering her tempting offer even though he knew it was just a joke.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Maybe another time? You can bring Morimura-san with you too.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Shouichi¡¯s face flushed a deep shade of red. An erotic scene floated into his mind ¡ª two sexy maids, Momo vs Ayane, sandwiching him.


    ¡°You never told me you guys weren¡¯t dating, though.¡± Momo pretended to be mad, puffing her cheeks cutely.


    ¡°Sorry about that, hahaha.¡± He paused to think. ¡°I¡¯m actually single now. I got cheated on.¡± Shouichi felt at ease around Momo. Perhaps she was the perfect consultant for this sort of thing, something he couldn¡¯t discuss with Ayane.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t be mad at me, okay? Shinji told me everything when he stopped by with his girlfriend a few days ago.¡±


    ¡°Damn you, Shinji!¡± He cursed in his mind.


    ¡°Man... that¡¯s embarrassing. I¡¯m so pathetic.¡± Shouichi hid his face with both hands.


    ¡°Cheer up, Shouichi-kun. I¡¯m here if you need someone.¡± Momo brushed his soft hair gently with her fingers. It was kind of soothing.


    ¡°I¡¯m so lucky to get the special service from a beautiful maid.¡± He quipped sarcastically.


    ¡°Right? Fufufu.¡± She chuckled gleefully.


    After a short conversation with Momo, he contemplatively reflected that his life was precious and should be lived to the fullest. With no time for mourning anymore, the boy decided to push forward with everything he had.

 Vol 3.2 The Eyes of a Degenerate

    Earlier in that afternoon, the suspicious man in his late 30s, layered with a trenchcoat despite the hot and humid weather, was circling around the buzzing street of the Hoshimashi shopping district. The thin and pale man specifically picked to hang around the large stairways in hope of sneaking upward shots of the highschool girl¡¯s skirts. It had become the only thing that could give him a great sense of fulfilment and guilty pleasure.


    Kasunagi Nabe always had been a troubled child since a young age, his timid and frail appearance made him unfavourable to the females. However, he resorted to finding his passion in his own twisted way, Nabe loved to help himself out by watching adult videos. His sexual urge and desire deprived him of his morality, it fueled the weird hobby of taking explicit photos and videos of the young girls. It was proven to be giving him the best of pleasure. It spiralled from the few sneak snapshots of the thighs to stealing the undergarments of the girls from the clothing racks. Nabe was invincible in his own eyes.


    As fate decided that his actions shouldn¡¯t go unpunished, Kasunagi Nabe got busted by the local police with a search warrant. Hundreds of photos and video that he had worked hard for, was discovered and the despicable man was sentenced to jail for a long time. Despite the confinement inside the jail, Nabe often fantasised about what he would do once he got out. Would he still be doing the same bad and devious deeds like he always did? The answer was so obvious in his mind, but he hid that away from everyone.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a creep and I love jerking off with those young ones.¡± His intrusive thought spoke to him as he hid a small camera under his shoe. The technology had gone far in cultivating his lustful endeavour, with a mini hidden camera, it was almost too easy to take an upskirt shot of the young high schoolers. ¡°Perfect fap materials.¡±


    ¡°Yikes, that bitch really needs some pounding for real. Hehehe¡± Nabe let his pervert mind wander while looking at a slutty girl with blonde wavy hair with revealing oversized cleavages. Her skirt was incredibly short leaving no room to fantasise about, when the girl strutted by herself, Nabe would occasionally notice her flashing pink panties.


    ¡°Fu*k!¡± Nabe cursed in his mind as she appeared to be meeting up with a tall man, who appeared to be her boyfriend.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want sluts like you, anyway.¡± The pale man glanced to find his new target, personally, Nabe would prefer a girl that was pure and pristine like a glowing white cloth. To be precise, a maiden with her virginity intact, the purer the girls were, the greatest pleasure he felt.


    Nabe often reminisced about his high school days when he met the purest girl in his little world. He remembered every trace and detail of her until this day as he committed her into the memory. It acted as his precious material in the cold prison cells. This ideal girl he fell in love with could be described as a well-reserved, good manner, and sweet. He recalled her fair and immaculate skin, her unique graphite-black hair, her pretty almond-shaped eyes with a cinnamon-brown hue, and her sweet scent of purity.


    The man stopped at the quiet corner, he needed to recheck the results of his scouting for the day, the man swiftly pulled out his phone and skimmed through the photos and videos in it. Content with the outcomes, he was ready to go home and give himself a good rub.


    ¡°Watch your damn way!¡± Nabe scuffed at the boy, once he got a quick look at his pretty cinnamon-brown eyes, he hastily stepped away as fast as he could. The eyes of the predator still haunted him ¡®til this day, Nabe remembered the agonising pain in his left eye when the boy swung at it with full force because he was caught touching the shop owner¡¯s butt. As it turned out Yamamoto Yoko was his crush in the past, and also his current prey.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Fu*k it! That lil¡¯ brat act all high and mighty. You got a good face ¡®n¡¯ good physique. You never have to try hard like an ugly face like me!¡± Kasunagi Nabe cursed softly as he headed toward his flat, it was somewhat close to the red and white radio tower. His good mood was ruined by just bumping into that bright & sunny boy.


    The flat was just a 3rd-story rundown building with a common balcony, where his flat was at the rear end of that floor. In the dark corner of Kasunagi¡¯s room, he uploaded the contents of his lustful endeavour to sell it on the darkwebs. Some of them seemed to fetch him a load of cryptocurrencies, where he could exchange them for real cash, a small amount at the time. Nabe didn¡¯t have much need for money at all, he was content with the way he was.


    ***


    3 months ago, the ex-convict was released from prison after serving his sentence for a long duration of time. Everyone would think he was fully rehabilitated and ready to return to become a functional member of society. Stupid & naive people, he laughed at them. Nabe knew it in his heart that he could never reform from this devious way of living, he lived it and it was the only enjoyment in his miserable life. The way he could sexually violate any girls who passed by gave him a sense of control and authority. In the conservative aspect of a relationship, he knew full well that he could never be desirable to any girl no matter how hard he tried.


    One fateful night, he was stumbling on an only cafe where high school girls frequented. As if the world pointed him toward the light, he found his crush again. In his eyes, Yamamoto Yoko was as pure and pristine as the day he¡¯d last seen her in Seihei school. It made his heart flustered again, something that his naughty hobby would never be able to.


    Nabe was creepily peeking at her through the large transparent window, mesmerising by her beauty. Then his fantasy became tainted by the image of Yoko hugging a young man with black hair. The couple appeared to be in a warm and affectionate embrace, it disgusted him to his core but at the same time, ecstatically aroused him when he pictured himself as the boy.


    ¡°F**king whore! F**k!¡± He swore softly as he envied the cuddling couple.


    After a while, Nabe began to visit the store regularly during the day and later found out that the boy was actually her son, ¡°Shou-kun¡± as Yoko called him. It became apparent that his sweet Yoko couldn¡¯t remember him at all. It was no surprise to the ugly guy like him who half-heartedly confessed his love to her and then it would go right over her head.


    ¡°I wonder if I ever crossed her mind, even for just 10 minutes¡­¡± He lamented with his old days.


    1 month ago, as his lust for Yoko became unbearable to him so Nabe indeliberately groped her plum ass. But the lady swiftly called him out, resulting in a fight with the son which he lost horribly hard. Nabe ended up with a black eye and saw his life flashing before his eyes. He could never go back to see his Yoko again. The hatred toward Shou-kun lay dormant within his heart.


    ¡°Fu*k! This Fu*king Brat! He ruined my world, my fantasy. ¡± The ugly man cursed as he couldn¡¯t pleasure himself anymore with his toy and the explicit contents he created. His rod became pathetically frail and flimsy, unable to indulge him like usual.


    ¡°If I could do something about it¡­¡± His mind wandered relentlessly as he contemplated a way to reclaim his fantasy.


    In his attempt to regain his manhood, the hideous man had been stalking Yoko from afar. The pretty lady had a boring routine of going between 3 places; Yamamoto residence, Yoko Sweet Cafe, and Hoshimashi shopping district for supply run.


    ¡°Magnificent!¡± He grinned widely as he committed her routine to his memory.


    On one of the rainy nights, the lady luck was on his side because Yoko¡¯s curtain was slightly open showing her in a blue semi-transparent satin dress. The alluring sight of her stimulated and revived his little finger into an adult.


    ¡°Wait? Is that the kid? What the hell is he in her room?¡± He murmured as he looked through his binoculars from a safe distance. His crotch became unbearably hot with extreme arousal, but couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. Nabe needed to do it right here right now.


    ¡°Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhh! Ahhhh!¡± Nabe imagined himself as the kid who was cuddling with Yoko and touched himself until he reached orgasm right on that spot. It had become a revelation for Nabe¡­ A way to get back his sinful desire!

 Vol 3.3 Methodology

    Despite the summer break, Ito Toru, the captain of the rugby club, proposed that Muscle Wednesdays should remain available for those keen on gaining extra muscle during this leisure period. As the gym membership fee had already been covered, it would have been a waste of money, time, and effort to halt this special Wednesday activity.


    Although attendance was not mandatory, some students might still have been recovering mentally and physically from the recent tragedy, more than 90% of the club members joined in. The once-empty gym was now bustling with energy, filled with eager club members ready to train.


    Himemiya Kazumi, a dazzling gyaru with the physique of a supermodel, took on the role of an impromptu fitness instructor, tirelessly assisting the club members. Her wavy blonde hair, with dark roots, was tied into a high ponytail, exposing her alluring nape and tan lines. Her thick, muscular thighs were a sight to behold as she moved gracefully across the gym floor. On this particular day, she wore a white sports bra and leggings that highlighted her toned abs, further accentuating her already captivating appearance.


    "So hot..." "Eh?" "Cap'' Toru''s girlfriend, man. She''s super hot." "I wish I had a girlfriend like that." "Bruh, you''re ugly AF."


    The whispers of club members echoed throughout the gym. Shouichi was among those who unintentionally found himself glancing at Kazumi''s striking figure. The air was thick with envy towards Ito Toru, the sole partner of the admired gyaru.


    ¡°Shouichi-kun, I heard you became single!¡± Kazumi appeared out of nowhere just as the black-haired boy was in the middle of a bench press. He pulled the safety pin into place before sitting up to face the gyaru.


    Sigh "Is it you again, Shinji?" Shouichi turned to his friend, who was idly standing nearby. "Shinji knows, the world knows," he mused internally. His friend feigned disinterest and walked away.


    "So?" Kazumi¡¯s blue eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together.


    "You heard right, Himemiya-san..."


    "Was it the girl I met at your house when I was doing firefighting?" Kazumi asked, pausing momentarily. "Misaki-chan, right?"


    "Damn, you''ve got a good memory. That''s her," Shouichi forced a smile.


    "Owww, she''s a solid ten. What happened? Did you fumble this somehow?!" Kazumi¡¯s curiosity about his love life was almost too intense.


    "We had our differences, you know." Shouichi tried to be as considerate as possible; it didn¡¯t sit right with him to badmouth his ex, even if he had reason to.


    "Like what?" Kazumi tapped her index finger against her lips in thought. "Like, you''re a virgin, and she isn''t? Fufufu." She flashed a mischievous smile.


    "Huh?! What are you saying, Himemiya-san?" Shouichi was mildly shocked.


    "Well, I''m just speaking from experience. I can smell virgins."


    "Eh?" Shouichi¡¯s eyes darted across the room, searching for her boyfriend. "Cap'' Toru, your girlfriend is bugging me ¡ª come take her away, please," he pleaded internally.


    "See? That look on your face. You really are a virgin," Kazumi teased, her delight growing. "Come on! I won¡¯t tell anyone if you tell me about your breakup."


    "...Okay..." Shouichi cupped his hand around his mouth and mumbled, "I got cheated on..."


    "Really?! Ow, you poor puppy." Kazumi frowned, genuinely empathetic, and extended a hand to ruffle his hair.


    "Himemiya-san! Please don¡¯t do that, your boyfriend is here," Shouichi scolded her softly, but she persisted.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Toru is open-minded." She beamed sweetly.


    "What does that even mean?!" Shouichi internally recoiled.


    "Now you know¡­ May I get back to my workout, please?" Shouichi asked politely and lay back down on the bench.


    "Hey, you should add five kilos more on each side." Kazumi suddenly shifted into serious mode and adjusted the weights.


    "Eh? I can¡¯t lift that much yet, Himemiya-san," Shouichi objected.


    "Hehehe, imagine this." She leaned in closer. "If you can''t push this up, someone else will be the one to push her onto the bed. How does that feel?" Her voice dipped into a seductive whisper.


    "What an awful way to motivate people?!" Shouichi protested, but somehow, the sheer irritation and frustration spurred him on. He channelled his emotions into the lift.


    "Yippee! Shouichi just hit a new PR!" Kazumi clapped excitedly. It was only then that he realised her trick ¡ª she had riled him up on purpose to push him past his limits.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ***


    According to the forecast, the rain was expected to subside for the entire week. As it was Shouichi¡¯s first summer in Kurohashi, he found himself mildly excited. His thoughts wandered to the idea of doing something different, perhaps fishing, hiking, or anything that would break the monotony of his routine between home and the shop.


    His elegant best friend, Morimura Ayane, had no such concerns. Staying at Yoko Sweet Caf¨¦ all day was not an issue for her in the slightest. With an endless supply of black coffee, she could lose herself in novels and podcasts indefinitely.


    "Shouichi, grab me a napkin, please?" She asked nicely, her violet-purple eyes were so adorable.


    "Right away." Shouichi reached over to grab a box of tissues from the next table.


    "Thank you!" She smiled, adjusting her frameless glasses before returning to her book.


    "Hehehe, nerd," he thought as he gazed at her cute face.


    "Say¡­ Ayane-chan." Shouichi spoke, getting her attention.


    "Huh?" She glanced up briefly.


    "I''m bored!" He finally confessed.


    "And?"


    "Let''s do something outdoors! I heard the weather is great. It''s summer, you know!" He added more reasons to convince her.


    "Like what?" Ayane put down her book completely, giving him her full attention.


    "Fishing!?"


    "Do you have fishing gear?" She asked promptly.


    "No¡­"


    "Then how are we going to do it?" The jet-black-haired girl reasoned. "I''ve got an idea. How about my dojo?" She suggested with a playful smile.


    "Oh, hell no! I don''t wanna get beaten again. My wounds just healed, for Christ''s sake."


    "Mentally or physically?"


    "Both!" Shouichi blurted without thinking.


    "Ho? Then I''ve got another idea." She grinned widely.


    "I''m all ears."


    "Let''s go to your place, then we''ll make love till sunrise," She leaned in and whispered playfully.


    "HAAAA?!" Shouichi felt his heart drop heavily to the ground. His face burned bright red.


    "Fufufu. How does that sound?" The enchanting girl teased.


    "Tempting offer, but I''m not mentally prepared for a relationship yet," Shouichi replied after a brief pause. "It doesn''t feel right to date someone else less than a month after my breakup," He thought.


    "Who said you need to go out with me? We''re just two bored and lonely people." Ayane continued to tease, hugging herself.


    "Enough of that, Ayane. I want to do this right. Would you wait for me?" His expression softened, composed yet sincere.


    "That''s what I admire about you, Shouichi-kun. You''re always so kind, principled, and considerate¡­"


    "Huh? I''m not that kind of guy," He objected humbly.


    "Fine! If that''s what you want. But my offer still stands. After all, you were my first love, so I''ll wait for you and you alone." Ayane held his gaze, her words sincere and unwavering.


    "Wow¡­" Shouichi was mesmerised, rendered speechless.


    "Fufufu¡­" She giggled at his dorky face.


    "I''m really grateful for you, Ayane-chan," He muttered, averting his eyes as his heart pounded.


    "I know you''re not ready yet, which is why I''ve never tried to pressure you. The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable." She reached out, her delicate hand firmly grasping his. It was a gesture filled with warmth and commitment.


    Shouichi almost forgot that he originally wanted to plan an outdoor activity with his friends. As they returned to the topic, Ayane and he couldn''t settle on anything.


    "Kurohashi Town is so boring!" Shouichi groaned in frustration.


    "Hehehe, you guys seem frustrated. Why the long faces?" Yoko chimed in after most of the customers had left the store.


    "We''re trying to figure out what to do for summer," Shouichi replied, sulking.


    "Say¡­ Yoko-san, since you''ve been here the longest, do you have any recommendations?" Ayane turned to the cheerful shop owner.


    "Hmmm¡­ What kind of place do you like? Maybe the lucky-lover pond? Fufufu." The lady teased.


    "Mum! That''s embarrassing," Shouichi exclaimed.


    "Eh? What happened?" Yoko looked puzzled. She didn''t know about that time when Ayane and he almost¡­


    "Owww¡­" Ayane kicked his leg under the table, shooting him a look that screamed, "Don''t tell Yoko that."


    "Say¡­ How about the Takaki Reservoir? I heard that when it''s full to the brim, it looks absolutely stunning," Yoko suggested.


    The two high schoolers exchanged glances, realising they had never heard of it before.


    "Wow! It exists! Just an hour away from town," Ayane said, pulling out her phone. She showed Shouichi a picture of a large concrete dam nestled between two mountain ridges, its reservoir filled with pristine water. Another photo captured the sunset over the reservoir, casting a mystical glow over the mountains.


    "That''s the one!" Yoko beamed.


    "That''s so cool. You should come with us, Yoko-san," Shouichi suggested.


    "I think you two should go together¡­" Yoko declined outright, her gaze distant. "It''s where your dad took me on a date once. I''d rather not relive that." Her voice carried a tinge of sadness.


    "Oh¡­" Shouichi was speechless. He never knew that.


    "See? There are a few resorts with onsen nearby and¡­ a water corporation facility," Ayane continued researching the location on Google Maps.


    "What''s that?" Shouichi asked curiously.


    "Probably the water filtration plant that supplies all of Kurohashi Town," Yoko chimed in.


    "Wow, I didn''t know that, Yoko-san." Ayane was impressed.


    "Well, I remember because Wakanabe used to work there as a biochemical engineer," Yoko added, tapping her cheek.


    "Dad''s lore?" Shouichi thought. It was rare for Yoko to talk about his father. She always seemed uncomfortable whenever the subject came up.


    "Then let''s get started! We should invite Shinji. He can drive," Ayane said excitedly, clasping her hands together.


    "Yeah! I agree," Shouichi said, looking at Yoko with gratitude.


    "Thanks, Yoko-san!" They both chimed in unison.

 Vol 3.4 A Trip to Takaki Reservoir

    As it turned out, the invitation to the Takaki Reservoir was originally sent to Aoyama Shinji, but like wildfire, it quickly spread to other friends. Being the extrovert that he was, Shinji rationalised that a trio would be too small and that he would end up as the third wheel. So, he decided to invite as many people as possible.


    Initially, Shinji requested to bring his girlfriend, Ito Emi. Then Emi asked if she could invite her brother, Ito Toru, who in turn wanted to bring his girlfriend, Himemiya Kazumi. With everyone free for the summer break, they all agreed without hesitation.


    In the end, the group expanded to nine, including the original trio, Ito Emi, Ito Toru, Himemiya Kazumi, Hinoda, Naggi, and Tomako Momo. After coordinating their schedules, they settled on a weekend trip from Saturday to Sunday. Shouichi was particularly excited about staying at an onsen hotel, especially in one of the premium suites with a private hot spring. The traditional Japanese-style hotel was just like the ones he had seen in movies and anime.


    On the first day, Shinji arrived in a sleek black minibus from a well-known Japanese carmaker. The vehicle had a spacious capacity for seven to eight passengers. The designated meeting point was none other than Yoko Sweet Cafe.


    "Heyyyyyy!" Shinji called out as he entered the store, radiating confidence in a vibrant blue Hawaiian shirt and stylish sunglasses. Beside him was his elegant girlfriend, Ito Emi, her brown hair and eyes complementing her cream sundress with a flowing skirt and a large straw hat. The couple strolled in gleefully, greeting Yoko along the way.


    "My! You both look gorgeous today!" Yoko exclaimed, nearly blinded by their bright presence.


    "Thank you, Yoko-san!" they responded in unison. Shinji then pulled out his black card and handed it to Yoko with a smile.


    "Would you mind putting everything we order on this card, please, Yoko-san?" He asked politely before winking at Shouichi, Ayane, and Tomako Momo.


    "Man¡­ I wish someone would treat me like that," Ayane sighed, nudging Shouichi. She was wearing a gorgeous dark purple sundress with rimless glasses, her jet-black hair framing her face elegantly.


    "I couldn''t agree more! Fufufu," Momo giggled. The petite girl was dressed in a light blue blouse with black palazzo pants ¡ª loose and flowing.


    "Man, I''m kinda jealous of Shinji for real," Shouichi muttered, making the two girls chuckle. "God, if I hadn''t broken up with Misaki-chan, I''d be in a much better place right now¡­ To be honest, I do feel so lonely." He trailed off, lost in thought.


    The group worked together to order sweets and desserts to kick-start the trip. As the son of the shop owner, Shouichi couldn''t sit idly by, so he got up to help his mother serve. Dressed casually in a white tee, indigo jeans, and a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, his muscular build was subtly accentuated.


    "Darling, you should enjoy your time with your friends," Yoko chided as he grabbed a serving tray.


    "Please let me help you, Yoko-san. After all, I''ll be gone for two days," Shouichi replied.


    "I''ll be so lonely, fufufu," She jested playfully before returning to prepare drinks.


    As Shouichi came back for another round, he mused aloud, "Come to think of it, we''ve never been apart since we met. This is actually the first time, right?"


    "Um um! You and I have seen each other every day since you arrived in town," Yoko confirmed with a nod, placing a cocoa drink and an Earl Grey teapot on his tray.


    "Don''t you want to come with us, Mum?"


    "Nope! I''d be too old for your age group."


    "Come on! Yoko, you can sleep with me. My room doesn''t have a roommate. It even comes with a private hot spring!" Shouichi insisted, hoping to change her mind.


    "Fufufu, you wouldn''t mind me in the bath with you?" Yoko teased softly.


    "Wah? I didn''t think that far."


    "I don''t mind, but it''s a bit too late for that. I don''t want to just leave the store," She reasoned.


    "Man¡­" Shouichi groaned.


    "Don''t sulk, Shou-kun. I promise I''ll go with you next time," She reassured him. "I''ll even brush your back for you. How does that sound?"


    "Mum!" He whined, his face turning red.


    "Thanks, Shouichi-kun." "Thank you, Seito-san," The group chimed in as the beautifully arranged sweets and drinks were served.


    "Let''s dig in!" Shinji announced enthusiastically as the main sponsor. Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the warm, cosy caf¨¦.


    Once everyone had finished their desserts and drinks, Shouichi wanted to help clean up, but Yoko gently pushed him towards the minivan, sending him off with a smile. Though excited about the trip, he couldn''t help but worry about his mother. Thankfully, he had a CCTV app that allowed him to check on her at any time.


    "Officer Akiyama is the best!" Shouichi thought, his admiration and affection for the female cop evident. If not for the age gap, he might have even made a move on her.


    The minivan''s interior was spacious, with plush cushions that made the ride smooth and comfortable. Behind the wheel, the silver-haired Shinji blasted his favourite rap tracks alongside CCK''s hits. Every now and then, Emi would sing along.


    "Wow, Emi-chan! Your singing is amazing," Ayane praised her from the second row, sitting to Shouichi''s left.


    "I agree! We should go to karaoke sometime," Momo added with a smile from his right.


    "Thanks, Senpai!" Emi beamed from the front passenger seat.


    "Guys¡­ you know this minivan has three rows, right?" Shouichi grumbled, uncomfortably sandwiched between the two girls.


    "Stop complaining! We wanted to be huddled together. It''s way more fun, right?" Ayane retorted, turning to Momo for support. The petite girl nodded eagerly in agreement.


    "Yeah! Bro, you shouldn''t whine about it. I''d swap places with you in a heartbeat," Shinji chimed in from the driver''s seat, smirking through the rearview mirror.


    Shouichi sighed. This was going to be an interesting trip.


    "What did you just say?!" Emi shouted, pinching his cheek in jealousy. Shouichi couldn''t help but notice how cute she looked when she pouted like that.


    "Sowwy!" Shinji quickly apologised for his slip-up.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The view from the side of the road gradually changed. At first, it was an urban landscape filled with buildings and bustling streets. But as the minutes passed, the scenery transformed into open fields and farmlands, eventually giving way to dense bushes and towering trees. The lush greenery exuded a sense of peace and tranquillity.


    "We''re having lunch at the hotel first, so we might as well check in while we''re at it," Ayane said, taking charge as the main organiser and point of contact for the hotel.


    "What''s the name of the place again?" Shinji asked, leaning forward as if that would help him listen better.


    "It''s¡­ um¡­ Yunohana Ryokan."


    "Oh! I''ve been there before," Shinji said.


    "Really? Don''t tell me your old man owns this place too," Shouichi quipped.


    "Hahaha! Of course not," Shinji chuckled as he tapped his navigator, quickly pulling up the route to the hotel.


    A soft "Zzz" escaped from the petite girl beside him. She had dozed off the moment she closed her eyes. The ride must have been way too comfortable for her, Shouichi thought. Initially, she leaned against the window, but when the van hit a rough patch in the road, her small frame bounced, and her head swayed before resting against his shoulder.


    "¡­Tsk¡­" Ayane shot him a withering glare, as if he''d done something wrong.


    "I didn''t do anything!" Shouichi defended himself with a weak smile.


    Then, another bump in the road sent Momo''s head tumbling down onto his lap.


    "Damn it, I''m cooked," Shouichi thought. As expected, Ayane immediately gestured with two fingers to her eyes before pointing at him ¡ª a clear signal, Don''t try anything pervy, or I''ll sack you.


    To be completely honest, Momo''s warm, soft face resting on his thigh was¡­ stimulating in a way he wasn''t proud to admit. The pent-up frustration from that AV viewing with Suzuki hadn''t fully subsided. I should''ve taken care of it beforehand, he cursed himself.


    "Eh?" Shouichi murmured as he suddenly felt a familiar weight on his other shoulder. Ayane had rested her head against him too. The familiar vanilla scent of her shampoo was dreamy and alluring, sending another wave of heat through his body.


    "You''re hard, aren''t you?" She whispered into his ear.


    "I''m not!" He shot back, lying through his teeth.


    "¡­"


    The next thirty minutes were pure torture as Shouichi battled to keep his moral compass steady.


    When they finally arrived at the hotel, he let out a quiet breath of relief. The ryokan was built on a large plot of land, enclosed by a high wooden fence. In front of the entrance, a beautiful garden spread out, filled with an array of colourful flowers swaying gently in the breeze.


    "Wow! The flower fields!" Emi exclaimed, clinging to her boyfriend.


    "Right? I wanted to surprise you," Shinji said with a smirk.


    "They''re gorgeous!" Momo ran forward, crouching to admire the blossoms up close. She gently brushed her fingers against the petals, her blue blouse fluttering slightly.


    "I''ll handle check-in," Ayane announced, making her way towards the main building with a clear reception sign hanging above the entrance.


    "I''ll come with you," Shouichi said, quickening his pace to catch up.


    "Thanks!" Ayane looked at him in surprise before breaking into a smile.


    "No worries. I don''t want you to do all the heavy lifting," He replied.


    "Hehe, you''re too kind," She chuckled.


    Inside, the ryokan was decorated in a traditional Japanese style, complete with shoji screens, tatami mats, and elegant ikebana floral arrangements. The air carried the fresh scent of hinoki wood, adding to the calming atmosphere.


    "Good afternoon, dear guests. Welcome to Yunohana Ryokan. How may I assist you today?" A receptionist in a pastel blue yukata greeted them with a warm smile.


    "Good afternoon, miss. We''d like to check in and have lunch at the dining hall. Is that possible?" Ayane asked with confidence.


    "Of course. Do you already have a reservation with us?"


    "Yes! We booked five suite rooms under the name Seito Shouichi," Ayane replied promptly.


    "Did she just use my name without asking?" Shouichi thought to himself.


    The receptionist nodded and began tapping away at her kiosk.


    "Oh! All five suite rooms come with private onsens, is that correct?"


    "That''s right," Ayane confirmed.


    "Alright, I see that one of the rooms has been upgraded to the VVIP suite," The receptionist added, turning to retrieve the keycards.


    "Eh? What''s that?" Shouichi whispered to Ayane, but she only shrugged, just as clueless as he was.


    "Here are four twin-bed suites and one VVIP suite for Master Seito Shouichi," The receptionist said with a gentle smile.


    Shouichi exchanged a look with Ayane before hesitantly accepting the VVIP key card.


    "Do you have any luggage with you?" The receptionist asked.


    "Yes, we have a few bags."


    "In that case, please have someone wait at the drop-off point. Our staff will assist with your belongings," She beamed. "Thank you for choosing Yunohana Ryokan for your stay."


    When Shouichi and Ayane returned to the others, their expressions were filled with questions. Normally, an unexpected upgrade would be considered a pleasant surprise, but for Shouichi¡­ nothing too good ever happened in Kurohashi without a hidden catch.


    "Did you set me up?" Shouichi ran a hand through his graphite-black hair, walking alongside Ayane.


    "What?" She looked at him, confused.


    "I mean, did you request the upgrade?"


    "Awww, Shouichi-kun, you should trust me more¡­ like how you trust Suzuki-san," Ayane teased.


    "What?! Akiyama-san?" Shouichi felt his stomach drop. Does she know about the AV thing?! How?!


    "Yeah, like at the warehouse last time," She continued casually. "You always apologise and obey her like a good little boy."


    "Ohhh¡­" Shouichi let out a small sigh of relief before defending himself. "Well, she is a police officer. Legally speaking, I have to follow her orders, right?"


    "Eh? You talk like you admire her¡­"


    "Huh?"


    "You never admire me like that¡­" Ayane murmured under her breath, gazing off to the side.


    "Well¡­" Shouichi was taken aback. He couldn''t help but reply in his mind, "Man, I do admire and praise you a lot, but I don''t wanna say it aloud. Your ego and confidence are already overwhelming enough."


    "Hey! Don''t you try anything funny~." Ayane turned to reprimand him but was interrupted by new arrivals. Ito Toru, Himemiya, Hinoda, and Naggi were chatting gleefully in front of the blissful garden.


    "Hiyah!" Kazumi, the enchanting gyaru in a crop top and high-waisted shorts, waved at them. Her blonde hime-style cut cascaded over her chest.


    "Hi, Shouichi, Lady Ayane." Toru greeted them with his usual calm demeanour. The captain was dressed in a white tee and black trousers.


    "Morimura-san! Shouichi!" Hinoda and Naggi followed suit, both sporting casual outfits similar to their captain''s. Hinoda wore a black graphic tee, while Naggi opted for a blue one.


    "Sup, guys? How was the ride?" Shouichi asked.


    "It was great! We took a little detour for a supply run." Naggi, the curly-haired bloke, grinned.


    "Oh?" Ayane raised an eyebrow in surprise.


    "So for dinner, we''re doing a BBQ!" Hinoda, the short-haired boy, clarified.


    "Damn! That''s awesome!" Shouichi exclaimed. "A proper barbie, just like in Australia. I wasn''t expecting that on this trip."


    As the main organiser, Morimura Ayane began handing out the key cards to each member. Since it was the most economical option and suited the availability of the suites with private onsens, they had decided to pair up for the rooms. This arrangement ensured everyone could enjoy the luxury of the onsen while keeping within budget.


    "Hinoda-san and Naggi-san, here''s your key card."


    "Himemiya-san and Ito-senpai."


    "Emi-chan and Shinji."


    "And Tomako-chan, do you mind if I hold onto our key card?" Ayane asked her roommate for the night.


    "No, that''s fine." Momo shook her head, her shoulder-length brown bob swaying with the motion.


    "With that settled, shall we head to the dining hall?" Ayane spoke loudly enough for all eight members to hear.


    "Let''s go!"


    "Oz!"


    "Yes!"


    The excited responses rang out as the group made their way inside.

 Vol 3.5 Dam! Dam! Dam!

    The dining halls were divided into several private single rooms, separated by shoji screens and walls. The room that Ayane had reserved was situated next to a large opening that overlooked the inner garden of the venue. It was a majestic sight to behold while enjoying the exquisite food and drinks.


    "Lady Ayane, you really put some serious effort into researching this hotel. I''m impressed," Ito Toru praised her before taking a sip of his green tea.


    "Thank you, Ito-senpai," She replied with a slight bow, gracefully accepting his compliment.


    "Damn, Ayane can be so polite and well-mannered when she needs to be," Shouichi noted mentally.


    "The food should be arriving soon. Hang in there, everyone," Ayane announced, placing a hand on her chest. She was seated elegantly on her calves, her back slightly arched, which unintentionally accentuated the perfect curves of her form. Shouichi couldn''t help but notice the subtle grace in her posture.


    "Huh?" Shouichi felt a warm touch on his thigh. His perverted friend had placed her hand there. He shot her a hard stare, but she feigned innocence and continued chatting with Emi across the table.


    "Really? Senpai?"


    "Yeah, I just started listening to those podcasts," Ayane responded.


    "Wow! You''re already studying hard for the second term. That''s what it takes to be ranked first in Year Two," Emi praised her senior enthusiastically.


    "Indeed, the Aphrodite Trio isn''t just a group of pretty faces," Toru remarked.


    "Well, actually, Shouichi beat me in the first mid-term. But that won''t last long. I''ll reclaim my rank soon," Ayane casually challenged Shouichi while discreetly massaging his thigh. Shouichi almost choked on his tea in response.


    "Cough* Hahaha. It was just a fluke," He replied humbly. He wasn''t interested in competing with others; his only competition was himself, striving to improve each day.


    "Say... would you do whatever I ask if I win this time?" Ayane asked, her violet-purple eyes glistening with anticipation.


    "No chance. I''m not competing with you," Shouichi responded, well aware of her mischievous games.


    "Someone''s chicken!" Hinoda teased, chuckling.


    "That''s understandable," Ayane added. "Shouichi-kun is the kind of man who would console his nemesis. Like last time, you were so worried about me after topping my score." She leaned in and tapped his shoulder playfully.


    "Why would you broadcast that to everyone?!" Shouichi sat up straight, flustered.


    "Hmm..." He pondered deeply, analyzing Ayane''s calculated behaviour. Then, it hit him. "Oh! That was meant for Momo. Ayane wanted to assert dominance."


    It became crystal clear to Shouichi that Momo seemed slightly uncomfortable whenever Ayane got too close to him, though the petite girl hid it well.


    "Does Ayane think Momo secretly has a crush on me?" His mind wandered.


    "Could Momo actually like me? We did have that moment of weakness... back at her place..." Shouichi shook his head. "What am I thinking?" Lost in thought, he didn''t even realise the food had already been served.


    "Thank you for the meal!" Everyone chanted in unison.


    The multi-course meal featured several Japanese delicacies, each plated elegantly. Everyone quietly enjoyed their sashimi with delight.


    "Would you like some tempura?" Ayane asked Shouichi, pointing at the dish with her hand rather than her finger ¡ª a gesture of refined manners.


    "It''s alright, thanks," Shouichi replied softly, not wanting to trouble her since the dish was beyond his reach.


    Ignoring his response, Ayane picked up a piece with her chopsticks and held it near his mouth.


    "Are you crazy!? Not in front of everyone!?" Shouichi internally screamed but complied, choosing not to make a scene.


    "Mmm..." He chewed for a moment, savouring the flavour.


    "How was it?" Ayane beamed at him.


    "Good," He mumbled.


    "Another?" She asked, gesturing again.


    "Nah, I''m good."


    "Ahhhhhhhh," She pressed anyway, stretched the word out teasingly. Shouichi turned bright red, unable to contain his embarrassment.


    "Man, those two should just date already," Hinoda murmured.


    "Ahhhh?" Naggi jokingly pretended to feed Hinoda with his chopsticks.


    "Ah hell nah!" Hinoda recoiled immediately, causing the group to burst into laughter.


    Shouichi wasn''t sure if he had eaten too much or too little since Ayane had been distracting him the entire time. But he reflected optimistically; Morimura Ayane cared about his well-being more than her own... or so he thought.


    The meal concluded with dessert. The choices were either yokan (sweetened jellies) or fresh fruit. Shouichi and Ayane were the only ones who opted for fruit, enjoying its refreshing taste.


    After the meal, the team took an hour-long break to settle into their rooms and check on their belongings.


    "Wow..." Shouichi entered his room for the first time, marvelling at the king-sized bed, the elegant decor, and the various electronic appliances. A 50-inch smart TV hung on the wall opposite the bed. To the right, a tall refrigerator and a spacious double-door wardrobe stood. At the far end, a large screen door led to a private onsen.


    "Let''s check it out." He slid the door open, revealing a luxurious bathroom with an overhead rainfall shower on the left and a generously sized onsen on the right, large enough to fit five people.


    "Why did they give me this room?" He wondered but quickly shrugged it off, satisfied with his lavish accommodation.


    Pulling out his phone, Shouichi opened a CCTV app and checked in on Yoko. He watched as his bewitching mother chatted with an elderly customer.


    Satisfied, he made a call. "Hello, Shou-kun!" Yoko answered immediately.


    "Hi, Yoko-san."


    "How''s the trip? Why are you calling? You just left a few hours ago," She asked, amused.


    "Hehe, I''m just watching you work," He teased.


    "Eh?" She glanced at the cameras, surprised.


    "I got a free suite upgrade. It''s amazing! I wish you were here with me."


    "Fufufu, that''s great! Maybe I''ll close up shop and join you."


    "Would you?"


    "Just kidding! But we have a promise, right?"


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Yeah! Let''s book this room again. It even has a private onsen!" Shouichi exclaimed.


    "Fufufu. I''ll give you a proper bath and back rub next time."


    "Huh? I can wash myself!"


    "Fufufu, someone''s too shy to bathe with his parents."


    ¡°Hahaha, that¡¯s not true at all! I wasn¡¯t popular when I was in Australia,¡± Shouichi laughed, declining the statement.


    ¡°It feels like it was so long ago¡­ I¡¯m starting to feel nostalgic¡­¡± She trailed off.


    ¡°Well, at least it seems like a great memory of us,¡± Shouichi said, checking the time on his smartphone. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go now, Yoko-san.¡±


    ¡°Alright! Have fun, Shou-kun.¡±


    ¡°I do agree with you. I¡¯m happy that I¡¯m the only one for you¡­¡± He paused, then added, ¡°Yoko-san, I love you.¡± Shouichi said it with ease, having gotten used to saying it over time.


    ¡°Of course, I love you, and only you.¡± Yoko replied, and the phone disconnected.


    Lying on his back, Shouichi gazed at the ceiling, reminiscing about the events leading up to this point. To be honest, he couldn¡¯t fathom the future he¡¯d have in Kurohashi town when he first arrived. But after meeting family and friends, he believed it was going to be a great one, despite the rocky paths along the way. In a sense, it made his heart flourish a little.


    ***


    The mesmerising sunray, tinted with an amber hue, touched the white concrete wall of the dam. The colossal wall embraced the azure water, fresh and pristine. On either side, the dam connected to two mountain ridges, forming natural barricades. Small waves glistened on the surface, sparkling beautifully. The entire view of Takaki Reservoir was spectacular and serene, far better than the one in the photo.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Everyone exclaimed in unison, lost in awe at the stunning combination of man-made and natural beauty.


    ¡°Awesome, right?¡± Shinji turned to ask his girlfriend, who was clinging to his arm. The girl nodded, her gaze fixed on the reservoir and the greenish mountains in the background.


    ¡°Momo, have you been here before?¡± Shouichi asked his quiet friend, leaning on the rail with both hands. Momo turned, smiling sweetly at him.


    ¡°Yes, when I was a kid. My parents used to bring Ai and me here.¡± Momo¡¯s voice carried a hint of sorrow.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Shouichi was taken aback by the sudden personal reveal, but quickly recovered, placing his hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to spoil the mood, but I¡¯m happy to see it again with friends,¡± Momo added, her amber eyes sparkling in the sunlight.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that, Momo,¡± Shouichi reassured her. ¡°Let¡¯s make a great memory together!¡± The pretty boy smiled widely at her.


    ¡°Y~Yes!¡± Momo replied promptly, flustered.


    ¡°Look! Look! There¡¯s a white swan!¡± Naggi, the muscular boy, pointed at the swan gliding through the water.


    ¡°It¡¯s so pretty,¡± Hinoda commented, standing next to him.


    Everyone watched the swan in awe as the soft, earthy-scented wind blew gently on their faces.


    ¡°Hey, guys!¡± Toru and Himemiya Kazumi appeared, holding what seemed to be papers. Naggi and Hinoda quickly ran over to help.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Shouichi turned to ask Ayane, standing beside him.


    Ayane squinted her eyes, quickly recognising the items. ¡°Those are kites!¡± she replied excitedly. Shouichi was surprised by her enthusiasm, realising she was enjoying herself more than usual. Ayane-chan must be having a great time, he thought.


    There were three kites in total, and it took a few tries to get them airborne. The breeze carried them high into the sky, and the sounds of laughter and chatter echoed over the dam wall as the kites soared.


    ***


    Aoyama Shinji, the silver wolf with a heart of gold, suggested a secluded picnic spot out of the blue. Everyone was surprised by how well he knew the area. Shinji spoke with enthusiasm, his lavender-purple eyes sparkling. ¡°It¡¯s the best hidden spot in the whole town!¡± he exclaimed ecstatically, throwing both hands up in the air. At this point, no one could argue with him. The group packed up and followed Shinji¡¯s lead to the narrow road, with his minivan at the front.


    After about 15 minutes, the picnic spot came into view.


    ¡°Woah! Senpai! It¡¯s so beautiful!¡± Emi was the first to gasp in excitement, her hand hanging on Shinji¡¯s shoulder. Her exclamation made everyone else follow her gaze.


    The minivan¡¯s engine rumbled to a halt, and the doors slid open, inviting everyone to step out into the fresh, cool air. The afternoon sun bathed the scene in a warm glow, though the sky hadn¡¯t yet shifted to its golden hues. It was around 3 PM ¡ª still early enough for the light to dance off the lake¡¯s pristine surface, casting shimmering silver ripples.


    Ahead lay a small, rustic inn nestled in a patch of lush green grass. Tables and long wooden benches were arranged under the shade of nearby trees. From this serene spot, the view stretched out over the lake, with towering mountain ridges framing the distance. The air was calm, and the breeze was soft, as if the world itself had slowed down to embrace this perfect moment of peace.


    Shouichi stretched his arms and took in the breathtaking scenery. ¡°What are those?¡± he asked, spotting a facility full of vessels, pipes, and steel on the left side, surrounded by green trees and leaves.


    ¡°That¡¯s the water corp. It¡¯s one of their facilities,¡± Shinji replied, standing beside him, already shirtless, revealing a set of finely sculpted abs.


    ¡°Why are you naked?¡± Shouichi asked, bewildered.


    ¡°Hee hee, we¡¯re going into the water!¡± Shinji pointed towards the shoreline, where grass met the water. It resembled an ocean, minus the sand. This was as close as Kurohashi could get to the sea, a secluded town hidden from the world and surrounded by mountains instead of waves.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s why you told me in the group chat to bring a swimsuit,¡± Shouichi recalled the message.


    ¡°Of course, the beach episode is right in front of us!¡± Shinji said, motivating his friend with a playful shoulder bump, speaking in anime terms.


    ¡°You sound like one of those otakus, mate!¡± Shouichi teased with a light-hearted tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m a certified otaku, so I don¡¯t care.¡± Shinji replied nonchalantly. A man of his calibre didn¡¯t worry about anything. Born into the wealthiest family in town, showered with love and care, blessed with a perfect face and unique silver hair, a nice physique, and the most desired height, Shinji had it all. As if that wasn¡¯t enough, he was also incredibly intelligent. ¡°For all I know, Shinji could be the biggest criminal in town, and people would still root for him,¡± Shouichi mused.


    ¡°Shouichi-kun¡­ um¡­ How do I look?¡± Ayane approached, gracefully strutting towards him in her blue two-piece, her soft, pristine skin exposed. Her physique rivalled that of an idol, and she was even taller than the average idol. Beside her was Momo, dressed in a dark blue one-piece swimsuit, the kind often worn during swimming practice. Upon a quick inspection, Shouichi realised that both girls were relatively flat-chested.


    ¡°You both look great!¡± Shouichi complimented them casually. In the background, he noticed two other girls walking toward him and Shinji.


    ¡°You two better say something nice!¡± Himemiya Kazumi, the blonde, scoffed at them with her arms crossed. The elegant gyaru had chosen a sexy black two-piece for the occasion, strutting alongside Shinji¡¯s girlfriend, Emi. As expected, Emi¡¯s oversized chest in the bikini was impossible to ignore. The silhouette of her figure was accentuated by her white two-piece, though Shouichi wasn¡¯t about to appear like a thirsty pervert.


    ¡°You guys look beautiful!¡± ¡°You two look amazing!¡± The dazzling duo praised, receiving a quick high-five from both girls. Their ample chests bounced as they made the gesture.


    ¡°See! We finally got to see the girls in their bikinis, lil bro. It¡¯s basically stare-able underwear!¡± Shinji shouted, shaking Shouichi¡¯s shoulder enthusiastically. It seemed his silver-haired friend was fired up from the sight.


    ¡°Hahaha, you¡¯re way too excited for this, Shinji,¡± Shouichi laughed, pushing him toward his girlfriend before standing awkwardly beside her.


    ¡°So, Toru and his lackeys will set up a barbecue. Let¡¯s get in the water, guys!¡± Kazumi called out, her voice loud and assertive as she pointed toward the inn with her thumb. Toru, along with Hinoda and Naggi, was busy hauling items for the barbecue.


    ¡°You all need help with that?¡± Shouichi shouted, but Toru shooed him away. The group returned to work, enjoying themselves as always.


    The two guys and four girls ventured into the crystal-clear water of Takaki Lake. The sandy, fine gravel floor felt smooth beneath their feet. The water was a bit cold at first, but their bodies quickly adjusted. Shinji splashed water around, swimming back and forth like a five-year-old. It was a side of him Shouichi had never seen before. Meanwhile, Ayane and Momo stayed in the water, doing nothing. As the most mature in the group, Kazumi pulled a prank on Shouichi, diving behind him and yanking down his shorts. Thankfully, the other girls weren¡¯t looking in their direction.


    ¡°Hahahahaha! You¡¯re too shy, it¡¯s nice being young, huh?¡± Kazumi emerged from the water, teasing him as she saw his flushed face.


    ¡°I totally didn¡¯t expect that from you, jeez!¡± Shouichi retorted. ¡°Cap, Toru, please take your girlfriend away!¡± he silently called out for support.


    ¡°You big guy, huh?¡± Kazumi whispered in his ear, making him even more embarrassed.


    ¡°Huh? Did you see it?¡± Shouichi mumbled.


    ¡°No, I was behind you when I pulled them down. Fufufu,¡± she giggled mischievously. ¡°Kazumi doesn¡¯t act her age at all!¡± Shouichi thought.


    ¡°Hahaha, I¡¯m relieved,¡± he said, brushing it off and returning to his usual cool composure.


    ¡°So which one is sleeping with you tonight?¡± Kazumi quickly changed the subject, glancing at Momo and Ayane behind her. The two girls waved back amicably, unaware of the conversation happening between the gyaru and the graphite-haired boy.


    ¡°What? I¡¯m sleeping alone tonight!¡± Shouichi replied, his brain finally processing her sly question.


    ¡°C¡¯mon! You¡¯re no fun at all!¡± Kazumi teased, her eyes narrowing as if she had figured something out. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed, you know?¡±


    ¡°What? I haven¡¯t done anything!¡± Shouichi averted his gaze to the distant mountain.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t, but those two are fighting over you. Maybe you can play dumb and take them both to your room tonight,¡± Kazumi winked at him, swirling her finger.


    ¡°That¡¯s crazyyy! No way, I haven¡¯t recovered from my last breakup,¡± Shouichi reasoned, his cheeks flushed.


    ¡°Fufufu, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. Keep your door unlocked, okay?¡± Kazumi continued to joke, clearly enjoying herself.


    ¡°Man, you¡¯re not hearing a word I¡¯m saying,¡± Shouichi sighed heavily.

 Vol 3.6 The Sunset

    The fun of swimming and splashing around lasted no more than two hours. By then, exhaustion from the water began to set in, and the gang slowly retreated to shore. Around that time, the sun started its descent. The sky was painted in a stunning amber glow, perfectly mirrored by the rippling waves of the lake, creating the illusion of two suns ¡ª one in the sky and one beneath. As the minutes passed, the balls of soothing light edged closer, until they seemed to collide and merge into one, as if the world itself were holding its breath for that fleeting moment of beauty and tranquillity.


    "Let''s get food, guys!" Captain Toru shouted cheerfully to the rest of the group. It wouldn''t take long for them to huddle cozily inside the inn, enjoying the skewers and sausages carefully cooked by the head chef, Hinoda.


    "Thank you for the food!" Everyone chanted collectively as they dug in.


    "Wow! Hinoda-kun, this is super delish!" Momo said after taking her first bite. Her amber eyes sparkled with joy as the taste of the smoked sausage hit her taste buds. Hinoda nodded humbly, rubbing the back of his black buzzcut.


    "Please enjoy it even more!" Hinoda replied with a nice-guy smile.


    "Momo-chan, try my chicken skewers!" Naggi chimed in while handing them to her, slightly blushing. Momo received them gently with her other hand and thanked him.


    "It''s good too! You both should open an izakaya together!" Momo praised the pair, and the others chuckled in response.


    "Well, Naggi''s parents actually own an izakaya on 7th Street¡­" Captain Toru answered between bites.


    "Really?! I didn''t know that!" Kazumi exclaimed in surprise, clinging to her muscular boyfriend. Shouichi was just as bewildered by the fact.


    "Wow, that''s awesome. I never realised that before, even though we''ve practised together four times a week," he recollected.


    "What do you mean you never knew? I literally took you there two times!" Toru reminded him, making Kazumi smile dryly.


    "That''s right! Naggi''s going to take over the izakaya after his parents!" Hinoda praised his friend with a firm smack on his bulky shoulder.


    "I never knew that before. What do your parents do?" Toru, as the senior of the group, began to question the others about their personal lives, staring at Hinoda.


    "My old man is opening a convenience shop close to Kagehiro-jinja temple, and my mum is a lawyer," Hinoda answered with a smile.


    "Yoko-san¡­ I mean, my mum owns a sweet shop, but most of you might already know that," Shouichi replied promptly.


    "Wait, wait, wait! Naggi! That hot lady is Shouichi''s mum! Yoko''s Sweet Shop!" Hinoda unintentionally raised his voice with excitement.


    "Don''t make it weird, bruh! Pipe down a little, you idiot!" Naggi''s face turned tomato red as he tried to stand his ground.


    "Hey, Shouichi, Naggi used to have a crush on your mum in middle school!" Hinoda slipped up in a monotone voice, causing the group to burst into laughter.


    "Hahaha, I''d be too if I were a guy," Ayane giggled uncontrollably while wiping a tear with the back of her hand. Shouichi was actually surprised to see her laughing and engaging with the group like a normal person, a stark contrast to her usual character.


    "Um¡­ My parents aren''t with me anymore¡­" Momo spoke up, and the group froze.


    "Oh¡­ My condolences," Toru said sympathetically, his expression tinged with regret.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "Hey, hey, but I have a boba shop! Please visit ''Maid & Tea Bliss'' when you''re craving bubble tea, alright?" Momo quickly reversed the sombre mood with a bright smile.


    "Yes, I''ll definitely visit you¡­ I mean, your shop, Tomako-chan!" Naggi tried to interject coolly but stumbled. His best friend, Hinoda, burst into laughter.


    "Kazumi is a firefighter," Toru spoke up, and the group turned to stare blankly at each other in disbelief, except Shouichi, who already knew the truth.


    "Judging by the look on your faces, you don''t believe I''m actually a working woman, right?" Kazumi pouted cutely. In fact, she could easily pass for a high schooler if she wanted to.


    "Also because you don''t act your age!" Shouichi jabbed in his mind.


    "Lady Ayane?" Toru glared at the black-haired girl with the tall, slender figure.


    "Ahem¡­ My family runs a property development company and an asset management company. You may have heard of Morimura Capital," she paused, watching the baffled reactions of the group.


    "In short, my family owns a lot of properties inside and outside of Kurohashi town," Ayane explained, gracefully detailing her family background. The group had suspected that Ayane came from a wealthy family, but the extent of it was a revelation.


    "That''s hella awesome!" Naggi exclaimed.


    "Damn, you never told me that before," Shouichi whispered softly to his female friend. It''s true he could''ve pieced things together, but never with such clarity.


    "You never bothered to ask," Ayane pouted as she swiftly turned her cute face away.


    "C''mon, Ayane-chan, it''s not like I don''t care, I just didn''t want to pry," Shouichi apologetically tapped her upper arm with a weak smile.


    Captain Toru crossed his arms and stared expectantly at Aoyama Shinji, the last guy. "What about your parents? Spill it!"


    The sudden request almost made Shinji choke on his sausage.


    The silver-haired boy coughed a few times, preparing his speech. As a caring girlfriend, Emi handed him a water bottle she had already opened. He gulped it down eagerly. Then, after a few more coughs, he cleared his throat.


    "Well, I don''t really know what to call them, honestly," Shinji replied bluntly, causing everyone to fall into silence. As they stared at him questioningly, he defended himself, "I mean, they do a lot of things. I''d say they''re investors and business owners?" In panic, he turned to Ayane for help.


    "Aoyama''s family owns Bokusho Hospital, Water Corporation, and Aoyama Holdings, to name a few," Ayane explained without hesitation. Everyone turned to her with looks of how-did-she-know, prompting her to continue, "Well, his family is the rival company of mine¡­ So, of course, I have to know my rivals, right?"


    "That''s true! Hehehe, couldn''t have said it better. Thanks, Ayane-chan," Shinji bowed vigorously.


    "Guys, look at the water plants! They light up like a Christmas tree!" Shinji suddenly pointed to the left, and the gang obediently turned to look.


    The spectacle of the evening unfolded before them, with glittering lights shimmering in the distance. Amber and azure hues from the water plants swayed rhythmically with the breeze, their reflections dancing on the ripples of the lake beneath the now purple sky. The scene exuded an eerie yet captivating beauty, leaving the onlookers in awed silence. It was so breathtaking that the group could do nothing but quietly absorb the mesmerising sight.


    "It''s definitely an image that will stay in my mind for the rest of my life," Shouichi mused, silently captivated by the flickering backdrop. It was as if the memory of the nightmarish slaughter at the school had been washed from his mind, replaced by the amazing and blissful experiences of the evening.


    ***


    "Well, I''m pooped!" Shinji stretched his arms into the air after stepping out of his minivan. It had been a smooth ride from the secluded spot to the hotel. It was already past 7:00 PM, and the sunlight had completely disappeared.


    "Thanks for the spot, it''s such a wonderful place. I enjoyed every moment with you," Emi spoke gently to her boyfriend. The trio of Shouichi, Ayane, and Momo overheard her unintentionally.


    "Hehehe, I''m glad you liked it, Emi," Shinji beamed widely.


    The gang decided to split up into their rooms to rest and enjoy the rest of their day with their roommates. Shouichi, however, would be spending his time alone in his deluxe suite.


    "Phew... Finally, some alone time. I''m completely drained for the day, but man, it''s been such a wholesome experience. I''ve never had such a large group of friends before. This has been the most fun trip of my life," Shouichi solemnly contemplated the day''s events, committing them to memory.


    Knock knock A soft knocking sound at his door caused Shouichi to spring up from his oversized bed.


    "Who is it this time?" Shouichi lazily dragged his feet toward the door.


    "How may I help~?" The graphite-black-haired boy froze in shock, his words trailing off as the girl standing before him was the last person he expected to see today.


    "Misaki-chan?!"

 Vol 3.7 Wonderful Onsen at Yunohana Ryokan Inn (1)

    The literal vision of a girl Shouichi knew quite well appeared right before him. Ishikawa Misaki wore an elegant flower-pattern yukata. Her obsidian eyes, tinged with a hint of pink, were filled with friendliness and warmth. The girl stood gracefully, slightly shorter than Shouichi, though her voluptuous figure was still evident beneath the fabric. Misaki''s twin tails had been replaced with two flower buns, one on each side of her head, creating a cute and youthful appearance.


    "Hey! Y~You look beautiful today," Shouichi finally spoke up after a long moment of surprise.


    "How sweet of you! You like my clothes, don''t you?" Misaki spun around, letting the loose sleeves of her yukata flow dramatically. Shouichi noticed her sweet smile was the same one he had seen the first time they met, full of life and purpose. It sent a tingling sensation through him.


    "Yes, it looks great!" Shouichi praised her. Once he regained his composure, it was time to address the "elephant in the room." "How did you know I was here?"


    "Hee hee, I''m soooo sorry," Misaki clasped her hands together in an apologetic gesture, though her dry smile didn''t seem entirely convincing. "Well, I''m on a retreat from the city... and I saw you on the guest list."


    "That''s a bit too convenient, don''t you think?" Shouichi pressed.


    "Senpai, we could stand here chatting all night, but I think..." Misaki spoke softly, yet her bold personality was still very much intact.


    "Oh, my bad... Please come in," Shouichi invited her gently.


    "Thank you, Shou-senpai. Can I still call you that?" Misaki entered confidently, making herself at home as she sat comfortably on the sofa next to the oversized bed.


    "Y~yeah, I don''t mind," Shouichi replied, closing the door and sitting across from her.


    "Awesome! You''re so kind!" She beamed at him with her upturned eyes.


    "So, Misaki-chan, please explain..." Shouichi asked with a slightly serious tone.


    "Yunohana Ryokan is owned by the Ishikawa family ¡ª my family. Tee hee." She chuckled softly.


    "Ah, that explains the sudden upgrade to VVIP!" Shouichi finally pieced it together, his mouth dropping open in awe.


    "Tada! You caught on quickly as always, Shou-senpai," Misaki confirmed excitedly, raising her arms in the air. "Do you like the room I picked for you? Fufufu."


    "It''s perfect, Misaki-chan... Thank you."


    Misaki shook her head nonchalantly. "Nope, it''s the least I can do for you, senpai."


    "Would you mind waiting a bit? I''ve got something special for you," Misaki said gleefully, springing to her feet.


    "Huh? Okay. Please don''t go overboard, I don''t want to trouble you too much," Shouichi replied.


    Misaki walked across the room towards a double closet, which concealed a refrigerator beneath it.


    "It''s our way of welcoming a guest!" Misaki announced, showing Shouichi a bottle of Japanese sake.


    "Uh? Is it alcoholic?" Shouichi jumped to his feet, inspecting the bottle closely. It had been a long time since he had seen an alcoholic beverage in Kurohashi town. It was indeed a rare sight.


    "Of course not, we can''t drink alcohol. We''re underage, you know," Misaki said with a bright smile. "You''re so naughty, Shou-senpai." Her eyes squinted slyly.


    "Let me grab some glasses," Misaki said, placing a small cup on a saucer for herself and another for Shouichi. She then began to pour the liquid slowly until it overflowed into the saucer.


    "Misaki-chan, I think you''re overfilling it," Shouichi spoke up.


    "Oh, hehehe. I did that on purpose to show how overwhelming our welcome is," She explained casually.


    "Wow, I didn''t know that. But thank you for your kind hospitality!" Shouichi nodded in anticipation.


    "Come now, it''s ''cheers!'' in English, right?" Misaki raised her cup with both hands, prompting Shouichi to follow suit.


    "Cheers!" they both said, emptying their cups without hesitation.


    "Cough cough! It burns!" Shouichi struggled to maintain his composure as the alcohol hit his throat like a fiery arrow.


    "Fufufufu, how na?ve of you," Misaki teased, sticking out her tongue playfully.


    "Cough* You tricked me, Misaki-chan?"


    "Yeah... Hahaha, you should have seen your face. It''s red like a tomato." Misaki continued to laugh, almost doubling over.


    "That''s so naughty of you, hahaha," Shouichi couldn''t help but smile, adoring her mischievous nature.


    "So how''s your trip so far, senpai?" Misaki asked, wiping away a joyful tear with her finger.


    "I''ve enjoyed every moment of it ¡ª the multi-course Japanese cuisine, the Takaki dam, the barbecue, including the surprise attack by Misaki-chan," He quipped.


    "I''m glad to hear that, fufufu," Misaki replied softly, her gaze drifting. She glanced at the shoji screen, where a thin wisp of steam curled from the hot spring beyond.


    "I''m happy too. When I see you today, it''s like seeing the soothing sun after a cold night," Shouichi said, describing her in a poetic metaphor.


    "Eh? That''s so sudden, senpai! I''m flattered," Misaki''s face turned crimson, and she hid it with her hands.


    "Hahaha, it''s payback time," Shouichi teased before turning serious. "But I''m really happy to see the best version of you again."


    "Thank you, I''ve been doing so well with my BDD," Misaki said, referring to her struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Shouichi smiled widely after hearing the positive news.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "I''ve been wanting to hear that for so long."


    "Really?" Misaki''s eyes sparkled with joy.


    "Yep, really. I hope you succeed in your treatment, I really do," He reassured her, gently tapping her hands with his finger. His kind words were Misaki''s motivation and inspiration to keep going.


    After a few moments of silence, the cute girl attempted to speak but hesitated. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Shouichi pretended not to notice and aimlessly swept his cinnamon-brown eyes around the room, waiting patiently for her to articulate her thoughts.


    ¡°Shouichi-senpai, I... I wanted to return this to you.¡± Misaki held out the rose gold necklace he had given her at the fire festival.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want it anymore?¡± He asked, puzzled.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that... I just feel like I¡¯m not worthy of it... of your kindness.¡± The girl replied, eyes closed, her hand extended, and her head hanging low as if she were bowing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think like that, Misa-chan,¡± Shouichi patted her soft, dark-purple hair with slight embarrassment. It felt a bit off to call her by her nickname again. ¡°After all, you¡¯re like a beloved sister to me.¡±


    ¡°S... Shou-senpai,¡± Misaki¡¯s doe eyes glanced up at him, tears welling up. It was a tear of joy and acceptance.


    ¡°Bwwwwwwhhhh!¡± The girl cried loudly like a little child, and it was adorably pitiful. Shouichi, ever the good brother, consoled her with a soft stroke of her silky hair.


    ¡°Feeling better now?¡± Shouichi smiled gently, continuing the head pat. Misaki glanced up at him and nodded a few times.


    ¡°Hehehe, I¡¯ll be going then. Thanks for your continued support, Shou-senpai.¡± The girl stood up and strolled toward the door, with Shouichi following closely behind.


    ¡°No worries. I¡¯m glad I could help, even a little. Misa-chan.¡± He smiled and opened the door for her.


    ¡°Ca~Can a little sister have a good-night hug, please?¡± Misaki asked shyly, her eyes fixed on the floor. ¡°I know I said it would be the last hug, but...¡± She mumbled.


    ¡°Hahaha, come here.¡± Shouichi gently pulled her delicate body into a warm embrace. The hug lingered, as though it could last forever, with Misaki nestling closer, soaking in the full extent of his kindness and warmth. Shouichi could smell the familiar scent of her sweet, candy-like fragrance.


    Misaki whispered softly, ¡°Thank you¡­¡±


    ¡°Ahem.¡± The sudden sound of someone clearing their throat made Shouichi and Misaki break apart immediately. It was Tomako Momo, who had been standing in the doorway for a while, unable to continue watching the two pseudo-siblings.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. Did I interrupt you guys?¡± Momo asked in a monotone, without her usual stutter. That was something new coming from Momo, the embodiment of shyness in Class 2-1.


    ¡°No~no! Of course not... Please, enjoy your stay, Shou-senpai, Tomako-senpai!¡± Misaki quickly bowed to both seniors before galloping away.


    ¡°M~may I come in?¡± Momo gave a dry smile, sending a slight chill through his core.


    ¡°Yeah... Please, this way.¡± Shouichi gestured for her to come in. What a weird night¡ªfirst Misaki-chan, now Momo-chan, he thought about the unexpected guests.


    ¡°Woah... Your room is much bigger than ours. How come?¡± Momo asked in surprise, sitting on the edge of his bed. ¡°It¡¯s pretty bouncy too!¡± She bounced on it a few times.


    ¡°Hahaha, the funny thing is, Misaki upgraded my room to VIP since she¡¯s the daughter of the hotel¡¯s owner,¡± Shouichi explained with a shallow smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s even more surprising! Your ex, um... your girlfriend... or... um, your sister?¡± Momo fidgeted, unsure whether to refer to Misaki as his ex or sister.


    ¡°Bfffp!¡± Shouichi couldn¡¯t contain his laughter. ¡°My ex is fine. How long have you been standing in my doorway anyway?¡± He lay down next to her on the bed.


    ¡°Long enough to hear everything,¡± She said softly, fidgeting with a strand of her short brown hair.


    ¡°Really? Man, that¡¯s quite pathetic of me ¡ª making up with an ex and all,¡± Shouichi self-deprecated.


    ¡°Not! Not at all! It takes a great amount of courage and virtue to forgive others... I think,¡± Momo disagreed, shaking her head.


    ¡°Right! So... Momo-chan, what¡¯s the occasion?¡± Shouichi teased with a playful glance.


    ¡°Nothing!¡± Her brown eyes briefly met his before darting away. ¡°I just felt a bit lonely. The night¡¯s still young and all. Don¡¯t you think?¡± She tried to convince him.


    ¡°Well, you could spend a girls'' night with your roommate, Ayane-chan,¡± Shouichi rationalised, then his expression stiffened. ¡°Did Ayane bully you?¡± He asked seriously.


    ¡°No, of course not. She¡¯s nice, but she¡¯s...¡±


    ¡°Eccentric, right?¡± He interjected with a playful smile.


    ¡°A little bit. Hahaha.¡± She chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. She¡¯s damn cute, Shouichi thought.


    ***


    ¡°Man, it¡¯s quite refreshing to soak my muscular ass in the hot spring. I heard it¡¯s good for muscle soreness or something like that.¡± Naggi, a muscular boy with curly hair, let his mind wander aimlessly as he walked through the empty hall. After returning from the barbecue by the spectacular Takkaki Lake, his smoky scent was washed away as he entered the soothing onsen. But after a few hours, he was starting to feel thirsty. He told his roommate he would grab some ginger ale from the vending machine at the end of the hallway.


    Fortunately, the hotel layout was well-planned to provide the best hospitality experience, and there was a convenient sofa next to the vending machine. After getting his drink, he cracked open a cold one and enjoyed it in solitude on the comfy sofa.


    ¡°Wait, that girl... It¡¯s Misaki, right?¡± He saw a girl in a nice yukata knocking on one of the doors.


    ¡°That¡¯s Shouichi¡¯s room? This guy, man... Never gets a moment alone. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised, judging by how popular he is,¡± Naggi mumbled to himself in envy.¡° Hinoda would be fuming if he saw this. Hahahaha,¡± he chuckled silently.


    After a few moments, Naggi saw Misaki leave cheerfully, while Tomako Momo, another cutesy little doll, entered the room.


    ¡°What the freak, man. Stop taking all the girls, dude! Jeez, greedy man.¡± Naggi cursed under his breath before cracking open another cold one. It was extremely refreshing. He then glanced back at the main attraction of the night.


    ¡°Now now! That¡¯s too crazy! Morimura Ayane, too?¡± Naggi was shocked.


    ¡°That¡¯s hella unfair, bro. I¡¯m going back to my room to cry,¡± He muttered in sorrow before heading back to his suite.

 Vol 3.8 Wonderful Onsen at Yunohana Ryokan Inn (2)

    Knock! Knock! A loud bang echoed from the door just as Shouichi was speaking of the devil. Momo glanced at him blankly, and Shouichi rushed to open the door.


    "Good evening, Shouichi-kun!" The girl with long, jet-black hair greeted him cheerfully at the doorway.


    "Oh, you have a guest¡­" Ayane''s gaze met Momo, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. The girl forced a smile and waved. "And it''s my roommate¡­ Tomako-san, there you are."


    "Morimura-san." Momo returned a quick smile and wave. "I thought the night was still too young, so I was curious about Shouichi-kun''s room and decided to check it out."


    "I see." Ayane walked across the room and sat on the sofa, while Shouichi closed the door and followed her.


    "I feel something dense in the air." Shouichi thought as he sat down next to Ayane.


    "Did you two drink sake?" Ayane''s voice was flat, her eyes scanning the cups, saucers, and a bottle of sake on the table.


    "Huh? That''s just me and Misa ~ I mean, Misa-ki-chan earlier," Shouichi realised his words had made things worse and panicked.


    "Fufufu," came Momo''s giggle from the side. "At least he''s honest," She commented between chuckles.


    "Anything you want to say?" Ayane''s purple gaze turned cold, her words biting. "It''s like you got caught cheating by your girlfriend ¡ª except Ayane is not my girlfriend. Not yet, anyway." The boy pondered.


    "Sigh... It''s actually her family hotel, so that explains the sudden upgrade for this room," Shouichi explained timidly.


    "Hee hee, why are you so afraid?" Ayane finally broke her character, teasing him.


    "I thought you''d be mad at meeeee," Shouichi rationalised with a weak smile.


    "Again, you always misjudge me! But thinking about it, I might just be fuming for real," She pouted, looking adorable.


    "Haha, my bad," Shouichi quickly apologised with a small bow. "It''s hard to tell when your feelings mean so much to me," He thought dimly.


    "Try to loosen up around me, alright? I''m the least mean girl in your life," Ayane boasted, her tone full of confidence. "That''s hardly true," He thought but nodded a few times, pretending to agree.


    "Apology accepted ¡ª with a condition!" Ayane raised the cup of sake in front of his face, forcing the boy to drink.


    "You too, Momo. It''s rare to see a bottle of alcohol, we better not let it go to waste," Ayane smiled at the petite, quiet girl.


    "Hey! Momo, don''t play into Ayane''s games, she''s tricking you!" Shouichi hastily called out, but it was too late¡­


    "Kanpai!" The two ladies raised their cups and drank deeply.


    "Wa~wait! That''s gonna burn¡­" Shouichi trailed off, raising his hands in protest.


    "Haaaa!" Momo let out a satisfied moan. "It''s so refreshing," She added.


    "Right?" Ayane beamed at her. There seemed to be no effect on them, as if both girls were seasoned drinkers.


    "Shouichi, don''t stall now, drink up!" Ayane was assertive, almost demanding, as she pressured him to take a shot.


    "Dang it! I''m cooked," Shouichi''s hand trembled slightly as he lifted the cup to his lips. The burning sensation still lingered from the first time he''d had it with Misaki.


    "Fighting, Shouichi-kun!" Momo cheered with a gentle smile.


    "Cough* cough* cough*" After drinking, Shouichi struggled to breathe between fits of coughing. "Oh man, that''s terrible¡­" He continued, wiping his mouth with his hands, his head starting to spin, a sure sign of tipsiness.


    "Fufufu, good job!" Momo gave his shoulder a squeeze.


    "Shouichi, are you alright?" Ayane asked, her tone a mix of concern and mockery.


    "...Yeah¡­ I''m never better." Shouichi lied, pretending to be tough in front of the girls. "Ain''t no way I''m chickening out of this," He noted internally, or maybe it was just the alcohol speaking ¡ª he couldn''t tell.


    "Tomako-san, you mentioned the boba shop earlier, right?" Ayane spoke cheerfully to Momo, the atmosphere shifting to something more lively as they relaxed.


    "Yes! It''s Maid & Tea Bliss near Hoshimashi Mall," Momo''s amber eyes lit up.


    "I didn''t know you were such an entrepreneur."


    "Fufufu, not quite! I actually do it for a living."


    "I saw your shop during the Fire Festival too. Your matcha special was to die for!" Ayane exaggerated, her tone overly dramatic.


    "Oh, you tried it, Morimura-san?" Momo glanced briefly at Shouichi. "I didn''t realise you were there that day. It gets pretty busy during the festival ¡ª maybe my big sis made it for you?"


    "Na-ah, I had a sip of Shouichi''s," Ayane replied with a wicked smile. "I wouldn''t call it a sip, you drank all of it!" Shouichi protested.


    "I also noticed a cute little heart drawn on his cup," Ayane got straight to the point.


    "Oh hell no! You remember that?!" Shouichi began to sweat nervously.


    "Oh! T~that''s just my big sister, she told me to prank him," Momo quickly backtracked, her plum face flushed with embarrassment.


    "That''s right!" Shouichi interrupted with a deep voice, but they both ignored him and kept their conversation going.


    "Tomako-chan, would you like to open a second store? I''d love to be your angel investor." Ayane clasped her hands together eagerly.


    "Fufufu, thanks for the offer, but I''ll think about it since I''m the only one working there, with occasional help from my big sis," Momo replied politely. The two continued discussing girly, trivial matters for the next ten minutes. To Shouichi, their high-pitched chatter sounded like little birds chirping joyfully.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Hey! I''ve got an idea!" Ayane suddenly exclaimed, her devious smile spreading across her face. "I just downloaded this app called ''Truth or Dare.''"


    "Truth or dare? I''ve played that before," Shouichi commented, while Momo nodded in agreement.


    "It''s simple. We just add our names to the wheel, and when it lands on someone, they become the subject of truth or dare. Then we spin again for the commander, who will ask the truth or dare. How''s that sound? Let''s play!" Ayane eagerly explained the rules, scooting closer with the app open on her phone.


    "I''m not playing that!" Shouichi hastily refused in a firm tone.


    "Why not?" Momo asked with puppy eyes, literally begging him.


    ¡°Huh? Don¡¯t tell me you want to play too?¡± Shouichi responded, surprised, as Momo nodded.


    ¡°Well, if that''s the case, it¡¯s two against one. Majority rules,¡± Ayane concluded with a clap.


    ¡°I know you''re up to no good, but my luck isn¡¯t that bad. Bring it on, Ayane!¡± Shouichi fired up, pointing at her.


    ¡°Fufufu, don¡¯t blame me if I make you strip if you win, okay? Pervert-san,¡± She teased, her words making Momo second-guess whether it was a good idea to join after all.


    ¡°A~Aya! You wouldn¡¯t do that, would you, Shouichi-kun?!¡± Momo gasped, hugging her body, looking terrified.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll make both of you strip until there¡¯s nothing left, Hahaha!¡± Shouichi jested, laughing menacingly, causing the two girls to recoil in disgust.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been hit again, Shouichi-kun,¡± Momo said gleefully, tapping the screen to spin again. It landed on Ayane¡¯s name, meaning she¡¯d be the commander of this round.


    ¡°Hehehe, truth or dare?¡± Ayane chuckled, eyeing Shouichi¡¯s barely covered body. He had lost every round, now stripped down to his last piece ¡ª his boxers.


    ¡°Dare!¡± Shouichi shouted, his voice booming, making both girls look at each other, puzzled.


    ¡°Woah? Shouichi-kun! You really don¡¯t have anything left!¡± Momo appeared flustered. ¡°Please don¡¯t dare him to strip anymore, I can¡¯t take it!¡± She begged Ayane, but Ayane ignored her pleas.


    ¡°I dare you to strip, Shouichi!¡± Ayane commanded sternly, her devious grin widening.


    ¡°¡­Alrighty then!¡± Shouichi sprang to his feet energetically, a grin plastered on his face.


    ¡°Eek! I didn¡¯t think you were an exhibitionist!¡± Momo squeaked, covering her eyes in embarrassment.


    Bam! Shouichi slapped a piece of clothing on the table.


    ¡°Eh? That¡¯s not your underwear!¡± Ayane was flabbergasted. ¡°That¡¯s a sweatband! You¡¯re cheating!¡± She objected.


    ¡°Hahahaha! You didn¡¯t specify what type of cloth, so technically, a sweatband is clothing too,¡± Shouichi retorted smartly, clearly pleased with himself.


    ¡°Fufufu, that¡¯s actually clever, Shouichi-kun,¡± Momo giggled like a little kid, her gaze briefly lingering on his naked body. His toned physique was somewhat alluring, but She quickly snapped herself back to reality.


    ¡°Tsk!¡± Ayane crossed her arms and pouted, clearly exasperated by his antics.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the sweatband? You always wear it,¡± Momo asked curiously.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a scar from when I was a kid,¡± Shouichi replied, showing her the scar on his left wrist. Momo gently touched it, examining it closely.


    ¡°Does it still hurt? It¡¯s pretty big,¡± Momo inquired.


    ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore,¡± Shouichi replied, shaking his head.


    ¡°That¡¯s good! You don¡¯t need to hide it. It¡¯s not ugly. It¡¯s part of you, right?¡± Momo said sincerely, looking at him with soft eyes. ¡°Dang it! She¡¯s so cute, I might die right now!¡± Shouichi thought to himself, his mind in turmoil.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind it either¡­¡± Ayane mumbled, though loud enough for Shouichi to hear.


    ¡°Come on! Let¡¯s spin the wheel,¡± Shouichi suggested, trying to lighten the mood as he tapped on the phone.


    ¡°It¡¯s Ayane!¡± and the commander was ¡°Shouichi!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this moment! Time for payback!¡± Shouichi declared, itching for his revenge.


    ¡°Dare!¡± Ayane said confidently. ¡°Ayane-chan! You know he¡¯s going to make you strip too,¡± Momo thought, her mind momentarily blank. She hadn¡¯t realised just how far Ayane and Shouichi had taken things together.


    Bam! Ayane slapped her shirt onto the table, leaving her blue bra exposed. It didn¡¯t faze Shouichi much since he¡¯d already seen her in a bikini earlier; it was just all in good fun at this point.


    ¡°I¡­ I think we¡¯ve played this game completely wrong!¡± Momo shrieked in second-hand embarrassment, her eyes darting between the two topless friends. They both turned toward her with mischievous grins, almost as if saying, ¡°You¡¯re next!¡±


    Eventually, Momo lost the game and was pressured to join the ¡®primitive tribe.¡¯


    ¡°One of us! One of us! One of us!¡± The three of them clinked their cups, enjoying the forbidden liquor. It got better after a few shots, the burning sensation fading as they went.


    ¡°Shouichi-kun! Let¡¯s go into the onsen with me!¡± Momo suddenly said, her face and earlobes flushed bright red. Her shy personality was completely gone, replaced by boldness. She even leaned in so close to him that her chest brushed against his upper arm.


    ¡°My! Tomako-san, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be this bold,¡± Ayane remarked, clearly taken aback.


    ¡°No! Shouichi, you¡¯re coming with me!¡± Ayane tugged at him, pulling him to her side.


    The tug-of-war between the two girls, with Shouichi caught in the middle like a rag doll, was hilarious.


    ¡°Ay! You two!¡± Shouichi lifted his hand in the air, gesturing for a stop. His stern and calm demeanour halted the girls in their tracks. ¡°Let¡¯s all just go together!¡± He suggested. Even he was surprised by the words coming out of his mouth. In that moment, he realised why teenagers weren¡¯t allowed to drink alcohol. But it was too late for regrets.


    The hot, earthy steam engulfed the private hot spring in the back of their VVIP suite. The three of them soaked in serenity and tranquillity, the peaceful atmosphere providing a much-needed break for Shouichi¡¯s tired body and mind, his towel covering his eyes.


    ¡°Really? Yours looks bigger than mine,¡± Momo¡¯s excited voice broke the silence.


    ¡°Can I touch them?¡± Ayane asked casually.


    ¡°Eek! It¡¯s ticklish!¡± Momo yelped.


    ¡°Hey! You girls better stop with the lewd stuff! I¡¯m a guy here, in case you didn¡¯t realise!¡± Shouichi yelled at the two girls, who were deep in their girly conversation. ¡°Sigh... I doubt they see me as a man at all. They¡¯re way too comfortable around me,¡± He lamented.


    After they finished soaking, Ayane and Momo hopped onto Shouichi¡¯s bed, exhausted from the wonderful trip. They fell asleep almost instantly, leaving Shouichi, who had just finished exiting the hot spring, standing in a dazed state at the edge of the bed.


    ¡°Sigh¡­ I guess I either sleep on the floor or with them. It¡¯d be improper to do so, though¡­¡± Shouichi thought long and hard, before realising he could just use their bed. He quickly walked over to Ayane¡¯s side.


    ¡°Ayane! Where¡¯s your keycard?¡± He leaned in close and whispered into her ear, the faint scent of lavender soap filling his senses.


    ¡°Hmmp¡­¡± She mumbled, still asleep, but her arms reached out, pulling him into an embrace. His face ended up buried in her soft, warm chest.


    ¡°Eh?! I¡¯m dead! She¡¯s choking me!¡± Shouichi panicked, but after a few seconds, she released him.


    ¡°Woah! She¡¯s still asleep¡­ That¡¯s odd,¡± He muttered to himself. Stepping back, he pondered, ¡°I need a new strategy, but man¡­ I¡¯m so pooped. Can¡¯t think straight anymore.¡±


    It was clear that his consciousness was slipping away.


    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll sleep at the foot of the bed then!¡± Shouichi decided after seeing there was enough room at the foot. He honestly couldn¡¯t care less about sleeping near their feet.

 Vol 3.9 Wide Awake

    The delightful morning arrived with the chirping of exotic birds in the suburban area of Kurohashi town. It was still early, with dawn barely touched by sunlight. The boy with graphite-black hair, Seito Shouichi, felt something heavy on his forehead.


    ¡°What is that?¡± He opened his eyes and spotted Ayane¡¯s delicate foot resting on him. It looked smaller than expected, considering her tall and slender frame. ¡°It¡¯s super soft, but... what am I thinking?!¡± Shouichi was conflicted.


    ¡°Man, I was a bit drunk last night. Good thing I don¡¯t have a hangover at all. On the contrary, I feel completely refreshed! Is this the magic of the hot spring? Its rehabilitative power is almost divine!¡± He got lost in his thoughts.


    The girls, Ayane and Momo, appeared to be snuggled together like a cute couple. From a quick glance, anyone would have thought they were best friends. Maybe they had already bonded during this trip, but Shouichi couldn¡¯t really tell.


    He stumbled out of bed and searched for his smartphone across the spacious VVIP room, trying to be as quiet as possible. He vividly remembered leaving it on the sofa when they were playing the Dare-or-Dare game. Shouichi couldn¡¯t contain his chuckles¡ªit was way too hilarious when he thought about it.


    ¡°Found it!¡± He quickly turned on his phone. It was a common ritual for teenagers to check their phones first thing in the morning, and Shouichi was no exception.


    Ding! Ding! Ding!


    Suddenly, his phone rang. The name ¡°Akiyama Suzuki¡± appeared on the screen.


    ¡°G~good morning, Akiyama-san,¡± Shouichi answered quietly, glancing back at the two sleeping beauties on his bed. Seeing them sleep peacefully was too adorable.


    ¡°Suzuki would be mad if she knew about this,¡± he thought. ¡°Wait, why am I even thinking about that? It¡¯s not like she¡¯s my anything.¡±


    ¡°Hello! Shouichi, are you at your house? Where are you?¡± Suzuki¡¯s voice trembled as she fired off questions in quick succession, implying that something was wrong.


    ¡°I¡¯m out of town, at a hotel. What do you~.¡± Before Shouichi could finish, the female cop interjected, ¡°I think your mum is in danger!¡±


    It was as though the world had stopped turning. The warning in Suzuki¡¯s alarming tone rattled his brain. His mind went blank for a few seconds before he managed to speak. ¡°Yoko-san?! What happened?¡± His voice shook, and his heart pounded like crazy. His loud and agitated words seemed to wake Ayane.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I saw someone take her. A man,¡± Suzuki replied seriously.


    ¡°Why is she apologising?!¡± Shouichi thought. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter right now. I need to know the details!¡±


    ¡°So what exactly happened, Akiyama-san?¡± he asked quickly.


    ¡°I~I saw a man kidnap her five minutes ago. I¡¯m trying to get to her shop, but I fear it¡¯s too late,¡± Suzuki said, her voice quivering.


    ¡°Wait, how could you see someone kidnap my mum when you weren¡¯t even at the shop?¡± Shouichi asked.


    ¡°...I still have the CCTV app on my phone! I¡¯m sorry, Shouichi-kun. I¡¯m trying to find where he took her and...¡± Suzuki admitted with a shaky voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll head back right now! Let me know if you find anything!¡±


    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m asking the IT guys to track Yoko¡¯s smartphone and check the traffic CCTVs. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯ll work, but I¡¯ll keep trying!¡± Suzuki brainstormed desperately.


    ¡°Thanks for letting me know, Akiyama-san.¡± Shouichi disconnected the call and quickly turned to brief Ayane.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming too!¡± Ayane insisted, springing up on the bed, still not fully awake.


    ¡°No, please stay with Momo and ask Namie to pick you up. I¡¯ll get Shinji to escort me; he¡¯s the driver,¡± Shouichi hurriedly explained before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.


    ***


    ¡°Damn it! Why did this have to happen at the worst time?!¡± The silver-haired Shinji sped through narrow countryside roads in his van. The vehicle bounced over uneven surfaces.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! But thanks for the ride,¡± Shouichi replied gratefully. Shinji was a reliable friend who¡¯d never hesitate to help. To be precise, Shinji was his best mate, the kind of friend who¡¯d ride or die with him.


    ¡°I suspected it must¡¯ve been someone we know. I checked the CCTV footage; he disguised himself in a black costume, covering his face,¡± Shouichi shared, his heart still racing.


    ¡°What else did you see?¡± Shinji asked, keeping his eyes on the road. He took a sharp turn, the centrifugal force sending them sideways.


    ¡°Umm¡­ He was medium height, thin, and I think he wore glasses. And he drove off in a black van.¡±


    ¡°I think I know who it is¡­¡± Shinji murmured, as if having figured it out.


    ¡°Kasunagi Nabe!¡± They said in unison, as though telepathically linked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call Suzuki and let her know right away!¡± Shouichi fumbled for his phone, his hands trembling.


    Ding! Ding! Ding!


    To his surprise, his mum¡¯s name appeared on the screen this time.


    ¡°Yoko-san! Where are you?!¡± Shouichi screamed after the call connected.


    ¡°Ay! Shou-kun¡­¡± It was a man¡¯s voice. His heart sank, followed by the muffled sound of Yoko in the background. Shouichi recognised the voice from their earlier encounter at the shop. The background noise confirmed it was his mum.


    ¡°YOU BASTARD!!! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO MY MUM?!¡± Shouichi shouted, his anger boiling over.


    ¡°Stop with the whining, kid. Your mum and I are about to have some adult fun,¡± Nabe replied in a calm, taunting tone.


    ¡°YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT! I¡¯LL FIND YOU AND KILL YOU!¡±


    ¡°Hahaha, hear that? Your son¡¯s not so nice, huh? He¡¯s a bully. Maybe you should teach him better, okay?¡± Nabe ignored Shouichi¡¯s threat, then turned to speak to Yoko in the background.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll teach him a lesson. A lesson he¡¯ll never forget.¡± Nabe continued to taunt.


    ¡°YOU~!¡± Before Shouichi could retaliate, the call was abruptly disconnected. His eyes were filled with fury, and his body trembled with adrenaline. He had never felt fear like this before. This was the most terrifying moment of his life.


    ¡°That bastard¡¯s trying to get under your skin. Don¡¯t fall for it, Shouichi,¡± Shinji advised, his voice slow and steady as he sped along. At this point, speeding tickets were just another bill for someone as rich as him.


    ¡°Right¡­¡± Shouichi sniffed, refocusing. He had to find a way to save her ¡ª this wasn¡¯t over.


    Shouichi quickly contacted Suzuki to update her on Nabe¡¯s involvement in the kidnapping. He brought her up to speed on everything. Suzuki had checked out the shop and tried to track the culprit to his hideout, but without much success. She mentioned that checking the online CCTV from traffic was taking time, as it was still early and not enough people were available to help.


    ***


    When Shinji¡¯s minivan finally reached the urban area, Shinji drove aimlessly, hoping to spot Nabe¡¯s black van.


    ¡°This is hopeless!¡± Shinji grumbled, scratching his silver hair. He was trying to think of a good strategy, but without more information, even Sherlock Holmes couldn¡¯t have solved it.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    A new video clip appeared in Shouichi¡¯s messenger. His face turned pale as he saw the preview. The cover of the clip made his stomach turn. His trembling finger tapped the play button.


    ¡°First lesson, Shou-kun. Watch your mum suck my dick! Hahaha.¡± Nabe¡¯s lower half appeared in the video, but Shouichi¡¯s mum was clearly visible, her black hair a mess, tears streaming down her face, leaving black mascara trails.


    ¡°Do it, or I¡¯ll blow your brains out!¡± Nabe yelled at her, pointing what looked like a handgun to her face.


    Yoko started to unzip his pants and stroke his rigid finger, her frail body shaking with fear.


    ¡°She knows how to do it! Shou-kun, I bet you didn¡¯t know that, huh? I¡¯m doing you a favour!¡± Nabe mocked, ¡°Hurry up! Stick out your tongue, damn it!¡±


    ¡°Shouichi! Let me see!¡± Shinji reached for Shouichi¡¯s phone, but Shouichi recoiled, his face contorting with repulsion. He bared his teeth like an animal.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think! You trust me, right?¡± Shinji¡¯s voice was sincere, and his serious gaze brought Shouichi to his senses.


    "¡­I''m sorry¡­" Shouichi voluntarily handed it to his friend. Time and again, his emotions had pushed him to the edge.


    It took about three minutes after Shinji examined the clip. He paused at a specific timeframe and showed it to Shouichi.


    "Look at the curtain behind them, Shouichi."


    "That''s¡­ That''s¡­ a radio tower!" Shouichi saw the breeze lift the curtain, revealing a red-and-white radio tower in the distance. It had three discs attached to the structure, with the largest disc facing their direction ¡ª directly at this window.


    Shinji quickly slammed his foot on the brake pedal, bringing the van to a complete stop. Shouichi, in sync, opened the car door and stood on the seat to search for the radio tower.


    "There! Judging by the largest disc, they must be somewhere in the northern part of the town," Shouichi pointed, then slid back into his seat. Shinji nodded, acknowledging the observation.


    "Based on the background, I think it''s probably a small apartment," Shinji began to analyse.


    "Right! The wall looked pretty old, off-white," Shouichi added.


    "I remember you said he''s an ex-con who just got out, right?" Shinji turned to pick their brains as he drove north, towards the radio tower.


    "That''s right. He must have rented a place, but with his profile, it''s unlikely he''d be able to afford a pricey one."


    "Exactly what I thought. That narrows it down. What else do you think?" Shinji pressed.


    "Judging from the angle of the tower, I don''t think his hideout is on the first floor," Shouichi''s brain was firing on all cylinders.


    "So, a run-down apartment, low income, 3-4 floors, a black van. Alright! Let''s get the bastard!" Shinji gritted his teeth and floored the accelerator, while Shouichi reported their speculations to Suzuki, hoping for police support to speed up the search.


    ***


    After inspecting three buildings, the dazzling duo still hadn''t pinpointed the exact location of Kasunagi and Yoko. Shouichi was in a complete panic, drenched in sweat.


    Just then, his phone rang. "Shouichi-kun! The last unknown location of the van was at 11th Daidai Street," Suzuki shouted into the phone.


    "11th Daidai Street, got it!" Shouichi repeated aloud so Shinji could hear, who nodded in acknowledgement.


    "We''re at 9th Daidai Street, we can make it, Shouichi!" Shinji made a sharp left turn onto 10th Street, and they were nearly there.


    "There! That''s the van!" Shouichi pointed out a black van, half-covered by a black sheet, parked in front of a three-story rundown apartment with a shared balcony. Shouichi shared his location with Suzuki before leaping out of the van before it had even come to a full stop.


    "Please be right. Please be right. Yoko-san, I''m going to save you!" That''s all he could think as he rushed toward the short fence. He jumped over it easily, with Shinji following close behind.


    Shouichi ran up the metal stairs, their creaking under his weight. He checked the angle of the tower and matched it with the one in the video clip. From his observation, he deduced that the room must be on the third floor, at the end of the balcony.


    "It''s the last room, number 304! I think." Shouichi turned to inform Shinji. They arrived at the door, everything completely silent. The only sound was the rapid beating of his heart.


    "Wait, Shouichi. This room has a name card on it. It can''t be!" Shinji examined the name card attached to the door.


    "But room 303 doesn''t have a name card. Maybe it''s this one," Shinji suggested. He had a point ¡ª if Kasunagi was renting, he would have removed the name card to keep his identity hidden.


    "Something doesn''t add up. I''m pretty sure the angle matches better from room 304," Shouichi carefully inspected the name card holder.


    "Shinji, someone tampered with it recently, I''m sure! Look at the dust on the ledge. There was no dust on the door itself. Someone must have swapped the name cards, but they didn''t do a very good job of hiding it." Shouichi reasoned. He wasn''t going to underestimate Nabe, but he wasn''t exactly the smartest criminal.


    "Jeez! Let''s just break the door for room 304!" Shinji agreed with a nod and prepared to ram the door with brute force. It shouldn''t be too hard to break open, as the whole apartment was old, including the door and hinges.


    "You trust me, right?" Shouichi asked to confirm.


    "Always!" Shinji quickly responded.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The rusty hinges snapped off, sending the door flying open, crashing to the ground with a loud thud.


    Nabe, who had been assaulting Shouichi''s mother, was startled and immediately grabbed his gun, aiming it at the two attackers. His hand trembled in fear, but his twisted finger still clung to the trigger.


    The room was exactly as Shouichi had expected ¡ª a rundown, small apartment. A bed at the far end of the room with a dirty curtain, a PC and strange equipment scattered to the left. Shouichi''s heart sank as he saw his mother, huddled in the corner, her face horrified. He was too late. She had been violated beyond recognition by the vile scum.


    "How the hell did you find me so quickly?" Nabe growled, waving the gun at them. It was a strange model that Shouichi didn''t recognise.


    "YOU BASTARD!" Shouichi screamed, his fists clenched in rage. He was ready to kill the man with his bare hands, but the gun stopped him.


    "Hehehe, I guess there''s some magic to it," Nabe sneered, talking to his gun. "How about I continue while you boys watch? Wouldn''t that be a great lesson, right? Yoko-chan?" The sickening man grinned, exposing his crooked teeth, and reached for Yoko''s arm. It was clear she had already lost her will. She was like a doll ¡ª emotionless and expressionless.


    "Crap! I can''t do anything. Yoko is right there, but I can''t reach her¡­" Shouichi thought, despair creeping in.


    "You F*cking Scum!"


    Shatter!


    Without warning, Shinji moved faster than anyone expected, punching Nabe square in the face. The force was so powerful that it sent the man flying, crashing through the window. His upper half was hanging out, while his lower half, along with his exposed genitals, remained inside the room.


    "Such an awful sight!" Shinji commented as he walked to pull Nabe back into the room.


    "Hehehe¡­ It''s too¡­ late¡­ I live-streamed everything¡­" Nabe muttered his last words, his consciousness slipping away.


    Shouichi quickly rushed to the computer, ending the livestream and disconnecting the camera''s wire. After making sure everything was settled, he turned to face his petrified mother. Yoko hadn''t spoken a word since. She trembled uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.


    "Mom¡­" Shouichi reached out to her, but she recoiled instinctively, jerking back as though touched by a live wire. Her eyes widened in fear, and in that moment, it was clear that she was terrified of him.


    "Damn it! You two!" Suzuki''s voice broke through, echoing from the entrance. The female cop had finally arrived, though once again, it was too late. She swept her gaze over the room, landing on the lifeless body of Nabe, his naked backside exposed. Shinji and Shouichi instinctively stepped aside, allowing her space.


    Suzuki checked Nabe''s pulse. "He''s alive," She confirmed, her voice detached.


    "This is Officer Akiyama. Requesting backup. We''ve located Kasunagi Nabe at¡­" Suzuki reported on her radio. A buzzing sound followed, and a confirmation came through.


    She then turned to speak to the boys. "Please leave the room for now. I can take care of Yamamoto-san," She reassured them with a soft, gentle voice.


    "But¡­" Shouichi began to protest, hating the thought of leaving his mother in such a state.


    "Please believe me, she doesn''t want you to see her like this. I hope you understand," Suzuki said, her eyes full of sincerity. With a heavy heart, Shouichi gave her a respectful nod. Though it tore him to walk away, he trusted her words as he left his mother in her care.

 Vol 3.10 Broken Glasses (1)

    The boys lingered in front of the apartment building, their eyes fixed on the flashing lights of ambulances and police cars crowding the street. The scene buzzed with activity, a chaotic blend of uniformed officers, paramedics, and news crews scrambling for space. Voices overlapped, urgent and frantic, while cameras flashed like lightning, capturing every grim detail. The air was thick with tension, the kind that prickles the skin and makes it hard to breathe.


    "Sorry, I was frozen in fear¡­ I couldn''t do anything. I couldn''t¡­" Shouichi vented his regret to his tall friend, who had stayed by his side all this time.


    "Don''t blame yourself, mate," Shinji tried to console him. Despite his usually playful character, Shinji knew when to be mindful and considerate.


    "How did you know?" Shouichi asked.


    "Hm?" Shinji responded, confused.


    "That the gun was a fake one," Shouichi clarified, glancing up at the empty sky.


    "Well¡­ I took a gamble. A calculated risk." Shinji smiled slightly and continued, "That gun model is a Desert Eagle, a popular weapon featured in many FPS games. But it''s never legalised in Japan, so I assumed it was most likely a prop one."


    "Hmm¡­ I didn''t know that." Shouichi rubbed his chin, following Shinji''s logic. He surmised that Shinji''s analysis was sound.


    "Even so, we managed to save Yoko-san, but I think we were too late¡­" Shinji trailed off.


    "Don''t beat yourself up. You did your best, your hunch about room 304 was spot on." Shinji gave his friend''s shoulder a light tap, an act of care.


    "I could''ve been faster. I could''ve solved it quicker¡­ I~." Shouichi''s voice faltered. He seemed incapable of saying any more. His mind was consumed with thoughts of what could have been, a reality he couldn''t change.


    "Shouichi¡­ you have to be strong for your mum, okay? From now on, she will need you the most," Shinji suggested gently. "Let go of the past, mate. Your future problems await."


    After taking a deep breath, Shouichi nodded. "Right! Thanks, Shinji."


    "Anytime."


    Akiyama Suzuki emerged from the crowd and walked towards Shinji and Shouichi. Her fluffy black hair swayed as she moved, her graceful and mature composure captivating.


    "Shouichi-kun, would you mind if I had a private word with you?" She approached him.


    "Just call me if you need anything," Shinji said, waving before heading off to his minivan, giving them space.


    "About Yoko-san¡­" Suzuki continued, her brows furrowed.


    "Yeah¡­"


    "It was clear that she was traumatised by it. She wouldn''t let any man touch her at all. That''s expected in these kinds of situations, especially when the wound is still fresh," Suzuki explained. "I think you need to tread carefully from here on out." She gave him a piece of her mind.


    Shouichi nodded a few times but still didn''t fully understand how it worked.


    "On top of that, the cyber police managed to cut down the source of the livestream, meaning there will be no more videos of her online¡­ but~." Suzuki paused to find the right words.


    "If someone recorded it from the livestream, then we wouldn''t know, right?" Shouichi finished for her.


    "Exactly! That''s something we can''t control." She gently touched his shoulders with both hands.


    "Listen carefully, if the video resurfaces, it''s best that Yoko-san doesn''t know about it." Suzuki''s dark, beautiful eyes were serious and fixed on him.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "I understand," He replied.


    "Okay, I''ll get back to work. Take it slow. This mental wound is invisible, but there will always be signs. I know you can save her, Shouichi. I believe in you." Suzuki shared her wisdom before turning her back.


    "Wait, Akiyama-san!" Shouichi reached out, catching her wrist. The female police officer flinched at his touch, her eyes widening in surprise before quickly regaining her composure.


    "Thank you so much for everything," Shouichi said earnestly, his voice full of genuine gratitude. He was aware that Suzuki had been watching over Yoko''s store, though he couldn''t fully grasp her true intentions. Still, he knew the situation could have taken a much darker turn if she hadn''t alerted him this morning. At least Yoko was still alive, and for that, he was thankful. "I swear, I''ll never leave her side again," Shouichi silently promised himself.


    "Yeah, you''re welcome," Suzuki replied before disappearing into the crowd.


    ***


    Since the incident, every day had become a struggle for Shouichi. The mental wound inflicted by Kasunagi Nabe was deep and seemingly incurable. The trauma of sexual assault had turned his sweet Yoko into an empty shell of her former self. Every time he saw her in that state, his heart shattered. Deep down, he believed it was all his fault. He''d taken that stupid trip with his friends while his mum was left unguarded.


    If he hadn''t gone¡­ If he''d convinced Yoko to come with him, maybe he could have prevented this misery.


    "I''m the worst. I''m the worst. I''m the worst." These words echoed constantly in his mind.


    "You are the worst, Shouichi¡­" It was Yoko''s voice, muffling everything else. Though it was soft and quiet, it was so deafening that he couldn''t hear anything else.


    "Yoko-san¡­ I''m so sorry¡­" Shouichi bit his lip in frustration. He knew it was his fault, but hearing it from her made his world crumble.


    "Please say something¡­ Yoko-san." Shouichi reached out to touch her, but she flinched. Her face twisted in revulsion.


    "P-Please¡­ just get out of my sight," Yoko whispered, her voice trembling as she curled into the corner of her bed. She hugged her knees to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible.


    "You have no idea how much your words affect me. They''re eating me alive¡­" Shouichi wanted to say, but the words died in his throat, his resolve faltering. He knew too well that when people went through deep trauma, they often dragged those around them down with them, like a drowning soul clutching for a lifeline. Just like that time with his ex, Ishikawa Misaki.


    His phone buzzed, and Shouichi picked it up to check the screen. It was Morimura Ayane. She visited his house every day. Since she was a close friend of Yoko''s, she could reach the side that Shouichi couldn''t.


    "Hey, I''m at the front gate. Open the door for me," Ayane messaged.


    "Okay," Shouichi replied and left his mum''s room.


    Ayane''s jet-black head poked out from the fence. He opened the metal gate to let her through.


    "You look rough, Shouichi¡­" She commented, her usual honesty tempered with concern.


    "Yeah, it hasn''t been easy¡­ It feels like there''s an invisible wall I can''t get through." Shouichi confessed, exhaling.


    "I''m sorry you have to deal with this. But you''re not alone. At least, you and Yoko have me," she said softly. "I made a lunchbox, so I''ll feed her, okay?" Ayane showed him the box in her hand.


    "Thank you for that. I don''t know what I''d do without you," Shouichi admitted gratefully. Ayane had played a huge role in helping with Yoko''s recovery.


    "No worries." She paused and then added, "Please smile more. I really miss those smiles of yours." She extended her hand, gently patting his black hair.


    Later in the afternoon, Ayane came down from Yoko''s room after feeding her.


    "She liked my cooking!" Ayane beamed with satisfaction, showing off her empty lunchbox.


    "That''s a relief," Shouichi responded.


    "She smiled today." Ayane whispered softly in Shouichi''s ear.


    "Really?" Shouichi couldn''t quite believe it. "I haven''t seen her smile since that day. It''s been almost a week, I think¡­"


    "It''s a big step forward, right?" Ayane''s dark purple eyes shone with hope.


    "Yes! Ayane, you''re wonderful!" Shouichi smiled with joy, grabbing both of her shoulders and shaking them gently.


    "Umm¡­ about school¡­" Ayane averted her gaze. "We start next week. You''ll go, right?"


    Shouichi''s smile disappeared entirely.


    "I-I can''t leave her side. I have to stay ¡ª I have to protect her," Shouichi fumbled with his words, his thoughts a mess.


    "Shouichi-kun¡­ I know you blame yourself for all this¡­"


    "..."


    "... But that''s not true. This isn''t your fault. Please¡­" Ayane pleaded with her gentle eyes.


    After a long pause, Shouichi eventually replied, "... I''ll try."


    "Right! I''ll ask the teachers if we can check on Yoko during lunch. We might be allowed to leave campus on special request," Ayane said, already formulating a plan.


    "Okay, I''m off now. Take care, alright?" After a quick exchange, the foxy girl bid her farewell.

 Vol 3.11 Broken Glasses (2)

    Shouichi stood alone in the quiet room, his gaze lingering on his mother. Yoko lay on the bed, her breathing steady as she slept soundly. Yet, instead of lying flat, she curled up tightly in a shrimp-like position, her body seeming small and fragile. He couldn''t help but wonder if this habit had formed as a response to the trauma that had dug its roots deep into her soul, shaping even the way she found comfort in sleep.


    "I''m so worthless. I couldn¡¯t help you during the incident, and I still can¡¯t help you now. I¡¯m such a shitty son," Shouichi thought bitterly, clenching his fists. His eyes traced every feature of her; she still appeared beautiful, as she always did when her eyes were closed. But, deep down, he could feel the disgust and repulsion in her gaze whenever she looked at him.


    ¡°You were there for me when I was at my lowest. So why¡­ why couldn¡¯t you let me help you? I¡¯d do anything to see your sweet smile again.¡± His mind spiralled out of control, and before he knew it, tears ran down his face. It seemed that his pain and suffering had finally reached its lowest point. Cursed with an unrelenting intellect, his mind couldn''t stop analysing everything, searching for a solution. Yet, no matter how many times he replayed those scenarios, nothing could change the past. Not even the gods.


    ***


    Seihei School, the most prestigious institution in Kurohashi town, had suffered a devastating blow to its reputation following a recent massacre that left 26 students dead and 21 injured. The school would surely go down in history as one of Japan''s most tragic incidents. After significant renovations, the school did its best to transform the learning environment into a pleasant one, stripping away the old, horrific image of the crimson massacre. There was no trace of blood left behind, and Seihei now appeared completely ordinary, despite its terrifying past.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a completely new building. The layout, the colours, everything''s changed,¡± Shinji commented as he strolled past the hallway. In addition, the classrooms had been moved to disconnect students from the painful memories. As a result, Class 2-1 was now on the ground floor.


    ¡°That¡¯s our new classroom, right?¡± Shouichi pointed at the sign hanging at the front.


    ¡°Bet!¡± Shinji quickened his pace, eagerly sliding the door open. It appeared to be a solid metal door, disguised as a normal one with brown paint.


    ¡°Hi, Ayane-chan!¡± Shinji greeted, raising his hand as he entered the room.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Shouichi?¡± Ayane didn¡¯t return his greeting but instead asked about him. Shouichi, having just entered the hallway, heard everything.


    ¡°Hey! Did you miss me?¡± Shouichi poked his head out of the doorway with a gentle smile.


    ¡°No! Why would I?¡± Ayane crossed her arms defensively and turned to the side.


    ¡°Hahaha, I see.¡± Shouichi chuckled.


    ¡°Why would I miss you when I was at your house this morning?¡± Ayane muttered, almost as if it was a whisper.


    After a while, the class began to fill up as the clock approached 8:00, and homeroom soon started. The atmosphere grew livelier with distant chatter and laughter, gradually returning to normal.


    During Monday''s club lunch, Ito Toru, the captain of the rugby club, pulled Shouichi aside to discuss something personal. The pretty boy complied without objection, following his senior to a secluded spot next to the gymnasium. It was quiet there, far from the hustle and bustle of lunchtime.


    ¡°So¡­ I¡¯ve heard about it,¡± Toru began bluntly, rubbing his chin as he fidgeted for the right words.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Shouichi replied, staring at the ground.


    ¡°I mean, if you need time with your mum, just take it. Don¡¯t worry about practice or anything,¡± Toru said with sincerity in his brown eyes. ¡°Everything else can wait; family is the most important thing,¡± He emphasised.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Thanks, Ito-senpai.¡± Shouichi forced a weak smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to say. You¡¯re stronger than you realise.¡± Toru patted him firmly on the shoulder.


    ¡°Hmmm? I don¡¯t think I deserve the credit at all.¡± Shouichi was conflicted. He had built a strong exterior for others to see, but internally, he was drowning in agony. The only thing he could manage was a faint nod.


    Shouichi assumed the discussion had ended and turned his back to leave.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Toru hesitated, his expression revealing that there was more he wanted to say. Although he was often blunt and rough, he had a surprising ability to be gentle and considerate when it truly mattered.


    ¡°What is it, Ito-san?¡±


    ¡°There are rumours going around that the video has spread like wildfire. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve heard from the junior club members,¡± Toru revealed. Like a nail in the coffin, things had taken a turn for the worse. Shouichi¡¯s legs trembled at the terrifying thought, and he covered his mouth in repulsion.


    ¡°So, someone recorded the livestream¡­ It was inevitable, after all.¡± He deduced this from Suzuki¡¯s speculation, burying his face in his palms. To him, it seemed almost certain. He clung to the objective truth, refusing to entertain any delusions.


    ¡°...¡± Toru remained silent, giving Shouichi a concerned stare.


    ¡°Thanks for letting me know. I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Shouichi replied flatly, his head hanging low. The weight of depression was evident in his body language ¡ª the way he moved, his sorrowful gaze. Toru watched as the man he held in high regard walked away, his spirit seemingly lifeless, disappearing around the corner of the building.


    ***


    ¡°Yoko-san, how is it?¡± The girl in a white school uniform asked the lady in a blue satin gown. The couple seemed to be in a joyous mood as the lady slurped from a bowl of miso soup. It was early September, and the morning weather was cold and pleasant.


    ¡°It¡¯s really good, Ayane-chan¡­¡± Yoko praised her after finishing the bowl. She wiped the strain from her lips with a towel.


    ¡°Awesome!¡± Ayane beamed, gently reaching out to touch Yoko¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Thank you for taking care of me for the past two weeks, Ayane-chan,¡± Yoko finally opened up about her struggles following the traumatic incident. It had shattered her mental fortitude, leaving her broken. But as time passed, she had begun to heal. ¡°It¡¯s like a fever dream¡­ hazy and surreal,¡± she lamented, her brown eyes distant and dreamy.


    ¡°Of course! You were always there for us. For me and for Shouichi-kun,¡± Ayane said fondly, her violet-purple eyes fixed on Yoko¡¯s.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I haven¡¯t spoken to him since,¡± Yoko averted her gaze, staring blankly at the space in her room, lost in thought.


    ¡°...Um¡­ May I ask why?¡± Ayane asked curiously. Though she was hesitant to press Yoko further, her concern got the best of her.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ He saw me at my lowest. I¡¯m afraid he might hate me now¡­ I couldn¡¯t bring myself to face him the same way,¡± Yoko¡¯s voice was slow and monotonic.


    ¡°Is that why you keep pushing him away?¡± Ayane leaned in closer. Yoko nodded, confirming her suspicion.


    ¡°I highly doubt he would hate you for it,¡± Ayane reassured her. She knew Shouichi wasn¡¯t someone who held onto trivial things like that.


    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m not the same. I¡¯m disgusting and broken. Something¡¯s changed in me forever,¡± Yoko said, her voice trembling with emotion.


    ¡°Has your love for him changed at all?¡± Ayane¡¯s words struck deep. Yoko¡¯s cinnamon-brown eyes widened, realising something valuable had been lost ¡ª and Ayane¡¯s words helped her find it again.


    ¡°Yes, I love him¡­¡± Yoko said, her eyes glistening with the onset of tears. ¡°I love him even more now, so much that my heart aches,¡± She continued, her voice quivering.


    ¡°Then, when you''re ready, please talk to him. Promise?¡± Ayane raised her pinky and smiled sweetly at Yoko.


    ¡°Yes¡­ I promise.¡± Yoko beamed, intertwining their pinkies together.


    After a moment of hesitation, Yoko finally said, ¡°Ayane-chan, I want to reopen my shop¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Ayane exclaimed in surprise.


    ¡°I want to open my sweet shop again,¡± Yoko clarified with a clearer tone.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s great to hear! Would you be okay?¡± Ayane asked, her concern evident.


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not entirely sure,¡± Yoko gazed out the window, her voice soft. ¡°But I figured it¡¯s a good place to start. I need to face reality sooner or later,¡± She rationalised. It would be a leap of faith to re-enter the world she once knew, but she couldn¡¯t live in the shadows forever.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there for you, Yoko-san! I really miss your coffee.¡± Ayane slipped up, quickly closing her mouth in shame. She felt it was wrong to demand anything from Yoko given the circumstances.


    ¡°Fufufu. Oh, I owe you a hundred cups of coffee,¡± Yoko giggled, making a lighthearted joke. There was a hint of immense appreciation for the high school girl in her words.


    The two girls shared a laugh, the tension between them dissolving as they continued their lively conversation.

 Vol 3.12 Can the Camellia bloom?

    It was Wednesday when the rugby club held a muscle training session in the private gym. Shouichi decided to attend the practice every once in a while. Autumn was in full swing, and the temperature had gradually dropped to a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius ¡ª a welcome change. It took him roughly two hours to finish the weightlifting session with the club members. Despite the ongoing chaos at home, with Yoko avoiding him like the plague, he figured that maintaining his physical health was the least he could do.


    After talking with his best friend, Ayane, she told him that Yoko''s mentality had improved. She had started eating more, smiling more, and laughing more. The news made Shouichi''s heart bloom with happiness. Still, he wished he could be the one to make it happen. "I wish I could make you smile like that again... Why couldn''t it be me?" He pondered melancholically as he opened the gym''s door to leave.


    During a mindless stroll, Shouichi found himself standing in front of Yoko''s sweet shop, now looking abandoned. The "Closed" sign had been hanging at the door for a couple of weeks. The shop had always held a special place in his heart. The friendship, laughter, and love that flourished within those walls felt so recent, he could still remember her voice and sweet smile as though they happened yesterday.


    "If only I stayed with Yoko-san... This wouldn''t have happened," He muttered, clenching his fists in frustration. "I failed you... I failed you, Yoko-san." The voice of malice in his heart refused to leave him. "What am I supposed to do? She''s not talking to me... She doesn''t even want to see my face¡­" He recalled the disdain in her eyes.


    "I''m home," Shouichi called out as he entered his house, quietly slipping off his shoes and placing them neatly on the rack. As expected, there was no reply. With his head hung low, he trudged upstairs to his room. The layout of the Yamamoto residence was unusual, with his room nearly directly opposite Yoko''s. If both their doors were open, they''d be able to see each other clearly. As he reached the hallway, Shouichi hesitated, glancing timidly at Yoko''s closed door. He then slowly turned the doorknob to his own room.


    "Shouichi-kun¡­" A soft voice called from behind, causing Shouichi to jump. He spun around quickly. It was his mother, Yoko, in a white tee and jeans, looking as beautiful as ever. She nervously peeked out from a small gap in her half-open door. "Oh, hi, Yoko-san," Shouichi greeted, feeling a little nervous himself. "She''s actually started dressing normally again... That''s a good sign," He thought.


    "Would you mind if we talk for a bit?" She asked, her eyes inviting him in. Shouichi couldn''t contain his smile, his heart swelling with happiness. "Yes... Of course."


    ***


    Shouichi sat on the edge of her bed, leaving an arm''s-length gap between them. He wasn''t sure how to act or what to say. It felt like an eternity since he and Yoko had last interacted like this. "I wanted to reopen the store," Yoko said, breaking the silence, her gaze fixed on her clasped hands in her lap.


    "Huh? Mom..." Shouichi turned to look at her in surprise. "Are you sure?"


    "I''m sure now," She smiled at him ¡ª the same sweet smile that always brought him immense joy.


    Shouichi''s breath caught. "Wha ~ What if¡­ What if~." He started to hyperventilate but struggled to speak, words failing him.


    Yoko reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. "You''ll protect me, won''t you?" She asked, her voice soft, her touch warm and soothing. "Yes... Yes, I will." His response was filled with a calm certainty, her warmth comforting his soul.


    "I know it''s been tough for both of us," Yoko continued, her voice trailing off. "I''m sorry, Shouichi. I''m an adult, and I took it all out on you."


    "Mom, please don''t do that," Shouichi said urgently, urging her to lift her head. When she did, he met her affectionate gaze. His heart began to race as he saw the tenderness in her eyes.


    "About the store... please let me know when you plan to open it again. I''ll help however I can," Shouichi said, eager to shift the topic to the sweet shop while nervously ruffling his hair.


    "I will," She smiled, a bright, genuine smile that made his world seem colourful again.


    "Alright," Shouichi said, his voice full of emotion. "It''s been nice talking to you, Mom. It means everything to me."


    "Then... would you give me a hug, too?" Yoko asked, her voice soft with a plea Shouichi couldn''t refuse.


    "Of course," He replied, opening his arms wide to embrace her. Yoko''s frail body fit snugly against his, and for a moment, nothing else mattered. Her delicate form, once more slender than he''d remembered, melted into his embrace. The elderflower fragrance of her perfume enveloped him, its fresh, comforting scent grounding him in the moment.


    "Hehehe... I love you," Yoko whispered, resting her ear against his chest.


    "I love you too," Shouichi replied, his words filled with sincerity and warmth.


    ***


    A week later, the Yoko Sweet Shop reopened, running smoothly once again. It had taken significant effort from both mother and son to get the shop back in business, but it had also given them something else ¡ª newfound purpose. Yoko''s mental state had improved so much that Ayane no longer needed to visit every day. Yoko had begun to cook, bake, and practice making drinks just like she used to. The painful memories seemed to have faded, leaving space for a sense of normalcy.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Ayane continued to visit every other day, checking in on them both. She had played such a crucial role in Yoko''s rehabilitation, and Shouichi couldn''t thank her enough for all she had done for him and his only family.


    "Yoko-san! If anything happens, you have to let me know, alright?" Shouichi said eagerly, his face filled with concern. They were both inside a closed store in the early morning, and the boy seemed even more anxious than Yoko.


    "Understood!" Yoko smiled warmly in response. "Wait, your tie''s crooked." She casually pulled him back and meticulously adjusted his tie, making sure it aligned properly with the seam of his shirt.


    "Oh¡­" The boy didn''t object and quietly let her make the adjustments. After she finished, he added, "Thanks..."


    "There, you look great now." Yoko complimented him. She herself was dressed in a short-sleeve shirt, black tie, and black trousers ¡ª the standard uniform for Seihei School students during Summer and Autumn.


    "Hey hey hey!" A familiar voice called out as a tall figure appeared in front of the transparent door. It was unmistakably Aoyama Shinji in the same summer uniform. Next to him, the girl with jet-black hair, Morimura Ayane, waved at them, catching Shouichi''s eye. Shouichi awkwardly stepped aside, embarrassed. He would rather not have people think of him as the ''mommy-type''.


    "Good morning, Ayane-chan, Shinji-kun!" Yoko greeted them cheerfully as they entered the store. The shop owner, as beautiful as ever, was wearing an apron over her blouse in pastel blue and a long flowing skirt. Her graphite-black hair was styled into a large flower bun.


    "Good morning, Yoko-san!" The teenagers greeted back joyfully, looking around curiously at the store.


    "Wow, you renovated the store?" Shinji asked, his voice tinged with enthusiasm.


    "Yeah, isn''t it nice? Shou-kun''s been helping me a lot with it." Yoko exchanged a brief glance with her son, and Shouichi nodded in agreement.


    "Shinji-kun, Ayane-chan, Shou-kun. Thank you for helping me out with everything." Yoko bowed low in gratitude, her voice filled with appreciation.


    "Anytime!" Shinji beamed from ear to ear.


    "Yoko-san! Please!" Ayane gasped in astonishment, cupping her hands over her mouth.


    "Mom¡­" Shouichi was speechless but understood his mother''s affectionate gesture.


    "If you have time, please visit me after school. I''d like to treat you to some cake I''ll prepare¡­" Yoko spoke softly, almost like a whisper. Her face flushed with a deep shade of red. For a moment, she looked like a young teenager confessing her feelings.


    "Yes! I''ve been craving cake!" Shinji eagerly accepted the offer without hesitation.


    "I''m planning to visit the shop in the afternoon anyway. I''ll join you for sure," Ayane added.


    "Thanks, guys." Shouichi slung an arm around both Shinji and Ayane''s shoulders. It was the first time he''d physically clung to his friends, and the surprise on their faces was evident.


    "Let''s have a great re-opening of the store," Shouichi concluded with a smile. He was thrilled to see things turning out so well.


    "Yay!" "Free cake!" "Fufufu," they cheered, the happy atmosphere filling the Yoko Sweet Shop once again.


    ***


    "Wow!" The teenagers gasped in awe as Yoko carefully set a five-pound citrus cake on the table. The cake''s top was beautifully adorned with candied lemons and oranges, each piece shimmering like stained glass. The smooth pastel yellow Swiss buttercream covering the exterior looked almost too perfect to touch. As Yoko sliced into it, the layers inside were revealed ¡ª delicate sponges alternated with pale orange zesty cream, each one promising a burst of fresh citrus flavor. It was the perfect cake to mark a new beginning.


    "Mom, you really outdid yourself. This cake is huge!" Shouichi commented as he spoke in hushed tones, the chatter in the background calming slightly. Yoko served the first slice to him as he was closest to her.


    "I might have gone a bit overboard, but I really enjoyed the process. Think of it as good practice." Yoko smiled, serving another slice to Ayane, who sat next to Shouichi in the same booth.


    "Thanks, Yoko-san! Your black coffee is perfect as well!" Ayane received the plate with both hands, beaming brightly at the shop owner. Yoko returned a quick smile and nod as acknowledgment.


    "And for the hero and his beautiful girlfriend," Yoko added with a smile to the couple sitting opposite, Shinji and Emi, who exchanged bright smiles and giggles with her.


    "Thanks! Yoko-san."


    "Thank you, Yamamoto-san."


    They both expressed their gratitude respectfully.


    Yoko shook her head slowly, saying, "It''s my turn to thank all of you properly. Please bear with me as I try to recover." She bowed slightly at the waist, and the group shared a collective smile.


    "Thanks for the cake!" The gang chorused before diving into their slices.


    "Mmhh! It''s so good!" Emi exclaimed joyfully as the perfect mix of sour and sweet hit her taste buds.


    "Wow! It''s delicious! The sweetness is just right!" Shinji nodded vigorously as he chewed.


    "I can''t believe it! This is the best cake I''ve had in ages," Ayane exaggerated, clearly enjoying it. Her praise prompted Shouichi to take a bite, and he found it just as amazing.


    "Incredibly refreshing!" Shouichi added after finishing his slice.


    "I''m so glad you all love it, tee hee," Yoko said, resting her chin on her palms as she observed their reactions.


    "Why don''t you have some too, Yoko-san?" Shouichi asked, pointing at the remaining cake.


    "Fufufu, I''ve already had some earlier. Please enjoy the rest, okay?" Yoko replied nonchalantly, wearing her sweet and gentle smile. It was clear how much effort she''d put into making the cake, perfecting the recipe, and now enjoying the reactions from her customers.


    "How''s your first day going, Mom?" Shouichi asked, reaching out and grabbing her arm tightly.


    "Oh! Overall, it''s going alright! The customers were upset about my sudden absence, though." Yoko replied, her brown eyes sweeping across the shop. There were no other customers at this time.


    "I know it''s tough, but I''m here for you," Shouichi reassured her, giving her arm a firm squeeze.


    "You''ll always protect me, right?" Yoko asked seriously, her expression shifting.


    "Yes. I''ll do anything to protect you. Call me, and I''ll jump the school fence if I have to," He promised, absolute resolve in his tone.


    "But¡­ I don''t want you to sacrifice your youth just for me," Yoko added, torn. She''d feel safer with Shouichi by her side, but that would mean he''d have to sacrifice his club practice, outings with friends, and other things he enjoyed. It wasn''t a life she wanted for him.


    "Don''t worry, Shouichi. I''ll always be here too, since I don''t have any club activities," Ayane interjected, offering Yoko a sense of security.


    "That gives me peace of mind, thank you, Ayane-chan," Yoko smiled gratefully. "Since when did Ayane become your favourite child¡­" Shouichi pondered with a slight twinge of envy.

 Vol 3.13 Arise to the Surface

    In the late evening, as the temperature dropped below 20 degrees Celsius, the cool autumn air set in. A gentle breeze carried fallen leaves, sending them dancing through the night. After a small and private celebration, Yoko and Shouichi closed up the shop and returned home safely. Now, they sat idly in front of the television, watching random shows and engaging in trivial conversations.


    Shouichi soon realised that Yoko had not completely returned to her former self. There were moments when she visibly appeared uncomfortable. He had been carefully tiptoeing around sensitive topics, wary of triggering her fragile emotional state. The awareness of how brittle and delicate the human mind could be dawned upon him.


    Suddenly, his smartphone, resting on the table, began to ring and vibrate. He instinctively picked it up and glanced at the screen. "Akiyama Suzuki" was calling.


    "Who''s that?" Yoko cast him a brief glance.


    "Just a friend. I might need to take this," Shouichi replied with a white lie. Who knew what Suzuki had to say? It could be something too sensitive for his mother''s current state of mind.


    He hurried out the door before answering the call.


    "Good evening, Akiyama-san," Shouichi whispered.


    "Hello, Shouichi-kun." The officer''s voice was authoritative and stern, a clear indication that she meant business.


    "Is there anything you need, officer?"


    "Is your mother with you right now?" She asked, her tone softening slightly.


    "Nope, I''m outside the house."


    "Then come out past the fence. I''m just around the corner." Suzuki''s voice was accompanied by faint shuffling noises, suggesting she was walking as they spoke.


    "Oh, okay¡­" He obediently followed her instructions.


    Once Shouichi stepped through the metal gate, he spotted the beautiful officer a few metres away. Unhurriedly, he walked towards her. Akiyama Suzuki was dressed in her usual blue uniform, complete with her utility belt and police cap. Though her expression screamed exhaustion, she still carried an undeniable charm. From the look of her, she must have come straight from the precinct.


    "Akiyama-san, how''s it going?" Shouichi greeted her with a shallow smile.


    "Hi, kiddo." She responded with a quick wave.


    "So, what brings you here?"


    "I just wanted to update you on Kasunagi''s case."


    "Oh¡­ that." Shouichi nodded, his fists clenching slightly in anger at the mere mention of that disgusting name.


    "Since he''s a repeat offender, he''ll be locked up for a really long time¡­" She began to explain.


    "That''s good, right?"


    "Yeah¡­ except it might not be a jail cell." Suzuki hesitated, avoiding his eyes.


    "What do you mean?" Shouichi promptly asked, confusion crossing his face.


    "His lawyer is pretty cunning. They plan to plead insanity. If he''s labelled a patient, he''ll likely be sent to a mental hospital instead¡­"


    A heavy silence fell. Anger filled every fibre of his being, barely contained.


    "That man deserves a fate worse than death! How could he get to live comfortably in a hospital when my Yoko¡­" Shouichi bit his lip bitterly before continuing, "When my Yoko and I can''t even live normal lives without fear and terror?"


    "I know how you feel¡­ but we tried for the past two weeks¡­" Suzuki grimly recounted, her voice laced with frustration.


    "How many years would I be looking at if I killed him myself?" Shouichi muttered, staring blankly into the empty street, cocking his head slightly. His tone was chilling. His predatory gaze sent a shiver down Suzuki''s spine ¡ª those were the eyes of a killer. The eerie composure he carried bred fear in her heart.


    "Shouichi-kun, you can''t think like that! Then you won''t be able to stay by your mother''s side. Please reconsider." Suzuki raised her voice, desperate to steer him away from such a dark path.


    "You''re right. That was just an intrusive thought," Shouichi said with an unsettling smile. "Sorry for making you worry for no reason. I have no intention of pursuing Kasunagi anymore." His voice was eerily monotonous, his gaze still piercing.


    "You really scared me there¡­" Suzuki pressed a hand to her chest, feeling her heart pounding.


    "Please don''t mind me. I''m sorry," he said, bowing gracefully. Then, lifting his head, he asked, "Is that all, Akiyama-san?"


    "Y-yes¡­ that''s everything." She hesitated, almost reaching out to console him but stopping midway. Her mind was clouded with hesitation.


    Shouichi stepped closer, his height making him seem even more imposing. Suzuki looked up at him, her eyes pleading. She rested a hand on his shoulder, and in response, he gently placed his over hers. It was a natural gesture ¡ª comforting yet oddly intimate.


    Suzuki''s breath hitched. Her heart raced. If he moved even slightly closer, she might just fall deeper. Deeper into the abyss.


    "Sorry!" Suzuki suddenly yelped, blushing furiously and stepping back.


    "That''s alright¡­ I''ll be taking my leave then." Shouichi turned and walked away, his frame tapering in the dim light.


    Suzuki watched him go, her hands covering her feverish cheeks. "What was that?! I didn''t expect him to get so close!" She agonised over their near-intimate interaction. "The air around him¡­ it used to be bright, youthful. Now, it''s like the midnight sky, dark yet scattered with flickering stars. It gives off such a dark and masculine vibe¡­"


    ***


    A week passed without any trouble. Yoko seemed to have returned to herself. Observing her closely, Shouichi could tell she had mostly recovered, yet he couldn''t shake a peculiar feeling lingering in the air around her. It was as if something was there; something he could feel in his heart but couldn''t define. Since that incident, all his thoughts had been occupied with her, all his prayers devoted to her.


    If he believed everything could simply return to its original state, he was gravely mistaken. A shattered glass could never be truly restored, and the human mind was no different.


    Dressed in his usual school uniform with an apron on top, Shouichi pan-fried sausages, eggs, and bacon. He carefully placed the cooked meats onto a slice of square bread, decorating it with tomato slices and lettuce ¡ª a simple yet delicious breakfast.


    "Morning, Shou-kun¡­" Yoko''s drowsy voice echoed down the hallway.


    "Hi, Yoko-san." Shouichi glanced at her. She looked dazzling as ever, her fluffy hair slightly dishevelled, wearing a long black gown that complemented her healthy frame. Yawning, she shuffled towards the kitchen table.


    "Smells so good! What are you cooking?" Yoko sat down, kicking her feet playfully like a child.


    "English breakfast. I used to make it back in Melbourne," He replied flatly, stirring the pan.


    "Woah! Really? My mouth''s watering already." Her sleepiness was quickly replaced with excitement.


    "Would you like an OJ?"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "What''s an OJ?"


    "Huh? Oh, orange juice."


    "Okay!" She nodded enthusiastically.


    As Shouichi poured two glasses of chilled juice, Yoko followed and placed them on the table.


    Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek.


    "Huh?!" Shouichi flinched, rubbing his blushing cheek. "Didn''t expect that."


    "That''s my thank-you kiss. Fufufu~" Yoko grinned playfully, skipping back to her seat.


    "Let''s eat," Shouichi announced.


    "Thanks for the food!" they chanted together, diving into their breakfast.


    "You look relentless¡­" Someone called him out as Shouichi absentmindedly stared at the empty space in his classroom. It was already the end of today''s lesson and other students had hurriedly dashed out to enjoy their free time. The pretty boy with graphite-black hair unhurriedly turned to the source of the sound.


    "You alright?" Shinji asked him as he shoved his stationary into his school bag.


    "Oh, yeah¡­ I just had a lot on my mind¡­" Shouichi admitted, hanging his head.


    "Yeah, I''ve noticed." Shinji agreed, after a short pause, "... Do you wanna talk about it?"


    "I dunno¡­" Shouichi glanced out of the window, at the pastel blue sky.


    "Sigh* Up to you, man. If you need someone to vent, I''m here for you." Shinji gave his friend encouragement while tapping lightly on his shoulder.


    "Thanks¡­" Shouichi cut him off, a clear indicator that he wanted to disengage from the conversation.


    "Then¡­ I''ll be going to the practice now." Shinji bidded him farewell and turned his back on his friend.


    "Wait! Shinji¡­" Shouichi suddenly called out to him. There was a hint of reluctance in his expression. As Shouichi fumbled for words, Shinji mindfully waited for him.


    "About Kasunagi¡­"


    Then Shouichi began to offload Kasunagi''s case on the silver wolf, where he was listening to it quietly with a few nods and brief responses.


    "What a hideous man, I should have killed him when I got the chance!" Shinji eventually boiled up with anger after hearing that the man might spend his life comfortably in the mental hospital instead of a cold prison cell.


    "I don''t think he deserved to die." Shouichi objected while remaining indifferent.


    "Really? You don''t feel anything?" Shinji asked him in an incredulous tone.


    "Of course, I do feel things. I just don''t allow it to cloud my judgement."


    "Sigh* It''s such a shitty thing to happen, man. I hope you don''t beat yourself up to it."


    "I think I''m doing fine¡­"


    "Yeah¡­ Apart from the gloomy part, I think you are alright." Shinji quipped.


    "Let''s go to the practice. I''ve been itching to exercise." Shouichi made up his mind.


    "For real? You''ll come?" Shinji was dazed by his sudden development.


    "Yeah, I guess I don''t wanna be a brooding type of guy. Also, Ayane is at the store with my mom today." He explained in a slow and monotonic tone.


    "Lit!" Shinji exclaimed with excitement, his bright aura acted like a sun that lit the entire room. To the point that it was blinding for Shouichi.


    ***


    Afternoon''s light illuminated the white buildings, painting them in a yellowish hue. It was about the time when Shouichi and co. completed their club practice. This particular session mainly focused on the endurance and swiftness of the legs.


    To put it simply, running as far as possible, as fast as possible. Apparently, Shouichi didn''t hate to join in such a boring but wasn''t too keen about it either.


    One thing was that he couldn''t seem to beat Shinji''s best record for some unknown reasons. His silver wolf friend not only was inhumanly fast but also ran further than other club mates. People did claim that he could be a sports prodigy if he put in the effort.


    "Haaaaaaah haaaaah¡­" Shouichi rested both hands on his knees, breathing raggedly.


    "Shouichi you got 1 minute 22 seconds for a 600-meter sprint!" Toru, the spikey-haired senior shouted.


    "I''d say that''s pretty fast, right?" Shinji asked, sitting on the bench next to his girlfriend, Ito Emi.


    "Yeah! Still, you got 1 minute 13 seconds. About 9 seconds longer than you, senpai." Emi compared their results in an admirable tone.


    "I''m the flash, hehehe." Shinji jested with a big smirk on his face. The two seemed to be enjoying their time together. Shinji had never missed a practice since the two started dating, which was about 2 months ago. With their tall appearance and their mismatched personalities, one could observe that Shinji and Emi were a perfect fit for each other.


    "They are such an amazing and lovely couple." Shouichi struggled to maintain neutrality, devoid of jealousy. But failed miserably as he saw the two were having a hell of a good time.


    "Alright, guys! That''s it for today!" Toru announced to the other members to dismiss. And the team let out a loud cheering chant that marked the end of the lesson.


    ***


    After a brief moment, Shouichi had already changed back to his school uniform which was unusual for him.


    "I''m quite sweaty today, probably stank too." He figured, hence the change of clothes.


    While the pretty boy was walking alone, he rounded the corner and ran into a group of 3 seniors huddling together.


    "Let me see it!" A tall one yelled as he reached out to grab the smartphone of his friend''s hands.


    "Hey! This is a paid view, bruh!" The owner of the smartphone was wearing rectangular glasses.


    "It''s awesome right?" The blondie cheerfully commented. It appeared that they were sharing a funny video or a short clip.


    "Ahhh Ahhhh" The continuous moan of both males and females were heard from the phone speaker. The tall guy ramped up a volume and glued his eyes to the screen.


    "...That''s such a disgusting thing to do on the school grounds¡­" Shouichi thought and walked past them, ignoring their presence entirely.


    Then something hooked Shouichi right back, "Haven''t you heard that she works at the cafe in our town?" The glassed dude spoke up to his friends.


    Shouichi''s eyes widened and his legs stopped immediately.


    "Yeah, they just reopen it, I''ve been to the cafe. It''s real!" Blondie interjected with a condescending tone as if he won the prize.


    "She''s so hot too. I never thought she''d do adult videos. What a greedy bitch!"


    "Shit! We oughta go, maybe she''ll let us have a piece or some!" The tall one was firing up.


    "I got fifty thousand yens here, you think she''ll let me hit it?" The blondie gestured by humping air.


    "I think the store was called Yoko Sweet Shop or something. It''s just 5 minutes from here." The glassed guy narrated. Although he might appear like a nerd at first glance, he actually was on the delinquent side of the scale.


    "Let~." Instantaneously, the impactful punch launched his glasses flying into the air. The two seniors screamed with fright.


    "What the f*ck is your problem?!" The blondie barked with furious. Shouichi''s cold eyes rendered them motionless. He unhurriedly walked toward the dropped smartphone that was still playing the video loudly.


    "Answer us! You freaking bastard!" The tall senior demanded as he helped his four-eyes friend to his feet. His friend appeared to be in a numbing pain as his cheek began to turn bright red from the earlier blow.


    "She is not doing adult videos. I''ll take the liberty to delete this clip for you." Shouichi clarified while tapping on his smartphone, composed.


    The smartphone auto-locked by itself after a few minutes. "What is the password?" He asked coldly, keeping the killer''s eyes fixated on them.


    "Huh? Why would I tell you that? Who the f*ck you think you are?!" The blondie growled with his deep voice. Shouichi observed that he was ready to fight, no¡­ He wanted to fight.


    In an instant, the tall boy kicked Shouichi on the side but he managed to block it with his arm. Shouichi performed a quick backstep to find his position.


    "Let''s not fight guys. I''m sorry about the first punch¡­ My intrusive thoughts had won me over recently," Shouichi lifted his hands up as a sign of surrender and truce with his neutral expression.


    "You dumbf*ck! Do you think about that now? Let''s screw this snotty kid up!" The tall one sneered at the pretty boy.


    "Sigh*..." Shouichi let out a deep exhale before glancing up at them.


    "Get this, you lil bitch!" Blondie instantaneously launched his first hook which Shouichi would anticipate a mile away. His weak and frail swing would definitely miss him. In a split second, Shouichi decided to counter with his left jap which landed right on his nose.


    "Makoto!?" His tall friend cried out when he saw his friend drop like a fly hit by an electric bat. Then he simultaneously dashed in to try for a low kick.


    "Huh?" Shouichi easily intercepted with his feet before rotating his body to perform a 360 kick on the tall boy''s chest.


    "Two down¡­ One remains¡­" Shouichi mumbled to himself, his expressionless face and furious eyes were awfully horrifying. The glassed boy screamed in fear as pale liquid spurted out of his crotch, seeing his friends rolled down in agonising pain on the ground.


    "Pass¡­word¡­" He asked the petrified boy coldly.


    "Uumm¡­ I~I¡­ Umm~um" Nothing but squeaking noise coming out of his mouth as he was too scared to word it properly.


    Shouichi grabbed him by the throat and pinned him up against the wall, he didn''t realise that he was essentially choking the boy to death with his inhuman strength.


    "Arrrh arrhh¡­ Plea~please don''t kill me" The boy pleaded with tears streaming down on his pathetic face. Then it snapped Shouichi back, he was about to kill someone.


    "Oh¡­" Shouichi quickly loosened his grip and let him down on the ground.


    "Hhhhhhahhhh hhhhhahhh." The boy gasped desperately for air, rubbing his throat.


    "It''s ¡­ 4321," He told him the password obediently between his ragged breathing.


    The pretty boy somberly stood there, going through the explicit video clips of Yoko and deleting them all before returning it back to the owner. The 3 seniors were scared for their live, scrambling together before helping each other get out of the spot as fast as their bodies would allow.


    "I''ve done it again¡­ I f*cking hate myself." Shouichi lamented on his recent actions, regretting what he did. In the glowing evening light, the black-haired boy stared absentmindedly at his trembling hands.

 Vol 3.14 You will protect me, right? (1)

    The hectic brawl between the students raised a serious issue for Seihei school. To maintain the school''s reputation and harmony among students, the guardians were called out to discuss and settle the fight. Destirling Shouichi, also known as Seito Shouichi, who impulsively started the fight and injured three third-year students, was put on probation for the rest of the second term.


    It was the morning of the following day after the incident, when his mother, as the sole guardian, was called out to the meeting room located on the ground floor of the faculty building. The math teacher, Rinae, and his homeroom teacher, Takeshi-sensei, were waiting for them in front of the room. After a quick observation, Shouichi felt their disappointment and woe had written all over their faces.


    "Good morning, Yamamoto-san, Shouichi-kun," Rinae-sensei greeted them half-heartedly. The bewitching teacher wore a tight long-sleeve shirt and a long pencil skirt in dark blue. Her Boston-style glasses perched loosely on her prominent nose, and her red lips were attractive and inviting.


    "Good morning," the thin and short man, Takeshi-sensei, added. He appeared to be dressed in a formal shirt and long black trousers, with a card tag hanging on his neck, completing his stern and serious look with rectangular glasses.


    "Good morning, Takeshi-sensei, Rinae-sensei," the mother and son returned the greeting. Yoko''s face was filled with regret and shame.


    "Please follow me this way; the others have already arrived," Rinae-sensei led them toward the large meeting room. It had a big long table, like one of those conference rooms. Three middle-aged ladies were sitting on the same side, mumbling inaudible sounds. Shouichi assumed they were the guardians of the three seniors he fought with yesterday. Once they entered the room, the gossiping stopped immediately.


    "Please take a seat on this side," Rinae-sensei politely pointed out with her hand. The two teachers sat in the middle as moderators.


    "Ahem¡­ Good morning again, everyone. My name is Edon Takeshi, I''m the homeroom teacher of class 2-1." He monotonically introduced himself.


    "I''m Kobayashi Rinae, the homeroom teacher for class 3-3." It was the bewitching female teacher''s turn.


    "And this is Seito Shouichi from class 2-1, accompanied by his guardian, Yamamoto Yoko." Takeshi-sensei lifted his hand to introduce the members on the left side.


    Rinae returned the same procedure by introducing the guardians of class 3-3 victims.


    "My sweet child is bruised all over!" Like a thundering roar, a middle-aged lady began to berate and condemn Shouichi''s actions. He noticed Yoko was sweating bullets from anxiety. "I''m so sorry, mum," he wanted to say it to her, he needed to apologise, but nothing came out.


    "Yeah! My lil sweet pea got his glasses broken and his cheek bruised purple! I''ve heard from him that your son punched him out of the blue¡­ They didn''t even know him when he attacked." The victim''s guardian added heatedly.


    "Is it true that you initiated the fight?" Takeshi glared at the perpetrator through his glasses.


    "Yes¡­ But I didn''t mean it¡­ I wanted them to stop," Shouichi grimly replied, keeping his face downcast.


    "You thickhead think that you can start a fight and walk away with it? Of course, my son would feel anger and escalate it. It''s a normal thing, kids do!"


    "See? Your son is a dangerous man! He shouldn''t be in Seihei school! Anywhere near other children." The old lady continued.


    "But we also need to know why he did it. Shouichi-kun is generally a well-behaved kid. Apparently, this is the first time he has done something like this." Rinae-sensei defended, looking left and right.


    "It''s¡­ it''s¡­" Shouichi fumbled for words. He didn''t want to say it, not in front of his mother.


    "Ugh? You don''t even have a good reason either? You think you can just harm people for fun?" The old lady sneered and rolled her eyes. "Yamamoto-san, please raise your son better!"


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    "A slut like you¡­ probably didn''t know how to raise a child properly¡­" One of the old ladies mumbled under her breath, but Shouichi could make it out clearly enough to register. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in exasperation. His eyes fixated on them like a mix of fury and frustration.


    "Please calm down. Let''s maintain an effective and respectful meeting. We all want the same thing," Takeshi-sensei interjected.


    "Shouichi-kun, just tell them why," Yoko smiled gently at him even at a dreadful time like this. She was a candlelight to his darkest night, guiding him toward the better.


    "... It''s the video of you¡­ They were watching it and making fun of it¡­ I couldn''t stand it."


    "Oh¡­ Is that so?" Yoko startled slightly but then reached out to grab his trembling hands.


    "So the rumour is true?" The victim''s mum interrupted them, crossing her arms.


    "I think since we already know the issue, we should look for the solution," Rinae-sensei attempted to change the topic as it appeared to be a sensitive and private matter. These wouldn''t contribute to finding the correct settlement and solutions at all.


    "I agree," Takeshi-sensei backed her up with a calm and authoritative voice.


    "Since you started doing adult videos! Is it wrong for our kids to run into it?!"


    "Who exactly is at fault?!"


    "What kind of indecent mother. No doubt it reflects poorly on your child!" The three of them took turns reprimanding Yoko as if she were the root of all trouble.


    "I''m sorry¡­ I''m sorry¡­" Yoko kept repeating the words as she nodded. Sorrow painted across her face. It broke Shouichi''s heart to see what was going on. "How did it come to this? She didn''t do the adult video. As a matter of fact, she is a victim¡­" His mind argued.


    "F*ckin'' slut!" One guardian accidentally slipped up. After realising what she said, she covered her mouth shamefully.


    Bang! Shouichi slapped his hands on the table very loudly. The thunderous clap silenced them completely, and the tension built up in the air.


    "Don''t you insult my mother! TAKE IT BACK!" The boy''s face turned furiously red with anger as his body shivered uncontrollably.


    "Shouichi-kun!?" The flabbergasted Rinae couldn''t believe what she saw.


    "I''m not saying sorry. Because in the end, it''s all your fault!" The guardian was being persistent.


    "Really?" Shouichi replied coldly. Just his glance would signal fear and terror to the guardians. To the point that they just flinched.


    "Takeshi-sensei, please escort Shouichi out of the room. This matter is no longer involved with him." Yoko eventually suggested. She appeared to be somewhat more well-composed than he expected. This was what it''s like to be an adult. You''d need to take whatever crap people throw at you? Shouichi thought.


    After another 30 minutes, Shouichi and Yoko walked side by side on the school grounds. The meeting''s outcome was finalised. Yoko would cover the medical expenses, while Shouichi would be placed on probation for the remainder of the semester. This incident would be noted in his academic record for misconduct, and if he continued to have any further issues, it could ultimately lead to his expulsion from the school.


    For a long while, Yoko was walking quietly, not uttering any words, which made him feel anxious and worried.


    "Yoko-san¡­ I''m so sorry for what I''ve done¡­" Shouichi broke the silence, with sincerity and guilt in his expression.


    "Sigh*... I didn''t realise you were protecting me. You should have told me before the meeting. It''d be much better."


    "I''m sorry, a lot has happened. I couldn''t get my head straight." Shouichi admitted his stupidity. "And most of all, I don''t want you to experience it again. I know how hurt you were."


    "My¡­ I''m not angry at you at all." She stopped for a moment to look at him caringly.


    "Still, I regret my actions¡­" Shouichi averted his eyes, ashamed of himself.


    "Well, you should know that violence is not the answer to everything." She reached out to touch his cheek, caressing it softly. The warmth of her hands was soothing and easing up his pain.


    "I do agree with you¡­ Apparently, I made matters worse by mingling with those guys." Shouichi reflected on his rash actions. "I''m sorry for causing you trouble, Yoko-san." He gracefully bowed at his waist.


    "Raise your head up, Shou-kun. You did what any man would do for his lady." She patted his head gently.


    "Do you have to get back to class after this?" Yoko beamed at him. It appeared she wasn''t keen to continue on this distasteful issue. After all, it had been settled already.


    "Yeah. I still got afternoon classes." He replied.


    "You look rough, Shou-kun. Don''t take everything on yourself¡­ I tried to do better too, but you should know that not every problem needs you to solve it." She rationalised, fully aware of his personality. "Shou-kun is someone who takes responsibility for everything that happens around him. Eventually, at some point, he''d entirely break down," she thought.


    "Then see you at home. I won''t be opening the shop any more." Yoko waved at him before she left through the school gate.

 Vol 3.15 You will protect me, right? (2)

    During a long bath, Shouichi had spent over an hour reflecting on his actions solemnly. He soaked his sin and impurity that stuck in his soul. As one said, the health of the body was the beginning of the health of the mind. Because the two were interconnected. The sweet lavender bathbomb was refreshing and delightful. His spirit began to lift as his mind felt at ease.


    "I don''t know what happened to me but it definitely sucks. I can''t live like this¡­ like a failure who keeps messing up." He lamented in a self-depreciated voice.


    "I wonder if Yoko actually felt okay¡­ From the gist of it, she appeared overly composed over the issue. I think she didn''t appear surprised by the fact that her explicit video was leaked. I mean, it''s good that she didn''t react badly but it bugged me so much. In a sense, it''s a good thing for her but I couldn''t shake an odd feeling around her. I felt like something inside her mind had altered forever. Since that day, I hadn''t been able to think about anything else except her. It''s like drowning in my own thoughts..." His train of thought wandered.


    "If Yoko-san as a victim could move on with her life, then I should move on too. I need to stop overthinking. Shouichi! Get a grip." He encouraged himself with a soft slap on his cheeks.


    The freshly bathed boy casually walked toward his room on the left-hand side. He assumed that Yoko was already in her room on the right since he didn''t see her anywhere else in the house.


    As the boy reached out to grab his doorknob and started to turn, "Shouichi!" A sudden voice caused him to yelp. It was Yoko who poked out from a half-opening doorway. She was in her oversize t-shirt, the tail of the shirt was long enough to cover her upper thighs. It appeared she was ready to go to bed. There, he felt it again, the inexplicable tension in the air around her.


    "H~hey, Mom."


    "Have you eaten?" She asked, dragging her words.


    "I did, thanks for asking..."


    "Would you like to sleep with me?" She asked out of the blue, her brown eyes flashed in the absence of light.


    "What was that?!" Shouichi was shocked but quickly hid it.


    "I guess I don''t mind it¡­" He replied.


    "Eh?" Shouichi spooked when Yoko took his hand and aggressively tugged it inside her room. She appeared to be rougher than usual. Her room was pitch black with all the curtains drawn and no light source.


    "Are you tired?" She asked. Her elderflower fragrance filled the room, its soothing scent was heavenly and blissful.


    "Not really."


    "Come on, lie down on the bed." She pointed at it, and whispered, "I''ll give you a massage."


    "Wait, mom. There''s no need to do that." He quickly objected to the idea.


    "There''s no objection. Don''t you want to cheer me up? Hmm?" Her voice sounded higher than her usual pitch.


    "Yes, I want to cheer you up¡­ But¡­" Shouichi whined while reluctantly lying down on his stomach on the bed. After a brief moment, he noticed his mother lit up a fragrance candle and placed it on top of the headboard. The flickering light cast her shadow to dance against the wall.


    "Lose the shirt too." She commanded him in a low and authoritative tone which he complied. The candlelight illustrated his physical prowess, the well-refined chest and abdominal muscles. His alluring V-shape frame was in full display. He couldn''t discern Yoko''s facial expression at all from where she stood, the mother lingered on the edge of the bed further away from the dim light.


    "Good boy, let''s get started."


    "Ah?" Shouichi exclaimed.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Darling, did I spook you?" Yoko''s cold hand squeezed on his shoulder in a rhythmic pulse.


    "Yeah, it''s kinda cold."


    "Sorry sorry, your shoulders are pretty stiff, have you been working out a lot?" She inquired.


    "Yeah, I tried my best to keep working out every Wednesday with the club members¡­" He answered nonchalantly as she continued to nudge his shoulders.


    "Auh.." He grunted as she added extra pressure on it, it was relaxing but tingling at the same time. "Too much force?" She softly ensured.


    "No, it''s fine¡­ It''s a bit embarrassing¡­" Shouichi told her the truth.


    "Fufufu, did I make you flustered?" She giggled and continued, her thigh blushing across his side.


    "Huh? It''s nothing like that." He began to pout like a child with slight annoyance from her constant tease. The boy buried his red face in the pillow.


    "Really?" Yoko shuffled around from his side, the bouncing bed vibrated as she moved. Then the lady sat on top of him.


    "Yoko-san?! What are you doing?" Shouichi quickly asked, bewildered by her action. He could feel his heart beating and accelerating from the warm touch. "What the freak is going on?! I could feel her crotch press on my back¡­" His wildest thoughts floated all over his head.


    "Don''t squirm around. It''s better angle this way." She spoke in a long and inviting tone. To make matters worse for him, her grunting was way too enticing.


    "Please stop, mom. This is going out of hands." He eventually built up enough courage to tell her. The boy turned and sat on the bed, facing Yoko. He appeared to be in a distressed state, avoiding direct eye contact with her.


    "So¡­ you feel it right?" Yoko looked at him. Her cinnamon-brown eyes were sparkling in the candle light. They pierced deep into his agonizing soul.


    "I don''t understand what you are getting at¡­" Dumbfounded Shouichi slowly glanced up at Yoko, her immaculate porcelain skin was painted in amber light. Her mature physique was inviting, which accentuated by her plum bosoms. This was clear where this was going, the boy just couldn''t ¡ª wouldn''t want to comprehend it.


    Then the lady undressed her loose tee shirt, showing off her pale snowy skin and naked chest. The boy was completely shocked by it, he turned his eyes away with shame and got up trying to leave.


    "I figure¡­ You couldn''t even look at me." Yoko mumbled softly but Shouichi could hear every word. He paused with his back turned on the lady.


    "Yoko-san. It''s not true." Shouichi stared at her face. He was still confused about what caused her to do this despicable thing. "What is wrong with her? From the outside, she appears to be doing well. But in her mind, she might be broken beyond my comprehension." He attempted to rationalize.


    "You think I''m dirty¡­" Her gaze to the side, sitting on her calves. It was clear that the aftermath of her recent incident was suffocating her until this moment.


    "It''s not true. I never think about that at all. I mean¡­ In my eyes, you are still you. The same Yoko I met on my first day here." The boy argued in a serious tone, sitting down on the edge of the bed and reaching out to grab her hand.


    "Yoko-san, nothing about you has changed for me!" He solemnly told her as his eyes glittered in the light.


    "But I''m changed¡­" She reached out to grab his cheek and pull it close. In a fraction of a second, her plum lips perched forcefully on his mouth. The striking fear had rendered him motionless. His mind crumbled in desperation for answers, shattered beyond recognition. This was the last thing he would have expected from his beloved mother.


    Yoko began to aggressively ravish his body by intertwining her warm tongue on his lips while letting out a soft libidinous moan. Her fingers threaded through his soft and fluffy hair on the back of his head. Her naked body pressed on him, pinning him down on the bed.


    "You said, you''d protect me, right?" She spoke softly between the dance of her tongue.


    "Please become my man, Shouichi." Her words disgusted him to his core sending shivers to all corners of his body. However, it did snap him back to reality.


    "Shouichi! Get out! Get out!" A voice in his head spoke to him.


    "NO! I CAN''T DO THIS!" Shouichi forcefully shoved her away. A sign of hyperventilation had already occurred. He could see a flash of horrified expression on Yoko''s face before he ran out to his room.


    Yoko heard Shouichi storming out of her room without uttering another word. She was so humiliated with herself. The tears of sorrow washed over her face. The lady sobbed quietly in her bed while burying her shameful face in her palms.


    "What?! What?! What just happened?" Shouichi''s mind went psychotic. He couldn''t stop trembling as he sat in the knee-to-chest pose with his back against the door. His heavy breathing continued as tears flooded his system. His heart sank and cried out in pain and agony, this was definitely hell on earth.


    Fear, horror, regret, humiliation. A torrent of negative emotions flooded his mind, pulling him into a pit of despair. The boy felt consumed by a crushing sense of nihilism that dragged him down into the depths of his own personal purgatory. He had always been the one to help others ¡ª nurturing those who struggled with mental illness, guiding them back toward the light. He saved them, but now the haunting question remained: who would save him?


    "What about me..." The desperation had won over the last bit of his resolve.

 Vol 3.16 Flowers for the Lady (1)

    It had been two days, and Shouichi couldn''t shake the heart-wrenching scene from his mind. It was buried deep inside his memory, wired into his thought process. His once cheerful face had turned grim and sombre, drained of energy ¡ª like a star in the midnight sky losing its light.


    As for Yoko, she had been trying her best to act naturally, but the tension between the two remained. They couldn''t find the right words to say. Only brief exchanges, here and there, and nothing more. Shouichi could no longer look at her the same way again.


    The gloomy boy wandered through the busy streets of the Hoshimashi shopping district that evening. The weight of the trauma had begun to ease slightly with time, but his relentless mind remained obsessed with it, constantly processing for logical explanations and solutions.


    "I should make up with her¡­" he mumbled softly to himself.


    "I''m sorry, Mum. I couldn''t be the man you needed¡­ It''s incestuous and disgusting!"


    "But I want to be by your side. I made a promise to never leave you, and I intend to keep it." Several thoughts crossed his mind.


    "I want to see you smile brightly again. So, I''m ready to face you properly this time!" Shouichi declared, his determination clear as he gathered his resolve. As he looked up, he found himself standing before a small florist''s shop.


    The shelves were lined with various types of flowers, their vibrant colours creating a soft, welcoming display. The delicate, fresh scent of the blooms wafted through the air, filling the nearby passageway and easing his troubled thoughts as he took in the peaceful atmosphere.


    "Good evening, young man," the shop owner greeted him as she poked her head out, preparing to close for the day. She appeared to be in her sixties, with full grey hair and a calm, kind expression that radiated hospitality.


    "I haven''t seen anyone your age in my shop for a while¡­ You look troubled." She observed, her voice shaky but warm.


    "Is that so?" Shouichi gave her a weak smile, trying to appear amiable.


    "A troubled heart, hmm? If you don''t mind me prying," she continued.


    "Granny, your eyes are pretty sharp," Shouichi replied politely.


    "It''s not about sharp eyes; it''s about being observant. So, what brings you here, young man?"


    "I''m trying to reconcile with a lady¡­" he admitted awkwardly, standing still, clutching the bouquet in his hands.


    "A make-up flower, huh? You''re quite the romantic. Not many people truly appreciate the novelty of giving flowers," the kind shopkeeper said as she browsed through the shelves.


    "Thank you¡­" Shouichi muttered softly.


    "How about this?" She handed him a bouquet of beautiful white tulips. Shouichi instinctively lifted them to his nose. They had a faint, clean scent that was refreshing.


    "White tulips often signify forgiveness and a new beginning¡­ Is that what you''re looking for?"


    "Haha, you hit the nail on the head, Granny," he replied with a smile. "I''ll take this one, please."


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ***


    With the flowers in hand, Shouichi began his journey home. His heart felt lighter, a sense of relief filling him. He couldn''t wait to give them to her and tell her how much he loved her.


    Though he couldn''t be the man she wanted, he would still be someone she could rely on. He wanted to be her light, guiding her towards happiness.


    "Yes, I''ll protect you, always, Yoko-san," the thought echoed in his mind.


    "I''ll show you how strong my resolve is!" His lips curled into a grin. He had arrived at the front of his house, spotting Yoko''s car in the driveway. He assumed she was already home.


    The evening moon hung brightly in the sky, and the starry night was both mesmerizing and beautiful. Shouichi couldn''t remember the last time he took the time to appreciate this view, always in front of him, yet never noticed.


    "I''m home," he called out, as he did every day.


    "Huh? It''s unusually quiet today." He glanced at the clock on his smartphone.


    "Yoko-san? Mum? Where are you?" He shouted, looking around the first floor.


    "Is she asleep already? It''s not even 8:00 PM yet."


    As he climbed the stairs, he noticed his mother''s door was ajar.


    "Yoko¡­" The bouquet in his hand slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. Shouichi froze at the horrific sight in front of him ¡ª a female figure hanging from the ceiling.


    "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" He screamed, unable to accept the reality. Frantically, he grabbed her legs, trying to push her body up. But it was too late. Her body was cold, a sign that no amount of effort would bring her back.


    "WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" He shouted, tears streaming down his face. The memory of her flooded his mind ¡ª her smile, her kind words, her warmth.


    The essence of Yamamoto Yoko no longer existed in this world.


    He cried and cried¡­ until there were no more tears left to shed¡­


    ***


    Akiyama Suzuki received a sudden phone call about a suicide case involving a woman. She never expected it would lead her straight to Yamamoto''s front gate. Seeing the boy she loved sitting motionless by the door, her heart ached, and a scream built within her chest. What kind of hellish purgatory had fallen upon him and his family? Why did his life seem to be filled with one tragedy after another? It felt like fate had condemned him to suffer worse than death itself.


    "¡­ Shouichi-kun¡­" Suzuki softly called out to him. He was sitting with his school uniform on, his graphite-black hair obscuring most of his face, eyes hidden. As he sat with his back turned to her, she couldn''t read his expression.


    "..." There was no response from him.


    "Umm¡­ Shouichi-kun¡­" Suzuki said his name slowly, but he didn''t react. Only soft sobs escaped him occasionally. Her heart sank at the sight. His entire world seemed shattered, and desperation seeped from every pore. It felt like he had detached himself from this reality, existing only in his own isolated world.


    "..." Suzuki figured it wasn''t the right time to share what she had discovered¡ªa precious message from the dead: Yoko''s suicide note.


    Without words, she crouched in front of him, lightly tapping his shoulder. She wanted to convey a silent message: "I''m here for you." Unsure whether he heard her, she could only hope and pray that he might eventually come around.


    This was the most desolate day of her life, and she feared it would be the same for him. The loss of a family member was too much pain to bear.


    "Please, at least look at me. I''m here for you!" She prayed with her gestures. But like a lifeless statue, he didn''t respond.


    Warm, damp tears rushed down her face as she gazed into his vacant eyes. Nothing but her own miserable face reflected back at her.


    "My love¡­ I''ve failed you, haven''t I?" Her soft sobs broke into wails, loud and miserable, like a dam breaking under immense pressure. Her crying was raw, without shame, and it echoed through the empty space.


    "Huh¡­ Why are you crying, Suzuki-san?" A voice called out, causing her to glance up at Shouichi. Though he had never called her by her first name before, he did so instinctively now.


    His weak attempt at a smile, a curl of his lips, managed to soothe her heart slightly. Even with his brokenness, he still cared enough to comfort her.


    The realisation that Shouichi''s gesture was meant to console her made her heart ache even more. Overwhelmed by emotion, Suzuki cried harder, her hand resting on his shoulder as her face hung low. Her endless tears fell onto his lap.


    "Please¡­ don''t cry anymore," he murmured softly.

 Vol 3.17 Flowers for the Lady (2)

    The silence could be deafening sometimes.


    He could no longer hear anything else except the silence, the constant ringing of emptiness. Shouichi got up from his bed. He couldn''t remember what happened last night or the night before. His mind always went somewhere else. He was just a shell of no emotion, no thought, nothing.


    Under day-to-day pretence, it was easy to hide his nihilism. Just fake a smile and be done with it. All those people wouldn''t care to think twice anyway. On some occasions, just a simple lie would make them feel better. He kept putting on a fake smile and saying phrases like "I''m okay¡­" He could effortlessly avoid digging deep into his open wound.


    "What is the point of all this?!" Shouichi thought as his eyes fixated on the ground. He couldn''t stand to look at the bright sky anymore. Even the normal pastel sky was too bright for him to handle. Shouichi contemplated quitting school, as it might not matter to him anymore.


    "I''m home." He subconsciously announced once he arrived at his entryway like he used to. He imagined Yoko would run out to greet him, pulling his hand to the kitchen table, where they would enjoy their dinner together while talking about trivial things. He just realised then that those trivial things he had brushed off were, in fact, something valuable.


    "I''ve missed her so much¡­" Shouichi groaned in his suffering, alone. Losing strength in his legs, he fell to his knees, his heart aching with piercing pain.


    "Ugh!..." In desperation and anger, he forcefully shoved the shoe rack, creating a loud noise. It scattered all his shoes and Yoko''s all over the place.


    Shouichi didn''t realise it, but his face was damp with tears. He thought he had shed the last drop, but apparently, this pain was endless. In his frail attempt to cope with the loss, he picked up Yoko''s work shoes and held them tightly to his chest.


    "Why did you leave me?!" Shouichi sobbed. "Yoko¡­ If only I had made up with you just an hour faster, I could have prevented this. You would still be here with me." He wept uncontrollably, cursing himself with the thought that he could''ve saved her.


    Yet, in the harsh light of reality, it was never that simple.


    ***


    Another morning arrived, and Shouichi couldn''t remember the night that had passed. He got up and prepared himself for school. While buttoning his shirt, his meek and dire reflection stared back at him. His eyes were lifeless and blank, with dark circles from the relentless battle. In a sense, the darkness had won over.


    The boy unintentionally swept his eyes across the doorway and saw Yoko''s closed door. "For me, you were my strength. Without you, I am stripped of purpose, left adrift in a world I can no longer face." A fleeting thought passed through his mind like a whisper lost to the wind.


    "F*ck this shit!" Shouichi aggressively threw away his shirt and stumbled back to bed with the last bit of his energy. "I don''t remember the last time I had a meal¡­ I don''t feel like it anyway," he pondered.


    As Shouichi raised his hand toward the ceiling, his pinky tugging out, something flooded into his mind.


    You promised¡­ Yoko, you promised that you''d go to see the ocean together¡­


    You promised that you would go to the hot spring with me next time¡­


    You made me promise that I''d be by your side until the day I died¡­ I should''ve made you promise that you''d be on my side too. I regret that terribly.


    "I''ve missed her so much that I wanted to hear her voice again¡­"


    Days turned into weeks. Shouichi wouldn''t leave his bed except for water and bathroom breaks. His eyes were still fixated on the videos he had saved from the app.


    Although the quality wasn''t the best, he could still see Yoko as if she were alive, working in the store like she used to. It gave him a sense of joy, even if it was just an illusion.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Initially, Shouichi was annoyed by some random doorbells, but he just could no longer hear them. He put his phone in airplane mode and disconnected himself from the rest of the world.


    This world was no longer his. He just wanted to see his mother. He wanted to be with her in the videos.


    She was still beautiful and cheerful. He loved to see her work in the caf¨¦ and interact with customers. He giggled when she did something wrong or awkward around the store. Shouichi wished he could''ve joined her soon.


    ***


    Every attempt to contact Shouichi failed. Suzuki couldn''t reach him at all. First, she visited him at the Yamamoto residence, but he never answered his doorbells. His house looked abandoned, devoid of life. Apparently, he wasn''t at the store either.


    Suzuki called Ayane, and she claimed that he hadn''t been at school for a week. This worried her to the core. For Morimura Ayane, his best friend and distant relative, she figured Ayane might have tried to look for him, but she couldn''t get into the house.


    "Don''t say that he just does it too? Has he done it? I need to search for him harder." Negative thoughts crossed her mind, urging her to investigate for clues.


    Fortunately, Yoko''s personal effects were at the precinct under police possession. The suicide case was easily solved since it was obvious that she had taken her own life because of her recent trauma.


    "Also, her suicide note¡­ I need to give it to him," Suzuki thought, as she respectfully borrowed Yoko''s keys to the Yamamoto residence. "I''m sorry, Yoko-san. But your son could be in danger." She apologized to Yoko in her mind.


    It was late in the evening when the female police officer finished her work. Suzuki felt anxious and guilty for going out of her way, bending her sense of justice and righteousness for this. But without it, she couldn''t think of a better solution. There was no solution. "I''m the last person who cares about him," she gave herself a pep talk.


    When she arrived at Yamamoto''s residence, as she expected, the house was dark with no artificial light. She shuffled, trying out each key. It wasn''t long before she managed to get into the front gate and then into the house.


    Once inside, it was empty and quiet. The dark atmosphere was eerie and cold, as if it was a haunted house. She naturally used her flashlight for visibility, not wanting to turn on the lights. After all, she was trespassing.


    "Shouichi-kun?" Suzuki anxiously called out to him."Sorry for intruding, I''m Suzuki¡­ I''m just worried about you¡­" She began to systematically search for him on the first floor. Suzuki closely examined the stove and the fridge. It appeared that no one had used it for a long while. "Maybe he left the town? Gone back to Australia?" She speculated.


    Apart from the scattering of shoes in the entryway, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It just looked like a normal house that hadn''t been lived in for a week or two. Suzuki concluded from her examination.


    "WWAHAAAHAH!" A loud scream coming from the second floor startled her. She was pretty sure it was Shouichi''s scream. The policewoman dashed upstairs. The hallway was dark. She saw Shouichi''s feet sticking out of the doorway on the left, while the door on the right was wide open.


    "Shouichi-kun!" She quickly rushed to the left. She saw a pale and thin boy in front of her, covering his face in fear. Suzuki turned to check the source of his dread, but nothing was there. It was just a normal room, which she assumed was Yoko''s.


    "I~I¡­ I~I saw her hanging in there¡­" The boy was pointing at the empty space in Yoko''s room direction, his entire body trembling with terror.


    "But there''s nothing there?" Suzuki pointed the flashlight at his pointer, but nothing was out of the ordinary. She then searched for the light switch. After a few guesses, she located it and turned it on.


    The room lit up as Suzuki flicked the switch. She could hear sniffing and sobbing from the petrified boy. Under the proper light, she eventually discerned his face and body with a clear examination. He must have been malnourished for the past week to slim down like this. His face was indented with the absence of fat, and his limbs appeared frail and weak.


    "What happened? Please tell me," Suzuki crouched in front of him. He appeared to have calmed down a bit.


    "I don''t know¡­ I think I was having a nightmare¡­" He clarified in a quivering voice. His face was almost unrecognizable.


    "Was it Yoko?" Suzuki asked, rubbing his shoulder to console him.


    Hesitation in his eyes, but he nodded and bitterly recollected, "I''m terrified¡­ I saw her step into the stall and hang herself. Her b~body twitched and squirmed in agony before everything became silent¡­"


    "Look at me!" Suzuki grasped his cheeks firmly, forcing him to look forward. "Shouichi-kun, please look at me!" She repeated, louder this time.


    "Huh?" He eventually snapped out of it.


    "You are safe now. I think you might be having hallucinations from malnutrition. Have you eaten anything at all?" She asked out of pure concern.


    "Y~yeah¡­ no no, I haven''t been able to¡­" He answered. She could easily see the honesty in his eyes.


    "Umm¡­ Shouichi-kun¡­ May I suggest something unconventional?" Suzuki stumbled over her words with half-hearted resolve. For a short moment, she placed her fist on her chest to signify her determination. "Please let me take care of you!"

 Vol 3.18 A Missing Piece (1)

    In the blink of an eye, Seito Shouichi and Akiyama Suzuki arrived in front of her apartment door. It was an adequate studio-style apartment with multiple floors. Adequate in this context meant enough for a person or two. It wasn''t too glamorous but not too shabby either since it was modern and new. Her room number read "205", implying it was located on the second floor, room 5 counting from left to right.


    "Sorry for the mess, I haven''t planned on this." Suzuki appeared embarrassed while she was tapping on the door with a key card. To be brutally honest, Shouichi wouldn''t want to be here at all; he would''ve just died passively from starvation. Apparently, he couldn''t do that anymore since she somehow broke into his house and sabotaged his plan. Therefore, he actually couldn''t care less about how her room looked.


    Shouichi recounted the recent argument he had with her. He couldn''t comprehend how she would just blatantly offer to accommodate him like he was a lost child of sorts. After a few banters back and forth, he figured it was a futile and fruitless argument from the get-go. She always resorted to using her adult trump card, and here he was ¡ª standing like a lump at her place.


    To his surprise, her place was not quite as messy as she claimed. There was a bookshelf on the left and a small bathroom with a tub-shower head combo. On the right-hand side was a TV and kitchen with a small table with only one chair. Further behind was the single bedroom with a double-size bed and a large closet. Overall, it was perfect for a person living alone.


    "I forgot to tell you that my room only has one bed¡­ so you don''t mind sharing it with me, right?" She spoke with the realisation. As it became clear that she was not planning for this when she offered ¡ª no, when she forced him here after all.


    "I actually don''t mind that, but do you?" Shouichi replied without a care in the world. It was so abrupt he couldn''t grab anything. So he was led here empty-handed. Not even his smartphone was with him, just him and the apparel he''s currently wearing.


    "Of course not. Since I proposed the idea to you, I guess I''ll have to deal with it. Maybe I''ll get a spare futon later?" Suzuki spoke to herself, almost like a mumble. Shouichi just realised that it''s a habit of hers.


    "Can I go to bed?" Shouichi was exhausted from all the things; he hadn''t interacted with any soul in a week. Socialisation was draining him dry. Without hearing her response, he walked toward Suzuki''s bed.


    "Wait! Shouichi-kun," She grabbed his wrist. "You need to eat first¡­"


    "I''m not hungry. Please do not waste it on me."


    "Humpt! Then I won''t let you!" She insisted, her face turning into a cute pout. "Ugh? Who does she think she is? My mom?" Shouichi retorted in his mind, rolling his eyes.


    "Okay¡­"


    "Then you have to take a bath too. Because it doesn''t seem like you were doing any self-care recently." Suzuki commanded with her usual authoritative tone without being too direct. "Oh¡­ So she just subtly said I am too stinky¡­ That''s kinda fair. I haven''t touched water in the past 3 days." As his internal monologue continued, Shouichi began to be aware of himself bit by bit.


    "It''s not that I''m condemning you about your scent or anything!" Suzuki quickly rephrased it, judging from the reaction on his face.


    About 10 minutes later, Suzuki placed a bowl of congee with eggs and pork mince. It looked divine and delish. She smiled gleefully at him like a little girl for some unknown reason. Shouichi was still confused about how she went the extra mile for him. He didn''t want to come off as ungrateful for his literal saviour, two times in a row since then. Even if he was in the severe stage of depression, he refused to lose his ways and drag people down with him. That would be against his virtue and the values that he stood for. Shouichi did take pride in it and was ready to die on that hill, literally.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Please eat it slowly. I figure it''d be your perfect food in your current condition. I don''t think your stomach could handle anything too solid." Suzuki began to clarify since she didn''t have another chair. She just stood there waiting for Shouichi to mingle in her home-made delicacy.


    "You put a lot of thought even just for a meal." Shouichi clapped his hands out of respect before lifting a spoon.


    "Thanks for the food." The spoon fell out of his trembling hand. The boy desperately struggled a couple of times to lift it up with both hands but failed miserably, his limping fingers wouldn''t act according to his command.


    "Umm¡­ Here! Open your mouth." The beautiful lady scooped a small bite off the bowl and hovered over his mouth, her face was red like a tomato.


    "I''m sorry¡­"


    "Don''t say anything. Just eat!" She insisted. Then she began to gracefully spoon-feed the boy like he was a 5-year-old. In his mind, he felt beyond humiliated, but she acted like it was not a big deal. It felt both soothing and relieving for him.


    With that, the final issue remained. Shouichi hopelessly needed a bath. It was almost 10 PM when he just sat there in the cosy living room with the TV turned on. His mind wandered somewhere else while Suzuki was messing around in the kitchen next to him. Shouichi didn''t realise what she was doing until she came and sat by his side.


    "Umm¡­ About your bath¡­" Her voice trailed off as she appeared in slight distress.


    "Huh? It''s fine, I''ll take it as you suggest¡­"


    "I mean¡­ Do you need a hand?" Suzuki asked, blushing.


    "Wah?! I''ll manage, I''ll manage it myself!" Her words actually woke him up from his slumber. Shouichi opened and closed his hands repeatedly to show her that he was rejuvenated from the food.


    "What was I thinking?! So indecent!" Suzuki mumbled to herself, turning her face away from him.


    "Thanks for offering anyway." Shouichi put out a weak smile at her, it felt fake, but he genuinely tried to do it.


    "Let me grab a few things for you. A change of clothes and a towel." She sprung on her feet.


    "What were you doing in the kitchen earlier?" He eventually asked, becoming a bit curious about his surroundings.


    "Oh, I was gonna tell you. I just prepared you meals for tomorrow since I''ll be at work," She continued, "So I better see you eat them, okay?" Again, using her adult and authoritative tone. It never failed to command Shouichi to follow like a good boy.


    "Yes, Suzu~... I mean Akiyama-san." He slipped but quickly rephrased his words.


    "Just call me whatever you like; I''d love you to call me Suzuki too!" She permitted it with a sweet smile, her canine teeth glinting adoringly.


    "It''s not actually my fault. Your first name sounded like a last name. Who named their child Suzuki in the first place?" He whined in his mind.


    At midnight, Shouichi couldn''t sleep despite his initial claim that he was exhausted. He was just lying on the bed, resting his left hand on his forehead. The double-size bed that he shared with a mature lady was cramped when there was a large gap between the two.


    Officer Akiyama Suzuki''s scent was refreshing and clean. Shouichi couldn''t help but take a quick glance at her. The lady was turning her back on him, sleeping near the edge of the bed while he sided and touched the wall. Even with the light turned off, he could discern her alluring features. Namely, her hourglass figure, her voluptuous glutes, and her rears. "It doesn''t look comfy for her." He thought caringly.


    "Suzuki-san¡­" The boy whispered. A slight jolt indicated that she was still awake.


    "Please move in closer, otherwise you might fall off the bed." He told her.


    "Oh¡­ Is~is that okay?" She shuffled around and turned his way, her face was red hot. "It''s kinda hot today, right?" She commented. Contrarily, it was not hot at all tonight.


    "It''s the first time, I''m sleeping with a man! Give me a break!" Suzuki''s internal turmoil was real. On top of that, it was with someone who she''d always fantasised about. She could barely contain her composure.


    "No."


    "Eh? I''m sorry. I''ll move in closer." Suzuki spoke in a higher pitch than usual as she scrambled closer until her face was inches away from him.


    "That''s more like it, it''s free real estate after all." Shouichi quipped over the earlier unoccupied space.


    "I''ll sleep now. So¡­ good night, Suzuki-san," the boy told her and closed his eyes, beginning to doze off in the realm of dreams.

 Vol 3.19 A Missing Piece (2)

    A few days had passed. With the help of Akiyama Suzuki, the pretty boy had been nursed back to approximately half of his full vitality. Suzuki still hadn¡¯t gotten the new futon she had promised, but that was fine. When the weather was cold, they could snuggle together cosily in bed, and when it was hot, turning on the AC would feel heavenly.


    For his state of mind, Shouichi felt significantly better. He knew he was recovering when he started paying attention to the little things and looking back at events objectively.


    One thing that had been nagging at him for the past couple of days was Suzuki¡¯s motive. His experience in Kurohashi had taught him not to be so gullible as to believe she was simply a saint helping him out of pure kindness. That altruistic deed just didn¡¯t sit right with him. Nothing in this world was ever truly free.


    Strangely enough, Suzuki had started bringing her work home. Shouichi noticed that with each passing day, she returned earlier than usual. On this particular Friday night, she arrived at 5:35 PM ¡ª the earliest she had ever been home. Humming gleefully with shopping bags in hand, she strolled in.


    ¡°That¡¯s too suspicious. Not only did she come home early, but she also went shopping,¡± He thought.


    ¡°Oh! Did you make dinner for me? How considerate, fufufu,¡± She giggled upon seeing him in an apron, stirring a pot.


    ¡°Here! I bought you some casual clothes,¡± She said, holding up a bag.


    ¡°Woah, thank you so much. You really shouldn¡¯t have,¡± He said humbly, peeking inside. A couple of T-shirts and shorts lay neatly folded.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright! Even though we¡¯re roughly the same size, I figured you shouldn¡¯t be wearing my clothes¡­¡± She clarified before quickly backtracking. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t mind you wearing my clothes or anything like that.¡±


    She panicked a little. It was true that while Shouichi was taller and slim, Suzuki had large bosoms ¡ª anything smaller than a size M would suffocate her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not judging,¡± Shouichi reassured her.


    Just then, something he had been stir-frying started to burn, and the smoke detector blared.


    ¡°Shouichi-kun!¡± Suzuki shouted, eyes wide with alarm as she pointed to the stove. She dashed forward, swiftly turning off the gas and moving the smoking pan to the sink. With a flick of the faucet, cool water rushed over the burnt food, sending up a hiss of steam.


    ¡°Oh, my bad,¡± Shouichi apologised, watching her agile movements.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you planned on serving charcoal for dinner,¡± Suzuki teased. It was a little brutal, but he could take the joke.


    ¡°Well, half of it is your fault for distracting me,¡± He retorted.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    They exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. Shouichi realised he couldn¡¯t even remember the last time he had laughed like that. It was a rare, genuine moment that lifted a weight off his chest.


    After taking turns in the shower, Shouichi sat idly on the sofa, waiting for her. Suzuki emerged from the bathroom, a sweet, lavender scent lingering in the air. Her damp hair was wrapped in a white towel. Dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts, she hesitated before settling beside him. Their shoulders brushed slightly due to the limited space on the couch.


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± She asked, noticing him staring blankly at the dark TV screen.


    ¡°I¡¯m just waiting for you.¡±


    ¡°Huh? That¡¯s weird,¡± She remarked, unwrapping the towel and letting her hair fall gracefully. A fresh scent drifted toward him. Her dark locks were thick yet delicate, almost too perfect to be real.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m barely sane right now,¡± He quipped with a grin.


    ¡°Hehehe!¡± She laughed, her hand resting on his shoulder. Her dark eyes locked onto his, lost in the mesmerising amber hue of his gaze.


    ¡°Right! I think you need to see something.¡± A thought seemed to strike her as she dashed off to her bedroom. A few minutes later, she returned and handed him an envelope.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Shouichi asked, staring at it in surprise.


    ¡°It¡¯s Yoko¡¯s¡­¡± Suzuki¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper.


    ¡°Huh? Her suicide note?¡± He guessed, noting the sudden shift in her expression. Suzuki nodded, biting her lip.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I took the liberty of reading it since I worked on her case¡­¡± She explained carefully, ensuring there was no misunderstanding.


    ¡°That¡¯s alright. Would you mind giving me some space to read this?¡± Shouichi asked flatly, taking the letter in his hands.


    ¡°But¡­ I wanted to stay by your side,¡± She objected, her eyes pleading.


    ¡°Please, Suzuki-san,¡± He insisted firmly. Seeing his resolve, she relented and left the room.


    <blockquote>


    Yoko¡¯s Note


    I¡¯m sorry, Shouichi-kun.


    If you¡¯re reading this, it means I have already left this world.


    I regret leaving you all alone. You are my light, my love, and my life.


    But the pain and suffering were unbearable. I wish I could turn back time and be happy. I dreamt of a future with you in it.


    I wish I could have just forgotten all the bad things. I wish I could have been a better mother to you.


    But I couldn¡¯t. And it¡¯s all my fault.


    I¡¯m sorry for the hurtful words I said and the horrible things I did. I didn¡¯t mean any of it.


    I failed miserably, and I wish I could take it all back.


    I wish I could be there for you. I wish I was stronger.


    I¡¯m sorry.


    May I ask one last thing?


    It might be a selfish request, but please, please, please.


    Look ahead to the future and find happiness for yourself.


    Just thinking about that would make me happy.


    I¡¯m sorry.


    Yamamoto Yoko


    </blockquote>


    That was the end of Yoko¡¯s letter. Her final words to Shouichi.


    His eyes fixated on the paper, but soon, his vision blurred as sudden tears welled up. He wiped them away with the back of his hand, but it was futile. The sadness overflowed, unstoppable.


    One last mourn for the precious love he had lost.


    Shouichi solemnly closed his eyes, clasped his hands over his face, and whispered his plea.


    ¡°Yoko-san¡­ if you can hear my prayer, I want to say ¡ª I¡¯m sorry for everything. I hope I can move on and fulfil your last wish¡­¡±

 Vol 3.20 Akiyama Suzuki (1)

    [Contain: Explicit Content - Erotic scenes]


    "Officer Akiyama, did something happen?"


    It was her senior officer, Nagoya, who called out as she attempted to leave the precinct at exactly 5:00 PM. He had noticed a significant change in her routine. Once a hard worker who practically lived at the precinct more than her own apartment, she now dashed out the moment the clock struck five. Not that he thought it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite, in fact ¡ª he had been nagging her to leave early for ages without much success.


    "Huh? Umm¡­ Do you need anything, Nagoya-san?" She asked anxiously.


    "No, I think I''m leaving early too. Sorry, I was just curious about your recent behaviour."


    "My... my behaviour?" She stuttered, glancing around nervously.


    "You''ve been leaving early for a week now," He pointed out with a gentle smile. "That''s good. You seem a lot more upbeat and cheerful than ever."


    "Oh! I have things to take care of at home," She replied bashfully, averting her gaze.


    "Hahaha, I think I can guess why." Nagoya acted like he had it all figured out, while Suzuki remained dumbfounded by his words.


    "Ummm...?" She tilted her head to the side, looking adorably puzzled. Then, it dawned on her what he was implying.


    "No! Nagoya-san, it''s nothing like that. I don''t have a boyfriend or anything!" She hurriedly defended, her flustered state evident. "At least... he''s not my boyfriend or anything," she thought.


    "Hahaha, it''s about time you took the advice of an old man like me," Nagoya chuckled heartily.


    "Nagoya-san, please stop teasing me!" Suzuki wished she could bury her head in the sand from embarrassment, but deep down, her heart swelled with warmth and joy.


    The days seemed to blur together when Shouichi paid no attention to the calendar. He had a rough idea of how much time had passed. Ten days? Maybe fifteen? Living without a purpose, as a NEET, had its own peculiar charm. He had never understood how people could live like this, but now that he had become one himself, it made more sense.


    If someone asked whether he was content with his life, he might have said yes. But one issue remained ¡ª the elephant in the room.


    "I shouldn''t bother Suzuki-san anymore unless I know her motives. So today, I''m going to confront her about it." He finalised his plan in his mind. It was already late at night, and she would be joining him in bed soon.


    Earlier that afternoon, while searching for a battery for the TV remote, he had accidentally stumbled upon a shelf full of pleasure toys and AVs. He recalled seeing her at an AV store once, purchasing a huge bucket of adult goods.


    "So, she is a libidinous woman. But she never shows that side to me at all. It must be buried deep beneath her pretences. Or maybe she''s just not interested in me romantically. That would be a probable explanation. But then, what exactly does she want?" He analysed the situation.


    As Shouichi lay on his back, blankly staring at the ceiling, zoning out had become a peculiar yet usual habit of his. Suzuki climbed onto the bed, sitting at its edge. Her hair was already blown dry, and she wore a tapered-fit satin dress with a revealing back, exposing her fair, elegant skin.


    "Huh? I''ve never seen those pyjama before. It''s awfully sexy," He thought, stealing a quick glance before shifting his eyes back to the ceiling.


    "Umm... Shouichi-kun..." She called, running her fingers through her silky hair.


    "Huh?"


    "Do... do you like my new gown?" Suzuki asked, her face flushed red with embarrassment.


    "Yeah... I like it," He answered, though his tone was far from enthusiastic.


    "Ugh! You could have had a better reaction. I spent hours choosing this!" she huffed, her frustration evident.


    Shouichi sighed. "Is that why you came home late? You left work early again, didn''t you?" His voice took on a serious edge. "Why do I smell her fragrance? Why would she wear perfume to bed in the first place? I think I know where this is going... Trying to seduce me, huh?"


    Over time, he had developed a keen perception, honed from being around various women and from his experiences with his late mother. The question lingered in his mind ¡ª why did women in this town seem attracted to him? Was it his looks? His personality? He still couldn''t figure it out.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "I hate that you always have it all figured out!" She groaned, pulling the blanket over her head in frustration.


    This was his chance. Time to get to the bottom of this.


    Shouichi shifted closer, positioning himself over her, trapping Suzuki between his arms.


    "Eh? Shouichi-kun?" Suzuki''s voice quivered, higher-pitched than usual. She peeked out from under the blanket, clasping her hands over her chest defensively.


    His cinnamon-brown eyes met hers, locking her in place. Her heart pounded wildly, and a wave of heat coursed through her body despite the cool air from the AC. Their faces were mere inches apart. Suzuki instinctively closed her eyes, her lips slightly parted, anticipating a kiss.


    But it never came.


    "What are you doing, Suzuki-san?" He asked nonchalantly.


    "Huh?" She opened her eyes to find him still hovering over her. "I... I thought... umm..." She stammered, mortified. "Why did I act like a high schooler in heat?!" she berated herself internally.


    "Sigh... Sorry for cornering you like this, but I want to know why you''re doing all this. What''s your motive?"


    "My motive? For what?" She asked, her expression shifting to confusion.


    "Why are you helping me? What''s your ulterior motive?"


    Suzuki finally understood what he was getting at. "Because I..." But the words stuck in her throat.


    "Please tell me, or I''ll leave." His voice was firm, his stance unwavering, forcing her to speak the truth.


    "...Because I love you! I''ve loved you since the day I met you at the temple!" Suzuki finally blurted out, louder than she had intended.


    Shouichi was stunned. A confession? From an older woman?


    "From the time we met at the temple... so it was love at first sight?" He mused.


    "So, is it sex that you''re after?" He gently caressed her flushed cheeks.


    "No..." She murmured, though her eyes betrayed her.


    "If that''s what you say, then I''ll back off. Sorry for intruding." Shouichi began to pull away.


    In a heartbeat, Suzuki grabbed his face and pulled him down, their lips merging into one.


    In a matter of a second, Suzuki pulled his face down where their lips merged into one. The bewitching lady let out a soft moan between the everlasting kisses. With her morale gate crumbling into non-existence, Suzuki could no longer contain her pent-up desire as her lips greedily moulded on his mouth, interchanging their lustful nectar. It was everything that she had fantasised about and much more. She wished for the dance of their warm, moist tongues to last for eternity.


    "I''m sorry I lied about it¡­ I''ve always wanted to be this close to you, Shouichi-kun." With full disclosure, she whispered between kisses, her breath warm and trembling with desire. A tingling sensation spread through her entire body as if every touch from him set her nerves ablaze.


    The fabric of their clothes seemed like an unnecessary barrier, separating them from the closeness they both craved. The couple worked together seamlessly, undressing each other with a shared urgency. Their movements were like a delicate dance, one kiss melting into the next, hands exploring and learning the secrets of each other''s bodies as if they were mapping out unfamiliar borders in a tender embrace.


    A continuous symphony of moans and gasps filled the cozy bedroom, echoing softly against the walls.


    After a long, passionate endeavour ended, the beautiful lady laid bare on top of the pretty boy with no obstruction from the fabrics. She happily rested her head on his muscular chest, they were both firm and soft to the touch. Her eyes, like a cute little puppy, peered into his face adoringly, expressing how much she loved him.


    "...Does this mean¡­ ummm¡­ Does this mean we are dating now?" She asked him, blushed and thrilled.


    "Hahaha, I guess we are¡­ Unless you don''t want to." Shouichi replied, shooting her a smile.


    "Of course! I want you!" She quickly replied. Recently, it seemed he had been forcing her to confess with his endless teasing.


    "Is that so?"


    "Umm!" She nodded with contentment in her heart, it flourished like an elegant blooming flower.


    "Thanks for always helping me, Suzuki-san," Shouichi caressed her head tenderly as if he touched the head of a newborn.


    "It''s not a big deal¡­ All I want is to see you happy!" She answered with an upbeat mood. "I''ll fall deeper and deeper for you if you keep being so nice to me, Suzuki-san." Shouichi mused internally.


    "Still¡­ I feel bad about it¡­" She sat up straight and faced him properly. Her bare chest was dangling right before his eyes. With their size, it was impossible not to sneak a glance or two. The perfect curves, the ivory colour, and the cherries on top. After all, he was a simple man.


    "Are you listening? Shouichi-kun?" She urged him, which brought him back to the realm of the living.


    "Huh? What did you say?"


    "Hmmpt!" His ears betrayed him as he couldn''t register a word she was saying. Suzuki wrapped herself in a blanket. Her scarlet face bloated into a cute puff.


    "I''m sorry, how about I become your house-husband?" Shouichi reciprocated, putting bits and pieces from her babbling.


    "Eh?" Suzuki''s cheeks turned even redder than ever, to the point that it reached her ears. With intense flustering, she turned her face away and mumbled to herself. "Is he asking for my hand in marriage already?"


    "Oh, I mean¡­ I''ll be your housemaid of sorts. Hahaha. Sorry for not being clear." He reworded it. "Seeing this side of her was something entirely new; the authoritative officer with a stern look is actually a literal high schooler love bean. Although I can''t deny that it''s extremely adorable," Shouichi analysed in his head.


    "Ooooh, righty!" Suzuki nodded in understanding, then she paused to formulate her words. Her casual expression shifted to a more serious one. "You wouldn''t want to go to school anymore?"


    "I enjoyed school. Of course, but I just don''t feel like going."


    "What about your future?"


    "I haven''t thought that far ahead¡­" He replied with the truth. The truth implied that he was starving himself to oblivion, that was his future before all this. He turned his gaze away from her.


    "Umm¡­If I ask you to go, wo~would you do that for me?" Suzuki touched softly on his face, turning it toward her. "I mean, I''m not forcing you or anything¡­" She added.


    "I''ve always prayed for your future, but today, I''m choosing to build that future with you," she vowed, her voice steady and unwavering.


    After a long pause with nothing but the sound of heartbeats, "... I''ll think about it¡­" He replied with a soft smile.


    "I luve you!" Suzuki murmured as she pressed her soft lips against his. Their bodies entwined in a heated embrace, every inch of them seeking to merge as closely as possible. Her insatiable desire overwhelmed Shouichi, guiding him into a realm of pleasure for the second time.

 Vol 3.21 Akiyama Suzuki (2)

    The morning arrived as sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains. Shouichi woke up, noticing a cute lady snuggling under his arm. Her peaceful, sleeping face was a treat for the eyes.


    "Ah, my arm''s numb," Shouichi groaned internally as he gently lifted her head to free his arm.


    "Huh?" Suzuki murmured, her dark eyes barely opening, then closing again.


    "Oh, did I wake you?" Shouichi whispered.


    "It''s fiiiiine... What time is it?" She yawned, cupping her mouth.


    "I don''t know, but it''s still pretty early."


    "More sleep for meeeee," She mumbled, huddling closer like a child. "I didn''t know you were this clingy as a woman," Shouichi thought to himself.


    A few minutes later, the alarm clock blared, signalling it was time for the working woman to get ready.


    "One more minute¡­" Suzuki groaned, reaching for her phone to snooze the alarm. Meanwhile, Shouichi was browsing some books he found while cleaning her apartment. Oddly enough, her collection consisted mostly of rom-coms, contradicting her more lewd tastes.


    "Please get up now, Suzuki-san," Shouichi gently reminded her, but she just brushed him off, snuggling deeper into his side.


    "Heehee, give me a kiss first," She requested playfully, her eyes still shut.


    Shouichi indulged her, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. Her dark eyes fluttered open.


    "Looks like you''re awake now, sleepyhead," He teased.


    "On my lips, too¡­" She mumbled, her face turning a deep shade of red.


    "As you wish," Shouichi said, caressing her cheek before gently brushing his thumb across her bottom lip and kissing her. Suzuki let out a soft, contented moan, her breath warm and enticing.


    "¡­I want your tongue, too¡­ Please," She whispered, her lustful eyes yearning for more.


    "But I might have morning breath¡­" Shouichi hesitated, blowing on his hand.


    "I don''t mind¡­ Please¡­" She begged, clearly aroused by the idea. "Well¡­ I didn''t know Suzuki-san was this insatiable¡­" Shouichi thought.


    Without another word, the two found themselves caught in a passionate exchange ¡ª a trip to Pleasure Land.


    "WAH! I''m late!" Suzuki suddenly exclaimed, checking the time and rushing to the bathroom.


    "Hahaha, I''ll make a quick breakfast for you," Shouichi chuckled, following her. He watched as she vigorously brushed her teeth, giving him a thumbs-up in response.


    By the time Suzuki finished dressing in her cute police uniform, Shouichi had prepared her breakfast: a premium tuna sandwich with boiled eggs, crab meat, and vegetables.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Thank you so much, Shouichi-kun!" Suzuki bowed slightly at the entrance, handing her a box of sandwiches. It felt like a married couple''s routine.


    "No worries, you look great in your police uniform today," Shouichi complimented, admiring her uniform and the cute police cap.


    "I think I can still make it to work on time! Thanks again for your help," She said, checking her watch. She appreciated how Shouichi always helped with even the smallest things, like a supportive husband during tough times.


    "May I ask for a kiss before you go to work?" Suzuki asked timidly, her fingers nervously tapping together.


    "And you said you were late¡­"


    "Because you''re just too cute! I want to cuddle all day!" She mumbled, her eyes full of shame, aware of her needy behaviour. "I hope you don''t hate me for this¡­"


    "Have a great day at work, Suzuki-san," Shouichi murmured, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek, promising to spoil her endlessly, and wishing her a joyful day.


    ***


    "What''s this?"


    The crimson notebook that Suzuki used to jot down clues and case notes was left on the nightstand beside the bed. Shouichi picked it up with curiosity.


    "Hmm, Suzuki-san must have been in a hurry, forgot everything¡­" He muttered, recalling the morning''s events.


    "Sorry about that, but it''s not entirely my fault¡­ Maybe I''m half to blame," Shouichi murmured to himself, flipping through the crimson notebook.


    "Should I take a peek? I''m curious what she''s been up to lately¡­" He contemplated, grinning mischievously.


    After flipping through the first ten pages, he found names, locations, phone numbers, and dates.


    "That''s Office Nagoya''s address and contact details¡­"


    "That''s the chief of police''s info¡­"


    When he turned the page to the date of the fire festival, something caught his attention. There, on the page, was his own contact number, with a heart drawn next to it.


    "Eh? Guess she wasn''t lying about the love-at-first-sight thing¡­ You are such a softie, Suzuki-san," he chuckled.


    Turning to the next page, Shouichi froze in surprise. There were detailed drawings of four human skeletons found during the fire festival, with markings on each one. At the bottom, Suzuki had written: "Case dropped!"


    "All of them suffered major injuries before death¡­ fractures, chips, hairline cracks¡­" Shouichi read aloud quietly.


    Then, it hit him. The epiphany flashed in his mind.


    "Wait a minute... these skeletons... they have injuries like the four delinquents from the tech school!" Shouichi remembered the fight with Momo and Shinji during his first months ¡ª the one near the hidden staircase with red outlines.


    "The one with the broken arms... That''s the boss, after Shinji kicked him."


    "One of them has a loose tooth and a dislocated jaw¡­ That''s Nobu, the ugly one I punched¡­"


    "But there were five delinquents at the time¡­ one had a handsome face¡­ Was it Tsubara?"


    Shouichi paused, piecing everything together, his mind racing. He hadn''t realised just how clearly he could recall these details.


    "How long did Shinji go to buy the drug? It couldn''t have been more than ten minutes from Momo''s house to the store. He was gone for over an hour¡­"


    His memory began to form a clearer picture, and suddenly everything felt as though it happened yesterday.


    "Wait, I remember¡­ He didn''t use his fists in that fight, did he? So why did he have a blood-stained bandage on his hands when he gave us the medical supplies?"


    "Shit! I have a bad feeling about this¡­" Shouichi started to panic, breathing heavily.


    "Calm down! Calm down, Shouichi!" He told himself, trying to steady his breath.


    "It could just be a coincidence¡­ It''s impossible¡­ but I need to ask around more..."


    The memory of the secluded barbecue spot flooded back to him. "Aoyama family owns Bokusho Hospital, Water Corporation, and Aoyama Holdings¡­" The girl had explained, clearly to the group.


    "I should ask Ayane about this," Shouichi muttered to himself, biting his nails.


    Then, it hit him. "Crap¡­ I totally forgot about her. Ayane must be super pissed right now."

 Vol 3.22 The Search for Camelia

    Seito Shouichi had hidden in the shadows, seeking refuge inside Akiyama Suzuki¡¯s apartment for the past month. His best friend, Morimura Ayane, had been beside herself with worry over his extended absence.


    Four weeks ago, when the news of Yoko¡¯s suicide reached Ayane, the shock hit her as hard as anyone else. She had known Yoko not only as the local caf¨¦ owner but as a comforting, familiar presence in her life for the past ten years. Yoko had always treated Ayane with a motherly kindness, offering her snacks and a warm cup of black coffee as if Ayane were her own daughter. The caf¨¦ had been more than just a place to get a drink; it was a sanctuary where Ayane could spend hours reading, doing homework, or simply escaping from the world outside.


    Despite Ayane¡¯s efforts to make a difference, in the end, it wasn¡¯t enough. Her actions seemed as futile as whispers lost in the wind. Maybe this world truly was cruel, she thought, her resolve shattering under the weight of that harsh truth.


    However, a week later, when Ayane saw Shouichi manage a smile ¡ª like he always did ¡ª she felt a flicker of relief. It was as though that smile alone reassured her that life could still go on. Surely, there was always light at the end of the tunnel, wasn¡¯t there?


    But that hope shattered quickly. Her optimism, which now seemed na?ve, crumbled when Shouichi began to slowly fade from her life and everyone else¡¯s. She had once viewed him as strong and unbreakable, but that perception had been distorted by her admiration and affection for him. She had forgotten that beneath his unwavering smile, he was just a human being ¡ª fragile, vulnerable, and capable of breaking.


    As the days passed, Ayane couldn''t accept his absence. After a week with no sign of him, she found herself standing outside his house, ringing the doorbell repeatedly, waiting for a response that never came. Every call to his number went straight to voicemail, her pleas unanswered, echoing back at her through the empty silence.


    Another week drifted by with no trace of Shouichi, and desperation gnawed at her heart. With no other options left, Ayane did the unthinkable: she broke into his house in the dead of night. But inside, she found nothing but a cold, abandoned space, a home that hadn¡¯t felt human touch for weeks.


    ¡°Damn it, Shouichi! Where are you?¡± She muttered, biting her lip in frustration.


    Ayane¡¯s search for the missing boy consumed her. She asked anyone who might have known him ¡ª members of the rugby club, classmates, even his ex, Ishikawa Misaki. But every inquiry led to dead ends. It was as if Seito Shouichi had vanished from the face of the earth.


    One Friday evening, as the air grew chill and amber lights painted the town in a soft glow, Ayane wandered alone down the bustling streets of Hoshimashi district. A nagging suspicion gnawed at her; maybe Momo was hiding him from her, though she had no concrete proof. Determined to uncover the truth, Ayane decided to follow Momo, to see if her hunch was correct, that Tomako Momo had been sheltering Shouichi all this time.


    The thought of it pierced Ayane¡¯s heart. If Momo really was offering him comfort, Ayane wasn¡¯t sure if she could bear it. She wished she could have been the one to provide the security Shouichi needed, but it seemed he¡¯d already forgotten about her, turning to Momo instead.


    ¡°I just wanted to be the one for you¡­ idiot,¡± She cursed under her breath, feeling the sting of unspoken words and unfulfilled hopes.


    The Maid & Tea Bliss was busy as usual when Ayane watched from a distance.


    ¡°There are two maids today¡­ hmm¡­¡± She noted.


    After a short while, it seemed like the two maids were arguing about something, with the shorter one bowing apologetically several times. ¡°That must be Momo,¡± She concluded, distinguishing them. Then, Momo swung the door open and hurried out of the store. ¡°Bingo! Time to tail her,¡± Ayane thought, acting quickly.


    After jogging for about 10 minutes to keep up with Momo¡¯s short strides, Ayane followed her to a supermarket. The maid dashed through the crowd and headed straight for the milk section.


    ¡°Oh¡­ so Momo just forgot to buy supplies. That¡¯s why her big sister was mad at her,¡± Ayane speculated, scratching her forehead. ¡°This is useless! Stop wasting my time, Tomako-san!¡± She screamed internally, agonising over another dead end.


    Then, Ayane spotted someone she hadn¡¯t seen in ages. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes ¡ª Suzuki of all people was off work at 5:15 PM. Akiyama Suzuki had already changed into casual wear, indicating she must have left work a while ago.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°It seems I forgot about Suzuki-san entirely¡­¡± Ayane mused, processing her thoughts. ¡°Shit! If someone¡¯s missing, the police should be involved. What¡¯s Suzuki been doing all this time? Judging by her carefree attitude, I think I know why.¡±


    Ayane instantly found a new target. She had been following the police officer for some time. ¡°I¡¯m tired of wasting time like this. I¡¯m confronting her,¡± Ayane decided.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Suzuki-san!¡± Ayane greeted her with a tap on the back while the officer was humming, happily browsing the meat section.


    The officer flinched and quickly turned. ¡°Oh? It¡¯s you, Ayane-chan?! G-Good afternoon¡­¡± Suzuki¡¯s face turned pale, sweat beading on her forehead.


    ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I last saw you!¡± Ayane spoke coldly, glancing at Suzuki¡¯s basket. It was filled with large portions of meat, unlikely for just one person.


    ¡°That¡¯s true! I¡¯ve missed you a lot. What about you, Ayane-chan? Are you here for grocery shopping too?¡± Suzuki asked, clearly trying to deflect.


    ¡°Something like that¡­ Are you buying groceries for yourself?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡± Suzuki replied with a smile, maintaining her composure.


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a lot of meat. Wouldn¡¯t it spoil before you finish it?¡± Ayane asked, pointing at the obvious.


    ¡°Eh? Oh! These? I¡¯ve¡­ um¡­ I¡¯m just too lazy to buy them often, so I freeze them. Hahaha,¡± Suzuki stammered, offering a weak but convincing excuse.


    ¡°Right¡­ right¡­ You wouldn¡¯t have much time after work, would you?¡± Ayane continued the casual conversation.


    ¡°Yeah! I¡¯ve been super busy with all the cases, so¡­¡± Suzuki said, reluctantly bidding her farewell. ¡°I¡¯m going now, okay?¡± She slowly turned her back on Ayane.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Suzuki turned to face Ayane, her expression twisted in fear.


    ¡°Seito Shouichi¡­ He¡¯s been missing for over a month now.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ really?!¡± Suzuki feigned surprise, though her acting was poor.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know anything, would you?¡± Ayane asked bluntly, her purple eyes boring into Suzuki.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Suzuki appeared uncomfortable by the question.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you then¡­ See you,¡± Ayane said before assuming she¡¯d left the supermarket.


    It didn¡¯t take much to rattle Akiyama Suzuki. Everything the police academy drilled into her was about catching culprits and bringing in the bad guys. They¡¯d never taught her how to deceive or lie convincingly, and she was terrible at it. Ayane had already seen through her fa?ade and figured out that Suzuki had been sheltering the lost boy all this time. Still, Ayane needed to see the truth with her own eyes.


    She knew exactly where Suzuki lived and decided to wait outside. It didn¡¯t take long ¡ª within twenty minutes, Suzuki arrived, casually parking her car in front of the building. Ayane watched as she climbed the stairs to her apartment, shopping bags in hand. She led to room 205 as though it were just another ordinary evening.


    ***


    While Suzuki struggled to find her key card, Shouichi poked his face out from behind the half-open door to greet her. ¡°Good afternoon, Suzuki-san!¡±


    ¡°Oh! Hello, Shouichi-kun!¡± Suzuki waved as she hung the shopping bags on both arms. ¡°Silly me, couldn¡¯t find the key card. Hehehe,¡± she laughed lightly.


    ¡°Welcome home!¡±


    ¡°...Umm! I¡¯m home!¡± Although it was new for Suzuki to say that, her heart felt light and warm.


    ¡°No worries, let me help with the bags.¡± Shouichi grabbed the shopping bag and placed it on the kitchen counter before walking back to the entrance.


    ¡°Phew! That¡¯s a lot of stuff.¡± Suzuki continued to tap her pockets. ¡°I could swear I had it in the left one¡­ Did I drop it somehow?¡± She wondered aloud without noticing Shouichi sitting on the ledge.


    ¡°Let me help with your shoes, Suzuki-san.¡± Shouichi politely reached out to assist.


    ¡°Umm¡­ Thanks, but that¡¯s a bit much, Shouichi-kun. You don¡¯t need to go that far,¡± Suzuki flushed slightly. The idea of grooming a boy to do this sort of thing was a little off-putting.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, I¡¯m in your debt after all. It¡¯s the least I can do,¡± Shouichi said, neatly putting her shoes away in the shoe rack. Since there was no reason to refuse his kindness, she nodded a few times.


    ¡°So, Suzuki-san, would you like to have dinner first or dessert?¡±


    ¡°Eh? That¡¯s strange. What¡¯s for dessert?¡±


    Shouichi didn¡¯t answer but slowly glanced towards the bedroom.


    ¡°M~May I have dessert, please?!¡± She blurted out, her cheeks flushing as she followed her heart. "Sometimes, I just want to be honest with myself and my true feelings," She added in a whisper.


    While the two pretended to indulge in dessert, Ayane spotted Suzuki¡¯s key card on the kitchen table. She tapped it lightly where the doorknob was supposed to be. After a few seconds, the door automatically unlocked.


    Ayane slipped into the living room and peeked through the bedroom door. Her hypothesis was correct. Suzuki and Shouichi were locked in a passionate embrace, occasionally letting out soft, pleasurable moans.


    Ayane was speechless from the shocking scene.


    ***


    The elegant girl, Ayane, left the keycard on the kitchen table and left the room. Looking at her trembling hands, it was the first time that she understood the meaning of ¡°defeat¡±, losing someone she dedicated her heart and mind for.


    ¡°Why couldn¡¯t it be me? Why Suzuki-san of all people?¡± Her mind wandered with the weight of sorrow, starving for explanation when there was none.


    As she walked down the narrow, empty street, tears streamed relentlessly down her delicate cheeks. She wiped them away with trembling hands, hating herself for feeling so weak, so vulnerable at this moment.


    The sight of the man she loved seeking solace in someone else, while she stood there unnoticed, tore at her heart. The pain was sharp and all-consuming, more excruciating than anything she had ever felt before.


    ¡°What should I do? Yoko-san?¡± The girl softly cried, whispering and pleading for the loved one who got away.


    ***


    After a while, Suzuki spotted her lost key card supposedly on the kitchen table and murmured softly, ¡°Silly girl, you¡¯ve returned my card after all¡­¡±

 Vol 3.23 The Return

    Just a normal day in Autumn, when the weather gradually decreased. Akiyama Suzuki remembered that the temperature of 15 degrees Celsius was written on her smartphone. The precinct where she worked was quiet on this specific date, as it should have been for a small town in the middle of nowhere. For the past months, major shocking incidents had occurred one after another. It placed a tremendous amount of pressure on the police force to tackle, investigate, and solve the crimes. Without much success, the police managed to resolve half of the incidents despite their relentless efforts.


    The series of tragic incidents, such as the Fire Festival, Jinzo''s human trafficking syndicate, the Seihei massacre, the prisoner transport crash, the Yamamoto case, etc., were seemingly uncorrelated. However, Suzuki had a hunch that they might be. Some instances had a clear connection between cases, while others were vague or seemingly nonexistent.


    Suzuki stood in front of a large billboard inside the police meeting room, where she recreated a web map showing each event and major clues in each one, as well as their relationships. It was what she''d been diligently working on for the past month by herself while maintaining her usual duty as a policewoman.


    ¡°For example, the live stream service that Kasunagi Nabe used was from one of Jinzo''s outlets¡­ How coincidental was it?¡± The elegant policewoman whispered while resting her chin on her fingers.


    After her multiple rounds of scrutiny of the cases, Suzuki hadn''t come close to seeing the big picture. There were always missing clues, pictures, and evidence.


    ¡°There was something big going on behind the closed curtain¡­ To think objectively, assume there is a highly influential body at play¡­¡± Suzuki was lost in her thoughts, trying to link them. She pasted a post-it of the unknown presence with a question mark on it to the very top of the board.


    ¡°Imagine, Suzuki, if you are that presence which can obscure the police force, who would it be?¡±


    ¡°Start from the fire ceremony¡­ Something that could prevent the police from investigating¡­ The abbot of Kagehiro-jinja.¡±


    ¡°Aoyama¡­ Ozai¡­¡± Suzuki unconsciously read the name of the abbot aloud.


    ¡°On top of all this, there were multiple reports of people showing symptoms of a rabies-like state, including aggression, incoherent speech, foaming at the mouth¡­ All of them were thoroughly examined by doctors, and all the results were negative¡­ It can¡¯t be rabies since those people would become very thirsty for water. That¡¯s the complete opposite of rabies, right?¡± She analyzed while looking at the other reports. ¡°Is it related to the massacre somehow? Those Seihei attackers were overhydrated too since we found a low sodium level postmortem¡­¡±


    ¡°Does it have something to do with the public utility like the town¡¯s water supply?¡±


    After a peaceful day of policing, Akiyama Suzuki arrived at her place at 5:32 PM. There was still evening light at the time. She admitted that she agreed with senior Nagoya, who had been lecturing her on going home when she was supposed to. She didn''t understand then why he would suggest something worthless like that. She couldn''t comprehend the need then because she didn''t have anyone to go back to. However, that thought changed when she had Shouichi waiting for her return. It made her heart bloom like a vibrant flower even in the cold air of Autumn.


    She understood then that life had much more outside of work, and she would be able to experience it fully with the man she loved.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Suzuki gently hovered her key card over the doorknob, and an electric bell buzzed to her.


    ¡°I''m home!¡± She announced like usual. She imagined Shouichi would be running out to greet her by now.


    Unexpectedly, there was no response. Her apartment turned out to be empty, devoid of her partner.


    With her heart elevated, she yelled, ¡°Shouichi-kun?¡± She hurriedly checked the bathroom on the left ¡ª empty.


    ¡°Are you sleeping? Shouichi-kun?¡± Her face drained of blood. She headed to her bedroom and found an empty bed.


    ¡°Oh, no! Where did he go?¡± Suzuki panicked, walking in circles like a lunatic.


    ¡°What should I do? What should I do?¡± She kept repeating her words as sweat washed down her face. Using her shivering hands, she began to call for his smartphone, but there was no connection made.


    ¡°What am I thinking? Shouichi-kun doesn¡¯t have a phone with him.¡±


    When complete fear and anxiety had taken over her, Suzuki chugged a big gulp of water to calm herself down.


    ¡°Is he leaving? Maybe he''s back at his place. Why didn¡¯t he tell me anything?¡± She attempted to rationalise.


    "Or... is it that girl, Ayane-chan?!" she muttered through gritted teeth, frustration simmering at the mere thought. Despite her ragged breathing and the tears welling beneath her dark eyes, she forced herself to take a deep breath, standing up tall and resolute.


    ¡°He couldn¡¯t have gone far, I can find him¡­¡±


    Instantly, the front door opened by itself. ¡°I''m home!¡± It¡¯s Shouichi¡¯s voice, then poking his smiling face from the gap.


    ¡°...Oh! You are here early today, Suzuki-san,¡± He greeted her gleefully before noticing her grim expression. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Suzuki-san?¡±


    The lady rushed to wrap her arms around him tightly. ¡°I~I thought I lost you¡­ Sob*¡± She spoke with a shaking voice.


    ¡°Huh? I just went home to grab a few things,¡± Shouichi replied cluelessly, stroking his hands on her back to comfort the frightened lady. ¡°Did I worry you? Sorry, sorry.¡±


    The tearful lady sniffed a few times before giving him a nod.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t scare me like that again,¡± Suzuki stared at him pleadingly with her beautiful dark irises.


    ¡°Mm!¡± He hummed in response.


    ¡°So what did you get?¡± Suzuki led him toward the sofa, not letting go of his hand.


    ¡°Oh right! It''s my school uniform and my smartphone.¡± Shouichi sat down after her and showed her a black duffel he was carrying.


    For a brief moment, after Shouichi ensured that Suzuki gathered herself up, he giggled and added, ¡°Hahaha, I didn''t think I''d make you cry¡­ Because I didn''t think of you as an overly attached type, Suzuki-san.¡±


    ¡°...Of course, I am one! You always do things without telling me,¡± She sniffed between words, rubbing her damp eyelids.


    ¡°I deeply apologise for that,¡± He bowed sarcastically.


    ¡°Hummpt!¡± Suzuki pretended to be angry but unconvincingly, so Shouichi just grinned.


    ¡°I think about what you said back then¡­ So I¡¯ve decided that I''m going back to school again,¡± He announced proudly.


    Suzuki''s face lit up after hearing the fantastic news. ¡°Wow! Really?!¡± She exclaimed while simultaneously rocking Shouichi''s shoulders.


    ¡°Yep!¡± The boy nodded, genuine determination sparked in his brown eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy¡­ That you would do that for me,¡± Suzuki told him, tears of joy seeping from her beautiful eyes.


    ¡°Please! Please don¡¯t cry, Suzuki-san!¡± Shouichi handed her a box of tissue papers.


    ¡°Sob... I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m getting super dramatic all of a sudden.¡± She replied while blowing her nose.


    ¡°...To be completely honest with you, I¡¯m a bit embarrassed to go back.¡± He scratched his brows with uneasiness.


    ¡°Shouichi-kun! You can do it! I¡¯ll be cheering you on!¡± A barrage of encouragement kept spawning from her mouth. It eased up his wavering heart.


    ¡°Thanks, Suzuki-san. I¡¯ll try my best!¡± He gave her an oath of sorts with a gentle smile.


    ¡°Good boy!¡± The enchanting lady leaned in to kiss him tenderly on the lips, softly gasping hot, satisfying air. ¡°S~should I take a bath first? I¡¯m kind of sweaty right now.¡± She nervously asked the man, blushing heatedly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind that at all, I love your uniforms,¡± Shouichi replied with a hot-iron face.


    ¡°Eh?!¡± She exclaimed in surprise as her mind never registered him as a man with this fetish before. ¡°Oh¡­ He did buy that one kinky AV with the policewoman in it¡­¡± She recalled the time she supposedly supervised him.


    Subsequently, Shouichi gently caressed her rosy cheeks before pressing his lips to her delicate neck. His touch, like an alluring flame dancing on her porcelain skin, promised a journey to a realm of pure ecstasy ¡ª reaching the height of euphoria. And from that moment on, the rest was history.

 Vol 3.24 Business As Usual: Epilogue of Volume 3

    "Oh? Good morning, Shouichi-kun!" The beautiful girl in an autumn uniform greeted the boy, surprise evident on her face as she spotted him. They stood in the bustling hallway of the main school building.


    "Heh, good morning, Ayane-chan," Shouichi greeted her back with a shallow smile.


    "It''s nice of you to show up for once in a while," She remarked, reaching out to touch his medium-length hair. "What''s with your hair? Need a trim?" She teased.


    "Ay, I''m depressed, so I don''t really care," He muttered.


    "Oh? You are? I can''t really tell," She poked fun at him. In a quick glance, Ayane noticed the dark aura surrounding Shouichi.


    "..." Shouichi held his breath, waiting for a reprimand that never came.


    "Why are you acting like an NPC?" She asked, tilting her head adorably.


    "¡­Hehe, nothing, nothing."


    "SHOUICHI!? YOU ALIVE, MAN?!" Shinji appeared from nowhere. The tall boy poked Shouichi''s cheek in disbelief.


    "Quit it! I''m real, mate!" Shouichi grabbed Shinji''s finger.


    "Man, I''ve been so lonely without you around." Shinji let out his usual smirk, resting his hands on his hips.


    "Huh? That''s not true! You''re always hanging out with Emi-chan and Ishikawa-san!" Ayane quickly shot him down with facts.


    "Why''d you have to tell him that? I wanted to make him feel special on his return!" Shinji argued while Ayane crossed her arms.


    "I''m the lonely one since Shouichi was absent for months," Ayane said, locking eyes with Shouichi. Her violet-purple eyes were so captivating, almost angelic, as if they were a divine creation.


    "Hey, guys! It''s not a competition." Shouichi interjected, placing a hand on Ayane''s and Shinji''s shoulders. "I''m sorry about my absence¡­"


    Suddenly, hands appeared and gripped Shouichi''s sides, making him jerk upright from the shock.


    "Oh! Shouichi-kun! You''re really back!" Momo''s voice chimed.


    Shouichi turned to look at her. The petite, cute girl in her school uniform, wearing a short skirt, was standing right behind him.


    "Could you not touch my sides? I might accidentally swing at you¡­" Shouichi scolded her, but she ignored his words and flashed a simple smile, tilting her head cutely.


    "Momo-chan, yo!" Ayane and the others greeted her, and she returned their greetings with a similar smile.


    "My sharp eyes tell me you''ve lost some weight, Shouichi-kun," Momo said, tapping her glasses, prompting Ayane and Shinji to scrutinise him.


    "Oh! Right! You look like a shrimp now." Shinji immediately touched his own belly.


    "Hey! Don''t touch me!" Shouichi swatted away Shinji''s hand but couldn''t stop the teasing. "I''m just leaning, guys!" He shouted.


    "Shouichi-kun, you should''ve told me you''d come today. I wanted to make you bentos. Hee-hee," Ayane chuckled.


    "I-I want to make you lunch too since you look malnourished¡­" Momo stammered, her face turning bright red as she spoke.


    "Man, this is a hard choice. So, which one would you choose? Ayane''s or Momo''s?" Shinji, ever smug, slung his arm around Shouichi''s shoulder. His height easily eclipsed Shouichi''s, towering over him by at least 15 cm. The two girls eagerly awaited his answer.


    "Well, I''ll eat both since I need to gain back my weight¡­ So, I''m looking forward to both of you," Shouichi replied with a gentle smile, though inwardly he was mewing when he said it.


    "Greedy!" "Gluttony!" the girls exclaimed in disdain.


    "HAAA? I thought I was giving a good answer!" Shouichi argued, looking to Shinji for support, but he just shrugged and grinned wryly.


    "Bro, you are NOT him¡­" Shinji patted Shouichi''s back as the group burst into laughter.


    "Let''s go, Momo-chan," the tall boy with silver hair called out to his little friend, suggesting they head to class.


    Suddenly, the school''s speakers played a melody, followed by the voice of the announcer. "Good morning, my fellow Seihei students! I''m Wanabe Ririku from Class 3-1, the representative of the broadcasting club and acting president of the Seihei student council¡­" Ririku skillfully announced the weather for the day.


    "Wow, she really has a lot of responsibility now," Shouichi commented aloud while his group walked toward their 2-1 classroom.


    "Yeah, since we haven''t had a chance to re-elect, she''s the acting student council president for now," Ayane added gracefully.


    "Third-year students are like that; they try to cram as much as they can into their high school portfolios. It''s a good outlook for their future studies and college applications," Momo informed them confidently, raising her finger like a know-it-all. "Oh, Momo''s way more relaxed around us now. She''s not as timid anymore¡­" Shouichi observed.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Ririku''s announcement continued. "As esteemed students of Seihei, we have a responsibility to uphold our grades. So, I encourage all of you to start revising for the exams. The mid-term exams will run from the 15th to the 18th of October! Let''s do our best!"


    "Crap! That''s next week!?" Shouichi''s eyes widened in shock.


    "A delinquent like you shouldn''t care too much about that, eh?" Shinji quipped as they reached the classroom door.


    "Since when am I a delinquent?" Shouichi denied the remark.


    "Missing school for months, not attending club activities, fistfights with upperclassmen¡­" Ayane began to list his delinquent-like behaviour, and it felt like a punch to Shouichi''s chest.


    "Enough, please! I''m worried about the exam!" Shouichi furrowed his brows, causing Ayane to chuckle. Once they entered the room, Shinji and Momo walked side by side, while Shouichi and Ayane followed closely behind. Shinji took his usual seat by the window in the last row.


    "Eh?" Shouichi was surprised to see Momo sit next to Shinji. "Since when did you two sit together?" He asked.


    "Since you''ve been dead, I felt lonely, so I asked her to sit next to me," Shinji answered idly, his hands behind his head, while Momo nodded a few times.


    "Where''s my seat then?" Shouichi asked, confused.


    "Here... You''re sitting next to me," Ayane called, lightly tapping the empty seat next to her in the middle column of the last row. The beautiful girl rested her chin on her palm, giving him a side-eye.


    "HAAA?" Shouichi exclaimed incredulously.


    "Are you guys pranking me or something?" Shouichi turned to look at Shinji and Momo, who were doing their best to contain their laughter.


    "Come sit here already!" Ayane commanded with a stern voice like a commander, and he complied.


    "What''s our first class again?" Shouichi asked his enchanting seatmate.


    "Huh? It''s English, Mr. Delinquent," Ayane teased.


    "Oh shoot, I didn''t bring my textbook since I got too excited last night." Shouichi scrambled through his bag.


    Sigh "What am I going to do with you¡­ You can look at mine," She said, leaning in closely. Her sweet vanilla scent was heavenly.


    "Oh, thanks!" Shouichi backed away slightly, flustered. "Well¡­ I can''t help but notice that she looks more elegant and beautiful than ever. Has she gained some weight in certain places? What am I thinking? I already have a girlfriend¡­" Shouichi''s thoughts wandered aimlessly.


    "Stop leering at me, Mr. Pervert!" Ayane flicked his forehead.


    "Ow! I just think you look prettier! Jeez, cool your jets, would you?" Shouichi rubbed his forehead.


    "R-really?"


    "I also think you''ve gained some weight, too." He leered at her chest.


    "You want another one?! Hmm?" Ayane''s face turned scarlet, not from flattery but from anger. She swiftly aimed another flick at him.


    "Please, no! It hurts!" Shouichi raised his hands to shield himself.


    The playful banter between Shouichi and Ayane seemed endless, thanks to their new seating arrangement. Even though Shouichi had just returned to his normal routine, it felt great to be among friends once again. The class resumed, and Shouichi''s mind stayed occupied with learning new things instead of his past troubles. It was a refreshing start, reminding him of how much he loved gaining new knowledge.


    Before he realised it, the class had ended. While he was packing his things, his seatmate spoke up. "Can we walk home together?"


    "Eh? That''s a bit sudden," He replied, then it dawned on him. "Crap¡­ I''m living with Suzuki-san. Ayane hasn''t realised that yet. It''s going to be awkward as hell since I''m dating one of her relatives¡­ The worst part is, I asked her to wait for me¡­"


    "Stop spacing out like that¡­ It makes you look bad, you know," Ayane pointed out with a sigh.


    "My bad! I can''t go with you today, but I have something to discuss with you later. Is that alright?"


    "Yep!" She accepted with a smile. "I hope you''re not hiding anything¡­" She added, narrowing one eye, suspicious of the boy.


    "Of course not!" He lied, avoiding her gaze.


    "Fine! Then I''ll ask Namie to pick me up." She turned to tap on her smartphone. He noticed the Kitsune charm still hanging from her bag. "She still has it, huh?"


    "Before you go¡­ here." Ayane handed him a notebook, placing it gently on his head.


    "What''s this?"


    "I made a summary for you¡­ I mean, for your upcoming exam¡­" She muttered, her voice suddenly unnaturally shy.


    "For real? You''re just making your enemy stronger, you know." He took the notebook with care, flipping through the handwritten pages. They were incredibly detailed yet concise, and Shouichi could tell she''d put a lot of effort into it.


    "Nah, I''d still win," Ayane said, her tone condescending.


    "Ayane, thank you so much! I''m in your debt," Shouichi said, bowing slightly in gratitude.


    "Then if I win this time, you''ll have to become my boyfriend, alright?" Ayane smiled at him with determination in her dazzling purple eyes, as if they could freeze time.


    "Oh¡­ about that¡­" He faltered, unable to say anything else.


    "At the very least, how about you become my sex slave!?" She grinned cunningly, causing him to look around frantically. "Good thing no one else is here¡­ She''s too bold!" Shouichi thought.


    "Huh? Stop joking around. I''ll treat you to something good, like an izakaya instead." He brushed her off with a new suggestion.


    "Fine! It''s settled then! It''s a date, right?" Ayane crossed her arms and accepted his condition.


    "Yep!" He nodded, relieved. That was a better alternative than becoming her pleasure slave. As a thought crossed his mind: "I''ve already got my hands full with Suzuki-san¡­ I can''t believe it, but their strange, insatiable sex drive must run in the family¡­ How did this happen?"


    The couple seemed to enjoy their youthful banter alone in the empty classroom. Later, they parted ways when Namie arrived in a black sedan to pick Ayane up in front of the school.


    ***


    In the dimly lit, spacious room, the air hummed with machinery, and the faint splashing of water echoed. Unknown equipment lined the walls, casting long shadows in the half-light. At the centre of it all stood a tall, strikingly handsome boy, his figure reflected in the gleaming surfaces around him. He was running on a hydro treadmill¡ªa specialised treadmill enclosed in a transparent water tank that reached up to his chest. The water rippled with each step, creating waves that surged and ebbed around him.


    His lean body was wired to several sensors attached to his chest, arms, and legs, each one carefully monitoring his vital signs. The sensors were connected to a computer-like machine with three large monitors, displaying fluctuating graphs, data streams, and biometric readings. His silver hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat, as he pushed himself harder, his legs churning through the resistance of the water. Every stride sent a spray of droplets cascading around the tank, splashing against its glass-like surface.


    "Shinji¡­ you are indeed growing much stronger." A coarse, masculine voice resonated throughout the room as a middle-aged man with similar silver hair appeared. He was well-dressed in a black suit and red tie, his jawline sharp and his light-purple eyes dazzling, complementing his well-built physique.


    "Breaking the world record?" He asked, scanning the monitors.


    "Y-Yes¡­" the boy replied reluctantly between breaths. After a moment, he stopped and got out of the water.


    "How''s everything?" The middle-aged man asked, standing elegantly beside him.


    "I guess it all went well¡­ Father," The boy replied, a strange aura emanating from the man.


    "What did I teach you?" The father shot him a hard stare, causing Shinji to grow nervous.


    "Sorry¡­ It''s going according to plan, Father¡­ My apologies for not being clearer."


    "Precisely!" The man lightly tapped his shoulder before leaving through the large double doors.


    Sigh Shinji exhaled in relief.

 Afterword - Volume 3

    Helloooooo! Joeing_25 here again!


    First of all, I want to thank you for sticking with me until the very end.


    Seito Shouichi¡¯s journey has been a brutal one, and this volume marks one of the greatest tragedies in his story. But this wasn¡¯t just by chance ¡ª it didn¡¯t just happen. Everything unfolded for a reason.


    And soon, those reasons will unravel before us as readers.


    The emotions in this volume were grim and impactful. Despite doing everything right, Shouichi still failed to save the one he loved. This wasn¡¯t due to a flaw in his character, nor was he incompetent ¡ª the adversities he faced were simply overwhelming.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    If you felt sorrow while reading, then I¡¯ve succeeded in delivering those emotions. If not, you¡¯ve got one strong heart!


    Kurohashi Town has relentlessly chipped away at Shouichi¡¯s mental and physical resilience, and it won¡¯t stop until the root cause is finally confronted. The only hint I¡¯ll leave you with is in the epilogue!


    Now, on to the romance ¡ª Akiyama Suzuki played an incredible role in this volume, officially becoming Shouichi¡¯s second love interest. She has been a catalyst for his growth since Volumes 1 and 2, standing by him through thick and thin ¡ª saving his ass more than once, to say the least. So yeah, she¡¯s definitely the GOAT!


    Lastly, I sincerely apologize for any drop in quality, typos, or mistakes you may have noticed. This isn¡¯t an excuse, but I was also working on another series and participating in Writatron/sprints, which impacted my ability to fully edit this piece.


    Because of that, there will be a short break before the next volume. I hope you¡¯ll still be around when it returns!


    Thank you~!