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Published at 12th of April 2020 06:37:08 PM


Chapter 18

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They called Erika Daidouji's parents and she got a harsh lashing from the school. However, the person she was talking to on skype was not involved. I heard from the teacher that she refused to name her accomplice, which surprised me.

What exactly does Hanabi have over Daidouji to keep her reigned in like that? I'm sure it's some sort of blackmail. Hanabi was always the type to think three moves ahead. Ever since childhood, she always came up with cunning plans to avoid getting in trouble. It's likely that she foresaw this outcome and thus planned for it accordingly.

Since Daidouji didn’t reveal anything, the teacher asked me to tell her. Of course, I refused. Revealing my whole plan, why I got involved, Hanabi's relation to Daiouji and me would just be too much of a headache.

Regardless, I'm sure the teacher is aware of Daidouji's lies. Even if she is a teacher and an adult, I don't trust her to deal with Hanabi properly. Well, the worst that can happen if they investigate the skype messages is that it will trace it back to me. I can imagine Hanabi will still remain hidden. There's also the fact that Hanabi could afford to play the waiting game and plan all of her moves without a care. But I didn't have that luxury because Yukishiro-san was the victim here and time was of the essence.

After everything that transpired, after school I spotted Yukishiro-san and called out to her. She opened her eyes and nodded. I’m sure she could notice the seriousness in my tone of voice.  All of our classmates wanted to invite her out as an apology, but she refused all of them. Instead, she went to the nearby park with me.

The shabby equipment wasn't really worth writing home about, but it was quite the scenery, seeing them stained orange from the setting sun. There was a bench near the slide, but because it was pretty small, sitting squished would be pretty embarrassing. Instead, Yukishiro-san went to the swings and sat down on one of them, losing herself to nostalgia. Seems like this relaxed mood is calming her down.

That's when I first realize a sort of unease within myself. I should explain my past with Hanhabi to Yukishiro-san. I've been dodging the issue, but I have to face the music now. Yukishiro-san is now wrapped up in all of this and it would be unfair to her otherwise. My resistance for the past few days is still there as I find the words to speak.

"Yukishiro-san, do you remember when I was talking about the person I broke ties with?"

"Yes..."

"I think it would be best for you to hear about her."

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to..."

Yukishiro-san looks at me with worry from the swings. I stare back, silently telling her that I am determined to talk. Yukishiro-san tries to find the words to speak but doesn't, because she knows this is what I want. Her silence gives me the strength to tell my story.

"I really was miserable, but I was somehow pulled in by her..."

I explain everything: My relationship with Hanabi, the abuse I suffered, how I managed to break up with her and Hanabi's current emotional state and her thirst for vengeance.

"That's why everything that happened to you happened, it's all my fault. I'm so sorry Yukishiro-san. There's no way I can make it up to you"

"N-no, it's not your fault at all Ichinose-kun."

Her voice is tinged with sorrow as she shakes her head. Seeing her face so pained snaps me back into reality. She's been bawling this whole time.

"You suffered so much Ichinose-kun. I've been watching you for so long and I never noticed your pain once, I'm so pathetic. If only I had the courage to reach out and talk to you then maybe you wouldn't have had to suffer all alone."

Yukishiro-san gets off the swing and rushes up to me.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you, please forgive me..."

Her cheeks are wet with tears because she's been crying so much.

"Yukishiro-san, why are you crying?"

Those were the only words I could find because I was so shocked. Yukishiro-san looks me right in the eye with her tear stained pupils.

"I can't forgive myself for not noticing your pain. You know, ever since I first saw you, I've always loved you Ichinose-kun."





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