Chapter 49 - Not the End

With each dialogue, the screen was fuzzy and unfocused, showing how drugged and uncared for MC was. All this, just to brainwash her into being his.

And the brainwashing wasn't even the end of it.

After Yuu finally broke her, he took some time to take care of her (probably so she was in mint condition before playing around). He let her out of the chair. He gave her food and water. He let her take showers and use the bathroom. Everything she was deprived of was suddenly back.

With everything, though, Yuu had to guide her and watch over her. Otherwise, she'd just sit there. Dull, lifeless, weak.

It was after a month that Yuu had his out burst.

"This isn't right. This isn't it. Why?" A CG would appear of Yuu sitting in front of the soulless MC. He looked frustrated as he held a hand against at her cheek. "Why? Why? Why!?"

"You're mine. You're finally mine! And yet-! Yet, you're not! You already left before I could get you, didn't you!? Didn't you!? Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! That's not fair!"

"It's not fun if you aren't here!"

And finally, we fade away as Yuu's voice echoed in agony and his face dripping with tears. 

Truly, a bad end for all involved.

Yuu, after his horrendous actions, became so pitiful. 

Well, the MC was the most pitiful, actually. But, studpidly so. She should've just left when she had the chance! Why'd you stay to comfort him???

Anyway, I'm sure I won't get strangled out in the open like this, so I don't have to worry about that now. Still, what's going through his mind right now? Is he plotting how to kidnap and brainwash me now? Shit!

"Ouch. That hurts, Haru." I heard Yuu finally say something.

"W-Well, you haven't exactly been... likable recently." I stuttered as I still refused to look at him.

I was still afraid of what I'd see.

"Ah, you're talking about the cameras and chocolate." Yuu tightened his hold around me. "The chocolates were an honest mistake. Really. As for the cameras..."

Once he paused, I looked at him through my peripheral vision out of curiosity to his expression.

"I went out of line. I'm sorry." Yuu sounded genuine as he apologized and looked at me with glistening eyes.

This... is not how I thought things would go down. He's... admitting to his crimes and saying sorry? 

I don't trust it. I don't trust him.

"You expect me to forgive you so easily?" I asked, conflicted. "Yuu-kun, that was an invasion of my privacy. That's illegal. You're lucky I don't have any solid proof, or I could've reported you."

"Mm. I don't expect you to forgive right away. I haven't exactly been... appropriate. You're right. I'm sorry." Yuu spoke softly. "I'll be better now. I promise."

Sure, you will.

I nodded.

Well, I haven't been sentenced to death quite yet. Maybe because it's too early in the game? Is that possible?

Anyway, Yuu's definitely trying to manipulate me into thinking he's actually gonna change, but it'll only end up being another facade in the end. I can't fall for it.

"I hope you will." I simply answered. "Because next time, I won't be so birdbrained as to destroy evidence. Anyway, are we gonna practice or not?"

Yuu smiled.

"Right! First, we need to decide which foot we'll use first every time we move. Then, we start with slow and steady walking. Once we're comfortable, we can start speeding up." Yuu seemed to move his concentration onto practice instead of me. I nodded.

"Alright, let's start."

The next hour went by... relatively peacefully. Yuu didn't try anything with me. We just did as he said and practiced. If I wasn't doing this with a yandere, I would've relaxed and enjoyed this bonding moment between fellow students and partners.

But, this was Yuu.

I'm sure Yuu realized his aggressive attitude recently has been putting me off even more than before, so he's switching gears and trying to return to the more like the cute, friendly Yuu everyone knows, that everyone likes. He's wants to erase his past offenses from my mind and replace them with this angelic Yuu. 

I can't let my guard down.

"Yuu-kun!" I heard the yell as Yuu untied the cloth.

Oh, the fan club from before didn't leave yet.

"You're finished practice, right? Let's go get some ice cream as a reward!" The girl latched onto Yuu's arm.

"Yeah! It was so hot today. Summer's finally coming." Another girl backed up her comrade.

Soon enough, I was pushed back by the crowd. I could barely even see Yuu anymore. Wow.

Oh well, not like I wanted to stick around anyway.

However, just as I turned around to leave, Yuu called out to me.

"You're coming, too, aren't you, Haru?" Yuu asked as he made his way towards me. 

"Oh, uh, no thanks." I felt the stabs of those around him.

Just because he defended me that one time, they all seem to hate me??? Or is it because I just rejected him? Both???

"Eh? But, I didn't even give you your reward yet! I could also buy your ice cream, too!" Yuu grabbed my hand, keeping me from stepping back any further.

"Oh, you can give me those another time. I'm fine." I grabbed his hand and tried prying it off, but he wasn't letting me off so easily. "Besides, I, uh, have some chores to do, so I should really get going."

"Tch, the nerve of that guy rejecting Yuu-kun."

"I know, right? He's even willing to treat him."

"Why's Yuu-kun so intent on him coming, anyway?"

Ah, the gossips started again.

"You really can't?" Yuu used his upturned look along with wet eyes.

The group collectively gasped and aww-ed.

"Just come on!"

"It's fine! We won't take long!"

"Yeah, and you don't even have to worry about paying!"

"What's the harm? It's just chores. They can wait."

Ah. There it is.

"No, I-"

"Let's go!"

All of a sudden, I was being swept to an ice cream parlor by the group. Yuu was happily walking beside me with no sign of letting go of my hand. The guys of the group were obviously keeping an eye on me, making sure I wouldn't escape.

...Bruh. Fans be scary sometimes.

Once we arrived, we crowded the shop. I felt sorry to the staff working there. They were suddenly bombarded by a squad of high schoolers in the middle of the week.

"What flavor do you want, Haru?" Yuu asked as he glanced through the menu.

"I'm fine with whatever." I sighed as I messed with my bangs out of frustration.

I just want to hurry up and leave. Thanks.

"Okay! Oh, while we're waiting~" Yuu finally let go of me and dug through his bag. "You can have these!" Yuu proudly held out a bag filled with the cookies previously mentioned.

I immediately perked up.

"...You didn't mess with them this time, right?" I asked cautiously as I took the bag from him.

"I didn't! I told you it was an accident! It won't happen again!" Yuu pouted cutely.

I stared at the cookies doubtfully, but the stares of those around me felt too pushy.

"Then, I'll eat one for now." I opened the bag and pulled out a cookie.

One wouldn't hurt, I think. It took that whole box from last time, and this cookie isn't that big. Besides, Yuu wouldn't drug me in front of everyone, right?

I hesitantly took a bite.

"How is it? I know cookies aren't super hard to make, but I did my best to make them extra tasty!" Yuu said as he intently watched me for my reaction, along with the others around us.

"It's... so good!" I couldn't stop myself from melting from the sweetness. "It's not too hard or soft. The dough isn't too salty. The chocolate chunks aren't too overwhelming. It's perfect~" I gushed praises before eating the rest of the cookie in no time.

"Heh, I'm glad you like it so much." Yuu acted embarrassed as his cheeks turned a light pink.

After I finished the cookie, I resisted the urge to eat anymore. Instead, I carefully sealed the bag again.

"Eh? You're not eating anymore?" Yuu asked sadly.

"I don't want to finished them all in one sitting. That'd be a waste." I said the excuse I thought up before. "Besides, we're about to get ice cream."

"Okay." Yuu pursed his lips but didn't push any further.

Thankfully, we were next in line. But when Yuu made his order, I was caught off guard.

"The double banana split for two, please!"

Excuse me?

"Wait, Yuu-kun." I panicked as the worker left to make the order. "W-We're not," I frantically pointed between the two of us, "eating it together, right?"

"You said you were fine with whatever." Yuu innocently looked at me. "So, I thought we could share."

I wanted to smack myself.

I shouldn't have been so careless!!!