Part 1 - confession
-Well, it's about time.
As I was about to climb the first step of the stairs again someone interrupts me.
-Hi-ka-ru.
But now who the fuck is interrupting me, you fucking bitch.
I turned around totally annoyed, the person appearing before me now was Akimoto.
I almost let that part of me come out, as you can see I have patience problems and when I can't stand it I start talking in a horrible way.
And that's also the reason why I fell in love with Akari, it was one day when I was on the rooftop, the same day Kirin hit me, he was completely frustrated and started shouting insults, even though he wasn't there, I called him a pig, a bad friend, useless, a bit of everything.
To my bad luck Akari was there listening to everything behind the hut where you get to the roof.
-So this really is the way you are.
-What, who's there...? Gōsutohāto.
-She approached me slowly, I couldn't be more embarrassed.
-Yes, is there a problem?
Her gaze was cold, almost as if she didn't show any feelings, at that moment I didn't feel any emotion for her, in fact, her being there at that moment seemed irritating to me.
-How can you say such horrible things?
Those words like his gaze felt like a knife through me, I'm scared, I really didn't want anyone to know this about me, the way he judged me was what I always wanted to avoid.
-It's not what you think, I was just...
-Don't apologise, I wish I could express myself the way you do.
She walked over to the railing on the roof.
-You didn't just tell me that you think it's horrendous.
-Yes, that way of speaking is disgusting, but at least it's honest.
-You don't know what I wouldn't give to be able to... say what you say.
I had misread the atmosphere from the beginning, she wasn't looking at me coldly, what was really in her eyes was a deep sadness.
-I don't understand you, but if you want to say something just say it, there's no one listening but me.
While we were talking it had started to snow a little.
-I can't, I've been brought up to have a good attitude.
-Yes you can, watch me....
I took in as much air as I could.
- Kirin you're a fucking ungrateful pig, I hope you rot, you fucking asshole!
-You're really rude... I'll try.
She said something on an inaudible level.
-No, not like that, shout it out.
-It's embarrassing.
Just yell it and get out of here.
-I know you can try. -I know you can try.
- I hate you...
-Come on, get it off your chest, right off the bat, I don't know who you hate, but tell that bastard what he deserves.
It was almost tender to see him trying to scream unsuccessfully, but all I wanted was for him to scream and leave quickly so I could be left alone.
-Here I come...I...I hate...I hate...I hate...I hate you! I hate you Yui Akimoto!
The scream echoed throughout the school.
So she hates Akimoto, yeah, I don't blame her I hate her too, if it wasn't for her I would still be friends with....
I was shocked, looking at Gōsutohāto I noticed she was all red, tears were coming out a little as she pressed her lips tightly together.
You're a fucking friend-stealing bitch, Akimoto!
She looked at me for a second, slapped her face with both hands and sighed.
-You should learn not to talk so dirty, Nishimura.
That's the thanks I get from this bitch, you're going to pay for it....
-But don't ever change that honesty of yours, it's nice to see someone who can speak his mind.
I blushed at her words, without realizing it I didn't want her to leave here anymore, somehow without me realizing it, she accepted me as I am, and to have someone accept me for the way I am more than I reject, it was nice.
-I'll try...
-By the way, weren't you Kirin's friend, why are you talking so bad behind his back?
-I told him that his girlfriend was cheating on him with another guy, he didn't believe me and as you can see from my face he hit me.
-Then he doesn't deserve your friendship, if he can't listen to his friend who is trying to protect him I don't think someone like him is worth it.
-You know Gōsutohāto, you made my day, I owe you one.
No, you made my day, I think I owe you one... if you don't mind I'd rather you call me Akari, Nishimura.
Somewhat embarrassed, I asked her.
-Are you sure?
-I'm sure.
-Well Akari, then call me Hikaru.
I kept smiling appreciating her, that girl just stole my heart.
She approached me with a handkerchief, and rubbed my nose.
-But... What's wrong?
-You're bleeding from your nose, so I'm wiping it.
We talked a bit more about other things, until a voice came over the megaphone and asked us to vacate the school for the hours.
-Akari, why do you hate Akimoto?
-She's responsible for why I changed my style, I wanted to be friends with her and all I got in return was hateful words along with mistreatment, she made people who said they were my friends start picking on me.
-That idiot is trouble everywhere she goes, I totally understand why you hate her.
-Mmm, what did Hikaru do to you?
-She's Kirin's girlfriend.
-Then we both suffered because of that woman's evil.
No, what he did to you is unforgivable, in fact, I feel more furious about what he did to you than what he's doing to Kirin, but she might be my ex-friend's cheating girlfriend, but here the guilty one is Kirin for not believing me, don't misunderstand me if I'm angry with Akimoto, but... forget it.
-Hikaru... would you like to be my friend?
I couldn't contain my joy and answered effusively.
-Really, I'd love to.
-That intense look, it gives me the creeps, Hikaru.
-I have something important to do, so tell me what do you want, Akimoto?
I grabbed the pin on the ladder to climb up.
-But why are you always so cold, when you just want to be your friend, Hi-ka-ru.
-Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass.
-Don't be, I assure you, we could get along very well together.
She opened her cleavage a little.
I sighed deeply, this girl doesn't understand when you say no to her.
-No thanks Akimoto, I'm going.
I ran down the stairs before someone else interrupted me.
-But Hikaru...
How can I not fall even showing him my breasts, any man falls at my feet, this idiot, I'm going to pay for everything brat.
When I got to the rooftop, there was no one there, it was snowing a bit hard.
Don't tell me I made her wait too long, I'm not an idiot, if I hadn't been entertaining Asuna, don't wait....
I walked around the front room, to my luck Akari was waiting in the same place we met, she was hugging herself because of the cold.
-You're making me wait in this weather Hikaru.
-I'm really sorry Akari, Asuna was trying to recruit me once again for her club.
-I'm going to get sick if I go on like this.
I took off my scarf and put it around her neck.
-Hikaru...
Just let me tell you something and we'll get out of here.
-Well I'm listening, but make it quick.
Yeah. Well, what I want to say is... Akari...I want...I need to tell you...
-You're fine Hikaru, you're very red, don't tell me that you got sick, here you need the scarf more than me.
Man come on say it already, even your sister helped you to confess, just say it.
-Akari, it's not that, it's just that I....
What did you say, sorry you spoke too low.... Hikaru if you want to tell me something say it honestly if it's something bad we'll try to fix it.
It's not that, my indecision is making me misunderstand myself, I'm a failure.
My sister's words came to mind, be brave. I grabbed Akari's hands.
-Akari, I really like you, I'd like... if you want to be my girlfriend!
She was completely silent, she had her face looking down and wouldn't let me see her eyes.
What was I thinking, of course she doesn't like me, I ruined everything.
Akari if you don't...
She hugged me.
-Of course I want to be your girlfriend, I like you too Hikaru.
I hugged her tightly, I kept smelling her scent, it was sweet like candyfloss.
-Akari, I can kiss...
And when I least expected it she kissed me, we stayed a few seconds united by our lips, my heart was at one hundred, I wanted this moment to last a lifetime.
-Let's eat together, my sister prepared two bentos for me today.
-Emi's food is the best, you know I would like to eat here, it definitely became our special place.
When Emi cooked for me Akari always took out food for me, but when my stepmother does so she never touches the plate.
We sat very close, Akari wrapped my scarf around our necks.
-I don't want my boyfriend to get sick.
Emi I will make you a shrine, thank you sis.
Part Two - Henkyokuten
We took advantage of the lunch time to make plans for the week while we were hugging each other, then we went to class where we were challenged a lot for talking during the lessons, the day was wonderful.
-Remember that the exam will be next week and this will go into it, you can go to your elective classes now.
-Akari, we are leaving together after school.
-Of course Hikaru, we'll meet you at the entrance to the exit.
She looked around, after that she gave me a kiss on my cheek.
What a great day to be alive, if we were allowed to bring our mobile phones to school I would have already told Emi everything and thanked her, but the academy is strict about bringing mobile phones.
The elective classes are what makes Sakura's Copo school different from the others, you can choose up to 10 classes that you want, from cooking, to finance, to even cinematographic arts, at least you have to choose 5 classes from the 120 different ones that there are.
Well today is theatre if I remember correctly, I went to the classroom, I wanted to take advantage of this occasion to be able to speak with Baki, since in this class we are classmates and fortunately he was the first one in arriving, the teacher Beatriz always arrives about 10 minutes late, since, she always comes after rehearsing for her play that is about to be released, I believe that it was called the ghost bride.
I didn't really choose theatre, because I liked it, but it's very useful to get rid of stress, although today at least I needed it, now that I remember Akari wanted to take this class, but her parents didn't allow her, now that I think about it, her parents could become a problem, she always does what they tell her without complaining and knowing them I'm sure they won't allow her to have a boyfriend for their daughter. ... shit I didn't think about them... I must think about how to solve this problem, but I alone can't do anything, I'll have to talk about it with Akari, my girlfriend... how I like how that sounds; it's time to focus on Baki.
-What's up Baki?
-Here I am bro, making time, I want to go home and what about you?
I have a girlfriend now, but I prefer not to let anyone know for now.
-Not much, I heard you left the club.
-Yes, it's time to grow up, I can't stay all the time playing at believing in ghosts.
Baki sat down on a chair and started swinging on it.
-Is that really it? Or did something else happen?
-No as I told you I don't want to go to that boring club anymore.
-And what about Asuna?
-Why should I care what happens to her?
-Are you not childhood friends?
-We haven't understood each other like we used to, and it doesn't mean I'll be with her all the time, bro.
He's right about that last point, but I can also see that he's saying it with some pain.
-I reject you, don't I?
Baki almost fell off his chair.
-No, no, what are you talking about, I never liked that paranormal fan.
I hit the nail on the head, but if I were him I wouldn't want to be fingered, I'd better change the subject.
-I guess I was wrong, what are you planning to do now, are you going to change to another club?
-No, I don't want more, it's enough with the 7 elective classes that I have, tell me what happened between you and Akari, you were having a good time in class, it made me nauseous.
What are you talking about, you bastard, now I'm almost glad that Asuna rejected you.
-Nothing, they must be your ideas.
If I tell him that we're dating, when he's just been rejected, it'll probably end up ruining him.
Maybe, it hasn't been one of my best days, bro, besides I don't think you have such bad taste to go out with that ugly four-eyed girl.
Without thinking I jumped on him, grabbing him by the collar of his clothes.
-What's wrong with you Hikaru?
-Listen Baki, just so you know, those four eyes you're talking about is my girlfriend, I'm going to let it go this time because I know Asuna rejected you, but don't talk bad about her again, understood?
-Are you crazy, like you said nothing happened... I didn't think they became boyfriend and girlfriend, bro?
I blurted it out
-I wanted to be lenient about your situation, but I don't want you to talk bad about her again and fix your situation with Asuna, she was pretty sad that you left the club, don't ruin a friendship just because your feelings weren't reciprocated.
-Look, I understand you're defending the four... I mean Gōsutohāto, but don't get involved with Asuna, I have feelings too, and I think it's my right to be upset with her.
-As you wish.
Actually, he was right in that, he had every right to react as he wanted, but I feel sorry for Asuna.
I was waiting for Akira at the exit, but she didn't come.
-What's taking her so long, it's been half an hour since the end of the electives.
Even Professor Carlos has already left, and he was her French teacher, I'd better go look for her.
I go to her classroom, but she wasn't there, I went to see if I could find her on the roof, but she wasn't there either.
-Strange, why can't I find her?
Akari likes to go to the library, I'm sure I'll find her if I go there.
I got to the library, but there was no sign of her, I'll ask the librarian on duty.
I approached the desk and to my surprise it was Yuri Makoto (17) the president of the student council.
-President, have you seen Akari around here?
-Oh Nishimura, no, she didn't come today, which is strange because she comes every day.
Where the hell are these Akari, what is this worried feeling I have.
-Thank you, chairperson.
-Wait Nishimura, can you give this book to Akari yesterday, she left it.
If it's no problem...
It was a self-help book, specifically for coping when your classmates bully you... I honestly never considered how she was feeling, I'm stupid.
I went to our classroom to see if I could find her there, but as soon as I got there I got the shock of my life, the door was splattered with blood. I opened the door to see the scariest scene of my life, there was blood everywhere.
-What's... happening?
My body wouldn't stop shaking, my legs barely responded, I put my hand to my mouth and my eyes filled with tears, a feeling of anguish came over me, I felt vomit start to rise in my throat.
-Akari
On the ground lay Akari's body bathed in blood, she had multiple stab wounds all around her body.
I took a step towards her with my legs all shaky, as soon as I stepped I slipped on something hard and a pool of blood, when I looked at what made me fall, I threw up, I had stumbled over a finger that had been severed.
As I said her name she reacted by stretching her arm out very slowly towards me.
Hika...ru
He said my name as he smiled, and I saw the moment when his eyes went out.
I grabbed my head, while pulling my hair.
-What's going on, is this a joke, Akari are you okay? okay, please answer me.... Akari...
-Akari!
I repeatedly hit my forehead on the floor while shouting Akari's name.
-Hikaru.
Someone had called out after me, I turned around, hoping it was the person who attacked Akari and ended my life.
-You.