[Author here! I only ask you trust me, and read all the way through, at least for this one :) ]
Inhale...
... Exhale.
And then, Yuuto simply listened.
His mother and sister sat beside him, their faces twisted in disappointment.
"I've seen the footage," the principal began, his voice weighted with disappointment. "And frankly, I'm appalled."
"Appalled that a boy like you would stoop so low, Yuuto,"
"To think you baited Yuuno-kun into coming to your aid by claiming you had amnesia, only to do something as despicable as this..." The principal glared, his voice hard. Yuuto lowered his head.
"YOU RAISE YOUR HEAD, YUUTO!!" His sister screamed, fury erupting from her as she saw him avert his gaze. "YOU DON'T GET TO COPY YUUNO HERE!! YOU... YOU DON'T GET TO HAVE ANYTHING ANYMORE...!! WHETHER IT'S MY TRUST, OR—" Her voice cracked before Yuuno gently touched her shoulder.
"It's enough... Senpai. I'm just glad... it's over." Yuuno muttered softly, casting a calculated glance at Yuuto.
'Ufufh~... My. Having trouble keeping your head up, Yuuto-kun? Did you really think it would be this easy? Hurting me like this?' His thoughts swirled with delight as he relished Yuuto's slumped posture.
'I'm all for jokes, but this...'
'... is a bit too much.' Yuuno's face briefly contorted in suppressed rage. 'I'm not sure beating you up—or screwing your bitch sister—will be enough anymore...'
"Yuuto!" The homeroom teacher cut in, his voice slicing through the tension. "I share your sister's views. Raise your head. If you don't comply, your punishment will be even worse." His words were sharp, but his gaze lingered on Yuuto's mother, his eyes roaming over her.
'Hot damn... Every time I see her, she's fine as hell. That brat doesn't deserve a mom like her.' The teacher's glare hardened. 'I always looked the other way when he got beat up. Hoped he'd just off himself already, so I could have her all to myself... Resilient little rat, aren't you?'
"LIFT YOUR HEAD, I SAID!!! YOU DON'T GET TO LOWER IT!!" He shouted once more, his voice cracking through the room like a whip. Yuuto's mother flinched at the harshness of his tone, her discomfort palpable as his voice pierced through her ears.
Inhale...
... Exhale. Slowly.
Yuuto lifted his head slowly, deliberately, as all eyes fell on him—his homeroom teacher, Yuuno, and the principal, each eager to catch a glimpse of his expression.
He met the principal's gaze, unwavering.
"Your grades are abysmal. You're barely present in school, your social skills are lacking, and now... this," the principal said, tightly gripping his fist. "Whatever is happening between your sister and this young man"—he motioned toward Yuuno, who donned a solemn mask—"doesn't justify the grief you caused them and this young girl!" His voice sharpened as he gestured to the blonde-haired girl sitting quietly beside Yuuno.
Yuuno leaned forward, his voice steady, dripping with false remorse. "I didn't want it to come to this, but... I have to tell the truth. Yuuto... he harassed my sister. Sending her messages, threats..." He accused, lowering his voice as he elaborated, "Also sending inappropriate messages... She has it all recorded in her phone," He said, causing the mother and sister to flinch and grimace, "I think... maybe it's because he found out I was dating his sister. So... maybe he felt neglected..." His words hit like a carefully placed blow, but the true damage had been done long before this moment.
Yuuto's mother and sister flinched ever so slightly. They knew what was coming—they had already heard Yuuno's twisted version of events, with the sister hearing it from Yuuno, and the mother hearing it from her.
But even now, hearing it spoken aloud, their faces tightened with unease. Yuuto's mother looked down, unable to meet the principal's eyes. His sister, arms crossed tightly, glared, her fury barely contained.
"Yeah... I can attest to that," she spat, her voice shaking with anger. "You... You little... Bastard." She hesitated, her expression hardening. "Yuuto told me everything yesterday—how you knew about me and him but didn't say anything because you saw I was happy..."
Her voice rose in frustration, her emotions spilling over. "If you wanted me to stay happy... then WHY... WHY DID YOU GO AND DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!" Her face contorted in fury, her eyes burning with accusation.
Inhale...
... Exhale. Slower this time, his breath shaky but controlled.
The principal's eyes narrowed as he turned toward Yuuto. "I... Am honestly ashamed that a student like you has to attend to our school." The principal growled.
The mother's thoughts began to spiral. 'So... I really HAVE failed as a mother...' She wrestled with herself, the guilt tightening around her like a vice. 'I really did think... with all the attention, with all the love I tried to give... he'd turn out alright.'
But now, another possibility crept in. 'Perhaps... he'd be better off at a boarding school, once this year is over,' she thought, recalling the homeroom teacher's suggestion. 'He said it was because there's no father figure in the house... Maybe he was right about everything... I don't know anymore... I'm just... too tired.' Her lips tightened, as exhaustion and frustration twisted her face.
The homeroom teacher looked down at him again, "NO ONE in this room is on your side, boy. It's about time you start taking responsibilities for your actions!! You did an adult crime!!? Then you should be tried AS AN ADULT!!!" He shouted.
Still, Yuuto remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind remained clear. He knew that speaking now would do nothing to sway them. Yuuno had already poisoned their minds.
'Ah... How lovely the weather is today <3,' Yuuno thought, casting a fleeting glance at Yuuto. 'Are you perhaps too overwhelmed to speak or protest? How adorable... Don't worry, Yuuto-kun. I'll make sure you scream later <3.' His lips curled in amusement, savoring the silent turmoil he imagined swirling within Yuuto.
Yuuno pressed on, softening his tone as he cast a glance at the blonde girl sitting quietly beside him. "I didn't report it sooner because... well, I thought maybe Yuuto was just acting out. After he found out about me and his sister, things got complicated... He was angry. And I... I tried to understand!" His voice wavered, dripping with false concern. "But when he started going after my own sister..." He sighed, "I couldn't stay quiet anymore."
Yuuto's fists clenched under the table, the tension radiating through his body. The subtle reactions from his mother and sister confirmed what he already knew. They had heard this twisted story before, and despite the flicker of doubt in their eyes, they had already chosen a side.
"I wanted to protect him," Yuuno continued, turning his gaze to the principal with a look of sincerity that seemed almost flawless. "I didn't want him to be expelled. I thought... maybe if I gave him some time, he'd stop. But things only escalated."
He leaned in slightly, his intensity building. "So, please, sir... D-don't... Don't expel him! I believe people can still change!" His eyes glistened with a calculated earnestness.
'If you expel him... I'll lose my punching bag.' Yuuno thought, his inner delight masked beneath a veil of concern.
The principal's face hardened as he met Yuuno's gaze, visibly moved by his plea.
Yuuto's sister, her mouth slightly agape, murmured under her breath, "Yuuno..." Her eyes sparkled with awe, her heart racing as she marveled at his supposed compassion. Even their mother, weary as she was, couldn't help but feel moved by his words. A quiet thought crossed her mind.
'Why... Why couldn't Yuuto be more like him?'
Meanwhile, the homeroom teacher's lip curled in disdain. 'Tsche, the school's golden boy... Yeah, you're perfect. But you piss me off. Oh well. That little shit's only a few steps away from hanging himself now.' He stole a glance at Yuuto's mother, his tongue momentarily wetting his lips.
'Lucky...' he thought, eyes tracing her form.
... Something Yuuto didn't miss.
The principal let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing his temples as he glanced into Yuuno's eyes. The weight of the decision hung in the air. After a moment, he turned back to Yuuto, his expression hardening.
"Given your history of absences and this new accusation, I had strongly considered expelling you and sending you to juvenile detention." His tone was stern, but then softened slightly. "However, hearing this brave young man's plea..." He paused, casting a glance at Yuuno. "I'll leave it in the hands of your sister."
The principal turned to the blonde girl, his voice lowering to a more gentle pitch. "Miss, I apologize for placing such a burden on you, but I respect your opinion in this matter. What do you think we should do?"
Yuuto's sister snapped, "Sir, asking her to decide something like that is—" but her words were cut short as the blonde girl slowly lifted her head. Her voice, barely above a whisper, filled the room.
"I... I believe... in Yuuno-nii..." she murmured, her weak voice sending ripples of empathy through the room. Her fragile innocence tugged at everyone's hearts.
The principal sighed deeply, nodding. "Very well..." He turned back to Yuuto, his eyes cold.
"From this moment forward, Yuuto, if you miss a single day of school, you will be expelled. Every day, without fail. Only then can you begin to rebuild the shred of respect you have left."
Yuuto could feel Yuuno's gaze on him, the satisfaction barely concealed behind his mask of concern. This verdict was exactly what the bully had been waiting for—another method to tighten his grip over Yuuto.
'Wonderful... We'll be seeing each other every day, Yuuto-kun <3. How lovely...' Yuuno mused, his thoughts dripping with venomous glee.
"This is it," the principal concluded. "You will not be going home. You will stay here and study." The finality in his voice signaled the end of the hearing.
Yuuno's little sister was the first to rise, hurrying out of the room, her head down.
"You should apologize to him, and her!" Yuuto's sister snapped, her voice trembling with anger. "You're the one who pushed him to act like this! You... bastard... I actually... felt sorry for you!" Her words dripped with rage as she spat them out.
Yuuno gently reached out, placing a calming hand on her shoulder, subtly positioning himself between her and Yuuto. His movements were calculated, protective in appearance, but his intentions veiled.
"Enough... It's over now," Yuuno murmured softly, his voice soothing, yet laced with hidden triumph. He turned his gaze to Yuuto, ducking slightly to meet his lowered head. His tone softened even further. "Right, Yuuto? I hope... someday, I'll hear an apology from you."
As he whispered those words, Yuuno shot Yuuto a knowing smirk, hidden from everyone's view. Leaning in close, he let his voice drop to a taunting whisper.
'Honestly, I'm surprised you had it in you, Yuuto-kun.' His thoughts gleamed with amusement. 'But did you really think that earned you anything?' He studied Yuuto's expression, concealed beneath his neatly arranged hair, waiting for a reaction.
Then, his voice dipped lower, dripping with venomous malice.
"All you earned with that little act of defiance... is more of where that came from. And your mom..." Yuuno's voice grew even quieter, his breath hot against Yuuto's ear. "She's even cuter than your bitch sister. Oh, Yuuto-kun... What should I do? What should I do...?" The words curled into Yuuto's mind like poison as Yuuno straightened himself, his sorrowful expression returning as though nothing had been said.
Feigning sadness, Yuuno stepped away, his voice once again calm and reassuring. "It's alright, miss. In this situation, he... doesn't need to apologize." He glanced at Yuuto's sister with a comforting smile, playing the role of the golden boy effortlessly.
Then, turning to his golden-haied sister, he offered her a gentle, reassuring look. "And Airi... don't worry. Your brother will always protect you." His words were smooth, deliberate. Airi nodded quietly without looking back and left the room.
And then, something within Yuuto stirred, like a match striking in the dark.
As Yuuno, Yuuto's sister, and his mother all stood, preparing to leave, Yuuto's mind ignited with a sudden clarity.
"I see..." he muttered, the words barely audible, his voice trembling with fury. "I see..."
A darkness swelled within him, his thoughts fixated on a single, piercing realization. Among all the things said in that room, one fact stood out above the rest.
Just one.
Of all the details, this was the one that burned brightest in his mind.
'This bastard...'
'... Has a sister as well,'
A fire ignited in Yuuto's chest—cold, sharp, and unrelenting. The intensity of his vengeance surged, burning brightly enough that it briefly flickered in his eyes.
[IMAGE]
His lips curled ever so slightly, but this time, they went downward. There was no smirk—only a cold grimace stretching across his face, his eyes gleaming with wicked intent.
In that very moment, Yuuno felt a chill shoot down his spine, as if a knife had been hurled at his back.
'WHO...?!' he thought, snapping his head around, still held by Yuuto's sister, gasping for breath.
His breathing steadied as his eyes landed on Yuuto, whose head remained bowed.
'... My imagination?' he wondered, shaken.
"Yuuno...? Are you alright?" the tomboy sister asked, noticing the sudden paleness on his face.
"Ah... yeah. I'm just... a little shaken," Yuuno murmured.
"Then let's take the day off. Let me take care of you," she suggested softly.
"Right..." he muttered, as the two turned away.
'I underestimated you this one time.'
Yuuto clenched his fist, his body trembling slightly as he lifted his gaze, glaring at the bully who walked out with his sister in tow, their mother trailing behind.
'That's once too many.'
"You will be severely punished when you get back, Yuuto," his mother's voice cut through the air, but he paid no mind.
'You're not just an NTR antagonist anymore. Congratulations... you've leveled up. You now have my undivided attention.'
His pulse quickened, the tension in his body mounting as his mother and the principal's voices faded into white noise.
'I'll make you wish your mom swallowed you.'