12:36 PM
Another lunch is served as usual. Everything seems normal, except for Takashi, who's staring at me intensely from a distant table.
I did well to provoke him; I needed to assess how much of a threat he truly is. And I've concluded that I must eliminate him soon—specifically before my own suicide. I cannot leave someone like him lingering around my Mikoto.
I believe he's determined to settle his differences with me. However, I have a surprise I acquired from the cafeteria kitchen. Subtly, when the other council members arrived and broke the tense atmosphere between us, I managed to pocket the cafeteria key.
One problem remains: those two. It's highly likely they'll try to speak with me after lunch.
Mikoto, who didn't have time this morning, said we'd talk after lunch, and someone as organized as her would hardly cancel an appointment.
Ailiss is an even more pressing matter. I notice her observing me from one of the windows. Like Takashi, she's watching me, likely planning to approach me after lunch.
I need to find a way to avoid both of them while I resolve my issues with Takashi.
"Hey, you two. I need you to do something for me."
"What's going on, Jocchi? This is the second day in a row you've asked for our help. Are you really you?" Manabu asks, surprised.
"What exactly do you need help with? Writing another love letter?" Miyu asks.
"I don't have much time to explain, but in a way, it's related to the letter from yesterday. So, Miyu, I need you to distract Mikoto for a while. Make something up, but don't let her look for me."
"Distract Kaichou? Why is she looking for you?" she asks, surprised. "Wait... 'Mikoto'? I didn't know you were on such familiar terms with Yukihara-senpai. Was the letter for her?" she responds, blushing.
"It's a long story, one I don't have time to explain now. Do you understand your task?"
"Y-yes. But distracting Kaichou... how will I do that?"
"I thought you'd hesitate more about this request, especially since she's your idol."
"I am hesitant. Maybe after this, I'll never be able to approach her again. But I can't deny a friend's request. I'm happy you asked for my help."
"Hey, Johann. What about us? What do we need to do?" Shou asks.
"You two have a similar task, just as important as Miyu's. Do you see that girl in the window of the next building?"
"Oh, the exchange student? She's as beautiful as Kaichou. I never thought that was possible," he scratches his head. "Ah, this sucks. I was planning to win her over, but I know I don't stand a chance. Hey, Johann, are all Western girls this beautiful?"
"No, they're not. Now focus. She's also after me. I need you two to distract her. But unlike Miyu, you should be prepared for violence."
"Violence? What do you mean, Jocchi? Is that girl a yandere or something?" Manabu sweats nervously and swallows hard.
"Johann must be joking. Relax, Manabu."
1:18 PM
Just as I predicted, he's following me. Now, I just have to trust those three to handle their tasks while I resolve my matters with Takashi alone. I head to the school's storage area, a rarely frequented spot perfect for settling our differences without interruptions.
I notice that, during the walk, he's following me at a distance.
I enter the storage area, climb to the second floor, and walk into one of the rooms. The whole time, I ensure the sound of his footsteps follows me.
I can't lose track of him, as that would leave me vulnerable to a surprise attack.
When I finally reach the desired location, I stop walking and wait for his arrival. Suddenly, the sound of his footsteps, which had been growing louder, ceases.
This confirms he's stopped behind me. Won't he attack? I thought pretending not to notice him might tempt him into a reckless move.
I guess I'll stick to the same approach I used this morning.
"So, what do you want from me?" I ask, still facing away.
"Don't play dumb! You know very well! Stay away from her. Yukihara-san is mine!"
Interesting... I don't even need to go far—he's already agitated. And the preparations are complete. We're in a location completely isolated from the rest of the school. No one will hear him agonize here. I just need to push him a bit further.
"She's so yours that I'm the only one allowed to call her by her first name. Tell me, how angry does it make you to hear me call her 'Mikoto'?" I turn around and face him mockingly. "Want to know something interesting? In private, she told me how unpleasant you are. I thought she might be exaggerating, but now I see she was completely right. You're a nuisance to her. Who could tolerate someone as obsessive as you?"
"She'd never say that! She always praises my assistance," he clenches his fists and widens his eyes. "I help her with everything I can!"
"She said that? And you believed her? You're more naive than I thought. No wonder she's been deceiving you all this time. You were convenient for her, so she praised you just enough to keep you working. You're, at best, helpful—nothing more. No amount of dedication would make her fall for you. It's laughable to think you actually believed she might see you that way just because you worked hard at your lousy tasks."
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" he reacts hysterically.
He's almost there. His personality is on the verge of collapsing. Just one more push and his true nature will flow. Show me your hatred for me and what you're willing to do for Mikoto. How far will you go for this obsessive love? What are you capable of doing for her?
"Come on, make me shut up," I spread my arms and smile. "Or do you want me to tell you what the two of us did in that room after you left? I'm sure it's nothing you've even dreamed of in your most lascivious fantasies."
Takashi screams furiously and charges at me.
What a pitiful mistake. Obviously, I put myself in such a vulnerable posture on purpose.
Acting on impulse so irrationally, he leaves himself completely unguarded. I've never taken a self-defense class, but my other 'selves' shared with me the experience Ailiss taught them.
I pull out the kitchen knife I stole, and using the momentum of his own body as he lunges at me, I stab him in the stomach while blocking his punch with my arm.
Due to the force he used, we both crash against the wall. However, this same force drives the knife entirely into his belly with little effort. To finish him off, I take advantage of the situation and twist the knife, deepening the wound.
Game over.
"A knife? You... coward!" he staggers back, clutching the wound.
He shouldn't have underestimated me. Ultimately, I'm more capable than him—I'm willing to go further for her.
"Coward? What are you talking about? For love, any action is valid. We must use any means necessary. It was you who lacked the preparation and resolve to kill me," I position myself to stab him again.
I charge at him, but he grabs my arms this time, locking us in a struggle of strength.
Impressive. Does he still have enough strength to resist?
Under normal conditions, he might win, but unfortunately for him, I don't have a deep wound in my stomach. In the long run, there's nothing he can do.
"You bastard. This won't end here! I swear I'll have my revenge!" he says as blood drains from him and his limbs weaken.
He collapses backward, and with him down, I finally plunge the blade into his neck.
"Revenge? As far as I know, the dead can't exact revenge."
From then on, I continue stabbing him repeatedly to ensure he's truly dead.
Again and again.
I raise my arm and bring it down with all the speed and force I can muster.
I keep delivering blow after blow across his body, even though I know he's just a corpse.
After a while, my blood finally cools, and I begin to reason again.
What... what have I done?
I really killed him...
What was I thinking? I went too far! It seemed
Where was my head? I went too far! It seemed like such a normalized decision that I didn't measure my actions.
I observe Takashi's bloodied body in front of me, my hands and uniform speckled with drops of his blood.
I need to hide this body quickly and find a way to get a spare uniform. But now that my blood has cooled, I realize the madness of what I've done.
I killed someone.
I've never had a strong ethical or moral sense, but the impact of doing this with my own hands is overwhelming.
How was I capable of doing this so nonchalantly?
Despite our differences, he was a human being, likely with a family who cared about him. And yet, I disposed of him as if he were merely a piece of trash. Knowing his impulsivity, I provoked him—I led him to this point.
I stare intently at the palms of my hands, stained red.
What is happening to me?
After hiding the body, I go to the bathroom to wash my hands. I keep scrubbing, but it feels like the more I wash them, the redder the water becomes. It's evident that I will never be able to clean this stain from my past.
I turn off the faucet, lift my face, and then see my mirror reflection.
The fringe of my blond hair partially hides my face. Slowly, I raise my head and see a strange expression etched onto my face.
Is this me?
Yes, it's definitely me. But the dark circles under my eyes are growing stronger, and I can no longer see any light in them.
I feel like I've crossed a point of no return.
Could I be turning into a monster?