PROLOGUE

A DAY DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST

A normal morning at North Highschool. A standard high school where the school
generally supports the student talent in class as well as for the clubs. Students
chose this school because of that as well as the school being somewhat famous for
good teaching and easy to pass entrance exam. For them this is a perfect school
where you can follow your dream and the school will do the support. But somehow
during the past years the students are being uncertain on choosing this school.
Why? There were rumors that an incident happened here two years ago which
tarnish the reputation of the ideal school it was.
“It’s scary! Taiichi!”
“You’re always a scaredy-cat Miyako”
“Hahaha, Miya-chi don’t be so scared, we all know that Taiichi’s only scaring you
to make a move on you, right? Ryou.”
“I don’t care, and by the way, why am do I even need to be here? Ha, Kanako?”
“What’s with you you’re not fun at all, hey Taiichi continue your fake ghost story
then ask Miya-chi out.”
“Shut up Kanako. It’s not like that and this story is true”
“Heeh?”
While talking at Taiichi’s room to hang-out, the four students continue to talk
about the rumors that filled the air of North High. Miyako was holding Kanako as
if her life depends on it while being near crying. Kanako on the other hand is trying
to hold her laughter towards Miyako and constantly grinning at Taiichi for telling
scary stories. Ryou still don’t care and continue to read his book with a flash light
to help him read through the dark. Taiichi being angry for his friends not taking his
stories seriously, but Miyako, continues…
“I heard it from an alumni”

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“Ohh, that guy who can’t speak anymore, must be a pain though, you need to learn
hand communications to interview that guy for your project right”
“He was able to speak three years ago before the incident “
“Heh? And how did you confirm that huh? Taiichi?”
“Well…”
Ryou finally finished his book and looked a bit interested when he asks Taiichi
with a somewhat bright eyes of person who’s trying to find something to kill time.
With Ryou being interested follows up with the others being interested as well.
Ryou is an honor student with outstanding grades and things that piques his interest
is always worth the time. Taiichi was thrilled as he saw the others being interested.
“Heeh? It’s surprising for Ryou, the honor student, to have interest in these
stories.”
“Not a big deal, I just finished a horror book, and Taiichi seems to find this story
interesting to be able to have the guts to pass this as his literature project. I think
that it’s worth the time. He even learned hand gesture communications to be able
to obtain this.”
“Well considering his effort, I’ll listen, right? Miyachi.”
“R-right”
Nice response Ryou! Well that guy was really an alumni in North High, I can
guarantee you that, he also said that the school tried not to put the incident into
public as much as possible so the info I can only rely was what Kazehaya-san said.
Kazehaya Keiichi was indeed a student of North High. We could also say that he is
an alumni if we exclude the fact that he didn’t attend to the graduation ceremony
along with four other student of his class. In addition, after the graduation he was
unable to talk and lost his usual attitude with it. North High have a tradition called
the Test of Courage for the graduating class where the top rankers of the whole
school will have to spend a night at the school traveling the whole school grounds
and building. North High is built at the top of a hill the school have bought and no
near houses are to be seen there, and when its night no signs of light is to be seen.
The guard house is on the gate at the bottom of the hill, so when you’re inside the

2
school grounds no one can interfere, even the guards. The usual setting of the Test
of Courage is inside the abandon school building. The building itself is sturdy but
it was burned by a certain accident years ago. Back then the school cannot afford
to fix it, so it’s been abandoned and never been used for years to come making it
rumored to be haunted. It’s built and placed at the back of all the other buildings
and it’s also barricaded for students to not access it.
“Now, looks like everyone can now listen, Ryou turn off the lights.”
“Why do we have to?”
“Come on now Ryou”
“Huh, right, right”
The girls gulped as they ready to listen and Ryou putted down his book and turn
off the light as instructed.
“Listen now everyone, the rumors about the incident at North High, if I’m not
wrong, is true. Based on what Kazehaya-san said, it was…”

3
 CHAPTER 1
THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AT NORTH HIGH

That day was nothing different than the other days. Students going to school, doing club
activities, talking with friends during lunch, and basically enjoying youth with all their
hearts content. Particularly the graduating class of class A whose students taken all the
top five seats this year…
“Umm… Kazehaya-kun can you please assist sir Kyouma at the lab after class my father
suddenly called and said that he’ll need my help after school”
Doma Akane, the top of the whole school. Both cute, athletic and smart. She’s the student
council president until her third year because she wanted to focus on studying to be able
to pass the exam at a prestigious college after graduating. She is always attentive and
willing to give a hand to both her classmates and teacher, so she so famous.
“Ah, alright”
Akane smiled as a reply to Kazehaya’s response. Kazehaya Keiichi, the fourth of place of
the class. He’s smart at academics and always dreamed to be a writer for the future
though when it comes to athletics, he’s surpassed by Akane. Those days everyone in the
class knows that he likes Akane for two years. The moment that Akane smiled upon him
his face became red and blushed but tried to conceal it. After that the class has started as
the teacher enters the classroom and Akane immediately returned to her seat along with
the other students.
“Hey, Keiichi looks like you’re looking forward to our annual Test of Courage”
Kusakabe Keita, he’s not one of the top five. He’s just the reliant best friend of Keiichi.
He’s not smart but surprisingly strong. He’s like a delinquent because of hair dyed with
blond and all those muscle he built up. Rumors said that he randomly picks up fights
during middle school for his own satisfaction, but the truth is he is fighting those who
tries to bully Keiichi, which in return Keiichi is helping him study and helps Keita with
his projects. They both like playing games at the nearby arcade back in middle school.
“I-it’s not like that, Keita, well… it is a tradition and it’s kind of fun though, we’re
graduating after this and go to college, it’s not bad to have fun before we go.”
“Hooo? Well if you peed in your pants during that time just call, I will bring you your
spare. Hehe, and confess with Doma-san while you’re at it.”

4
When Keiichi had a crush on Akane, Keita was the one who did know and tries to
support Keiichi with all he can. With that on mind Keita said that with an irritating grin in
his face that made Keiichi shout…
“I TOLD IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!”
The teacher was irritated with Keiichi’s shout and got scolded along with Keita.
“Hey Kazehaya, Kusakabe, shut it! Class is ongoing.”
“Sorry Sensei”
The class laughs at Kazehaya who suddenly shouts while Akane is also laughing while
looking at Keiichi, which made his face beet red and taken his seat while looking down to
hide himself from his embarrassment, while Keita still has his grin in is face with a big
smile, making fun out of Keiichi.
“Hey! Stop making fun of Kazehaya-kun”
Imamura Tsugumi, the class president and top two of the whole class like Akane, she also
excels at sports and studies. She always gives of her mature look and aura making the
whole class respect and admire her. She is also strict on everyone as she was strict on
herself. She’s also the class president that brought class A the victory at last year’s
cultural festival being the best booth, the Maid Café, because of her outstanding
leadership and charisma. They say that Tsugumi and Akane are almost equal but
Tsugumi was focused on being the class president and making the whole class shine. She
is also the neighbor and childhood friend of Keita whom she had a crush on but could not
tell him. Keiichi knows because the three of them were all in the same class for three
years at middle school and sometimes hangout with them during lunch.
“Hehehe, that right, sorry huh Keiichi”
Keita said with that irritated grin still on active and Keiichi blushing out of
embarrassment face him with an angry eyes.
“If you’re going to apologize remove that grin in your face, geez”
And snapped Keita’s head looking angry. Knowing Tsugumi for a long time, Keita
knows that making her angry will cause him serious trouble after and immediately stop
his grinning and apologized to Keiichi but immediately smiles after seeing his
embarrassed face and tries to hide his laughers. At this point Tsugumi was glaring at
Keita signaling that she will face her rage after, but Keita if having the fun of the
moment, so at this point he doesn’t care anymore. She may be hiding it but that bright

5
face of Keita trying not to laugh is enough for Tsugumi to be in a good mood, thought
she still has a punishment for Keita after.
“You just wait there Keita, we will talk later.”
“Hehe… right… hehe… go easy on me, huh, Tsugumi”
“Are you making fun of me? you’ll see later, geez”
The teacher then also notices Tsugumi and got scolded…
“Hey! You too Imamura, shut it and listen!”
“Sorry Sensei”
Bit embarrassed Tsugumi glared to Keita one last time and continue to listen to the
teacher after.
“Hahah… “
Watching from afar was Akane and Shinomiya Shiori, Akane’s friend whos always with
her except Friday, the top three of the school. She’s the typical shy but friendly
bookworm because she likes to read books thus, she smarts about various things. She’s a
bit small and not athletic at all, when she joined a volleyball game, about ten minutes or
so, she immediately passed out and need to be confined at the nurse office for a bit until
she recovers. She’s the president of the literature club, though she’s the only member of
it, but the literature club is part of the never dying clubs of North High enough for the
school to support this giving Shiori her own clubroom with the condition to be the
librarian every Friday. Soloing the clubroom for herself is a great opportunity for Shiori
to enjoy her quality time alone reading books which she loves. This also applies as being
a librarian as the library is always quiet and the people who goes there are not so many.
Keiichi was one of these few who regularly visiting the library to borrow some books
making Shiori develop a bit of crush onto Keiichi because of his aspiring dream to be
writer someday. She looks at them from afar, laughing how the three of them were
having fun with Akane which is the one seated next to her.
“Seems they’re having fun, right, the three of them”
The two of them were talking of how funny the three of them were while laughing.
“Seems they are really having fun. But you’re no different though Shiori, look at that
smile, that was so rare back on our second year. It’s kind of refreshing to see smiling
often these day. To be honest I’m so happy”

6
Shiori laughing was a surprise because she’s always either listening to the teacher or
being so absorbed reading while in class based on the rumors of her own classmates. She
also avoids eye contact from other people and somehow refused to talk with her other
classmates during back at being a freshmen. She only starts to act this way after being
friend with Akane. During Shiori’s second year, where she became the same class with
Akane, where only Akane’s diligence were able to break up the wall of silence of Shiori
making them friends.
“I-it’s that so? Hehehe, well… I guess you’re right. Times like these are also not bad.
Besides, when I look at them three like that, Kazehaya-kun being embarrassed, Imamura-
san being angry, and Kusakabe-san holding his laughter, makes me think that having
friends that are close to is so fun.”
“Yup! That right. So, you were looking out for someone from the two of them right,
come on tell me, is it Keiichi-kun? Keita-kun? Or maybe… Tsugumi?”
Akane was poking Shiori while asking, teasing her while grinning. Shiori on the other
hand was blushing when she heard the name of Keiichi and her face turning red made
Akane more curious about her friend.
“That not it! Stop poking me Akane-chan... that tickles.”
The teacher notices the two and scolded them…
“Shinomiya! Doma! The two of you be quiet! Jeez, the class is on session listen at least.
This is your last year in this school, at least don’t cause a headache before leaving.”
“Sorry Sensei”
“Tsk”
With that the teacher continue the lesson until it finished. That goes to the next teacher,
and the others too. Those five students continue to listen until lunch break.

That day also, during the homeroom, it was announced that the class A students obtained
the top four overall rankings in the whole school. Consist of; top one, Doma Akane, top
two Imamura Tsugumi, top three, Shinomiya Shiori, and top four, Kazehaya Keiichi. The
whole class was overjoyed and talks lively about the four of them looking forward to the
annual Test of Courage.
“No way! I don’t want to join that.”

7
“Don’t worry Shiori, I will be coming with you, if anything I will protect you, right?
Tsugumi?”
“Yes, don’t worry. The school grounds are safe and besides there’s no such thing as
ghost, so you have nothing to be afraid of.”
“Right, right, and we also have a boy on our side, right? Keiichi?”
“Oh… y-yes.”
Keiichi immediately blushed and looked away to hide his face.
“Keiichi? Huh? Can this wimpy Keiichi protect me at all? If anything, maybe it’s you
who need of protecting, huh? Keiichi.”
With that statement Keiichi was even more embarrassed and tries to payback Tsugumi…
“You’re the one to talk now, Imamura, you always cling into Keita’s arm when you’re
afraid.”
Tsugumi immediately blushed and her face turned red after hearing this and confronted
Keiichi.
“I-i-it’s not like I’m clinging to Keita specifically… and… and… I’m not scared at all.
You’re just making that up. Stop joking now here Keiichi.”
“Who’s Joking?”
Keita, with his face wondering about hearing his name immediately joined the
conversation when he heard his name which made Tsugumi shocked. Her face was all red
so she couldn’t face Keita at all due to her being embarrassed in the front of her crush.
Every time Keita interfere into something, Tsugumi immediately lose her character in
front of Keita.
“W-why are y-you here?!”
“Well I thought I heard my name, are you talking about me?”
“N-no! this has nothing to do with you. Don’t just barge in without telling.”
“How cold now Tsugumi, you guys seemed to be having fun let me join in”
“I-it’s because you didn’t do well enough to be at least top five of the school so you,
joining the Test of Courage is not allowed. I-it’s not that I care though.”

8
“Huh. Well that’s bad and being top of the school is a bit out of my league. I’ll leave that
to smart peoples like Akane or Keiichi.”
“W-well that’s okay also.”
“Oh, by the way, are you guys going to be okay there?”
“Why? A-are you worried?... To Keiichi?”
“Well, yes, but Keiichi can manage somehow, but how about you Tsugumi? You always
cling to me when you were scared.”
“N-no I-I’m not clinging”
After what Keita said, Tsugumi became more embarrassed and continued to refuse to
accept the truth. Back when the Keita and Tsugumi was lost in the woods, Tsugumi was
so scared that he always clings to Keita when she was scared, that also goes until middle
school when the three of them went on a trip and decides to tell some ghost stories,
Tsugumi was holding Keita’s shirt for the whole time. Tsugumi has a habit of hiding how
scared she to protect her pride but lost it when Keita was there. Keita was so oblivious
that he can’t take a hint about Tsugumi’s feeling about him. As Shiori was wondering
what’s the relationship of those two, Akane is laughing, and Keiichi lost his care about
the two of them.
“Hmm… Hey, Keiichi-kun, are they always like that?”
“Well… I don’t know, actually, I don’t care now.”
“Ehhh? Aren’t you guys been hanging out ever since middle school.”
“Well… me and Keita was, Tsugumi was also busy that time. Also, it’s not that I hang
out with them the whole time. But Tsugumi and Keita was going home to school
together.”
“Heee? So that’s it “
“Yes, that’s it.”
Judging at Akane’s expression, Keiichi immediately knew that she would notice
Tsugumi’s feelings for Keita and just silently listen as the flow of events continues. The
twos conversation lasted until someone saw the teacher approaching from afar.
“Hey, the two of you, enough already, Sensei is coming here.”

9
“Ohh, got that! Well enjoy your test of courage everyone, I’m looking forward on seeing
your faces after.”
“Hump! Well good luck on you finding, something interesting to do while we’re at it.”
“Hahaha, yes!”
Along with the other students, the two of them ended their conversation as Tsugumi
greeted the teacher who have just entered, and the class goes on…

After school, Akane was in the tennis club while Shiori was waiting for while reading
inside the literature clubs’ room. Keiichi and Keita were on their way home after cleaning
the classroom. While in the corridor, walking, Keita was looking from afar, seeing the
freshmen’s playing soccer which is the game he loved back at middle school.
“Those guys… they’re good… this team can somewhat make it far from just playing
soccer.”
“Yes, I heard they’ve won their last game against a fairly good team and still doesn’t lose
a single game this season, I’m sure they can make it to the finals if they continue
practicing.”
“Practicing… huh… playing soccer, practicing for game, and winning games… those
were fun back those days.”
Keita lost his usual cheerful expression while looking these freshmen, their shining
potential and hardworking attitude makes him see himself onto them and recalling his
days back at middle school. Keita was the soccer teams ace during those times, they’ve
won many matches in the past with Keita leading their way onto victory each game
enough to make the team qualified for the Regionals. But during the second qualifying
game, Keita had an injury causing him to be unable to play for the rest of the game as a
result of the team not winning. After, Keita and Keiichi go to the hospital, and the two of
them were on shock when the doctor said that Keita’s injury will be more worst if he
continues to play soccer. As a result, Keita stopped playing soccer, placing a period onto
his dream. It took time for Keita to recover, but to be able to protect both Tsugumi and
Keiichi, Keita tries his best and later can attend school, but the lingering frustration of not
to be able to play soccer anymore stays to him even after graduating middle school until
now at Highschool. Keiichi knows this and tries his best to hide his pity for his one true
friend and tries to change the topic.
“By the way, Keita.”
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“Huh?”
“Well… where are you going after graduation?”
“Huh? Where did that come from so suddenly?”
“Well… we’re graduating and all, and I already told what I’ll be after I graduate, so…”
“Heeeh?... you’re going to Tokyo huh? Well good luck to you, being away to Akane and
us.”
Keiichi was so easy to read, and all his intentions was given away by the way he talks or
maybe it’s just that Keita knowing Keiichi for a long time. With that Keita begins to
cheer up and answers Keiichi’s question.
“Future… well… maybe I’ll just run the Kusakabe inn like my father wanted me to do.”
“Heeh…”
“Well it’s too late for me to start studying for college at this point, and if I didn’t run the
inn no one will.”
“Hmm… so that’s it… well good for you.”
“Well enough of that, how’s the entrance exam there? Did you pass?”
“It’s too early to know that, and I’ll be not attending the other days.”
“Heh? Why is that?”
“I’ll try to take as much as entrance exam as possible for better options, I already talk to
our advisor already, and she gave me her approval.”
“Then the only chance of you confessing to Akane is the Test of Courage.”
“I TOLD YOU IT’S NOT LIKE THAT.”
Keiichi punched Keita on his side, though it doesn’t hurt due to the toughness of Keita
and Keiichi’s strength that doesn’t really stack.
“Hahaha, sorry, sorry, but are you sure Keiichi?”
“Heh?”
“When we graduate, you’re going to Tokyo. There’s a chance that you’ll never see each
other again.”
“T-that not…”

11
“What if she finds someone other than you?”
“T-that’s… well…”
“If you don’t confess at the Test of Courage, when will?”
“Well…”
Every statement of Keita was stinging to Keiichi as they walk past to the front gate where
Tsugumi’s waiting for them. Seeing her brings the both joy, it’s similar back to the days
where the three of them are middle school. For them, it’s been a long time since the three
of them walk home together…
“Hey! Tsugumi, were you waiting?”
“What are you saying? It’s not like I’m waiting for you to come… a-and I just thought
that it’s been a long time since we did this…”
“So, you’re waiting for us, Imamura?”
“I’m not waiting for you Keiichi.”
“Oh… so you’re waiting for Keita?”
Tsugumi immediately punched Keiichi and glared, Keita didn’t hear what the two were
talking, he doesn’t care anymore. What’s important for him was the three of them
walking home once again and continue to walk. While the two was glaring at each other,
Keita was walking a little bit ahead with a smile…
“Hey, you two love birds, I’m leaving you behind.”
“Who are you calling love birds? And by the way Keita, were not done talking about
what are you going to do after you graduate…”
Tsugumi suddenly runs forward towards Keita, leaving Keiichi behind.
“Hey! Keita, Imamura, don’t leave me behind.”
It’s indeed a great moment to see. Three best of friends walking home beneath the sunset
after school. The three was talking about all sort of things, their time during middle
school, what happed during high school, and their plans after graduation. The three didn’t
hesitate to take a detour. The park where Keita and Tsugumi always play and the ramen
shop where the three would always when they celebrate almost everything. While Keiichi
and Tsugumi is fighting all the time, Keita is having fun, smiling, while looking at the
two…

12
“Keiichi is going to Tokyo for college, Tsugumi is sure to have a recommendation for a
good school, while I’m going to stay here and run the Kusakabe inn, after this they’ll be
busy ensuring their future and I may not be able to see them for a while, but… times like
this is not bad at all”.
The fight between Keiichi and Tsugumi still press on until they’ve finally noticed the
smile on Keita’s face looking like he’s grinning.
“What are grinning there Keita?”
“What is that? Creepy.”
Keita was shocked and embarrassed when the two suddenly brings their attention to him
and doesn’t know what to say, so he thinks and tells what came up on his mind…
“Eh? W-well… That’s… huh!... w-well I was thinking of you two getting along so well
and all… like that??
“HUH? WHO’S GETTING ALONG WELL”
The two replied with an angry face.
“By the way, Keita, tell Keiichi to confess already, even if he’s useless, he should at least
muster up some courage. Don’t tell me that you can’t do even that.”
“You’re the one to talk, it’s been six years already you still haven’t confessed to-…”
Before Keiichi could even say a name, Tsugumi immediately covered his mouth with a
large bread that takes Keiichi time to chew. Silencing him by a deadly glare from
Tsugumi and the bread that’s having him a hard time to chew, Keiichi could not talk
about that topic anymore, which made Keita curious…
“Heeh? I’m surprised that you liked someone Tsugumi… well you’re a girl after all…”
“Hey! What does that a girl after all? Don’t tell me you’re not seeing me as a girl all this
time… I-it’s not that I care, but when you say it like that, it’s… well… frustrating.”
“Frustrating? Ohh don’t tell me-…”
“Shut it Keiichi.”
Keita was clueless about anything that’s happening towards the two and chose to not
bother at all…

13
“Well it’s not that bad but remember you can still hangout with us anytime Tsugumi,
even if you have a boyfriend, by the way you can even introduce him to us anytime, a
new friend is always not bad, right? Keiichi.”
“You heard the man, Tsugumi how about you introduce us to the man you like, oh!
Maybe because the man you like is-…”
Tsugumi immediately put yet another bread to fill up the mouth of Keiichi to stop him
from talking.
“Hey don’t waste the bre-…”
“Another word, and you’ll see the one who did create us all.”
With that threat Keiichi finally silence for the rest of the time until they’ve arrived at the
Kusakabe Inn, where Keita lives along with his family. Keita’s father immediately called
him to help inside.
“Well, here’s where I’ll stop, Keiichi make sure to walk Tsugumi home, it’s already
dark…”
“Yes, it’s not that far from here, rely this to me…”
“Yes! See you later…”
Tsugumi’s face was seemingly red as she musters up some courage and called Keita’s
name…
“Wait… Keita… umm… well…”
“Huh, what is it? Tsugumi”
“Hey! Keita! Hurry up there!”
“Yes!... Tsugumi?”
“Well… See you later.”
“Yes! See you later…”
Keita bit his farewells and immediately goes and help his father. Keiichi and Tsugumi
continues to walk. The distance between the Kusakabe inn and Tsugumi’s house was
about three house far. They’ve walk together with silence for the both until they’ve
reached Tsugumi’s home. As Tsugumi went past her gate, Keiichi was assured and
leaves, but before he leaves, Tsugumi called Keiichi to stop.

14
“Keiichi, Wait!”
“What do you want? I already walked you home, what’s your problem?”
“I-I…”
“I?”
“I will be working at the Kusakabe inn after graduating!”
“Huh?”
“Right! She didn’t tell us anything about what she’s going to do after graduation.”
“But, you’re the top three and you got a recommendation at Tokyo, right?”
“Yes, I’m refusing those offers! I’m… Serious.”
Keiichi was always teasing Tsugumi as what she always did to him. There was no
exemption to that every time they were together, so in reflex Keiichi tries to take it as a
joke…
“Heeeh… maybe you’re doing that just to be with Kei-…”
“Yes! I just want to be Keita, nothing more!”
“Hey… are you… serious?”
“Yes! I’m serious!”
Tsugumi’s eyes was so straight and with no ounce of embarrassment was seen at it,
indicating her seriousness. Looking at Tsugumi’s eyes Keiichi could not say anything
more. Those eyes are not the usual eyes that glares him and teases him every time. That
alone convince him that she’s not joking anymore…
“She really is serious, refusing a prestigious future just to be with the one she loves.
But… then…”
“Why are you telling me all of this, normally, it’s should be Keita who needs to know all
of this first right? Why Tsugumi?”
“W-well I got my reasons, but one of those was to somewhat give an example to you?”
“E-example? To me?”
“Yes! When you like someone truly you can do everything for that person, so do your
best for Akane as well.”

15
“Eh!? I told you it’s not like that.”
“No! stop that it’s not like that already, I’ve been hearing that all day. If it’s not like that,
then make it like that.”
“Easy for you to say…”
“Don’t worry about it so much, even I said to you all those embarrassing things, jeez.”
“No, tell that to Keita.”
“No way, it’s so embarrassing!”
“Where did that courage go?”
The two paused for a second and been so quiet until their laughs breaks the silence.
“Hahahahah…”
“Ahahahaha…”
It was that moment of silence after Keiichi’s question that cause them to realize that
they’ve never had this kind of serious conversation before and decides to laugh it all off.
“Hahaha… I’ll keep what you’ve in mind, well… see you and good luck with that dream,
I’m sure Keita would be happy to have you in.”
“Well he should be, it’s me Imamura Tsugumi who will be working with him, he should
be thankful!”
“Well thank you, for the advice, I’ll also try my best this time.”
“You’re welcome, good luck for you as well, then see you later”
Keiichi continues walking as soon as Tsugumi went inside her house. The last thing he
heard was Tsugumi calling her mom to talk. Keiichi smiles and takes his leave.
“Looks like I’m going to Tokyo alone, but before that is the graduation ceremony or
rather the Test of Courage. Keita was looking out for me all the time and always supports
me is trying to give me a push forward, even Tsugumi is trying to give me courage. I need
to take a grip and do my best to fill up their expectation.”
Keiichi…”
Suddenly Keiichi felt that he heard his name somewhere. A whisper hears from the
nothingness of the road, but when he looked behind, he saw only nothing but the road
with only him alone. He thought that he was just imagining things and continues to walk.

16
Akane and Shiori was on their way home, walking together, along the road. Unlike the
other three, their homes were far, and they need to ride the train to go home so they tend
to walk to the market. The market was lively because of the people who always buys
their supply out there and when its night its beauty is being showcase more because of the
dazzling lights of the shops to attract customer. The two is always walking home together
for almost two years at school and was always lively when walking through here talking
about all sorts of stuff for them to be not bored while walking to the station…
“Well, Shiori, can’t wait for the Test of Courage?”
“W-well, I’m thinking of not going, you know I’m not good when it comes to scary
stuff.”
“Hmm… well if you think back you almost passed out when we watch that horror film
last weekend, and you tend to cover your ears when we were telling ghost stories at the
outdoor school, maybe the Test of Courage is a bit off…”
“That’s right, i-is it alright if I pass onto this one?”
“No way!”
“Heeeeh...?”
“It’ll be boring if you don’t go with me, Shiori.”
“Heeh? why? Imamura-san and Kazehaya-kun is going right? Maybe I can be counted
out for this time only?”
“No way, Tsugumi and Keiichi is not my best friend, it’s Shiori, you know I can’t go
there without you right?”
“Well… that’s right but…”
“And, this is a school tradition and we need to continue to be passed down to the next and
keep the tradition alive!”
“Well… that’s also…”
“And the most part is…”
“Akane?”
“We’re graduating and this is maybe the last time we were be able to have fun together,
I’m enrolling at a university at Osaka…”

17
“Osaka, that’s so far from here! Why?”
“Father found a permanent job out there the whole family already moved there, I said to
them that I want to at least finish high school here and spend the all the remaining time to
hang out with you all for the last time, but they’re forcing me to go there immediately.
Somehow, I managed to stall them to go to the Test of Courage with you all, so want you
to go with me, Shiori…”
Akane held both of Shiori’s hand to convince her to go with them at the Test of Courage.
After hearing all this Shiori looked like she would cry at any second but tries to hold it
for the sake of her friend.
“Alright… I’m going with you… Akane.”
“Really?”
“Yes! I can’t leave you behind after all, though it doesn’t change the fact that I’m scared,
but… I’ll do my best, I promise.”
“Really?... Thank you Shiori, you’re my best friend after all. Don’t worry, I promise that
when you’re scared, I’ll hug you tight so no one could ever hurt you.”
Akane, out of happiness, immediately hugged Shiori towards her chest so tight that made
Shiori can’t breathe. After noticing this Akane immediately let go of Shiori to gain her
breath.
“S-sorry! Shiori…”
“Akane’s chest sure is big, compared to me… it’s so frustrating.”
“W-well… don’t mind, I’ll be counting you then, but try not to hug me so tight.”
“My bad…”
“It’s ok, well! Lets’ go, or we’ll miss the train.”
“Right!”
And so, the two goes and continue to talk about all sorts of thing. Everyone was so
excited to upcoming Test of courage tomorrow night and can’t wait for it to happen. Each
of these individuals have their own reasons and motive about this upcoming event,
Keiichi is planning on confessing his feelings towards Akane, Tsugumi wants to support
Keiichi during this event whenever possible, to Akane, this is her last activity with the
rest of them, and Shiori wants to spend time with Akane for the last time. Their motives
are all different, but one thing is clear, they want to spend time with each other in this

18
Test of Courage before they graduate and take their own separate ways. All of them
except one.
“Keiichi, I won’t let them have you…”

19
 CHAPTER 2
AND SO… THE NIGHT BEGINS

That night is like an ordinary everyday night, the moon is bright, the sky was clear, and
the stars are aligned gracefully yet scattered, as if there’s a big city along the sky. No one
knows that in that very night something horrible will happen.

The test of courage starts at 8:00 pm where the so-called guard is probably asleep as well
as everyone’s parents, the graduating class tends to break the rules at the very last day
before graduating making sure that they have the most fulfilling high school life ever,
even if it’s also breaking the rules of their own home. In their minds they thought that this
will be the last time, so they want to enjoy it until the very end. Akane was living alone in
her apartment and escaping there was easy. Their travel is long, and they have to be at the
last train at 7:00 pm or they will have to hire a taxi which is so expensive. Akane leaves
early to go and get Shiori from her home and go to the school together. When Akane
arrived at Shiori’s home, she waited about ten minutes before she sees Shiori quietly
opening the door to not wake up her parents…
“Oooh… this is wrong in so many things…”
“It’s ok, Shiori, this is the last time after all.”
“FIRST and LAST time!”
“Ok, ok, this is the last, then let’s go!”
“Yes…”
The two immediately run towards the station, trying to avoid the patrolling police as
much as possible, until they make it to the park where there’s should be no police
patrolling.
“That was scary… I’ve never done something like this before…”
“Is that so? For me it’s so fun, breaking the rules once in a while. It’s like being free
everyone that tells me to study hard for a better future.”
“I g-guess so… s-stuff like this is not bad once in a while…”
“Am I right? Well, we still have a lot of time let’s take out time walking for a while”

20
“Yes!”
The two continues to walk to recover their lost energy from walking and trying to spend
as much time possible together. The fun stuffs that happened during the years of them
being classmates and the embarrassing things that when recalled all they can do is laugh.
After talking for so long, without noticing, they’ve made it to the station and at right time
when the last train just arrived. They immediately brought tickets to ride the train. On
their way there Akane’s phone suddenly rings. When Akane opened the message, it was
her father that will get her remaining stuff on her apartment.
“Oooh! Father’s timing is so bad!”
“What is it? Akane…”
“Sorry, go on ahead…”
“Ehhhh?... Why?”
“Father just message me, and he’s going to my apartment and get my stuffs, I need to get
there before he does, don’t worry I’ll catch up as soon as I can, so go on ahead, Tsugumi
is always on time, she should be there. I’ll tell them that I’ll be late. Be careful on your
way there…”
“Akane, wait… well… be careful…”
Akane puts thumbs up and rushes towards the exit and hire a taxi, she has a lot of money
from her allowance and saving so riding a taxi towards the school will be no problem to
her, on the other hand, as instructed to Shiori, she rode the last train and made her way
onto the school. The train leaves and Shiori was on her way to the school when she
realized that she left her phone at home. She was nervous because this was her first time
disobeying her parent and forgotten her phone as a result. Unlike Akane the only money
Shiori brought was her exact travel expenses, her fees to the train and a taxi on her way
home. She doesn’t have enough money to ride a taxi to school and another towards her
home, she can’t contact Akane also, so she decided to continue and meet the others at the
school where she thought that Tsugumi was waiting.

After a while Shiori was walking towards the school and arrived a bit of late. Back at
school she always saw Tsugumi being the first one at the classroom and thought that she
would be at least a bit more early than the others. When she arrived at the school gate the
guard was surprisingly awake and immediately noticed Shiori.

21
“Oh! You’re one of the students that came for some Test of Courage, right?”
“Y-yes?”
“W-what the guard knew? T-then he will not let us in, right?”
“Go in.”
“What? Is it alright?”
“Right! It’s been a tradition for years, I’m not that bad to ruin your fun. You’re all
graduating after all, go on and enjoy yourselves.”
“Y-yes!”
“He’s so nice after all, the guard”
“Be careful out there, oh! One of your classmate is already there waiting…”
“Classmate?”
“Yes! She’s a girl after all, go there so she wouldn’t be lonely. It’s quite scary there when
its dark.”
“Y-yes!”
“It’s Imamura-san, I have to be quick.”
And so Shiori run her way to the old abandoned school building without hesitation. As all
she knows one of the girls was already there. After a minute she immediately arrived at
the said building and tries to sit down and rest because of exhaustion. Due to her being
tired she doesn’t check her surroundings as she was taking her rest. A couple of minutes
later she realized. When she looked around there were no other girl classmate around
there, just her and that old abandoned school building. After a short while she begins to
tremble with fear.
“Wait…What is happening, the guard said that Tsugumi-san was already here right?
Why?... wait!... Tsugumi-san and Keiichi are together right?... they’re going here,
together right?... then… who is this other girl who came ahead of us?”
After realizing all this, the fear grew even more. Her body was trembling with fear and
agony as any more second comes by with her being alone there. She immediately stands
and tries to go, but after walking a little, she noticed something from afar. A person
wearing their uniform but wearing a black hoody jacket, she was wearing a skirt and has
a long hair and been assumed to be a girl. She only assumed it because her face was

22
covered by a bunny mask that can be brought at a summer festival. But not knowing
who’s inside that mask alone the most terrifying fact of all was.
“T-Tsugumi-san? I-is that y-you?”
The person walked carefully and slowly towards Shiori, while Shiori herself was ready to
flee but been holding her fear because she thought maybe this is Tsugumi just playing a
joke to liven up the Test of Courage.
“T-Tsugumi-san? Would you please stop joking around, you’re scaring me…”
“The persons speed was steadily increasing, bringing Shiori at total panic…”
“Tsugumi-san? W-wait…don’t come any closer.”
As the person was coming near, Shiori felt that feeling that she couldn’t have ever felt
when she was with Tsugumi at school… it was… Bloodlust… after that Shiori’s legs
begun to move before she even realizing and started running. The person dashed chase
after her and pulled out a knife out of their pocket…
“No!... don’t come any closer! HELP!”
The wat to the entrance was blocked by the mysterious person so there’s no other way for
Shiori but to run at the old abandoned school building. The building design is quite odd,
there are only one staircase at the end of the hallway for each floor and it’s following a
one-way pattern. The first-floor staircase was on the left end of the hallway, the opposite
of where the front door is locating, which is in the right side of the hallway. After that the
second-floor staircase was on the right end of the hallway and so on. This means in order
for you to proceed to the next floor you need to pass on all six room in the hallway to
reach the staircase. This adds up the challenge of passing through those scary rooms first
to proceed to the next floor, for the Test of Courage, it was the perfect setting, but for
Shiori, this is a torture before death. Those extra mile is draining up her stamina out of
her fragile body as the person was slowing their movement, as if it’s pitying Shiori. With
what’s left from her drained energy running, Shiori reached the fourth floor when she
sees Tsugumi and Keiichi from afar at the guard office…
“Kazehaya-kun and Tsugumi-san! They’re here!”
“Help-…”
She stopped and trembled as she heard footsteps and a strange laugh coming from the
stairs. These sounds make her tremble and silent and increases as the sound goes closer…
“Hahahahaha….”

23
“No!”
“Hahahahaha… Shi-no-mi-ya-san…”
“No! d-don’t come any c-closer…”
She slowly walked to the middle of the hallway, slowly moving towards Shiori. A step
from that person makes Shiori step another back…
“That won’t do, Shinomiya-san our game has only begun, you’re our first participant
alone, you can’t call Keiichi-kun yet, I’m trying to surprise him.”
The persons voice was a bit off because of the mask, but there’s no doubt, that voice
belong to a girl.
“W-what do you want, what do you want from Kazehaya-kun?”
“Well, well… that’s rude! you make it sound that I’m planning something bad, that’s
what you’re saying are you, are you? Huh? Shinomiya-san? Tell me I’m just mistaken…
or else… I’ll kill you…”
“This girl is crazy, just who is she?... Kill? Me? Why? I don’t even know her? No! I don’t
want to die yet… Akane… help me…”
“No! I-I don’t want to die, h-help me!”
The moment Shiori runs she was bumped towards the window. The person made sure
that she can’t move her hands as she pushed Shiori towards the window. She can’t run
anymore; her energy was practically drained, and the mysterious person was way too fast.
“Look, their waiting for you, why don’t you call them and say that you’re here?”
Without a second thought, Shiori screamed as if her life depends on it.
“Heeelp, Tsugumi-san, Keiichi-kun! Please help me!”
“Hahahahaha…”
The person was laughing so hard as she watches Shiori scream for help and stabbed her.
“Aaaahhh!... it hurts, I’m bleeding, h-help me…”
“Wait!? Why? Why can’t they hear me? Wait… is this window?”
“Hahaha… yes, this windows, no, this whole building is sound proof from any sound,
so… even if you scream as hard as you can here, no one can hear you as long as you’re
inside.”

24
The person removed the knife out of Shiori’s body, bringing her more immense pain.
Then the person pointed the knife to Shiori once more…
“No!”
“Goodbye, Shinomiya, Shiori”
“No…”
With her laughing tone she stabbed and stabbed Shiori’s back in different places while
laughing at Shiori’s screams.
“Nooooo!... it hurts, it hurts…! Stop this”
She is laughing at Shiori while slowly killing her be stabbing her multiple times, as many
as possible, and carefully not aiming her vital points to ensure that she will suffer…
“No… stop i-”
Shiori started dripping blood from her mouth, hindering her voice as she goes down to
the ground…
“Oh? You can’t scream now… how boring, I thought you can do better”
“H-help… A-Akane…”
The moment the person heard Akane’s name her eye became blank, she raises her knife
aimed it to Shiori’s neck…
“Goodbye, Shinomiya-san…”
“Akane, please don’t come here… please…”
The person grabbed Shiori’s hair, looked at Shiori’s face one last time, and cut off her
throat…
“Looks like you’re still a useless person after all, Shinomiya-san… well then… Keiichi is
here, I better get ready soon.”
As she started walking, Shiori’s hand suddenly move and tried to grab the persons feet,
but it was her last energy left before dying so the only thing she did was to tap the
persons heel which shocked her.
“What! That shocked me… you useless bookworm, just die already, you wretched
woman!”

25
She stabbed Shiori multiple time once again, to ensure her death. Shiori’s body was left
lying on the floor full of her own blood.
“Tsk… oh well, she’s dead now so it doesn’t matter.”
The person grabbed Shiori’s phone from her pocket and walked out of the scene as if
nothing happened and disregards Shiori’s body, alone, inside the old abandoned building.
She looked at the window for a second and continues to walk away.

Coming from the gate after sneaking from the guard who’s now asleep, Keiichi and
Tsugumi arrived at the school grounds and was on their way towards the abandoned
school building. While sneaking, Tsugumi’s face was so distressed while Keiichi was
lowering his head to avoid an eye contact. After they’ve gone far Tsugumi releases the
words that she’s been holding all those time.
“You, useless man!... you’re the worst!”
“Sorry…”
“Don’t sorry me! You useless being… no, a failure of a man! Who’s the person who
sleeps before going to a Test of courage!? “
“Sorry… my bad….”
“Huh!?.... now because of you were late now even though were the most closest to the
school! You should be ashamed to your own ancestors, no… to all gentleman around the
world for making a lady wait for a half an hour at the front of a boy’s house, alone, in the
middle of the night!”
“Sorry…”
Keiichi was so excited that he couldn’t sleep at the night before the Test of Courage. He’s
trying to find the best timing and best mood to confess to Akane during the test of
courage. He stayed up all night without even noticing the time, and by the time he gets
sleepy, the sun was already up, and he has to get ready for school. As a result, he has to
go to school without a hint of any sleep. When he got home, Keiichi was desperate, he
doesn’t want Akane see him at this state and called Keita to wake him up in time by
calling his smartphone. He put the ringtone volume at the maximum and even set an
alarm. Unfortunately, the Kusakabe inn was so busy at those time making Keita so busy
and forgot to wake up Keiichi. When Keiichi’s alarm ring, he was half asleep and ignored
it. By the time Keita called, Tsugumi was already waiting there for almost a half an hour.

26
During her whole history at school, Tsugumi was never been late once at any event and
her attendance was flawless from kinder garden to high school.
“I’ve never once arrived late at school and in any event in my life, to be late because of a
stupid reason of oversleeping of my friend is so embarrassing. This is our last event here
at this school, at least wake up in time, you, embarrassment of whole mankind!”
“Aaaahhh! You’re so annoying! Sorry, my bad, it won’t happen again, happy!?”
“Haah? You’re angry? I can’t believe this… my head will hurt if I continue this, so I’ll
stop, but if you ever do this again…”
“Yes, I got it… well, there won’t be next time for five years after this so rest assured.”
“Ha! I can’t wait.”
“Neither do I…”
The continues to walk towards the old abandoned building assuming that the others are
waiting but been surprised on what they’ve seen. No one was there even though they
themselves were late.
“Uh? It’s weird, we’re the first ones here? Where are the others?”
“Well, isn’t it great? No one knows that you were late, looks like your perfect record
stays on forever, right? Tsugumi. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul about you being late
today.”
“Shut up, idiot… don’t you think that they are too late?”
“Well, their houses are far after all…”
“No, it’s already almost nine, the last train departs at eight, it only takes you about a half
an hour to get here at school…”
“Well… now that you say it… it is weird.”
“Am I right? Somethings wrong here, maybe I should ask the guard.”
“Wait, hold it right there, young lady, you’re worrying too much, maybe they missed the
train decided to take a taxi? And… if you woke up the guard, he won’t let us continue
this Test of Courage and will definitely send us home.”
“Well… you’re right, let’s wait for a bit…”
“Yes!”

27
The two sat down underneath a tree to wait for the others to come. The sky was clear that
time, the wind was refreshing, and the stars are bright and beautiful. That scene and the
mood created by it was a perfect scene of a hundred percent success rate confession…
“I wish Keita could see this, I’m sure he would be happy to see this with me…”
“Heeeeh? Well it sure is a great scene for a confess- aww! It hurts. It hurts, stop it!”
“Tsugumi immediately pinched Keiichi before he could even finish what he was about to
say…”
“Jeez, Keita is not here, what’s the problem?”
“It’s embarrassing, jeez…”
“Well Keita surely loves this kind of places, if he was here, he would disregard this Test
of Courage to just lie down and relax here…”
“Yes, he’s that lazy after all, that’s why he’s not fit to be the manager of the Kusakabe
inn.”
“Hahaha! Surely, he would just sleep on his office and just let the customers do what they
want.”
“You said it, that’s why I’ll take business management and going to run the Kusakabe inn
with Keita, I’ll be by his side to ensure he’s on the right track…”
“Oooh?... so, you’re already thinking that far? Well… good luck for you. I hope all that
you’ve said happens…”
“Ehhh? You’re actually supporting me? How cute.”
“Well it good for Keita and all, well it’ll only happen if you marry him.”
“M-marry?”
“Eh? That’s what you want right?”
“I d-didn’t say that I don’t want to… but…”

28
Suddenly, Tsugumi’s phone ranged and breaks their silence. When she looked at her
phone, it was Akane’s message…
From: akane@*****.com
Subject: None
Date: 3-29-20**
Sorry I’ll be late, something
came up and I needed to go
back at the house. I’m
already on my way there, I
guess it’ll take me a couple
minutes to get there, you
three can start without me if
you want.

“Looks like Akane’s going to be late, should we wait for her Keiichi?”
“We would wait for everyone of course! Why do you even need to ask?”
“Well, that’s right, sorry, that’s a stupid question… wait, it’s weird, she said you three,
Shiori was here?”
“Huh? Well... I didn’t see her around anywhere when we got here…”
“It’s really is weird, maybe I should call the guard-”
“Wait… you we can’t do that. “
“Aren’t you worried? Akane said that Shiori was here when she’s not, somethings weird
around here and maybe the guard can help us…”
“Well… I guess you’re right.”
Keiichi was ready to let Tsugumi talk to guard when his phone suddenly ringed. He
immediately checks it and saw a message…
“It’s from Shinomiya-san…”
“Ehhhh? You’ve exchanged emails with Shiori?”
“Y-yes, she’s always recommending me great books after all…”
“Ehhhh? You didn’t steal it?”

29
“Why would I?”
“Enough of that, what did she said?”

From: sshinomya@****.com
Subject: None
Date: 3-29-20**

Sorry, something suddenly

came. Looks like I can’t
attend for todays event. I’m
truly sorry…
Please don’t bother it and
continue without me.

“Well, that’s what she said…”

“Huh? Something really weird here.”
“Imamura… she said that something suddenly came up, so we can’t do anything about
it.”
“Is it?... well, I feel bad for Shiori now…”
“Well, so am I…”
And so, the two wait for Akane to arrive. It was no too long until they saw Akane waving
and running towards them.
“Hey!... sorry… I’m… late.”
“Don’t mind, Doma-san, take your time and catch your breath.”
“Thank you, Keiichi, I’ll do that.”
“Looks like something happened that you’d have to be this late. Right, Akane?”
“Well, my father suddenly came to our house to get the other remaining stuff to move”
“Ehh? You’re moving Doma-san? Where?”
“To Osaka, my father got a job out there, so we were planning to all move there, enough
of me, where’s Shiori?”
30
“She messaged us that she couldn’t come today.”
“Eh, why? I didn’t hear anything about these…”
“Can you let me see?”
“Yes!”
Keiichi gave his smartphone and showed the message to Akane. She was shocked at the
sudden turn of events as her best friend couldn’t attend their final event in this school
together…
“Shiori, why?”
“Well, this is Shiori’s email, I guess she on her way home…”
“Doma-san are you alright?”
“Akane’s face was a bit sad because of the sudden back out of Shiori. She couldn’t
understand why she would suddenly break her promise.”
“Akane if you don’t feel well, we could just go home.”
After realizing that the two were so worried about her, Akane takes a grip and slapped
her face twice to recover her cool.
“Alright, now I’m alright!”
“Ehhh? Wait, Akane, doesn’t that hurt?”
“Well… it helps me woke up so there’s no problem”
“Really?”
“Yes? Sorry for making you two worry. I’m sure Shiori has her reasons and I’m sure that
it’s so important that she had to cancel, but… I guess I’ll let her explain all of that later.
For now, let’s do some Test of Courage!”
“Y-yes…”
“Shiori, please be well, explain everything to me when we see again ok?”
The three lift their spirits with the thought of starting their traditional Test of Courage,
little that they know that something other than a Test of Courage has begun as the person
who killed Shiori was already outside from the building, completely unknown by the
others, hiding from sight, as she watches the three hype up…

31
“Look at them, getting so pump up on this worthless tradition… getting all clingy to
Keiichi… Imamura should be fine, well… he likes Kusakabe-san, right? She has no love
interest towards Keiichi, but… I don’ like how foul she talks to Keiichi… maybe I should
consider it after all. Well that aside, the one I’ll mostly enjoy will be… Doma Akane…
how dare you seduce Keiichi? You’re unforgivable, maybe I should save you for the last?
Oh my! Then that means, I’ll be considering Imamura-san after all. Well if she got on my
way I won’t hesitate. Well… maybe I should kill Doma Akane first then, and after that I’ll
see Keiichi’s agony… that would be the best… I can’t wait…”
The three was on a high spirits without knowing what lies ahead if they walk into that
abandoned school building and that mysterious girl on the mask. They were too ignorant
about those fact. They continue to walk towards the building and stops at the front gate as
Tsugumi came on front before they enter.
“Well, there are some complications and miscalculations on the way… but looks like
everyone’s here already, it’s a bit sad that Shiori wasn’t able to get here… but let’s make
sure that we will still have fun, right?”
“Yes!... Doma-san?”
Akane careful inhale some air then exhales it for her to relax and puts on her usual
cheerful face as she replied…
“Yes!”
Tsugumi was relieved to see Akane back on track on her track and smiled upon her. After
seeing this Keiichi also was relieved to see Akane fine and smiles, signaling that they’re
all good.
“Shiori, I don’t know what happened that made you cancel, but I’ll make sure that we
will have a long talk at the phone, your reasons and those funny faces of Keiichi and
Tsugumi when scared. Really… we will have a bunch of things to talk about, so wait for
me…”
“Then… let’s start our traditional Test of Courage with high spirits!”
With that mark, they’ve start to enter the school building to start the test of courage, also
signaling the mysterious masked girl out
“Well… let’s start… today’s the day that Keiichi will be mine, and those who comes and
take him from me will suffer…”

32
 CHAPTER THREE
THE LOSS OF A FRIEND

The whole place was dark but the flashlight that Tsugumi brought was surely became
useful. It enables them to see through the dark and empty hallway.
“Well… this flashlights Tsugumi brought, was really becoming so handy at this
situation… that’s our Class Representative for you, always ready”
“Of course! it is, one should always be ready all times, this is an old, run-down school
building after all…”
The hallway so dark that anyone will surely have a bit of hard time seeing around. That
time the moon was blocked by some clouds, an approach for a possible rain. With that in
mind, Akane, thought a way to use the sense of darkness to put a thrill on the Test of
Courage.
“Wait, wait! I have an idea! Why don’t enter and investigate the classrooms first before
moving on to the next floor”
Keiichi immediately approved while Tsugumi suddenly gulp…
“Sure! Why not? Right? Tsugumi?”
“Y-yes, it’ll be surely be more trilling that way”
“Heeeh? well… looks like you’re sweating a bit. Oh! Maybe you’re just scar- ouch!”
Tsugumi pinched Keiichi before he could even continue what he’s saying and
immediately glared upon him. Akane was puzzled on what’s happening towards the two.
“Scar?”
“It’s just the heat, it’s just so hot here inside, don’t bother listening to this man, he
doesn’t know what he’s saying…”
“Ehhh? Well… you could hold my hand if you want to.”
“Can I? Eh!... ahem… I mean, well if you you’re that scared you, I could hold your hand”
“Yes! Counting on you”

33
The two held hands as they continue to move on. Keiichi was behind the two. While
walking Tsugumi was constantly looking back to Keiichi, not to check if he’s ok, but to
tease him to be envious because of Tsugumi holding the hand of his beloved Akane.
“Imamura… why you… supporting me my ass, you’re just happily teasing me.”
“Serves you right, Keiichi, this is for trying to embarrass me in front of Akane. Now, envy
me for holding hands of the girl you like, you wanted to do this, right...?”
“Hey Keiichi! you go ahead and check if there’s a room that can be opened.”
“Why me?”
“Well of course you’re a boy, boys should be the one who do those things.”
Keiichi went ahead with an irritated face and whispered.
“A least have gender equality”
Tsugumi heard a bit but didn’t understand.
“What is it!?”
“Nothing, I’ll go ahead and check if there’s room that’s locked.”
Keiichi went ahead checking each door if there’s a room that are unlocked while
Tsugumi continues to tease him. In Akane’s sight, the two were like talking with each
other through their mind and arguing about something and bothers to ask.
“Blehhh…”
“You two are so close, aren’t you?”
“What close? I can’t stand Keiichi anymore, if it wasn’t for Keita, I would not hang out
with him in middle school until now. All we do when were together is to argue.”
“Is that so? To me, it’s only looked like you’re really close to argue every time”
“Is that what you call close?”
“Yes! Because you’re close enough to have a fight.”
“I totally don’t get that.”
“Is that so? Well… at least that’s what it looked like to me.”
Keiichi suddenly opened a door leading towards the faculty room in the first floor. He
then told the two behind.

34
“Hey, this room is not locked”
Akane was overjoyed to hear this and immediately pulled Tsugumi toward the entrance.
“Wow! Nice work Keiichi.”
Keiichi was flustered when he saw the face of Akane, smiling once again. His face
suddenly becomes red and looked away to hide it as he replied.
“Well…it’s not that impressive”
Keiichi was being humble enough and Akane was so excited to see what’s inside. She
taps Keiichi at the back then reads the sign board above the door.
“What are you saying? You did well… now, let’s see… Faculty Room”
Tsugumi was so scared but doing her best to hide it. Akane on the other hand notices this
and asks.
“Are you alright, Tsugumi?”
“Y-yes, this is nothing, that’s just a faculty office. There no need to be scared there.”
“Okay”
The three then now proceed to investigate the faculty. The room was run-down, full of
mess, and the stuff there was either burned or destroyed yet the windows are perfectly
fine. The three then checks the teacher’s tables to see if there are some clues out there.
Each of them splits up and tries to open as much cabinet as possible. Akane tries to find
anything yet failed.
“Tsugumi, do found anything there?”
“Nothing but burned papers and brooms”
“Well that’s too bad…”
Keiichi then stands up and found something inside one of the drawers. It was sealed
inside a box that seems to be made of something that is not flammable.
“I found something”
The two notices this and immediately run towards Keiichi. Keiichi then puts the box into
a table for them to see.
“What is it, what is it?... open it already.”

35
“Wait! Tsugumi.”
Keiichi then opens it and was surprised on what’s inside.
“What is it?”
Tsugumi then grabs it to see what’s it.
“It’s a fountain pen, idiot.”
“Fountain Pen? What’s with this tip?”
“Fountain pens are for calligraphy from the western countries. Calligraphy there is a bit
different than the calligraphy here that uses brush. It’s for the calligraphy of the English
alphabet”
“Ehhh… then who ever owns that maybe a good calligrapher.”
“Yes! Maybe…”
Tsugumi was fascinated on how good the fountain pen was. It was black-colored with
gold linings. Its color is properly maintained, shiny, and no signs of scratches anywhere.
And note that it’s sealed within a non-flammable box.
“Tsugumi, let me see also”
“Here, Akane.”
“Wow, whoever owns this really cherish it to not let even a scratch on this.”
“Yes! That means that this thing is very important to whoever owns this.”
“Lucky you Keiichi, to find such important thing.”
Akane then hands it out to Keiichi.
“Well… I said it’s nothing and… I don’t know how to even use this thing.”
“Well, you did find it, so why not keep it as a memento of this year’s Test of Courage?”
“Hmmm… well, you’re right, then I will keep it then.”
Keiichi then put it in his pocket and keeps it.
“Hey! Keiichi why are you putting it in your pocket?”
“What’s your problem now Tsugumi? I’ll keep it obviously.”

36
“That’s not it! Whoever owns that tries to maintain its perfect condition. And you’re just
putting it inside your pocket?”
“It’s alright, it’s mine now anyways.”
“Aaaahhh! It’s so frustrating, why did Keiichi have to be the one to find that pen? If it
was me, I would handle it with care.”
Akane then pats Tsugumi in the back to sympathize.
“Don’t mind…”
After a minute of finding nothing, the three found the master key, a key that can open all
locks inside the building, in the room and then moves forward to the next floor, the rooms
for the first years. There were six rooms, ranging from class A to F. After getting the
master key, opening all the doors was easy and investigating each room was made a lot
more faster because the only cabinet out there was the lockers and one at the teachers
table. While investigating the rooms A to D, they’ve found some sort of things that’s not
been totally burned, like reference books, manga, light novels, a basketball, a half-burned
PE t-shirt, and even a love letter. After couple of minutes looking, they decided to look at
the fifth room, the class D. For them to be efficient, Keiichi and Akane are the one in-
charge in the lockers, while Tsugumi will look in the teachers table. While searching,
Akane and Keiichi were having a conversation about certain things to no be bored while
searching. Keiichi on the other hand tries to find a right opportunity to invite Akane out.
“Ummm… Doma-san?”
“Hmm?”
“When are you going to Osaka?”
“Well… Tomorrow, my father will get me tomorrow afternoon after class”
“Eh? That soon?”
“Well… that is what it is. They’ve all already moved anyway, and I’m the only one
who’s here because I insisted that I would like to finish high school here at least.”
“Well, that’s so… bad.”
Keiichi then became down. Akane notices this and then tries to cheer him up.
“Don’t be that sad, you’ll make sad also.”
“T-the who will be our valedictorian?”

37
“Of course, it’ll be Tsugumi. It’s no doubt that she smarter than me, the only reason that
she’s top two is because she was taking care of all us as or Class Rep.”
“No… even if you say that…”
Keiichi then became even more down because he could not say anything more to stop
Akane. Akane then again, tries to cheer him up.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be visiting you guys here sometimes, it’s not like we will not see each
other again.”
“No, we will…”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well… I’ll be going to Tokyo after graduation…”
Akane was then shocked after what Keiichi said but at the same time, she might’ve been
expecting it. Keiichi is the top four, he then should’ve been recommended at least once in
a good university, but she didn’t expect that Keiichi was aiming that far. Akane continues
her search, but her expression was changed. With this development, Keiichi then proves
that he has a chance.
“Well… that is… kind of… bad…”
“Well… I’ll be also visiting sometimes here but… umm…”
The two were silent. All along, they’ve been talking about good stuffs for them not to be
bored. They’ve continued to search in silent until suddenly…
“Kyaahhh!”
Suddenly, Tsugumi screamed out of fear.
“What happened!? Are you okay Imamura!?”
Keiichi immediately run towards the trembling Tsugumi. He immediately supported her
back to prevent her from falling unintentionally. Akane also rushes to aide Tsugumi…
“What happened? Tell me Tsugumi.”
Tsugumi immediately jump towards Akane’s arms, trembling, as if she’ve seen a ghost.
Keiichi then tries to ask one more time.
“Imamura, calm down… what have you’ve seen?”
Still trembling with fear, Tsugumi muster up her courage to and pointed

38
“S-someone… someone was t-there”
Keiichi walks towards the window to confirm. The outside was dark, and he can’t see
anything but trees and grass. Suddenly, he notices that something is moving from there.
“What is that?”
He pointed his flashlight to reveal this…
“Who is that...?”
He saw the girl with the bunny mask, who’ve they don’t know, the very person who’ve
killed Shiori brutally earlier. The person notices the light coming from Keiichi’s
flashlight. The moment that she sees that Keiichi was the one who've been noticed her,
she jumped and waved towards Keiichi out of joy. Keiichi stepped back out of fear of all
the sudden turn of events.
“They know who I am?”
Tsugumi was about to reach her limit while Akane was doing her best to calm her. After
a few seconds, Tsugumi barely regained her thoughts and grabs her cellphone. Akane
was puzzled on what’s happening to Tsugumi.
“Tsugumi? Who are you calling?”
“Keita… I have to call Keita… Keita”
Tsugumi was able to call multiple times, but Keita seemed to be out. She continues to call
until Akane decided to interfere.
“Grab a hold of yourself, Tsugumi”
“But… I have to call-”
“I’m telling you to calm down, Tsugumi”
Akane starred her until Tsugumi then regained her thoughts.
“Thank you, Akane. I really lost my head there for a while”
“Then… What have you seen?”
After pausing for a second Tsugumi then remembered an important thing that she didn’t
tell them earlier. She suddenly rushes towards Keiichi to tell him.
“Keiichi, that one is dangerous!”

39
“Huh?”
“When the clouds cleared for a second, I’ve seen that person hid something.”
“What is it?”
“A knife filled with blood.”
“Huh? Are you sure you’re not just seeing things?”
“No way, I’m saying the truth, not to mention that person’s jacket was also filled with
blood”
Keiichi was shocked about all that Tsugumi said because he barely seen the person
because the flash light couldn’t light towards such distance. While Keiichi and Akane
was trying to collect their thoughts, Keiichi suddenly notices the person stopped her
waving when Tsugumi came to him and started to walk.
“Hey… don’t tell me that person is coming here!”
The three was engulfed with fear after hearing this. They’ve went to a panic as Akane
shouts…
“Keiichi-kun, hurry and lock the main door!”
“Yes!”
Keiichi runs as fast as he could totally get and jumped halfway down the stairs just to
reach the front door. At the hallway he sees the person also running towards the door.
They’ve land at the door handle at the same time, but Keiichi put his all his strength to
close the door, completely overpowering the person outside. He immediately locked the
door and then lay down to catch his breath and regain his strength. The moment he
looked at the window the person was there waving at him. Keiichi was both scared and
shocked as the person was staring at him not with bloodlust but something else. Tsugumi
and Akane was later able to catch up to Keiichi. The moment the person sees them, their
eyes suddenly burst out causing fear towards the three. The two runs towards Keiichi…
“Keiichi!”
“Keiichi-kun!”
The person moves away making the three at ease for a bit.
“Keiichi, are you alright?”
“Yes… somehow…”

40
While Keiichi is still catching his breath, the two is still puzzled in thought about this
mysterious person.
“Who would that might be? Tsugumi?”
“I don’t know, but it looks like they’ve left for now”
“Yes! For now, let’s rest for a bit and collect our thoughts”
The three them laid down and rest, but the moment they’ve sat down, a few seconds after,
the mysterious person suddenly reappeared holding a sketch pad and a marker. Suddenly
the person writes down on their sketchpad to converse with the three…
Hi, everyone, it’s a wonderful night were experiencing today am I right
How are you doing?
The three was wondering what is happening at this moment.
“How are we doing, what’s with them?”
The person then continues to write multiple pages of messages as the three read them.
Are you enjoying you’re Test of Courage? That thing is a waste of time so why don’t
you open this door and get out of there? It’s looks like it’s hot in there. Keiichi is
sweating a lot…
“get out of there? Are you an idiot? The reason we’re sweating a lot is because of you!”
Keiichi looked furious as he shouted this words towards the person. His words don’t go
through the window because of being sound proof, but his face was enough to know what
he was saying. The person was unfazed then continues to write more.
“Hey, are you serious?”
You’re mean! Keiichi, even though I’m doing this for you.
“Huh…? For me?”
Keiichi lost his though about everything, he’s been racking up his brain just to figure out
what’s the person was saying.
You see… many girls are being around you lately, and I figure out that this test of
courage is the perfect time for me to get rid of them.
“get rid of them? Keiichi do you know this person? What does she mean of getting rid of
us? Hey answer me!”

41
“I don’t know!”
The three was sweating, not just from the heat or from the running they’ve did. They’re
seriously fearing for their lives. The girls were trembling with fear and can’t stand while
Keiichi was locked standing, they have no intention of opening any windows or doors.
They’re so scared that they wouldn’t mind staying the night locked inside the school
building.
“T-Tsugumi… call the police! Immediately”
“Y-yes!”
Tsugumi pulled out her phone to call the police. The person saw this and then started to
write once again.
“Heh…? No signal? Why?”
Everyone’s attention was on Tsugumi when she said that she couldn’t detect a signal.
After several tries, the person suddenly knocks out of the window shows the sketchpad to
everyone.
It’s no use… Tsugumi-san, I’ve already set up a signal jammer just a while ago,
screaming is not also an option, the guard is already fast asleep because of the drug
I’ve given to him, likewise you need to open the window for your screams to be heard
from the outside anyways, and if you did…
“If we did…?”
After seeing Keiichi’s reply, the person immediately grabbed something below. Everyone
was shocked to see a crossbow.
I’m quite good at using this, so the moment I see anyone’s face outside the
window…well… you know…
“No…”
Akane couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She already losing hope. Tsugumi was
covering her ears and closing her eyes, she couldn’t bear to see another word coming
from this person. Keiichi on the other hand was giving his all just to at least know the
identity of the person outside. Then the person yet again writes something at the
sketchpad.
“Who is this person? Do I know them? They even know Tsugumi and Akane… they know
the Test of Courage, the possibility of that person being in the same school as we are

42
high. But other than my classmates, I know no one from our school. Tsugumi and Keita
were the only ones I went to middle school with… maybe someone I know… yes! I did
know someone that good with archery… her name was…”
A thought suddenly came to Keiichi that made him tremble as he slowly looked at the
person in the eye.
“W-who… are… you…?”
Keiichi was trembling with fear as he looks the person in the eye. The person
immediately claps their hands as if they’re waiting for Keiichi to realize then writes
something into the sketchpad.
My name just popped out of your mind, aren’t you? I’m happy! I knew you’d
remember me!
“Don’t tell me… where-… it can’t be…”
The person then removed their hood, a long, smooth, shining orange hair fell through.
The person then slowly removed the mask and finally reveals their face.
“Sakuraba…-san?”
After hearing this Tsugumi also came to a sudden realization and immediately moves
towards Keiichi to confirm.
“Sakuraba!? You don’t mean… that Sakuraba?”
“Yes, Sakuraba Hikari…”
“Sakuraba Hikari… that’s your stalker back at middle school… right?”
“Tsk…”
“Ever since I enter high school, I never heard anything about her up till now, where have
she been all this time? How did she know our Test of Courage?”
Akane stands up as she realizes something…
“Sakuraba Hikari… you mean the one from class C?”
This statement immediately rattles the two causing Tsugumi to question Akane.
“You know her, Akane?”
“Yes… we went at the same cram school…”

43
“Doma-san, by class C… you mean she’s on the same school as us…?”
“Y-yes…”
“She’s been so near us all the time? Why I didn’t realize sooner?”
Hikari then continues to write down on her sketchpad…
Looks likes you all finally remembered me! Thank you! Especially you Tsugumi-san, I
guess you’ve already heard me from Keita-san aren’t you, looks like I don’t have to
explain anything anymore, aren’t I?
“Keiichi’s stalker?”
“That’s right, Akane, she’s been following Keiichi ever since we started middle school,
her hair is short back then and not dyed orange, so I almost didn’t recognize her, I just
realized it just now. I heard she had a fight with a woman that said something bad to
Keiichi.”
“And what happened to that woman?”
“She was hospitalized for a week…”
“Huh…?”
“Broken bones, pulled finger nails, almost ripped off hair…”
“That’s a bit…”
“The point is, she holds nothing back that time, as if she’s trying to kill her… she’s
dangerous and… crazy. Like a psycho, and she’s deeply into Keiichi. If I weren’t
Keiichi’s friend, I would meet the same fate a long time ago already…”
Akane couldn’t believe all of these, but the moment she sees how serious Keiichi and
Tsugumi were she couldn’t help but believe. Hikari knock the window once more and
shows her sketchpad…
Would you girls please stay away from Keiichi, you know… I can always break in there
if I want to, but it’ll be no fun if I just go in there and kill the both of you… so let’s
have game!
“Game…?”
The three was puzzled on what running to Hikari’s mind at this point.

44
I can break this glass anytime, but it’ll take a little time, so I figure out… I just need to
find any entrance other than this door, then I can go in. Whoever finds those unlocked
windows or unnecessary entrances would win. Isn’t it great?
The three was rattled upon hearing this as Hikari continues to show them her sketchpad…
Be sure to be ready when I got in there, especially you girls. I’ve been holding my
feeling for a long time now, so when I got my hand onto one of you, even I wouldn’t
know what I’ll do…
Hikari looked at the two with a big smile and eyes that’s full of bloodlust. After reading
this, Tsugumi and Akane was consumed with fear. A few second after Hikari runs as fast
as she can at the back of the building while Keiichi runs back to the office and throw the
master key toward Akane…
“Doma-san! Hurry! Lock the other rooms doors!”
“Y-yes!”
“The faculty window was open! And I’m not sure if the other rooms are sealed, I have to
hurry! Back then Sakurada-san was a fast runner if I don’t hurry…”
Hikari checks each rooms for entrance, some of the windows are open but Akane was
successful to seal each rooms door. The moment Hikari sees this, she immediately rushes
towards the faculty room and in a nick of time she arrives as well as Keiichi…
“This is bad! she’s here!”
With the attempt to go in, Hikari tries to open the unlocked window but Keiichi make
haste and tries to prevent this. Keiichi’s giving his all but being exhausted from running,
he can’t over power Hikari to finally seal off the window.
“Keiichi!”
“Keiichi-kun!”
Tsugumi and Akane finally arrives after sealing all rooms in the first floor and sees
Keiichi struggling to prevent Hikari from entering.
“Help! Hurry! I can’t hold her off any longer!”
The two didn’t hesitate and pushed the window along with Keiichi, finally overpowering
Hikari.
“Damn you! Why are you preventing me to be with Keiichi!”

45
The window was about to be closed, when suddenly Hikari placed her left hand to
prevent the window from totally closing.
“Akane! Her hand! Do something about her hand!”
“Yes!”
Akane found grabbed the case of the fountain pen earlier and smashes Hikari’s hand with
it.
“Damn woman! Don’t get in my way!”
Akane smasher her hand several times causing her fingers to be totally crushed and
finally been removed. Keiichi didn’t waste a second and immediately closing the window
and locking it. Finally sealing all passage at the first floor. Tsugumi and Keiichi fell out
of exhaustion, while Akane was still standing when she was still catching her breath.
When she looked at her hand holding the case of the fountain pen filled with blood, made
her almost vomit. Hikari then slapped the window with her broken fingers and looked at
Akane with pure anger and bloodlust. Akane was so scared that she was standing there
frozen trembling with fear. Hikari then writes on the window using her own blood…
I’ll definitely kill you! You damn woman!
Akane’s feet then lost her strength to stand as Hikari was glaring at her while smiling.
After a few seconds she then leaves out of their sight. The three was relived and slowly
inhaled and exhaled some air. The three stayed at the faculty office to rest and regain
some energy. While outside Hikari was dealing with the pain of her broken fingers…
“That woman! I’ll kill her, I’ll definitely kill her! If she ever stepped foot outside her, I’ll
definitely-”
She suddenly stopped when she hears a voice coming from afar and immediately hide.
“Heeey… Tsugumi! Keiichi! Where are you guys?”
It was Keita walking towards the building.
“Damn, a problem after another, how did Kusakabe Keita got here? Don’t tell me
they’ve contact someone before I jammed the signal… Damn it! For now, I have to get
rid of Kusakabe-san first before anything else.”
Hikari then removed her jacket full of blood. Meanwhile Keita was looking trying to
open the door but couldn’t because it was locked by Keiichi earlier. Keita suddenly
noticed something was moving from the bushes.

46
“Who are you! Show yourself!”
Slowly Hikari moved out of the bushes. With her left hand behind her back. Keita didn’t
recognize Hikari because of her hair suddenly being so long and dyed orange.
“Eh? Who are you?”
“I’m Hikari from class C, you’re Kusakabe from class A, aren’t you?”
“Hikari…? I’m sure I’ve heard that name before… and you looked so familiar, have we
met before?”
“Yes! I’m in the second row from the front in the middle seat back at our classroom…
so… umm… good work of always helping Sanada-sensei bring her luggage to our room”
“Aaaahhh… so that’s how we’ve seen each other!”
“Yes! I knew you’re a good person because you’re always helping Sanada-sensei
voluntarily.”
“Well… that not big at all…”
“No, no, I admire those person who help those in need, by the way we’ve been in the
same class at electives last year also”
“Last year electives…? If I remember…”
“The Arts class of Shiro-sensei.”
“Aaaahhh… I remember!”
“Sorry… I suspected you! By the way why are you here?”
“Well… Doma-san invited me for the Test of Courage…”
“Akane-san did?”
“Yes, I’m the class C representative and the top eleven of the whole school. Akane and I
went on the same cram school, so she invited me to join because I’m the top eleven after
all…”
“Well… I get her… top eleven is kind of frustrating because they only post the top ten of
all… but damn that’s close.”
“No, it’s not that impressive at all”

47
Hikari’s acting was so good that she made Keita be at ease at her for merely seconds.
Meanwhile Keiichi was able to calm down while Akane was still trying calm Tsugumi
even though she also trembling with fear. When he stands up to check his surroundings,
he saw the two outside talking to each other.
“K-Keita…?”
After Tsugumi heard this she suddenly stands to confirm.
“Keita, why are you-”
She suddenly realized that she was able to call Keita’s phone several times but didn’t
answered. Tsugumi suddenly rushes outside to warn Keita.
“Keiichi! We have to hurry, Keita’s in danger!”
“Yes!”
Tsugumi rushes towards the door as fast as she can as two also rushes but were left
behind. She suddenly opens the door and shouts…
“KEITAAA!”
Keita heard this and looked behind.
“Tsugumi?”
At a blink of an eye Hikari pulled out a knife underneath her skirt to attack Keita while
his guard his down. Tsugumi sees this and immediately shouts once more…
“DODGE HER!!!”
“What!?”
When he turns back and sees Hikari’s blade and tries to dodge it, but…
“Too slow, Kusakabe-san!”
Hikari was so fast and accurate to be able to cut Keita’s jugular vein on the side of his
neck. Keita’s wound then begins bleeding unstoppably when Keiichi arrives. Tsugumi
was shock and tries to go to Keita but she’s been hold off by Akane.
“Keita…? No! let go of me Akane! Keita is, Keita is-”
“Keiichi! Don’t let Tsugumi go out there at all cost.”
Keiichi was hesitant to follow Keita.

48
“Huh? But Keita you’re-”
“Hurry up and pull her in there and close that damn door!”
“But-”
“Please…! Keiichi!”
“Huh?”
After several second Keiichi then pushes Tsugumi inside then close the door.
“Thank you… Keiichi… until we see again… but first… I’ll just take care if this before
anything happens to the both of you, so please… be safe.”
Keita faced Hikari with all his remaining strength despite of losing several blood. He
holds off his wound to lessen the blood dripping as much as possible and faced off Hikari
with a deep smile on her face.
“What are you doing!? Open that damn door! I’ll help him! Keita was bleeding so badly!
He needs help!”
“N-no…”
Tsugumi was shocked on Keiichi’s refusal.
“Why…?”
Keiichi bit his lip and closes off his hand. Tsugumi slammed Keiichi towards the window
out of hatred…
“Why! Are you not letting me out!?”
“Keita said that I should bring you inside and make sure to not let you out…”
“Why are you listening to him! Listen to me!”
“You listen to me! If you go out there, she will kill both of you!”
“You can’t tell that for sure!”
“I am sure! Don’t you see she hits Keita’s jugular vein? He’s already…”
Keiichi couldn’t stop his tears anymore as he looked outside and sees Keita desperately
trying to grab Hikari. Tsugumi then realized the situation as her tears began to flow as
she sees her beloveds blood continues to flow to the ground. Akane looks away to hide

49
her tears. Keiichi and Tsugumi can’t do anything but to watch Keita’s desperate tackles
to catch Hikari…
“Too slow, Kusakabe-san… looks like you’re already at your limits.”
“Tsk… yeah, looks like it, but right after I grab you!”
Keita then tries to grab Hikari, but he was so slow because of all the blood he loss. His
skin begun turn white as the blood continues to flow out of his body…
“Hika…ri… huh…? I see… you’re… Keiichi’s… stalker…”
“Yes! You’re correct… hahaha… took you long enough, Idiot…”
“Tsk...!”
Keita glared like daggers to Hikari while slowly getting on his knees. His feet are out of
energy to stand anymore. Hikari then tries to go near Keita to confirm. Keita’s head was
down so as his hands. He’s beet white and his body is out of warmth. Hikari then tries to
torment Kieta one last time. She slowly goes to his back go near to his ears and
whispers…
“You did a good job on protecting Keiichi all this time… now just leave him to me…
okay?”
On that very moment Keita moved with all his remaining strength, grabbed Hikari when
her guard is down, and applies a chokehold.
“As if I’d let you, you damn crazy woman!”
Keita puts all his strength to lock Hikari in place and tries to kill her by suffocation. Even
if his sight is beginning to blur, and his head was being so dizzy, his arms continues to
apply every piece of strength he can give. Blood that is dripping rapidly was beginning to
lessen. Keita was already running out of blood. On his last moment he looked at Keiichi
and Tsugumi as they watch him. He gave his biggest smile of his life for them to
remember. He then tightens his lock as hard as he can causing Hikari to suffocate.
“Keiichi… I knew there’ll be a time where I couldn’t protect the both of you anymore…
but I never thought that it’ll be this soon…”
“Y-you…! let…me-”
“Please… Keiichi protect our Tsugumi, even though you two always fight each other, I
know… that you both enjoy our times together…”

50
“No-… I c-can’t… bre-…”
“Sorry looks like the rest is up to you now…”
“N-…”
“Keiichi…”
That time, Kusakabe Keita, was dead…

51
 CHAPTER EXTRA
WHERE HER LOVE BEGINS…

Once there was a girl. She’s a typical girl on her looks, her posture, and her behavior.
She’s a typical shy person, but only on the outside. The truth is she lacks something very
important…
“Ever since I was born, my father gone missing. My mother was just a high school
student when she was bearing, to her I’m just the ending of her dreams…”
“Mom? Where is Dad?”
“That was the first time I ask my mother about my father’s whereabouts, I’m just four
years old that time, but my mom didn’t hesitate to throw a glass of water on me.”
“Why…? Mom…?”
“She was always angry… for my whole life I’ve never recalled a single moment where I
saw her smile, even once in my whole life.”
“Every once in a while, a woke up and sees her talking to someone to the phone late at
the night… she’s always apologizing to someone… downing herself… and when she
catches me awake, she would hurt me while saying everything she couldn’t tell that
person on the phone…”
“I hurts’! Mom… please… Stop, I’ll never do that again…”
“No matter how I cried, she wouldn’t stop until she’s satisfied. This goes on for at least a
couple of months, until one day while she’s hurting me the phone suddenly ranged…
Mom stopped hurting me to answer the phone… that day was the first time I’ve seen
something strange… Mom is… crying…?”
“After that call my Mom immediately tends my wounds, pack our things, and by morning
we left to go to the house of my grandparents. For a while a thought my life would be at
least a bit easy when we moved… so I thought…”
“Mom parents are actually rich person with a big name in the industry world… when we
arrived at my grandparent home, I was amazed on how big their home is. It’s almost ten
times as big as our old apartment and a hundred times more great… a bunch of rooms,
maids, a big bath, the elegant interiors, and more. I thought that somehow, I could find
happiness out here. But my grandparent only wanted to protect their names over

52
everything else. The only reason they called Mom back was for her to be a stand-in
successor of their company and let her marry a rich man. They cared nothing about me
ever since we’ve arrived there, the only moments I’ve only seen Mom was barely glances,
we’ve never talk anymore. Even my grandfather hates me so much that he wouldn’t even
let me carry their name. A grand daughter from an unknown man brings shame to their
name. The name ‘Sakuraba’ was just another random name they’ve made to hide my real
identity, they didn’t even hesitate to pay the price just to change my birth certificate as
fast as possible. They did let me have a proper meal and education, but they never
interact with me even once… I’ve never felt at home at that place.”
Sakuraba Hikari’s childhood was never been fulfilling, she was locked inside her room
her grandparents prepared for her. Not to mention her room was so hidden to prevent her
for interacting to other people other than the maids. Those maids were fully pledge
towards the family, but they’ve treated Hikari as a visitor, they gave what she need and
never interact with her after. At her young age her eyes were already opened towards the
cruelty of the world…
“Years after, I’m informed that for next following days I’ll be transferring at a public
school… I knew that this was a move just to get rid of me at the house for the whole day
and they can’t let me go to a prestigious school because of the risk of me dirtying their
name. I always walk towards school and always uses the back door to leave the house, to
prevent anyone seeing me at the front door just in case. That door was the entrance for
the maids. There I thought I could finally be happy, leaving that house to meet new
people, but it’s not…”
“Umm… I’m S-Sakuraba Hikari, nice to meet you.”
“Even at school nothing ever changes… I was transferred at the middle of the quarter
where everyone had already made their groups, no one tries to interact with me, much
more worst is that they’re trying to guess why I’m suddenly transferring…”
“Hey! Aren’t her clothes so beautiful…”
“I bet she’s so rich…”
“Then, why is she here…?”
“Normally she’ll go to a school for the rich right…?”
“Yes! She had money and all…”
“Aaaahhh! Maybe she’s…”

53
“Gossips about me are spreading… children those days were naïve, easy to believe on
what they’re heard. Anything that someone says to another was believed by the many,
leaving me alone in the corner…”
“A month has passed yet I’m still alone… until one day a girl named Kayako, our class
representative, approaches me…”
“Sakuraba Hikari-san, right? My name is Mizushima Kayako, can I call you Hikari-
chan?”
“Heh!? W-why…?”
“Well seeing you being left out by everyone makes me a bit uneasy, because being left
out is not comfortable, am I right?”
“Y-yes…”
“When I think about it, I was also too naïve… Kayako befriended me, partner me up
when were on PE, lends me her notes, occasionally talks with me. I wouldn’t say I
weren’t happy by that, in fact I was so thankful of someone who’s willing to hear me out.
It would be alright for me to be with Kayako that time, I wouldn’t need anybody else…
yet, so I thought…”
“There was I time where I forgot my notes at school and decided to go back to school to
get it… on the hallway I heard voices… Kayako and some other girls…”
“Well how’d it goes, Kayako…? Still holding in there?”
“Well if the teacher didn’t tell me to go and talk to Sakuraba-san, I wouldn’t do it in the
first place…”
“Must be hard for you… trying to talk to that loner.”
“You got that right! All that she responds to my questions are ‘right’, ‘is that so?’,
‘Kayako you’re right!’, and so on… she so boring! You could barely call that a
conversation…”
“Poor Kayako… well, how about the bet?”
“Aaaahhh… well I’m thinking of pulling out, I can’t get anything about her family at all”
“They were all fake… their laughing behind my back, they never wanted to be my
friend… not any of them… all of them are… fraud…”
“The next day when Kayako tries to talk to me…”

54
“Hikari-chan… about tomorrow’s class I would like t-.”
“Kayako-san would you stop talking to me…”
“Huh!? What’s the matter Hikari-chan?”
“Heeeh…? are you one of those people? Trying to find someone who’ll make you look
good?”
“H-huh?... W-what are you talking about?”
“Well I may be thinking of a good class representative trying to approach a lonely girl
will give her a good image towards other people thinking, ‘ohh… that girl is so nice to
even talk to a loner and tries to be friend with her…’ right…? Kayako…?”
“Huh? I’m not really-.”
“Do you just want to be famous? If that’s what you like then don’t even approach me,
you’re creeping me out.”
“And then she cries…”
“How cruel! Hikari-chan.”
“Those tears are fake…”
“You’re the worst Sakuraba, come here Kayako, that girl don’t even deserve you...”
“All these people are fake…”
Sakruba Hikari lacks on a very important thing… something that’s been away from her
reach ever since she was a child… something that even her parents can’t give to her. The
feeling of being loved. All her life, her existence was hated by her own family. Her
classmates were too scared to even approach to her, they made some false rumors instead,
until she reached her final year at grade school…
“After what I did to Kayako, my teacher said that I should call my parent for her talk
about them about what I did to her, but the only one that goes and see her was our
maid… my mother didn’t even care, even my grandparent won’t even spare a time to go
and see her at school. Even at the Parent Teacher Conference, the recital, the sports
festival… they didn’t even care on how I won the ten-meter sprint event or didn’t care
even if I am fast runner. My talents don’t even have a worth for them. Those aren’t my
parents at all, were just connected by blood… they were all fake…”

55
“After all those years, no one ever approaches me. What I did to Kayako spreads so fast
that the whole school knew everything just for a day. They all acted coldly towards me, if
not no one ever want to talk to me as I don’t want to talk to them. At that point of time, I
didn’t even care anymore.”
“Hey look at Sakuraba…”
“A different maid has come for her PTC again…”
“Wow, she’s so rich… but…”
“Yes… where’s her family…?”
“At least her mother should be the one who goes here right…?”
“That’s right…!”
“Aaaahhh…! Maybe her mother didn’t want to go here.”
“Hahaha… that’s right, Sakuraba has a bad personality after all, after what she did to
Kayako…”
“Hahaha… maybe she’s embarrassed to tell Sensei that she was her daughter.”
“That’s right! Maybe her parents… don’t love… her…”
“To me all those people are fraud, they talk nothing but lies, all of them. They’re all full
of lies… when someone turns their back, one will spread a thing about them and so was
the other. If they’d turn around again, fake faces are made, more lies are being told… I
don’t want to be part of that. That’s why I chose to be alone, because above anything
else… all I wants was… something… genuine…”

“All those years, grade school was about end… after another school year we’ll all move
up to middle school, and I’ll finally be free from these fake people to see more… all those
years I’ve only seen people wearing mask all the time just to keep up with the
expectations of the other people around them. Their friendships were all so fragile that
even a small spark could tear them all off. They also started to act towards me differently,
in a bad way. My slippers are always missing in my locker and always on the trash can,
my desk is being vandalized with words like, ‘get out of here’, ‘you’re the worst!’,
‘loner’. More bad rumors are being spread about me. Thought I didn’t care because it’s
true that my family didn’t love me at all, but they’ve come to the point that Kayako’s
friends are harassing me physically… until one day they’ve called me out after school…”

56
“It’s been a long time, Sakuraba… are you doing well.”
“It’s not that long, in fact she’s seeing me every day, harassing me every single time…”
“What do you want, let’s get right into the point, can’t we? You’re wasting my time.”
“Huh!? After what you did to Kayako, aren’t you at least a bit sorry for her… you damn
loner…!”
“Feel sorry, for her? Are you an idiot? If anything, she has to feel sorry for me!”
“It’s that all you have to say? Then… I’m feeling sorry for Kayako, happy!”
“Huh!? That’s it? You’ve destroyed the image that Kayako build!”
“So, she is just trying to get a good image… all of you is just the same, all that’s
important from you are your names and what others think of you. You’re all an idiot”
“I’m really sorry then, can I go now?”
“Hey wait! We’re not done talking yet”
The girl grabbed Hikari’s hand so tight to prevent her from going away…
“Can you please let go of my hand, you’re hurting me.”
“Huh!? Why are you leaving? I said were not done talking. Stay here!”
She pushed Hikari so hard causing her to fall on her knees.
“Ouch! What are you doing?”
“Hah! In the end you’re just a spoiled brat like everyone talks about. Don’t act high just
because you’re rich.”
“Huh!? It’s not like I-.”
“Shut up loner! If you want to go, on your knees first and say you’re sorry for hurting
Kayako’s feeling-, no, sorry for being even born!”
“Tsk! Why do even need to apologize for that person, she’s the one who used me for her
own gain, yet I’m the one who’s wrong to chase her off, this so idiotic…! But… like I care
anymore… I’ll just do what I need to get them off me.”
Hikari was about to do what she was told but the girl stopped her…
“Wait a second…!”
She brought out her phone to video Hikari…
57
“Now continue, this will be a big hit!”
Hikari was shocked and hesitated…
“What is that? She’s recording this? What is she planning? She’s going to show this to
everyone…”
All the girls are standing there laughing at Hikari while she was freezes on her knees…
“What!? Aren’t you going to say something? Say it now! In front of my camera…”
“What are you doing? This not what we’ve talk about!”
“Huh!? What did we talk about? Now, just shut up and apologize!”
“This woman!”
Hikari glared them but the girls seemed to not care about it at all, they continue to laugh
at her.
“Look! She’s glaring at us…”
“Hahaha! How scary… hahaha”
“Well it’s not that I care anymore… right now I don’t care what’ll happen to me at this
point… just… finish this… already… I’m so… tired of this.”
At that point Hikari was about to do what she must, until she heard a sudden scream from
a boy afar…
“Hey! You guys!”
The boy was running as fast as he can and stood in the front of Hikari covering her…
“Hey…! Who is this guy anyway?”
“I don’t know…”
The boy looked back at Hikari as he said something that Hikari never heard for a long
time…
“Are you alright…?”
Hikari was shocked upon hearing on this and ignored anyone and looked only at the boy
as she nodded to answer his question.
“Is that so?”
He smiled brightly that made Hikari heart skip a beat…
58
“Huh!? Who is this guy? He’s… he’s not like anyone out there… just… who is this guy?”
The boy glared at the other girls…
“What are you doing to her?”
“Huh!? Right back at you! Get out of here! This doesn’t involve you.”
“No matter where you look at it, you’re just ganging up a single girl!”
“You-.”
Later on, three boys came to aid the girls… Keiichi’s feet begun to tremble, he was
scared to confront the boy because he is severely outnumbered, yet he continues to cover
for Hikari…
“It’s alright now girls, we got you covered… now… what are you doing here? Huh!?
Idiot Keiichi.”
“What? This doesn’t involve you!”
“Heeh…? do you know who are you protecting there, Keiichi? If you know I’m sure that
you’ll soon understand.”
“Huh…? What are you talking about…?”
“That girl was the one who made Kayako-chan cry… she’s that spoiled rich girl loner
that chases away everyone… protecting her would be a waste of time.”
Hikari suddenly felt down…
“There it goes… in the end, he’s just another fraud… if he gets into trouble because of
me, he’ll just cast me aside that easily, nothing will change… I’m an idiot to even put my
hopes up…”
“Huh!? Like I care, who is that girl anyway.”
“Huh!?”
The boys were shocked upon Keiichi’s reaction…
“Huh? Keiichi are you serious? She the most famous girl at school…”
“Not a clue…”
“Tsk! Well there’s nothing we can do for this idiot… well I’m sure this two will match
each other, they’re both idiots…”

59
The boys grabbed Keiichi’s neck were just about to punch him when suddenly a loud
shout was coming from afar…
“HEY!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO KEIICHII!”
“Heh! This is bad, Kusakabe’s coming right here…”
Keita was running so fast towards the three glaring at them…
“Hey… facing Kusakabe is trouble, let’s get out of here.”
“Heeh…!? What are you boys doing? That’s just a single person… I thought you got us
covered?”
“What are you saying? Kusakabe is bad news, even us three couldn’t handle him! Guys
let’s run, hurry!”
The boys then begun to run, as well as the girls… Keita then checked Keiichi when he
arrived.
“Keiichi! Are you hurt?”
“No!? and why are you running, anyway?”
“Yikes! Tsugumi was chasing me again! Help me Keiichi…”
“Huh!? What did you do now?”
“I let the rabbit escape and it’s now lost…”
“Why did that happen anyway?”
“Well… it’s a bit of a long story…”
“Hmmm… I want to help you, but… well… it’s Tsugumi… you know very well that I
couldn’t handle her so…”
“Heeeh!!?”
Tsugumi later then was seen running towards Keita with a glare like daggers…
“KEIIITAAA!!!”
“This is bad! She’s here.”
Keita then runs as Tsugumi goes after him…
“Jeezz, that two…”

60
With that spur of the moment, Keiichi almost forgot the girl beside him all this time but
immediately remembered her the moment they were alone. He gently looked back to
Hikari. With his gentle and innocent smile, her faced suddenly became red and her heart
was beating non-stop. Keiichi then became worried about the sudden change of Hikari…
“Ehhh…! Are you ok? Are you not hurt or anything? You’re so red…! Umm…”
“Ah!... n-no… I’m… alright.”
“What!? What’s his deal… no… what is happening to me…? I don’t understand… why is
my heart beating so fast… why am I embarrassed? This boy… he really is different…
he’s not like any others… he is… genuine.”
“Are you sure? But your face is all red… maybe you had a fever… ummm… I should
bring you to the nurse office… no! I should first apply first aide… no… what should I
do…?”
Keiichi was so nervous and don’t even know what to do in that situation. until he heard…
“Hahahahaha… hahahahaha… you’re so funny… hahahaha.”
It was maybe the first time she ever laughs all her life, in her life with full of suffering,
she found a reason to laugh like a normal child she dreamed to be. On that day that most
important thing that was missing to her was fulfilled…
“What…? Looks like you look so cute when you smile…”
“Huh!? C-cute…? Me…?”
“Yes! I’m Kazehaya Keiichi from class D.”
“Umm… S-Sakuraba H-Hikari, from class A”
“Nice to meet you… Sakuraba Hikari!”
His smile was her salvation upon everything that happens to her for the past year. That
smile was bright enough to seal the biggest hole inside of her heart. She gained that
important feeling she lacks…
“N-nice to meet you, K-Kazehaya Keiichi.”
“Yes… this might be that feeling… I think I’m… in love…”
Sakruba Hikari felt love for the first time of her life…

61
“Ever since that day, I can never stop thinking about Keiichi, that I’ve ignored anyone…
Keiichi didn’t care on what others think of me anyways. That’s why I want to learn
more… learn many things about him… what he likes, what he hates, what makes him
laugh, what makes him cry… I want to know everything about him…”
“Those days I can never remove the smile on my face, Keiichi was always on my mind
making me happy all the time. The people may find it weird, but I don’t care anymore…”
“I never hesitated to help the teachers as long as we go pass to class D to see Keiichi.
Later on, I always take on the cleaning duty just to see Keiichi pass by…”
“I know that watching him from afar was already enough, but… I want more… yet I
don’t have the courage to talk to him… but still… I want more…”
“Sooner, I started following Keiichi after school… either rain or shine, I’m always
behind him on distance. When he was eating at the family restaurant with Imamura-san
and Kusakabe-san, when he plays at the arcade, on the convenient store, until I found his
house. After that I started to wait for Keiichi to go to school, he’s always going out early
to make sure he wouldn’t be late, I know it because I’m always waiting for him from afar
early in the morning. Following him each day gives me more knowledge about Keiichi
every time, and it makes me happy.”
“When we’re graduating grade school, I was so afraid that me and Keiichi will be far
from each other… every time I think about it my heart aches. That’s why I want tried to
know but looking at his face makes me nervous so much that I couldn’t face him straight,
I couldn’t ask him. So, I thought that I would like to feel him for one last time…”
“After school when every one’s already home I sneaked to class D… there I saw
Keiichi’s desk… I sat down on the chair he always sat on, lie down on the desk he always
used… I was so happy, yet… empty… thinking about how will be so far apart after
graduation made me cry… for the first time I didn’t cry because my mother was hurting
me or my family doesn’t recognize me, I cried for love alone.”
“After wiping up my tears, I was about to let go and leave when I heard a voice of two
boys coming from afar… on my nervousness I hid inside the utility locker… I was
surprised when I saw Keiichi and Kusakabe-san enters the room. I kept my mouth quiet
as they talk about something…”
“Looks like were graduating from grade school from here on… right? Keiichi?”
“You’re right… what are you going to do at the summer vacation?”
“Probably just help at the inn, summer is a season of business for us after all.”
62
“Heeeh… so we won’t be hanging out these summer.”
“Huh!? What are you saying Keiichi? Of course, we will… I’ll just have to sneak out of
my job then we can play all we want…”
“What!? You’re going to be troubled, don’t do that Keita, it’s ok, I’ll just play games all
day at home…”
“Huh!? What games? When are you playing? Let me in on that, please Keiichi…”
“I’m telling you to listen to me!”
“Well, well, don’t worry about that just yet… so… where are you going for middle
school?”
“Huh!?”
While the two were having a conversation, little that they know that someone was
watching so near…
“They’re talking about what school will Keiichi go for middle school, this is my
chance…”
“Miyamoto High.”
“Heh…?”
“Where are you applying for, Keita?”
“I just decided…!”
“Hmm…? Where?”
“Miyamoto High!”
“That’s the same as me!”
“Isn’t it more better, we can still hang out even at middle school…”
“Well… it’s good but-.”
The conversation finally stopped when Tsugumi finally arrived to get the two…
“Hey you two! How long are you going to make me wait? Keiichi did you get your
notebook already?”
“Ahhh… sorry, Tsugumi… we were just talking a bit…”
“Heeeh…? what are you talking about?”
63
“About where are we going for middle school…”
“Hmm… then where are you going for middle school… Keita, d-don’t get me wrong it’s
not that I want to know where-.”
“Miyamoto High.”
“Huh!?”
Tsugumi was shocked on Keita’s sudden reply and suddenly felt embarrassed.
“Keiichi, did you find your notebook?”
“I got it, let’s go home…”
“Roger, let’s go Tsugumi.”
Tsugumi regained her cool and replied normally.
“Well, if you insist…”
Then the three left all together, while Hikari goes out of the locker with a big smile on
her face…
“I never thought that I’ll know what I wanted that easily. Looks like God really exist.
Thank you, God, for letting me be with Keiichi. There no doubt that me and Keiichi are
meant for each other, that even fate wont rip us apart… I have to get ready… the
entrance exam at Miyamoto High… I will definitely pass it.”

“Those days were the most happiest days of my life. That time I have a reason to work
hard on my studies, not just to look good on my grandparent name. I wouldn’t mind
anymore if my everyone avoid, hate, and won’t notice me… all I need is Keiichi. As long
as I can see him, nothing else matters at all…”
Hikari’s sight was lock on to Keiichi and him alone, that she disregards any other else.
Keiichi was the very first person that showed a genuine sympathy towards her, making
Hikari so dependent to him. For Hikari, her whole world revolves around Keiichi, while
others are basically nothing…
“I’ve worked hard enough to pass the exams at the Miyamoto High, so as Keiichi and his
friends. At first, I thought Imamura-san have feeling for Keiichi, but after a second
thought, it’s looks like she likes Keita. That’s good for the both of us.”

64
Summer was finished in flash for Hikari who’s been confined on her room for the whole
time… but unlike the other first day of school, she was happy going out for school. She’s
not depressed even during her confinement. After she fell in love, she was cheerful,
which refreshes the maids when interacting to her, causing their change of approach
towards Hikari. They even talk to her about her love, making Hikari less lonely during
the summer. Her usual unpleasant life began to change as her feelings develops. This is
mostly because of her change of personality, but this wouldn’t be happening if Keiichi
didn’t stand for her that time. The maids now greet her, not as their master, but as their
friend…
“Have a good day Hikari…”
“Thank you, I’ll going now!”
She ran with a smile on her face exited to see her beloved once more after three months
of being apart. The maid was happy while looking at her from afar…
“She’s all grown up now…”
“Back then she was so gloomy… now she more cheerful.”
“Yes… I regret acting cold towards her back then… the master maybe loath her…”
“Well, well, she said she doesn’t mind that at all…”
“That’s right! Hikari finally found her someone…”
The maids then get back to their respective works for the day. Meanwhile at Miyamoto
high, after the student assembly, all the student is gathering at the list of designated
section, as well as Keiichi, Keita, and Tsugumi. After seeing Keiichi, Hikari immediately
hides onto the crowd because she was so embarrassed to see him in the eye. Keiichi got a
bit of a glance but didn’t recognize her because of the huge number of people present at
that time, then continue to find his class.
“That was close… I thought my heart would seriously go out of my chest. Wait! I have to
find what class is Keiichi…”
Unfortunately, Keiichi and Hikari was aren’t in the same class. She was in the same class
as Tsugumi at Class B while Keiichi and Keita were on class C…
“Oh! we’re on the same class Keita.”
“Nice, Where’s Tsugumi?”
“Let’s see… ahhh! She’s on a different class.”

65
“Ahhh… That’s too bad…”
When the two looked at Tsugumi she was having a frustrated face…
“Hmph! It’s not like I want to be on your class!”
“Well, our classrooms are next to each other, I think there’s no problem there.”
“Tsk! Keita you’re an Idiot…”
“Huh! Why?”
Hikari is glancing from afar…
“How great… they’re so close to Keiichi, I’m envious… well our rooms are just next to
each other, I guess there’s no problem…”
“I was contented on just watching him from afar… for the two years of middle school,
this was not change, as well as Keiichi’s personality… he doesn’t care on what others
think of him, he always has his bright smile on his face, which I loved the most. And his
actual will to help others are also unchanging… so to the point that rumors begun to
spread…”
“Some say that he’s only doing this for his image, some are saying he just want to look
good on the teachers. Keiichi back then has a high grade in par with Tsugumi who is on
the top those days… on particular girl named Sayaka was outsmarted not only by
Tsugumi, but also Keiichi. She was on top on for the past years and was known for her
great intellect. Tsugumi is also famous because of her intellect, but not Keiichi and the
fact that an unknown boy bested her in the exam damaged her image making her
frustrates. She then began to spread even more rumors that Keiichi might’ve somehow
cheated the exams. Keiichi even have to go to the faculty to talk with the teachers to
validate it. Tsugumi was doing her best to prove Keiichi’s innocence, while Keita tries to
prevent others from bullying him. Of course! Keiichi wouldn’t be that low to cheat. His
father suddenly died, and he was left alone with his mother, his father’s loss gives him
dedication to study more to enter college and find a decent job to help his mother. He
was taking several tutorials from Tsugumi at Keita’s house for the past month causing
him to get a higher grade than Sayako. Sayako on the other hand was so contented about
her knowledge… Keiichi wouldn’t mind all of this rumors because he knows that all of
this is not true… I know him… but…”
“I was waiting for him to go out from the teacher’s office from afar… after they were
finished Keita and Tsugumi was waiting for him. Keiichi greeted them with the smile I’ve
always loved and walk out of the faculty on their way home… at one point… just for a
66
second… when Imamura and Kusakabe wasn’t looking at Keiichi… his bright smile
finally began to fall into sadness… he immediately removed this face and go on as the
usual before Imamura and Kusakabe can even see it.”
“The smile I’ve always looked up to… Keiichi’s smile that I’ve always loved… they’ve…
all of them… all of those fraud… those people who’re just wanting to maintain their
image… they’ve… destroyed it…”
Hikari was so shocked upon seeing Keiichi sad, because all she sees of him was, he was
always bright and smiling Seeing him that way, losing his smile even for a bit, causes an
impact upon Hikari.
“Those frauds how dare them to ruin Keiichi's smile... They don’t even know anything...
How he worked so hard... I have to see the root of this... “
That night Sayaka was on her way home after buying some reference books. After a few
minutes walking, she passed on a dark alley... When she suddenly heard her name...
“Sayaka-san... “
“Huh? “
Suddenly she was dragged back at to the dark alley by Hikari wearing a black hoodie
with a bunny mask. Terrified upon this unknown person, she was screaming non-stop, but
no one seems to be in the area that time…
“HELP! SOMEONE!”
“It’s useless, Sayaka-san… no one is here to help you right now…”
“W-what do you want… t-take all the money you w-want, just let me go…”
“Like, I need your useless money, you damn woman!”
Her tone is drastically changing from calm to a furious tone that made Sayaka more
scared…
“Why…? Sayaka-san…?”
“Huh?”
“Why do you have to do that…?”
“W-what are you saying… w-what did I do to you…?”

67
“Oh! you didn’t do anything to me in particular, please don’t misunderstood that. If that’s
the case, we wouldn’t be here in the first place…”
“Huh!? Then, why?”
“Why don’t you try to recall what you’ve did for the last few days with your stupid
mouth, huh! Miss Past-Top student…?”
“Eh!?...”
“Judging from your looks, looks like you’ve already remembered…”
“W-what are you t-talking about? I d-didn’t do anything…”
Sayako immediately remembered when she spread to rumors that Keiichi cheated the
exam. She looked the other way after she remembered and looked nervously defensive.
Hikari was on rage under the mask, but she was still trying to hold it.
“Heeeh, so that’s what it is Sayaka-san… well, let’s forget the past and face the present,
I’d like you to do something for me.”
“W-what is it…”
“I’d like you to apologize to Kazehaya Keiichi and tell the teachers that your stupid
rumors about him are not true once and for all.”
“Huh!? What are you saying!? Why do I have to that!?”
Hikari then pulled out a cutter under her skirt, her rage is on its limit, but her sanity is still
holding it off. She pulled out the cutter to threaten Sayaka. Sayaka was trembling with
fear upon seeing this, her legs are shaking and stepped back further inside the alley…
“W-what are y-you going to do with t-that!? HELP! SOMEONE!”
“I’ve been telling you that’s useless Sayaka-san… now, I want you to promise me to do
apologize to Keiichi first then the other…”
The thoughts are menacing on Sayaka’s mind. If she did apologize, she will be the one
who’ll be in trouble because of the rumors she spread and her image will definitely
crumble away in a blink of an eye, but if she doesn’t, the mysterious girl in front of her
will do something unwanted to her. After all the thinking she did, she recalled the root of
all of this and unconsciously say’s it accidentally…
“All of this is because of Kazehaya…”
“Huh!? Can you repeat what you’ve said, Sayaka-san…”

68
“Huh!? N-no, it’s not… I just accidentally… I didn’t mean to…”
“You didn’t mean to…? What…? Say something…”
“I DIDN’T MEAN TO SPREAD THOSE RUMORS! It’s all Kazehaya’s fault, how did
he just out-scored me? He’s just normal joe until recently… yet, yet… WHAT WILL
PEOPLE THINK OF ME BEING OUTSMARTED BY HIM…!?”
Upon hearing this, Hikari’s mind gone on havoc…
“What the hell is this girl saying…?”
“It’s so embarrassing! I’m known for being smart, that’s all I have, I have no talent or
such, so I just study so hard. Do you even know how hard I’ve work just to have this
popularity?
“Work hard…? you’d got to be kidding me…”
“I’ve work so hard, and yet, he’ll just take it away in an instant!? Who is that guy
anyways!? How dare he take away my seat!?”
“Stop…”
Hikari’s rage are piling up as her sanity is reaching its limits…
“He should be the one apologizing!”
“Stop…”
“Because there’s no way he’s better than me…”
“Stop that…”
“He definitely cheated!”
“Stop that nonsense…”
“Or else he wouldn’t be able to be able to achieve that!”
“Stop…”
“That’s right! That’s got to be it!”
“Stop that…”
Hikari’s mind was full of rage as she listens more to Sayaka, desperately saying that
Keiichi did actually cheat.

69
“This girl is no chance of saving. In the end she’s all about her fame and image, all
Keiichi did was to do his best for his mother… and yet this wretched woman’s just
making all his efforts to waste. She’s also a fraud… like everyone else… Keiichi will
surely just let this girl be and let her do what she wants and probably wouldn’t mind at
all. But…”
Hikari then throws the cutter away slowly moved towards Sayaka…
“He’s-… wait! What are you doing? Don’t come any closer…”
“I can’t forgive this girl…”
“I said don’t come any closer… H-help! HELP ME!”
“She’s not deserving for your kindness”
“S-stop… don’t come any closer…”
“She’s just a fake… just another fraud who can’t appreciate your worth…”
Soon, Sayaka reached the wall when she’s trying to get as far to Hikari…
“P-please… d-don’t…”
“I won’t forgive anyone who destroys your smile…”
Sayaka then tried to run pass Hikari, but she caught her before she can get away and
slammed her hard back to the wall…
“Ow...! W-w-wait d-don’t hurt me! I got it, I’ll-…”
Hikari’s sanity was destroyed and all her rage towards Sayaka was all been released as
she grabbed her head and slammed it towards the wall causing her to lose balance and
fall…
“How dare you make him sad…”
“Ow! My head, my head, it’s bleeding, HELP ME!!!”
“How dare you taint his name…”
Hikari then pin down Sayaka onto the ground to prevent her from escaping. She punched
her hard continuously causing her to bleed on her nose and her mouth.
“I’ll make you suffer…”
“S-stop… ple-… sor-…”

70
Sayaka somehow managed to push Hikari away and runs for her life…
“HELP ME! ANYONE!”
But before she can even take a step, Hikari grabbed he feet, pulled it, causing her to fall
once more.
“Break her bones…”
Hikari then force Sayaka’s feet causing it to break. She was so engulfed with her rage
that she couldn’t hear anything but her thoughts, not the other noises, nor Sayaka’s
screams, only her bloodthirsty thought…
“Ooouuuchhh! M-my feet, my f-feet… it hurts, you broke it… please stop-.”
“She’s just a fraud…”
Unable to move her feet, Sayako tries to crawl her way out, not until Hikari sees this…
“Destroy her hand…”
She stomped her feet multiple time until it’s unable to move…
“She wouldn’t understand how amazing Keiichi is… no one can… but me…”
“Oooww…! It hurts! Please Stop!! I’m begging you! Please stop- ooooww!!”
After a few minutes, Sayaka was in a near dead state cause by multiple beating, until
Hikari then have enough. After doing all those things, she didn’t even feel even the
slightest symphaty towards Sayaka and she did all of this with a straight face under the
mask….
“So then, Sayaka-san, are still conscious? Looks like you are… Now, will you do what I
wasn’t now?”
“Y-yes…”
“Good now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll call the ambulance or something, so please be careful
from now on… and, oh! Please don’t tell anyone about me. Make some excuse. Make it
believable, if you can, you can at least do that right? You’re smart anyways, so I can
count on you with that, or else you want to see me once more. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes…”
Hikari then left the beaten girl behind like some trash and called an ambulance. Her tries
their best to hide this incident to protect their name. Sayako’s statement also help this,

71
causing no charges to Hikari. She also written a letter of apology to Keiichi and the
teachers. Hikari then was banned out of their family house and was said to live alone for
now on. Hikari accept this open handedly and lives.
“No one will truly appreciate you, all these frauds will just taint your smile, abuse your
kindness, betray your trust... No one but me will be able to love you for real... All those
frauds who're taint you, I'll destroy them before they can come near you. If I continue to
do that, maybe you'll notice my love... Then I'll continue this path and hoped that
someday we'll meet in the middle...”

72
 CHAPTER FOUR
ALL OF HER REGRETS…

The breeze of the wind left by the winter that passed was surely gives off the chill to
anyone who’ve felt it. That night the summer breeze was already upon the feel in the
whole North High. In that contrast… that night was cold indeed… yet what he left was
even colder…
“No… please tell me I’m dreaming… this can’t be… Keita…”
On that moment, Keiichi couldn’t believe what he was seeing… Tsugumi was on her
knees, crying non-stop, and couldn’t even stand… Akane was trying to sympathize to
Tsugumi, but also couldn’t hold back her tears. In their verge of mourning for Keita’s
death, Keiichi suddenly noticed sudden movements from the two bodies they thought
were dead…
“Hey, somethings moving there…”
Tsugumi and Akane immediately stands to see, hoping that Keita might’ve been alive…
but upon a greater look, it was Hikari who’ve suddenly stands up after surviving
suffocation from the choke lock made by Keita. The three were surprised and couldn’t
move…
“You’ve got to be kidding me… she’s alive…?”
“Then all that Kusakabe-kun did was all… for…”
She immediately tries to catch her breath, stands back on her feet, smiled to Keiichi, and
moved out to hide in the forest near the abandoned school building… The three then tried
to hide to go to the second floor and hide for the moment…
“Keiichi, tell me I’m just dreaming, this is all a nightmare right…? Keita, Keita didn’t die
right, he’s now working har right now at the inn, right? Answer me Keiichi…”
Tsugumi grabbed Keiichi’s collar while asking… all that Keiichi was to be silent and
tries to look away…
“Imamura… Keita was…”
“Why did he have to die then…?”
“That was…”

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“Hey… Keiichi, why? Why does that girl have to that…?”
“It’s all my fault, Imamura… if it wasn’t for me, Keita would be still…”
“No, it’s all that girl’s fault. She’s the one who killed her… I’ll make sure she’ll regret
that… I’ll turn her in to the police and let her rot in prison… that’s the only way I’ll be
satisfied on what she did! No… it should be more… I’ll ki-.”
“Imamura!”
Before Tsugumi even finish Keiichi then halted her…
“You know you can’t do that…”
“Why-.”
“If you killed her, you wouldn’t be different from her, you’ll both end up being
murderers…”
“B-but she-.”
“Keita didn’t save us to just end up like that! Get a grip on yourself, Imamura Tsugumi!”
Tsugumi then gets on back on track, she wiped on her tears and returned to her usual self.
“Sorry, I have to admit, I’ve lost my head out there, thank you Keiichi. You too Akane,
thank you…”
“Are you really alright now, Tsugumi?”
“Yes! Thanks!”
“Anytime.”
Tsugumi then paused for a second to try to think of a plan…
“Now then, we need to somehow try to contact anyone and ask for help.”
“How are we going to that, Imamura, our signal’s being jammed, right?”
“Think of this… she placed the signal jammer outside at the ground, so if we try to climb
on further floors, we may be able to receive a signal…”
“If she sees us, she’ll probably do something…”
“We just have to be unseen, there’s a fire exit stairs. Those near the stairs… she walked
away on the woods on the past right… the fire exit stairs are on the left side, so there’s no
way she can see us.”

74
“How can we sure about that?”
“Well…”
Akane suddenly raised her hand for a suggestion…
“Why don’t we use Keiichi-kun to lure her?”
“Use Keiichi to lure…? How? Akane…?
“She’s Keiichi’s stalker, right? If she can focus on Keiichi, we can sneak in the fire exit
and call some help.”
“That’ll work, we just have to let her see Keiichi in the window. Can you do that
Keiichi…?”
“Of course!”
The then moved as planned. Tsugumi and Akane was trying to crawl towards the fire exit
stairs while Keiichi then stands on the front of the window, acting as if he was
patrolling…
“Are you really ok now Tsugumi…?”
“To be honest, I still want to kill that woman…”
“Heh!? Then-.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I have a box load of anger towards that girl, but… Keiichi said it…
that Keita wouldn’t be happy seeing me be a murderer…”
“I see… you’re strong, Tsugumi. After everything that happened, you’re still being able
to do this…”
“No, I’m not that strong… my feelings are so messed up right now… I’m angry, sad,
terrified, and most of all, frustrated… but I can’t let those get in my way… not this
time… look! Were here… are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Tsugumi then opens the door quietly and goes out. Meanwhile Keiichi was trying to find
any signs of Hikari from the woods but seems to be in no luck…
“Something feels weird… she definitely here… and yet there’s not even a sign…
something’s not right…”

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After Tsugumi got out, she immediately looked back and help Akane. Akane was on her
way out when she noticed some movement from the bushes…
“What is that…?”
Hikari then suddenly reappears holding a crossbow…
“It’s her! This is bad!”
“Tsugumi!”
“Huh?”
Before they can even react, Hikari immediately shot Tsugumi’s feet…
“Ouch! Huh!?”
She then loses her balance and suddenly fall towards the ground causing her feet to break
and unable to walk.
“Oooww!!! It hurts! My feet, my bones!! It hurts!”
Akane then runs as fast as she can towards Keiichi who was unaware of what
happened…
“Keiichi-kun! Keiichi-kun!”
“Doma-san!? Where’s Tsugumi?”
“She’s been shot! That girl did it!”
“What!?”
“How did she get there!?”
“Keiichi-kun we have to save her!”
“Yes!”
They immediately run towards the stairs, and when they looked at the window, they see
Tsugumi trying to crawl, as if she was running away from Hikari, she was unable to
move her feet, but her hands are still active. Keiichi and Akane then rushed forward to try
to save her…
“Keiichi-kun we have to hurry!”
“Yes!”

76
“Something’s weir here, on Tsugumi’s pace, she can just immediately catch and killed
her… instead, she just let’s her get away… why? Wait! Maybe she’s using her as a-.”
When Keiichi realizes this, they were already near the gate. Akane then opened the gate
and goes outside without thinking…
“Wait! Doma-san! It’s a trap, don’t go to Tsugumi any closer!”
“Huh!?”
Hikari then appears from her hiding and aims her crossbow for Akane.
“AKANE!!! DODGE!!!”
With that warning, Akane was been able to dodge the arrow…
“Tsk, I missed.”
Hikari then runs to try to catch Akane, until Keiichi appears and grabbed Akane’s hand to
run…
“Doma-san! Hurry!”
“Huh!?”
Hikari then appears from her hiding and aims her crossbow for Akane.
“AKANE!!! DODGE!!!”
With that warning, Akane was been able to dodge the arrow…
“Tsk, I missed.”
Hikari then runs to try to catch Akane, until Keiichi appears and grabbed Akane’s hand to
run…
“Doma-san! Hurry!”
“Huh!?”
Hikari chase’s the two down. She was so fast that she almost barely catches the two...
Keiichi tried to let Akane enter the gate first, unfortunately, he dropped the master key
outside the gate. As he tried to get it back by reaching his hand outside. Hikari was
already there. As he tried to get his hand back inside, Hikari rushed and closed the door,
leaving Keiichi’s hand crushed in between the door.
“Keiichi-kun!”

77
Akane then tried to help him by pulling his hand, but Hikari then pushed the door even
more...
“ooww! My hand!”
Hikari then suddenly smiled to Keiichi whispering...
“Sorry, Keiichi...”
She then raises her foot and stomp at Keiichi’s hand, crushing it intensely...
“Ow! Stop that! It hurts! Ow!”
Keiichi was in an immense pain as Hikari continuously stomp his hand multiple times
non-stop. After a minute in this state... Keiichi’s finger where I crushed and was
unresponsive causing it to fit inside and finally closes the door...
“Keiichi-kun! Your hand!”
“It hurts!”
“Let me see... “
Keiichi reached his hand to Akane...
“Here... Use this!”
Akane then bring out her handkerchief and tries to apply first aid to Keiichi...
“Thank you, Doma-san.”
“No…! how’s your hand?”
“It hurts so much, you couldn’t imagine… where is she?”
“Huh!?”
Hikari then immediately disappeared from the door… as they checked the window
outside, she was walking towards Tsugumi, who’ve been able to reach Keita’s body by
crawling non-stop…
“Keita…”
She then embraced the cold body of Keita…
“I’ve finally reached you… after all those years of chasing you… I’ve finally… be able
to embrace… you…”

78
She couldn’t hold back her tears, both for the joy of embracing him and the sadness of his
death.
“Hey, Keita… do you know…? I’ve always had these feelings for you… it’s so obvious
for everyone but you, are you really an idiot…? How can you not notice anything for all
those years? You’re really are an idiot.”
She gently strokes his hair as she puts his head in her chest…
“You’re really an idiot, but… so do I…”
She tries to wipe her tears, but they continue to flow otherwise, she then tries her best to
keep her smile while talking to Keita’s dead body…
“You said that when I smile, I’d always look cute… you said that I’m so amazing
because of I’m smart… you always make fun of me when I’m seriously talking…
you’ve… always been like this… always treating me different from the others…”
She then raises Keita’s head and moves his bangs away to have a better look on his
face…
“Ever since we were a child, everyone was envying me being so smart… everyone
loathes me for being so strict… no one will approach me even if I try to talk to them
normally… only you who’ve always treated my strictness as joke. You’re the only one
who’ve approach me with a smile, accepted the way I am… what the others didn’t.
And… I’ve always loved you for that… the way you try your best with everything you
like, your bright smile who’ve always reply on my scolding, the way you’ve always want
to help everyone who’s in need… all of that… all of you… I’ve always loved that…”
Her smile, which she tries her very best to maintain, then slowly been removed by her
cries, her mourns for her dead beloved…
“And if I ever regret anything in my whole life, it was to be unable to tell you those
feelings before we’ll be apart… that time at the cultural festival, when I withdraw from
confessing… that night when we watch the stars… that moment while watching the
firework… I… I… I should’ve told you then sooner… so it never has to be like this…
I… I’m… I’m also an idiot…”
After reminiscing all those memories, Tsugumi couldn’t hold back her feelings
anymore… her smile began to break as she cried, cried like a child, cried as if she was
holding all those sadness for years… she cries all her regrets on not telling Keita how she
feels before his death… she cried her heart out under the cold night… and then stops…

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“Hey, Keita, do you know about those stories… when a prince kiss could revive a
princess…? I’ve always wanted those to happen to me when I was child, to be awaken by
my destined person by a kiss… but… I wonder what will happen if it’s the other way
around…?”
She then gently raises his head…
“What if I try it now…?”
Slowly closed the distance of their lips…
“You boys likes to be treated this way, right…?”
And kissed him with tears on her eye…
“Keita…”
She checks if there’s even a response from Keita, but as expected, he was unresponsive…
“Why are you not responding I’m stealing a kiss from you… yet you still won’t react…?
At least be grateful! That’s my first kiss! I’ve been reserving that for the one I love…!
Yet… why… why…”
Hikari then appeared with a smile on her face.
“Imamura Tsugumi… you really are genuine after all… done bidding farewells…?”
Upon ruining their heartful farewell, Tsugumi wiped off her tears and glared like daggers
towards Hikari…
“What does that mean…?”
“Oh! those glares… well, to simply put it, you’re not like any other frauds out there. As I
thought, Keiichi really have good eye for friend…”
“Frauds…?”
“Yes! Those who’re just pretending for the sake of their image, those people are all
fake… but… unlike them you have genuine, your love for Kusakabe Keita is surely are
what they call true love.”
“Don’t dare say his name, you damn murderer! What do you even know about true
love!?”
“I’ve also had Keiichi, I’ll do anything for Keiichi’s sake, I’m doing all of this for the
sole purpose of removing all those frauds away from him. If this isn’t true love, then what

80
is it? Right? Like how you wanted to abandon your talents and be an employee of an inn
just to be with your love one…”
“Tsk… so love eavesdropping, huh?”
“Yes! The feeling of wanting to be on his side for every moment, the feeling of always
wanting to know what’s on his mind from time to time, that also part of the feeling of
true love…”
“That’s just feeling of possession! That’s not true love! In the end you’re just a stalker
obsessed with Keiichi!”
“Well, were all free to interpret things on our own perspective, right? If that’s what you
want to think, I wouldn’t mind, I didn’t care of anything besides Keiichi anyways…”
“Then, why did you let me…”
“Oh… I was just thinking of rewarding you for being a genuine friend of Keiichi be
spending your last moment with the one you loved…”
“L-last moments…!?”
“Yeah! So that you don’t have to be so sad, because you’ll be seeing Kusakabe-san at
heaven…”
“What!?”
Hikari grabbed Tsugumi’s hair and pulled it to raise her head upward, exposing her
throat, and whispers to her ear…
“Goodbye, Imamura Tsugumi… I just want you to know that I didn’t hate you at all…”
Tsugumi glared Hikari one more time. Even if her hair was pulled, she never lost a grip
upon her embrace on Keita’s body…
“Is that so? Then, I’d say I really hate you… no… I loathe you! You damned crazy
woman…!”
Hikari then replied her with a smile and whisper once more…
“I’ve been raised being hated by everyone around me, Keiichi was the only one who’ve
stand in front and saved me, I need no one but him… so in the end you’ll just be added to
those who hated me that I basically didn’t care about anymore…”
Hikari then pointed the knife at Tsugumi’s throat. Tsugumi was gazing from afar and saw
Keiichi and Akane inside the old building…

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“Keiichi, Akane… please live… live and turn this woman at the police… I’ll be seeing
Keita soon, so… I’ll be leaving this to you guys… please… don’t die…”
“Once again, Goodbye Imamura Tsugumi-san.”
Hikari then proceeds and cut off a large wound on Tsugumi’s throat. Her tight grip on
Keita’s body was suddenly broke as their bodies are facing each other after falling into
the ground. Tsugumi was able to see Keita’s face on her last moment…
“Keita… I’ll be there… so… wait… for… me…”

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 CHAPTER FIVE
MOURNS

The pain on Keiichi’s left hand, after it being crushed, he couldn’t even lift a finger nor
even feel those up. That pain on the hand will be sooth later on, but the pain on his heart
will take time to recover as another friend of him, Tsugumi, just died with him can’t do
anything about it. All he can do is watch as his precious friend’s throat got cut and her
body lying down like it’s nothing. After suffering from a crushed hand and losing another
person yet again, Keiichi and Akane have no choice but to retreat at the second floor…
strangely enough Hikari was still on sight, smiling, holding her crossbow, waiting… she
didn’t even prevent Keiichi and Akane from climbing to another floor, even though
reaching the rooftop means that they can call help from the outside. She just stood there
and wait on a place where she can see all what’s happening to the whole building…
“Keiichi, why is she not trying stop us…”
“I don’t know, but for now let’s rest for a bit and see what will happen…”
“Y-yes…”
They then tried to rest and see if Hikari made a move…
“Something is weird here… she said she can break the glass anytime, but she didn’t.
Even though I’m currently lost my left hand and being both exhausted, this id probably
the perfect time to break in and kill us both… and yet… she just let us do what we
want…”
After a minute Keiichi then tried to look at the window to see if Hikari makes her move,
but unfortunately, she didn’t even move an inch and waved at Keiichi happily after
seeing his face…
“Why…?”
Keiichi then get back onto his hiding…
“She’s not doing anything… she didn’t even move an inch. What does this mean…?
Something’s definitely not weird here…”
“Keiichi-kun…”
“Maybe she has a plan…”

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“Keiichi-kun…”
“What could it be…”
“Keiichi-kun.”
“Huh? I’ve been hearing my name…”
“Keiichi-kun!”
“Heh!? W-what is it?”
“You’ve finally noticed me. Jeez…”
After being consumed by his thoughts Keiichi was unable to notice Akane calling his
name for the whole time…
“W-what is it, Doma-san?”
“Jeez, you always lose your sense of everyone around you when you’re thinking so
hard…”
“Ahhh… S-sorry…”
“Well I can forgive you for not noticing me even thought I’ve calling you name for a
bunch of time now…”
“Eh! My bad…”
“Hmm… well, as long as you’ve apologized for it then I’ll forgive you.”
“Thank you very much…”
“So… how are you…”
“Heh? Ahh… the pain on my hand is steadily soothing, I think it will heal off on time…”
“That’s not what I mean…”
Akane then gets close to Keiichi and she suddenly hugged him tight… she held his head
and puts it on her shoulder, preventing any of them from seeing each other’s face…
Keiichi’s face became so red as his heart was beating so fast…
“Huh!? What is happening? Why did she suddenly hug me?”
“D-D-D-D-Doma-san, w-what are you doing…? D-don’t worry about me I’m just-.”
Before Keiichi was able to finish what, he wants to say, Akane then whispers gently on
his ears…
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“It must be hard, right…?”
After hearing those words Keiichi became silent, his heart calmed down and his face was
back to normal. Akane gently strokes his hair, not saying a single word. Moment later,
Keiichi’s tears began to drop and suddenly, he begins to cry…
“How can’t it not…? Keita and Imamura were both... dead…”
“Yes…”
“They were my only best friends… yet… yet…”
“Yes…”
“All I can do is to sit back and watch while the both of them are killed!”
“Yes…”
“Even though Keita was always there to protect me…”
“Yes…”
“Even though Tsugumi was there to support me…”
“Yes…”
“Why…? why…? why am I so useless…?”
“That’s not true…”
“Huh!?”
“They tried to save you because the both of them cared for you so much…”
“It meaningless if they weren’t here!”
“It’s not meaningless at all!”
Akane’s tear then became to fall…
“If you said it that way, it’s like you’re saying that all their sacrifice was all meaning
less…”
She then begins to cry as well…
“Don’t call yourself useless… the useless one here is me… Tsugumi was right in front of
me when she was shot by the arrow. She’s just in front of me yet I couldn’t protect her at
all…”

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“Doma-san…?”
“I was unable to save her… and because of me, your left hand was broken… if you
weren’t there to save me, I could’ve been dead… so, don’t call yourself useless. You
saved me… there’s no way you’re useless…”
The two then begun to cry… they were unable to mourn from the death of the two
because of the threat outside, seeing Hikari standing there not moving an inch gave the
two a time to weep for Keita and Tsugumi’s death. They both cried like a child being left
by their mother and lasts for a minute until they’ve stopped crying. They both wiped up
their tears before leaving each other’s embrace…
“Thank you, Doma-san…”
Keiichi smiled to give his gratitude towards Akane. Her heart begins to flutter, and her
face became red. She immediately looked away to prevent Keiichi from seeing her in that
state…
“N-no! don’t mention it…”
“Huh!? Why did I suddenly hug him…? Ohhh… I’m so embarrassing…”
Keiichi then tries to think once more…
“Now then…”
“Y-yes! Keiichi-kun!”
“Let’s try on going up to the rooftop by the stairs…”
“Huh!? Why? wouldn’t she break in if we try to call for help?”
“If that’s what on her mind, then we wouldn’t be able to be here at all… if we think
carefully, she should break in by the moment we flee to the second floor. Being even a
floor near to the rooftop pose threat to her…”
“Now that you say it…”
“I’m not sure on what’s on her mind, but for now I’d like to experiment, so let’s proceed
on another floor and see her reaction then…”
“Yes!”
The two then stands up and walked their way through the hallway to reach the stairs and
proceed to the next floor. Keiichi was constantly glancing to Hikari to see her reaction.

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Surprisingly, all she did was to smile and wave at Keiichi. They’ve arrived at the third
floor and yet, see no reaction from Hikari…
“Still standing there, huh…? I don’t feel right about this…”
“Keiichi-kun…”
“Yes, let’s proceed to the next floor.”
They’ve continued to walk through the hall on their way to the stair. Keiichi glanced at
Hikari one more time. As usual, she waved at Keiichi with her smile. Eventually the two
were able to reach the stairs… Keiichi was holding his phone to check if there are signal
so they can call help. After a few moment, they’ve finally reached the fourth floor.
Keiichi checked his phone…
“There’s a signal!”
Akane heard this and rushed towards Keiichi…
“Really? We’re finally saved…”
“Yes!”
They were caught in the moment, and was unable to realize… while Keiichi is about to
start calling the police, when his phone suddenly receives a call…
“Huh!? What is this…? Shinomiya-san?”
“Shiori!? Why is she calling…?”
They weren’t able to realize… Keiichi answered the phone and checks on Hikari once
more. He was shocked to see Hikari smiling while holding some’s phone…
“Huh…!? Is she… the one calling…? Then… Whose phone was that…?”
Few second after Akane saw a body lying on the ground…
“What is… that?”
The hallway is dark because of the clouds blocking moonlight that time. This makes them
hard to identify whose remains was that... but suddenly the clouds cleared letting the
moonlight glaze upon the mysterious corpse. They were both shocked to see the horrible
truth about the corpse’s identity…
“N-no… Shiori…?”
“You got to be kidding me… Shinomiya-san…?”

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Akane then runs towards the corpse to confirm, Keiichi then follows her and ended the
call…
“Shiori… Shiori!!!”
When they arrived, Akane lift-up the corpse to confirm. Her tears burst out suddenly
when she saw the corpse face…
“Shiori… No way… why…? Why…?”
Akane cried so hard, mourning for her friend. Keiichi was shocked upon seeing the state
of Shiori’s body…
“How terrible…”
“Shiori, Shiori… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… it’s all my fault… everything is all my
fault… if I hadn’t leave you that time, you wouldn’t even have to suffer like these… I’m
sorry… even though I promised that I’ll protect you… I’m so sorry…”
Akane cried her lungs out. Keiichi on the other hand was thinking what was Hikari’s
purpose all along…
“She already killed Shinomiya-san!? Then that mail we received earlier was from her…
then it’ll make sense. But… why did she let us see this then…? She said that her target
was Tsugumi and Akane, so she’s not aiming for me… but to Akane. Then…”
Keiichi was so absorbed by his thoughts and didn’t notice that Akane stopped crying and
gone silent…
“The reason why she let us go through the floors so easily was… to let us see Shinomiya-
san’s body… and if her target was Akane, then…”
When he checked Akane she was about to open the window…
“Wait! Doma-san! Calm down!”
Akane was drowned by her anger and wanted to shout her anger out loud for Hikari to
hear.
“This is bad! She want’s Akane to open the window!”
Keiichi tried to stop her, but he was too late. Akane slammed the window to open and
shouts…
“YOU DAMN-.”

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An arrow from Hikari’s crossbow suddenly landed a solid hit towards Akane’s forehead,
piercing through her brain causing her death…
“DOMA-SAN!!!!”
Keiichi was outbalanced and fall down before he can even reach Akane’s dead body
who’s fall down besides Shiori’s corpse… Hikari then smiled upon seeing the fall of
Akane…
“Bullseye! Looks like I still got it. What an idiot… getting all wrapped up by her rage. Is
she really the top one of this school? Hahaha… in the end she’s just another fraud. Now
then let’s see… I’m hearing Keiichi’s cries, why would he mourn such fraud? But… I’m
looking forward on his reaction… There’s no other girl that can appreciate you more than
I do… there’s no other girl who’ll love him like I do. The whole purpose of these
massacre was for Keiichi to realize that… Now! Please accept my love…”

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 CHAPTER SIX
END OF THE LONG NIGHT AND THE CONCLUTION

Keiichi crawled his was toward Akane’s body and couldn’t stop his tears from flowing…
“Why…? Why is this happening to me…? What did I do wrong…? Keita, Imamura,
Shinomiya-san, and… Doma-san… What did I do to deserve all of this? Why did she
have to take everything from me? Why…? Why am I so useless…?”
Keiichi then recalled what Akane said to him…
if you weren’t there to save me, I could’ve been dead… so, don’t call yourself useless.
You saved me…
“You’re wrong Doma-san…! I’m not great at all, I’m just a nobody who’s all know was
to study… I couldn’t even save you when you’re just on front of me… I couldn’t even
save the person I like… Imamura was right! I’m the worst, I’m a failure. Without anyone
helping me I’m just as useless. If Keita wasn’t there for me, I would’ve been bullied
many times by now, yet I let him die. If Tsugumi weren’t there to teach me I wouldn’t
have been on the top five. After all they’ve did for me… I just let them all die…”
Keita cried for several minutes. His cries were heard outside and Hikari smiles upon
hearing this…
“That’s Keiichi… cry… soon when we’re together, you’ll no longer remember all those
frauds. If were together, I’ll make sure that you’ll never cry anymore…”
Keiichi was finished mourning after a couple of moment he wiped out his tears, gently
lay down Akane’s body and removes the pierced arrow from her head. He then closed her
eyes and lets her body lay rest. He did the exact same to Shiori’s corpse. He both leaned
the two body to the wall, as if they were both just sitting there. He grabbed both their
hands and place it together. He did all of this just to fix their bodies causing his own hand
to be filled with blood of both Akane and Shiori … he did all of this with a straight face.
“I couldn’t save the both of you, so this is the least I can do… to be honest I really don’t
care anymore… I just… wanted to stop all of this once and for all… whatever it takes…”
Hikari was gazing from afar when he saw Keiichi suddenly standing and exposing
himself through the window…
“It’s Keiichi!”

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Keiichi then writes to the window using the blood of Akane and Shiori, along with the
blood of his broken hand… He wrote the letters big enough to be read from afar where
was Hikari was standing. It takes him a while to finish his message and said…
Come here and get me Coward!
Keiichi’s face was filled with rage as he gazed upon Hikari… his message was meant to
be a challenge… but when Hikari saw Keiichi’s face she was so shocked…
“Who are you…? You’re not Keiichi… Keiichi wouldn’t make that kind of face…”
Throughout all the years of stalking Keiichi, Hikari never once seen Keiichi be angered.
Even Keita nor Tsugumi never once saw Keiichi in rage. All she even seen was Keiichi
being happy and sad… arguing with Tsugumi was counted as him joking around.
Needlessly said, Keiichi’s face filled with anger was a new thing Hikari didn’t
expected… to her Keiichi was a very bright person, who had his smile all the time, and if
not, he was just sad… Keiichi filled with anger is basically not his ideal Keiichi, or in
Hikari’s perspective, not Keiichi at all…
“I have to go up there… I have to see Keiichi’s smile once more… that man up there…
that’s not Keiichi… I have to find him…”
Hikari then runs towards the window and grabbed a hidden axe from the bush. She
smashed the window multiple times repeatedly until the glass finally broke. She then
jumps inside and runs as fast as she could towards Keiichi’s location. Meanwhile Keiichi
was walking toward the rooftop dialing a message for the police. The message contains
Hikari’s general information such as; name, height, hair color, and face description. Just
in case if Keiichi also died, the police should still be able to arrest her. He arrived at the
rooftop after a few moment and sends the message at the police hotline… he then sits
there and wait. He looked up to the sky then closed his eye, the cold breeze once again
was felt through his body. It was so quiet that it gives Keiichi a brief moment of
silence… until a person whispered to his ear…
“I found you… Keiichi!”
He continues to be calm and looked far beyond…
“After all these years I’ve finally able to talk to you once more. I’m so happy… you
know, Keiichi… I’ve been always wanting tell this to you… but I didn’t have the courage
to do so… so I tried to convey this with my actions, which brought us here today…”
Keiichi was so silent, as if he can never talk once more…

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“No response…? That’ll also be alright for me… I love you enough that I can even tell
what you need even without you saying it… I’m even used of everyone ignoring… we
could have a good life together… but…”
Hikari pulled out her knife and point it on Keiichi’s throat…
“All I need was Keiichi with a bright smile on his face, after all… I don’t need Keiichi to
have anymore than that… so I’ll kill you now… cut your throat, sew it back once more,
and make your smile permanent… we’ll be together forever… so I also wouldn’t mind if
you’re a dead body by then…”
Keiichi then replied with a smile which made Hikari so happy…
“Keiichi…! I love you!”
She was about to cut Keiichi’s throat, when he suddenly pulled out the arrow that pierced
Akane’s head and impale it to Hikari’s feet. Hikari was in pain and can’t move for the
moment. Keiichi grabbed this opportunity and runs for his life. He runs as fast as his tired
legs could go, passing through the bodies of Akane and Shiori, every empty classroom,
without even looking back. Until he finally reached the first floor. After going down the
stairs, he was about to run once more, when Hikari suddenly jumped at Keiichi pinning
him down on the ground. Hikari then strangles Keiichi’s neck with all her strength with
the intent to kill Keiichi by choking…
“As I thought! You’re jus another fake…! I’ll kill you… and bring back the Keiichi I’ve
always loved… now DIE!!!”
Keiichi’s vision was slowly being so blur. He was about to lose air when he suddenly laid
eyes upon the fountain pen, they’ve found. It was throwed out of his pocket when Hikari
jump towards him. With all his remaining strength he tried to reach the pen which slides
down a bit further…
“Die! Die! Die!”
Hikari was focused on strangling Keiichi and didn’t notice what was he was trying to
reach. Keiichi’s hand was getting closer and closer to the pen. He was slowly beginning
to feel dizzy when he finally grasped the pen, grabbed it hold, and stabbed it on Hikari’s
throat. Blood drips endlessly from Hikari’s throat as she looked at Keiichi…
“W-why…?”
Keiichi showed his face full of rage when he looked at Hikari. Tears went down from her
eyes, as her body began to lose strength and lays down on the floor with later on was

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filled with her own blood. Slowly after her eyes was slowly beginning to close, and after
a few seconds… Sakuraba Hikari, died…
Keiichi removed hid raged face and he became emotionless as he slowly walks thought
the door. His movement was a bit crocked, as if he’s drunk. All this time he was feeling
adrenaline rushed for all those moment, but the moment that it drops his body became so
tired on everything that happened that he couldn’t even walk straight. When he reached
the outside, his feet began to collapse and sat down onto the front of the door. He looked
at the dead bodies of Tsugumi and Keita. Tears began to drop from his eyes as the police
arrived after a few second. Keiichi then closed his eyes and suddenly collapse out of
fatigue…
After the incident, the first one to be notified by this was Sakuraba Hikari’s family
who’ve then tried their best to hide the incident until they’ve fully cleared the name of
Hikari out of their family. Along with the collaboration of the school. They’ve tried to lie
about the incident by covering it up with a false story of the lost students being runaways,
cause by the stress. They were able to hide the truth about the whole incident until the
graduation ceremony where are the top-notcher, Doma Akane, didn’t attend. This notifies
the Doma family to get the outside authorities to investigate and later been found that all
the four student but one were all dead such as; Kusakabe Keita, cause of death: loss of
large amount of blood through hemorrhage of the jugular vein, Shinomiya Shiori, cause
of death: multiple stabs through her body, Imamura Tsugumi, cause of death: large
hemorrhage from the throat, Doma Akane, cause of death: internal bleeding of the head
from a piercing object, and Sakuraba Hikari, the main suspect, cause of death:
hemorrhage from her neck. Sakuraba Hikari’s family failed to clear her name out of the
family and was forced to pay all the damages and the lost of lives. This causes them to
lose a lot of money as her grandfather and the principal who’ve collaborated with him
was send into prison. Their most protected name was lost in a single day, causing their
family to bankrupt completely. The North High was later been closed but reopened after
five years. As for the student’s families, they mourned for their son and daughter’s loss.
Kazehaya Keiichi given all his statement on a piece of paper where he wrote everything
that happened that night. He became unable to speak through the trauma of that day. The
annual Test of Courage of the North High was banned forever, the alumni record up to
the commemorative picture were all erased into existence… now the annual Test of
Courage at North high was later became an urban legend among the students there…

“Heeh… that’s a bit intriguing story you found, Taiichi.”

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“I know right! It’s interesting right? right, Ryou?”
“That’s so scary… yet not bad… I guess…”
“Oh! thank you Miyako…”
“Heeh, I’m surprised to see you compliment a scary story, Miya-chi.”
“W-well it’s not all that scary at least… and… it’s not true, right, Taiichi-kun?”
“Of course, it true, I even found a photo of the five victims when I go to the library at
North high, I’ll find it later so you can all see it…”
“Hmm, well Taiichi…”
“What is it Ryou?”
“As I recalled you’ve been investigating more urban legends other than this, right?”
“Oh! really!? I’d like to hear more, Taiichi-sensei! Right, Miya-chi!?”
“Heeeh… well… I think… I can still manage… maybe…”
They all looked at Taiichi with their curious eyes. He then smiled and said…
“Of courses, The Annual Test of Courage of North High, was just one of the many urban
legends I’ve been investigating… now then, from what I’ve heard from-…”

-----------------------------------------END-------------------------------------------

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“Kurisu Kairu” (雁蘇由 型留癒) was “Christian Kyle” from his original name
“Christian Kyle Apolinario” converted to Japanese the create a pen name. Take note that
the author was not that bookish in the past and this is his first time writing a novel.
Kurisu Kairu-sensei is a graduating grade 12 student, like Keiichi and the rest of the
gang, but luckily not a victim of a stalker. In fact he was not famous in school. He loves
anime that this was his sole reason to read the so called “light novels”, is a style of
Japanese novel primarily targeting high school and middle school students. This novel
some of the primary source of stories that are later being showed in the TV’s and the
internet, which is what they called “Anime”. Many of his favorite anime from the light
novels were, ReZERO: Starting a life in another world from ZERO, Sword Art Online,
My Teen Romantic Comedy, Overlord, Goblin Slayer, and The Rising of the Shield
Hero… He was also fond of some anime girls that in Japanese called “yandere”, A
character, usually a girl, who fits the archetype of being genuinely kind, loving, or gentle,
but suddenly switching to being aggressive or deranged, often homicidally so, which is
his inspiration for the antagonist Hikari…
Other than his hobby on watching, following, and analyzing anime, he is also a
gamer. He loves video games and online game, but hates FPS games. He’s quite have a
knowledge in cooking, loves drawing, other than playing games, as a past time. He also
reads light novels as past time.
“Thank you so much for reading this, and I hope that anyone who’ve read this are
not bored on my writing style or get mad on my ending… to take note this story was
based on the movie HUSH by Mike Flanagan and Kate Seigel. I’ve only taken a bits from
the story and made my own, but it’s also worth reading. If you have any complaint
suggestion or any violent reaction just message me at @Ckapolinario in facebook…
Thank you for Reading… have a nice day”
-Kurisu Kairu

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