Chapter 42

"I don't think we should do it. Sara has suffered enough" I said to Haruto.

We skipped our English class to talk in the abandoned building. Not that I didn't like English, I do but Haruto said the news couldn't wait. He was even excited to tell me.

The person we hired to spy on Sara found out where she goes to so late at night.

Strip clubs.

And she's a worker. He even got her on video. It angered me to know I've been with a girl whose nudity was seen by hordes of men. Maybe it has even gone beyond that. Fuck.

Now, Haruto wants us to expose her but I don't.

"Why?" he asked, staring at me suspiciously.

"Didn't you just break up with her? Don't tell me you still have feelings for her"

"I don't" I quickly defended. "But you were there on the night of that party. You heard what she said. She's been suffering emotionally for years now. I don't want to add to that. Don't you think it's enough?"

"As a matter of fact, I think it's too little" he replied. "Come on Aito. The girl cried and spoke a few words and now you're being too soft. Have you forgotten what she did to Aera? Your girlfriend? Have you forgotten how she suffered? How she cried every single day? There was never a moment of peace for her when that video came out. Not one moment and you know it. Sara played a big part in that and she has to go down"

The memories started to resurface. How Aera blamed me for the video. When she said she hated me. She said she wished I'd die the most horrible death. She believed I ruined her life, tarnished her image and reputation. Caused her unimaginable pain and torment. I paled as I recalled the hurtful words Sara said to her. The way Sara humiliated her in front of anyone, anywhere. My heart ached as I recalled how she died. Right in front of me while I could do nothing to stop it.

No.

The familiar rage built up within me and I welcomed it with open arms.

Sara doesn't deserve my kindness.

Haruto is right.

"Sara's measly story of unrequited love cannot be compared to Aera's pain. You and I witnessed it first hand. You know what happened to you because of it. Hell you're still on medication for it and you want Sara to be okay? She'll eventually get over you, Aito. She'll heal and fall in love with someone else. But what about Aera? She doesn't get a chance to live again. What about you? I worry every day about your mental health. What about me? Aera was my friend and I love her. I have to avenge her too"

Every word Haruto said was painfully true. I couldn't even think of defending Sara anymore. I guess the happiness Ryu brought into my life recently made me forget my true goal. My true purpose. I was glad Haruto reminded me for I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I don't avenge her.

"You're right man. I'm sorry" I said to him. "It's just hard you know. Sometimes I get tired of being angry all the time. It's exhausting. I just want things to be normal again"

I want to avenge Aera.

Also...

I just want to be with Ryu.

Haruto suddenly hugged me. It was quite shocking because he's not the type of person to get physical but I hugged him back nonetheless, patting him on the shoulder.

"I know this is hard for you Aito" he said. "Aera's death took a huge toll on you. I witnessed every single thing you did. I can't say I fully understand your pain but at least I know what you've been through. I wish you all the happiness in the world but we've gotta work together. We have to go through this to bring justice to her death. We can't let it be meaningless"

"I know" I whispered. "I want this to be over quickly"

"It will" he said firmly. He pulled back, leaving his hands on my shoulders then looked into my eyes. They held determination. Strong determination. It sort of made me feel like we could actually pull through.

"I promise Aito. It'll be over soon. Let's finish Sara then move on to Dai. And then our so called friends"

I felt tears pool in my eyes when I remembered that our friends had a hand in her death. "C-Can we really do it, Haruto? We're talking about Yua, Sakura and Toshiro. We've been friends for years. Can we really ruin their lives?"

"They took Aera's. Why can't we ruin theirs?" he asked. "If it were up to me, they would all be six feet under. Did they even feel any remorse? No. Toshiro was happy she died remember? He told you that you're better off without that whore. Sakura and Yua called her a pest. They threw dead flowers on her grave and said good riddance. How can we spare black hearted people like that? Not to forget what they did to Ryu yesterday"

My eyes stung with tears as I recalled that Ryu was given a one week suspension for breaking Toshiro's nose.

"I can't forget what they did, Haruto" I said. "Never"

That motherfucker Toshiro even got away scot free. Everyone had testified against Ryu and when I tried to support him, he threatened to never speak to me again.

I couldn't afford to lose him when I just got him so I kept my mouth sealed. It still angered me that he didn't let me speak.

" So what do you say? Should we release the video?" Haruto asked.

I let out a deep breath. "Yes. Sara should get a taste of her own fucking medicine"

He grinned. "My man" And we did our signature handshake then bumped shoulders. "Now tell me what's up with you and Ryu. You were fiercely supporting him in the principal's office yesterday. I've only seen you do that for two people. Aera and me. What's going on?"

The colour drained from my face and my heartbeat quickened. Why does this guy have to be so fucking sharp?

I moved away from him and sat on a chair. What the hell would I say now?

I let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of my neck. "What makes you think there's anything going on? Can't I speak the truth anymore?"

He shook his head, making his blonde locks bounce. "Dude you know what I mean. Quit playing dumb okay. You used to hate that guy"

"Correction, I didn't hate him. I just had a strong dislike for him. He used to annoy the shit out of me"

"Then what changed?"

I started to fiddle with the sleeves of my navy blue blazer. Haruto is my best friend but he's not the kind of person I could tell the truth. He's an even bigger homophobe than I used to be. I then thought of something that wasn't a complete lie.

"I kinda saw Aera in Ryu yesterday"

His brows shot up. "Aera? In a heavily muscled male?"

"Shut up you know what I mean!" I said and he laughed but urged me to continue. "It reminded me of the time Aera went through a similar situation and I did nothing to help. I didn't want the same thing to happen to Ryu"

Not that I succeeded since he's suspended but at least I defended him.

Haruto sighed then walked up to me and ruffled my hair. "It wasn't your fault Aito. You were bound by your parents. There was nothing you could do"

"Of course there was. I could have said something. Anything. I shouldn't have listened to them"

"Dude you were sixteen"

"Not an excuse"

Haruto gave me a faint smile then pulled my cheeks. "Well there's no use thinking about that now is there? Let's just fuck up their lives"

This is one of the reasons this squirrel is my best friend. He always knows what to say to make me feel better.

I swatted his hands from my cheeks then stood up, a smile forming on my lips.

"Let's fuck up their lives"