Kota's Funeral

Haruto's reputation teetered on the brink of ruin, saved only by Mari's swift intervention. 

She made it clear to her friends and the students at school that the video was a fabrication, and most believed her. 

It was hard to imagine someone like Mari—a girl admired for her beauty and honesty—would ever date someone who could stoop so low as to cheat with his stalker's mother. 

Even Haruto's classmates rallied to his side, pointing out the inconsistencies in the video. The faces appeared messy, almost like a patchwork of poor editing. 

This realization cast doubt on Kota's accusations, and many began to suspect his claims were born of desperation. 

Whispers swirled that Kota's actions were an attempt to destroy Haruto out of spite for being Mari's boyfriend. 

After all, Kota had a history of blackmailing her exes, and his slander—both against Haruto and his own mother—only further tarnished his name.