Chapter 1: The Beginning of The End

In this world, everyone shines in their own way, like the main character of their own story. I'm no exception. My name is Takeru, a first-year student at Koyo Gakuen in Chiba Prefecture. I've always hated this city—boring, quiet, a ghost town in my eyes. "I wish I could reincarnate as a Tokyo boy in my next life!" I shouted one evening.

A few people passed by, laughing at my outburst. Embarrassed, I ran home, my face flushed.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I adjusted my glasses. "Average-looking." That's me. But I have other things going for me—I'm rich, cheerful, good at sports and studies. Yet, no matter how much I try, this place called Chiba suffocates me. Tokyo is where I belong. I hear there are endless exciting things there, a city filled with energy.

At school, everyone likes talking to me, but deep down, I know the truth. It's not genuine. They're drawn to my money, my status. That changed when Piku transferred into our class.

Piku was different. Charming, smart, athletic—the complete package. But unlike the others, he never flaunted it. We bonded quickly over our shared interests. One day, I slipped and fell into the school sewage. Piku rescued me, even carried me to the nurse's office. That's when he told me his dream.

"You know, I have a dream to move to Tokyo. That's why I try so hard in school," Piku said as we sat on the nurse's bed. "You're not gonna laugh at my dream, right?"

I looked at him. "Why would I? I've always wanted to move to Tokyo too. I hate this place."

Piku tilted his head, curious. "But… you're rich. You could just move whenever you want."

"I am rich, but all my savings are tied up. My parents control everything. It's suffocating." I looked down. "I'm tired of them deciding my life for me."

Piku smiled. "Sounds tough. But hey, let's do our best together. One day, we'll both make it to Tokyo."

And just like that, we became best friends.

Months passed. Piku's popularity soared, and he surpassed me in every way. He became the top student, while I slipped to second. On July 5th, the mid-term results were posted. The whispers began.

"Look, it's The Prince and the Beast,'" some of the students mumbled in the school hallway.

I overheard them. The words cut deep. The nickname felt like a punch to my gut. Ugly. That's what they thought of me, compared to Piku.

Piku noticed my unease. "Hey, don't let it bother you. We're still best friends, right?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah, of course."

But something inside me shifted. A seed of jealousy had been planted, and it grew every time someone praised him.

One day, a photo of us went viral on Xwitter. The caption read: "Why does the school ace hang out with that ugly guy?"

It burned into my mind. That's when I began to question everything. Was Piku really my friend, or was he just tolerating me? I couldn't stand the thought that I might be holding him back.

"Piku," I asked one day, my voice shaky, "do you think I'm dragging you down?"

Piku hesitated and gave me a serious look. "What are you talking about? You're my best friend. That's all that matters."

But his words weren't enough. My mind was spiraling into darkness.

------

A week later, I invited Piku to the school's rooftop during lunch. Inside my bag, I carried a knife, my thoughts consumed by anger, insecurity, and confusion. As we sat down, the weight of the blade felt heavier than anything I'd ever held before.

"Piku, I…" My voice faltered. My hand trembled.

"What's wrong?" Piku asked, concern flashing in his eyes.

For a brief moment, I hesitated, my sane self screaming to stop. But the darker urge took over. I lunged.

Consumed by jealousy, I took out the knife and stabbed Piku.

The blade pierced him, and Piku's eyes widened in shock. Blood stained his uniform. "I... thought we were best friends," he gasped, collapsing onto the floor.

My vision blurred as I stood, frozen. My sanity crashed down around me. "Piku, no… no! What have I done?"

Regret and horror consumed me.

I knelt beside him, shaking. "Please forgive me… I didn't mean to…"

His faint smile lingered. "Sorry, Takeru… I guess we won't make it to Tokyo… together…"

*Piku picturing him and Takeru having fun in Tokyo*

His voice faded as life slipped away from him.

The rain began to pour, heavy drops washing away the blood… alongside my tears.

---

Running through the rain, the knife still in my hand, I collapsed on the street. "Should I just end it here?" I stared at the blade, contemplating whether I deserved to live.

"Thud. Thud. Thud." Footsteps approached. A girl in a school uniform stood over me, her face obscured by the rain.

"Did you just murder your best friend?" she asked, a chilling smile on her lips.

I looked up, horrified. "W-who are you?!"

She laughed. "Come meet me at the roof tomorrow during lunch. I'll see you then." She turned and disappeared into the heavy rain, as if she's a ghost.

---

The next day, I went to school as if nothing had happened. "Piku, let's eat lunch together," I muttered, unable to accept reality. Students stared at me. "He's talking to air," they whispered.

At lunch, I went to the rooftop. The girl from last night was waiting.

"You came," she smiled.

"How did you know about yesterday?" I demanded.

She tilted her head, amused. "It's rude not to greet someone properly."

I stepped closer. "Who are you? I've never seen you at this school."

She burst into laughter. "That doesn't matter, does it?" Before I could react, she shoved me off the roof.

"See you later, Takeru." She mumbled.

---

"Ah, so this is the end for me."

As I plummeted toward the ground, everything slowed. "Maybe this is for the best," I thought. "I can finally see Piku again."

If only I had another chance...

Time rewinds.

Time reversed, and I found myself back in the classroom, before the fateful event. Confused and shaken, I saw Piku alive and well.

"We'll be late to class if you keep spacing out, Takeru!" said Piku with a cheerful smile on his face.

---

Story title: I can't stop killing my best friend Piku