Chapter 37 – Serves Him Right!
Two betrayals! Absolute betrayal!
We stopped being friends.
She remained close to Tatsuki.
I hated her, and I hated him even more!
So, I did something.
I revealed her identity as Eriri Spencer, the famous doujin artist.
And I spread rumors that Eriri was promiscuous.
From that point on, everyone at school looked at her differently.
She was bullied by the entire school!
She trembled! She was terrified!
And I felt the thrill of revenge!
I thought Eriri would come crawling back to me.
But…
Damn Tatsuki! Damn Tatsuki!
Once again, he stood in front of her like a shield!
Why? Why is it always him?!!!
Beep! Beep! Beep beep beep!!!
The urgent sound of a horn.
Bang!!!
The loud crash of impact.
What's… happening to me?
I… I'm flying?
I… feel so much pain!
"AHHH!!!"
The scream of a woman.
"Call an ambulance!"
"There's so much blood! Help him!"
The chaotic shouts of bystanders.
…
At the corner of the street, there was a commotion.
"What's happening over there?" Eriri asked timidly.
"It looks like there was a car accident," Tatsuki said, rubbing his chin. "It's the person who was riding the bicycle earlier."
"Huh?"
Eriri's mouth fell open in surprise. Then she muttered, "Serves him right for riding so recklessly."
She moved closer to Tatsuki, gripping his sleeve as if seeking protection.
Tatsuki noticed her unease about the scene and decided to shield her.
He wrapped his right arm around her, using his left hand to cover her eyes.
Suddenly plunged into darkness, Eriri flinched.
Tatsuki's gentle voice reassured her: "Just follow me. Don't look."
"Okay."
Eriri's soft reply carried a hint of reliance. Though her vision was obscured, she felt an overwhelming sense of safety.
As they passed the chaotic corner, Tatsuki stole a glance.
"Huh? It's him?"
He was surprised—it was Aki Tomoya.
Now it made sense why the cyclist from earlier seemed so familiar.
"Him? You recognize him?" Eriri, still blindfolded by his hand, asked anxiously.
Tatsuki didn't hold back: "It's Aki Tomoya."
Eriri froze. Her body stiffened, and a slight tremble ran through her.
The name felt like the utterance of a demon.
Aki Tomoya.
The one who caused her to be bullied by the entire school.
The one who made it impossible for her to lift her head in public.
The one who drove her to the brink of suicide.
He was a demon incarnate.
Her grip on Tatsuki tightened, and she clung to him as if her life depended on it.
The memories of middle school bullying flooded back to her.
Tatsuki gently patted her head, comforting her.
"It's all over now. It's in the past. Let's go."
"…Okay."
Eriri nodded softly, clinging to him like a frightened little bunny. She couldn't bring herself to let go.
On the road, a pair of bloodshot eyes stared hatefully at Tatsuki and Eriri's retreating figures.
…
The next day.
News spread throughout the school: Aki Tomoya succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized from a traffic accident.
When his name was mentioned, most people recalled him as the "crazy otaku."
Few felt sorrow over his death.
There were no cheers or celebrations, either—just indifference.
Tatsuki, however, allowed himself a brief thought, 'Hmm, serves him right.'
Indeed, Eriri's choices during their childhood hurt Aki Tomoya.
But what Aki Tomoya did in middle school was unforgivable.
His actions nearly drove Eriri to suicide through relentless bullying.
The trauma he inflicted could never be erased.
…
Mid-Morning Break
Supernatural Research Club
The room was calm.
Yukino sat by the window, engrossed in a book under the warm sunlight.
Beside her, Yui casually chatted, occasionally trying to draw Yukino into conversation.
Meanwhile, Megumi Kato sat in a corner, quietly engrossed in her phone, unnoticed by the other two.
"Hey, Yukinon, what exactly does our club even do?" Yui asked curiously.
The overly familiar nickname caused Yukino to frown slightly.
She had corrected Yui countless times, but her efforts had been in vain.
Yukino sighed and relented, "Our activities involve investigating supernatural and paranormal events submitted as requests."
Yui's curiosity deepened. "So, have you and Tatsuki worked on any cases yet?"
Megumi, too, glanced over, intrigued by the question.
Yukino paused, briefly glancing at Tatsuki, who sat nearby with his eyes closed as if meditating.
She decided to answer honestly. "Not even once."
"Huh…"
Yui and Megumi exchanged skeptical looks, their eyes landing on Tatsuki. 'Can this club even function like this?'
Tatsuki, however, paid them no mind—his attention was on the chat group.
Nami had just woken up.
Nami: "@Tatsuki, you jerk! You're too much!"
Tatsuki immediately understood.
Tatsuki: "Didn't you provoke me first?"
Nami: "But I begged you to stop later, didn't I? Why didn't you let me off?!"
Tatsuki: "You think I'd just stop because you said so? That'd make me look weak."
Tatsuki: "Honestly, Nami, not lasting even 30 minutes? That's so lame."
Nami: "Y-you were way too overboard!"
March 7th: "Huh?! Are you two fighting?"