Chapter 5:- The one who matters the most …. Is me .

It's been a week since I have been following my dad’s highly strict order to accompany this baby gorilla. Well, honestly, she doesn’t look bad when she's quiet. It's been one whole week of walking quietly to school and coming back separately, though after reaching school we just start to bicker about something really stupid. It's been a hassle but maybe it's not that bad.

One time we fought in between our classes. She drew a line on the table saying that it was her area but her area was completely more so I rubbed it and made it equal. Then of course she had to erase it because she’s so childish and I'm totally not. Well, the teacher saw us and we got kicked out.

There has been a rumour about us dating but that's just a load of crap. Honestly, it's understandable if you look from another’s perspective as she mostly spends time with me but only people near me know how it goes all the time.

There has been only one thing bugging me. After all this time I have realised that she has not made many friends. She is the most cheerful and jolly girl I have ever seen but I have never seen her hangout with anyone else.

After a bit of deep thinking, I concluded there was a barrier between her and her classmates. That barrier is none other than me. I am the most average guy in the class whose presence is almost unknown. It is a bliss having fewer people know about your presence, that's how I gather information efficiently.

“What are you thinking ?”

She asked me.

(It's something serious, stupid.)

“Care to shut up? I am in deep thought” …maybe I was naturally rude to her.

“K”

(What is wrong with her? If this was any other time she would have eaten me alive.

Maybe loneliness is hitting her finally.)

We reached school without any further conversation.

I noticed how our classmates got silent the moment we entered the class.

“You noticed it too, right ?”

“Hmm, more or less”

(Seriously, what's with her?)

“Are you on your p-per-?”

Before I completed my sentence I got smacked in the face by her. I could have just hit her back but this past week has been totally brutal. I have gone to the confinement 2 more times, making it my last for the semester. If I am caught and sent there again, I would be brutally beaten.

I sat in my seat without overreacting, thinking about how to solve this issue with her.

Suddenly an idea just clicked me. I’ll just start to distance myself from her. This will even free me of all the hassle that I have been through and prevent any future issues as well. This will even expose her to other students.

Yes, this is it.

“I am gonna make that line again today, if you cross it then I am going to pierce this compass in your hand”

She said with a neutral tone.

(By any chance… was she impersonating me?)

“Hmm”

I could tell that she didn’t like how I replied. It wasn't like we were too open with each other, we usually talked like this as well but it was just the tension between us that didn’t match our lowkey lenient mood.

The day passed and we didn’t talk at all.

“Hey? Did you guys fight?” Echirou asked me. He sure notices things pretty fast.

“Huh? No no, we are cool.” explaining any more than that will let him know about everything.

“Are you sure?” He seemed worried.

“Yeah”

Another day passed without us talking. On the third day, we didn't even go to school together. Everything was going the way I wanted yet I felt like something was missing.

When the third day ended, I saw Miette walking with another boy from our class. He approached her in the cafeteria during our lunch break. I guess they became friends. Everything went the way I wanted it to be, yet….

I just observed how each day went. It was almost August and Miette made many friends in class.

(So I WAS a hindrance in her social life. Huh, I knew everything yet it hurts a little. We were like a coin, being on opposite ends. She is a cheerful girl and I am a gloomy guy. Sun and rain, together form the worst weather ever. The sun can’t shine while it’s raining. Honestly, watching her flourish made me happy. But everything about it was a little off. Maybe I am just reading into things too much again, I'll leave it as it is.)

The first week of August started with a weird twist. Miette was sent for her second confinement. I wondered what the reason was but it wasn’t my thing to know about so I let it be. It wasn't like we were friends or anything, there are people who worry about her now so I am sure she will open up to others.

The next day again she was in confinement. 2 days in a row is highly suspicious. I was curious as to what was the cause for her confinement but I decided to wait again, she had 7 more warnings after all.

(“She was afraid of closed spaces.”)

The next day she was absent, which alone caused her to the confinement.

6 left….

After she didn't turn up for another 2 days, I tried to investigate. I, while submitting my notebook to Mr. Lee, sent him a small letter with disappearing ink.

It said, “Reason for her regular confinement. Write it asap?”

He looked at me after reading it and nodded in agreement.

The next day Miette showed up but was looking too down.

“Where have you been??” a girl asked her followed by another girl.

“Leave her alone.” a lone guy who was seen spending time with her recently, his name was Justice, said so while interrupting the girls trying to ask Miette the reason for her absence. “She just had a fever, do not disturb her or you will make it worse.”

(This guy is the central figure of the class and everyone seems to trust him.)

The girls left after being reassured by him. And Miette started talking to him.

Everything felt unusually usual.

I waited for Mr. Lee to pass me the note and it happened right before our dispersal during the cleaning duty.

“She was found entering the faculty room and then she was seen using a key which was important.”

That surprised me a little. Luckily I had a duty with Miette so I can investigate further.

We were tasked to clean the basketball court by ourselves. It was a deserted area and no one could be there yet I didn't lower my guard down.

On the basketball court, there was a highly awkward silence. Usually, I don't mind it but it was suspicious for Miette to be so quiet.

“Are you okay?” I asked her while mopping the floor.

“Huh? Why are you asking me this?”

“You got 2 continuous confinement, got sick, though I highly doubt that, and you are less talkative than ever. There's a lot of reason to worry I guess.”

I didn't get any response so I looked up and saw her staring at my face with wide eyes.

“It’s none of your business. Don't ask stupid questions” She was highly upset for some unknown reason. Either it was something I forgot or she was misinformed by someone.

I decided to cut the crap and go right to the point.

*Click*

“It was Justice who asked you to do those errands for him right ?”

“Ho-how do you e-ev-even-”

“It was him right?”

“Yes”

She didn't even try to hide the fact that he was the one to ask him for such things.

(“Bingo”)

“I investigated a little as I was genuinely worried. You are right it's none of my business but it's just that I hope you know that you only have 4 more confinements left and after that, you might get a brutal torture session.”

I told her everything.

“Y-yes, I know. And Justice is a good guy, unlike you.”

“I never said he wasn’t, there is a reason why our classmates trust him”

I never acknowledged him yet his achievements were evident and self-explaining.

“Let’s just finish the task”

After around 20 minutes we both left and near the gate stood the guy I was waiting to see. Justice.

Miette ran over to him and cheerily asked him to go with her. While going out she glanced over me, with nothing but hate in her eyes.

It was time to investigate Justice. I was 80% sure everything was caused by Justice but his appearance right now just made it 90%.

To sum it up, everything started after Justice befriended Miette. He was the one to ask for such dangerous errands which Miette did and got caught. Now why? Why would Miette agree to such a condition even if it's a friend? Are they a couple now? If that had been the case I would have known about it. Is he threatening her? But if that would have been the case it would have been shown on Miette’s face. Fear? Can he know something about Miette that Miette doesn’t want to be revealed? It might be a thing but what about those cheerful greetings they exchange? Can it be anything else?

I needed more information on this guy and I started dwelling on the matter more.

The next day, during our lunch, I tried to be seated near Justice and his group. I was far enough to not be noticed but I could hear everything they were saying.

“Miette is such a strong girl, right? She dared to go into the faculty room which I don't think anyone has ever done. She is ready to face her fears. I am so impressed Miette”

(Going to faculty was a big thing? I mean it wasn't easy but okay, I guess.)

Miette sitting next to him chuckled a little, showing her natural smile to everyone sitting there. She was cu-

(What the fuck………. NO!!!)

“It was all thanks to you Justice, making me realise that I need to face my- I mean yeah, Reo too kind of made me realise this. Hehe”

(I did?)

“He’s just using you Miette. You know he has done —------- “

I couldn’t hear anything as he said it in a whispering tone but I did hear what the girl next to him said.

“Yes, it is true. I was honestly scared to be his partner”

What? What are they even talking about?

“Well let’s eat, can't let our little Miette be sick again right?”

When Justice said that everyone around him laughed a little and resumed eating. He surely is charismatic but maybe I do have a hint of what he is doing. He surely is one of a kind.

Time to find out.

*during dispersal*

I was waiting by the door for their arrival and as soon as they arrived I hid myself.

After finding them alone I proceeded.

*click*

“Oi, You are Yuki right?”

Upon seeing me right in front of her she was startled a little but she seemed to compose herself before I could press onto the situation.

She was the one whose words I heard during lunch and she was my partner during the cleanliness duty of the boys' locker room.

“Yes? Why are you asking?”

“How can you lie about us dating? Don't you know that I already like someone else?”

“Huh?”

She seemed too confused to say anything so I pressed more. Making a wrong statement about her reputation being linked to mine where I am the lowest of the low right now will surely startle her.

“Someone told me that you were sharing this with your group during lunch break.”

“Wait wait wait, you have clearly misunderstood I wasn-”

“HUHHH ??? Then why did that guy tell me that you were saying that you don't just wanna be my partner but something more than that????”

“Cut the crap, Reo, I wasn't even saying anything like that. It was all Ju-”

(Got it.)

I changed back to my serious tone and approached her with heavy steps showing annoyance.

“Why don't we cut the crap, Yuki? Tell me what’s going on behind or everything you are cooking up about me might come true.”

On my overly rude and uncomforting demeanour, she got a step behind and started to call someone but I dashed towards her and pushed her hand making her phone fall on the ground. I then grabbed her hand and pushed her onto the wall.

“You think I am kidding? You don't know what I can do if someone tries to hinder my peaceful life”

She was on the verge of breaking down which was exactly what I wanted. Fear is honestly the best way to control anyone. Even though I have no need for it yet, it comes in handy sometimes.

(Maybe our past never leaves us, after all, it makes us what we are today.)

“J-jus-justice asked- asked-”

“Be clear and quick”

“Justice asked us to frame you as a wom-womaniser and an assaulter”

“Thought so, why are you supporting him? For his dick big or something?

“He said he will go on a- d-date with m-me”

Everything was clear now. I couldn’t have cared less what happens to Miette if she was going to get used so easily by Justice but honestly, it was so stupid that she was being manipulated and thinking that I could do such a thing.

You weren’t doing anything wrong Justice, you just chose the wrong person to mess up with.

I now understand why Justice was doing everything he did in the past few weeks. It's fine, I will bring it to an end.

I went home peacefully leaving Yuki by her house. I thought I went overboard and just left her home to make myself less guilty.

The next day was the confrontation day and I set up everything beforehand to call Justice behind the basketball court. I called YukI as well without telling her the details or the presence of Justice being there.

After dispersal, Justice came behind the basketball court.

*click*

“Why did you call me here?” he was not acting in his soft self but was showing his original side.

“You don't know the reason ?”

“Ha, not even trying to explain anything and asking if I know it already? Do you think I am a psychic or something?”

He laughed but I still glared at him.

“I don't know if your punky ass is a psychic or not but I am sure that I am not a womaniser. Why are you spreading rumours about me?”

His state wasn’t broken and he maintained his calm indicating that he already knew the topic of conversation.

“My my, why are you jumping to conclusions here? Aren't you a womaniser? Trying on the prettiest girl in the class from the first day she came?”

(Man, he is annoying me.)

“I don't even want to explain myself. You already know what kind of false rumours you are spreading.”

“Damn bro, you can seriously see through shady things. I’ll be honest with you right now okay, Miette is so fucking hot, isn’t she? Man, that body of hers is irresistible. I wanna date her and fuck he-”

“I don't wanna hear that crap. I don't care what you do with her, if she is stupid enough to fall for you then maybe she deserves it. I just want to know why you are spreading rumours about me ?”

I was clear about my goals.

“Aren't you going to ask me why I sent Miette to confinement? I mean that's a really to-”

“You were manipulating her into thinking that you are helping her but you were just engaging her into her fears. I would have noticed you at the confinement room where I was talking to her so you couldn't have known from there. The only time I talked about her fears again was during the cleaning duty and I was not so observant at that time. Maybe you were listening to us at that time. From that moment you tried getting close to her but I was always with her so you couldn't shoot your shot. Once I distanced myself from her, you tried befriending her and ruining my image in her eyes so that she would leave my company and stay with you more. You used Yuki to manipulate Miette into her thinking that every shit you uttered from that asshole mouth of yours was true.”

“My god, you get 100 points for your deduction skills but too bad Reo, there is no way to prove it all, you're not trusted in the class and nobody is going to support you at all. And the thing about Yuki? You guys acquaintances or something? Man I shouldn't have trusted that bitch at all, she's just a flat piece of garbage no one will like to pick. Just her face makes her presentable or else she's nothing.”

“You sure have a big mouth, aren't you scared somebody might be listening to our conversation?”

I just tossed a piece of doubt for him to catch and -

“Nice joke but I already set a sensor over the edge of entry, if anyone crosses it I will know about it.”

(I didn't think about it but I had some precautions. He is the president of the robotics club. Man, I wanna join too. But I don't think so I will be able to, after today.)

“You can't frame me, Reo, even if you were to have any witness he or she would never side with you. You will never know that I was the one who asked Miette to do such risky things. What a shame such a sexy lady is such a stupid person to do something like that. I’ll leave, my girlfriend messaged me to be there to meet her today. I bet you feel patheti-”

(** “It was Justice who asked you to do errands for him right ?”

“Ho-how do you e-ev-even-”

“It was him right?”

“Yes”

“I investigated a little as I was genuinely worried. You are right it's none of my business but it's just that I hope you know that you only have 4 more confinements left and after that, you might get a brutal torture session.” **)

“You know what we were talking about right?”

“Ha-how whe-”

His demeanour changed and his state finally started to rupture as I started to make him listen to my and Miette’s conversation I recorded on the basketball court. With the help of this, I can frame him easily.

“Yo-you can’t frame me with tha-”

“So you wanna hear more?”

I didn’t know why but a smile just popped on my face.

“Wh-”

(** “Someone told me that you were sharing this with your group during lunch break. Why not accept Yuki?”

“Wait wait wait, you have clearly misunderstood I wasn-”

“HUHHH ??? Then why did that guy tell me that you were saying that you don't just wanna be my partner but something more than that????”

“Cut the crap, Reo, I wasn't even saying anything like that. It was all Ju-”

“Why don't we cut the crap, Yuki? Tell me everything you know or everything you are cooking up about me will come true.”

“You think I am kidding? You don't know what I can do if someone tries to hinder my peaceful life”

“J-jus-justice asked- asked-”

“Be clear and quick”

“Justice asked us to frame you as a wom-womaniser and an assaulter”

“Thought so…. Why are you supporting her? His dick big or something?

“He said he will go on a- d-date with m-me” **)

“You need more?”

I asked him earnestly.

“Heh, heheh, HAHAHAHAHAHA. HOW FOOLISH CAN YOU BE YOU FUCKING RETARD, SHOWING ME YOUR PHONE LIKE THAT. THAT MEANS I JUST NEED TO SNATCH IT RIGHT ?”

He totally lost at this point as he came charging towards me with his hands wide open as to grab me.

Justice was a tall and muscular guy who seemed like he had practised some kind of martial arts. But …

Everything fails if you cannot compose yourself.

I tossed the phone for him to catch as soon as he came near me, making him confused. He couldn't do anything and caught it.

The moment he caught the phone, I swung my kick directly on his abdomen, a little lower on his ribs. It wasn't a powerful kick to break his ribs, just a heavy one to make him fall to the ground.

“Kha-...wha the hell-?

I bent down to pick up my phone and found that he was holding it. He grabbed my collar and tried to put me in a headlock. That could have been dangerous so I backed off.

“Heh-he, how foolish can YOU be? You were still recordi-”

“You actually think I am stupid enough to give away such important evidence without any precautions? And the thing about recording the conversation we had right now? It's still being recorded. I already hid a phone before you came here.”

His legs were shaking, not only did I bust his plan but I framed him for his own wrongdoings as well.

I was still away from revealing all of my cards but I guess this was enough.

“I will not mess with you again, Reo. Forgive me”

“I will not let you anyway… also you won’t trouble Miette.”

“What the hell? Wh-”

Before he could say anything I kicked the fuck out of his face.

“She is afraid of the dark and you made her go there again and again, you honestly deserve death by my hands. Using her for your lustful desires. She's an innocent girl who doesn't know how to judge people… maybe that's why she hung out with me. I am no better than you, even pathetic…. Leaving her like that.”

“Fu-fuck y-you”

He still seemed into his senses which was a bit reassuring as I lost my cool there.

Suddenly his pocket buzzer started going off and we saw Yuki coming towards us. I picked it off and turned off the sensor.

“Why did you- WHAT THE HELL DID YOU D-”

“Shu-shut the fu- fuck up you whore.”

It wasn’t me but Justice who uttered that trash.

“Wh-what are you sayi-saying Just-”

“You betrayed me, you filth. You think I was going to date you? Fuck you and your low-life dreams. Go die you ho-”

I bent down to grab his hair and smack his face to the ground. Yuki was already in tears at this point. I mean, of course, she would be.

“Choose the right person to follow. All of you are just stupid. He ain't wrong when he calls you a whore, you tried to lie about another guy’s dignity just to go on a date with such crap. Truly made for each other. Pathetic”

That was my honest opinion. Yuki was bursting into tears at this point and her cries grew louder and louder.

I approached her and kept my hand on her head.

“I don’t care if you cry your eyes out but it won’t look good if someone saw this right? I don't think anyone will come right now so…. Why not take out your anger while you can ?” I pointed at that piece of shit, “Go and smack some sense into him”

Her eyes glowed with the tears in it but it didn’t have that hatred in it anymore. She went and kicked him on his balls while he was lying face down.

Even I felt that pain and bent down. Why did she kick there? It almost made me laugh.

When she turned she was laughing too. She came closer to me and said thank you for opening her eyes.

“No biggie, just leave me alone now.” With this, I turned and started to move.

“I-If not M-Miette, how, bout- your si-sis-”

I didn't let him complete his sentence and ran to turn him and smack his face. I punched it so many times that my hand was covered in blood, I couldn't even realise where I was hitting.

I wanted to just kill him.

“Stop it Reo- stop”

I pushed her aside and grabbed Justice’s throat.

*clapping*

I turned to look in the direction of the claps.

I suddenly calmed down and came to a halt.

“Miette, wha-”

“I heard some cries and I came to see it. No wonder you are a monster. I actually thought you were a nice person, you know. It was just your antisocial personality which was poor. Yet I wanted to believe that you are a good person. In the end, you are just pathetic Reo. Assaulting Yuki over here and when Justice came to her rescue, beating him. How could you? Pushing a girl around, punching someone out of senses, just how low can you get Reo? You are just some punk and I am not afraid of you, you wanna molest me? Do it? DO IT? JUST LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE.”

“Miette, you are mis-”

“You don't have to say anything, Yuki. I saw everything, from him punching Justice to pushing you on the ground, this isn't a guy, but a monster.”

I couldn’t make anything out of whatever was going on.

(Hate me all you want Miette. I don't wanna associate with you anymore.)

I just picked up my bag and left.

“What's the matter? You pussy? Can’t even face your reality? Just know that I hate you and I will hate you forever. You are just a filthy murderer, you SCUM”

“Yuki, take Justice to the medic. Do not follow me and keep your mouth shut”

I directed my words towards Yuki and went home.

I am really pathetic, getting enraged by such a vague remark. But …. Whatever Miette said, she meant it by heart. She said it because she felt like it. I have always been a monster, haven't I? I just want to relax and not think of this right now.

I don't have any energy to face anyone nor do I want to.

I went inside my house and saw a note on the ground stating that everyone was out to meet grandparents.

(I surely needed this silence. I am happy it is Saturday today. I don't wanna see her face.

“Die you scum bag”)