Chapter 25: The Art of Revenge

The tension in the air was thick. Gen sat there, his lunch forgotten, as Ichika's glare pierced him like a blade. Her presence alone was like an electrical storm, sparking off memories he had buried deep. But now, she was back—her voice a sharp reminder of the past that still clung to him like a shadow.

Ichika slammed her hands down on his desk, startling him out of his thoughts. "Listen here, Nanami. I know you're not normal. You couldn't have just magically lost all that blubber and—" She paused for dramatic effect, her eyes narrowing. "—and get hotter like that."

Gen froze, his hand instinctively gripping the edge of the desk. He could feel his heartbeat quicken, his palms sweating. He opened his mouth, trying to act casual, but his words barely escaped. "Uhh... I don't know what you're talking about."

"Stop playing with me!" Ichika barked, slamming her hands onto the desk again. This time, she grabbed his hand, pulling him out of his chair with surprising strength. "Follow me. Now."

Gen was about to protest but found himself being led down the hall, unable to break free from her grip. What does she want?

She didn't speak, not even once. They walked in silence, the tension hanging between them like a thick fog. The school hallway grew quieter the farther they walked until they reached the back of the school, an alley dimly lit by the setting sun.

Ichika spun around, pushing Gen roughly against the cold brick wall. Gen's breath hitched. He hadn't expected this.

Without warning, she stood on her tippy toes, leaning in to kiss him. His heart skipped a beat, and before he knew it, his lips were meeting hers.

The moment was brief, too brief, and Gen immediately shoved her back, eyes wide with shock and confusion.

"What... why did you do that?" he stammered, still catching his breath.

Ichika smiled mischievously, a gleam in her eyes. "I know you like Keiko. That's why I'm going to ruin your life." Her voice dropped into a whisper, as if savoring the words.

Gen's confusion turned to anger. "What is with you? What did I ever do to you?"

She turned her back on him, practically skipping away, humming to herself. Her words echoed in Gen's mind.

"You ruined my life."

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Gen muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as he took a step forward. "What are you talking about?"

Ichika stopped in her tracks, spinning back to face him. Her expression was cold, bitter. "Do you remember junior high? Maybe?"

"I had an art fair project," Ichika continued, voice dripping with sarcasm. "I spent day and night working on it, making sure I'd take first place. I was determined. But then you showed up. And you stole my idea."

"I didn't steal anything," Gen shot back, his voice thick with disbelief.

Ichika's eyes flared. "You made it even better! You created a model that was better than mine, and the professor loved it! He promised he'd take me under his wing if I won, but you... you ruined it all. You stole my future!"

Gen's face twisted in frustration. He had no idea that something so trivial—an art fair—had meant so much to her. But the anger in her eyes made it clear she wasn't lying.

"That's it?" he scoffed. "An art fair project? Who cares?"

Ichika's lips curled into a cruel smile. "No, you don't get it. You had no idea what was at stake. I had a deal with a professor. If I won, I'd get a scholarship, a chance to prove myself. But because of you, I lost it all. I had to start over—I had nothing left."

Gen stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. His mind raced, a mixture of guilt and anger filling him up. But before he could say anything, Ichika interrupted him.

"You ruined my life, Gen," she spat, venom lacing her words. "And now, I'm going to ruin yours."

Gen's fist clenched. "Screw you, Ichika. You've been nothing but a pain in my ass for years."

"Good," she replied, voice dripping with malice. "I'm glad you finally understand." She gave him one last look before turning on her heel. "You think you're free now, but I'm just getting started."

Gen didn't have time to respond. He was already seething, his rage bubbling up to the surface. Memories of his high school years—of being taunted, pushed around, ignored—flooded his mind. The years of feeling small and weak, of trying so hard to fit in and still getting nothing.

This is her fault. All of it.

He moved toward her, every step fueled by the anger that had been building for years.

"What are you doing?" Ichika cried, her voice high with fear. "Stay back, you psycho!"

Gen reached out, grabbing her shirt collar, his veins bulging as his eyes turned a furious red. His rage was overwhelming, consuming. Memories flashed before his eyes—the insults, the loneliness, the frustration. The times she made his life a living hell.

You ruined me too, Ichika.

Just as Gen was about to lose himself completely, a voice broke through the haze of his fury.

"Gen!"

Gen froze, his heart leaping in his chest. He turned to see Keiko standing in the doorway, looking both concerned and confused.

"What's going on here?" she asked, her voice calm but insistent.

Gen let go of Ichika's collar, his breathing ragged. "We're not done, not by a long shot."

Ichika quickly turned away, trying to hide the rage burning in her chest. "Whatever," she muttered under her breath. "You're not worth my time anyway."

"Don't walk away from me," Gen called after her, but she didn't respond.

Keiko raised an eyebrow. "What's going on here? Why were you two… arguing?"

Gen rubbed his face, trying to calm his racing heart. "It's nothing. Just… some old stuff. I'm fine."

Keiko didn't seem convinced, but she let it go. "Well, come on. Taehyung's waiting for us."

Gen nodded, still shaking with the adrenaline of the moment. As they walked back toward the school, he couldn't shake the feeling that things between him and Ichika were far from over.

And somewhere deep down, he knew the storm was just beginning.