Shadows of Love

There were only a few minutes left before the bell rang again.

I was still under the influence of those messages.

I didn't know who this person was, or if they were even telling the truth.

But if there was one thing I was sure of—it was that they were right.

I had only one week, and that truth alone was somehow… triggering.

I didn't know what to do yet.

Maybe socializing with students and gathering information would be a good place to start.

But something even better happened.

As I turned around and headed back inside, I saw her—Osana Najimi.

She wasn't alone. A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes stood beside her. She looked childish, innocent.

Her short but fluffy hair was tied in twin tails, giving her the appearance of an elementary schooler.

I leaned against the door frame… and listened quietly.

I had to know my rival—word for word.

---

Osana:

"I don't know what's wrong with me, Raibaru... We've known each other since we were kids, we've always walked to school together... But lately, things feel different. I've always had feelings for him, but now they're stronger! Every time I try to talk to him, I get nervous, like he'll figure it out. But part of me… wants him to know."

So… childhood friends.

I had finally learned the depth of their bond.

It was going to be harder than I thought.

She wasn't just another girl—she was a threat from the past.

Raibaru:

"Oh, Osana… I get you. But don't you think being so rude to him is only pushing him away?"

Osana:

"I can't help it… I even made him a bento, with my own hands! But I don't know how to give it to him! I asked him to meet me on the rooftop during lunch… and now there's no turning back!"

Raibaru:

"Be natural, take a deep breath. Just hand him the bento gently."

Osana:

"What if he doesn't like it? I just… I just want to make him happy."

Raibaru:

"He'll love it! You made it while thinking of him—that's the real magic."

---

Bingo.

Three new facts:

Raibaru—the blonde girl—is Osana's confidant.

Osana's emotional bond with Senpai runs deep.

And today, during lunch, they're meeting on the rooftop for a bento lunch.

Images started forming in my mind.

I couldn't go after her directly—Senpai would be devastated.

I would pick up the pieces, of course… but for now, that had to be the last resort.

There were dozens of ways to bring Osana down.

But one stood out above the rest:

Leaving a mark without being noticed.

A bit of eavesdropping...

A touch of sabotage...

Perhaps a fading hope, buried in the shadows of love.

And I…

was that shadow.

---

With time running out, I weighed my options.

I had enough information to begin.

I just needed to create a few harmless misunderstandings to break their bond.

And the bento… would be my first step.

All I had to do was ruin its taste.

But I had to do it without getting caught.

And honestly... I didn't even know how.

A conversation between faculty members nearby caught my ear:

---

Teacher 1:

"Students keep talking about a mouse on campus. We should fumigate the classrooms."

Teacher 2:

"The Gardening Club had some rodenticide in their shed. We could use that for now."

---

That random conversation... clicked something inside me.

Rodenticide.

At first, I hesitated. I didn't want to harm Senpai.

But our school took student safety seriously.

The poisons they used were often harmless to humans—non-lethal.

Senpai... only needed to feel a little sick.

He had to associate eating Osana's food with something unpleasant.

And the only way to make that happen… was a tiny drop of rodenticide.

---

There were less than five minutes until the bell.

The Gardening Club shed was in sight.

A small, green-roofed building… and it was locked.

The key was kept by Uekiya Engeika—the club leader.

That sweet flower girl, beloved by everyone.

But sweetness often meant distraction.

And distraction meant opportunity.

The area around the club was quiet.

Members were still inside, tending to their pots.

Uekiya stood outside by the fountain, adjusting her gloves, checking gardening tools.

I scanned the scene.

Her bag was resting against the wall—its side pocket open.

The key… right there.

That was when my mind sharpened.

The plan was set.

Time was short.

I approached calmly.

No matter how quiet I was, she could still notice.

But I had to exploit her weakness.

I picked up a small stone—smooth, round.

I threw it toward the bushes on the far side of the garden.

Rustle.

A soft "zzzt" echoed from the leaves.

Uekiya flinched.

She turned her head, took a few steps.

"Is someone there?" she called out.

Just what I need.

My feet barely touched the soil.

I moved to her bag.

Reached inside the pocket.

The key was cold—recently placed.

Clink.

Now it was in my palm.

I slipped away.

Uekiya was still checking the bushes, moving cautiously.

I left her behind and headed toward the shed.

My heart was racing, but my face was blank.

To any outsider, I was just another quiet girl on her way somewhere.

I inserted the key.

Click.

The door creaked open. It was cool and dim inside.

Shelves of pots, bags of fertilizer, shears… and at the very bottom drawer—a small medicine box.

A faded label read:

"Rodenticide – Wear gloves when handling."

I put on gloves.

Poured a small amount onto a piece of wrapping foil.

Not too much.

I wasn't going to kill Senpai.

Just enough to upset his stomach.

Just enough to make him question Osana's cooking.

If all went well, I'd witness his first vomit during lunch.

I didn't have time to return the key properly—the bell had already rung.

But it didn't matter now.

Today, I had crossed a line.

And I had stepped onto a path with no return.

Senpai was worth it.

---

I walked swiftly back to my classroom. My heart was pounding as I took the stairs two at a time. I slid the door open gently—thankfully, the teacher had just arrived. I bowed slightly in apology, took my seat, and opened my notebook.

The teacher began writing on the board. As usual, the students started copying the notes. I pretended to do the same, but my mind was elsewhere. A strange mixture of anxiety and anticipation stirred within me. For the first time, I had a purpose. A goal. A plan. Something I hadn't felt in years: a reason to live.

Time passed. My fingers moved, copying down the words, but I couldn't even make out what was written. My eyes were fixed on the clock. Lunch break... the moment everything would begin. The meal he'd taste, handed to him by Osana—but shaped by me.

Finally, the bell rang. The class erupted with motion. Everyone stood up. Osana rose too—with that same girl by her side. Raibaru. Her confidante. Before they headed to the rooftop, I needed to distract them. I had to poison the bento. But how?

Osana:

Alright… come on, Osana, this is it!

Just as she reached for the bento box, I appeared before them—almost by reflex.

Ayano:

Oh! Hi… I'm sorry to barge in like this, but… could I ask you something?

They both looked at me for a moment. Raibaru's gaze was cautious and skeptical. I had to play my role perfectly. Even the slightest suspicion could ruin everything.

Ayano:

I have a terrible headache. I was wondering... could you go to the infirmary and get me some painkillers?

Osana:

Ah… I'd love to help, but… I have something really important right now. I'm sorry.

Ayano:

I understand… it's just that… the skeleton model in the infirmary freaks me out a bit. Please, it'll only take a second.

They exchanged a glance. Osana hesitated, then nodded.

Osana:

Alright. Raibaru, if Senpai shows up, tell him I'm waiting, okay?

Perfect. She wouldn't even be guarding the lunch. How naive...

Once they walked away, I quickly approached her desk. The bento, wrapped in a soft blue cloth, looked like a gift. But not worthy of Senpai. He deserved perfection. I gently unwrapped the cloth, lifted the lid, and carefully added the poison. Not too much—just enough to make him queasy. I closed the lid, rewrapped it, and placed it exactly as it was.

Then I returned to my desk and held my temples, as if in pain.

Within minutes, Osana came back, holding a small box of painkillers.

Osana:

Here. But the nurse said next time you should come yourself. She's trying to cut down on unnecessary medication use.

Ayano:

I understand. Sorry again, and… thank you. I owe you.

Osana:

It's no problem. Feel better!

She smiled kindly. Then picked up the bento and hurried out of the classroom. Her steps on the stairs were firm with determination. I remained seated. Silent. Still.

Now all I had to do was wait.

And watch.

---

[End of Chapter 3]