Shattered Dreams

The moment I had been waiting for had come, my insides were gnawing at me. I slowly rose from my seat — I couldn't wait any longer. I had to see it. I had to witness it.

I rushed to the rooftop, getting there before Osana. Luckily, I used the other staircase, so she didn't notice me.

Senpai was waiting patiently. Raibaru stood behind him, leaning against the wall, watching over him like a guard.

Osana stepped forward and stood in front of Senpai.

Taro:

"You told me not to be late… but this time, you're the one who's late. Isn't that a little ironic?"

Senpai smiled playfully, clearly amused.

But Osana… her face was flushed red. She was tense — very tense.

This was it. The moment her heart would crack for the first time.

And I couldn't wait to see it — on the very first day.

Osana:

"H-here… take it…"

She held out the box, but she couldn't even look him in the eye.

Her gaze was fixed on the ground, and her face had gone crimson all the way down to her neck.

Taro:

"Oh… what's this?"

Osana:

"Oh gee, I don't know… maybe a washing machine?

IT'S A BENTO, YOU IDIOT!"

She was clearly freaking out.

She started scolding my Senpai again.

And that... made something stir inside me.

It took everything I had not to grab her by the hair right there and then.

Taro:

"For me?"

Osana:

"D-don't get the wrong idea! I just… made too much this morning, okay? So I brought you the leftovers!"

Taro:

"Whoa, thanks a lot!"

Osana:

"Shut up and just eat it already!"

Senpai opened the box, sat on the bench, and began eating.

He paused after the first bite, something clearly off.

By the second bite, his expression twisted.

By the third, he clutched his stomach, his face turning pale.

Taro:

"Ugh… what did you put in this…?"

Osana:

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Taro:

"My stomach… it suddenly feels awful…"

Osana froze. Her eyes widened with confusion and panic.

Even from a distance, I could see the cold sweat forming on her face.

Osana:

"H-hey! That's no way to treat a girl's cooking!"

Senpai started gagging. He stood up abruptly. His face was pale as a ghost.

For a moment, a strange unease twisted inside me.

Had I gone too far? Had I really hurt him...?

Taro:

"I-I'm sorry… I can't finish it… I think I'm gonna be sick…"

He bolted upright and ran inside.

Osana stood there, stunned — bright red, but this time with shame and confusion.

Osana:

"What… what did I do wrong…?"

My plan had worked flawlessly.

After watching her for a while longer, I, too, went back inside — and glanced into Senpai's classroom.

He was sitting at his desk, clearly having thrown up.

His face still looked lifeless, his body weak and slumped.

But I had to do this…

When the time came, I'd make it up to him.

But of course, their bond wouldn't break over just a case of food poisoning. I needed more. I had to break them apart—even if it meant ruining Osana's reputation. If I could manage that, I could do anything. I had to.

As I walked back toward my classroom, I heard a faint jingle in my pocket—damn it! It was the key to the gardening club's shed. I had forgotten to return it. If I went back now, it would definitely raise suspicion. Only gardening club members and faculty were allowed access to those keys. I had to get rid of it… discreetly.

That's when a spark went off in my mind.

I had found the perfect place to leave the key—Osana's schoolbag.

Technically, it would be a crime. A kind of theft. And that was exactly what I needed. I would place the key in her bag, then anonymously report her to the guidance counselor. But it was risky—if I suddenly got close to her, she might suspect me of the accusation. Not to mention she had a witness. That ever-loyal lapdog who followed her around like a shadow: Raibaru.

---

But none of this was insurmountable for me. I could handle it—I could earn Osana's trust. And that girl, Raibaru... I had to get her out of the picture. I had no idea how I was going to do that yet, but I had to.

First, I needed to get rid of the keys.

I slowly stepped into the classroom and opened Osana's bag. No one was around. I slipped the keys deep into the bottom, hidden well enough not to be noticed at a glance. Then I left the room without a sound.

Suddenly, those messages came back to my mind—those strange texts from that… mysterious person. They had promised me "a variety of services in exchange for a few favors." I still had no idea what kind of favors they meant, but I decided to finally check out the app.

Despite my hesitation, I opened it. I tapped on the section labeled services—

And what I saw there... was deeply disturbing.

Or at least it would have been, if I had the capacity to feel disturbed.

Students' personal information. Their darkest secrets. Their most shameful moments.

A wide array of drugs, cigarettes, lockpicks, weapons...

If I sent in a student's photo, they could tell me who they were.

If I gave them a name, they could dig up everything.

But of course, nothing came free.

Some services required money.

Others… required committing certain "crimes."

Planting listening devices in key areas of the school.

Taking photos up girls' skirts.

Stealing phones from students and handing them over...

And much more.

Whoever this person was—they were extremely dangerous.

But their services... might actually be useful.

For now, it was best to shut the phone.

I exited the app.

---

Just for now, all I had to do was report the missing key—without drawing any suspicion.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and made my way down to the ground floor.

Quietly, I approached the guidance counselor's office and knocked on the door.

A calm voice answered.

"Come in."

---

Ayano:

"Hello, Ms. Kunahito. I hope I'm not bothering you."

Genka Kunahito:

"Oh, not at all. I'm here to help you students. What can I do for you, Ms. Aishi?"

I had to act natural.

Polite.

I couldn't come across as someone accusing another student.

No—I had to look like someone simply concerned about school safety.

Ayano:

"I normally wouldn't say anything without knowing the full story, but… Ms. Kunahito, I noticed something strange. I saw a key in Osana's schoolbag. It looked like one of the gardening club's shed keys… but as far as I know, she's not a member of that club."

Genka Kunahito:

"I see… are you suggesting Osana may have stolen the key?"

Ayano:

"No! I mean… I'm not sure. I'm not accusing anyone. I just thought it was best to let you know, so you can look into it."

Ms. Kunahito was known for her calm optimism and unwavering belief in school harmony.

But sometimes… she was a little too devoted to her job.

Too focused on doing everything perfectly.

And that kind of obsession… could lead people to the wrong conclusions.

Exactly what I needed.

Genka Kunahito:

"That's very mature of you. Thank you, Ayano. I'll look into it."

Ayano:

"Um… just, please don't tell her I said anything. If I'm wrong, I wouldn't want her to be upset with me."

Genka Kunahito:

"Don't worry—I value discretion. The bell's about to ring, you should head back to class."

I stood, nodded politely, and offered a respectful smile before stepping out of the room.

I think I'd done it.

I think… I'd succeeded.

---

The final class of the day had ended.

At exactly 3:30 p.m., all students began preparing for the school's mandatory cleaning period.

Osana and Raibaru were just about to leave the classroom to join the others—when it happened.

Exactly as I hoped.

Ms. Kunahito appeared at the doorway.

She made brief eye contact with Raibaru, silently requesting privacy, and then asked Osana to come with her—bag and all.

Osana looked confused.

Her face flushed with red, and not from embarrassment—

from unease.

---

Genka Kunahito:

"I received a report that the gardening club shed key has gone missing.

I asked the club leader, Uekiya, and she confirmed it."

Osana:

"I see… but what does that have to do with me, Ms. Kunahito?"

Genka Kunahito:

"We believe the key may have been stolen.

As part of my responsibility, I need to check with the students.

May I take a look in your bag?"

Osana:

"Of course… but… have I done something to make you suspect me?"

Genka Kunahito:

"I can't share more details right now, Osana.

Please open your bag and hand it to me."

Osana hesitated, then slowly opened her bag and handed it over.

Ms. Kunahito reached inside—

A metallic jingle.

The key.

Genka Kunahito:

"I was hoping I'd be wrong.

I'm disappointed.

How do you explain this, young lady?"

Osana froze.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, her breath caught in her throat.

Osana:

"W-what?! No—this is impossible! I-I didn't do this!

Someone put it in my bag!

I'm being set up!"

Genka Kunahito:

"The key was in your possession.

That alone is enough evidence for now.

I don't have a reason to believe otherwise.

Still… I'll let you off with a warning—this time.

But understand this, Osana: you're now under suspicion."

Osana:

"But Ms. Kunahito, please—

I swear I didn't do it!

Someone must be framing me!"

Genka Kunahito:

"Enough. Return to cleaning duty.

This conversation is over."

Osana turned away silently, clutching her bag with trembling fingers.

Her eyes were glassy with tears—tears of anger, confusion, and betrayal.

Raibaru was waiting just outside the office.

The two girls locked eyes for a moment.

Osana said nothing.

And walked away.

My plan was unfolding… perfectly.

---

By 4:30 p.m., students who didn't belong to any clubs began leaving the school.

The remaining ones scattered to their club activities, filling classrooms and practice rooms with idle chatter and distant footsteps.

But something else began to spread even faster.

Rumors.

Word of Osana's visit to the guidance counselor—and the missing key found in her bag—had started circling like wildfire.

Whispers filled the corridors.

Gardening club members were especially vocal, their voices sharp with outrage and betrayal.

To think that Osana, of all people, would endanger their trust—it was unthinkable.

And me?

I simply waited.

In silence.

In shadow.

I didn't move until I saw him—

Senpai.

He stepped out of the school gates alone.

No Osana by his side.

And that…

That was my partial victory.

I had created the first fracture.

Shattered a piece of her image in his eyes.

Her connection to him—

weakened. Distorted.

When something breaks…

it rarely fits the same again.

I began to follow him.

Silently.

Carefully.

Not a sound—only footsteps echoing in rhythm with his own.

My eyes never left him.

All the way…

To his house.

Without even realizing it, he had gifted me the most precious piece of information—

his address.

And fate?

Fate rewarded me.

Our homes… were only three minutes apart.

Three minutes.

Barely a breath away.

What was three minutes...

compared to an eternity I planned to spend by his side?

I snapped a photo from the shadows, quietly capturing his silhouette before he disappeared behind his front door.

And then, I turned away.

Walked home.

Not a single beat of my heart out of place—

Just one thought, echoing in the silence:

This wasn't coincidence.

This was destiny.

---

[End of Chapter 4]