The desperate, the hate.

“Stop spouting nonsense!” Miyono shouted, her voice trembling with frustration.

“Yono...?”

“If I didn’t stop him, he would have—he would’ve—”

“Yono-chan, please... calm down!”

“He would’ve stolen you from me!”

...

Chapter 5: The desperate, the hate.

"...What are you talking about?"

"I'm telling the truth! That bastard kept staring at you in a weird way."

"So, you're saying he stalks me?"

"..."

"I never thought you'd act like this, Miyono."

"Yomi—"

As Miyono reached for Yomi's arm—

"Don't touch me!"

Yomi shoved Miyono away. Stumbling, Miyono fell to the ground. The two started walking away, leaving her there.

"Are you okay?"

"...I guess so."

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"I-It’s fine... It’s not your fault, Muraku-san."

"Tell me your address. You shouldn’t go home alone like this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Good thing I was passing by."

(She’s not even looking at me anymore.)

(It’s that bastard’s fault. I’ll kill him. I swear I will.)

(How dare he take Yomi from me? Who does he think he is?)

(I should’ve stopped her. I should’ve stopped her instead of just letting her go like that!)

(Now she thinks I’m a monster—all because of him!)

(Curse him! I’ll kill him for sure next time...)

"Shouldn’t we report this to the police?"

"But... what about your friend?"

"You’re still worried about her? You really are too nice."

"It’s nothing. It’s not like she actually killed me. Maybe she was just worried about you... or maybe something was wrong with her."

"You really think so?"

"Yeah. There could be a number of reasons."

"...Even so, I feel weird about her. She’s never acted like this before."

"Maybe it’s a side of her you never noticed—how much she cares about you."

"You think that’s what it is?"

"Could be. Either way, I’m sorry for interfering in your friendship. Tell Mei-san I’m sorry too."

"Sure... I’ll tell her."

The Next Day

Yomi was chatting with a friend, unaware of Miyono’s piercing stare from across the hall.

When Yomi’s gaze finally met Miyono’s, she quickly turned her head away in an awkward, guilty motion, pretending not to see her.

(Why’s she acting like I did something wrong?)

(Why is she ignoring me?)

(All I wanted was a happy life with her...)

(Is that... too much to ask?)

"Yo! Good morning!"

Kusaki appeared out of nowhere, greeting Miyono with a grin.

"What’s with that look? Something bad happen again?"

Miyono gave him a cold stare, then quietly recounted everything that had happened the previous night.

"Wait—you actually tried to kill him? Are you out of your mind?!"

"I told you I would."

"I thought you were joking! No wonder Purple Head’s ignoring you."

"Her name is Muraku Yomi," Miyono hissed, gritting her teeth.

"Okay, okay. Muraku Yomi, got it." Kusaki said in an ingnorant tone. "Still, you could’ve handled things better, you know?"

"I don’t know what else to do anymore."

"Of course you don’t. So, what now?"

"Whatever it is, you’ll back me up... right?"

"...Depends."

TO BE CONTINUED

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