It was almost time.
She said to meet her near the washroom—
…wait.
What the hell am I thinking?
Of course she didn't mean inside the washroom.
Idiot.
I glanced around the empty corridor.
"…There," I muttered.
She was already there.
"Oh, hey, Haruto," the girl said softly.
"You're right on time."
Her bangs hid her eyes.
Her cheeks flushed red.
"H-h-ha… Haruto…"
She clenched her fists.
"I… I think I like you."
—Haruto's POV—
My jaw dropped.
"Huh…?"
My face burned.
Then—
Laughter exploded.
"Hahahahahaha—!"
My heart froze.
More voices joined.
"He really believed it!"
"Wow, that was fast."
"So easy."
I turned—
Six girls stepped out.
And last—
Aria.
She clapped slowly, smiling.
"Aww… how sweet, little brother."
My brain screamed.
Why—
How—
When did—
It hit me all at once.
This wasn't a confession.
It was bait.
4 PM.
Everyone had already left.
She planned this.
"Girls," Aria said lazily,
"Let out all that frustration on this little son of a bitch."
My blood boiled.
"ARIA!" I shouted.
"If you want to curse me, do it—
BUT DON'T DRAG MY MOM INTO THIS!"
Her smile vanished.
"Oh?" she said coldly.
"You're shouting now?"
The next moments blurred.
Pain came from everywhere.
I couldn't even tell who hit me first.
Laughter echoed.
"Pathetic."
"Look at him."
"Is this the guy?"
Aria crouched in front of me.
"You know why I hate you?" she whispered.
"You were trying to steal my dad."
Her eyes twisted.
"And that's exactly what your mother did."
"STOP!" I yelled.
"Don't talk about her!"
She stood.
"Bring it."
Something heavy scraped the floor.
Fear finally sank in.
"Aria—what are you doing?"
She only laughed.
"How does it feel?"
"Loser."
"You should disappear."
My vision shook.
"Why…" I whispered, choking.
"What did I ever do to you?"
No answer.
Only mockery.
"Let's go," Aria said at last.
"We'll play again tomorrow, Haruto."
They left.
I stayed.
Broken.
Breathing hurt.
My body refused to move.
Then—
The girl from earlier returned.
She knelt, smiling sweetly.
I saw it too late.
My dorm key.
"Hey—give that back!"
I forced myself up.
Pain screamed.
She stopped at the door.
Unbuttoned part of her shirt.
Smiled.
"Catch me."
She ran.
Then—
A scream.
"HELP! HE TRIED TO RAPE ME—!"
My blood turned cold.
She dropped the key near the corner and laughed.
so easy
I collapsed, dizzy.
"…I can't pass out."
I dragged myself up.
Cleaned myself as best I could.
And left.
But—
Behind the wall—
Hana covered her mouth, shaking.
Kenji watched silently.
His smirk couldn't be ignored
Something darker had taken its place.