Author's Note: WARNING!!! This chapter contains violence. So readers, especially female readers, this chapter may make you uncomfortable.
PS: ENJOY READING THIS CHAPTER.
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Youjin Kinoshita's POV
I thought I wouldn't receive more envelopes, but I got more on the next day. To my frustration, I got eight envelopes. Still, I refused to read that trash, but for some reason… I kept them.
"Gah!"
A sudden chill sent down my spine that I felt someone was watching me. I turned my head side by side to scan every corner. To my relief, nothing at all, not even behind the shoe locker.
Later at noon, the bell rang as a signal for lunch. Of course, I didn't eat. I even didn't bring my own bento since I was forbidden to eat.
Some of my classmates left the classroom to go to cafeteria, but others stayed behind to unpack their bentos. As for me, I stayed here to do some business, instead of eating.
I put my headset on my ears and read the manga on my phone. However, I don't play any audio from my phone, but to pretend I'm listening to the music. I'm gonna observe some classmates here in the classroom, especially girls, who may mention my name in their conversations, as long as I must stay calm.
"Hey, did Kinoshita-kun read our letters?"
I knew it! I shifted my eyes, just enough to catch three girls chatting over their lunches.
But wait, did they write some of those letters?
"Shh! Keep your voice down! He's still here. He might hear us, you know!"
I already heard you!
"Come on! He's gotten his headset in. So he can't hear us."
"Still, we should to be careful."
"But what about our letters? Do you think he already read them?"
Not in a million years!
"Dunno."
"I heard some girls from first and third years also left their letters in his shoe locker."
"Yeah, but I hope he read ours too."
Still no for me!
"All of us regret what we did. But because we found out his crimes were false, our feelings came back."
"Even he's still mad at us, I still have feelings for Kinoshita-kun."
"Me too."
"But if he picks someone else, even from first or third year, I'll support him."
Are you kidding me?
"Yeah, I don't mind either."
No! There's no way I will accept all of their confessions. For all I know, those letters could be threats disguised as confessions.
"Tch!" I scoffed quietly without looking their way.
I suddenly heard the jolt noise. It seemed they heard my scoff.
"Did he… really hear us?"
Damn it! I shouldn't have made a sound.
"Maybe not. He's reading something. Look."
Their eyes turned toward me. Even I kept calm, the chills returned.
"But that's strange."
Huh?
"What is it?"
"He never eats lunch since he came back."
Oh, boy!
"Now I think about it, didn't Shinohara-sensei lift his ban?"
"Maybe he still thinks he's banned."
That's right! Ever since I returned from suspension about three months ago, the principal Shinohara-sensei added an extra punishment for me: A complete ban on eating at school. Posters with her name and signature were plastered on the cafeteria doors and vending machines.
YOUJIN KINOSHITA — ADDITIONAL PUNISHMENT FOR ASSAULTING NAOMI SUSAMI, THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT: YOU ARE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM EATING IN THE CAFETERIA, BUYING FROM VENDING MACHINES, BRINGING YOUR OWN FOOD AND LEAVING SCHOOL DURING LUNCH AND RECESS. —SHINOHARA-SENSEI
Seriously, I was really upset for adding another punishment. She starved me, ever since my life turned into hell.
And since I returned to this school for the second semester, I've been surviving by grabbing food outside school after classes. Whether the ban I received from the principal has been lifted or not, I still follow it. The hunger no longer bothers me, not like I used too.
"Girls, maybe we should give our leftovers to Kinoshita-kun. He must be hungry."
I flinched.
No! I won't take food from them. It's theirs, not mine.
I stood up and left before they could call out to me.
Since the day I returned to school, the posters in the cafeteria doors and vending machine might have been removed, but unless I hear it directly from Shinohara sensei, it doesn't matter. Even if it's confirmed, I won't eat in this school. Ever!
"Excuse me, Kinoshita-kun!"
I stopped just past the cafeteria door. I heard someone calling me. It wasn't a student's voice, but an adult woman's.
It was Aiba-san who is working at the cafeteria, specifically she's the lunch lady here in this school.
"Yes?" I asked politely.
"You haven't eaten here since your return, right?"
"Yeah, so?" I raised my eyebrow.
"The poster's gone. That means your ban is lifted."
"So?"
"You can eat here again, of course." Aiba-san said with a smile.
Sighing, I shook my head.
"Sorry, but no, thanks!"
I was about to go to the rooftop when the lunch lady suddenly grabbed my hand.
"Wait, Kinoshita-kun. Shinohara-sensei already told me you're no longer banned here. She also told me you could choose any lunch and snacks you want for free, so no need to pay."
Like hell I believe that.
"No, Aiba-san! I do not believe it until the principal tells me in person."
I couldn't help, but notice some students in the hallway and inside the cafeteria started staring at us. It's getting awkward.
"T-Then should I call Shinohara-sensei?" She asked.
"No, don't call her." I replied. "Don't disturb her."
"Kinoshita-kun…"
"Besides…" I continued. "Even if it's true, I still won't eat here. The posters said so! Permanent means permanent, Aiba-san."
The lunch lady looked stunned.
"No, you can't be serious, Kinoshita-kun. I can't just let you starve. So please, come in–"
She was about to drag me, but I swatted her hand lightly.
"I said no, Aiba-san!" I glared at her. "Didn't you hear me?"
Gasps echoed from nearby students.
"Sorry, but the food here is nothing, but poison to me, Aiba-san."
Then she began to pale, feeling offended.
"Goodbye and don't call me again, Aiba-san." I walked away and continued to go to the rooftop.
That afternoon, I noticed my stomach keeping to growl, but not loud enough to hear. I could handle it.
"Are you alright, Kinoshita-kun?"
Kakazu-sensei, the female math teacher, asked me.
"I'm fine, Sensei."
"No, it seems you don't look well."
"I'm okay, really. Please continue."
The teacher nodded.
GROOOOOOWL…
Damn it! The growl from my stomach was loud.
Pftt…
What the…? Hearing someone snickering, I swiftly turned my head and glared. A male classmate had his hand over his mouth, making me believe it was him.
"Was that you, Kinoshita-kun?"
I was about to confront him, but Kakazu-sensei interrupted.
"I'm sorry, Sensei. But, yes."
"You haven't eaten, have you?"
Excuse me?
"What are you talking about, sensei? I'm banned from eating, remember?"
Not only the students were aware of my punishment, but also every teacher knew that.
"But didn't Shinohara-sensei lift the ban for you?"
Even Kakazu-sensei was confused, it made me frustrated.
"She never told me, sensei! Like I told the lunch lady a while ago, I don't believe that until Shinohara-sensei will tell me in person."
She sighed.
"Why not go eat now, Kinoshita-kun? I don't mind."
I'm so pissed off right now.
"Sensei, we're in class now!" I snapped, causing her to flinch. "I told you I don't eat here no matter how hungry I am."
She frowned.
"B-But–"
"Just continue the lesson, will you?"
It was getting more awkward, even the whispers spread across the classroom.
She gave up and continued the class.
Thankfully, I didn't feel sick or faint after the class. I rushed to the nearest convenience store to buy some snacks.
Everyone in school can keep their fake kindness. But I don't trust any food from this school, especially in the cafeteria. Who knows if they will drug me? Poison me? Kill me? I'm sure they want me out of the picture before I carry out my plan to destroy this school's reputation. Nobody can underestimate my cleverness.
The next day, I found four more envelopes in my shoe locker. As usual, I didn't open them. Confession or threat, it doesn't matter.
Later, at recess, I decided to go to the rooftop to take leisure.
Ding Dong
The PA System was suddenly on. I wonder what announcement would be.
"Youjin Kinoshita-kun, please come to the principal's office immediately!"
'What?!' My eyes widened in surprise.
"I repeat: Youjin Kinoshita-kun, please come to the principal's office immediately! Thank you!"
Ugh! What in the world did Shinohara-sensei want? Aiba-san and Kakazu-sensei must have ratted me out.
I had no choice.
Then I knocked the principal's office door and heard the muffle 'come in' inside the office.
"Excuse me." I entered.
The principal was sitting on her office chair, but her face looked sad. But why?
"Good morning, Shinohara-sensei. Why did you call me?"
She sighed.
"Good morning, Kinoshita-kun. I heard about your situation from Aiba-san and Kakazu-sensei."
I knew it! Having no words to come from my mouth, she continued.
"The ban was lifted the day you returned. I should've told you in person."
So it's true.
"It's fine, Sensei. Thank you for telling me."
Note the sarcasm.
"As Aiba-san said, everything in the cafeteria is free for you."
"Hhmmm… I see."
But that didn't make me satisfied at all.
"You may go now, Kinoshita-kun. And enjoy your meal."
I nodded and sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Sensei."
Just as I reached the door, I stopped and turned to her.
"Oh, right! One more thing, Shinohara-sensei."
She raised her eyebrow.
"Yes?"
My voice dropped to a serious tone.
"I'll continue that punishment for you, Sensei!"
The principal looked confused.
"What?"
"I mean, I won't eat here in this school anymore."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Wha– But I told you–"
"You said on those posters that I'm permanently not allowed to eat here." I interrupted her. "It doesn't matter if you removed them or changed your mind."
I noticed that Shinohara-sensei was shaking. And her face looked pale.
"B-But I… I made a mistake, Kinoshita-kun! I shouldn't have added that punishment. But I can't watch you starve. I mean, what if you get tired or faint during class."
Ugh! I feel more frustrated.
"Permanent is permanent, Sensei! Your posters said so!" I glared at her.
"Kinoshita-kun…"
"I'll take that risk. That's why I'm used to it now. Hunger doesn't bother me, anyway."
"Don't say that, Kinoshita-kun! I'm really worried about you!"
I felt disgusted at her sympathy.
"Let the punishment continue…" I narrowed my angry eyes at her. "Or else… you know what will happen!"
If I had the power, I would let my intimidating aura devour her, crush her mentally.
But the principal said nothing.
"I'll take your silence as continue the punishment, then." I said calmly. "Goodbye, Shinohara-sensei."
I walked to the door and opened it to find the crowd of the students in the hallway.
But it seemed they'd been eavesdropping the conversation from myself and Shinohara-sensei. Oh, well. I don't care.
"Move!" I growled. "Out of my way!"
Everyone startled and ran away to clear the hallway.
'Time to relax!' I thought as I walked to the rooftop.
After the class, as usual, I went to the convenience store to eat some snacks. Good thing, nothing unusual on me for being starved.
The next morning, I felt strangely relieved when I opened my shoe locker. Nothing inside, but my school shoes. No envelopes at all. That made me smile a little as I changed my shoes.
"Did you see him? He's happy when there aren't love letters in his locker."
What the…? I heard a girl's voice behind me.
I turned around and saw a group of girls staring at me. It was them. The same girls who once tormented me for their idol Susami-san before.
"Tch!" I scoffed and walked away.
But their talks continued in the distance.
"I don't think he read our letters."
"Yeah, I waited on the rooftop after class yesterday. But he never came."
I still heard them, even their voices faded behind me. But I didn't care. Not even a glance back.
Later, during lunch, I was about to go to the rooftop when I passed an empty classroom and heard something.
Screams. Slaps. Even familiar voices I had heard.
Curiosity got the better of me. I crept toward the door and slowly push it open.
But what I saw made me freeze.
Inside an empty classroom, a group of female students surrounded the four others: Nonaka-san, Susami-san and my step sisters Hana-san and Sakura-san.
I carefully looked at them and noticed that those four girls had bruises on their bodies, especially their arms and legs. Wait, were they being attacked?
"Because of you four, Kinoshita-kun hates everyone at this school, especially us!"
"Yeah, he never even read our letters!"
The two of those students assaulted Nonaka-san and Susami-san.
"We believed in you. But you lied to us!"
"That's right! He's planning to destroy this school's reputation."
Another two of them hit my twin step sisters.
"Please! Stop hurting us." Nonaka-san pleaded.
"We didn't mean for things to go this far!" Susami-san cried.
"Oh, come on! You're the worst student council president we've ever had!" One of the students said angrily.
"We idolized you! We were honestly jealous when Kinoshita-kun was always with you, Susami-san."
"Because of your lie we believed, someone ordered us, all of us, to attack him for you!"
Wait, what? Did that mean what Susami-san said before was true?
No, there's no way she didn't order her fans to attack me. Clearly, it was all for her sake!
"We served justice for the wrong person like you, Susami-san! And we regret it!" Another female student yelled furiously at her.
Okay, I guess those four girls finally got they deserved. But it didn't mean I was satisfied enough. I want to see not only those four girls, but also everyone in school, who believed the false accusation, to be suffered with my wrath.
I decided to stop them before getting much worse for those four traitors.
"Hey!" I yelled as I slammed the door open.
"Eek!" Everyone inside the classroom startled in surprise.
"What the hell do you think are you girls doing?!" I glared at those students who bullied Nonaka-san, Susami-san and my twin sisters.
Then those four traitors looked stunned to see me.
"Youjin?"
"Kouhai?"
"Onii-chan?"
"Nii-nii?"
But I gave them the cold look.
"Uh… Kinoshita-kun." One of the students replied nervously. "We just teach these liars a lesson."
"Yeah, we thought it might make you feel better." Another replied.
I shook my head in disapproval.
"Did I ask you guys to attack them for me?" I asked them in a sad tone.
Their eyes widened with guilt
"Then why don't you apologize to them for your actions?" I said immediately before they replied.
But they looked confused.
"I mean, you believed them and you turned on me, right?" I continued. "Or let me say, friends are supposed to support and trust each other, even when they make mistakes."
The only thing I want is those students continue to support Nonaka-san, Susami-san and my twin sisters, despite of knowing the truth behind the incidents with me. All students in school, including those four, are the same, after all.
"Well, that's…"
"Apologize to those b*tches and be friends with them again, now!" I shouted. "Or else…"
I narrowed my eyes. My voice dropped into something darker, fearing them that I would execute my ultimate revenge by reporting this school to the Board of Education right away.
Quickly, those students turned and bowed their heads to the four girls.
"I'm sorry, Nonaka-san!"
"I'm so sorry, Susami-san!"
"We're sorry, Kinoshita-san!"
Those four girls were speechless, being unsure if they would forgive those students who tormented them.
"Good." I folded my arms.
Then I saw Nonaka-san begin to cry. But soft, quiet sobs. Susami-san followed and then my sisters.
Even I gave them mercy now, I still never forgave them.
The rest of the students were ashamed for their actions. But their expressions, including those four, made me roll my eyes in disgust.
"If you guys are done, get the hell out of here!" I said in a slight anger tone.
Everyone nodded silently at me and began to leave the classroom.
"Oh, and except you four." I added, pointed at Nonaka-san, Susami-san and my step sisters.
Those said girls froze in place.
The classroom was silent with just the five of us left.
"Um… Onii-chan…" Sakura-san spoke nervously.
"What?" I responded coldly.
"We just wanted to thank you for saving us, nii-nii." Hana-san said sadly.
"We didn't expect you to come to save us, Youjin." Nonaka-san added.
"Youjin-kouhai, thank–"
"Don't get the wrong idea!" I snapped, cutting Susami-san off.
Those girls were startled by my anger.
"I didn't come here to save you." I continued. "But I came here to make sure all of you… every single one of you, even the rest of the students… would turn against me again!
Their face turned pale as they remember what they had done to me before. What they accused me of.
"But we didn't–"
"I don't want to hear any more filthy excuses, Nonaka-san!" I interrupted my former girlfriend.
No meaningless excuses could win against the truth from the solid evidence I had. They turned my world upside down. Whether they regretted it or not, it didn't matter.
"Oh, and also…"
Slap
I slapped Nonaka-san across the face.
The girls, especially my former girlfriend, were shocked for what I did to her.
"Kouhai, you can't just hit Yurika-kouhai like–"
Punch
I drove my fist into Susami-san's stomach.
"Naomi!" My sisters ran to her.
She collapsed to her knees, clutching herself in pain.
"Onii-chan!" Sakura-san shouted. "What have you done?"
"Why would hurt them, nii-nii?" Hana-san asked, horrified.
But their questions pissed me off.
"Why… WHY?!" I roared at my step sisters furiously.
They trembled.
"Isn't that obvious? That slap was for cheating on me." I hissed, then glaring at Nonaka-san.
"And that punch was also for sending her fans to attack me for her." I growled at my sisters, also glaring at Susami-san.
"Now you know what it's like to be assaulted, just like you made the false accusation before, Susami-san!"
I didn't care if my drone was recording. This was justice!
I turned to my step sisters.
"And Hana-san… Sakura-san." I called my step sisters. "Come here."
They approached cautiously.
"W-What is it, onii-chan?"
Instead of answering Sakura-san's question, I clenched my fist and…
Punch
I punched Sakura-san on the face that made her stagger back. And the blood dripped from her nose.
"Sakura!"
Then Hana-san looked at me with fear on her eyes.
"Nii-nii, why–"
Punch
Like I did to her twin sister earlier, I punched Hana-san on the face, causing her to fall to her knees. And her nose was bleeding.
"An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth." I gritted my teeth at my step sisters with rage. "A BLOOD FOR A BLOOD, B*TCHES!"
"…"
Those girls were speechless.
"I haven't forgotten what you did, you two!" I spat. "You punched me so hard for choosing to believe Susami-san's false accusation. You made my nose bleed back then. Now you know how it feels."
The girls held their faces, crying, but still bleeding. Even they couldn't believe I went this far, but I felt no guilt.
"Justice is served!" I muttered under my breath.
'Not quite!' I added silently.
"You girls better go to infirmary." I said. "I don't care if you report me to the principal. NOW… GET LOST!"
They scrambled to their feet and left.
Sighing in relief, I checked my right fist which I used for punches and slap to those four false accusers earlier.
"Sorry, Hayashi-san." I whispered, closing my eyes. "I couldn't help it."
I remembered that the landlady gave me advice about those girls: Ignore them.
But I hope this is the last time I ever see them.
Later in the afternoon, I switched my school shoes into regular ones. Thankfully, there wasn't any envelope inside my locker.
"Excuse me, Kinoshita-kouhai!"
I was about to leave when someone called out.
'Damn it!' I groaned internally.
Then I turned and saw a male upperclassman. Of course, he called me 'kouhai'.
"What do you want?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes.
"Kinoshita-kouhai, I want you to have this." He replied, holding out a small envelope.
What the…? Another envelope?!
"Who gave you that? Tell me, senpai." I crossed my arms before accepting the envelope.
"…"
It seemed he hesitated.
"Come on! Tell me who!" I said out loud to him.
He flinched at my angry voice.
"I'm sorry, Kinoshita-kouhai, but I can't tell. She told me not to say."
I rolled my eyes and snatched the envelope from his hand.
"Tell me who this, or else… I will tear it apart right now!" I glared at him, preparing tear the envelope.
Then the upperclassman turned pale, shaking in fear.
"P-p-please wait here. I'll bring her."
I sighed. "Fine. But come back here in two minutes."
He nodded quickly and rushed off.
The envelope was decorated with heart-shaped prints, just like others. But again, I wasn't going to read it.
"We're here, kouhai."
'Finally, who–' I thought in relief.
But when I turned to see who sent me the envelope, I froze.
Standing in front of me was none other than the new Student Council President, Kurin Onimatsu-san, the one who replaced Naomi Susami after my revenge.
"Y-You?!" I blurted, pointing at her.
"H-Hi, Kinoshita-kouhai." She said nervously.
I clenched my teeth. But I hadn't forgotten what she did to me last month: She falsely accused me of molesting her on the train. Then I was nearly arrested, and the evidence I had saved me.
And now she wanted to confess? Did she forget about the incident?
"Kinoshita-kouhai, I want you to read my letter. I have feelings for you."
Just then, the gasps rippled through the small crowd that had started to gather.
"The president likes Kinoshita-kun?"
"She gave him a letter?"
"No way!"
"But what about my letter?"
"Same question for me."
"Didn't Kinoshita-kun read ours?"
"I think he didn't."
"That's what I thought, probably because of what we did to him."
"No wonder he didn't show up after school for me."
"Me too. I tried to tell him my feelings."
Their whispers buzzed in my head
"Shut up!" I snapped at them, silencing the noise.
Turning to Onimatsu-san, I crossed my arms.
"Before I will read your letter, tell me your feelings with your own mouth. Right here, right now!"
She trembled. But I really had no intention to read her letter.
"Everyone is watching! I can't tell you, Kinoshita-kouhai."
I scoffed.
"Say it, or I will rip this thing into pieces."
She tried to open her mouth, as if she was paralyzed that my intimidation feared her.
Then the same senpai placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Just say it, Kurin-san."
Huh. It seems that senpai is her friend since he called her by her first name.
"Fine." Onimatsu-san sighed and finally calm down.
Does she really have true feelings me for me? If so, I will humiliate her in front of everyone here in this school as payback. I still never forget of what she had done to me.
"Kinoshita-kouhai..." She started.
Suddenly, she grabbed my hand.
"Thank you for saving me that day." She said. "I tried to treat you to something, but you left so suddenly."
Wait a minute, she was pretending that the false accusation never happened?
Hearing those words, everyone murmured to each other again.
"He saved her?"
"What happened?"
But I ignored them.
"Because you saved me, I have feelings for you." She let go of my hands. "I like you, Kinoshita-kouhai. Wait, no! I love you, Youjin-kun. Please go out with me!"
Ugh! I was right. She pretended the false accusation never happened. But her confession made me disgusted.
'Time to humiliate her!' I thought with an evil smirk on my face.
Instead of reading her letter, shredded it, along with the envelope into tiny pieces and flung them at her feet.
"Kinoshita-kouhai, why did you–"
"Like hell I will go out with you, b*tch!" I shouted furiously.
The crowd froze.
"So you're pretending that false accusation never happened, huh?" I gritted my teeth.
The confused murmurs filled the air.
"False accusation?"
"What is he talking about?"
"Did Onimatsu-san falsely accuse him?"
"But she said he saved her, right?"
Well, it seemed everyone was curious of what I was talking about.
"You guys want the truth?" I asked the crowd.
Those students exchanged looks, but some nodded at me.
"Please don't say it!" Onimatsu-san muttered. "Please don't say it, Kinoshita-kouhai!"
I ignored her.
"Have you guys heard the news about the incident on the train a month ago that the boy tried to save the girl from the girl, but she falsely accused him?"
That's right! That news was posted on the internet and even on television on the night after that incident, although the faces of me, Onimatsu-san and the real culprit were blurred on the news video.
"Then she and the true molester dragged the innocent boy to the police station." I continued. "But the boy was almost arrested and showed the evidence video to the police. Of course, the police finally believed him and arrested the real molester!"
Everyone, except Onimatsu-san, was stunned about the story I told.
"I think I heard that news."
"Me too."
"But we didn't recognize that girl, molester and that guy since their faces were blurred."
"Wait a minute…"
The students around us finally realized.
"Kinoshita-kun…"
"Don't tell me–"
"That's right, ladies and gentlemen! That girl who was molested was Onimatsu-san and the innocent guy who tried to save her was me!" I declared, pointing at her with my right index finger and pointing at myself with my left thumb.
Everyone gasped in disbelief.
"No way!"
"I can't believe it!"
"Kinoshita-kun got falsely accused again?"
"By Onimatsu-senpai?"
"The Student Council President?"
"She's like Susami-senpai!"
Turning to Onimatsu-san, I noticed she dropped her knees, and her hands gripping her head, as if she was trying to defend herself.
"That's enough, guys!" I told those students. "Your Student Council President is already shaking."
But the murmurs continued to spread around us. It sounded like they were going to against her, just like those four girls who betrayed me before.
"No, no, no, no! You've got it all wrong, Kinoshita-kouhai!" She cried.
Just as I had expected, although she pissed me off.
"Excuse me?!" I glared at her.
"I didn't mean to falsely accuse you!" Onimatsu-san sniffled. "I mean, your face was covered on that day that you looked suspicious. That's why I thought it was you who touched me."
Wait, what? Oh, I forgot to realize that I usually covered my face, but partially, when I got out outside my apartment.
"Everyone, please believe me!" She continued. "I really didn't know it was him. I swear!"
The students whispered each other, thinking about her defense. I even heard one of them saying 'she got a point.'
"Kinoshita-kun, is that true?" One of the students asked.
Oh, well. I guess I will admit about my little mistake.
"Yes, Onimatsu-san is right!" I replied.
Looking at the president, she looked at me back.
"Kinoshita-kouhai…"
"I wore a hoodie and face mask that day. She really didn't recognize me when I steped in.."
A wave of relief washed over her face.
"Thank you for telling them the truth, Kinoshita-kouhai."
However, my facial expression turned to anger one at her.
"But it still doesn't change the fact that I was falsely accused for the fourth time in my life, Onimatsu-san! Just like Nonaka-san, Susami-san, and my sisters Hana-san and Sakura-san."
I turned to the crowd.
"And now, your new Student Council President, Kurin Onimatsu-san, joins the list of my false accusers!"
Looking back at her, I glared.
"That's why I will never go out with you, President Onimatsu-san!"
The crowd with the students fell silent. There were even no teachers around us. But they would eventually notice what was going on here.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm leaving. Goodbye!"
I was about to leave when a bunch of female students called me that made me irritated.
"Kinoshita-kun, what about our letters?"
"Did you read them?"
"Please let us confess."
"We have feelings for you."
"Yeah, we're not gonna hurt you. We promise!"
"Please, just hear us out, Kinoshita-kun!"
Clenching my fists with anger as the girls surrounded me, I reached my limit.
"YAKAMASHI!" I roared at them in rage. "I will never read all of your letters! If you had feelings for me, I would reject you. You heard me?! I… will… never go out with any of you, b*tches! So stop sending me more letters, got it?! You all ruined my life by siding with those girls who betrayed me!"
My angry eyes intimidated those girls that made them back away in fear.
"I almost forgot. I will burn all of your trashy letters tonight. Goodbye!"
And with that, I walk away, ignoring their cries.
Their efforts are wasted for me, but I don't regret it. They don't deserve me at all.
That evening, the landlady Hayashi-san and I were eating dinner. I couldn't stop thinking about what happened at school earlier. But it felt like my mind went black, as if I didn't notice I was barely eating.
"Earth to Youjin!" Hayashi-san called me out, making me snap back to reality.
"Oh, sorry, Hayashi-san." I apologized, continuing to eat my dinner. "I just spaced out."
"What's with you, boy? Is something happened at school?" She asked.
Every time I returned here in my apartment, sometimes the landlady asked me how the school was. Usually, my answer to her was 'it was fine', but I couldn't tell her the entire truth, because I didn't want her to worry about me.
I even couldn't tell her that I never ate anything during recess and lunch. Not to mention I never asked her to make bento for me since it was my habit to buy lunch before I was falsely accused by my former friend Susami-san.
"Yeah, sort of." I replied.
"What happened?"
I took a deep breath.
"It was like this…"
I told Hayashi-san the letters, about Onimatsu-san's confession, and how I humiliate her in front of everyone. But I couldn't tell her that I attacked those girls who betrayed me.
"Huh." She nodded. "But wasn't that a bit harsh?"
"Sorry, Hayashi-san." I shook my head. "But I really don't regret it. I just had pay back to her and the rest of the girls who sent me those letters."
"But still, Youjin…" She sighed in disappointment.
"I know, Hayashi-san. I know what I did. They hurt me first."
"By the way, where are the letters you hide?"
I smiled.
"Still here, Hayashi-san."
After dinner, I pulled out the box from my closet and opened it for the landlady.
"Right here." I told her.
"Well, that's a lot, Youjin." She muttered. "Now I know you still have them, but what are you going to do with these letters?"
I have to answer honestly, just like I told those girls earlier.
"I'm going to burn them, Hayashi-san."
Hayashi-san's eyes widened in surprise.
"What? Burn them?"
"That's right!"
"B-But isn't that going too far? Shouldn't you be grateful for receiving letters? They put their feelings into them, Youjin!"
Wow. I had never seen the landlady being freaked out like that, as if she felt bad for those girls who wrote those letters.
"Hayashi-san, please! Why should I be grateful? Those girls might make these trashes, but they hurt me first." I said calmly. "It's my decision to burn them. Besides, I don't feel bad at all."
Hayashi-san sighed.
"Youjin…"
"I'm not keeping these regrets." I added. "I must pay back by burning these pieces of trash to make me feel better. So please, let me, Hayashi-san."
The landlady looked pained, but finally nodded.
"Fine, Youjin. I won't stop you."
She made me smile warmly.
"Thank you, Hayashi-san."
Outside, I took the box to the usual fire spot. One by one, I burned the letters. My smirk returned with each flame, imagining the devastated looks on the girls' faces.
"Are you done, Youjin?" Hayashi-san called from the balcony.
"Yes." I replied.
Then she came down and stood beside me.
"Feel better?"
I nodded.
"More than ever, Hayashi-san."
After seconds of silence, I asked her to do something unexpected to her.
"Can you hug me, Hayahi-san?"
She blinked."Huh?"
"Can you hug me?" I repeated.
She smiled at me.
"Yeah, sure."
Then she wrapped her arms around me.
"I hope you won't regret any of this, Youjin."
"Of course, I won't." I whispered. "My stress is gone, Hayashi-san."
It felt like a hug of a mother. But being hugged by the landlady made me imagine that my biological mother hugged me.
It actually did once with my step mother, I mean, the old hag, years ago. And for the first time in few years, I got hugged by a woman. Hayashi-san was different. Someone I could actually trust.
After the hug, we parted and returned to our rooms for the night.
The next day, the school was different. No one dared approached me.
But I'm sure the students comforted Onimatsu-san, despite of knowing she falsely accused me.
When I opened my shoe locker, I smiled.
'Great! No trashes.' I thought happily.
I'm glad I don't receive letters anymore. And with that, my peaceful high school life began again. Just the way I wanted it… until then…
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Author's Note: There you have it! The next chapter is the last chapter in Volume 2.
After Volume 2, I will publish the side story with multiple POVs. SO STAY TUNED!