We were currently in the student council room. "So about your works being a member of the student council-" "I won't do anything." I cut short the braided girl who was about to explain those troublesome rules about the student council works and all and push some work onto me. She had a bundle of papers in her hands. It was a real pain in the ass. I don't want to do any work. That was the reason why I joined the student council in the first place. Upon hearing my response the braided girl narrowed her eyes on me but didn't say anything. She wordlessly placed the papers on the table. I was sitting on the sofa or maybe sleeping would be more accurate here. The glasses boy who had been watching me with bloodshot eyes finally snapped. "Hey, who do you think you are? As much as I hope you to just disappear right this moment, you are a member of the student council. That means you have to conduct yourself in a manner befitting a student council member and do

"Is that...true?" A voice rang in my head like a drop of water falling into a clear, silent pond. She asked that question to me in a gentle yet worried tone. Maybe she hadn't put that much thought into it. Maybe she just vocalized what she had in mind without much deliberation. But what she said resonated in me. It calmed me. That question of hers was what I had wanted someone, anyone to say to me. It wasn't my friends that I trusted, it wasn't my teachers nor was it my parents that asked that question to me. It was her. That is why she is special to me. Yes, just because of that single question. I slowly opened my eyes. My eyelids felt heavy. I blinked a few times and adjusted my eyes to the dark. I could make out the dark ceiling clearly now. Pushing my body up with my right hand, I was now seated upright on my bed with my legs folded underneath. "Fufu." I covered my face with my palm. "It was a dream, huh?" What a nice

The Past:I remember my mother's face filled with tears, pain, and regret. She was being beaten by my father. I was scared of the spectacle I was witnessing. I wanted to run away from the scene as fast as possible. But my feet won't move. Neither was I able to close my eyes. It was as if God wanted me to see it with my own eyes. From the beginning till the end. And who was I, a mere mortal, to be able to resist HIS decree?Time and often, again and again, I bore witness to that spectacle.After my evil father was satisfied with the beating, he would leave the house. My mom would still be spread on the ground. Her clothes torn, her body swollen, blood oozing from places I couldn't see, and tears smeared her lovely features.Only when that evil fiend's presence vanished, I could move freely. Slowly, I would walk towards my mom and with my small hands tug at her tattered clothes.She would, with much effort, move her head to look at m

The next day, Ito Yua was absent. Yamamoto was looking at the vacant seat with listless eyes. What may he be thinking? I wondered as I settled in my seat.I was pretty sure what the reason behind her absence was. Has Ito already talked to 'her'? Has that person in the hospital already told Ito about all that? I was curious. And because of that, I couldn't focus in the class at all. Though I made sure to do the most important task.After school ended, I stayed in the class till late. When I was sure everyone had gone home or to their club activities, I approached the locker of a certain someone and put a small piece of paper inside.*****Five days later, I was still laying the groundwork. I made sure to go to school early without being noticed and put a piece of paper on different lockers.It was still early. There wouldn't be anyone here at this time. I would go to the classroom and read some novels on my phone till others starte

Past week, I had been observing Kaizaki and his friend circle. It seemed like what I wanted was happening quite well. Now, it was time for one last piece. I put the paper in his locker and went to the class. No one was here yet. And today I didn't feel like taking out my phone and reading novels. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the silence that prevailed for thirty short minutes.And, holy smokes! Ito Yua had come to school today!There was clearly something different about her. Everyone was looking her way, each carrying different emotions behind their gazes. Her childhood friend, Yamamoto, was looking at her, worriedly. Nakamura Yui, although the intensity was less than Yamamoto's, she seemed to be equally worried. There hung a tense atmosphere in the classroom.They were all wondering. How? Why? Where has the usual Ito Yau gone? Why has her bewitching aura been replaced by a dense fog of gloominess? They were all curious.Ito Yua, although had return