Hello, Reader-Chan! I would usually upload this tomorrow, but I'm on a trip with my classmate to California. I hope you still enjoy this! (Warning: More dark themes and violent scenes ahead)

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"Ritsuko? Are you in there?” Akito knocked from outside my apartment. I snapped out of my vision and swiftly stood up, putting out the lights in my candles. The flowers dropped with one of them in my hand.

“Um, um, yes! I’m here, Akito!” I telekinetically moved the candles and flowers into my room. I pulled the robe off and waved my hand to fold it under my bed then close the door.

I unlocked my door and opened it, making sure I looked a little presentable. “Akito?” He nodded, “Yeah, hey. I was just wondering if everything's going good for you. You seemed a little distracted today.” I waved my hand gesturing not to bother about it.

“No worries, everything's fine. I’m just seeing where I fit in with the students. Today the twins invited me for dinner.” Akito looked down at his camera and nodded. “Yeah, you told me. You really seem to be good with getting to know people. Can Maiko still make you lunch?”

I winked at him, trying to be cute, “Only if she wants.” Oh, gosh I must have looked hideous trying to do that. “Got that. See you tomorrow, Ritsuko.” I repeated, “See you. Good night.” He bowed and left me alone again.

I kind of wanted him to come back and just talk with me. But what would we even talk about? There were a lot of things I kept secret from him and everyone else. What would be the use of talking if I would have to make at least 90% of it up?

I locked the door and went to bed, properly cleaning my hidden items. I put the flowers in their basket and shut them in, then I packed my robe into my box. After that, I lay in bed, drifting off to sleep.

The next days were a little better bit by bit. I hadn't really talked with Dominic or Asher, as I wanted to avoid any arguments. Michael was toning it down on his pranks and jokes. The twins and I made a good friendship now. I found out that they knew about a Despair Healer and the prophecy of that but didn’t think one would come to them.

Despair Healers were seldom born. I was only one of the very few that was one. I was probably the only one alive at the time. I wasn’t sure if Asher, Michael or Dominic believed it, but Maiko often warned me not to get too close, which only made me more curious. It's like she knew something I didn't.

About a week later, I came into the classroom laughing with Akito. He told me that the reason there was an awkward green paint stripe in the side of the apartment complex was because he was helping his father paint. He was little, so he kept messing up. He ended up painting some of the wall green. “That explains what that paint on the building was!” I giggled.

Akito blushed, “Yeah, I was sort of a silly kid when I was younger.” I sat next to him, as usual and put my bag down next to my seat. Michael pulled a strand of hair, now of which I just jerked my head around instead of yelping in pain. I winced, “What is it?”

Michael smirked, “Good morning, little kitten. I see your still irritated as the day before and the day before that and the day-” I interrupted him dryly, “Do you always have to call me that?” Michael shrugged and looked at his desk. He had his monstrosity of a compass out.

I had watched Michael build some sort of trinket out of his compass, but it seemed more like a weapon. He used the base with the lead and took it out, replacing it with something else. I noticed that when he turned the screw on the side, instead of widening to form a bigger circle, brought a sharp blade up.

Closed up, it looked like a compass without any lead to make a circle, but the fact that he built more of a weapon out if it and sat behind me was definitely unsettling. He didn't appear to be aggressive or anything, which was good. (so he wouldn't use it on me)

He was just aloof from people, though he seemed to talk with a lot of people who I thought were his friends.

He seemed a little quieter throughout our classes. Dominic was still himself, trying to outsmart me in everything. I feel like I could've debated with him for a whole school day, probably even more. But I held my tongue, as I found it to be a strong counter to his petty comebacks that really made no difference at all when I spoke.

At lunch, I kept an eye on Asher. He had been the main focus of my attention for a while then. It must have been creepy to spot me often times staring at him. He was still disabled from what I knew and he used a prosthetic leg in place of the one he lost. I sensed a deep emotional pain in him that I couldn't describe.

It made me think maybe he was angry because of his curse. Perhaps, it was the fact that he didn't know what to do with himself. He didn't have no real hobbies and lingered around. He just focused on anything related to sports.

He probably could've played a sport if he tried, but then again, I didn't know what it was like to not have a leg. Although I did keep a close eye on Asher, I didn't talk with him much. He didn't seem like he wanted to apologize or talk at all.

“What are you looking at?” He asked, irritatedly, leaning against the wall of the school building. He dragged me out of my thoughts and totally caught me off guard. “Me?” I asked innocently.

He nodded. “You keep looking at me like a weirdo. You don't happen to be a stalker, do you?” I sarcastically laughed and walked up to him. “No. I just space out a lot. I do a lot of thinking.”

“Okay, good, so you don't have a crush on me.” I almost choked on my can of juice, “Crush?!” I yelled. Asher laughed, “I’m kidding, don't take it so seriously.” I wiped some of the juice on my mouth, hoping I could wipe the color red off of my face.

I shook my hand off roughly. “Please, I’ve had enough jokes for a whole lifetime from Michael. All he ever does is tease and prank and be a jerk all the time. He tried to stick a wad of gum in my hair yesterday.” Asher looked down at his lunch bag in hand and hit it against the wall softly. “You learn to ignore him. Once you ignore him, he leaves you alone.”

My gaze looked forward at some trees, flowing with the calm breeze. “Maybe he doesn't want to be ignored.” I mused. Asher looked at me momentarily in confusion then shrugged it off. “So you wanna explain why you got so angry last week?”

“It's just that you got so angry, it made me angry. How could you say that about those girls when they’re just like you?” Asher looked down at his left leg and responded, “Just because they're like me in the sense that we’re cursed by that monstrous flower does not mean we are the same and should be friends. This is reality, not a kid’s show. Not everyone is friends with everyone.”

I nodded, agreeingly. “I have my reasons to not like them and I know you have your reasons to defend them. If you finally want to let that go and not be my enemy, then you can talk to me.” For some reason, he seemed way calmer toward me now. “I understand.”

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me.” He stalked off back inside the school. Getting to know him would be easy if we stayed like this.

“Ritsuko!!” Maiko leaped on me and embraced me. “I’m so happy I got to see you before lunch ended!” I gasped and held on to her. “Um, me too.” she questioned, “Where is my brother?

Kyoko came by with her, waving at me. “I think he’s in the classroom eating.” Maiko put her finger up, “Okay, just make sure you two stick together, huh?” She winked at me.

I couldn't help but feel that she meant to be closer to him. I was shy with being close with Akito. Yes, I liked him a lot, but I couldn't get the courage to be closer to him. “Okay, yeah.” I said, rubbing the nape of my neck.

Kyoko and Maiko ran off, laughing. “Bye bye, Ritsuko!” I waved with a smile and went back inside the school. Dominic passed by just glancing at me and nodding at me in greeting. I waved my hand once and went toward the classroom.

He didn't seem to notice that I kept peering over my shoulder to watch him. I didn't even notice that I walked right into someone either. “Ah!” I startled, my face in someone's shoulder. I blushed a little. “Oh, hey, Ritsuko.” I turned my head upward to see Akito.

I turned about 3 shades darker at the sight of him. I stepped back and my eyes widened. “A-Akito!” I exclaimed, nervously. “Excuse me, I didn't see where I was going.” He chuckled, “It’s alright. It happens.”

I relaxed a little bit. “Oh, alright.” Akito asked, “Did you finish your lunch?” I nodded. “Yes. Did you?” Akito hummed a yes. “How did you do on that math test?” I remembered my grade with no hesitation. “100%” Akito’s eyes widened “Really?”

“It wasn't difficult for me.” Akito joked, “Wow, homeschool does make kids smarter than public schoolers.” I put my finger to my lip and fidgeted a bit. “I know, it’s weird that a girl that's been homeschooled is smarter than you.”

Akito laughed, “It’s a compliment, Ritsuko. I admire that about you. I mean, it’s not everyone that understands math or history or science easily.” I looked at him, suddenly feeling sheepish for taking it so seriously. “O-oh, of course. I knew that.” I tittered.

Alexandra walked out from the classroom in sort of a hurry. She held an envelope in her hand trying to keep it hidden. “Hello, Akito. Ritsuko.” She walked toward us. Akito backed up and nodded, “Ms. Koizumi.”

I greeted her as well. “What's the matter? You seem a little stressed.” She shrugged at me. “Just a little nervous. Do you two happen to know where Dominic went?”

Oh, the envelope was probably for him. By a few days, I was able to tell that Alexandra liked Dominic but kept herself somehow distant from him. “Um, I just saw him go outside. I think he should be around. We are only in the middle of school.” Alexandra nodded and gave me a quick hug, “Thank you, Ritsuko.” She darted off to the doors to catch Dominic.

Akito folded his arms, “What was that all about?” I stepped into the classroom. “Don't know.” Akito agreed, “Yeah, whatever.” Michael rested his chin on the desk staring off at nothing. He didn't look quite like himself, suspiciously.

I still didn't like Michael for anything he was worth. My tenderheart for him since knowing he was cursed let me have at least a bit of compassion for him.

“H-hey.” I tapped his shoulder. He lifted his head a little and looked at me. “Are you okay?” I asked with a concerned voice. He raised an eyebrow as if confused and picked up his head enough to see his mouth. “Why are you asking?” He didn't sound surprised or annoyed but more curious than anything.

The look in his eyes told me that he was happy to see someone at least slightly concerned for him. He also looked as if he wanted someone to help him. But with what?

I put my hand behind my back and replied, “You look a little upset. Is everything okay?” He shook his head, “It’s nothing. I just don't feel well.”

He does look a little sick. “Um, should I go tell a teacher?” Michael shook his head again, “No, I’ll be fine in a while.”

In a while? That tipped me off a little bit. He wasn't telling the truth for once, he looked sick enough to be sent home and he definitely wanted to talk about something, but what about?

“Okay.” I said and walked to my chair. He leaned his head downward into the desk again.

Later, Alexandra walked in the classroom just as class was about to start. She seemed very morose and silent the rest of the day. I could have guessed that something didn't go as planned. Dominic came in almost with the same expression, possibly even more depressed.

Dominic sat down at his chair, deep in thought. It seemed to be a bad day for the cursed ones. I guessed I would ask Alexandra what happened after school.

Well life had a change of plans for me. I couldn't help but worry about where Michael disappeared to. He left early in our last class and didn't return.

No one had any idea where he was when I asked around, and I couldn't blame them since most classes were still going on.

I had a bad feeling about what I would find. I looked around the school, not knowing where to find Michael.

He could’ve been anywhere, and the bad feeling didn't go away. There was only one more place in the school that I thought of to find him.

I climbed the stairs as quickly as I could all the way to the roof of the school. I ran into the floor getting off the stairs. “Michael!” I gasped breathlessly. I stood up and ran closer.

At the edge, there stood Michael holding on to the rooftop fence; the only thing keeping him from falling to his death. From his movements, he seemed to still be considering what he was about to do. Would he actually go through with it?

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What do ya think? Another cliffhanger, I know! They just don't stop!!! Will Michael actually do it, or will Ritsuko help him? I know this chapter was a little shorter. Sorry for that. Bye! 💜