"...what is this..?"

Atsuka raised an eyebrow at the milk carton laying on her desk , eyeing it suspiciously before looking around , to her dismay meeting Kosaki's shining orbs.

And of course , the latter presumed she was wanted there.

"Oooh , Akatani-san got a present , from a fan?" Kosaki chimes , a big sheepish grin on her face-unaware that her loud voice attracts attentions-which luckily Atsuka abandons easily.

Her gaze hovers on the carton milk before dropping her bag and plop carefreely on her seat , pushing the carton milk aside.

To her surprise , there's a note implied under the carton milk.

Thank you.

That's all.

AND STOP BEING CONFUSING

-Semi.

Atsuka tilted her head , a deadpan expression spread across her face while Kosaki sweatdropped.

"Thank you for what...? For breathing...?"

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🥀T.E.W.D.S.🥀
Chapter 9

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The first exam week is coming up in a few days.And apparently so do InterHigh.

Goshiki wouldn't say he's a bad student in grade matters, but he's not an ace in that field either.

He used to study with Atsuka until 2 years ago, yet here he is , actually asking for her mentor help for the 5th time this week.

"...You're a highschooler.Do it yourself.Or ask your friends , you have plenty," Atsuka muttered , furrowing her brows as that one cousin of hers secretly waited her behind the school lab during the break time."Or is it that you don't have any friends?"

Goshiki squirmed under her hard glare.

You don't have friends either!!

"If you're thinking about going against me because i don't have friends, let me tell you first that i don't need any," Atsuka squinted her eyes , somehow knowing what's gnawing on his mind.

Goshiki flinched.

"Please..i just need help at mathematics , Atsuka Nee can just help me a little at home! No one would see , right? Pleaaaase???" Goshiki clasped his hands , figure blocking her halted steps towards her class.His matching indigo orbs which surprisingly still goes to his cousin genes widened in hope.

Atsuka wondered when was the last time Goshiki had this big impact on her.

Oh wait , it has only been.She's just hasn't really been showing it.

"...I'll only be explaining what i know.Then you gotta ask your goddamn friends , i don't have more time to teach other people.Don't bother me for the rest of the day at school." Atsuka rolled her eyes , walking past him with a shrug , trying to retract her gaze away from her cousin's shining ones.

"H-Hai..!! U-Uh , Atsuka N-- i mean..." Goshiki scratced his nape.

"Akatani-senpai,"

Atsuka never experienced the same stinging painful clench by her chest since that accident in her first year.

But...

It's good , it's what i have always wanted him to say.

..good.

"Go back to your class , Goshiki."

____________________________________

Atsuka is grossed out.

Her fingers twitched as she hold the same patterned letters from her shoe locker , fist clenching resulting to the slowly crumpled letters , which soon landed inside the trashbin.

Some crazy shits are starting to send these admiration letters again...

Are they blind???

Should i get harsher?

Atsuka groaned , pinching the bridge of her nose , radiating her usual dark vibes which make students scoot over to make a way automatically.

"Akatani-saaaan!!!!!"

Here comes the second headache.

She didn't even need to turn to the source of the scream , lips relentlessly heaving a sigh as the figure crashed to her side and clung like a koala , vaguely resulting to a quiet crack noise by her hips.

"Akatani-san , Akatani-san , let's go to the cafe today , yeah??! Yeaah??!!" She gleamed in bright warm vibe , a contrast to Atsuka who barely get her shit together as she clutched to her side , a pained scream stuck by her throat while she ducked down with shivers spreading across her wide back.

"Kosaki...." her low voice returned behind her straight hair strands , while Kosaki just laughed , jumping off her classmate.

"I take that as a yes! Let's go to the class , Akatani-san!!" Kosaki slithered her free arm around Atsuka's making her widen her eyes and yank her arm back in reflex.

Her indigo orbs stared down like a spotlight to Kosaki's bright ones.

"I didn't say yes.Go away , i don't need your company,"

Although she has one earphone on , she could clearly her whispers echoing around , racing to her earlobes as she stared down at the shorter third year...who surprisingly just laughed.

Atsuka grimaced.

Just how could she stay after what i had said...?

Freak.

Her gaze abruptly scans around the locker room.The students seemed to start acknowledging Kosaki's braveness , her existence intriguing the entire school as nobody has ever managed to deflate Atsuka's sharp painful retorts like this.

Might be good , might be not.

Well shit , this is what i tried to avoid.

"I said Go.Back.To.The.Classroom," Atsuka whisper yelled , clicking her tongue when the shorter girl displayed a wide grin.

"Will you go with me to the cafe if i go first to the class??"

Atsuka didn't think about it throughly.

That was her mistake.

"Yeah sure , whatever."

The commotion finally settles down after a while , although the locker hall starts getting louder once she stepped away from it with her usual resting bitch face.

Once again , exam week is coming.

And InterHigh is coming.

And yeah , Atsuka doesn't have any club activities.

That means i can actually go watch the InterHigh too.With extra alert and disguise, of course.

Atsuka groaned when a certain memory appeared suddenly by her mind.

Shit , Tendou knows i watch the practice everyday.Does that mean he knows our blood relationship? Tsutomu once yelled 'Nee-san' after catching me peeking after all....

GAH.

Atsuka groaned once more , before sliding her classroom door open.Several students looked up in interest , before swiftly digging their gazes through their books and phones , sweats rolling down their temples.

As always.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

....

Atsuka stares at the object by her desk.

A creampie from the canteen stall.

Without any notes.

Yesterday's milk , now this? But , is this even from Semi too? Whatever.

"Oy." Atsuka gained Kosaki's attention , moving the creampie to the pale red haired cheerful female who's eyes glimmered as she received the snack on her palms."Take it.Don't want it,"

Atsuka settled down on her seat after slipping her bag by the hook on the side of her desk , finding a handful of crumpled letter shoved to the crevice of her desk open drawer.

Killer

Get out of this school

Justice for Erudano Kuma

Arrogant bitch

Atsuka noticed a pair of eyes from her side locking way too long at the letters she barely pulled out from the crevice.

With a swift motion she crumpled them all to a big ball of red tinted letter ball.

Stupid letters , written by cowards.

Don't take it to your heart.

"What are those-"

"Not your business." Atsuka cut her out , dashing off to the trashbin to dump the letters away.

Stay calm , Atsuka.Throw them away.

They

Are

Nothi--

Geez.

One of the letters fall out and rolled to her feet , making her sigh and pick them up.

/Nee/

Atsuka raised an eyebrow.

This one crumpled paper is not a letter , it's a notepaper.She smoothed it out.

Nee-san , err...i see you've been down lately...Well actually all this time but eh , these days it's getting worse so i get you this!

P.s: I can't find the one with melon filling , but i can find red bean paste filled one.

Uh , Enjoy.

*54ki

*5 in Japan is pronounced 'Go or Goku' and 4 pronounced 'Shi or Yon' *

"....."

Atsuka stared at the note before dumping them together with the others , staring at the pile of letters by the bottom of the bin.

It's true that she's mentally getting more exhausted these days.

Constant Kosaki's approaching, Satou being distant slowly, exam week coming, weird stubborn admiration letters by her shoe lockers , and hateful anonym letter by the crevice of her desk everyday.

But she didn't know Goshiki would notice.

"....."

Atsuka walked back to the class , striding to her seat--no.

Kosaki's seat.

The girl's gaze flickered up in surprise and enthusiasm."Akatani-san , what's wrong? Do you need something?"

Atsuka grabbed the earlier creampie sitting by her desk , surprising Kosaki.

"..i'm taking this back."

Kosaki could only nod as she watch Atsuka's figure walking away , back getting farther as she drowned deeper in her daytime lament.

"...Who gave her that...?"

She could only watch in curiosity and confusion as Atsuka munched on the creampie slowly.

"..i thought she hated red bean paste...?"

_____________________________________

"......"

Semi watched in indescribable curiosity by the brim of his eyes , noticing the feared female third year walking slowly with a book in hand and bento by her other hand.

Her slender legs brought her to rhe library like usual , and routine veteran students knew so well.

Atsuka grimaced as she once again find Satou , whose weight seemed to have decreased drastically ,with black circles around her eyes and fingers once again holding a piece of note.

"Gimme that."

Atsuka seized the note without any warming except of those gibberish words , startling the plump woman who shrieked.

"You always find this and frown at it , what is it anyw...ay..." Atsuka's eyes widened in horror as she read the small messy words on the yellow note , accompanied with Satou's pained scared expression.

"W-Who gave you this...?"

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"Yeah , that Akatani Atsuka!!"

Semi groaned , messing his random strands of cowlicks as the male in front of him laughed his ass off.

"I mean , i've been pretty good with the gestures, right? I gave that strawberry milk, then she gave it off to the girl who always follows her around like a lost puppy!" Semi plopped down on his seat , getting more flustered as Tendou's laugh resonated louder.

"Shut up , i don't need your freaky laugh!!"

The classroom door opened , revealing Goshiki , whose eyes landed on theirs as he skipped in the class.

"Morning , Tendou-san! Semi-san!"

"Hello , Goshiki.What brings you here..?" Semi opened an eye , groaning as he sighed.Tendou greeted the bowl cut head who chuckles in excitement , dropping a stack of papers on the table."Coach Washijo wants senpais to review these tactics!"

Semi grunted again , slamming his head on the shared desk before slapping Tendou's hand away , which tried to ruffle his ash locks.

"What's the matter..?" Goshiki tilted his head.

"Don't mind him , Tsutomu! He's just having a mental breakdown because his love letter and gift got rejected.."

"It's not a confession! It's a sign of gratitude! Gratitude only!" Semi screeches , head lifting up to growl at Tendou before drowning on the wooden desk again.

"Lol , you should have expected that from Akatani Atsuka..!" Tendou chirped , making Goshiki flinch at the mention of familiar name."But i mean , today i saw her eat a red bean paste creampie someone left for her on her desk.Well , maybe she's just hungry."

Goshiki's eyes sparkled in a blink upon the statement.

"T-That's my gift! I left that on her desk!!"

Right after the sentence rolled out his tongue , his body went rigid.

Uh oh.

Semi raised an eyebrow.

"Wait what? You gave it to Akatani? And she ate it? Do you know her?" The bombarded questions snapped Goshiki out of his short circuited pride , making him sweat as he realized the mere mistake which can lead to the secret unfolding.

"U-Uh not really..but i just happen to saw her at first day of school...and she looked pretty! So..." his voice trailed off in fluster."...why is it a big thing that she receive people's gifts?"

Tendou watched Goshiki's red face in glee.Yeah , although she's his cousin , admitting that the person he still looks up to is embarassing.

"There was this boy during our first years," Tendou started , leaning on his seat sloppily while closing hsi eyes , enjoying the breeze flowing from he opened window."Can't say the name , but he's bestfriend with her.She was the blooming flower of the school , practically the most popular one since she stepped in this school."

"She's cool , i've talked to her once at the teachers lounge by accident.But then there's these nasty rumours...sounds like bullshit but some people flowed in it, while the others don't." Semi folded his arms again , patting the seat next to him , motioning Goshiki to sit down."But then the 'rumour' said the boy actually hold a crush on her for a long time , and decided to confess,"

Bestfriends with Atsuka Nee..? Well i do remember her bringing her guy bestfriend home...

"And to be honest , i thought she liked him back! It's actually pretty obvious--well for me." Tendou chuckled , making Semi go wide eyed.

"For real? I don't really pay attention to her that time so.." his voice trailed off , dissapearing to the invincible breeze dwellering in the class."But then he committed suicide.Jumped off our school building , police came , etc..."

"S-Suicide??" Goshiki choked on his saliva.

"Yeah , people suspecting her because she's the closest one , then the weird rumours, etc...that's why people's avoiding her 'till now.She apparently also tried avoiding people...more of like building a cruelty wall for people."

"The only one close to her since that accident , which never believed the rumour...it's Satou-san , the library lady.And now that girl who's always chasing after her like a puppy,"

Here's the thing.Goshiki's parents knew about it , police came to their house to pick her out for investigation.But none of them told Goshiki why.

He remembers her locking herself in that room by the end of the second floor , crying her heart out while clutching a photo frame by her chest.

"Kuma!!!!" She screamed.

'Hello there , i'm Erudano Kuma.What's your name?' A blurred image of his face as he met him for the first time flashed in like a drowning invincible boulder danwing on his head.

"E-Erudano-san??" Goshiki spat out , once again making the two third years snap their heads on him in suprise."No way!"

"Goshiki , I'm starting suspecting you now! Where did you hear that from?!" Tendou gasped , making Goshiki slap a hand over his mouth again.

"I uh..my cousin knows him."

Semi raised an eyebrow.

"Your cousin?

Goshiki gripped on the chair before standing up , hurling his feet away from stumbling and walked backwards to the door.

"Y-Yeah!! S-Sorry , i forgot i have a homework due in a few minutes!" Goshiki ran out of the room , noticing from the brim of his eyes--a petite girl holding her books to her chest leaning behind the door of the classroom , looking down before shrieking as she noticed his gaze on hers.

Weird? She's the girl who often goes to library whenever i look for Nee-san.

"Mikudoshi-chan! The teacher lounge's this way!"

"H-Hai!"

"Hey Goshiki!!!" Semi's yell sent shivers to his spines , making him dash away right that moment.

"Uh BYE!!!"

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To say that Atsuka is furious is an understatement.

Yeah , go look at her face and tell me she's not raged.

And for your information , the students in the hallway saw her burning indigo orbs under the shade of her bangs , legs stomping forward to the third floor principal office.

Involving Satou-san in this? The person who sent this really wants fists up their ass.

Knock knock.

Knock knock--

"If you're looking for principal , he had a visit meeting somewhere else outside.What can i help?" A teacher informed , sitting across the door.

Is he a new teacher? I didn't know his name.

" There are several hate letters sent to Satou-san , the library lady , which is unreasonable.This has to be taken care of," Atsuka gritted her teeth , almost shoving a pieces of paper to he teacher's open palm , having him squinting his eyes at it.

"Are you sure you're not writing this yourself?"

"And why would i , sir? Satou-san is like my own mother , and this hate notes aren't even supposed to show themself to her face.I caught her frowning at it again today , and i haven't even visited library until just now," Atsuka tried calming herself , lips pursing to thin line while the teacher eyed the note suspiciously.

Why..isn't he surprised?

Atsuka reached a hand to her pocket , feeling a few more notes still inside , almost crumpled.Beside that , the hard cover of her phone.

"I see," he seemed to be too lazy to even deal with anything."I'll be taking these to my office , don't tell anyone about this for now , we don't want bad rumours spreading and uninvited frantic," he stood up , bringing the papers with him."Is there more?"

"I don't know , that's the only ones i manage to collect from Satou-san's pockets," Atsuka sighed , groaning to herself.

"Then i'll be off to my office,"

Atsuka stared at the figure for a while, before dropping a few more on the floor , scattered.

"Sir!"

The teacher turned , raising a brow.

"You dropped some!"

The teacher groaned , walking back and picked them up.Atsuka squatted down too , gathering the letters before handing it to him.

He glared at the letters by his hands.

"What's wrong , sir?"

He looked around to make sure , furrowing his brows.

"Where's the others?"

"The others what sir?" Atsuka stood up and stared down at his squatting figure , before an awkward silence came.

He looked up with a clumsy smile.

"Oh sorry , i thought i see three sliding down the couch here,"

"No sir , this is all ," Atsuke nodded , waving her goodbye."I have a class coming sir , thank you for your cooperation.What's your name sir?"

"Hiji , Hiji Yamaka," he stood up , waving."Goodluck on your classes,"

Atsuka turned on her heels , walking away with a hand in her pocket.

Beep.

Pausing the recorder.

And coming in touch with exact three letters.

"Hm.." Atsuka hummed.

"What's the school administration staff number again?"

__________________________________

"Goshiki , pass!!"

"Hai!"

Atsuka watched in wary as the boys by the first gym court did a practice match, too indulged in the ball to notice her.

"Is that all? Is something wrong with it?" The voice from the call croaked.

"No , i think that's all , thank you," Atsuka muttered , leaning on the bleachers railing , ending the call.Her fingers went to press the save recording button by the screen.

Why the hell are people disturbing Satou-san now?

Flashback

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

Satou sighed."Don't make a fuss out of it , Acchan , it's just--"

"It's not JUST , Satou-san," Atsuka gritted her teeth."...it's my fault , i haven't been paying full attention on you lately,"

"...hey Atsuka , did you feel , that someone's actually monitoring us these days?"

Atsuka raised an eyebrow.

"What else is this...?"

Satou looked around in slight fear.

"I feel like I'm being watched , and listened to everytime,"

Atsuka sighed , glaring at Satou before taking note while groaning.

"No , Satou-san , it's just your imagination , how is it possible anyway?" Atsuka wrote something quickly , sliding it across the table in reluctant.

Satou read the words before sighing herself.

"Yeah , i guess you're right, sorry."

"I'll be off.I need to go away to the principal office,"

Flashback ended

"What the hell is happening..."

Atsuka grunted , maintaining the resisting calm while recalling the calling session she just had.

"There's no teacher called Yamaka Hiji assigned there...? Are you sure thats his name?"

Goddamnit.

People are being sus.

Tendou secretly knowing about my habit watching Goshiki , then Semi sending snacks suddenly? Then Goshiki surprisingly never showed in my sight again , that fake teacher which i have to be aware of , and...

That girl whose book i stepped on during first day of school , appearing anywhere i go.

I heard people calling her Ame...

She caught me watching Goshiki's match , visits library when i was not there...and often seen in third year building..

"Good job everyone!!!"

The voices resonating by the gym gives out the clue that the practice is ending.

Time to go.

Atsuka stared at her phone longingly.

Tell me everything via chat during club time.

That'd what she wrote to Satou this morning.

She had to admit , Satou might be a bubbly person but she has sharp senses for lies , stares , glares , and others.

Her statement about that feeling of being watched actually sent chills all over Atsuka's skin, but she decided to go against believing it right then , act like she's not interested if someone is indeed watching.

Still no message from Satou-san.

Atsuka cleaned her snack wraps , taking her bag , wear her black medic mask , before crouching to crawl to the exit door.

Ding.

Atsuka flinched.

A message notification?

Atsuka jogged out of the building , hearing distant screams and yellings echoing through out the yard , the entire ground of Shiratorizawa Academy.The scream practically pierced to her ears , making her heart clench.

Damn , what's with the ruckus?

Atsuka fished out her phone , tapping on the notification.

Satou

Go to the yard in front of the library.
16.33

Hm?

Atsuka yelped as a hand slapped her back.

"Atsuka Nee-san..! Did i do good?!" He chirped , making her franticly turn to the gym door direction , seeking if anyone seen their interactions.

"Tsutomu..! Watch it!" She growled.

"Ehe..let's go home..! Walking apart of course!" He grinned , walking ahead.

"Go on first , I'm going to the library's front yard," atsuka stared back at the message.

Goshiki peered over her shoulder , at the message.

"Eh? I thought you both were arguing? Some students saw you both yelling at each other..." he murmured , making her glare at him."Uh-- i'll come with you!"

"No.Go home," Atsuka stomped away , towards the said yard , slipping her phone inside her pocket.

She walked straight to the corner , ignoring the steps behind her , which is Goshiki trying to keep up.

Right after the turned by the corner , her gaze widened in surprise.

"Save her!"

"Call the teachers , firefighters!"

Doomed screams exploded , wrapping the orange shades dawning upon the dark yard.The dark blue sky added the contrast of brightness the fire had added--the fire by the building.

The library building is on fire.

"Nee-san what--...the hell..?!" Goshiki shrieked , pointing at the big glass windows by the library.

Her indigo wide orbs flickered to the center of the fire , widening once more in horror as her fingers twitched , cold sweats rolling down dripping to the hot yard ground...

At the sight of Satou-san tied on a chair in the middle of the full fire library.

Goshiki never heard his cousin scream so terribly till that moment.