Disclaimer: This is the end of the story and this is probably the most serious chapter that I'm going to do mainly because it describes suicide by drowning so let me say this right now: I am not glorifying suicide as an answer to problems, nor am I encouraging it in any way, shape , or form. But I included it for the purposes of this story, and the folktale that it is based off of. If you can't accept that, then that's your business and not mine. There is a back button on your computer for a reason. Any flames that are sent my way will be used to warm my house and keep me warm this winter. Thank you.

Hiriko woke up the next morning feeling better than ever and actualy excited to go to school. Specifically to see Karma and the shocked look on the Virtuoso Fives collective faces. If what Yamamoto said is true then he more than likely reported back to Asano about what happened. All the more reason for her to show up early and bask in the harmony of negative emotions that would swirl around on his face. Cruel as that may be, it was preferable to seeing the frequent arrogant and smug look on his face. By now, Hiriko was speed walking to the building, but immediately slowed down when she took notice of the guys from last night, including Yamamoto, standing near the front of the building covered in bandages and with their arms in slings.

When Hiriko came close enough for them to see her, they immediately stopped whatever they were doing and turned to walk into the building. Occasionally they looked over their shoulders to make sure that she wasn't following them, specifically Yamamoto. But Hiriko did the exact opposite and merely stood with a smirk on her face at their reaction to her. Now all that was left was to find Yamamoto, the Virtuoso Five, and Karma himself. Maybe Eshima, if Hiriko could find her. Once she finished having breakfast in the cafeteria, Hiriko took her time walking Kunugigaoka keeping a close eye out for her aforementioned targets; completely ignoring the stares and whispers that were directed at her during her stroll. Eventually, she found Sakakibara and Araki in their advanced kanji class and took her time walking past the door as her eyes connected with theirs. While her eyes shone with happiness both the their eyes were a dark grey that were clouded with sadness and disappointment. Soon enough she managed to see Koyama and Seo as they were exiting the boys bathroom and the second that they connected eyes with the brunette they were awash with sorrow and slightly restrained anger. Seo shook his head at her before moving down the hallway with Koyama and towards their class.

Hiriko was now possessed by unbridled happiness as she walked with a skip in her step at the grim moods that the big five were now exhibiting at her supposed "betrayal". Now all that was left was to find their leader and rub it in his face. Hiriko scoured the hallways of each floor as best as she could but couldn't find Asano. Eventually it came time for class and with a sigh she made her way to first period. 15 minutes into the beginning of class, Karma showed up and took his seat completely dismissive of the teacher's minor scolding. The first sight of him made Hiriko smile and slightly blush a light shade of pink. As she observed Karma a little more, she noticed that his appearance was slightly dishevel as if he got into a fight that he almost lost. Specifically his tussled hair, his slightly untucked shirt and a what looked like a little red bite mark near the bottom of his neck. Almost like a barely their hickey.

This sight alone made Hiriko's heart leap into her throat and she now assumed the worst. She decided to confront Karma about it after class which ended a little early thanks to the teacher. But before she could make her way over to him, he rushed out of the class and made his way into the hallway. Not wanting to follow behind him like a lost puppy, Hiriko gave it a few minutes before she took off after him managing to keep up with his pace. He looked as if he was heading towards a secluded section of the outside courtyard of the school that was practically ignored by the other students. On the off chance that he was meeting someone or taking care of something personal, Hiriko decided to maintain her distance and watch from behind the building.

Karma waited on a bench by himself for a few moments before he was approached by none other than Eshima who slid her hand over his shoulder. Karma looked up at her with a smile on his face and look in his eyes that told Hirko the two of them must have been pretty familiar with each other. This was made all the more evident when Karma took the hand that was on his shoulder and pulled her into his lap. Eshima let out a surprised laugh as Karma placed butterfly kisses on her neck and collar bone, and the raven haired girl did nothing to stop him. Hiriko watched all of this with a lump forming in her throat, rocks tumbling around in her stomach, and her heart beating a million miles a second. Every nerve and cell in her body was now set ablaze with shock and rage as she observed her good friend and her crush, that she'd confessed to only the night before, entangled in a lovey dovey embrace. Eventually, Karma stopped kissing her long enough to listen to her speak .

"So how did it go? Did she fall for it?" She asked with slightly malicious glee. And Karma was all too happy to respond.

"Yeah. Last night, it looked like she fell pretty hard especially after I kissed her. It's just like you said, she's not as hardened to my ways as you. are I didn't even have to plan for a second date after she confessed to me. I guess you were right. The chicks here are too scared of Asano and his daddy to go after what they want because they're to scared of the judgement. And when they do get it, they salivate and pant like dogs to a stake. But not you. From the second you drove that pen through that idiots hand I knew that you were like me. Strong, confident, and indifferent to what others think. And when I came to you about it, you didn't buckle like Hiriko or like other girls would. You're me own baby crow. And that makes me your care taker." He said sweetly.

Every word that he spoke sent a new knife into Hiriko's heart. The whole time, Karma interactions with her were little more than a ploy to objectify the girls of Kununigoaka, except for Eshima who he surprisingly considered his equal. And the raven haired girl had no problem helping him, even going as far as to involve herself in his game to ensure that he won. In the end, they were both just as bad as Asano, his father, and any systemized bullying in the school. Hirko now had a steady stream of tears flowing from her eyes which clouded the sight of Karma playfully putting his hand up Eshima's skirt as they now shared a passionate kiss. The brunette now broke out into a run and made her way up the stairs, trying her best not trip up and fall.

As she shoved her way through the door on the third floor, Hiriko ran right into something hard that sent her sprawling onto the ground. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes to look up to whatever or rather who ever she ran into, which turned out to be Asano looking down at her with pity and disappointment in his eyes. Not wanting to be seen as weak, Hiriko quickly picked herself up and stood to face him. But that didn't change the look that he gave her.

"Now you know. I tried to warn you from the start, but did you listen?" He said with disappointment in his tone of voice. At this point, Hiriko's face was red with rage as she unloaded onto the principals son.

"Okay you were fucking right! Is that what you wanted to hear!? I'm just a naive little school girl who got in way over head and couldn't see that fucker for what he really is! He's nothing but a user who sees others as ports in his fucking storm!" She shouted. Asano let her vent her frustration, not once interrupting her. By now, the brunette was panting heavily with tears streaming down her face, knowing that she probably looked a mess. In response to this, Asano unveiled a napkin from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. As she began wipe her face and eyes with it, Asano began to speak.

"Hiriko, are you familiar with the tale of the Scorpion and the Frog? A scorpion that wants to cross over a river, asks help from a frog to ride him across it. The frog hesitantly asks the scorpion "how do I know you won't just stab me half way through?" to which the scorpion replies "because without you, I'll die too". On that note, the scorpion and the frog rides across the river, but halfway across, the frog feels the scorpions sting and they both sink into the water". He explained.

"The point that I'm trying to make is that Akbane is no different from the scorpion in the story. No matter how sweet or charming he may seem, he'll never change his true nature. Not for anyone. I don't know what his story is with Eshima but it seems like you're now the unfortunate frog to feel the sting of his tail. Let this be a learning experience". He said cruelly. With that, he walked away leaving Hiriko alone in the middle of the hallway feeling worse than before. She didn't know how long she'd been standing their for but one thing was for certain: no one would come to help her, no ne would pity her or give her encouraging words. Hiriko was now the laughing stock of the entire school and it hurt. It hurt worst than any sting from a scorpion ever could before its venom could seep into her veins.

Somewhere and somehow, Hiriko found the strength to pull herself up and drag herself towards throughout the school until she reached the swimming pool. The entire space was empty since the swim team didn't have practice until three. From the high windows spilled an abundance of pure light that shone directly into the pool and created beautiful shimmers and shines that almost looked like diamonds. Meanwhile the deeper waters were dark and foreboding, but comforting all the same. With only the sound of blood rushing in her ears, and a hollow feeling throughout her being, Hiriko took three steps near the pool and fell in feet first with a loud and resounding splash. Her uniform clung to her body and the smell of chloroform filled her nose, but in her mind all she wanted to do was sink like the frog in Asano's tale. It was a slow and agonizing process, but eventually it happened. The deeper that she went, the more water obscured her vision and entered every pore of her body, feeling her trachea and bronchi with chemical induced water until finally it was too much for her body to take. And she was no better off than the next frog that the red headed scorpion would lure into his trap.

THE END