Chapter 4: Truth 1

Chapter 4: Truth

"Oh, one of my panties is missing... Did it get blown away again?"

After going home from school, I noticed that one of my panties hanged on balcony was missing. And it was one of my favorites...

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it."

If Kuromine-kun were here, he would probably make a big fuss saying, "That stalker appeared!"

Just imagining that made me smile a little.

After taking in the laundry, I looked around the room, now empty with only me in it.

Until a few days ago, there would be boys' clothes scattered around and messy boys lounging around. But now, it has become just an ordinary girl's room.

...It used to be the norm before Kuromine-kun came.

A cold wind seems to pass through my heart, leaving behind a sense of loneliness.

"..."

Suddenly, my eyes were drawn to the folded futon in the corner of the room. It was Kuromine-kun's futon.

With a hint of hesitation, I unfolded the folded futon and arranged the pillow.

"..."

After a brief moment of hesitation... I laid down on Kuromine-kun's futon.

I rested my head on the pillow and pulled the comforter over my head...

"...Kuromine-kun's scent..."

I feel like a pervert... Even though I think it's weird, I can't stop myself.

It has been a few days since I kicked Kuromine-kun out of the house.

I thought I would quickly get used to living alone, but once you've experienced living with someone you love, you can't get used to being completely alone.

"...I wonder if Kuromine-kun is getting along with Harukaze-san."

They're always together at school.

Harukaze-san talks to Kuromine-kun with such a happy expression.

But Kuromine-kun is concerned about me. I even said I hate him... How cruel.

"I'm the worst...."

Without resisting the gentle drowsiness that came over me, I slowly closed my eyes.

I had no awareness of falling asleep, and suddenly I woke up.

Thinking it couldn't be true, I checked the time on my phone next to the pillow... I was running out of time for work.

I have to leave now or I won't make it!

"I-I have to hurry!"

I locked the door as I rushed out of the house and headed towards my bicycle.

And so, as I got on my bicycle and was about to start riding... I felt something off with the tires.

"Oh! It's flat! Are you kidding me?"

The rear tire was completely deflated. What a series of misfortunes...

"Looks like I'm definitely going to be late... Sigh."

◇ ◇ ◇

"Owner, I'll be leaving first."

"Ah, Ayana-chan, good work. It's already dark outside, but are you going to be okay?"

After finishing my shift, it was a little past 10 p.m.

I stood facing the owner, who was stationed at the cash register.

There were no customers in sight inside the shop. It's usually quiet with fewer customers around this time.

"I'll be fine, Owner. I'm not a child, you know."

"That's not what I meant... You see, about that stalker. Isn't Riku-chan coming today as well?"

"Kuromine-kun won't come anymore. The stalker was just my imagination..."

"I see... You came on foot today, right? It's dangerous for a girl to be alone in this dark mountain."

"I'll be okay! Even if some weirdo tries to attack me, I'll run and escape!"

Despite my words, I put on a bright smile, showing confidence in my athletic abilities.

However, the owner's worried expression didn't change, even after seeing me like that.

"Ayana-chan, I can give you a ride in my car."

"No, it's okay. I'm truly fine."

"I see... If anything happens, make sure to run away and call the police, okay?"

"You're exaggerating, Owner. I will be fine. Well then, good work for today."

I lightly bowed to the owner and left the shop.

The area around the convenience store was still bright with the lights inside.

However, as I continued down the mountain road, the convenience store lights gradually disappeared, and darkness enveloped me. Suddenly, I felt a surge of fear.

As I got curious, I peeked over the guardrail next to me, then I notice it's getting wider. I swallowed my spit.

"Maybe... I'm becoming more sensitive."

In an attempt to distract myself, I took out my smartphone.

"Oh, Kana is inviting me."

With no streetlights and only moonlight illuminating the mountain road, my smartphone was the only source of comfort for me at that moment.

"Next Saturday, huh? I have work that time..."

Apologizing in my thoughts, I declined Kana's invitation.

After replying to my other friends, I continued walking for about ten minutes.

"...?"

I thought I faintly heard footsteps behind me, different from my own.

I couldn't help but slowly turn around.

In the distance, a vague figure of a person emerged in the darkness.

Judging by the atmosphere... a man, perhaps?

As I stopped walking, the person also stopped.

"I-It's just a coincidence, right?"

I convinced myself that this person must have their own reasons for walking on this mountain road.

With that in mind, I started walking again.

But.... *Pat Pat Pat Pat*

Those footsteps were clearly speeding up, getting closer to me.

Unable to bear it, I abruptly turned around.

I couldn't see his face or clothing because of darkness. However, he is definitely closer to me compared before.

"...!"

A cold sensation ran through my entire body, and the pounding sound of my heart echoed throughout.

That person was definitely knows me.

Whenever I stopped, he also stopped as well...

N-No, wait.

It doesn't necessarily mean it's a stalker right?

It could be just a coincidence, right?

With that thought in mind, I started picking up my pace and hurried ahead.

It would take about twenty more minutes to get through this mountain road. If I were to be attacked, I wouldn't be able to escape.

Driven by fear, I started walking faster, but the footsteps behind me were getting closer.

-I'm s-scared.

Was it not just my imagination? There's really a stalker?

Come to think of it, strange things happened today.

My underwear went missing, and my bike had a flat tire...

"Ah!"

I tripped and fell, my feet getting tangled up. Reflexively, I placed my hands on the ground, and a sharp pain shot through my palms.

"...!"

The footsteps were getting closer, sounding closer and closer.

I knew that the man was right behind me.

I was too scared to turn around.

-Kuromine-kun.

"Hoshimiya, are you okay?"

"...Huh?"

The voice I wanted to hear the most came from behind me, encouraging me to turn around.

And there he was... It was indeed Kuromine-kun.

◆◆◆

"Well... Kuromine-kun, explain yourself properly!"

"I was just secretly following you, that's all. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Of course I do! It's scary to have someone tailing you on a mountain road like that!"

I brought Kuromine-kun back with me and gave him serious lecture while sitting on his knees.

"J-just leave me alone already. You're bothering me."

"Yet you're smirking a little bit while saying that."

"--Huh? This, um, it's not--"

I immediately covered my mouth with my hand. (TL: F*ck this is too cute.)

Now that it he pointed it out, it did feel like I've been smirk...ing!

Though Kuromine-kun said that in weird tone but, he must be really worried about me...

Well, his approach was really annoying, though...!

"I heard it from Owner and Monmon-san. They said you were feeling lonely without me."

"I-I wasn't... And I don't know what you heard, but isn't it normal to keep that kind of thing a secret?"

"Do you still think I'm the type to keep secrets?"

"...I don't think so. Kuromine-kun, you're the type to speak your mind immediately."

A slight sense of murderous intent rose within me as I said that to Kuromine-kun, who responded with a calm face.

Why did I fall in love with this kind of boy?

Since that night when Kuromine-kun saved me from the robbery, it felt like I'm only thinking about him. I didn't really expected that kind of encounter.

...Starting from that unforgettable event, I listened to Kuromine-kun's past.

He would say some inquiring things, but surprisingly, he had a delicate side too... He had kindness in considering others and genuinely tried to protect me...

Because I love Kuromine-kun like that, I want him to be happy with Harukaze-san.

I don't want him to spend time on someone like me...

"Kuromine-kun, go home."

"............"

"You don't need to worry about me. Stay by Harukaze-san's side properly."

".... You're still troubled being by that stalker right?"

"I'm not troubled, and the stalker thing is just my imagination. Now that you mention it, the current stalker is you, Kuromine-kun."

"...I'm sorry."

Kuromine-kun looked sad and bowed his head dejectedly. His emotions were still easy to read...

"Next time, if you do something like this, I'll be really angry."

"...I'm... sorry..."

Kuromine-kun stood up and walked away slowly, leaving this house.

Now, I was alone in the room, and again indescribable emptiness filled my heart.

"...Wait, Isn't my tone so harsh? But with Kuromine-kun, it has to be that way..."

No matter how much time passes, as long as Kuromine-kun is worried about me, he can't date Harukaze-san.

He has this strange sense of responsibility, or rather, he's rigid in his sense of duty...

"Ah, is it okay to let Kuromine-kun go home at this hour? Maybe it's better to let him stay overnight at least for tonight..."

Just as I was about to chase after Kuromine-kun, my eyes caught sight of a family photo placed on the desk.

Suicide... Kuromine... Parents.

"...!"

A sharp pain shot through my head, so I instinctively looked away.

Some kind of image flashed in my mind but quickly disappeared.

"I... I'm forgetting something...?"

As I tried to recall this forgotten something, the doorbell rang. It must be Kuromine-kun.

Because of the late hour, he must have come here with a hesitant expression, saying, 'My bad, Hoshimiya. Can you let me stay just for tonight?'

'Well, it can't be helped, Kuromine-kun.'

Since it's only for tonight, I'll let him stay, saying those words.

I hurriedly made my way to the entrance and opened the door... but I was taken aback.

"Um... huh?"

The person standing behind the opened door wasn't Kuromine-kun.

The man appeared to be in his thirties, wearing a black tracksuit from top to bottom. He had a plump physique, messy hair, and a slightly chubby face.

"...Don't mess with me."

"What do you mean?"

"Ayana-chan, why are you ignoring me?"

As he said that, the man stuck his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a folded knife, revealing a sharp blade.

"Eh...?"

The man had pulled out a knife.

I recognized it as a fact, but I was unable to grasp the reality, leaving me dumbfounded.

I didn't even have time to to think properly because I'm scared.

"--!"

The man forcefully shoved me with his shoulder.

Unable to resist the impact, I fell backward from my buttocks.

A dull pain radiated from my backside as I hit the floor.

"Don't mess with me... Damn it."

"A-Ah..."

The man who had entered the entrance locked the door.

Finally realizing the reality before me, I realized it immediately. ────I'm in danger.

He firmly grabbed onto my hair, preventing my escape. "F*ck, stop!"

"I-it hurts!"

"You... You were flirting with that disgusting man!"

"What are you talking abou--"

I couldn't finished the sentence. As he put unfamiliar weight on my back,

"I can't... breath."

"It's your fault, Ayana-chan...! You flaunted it in front of me, being all lovey-dovey with that bastard...!"

"You're... wrong..."

"I won't forgive you. I absolutely won't forgive you...!"

The man, panting heavily, grabbed my shoulder and forcefully pulled me towards him.

He flipped me over, leaving me lying on my back.

"I've liked you for a long time...! I noticed you first, Ayana-chan...!"

"Stop... Please..."

Overwhelmed by unimaginable fear, all I could do was look up at the man's face.

He towered over me, straddling me, completely depriving me of my freedom.

"I was actually planning to approach you on that mountain path... I even punctured your bicycle tire... But that guy showed up... Hehe..."

"I... He────...!"

His face consumed by desire, was enough to make me tremble in fear.

"Flashy outfits are nice, but plain ones are also good... Actually, the plain ones are the real Ayana-chan, right? I love observing people... I understand those things, you know."

"Ugh... Ahh...!"

I flailed my limbs, trying to resist, but the man showed me the knife, saying, "If you try to escape, I'll stab you..." The sheer terror froze my mind, rendering me unable to think.

"So... Did you... already sleep with that bastard?"

"What... What are you..."

"Huh? You haven't yet? Hehe, seriously?"

The man was gleeful. I could sense an immense desire directed towards me, and I felt my face grow pale. I couldn't think clearly due to the overwhelming fear.

"If you try to run, I'll stab you... So just behave."

"No... No..."

The man grabbed both of my shoulders and exerted pressure. When I tried to resist by shaking my body, he responded with anger, not bothering to hide his irritation.

"F*ck... Stop it! Just behave! I'll f*cking stab you!"

"Hiii..."

"I'll... I'll be gentle, you know? I like you, Ayana-chan... Can you accept these feelings?"

"I really... I can't take this anymore... Please... *Sniff*... Ugh...!"

Finally, tears started flowing from my eyes, drop by drop. Overwhelmed by the unbearable fear, my rationality was swallowed, and all I could do was tremble and beg for mercy.

"P-Please... Stop... I'm sorry... Sniff..."

"Crying Ayana-chan is cute too, you know? Hehe."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Please forgive me..."

"I... I can't stand being a guy who's easily disregarded. You're living together with such an unremarkable guy...!"

The enraged man reached for my shirt, trying to lift it up.

Understanding what he intended to do, I resisted, screaming and trying to push his hand away.

"No... No! I really can't!"

"Shut up! It's all your fault! You belong to me, Ayana...!"

"No... No... Please... Someone, help... Kuromine-kun...!"

Is this... divine punishment?

A punishment for pushing away Kuromine-kun, who genuinely worried about me...

Unable to resist any longer, all I could do was look up at the man who had helped me.

...What a vile and filthy expression he has on his face.

I'm sure if I resist, he'll stab me with the knife.

If only I had been more honest with Kuromine-kun, this wouldn't have happened...

"Hehe, Ayana-chan has finally become obedient. You've finally accepted me."

"........"

The gleeful man tried to lift up my shirt.

In response, I felt my own heart sinking into the depths of darkness.

This is the divine punishment for rejecting Kuromine-kun...

Ah...

...At least, I wanted to tell Kuromine-kun that I loved him...

"Hey, mind if I join in?"

───Huh?

An out-of-place and utterly foolish voice of a third party could be heard.

The man also turned around in surprise, and then Kuromine-kun fiercely punch his face...!

"Ugh!"

The impact was tremendous, causing the man to be flung lightly and slide off my body.

He dropped the knife and held his face in pain.

I couldn't understand what had just happened.

Yet, there was a glimmer of hope.

I slowly raised my body and directed my gaze towards the person standing in front of me.

Standing there was indeed Kuromine-kun.

"Hoshimiya, I came to return the spare key... Is this guy, by any chance, a stalker?"

Kuromine-kun, gripping the spare key tightly in his right hand, spoke with a nonchalant attitude reminding me when he confronted the robber.

Chapter 4 Part 1 End.

-Support Me-

https://ko-fi.com/animestuff85370

-Visit my epub-pdf website-

https://animestuff.me/

Join on my Telegram:

https://t.me/animestuff2023