(Monday)

The next week, I had started eating again, but I had changed a bit. I was distant to everyone around me and I've been skipping class while hiding away in the garden maze.

I was more quiet and barely talked to my siblings. My family tried to get me to open up, but I pushed them all away. 

Even Yan-kun tried cheering me up by taking me to the arcade after school.

"Oh, come on, Amaya! You love videogames! You're not even trying! At least give me a smirk! Here, I'll even let you win!" He complained. 

"I'm sorry... but I don't feel like playing today." I said, emotionlessly. "Fine. Do you want to get some ice cream? A pretzel, maybe?" Yan-kun suggested. 

"I'm not in the mood. Let's just go home." I said. My brother sighed, then took me back to the house, in which I went up to my room.

"Any luck?" I heard Ayano ask my brother. "Nothing. It's like she's a doll or some kind of depressed puppy." He explained. "Yan-kun..." Ayano said, displeased. 

"What? She is!"

I put on my headphones and began to listening to my music while lying down on my bed before closing my eyes. Eventually, I fell asleep.

(Tuesday)

I went to school early, not wanting to walk by Ayano and Yan-kun. I knew they'd be asking me what was wrong with me, and I didn't feel like talking about it. 

"Why so glum, Amaya?" I looked at Osano when I realized I nearly bumped into him. "Is everything okay? You don't look so good." He noticed. 

"I'm fine. I'm just... a little tired this morning." I lied. "Are you sure?" Osano asked. 

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay. If you say so."

*****

After school, I took out the trash and threw it into the incinerator. "Are you looking for trouble?" I heard one of the delinquents sneer as I walked past them.

"No more than usual, damn prick." I mumbled, bitterly. "What was that? If you got something to say, then say it to my face!" Hayanari snapped. 

"I'll do more than that." I replied. The two of us began to fight while the others cheered him on.

"Yeah, get her!"

I was able to beat him and he dropped his weapon. "Next time, it won't be so easy." He said before walking away. "Who's next?" I challenged the other delinquents. 

Hokuto went next and began beating me with his weapon, but I got back up and fought him again. I was bruised up badly, but I refused to go down. 

Finally, I beat him and he joined Hayanari on the bench to sulk. "Anybody else?" I said. Their friends didn't like the idea that they were being embarrassed by a girl and began to fight me, three to one. 

I held against my own the best I could, but they were given the advantage because I was outnumbered and they were armed. 

I fell to the ground, even more bruised and sore. "That's right. Get lost." Dairoku taunted. I shot them a glare, then walked home. 

"Whoa! Amaya, what the hell happened to you?!" Yan-kun yelled. "Who did this?!"

"I'm fine. I just need to lie down." I said, taking my shoes off by the door. "You're bleeding! There's no way you're-!"

"I said, I'm fine! Just butt out, Yan-kun!" I snapped. I quickly went to the bathroom and bandaged myself up. Once I was done, I went to my room to rest. 

(Time skip, Friday)

I've been fighting the delinquents every day. I figured it was the only way to distract myself from thinking about Nemesis-kun.

Osorõ took notice of this and offered to have me join his group, but I refused. Genka noticed my behavior and had me come visit her for counseling everyday after school. 

No matter how many questions she asked, I wouldn't answer. But she still insisted that I'd come see her. When it was time for class, I decided to skip as I hid myself away in the garden maze.

"I had a feeling you'd might be here," I glanced to my side to find Megamo standing there. I had my legs hugged to my chest as my chin rested on my knees. 

"Why aren't you in class?" He asked. "Just go away," I mumbled. Megamo stared at me for a moment before sitting down beside me. "I said, go away."

"I will. As soon as you tell me why you refuse to go to class. This isn't the Amaya Aishi I know." He replied. "It's none of your business." I said, emotionlessly. 

"Amaya... Did something happen between you and Nemesis-kun?" Megamo asked. "What gives you that idea?" I asked in a mumble. 

"I just noticed I haven't see you guys together as often. Without him, you've been distant toward your siblings, you've been starting fights, and now you're skipping class."

"Did my brother or sister send you to talk to me?"

"No. I came here on my own." 

"How'd you know I'd be here?"

"Lucky guess,"

It was quiet for moment until Megamo started to speak again. "Did you and Nemesis-kun... break up?"

My eyes widened when he asked that as my eyes began to water. "I have to go." I said, quickly. I ran out of the garden maze and into the school, bumping into one of the delinquents. 

"You again? Came here for another beating?" Gaku said. "The only one who's looking for a beating is you." I stated, getting into a fighting stance. 

"Bring it, you little punk!"

As we fought, I managed to grab his weapon and use it against him. I began beating with it until he was practically begging me to stop. 

"That's enough! Not on my watch!" 

Shiromi ran over to us and got in between the fight so we'd cease and desist. "All right, Aishi. Let's go. You know the drill," She said in a cool and a collected tone. 

"This is the fourth time this week you've started a fight. Will you ever learn?"

I didn't answer as I dropped the weapon, then walked with her to the Guidance Counselor's office. After the incident, Genka ended up calling my parents.

I had to wait outside in the hallway while she talked with my parents privately. 

"Amaya's behavior has been out of control. I am very close to expelling her." Genka said.

"I'm sure she had a reason. The delinquent must've attacked her first, yes? Amaya was only defending herself." Mom replied in her cheery voice.

"Please, give her another chance. I'm sure Amaya will straighten up her act this time. I know it." Dad begged.

"All right. I don't normally do this, but I'm going to give her one more chance. However, if another incident like this happens again, I'll have no choice but to expel your daughter." Genka said.

"Understood." Mom said.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Genka." Dad thanked.

I looked at the door to be greeted with my mother and father. As expected, Mom was smiling and Dad looked troubled. 

"Please behave yourself from now on, Amaya." Dad said. I stared at my father, not replying. 

(Monday)

I was being on my best behavior at school, like I told my father. But when the school day ended, I was acting up again. I started fights with the delinquents and they really stepped up their game. 

But that, I mean they were stronger than before and they had new weapons that hurt more than ever. I was no match for them. 

When I returned home, Mom saw the condition I was in. "Oh, Amaya... This isn't what I wanted for you." She said as she embraced me.

But this is the only way I can move on and forget about my Senpai... But at the same time, I don't want to. 

I don't want to forget about Nemesis-kun. I want to be with him again. But how can I do that when he's avoiding me?

Kidnapping him again won't work because he'll just find a way to escape. Who knows? He might even kill me. He did used to be a hunter after all.

Perhaps I deserve to die...