THERE WAS SILENCE.

A coldness in the air that trickled down my spine, coating my entire body in goosebumps.

"Ren, I think she's talking to you." Ever so considerate, the boy seated next to Takumi—Naoya Otomo, his accredited best friend—nudged his arm.

In response, Takumi released a weighted sigh. His marble-grey irises pierced through my soul the moment I laid eyes on them. If looks could kill, I'd be a corpse right around now. Takumi's attractiveness was an undisputed fact. His hair was bicoloured, the right side a luminous shade of black and the left side, ivory-white. He had high cheekbones and a jawline sharp enough to cut a person. Compared to elementary school, when he was nothing but a short yet skinny twig, it was a huge upgrade.

"I can see that," Takumi remarked to his friend, sparing me a flat look. "What I'm not understanding is why she is."

The minimal chatter in the background turned into static in my ears. Takumi's undivided attention was on me. We hadn't been face to face—this close—in years. It was a strange feeling, all right. The last time we were in close quarters, he wrenched my glasses off of my face and had me chase him around our sixth grade classroom. Ultimately, the lenses ended up shattered, and I earned myself a beating from my mom.

I didn't like him.

I wanted nothing to do with him.

Even now, all these years later, only crummy memories and emotions bubbled up.

But I had no choice.

I had to do it. Play this game and win. In order to do so, I had to put aside our differences. Make an effort to start on a clean slate.

I balled my fingers into fists.

Say it.

"I'm sorry." My throat thickened. As if I were being choked, I couldn't muster any oxygen. It felt wrong. But it was a start. It was. "For cursing you out and holding a grudge all these years. You deserved it, but, we were kids. I'm all for putting the past behind us. What do you say?"

As if a pressure had been lifted, I sucked in a deep breath, giving myself an imaginary pat on the back. Look at me being the bigger person. Although it'd be nice, I didn't require an apology. We could start fresh as of today and then I could figure out a kind and gentle plan to get Takumi on his knees for me.

Seconds elapsed.

Seconds in which evolved into a full-blown minute.

Takumi didn't make a peep. In fact, his eyebrows were furrowed, forming a crease between them. He analyzed me—picked me apart from head to toe.

Finally, he said, "What the heck are you talking about? Who are you?"

.

.

.

This had to be a joke.

THIS HAD TO BE.

Several hours later, as I sat comfortably in my bed, scribbling furiously in my notebook—tonight's homework—my thoughts roamed.

There was no way—no way at all—that bastard seriously asked me, "who are you" with a straight face.

Me, Anri Hinomori! The girl whose life he made it his sole mission to ruin at the age of six! The girl who'd been in his homeroom class every year since the first grade!

Takumi's blunt question sent me into so much shock that my mind ran a blank and I couldn't muster a single, comprehensible answer. Eventually, the bell for class rang, and all I could do was stand, dumbstruck, as Takumi and his friend rose to their feet and strolled right on past me.

For the last five years, I lived, haunted by his actions.

I cursed how easily he had moved on from tormenting me.

All throughout elementary school, I stayed up, weeping into the wee hours of the night.

In middle school, the guilt at having been partially responsible for my parents' separation ate right through me.

Yet, you mean to tell me all this time—all this goddamn time—Takumi felt absolutely zero remorse?

I was essentially his favourite chew toy. One he played with, fooled around with, and eventually spat out once he got bored.

And he forgot about it all?

I meant that little to him?

Sure, I didn't stand out. I preferred it that way. Blending in. Living my life contented by my hobbies. But I'd never forget what he did to me. I couldn't forget even if I wanted to.

Today, I was this close to forgiving him. I sincerely believed he had matured. That I'd been wrong about him.

Due to my heinous grip, my pencil snapped in half.

That fucking asshole.

I was going to murder him.

Spill his guts right across the school floor.

Shuffling arose. My brothers Asahi and Aoto propped themselves against the doorway to my bedroom.

Asahi gestured. "Now, if you look to your left, you'll notice a ferocious, bloodthirsty Anri. Keep in mind this is an extremely rare sight. Anri's are typically docile in nature, but when angered, they return to their primal state, mutilating everything in their path. Take note of those pointed claws. Those sharp fangs waiting to sink themselves into soft, unsuspecting flesh—"

Aoto raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"Is it all right if I take pictures?"

"Only if you promise not to get too close. Show Anri's a moment of weakness and they will tear you apart limb from limb."

"Ha ha," I monotoned.

My black stare didn't faze them in the slightest.

In fact, Asahi beamed from ear to ear.

Aoto captured multiple photos on his phone.

They got my blood boiling. One second, they treated me like dirt, and the next, they used every ounce of their power to get under my skin.

"Are you that bored?" I spat.

"I'll have you know, annoying you is our hobby," Asahi responded.

"It gives us meaning in life," Aoto agreed.

I clenched my jaw.

Add two more douchebags to my "to murder" list.

"Out," I hissed.

It wasn't until I slammed the door on their face that they conceded and headed downstairs. Unfortunately, my bedroom door didn't have a lock—no matter how desperately I begged Dad for one—so they'd be back eventually.

Tucked back under my covers, I rubbed my temples. I lifted my cell.

"Hey, Siri. How do you get away with murder?"

I nodded along to the music blaring through my headphones, scribbling my search results on a blank page in my notebook.

A notification interrupted me.

So, how's the progress coming along?

Research is going well. The question is how do I—as a sixteen-year-old girl—procure enough sodium hydroxide needed to melt a body.

Just buy it in increments.
From different stores across the city. On different days. That way, you can't be traced.

Most people would take that as a joke.

Most people wouldn't know an answer.

I swallowed, hard. Creeper was extremely terrifying.

Might I ask who it is you plan to murder?

You.
If you weren't such a coward.

I already told you, this is a taste of your own medicine.
If I give away my identity, I'll lose my sense of superiority.
All my power will leave me.
I'll be weak (T ^ T)

Psycho.

I'm flattered.
You didn't answer my question, though.
Did your confrontation with your love interest not go as well as you thought it would?

Don't call him my love interest.

There was no use avoiding a conversation with Creeper. If I ignored his texts, deducing his true identity would be impossible. It was in my best interest that I engaged him.

I didn't realize how invisible I am to others.
He doesn't even remember me.

Boo-hoo! That sucks! :(

I bit my lip.

Any chance you're actually Ren Takumi? And you're tricking me into thinking otherwise?

What makes you say so? (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)

You know things about me. That means you've been watching me for a long time. How long? Since childhood?

Ooh.
Mixing myself into one of your love interests. Have you romance me then, plot twist, it was me all along!!
I love that! I should've thought of that!

But too bad!
I am not Ren Takumi.
You're just naturally unlucky with boys!
A romantic loser!
A teenage failure! o(≧▽≦)o

I gritted my teeth.

If you're ready to give up, I can get my revenge now. Spread your secrets. Ruin your life. All the while enjoying the chaos unfold from the comfort of my screen ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Just give the word. I'll let you suffer as gently as I can ♡

Go fuck yourself.

I slammed my phone shut.

Okay, so murdering Ren Takumi wasn't an option.

I had to take this seriously.

If Creeper wanted me to play this as a dating game, then I'd approach this as a dating game. While doing so, I'd fulfil my own thirst for revenge.

Ren Takumi might have forgotten about me, but in retrospect, that could be a blessing in disguise.

I'd make him remember me.

I'd make it so that my name and face were etched into his brain for eternity.

Afterwards, I'd break his ugly, rotten heart and walk away from this with a huge smile on my face.

_________________

Nothing like some good old-fashioned revenge.

「 A Random Fun Fact: 」

The Hinomori family consists of a total of five children. In order, they are:

• Azuma - 21 (M)
• Azusa - 21 (M)
• Asahi - 19 (M)
• Aoto - 17 (M)
• Anri - 16 (F)

Hope you liked today's chapter! If you did, please remember to vote and also comment what you think about the story so far! I'd appreciate any feedback :)

See you in the next update! <3

—Misty