ENIGMA OF LOVE
It's strange, this thing called "love." It's something we often expect to receive without question. We expect it to be so straightforward, but it's usually anything but. We crave it as though it were a drug. For some, it causes nothing but pain, while it brings happiness to others. A double-edged arrow, you could call it. That would best define the relationship I have, or the relationship I had. My name is Ryushi Nakagawa, and this is my story.
It all started at my high school, like most cases of puppy love. The school I attend is Shiraishi High. I have a number of good friends with whom I hang out rather often. My father died when I was a kid, so I just had my mother to look after me My school life was pretty normal. That is, until the day I met Nomi. That changed everything.
Nomi seemed like a normal girl. She was beautiful, smart, and as bubbly as can be. She had transferred from another school some distance away. The moment she laid eyes on me, she was hooked. She asked me to be her boyfriend almost instantly. She seemed so kind, so beautiful, so how could I refuse.
We went out for some time. Going to the movies, eating out, that kind of stuff. It seemed so perfect, at first. But, over time, things began to get really strange. She started calling me at least fifteen times a day. She followed me wherever I went, and she got angry whenever I was talking to girls who were my friends. Finally, I had little choice but to cancel our relationship. Even then, she refused to let go.
It was about a week after we split up. One of my homeroom teachers, a kind and friendly man, was found dead in one of the classrooms. The body of a student was found as well. It was believed that they were during an afterschool study session. I was crushed! How could this have happened?! Who would've wanted to kill them, of all people?! The worst was yet to come.
Two days later, another body was discovered. I was walking home from school that day when I happened upon the crime scene. It was a bloody spectacle. I recognized the man as Nomi's dad! He had more wounds that I cared to count. On top of him was the body of a dog, most likely his. I rushed home as fast as I could, horrified by what I had just seen.
When I arrived home, I slammed door behind me. I expected to hear my mother telling me never to slam it, but no answer came. She was usually home before I was, so I found it strange. I went and grabbed an onigiri from the fridge in order to calm my nerves. I walked into the living room. Then I saw it. My mother was sitting on the couch. Her throat was slit from ear to ear. Then, slowly, Nomi rose up from behind the couch.
Nomi…. You….. you didn't. N0!
What's wrong, Ryushi-kun? Did I scare you?
Her giggle was as giddy as ever.
You… You're crazy! Why?! WHY?!
Why? Don't you know already?
My mother… you killed my mother!
And you killed my dog!
What?! No, I didn't
Don't you lie to me! It's not too farfetched! You wanted revenge because of our breakup!
I love you! Do you expect me to let go that easily?!
My dog was innocent, and so was your mother! Now we're even!
You're insane!
Says the boy who killed two of my friends!
What?!
It doesn't matter. They'll never think I did any of it. I'll make sure of it.
I dashed out of there like nobody's business. I ran up the stairs to my room, with Nomi in hot pursuit. She was dying to gut me alive. I rain into my room, locked the door and hid inside my closet. Sweating bullets, I tried not to make a sound. Then I heard her voice. It sounded like she was in my room! She must have gotten hold of my mother's house keys! Even now I'm in here. I don't know how long I can last in here. I pray for help to come. I can hear her out there, waiting for me to come out.
Come out, Ryushi-kun. I know you're in there.
Come out and play….