(Just a little warning: This part contains references to an issue that may be sensitive for some.
I also want to thank a couple of you for your positive, encouraging reviews on my first chapter. This is my first fiction on this site, so I really appreciate them :D One of you seem pretty mad though... *gulp* so uh, I'll just vanish for now, until the next update then!)

"I just can't believe what happened yesterday," Shima Shita said to Juku Ren as they both entered the Martial Arts clubroom. "Kokona always seemed like such a sweet person. I even remember her helping me find my class on my first day of school."

"You know what? I heard that it was all over Taro Yamada," Juku told his companion in a softer tone.

Shima's eyes widened. "Wow, that is so messed up."

"Hey."

The both of them turned to Sho Kunin as he walked in and greeted them. "Have either of you heard any word from Budo? I didn't see him come to school today."

Juku and Shima gave each other puzzled looks before shaking their heads.

"Is he unwell?" Juku suggested.

"He would have informed us if he wasn't coming," Sho replied. "I've been trying to reach him on his cell phone but he hasn't picked up once today."

"Bad news, everyone," Mina Rai announced curtly, striding into the clubroom. "Budo has been reported missing since last night."

Gasps erupted from the group of martial artists. "What?!"

Expecting such a reaction from them, Mina continued. "Taro told me that the teacher announced it during their class this morning."

Sho raised an eyebrow at her. "You spoke to Taro Yamada?"

A look of concern crossed Shima's face. "Oh yes, the poor thing. How is he?"

"He's still really down," Mina answered. "I don't blame him though, after what happened."

"Not that it's helping that the atmosphere at this school just seems to be getting worse," Sho added gravely. "First Saki Miyu goes missing, and now Budo too?"

Suddenly, the group could faintly hear a long scream coming from just outside the building, right before the sound of a crash, as if something of significant weight had plummeted to the ground.

They all shot one another looks of alarm. "What was that?!"

"We should check it out, come on!"

A moment later, the Martial Arts team was racing down the stairs and out the back door. They then stopped in horror at the sight of Oka Ruto lying on the grass in a pool of blood. A few other students had already gathered around the scene, murmuring among themselves. Mina and Sho cautiously approached the body.

"Mina, her shoes are missing…" Sho pointed out.

Mina gasped. "She… jumped?"

Juku then came up behind them. "W- we need to get a teacher over here, now…"

Budo worriedly watched Saki as she quietly cried. Her body was shaking, and he knew that her mind was in danger of slipping. The resentment he felt for Ayano was indescribable, knowing that it was her constant torturing that was doing this to Saki.

"I- I can't take this anymore… Why is she doing this t- to me? I wish she would just kill me already…"

Budo shook his head after hearing that. He had to get her to hold on to her sanity.

"Saki, no. Look at me, Saki," he spoke to her, trying to sound confident.

Saki whimpered, keeping her head down.

"Saki… look at me," he repeated.

Saki slowly lifted her head, and their eyes met. Hers were red from all the crying.

"You have to be strong, alright? You can't give in to Ayano. Think about Kokona. She wouldn't want you to give up now. I don't want you to. I'm here for you, Saki."

"Why hello there, my dear friends. Did you two miss me?"

Ayano swaggered down the stairs before casually leaning against the wall. She flashed her captives a seemingly warm, playful smile. "How was your day? Mine has been adequately, um, productive..."

"What… did you do… Ayano?" Budo demanded in a cautious tone.

Ayano giggled. "Me? Oh come on, Oka Ruto was a rather troubled girl after all…"

Saki looked up at her in shock. "Y- You… oh no… no, no… you can't, you can't do this!"

"Oh Saki, you still don't get it, do you?"

Ayano's grin disappeared as she slowly walked over to Saki. A sharp slap resounded through the basement.

"Only one thing matters!" She snapped at the sobbing girl.

"Ayano!" Budo seethed in rage at that gesture. She did not just do that! Did she also just admit to killing someone else? At that point, he simply wished for nothing more than to be free to give the lowlife what she deserved. "You're despicable!"

Ayano turned to Budo and leaned in towards him, her smile returning. "I like how much fire you have in you. I look forward to snuffing it out!"

"You're wasting your time," he spat. "You'll have to kill me before I let you break me."

Ayano chuckled, swiftly unfolding her pocket knife in front of his face. "Kill you? Oh, you'll be begging me to do that very soon…"

"Ayano… no!" Saki exclaimed, furiously shaking her head. "Isn't hurting me enough? D- Don't do this to anyone else! Please!"

Ayano kept her attention on Budo as she responded to Saki's plea. "Relax, my dear. You should be thankful that I'm giving you a break tonight."

*STAB*

Budo flinched, letting a short hiss escape his lips as the knife pierced his leg. He suppressed a cry of pain, glaring defiantly at Ayano.

Ayano only laughed again. "This is going to be fun. Let's see how long you can hold out."

Saki could only look away as the nightmare continued to play out in front of her. Knowing that someone else was going through what she did was another kind of torture altogether, especially if that someone was the only friendly face she had seen in days. He was right though – she couldn't give up, and if he wasn't going down without a fight, then neither was she.