Chapter 3

Taeko didn't find herself mourning Osano as much as she thought she would. Of course his death changed every aspect of her life, but that was about it. She didn't… miss him. He was rude, arrogant, and mouthy to her all the time.

She didn't want to admit it, and she never would admit it out loud or even in her head, but she was a little relieved that Osano was gone.

However, now that he's gone, this left an open slot for Yanagi and Yanagi alone. Osano wouldn't interrupt their conversations or get in the way or pull her away. She had Yanagi all to herself. That is, if Kokona wasn't in the way.

Taeko followed the drill-haired girl up the stairs to the roof with deathly silent footsteps several meters behind. She spotted her step behind a large metal box, Saki Miyu just right around the corner. She assumed that they wanted to come up here and talk about something.

"You haven't been acting like your usual self lately." Saki commented, her eyes gleaming with concern. "Is something bothering you?"

Kokona looked away. "Oh, well… it's nothing."

Saki didn't look convinced. Taeko tucked herself closer against the other side of the box, listening to them. Saki finally responded. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But remember, I'm your friend and I'd never judge you for anything."

There was a deafening pause. "I guess there's one thing I want to talk about."

"I'm listening."

Kokona took a deep breath and Taeko pressed even closer to the wall. "Ever since my mom died, my dad's been drinking a lot. Sometimes when he's drunk, he comes into my room and-" she quickly stopped herself. Taeko blinked in surprise. Was Kokona a victim of domestic abuse? Kokona groaned. "Forget I said anything. I really, really, don't want to talk about it."

Saki gasped in shock. "What? That sounds really serious! What does your dad do?"

"Look," Kokona began firmly, "I said I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone, okay?"

"You don't have anything to be ashamed of!" Saki insisted. "Just tell me what's wrong!"

Kokona's voice sounded as though she was on the verge of tears. "I'm not going to say anything else. Please, just drop it."

Saki relented. She stepped back, her shoes clicking on the stone. "If you say so," she sounded very hesitant. "But now I'm really worried."

Taeko was quick to get out of the way before the girls saw her. She was beginning to formulate an idea. It seems like Kokona's life is absolutely miserable, and Taeko could use that to her advantage. She quietly giggled to herself. This should be fun.

Taeko sat at the top of the school roof, staring at the cherry tree, sighing blissfully. Someday, she was going to confess to Yanagi under there on a Friday, fulfilling the school's legend.

She stood behind a box, unseen by Kokona as she went up the stairs to the roof, looking around in confusion.

Taeko had written a note and put it in Kokona's locker, asking her to meet her at the roof to talk about domestic abuse. She knew that would be the only way to lure her up there.

Taeko faltered. What if she couldn't do it? She's never killed anyone before. She shook her head. Taeko isn't killing anyone, she's just making it look like Kokona commit suicide out of the miserable life she has. Taeko had prepared a pencil and paper to forge a suicide note as well, stuffed and well hidden in her book bag.

She snuck up to Kokona, whose hands were on the rails, waiting.

Taeko swallowed hard. She stepped forward and immediately grasped the heels of Kokona's shoes. Kokona gasped in surprise, asking her what she was doing. In one swift movement, Taeko while still holding the shoes, flipped Kokona over the railing, a scream closely following.

Then came the sickening crunch.

Taeko looked down, seeing Kokona's mangled body on the ground, blood beginning to pool around her. She's dead now.

She gently set down the shoes together and used the ground to forge the suicide note, talking about the compensated dating and the domestic abuse, talking about how terrible everything is and that her only release is death. Taeko has read a lot of books and wrote a lot of stories, she knew how to make things poetic while still imitating someone's handwriting.

She folded the paper in half and stuck it inside of her shoe, and proceeded to walk away. That was easy. Taeko stopped walking. She looked at her hands, realizing she had the hands of a murderer, but she didn't care. She actually felt a thrill taking Kokona's life, now knowing that Yanagi is safe from that slut.

"Did you hear that Kokona Haruka killed herself?"

Yanagi had just texted her. Taeko smirked to herself and proceeded to continue absentmindedly stroking her plush cat. Taeko was allergic to cats, so she had to make do with plushies. She texted him back, "Just heard".

There was no response for the rest of the evening until night fell. Her heart lurched into her stomach. What if he liked Kokona? What if she just broke him? But there was no way to know now, Kokona is dead. Finally, he replied back, "Someone told me that the school is planning to put a higher fence around the roof now."

"Really?"

"┐(￣ヘ￣)┌"

She softly chuckled at the emoji he texted. How could they both be so casual about someone killing herself? It seemed… right.

This boy was beautifully pure and innocent. He seemed to calm all the time, except for when he was around her. Otherwise, he was kind and friendly. "Are you going to join any clubs?" He texted her. Then Taeko's fingers danced above the keyboard. What should she text? Was he going to join any? That's a good question.

"Will you join any?"

There was a minute long pause. It was like he was thinking heavily on it. Finally, he texted back, "I might join light music club."

"What instrument do you know?"

"Cello. You still need to answer my question."

What question? ...Oh right, the club question. She sighed. "I probably won't join any."

"Ok."

What a strange response. She smiled. "Goodnight, Yanagi."

"Goodnight."