I should really start writing more, although I am writing Senran Persona every day. Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of He Knows. I need to write down the neutralisations methods and make sure the story is up-to-date with the game to ensure maximum accuracy. Let's not waste anymore time. It's Kizana's arc might end this chapter...

Load Game... Start!

Chapter 10: The Mask

They wanna take away our happy ending

Suffocate our happy ending

Little they know how my love is true

They try to put to death our happy ending

Sabotage our happiness

Rest assured our happy ending will come through

(Thursday)

"Da da da da da da~" Kokona sang to herself as she walked to school.

Thursday.

Such a wonderful day.

The air felt clearer, the sun shone brighter, and sounds and smells were just... heavenly.

She even slept more than three hours last night.

She actually breakfast before leaving.

Was this real life, or just a mere fantasy?

It actually didn't matter, she realised. All she knew that she, Kokona Haruka, felt like she was walking on clouds.

And this was all caused because of someone she only met on that wonderful Monday morning.

Which meant something terrible was going to happen to her today.

"Hello, Kokona." A familiar voice greeted her, snapping the Drama Club Secretary out of her thoughts. Kokona turned to see Ayano, who was waving at her.

"Oh, Yan-chan!" Kokona called back as she ran up to the girl. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Ayano said with a nod. Kokona always thought her way of talking was strange, just how... flat it is most of the time. And in the short time she's known her, she was surprised someone like her would be so invested in Drama, which came as a shock when she quit not even two weeks since joining.

Still, at least they were friends... at least, that's what Kokona thought. Sure they hadn't really talked much but at least they could hold a conversation.

"How have you been?" Kokona asked as they made their way to their shoe lockers.

"Good." Ayano replied.

"Uh... So, are you thinking about joining another club?" Kokona questioned as they switched shoes.

"I already have." Ayano answered, surprising Kokona greatly.

"Oh, already? What club?" Kokona asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Martial Arts." Ayano replied as she pulled out a club issued headband from her bag.

"H-Huh!?" Kokona gasped out before choking on air. After catching her breath, she studied Ayano's... small physique. "U-Um, er... why? Oh, I get it. You like Budo Masuta. Well, get in line. There's more than a few girls that are going after him."

Ayano looked past Kokona and saw the Martial Arts President talking to Juku Ren, showing him a few motions. "I have no interest in him. Only what he teaches." Ayano stated.

"That's good, Yan-chan. Good to see you're dedicated to your new club." Kokona said happily before sighing. "I'm gonna miss you at Drama Club, you know."

"...I will too." Ayano lied as she saw her plan start to form. "I need to go, I will... see you soon."

"That's okay. I need to go to the bathroom real quick anyways. See you around!" Kokona replied as left. Ayano took one last look at the retreating form of her rival before leaving.

Meanwhile, Taro had arrived at school with Amai and Osana. Unlike the usual, where it was either discussing their plans for capturing the Yandere or maybe even more friendly topics, they were silent. Having not spoken a word to each other since yesterday.

"...Guys..." Amai started before stopping herself. She knew what happened, just from the looks in their eyes. It was a stab in the heart to learn that Taro had fallen in love with yet another girl, another target for the Yandere to go after.

What were they going to do?

"...You guys don't deserve someone like me." Taro suddenly spoke.

"Huh?" Osana got out in surprise as they stopped under one of the sakura trees.

"Osana, Amai... you deserve someone so much better. Someone... faithful." Taro stated. "I... If you want to stop being around me, I won't blame you."

"Taro-kun..." Amai whispered out before shaking her head. "No, we're in this together, no matter what happens."

"But-" Taro tried to argue only for Osana to slap her hand over his mouth.

"Baka! Stop trying to be a hero! You're not!" Osana shouted out. "You're not some anime protagonist! Whoever this Yandere is, she will kill you if you screw up. And I don't want to be in a world without you!"

"Osana, I-"

"Shut up and let me talk!" Osana interrupted before he could even think about his words. "Do you know how miserable I was after you left me at the hospital!? Every day was like the end of the world without you! You may be the biggest idiot on the planet, but you're my idiot and I'm not letting you go anywhere! Where you go, I go! And Amai-chan can come along too, I guess."

"Hey!" Amai called out as she glared at the Tsundere.

"What I'm trying to say that we're already in too deep to just let you go after that psycho alone!" Osana stated before becoming quieter. "And... We love you too much to let you go..."

"...We'll work it out once the Yandere is gone. Just don't leave us." Amai said as she and Osana stared into Taro's eyes.

Taro remained silent before tears started to well up in his eyes and laughed. "I really don't deserve you..." He whispered out before hugging the both of them. Osana and Amai couldn't help but sigh in relief before pulling him closer, wanting to feel his warmth for just a bit longer.

Suddenly, the bell rang.

"We're going to be late." Osana said as she rubbed her face on Taro's shoulder before pulling away. "We need to focus on Kizana and Kokona."

"Right. Let's discuss about that at lunch." Amai said as she took in Taro's scent before pulling away herself.

Taro nodded at this. "Alright, ladies. This is it. Friday is do or die so we better pull out all the stops." He stated.

"Then what are we standing around for? We gotta go to class!" Osana reminded. Nodding to each other, they sprinted to their homerooms.

Taro couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long time, he felt as though he was safe.

(Lunchtime)

Kizana sighed as she ate her lunch. It was nothing too special. Just some rice, vegetables and some pork in her bento today. Sitting alone on the rooftop, she leaned her back against the railing as she stared up at the sky. She closed her eyes as she just felt the breeze on her skin.

"I can't tell you... how to see me. Just a cage of bones. There's nothing inside. Will it unleash me? Burning down the walls. Is there a way... for me to break~?" Kizana sang to herself before sighing once again.

How did her life end up like this...?

"Mum... what would you say if you were still here..." Kizana whispered out as she reached out to the sky.

"Kizana Sunobu!" A voice suddenly called out, getting the Drama Club President's attention.

"Hm!?" Kizana got out before looking down to see who wanted her attention. It was Aoi Ryugoku, the enforcer of the school and local cyclops. "O-Oh, Ryugoku-san, what pleasure it is for you to meet me on such a fine day."

"Drop the act Sunobu." Aoi sighed out. "Megami-kaichou just announced a meeting tomorrow so we're moving up your funding review today after school."

"What!?" Kizana exclaimed as she stood up. "B-But we're not ready yet! You have to-"

Suddenly, Kizana shivered as Aoi merely glared at her. She didn't know what she was feeling, all she knew that should would get hurt very, very badly if she tried to argue with the blue-haired girl.

"I-I'll make sure to inform the club." Kizana stammered out.

"Don't bother. I'm sure the others told them. Now please enjoy the rest of your day." Aoi said in a slightly more polite tone as she stalked off.

Kizana, after making sure her panties weren't (that) wet, went back to her seat and hit the back of her head on the wall.

Oh, so that was the thing that was going to ruin her day.

Meanwhile, Amai was observing her from a distance, making sure no one came near her despite her feelings of the girl. The Cooking Club President couldn't help but narrow her eyes at her.

What was going on?

"Hey Amai-chan." Osana greeted as she and Taro walked up to the girl. "How's the Drama Queen?"

"Well, she isn't dead." Amai replied. "So, what's the plan?"

"I don't really know." Taro sighed out as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "All we can do is have you watch from the outside while Osana and I make sure the play goes smoothly."

"Don't worry, Taro-kun. I have my trusty knife with me." Amai happily stated as she pulled it out of her panties. "If I see anyone suspicious, I will slice their throat open."

Osana and Taro silently stared as Amai, disturbed by her happy and sweet tone, and took a step back. "A-Amai. I know you want to revenge for what the Yandere did to us but calm down." Taro said. "We're not going to stoop to her level. We're going to turn her over to the police."

"Right! Right..." Amai breathed out as she put away the knife. "But... if she dares hurt you, she's getting one in the back."

"...If you have to." Taro hesitantly got out. "Just... don't get hurt because of me. It'd only make me feel even guiltier than I already am." He mumbled out as he saw the Drama Club President leave the rooftop. "I wonder... after this we can try and get Kizana and Kokona-san to be nicer to each other." He thought out loud.

"Huh? Why?" Osana asked as she leaned against the railing.

"Well... family shouldn't hate each other." Taro answered. "I mean, I don't think I've even seen them together in the same space. It's like they're actively avoiding each other."

"Yeah. When one is in the area, the other disappears off the face of the earth." Osana said as she sighed. "It's really hard to keep track of them..."

Amai hummed to herself as she crossed her arms underneath her breasts. "Yes. Quite. And we've haven't gotten a single sign that the Yandere was active all week." She reminded. "And it makes me scared that she has something big planned."

"If something is going to happen, it's going to be on Friday." Taro stated.

"Under the sakura tree..." Osana muttered under her breath, feeling slightly bitter. "But yes, with the review on Friday, it's the perfect opportunity for the Yandere to strike."

"Then we better make sure she doesn't interfere with the play." Amai said as the bell rang. "Class time."

"Alright, let's have our next meeting on Sunday. Hopefully by then, Kokona and Kizana will cease to be targets." Taro said as Osana and Amai nodded at him.

'And maybe they won't become another girl we have to deal with.' Osana and Amai added as they gave a quick glare at each other.

(Afterschool)

"Over there! That prop must go over there! No, to the left, you imbecile!" The Vice President shouted out as the Drama Club scrambled to get the scene set up.

Taro and Osana just looked at each other, wondering why the club was so frantic today before walking up to the Vice President.

"Uh..." Taro got out, getting the attention the male student. "Excuse er..."

"Oh, for the love of all that is holy and great, my name is TSUROZO! YAMAZAKI!" The Vice President yelled at the two as he jabbed his thumb on the sticker on his uniform. "I EVEN BROUGHT A NAME TAG! WHY DOES NO ONE KNOW MY FUCKING NAME!?"

"Uh, we just wanted to know why everyone is running around, Yamazaki-shachō." Osana said as she removed her hands from her ears while Taro was trying to get his hearing back.

"Oh, sorry." Tsurozo apologized as he calmed down. "Well, due to an emergency meeting being scheduled tomorrow, the Student Council has moved up the Drama Club's review to today."

"Today!?" Taro and Osana exclaimed in unison.

"Actually, in thirty minutes." A club member corrected. "Guess you didn't know because you're technically not part of the club and you only join recently." He then guessed before going back to getting the prop onto the stage.

"No! Not there! J-Just put it back where you got it!" The Vice President shouted at the member, who only glared at him before going away. "You two, do you mind searching for Haruka-san and Sunobu-buchou? We need all hands on deck here."

"Wait, what?" Taro got out as his eyes widened, fearing the worst. Glancing at Osana, she had the same expression too. "A-Alright, we'll go get them here." He assured the male student as he and Osana ran off to find the two.

However, they stopped when they overheard a conversation between two members.

"God, it's barely been a week and we're being driven like slaves." The female member complained. "God, it was so much better last year."

"Yeah, and the President was so much nicer. She was stuck up, sure but she never really went this far…" The male member sighed out.

"No kidding. But she still took all the lead roles in every play we do." The female member groaned out. "At least Haruka-san let everyone have a chance."

"That's so true. It was way better back when she was President, before Sunobu transferred in." The male member stated as they went back to work.

'Kokona… was President?' Taro and Osana thought in surprise.

"Hey, what are you two standing around for!? GO!" The Vice President shouted out at them, causing them to snap out of their thoughts and run out the door, Osana quickly calling Amai.

"Amai, Kokona and Kizana are missing! Help find them!" Osana said before hanging up, not giving the Cooking Club President a chance to respond.

'Please don't tell me the Yandere got to them first!' Taro mentally begged as he ran past Ayano.

Ayano merely looked at the retreating forms to the two before letting herself smile.

This was the perfect opportunity.

(A few minutes later...)

After she put away her curling iron, Kokona was stared at herself in the mirror of the 3rd floor girl's bathroom. No one really came here due to some rumour about a girl being killed here, so it gave her the privacy she frequently needed. Hell, the light of the bathroom hadn't really been replaced since the 1980s, that's how far ingrain that rumour was.

Still, Kokona did always notice that it was always a few degrees lower than the outside, even when it was steaming hot.

Suddenly heard something.

"Huh?" Kokona got out before looking around before shaking her head.

Maybe it was her imagination.

"Okay, Kokona... You can do this." The purple haired girl told herself before leaving the bathroom, bad over her shoulder. "It'll be easy. All you have to do is come and explain why-"

"Kokona-san!" A familiar voice called out to her, causing her to jump in surprise before turning to see Taro, Osana and Amai running up to her. "Oh thank God you're safe!" Taro breathed in relief as they stopped in front of her.

"E-Er... Of course I am." Kokona got out, looking slightly confused. "Look, I have to..."

"Kokona, we need you at the gym!" Osana interrupted as she grabbed Kokona's arm. "The Student Council is going to arrive there at any minute."

"Yeah, plus you have show your jerk of a cousin on what you can really do." Amai added. Kokona's eyes widened, having completely forgotten the bet Taro had dragged her into.

"U-Um... W-Well..." Kokona mumbled out as she tried to say something in response. "Y-You see..."

"Come on, Kokona-san. You go with Amai while me and Osana will go find Kizana." Taro said in a kind voice, trying to calm her down. However, it had the opposite effect.

"Y-You can't!" Kokona suddenly called out, causing the three to look at her with confused looks on their faces.

"Huh? Why not?" Osana asked.

"Kizana... Kizana is away." Kokona answered as a little bit of sweat started to form on her forehead. "She isn't here, yeah. Um, she needs to do something for her dad." She then explained. Mentally, however, she was cursing to herself.

"Huh? But... I saw her at lunch today." Amai spoke up.

"W-Well, she said that she had to go home early..." Kokona muttered out.

"But I saw her talk to one of the Council. She should know that the review is today." Amai muttered out. "Kokona-san... are you hiding something from us?"

"N-No! Of course not!" Kokona nervously got out as she managed to get out of Osana's grasp. "Wait... Oh! I think Kizana went to the Nurse's Office first. Maybe she's still there. I'll go get her." She said as started to head over to the Nurse's Office.

However, she was stopped when Taro grabbed her hand.

"Kokona-san... is there something you've been hiding from me?" Taro asked as he looked straight into her eyes. "We heard that you were the Club President last year until your cousin took over. What did she do? Does she know something? Please, Kokona... I'm your friend here."

"..." Kokona remained silent before looking down, frowning. After a few minutes of thinking, she broke the silence. "...I... I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Taro managed to get out before...

WHAM!

"TARO!" Osana and Amai exclaimed after Kokona whacked Taro in the face with her bag, sending him to the ground.

"You bitch! Why did you-" Osana started to yell, only to see that Kokona had ran while she and Amai worried about Taro. "Dammit... why did she do that...?"

"Taro-senpai, are you okay?" Amai asked in concern as she helped Taro to his feet.

"Yeah. She didn't hit me that hard." Taro replied as he rubbed his slightly sore cheek. "Still, what did she have in her bag? It definitely wasn't just books..."

"Who cares about what was in her bag!? She hurt you, so I'm gonna make her explain herself!" Osana declared as she dashed off to find the Drama Club Secretary.

"Osana, wait!" Taro called out before sighing. "Kokona..."

"Taro-senpai, you should probably head back to the Drama Club." Amai suggested. "I'll go make sure Osana doesn't get hurt."

"But... the Yandere..." Taro got out as he winced. "She might..." He tried to say something, however was stopped when Amai put a finger to his lips.

"It's okay. Go. The Student Council could be there now and the club needs Romeo." Amai told him before kissing him on the cheek. "Now go and make sure the play goes well. The Yandere could be there too."

"...Okay." Taro nodded before running off towards the gym.

Right before slamming into Kizana.

"AH!" They both screamed out as they went to the ground.

"Ugh... sorry..." Taro groaned out as he helped her up, not really knowing who he ran into until her got a good look. "O-Oh! Kizana."

"T-Taro." Kizana got out, sounding a little more higher pitched than usual, before she suddenly started coughing.

"Are you okay?" Taro asked in concern as he patted the Drama Club President's back.

"I-I'm fine." Kizana replied, her voice returning to its normal posh accent. "Romeo-kun, why are you here? You should be at the gym."

"I should say the same thing." Taro said. "Where were you?"

"In the Nurse's Office. Why does it matter, we need to perform the greatest scene in all of theatre!" Kizana called out as she grabbed Taro. "And there, I will show you that I am the greatest actress in the school!"

"Hey, wait!" Taro tried to get Kizana to stop dragging him, only to sigh and give up.

Hopefully, the girls could find Kokona before it was too late.

Meanwhile, Ayano merely watched the two from a distance from behind a bush.

Now, she would loved to watch Taro a little more, but she had Martial Arts Club and she wanted to squeeze everything she could from it.

Besides, everything was in place. Besides, it would be suspicious for her to attend the club she had just quit. She didn't need be there.

Because no matter what happens, even she doesn't die on stage, Ayano had already eliminated her chances of being with Senpai.

And Kokona?

Easy.

She was no longer a threat.

(A few minutes later...)

Taro, frankly, had no idea what was going on or how he ended up in this situation.

Kizana was acting weirdly. Kokona was gone according to Osana. And now he was only seconds away from making an ass of himself on stage in front of the Student Council.

And this is all while trying to make sure the Yandere hadn't tampered with anything, which he really couldn't do due to the club members making sure he was ready to play Romeo for the scene.

Either God hated him, or he just had the worst luck in the universe.

"Romeo, you're on!" A club member called out to him. Taro nodded and took in a deep breath before he started walking onto the stage. "Remember your lines, and make sure you really kiss Juliet. It'll show the Student Council our dedication to the play."

"Huh, excuse me?" Taro coughed out before being shoved onto the stage, where Kizana was.

"Good afternoon, Council. Is everything up to your standards so far?" Kizana asked in a kind tone.

"Yes. It is good to see that the funding has not gone to waste." Kuroko Kamenaga replied as she pushed up her glasses. "We just need to see how you've been rehearsing for the play and we should be done here."

The Vice President nodded at that. "Alright you two, from Scene 5, Line 26! Any time you're ready!" He called out.

Taro took a deep breath and held Kizana's hand. He had to do this. "If I profane with my un-worthiest hand, this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss." He whispered into her ear, trying to sound as passionate as he could as he stared in Kizana's eyes.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much," Kokona replied as she put her hand over Taro's. "Which mannerly devotion shows in this; for saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

"Have not saint's lips, and holy palmers too?" Taro questioned, noticing how… nice and smooth Kizana's hands were. They were so… warm and… familiar…

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer." Kizana answered as she dove deeper and deeper into her role.

"Oh, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair." Taro got out as he felt he breath start to quicken.

"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake." Kizana stated as she felt herself melt away, only leave the person underneath.

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged." Taro whispered out as he closed his eyes…

...Before backing away.

"I... can't." Taro said as he let go of her hand. "I... I can't." He repeated a little louder, shocking the audience.

"W-What doth thee mean?" Kizana got out in surprise.

"I mean... I... I'm not in love with you." Taro declared before gaining a determined expression. "You never gave me a reason to love you. I don't want to hurt you but... I'm in love with someone else!"

"GASP!" The Vice President exclaimed.

"What." Kizana got out in a small voice. Taro couldn't help but wince as he saw her heart break. However, a fire burning in his own eyes, he continued.

"I'm sorry, but my heart belongs to another and it belongs to the one you tried to keep out of the spotlight. The one who supported this club even when it was crushing her. I think I know why you chose me as Romeo, because it was love in first sight right? Because you wanted to steal a kiss from me. Well... that doesn't work in real life. My heart belongs to Kokona Haruka, because she was kind and generous and she wanted to know me... not the knight in shining armour you saw in your head." Taro continued. "I... I don't know where this stupid speech is going. But let me make this clear: I love Kokona Haruka. Not. You."

The gym became silent after Taro had finished his confession. They didn't know how to react.

That was until... Kokona broke the silence.

"...You love me?" the purple haired girl got out as her eyes widened, her posh accent gone.

Suddenly, she remembered where she was.

She looked and saw everyone staring at her with shocked expressions.

Kokona... Kizana... she didn't know what to do... other than run.

Taro couldn't believe it.

He didn't fall in love with one person.

He fell in love with two.

Save Game... Quit!

So... Yeah. Kokona and Kizana are one and the same in this story. I've been dropping hints ever since they were introduced like how they were never in the same scene together, how the chapter titles are singular rather than plural and other such hints. I laid it on thick on this chapter however. Feel free to tell me how dumb it is.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!