"Okay, so remember when I said I'd make you a playlist?" Osano said excitedly, sitting down between me and Oko. "Listen to this!" He passed me his earbuds, and I obediently put them in. I found myself looking at Aishi again. He had a strange expression… not the passionate hatred from before, but… anticipation?

"Okay, this is the first one. It always makes me think of you…" Osano said, starting the song. I didn't have a moment to process what he had said, as the recording was just as perplexing as Aishi's look.

"Mika? No, I don't really like her that much. Kinda weird, to be honest… creepy, even."

It was... Osano's voice, but… the tone, the annotation didn't match… it sounded like voice clips cobbled together, playing on loop.

"Mika? No, I don't really like her that much. Kinda weird, to be honest… creepy, even." "Mika? No, I don't really like her that much. Kinda weird, to be honest… creepy, even.""Mika? No, I don't really like her that much. Kinda weird, to be honest… creepy, even."

I never took my eyes off Aishi. As the confusion spread across my face, his expression changed. From anticipation to a slowly spreading triumphant grin. I scowled, taking out the earbuds and handing them back.

"Hey, Osano, I'll be right back, yeah? I gotta… get something. From my bag."

"Huh? What did you forget?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll be right back."

I cleared out of the rooftop, not quite sure of where I was going. What was Aishi doing? I have no doubt he put that sound file in Osano's phone. How, was a question, but the right question was, why? Was his problem with Osano, or with me? I noticed… he had followed me off the roof. He was walking a few feet behind me, as casually as you please. I think it's safe to assume he's after me. Again, why?

Mother. Fucking. Shit. Was he from the Enlightened? No, it couldn't be. I never saw anyone under the age of thirty around them. But, still… if there was a time to contact Shinsei, it would be now. Well, maybe not right now… not while Aishi was following me. Seriously, what the hell was his first name?

I went out to the front of the school. Neither Osano nor Oko would look for me there. At least, I hope. I walked out past one of the drama club girls, out into the grass. I sat in the open, forcing Aishi to hide out ten feet away from me. There was no way he could get closer without looking suspicious, and he knew it. Not only was he a stalker, but he was competent about it. That was something I could take advantage of, at least.

He would probably think I was upset about Osano's recording. That was excuse enough to be out here alone. What would he think of me texting, though? I growled to myself. I'll risk it.

I didn't want to text Shinsei while I was at school. I would deal with that later. Now… I really wanted to explain myself to Osano.

Hey, do me a favor. Listen to that recording you showed me.

y? did you like it?

Please just listen to it.

? Mika, i swear i didnt say that! that wasnt me!

I know. I didn't think you did.

I paused, my thumbs hovering over the keypad. How much do I tell him? Definitely not everything. Oh, most certainly not everything. He texted me back before I knew what to say next.

who would do this?

I sighed. What do I tell him? How much danger was there? If it was the Enlightened, then… Then Osano needed to get the hell away from me.

Someone who wants to drive us apart. Delete these texts. I'll explain later.

I'll explain later. That sounded like a lie. It probably was. Osano took the hint though, and didn't text me again.

My phone did go off again, but it was Shinsei.

Check in.

We need to talk. I'll call later.

When we went back to class, Osano and I didn't look at each other. I hated the tension that hung in the air. I couldn't concentrate, but I didn't care anyway. All I cared about was Osano's safety.

He might not be safe anymore.

And that was my fault.