Everything has gone swimmingly.

I dropped off the guitar case at the rear of the Ronshaku company's building. There weren't any cameras or anything else to ever prove that I was there.

And Musume? I think I made it very clear to her that my identity remains a secret. I am now the source of her nightmares, so I highly doubt she'll spill the beans.

I decide to use my bicycle to school today, since I'm in a good mood. I don't usually cycle, but I might as well use it for once. Mother bought it for me for my birthday, completely unaware that I didn't want one.

I cannot blame her though. I never ask for anything on my birthday. It becomes rather difficult to not get a terrible gift.

The moment I reach school, I can just smell the fear in the air. The amount of Delinquents on patrol on the interior of the building has increased and the students are looking a little paranoid again. I act the same way in order to blend in with all these cowards.

Musume Ronshaku kidnapped right under the school's nose, now that must be embarrassing for them all. Once I walk up to the main doors, I see that the Delinquents are searching through everyone's schoolbags before they head inside. That's fine by me, I haven't brought anything that could deem dangerous.

"Hey, what the hell is this?" One of the Delinquents growl at one of the male students as she searches through his bag. "You brought a knife?"

"It's for my food…" the boy mutters back pitifully, looking incredibly feeble.

"Yeah, well you ain't taking it inside with you."

"But how will I eat?"

"With your fucking hands, I don't care!" The Delinquent yells as she shoves him inside the school building.

This Delinquent is different from the rest. I mean, all of them are simply thugs that had been picked off the streets, but this one seems slightly more aggressive than the rest of them, if that's even possible. As I step forward for my bag check, she goes through everything and doesn't even bother on not messing it up. While she's searching thoroughly through it, I take a good look at her. She's taller than me, older too. Her body isn't bulky but I can clearly see some large muscles on her arms. She must be strong.

Strangely enough, she's also wearing the school uniform, but it's incredibly damaged and ripped up. On top of her ragged uniform, there's a black leather jacket hanging by her shoulders.

Bandages all over her legs and scars much larger than the ones I've inflicted onto others.

This woman is dangerous. Whatever I do, I have to tread carefully around this thug.

She looks up and glares at me. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing,"

"If you've got something to say, spit it out."

Oh, trust me, I have a million things to say to a pathetic thug such as yourself.

But you're not worth my time.

"No, ma'am. I just want to go inside."

The female thug glares at me for a few more moments then forcefully tosses the bag back into my arms and waits for me to go inside.

Well, isn't she charming?

As I enter the building, the changes become even more obvious. Delinquents striding down every corner, desperate looks in their eyes.

It's actually quite entertaining to be able to walk right past them. I'm the one they're looking for, the one they've failed to bring to justice multiple times, but I can stroll through the school building and none of them are the wiser.

But since I didn't kill anyone and Musume Ronshaku has been returned to her family, this is sure to die down pretty soon. And that's exactly what I'm waiting for. The moment they drop their guard is when I can act freely again.

I head over to Art class.

As I sit down and recollect my thoughts, I cannot help but notice that I'm still feeling a little frustrated. I mean, someone had actually dared to get close to Senpai, but instead of making her suffer like she should, I'm helping both her and her father. Even if this means that there's less blood on my hands, it feels…strange.

Whatever. I can live with this, I suppose.

Class drags on for quite a while but once it ends I'm the first one out, again.

At break is finally the time when I can actually talk to Amai again. There's only one place she can be, too. I move towards the staircase and go upstairs, reaching the Cooking Club room. The doors are closed. I open them up slightly and peek inside.

She's not here. That's weird.

I feel a light tap on my shoulder.

Amai is standing happily behind me. There's a bright smile on her face and a friendly, amiable aura coming off of her that absolutely disgusts me. She's giving off that 'big sister' vibe and I do not care for it. Whatever you may look like on the outside, Amai, I know that on the inside you're a slippery snake who thinks she can get close to my Senpai.

But of course, to look natural, I smile cheerfully right back at her.

"Good morning, Amai."

"Morning! Were you looking for me here?"

"Yes."

Amai nods understandingly and does something that takes me by complete surprise.

She hugs me.

Her arms wrap around mine and she embraces me. She rests her head on my shoulders while she hugs me and I hear her weeping softly.

"Thank you…thank you so much…" She whispers.

She's giving me her warmth. She's holding me in the kind of way that seems like she never wants to let go. I freed her from her lifelong debt that I'm practically her saviour. Her tears are of joy, of happiness, of absolute delight and gratefulness. Her hug is a sign of true affection.

But I feel none of it.

To me, it's a cold, awkward hug that I have to endure until she finally decides to let go of me.

When she finally does, she wipes away her tears and looks at me directly in the eyes.

"You've saved me, and I barely even know you…" Amai mumbles, her voice cracked. "Why?"

Now that's a good question, but telling her to stay away from Senpai seems a little too early and sudden. No, for now, I'd better just make some pathetic, emotional excuse up.

"I suppose…" I slowly whisper, acting embarrassed and bashful. "I…just wanted to be friends."

Amai looks surprised and hugs me again. "Well, of course we are!"

Oh good, she bought it.

We talk together for a little longer, and Amai keeps repeating to me over and over again about how much I've helped her. Thankfully, she seems so happy and glad that her family's out of debt that she completely forgets to ask just how I managed it. That's good. She wouldn't really want to know, now would she?

Eventually the bell rings and we both have to go back to class. Just before she leaves, however, I hold her left hand and start to look embarrassed again.

"Say…Amai…?"

"Yes?"

"W-Would you mind…coming over to my house…?"

"You want me to come over? Why?"

"We could…hang out…and stuff."

Just fall for it already.

"Aw, you adorable thing. Of course I will!" Amai cheers with a big grin. "What's your address?"

"I'll text it to you."

"Okay then, I'll see you after school!"

She dashes off to class and I stand there in the middle of the hallway.

Perfect. It becomes so utterly easy to make someone your friend and get their upmost and absolute trust. All you have to do is help them in the way that most people would be afraid to, and once you've done it, they'll simply be lured in and be in your grasp.

Now she won't get close to Senpai. She won't stick to him like glue. He'll be mine and only mine, and in the Cooking Club I will be the one next to him. Senpai is so incredible that he keeps on attracting different kinds of women without even noticing, but that is only proving problematic for me. He isn't aware of it, but none of these girls would ever truly make him happy. Only I can do that.

Senpai and I will be happy together.

And Amai is sure as hell not going to stop that.

This had to be the worst plan that Info-chan had ever been a part of.

Even with all of her contacts, she wasn't able to find the killer of the Journalist, so she reached the point of desperation where she had to ask Ryoba Aishi herself for advice.

And what advice did Ryoba give her? Lure the murderer by walking around in public.

Whoever the man who killed the Journalist was, Info-chan at least agreed that this person was interested in talking to her, but he wanted to do it on his terms.

But now she was roaming the city blindly, a purse in hand and casual clothing on. The sun's heat was highly irritating and she simply wanted to go back inside. This discomfort was because she almost never let the house unless it was for business, and Info-chan knew this well, but at the same time she really didn't want to walk anymore.

She arrived at a café and took a seat. The place was crowded and waiters were rushing around annoyingly. Info-chan sighed and leant back in her chair. She wasn't here for coffee, she just needed somewhere to sit down.

Did Ryoba even know what she was talking about? Or was she sending Info-chan on a wild goose chase?

Perhaps Ryoba did this just to waste her time.

A waiter came over with a notepad in hand, ready to take Info-chan's order.

"What can I get you today?"

Info-chan didn't bother to look up. "Nothing, I was just leaving."

The waiter chuckled back and didn't move from his spot.

"Oh, I don't think you were."

Info-chan froze as she recognized the voice. It was the same voice she had heard on the phone. The one that had taunted her.

Info-chan finally looked up to see the man's face, but it was completely covered by what looked like a fox mask.

"You…" Info-chan muttered. "You're the person I've been searching for."

The masked man chuckled again and sat down. "I suppose I am."

"Why cover your face? Afraid?"

"Oh no. You don't recognize this mask? It's a traditional one, quite popular around these parts."

"So it isn't about you not wanting to reveal your face?"

"Well, I didn't say that."

"Start making sense, now."

The masked man leaned onto the table between them and laughed. "I'm just in a…difficult position. If my identity was to be known to the public, that would make things rather annoying for me."

"And what's stopping me from tearing that mask off right now?"

The man shrugged. "Nothing."

Info-chan calmed herself down. First, the important questions. "How did you find me?"

"I never lost you. I have been watching for a pretty long time now."

"How long?"

"Ever since you became associated Ayano Aishi."

"What do you want?"

"I thought you already knew." The masked man noted. "I just want to be part of the action. It's so…delicious. We're the same, Info-chan."

"We're nothing alike."

"Ah, but we're more similar in ways that you could never imagine."

Info-chan cursed in her mind.

He had been observing her and was smart enough to meet up with her in the most populated area in this vicinity. He knew very well that Info-chan couldn't attack him in front of people, let alone kill him.

More than anything, Info-chan hated drawing attention to herself, and he knew that perfectly well.

She had even brought a handgun in her purse, but there was no way she could use it at this spot.

Perhaps she could follow him once he left? That was her only option to find someplace to hurt him as much as he hurt her.

"Let's order a drink, shall we?" he asked with a cheerful tone.

He was mocking her.

"I'm going to hurt you." Info-chan whispered to him. "Perhaps not today, perhaps not this week, but someday you will die for what you did."

The masked man didn't even flinch.

"Ohoho, now that's ominous!" He cackled. "I look forward to it."

"And if you're planning on screwing up on Aishi's goal, your death might come even sooner."

The masked man shook his head. "Oh no, I don't want to stop what she's doing. I saved her back when she was kidnapped, remember?"

"Why? What's in it for you?"

"Nothing really,"

"You must have a reason."

"Well, of course." The masked man spoke softly. "…I want to watch her dance."

"What?"

The masked man shook his head again. "I don't expect you to understand. My feelings about what she's doing…it's like déjà vu."

Info-chan couldn't get a proper read on this person. He seemed to be completely calm and cool around her, but the things he was saying didn't make sense at certain moments. He was trying to tell more about himself while also concealing as much information as possible.

The frustration of not being able to kill him at this very moment was gnawing away at her and it seemed like the masked man knew.

"Now, I'll return that question right back at you. Why have you gotten involved in all this?"

"That's my business."

"Oh come on, don't be so cold."

"I have every reason to be."

The masked man lowered his head. "Oh dear, so we're getting to that topic now. I was hoping we could leave that behind us."

"You killed my father."

"Your father killed himself."

"How dare you say that." Info-chan hissed. "You didn't know him at all."

Silence followed and the masked man slowly looked back up. He stared directly into Info-chan's eyes from behind the mask. His stare caused a cold chill down her spine.

"What if I told you I knew him better than you ever did?"

Info-chan paused. "You're lying."

"Do I really need to? Do I have any reason to?"

Info-chan didn't speak.

The masked man continued. "He was a good man, but couldn't let go of the past."

"He never told me about anyone like you."

"He didn't? Now that's hurtful." The masked man responded, but by the tone of his voice Info-chan could tell he already knew.

"If you want to tell me something about him, just spit it out."

The masked man remained silent for a few moments, then began whispering.

"In my…'business', I meet people like your father quite wearily often. I take them in and give them work. It's beneficial for the both of us."

"And?"

"And I tried to do the same with your father. How do you think he started working for Megami? I made it so. Someone like him could've but useful, but it turned out I was wrong. He could never let go of his hatred of Ryoba Aishi and set out to bring her down."

"That wasn't his fault."

"I know. But, he then started to gamble even further. He began hunting down Ayano Aishi, and came incredibly close to killing her."

"But you stepped in."

The masked man's voice sounded slightly regretful. "Yes. I was the one who gave him connections with Megami and it was because of me that Ayano was about to die. I trailed him as he hunted her down, and when I knew for sure that Ayano couldn't handle it, I knew what needed to be done."

"I can't forgive you for that."

"I know."

"Will you try to kill me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Because," Info-chan muttered. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you die."

"And I welcome the challenge. As I said, Info-chan, I'm just an observer. I'm not anyone important and I don't really want much. I'm hardly worth your interest."

"Except for the fact that you killed my father."

The masked man looked at Info-chan for a few moments longer and said nothing. He already said everything that he wanted to, and he could tell that Info-chan's anger and hate towards him was only growing with every second.

He got up from the table and tucked his chair back in. Info-chan remained sitting down, glaring at him.

"Well, I should be on my way."

"We will meet again." Info-chan spoke sharply. "And that time, it'll be on my terms."

The masked man looked back one last time and chuckled.

"I look forward to it, Miss…"

And then…

And then he said something.

He followed up with something that caused Info-chan to freeze in her chair.

She had been planning to follow him and track him down, but she couldn't find her body moving. He said something that was impossible for anyone to speak, he said something that no person on this planet would have been able to say.

The masked man addressed her by something so old and forgotten that Info-chan's heart began to race and she became as cold as ice.

He knew it.

Whoever this masked man was...

He knew her name.

The moment I get home I toss my schoolbag onto the couch in the living room and get Mother and Father's attention.

"I have someone coming over," I mutter. "Go away."

Without asking any questions, they both obediently leave the house. They know when I'm serious and they're wise enough to know not to bother me.

Now, with those two out of the house, I can set up this place a little bit.

It needs to seem as…'normal' as possible.

I head into the living room and arrange the pillows on the sofas slightly and place down two cups of tea on the table. She needs to feel as comfortable as possible, I can't have her leaving on me.

Amai will be the first person at school to visit my house. Impressions are important to blend in.

Well, I guess Info-chan was technically the first, but she broke in so I don't really see it as the same thing.

Besides, I wouldn't consider Info-chan as an ordinary student in the first place.

Everything looks good. I've rearranged some of the things lying around here, and with Mother and Father not in the house, she won't sense anything out of the normal. If she asks where my parents are, I'll just say they were out at a party or something.

You know what? This is nice. It really feels like setting up the house for someone important to me, except for the fact that Amai is just a snake in my eyes and I'm only doing this to exploit her.

But, you know, it's still nice.

I glance at my watch. She should be here in around ten more minutes.

During her visit here, I'll have to make sure we're comfortable, and then I can manipulate her into staying a close distance away from Senpai.

How will I do that? Well, I could tell her that Senpai has some kind of strange and contagious disease, or something else. It all depends on how she acts, once I get a good read on her I can choose the lie that would most likely be believed.

I go upstairs and change my clothes. It would seem rather strange for me to still be in my school uniform when she arrives.

Looking into my wardrobe, I stand there on the spot, seeming utterly confused.

I…don't know what to wear.

Just what exactly is 'normal' to wear when girls are hanging out at their homes? I honestly have no clue.

Well, huh.

With a few more glances at the contents of my wardrobe, I reach inside and grab a white shirt with the picture of a sunflower on it and a pair of blue jeans.

This should suffice…I guess.

I change my clothes and look at myself in the mirror.

And now I remember why I almost never wear my other clothes, it all looks so ridiculous. This shirt is actually giving me the urge to take it off and rip it into as many shreds as it can possibly become.

But I can't. I just have to endure with this ugly thing.

The jeans aren't nearly as ugly to me, but they aren't to my liking either. I'm quite indifferent when it comes to fashion, I'm more interested in the fact if it's comfortable to wear. If it's comfortable, I honestly don't care what I'm wearing.

The doorbell rings. She's here.

I walk back downstairs and towards the door. She's waiting just outside. This is the moment where I have to act as normal and as friendly as possible.

I sigh and open the door. Let's do this.

Amai bursts through the front door and hugs me. What's with her and all of the hugging, it's quite unpleasant.

"Hello, can I come in?" She asks in a polite fashion.

"Sure. Sit down in the living room."

We both enter the room and sit down. Amai notices the tea and gratefully holds it in her hands and gradually begins sipping.

I hold my tea but choose not to drink it. I don't really enjoy tea.

"I like the new look, Aishi." Amai giggles, pointing at my shirt. "That's so cute!"

With every fibre of my being, I choose not to say just how ugly it is to me, and instead I just take the compliment.

"Thanks." I mumble. "So, how is your father? Are things improving?"

"Yes! I've never seen him so…relaxed before. He used to always be on edge, but he can finally live peacefully without all that debt."

"That's good."

"Aishi, thank you again."

"It's not a problem. You needed help, so I stepped in."

"But you had no obligation to, you could've ignored my problems."

I force a smile onto my face. "That's what friends are for, right?"

Amai smiles right back. "Right."

With a few more sips, Amai finishes her tea. Now from what I know, it's common courtesy to give them a refill.

"Here, let me get you another cup." I mutter.

"Ah, thank you!"

I head into the kitchen and place the cup down.

This is…too much.

She's one of the snakes that's been crawling all over Senpai, and here I am having tea with her. This isn't right, she should be on the floor, dead. She doesn't deserve to live after what decision she has made.

I can't let this keep going. I've held myself back for too long. Someone like her has to die. There's no other way.

Without noticing it, I grab one of the knives inside the drawer inside of refilling Amai's cup and slowly walk back into the living room.

Amai is sitting there, looking at the floor.

She isn't even aware of me. I can kill her before she can even notice. I can dig this knife deep into her neck, listen to her scream, and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

I know I promised to hold myself back. I know I've put in so much effort in order to have less blood on my hands and make it easier to get closer to Senpai. But how can I let Amai live?

She dared to get close to Senpai, she shouldn't be able to walk away from that without some kind of punishment. Screw what Info-chan told me, screw staying under the radar.

I cannot resist the urge any longer. I want to see her bleed. I want to see fear flash in her eyes. I want to see her suffer the exact same way that Osana, Kokona, and Hanako did.

My vision gradually becomes blurred. My whole body feels like it's on fire.

I stand directly behind her. I can feel the twitching of my head, I can feel the anticipation feeling my body as I hold the knife high, just one move away from killing her.

Amai has to die.

She has to.

She must.

Just one stab is all it will take.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill.