Alright, here comes trouble. UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of He Knows!
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Let's get to the reviews. To DragonCrusader: Yeah, I need to work on that. I kinda silently dropped my beta, because I didn't want to use up his/her time anymore considering they have other responsibilities now. I'll work on editing my own work so there won't be any skipped words before uploading.
Oh, that's it.
...Let's start this dumb chapter, because really wanna write how they neutralise Kizana.
Load Game... Start!
Chapter 8: The Liar
Is it easy being in love?
Is it hard being in love?
If my heart says so, let it sing.
If my heart doesn't say anything, let it beat still.
Roses and violets
Blood and violence
Where do we cross the line and where do we draw it?
"Thank you, Yamada-san for reading that excerpt from Nanako Bara's Where We Die." The teacher said as Taro sat back down. Afternoon classes were going by rather peacefully and slowly, at least to him. He was catching up pretty quickly since being away from school for almost a week, and he was doing decently in his tests but there was always this lingering feeling that... he should be doing more.
Of course, high school paled in comparison to a killer wandering around the school. Watching. Waiting. Readying herself for a chance to strike.
It was a rather heavy weight to bear knowing that everyone you know is either in danger or secretly insane and that everyone even remotely close to you were just seconds away from a knife to the heart.
And he didn't want to even think about his love life right now. That was mess he would need to clean up after everything was said and done.
It was also rather worrying that he was getting used to the feeling that he was being watched.
That was because Kokona Haruka was staring at her crush from across the room, born only a couple of hours ago.
His voice, the way he spoke with such emotion and how he perfectly articulated his words. She could almost imagine that it was him that wrote those words himself under an alias, because he truly understood what those words meant to him and those around him. Maybe it was exaggerating and she was just falling hard for him, but this was first time she felt something so real and so raw.
Mostly because that poem was basically nonsense.
What was it about him that drew her closer? It wasn't his face or his body. No, it was him. Taro Yamada. The instant she saw him, she just knew what type of person he is. Nice, a caring heart, willing to go anywhere and do anything just to make those he loved happy.
He also has a nice butt. Bonus!
"I wonder... if he'll say yes." Kokona whispered to herself as she closed her eyes, imagining herself with him under the sakura tree. "Please... say yes... Zzzz..."
"HARUKA!"
"HUH!?" Kokona exclaimed before wincing as a piece of chalk bounced off her forehead. The class quietly chuckled as she sighed. "Um, sorry Sensei."
"Haruka, I do not tolerate sleeping in class. You were already rather late this morning so don't push your luck, young lady." The teacher scolded. "You have underclassmen that look up to you, so don't play a bad example in your final year at Akademi."
"S-Sorry, Sensei! It won't happen again, Sensei!" Kokona quickly apologized as she stood up and bowed a little too fast, which ended up with her slamming her head onto her desk. "Ow!"
The class burst out laughing while Taro looked at her worryingly.
"Class quiet down!" The teacher ordered, silencing everyone before sighing. "Be glad I am very lenient. Now, do this again and you will get detention."
"W-Wait, Sensei, you can't do-" Kokona started to argue before realising it was hopeless. "O-Of course, Sensei. I apologize, Sensei."
"Good." The teacher said just as the bell rang. "Okay, class is over. Remember to review your notes tonight. We're having a test tomorrow."
With a collective groan from the students, they started to shuffle out of the classroom either to go to their clubs or go home.
Kokona groaned as she rubbed her head. 'Just a typical day for Kokona the Fool.' She thought as she packed up her things.
"Haruka-san, are you okay?" Taro asked as he approached her desk.
"H-Huh? Yamada-kun?" Kokona got out as she looked up, her heart skipping a beat once she saw his caring expression. "O-Oh, that's okay. I mean, I'm okay. J-Just fine and dandy Yamada-kun. Really, it's just another day. Hehehehe... he... he..." She weakly chuckled out.
"Well, today you came here late, got drenched by bullies, showed up to class in dripping wet, lost your homework from over the break and then slept during class." Taro listed off as Kokona sighed at each event. "I wouldn't say that's a good day."
"Well, it's a good day for me, at least." Kokona mumbled to herself as she stood up. "I'm going home now. Sorry, I promised to meet you in front of the school but then I found out we're in the same class so... uh... You can talk to Kizana for your duties. And thanks again for taking over for me in Drama. My cousin is a slave driver sometimes so if you-"
"You don't warn me or convince me otherwise. Just go home and go to sleep." Taro said. Kokona just smiled as she gazed at his handsome face before shaking herself out of it. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, I'll... I'll see you soon. I mean, well, tomorrow." Kokona replied nervously as she walked out of the room in a hurry.
"Secretary to the Drama Club President." Taro muttered to himself. "How hard can that be?"
(A few minutes later...)
"You want me to do what now?" Taro choked out after listening to Kizana Sunobu about his duties in the clubroom while the other club members were working hard on the play.
Though, in reality he only had one duty.
"I want you to play Romeo, my dear boy." Kizana repeated softly. Taro had to admit, the scent of roses on her kind of calmed him down. "We are doing Romeo & Juliet for our performance this semester we are looking for someone like you to play my Romeo."
"Your Romeo?" Taro questioned.
"But of course, I will play the part of Juliet. Isn't it obvious, Romeo-kun?" Kizana answered in a seductive tone which Taro couldn't ignore. "I've been searching far and low and you, and man my dear, dear, lazy cousin has somehow convinced such a perfect man to play the key part in Romeo & Juliet."
"Er... I'm supposed to be your secretary." Taro pointed out, wanting to escape right now.
"The only secretary I will have serving me is Kokona Haruka and no one else." Kizana stated. "It does not matter. Now please, I ask you-no. I beg with all my heart: Will you be my Romeo?" She asked once again.
"I... Uh... well..." Taro wasn't sure if he should do it. "Um... well, I'm not exactly an actor and..."
"If you do it, I'll pay Kokona twice the amount I pay her currently for the rest of the year and if you do a good job, ten times the original salary."
"Okay, I'll do it." Taro sighed out, knowing how desperate Kokona was for cash. She already had it rough, so he may as well make sure she doesn't work herself to death.
"Thank you, Romeo-kun. I am sure we will make the audience gasp in awe of our performance!" Kizana declared.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Ayano was glaring at the purple haired bitch in utter contempt as she tightened her grip on her pencil so hard it snapped in half. "Wah! Yan-chan! What happened? Is editing the script frustrating you?" A fellow club member asked in concern before looking at where Ayano was looking at. "Ah... I get it. It's because Sunobu-senpai took the lead role without even consulting anyone. It always happens but we get used to it. Don't be upset, Yan-chan. We always have next year."
There wasn't going to be a next year for Kizana Sunobu. What waits in her future was only her death.
But then... Ayano was struck with inspiration.
She had an idea in mind from what What's-Her-Name told her. Something that won't involve getting messy, but still give her direct control over the situation if she played her cards right and maybe even win Senpai in one fell swoop.
Ayano was going to steal the lead role from the Club President.
Ayano was going to steal Senpai's heart.
But if that failed... well, maybe Romeo & Juliet will give her ideas. Romance and tragedy did often go together after all.
(Evening)
(Lotus Juice Karaoke)
"WHAT!?" Taro exclaimed.
"Yes baka! That purple haired girl is in love with you!" Osana shouted out as she started punching him. "And this is for being late!"
"Wh-Hey! Stop! I got caught up in something!" Taro tried to explain himself as he tried to guard against his childhood friend's weak attacks. "And how do you know her?"
"Not! Important!" Osana snarled, until she felt a pair of hands grab her shoulders.
"Osana-chan! Stop it!" Amai called out as she pulled the tsundere off of him. "What's important now is that she's the Yandere's next target."
"Damn it, Taro! You're so frickin' dense!" Osana growled in frustration before she sipped her drink, making her calm down. "Ugh, look, I'm sorry but Amai-chan is right. We have to protect..." She then trailed off as she started searching her memories.
"...You don't know her name, do you?" Taro deadpanned.
"Well, you two were talking rather quietly." Amai admitted as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Alright, which one?" Taro asked as he leaned back in his seat.
"...Which what?" Osana puzzled, looking rather confused.
"Er, you do know there are two girls with purple hair and put up in twin drills in the school." Amai pointed out. "The girl Taro met and the Drama Club President. I think remember hearing that they're cousins."
"Well, you're right." Taro sighed out before leaning forward to get his drink. "But here's the thing..."
"What is it, Taro?" Osana asked.
"You see... I think the Drama Club President, Kizana Sunobu... I think she was coming onto me." Taro awkwardly admitted.
Suddenly, there was a large amount of killing intent in the room as Osana and Amai's expressions darkened.
"...Repeat that again." Osana demanded through gritted teeth.
"So we may talk to Kizana-san about various topics." Amai added as she started playing with her knife. Taro didn't want to question how she got that in here.
"Guys! Focus!" Taro quickly reigned in his... crushes. 'Yeah, let's go with that. Stupid complicated love life.' He thought.
"S-Sorry, Taro." Osana sighed out as Amai put away her knife. "But... We can't... it's because..."
"I love you." Osana and Amai said in unison.
It took a second to realise what they both just said and looked at each other.
"You love Taro!?" Osana exclaimed, not knowing this little bit of information beforehand.
"Y-Yeah..." Amai muttered out sheepishly, knowing Osana's love for the boy for a while now. It still bothered her but... she wanted Taro to be happy no matter what. Though, preferably she wanted him to be happy with her. "I even... had my first kiss with him..."
"You what!?" Osana shouted out as Taro sweated nervously.
"Is that really important right now? Everyone's life is in danger, and I really don't want to talk about this right now!" Taro groaned.
"But it's... But I... Fuck!" Osana swore in frustration before sighing. "Ugh... I hate my life...!"
'I hate my life too.' Taro and Amai thought in unison.
"Let's go back on topic." Taro suggested before taking a sip of his drink. "So, I assume that the girl you saw who is love with me is Haruka-san. And I know that Sunobu-san is trying to get together with me. It's possible that... Both of their lives are in danger."
"So you think the Yandere is targeting both of them." Amai mumbled out. "Well, we can't be sure that the Yandere knows that there are two people after your heart this time. Osana-chan and I can take care of Haruka-san while you take care of Kizana-san, but we have to be subtle about this. The Yandere might know we're working together to stop and expose her."
"And I'm planning to visit the principal to see if he can help us tomorrow." Osana spoke up. "I doubt he will but we need at least some sort of adult to help us."
"But we barely have evidence that the Yandere exists. It's going to be tough to convince anyone to join us unless they are... you know, targeted." Taro pointed out grimly. "Same goes if we just tell the targets. They won't believe us."
"Like I said, we have to subtle about this. Make sure we aren't obvious we're watching over them." Amai stated.
"I still can't believe we're actually trying to catch a psychopath." Osana sighed out.
"But who else will?" Taro rhetorically asked.
"And that's why this entire thing sucks." Osana continued to sigh. Suddenly, the phone rang.
"Five minutes left and it's a school night. We better get home. We'll continue this over the phone." Taro said as he downed the rest of his drink before standing up.
"I wish we came here for more innocent reasons." Amai lamented as she stood up as well.
"We have no choice. The Yandere could be anywhere." Osana said before she drank the rest of her drink. "We can't be too careful. She could be outside waiting for Taro after all."
The three then paused in thought as they slowly came to the conclusion that maybe the Yandere really was outside.
They promptly rushed out for the slight chance that they could capture her, but they gave up very quickly when they failed to spot anyone their age.
Meanwhile, in the Aishi Residence, Ayano was pacing around the living room.
She followed Taro to the local Karaoke Bar, getting progressively twitchier as Taro talked to those whores. To stop herself from just running at them and ripping their throats out with her teeth, she regretfully ran home.
She was worried for Senpai, thinking that he may be in danger with those bitches around but it was either protecting him from those that would steal him from her or protecting her identity.
"No. I only have one chance with Senpai. I have many more chances to deal with everyone after him." Ayano told herself. She then turned to her bag, which was lying on the couch with the script of Romeo & Juliet in it. "...I will steal a kiss from Senpai." She told herself as she reached into her bag.
Time to practice.
(Tuesday)
(Early Morning)
Kokona yawned as she made to way to school. Already, she had so much stuff she had to do today that it wasn't even funny. She had to find and get the costumes ready, convince either the school band or the Light Music club to provide the music. Assign everyone's roles and... and...
"Hey!" A familiar voice woke her up before she started to sleep in front of the school. She turned around and saw the boy she loved running up to her, with his childhood friend conversing with the Cooking Club President. "Haruka-san! Good to see you're here early."
"U-Uh... th-thanks." Kokona got out before yawning uncontrollably. "S-Sorry about that but I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Really? Is it your cousin?" Taro guessed.
"Y-Yes." Kokona groaned as they went to their shoe lockers. "She kept me up all night, yelling at me for getting you to help me." She sighed out as she put on her school shoes. "I went like; 'How could you? Getting someone to do your work, you lazy nincompoop. Do you understand how honoured you should be as my secretary? I should fire you on the spot!'Ugh, I want to choke her sometimes!" She growled out as slammed her shoe locker shut.
"Yeah, she seems to be a bit of a handful." Taro chuckled out.
"She is. Also, I can't believe she managed to drag into the play." Kokona sighed out was they went to courtyard to wait until homeroom. "I'm so sorry. When I heard about it from her, I couldn't believe it."
"Well, it's for you after all. You need the break." Taro replied in a comforting tone.
"Yeah, well. Break's over, I can't neglect my duties." Kokona grumbled out as they sat at the fountain. "You know, I thought my final year would be easier, that I could actually get to act in the plays the club sets up. But Kizana never lets me even be an extra."
"Why is that?" Taro had to ask.
"Because she keeps piling on work for me to do." Kokona answered. "Probably thinks I could steal her lead role. And I could if I wanted to..."
"...Then why don't you?" Taro questioned.
"Huh? What?" Kokona got out in slight confusion.
"Maybe you can convince the club to make you Juliet." Taro suggested as he reached into his bag and pulled out his script. "You can use my script to practice the lines. I sure didn't last night."
"Y-Yamada-kun. I-I can't... she'd probably-" Kokona stuttered out as she tried to push the script away.
"I'll deal with Kizana. You go and steal the show. I believe in you." Taro encouraged as pushed the script onto her. Kokona was stunned for a second, feeling her heart beat rapidly as a blush appeared on her cheeks. Before she could reply, Osana and Amai walked up to him.
"Hey, mind if we steal him for a moment? We need to talk about something." Osana said as he pulled his arm.
"Oh! Right! Sorry, gotta go." Taro apologized as he was dragged away. "See you later!"
"B-Bye-bye, Yamada-kun!" Kokona called out as she waved. Once he was out of sight, she just groaned in frustration and worry. Her life wasn't going to get easier, was it?
"So, what's the situation?" Taro asked after they walked to a secluded corner of the school. "Osana, have you talked to the principal?"
"No. He isn't here yet. I'll try afterschool." Osana replied before turning to Amai. "How about you Amai-chan? You find Kizana anywhere?"
"Sorry, but I couldn't." Amai sighed out. "I even came to school before the gates opened and waited and I couldn't see Kizana-san the entire time. She could be late."
"Damn." Taro muttered under his breath. "We're getting nowhere here. I would help you guys but I'm doing the play for the Drama Club."
"Romeo & Juliet right? I've read it a while ago." Amai admitted. "...Oh no."
"What is it?" Taro asked.
"...What if the Yandere took advantage of the play?" Amai replied. "There is one scene in it where Juliet drinks a special potion that puts her in a death-like state. But..."
"The Yandere might replace it with actual poison." Osana realised. "And Kizana is Juliet, isn't she!"
"Oh crap!" Taro suddenly shouted out. "I just told Haruka-san to try and get the lead role instead!"
"WHAT!?" Osana and Amai exclaimed.
"We have to shut down the play! There's way too many opportunities for either of them to die without us knowing it." Osana worried. "We need to warn someone!"
"But I heard if the Drama Club can't show the School Council a play, they'll be forced to shut it down." Amai pointed out as Taro winced. Kokona needed the club to help pay for her debts. "There's just isn't enough time. We're just gonna have to do it ourselves."
"And how can we do that?" Taro asked.
"We have to make sure Romeo and Juliet have a happy ending." Osana stated in determination.
"Romeo and Juliet killed themselves in the end." Amai pointed out. "And a fair few other people died too."
"Look, we just have to wing it and play it by ear for now." Taro said as the bell rang. "I want you girls to come to Drama with me to keep lookout. The last thing we want is to ruin the play, but we also have to protect Haruka-san and Sunobu-san... without them knowing..." He finished weakly.
"Alright. Osana-chan, you go visit the principal afterschool while I go with Taro-kun to Drama." Amai said.
"R-Right." Osana sighed out, annoyed that Amai would get more time with the boy she loves. "Now let's get going before we're late! We'll talk about everything tonight online. Don't want to go to Karaoke every time we want to meet up."
"Okay. Let's go." Taro said with a nodded at they all went to class, not noticing purple hair sticking out from around the corner before disappearing.
"My Romeo..." Kizana dreamily sighed out as she placed a hand over her chest.
Yes, she will make him hers alone.
(Afterschool)
The Drama Club moved to the gym since they got permission from the teachers to allow them a wider space to do everything they can to prepare for the scene they were going to show to the Council this Friday. Right now, they were waiting for everyone to get here so they could begin the meeting.
Taro was tapping his foot as he looked at the door, waiting for the person he believed. "Come on, Haruka-san. Don't tell me you're not coming." He mumbled under breath, worried that Kizana beat her down too hard to work up the courage to defy her cousin.
"Just what are you doing here, Odayaka? The only other club I allow to experience the pleasure that is Drama Club is the Photography Club. Did your club get shut down while you were away and want to join?" Kizana asked, her tone clearly stating that she didn't care and wanted her gone.
"Oh, just visiting the other clubs to see how they're doing." Amai lied, tray filled with sweets in hand and a struggling false smile on her face. "Want a cookie?"
"Do not give me this trash! I am under a strict diet and if I stray from it even just a little, I will be shunned by the entire theatre community!" Kizana growled, while all the other club members took one. "You are interrupting the atmosphere I have created to allow the emotions of my play to be felt by the audience with that... that..." Kizana tried to find a word to describe Amai's cooking, getting progressively madder the longer she couldn't find one. "Just. Leave. Before I contact the teachers and have your club shut down!"
"Don't worry. It's only for today." Amai calmly replied in a sweet and gentle tone. 'Also if you call my cookies trash again, I'll shave your pretty little head of yours in your sleep, bitch.' She thought in the same sweet and gentle tone.
"Hey, Sunobu-buchou! Everyone's here!" One of the club members announced as the seemingly last person came through the door.
"But not Haruka-san." Taro muttered out. "Come on, don't let her get to you. I know you can do this Haruka-san."
"If you're just going to watch, just stand over there and keep yourself quiet." Kizana ordered as she pointed at the back of the gym. Amai's eye twitched before bowing and walking off while Kizana got on stage.
'Keep a lookout for the Yandere, Amai. Just keep watch.' Amai told herself to keep herself calm as the room became silent.
"So, we are gathered here today to discuss the play we are doing and the details. As you should all know, we are doing the greatest romance in all of fiction Romeo & Juliet." Kizana said as her club member. "We must show the Student Council a scene from the play in order for our funding to continue. Such a trivial problem for us to accomplish, given my skills. However, even I cannot do things alone. That is why I have brought in this... magnificent specimen of a man here. May I introduce to you my Romeo, Taro Yamada!"
"Uh... hi?" Taro nervously chuckled out as he scratched the back of his head while the club clapped.
"THAT ROLE SHOULD'VE BEEN MINE!"
"Shut up! Your name is not important enough for me to remember, so you will not get the role of my Romeo!" Kizana shouted out.
"Not important!? I'm your Vice President!"
"Meh, don't care." Kizana shrugged off. "Anyway, back onto our parts and roles. As it is obvious to everyone, I will be playing the female lead role as Juli-"
OBJECTION!
The room suddenly filled with gasps as everyone looked around to see who yelled that out.
"...What?" Kizana scowled as she looked at her club members. "Who dares interrupt me?"
The voice they heard, the only voice to ever defy the Club President, shocked the entire room to its core.
"Me." Ayano answered, the club members shifting away to allow Kizana a clear view of the defiant girl.
"Say. That. Again." The Drama Club President growled slowly as she glared at the new club member.
"If you wish." Ayano said as she pointed at Kizana.
OBJECTION!
"I challenge you, Kizana Sunobu! To the lead role of Juliet!" Ayano declared, a fire in her eyes.
"What?" Kizana growled.
"WHAT!?" The club members gasped.
"What." Amai got out in confusion.
"Aishi-san?" Taro whispered out.
"I want the lead role! And I will not allow you to take S-Sen-I mean, take the role from me!" Ayano stated in determination. "So, I challenge you, Kizana Sunobu! Whoever wins this challenge, will get the lead role!"
"Hmph, you think you're better?" Kizana taunted.
"No, I know I am better." Ayano retorted.
This is the fight of the century!
Their passions will burn brighter than the shiniest of stars!
Ayano Aishi vs. Kizana Sunobu!
BEGIN!
"Shut up, Whoever-You-Are!"
"I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT!"
Save Game... Quit!
Whew! Done! God, school's starting back up in a few weeks and need to organise a ton of stuff before I attend my second semester. Oh well, at least writing let's me calm down.
UknownHero signing off, my friends!
