I'm Late. Whoops. Let's begin.

"Shh," he cooed.

Ayato propped himself directly in front of the girl, wrapping his arms around her. His hand cupped the back of her head, letting it rest on his shoulders. "Calm yourself.."

Saki's wrists strained against the ropes binding her to the chair, heart racing out of control. She was scared. Too scared.

"Just match your breathing to mine," he continued. "We've been at this for hours now, there's no point to having a panic attack now. Deep breaths. If you pass out again I'll only make it worse."

"P-p-please…" She began. "I c-can't take it anymore…"

"Ha! You're losing it." He mused. "Sooner or later you'll snap, and become an even bigger threat than me. Isn't that funny?"

Saki ignored him, her eyes focussed on the wall. Ayato stood up and approached her from behind, sliding his fingers through her hair and down her back. She could feel the heat of his hands through her clothes, as if he were on fire.

"I know what it's like to descend into madness," he smiled. "I can empathize."

"Lies…" She whispered. "All you do is lie."

Saki stiffened as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her a terrifying embrace. Her body was already aching, and whenever he touched her the pain seemed to triple.

How could she have let this happen? She didn't find it strange at all when the cute and timid high schooler complimented and did favors for her that Tuesday morning. A crush, she assumed. She thought nothing of it when he asked her to accompany him after class either. His was so gentle. So sincere.

"Stop this." She begged. His words tore through her mind when he spoke. Everything he said seemed to replay itself over and over again. It felt as if she was actually going mad.

"Do you even know what she's doing right now?" He sneered. "She'll be at home relaxing while you suffer."

"I don't-" Saki paused. "Who… who are you talking about?"

Ayato suddenly glared at her, turning her head to face him. "Were you even listening, you worthless brat?"

She trembled in response. He sighed.

"Koharu Hinata. She's in the cooking club with you, yes?"

"I…" Saki nodded. "Y-yes. But we're not-"

"You two spoke before school," he said, "and this conversation took place shortly after she ran past Taro, shoving him in the process.

"He dropped his stuff, and his hand hit against the locker." Ayato recalled. "I was truly appalled. Whatever she had to say to must've been really important."

Saki stared at him. "I don't understand.."

His loosened white shirt and slacks gave him the look of any other normal student, but his crooked grin and lifeless eyes said otherwise. There was something wrong with him. Something very wrong.

He looked her up and down. "You're hopeless then. No one rescues the hopeless Saki."

"W-what?" She stuttered.

"You think anyone actually cares about you?" He laughed, pulling her in closer. Saki tried to pull away, but his grip was solid. "No one will search for you. You're not worth their time. Hopeless."

"No…"

"It's true. I promise." Ayato suddenly glanced down at the watch on his wrist. "Well would you look at that. Break time's over."

She watched as his hand reached back into the duffle bag, pulling out various tools. "Try to stay conscious this time."

Her fists clenched as he mercilessly pinched the clamps onto her arms. The bolts ran through her body, slicing at her nerves like blades. Saki screamed in agony.

"Stop!" She cried out.

"No," he said. "You deserve this."

The pain continued. It went on and on, until she was unsure of how long it had been. It hurt. Everything hurt. Did she really deserve this? What had she done? She couldn't remember. All she could see was him. All she could do was suffer.

He watched her suffer, and when he got bored of the clamps, he brought out the pliers. And when he was bored with that, he switched to another tactic. The torture was endless. It stayed this way for hours, until he suddenly stopped once more to watch her cry.

"What do you want from me?" She sobbed.

"Poor thing, you're heartbroken." He said, gently stroking her hand as she bawled helplessly in the chair. "That makes the mind so weak." His fingers were suddenly ice cold against her skin. He reached in the bag once more.

"What are you-" She gasped.

She knew what was happening a second too late. Before she could react, Ayato shoved the shocker onto her head and turned it on.

The electricity seeped from the tool, into her head, and throughout her body. Saki choked and twitched. Ayato held it there for a few moments, then pulled back. Then he did it again, just to watch her jerk around. He should've stopped then, but he didn't. He found this entertaining; a good stress reliever as well. So he continued to torment her through the night.

The alarm clock sounded from above, interrupting Ayato's fun. It was already Wednesday.

He frowned, poking Saki in the cheek. She didn't react. She gave no response when he tried it again either. Ayato sighed, reeling her head back and wiping the blood from her mouth.

"I'll be right back." He says.

Ayato slowly felt himself getting dizzy as he walked up the stairs. He'd forgotten to eat yesterday. He'd also forgotten to do his homework, check his phone, feed his kitten, and every other task from his normal routine... Oh well. As far as he was concerned, yesterday was a success.

He'd humiliated Osana once again. After finding out her plans to show Taro-senpai pictures on her phone, Ayato decided to give her something worth showing. The look on her face when Taro walked away was greatly satisfying.

Ayato turned off the alarm clock and put a damp towel to his face. Things will be great today too. He made his way back down to the basement, where Saki was waiting for him.

"It's Wednesday. Are you ready for school?" He asked.

"..."

Ayato got closer and began untying the ropes.

"I don't want any trouble on our way there," he stroked her cheek. "You'll be an obedient dog, won't you?"

"I… I will…"

He smiled. "And you'll do whatever I say? Kill anyone who gets on my bad side?"

"I… yes.."

"Even Koharu?"

"...Anyone."