Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Yandere Simulator are copyright Yandere Dev. No infringements of this copyright is intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Yandere Simulator A Twist Of Fate – Chapter Eight Back to School Part III
Cafeteria of Akademi High School Monday, noon
"Excuse me can me, my sister and our friend sit here with you?" Ayano asked Oka.
As usual, when her cousin Budo was away the shy goth girl sat by herself at lunch. Budo and Oka's relationship was more akin to that of a brother and sister than cousins because Budo's parents had taken Oka in when she was six after her own parents tragically perished in a house fire. Other than her cousin and the few students who attended her short-lived Occult Club Ayano could not recall ever seeing Oka talk much to anyone. Sure Budo's buddies were civil enough to Oka but that was only because they wanted to stay on Budo's good side as he was fiercely loyal to both his friends and family. Ayano was unsure Oka had a single genuine friend of her own. Since her emotional awakening, Ayano felt a mixture of guilt and pity whenever she thought of how ruthless she had treated Oka. Not only did Ayano get Oka's club broken up by sending an anonymous note to Kocho about the members being "dangerous Satanists" before that she had relentlessly bullied Oka for years. Ayano bullied Oka because she knew the meek girl would not fight back or tell anyone. Her past treatment of Oka was one of Ayano's greatest regrets.
"S-Sure, if you w-want," Oka said trying to maintain eye contact with Ayano but failing miserably.
"I like your arm stockings. They look so cool." The ever-chipper Midori said. Taking the vacant seat across from Oka. Ayano and Jāna meanwhile took seats across from each other. "I'm Midori by the way."
"T-Thanks," Oka said with a faint smile. "I'm Oka."
"Can you make me a pair of green ones?" Midori said.
"Y-Yeah," Oka said.
"Hi," Osana said in a weepy voice about a minute later. "Do you guys mind if I sit at your table today?"
"I thought you always sat with Taro?" Jāna said with a sly grin. "Trouble in paradise, Osana?"
"It's complicated," Osana sniffed. The other girls noticed her damp eyes were red and puffy.
"Are you alright Osana? You look like you've been crying?" Ayano said.
"Who me, crying, nah," Osana said putting on a brave face. "I'm right as rain."
"Here sit next to me." Ayano offered even though Jāna glared at her when she did so. Jāna seemed to hate Osana. There was a story there Ayano was determined to one day learn.
"Oh everyone look what I found while shopping at the mall this weekend," Midori said excitedly. She removed a doll of a pink-haired magical girl from her bag. "She's called Magical Girl Pretty Miyuki. Isn't she cute?" Midori asked waving the doll around.
The moment Osana saw the doll she froze. "I don't think it's cute at all. I think it's hideous." She said.
"Huh," Midori said glancing back and forth between the doll and Osana oblivious to the orange-haired girl's words of disdain. "Osana you and Magical Girl Pretty Miyuki could be twins. You two really look alike."
"Shut up you green haired airhead! We look nothing alike!" Osana snapped. Everyone in the room stared at Osana due to her outburst.
"I'm sorry," Midori said. "I'll put her away."
"You do that," Osana snarled.
"Osana you were very rude to Midori. I think you should be the one who apologizes, not her." Ayano said feeling her own anger rise. "If you can't be civil you'll have to leave this table."
"But, but," Osana stammered while Jāna watched smiling. "Don't make me leave, Ayano. I have nowhere else I can sit. Taro hates me now. I have no other friends. Ayano please, I can't stand the humiliation of sitting alone."
"It's not up to me Osana it's up to Midori," Ayano said standing firm.
"Midori I'm sorry. I just hate that character. I have my reasons, okay?" Osana said.
"Okay, I forgive you," Midori said already back to her happy self. "I'll put her away so she won't bother you anymore." She put the doll back in her bag.
"Thanks," Osana said.
The remainder of the lunch break was spent in idle chit-chat. By the end of the hour, the girls were getting along quite well even Oka had open up some. Aside from Jāna remaining frosty towards Osana the group was gelling well. Once the bell rang the group was about to leave when Kokona approached them.
"Sunday starting at 2:00 in the after I'll celebrate my sixteen birthday. I want you all to attend my party, especially you Ayano and you Jāna. Ayano I think we can become good friends. I also forgive you for, well, you know." Kokona said her voice oddly hollow almost robotic.
"Uh okay," Ayano said. Ayano noticed the questioning eyes of Osana and Midori on her. She then added. "Our spat was my fault. I truly regret what happened, Kokona."
Kokona forced a smile. "I know you do but don't feel bad, bye." She quickly walked away.
While Midori, Osana, and Jāna wondered off ahead Oka griped Ayano's arm startling the other girl to the point she almost dropped her tray. "You're different than you were before. You were blind but now you see clearly. You see the world and those around you as they truly are. Be mindful of their weaknesses. Many need guidance, even more, will require your compassion." Oka said cryptically. "I also forgive you for there is no point resenting someone who no longer exists."
"You know, but how?" Ayano said. She could scarcely believe how clear Oka was talking there was no stuttering or halting words.
"I've always sensed things others can't," Oka said. "You've been given a precious gift, a fresh start. Make the most of it."
"How do I change things?" Ayano asked.
"You can't change what is only what may yet be," Oka said. "I'll help you any way I can. For good or ill, I sense your destiny is closely tied up with that of this school and all of us who call this place our second home, it always has been. Many ghosts roam these halls some of this plane some of others. They need to be laid to rest. Somehow I know you are the one chosen to bring them peace. I can say nothing else. I sense in time, more will be revealed to us both." Oka released her grip on Ayano's arm. She then left the ex-yandere alone with her thoughts.
"What was that all about?" Jāna asked her surrogate sister a short while later as they left the cafeteria together.
"I'm not sure," Ayano admitted. She felt filled with trepidation.
An Abandoned Warehouse in a seedy part of town
Dainashi was not a patient man. He had waited in the warehouse for his hired assassin for hours and still, she had not shown. He was about to depart when the girl appeared out of nowhere as was her custom.
"You almost gave me a heart attack," Dainashi said with a start. "Anyone ever told you to stop sneaking up on people?"
"Our arrangement has become unexpectedly complicated." Said the girl Dainashi knew only by her colorful moniker of Nemesis. She was dressed completely in black her usual clothing color. "The Ayano Aishi you hired me to eliminate is no more. Eliminating an innocent person is not part of my agenda. I only cull the unclean."
"I don't care if Ayano's accident gave her morals as you claim! I still want that little demon dead! I've paid you already for your services now do what I want." Dainashi ranted.
"The funds have been deposited back into your online account." Nemesis said.
"If you don't kill Ayano Aishi I'll simply find another who will," Dainashi said.
"Why is depriving a girl who has done you no personal harm so important?" Nemesis asked her voice cold, clinical, devoid of any emotion.
"Her mother ruined my life. Because of that sociopath Ryoba Aishi my reputation as a journalist was destroyed forever." Dainashi.
"So, you desire revenge rather than justice." Nemesis correctly observed.
"I've found they are often the same thing," Dainashi said.
"Justice is impartial it seeks to restore balance while maintaining fairness. Vengeance is one-sided, motivated by deluded self-interest and seeks to inflict equal or greater suffering upon one who has harmed the aggrieved party." Nemesis said.
"Will you finish what you've started or must I seek out another to complete our work?" Dainashi said disregarding Nemesis' inspired speech.
"If I do this there will be serious repercussions not least of all for yourself. In my experience as well as the experience of those who taught me my craft vengeance is seldom a clean matter, it frequently becomes messy." Nemesis said. "Do you accept the likely dire ramifications of targeting Ayano Aishi?"
"Readily," Dainashi said without a hint of hesitation.
"So be it," Nemesis said. "I'll be in touch soon." She melted back into the shadows vanishing without a trace.
To Be Continued