The Time was 8:03 PM. Friday.
Jayson Stone was leaning against one of the booths that was set up for the student culture festival at Aka-demi high school.
It had taken all day to get the school ready for the festival, meaning that all students and faculty had spent the whole day decorating and setting up stalls instead of actually learning or teaching anything. Jayson didn't complain though, he'd rather be put on decoration duty instead of listening to one of Miss Rino's lectures.
The students had actually done an amazing job on the school. Many booths and stands were placed all around in colorful and attention grabbing displays. some students set up carnival games like bottle toss or darts (which jayson was amazing at) and much more. Think of the culture festival as one big carnival.
Jayson was actually surprised at how professional everything looked. You really couldn't tell the difference between this and an actually carnival. You wouldn't believe that a bunch of high school student made this festival unless you watched them set it up themselves.
It wasn't really unexpected though. The aka-demi school was a very rich one, and rich schools have refined tastes. No expenses spared.
On the inside of the school building, multiple clubs were putting on some kind of performance. The acapella club were singing many of the latest j-pop hits and also taking requests. The drama club were reciting and performing live plays that were actually pretty entertaining. the gaming club had brought in actual arcade cabinets from a generous donation. Many of the music based clubs had turned their rooms into stages where they'd put on concerts.
Jayson's favorite had to be the break dance club. He loved watching those guys. seeing them bust those amazing moves on cardboard brought back memories of when jayson used to see people dancing on the streets of new york. Man, he missed home.
He stood still for awhile, watching as many people who were both foreign and familiar with the school had entered.
Many adults had come to check out the school. Most were parents of the students of the facility while others were hoping to enroll their children next year.
This was the perfect time to observe the high school, since it's normally shuns outsiders for some odd reason. Maybe the headmaster is protective of something, or maybe they take the whole concept of a private school to seriously?
Whatever. It's not like it mattered.
Jayson soon smiled when he saw a vision of beauty enter his line of sight.
There stood yan-chan, wearing a knee-length purple dress and a denim jacket. She was allowed to wear such an outfit since school was technically over. In fact, most students were in casual clothing. A blessing for jayson. He hated the school uniforms.
Yan-chan was accompanied by her parents, Seiko and Taro satsujin-koibito. those two had looks of nostalgia on their faces. They had actually attended aka-demi high, back in the year 1995. when Taro was Seiko's senpai.
Yan-chan literally was her mother all over again, wasn't she?
She smiled when she saw jayson, she separated herself from her parents, who didn't really seem to mind their daughter going off on her own. But then again, she does know the layout of the school like she knows the back of senpai's hand.
"hey jayson" yan-chan greeted as she stood in front of him.
"hello beautiful" he greeted back while smiling.
The two yanderes didn't really say anything other then that. They just stood there, starring into each others eyes, almost as if they were communicating solely through eye contact.
"Hey guys!" a male voice shouted from the distance.
No… not him…
"sorry… excuse me… coming through" senpai said politely as he walked through a large crowd, eventually reaching his two favorite Kohai.
"hey! Did you guys see the garden we made in the courtyard?" senpai asked.
"no, could you show me?" yan-chan asked as she focused her gaze onto senpai and away from jayson.
"sure! It's just this way" senpai said as he took her hand.
"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! HE'S HOLDING MY HAND!" Her mind cried in joy.
Normally she wouldn't freak out about this, since senpai had held her hand before. But something was different. The way he held her hand now was less like a friend would. It was more compassionate, caring, protective. Firm yet gentle. The same way lovers would hold hands.
Jayson glared hard at this new display of affection that senpai was showing. Not only did the worm just ruin one of his and yan-chan's moments again! Senpai had also practically snatched her away from jayson! Who does that?!
"hey jayson, you coming?" senpai asked.
"no thanks, I'm not really a flower guy" he responded in a rather hateful tone.
"are you sure?" yan-chan asked, bringing out the anime eyes.
Jayson sighed. Man, the things that girl can do to him. She's practically controlling him! "alright, I'll come" he said as he joined yan-chan and senpai.
The three soon walked into the courtyard, which had also been decorated.
Five sakura trees stood in the courtyard. One was placed in each corner while the fifth was in the center, surrounded by benches.
That fifth tree was the legendary one, rumored to have been here long before aka-demi high was even built. It was nicknamed (shorai no koibito no ki). The old myth that surrounds that old piece of wood says that if you confess your love to someone while under that tree on a Friday, they are destined to not only accept you, but to also become completely devoted to you! binding your heart to theirs forever.
Not only that, it's also rumored that the old tree has the ability to make your inner feelings visible to your beloved, allowing you to practically say 'I love you' directly to their heart without saying anything!
Jayson scoffed. What brain dead moron came up with that retarded legend? A tree that does all the romancing for you? Yeah right! So maybe a few kids make out under it once and awhile, maybe someone had sex under it too, that does not mean its magic. That tree is nothing more then scenery, accompanied by a phony legend told by some desperate loser and believed by only desperate losers.
jayson doesn't deal in legends, he deals in facts.
Okay, back on topic.
The courtyard did look really good. The gardening club had done an amazing job. Many different species of flora were planted all throughout the courtyard, varying in color and size. Old-styled paper lanterns were lit and held from thick string that was tied high above the four pathways that lead into the main building. Jayson had never seen any part of the school look this nice.
"and you'd think this flower would grow better in the heat, but the cold temperature is actually perfect for this particular type" senpai rambled while he led his friends through the newly made garden, going to great amounts of detail about plant life.
Jayson yawned in boredom the entire time. He held little interest in plants. Sure, they're nice to look at and all, But does senpai really need to go into detail about the various… you know what, never mind. Point being, jayson was bored. out of all the things he could be doing during the festival, he has to stay here and listen to flower boy.
"isn't he amazing?" yan-chan sighed in content as senpai continued his ramble while they stood behind him. "i mean, just look at those soft… gentle… loving hands" she looked completely love struck.
"yeah, he moisturizes, big deal… let's ditch him!" jayson suggested.
"what? Why?" yan-chan asked in a somewhat betrayed tone.
"come on, The festival ends in another two hours. You can either spend that time with me and have fun, or you can stay here and listen to flower boy go on about the various types of fertilizer. Your choice" jayson said in a sarcastic tone. "tick tock, beautiful. I don't have all night"
She did admit that this was kinda boring. There were a lot of other fun things at the festival to do. Maybe just a few minutes away from senpai wouldn't hurt anyone, right?
Yeah. She'd play a few games. Win some prizes and come back before she's missed.
"okay. Let's go" she said as she took jayson's hand and silently left the courtyard, leaving senpai alone.
"and this flower is called a… guys? Jayson? Ayana-chan? Where'd they go?"
The time was 8:33 PM.
Jayson and yan-chan were walking around the outside of the school, where most of the booths that held attractions were present.
They had played and lost almost every game they tried, But they didn't really care. They were still having fun and most of the money spent playing those attractions would go to help the school.
They soon came upon the dart booth, where multiple prizes were waiting to be collected.
Yan-chan had her eye on a particular one, a large stuffed panda.
Funny, you'd never expect a sociopath would have a soft spot for stuffed animals.
"you want it?" jayson asked.
"well… kinda" she said, slightly embarrassed. She was a little old to still like stuffed animals, but that wasn't really her fault.
In her childhood days, she had been isolated from life outside of her home. The only social interaction she ever had back then was with her parents, her old home school teacher, and Yujin.
Yujin was her old stuffed teddy bear, which she still owned. he was kinda like her only friend.
Yes, She knew it was childish and stupid to count an inanimate object as a friend, but you have to see it from her perspective. If you spent fifteen years in isolation, you'd call an inanimate object your friend too.
"I got this" jayson said confidently. "five darts, please" he said to the booth owner.
His objective was simple. Hit five of the white balloons on your fist try. To someone else, it's difficult. To someone who spends all day throwing darts at a picture of their most hated enemy, it was child's play. Just pretend the balloons are senpai's eyes!
He threw the darts expertly and they all hit their targets. Yan-chan was impressed at how good he was at this game. Then again, he does have a dart board in his room. She had seen it once or twice when they had tutoring sessions at jayson's house. One thing that yan-chan always thought was weird was when ever she went in his room, jayson would quickly tear off and destroy some piece of paper that was held onto that dart board.
Every time she asked what the paper was, he'd quickly change the subject. It was probably nothing though.
"congrats jayson" the second year student who was manning the booth said as he gave jayson his prize.
"thanks Sazama" jayson said as he grabbed the stuffed bear and gave it to yan-chan.
She held the rather large bear in her hands and smiled in pure gratitude. He had went through an effort to get something for her, simply because he felt like it. What a good friend.
Jayson loved seeing that smile of joy on her face. It was easily one of the most beautiful sights in the world to him.
"thank you, jayson. I love it" she smiled in happiness as she hugged the large stuffed animal. She then walked toward jayson and gave him a small peck on the cheek.
"y-you kissed me!" he said in shock.
"well yeah, it's just a peck on the cheek. It doesn't mean anything, remember?" yan-chan stated.
"right… it doesn't mean anything" jayson sighed.
"come on, let's go find senpai" she said as she began walking off.
Jayson stood there for a second, trying to take that all in. her words were ringing in his head.
It really doesn't mean anything to her? It meant something to jayson… no, it meant the world to him.
"tough break, bro. I know how you feel. he friend zone sucks" Sazama said.
The friend zone… jayson came to a realization. Killing senpai is pointless. Even if he manages to get away with it and yan-chan doesn't get thrown in a mental institute over the death of her obsession, she'd still only see jayson as a friend. She might see it as awkward if they ever took the next step.
Maybe he should just give up… there are plenty of other women in the world, why waste your energy trying to please just one when she doesn't even want you?
Because this one saved his life, that's why. She keeps the pain of heartbreak away. She eases jayson's suffering.
She keeps him alive. Without her, he doesn't have a purpose. And when you can't find purpose in your life… you end it.
Jayson isn't giving up. He's come to far and lost to much to be stopped. Fuck the friend zone! It won't stop him!
Nothing will…
The time was 9:03 PM.
Senpai walked around the school at a fast pace, searching for ayana.
He couldn't believe she and jayson would just leave him without telling!
To be honest, he kinda understood why though. He admitted that his ramblings weren't very entertaining but he needed some kinda starting point.
He'd be leaving for collage after school was over. Meaning he wouldn't see ayana for a long time. If senpai didn't make his move now, he'd never be able to express his feelings for her.
He knew it was kinda cruel to attempt a love confession now. Why tell a girl you love her when you'll be going to collage while she stays in high school?
Well, if he did confess his feelings and then left, she'd take it pretty hard. Meaning she'd probably be depressed for awhile.
This was where senpai would kinda see his cruel actions as justifiable. If jayson notices ayana's depression, he'll obviously spend a lot more time with her. Their bond will increase and eventually she'll fall for him and forget about senpai.
Yeah, that would be the right thing to do. Senpai would get a huge weight off of his chest, he'd date ayana for awhile. And once he's gone, his best friend will be unknowingly set up for romance.
Everyone will be happy, right?
The time was 9:25 PM.
Jayson and yan-chan had returned to the courtyard after failing to find senpai.
"you sure you don't wanna try looking in the gym again?" jayson asked.
"no. lets just wait for him here" yan-chan sighed as she sat on a bench under the legendary sakura tree, waiting for her senpai's return.
Jayson took a place next to her on that bench. "you alright?" he asked.
"yeah, I'm fine" she said. "I've just been thinking"
"well that's dangerous" jayson joked, causing yan-chan to giggle a little. "what were you thinking about?" he said.
"school is almost over. After graduation, senpai will be in collage and I'll still be here. He's going to keio university" yan-chan sighed. "that's all the way in Tokyo"
"hey, it's not that bad. You're only spending one more year here" jayson said, trying to support her. "and you still got me to keep you company"
"you're right. I'm over thinking this too much, that's all" she shivered a bit when the cold wind blew past her. "my hands are freezing"
"here, let me warm them for you" jayson took her hands into his. "this isn't weird for you, is it?" he asked.
"no… I like it" she smiled warmly. "you know what i've also been thinking about? All those other girls that senpai liked, Osana and the others? Maybe he only sees me as a friend because I'm not his type of girl. I should change?"
"hell no" jayson said as he looked into yan-chan's eyes "don't change anything. You are perfect. You are and always will be better then those girls"
"what makes you think that?" she asked.
"because they're all dead and you're still alive"
"they're all dead because I killed them" she said as she gazed back into jayson's eyes.
"that just proves that you were stronger then them. And if senpai doesn't see that, it's his loss"
"that's really sweet of you to say, jayson" she smiled again.
"I'm speaking from the heart" he smiled back as he gently brushed one of her bangs out of her eyes. "you have really beautiful eyes, do you know that?" he complemented.
That complement must have sparked something inside of her. Jayson saw her moving her head close to his. They're foreheads were against each other.
Jayson enjoyed the closeness. He felt so content, he wanted to just sit on this bench with her forever.
He noticed that she soon closed her eyes and brought her lips close to his. His cheeks blushed harder then ever.
This was it! After two years of hard work he was finally about to be rewarded. The door to her heart was open and ready for him to enter! Just two more inches and…
"there you guys are!"
senpai's voice had caused ayana to open her eyes, realizing what she was doing.
no… no… NO… NO!… NOOOOOOOOOO!
"i've been looking everywhere for you guys! My roses just bloomed in the gardening club's room. You gotta see them, ayana-chan" senpai said as he took her hand and gently pulled her away. She obviously agreed to leave.
Jayson sat on the bench with a dumbfounded and hurt expression on his face.
He was so close… just another two inches and they would have truly kissed. He would have finally earned his place inside her heart, but that will never happen now.
Info-chan appeared from her hiding place behind one of the five sakura trees. "i saw all of that. it was rather painful to watch" she stated. "are you okay, brother?"
"go away…" he said in a depressed tone.
"jayson?"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!"
info-chan quickly ran out of the courtyard in fear over jayson's anger. She watched him through the windows of the metal double doors.
"Relax, big guy" His mind said to him. "Breath, count to ten.
1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… 9… 10.
He breathed in, appearing relaxed and tranquil… on the outside.
He collapsed onto his knees and loudly screamed in both pain and sadness as he clutched his skull tightly.
His heart couldn't take it anymore. The pain had returned, hitting harder then it ever did. the suicide thoughts were rushing through his head. the doubt, the worry, the sadness, the anger, it was all hitting him at the same time as he continued to scream in heartbroken pain and agony.
Info-chan could swear that she saw tears fall from his eyes.
