After a while, however, Ria became interested in why Naoki was so desperate for revenge for killing a person in someone else's name.
Apparently she was killed by the Hironiwa clan, but the Hironiwa clan did not operate in Yomiyama due to the small size of the city.
They conducted their main business in Tokyo and other large cities in the Kanto region.
The only business that Yomiyama Group were running in Yomiyama were the less relevant things. Ria was curious about what made this person vulnerable to retaliation from her father, Yuukichi Hironiwa.
Even Naoki didn't know if he should do it, however, he enjoyed Misaki's company, even seemed to feel something for her, however, he never confessed it to her. He believed that her untimely death was not the fault of a curse, but of murder.
Misaki Fujioka and Naoki Muneyoshi first met 2 1/2 years ago in the spring of 1996.
Misaki then spotted Naoki, knowing nothing about him, however, except that, like her friend Ayato Anju, he was from the Four Great Clans of Yomiyama - the four former feudal clans that ruled the areas around Yomiyama in the old days, according to rumors the clans' influence survived the democratization of Japan and the postwar years.
Naoki avoided people for the first weeks at school by being inaccessible, and because of this many rumors were created about him.
Because of these rumors, once Ayato and Misaki bet on finding out something about Naoki, causing Ayato to follow him. Initially, Naoki showed no desire to socialize with Ayato and Misaki, and demonstrated this by threatening Ayato that if he followed him once, he would regret it. Finally, Naoki told Ayato "I'm not your friend, and I don't intend to be."
From that point on, Ayato and Misaki began to take a more cautious approach to forming a friendship with Naoki.
It took 4 months for the first time Naoki said anything to Ayato and Misaki that was not dismissive or hostile.
-Why, why are you trying so much to create a relationship with me? For what?
Ayato didn't know what to say, he looked at Misaki, who, after a moment's thought, replied.
- Well, I thought that you seemed lonely…. That's it…
-Lonely huh… Naoki pondered for a while, and turned his head away from them
-I don't think I ever was alone in my life.
-Being alone isn't just about being alone Naoki…
-Enlighten me then, Fujioka-san.
-Loneliness is not just being alone; it's having no one who truly understands or cares for you.
Naoki have lost in his thoughts for a good amount of time, he stand still, and didn't realized the flow of time. "So, I was alone for all this time?", "Even if...not" Naoki looked uncertainly at Misaki and Ayato, who were momentarily surprised. Ayato decided to speak up
-Naoki, you are just like a fortress, not letting anyone into your life… I think it's certain that you are lonely…
-Maybe but… You won't ever understand me at all..
-That's what friends are for...
To support each other Misaki added.
Naoki became more emotional, for Naoki interpersonal ties were nothing more than ballast, so he raised his voice with sorrow and anger - I don't need no one to suport me, and Naoki became more emotional, for Naoki interpersonal ties were nothing more than ballast, so he raised his voice with sorrow and anger
- You will never understand me, And will never support me. Just as I will not support you.
We are not the same.
After these words, Ayato thought to give up any friendship with Naoki.
Naoki started to move away in his direction when he heard Misaki's voice.
- You don't have to carry this burden alone!
Naoki turned and looked at her, then walked away.
However, the whole conversation had an effect on him, after reflecting on it, Naoki came to the conclusion that he could nevertheless afford to have a amicable, however not friendly, relationship with Ayato and Misaki.
Even so, he subconsciously began to become less and less unavailable to Ayato and Misaki over time.
At the end of grade 1-1 at Yomiyama South, however, he decided to move to Yomiyama North, Naoki was considered a freak and was bullied by other students, also Ayato and Misaki were also victims of bullying.
Naoki decided to transfer not for personal reasons, but so that his friends would not be bullied. He already felt tentative, however, genuine feelings of friendship toward Ayato and Misaki. Despite the relocation, Naoki kept in lively contact with Misaki and Ayato.
Once, when Ayato had gone and Naoki and Misaki stayed together, Naoki decided to ask about Mei.
- Fujioka-san, I have one question.
- Yes?
- Do you know a girl named Mei Misaki?
- Maybe? Or maybe not?
- There is no option that you are not related.
Misaki was a little saddened, as this was their secret.
- I'll tell you if you tell me a secret from your life.
Naoki started thinking about what he would tell for Misaki that wouldn't be too extreme.
- I don't like sweet things.
Misaki felt that she was discouraged by such an insignificant secret.
- No, something more serious.
Misaki started to get more serious.
Naoki took a deep breath, and looked deeply into Misaki's eyes.
- Actually, it doesn't matter.
Misaki, this time driven by curiosity, decided to tell the whole truth to Naoki.
- Mei is my biological sister, we were separated at a young age... formally she is my cousin...
Feeling a little embarrassed, Misaki looked at Naoki, who turned away, blushing.
-Now it's your turn...
- Will you promise not to despise me if I tell you?
Misaki was slightly concerned, but nodded her head
Naoki took a look straight into her eyes, and with a serious expression, spoke up.
- I once killed someone...
Naoki said these words like an announcement of the morning weather on TV, then did not leave eye contact with Misaki, Misaki initially frightened, given Naoki's former attitude, which was evident until now and the problem with which it was difficult to establish a relationship with him, Misaki hugged him.
Naoki, out of his mind, not understanding Misaki's gesture, moved away from her, blushing slightly.
-Why?
- I don't think what you did was right but...
It wasn't because of some sick fantasy.
Naoki decided to tell Misaki about Kiichisaburo's murder.
- When I lived in Europe, my older uncle abused me, he also killed his own daughter, and my cousin.
This trash had no right to live.
Misaki after hearing Naoki's story understood him better, And she hugged him again.
- Then he deserved it, since he killed his own daughter...
Naoki felt a strange feeling of acceptance, despite the fact that what he had done was wrong, from a moral point of view, however, hugging Misaki, he noticed that her feelings were sincere, thus breaking all the barriers of inaccessibility between her and him.
It also affected his relationship with Ayato, who became his best friend.
Kaito also noticed that Naoki was in a much better mood, although he didn't like to show it to anyone, rarely even smiling in the company of Ayato and Misaki.