Every Sin Deserves Punishment - Chapter 8: Is that you… Yuu-kun?

Chapter 8: Is that you… Yuu-kun?

A/N: The happy ending in the tags is not a lie, but the development from here on may not be suitable for everyone.

Please be warned.

——————————————-

It had been a while since I ran into that nasty senior. They approached me with a smirk, speaking overly familiar. It was disgusting, so I ignored them. But eventually, their persistence got on my nerves, so I decided to listen.

To summarize, according to them, Nakiri and I are apparently a married couple. Just because a boy and a girl are seen playing together alone, in their twisted worldview, that automatically makes them husband and wife. I told them flat out how ridiculous it was.

I felt embarrassed. I denied it.

But more than that, I hated the idea of falling into their trap. I couldn’t stand the thought of being separated from Nakiri more than being laughed at by this idiot standing in front of me. So I just snorted, left the senior behind, and let the sound of my footsteps echo through the morning corridor. Somehow, I felt like I got to school earlier than usual.

I entered the classroom from the back entrance. Nakiri was standing in front of the blackboard. My classmates were giggling, looking at her slender back. They all turned around when they noticed my presence.

I stiffened. The pressure of several dozen gazes was no joke. But this was just about numbers. Compared to the intimidation of those seniors, each individual gaze was no more than a chick’s peep. Ignoring them, I focused on Nakiri’s back.

Her ears were as red as apples. Shifting my gaze to the blackboard, I saw a heart-topped umbrella drawn with white chalk. On either side of the handle, the names of Nakiri and me were written. It was a classic “ai-ai gasa.” (couple’s umbrella).

Nakiri and I made eye contact. Her wide eyes blinked in surprise, and the chalk eraser she was holding slipped from her delicate hand. The rectangular object hit the podium with a hard clatter, scattering white powder across the brown wood.

That was the signal. Nakiri flipped her miniskirt and disappeared into the hallway through the other exit.

I immediately left the classroom too. Falling for such a stupid trick isn’t like Nakiri at all. She should stand and fight, not run away. I needed to scold her. Running through the hallway and pounding my feet against the first-floor tiles, I rushed outside, still in my indoor shoes, and grabbed Nagi’s hand. The softness of her hand made me feel a bit embarrassed, but I fought the urge and demanded to know why she ran away.

Nagiri said it was nothing.

It was a lie, and I could tell. I grabbed her struggling wrist and demanded the truth. She said that she wanted to keep her distance from me for a while because she was embarrassed about us being teased as a couple. She spoke in a lifeless voice.

I was stunned. Would she collapse if the wind blew? That’s how fragile Nakiri seemed to me as she explained herself. I could hardly believe this frail girl in front of me was the same Nakiri Yukiha I knew.

I scolded her. I told her the “ai-ai gasa” was just a prank by those jerks, and wasn’t she ashamed of letting them manipulate her like that?

But Nakiri wasn’t listening. Her pale arm struggled again to free itself from my grasp. There was no trace of the intelligent girl she once was, just a child throwing a tantrum. She kept repeating, “Let go! Let go!” Her stubbornness annoyed me, so I forced her down with more strength. Her chestnut-colored eyes quivered, tears welled up, and her long lashes absorbed them.

I hate you, Yuu-kun!

That shouted phrase washed away my thoughts. I was struck in the chest, and I couldn’t react, so I ended up sitting on the floor. I was rejected by Nakiri. I couldn’t face that reality and just watched her back as she left the school.

Her slender body passed through the school gate and ran towards the blue light at the end of the striped road. A few seconds after I heard the screeching sound, her back disappeared to the left.

Nakiri was hit by a compact car. I only realized what had happened a few seconds later.

◇

The stalker who had appeared during lunch was detained. Apparently, the police were coming to the school for an investigation and interviews. Instead of the fifth period, an emergency homeroom was held, and we were told to go home promptly so the scene could be preserved. The classroom had turned chaotic, almost festive, after that announcement. As soon as the homeroom ended, my classmates scattered like water spilling from a container.

incident. A man in a blue uniform questioned me about every little thing, and by the time I was released, it was nearly 3 p.m. Feeling down, I stepped into the entrance, taking a deep breath of the fresh air and letting the sunlight wash over me.

I sighed deeply. Why do I have to spend an early dismissal day like this, staring down the police? I exhale, carrying my gloomy mood and releasing carbon dioxide.

“Ichigaya-san.”

A crisp voice echoed. I turned around and saw Nakiri standing near the exit, leaning against the wall.

“Your questioning ended earlier than mine?”

“Yes.”

It’s unfair. I’m a third party, so why did the victim’s questioning end first?

I was about to complain, but when I saw her relaxed smile, I lost the will to do so. Nakiri’s age-appropriate smile is something I haven’t seen in a while. She must have been tense because of the stalker incident.

Nakiri turned to face me.

“Thank you for helping me during lunch break. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

Her upper body, covered by her blazer, leaned forward.

It was a bow.

“Are you thanking me or apologizing to me?”

I averted my gaze, feeling awkward. I was the one who tried to abandon Nakiri in the first place. I don’t feel like accepting her gratitude.

Nakiri straightened her upper body.

“I want to do both. I’m grateful for your help, but if that person had a weapon, it could have turned into a serious injury case. When I think about that, I…”

Nakiri lowered her eyes. Her shadowed expression couldn’t hide her sense of shame. It was indeed reckless. Even though I know karate, I’m still a human. If he had a knife, I couldn’t have held back either. In that case, I would have had to keep punching him until he stopped moving. The possibility of a serious injury occurring is quite high. Nakiri chose to talk in the empty hallway, trying not to involve other students. But even so, it was still reckless.

I shrugged. Nakiri has always been like this. Sometimes, I can’t tell if she’s smart or stupid. It’s frustrating that she’s still the same as before.

“It’s over. I intervened, knowing the risk. You don’t need to worry about it.”

It had been a foolish move on my part. It could have been a chance to free myself from my obsessive thoughts of revenge, but instead, I ruined it. Worst of all, I felt relieved that Nakiri came out of it unharmed. How pathetic. The me from a few weeks ago would’ve scolded me for being so soft.

Nakiri pursed her pink lips. Her fingers holding the bag turned white.

“Changing the subject, but do you have any plans for now?”

“No. This is the time when we should’ve been in class. It’s strange for me to have plans.”

“Then, could you join me for a change of pace?”

It took me a moment to process what she meant. She wanted to go somewhere with me? Normally, she’d invite a friend if she didn’t want to go alone. But then, those friends would likely ask questions about the incident. The thought of her friends bombarding her with insensitive questions made me sympathize. After all, I had nearly lost my cool at Sogou and Mibu in the diner for doing the same to me.

This is a chance. A great opportunity. A rare opportunity. I can casually ask about the past and get her to admit to the bullying. I can use it as evidence by recording it with a smartphone app. Going out with the target of my revenge is the best. It should be enough stimulation to regain my vitality.

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“I want to go to the aquarium.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

We pass through the school gate and head towards our destination.

As expected, the conversation didn’t flow easily. On the surface, Nakiri and I were practically strangers. She had no idea what I liked or disliked, so why would she ask me out? Maybe she felt safe with me after I protected her from that stalker. Or perhaps the incident had left her wanting company. It was odd, walking side by side with her like this, after everything that had happened.

As I pondered, I saw the entrance with its chic colors. We entered the building, following the flow of people, and our vision was filled with a calm darkness. As we walked further, various sizes of aquariums lined up like a gallery. Among the simple aquariums with green plants, there were others with burning red and yellow aquatic plants. Various creatures that I usually don’t get to see. The fish, illuminated by the lights, seemed to dance and sing like idols.

I thought to myself, ‘There are so many types of fish,’ and I glanced at Nakiri’s profile as she admired the fish. My childhood friend’s eyes sparkled like a child’s. She let out a sigh of admiration and became engrossed in front of the large aquarium. I followed her gaze and saw jellyfish, jellyfish, and more jellyfish. Countless cnidarians drew circles in the darkness, just like a full moon in the night sky. It was a scene that perfectly explained why jellyfish are called ‘kurage’ (moon) in Japanese.

“Do you like jellyfish?”

“Yes, I love them. What’s your favorite animal, Ichigaya-san?”

“The whale shark.”

I answered immediately. It was from a time when my family was still intact. My parents and I went to Okinawa and saw a whale shark. The presence of the giant creature, slowly moving, is still fresh in my memory.

Nakiri narrowed her eyes, looking dissatisfied.

“But there aren’t any whale sharks here, are there?”

“Then, jellyfish.”

Nakiri’s expression brightened. It’s good that she’s so easy to read.

“They’re so fluffy and cute! Because their bodies are semi-transparent, the colorful lights shine beautifully, and I really like the atmosphere they create, like idols in an aquarium.”

Her smile is innocent, and she’s unusually talkative. I wonder if she talks like this with her friends at school, or if she’s relaxed because the stalker incident has been resolved. She looks like a pure, playful child, and I can’t help but smile.

A memory from elementary school flashed through my mind. After the scene of Nakiri and I smiling together, the hateful memory of me being punched and kicked played out. That contrast kept my consciousness as ‘Ichigaya Yuu’ intact.

That’s right. I didn’t come here to play. I came to the aquarium to gather information, even if it’s just a little. I can’t just leave after watching the fish and jellyfish.

I wanted to find a place where we could talk calmly. I looked around and extended my index finger.

“I’m a bit hungry, so let’s stop by that cafe, shall we?”

“Sure. I want something sweet too.”

Nakiri and I stopped by the cafe. We chose a table seat and ordered floats. Jellyfish-shaped ice floated in each of our drinks, mine in coffee and hers in juice. It looked like something that would be perfect for social media, but to be honest, it was annoying to drink. If you didn’t push the ice down with a straw, you’d end up kissing it.

“It’s like a sculpture.”

Nakiri took out her smartphone and started taking pictures of the floats. She was as excited as a girl who found a treasure box. The troublesome floats seemed to be well-received.

“You seem familiar with this place. Do you often come here?”

“Yes. I often come here with my friends to study or when we want to talk more.”

“Doesn’t that get in the way for the café?”

“I’ve never been given a dirty look. When it’s busy, we don’t stay long, and we always make sure to order something.”

“I see. That’s why you don’t feel embarrassed being alone with a guy.”

I tried to lighten the mood with a playful grin, hoping to get a reaction, whether it was her blushing or laughing mischievously.

“I guess I’m used to it. When I was little, I often played with my childhood friend, a boy.”

I was drawn to her low-toned voice. Like the setting sun, Nakiri’s gaze fell on her hands. Her long fingers held the straw, stirring the contents of the container.

I felt that now was the time to ask. I had a hunch.

“If you don’t mind, can you tell me about that childhood friend?”

By restraining the stalker, Nakiri felt both gratitude and guilt towards me. Additionally, she was just happily admiring the jellyfish. The effect of the aquarium as a spot, combined with her elevated mood, made her more talkative than usual. She was likely to speak more lightly than usual as well.

Nakiri’s long eyelashes fluttered.

“Are you interested?”

“Yes.”

I looked into her chestnut eyes to convey my seriousness.

“I guess it’s okay to tell Ichigaya-san…”

Her finger, which had been stirring the float, stopped. She whispered, and her thin finger left the straw.

Her pink lips parted.

“The name of my childhood friend is Shikura Yuu. He was a boy who often competed with me. When I helped him in a fight with two upperclassmen, we lost, and he said that he could have won if he had fought alone. That’s the kind of person he was.”

I know. It’s me. Nakiri and I challenged two upperclassmen together and lost, ending up lying on the ground. I remember the evening sky was unusually beautiful, and I felt refreshed.

“He was a terrible person, huh?”

I spoke without any real feeling. Maybe I was the worst person at that moment, but I think I was just an ordinary boy back then. I responded with a nod because Nakiri’s expression looked happy, and I wanted to draw out more words. I couldn’t bear to see her like that.

Her small face shook from side to side.

“No, that’s not true. I enjoyed competing with him, and I had so much fun that I can’t even count how many times I’ve lost track of time while I’m with him. He also had a very gentlemanly side, you know? There was a time when I was frozen with fear because of a dog, but Yuu… Shikura-san gently took my hand and led me away. I felt like a princess. Every time I remember it, I get so excited that I roll around on my bed.”

Nakiri pressed her hands against her chest and smiled fondly.

I clenched my fingers on my knees tightly. My nails dug into my palms as I gripped them hard.

“You liked him, didn’t you?”

“Yes. He was my first love.”

Like boiling water, something hot surged up from the bottom of my chest. It was the breaking point. I couldn’t stop my mouth from trembling a second before my emotions burst forth like a geyser.

Because… I couldn’t help but think Nakiri looked so sweet, so kind, and so beautiful as she spoke.

“If you liked him that much, why did you bully him?”

“Huh?”

Nakiri’s smile stiffened.

I whispered, and my trembling voice asked the question. My mind realized its mistake, but my mouth wouldn’t stop.

“It was really painful, you know? I suffered from it. I was beaten and kicked for no reason, and no one helped me. Because of my truancy, my father left home and blamed my mother for it. My mother, who had been taking care of me, collapsed from the stress and passed away. I lost my youth and my family because of you…!”

I blamed Nakiri, squeezing out the words. I looked up, realizing it was too late.

“Y-Yuu-kun…?”

Her pink lips trembled slightly. I held my breath as I looked into her wide-open eyes.

I did it. I felt like the floor had collapsed beneath me. Even though I had kept it hidden all this time, I was swept away by the wave of surging passion. I spoke words I shouldn’t have.

It’s over.

“!”

I stood up from the chair and ran, turning my back on Nagi. I heard her voice calling out behind me, filled with pain, but I ignored it. I ran through the exit, retracing my steps. My legs carried me back to my apartment building. I rushed into the lobby, into the elevator, feeling the weightlessness as it ascended.

As soon as the door opened, I rushed into the entrance and collapsed on the floor, hugging the rectangular photo frame I had grabbed with my arm.

“I’m sorry, Mom…”

My voice trembled pathetically. Something wet flowed down my cheeks from the corners of my eyes.

The reason my family fell apart was because I stopped going to school. My father blamed my mother for my absence, and he left to go back to his parents’ house. My mother, despite being frail, worked herself to the bone to support me until she could no longer bear it. She fell ill and never recovered. Her last words, repeated over and over with a shaking voice, were, “I’m sorry I couldn’t make you happy.” That image is still burned into the back of my mind, refusing to fade.

My family was shattered. I lost my precious student days. Fueled by that bitterness, I swore to make Nakiri miserable. I dyed my hair blond, changed my name, and enrolled in Tokyo Seiki High School. I had to be happy for my mother’s sake. My goal was to ruin Nakiri’s school life and enjoy my own. That was the plan.

But I ruined my own revenge scheme. The only way to clear the fog of hatred inside me was to achieve happiness. Yet, I revealed my identity as Shikura Yuu to Nakiri. If I did anything to her now, I’d be the first one suspected. It would be now impossible for me to carry out my revenge unnoticed.

My plan has broken apart. And with this fog of hatred still clinging to me, I knew happiness would forever be out of my reach. Crushed by the guilt I felt toward my mother, I sobbed in the entryway.