Every Sin Deserves Punishment - Chapter 9: Statute of Limitations

Chapter 9: Statute of Limitations

I fell in love at first sight.

The girl I liked started hanging out with another classmate. Despite all the times I spoke to her, despite the time I picked up her eraser, how could this happen? I was fuming. I wanted to punch that guy. But he was used to fighting. I’d seen him stand up to an upperclassman before. There was no way I could beat him one-on-one, and besides, he was Nakiri’s favorite. If I punched him, Nakiri wouldn’t be happy. My clenched fist trembled, but I held back.

It’s impossible to monopolize Nakiri. I thought of a plan to insert myself between them. I didn’t have the courage to join them directly, so I approached a girl who liked Shikura and suggested that we play with them.

In terms of academics and sports, Shikura and Nakiri are far superior to us. We can’t compete with them. I observed the two as they competed, looking for an opportunity to get close. It seems that Shikura and Nakiri compete not only in tests and running but also in drawing, reading, and even building sandcastles.

I focused on their frequent, though irregular, sandcastle competitions. After researching decorations with a collaborator using a smartphone, we barged in on one of their sandcastle sessions.

The operation was successful. We gained the right to play with them.

I still couldn’t win in competitions. Shikura and Nakiri were the ones who got excited about winning or losing. I tried to set up Shikura and Mibu, but Mibu was too intimidated by Shikura and wasn’t of much help. Even when I created opportunities for Nakiri and me to be alone, Nakiri would only talk about Shikura. I was shown their world so many times that my teeth, which I had been clenching, chipped. It hurt.

One day, I saw Nagi being teased by some upperclassmen. According to them, boys and girls who play together like they did must be married. Nakiri was furious, her face turning red like an apple as she argued back. That calm, intelligent Nakiri suddenly looked like any other child.

I thought this could be useful. The next morning, I arrived at school early and drew a large couple’s umbrella on the blackboard with white chalk. I pretended not to know anything and left the classroom, only to re-enter when the classroom was filled with my classmates. I entertained the classmates with the couple’s joke, creating an atmosphere where they could tease Nakiri.

By the time Nakiri arrived, the atmosphere was set. Even without me saying anything, the classmates began poking fun at her. Even someone as strong-willed as Nagi couldn’t stand up to the power of numbers. Recently, Nakiri had started wearing a miniskirt, likely to impress Shikura. That became the focus of their teasing, making her embarrassment even more acute. Her usual toughness was nowhere to be found, and she shrank, unable to respond.

Then, my rival entered the classroom. I had hoped that the embarrassment the both got would escalate into a fight, but Shikura didn’t react as I’d expected. Instead, he dashed out of the classroom, chasing after the fleeing Nakiri down the hallway. It was like a climactic scene from a romance movie. The dumb classmates squealed in excitement. I clicked my tongue. If Shikura managed to console Nakiri, my perfect plan would fall apart. Worse, it might even bring them closer together. Imagining the worst, I bit my lip in frustration.

As I trembled with anger and anxiety, a loud screeching sound came from outside the school. The classmates rushed to the window, pointing at something. I approached the window and saw Nakiri lying on the road, bleeding.

The class was in an uproar.

The next moment, everyone started blaming each other. I knew it wasn’t my fault, but if I didn’t do something, there would be no point in splitting them up. I prayed that her beautiful body wouldn’t be scarred and sent a message to my Nakiri.

A few days later, I received a reply from Nakiri, who was hospitalized. She asked me to tell Shikura that it wasn’t his fault if he felt responsible about it.

…What?

It made no sense at all. It was as shocking as if the world had flipped upside down. She was hit by a car because of Shikura, yet she wanted me to comfort him? Impossible. I was convinced that Nakiri still had feelings for that bastard, and it made my blood boil.

However, Nakiri’s email contained interesting information. When I asked for more details, I learned that the accident happened because of an argument between Nakiri and Shikura at the school gate.

This was something I could use. I urged Mibu to spread a rumor. The story was that Shikura had pushed Nakiri into the car. I made sure the lie circulated. The accident happened during school hours, so there were other students around. Pretending to be someone else was easy.

The rumor spread like wildfire. Perhaps it was because Nakiri was popular, or because people resented Shikura for monopolizing her. Shikura immediately lost his place in the class. It was finally time for me to get revenge. I joined in the bullying, and it felt exhilarating. But I tried not to show it too much, so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Anyway, I succeeded in splitting up the couple. Now that the obstacle was gone, I waited for the right moment and confessed my feelings to Nakiri after she returned to school.

I was rejected. I didn’t understand why.

Not only that, Nakiri shouted that the rumor was a lie. As soon as she found out that Shikura had transferred schools after his truancy, she cried out loud in front of everyone. The classmates froze, like children who had broken a vase. After that, Nakiri didn’t come to school until the next school year.

In the West, they had something called “witch hunts.” Blaming someone for misfortune, condemning them, and cheering as they were executed, no matter the truth. It’s a wonderful tradition.

The same thing happened in our class. A search for the source of the rumors began, and everyone was quick to accuse each other, saying, “It was him” or “It was her.” I felt like I’d swallowed a block of ice. If anyone found out I’d started the rumor, my classmates would surely tear me apart with smiles on their faces. The same fate that Shikura met would be waiting for me. Terrified, I joined in, passing the blame along like a hot potato.

The student who was blamed as the culprit attempted suicide by jumping off a building, and the bullying became a problem. The adults took care of the situation, and the incident was closed.

No one searched for the real culprit. It was feared that the same thing would happen if they looked too closely. We were strictly forbidden from pursuing the truth, and I felt relieved when the tension was released.

Even after the incident was over, our peaceful school life didn’t return. After pushing the blame onto each other, the bonds we’d built as classmates were shredded like dry, crumbling dirt. More than one or two students stopped coming to school. Even when we did attend, no one spoke. We all viewed each other as enemies. It was hell, to be honest. Looking back, it was a complete breakdown of our class. But I didn’t care about anything other than Nagiri, so whether or not the others were at each other’s throats didn’t matter to me.

One day, I heard a rumor that some classmates were searching for the real culprit.

Feeling my life was in danger, I chose a school far away from my hometown for middle school. For me, who had overcome that hell, minor difficulties were not a problem. I forgot about Nakiri, studied hard, and entered one of the top high schools in the country.

Coincidentally, Shikura and Nakiri were there. My spine chilled, but they didn’t know the truth. I decided to support them in keeping the truth hidden, no matter what. After all, everyone’s memories from elementary school are their black history. It’s better not to remember them.

◇

After running away from Nakiri, I was lying on my bed, zoning out, when my smartphone vibrated. There was an update in the group chat. Sogou and Mibu were inviting me to hang out.

I hesitated. The last time I saw them at the family restaurant, they left me feeling pretty irritated. They hadn’t even apologized for being late. I knew that if I met them again, I’d be frustrated. But cutting ties felt like too big of a step. Besides, there was a new doubt growing inside me, something I needed their help to resolve.

I decided to meet them. I made my way to the same family restaurant, and, as usual, they made me wait for about thirty minutes before Sogou and Mibu strolled in, grinning

“I heard about you stopping the attacker!”

Sogou shouted as soon as he saw me. Mibu walked past the table and sat next to me. Since we exchanged contact information, they’ve been inviting me every weekend, and it’s getting annoying. I wish they would realize that I’m not enjoying this.

I reached for my glass and took a sip of water, trying to calm the irritation bubbling back up.

“Who did you hear that from? I thought the fact that I stopped the attacker was being kept secret.”

I had quickly become “that student who took down a stalker,” turning into a bit of a sensation. Everyone was talking about how I heroically subdued the thug, almost like something out of a movie. But when those kinds of stories spread, there’s always someone who tries to imitate it. I got lucky that my attacker wasn’t carrying a knife. If it had been anyone other than Nakiri, I don’t know if I could’ve handled it. Even with my karate training, I would’ve hesitated. It was that kind of situation.

People who weren’t there, or who don’t know much about martial arts, wouldn’t understand. It’s like watching a pro gamer and thinking you could play just as well. That misplaced confidence can get someone hurt. It made sense to hide my name and downplay the severity of the incident.

Sogou, unaware of these circumstances, speaks cheerfully.

“I heard it from the class chat. You’re quite famous, huh? If you get invited to a mixer, call me too.”

I lowered my gaze. My heart began to withdraw from the moment, like the receding tide on a beach. So now that I was a little famous for stopping the incident, Sogou wanted to ride that wave with me? He had always been like this, even as a kid. He was calculating, occasionally cheating during competitions in elementary school. Even after Nakiri and I called him out on it, he never changed.

“By the way, Sogou, don’t you have a girlfriend?”

“We broke up a long time ago. She wouldn’t let me touch her.”

“You’re the worst.”

Mibu narrows her eyes in criticism.

Before the conversation could drift into meaningless chatter, I cleared my throat and took control of the situation.

“I have a request for the two of you.”

“Anything! Just say the word!”

Mibu leans forward. I reflexively arch my back and distance myself from her.

“If you know anyone from our elementary school days, please tell me their contact information.”

Sogou and Mibu raised their eyebrows in surprise. The two exchanged a quick glance, the sound of them swallowing filling the air with tension.

“Huh? Are you serious?”

“I am. I understand what you’re trying to say, but I have something I want to confirm. Please cooperate.”

Ever since that day at the aquarium, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Nakiri’s expression. No matter how many times I replayed it in my head, it never felt like she was lying to me. If her emotions were genuine, there’s no way she could have orchestrated my bullying by manipulating everyone around us. There must have been some misunderstanding. I can’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Mibu raises her hands.

“W-Wait, please. It’s over, right? Isn’t it better for everyone if we don’t bring it up?”

“Everyone? Who do you mean by everyone?”

I furrowed my brow and stared directly at Mibu. Her back straightened, her body stiffening as if frozen. The past doesn’t just disappear. No matter how much we might wish it were gone, the things that happened remain. Telling me to stop digging just because it’s uncomfortable—that’s the mindset of someone who wants to avoid responsibility.

Sogou smiles sarcastically.

“Well, calm down. Mibu is right, isn’t she? What’s the point of bringing up something from our elementary school days?”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s not like you, Shikura, to be so smart.”

I see disgusting smiles in my field of vision.

Something about their casual gestures was bothering me. I had thought that they regretted what happened in the past. Just recently, they had talked about the bullying incident, and I assumed they’d help me when I asked. But what was this? The moment I tried to uncover the truth, they stood in my way, as if they had something to hide. It almost felt like my digging was a threat to them.

“Sogou, Mibu, are you hiding something from me?”

The two of them flinch. Their forced smiles stiffen.

“No, no way. We’re not hiding anything!”

“Then why are you getting in my way?”

“We’re not doing that. It’s just that our elementary school days are our black history, you know?”

“Even so, you have an obligation to tell me. Whether you like it or not, you two were involved in the bullying.”

“Involved? That’s harsh, Shikura!”

A high-pitched voice echoes through the store. I frown at the volume.

“I’ve told you many times not to call me by that surname.”

“Shikura?”

Just as I was about to scold Mibu, an unfamiliar voice cut in. Turning to look, I saw a boy with a shaved head standing nearby. I didn’t recognize him from around Tokyo Seiki High School. He must’ve been a stranger.

“Sorry if I’m wrong, but… aren’t you Shikura Yuu?”

A suffocating feeling tightened around my throat. I suddenly found it hard to remember how to breathe properly, as though I had forgotten how to take air in and out of my lungs.

There weren’t many people who knew me by the name Shikura. After middle school, I’d already started using the name Ichigaya Yuu, and due to my PTSD, I had attended most of my classes through remote learning. I hadn’t built any new friendships. This shaved-head boy had to be one of those demons that writhed in that hell I once endured.

Under the table, I clenched my fists. Whether he was here on vacation or if he lived in the city, I didn’t know, but this was my chance. It was worth coming all the way to this distant café.

Now, stay strong. I’m not the same person I was back then, just a helpless victim. I’ve gained the strength to subdue any attacker. I’ve grown stronger both mentally and physically. If I run away now, who knows when the next opportunity to uncover the truth will come? Maybe I won’t have to hate Nakiri anymore. Maybe we could even go back to those days when we exchanged smiles. Lift your head. Look them in the eye!

“Who… are you?”

“It’s me, Ragami. Never thought I’d see Sogou and Mibu here too. Looks like you guys made up, huh?”

Ragami raises the corners of his mouth.

A sharp chill shot through the core of my body. Why was he smiling? After everything he did, how could he stand there, grinning in front of his victim?

My eyelids feel heavy. I force a smile as my expression changes. I need to make Ragami spit it all out here. I can’t let him get away.

“H-hey, let’s leave it at that,”

Sogou said in a hesitant tone. Mibu chimed in as well. Their voices weren’t strong—perhaps because they had been involved in bullying me in the past. Either way, it was better than them standing idly by. If Ragami were to lash out, they could serve as backup.

“What do you mean, ‘leave it at that’? I’m just saying hi.”

Ragami frowns.

Sago stammers.

“I-I mean, you’re kinda being a nuisance, you know?”

“Y-Yeah, that’s right. If you really want to greet us can’t we do it over there?”

“It’s so annoying. There’s no need for that.”

“Just go!”

Sogou’s rough voice echoes through the store.

It was a strange sight. Not too long ago, Sogou had been laughing about the bullying like it was some sort of joke. He wasn’t the type to get angry for my sake, let alone suggest changing the conversation’s location. Why was he acting like this now?

Ragami clicks his tongue.

 “What’s with the attitude? You all act like I’m some kind of filth. You two spread the lies, and now that you’re forgiven, Shikura doesn’t care anymore, right?”

“Huh?”

“Y-You!”

Mibu leaped forward and covered Ragami’s mouth, clearly not wanting me to hear what he had just said. Sogou grabbed Ragami’s wrist, and the three of them disappeared somewhere out of sight. I was left standing there, stunned. It took me a moment to even process what had just been said.

What did I just hear? Sogou and Mibu were the ones who spread rumors? Those two… they set me up? I’d always thought Nakiri was the one responsible. I believed she had harbored resentment after being hit by that car and had instigated everyone to bully me. But was that not the truth? Were my true enemies the ones posing as my friends all this time? For what reason?

As I wrestled with these chaotic thoughts, Sogou and Mibu returned. Ragami was gone, clearly sent away. My suspicions solidified into certainty, and I found myself speaking.

“So, you two spread the rumor?”

Their fake smiles froze. They didn’t confirm or deny it. I could practically see them scrambling to come up with an excuse.

“Care to explain.”

I demand an answer in a strong tone, indicating that they can’t avoid it. Sogou and Mibu look at each other and reluctantly nod. They sit next to each other and fidget, their eyes darting around.

“Sogou.”

I prompt him to speak, sensing that he won’t say anything on his own. Sogou gives in and lowers his shoulders.

“…I liked Nakiri, you know. And Mibu liked you. We just wanted to get close to both of you.”

Memories of that rainy park at twilight resurfaced in my mind. When Nakiri and I were building sandcastles, Sogou and Mibu had timidly approached us. At the time, I thought they were just amusing classmates. But now, hearing this, my perspective shifted. There was no way those intricate castle decorations could’ve been done without practice. They must’ve been watching us from a distance, scheming to insert themselves between Nakiri and me, studying how to perfect their sandcastle skills just to make an impression.

A chill ran down my spine. It was as if something cold brushed the nape of my neck—a deep, unsettling dread. It was hard to believe kids their age could be so calculating. Instead of simply asking to play with us, they thoroughly analyzed our actions, searching for the most effective way to break into our friendship. Like predators hiding in the bushes, observing their prey. The two people in front of me no longer seemed human—just beasts in disguise.

My breathing quickened, the room felt suffocating. I forced myself to take a deep breath, calming my nerves before urging them to continue.

“At first, just hanging out with you two was enough for us. But you and Nakiri were so close. There wasn’t any space for us. The more we watched you two getting along, the more we started to resent you. I couldn’t stand seeing you together, and Mibu felt the same way about Nakiri.”

Mibu slammed her palm on the table, rising from her chair with a screech.

“H-Hey! I never thought Nakiri-san was a nuisance or anything!”

“There’s no point in lying now,

Sogou muttered bitterly, causing Mibu’s eyes to widen in shock.

“What do you mean, lying!? If you hadn’t come up with that plan in the first place, I wouldn’t have—!”

“So you’re saying it’s my fault!?”

Sogou retorted, standing abruptly as well.

I raised my fist and slammed it down on the table, silencing the entire café. The dull thud reverberated through the room. Although many eyes turned toward us, it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. If I kept looking at these despicable people any longer, I might lose control and lash out.

“Sit down.”

I ordered in a low, restrained voice. I didn’t even bother checking my reflection in the window to see what kind of expression I had.

Sogou and Mibu immediately stopped talking, their chatter silenced. They sat back down, exchanging nervous glances as if trying to pass the burden of speaking onto the other. The fact that they were so reluctant to speak now made it clear how difficult the next part of the story was for them.

“Sogou.”

I called out, knowing Mibu wasn’t sharp enough to handle this. Sogou was at least capable of forming a coherent explanation.

With a sigh, Sogou resumed.

“I thought I was going to lose Nakiri. Then Nakiri got hit by a car. I heard you two had a fight before that, so I saw it as an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“A chance to drive a wedge between you two.”

Unconsciously, my fist clenched so tightly that I heard the phone in my hand creak under the pressure. I quickly relaxed my grip, realizing it would be a problem if it broke.

“So the rumor about me pushing Nakiri was just to tear us apart, wasn’t it?”

“I didn’t think it would go that far… That’s why I didn’t actively join in the bullying.”

“But you save me either..”

 “I was terrified! Everyone had these twisted faces, laughing at you, blaming each other. I felt like I was dying inside! I was scared out of my mind! You wouldn’t understand how we felt!”

“How could I possibly understand!? I cried myself to sleep every single day! Why the hell would I care about the feelings of the people who spread those lies about me!?”

In that moment, I forgot we were in public. The desire to punch them both surged through me. I wanted to smash their faces into a mess of tears and snot. A torrent of rage surged inside me, threatening to overflow and drown my reason. Never before had I felt such overwhelming hatred toward anyone—not even Nakiri. I didn’t know how to contain this violent emotion.

Sogou shrank back, visibly shaken.

“B-But, you know, isn’t it past the statute of limitations?” he stammered.

“…Huh?”

The absurdity of the statement made me blurt out in disbelief.

The statute of limitations. A law that says after a certain period of time, even if someone committed an illegal act, they could no longer be held responsible. There was even a time when this law could make murder charges disappear. Whoever came up with this law—I’d love to crack open their brain and take a look inside.

Were they really trying to argue that? These perpetrators, who hadn’t even offered a single apology, standing in front of their victim, me. Were they really saying that because so much time had passed, I should forgive them? If so, then they lacked all emotion. These two were nothing but monsters in human form.

Sogou blinked in confusion.

“Wait, don’t tell me you don’t know what the statute of limitations is? Mibu, you know, right?”

“I-I know! It’s that thing where you’re no longer held accountable for your crimes!”

“Exactly! See? It’s a thing, you know! It really exists in the world!”

The thing I once thought of as a “friend” now grinned hideously. The boiling rage in my head slowly cooled.

There are those who say that if someone truly intends to kill, they’ll do it without announcing it. I used to scoff at that kind of talk, but now I finally understood what they meant. When rage reaches its breaking point, humans, paradoxically, become cold. All emotions vanish, and you can only focus on what needs to be done. I had become what people call “invincible.” I never imagined I’d understand that feeling at this age.

Feeling encouraged by Mibu’s agreement, Sogou’s mouth twisted into a smirk.

“And besides, they say childhood love never works out, right? You and Nakiri were probably just destined for that. You’re about to be an adult soon, so you get it, right?”

…This guy is unbelievable. That’s not something the perpetrator should be saying, right? Isn’t that the kind of thing someone who’s reminiscing about a bittersweet breakup says?

I clenched my teeth, quietly but forcefully, to the point where it felt like they might shatter. After ruining my first love, my childhood, and my family, this was what they had to say? Statute of limitations? Destiny? Accept it because I’m becoming an adult?

Don’t make me laugh.

These people are demons. They’re just trash who want to believe they’re decent human beings. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the audacity to mention things like the statute of limitations or destiny in front of their victim. Now, I finally understood. Nakiri wasn’t the perpetrator. She was a victim like me, whose life was ruined by these two demons. And the ones I should punish were still sitting across from me, grinning

I changed my surname for revenge. I dyed my hair, threw myself into studies I didn’t even like, all because I was consumed by the flames of hatred. Most of the person known as Shikura Yu had been altered by this unrelenting anger. I could never go back to the innocent days of my youth. Knowing that, I’ve spent years nurturing these negative emotions.

The energy that had been drained from me during my interactions with Nakiri now surged back, threatening to explode. The flames of my hatred roared, demanding that I destroy these demons in front of me.

It’s time to end the gray days of my life. It’s time to return to the beginning of “Ichigaya Yuu,” abandoning all mercy.

Every Sins Deserves Punishment. I would unleash all the hatred stored within me and crush them completely.

“You’re right. It happened when we were just kids, and like you said, it’s past the statute of limitations. It’d be silly to dwell on the past and ruin our current friendship, wouldn’t it?”

I forced a smile to my lips. I wasn’t going to hit them. I had already decided on the perfect way to repay these demons.

Sogou and Mibu blinked in surprise, then exchanged glances, their faces brightening.

“Right? I knew Ichigaya would understand!”

“That’s the Fushikura I know! So kind!”

“Isn’t that right?”

I kept smiling warmly, beaming at the demons before me, as I slowly slid my smartphone back into my shoulder bag.