I Was Blackmailed Into Accepting Bullying Using My Childhood Friend as Leverage, But When I Found Out My Friend and Bully Were Together, I Abandoned All Compassion and Swore to Take Revenge with Everything I Had - Chapter 21: I Don’t Need Family or Friends

Chapter 21: I Don’t Need Family or Friends

Note: This work contains depictions of violence and sexual content, but it does not promote any of these actions.

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For the first time in days, I was in a bad mood, and it was all because of something Iketsuki had said in desperation that shook me, even if only slightly.

“Ah… t-that’s right! I’ll give you back your childhood friend! P-Please, I’m begging you!”

I no longer had any attachment or affection for my former childhood friend. Still, for a fleeting moment, the memories of playing together when we were kids crossed my mind. My hesitation disgusted me. I was irritated at how weak I still was—how easily I could falter—and it made me feel sick.

Looking at the clock, I realized the third period was about to begin.

Feeling nauseous and dizzy, I leaned against the wall by a path that led from the lockers to the side of the field. Sweat dripped unpleasantly from my forehead.

[Whistle!] “Just two more laps!” When I looked up, I saw the first-year girls running laps on the track. My former stepsister might be among them…

The boys were probably doing their usual marathon around the school perimeter.

Supporting myself with one hand against the wall, I slowly walked along a path by the bushes, trying to stay out of sight of the running students. Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm.

“Senpai! I finally found you!”

A breathless female student clutched my hand from behind, but I didn’t recognize her.

“Huh? Who are you? I don’t know you… And I’m heading home, so can you let go?”

Even though I glared at her coldly, she just smiled happily and started introducing herself without being asked.

“I’m a first-year student, Sumie Fudo! The other day, you saved me from a dangerous situation, Senpai!”

She introduced herself energetically, bowing deeply. The name Fudo rang a bell… In my dizzy state, I remembered that Aunt Junka had mentioned a daughter with that name before.

(Damn it… I let my guard down. I didn’t realize Junka-san’s daughter went to the same high school…)

“I don’t know you. I don’t recall helping anyone, and this is our first meeting. You must be mistaken, so can we leave it at that?”

I shook off her grip and, despite feeling unwell, forced myself to walk quickly toward the school gate.

(Damn it! What’s wrong with my body? I thought I gained incredible power on that mountain after swearing revenge, whether from God or the Devil!)

It seemed like I couldn’t even think straight. I was starting to lose myself in some ridiculous delusion, like a typical middle-schooler with an overactive imagination.

Just as I exited the gate and collapsed against the nearby wall, I suddenly felt something strange at my side, like someone was lifting my shoulder. Then, I heard a woman’s voice next to me…

“Hey… hold on… just a little… Senpai… get up…”

When I came to, I saw a white ceiling and a plastic bag filled with liquid… A needle was in my left arm, and moving it caused a slight pain as the needle pressed into my skin.

“…A hospital room?”

The distinctive smell quickly made me realize this wasn’t the school’s infirmary. Glancing to the side opposite the IV, I saw Junka-san sitting there with a complicated expression, giving me a small smile.

“Ah, Kenichi, you’re awake… You were out for quite a while. How are you feeling?”

Junka-san gently touched my forehead, checking my temperature. Her hand felt cool, but there was something reassuring about it.

It reminded me of the time when my mother patted my head and gave me that diary as a gift… but I quickly pushed that memory out of my mind.

“Junka-san, what happened to me?”

“Well… to be honest, the cause is unclear. But the doctor said it was due to extreme stress and fatigue… Oh, and don’t worry. This isn’t Iketsuki’s hospital. I had you transferred to a university hospital in Tokyo.”

I still wasn’t feeling like myself. Normally, I would have immediately checked if this was Iketsuki’s hospital when I realized I was in a hospital room. The fact that I didn’t notice made me frustrated with how dull my senses had become.

“Kenichi, it seems you met my daughter, Sumie… And I heard you saved her the other day when a car almost hit her. Thank you for that.”

I shook my head.

“Junka-san, please tell your daughter to never interact with me again. And also, tell her that it wasn’t me who helped her.”

“…Can I ask why?”

I looked away from Junka-san and stared up at the ceiling I had first seen when I woke up.

“I don’t need family or friends.”

“…”

I couldn’t bring myself to check Junka-san’s expression after hearing my reason. But it doesn’t matter—family and friends are unnecessary to me. I decided back in middle school, when I learned the truth, that my life would be dedicated to revenge.