Chapter 35: Execution

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Translator: Soafp

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“Hey, you came. Asano.”

“Skipping again, Endo?”

On the usual rooftop, the usual casual time was just between Asano and me.

“You've still got that gloomy face, Asano.”

“You seem just as lively as ever. Guys like us usually find school depressing, right?”

“I actually quite like school.”

Yes… I like the time I spend with Asano.

It's not boring — a calm moment that passes gently.

“Someone who barely shows up to class, what are you talking about? You delinquent.”

Calm…?

No, that's not right.

What's going on with me? Why am I suddenly acting so serious?

Maybe it's because I want to witness moments when Asano's expression twists in pain… that's why I'm pretending to be friends with him.

“What's that supposed to mean? Asano you are one of us, no?”

“I'm not a delinquent.”

You're one of us… someone like me.

Isolated at school, looked down upon by teachers and classmates…

Just like me… lonely.

“Really? Even though people say all kinds of things about you? Your hair color's similar to mine, right?”

“This is brown hair, and I've told you before, it's my natural color.”

“What about those sharp eyes?”

“Born this way.”

Brown hair, sharp eyes — those aren't such a big deal.

That's another thing we have in common.

I'm the devil's… mother's daughter.

There's unavoidable fate determined by inherited genes, but that's not everything.

You've given up somewhere along the way.

Thinking, “I'm no good anyway.”

That's the biggest reason for loneliness.

“That flashy look of yours and getting into a fight was pretty bad, huh?”

After the fight with Senda became known to everyone at school, Asano truly became isolated.

Until then, even his childhood friend Fukase, who had been quietly talking to him at school, now avoided him whenever others were around.

“Well, it was self-defense… but yeah, I regret it. I'm not trying to make excuses.”

Since then, Senda stopped coming to school.

Maybe sensing he was being used by me, he didn't even approach Fukase, who had been earnestly trying to get close.

Senda graduated middle school and where he is now or what he's doing, I have no idea.

Well, I don't really care about him.

“Asano, have you decided on your future path?”

We were now third-year middle schoolers.

It was about time to start thinking about our futures.

“Ah, yeah. Um… Sendou High School.”

“Really? You're going there? I didn't think you were that smart.”

“My grades are average. So I'm working hard to get in.”

“Oh? Let me guess, you're following that childhood friend's a*s, right?”

So, Asano… you're going to Sendou High.

“Well, is that so bad? Where are you applying?”

“For now, Kaisei. Sendou's okay too.”

“As expected. Despite your looks and attitude, your grades are decent.”

My father decided my path to Kaisei High School.

Kaisei is my father's alma mater, and he's close with the principal, so he thinks he can entrust me there.

But I don't have to obey that.

If I told him I wanted to go to Sendou High with Asano, he'd grudgingly agree.

That's how much my father fears me these days.

Lately, he's been acting like he's trying to keep me in a good mood so I don't do something outrageous like my mother did.

“Asano, you should go to Kaisei too.”

If I go to Kaisei, I won't see Asano anymore.

That would be a shame.

To lose connection with the toy I might have wanted once I met him…

“No, I'm not in a position to choose right now. And besides… I'm… with Shiho.”

Shiho… childhood friend.

Not knowing what Fukase is doing behind the scenes…

“You mean Fukase? I don't like that girl.”

“Huh? Why?”

Yeah, I hate Fukase… really hate her.

“Asano is close with her outside school, but they don't even talk at school, right?”

“That's because Shiho has friends too. If I talked with you, then…”

Why are you defending someone like her?

Even if you don't know Fukase is talking behind your back, can't you see that you are avoided at school and where the boundary lies?

“If it were me, I'd dump someone like that. She cares a hundred times more about other relationships than hers with you.”

“I don't think that's true…”

Recently, when I'm with Asano, my heart feels calm…

What's wrong with me?

Why am I getting irritated?

(Well… whatever.)

The foreshadowing I've planted is about to bear fruit, and the plan is reaching its final stage.

The moment I've been waiting for is near.

Thinking that, I forget everything and my heart leaps.

---

“Don't talk bad about Shiho! What do you know about her? I've known her since we were little!”

Asano raised his voice at me, which was unusual.

He glares at me for badmouthing Fukase.

“Sorry for yelling…”

“Asano really is a good guy.”

You really are a good guy.

You never doubt anyone.

That's why you can't see the truth about your childhood friend or me standing right in front of you.

“Come with me.”

“Hey, what's up?”

I grabbed Asano's hand and started walking toward the gym.

I had already learned from Tatsumi that the basketball club, which Fukase is part of, was on break.

“Act as usual. Then get outside.”

I sent this message to Tatsumi a little while ago and finished the preparations.

“Wait here.”

“Huh? Why? Shiho is still at practice. Waiting here won't help.”

Once we reached the front of the gym, we listened carefully to the basketball players' conversation inside.

Will things go according to plan?

Thinking about the moment I've dreamed of… the bond, the relationship between Asano and Fukase might crumble…

My heart races uncontrollably.

“Hey Endo, how long do we have to wait here?”

“…I don't know.”

But I keep a poker face.

If I show anything now, it might ruin the plan.

“Hey, was what they said earlier true?”

“Yeah, I'm really annoyed.”

“Haha, that's hilarious!”

“But he is your childhood friend, right? Asano?”

“Well… we used to be close.”

Here it comes… the dirty words born from Fukase's weak heart.

Asano's face twists in response, standing right next to me.

“But, as you can see… with that kind of appearance… you know.”

“Yeah, wasn't he the one who got violent with some upperclassman last year?”

“He really did. He's the worst.”

Hearing Fukase say “the worst,” Asano's complexion clearly worsened.

“He's always been rough. Until recently, if I didn't go to his house, he couldn't even wake up in the morning by himself.”

“Lame! Is he like, a badass at school but a baby at home? Wait, Shiho, you actually went to his house to wake him up?”

“T-That was a while ago… I don't want to go near him anymore.”

Tatsumi added fuel to the fire.

Like an uncontrollable blaze, the surrounding idiots made the atmosphere even more intense.

“Asano… you okay?”

Asano seemed unable to process reality, eyes wide open, clearly confused and not hearing my voice.

“Asano said she's taking the same high school exam as me.”

“Ugh, he's totally into you. Following you to high school? Gross. He'll probably try something on you one day.”

“Stop it… Don't say stuff like that… Asano wouldn't…That's disgusting!”

That was the final blow.

Asano was drenched in sweat, her legs trembling.

I, on the other hand, was nearly shaking all over from the results exceeding my expectations.

“Hey, wanna go to the vending machine?”

“I'm thirsty too.”

Following my lead, Tatsumi skillfully got the club members to step outside.

When the basketball idiots opened the gym door, they came face to face with us standing nearby.

Of course, Fukase was among them.

“Ha… Haruki… why… are you… here…?”

Fukase froze, apparently shocked to see Asano.

Asano, standing next to me, looked completely lifeless.

“Asano… let's go home.”

I grabbed Asano's hand and left the scene.

“Wait! Haruki!”

Fukase shouted loudly from behind, but I had no room to respond.

We quickly left the school.

No doubt Fukase would come chasing after us.

Asano's face just now…

Every time Fukase's words reached her ears, her expression changed, revealing inner conflict, and her trembling body…

It was absolutely fascinating.

I was overwhelmed with emotion.

It was so hard to hold back the laughter that threatened to burst out.

“Asano, are you okay? Hey!”

Sitting dazed on a bench in a small park on the way home from middle school, I called out to Asano.

I kept holding Asano's cold hand.

“Did you know? That Shiho was… like that about me…?”

“Yeah. I knew.”

This was inevitable.

Fukase wasn't suitable for Asano.

“Now you understand, right? That girl can't get along with you.”

“That's not… no… yeah, I guess so.”

After letting out a big sigh, Asano continued.

“I don't care about Shiho anymore… it doesn't matter.”

Though he said that, the frown on his brow showed a deep emptiness.

“Uh… Endo.”

“What?”

“Could you let go of my hand soon?”

“Your hand's freezing, man. I'm warming it for you.”

I won't let go of this hand.

Fukase will no longer be a big deal to Asano.

More than Fukase… I am… more important to Asano…

“Haruki!”

Fukase's voice echoed desperately through the quiet park as she ran over, sweating heavily.

---

Fukase appeared before us, apologizing and trying to get forgiveness from Asano, who was still hesitant.

Asano is too kind-hearted.

If they were to get back together here, I would have enjoyed watching whatever farce they'd put on, but at this point, I wanted to see the truth.

The real feelings and screams from this guy.

“That girl was sucking up to Senda.”

I said this without hesitation.

“Shiho… flirting with that delinquent… why?”

“To trap Asano.”

Since this was all part of my plan, I had control over everything.

But now, from an objective standpoint, I exposed Fukase's wrongdoings.

There was no way to deny that Fukase kept badmouthing Asano, so my story seemed more credible.

“You said you'd go on a date with Senda, right? Then suddenly acted like it never happened and pissed Senda off… and Asano had to save you, huh?”

“N-no! Senda wanted to go on a date! That's why!”

“So are you not denying that you flirt with Senda?”

“W-well…”

I was the one who gave orders through Tatsumi to keep Senda in a good mood.

I never expected Fukase to dance so brilliantly on the palm of my hand; it was surprising.

“Whatever. I'll call Senda right now. I know her contact info since we're from the same hometown.”

“S-stop it!!”

Right, it would be bad if Senda showed up here, wouldn't it?

Since it's true Fukase was flirting, she wouldn't be able to make excuses.

“Shiho… is that true?”

“N-no. I just… didn't want anyone to take Haruki away from me… so… I'm sorry for badmouthing Haruki. I'm sorry.”

My heart started pounding wildly.

Seeing Fukase bow her head deeply, crying and apologizing, was strangely captivating.

But… she's not who I was waiting for.

Now then, Asano. How will you respond?

What words will you say to your beloved childhood friend?

“So what if I've got scary eyes and dyed brown hair? Sorry I look like this.”

“Eh…? H-Haruki…?”

My breathing grew rough.

My hands and feet trembled.

“I'm sorry for being violent and a piece of crap.”

“N-no… that's not… Haruki.”

I got excited.

Laughter welled up inside me.

“I'M SORRY FOR BEING DISGUSTING!!”

“I-I'm… sorry. I'm sorry…”

At this very moment, the relationship that had connected over many long years shattered.

I… I was the one who destroyed it.

Watching Asano furious and Fukase filled with regret, seeing the completed end point…

I reached my peak.

“Goodbye, Fukase.”

Saying that last line, Asano turned his back on Fukase and started walking away.

Fukase was so shocked she collapsed to the ground, unable to stand.

“Wait! Please! Haruki!!”

Fukase cried loudly, crawling on the ground in desperation — truly pitiful.

We probably walked about ten minutes after leaving the park.

During that time, Asano didn't say a single word.

“Asano, we're here.”

“Ah… yeah.”

When we reached Asano's house and I spoke to him, he finally looked over and opened his mouth.

“Endo, thanks for today.”

“What a crazy day.”

“…Yeah.”

It was truly the best day.

My body still trembled lightly.

The excitement wouldn't fade.

“Haa… now there's just one left.”

When I heard that from Asano,

I didn't know why.

But deep inside my heart, I felt a faint, sharp ache.

“What are you talking about? You've got me, right? We're both lonely, after all.”

I patted Asano's weak back firmly and said.

He smiled quietly in response.

“Yeah, I'm not alone. I've got you.”

And so, I obtained Asano Haruki — the toy I had been searching for.