Arc 1 – Episode 0: The Moment My Girlfriend Became Twisted

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This was the worst.

I, Kuzuha Kyoichi, a second-year middle schooler, had cheated on my girlfriend. Not because I got tired of her or had my eye on someone else. No, it was because I'd been threatened.

“Go on a date with me, or I'll hurt your girlfriend.”

That's how it all started.

I'd been secretly dating Yorifuji Ichigo, my childhood friend. She was the same age as me. To keep things hidden, I lied and told everyone I had a girlfriend from another school. It wasn't just some dumb excuse, either—it was about appearances.

Let's face it. I was one of the best-looking guys in our grade. Girls confessed to me all the time, even though they knew I was “taken.” Meanwhile, Ichigo was… plain. Quiet, with round glasses, and barely any friends. If people found out we were together, the other girls would have bullied her into the ground.

She'd begged me to keep our relationship a secret, and I'd agreed.

But somehow, someone had still caught us. A few days ago, someone snapped a picture of us on a date.

Then the blackmail started.

I had no choice. To protect Ichigo, I gave in and went on a date with the girl threatening me.

Afterward, guilt stabbed at me like a knife. I couldn't take it anymore. I went to Ichigo's house and confessed everything.

Cheating was cheating, no matter the excuse. I was ready for her to break up with me. Honestly, I thought I deserved it.

Her reaction floored me.

“Wow, that happened? Well, I understand.”

She adjusted her glasses, her face calm as always.

“…Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Because, Kyo-kun, you love me the most, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then it's fine.”

“It doesn't feel fine.”

“Then take me out. I want to visit all the places you went with her. Let's overwrite those memories.”

How could I say no to that?

I agreed, and we retraced every step of my date with the other girl. I tried to focus on Ichigo, but flashes of the other girl kept creeping into my mind. It was hard. Honestly, it sucked. But Ichigo seemed happy, and I told myself that was all that mattered.

It didn't sit right, though.

The next week, I made sure the girl who blackmailed me never bothered either of us again.

That should've been the end of it. Life should've gone back to normal.

But one day, Ichigo hit me with something unexpected.

“Hey, Kyo-kun. I have a request.”

There was this weird gleam in her eyes as she said it.

“From now on, if a girl asks you out, I want you to say yes.”

…

………

………………

Excuse me?

She explained her twisted little idea like it was the most natural thing in the world. If a girl hit on me, I'd tell Ichigo. She'd decide if I could go on the date. If she gave the green light, I'd take the girl out. Then I'd repeat the same date with Ichigo afterward.

“When we went out last time, I could tell you were thinking about her. It felt good. Like, no matter who wants you, I'm still the one you love the most. I want to feel that way again.”

She'd unlocked something dark inside herself that day.

I sat there, stunned, trying to wrap my head around it. Honestly, I couldn't.

Still, this whole mess had started because of me. If this was what Ichigo wanted, then fine. At least she wasn't asking to date other guys herself—she made that part clear. So, I agreed.

Even if it was a little twisted.

Looking back, I should've seen the warning signs. Maybe I could've stopped her from spiraling further into this darkness.

But at the time, I had no idea how deep that darkness went—or how much worse things would get.