Chapter 11: Fallen Pieces
Translator: Soafp
“Kenji…”
Yes, it was my best friend Kenji, standing amidst the serene surroundings of the park, his weary eyes filled with concern and exhaustion.
“Ryota, I’ve been searching for you everywhere.”
His voice heavy with emotion.
“I heard about the rumors what happened to you. How you got arrested and got thrown into jail.”
The memories flooded back, threatening to engulf me in a tidal wave of despair. I felt myself teetering on the edge, on the brink of breaking down completely.
“But I want to hear your side of the story because I believe in you. I know you wouldn’t do something like that.”
His words cutting through the haze of despair that clouded my mind.
Believe in me? Someone having faith in me? Does Kenji truly believe in me? No, I can’t allow it. I’ve built a fortress around my heart, determined to shield myself from any more pain.
Despite Kenji’s earnest plea, I couldn’t bring myself to trust his words. The wounds of betrayal still raw and searing, I recoiled from the vulnerability of being believed in, fearing the inevitable disappointment that would follow.
I had learned the hard way that trusting on someone only led to heartache, that putting my faith in others only left me shattered and broken.
So, I remained silent, my gaze fixed on the ground as a heavy silence settled between us. Kenji’s words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the divide between us.
He reached out a hand, as if to bridge the gap, but I flinched away, unwilling to let him breach the walls I had spent so long building.
“I understand if you’re not ready to talk about it but just know that I’m here for you, no matter what.”
His sincerity was like a knife to the heart, piercing through my defenses and stirring up emotions I had long tried to bury.
But I couldn’t allow myself to be swayed by his kindness, not when the pain of past betrayals still haunted me like a specter in the night.
Kenji’s belief in me may have been a lifeline in the darkness, but I couldn’t risk letting him in, not when the scars of past wounds still ran so deep.
With a heavy heart, I turned away, determined to distance myself from anyone who might bring me further pain.
“Ryota, wait!”
His voice called out to me.
I halted in my tracks, my back still turned to him, my fists clenched at my sides.
“DON’T COME ANY CLOSER! Please…”
I pleaded, my voice wavering with emotion.
Kenji stopped in his tracks, respecting my boundaries even as his concern for me radiated from every word.
“I can’t let anyone into my life anymore. It will only hurt me.”
I confessed, the words tumbling out in a rush of pent-up emotion.
My chest tightened with the weight of my anguish, the memories of past betrayals threatening to overwhelm me.
“I know this is not the way it should be, but can I help it? My father threw me out, Hana broke up with me, all because of Yuto who planted a switchblade in my pocket. I have lost everything.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I spoke, the pain of my losses still fresh and raw.
“Ryota, I–“
He took a step forward, without giving him a chance to continue, I rummaged through my pocket and found a crumpled piece of paper. With trembling hands, I threw it at him, the action fueled by a mix of frustration and despair.
Then, without looking back, I turned and fled from the park, my footsteps echoing in the empty silence as I was running.
[Kenji PoV]
As he hurled the piece of paper in my direction, it landed at my feet, crumpled. The sight of Ryota’s fleeing figure, consumed by desperation and anguish, struck me to the core.
“DAMN IT! DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!!!!”
The frustration and helplessness boiling within me, threatening to overflow.
I collapsed to my knees, the impact reverberating through my body as I pounded my fist against the ground in a futile attempt to release the pent-up emotions raging inside me.
“How much have they hurt Ryota to drive him to this point?!”
My heart heavy with a mixture of sorrow and frustration. The sight of Ryota’s anguish mirrored the pain I had seen in my own father’s eyes, a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked betrayal and injustice.
In that moment, Ryota’s desperate flight struck a chord within me, stirring up memories of my past.
During those time where it was only me and my father we both had it rough however Ryota was there for me during those dark days.
He may not have understood the depths of my sorrow, but he was determined to bring a smile back to my face. He’d try to cheer me up, playing games with me, sharing stories, doing whatever he could to lift my spirits.
When his mother passed away, I knew that Ryota was not emotionally stable, and I feared he would follow the same path as his father, who also struggled with emotional stability. That’s why I made it my mission to repay his kindness and to prevent him from spiraling into emotional turmoil like my dad.
….Which….I failed to prevent.
“I am sorry, Ryota.. I am sorry…”
Sitting there on the ground, tears streaming down my face, I felt utterly helpless. I didn’t know how to help Ryota clear his name, how to mend the shattered pieces of his life that lay scattered around him.
In the stillness of the park, the only sound was the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees, a stark contrast to the tumult of emotions raging within me.
After composing myself from all the emotions, I remembered Ryota saying something important.
‘All because of Yuto who planted a switchblade in my pocket.’
I knew Ryota would never have a switch blade in his pocket.
“But why would Yuto do this?”
Then I remembered the conversation with Ryota that he had a fight with Yuto.
“Why did they fight again? Hmm…Aah, it was about Hana!”
Ryota said that Yuto also liked Hana but to plant a switch blade? It is possible.
But still, Hana still needs to break up with Ryota if Yuto wants to date Hana.
‘I have thought a lot after our conversation and I ignored your first warning and I got hurt because of it. I don’t want to ever go through this pain again…I don’t want to date a criminal.’
‘I don’t want to date a criminal’…What did he warn her?
After putting all the pieces together, it’s clear: Yuto orchestrated everything.
But how did it lead to Ryota’s involvement in the fight?
I could not think of anything. As I was about to give up I noticed a crumbled paper.
“Aah, this was the paper Ryota threw at me.”
I picked up the crumbled paper and unfolded it.
“A receipt?”
I mumbled, my confusion growing as I examined the items listed on it.
“Candy and some snacks.”
Scanning the list of purchases. But then my eyes fell on the date stamped at the top of the receipt, and something clicked instantly.
“Wait! This purchased was made when the fight happened! So, he couldn’t be involved in the fight!”
A surge of hope coursed through me as I realized the significance of this discovery. It was a small but crucial piece of evidence that could potentially prove his innocence.
“I have all the information I need to condemn Yuto.”
With newfound determination, I hastily gathered my belongings and made my way to the convenience store where Ryota had bought his snacks.
There, I hoped to find someone who could confirm his alibi and provide the evidence needed to clear his name.
“I will safe you Ryota, just like you saved me back then.”
As I finally made it to the convenience store, a sense of urgency gripped me. I knew that time was of the essence if I wanted to gather the evidence needed to clear Ryota’s name.
Stepping inside, I approached the cashier with determination, my heart pounding with anticipation. The cashier, a chubby man around 30 years old, looked up as I approached.
“Hello.”
“Hi there, how can I help you?”
“I have a question that I want to ask.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Do you know a person named Ryota Ken?”
I really hope he knows Ryota.
“Ryota Ken? Yes, I do know him. Why?”
Good, this makes it easier to explain things.
“Have you heard the rumor about him?”
“I have only heard about how he was in jail. But if I am being honest, it is hard for me to believe that he would do something to be put in jail.”
The cashier admitted, his expression thoughtful.
“That is because he got framed.”
“Eh?”
“Ryota was in jail because part of the reason is that he got involved in the fight.”
“Fight? You mean the fight that happened 3 weeks ago?”
“Yes, however Ryota couldn’t have been involved in the fight as he was here buying stuff.”
“How do you know that?”
“I have Ryota’s receipt.”
“How do you have his receipt?”
“He threw it at me.”
“?”
“Let that be aside, but can you give me the camera footage of Ryota entering and leaving the store?”
“That should be no problem.”
the cashier walked towards the security camera system.
After a few minutes I have the footage.
“Thank you very much.”
After receiving the footage from the cashier, I quickly scanned through it, searching for any sign of Ryota entering or leaving the store during the time of the fight.
As the video played, I saw Ryota entering the store, browsing through the aisles, and eventually making his purchase at the checkout counter.
The timestamp on the footage confirmed that he was indeed in the store at the time of the altercation.
With this evidence in hand, I felt a sense of relief. It seemed that Ryota was innocent, corroborating his alibi. I turned to the cashier and thanked them profusely for his help.
As I stepped out of the convenience store, the chilly evening air greeted me, reminding me that nightfall was fast approaching. With the footage secured on my phone, I started walking briskly towards my home.
As I entered my room, I swiftly moved to my desk and powered up my laptop. Connected my phone to the laptop and I navigated to the folder containing the security camera footage.
Carefully selecting the relevant files, I initiated the copying process and watched as the progress bar filled. Once complete, I ejected the USB stick from my laptop.
I held the USB stick in my hand, its weight seemed to bear the gravity of Ryota’s innocence.
With determination burning in my chest, I knew that this evidence needed to be brought to the attention of the authorities.
It was the key to clearing Ryota’s name and ensuring that justice prevailed.
I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed the number for the local police station, my fingers trembling with anticipation as I waited for someone to answer on the other end.
“Hello, this is the police station. How can I assist you?”
Came the voice of the officer on duty.
“Hi, my name is Kenji Tanaka, and I have some crucial evidence regarding a case that I believe needs to be brought to your attention.”
I tried to keep my voice steady despite the urgency coursing through me.
The officer on the other end listened intently as I outlined the situation, detailing Ryota’s wrongful arrest and the evidence I possessed that could prove his innocence.
“I have a copy of security camera footage from a convenience store that shows Ryota was there at the time of the fight.”
I continued, my words rushing out in a fervent stream.
“I believe this footage could serve as vital evidence in establishing his alibi and exonerating him of any wrongdoing.”
There was a brief pause on the line before the officer responded, his voice tinged with curiosity.
“Please hold for a moment, sir. Let me transfer you to someone who can assist you with this matter.”
I nodded to myself, grateful for the opportunity to speak with someone who could help. Moments later, another voice came on the line, this time belonging to a detective assigned to the case.
“Hello, this is Detective Nakamura. I understand you have some evidence related to a case we’re investigating?”
Detective Nakamura’s voice came through the phone, crisp and professional.
“Yes, Detective Nakamura. My name is Kenji Tanaka, and I have evidence that proves Ryota Ken’s innocence in the recent altercation.”
My voice steady despite the nervous energy thrumming through me.
I proceeded to describe the security camera footage in detail, highlighting Ryota’s presence in the convenience store at the time of the incident and emphasizing the significance of the footage in establishing his alibi.
Detective Nakamura listened attentively, his questions probing and insightful as he sought to grasp the full extent of the evidence I possessed.
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Tanaka-kun.”
Detective Nakamura said finally, his voice grave with determination.
“Please bring the USB stick containing the footage to the police station as soon as possible. We’ll need to review it thoroughly and determine its relevance to the case.”
“Of course, Detective Nakamura. I’ll head to the station tomorrow after school.”
A surge of hope flooding through me at the prospect of finally clearing Ryota’s name.
“Additionally, Detective, there’s another crucial detail I need to inform you about.”
Seizing the opportunity to convey the importance of the switchblade found in Ryota’s possession.
“Ryota Ken was found with a switchblade, but it wasn’t his. Someone planted it on him. I have a suspect who I believe put the switchblade in his pocket.”
“…I need more information on that. When you are bringing usb stick, can I ask you some questions regarding this matter?”
“Of course, Detective Nakamura.”
With that, our conversation concluded, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose.
As I prepared for tomorrow, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of anticipation. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough—I was ready to do whatever it took to ensure justice prevailed.
Witler
April 8, 2024 at 12:57 amKenji is the friend you want in your life, no matter what, especially if he trusts you and you trust him.
MangHose
April 8, 2024 at 4:01 amProtect Kenji at all costs!
Moetaz
April 9, 2024 at 6:44 amKenji my man