---Time: 6:50 AM-Wednesday---
The walk to school cut through damp, half-lit streets. Yui matched my pace, a small bubble of chatter between us while the city stretched and yawed awake.
"You looked out of it this morning," she said, glancing up. "You slept okay?"
"Fine," I lied, forcing a small smile that felt like tissue paper.
Her laugh was soft and impatient. "You're terrible at lying. You should've stayed home yesterday."
"Wouldn't have helped," I said. "There's… too much at home to sit still."
She bumped my shoulder lightly. "Then don't overdo it today. I'll come by after school if you want the notes again."
"You don't have to," I answered.
"Of course I do." She flashed that bright grin the one that made everyone forgive her for being loud. "See you later, sleepyhead."
We split at the school gate, each swallowed by the flow of students. The bright normalcy of it felt like a slap.
Time: 8:10 AM, Homeroom
The day began with the usual clack of attendance and my teacher's clipboard. She announced exams next week, the date like the drop in a throat.
"One week," I blurted before I could stop myself. "Only one week? Why now?"
She glanced at me with a tired smile. "It was announced three weeks ago, Haruto. You must have missed it." Her eyes softened on me. "We know you'll do fine."
Her confidence landed on me like pressure. I rubbed my temple and tried to memorize that useless assurance.
After homeroom, Miyuki slid into the desk beside mine, close enough that I could feel the faint scent of her shampoo.
"Can we study together for the exam?" she asked, hopeful.
"I like studying alone," I said, too cold.
She blinked, hurt for a second, then nodded. "Okay. Still are you really all right? You look exhausted."
"I'm fine." I kept my voice clipped because the rest of me felt frayed. Miyuki's worry made a small crack in me, but I closed it up and smiled like everything was manageable.
Scene shift: Kaori at the window
My mother stood at the kitchen window, a tea towel in her hands, thinking of men who worked and did not complain: me and my father. They were steady, practical, the kind who kept their burdens inside and smoothed things over with small acts. That steadiness should have comforted her but instead it left a raw ache.
She admitted to herself, quietly and cruelly, that she hadn't been a good wife or mother. She tried, she cared, but she also wanted more than the plain kindness of her husband and son. Guilt and greed curled together in her chest until she could almost taste it.
--Time: 4:20 PM---
On my way home I heard Souta's voice behind me, casual and too bright. "Hey, Haruto. Want help studying? I've got some time."
I could have refused, but I nodded. An excuse, I told myself I could check his phone, maybe find something useful. A sliver of proof I could use later.
At my house, my mother greeted Souta with practiced hospitality. He slipped inside easy as if he'd always been welcome and I watched him as if watching a rival on the field.
We sat at my desk among scattered notebooks. Souta always seemed to take up more space, leaning back and making himself comfortable wherever he went. He pretended to read, then made a show of getting up to get water, to "stretch," to wander like a cat feeling for a corner.
When he excused himself to the washroom,This was the perfect moment to find evidence against souta. I quicky checked his phone, then i checked his contacts where mine and Miyuki's phone number was saved as "Miyuki My Queen."
: "Haruto Nerd.". Frustration came at that moment but i held back and again checked his phone
Scene shift-Souta
On the way to bathroom i saw door of haruto's parent's room were slightly opened. With curiosity i peaked inside. There was haruto's mother lying, i admired her body, no one will say that she was a mother of a highschooler, i quickly tried to take my phone from my pocket to capture a picture, then i noticed that i left the phone at haruto's room.
I went to washroom while washing my face an idea came to my mind, to take haruto's mother, it was cruel but i would like to see haruto's crying face,.
Scene shift--Haruto
I checked his phone but there was nothing which could be used as an evidence, i placed his phone just the it was, then souta came to my room and said he needs to leave early and he left i was wandering why he leaved early, i went downstairs to drink watee that's when i noticed something my parent's door were slightly opened i rushed, when i checked my mom was sleeping at the bed, my anger incressed towards souta, i got a picture what happened here,"thank god he didn't took his phone with himself, i will make him pay for sure"with frustration i called mom and said "atleast lock your room when you are sleeping mom, don't be careless
She wake up with a shock and asked what happened i didn't say a word and went to my room
I laid in my bed and was thinking how things would be messed up if he take his phone with himself. I was started to get sleepy