Trying to diffuse the sweetness in the air, Saito scratched his cheek and said, “Uh…so, can I maybe get seconds on the steak?”
“Hmph, I figured you’d say that. I made sure to stock up on meat ahead of time,” Akane replied, turning to the fridge.
“The beef is cheaper than the last cut, though.”
She pulled out a hefty slab and dropped it onto the counter with a thud. This wasn’t just meat—it was a full limb. It looked heavy enough to crush a man.
“When…did you even buy that…?” Saito was puzzled.
“You remember when I said I forgot something and had to go back to the store while you waited? I bought it then,” said Akane, puffing out her chest proudly with a kitchen knife in hand.
“Huh… That thing looks like it could last a month.”
Akane blinked and said, “What are you talking about? We’re eating it all tonight.”
“What, do you think I’m a lion from the savannah of something?” protested Saito, screaming internally that he was not his cousin Shisei, Master of the Bottomless Stomach, either.
“It was 90 percent off, and the expiration date’s basically today—so we have to force it into you while we can.”
“Do you have any mercy at all?”
“We must reduce food waste and protect the planet, no matter the cost.”
“Try protecting my life while you’re at it.”
“You’re tough, so you’ll rise from the ashes, right?” teased Akane.
“So you think I’m a phoenix, huh…?”
The moment he thought—even for a second—that Akane was cute, his fate was sealed.
She’s a demon after all. Saito was reminded of that fact quite painfully. As he quietly tried to rise from his chair and slip away, Akane grabbed the back of his shirt. She was smiling brightly with boundless enthusiasm. Or was it murderous intent?
In high spirits, Akane cheerfully asked, “What’s that they say? When something’s served to you…”
“…You should eat every bite,” Saito answered, steeling himself and sitting back down. She was going out of her way to cook for him, after all. He couldn’t just brush it off.
With a gleam in her eye, Akane thrust her kitchen knife into the air. “I’m going to make tons of your favorite dishes. You’re not sleeping tonight.”
“Somebody, help me!” Saito’s feeble plea for mercy was drowned beneath a mountain of meat.
Ever since elementary school, Akane had always felt out of place in class. She didn’t really understand why things turned out that way. She lived normally, talked normally—just like everyone else—yet things never seemed to go well. It was as if she had wandered into a country where she spoke a different language.
When Akane entered the classroom, the once-lively chatter of her classmates came to an abrupt halt. The cheerful atmosphere instantly turned heavy, and everyone averted their eyes.
As Akane ignored her classmates and sat down at her desk, whispers from classmates began to leak out from around her.
“Crap, I thought she heard us.”
“It’s such a pain when Sakuramori finds out…”
“She’s such a goody-two-shoes, it’s annoying.”
“My mom always tells me to be more like Sakuramori-san.”
“Ugh, that’s the worst!”
“She’s just full of herself because she’s cute.”
Each whisper pricked at Akane like a tiny needle of malice. Akane was always at the top of her class, respected by both parents and teachers. Everyone knew that getting on her bad side would be trouble, so no one dared to openly pick a fight with her—which made things all the more insidious.
How pathetic, Akane would think. If they’ve got something to say, then they should say it to my face.
Under her desk, she clenched her fists. None of her classmates ever fought back when she got angry—they’d just laugh nervously and apologize. They wouldn’t stand up to her, wouldn’t even try to face her as equals. Instead, they’d wait until later to gossip behind her back with their friends. That was even more frustrating and humiliating than a direct confrontation.
Akane wished there were someone who would take her seriously and confront her head-on. But deep down, she’d already resigned herself to the idea that no such person existed.
“Akaaane-chaaan!”
“Wha—?!” Suddenly hugged tightly from behind, Akane jolted in surprise. “Hey! I’ve told you…not…to do that!”
There was only one person who would pull something like this. As she pried the arms off and looked up, she was met with Himari’s beaming, carefree smile. “Good morning, Akane-chan! You’re looking cute as always!”
“Shut up. If you weren’t a girl, I’d have reported you already for assault,” said Akane.
“But I am a girl, so I’m safe! That means I get unlimited hugs!”
“Stop! Right! Now!”
Himari, undeterred, launched another playful attack. Akane desperately pushed Himari’s chin away with her palm. Around them, their classmates watched from a distance, whispering to one another. Akane stood up silently and took Himari’s hand.
“Huh? Akane-chan, what’s going on? This is the first time you’ve held my hand… Are you going to whisk me away from class for a date?” said Himari.
“Just be quiet and come with me.” Pulling a confused Himari along, Akane led her into an empty neighboring classroom. She made sure to close both the front and the back doors so no one could eavesdrop.
Akane let out a sigh before speaking. “You know, we’re finally in a new homeroom class, and you’re starting to get along with everyone else. You should stay away from me—if you keep trying to be my friend, you’re just going to alienate yourself again.”
Himari blinked in surprise. “Why?”
“Because everyone hates me.”
“Then that just means I’m the only one who knows how wonderful you are! That makes me so happy!” Himari exclaimed.
“That’s not what I’m talking about…I’d really just prefer if you stopped following me around like this—we’re not even friends,” said Akane.
“I consider you my friend,” said Himari without missing a beat. “I really like you, Akane-chan.”
“Ugh…”
Himari’s smile, so bright and unflinching, shone like the sun. It was almost blinding in its sincerity. No matter how many times she tried to push her away, Himari never left Akane’s side. Even Akane’s harshest words never seemed to reach her. Himari was the complete opposite of Akane—honest to a fault, open-hearted in every way. And Akane couldn’t help but envy her for it.
“Do you like me, Akane-chan?” asked Himari. Eyes sparkling with hope, Himari took Akane’s hand. The directness of her affection left no room for Akane to run anymore. Akane felt her ears burn with intense heat as she looked down and whispered, “I do.”
“Of course you do. I knew it. I like you too!” Himari squealed with delight and threw her arms around Akane.
“Okay, okay, I get it already—just ease up a little, will you? You’re crushing me! Seriously, I’m going to get squashed…!” Akane cried out in protest.
It took quite a while to calm the overexcited Himari down. The two of them sat by the window, leaning close together, holding hands as they talked.
“Let’s stay besties forever, Akane.”
“Yes. As long as I have you as my best friend, Himari, I don’t care if everyone else hates me. I don’t even need to get married,” Akane declared with absolute confidence.
“Well, I still want to get married, though. Once we’re in high school, I’m going to get a smart and handsome boyfriend,” said Himari.
“Traitor!” said Akane.
“I’m not betraying you, my bestie. I will always have room for boyfriends, that’s all I’m saying!”
“A room? What are you saying?!” Akane protested in outrage, and Himari just laughed cheerfully.
Akane was asleep, in the middle of an innocent dream about when it was still just her and Himari, and Saito wasn’t part of their world.
Waking from her dreams full of nostalgia, Akane sat up blankly in bed. For a moment, she had no idea where she was. As her consciousness returned, she remembered—she was married to the boy she hated most in class, and this was the bedroom she shared with her husband. More surreal than the dream had been, and yet undeniably real.
She also remembered how fun the dinner had been tonight. Saito had uncharacteristically praised her cooking with such earnestness that Akane had gotten carried away and stuffed him full of steak.
Saito groaned next to her in bed. “Ughhh… I can’t have another bite…”
Lying next to her, Saito was apparently having a nightmare. As if trying to flee from a monster, he tossed and turned so violently he was nearly falling out of bed.
“Sorry…” Akane whispered. As long as Saito wasn’t listening, Akane could apologize honestly. She tried to pull Saito back onto the bed, but he was heavy. A boy’s build was a far cry from a girl’s. Grunting with effort, Akane mustered all her strength to drag him up. By the time she had him tucked under the blanket properly, she was out of breath. Saito, completely unaware of Akane’s struggle, wore a pained expression. He muttered, “She’s a demon… Take strawberries for self-defense… Scatter them and run if it comes to that…”
“What kind of dream are you even having?” murmured Akane.
Back in elementary school, Akane never imagined she’d be married by the time she reached high school. Nor did she ever think her best friend would fall for her husband. And yet, for the sake of that best friend’s happiness, she’d been willing to give this mission her all.
Just as that thought passed through her mind, a strange sound reached Akane’s ears. It was like the creaking of the floor—or footsteps, maybe. A damp, oppressive presence was emanating from somewhere very close by.
Something’s here.
Akane felt her heart pounding violently. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn’t move. She didn’t want to look, but she couldn’t not look.
Slowly, she turned toward the source of the presence.
There, in the darkness, a shadow stood at her bedside.