(All characters depicted in this title are 18 years and older.)

  Out in the back of a small alleyway, late at night, a pale high schooler with long black hair and dark circles under his brown eyes pinned another classmate, wearing a leather jacket, to the floor. Both appeared to have gone through a boxing lesson without equipment, beaten to a pulp. However, the look in their eyes differed dramatically. The pinned boy was like prey, devoid of strength, only awaiting the terror of what was unfolding. The predator pinning him down, Yosuke, wielded a brick overhead, but his eyes were dead inside.

  “Yosuke… please… don’t…” the boy beneath him whimpered, desperation etched on his face.

  “Shut up!” Yosuke barked, a tumult of emotions coursing through him. Silence wrapped around them like a heavy shroud, the world narrowing to just the two of them. He lifted the brick, feeling its cold, unforgiving pressure on his shoulders. His heart pounded fiercely as he aimed it downward. Just as he gathered the strength to bring it down, a wave of instinct caused his body to jerk back. He couldn’t do it.

  “There are people in this world I want dead more than anything—those who twisted me into who I am now. Yet... I can’t do it. Standing here over my former bully, I just can’t kill him. All I need to do is take this brick and smash his head in, but some part of me can’t bear to get my hands dirty. That’s why I’ll have her do it.”

  “Awww~? Even with your bully right in front of you, you’re so kindhearted that you’d show mercy to a cockroach like him,” said Suru Aiko, Yosuke’s girlfriend. A girl with pink ponytail hair and devilish yellow eyes approached from the shadows, her face radiating pure ecstasy. “But I can’t let him hurt you anymore.” Her eyes burned with fierce determination as she clutched a well-used kitchen knife splattered with blood. “I’ll always protect you, Yosuke. I’ve seen how the world can hurt someone as gentle as you, and I won’t let that happen again.”

  “Suru. I’m sorry, I can’t do it.” Tears streamed down Yosuke’s face, disarming the bully beneath him.

  “I can’t stand seeing you hurt. Let me take care of this, for both of us…” Suru said softly, her eyes locked onto Yosuke’s with determination as she dropped her kitchen knife. She snatched the brick from Yosuke’s hands, her resolve hardening. Holding it high, she slammed it down onto the bully’s skull. The first hit landed with a sickening crunch, scattering teeth across the pavement and breaking his nose, completely dazing what was left of his consciousness. A shocked silence fell over the alley, punctuated only by the echo. Yosuke barely registered the reality of the act as Suru continued with the next strike. The second hit collapsed his cheekbones, causing his jaw to unhinge. It was at this moment he was clearly dead, but she didn’t stop. The third crushed his eyes and caved in his skull entirely. With the fourth, his brains shot out from his skull, resembling raw uncooked ground beef. Each additional strike was fueled by the anger she had witnessed in Yosuke's eyes, each impact an expression of her love for him, transforming what remained of his head into a bloody pulp—a grisly mess beyond recognition. She did so with a pleasant smile on her face. When the brick finally shattered in her grip, her hands bore the scars of their violent encounter.

  “Ouch! Stupid brick!” Suru exclaimed, standing up and arching her back as if she had just completed a mundane chore. “How many is that now? Well… I guess that doesn’t really matter.” An infatuated smile spread across her face. Yosuke looked at the body before him. An unreasonable amount of blood spread out on the ground, creating a puddle that soaked his jeans. The air was thick with the metallic smell of blood, and the pure silence contrasted sharply with the chaos around them, as if the world itself was indifferent to the horror that had just unfolded.

  “Thank you, Suru. I don’t know where I’d be without you,” Yosuke said as he stood up, now covered in blood and viscera. He embraced her while tending to her injuries. “With your help, I can finally accomplish my dreams of revenge.”

  “Yay! I’m just relieved I could be useful to you, darling,” Suru replied joyfully. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re safe.~?”

  You might be wondering where it all went wrong, but it’s truly not all that interesting. It’s just the typical tale: villains are not born; they are made. There were people who ruined my life to the point where I didn’t want to see tomorrow, but Suru changed all that. She paved a path forward for me.

  (Two months ago.)

  Yosuke stood at the edge of the rooftop, contemplating the darkness that enveloped him, feeling no pulse of fear or adrenaline. This numbness was a consequence of the severe psychological trauma he had endured over the years. The damage inflicted upon his psyche caused his brain to undergo “depersonalization,” a phenomenon that disassociated him from reality as a coping mechanism. In moments like these, Yosuke felt like a mere passenger in his own life, watching the world unfold around him as if it were just a movie. Every action, every decision, and every crime he had witnessed—or even committed—seemed like fleeting scenes from a film, memories detached from the present moment. They felt distant and hazy, with no connection to the reality that surrounded him, and more importantly, he felt as though he bore no responsibility for them.

  Looking below, he watched as a crowd of people walked in and out of the school, not noticing his suicide attempt. This was his escape from relentless pain. He expected his heart to race in this condition, that his adrenaline would kick in and give him a glimpse of fear, but he felt nothing. In the end, he couldn’t bear it any longer. He wanted to die. The only thought running through his head was that he hoped three stories would be high enough to kill him.

  “I need to make sure I land directly on my head. I can’t burden my parents with medical bills,” Yosuke thought. The image of the suicide note he left on his bed that morning came to mind. It informed his parents to cremate his body to avoid causing any problems for them. That was one of the original reasons stopping him from doing this after his mind was broken. “Funerals are expensive,” he thought. Yosuke’s relationship with his parents was strained, but he was grateful for their care. Even when they never took his side, they always ensured he had a roof over his head and dinner waiting for him when he got home. So making his death as cheap as possible was his twisted way of making it up to them.

  Memories surged within him—relentless taunts, jeering faces, and mocking laughter echoing like a death knell in the hallways. Each “lesson” taught him his place, and every cruel demand to make a fool of himself carved deeper into his will until there was nothing left. They celebrated his humiliation, their eyes glinting with malice as he crumbled beneath them.

  He had reported the bullying to teachers, but they brushed it off as typical teenage antics. “Boys will be boys,” they said, their indifferent dismissals echoing in his mind. It was clear they prioritized the school’s reputation over the mental well-being of its students.

  "Why do I have to do this just to be seen?” he thought bitterly, feeling invisible in a system designed to ignore him.

  “Yosuke, you just need to toughen up,” one teacher had said, a bored expression crossing her face as she gazed out the window, as if the real world outside held more importance than his suffering. Their indifference pained him more than any punch or kick ever could, reinforcing the notion that he was alone in this fight. He had witnessed other students receive similar treatment, their pain dismissed as mere drama. “If we complain, we get labeled as troublemakers,” a classmate confided once, glancing around nervously. “The school just wants to keep things quiet. They think if they ignore it, it’ll go away.”

  Yosuke had grown accustomed to the cruelty surrounding him, sinking deeper into the darkness that thrived at the heart of the school, becoming a ghost in his own life. He felt swallowed whole by despair, and pain became familiar—a twisted companion whispering promises of relief through one final leap.

  “What did I do to deserve this?” A question he used to wonder, but the answer never came. Now, he realized, such questions were pointless. There was no deserving or undeserving—just cruelty and luck. He had been dealt a bad hand, and it was time to fold.

  “Hah! Look what we have here.” A voice mocked Yosuke from behind him. When he looked back, he saw one of his many bullies standing in front of the entrance to the stairwell. This one’s name was Tegami Fugihara—the typical high schooler whose popularity knew no bounds. He was the school’s basketball star player, the lead starter who took the team to nationals last year. But to Yosuke, he was human scum. Tegami hunted him down, forcing him to do terrible things for his and his friends' amusement. It used to be harmless things like eating bugs or stealing his locker clothes, but as they grew older and entered high school, the tasks became darker. Eating bugs turned to eating dog feces, and instead of stealing his clothes, the boys would take pictures of Yosuke naked and plaster them all over the school hallways. When they discovered Yosuke had begun harming himself, they forced him into humiliating shows in the boys' locker room, taunting him to slit his wrists while they eagerly anticipated his pain. Yet even with all these egregious acts, Yosuke considered their behavior mild compared to what some of the other bullies did.

  “...” Yosuke looked at Tegami with no expression. There wasn’t any emotion behind his eyes; it was as if the light of life had been extinguished long ago.

  “I’ve always hated that stupid look on your face. It kills the mood, dude,” Tegami sneered.

  “...” Yosuke had nothing to say.

  “Aren’t you going to jump?” Tegami asked, drawing closer. “I could use the day off from school. Just make sure you don’t die. I still have use for you.” He edged next to Yosuke slowly, confidence radiating from him. Yet, as he approached, Yosuke felt a flicker of rebellion spark within him.

  The pain was more than just physical; it was an unrelenting despair clouding his thoughts. He recalled the way Tegami’s voice dripped with contempt, savoring each torment like a fine wine. Pain had transformed from something to be feared into a twisted comfort that allowed him to escape his own body—an ever-present reminder that he didn’t belong. The cruel words, the laughter that followed him like a shadow wherever he went, all became the soundtrack of his life. He had been conditioned to accept his fate, groomed by the relentless malicious acts of those around him. To the world, he was invisible. But standing on the edge of the rooftop, he felt, for the first time, that he was finally in control of his own life instead of being trapped in a living hell.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  It wasn’t as if his friends would care if he died because he had none. He figured his parents would get over it soon enough as well. Why? Because they would still have his sister—their perfect favorite child, even after he was gone.

  “Go on. Jump, retard,” Tegami taunted, positioning himself next to Yosuke. “Today has been a real bore. If you died, that would be pretty entertaining. I’m sure your sister could use some ‘comforting’. I’ll be sure to give her a good time, for your sake, of course.” Tegami made lewd gestures with his hands, trying to provoke Yosuke further.

  “You’re not Reiko’s type,” Yosuke replied, a hint of defiance creeping into his voice. Part of the reason he had endured Tegami’s harassment was the promise he made to himself not to let his sister get involved. But in hindsight, expecting someone like Tegami to keep his distance was a foolish endeavor.

  “I’m sure she’ll come around. I’ll have the guys follow her home after you’re gone. We’ll be sure to make her feel real good—” Tegami was interrupted as a girl with pink hair suddenly restrained him with both arms behind his back.

  “Ah—!” Before he could say another word, she placed a hand over his mouth.

  “Mmm!” Tegami struggled, panic in his eyes. “What the! This freak is strong! I can’t break loose!”

  The high school girl pushed him forward, rendering him defenseless, half his body hanging over the edge of the balcony. For the first time in months, Yosuke felt a flicker of surprise. No one had ever stood up for him before, and now some stranger had attacked his bully.

  “Yosuke, please step down from there. It’s dangerous,” she implored sweetly. Without thinking, Yosuke listened to her commands. He wasn’t sure why; looking into her eyes, he found her captivating and beautiful. Perhaps that was the reason he didn’t question her.

  “Who… are you?” Yosuke asked.

  “I’m Suru Aiko. A freshman,” she introduced herself gracefully, tightening her grip on Tegami.

  “Why… why are you helping me?” Yosuke stammered nervously. “I don’t even know you.”

  “Because I love you, Yosuke Kiho,” Suru replied honestly. The look in her eyes was an expression he had never seen directed towards him before.

  “W-what?” The answer caused his heart to race unexpectedly. No girl had ever told him that before—he had never received a confession from anyone, let alone a girlfriend. “Is she joking?” Yosuke half-expected her to be in on an elaborate prank, but the way she restrained Tegami proved otherwise. She had locked both of his arms behind him and was still covering his mouth with her hand. Tegami had no leverage to push himself up; if he struggled, gravity was not on his side.

  “There’s no point in struggling, Tegami, not after knowing what you’ve done,” Suru said, her grip unwavering. She turned her gaze to Yosuke. “You can reply to my feelings later. More importantly, do you hate this man?”

  “Hate…?” Yosuke muttered. Memories of all the pain and suffering Tegami had caused him surged back, making him feel sick to his stomach. Tegami glanced back at Yosuke, confusion and fear flashing in his eyes, but that expression meant nothing to Yosuke. He wondered what kind of expression he had worn when he was ridiculed and horrified by all the abuse he endured—wasn’t it just a look of hopelessness? Yet now, seeing Tegami terrified, he reveled in this moment of justice.

  Yosuke felt a sinister smile creep onto his face as he processed the situation. “It serves him right to be scared half to death like this. He’s getting a taste of his own medicine,” Yosuke thought.

  “Tegami Fujihara… do you hate him?” Suru asked again, her voice steady and sweet.

  “Yeah. I hate him more than anything in this world,” Yosuke answered, feeling a strange anticipation bubble within him.

  “Okay!~?” Suru chirped, and in an instant, she let go of Tegami. Yosuke’s eyes widened in horror as he watched the bully topple over the edge of the school balcony, falling headfirst toward the concrete below. During his descent, Tegami let out a blood-curdling scream, a final cry of terror as he plummeted.

  A sickening thud resounded from the ground moments later. As Tegami crashed to the earth, Suru tackled Yosuke and dove for cover, ensuring they wouldn’t be noticed. Students nearby began to scream at the horrific sight of Tegami’s mangled body.

  Yosuke’s eyes were filled with pure shock as Suru stayed on top of him. The gruesome scene behind them felt like a nightmare he couldn’t wake from. Yet, as he felt her body pressed against his—warm and soft—an unexpected wave of relief washed over him. He had always dreamed of escaping his pain, but this? This was unimaginable. “Is this really what it takes to be free?” Fear mingled with gratitude, creating a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Would he have to live with the weight of her actions now? The breeze stirred her hair, highlighting her beauty, but he was struck by the horror of what they had just done together. “I can’t believe she killed him… and I’m grateful?” This contradiction clawed at his mind, making it difficult to breathe amidst the chaos.

  Suru's voice broke through his thoughts, barely a whisper yet laced with excitement. “He can’t hurt you anymore.” She paused, allowing those words to sink in. “It’s over, Yosuke. You’re safe now.”

  “What just happened?” Yosuke muttered, still trying to comprehend reality.

  “Teehee!~? I feel a bit giddy! It’s finally over for you, isn’t it exhilarating?” Suru giggled.

  “Teehee?” Yosuke thought, completely stunned. “You just killed him…” He tried to process the gravity of the situation, but disbelief drowned his thoughts. “Is it… really over? Am I free from him forever? You mean… he’s gone? Really gone?” Tears welled up in Yosuke’s eyes, blurring his vision.

  “Mhm. He’s gone for good,” Suru replied, a gleam of satisfaction illuminating her face.

  “...” Yosuke fell silent, grappling with the reality of what had just transpired. Until this moment, nothing had ever gone right for him when confronting his bullies. But now, he realized Tegami’s death was the answer all along. The cycle of torment would never stop otherwise; any attempt to silence him would have led to retaliation. An overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Suru washed over him.

  “Thank you…” Yosuke cried, tears of joy streaming down his face as he hugged her tightly.

  “Awww, sweetheart. Come here,” Suru cooed, pressing herself against him as she caressed his head gently. “I’m sorry you had to endure this for so long,” she murmured, brushing his hair back. “I’ll make sure no one ever hurts you again. I swear it.”

  “What… is this? I feel so at peace. The screams from below don’t even bother me. In fact, I’m happy he’s dead,” Yosuke thought.

  "Now tell me, do you still want to die?" Suru asked, looking intimately into his eyes.

  “Huh?” Yosuke was taken aback by the question.

  “He made you suffer, right? Now that he’s dead, you don’t have to suffer anymore, which means you don’t have to die,” Suru explained, her voice soft yet insistent.

  “...” Yosuke was silent, uncertainty flooding his mind as he processed her words. Could it be that simple?" Had Tegami’s death truly liberated him from his pain?

  “If you still want to die, I’ll jump with you, so you don’t have to be alone,” Suru said, her tone shifting to one of deep sincerity. It was the kindest offer anyone had ever made him, and it shook him to his core.

  “You’d really do that for me?” Yosuke asked, a mix of disbelief and hope flickering across his face.

  “I’ll do anything for you if you become my boyfriend,” Suru said, a playful glint in her eye.

  “B-boyfriend!?” His cheeks flushed at the sudden declaration.

  “I said I love you before, didn’t I? Don’t tell me you had earwax buildup during my confession!” Suru pouted, crossing her arms in mock annoyance.

  “No! I heard you, and I believe you!” Yosuke affirmed, his heart racing. “It’s just… we just met. So why me?”

  “You’ve helped me plenty. You’ve given me a reason to want to protect someone special, and you’re so sweet in your own way,” Suru said, her eyes filled with deep infatuation.

  “I did? W-when?” Yosuke questioned, confused but curious.

  “Don’t worry about that right now. You still need to answer my first question,” Suru insisted gently.

  “Do I want to die?” Yosuke mused, his thoughts racing. In the background, the wails of sirens faded as school paramedics rushed to the scene, but their urgency felt distant against the whirlwind of emotions inside him. Tegami wasn’t the only one who had bullied or hurt him. Getting rid of just him wouldn’t change that fact. But having Suru here might.

  He gulped, preparing nervously for what he needed to express. “Um… there are still more bullies out there. I don’t think things will feel better until they’re all gone,” he admitted, feeling the weight of those words hang in the air.

  Suru’s expression shifted, a mix of excitement and madness flickering across her face. “Okay, if that’s what you want, let’s get rid of all of them together!~?” She smiled darkly, and in that moment, something in Yosuke felt a blend of exhilaration and fear.

  “...” Yosuke felt a knot form in his stomach as he began to reconsider the implications of her words. Noticing his discomfort, Suru tilted her head, concern etched on her face.

  “What’s wrong, dear?” she asked softly.

  “Your body… it’s…” Finally coming to his senses, Yosuke realized the full extent of their proximity. Suru’s warmth surrounded him; her body was pressed against his, her thighs encircling him like a cocoon. Panic gripped him at the realization of how intimate this physical closeness was, especially after such a violent act.

  Suru perked up, quickly hopping off of Yosuke and blushing. “Ah! Sorry! I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I hope you don’t think I’m that kind of girl,” she defended herself, her cheeks pink with embarrassment.

  “Haha!” Yosuke chuckled, the absurdity of the situation almost overwhelming him. The thought of a killer caring about something as innocent as personal space was too ridiculous not to laugh at.

  “Hey, what’s so funny?” Suru pouted, her expression shifting rapidly.

  “Nothing. You’re just really cute,” Yosuke replied, feeling a warmth spread through him as he said the words. His statement seemed to take Suru by surprise, leaving her momentarily breathless.

  “I’ll be your boyfriend if you’ll have me,” he added, surprising himself with the boldness of his words.

  “Really? Oh my gosh! I can’t believe this is finally happening! Yes, of course, I’ll have you!” Suru exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.

  Yosuke thought to himself, She’s absolutely crazy, but a smile spread across his face. But… she actually cares about me. Enough to kill someone for my sake. They call girls like her 'Ride or Die,' right? No, that's not quite it. She's definitely Yandere, through and through.

  As the sirens grew louder, a stark realization began to set in. This chaotic and violent moment, filled with raw emotions, could unravel quickly if they weren't careful. The allure of their twisted partnership flickered brightly in Yosuke’s mind, but the immediate danger of being discovered loomed larger.

  “We need to get out of here before someone finds us,” Yosuke said, gripping Suru’s hands urgently. “I can’t let us get caught.”

  “But what about the other bullies?” Suru asked.

  “Let’s move quickly,” Yosuke said, his expression shifting from calm to focused. “We can't stick around. The others can wait.”