Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 22

The Truth about Hina

The clock pointed to 6 AM. In the room where the faint morning sun filtered in, the only sounds were the ticking of the alarm clock and the comfortable breathing of Rio, sleeping next to me.

How long had it been since I had spent time like this? It was too early even for a weekday when school was on.

I tried to fall back asleep several times, but my mind… my head was completely clear.

“(But man, this is bad. Especially this time…)”

Of course, what dominated my thoughts was the exchange between Kanade and Hina from the day before.

There had been no choice, I had to do it. Even now, I couldn’t think of any other way.

Of course, it would be a lie to say I had no regrets.

At that moment, Kanade stood motionless like a doll, and Hina uttered a triumphant word—

“In the end, Minato-senpai will never look at me, will he? But rest assured, I have no intention of telling anyone about this yet. However, if Minato-senpai ever takes lips other than mine, then—You understand, right?”

That kiss was a trap I set to divert Kanade’s attention to me. She must understand that.

I had already deleted the recording data on Hina’s smartphone. Without conclusive evidence, it would be difficult for the police to reach Kanade, but that was merely speculation.

How much does Hina understand about the truth of that time?

That composure… could there be other evidence?

Despite avoiding the worst-case scenario, the current situation was clearly disadvantageous to us. The more I thought about it, the more I sank into negative thoughts…

“(Well, anyway, the first step is to ascertain her real intentions.)”

I reached for the smartphone beside me and began composing a message.

◆

The time was now 7:35 AM. Normally, it would be about time to wake up.

In the current situation, I stood in front of Hoshimiya Academy’s school gate.

Given the hour, there was not a soul in sight. Naturally.

I had chosen this timing for a reason—it was me, after all.

“Sorry for calling you out at this time.”

“No, no, if it’s an invitation from Minato-senpai, I’d even climb out of a grave.”

“That’s gonna be a pretty brutal scene, that…”

Hina smiled happily in front of me. The reason I had called out Hina, delaying Rio’s school time, goes without saying.

“Don’t worry about Rio-chan. I’ve told my brother to manage somehow.”

“I don’t distrust you, but let’s get to the point—”

“…Is this about Asagami-senpai?”

In an instant, Hina’s tone shifted. From a young age, Kanade had the power of wealth.

Because of that inherent advantage, she never experienced the hardships that normal people should go through, always getting what she wanted by any means necessary.

Now that I think about it, it was perhaps inevitable that Hina exploded with all her emotions towards Kanade on the rooftop.

“Please rest assured. I’m not angry anymore. I think I went a little too far yesterday.”

She said that, but it certainly wasn’t her true feelings.

I had disposed of the evidence to corner Kanade, but the most important thing for me to be wary of was where she had gotten that information from.

A girl came to mind.

Could that woman be the mastermind? Or…

“By the way, you know a lot about Kanade. Who told you?”

I asked directly while trying to appear nonchalant.

I couldn’t imagine what that woman—Mio—would do next.

At the very least, it was better than doing nothing.

“Hm? Oh, ah… Well, I guess it’s okay if it’s just Minato-senpai. I can tell you, but keep it a secret from everyone else, okay?”

“Alright, got it.”

Her response… At least for Hina, it must not be a problem if I knew.

Hina took out her smartphone from her bosom and started operating it while pointing it my way.

“It was the night before last… around 10 PM, I think. I don’t know who sent it, but I received a message with several photos attached addressed to me.”

Hina manipulated her smartphone and moved to the photo folder. Several photos appeared—

“(You’ve got to be kidding me…)”

I caught my breath. It was too sudden and merciless, beyond surprise and into the realm of astonishment.

The photos were clearly taken in secret.

Uncle and aunt negotiating with suspicious men in black suits and sunglasses, with a suitcase full of bills.

The men kneeling before Kanade, pledging their loyalty.

And even more—Rio, driving a nail into her own throat.

“I really thought my heart would stop. Rio-chan is also to blame. Taking advantage of the fact that her uncles are trying to kill her to monopolize Minato-senpai’s feelings.”

In contrast to her calm tone, I could sense definite anger in Hina’s eyes.

“Do you have any idea who sent the photos?”

“No. As I said before, there was no text in the message I received. Of course, I was skeptical at first, but given your reactions yesterday, it’s the truth… isn’t it?”

“Yare yare… I’ve been outplayed.”

To think that I was being manipulated by Hina… It’s a minor shock.

If what she says is true, then the sender of those photos is very likely that woman—Mio.

Although, at this point, there is no other suspect…

But more than that, it would be quickest to ask the person clearly depicted in the photos.

“I don’t like to see Minato-senpai sad either, so I’ll keep Asagami-senpai’s secret. As long as Kanade-senpai doesn’t do anything strange in the future.”

“Do that for me. You haven’t had breakfast yet, right? Since I called you out, I’ll treat you, okay?”

“Oh, really? Can I get a melon bread and a pork cutlet sandwich? Leave the drink to me.”

“Sure, I’ll go get it.”

Luckily, there’s a convenience store just a five-minute walk from the academy.

I turned my back on Hina and started walking.

“Just one more person left, huh…”

I heard a voice from behind, but I kept walking without paying it any mind.

“Rest assured. I don’t lie. For Minato-senpai’s kiss, I’ll let Asagami-senpai off for now. The problem is that girl. Always clinging to Minato-senpai just because she’s his sister… To attract Minato-senpai’s attention, she made it look like her neck injury was her uncles’ doing—pfft… Ahaha! Admirable guts, I must say. But that doesn’t mean the crime disappears. No matter the reason, you tried to trample on Minato-senpai’s heart. I won’t forgive you. I won’t forgive you, I won’t forgive…! Minato-senpai saved me, so now it’s my turn to save… I’ll destroy everyone who hurts Minato-senpai.”

“(Save, huh…)”

I didn’t look back. No doubt, Hina now had her typical innocent and carefree expression.

Except for her eyes, which lacked any sanity…