Chapter 259 - Unforgiven (1/2)

"Big bro, Koharu came to school today."

Ara had thought it was smart to inform her brother about it. Since Kou and Gin were both away, it's better to let him know.

"What? But she's supposed to take her exams at home. What was she doing there?"

Suzuki Aki's voice came out sounding incredulous as expected. It was a bit even too loud for Ara's ear, so she shifted her phone to her other ear in time to hear him complain. "That school's unreliable with security."

"Well, she probably sneaked out of her house after the test."

This was, of course, possible considering how sneaky Okada Koharu was. Once they reached the gym, they already had an idea about what happened. After the test, thinking that it was over, the teachers left the Okada residence, expecting Koharu to stay at home and behave or her parents to take over guarding her.

However, since the Okadas were busy with work and their sick son, it's not incorrect to think that it was easy to sneak out of the house and come to the school.

"Well…" Aki was silent for a moment as if he thought about it too. "Just be careful all the time, alright? Don't forget what I told you. Don't go anywhere without telling your security."

"I won't," Ara answered with a smile.

Aki really was a worrywart, but she totally appreciated how he fussed over her. With that, they ended the short call.

"What did Big Bro Aki say?" Midori asked and the others looked at her as they waited for the answer. The four of them sat on one of the stone benches outside the gym.

"Just to take care. It's not like we can really do something to make Koharu stay in her house," Ara said with a shrug.

"Guys, do you think someone really should put Koharu in an institution? The way she looked earlier was not really right. It's as if she's possessed by something."

Huh?

Come to think of it…

Ara remembered how Koharu looked and frowned. Due to the heat of the moment and her desire not to see her anymore, she ignored some details that would normally disturb her. For instance, Koharu's glassy eyes and shifting expressions…

"It's like she's not the Koharu from before. She doesn't seem human the way she spoke," Miharu continued and Ara's breath hitched.

Oh heavens…

A nagging suspicion came to Ara, but there was no way she could confirm it now that they knew Koharu would be gone by now. Also, if her suspicion was correct, she couldn't confront the girl in school where there were many people. That vile thing within her would probably transfer to someone immediately.

Shadow lurker…

Why didn't she realize it before?

Huh?

She wondered if Kou and Gin also knew about this. Well, they probably did, considering they told her confidently that Koharu would be dealt with as soon as graduation's over. She had just assumed that Koharu would be sent to an institution, but it seemed she was wrong.

Koharu would die. She was too far gone to be saved.

Ara placed a hand on her chest, and she was confused when she realized that she felt nothing with this information. Aside from being surprised about the parasite, Okada Koharu's imminent and inevitable passing didn't make her feel anything else.

"Have I become so cold-hearted?"Ara wondered audibly, forgetting she was with other people.

"Of course not!" Rin answered, surprising Ara as the other took her hand in hers and gave her a squeeze. "You did your best to become a good friend. It's her fault she's so rotten. You have every right not to treat her like a friend after what she did to you."