Hananoi Tojiko is a figure shrouded in controversy, a human being who has long wished he had never been born. From his earliest memories, he saw himself as a miserable creature, cursed by existence itself. At the age of eight, he attempted to end his life—a desperate act that not only failed but also set his life spiraling into chaos. His mother’s hatred for him grew venomous, and the violent fights between his parents became the backdrop of his shattered childhood. When the news of his suicide attempt spread like a plague through the neighborhood, the shame and scrutiny became unbearable, forcing him to flee Japan, a broken boy exiled from his own home.

Years later, Hananoi returns to Japan, a shadow of his former self, yet bearing the title of a recommended student at Noriko High School—a prestigious institution reserved for the elite. The school is a gilded cage, filled with the children of powerful families, prodigies, and those destined for greatness. But beneath its polished surface lies a world of cutthroat ambition, hidden cruelty, and unspoken rules. Hananoi, with his fractured psyche and the scars of his past, is an outsider in this world of privilege.

His return is not a homecoming; it is a collision. His nemesis, a figure from his past, lurks in the shadows, waiting to reignite their bitter rivalry. And within Hananoi’s mind, the demons of his childhood still linger, whispering doubts and feeding his darkest impulses. Will he find a way to confront the darkness that has followed him since childhood, or will it consume him entirely? In a world where power and influence reign supreme, Hananoi’s tormented mind may be his greatest weapon—or the chain that drags him into the abyss.

I stood there, realizing I was truly trapped. *"Hananoi-san, can you move that pile of books next to you? I want to do some quick arrangements."*  


We were sorting the books onto shelves based on genre—fiction mostly.  


*"Why… what do you mean?"* I asked, trying to break the silence after her question.  


*"Why did you choose the literature club?"*  


*"Hmmm… Science was my first choice. Stuff happened. But I wanted an atmosphere with zero demands."*  


*"Ah… So you just picked something boring, didn't you?"* I gave her a half-smirk.  


Through her glasses, I saw her focused expression—dark, short hair framing her face.  


*"You should focus on the arrangements, not me."*  


*"I was just thinking about your name. Though I couldn't remember it."*  


*"Aoi… Cute name for someone who doesn't fit it."*  


*"Well, sorry for being named, then."*  


The cleanup made the club room look nice and cozy. She peeled off her gloves, dusted her hands, and reached for something on the table.  


*"Take this."* She handed me paperwork. *"It's the club form. Fill it out and return it to me tomorrow."*  


Later, I sat at the bus stop for hours with nothing to do. When night fell, I finally left, grabbed some chips, and walked straight home. Pausing in front of my workplace, I stared through the window.  


*"Hmm… Fuka-chan. And who's the new guy? A new employee, I guess."*  


I smiled to myself. *"Gotta go."* Then my phone rang—*Chisato*.  


The call dragged on for thirty minutes. Afterward, I stayed up for hours before finally crashing.  


The next morning, the TV weather report blared in the background.  


*"Another new day… gonna waste it again, I guess."*  


I attended first class, then holed up in the club room, reading until time ran out.  


*"Second test's coming in a week. Time flies when you're jobless."*  


Exhausted, I repeated yesterday's routine—lingering at the bus stop, then stopping outside the bar. This time, Fuka was outside, smoking a cigarette.  


Chapter 26 - Chapter 25