The teacher glanced down at the list in his hand. With clear boredom in his voice, he turned toward the first row and addressed the most timid girl in the class.

  “Ogisu? Your enrollment file is incomplete. You didn’t fill in your father’s occupation.”

  She froze for a second, flustered, then immediately answered in a tiny voice that sounded like it was coming from the bottom of a well.

  “Um… I-I’m really sorry… My father, Makoto… works at a bank…”

  I went completely stiff.

  Makoto?

  No… that’s impossible. It’s just the same name… right?

  Or maybe… Ogisu really is the daughter of that bastard who killed my father?

  I still remember it. Makoto burned my family alive right in front of me…

  Years later, his face showed up on TV. He was wanted, on the run. But he abandoned his wife and kid and disappeared somewhere no one could find him.

  And me… I trained for years. I worked for years just to track him down.

  And now? His daughter walked straight into my life on her own.

  What should I do?

  Is Makoto the kind of man who actually cares about his daughter?

  Should I take his family from him the same way he took mine from me?

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Or maybe… Ogisu is secretly still in contact with him?

  First, I need to be sure. I have to get close to her. Get as much information as possible.

  I won’t let anyone stand in my way. I’ll remove whoever I need to.

  I don’t care how cruel it is.

  The final bell rang. Most of the class jumped up immediately and rushed out.

  I’d been watching Ogisu all day. Apparently the most popular girl in class, Yuki, had been friends with her since childhood. Yuki’s the only person Ogisu spends time with. Since they go way back, she’s way more comfortable talking to her than anyone else.

  Yuki’s super energetic. Talks to everyone. Helps people with their homework.

  “Ogisu!”

  Yuki grabbed Ogisu’s hand and practically dragged her toward the door.

  “Stop being lazy, let’s go to our usual café.”

  “B-But… wait…”

  Yuki winked.

  “You promised me. You think I’d forget?”

  I noticed someone standing behind me. Before he could put his hand on my shoulder, I turned around.

  “You’re Yuichi, right?”

  I stepped calmly in front of Armin and continued,

  “You’ve got a crush on those girls, don’t you?”

  I said, “No.”

  As he picked up his bag, he joked,

  “Man, this place is heaven. Look at those bodies.”

  How can people be this stupid?

  I just want him gone.

  “If you like them so much, go hit on them right now.”

  He sighed.

  “Are you kidding? Why would Ogisu and Yuki—looking like that—ever want to hang out with a loser like me?”

  At least he’s self-aware.

  Without another word, I left him and walked out.

  I shoved my hands into my pockets and started walking slowly. The sun was setting.

  By pure chance, I glanced into the alley next to the street and saw two of my classmates. They looked like the typical class bullies. When I focused, I realized I was right.

  The bigger one was Alex. The other, medium build, was Steve.

  I could tell they were beating someone up, though I couldn’t clearly see the victim’s face.

  I don’t really have a reason to help.

  Unless… I can use this to my advantage.

  I pulled out my phone, recorded for a few seconds, then stopped.

  Slipped it back into my pocket and headed home.

  That’s enough for today.

  Maybe that video will come in handy someday.

  Starting tomorrow, I can get close to Ogisu without worry.

  Now I get it.

  Putting up with these idiots is easy.

  I’m not that seven-year-old kid who just cried anymore