The group laughed and chatted as they followed Eiichi deeper into the forest. Eventually, he came to a stop and, following his gaze, Meiko saw a dark, pitch-black cave.
Eiichi smiled. "Let's go in there. We brought some food—we can hang out, eat, and relax inside."
Meiko felt uneasy. She could tell right away—it was a bear den.
She grabbed Eiichi's arm, trying to stop him. "Eiichi, that's a bear den. We can't go in there…"
Eiichi just flashed that same familiar smile. "A bear den? Doesn't look like one to me."
"How about this—Meiko, why don't you go in and check for us?"
Meiko hesitated, fear creeping in. She was about to say no, but the others chimed in:
"Yeah, we really want to check it out."
"If it's not a bear den, we came all this way for nothing."
"Since you're the one who said it's a bear den, Meiko, it's only fair you go take a look."
Eiichi added, "Come on, Meiko. Don't let your friends down. I believe in you—go check it out for us."
"We're all counting on you to keep us safe, don't disappoint us."
Friends? That's right… we're friends. I can't let them down.
Meiko clenched her fists and stepped into the den. It wasn't long before a bear, even larger than her, slowly turned to look in her direction.
"There's a bear!!"
I have to warn them. They need to run!
Her first instinct wasn't her own safety—it was for the people outside. Her "friends."
But as she turned to rush out of the cave, her foot caught on a rope and she fell hard to the ground.
A rope? That wasn't there before…
Jagged stones on the ground cut deep into her leg, sharp pain jolting through her body.
She shouted, "Eiichi, run! There's a bear inside!"
But Eiichi and the others were already running far ahead—and laughing.
"You see the look on her face? God, that was priceless!"
"I know, right? She seriously thought we were friends. What a freak."
"As if we'd be friends with that! What a monster."
"Eiichi, you were amazing. Totally pulled off that nice-guy act like a romantic hero! Hahaha! That freak fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
"'Everyone's unique'—oh man, that line almost made me puke!"
"Once that bear eats her, we won't have to see her at school again…"
The cruelty in their voices, their laughter—it was sharper than knives, every word slicing her apart.
In that moment, Meiko understood everything.
She couldn't breathe. Her chest ached like it might crack open. And then… stillness.
"How can people be this cruel?"
Their words—so casual, so flippant—felt like murder.
So this whole time… Eiichi and the others pretended to be my friends just to feed me to a bear?
Why?
I never did anything to you. I never fought back. I took it all in silence.
Is it really so unforgivable that I look different? Does that mean I don't even deserve to live?
The light that once chased away the darkness in her heart now erupted into something monstrous. Her soul was left with nothing but the monster.
If I had never known the light… I could've endured the dark.
But never again will I long for warmth. Never again will I believe in kindness.
It was foolish of me to wish for those things. Mercy only brings pain.
The bear charged out of the cave, jaws wide, aiming straight for Meiko as she lay on the ground.
Her face, calm as still water.
For the first time, she clenched her massive fists.
With a punch the size of a grown man's head and strength that shook the ground, she struck the bear—dazing it, stunning it with pain and shock.
The bear staggered back, confused. This prey… wasn't prey at all.
It turned and scrambled back into the cave.
Ignoring the blood pouring from her wounded leg, Meiko stood, then broke into a sprint toward the fleeing students.
They had been laughing, walking casually—unafraid. After all, Meiko had never fought back. They were used to seeing her that way.
But the girl chasing them now was no longer the meek, soft-hearted Meiko they knew.
She wanted them dead.
"The monster scared off a bear? She really is a freak…"
Still, they didn't run. They joked. Laughed.
Oppressing her had become a habit.
One boy looked up at Meiko as she approached. Though he stood lower, his voice still carried a tone of arrogant superiority.
"Hey, monster. I gotta admit—you're tough. Even chased off a bear."
Meiko didn't shrink away like she always had.
She lowered her head. Calmly.
I should've done this long ago. I've been weak… for far too long.
With that, and before the others could blink, Meiko struck.
Crack.
No resistance. No struggle. The boy's body slumped to the ground, his head caved in.
In a matter of seconds, ignoring their pathetic, trembling pleas, Meiko killed them all—except one.
Eiichi.
She stared at him in silence.
He was trembling, drenched in sweat, a twisted parody of that warm smile he'd once shown her.
"Meiko… we're friends, remember? I—I didn't mean to, they put me up to it…"
Meiko shook her head. "I'm not sparing you because of old feelings. I just want you to suffer first."
Fear turned to full-blown panic on his face.
"W-What? Meiko, you're not like this. Please, please don't—"
No.
I wasn't like this.
But you carved away at my soul with your lies and left me like this.
She grabbed him by the throat and slammed him to the ground.
Then, with a few brutal stomps, crushed his legs.
Dragging him by those ruined limbs, she headed for the bear's cave.
The pain was nothing compared to the fear now wracking Eiichi's body.
"No—please! I'm sorry—I really am!"
Meiko asked quietly, "What exactly are you sorry for?"
Eiichi froze.
"I… I'm sorry I went along with them? I didn't mean it—I was tricked—just let me go—please!"
You don't even understand what you did wrong.
You destroyed the last hope I had.
The cruelest kind of despair… is when someone reaches into your darkness, offers you light—and then shoves you deeper into the abyss.
If I had never seen the light… I wouldn't have feared the dark…
(End of Chapter)