Ikoma Shizue doesn't like men.

No, it not just a simple dislike, she despise them with a living passion.

Born in a middle class family in a rural area of Kyoto. Shizue is an average hikikomori, which means socially withdrawn. She prefers to stay indoor and stay away from any public places that are crowded with people. It has not always been this way for Shizue. Once upon a time she was a very active and friendly young lady attending a prestigious middle school in Kyoto.

She was popular with both boys and girls in her school. Athletic, smart, charismatic, and beautiful, Shizue was praised by not only the students but also the teachers themselves.

That all changed during an eerie night after school during her eighth grade year. She was heading toward home with one of her friend, a boy in her literature club. The boy, whom we will not name, proposed that they take a shortcut he found the other day. Shizue agreed without a second thought due to her naïve nature. That was the biggest mistake she made in her entire life time, which adds up to only fifteen years.

In the alleyway, several boys and two older men were waiting. Before she can scream for help, the boy who led her to the alley took out of shiny object. The object he held in his hand was a shiny pocket knife. The boy commanded her to quiet down or he would cut her. Fearing the object, Shizue complied while trampling in fear.

What has she done to deserve this? Why her?

The group of men proceeded to pull down their pants, while the boy began peeling off Shizue’s school uniform forcefully while panting like a dog in heat. It would have been great if a male protagonist comes to save the day like it does in a manga and light novels, but that is not what reality is about.

Shizue was violated that night and the men did not stop until they were caught by the police. The men all were sentenced to jail and the incident ended with that.

Shizue’s parents were angry, their daughter was violated against her will but the only thing done by the law authority was to put those vulgar men in jail for six years.

Shizue was sent to meet psychiatrists for therapy every week, in those time, instead of opening up, she shrunk even further away. No one was able to help her. She decided that not one single counselor, doctors, or psychiatrist ever went through what she went through, so she refused to be helped. Why should she listen to those who never experienced the pain and the shame she went through?

The incident caused her to be reclusive and she turned her back toward everyone, including her parents.

However there was a persistent boy, not the same one who assaulted her, trying his best to get her to attend school again. Why bother about someone like me? She thought this question over and over again. The boy, Takayama Yosai, was a very popular guy amongst her class. His foreign blond hair and blue eyes attracted all the girls in his class.

While all of her friends from middle school gave up on her and left her side, Yosai-kun persisted. He visited her, at least tried to, every single day to coax her to come to school. Looking back, Shizue remembered a conversation she had once with him. It started when the other girls in her class pleaded her to ask the type of girl Yosai-kun liked. Without really giving a thought about it, she asked him about it.

He answered, “The type of girl I like? Hmm… I guess a girl who is gentle like a flower, but strong willed and independent?” Satisfied with his answer, Yosai smiled brightly.

‘Gentle like a flower… But strong willed? That really isn't me. I'm frail and broken. He must have a different reasons as to why he is trying to be nice to me…’ Shizue thought it over and over again, but that was the only conclusion she could come up with.

Like every other days, Shizue sat in a corner reading a manga while trying to stop a sudden flow of tears she could not control. She doesn't notice her true feeling, but she felt depressed whenever she convinced herself that she couldn't trust even the kind Yosai. Deep inside, she knew that Yosai was different from the other men, but she was afraid. Afraid that she might be wrong.

Even though she doesn't realize it, she want someone to reach her out of her own abyss.

The door bell rings, without even looking, Shizue knows who it is. It's early in the morning before school begins, and Yosai always come to visit everyday on the same time, even during the weekend. Her mother lets him in everyday, but Shizue has no idea why her mother would let him in.

Shizue hears foot steps coming up to her room upstairs. *Knock, Knock*

“Ikoma-chan… I'm here again. Please come out, I heard from Oka-San that you haven't even eaten for three days now. Please just let me see you once…” Yosai asked in a faint voice. His voice felt distressed and weak. “If you won't come out then I guess it means you don't want to see me. I understand, I won't bother you again. If it is just some times you need, then just tell me or give me a sign so I'll know.” The hallway Yosai was in was silent. “I guess this is good bye then…” With a depressed tone he starts to walk away.

One step, two step, three step… ‘This is the right thing for both of us’ Shizue thought while counting the steps he was taking.

Suddenly, her body began to move unconsciously and she headed toward the door. Hearing the footstep that is not his own, Yosai looks back at the door with a glimmer of a hope.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

A crack appeared through the door and a pair of shy dark brown eyes came into view. Slowly, Shizue opened her door.

She did not know what she was doing as she moved the door open even further. She was lying to her the whole time. She was extremely lonely. She wanted someone to be around. She wanted a friend who can comfort her. She slowly reach toward Yosai, small steps at a time.

“…p-please… s-stay” Shizue said her first words in a year. Shizue had not spoken to anyone for a year and she felt as if it was not really her whom was speaking.

“Of course!” Yosai’s radiant smile reached into Shizue’s heart and she somehow knew he was being sincere toward her. This was not out of pity or sympathy, but from his heart.

Motioning him to enter, Shizue took a seat in her favorite corner, gazing at him with a sense of awe at how accepting and kind he was.

“Oh! Okasan left awhile ago after I came saying she needs to go grocery shopping.” Remembering it late, Yosai palmed his face.

“It's.. Okay…” Shizue shyly replied back. Even though they were alone in the house, she placed her faith on Yosai since this wasn't the first time Okasan left Yosai alone while he was visiting. He would have already done something if he had planned on it.

“You must be hungry, right? Let me make you something to eat, let's go to the kitchen” holding out his hand, Yosai coaxed her to get out of her room.

Nodding her head, she timidly reaches out to his hand. His hand was a little rough but it was warm and she felt that it was nice how her small hand fit well into his.

Going down the stairs together, they turn left toward the kitchen. Yosai rummages through the pantry for ingredients. “I make a pretty mean miso soup, you know?” Shizue giggles at his remark and he pouts, “It's true! Try to find another guy who can cook non-instant food like me!” Sticking out his chest to show he was proud, he was actually trying to break the wall that she has placed around her.

*Crash!* a man dressed in black with several cans of unidentified chemical strapped to his belt came in through the the window after breaking it.

“Crap! There are people in here. Whatever.” The man spoke with a low baritone. He walks toward Shizue who is trembling in fear. Before he could reach Shizue however, Yosai jumps in front and tackles him to the ground.

“Ikoma-chan! Run away from each here! Uff”, while telling Shizue to run, the man took out his pocket knife and stabbed Yosai in the stomach.

With a thump, Yosai was pushed off the man. “TAKAYAMA-KUN!”, Shizue ran toward him while screaming. She didn't want to loose him, he was the only one she cared about at the moment. She forgot all her fears as she cried her heart out for her friend.

The man took his knife and slashed at Shizue’s tendons to make her immobile. The pain struck her hard but she did not care. She falls before reaching Yosai, but she crawls toward him slowly.

The man took out the can he had strapped to his waist and sprayed the liquid inside it all over the house. Next, he took out a match and lighted up. He threw the match into the wet floor covered by the liquid which caught on fire. The man left the house quickly after his deeds were finished.

“*cough, cough* Ikoma-chan, why didn't you run away?” Yosai coughed up blood while asking the question. Shizue crawled closer to Yosai and grabbed his hand with her own dainty hand. “I rather die than see my only friend die…” Shizue answered gravely to his question.

“Even though we finally became friends, this happened, huh? Can you call me by my given name, if not for the last time?”

While holding back her tears she spoke, “Yosai-kun.”

Smiling Yosai looked at Shizue with kind eyes. “I wanted to tell you before but I couldn't. Shizue… I can call you by your given name right?” Shizue simply nodded and told him to continue. “Shizue, I fell in love with you ever since I met you in middle school. I was too cowardly to say this before but I wanted it to tell you this before I die. I love you Shizue.”

Shizue started to shed uncontrollable amount of tears at Yosai’s confession. She was so happy even though they were near the death’s door. “I love you too, I…I was happy when you came everyday to visit me. It was the only part of the day I looked forward to in my miserable life!” Finally she told her true feeling she had bottled up inside of her.

“Hehehe, that makes me very happy. I'm so happy right now I don't mind dying.” With a calm smile Yosai gazed toward Shizue lovingly. “Me too”

"I promise, no matter what, I'll always be by your side, Shizue."

The fire consumes the couple and their consciousness fades away.

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Hi, Kuma!

This is my second project I'll be working on along with the Two Students. The first fiction I did seem too... OP, Kuma?

I thought this would be a nice little project along with my current one. I'm still deciding which one I should do as a main project, Kuma! I'm pretty sure I'll be putting up a ballot soon after some people read the next few chapters, Kuma!