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One week later...

It was Monday where all of the students of master's degree began to learn about the subject of Phantom Beasts and Phantom Samsara by Professor Hokuri, everything went well until they noticed that Kohaku didn't come to the class for a week. Byakuya noticed that Kohaku is absent--he began to get worried and his friends also anxious of his absence without even answering their calls and not opening his social media for a few days. It seemed like Byakuya became scared from his silence. "Prof, where's Kayana?" Julian asked, his calls has been unanswered for one week and it's getting more abnormal that he was not making any contact with anyone. "Hey, what happened to him? Did he move out of the city or something?!"

Then the professor slowly held the bridge of his nose before he sighed in dismay and turned towards the students when he folded his arms. "Kayana... he got admitted to the hospital last two weeks ago," he answered, making them gasped in shock, especially Byakuya who's eyes widened as his hands clutching his chest tightly. "Hospital?! How?! Why?! What happened to him?" Shania asked after she brought him some drinks and gave him the bottle, he instantly accepted it and opened the lid. "You do know him as your fellow master's classmate, he--unfortunately... he got assaulted at the back of the building. He got hit in the head when he had to defensively use his bare fist and thrown over the cold lake before they beat him mercilessly, and... judging from his condition. He was... sexually assaulted by a group of men including someone I know before."

The result was, absolute horror.

Andrew trembled and put his hands on his mouth, unable to say anything--while the rest had a horrified expression. Byakuya froze as the others look over to him and even his professor glanced in sorrow. "It can't be..." he muttered, before he asked. "So, how long he has been in the hospital?"

"He already came home, just that... the damage is too much," the professor explained, folding his arms. "Let him rest, also don't text or call him yet. We'll inform you about his presence before he go to the university again, to prevent you from pestering him and you have to respect his personal space," added the instructor sternly, holding the clipboard. He heard one of his former students whispering, but he stopped them before the class was finished--or in other words, he sent his students to the dormitory with his warning with a dark look on his face.

Juan also trying to message Kohaku, but no response. The worst, Kohaku was not showing up in the university after the week of his release from the hospital. Apparently, Kohaku is not trying to reach out to his friends that he is still alive--and he don't even want to meet them. Byakuya decided to visit him, regardless if he accepted his invitation or not, he had to know the truth to know his disappearance that time. Byakuya drove with his motorbike towards Kohaku's residence where he lived, since he remembered where he lived and he parked in the parking lot and take off his helmet. Then, he rang the doorbell until...

Kohaku opened the door.

Byakuya was surprised to see his eyes were red from tears--he looked super traumatized. He was wearing his casual attributes--a white formal shirt with black turtleneck, dark denim jacket and dark denim pants. His auburn short messy hair with long bangs were so messy, even covering his magenta-red eyes along his spectacles and his fair complexion is pale as well. "Kohaku... what happened to you?" Byakuya asked, seeing him opening the door wide to let him inside. "Is everything okay? What happened?"

"I'm okay now... I'm fine," Kohaku answered, his face was slightly flushed from crying. He no longer the serious and scary Kohaku anymore, it seems that he already return from his dark side and show a lot of concern about him instead. This is supposed to be Kohaku from the beginning, since they both introduced their names. "Why are you here?" he asked, closing the door behind Byakuya slowly.

"I heard that you were hospitalized for one week because of what happened to you, you didn't tell us what happened," Byakuya apologized, sitting on the couch when Kohaku closed the door and he sat down beside Byakuya. "I'm sorry for not visiting you in the hospital, I was busy with some matters to do."

"It's okay, Byakuya... I'm fine now," Kohaku said softly, looking down at the floor before he hissed in pain when he sat down on the couch. It seems Kohaku is feeling guilt by seeing his reaction, before he got his composure back. "Sorry, my entire body is still in the middle of recovery... so it feels super painful if I tried to sit down," he stated, in a gloomy and depressed tone. "Just tell me what happen," Byakuya replied, seeing Kohaku frowned when he let out a deep sigh. "Fine... I guess I'll just start with this stupid incident, and how did I got into hospital before I ended up like this," Kohaku spoke to him, making him stiffen up. He knew that professor is the cause of this incident. "Is it Professor Hokuri?" Byakuya asked, which Kohaku shake his head no. "No, it's Professor Rihan."

"Why is that?" Byakuya asked, frowning. "We all know what happened that day, right?" Kohaku asked.

Byakuya nodded, leaning back on the couch. "I know that."

Kohaku nodded, before he leaned back on the couch with deep sigh--taking off his glasses and wiping off his tears. "For unknown reason... I had to reject his offer to be his lab assistant, and he asked me twice--behind the laboratory room when the seminar was finished and there are other professors have to take care of. He grabbed me so that I can't get away, it took me half an hour to calm him down and his ego, and then..." Kohaku's pupils shrank as he fell silent. "He... brought his 'lab assistants' with him and knocked me out from behind with the sedative before he locked the door to beat me in private... the worst is that he..." he paused, taking a deep breath to clear his throat. "... he was taking off his pants and... and... his henchmen also..."

Byakuya's stoic and composed expression twisted into one of shock as soon as he caught his breath, the mere words his best friend spat were enough to destroy all trace of innocence in the same world that had taken everything away from him as well. He was only now starting to realize what it meant to 'put your life at stake'. "You... what?!" he shouted in a mixture of fury and shock. "I should've listened to Kyoran instead... I should've noticed from the start, but it's my fault that I did not listen to him. I can't be in the university right now, Professor Hokuri's apprentice told me that I need to rest in his research office and let me take a day off," Kohaku muttered.

Byakuya stiffened up from what he heard from Kohaku. His eyes widened in disbelief, realizing that he also experienced something similar to what Kohaku went through. "That bastard... he raped you? How many times?" Byakuya asked, feeling rage building up within him--his blood boiled with anger on knowing such a thing like that happen to Kohaku. "Two... three... maybe four..." Kohaku said weakly, wiping his tears away. "I couldn't count anymore... I can't even think straight... he injured my private parts and I can't even sit properly on the chair... and Professor Hokuri already noticed what happened to me."

Kohaku admitted, hissing painfully as he hold his crotch--as if someone just stabbed him there with a knife while that professor laughed coldly and cruelly at how pathetic he was right now due to such thing happened to him during that day. "I'm so sorry for putting you through all these..." Byakuya uttered, seeing Kohaku frowned at him--it's not Byakuya's fault nor his friends' fault for not knowing that; it was that bastard who has done such awful acts to him. "Why didn't you tell anyone about this?" Byakuya asked him, frowning at him. "I would have helped you."

"I tried to tell them," Kohaku explained, letting his head back against the headboard of the sofa, giving himself up to his feelings as he take off his glasses and wiping his tears. "But, I couldn't... what if they don't believe me? Besides, I can't even believe that such thing happened in my life. And, it seems those goons are his students. They are guys... I was shocked like... why are they taking advantage of their position like that?!" he spat, his breathing hitched from this, then he cried in sorrow, before Byakuya put his hand on his shoulder to give him comfort as a way to express his silent condolence. "I didn't tell my dad about this, because I don't want him to get worried sick about me..."

Byakuya stared at him, feeling overwhelmed with guilt on what happened to his best friend--he frowned when he heard that Kohaku is being raped, it was horrible--and the worst part of it all was that he couldn't do anything against it--because there was no way for him to beat the older man who was a foreign lecturer. "Kohaku..." he muttered. "Are you alright now?" Byakuya asked him, worried about what happened.

Kohaku smiled weakly at Byakuya's concerned expression, his eyes were filled with trauma and pain--it's obvious that this experience made him traumatized. However, he knows that Byakuya's concern for him meant a lot for him to be able to recover faster. "Yes, Byakuya... though... I haven't recovered fully from that."

Byakuya wrapped his arms around Kohaku's shoulders, holding him tight against him. "I'm really, really sorry," he mumbled into Kohaku's hair, trying his best to comfort him. "I'm sorry I can't help you."

Kohaku was surprised, but he accepted Byakuya's embrace and hugged him back, relaxing his muscles. "Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong," he said, feeling a bit warm and smile came across his lips again. His friends came to his house and they became horrified at what happened to him, and at the same time, very angry. "Why didn't you tell us from the beginning?" Andrew asked, while the others were trying their best to make sure he's not alone.

He grew tired of questions like 'why didn't you call the police' or 'why didn't you tell your professor' or 'why didn't you defend yourself' so instead of wasting energy with this, he refuse to answer them because it sounds like they were blaming him. Kohaku decided not to say a word to anyone, because he still felt guilty and scared to make his friends get involved in trouble. He had been feeling broken for months, unable to speak at all.

Kohaku always ignored those questions as much as possible, making him felt like that he didn't deserve their friendship and trying to find solutions to help him. "Guys, stop asking those questions!" Shania warned the others sternly, still it did not work, almost making Kohaku angry and upset at the same time as he put a stoic and serious expression. "The question has been said many times! Can't you leave me alone now? You know, I don't feel comfortable answering those stupid questions," said Kohaku as they all except Byakuya stepped back. "You won't believe me even if I tell you guys about it."

He can feel that he's shivering when he said this, but Byakuya gave his permission as he nodded in understanding. The whole group was perplexed, staring at him with various emotions--first the shock... then the sympathy and pity. All these mixed emotions are not helping Kohaku, it made him feel like he could've stopped those guys from hurting him and his rapists were monsters without mercy. The thought made him tremble, the memories of that day flash before his eyes--and it was difficult to recall it after. But... Byakuya seems to be understanding, and he was happy.

"We have your back, dude. We understand, no questions needed. And, we won't blame you for not fighting back."

Julian stated, trying to reassure him that. Kohaku trembled a little--he looked really vulnerable, for reasons Byakuya didn't dare to think about. Kohaku began to feel so useless, weak, and inferior in front of everyone--even in front of Byakuya. The male's whole body shivered at the thought of that, with tears slowly gathering at his eyes again, while they noticed his glassy red eyes--as if they were a pair of lava lamps. "I need to meet Professor Hokuri, now..."

***

Kohaku can't even count how long he hasn't slept for five days during his absence, but now that he's finally back from the hospital, he needs to rest for a few hours first before he will attend any class--even as a class monitor himself. Professor Hokuri has been looking at Kohaku several times just by glances, he was worried that he didn't open up about his condition in the hospital. It didn't help that many of the students keep whispering shit about the incident that occurred earlier. Even when he was supposed to teach, his hands that holds the book was now trembling. "Can all of you stop talking shit about it? We're in the middle of teaching! Pay attention, why can't you?" Professor Hokuri snapped at the students who become startled of his outburst, he even heard one of them saying 'that's how a class monitor act right now'.

'Seriously, what are you--an alpha male?' the professor thought, referring to the people who mocked him. He didn't even dare to do such ridiculous things like that--himself. Not even during his young self is he acting like a total asshole--though, there's still a bit of his jerk attitude. "Kohaku, let's have a private talk," he started, which made Kohaku nodded--thankfully there was a lunch break today since their classes will resume after their lunch break. "What happened inside the seminar room is quite disturbing to hear..." Hokuri said softly, looking at Kohaku with worry in his eyes.

Kohaku swallowed hard at Hokuri's concerned expression, he doesn't want to disappoint his mentor--but he know his mentor actually worried about him. "Well, let's just say I have my own share of suffering due to that incident," he said sadly, before he sighed in frustration at himself for allowing this to happen to him. "It's not your fault, Kohaku," Professor Hokuri told him, patting on his shoulder. "I just wish you tell me sooner so I can assist you in dealing with this matter."

"No, I'm grateful that you're concerned for me and my well-being..." Kohaku replied weakly, feeling guilty and sad at the same time. "But I can't bring this burden to you and your staff because if I did that, then it might affect the reputation of our university, which means we won't be able to attract international students as well."

"Do you think that what he did to you is acceptable?" Hokuri asked him, narrowing his eyes once more as he sees how pale Kohaku is right now. "No! It's not okay!" Kohaku said sharply, standing up from his chair and glaring at Professor Hokuri. "I can't even sleep after that... I'm not used to it! Why did that bastard do this thing to me!?" Kohaku shouted, tears falling down from his eyes as he sat down again. "I just want to refuse his offer... but he insisted!" he ranted, before he whimpered in tears.

Kohaku was just crying uncontrollably not because of guilt, but because he was in pain due to the trauma inflicted upon him by that bastard professor He sobbed in pain, before he curled up to a fetal position and cried into his lap as he hid his face inside his knees--tears streaming down from his eyes. "Please don't remove me from being your lab assistant, I've worked hard to get near your presence and learn from your research--"

"I won't remove you from being part of my research team or my lab assistant."

Professor Hokuri said, patting his back to comfort him--he grew angrier when that bastard touched his lab assistant without permission. "Besides, you already owe me a favor by helping out my research team in conducting experiments and working with students in my laboratory; so please don't consider me as your enemy. I know I've been terrible to you and your best friend Byakuya, but still, I never intended to hurt you in any way." Hokuri said, holding his back to comfort him as he felt how hot his forehead is from the sweat dripping down from him. "I'm scared... what if he will sue me...?" Kohaku whispered, trembling violently due to fear from that thought.

"Don't be," Hokuri reassured him. "He can't do that if you don't report anything about it. The reason why we have to protect our students from sexual abuse, it's because there are people who will take advantage of the situation. I must talk to the head of the study program about this, so if he tries to take action against us, he'll be in deep trouble."

"Thank you..." Kohaku said weakly, nodding his head in agreement with Hokuri's statement. "I'm so sorry for causing you this much headache..."

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" Hokuri said softly as he looked at Kohaku worriedly. "If you didn't like the idea of being part of my laboratory research team and student assistant then just say so--don't make it seem like you can't stand what we were doing. If you want to speak up your opinion, then go ahead and do so. I'm open to listening to any ideas from you."

"I'm just tired..." Kohaku said softly. "I'm just so scared of what happened. I can't even move or think properly because of the pain inside my crotch. Fuck, I feel like I'm not even a man anymore after what he did to me... I'm just pathetic! And it feels worse because I'm a man!" he sobbed loudly as tears kept coming down from his eyes.

"It's alright, Kohaku."

Professor Hokuri reassured him, watching Kohaku lifted his head up from his lap. "Remember, a victim of rape is also a victim of abuse. Don't feel ashamed and don't blame yourself for something that isn't your fault. I'm sure you've heard that many times before already, right? Even I said that to myself when I was abused by my previous lecturer, and I hated that cycle that still happened until now. I still don't understand why and how this could happen, but all I can tell you right now is that you are not alone. I'm here for you, even your best friend Byakuya also siding with you," Professor Hokuri held Kohaku's hands, looking at him. "Let us help you recover from this."

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

Kohaku felt relieved, even if he still struggling from his traumatic pain.

***

Kohaku was given a break as he was in his mansion, he noticed that his father came here as he was resting on his couch in the living room. He could hear him rushing through the door, opening it as he was panting heavily--before he look back at his son. Kahayana Sahilendra Tirta; the Indonesian head of department and widowed father of Kohaku rushed to hug him, making him flinched a little that he found out about the assault case. He look like he's in his late twenties--it was unnatural for him to look this young despite his age. His father has similar messy dark auburn hair, magenta-purple eyes and fair complexion like his son Kohaku--the only difference is that he doesn't wear glasses like Kohaku and very tall, at least six feet five inches and he wears an official uniform.

His father looks young and 'taught him all the things a father should teach his son', he didn't have any relationship problems or family problems for the past years, so Kohaku don't have any grudge towards his father. "Kayana... are you okay?" Kahayana asked, before he saw his son's face became a bit pale and he frowned. "It looks like you've been skipping meals, are you eating enough?" he worriedly ask him, referring to his hunger and health.

"You got an infection?"

Kohaku began to cry because his dad didn't want to believe anything. He just cried and hugged his father back, and felt a bit better as he kept listening to his heartbeat--soothing his feelings at ease. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Dad... I'll tell you everything I can..." Kohaku said weakly, his voice cracked as he keep sobbing and whimpering into his chest. "What happened?" Kahayana asked his son, stroking his messy hair gently as he hummed in comfort when his son didn't say anything, and continued to sob. "Please, Kayana... just tell me what happened, so that I can help you."

So, he told him everything.

"He did what?" Kahayana gasped in horror, glaring at Kohaku. "That fucking bastard, I can't believe this bastard hit my son! Did he touch you in the private part?" his son could see flames from his eyes as his father glared at him and he nodded, tearing up as the painful memories of the incident came to his mind, feeling disgusted on himself. "Yeah... dad... he really touched it. He touched it, making me so disgusted and scared. I don't know what I was supposed to do--I couldn't escape, or else he will kill me for sure. I mean, I'm a man, so he did that to scare me when I refuse his 'offer'... probably? I just don't understand--all I know is that this happened to me without a warning. How should I feel?"

Although his father is wealthy, Kohaku didn't want to pressure his father about his 'lost' money or anything. For his father, work is important and in his off days, he doesn't seem to care much about anything except playing games. This isn't what he thought a normal parent would do. But, he was wrong--most parents are always worried about their children and would do anything to make their child happy even if it means giving up their own lives just for their happiness. "No, I will not let you do that. I don't want to lose you like mom, and I am not going to allow you to be someone's slave," Kahayana said angrily, making him stiffen up before he softened. "I'll deal with him, I have connections with the police after all. That guy probably got his documents forged."

Meanwhile...

Professor Rihan was smoking his cigarette when he was in the park, not caring if he is getting tired for blowing smoke and his lungs are really burning like hell. He stared blankly into the air before he saw the smoke around him, noticing that he was inside his car while his girlfriend Sarah is seating beside him. Then, his eyes widened to see some police officers surrounding his car before they opened the door. "Rihan Pratama, please come with us!" said one of the cops, slamming the door open to grab him by the arm. He yelled and shouted, cursing at the police as he struggled to get away from the men who are forcing him to leave. "Get the fuck off of me, let go of me! What are you doing?!"

His girlfriend was even more shocked--especially that this never happened to her boyfriend before. His eyes widened to see Kohaku's father is here, he didn't expect he found him here. "What the...?! You told me to come with you?! I don't know what you're talking about!" he protested, though he was calm. "We're taking you to the police station for interrogation," said one of the other officers. "My father is a police, don't you dare mess with me asshole!"

Professor Rihan snapped at Kahayana, but he smirked. "Hah, I have connections with the police too--besides I decided to cooperate with my son's campus and some victims of your crimes. What rank that your father has, huh? No difference. Unless you're gonna say that his rank is low compared to me, you're way off the mark. Besides, he has an idea on how to deal with you," he sneered, causing his mouth to drop as he immediately recognized that person's face when his glasses glinted.

Earlier before he find out, Kahayana went to Warmadewata University out of anger when he was accompanied by Byakuya so he can talk to the dean of the university to know what's the background of Rihan Pratama before he was hired here and they learnt that he was an Indonesian lecturer who has previous cases with students. Turns out, his father covered up his crime and this man also has 'backups' from his father. Well fuck, this is police versus police and the background of the lecturers is connected with it.

The Dean is furious as she lost her calm composure, wanting to just drag that lecturer out of the university to be sent to the prison he belonged. Professor Hokuri was relieved that Kohaku's father has connection with high-ranking Indonesian policemen and he stood beside Byakuya to cross his arms, also agreeing with the plan as he knew that man is getting on his nerves. This has made Byakuya angry once again, his blood was boiling with rage as he cursed under his breath--luckily, he didn't do anything embarrassing as he clenched his fist but his feelings was different from his professor's.

When the police brought him down in chains, making him walk in shame while he was glaring at Byakuya and Professor Hokuri in furry with a psychotic smile. "YOU... I WON'T FORGET YOU ALL FOR THIS. I'LL MAKE YOU PAY IN THE END, I'M GOING TO MAKE YOUR LIFE MORE HELL THAN HELL ITSELF!"

The court trial was set in closed session because of Kohaku's wishes and the victims, turns out his victims were also female are also coming to testify. Kohaku was thinking on how to repay his father for his help, while he's eating a bowl of cereal as a starter for his dinner. He wondered how is the case went well and the post mortem results also showed to the police on the footage, the other students also the witness and actually afraid to speak up due to fear. They realized that because they could do worse than torture a student, without getting punished for any of their crimes.

When he sat down in front of the judge, he refuse to look at his perpetrator who keep staring at him in hatred. "Kayana Sahanaya Tirta, can you explain the chronology of the incident?" the judge asked, before Kohaku hold the microphone on his hand and explained. "It was at night... I was looking for something in the lab, that man suddenly appeared and offered me to be part of his so-called laboratory investigation team. But I declined due to my responsibilities, I was about to leave when he grabbed my arm and I tried to defend myself... then his henchmen knocked me out and put a cloth with sedative on my mouth and covered my nose, causing me to faint," he continued to explain what happened afterwards--how Rihan raped him by force and how his clothes were torn to reveal his body.

The judge found this very serious and said that the sentence would depend on the judges' decisions. "Then... all I remember is that... I'm horribly injured, I got pissed on my entire body and my lower back got stabbed with something dull and I can't stand for minutes... I also... they covered my eyes so that I can't identify them... my mouth is bleeding, I couldn't scream for help due to my pained throat and my shoulders keep getting pulled, I had to close my eyes and didn't dare to open them... I wasn't fully conscious because the sedative is still effective even after waking up from my unconscious state."

He remember that felt weak and that he barely registered the searing pain and he struggled to focus--everything was hazy, almost dream-like. The judge nodded as he was listening and took notes on everything he said and when he had nothing more to say, he looked up and glanced at other victims who keep their heads down. All of his victims testified and admitted about the truth, including the culprit. The judge wasn't surprised at all, but the photos of injuries those victims had to endure for a very long time... it was graphic.

The female victim named Tara, an Indonesian female college student took her turn to speak up--while Kohaku listens to her story with a shocked expression. Rihan ordered his 'henchmen' who were his students and colleagues in the university to... sexually assault her three months ago. She was raped multiple times by Rihan's students in the laboratory room and her body was full of bruises and bleeding. She was one of the victims--but she never reported it because the fear of the professor started to build, until Kohaku's father came to report it.

After listening to the evidences that the judge told her, she broke down crying as the trauma kept flashing to her mind--she know that he hates Kohaku because Kohaku kept rejecting his offer to be part of his investigation, as well as the students he wanted to sexually assault and thought Kohaku will stop them--they became his punching bag to him as well.

"YES! HE TORTURED US FOR NOT 'SUBMITTING' HIS OFFER, HE DIDN'T STOP DURING THE PROCESS IF I WAS CRYING AND SCREAMING IN PAIN! HE GAVE ME PILLS AND DRUGS TO DEPRIVE ME FROM MOVING BUT MY MIND IS STILL AWAKE!" she cried in despair.

The air went intense that his seven victims were revealed to be raped by the culprit one by one, after he forced them to make a contract with him; so he can 'teach' them to study whatever the hell it is, including a condition to sexual his male victim of course for the female victims only--so that he can get revenge on them for rejecting him. Kohaku sympathize her, seeing he was shocked by the whole information and thought why he couldn't save her. Rihan was just laughing coldly and cruelly at Kohaku's guilty expression, it seems he didn't care if anyone else in the courtroom is disturbed by him. Other five victims began to speak up, it has the same pattern like what they committed to their victims.

Including the one Kohaku talked about and some graphic details on how they suffered at his hands--they didn't want to repeat all the horrible experiences in court today and they had all agreed to confirm to the judges that these had happened to him. 'Please... just please punish them as severely as possible...' he thought, seeing that same evil grin his perpetrator gave while he waited for the judge to sentence him to guilty and how his 'goons' will be joined in being convicted. 'Make him be on the death row and rot in hell after that, so he wouldn't hurt anyone anymore!'

As they waited for the verdict for the next week, the chief judge already discussed with the judges below him--the crime is too outrageous and so they could not tolerate them any longer. While the defense attorneys try to figure out a way to negotiate with their clients, the one who they chose as a lawyer is absolutely horrible, especially when he can barely put up a better argument than his own client for them to tell the judge that they should give them leniency like... what the actual fuck, dude? Are you protecting those people on purpose? Oh right, they're lawyers after all. He made mistakes, this is his own faults--that should have been used as a way to convince them? It's getting obvious that they were trying to save their clients and no doubt were responsible for the cover-up of crimes.

"Rihan Pratama, you will be sentenced to capital punishment, one month of probation for forcibly administering pharmaceutical products illegally, drugging the victims, and also sexually assaulting your students and co-workers as per court order with... death sentence due to perversions and for rape of three male victims as well as four females. The same goes for the others who joined you in the conspiracy to torment the victims, with lifetime imprisonment for aiding and abetting him. These were not crimes that should have to do with what he had done, let alone the possibility to pay for what he had done--justice will soon be served."

Kohaku was wide-eyed at the result, to think that the judge will actually sentence them to death? And he also should be grateful for the authorities spared his classmates and fellow colleagues from the punishment--only to share the sentence with him, he couldn't express himself in any other way for knowing they get away scot free. "Kayana, thank you..." one of the victims thanked him, even if their mental scars will not heal so easily--he did what's the right thing.

A part of him knew that it was wrong, but he couldn't help but feel good. A bigger part of him felt revolted and dirty--this feeling had to end, this punishment had to be done. "You're welcome, but... you can thank my father and my friends from the university."

His heart is satisfied with what he did for their sake, and it was for the best--he thought.

Maybe now, it is finally time to fix the broken pieces of him. But, he couldn't move on due to this...

Few weeks later...

Kohaku was taking his trauma therapy session in the morning of the next day, during the one month semester break. His body felt numb because of all the pain he endured the day before but by being with Byakuya, his body felt warm again--even though Byakuya and his other friends were always there to support and comfort him--he was surprised that Byakuya knew what kind of trauma that he has--he was happy that he didn't judge him but understanding how he felt. It took the whole day for the therapy to end until he went to his own residence, he lived alone after his butler informed him that he'll be away in a month so he didn't mind.

Kohaku was told by his supervisor from the campus that he should get some break when the five days semester break started, so he does what she told him to do and takes a week long vacation from the campus--he didn't need it anyway and Byakuya also agreed with her decision since he didn't want Kohaku to suffer again from the trauma that Professor Rihan caused him. But he wasn't in the mood of leaving Bali, so he just remained inside his mansion to take a breather for the rest of his vacation time. The lecturers was having a meeting with other deans and rector, discussing about Professor Rihan's case and possible plans they will do if they really have to face that bastard later on. So, they decided to fire him.

So now, Kohaku was sitting in his living room with his feet on his soft chair as he leaned back and stare at the ceiling. He sighed in relief, he finally has a chance to regain his peace of mind again. His supervisor called him to inform him that his therapy sessions for the week are cancelled. She apologized for canceling her appointment and she also asked him if he needed anything else or maybe a special arrangement--which was why Kohaku stayed inside his mansion--but Kohaku said it was fine that he was recovering well already. His supervisor thanked him for the courtesy but she didn't bother him anymore after that.

"If there is anything you need, please feel free to call me or contact me outside campus hours, okay? You can come to the campus if you still want to do your therapy but you won't need it anymore once this week is over."

When she said that, Kohaku thought about how much she cares for him after that lecturer's position also got fired from his work. She was concerned enough to ask him if he needed something from her--but she didn't say it out loud because she was aware that he wouldn't want to talk about it; even as a master degree's student. He thanked her profusely for everything. "Are you okay, Kayana?" his father asked, seeing his son looking worried as always. "Please... don't force yourself, if you have bad feelings inside your heart--don't hesitate to spill it out."

Kohaku glanced at him, before he nodded. "I'm fine, the therapy went well... I was surprised about the discovery too in that case. Well, that ex-lecturer really put a foreign object which is sharp enough to hurt me... I wonder what is that, it's not even a dick..." he said, still wondering about that object. Kahayana wondered what to put inside that object, then he realized he know who is the reason of it because he heard the news after the trial.

Meanwhile, his classmates came to his place to comfort him and the victim's family met up with them too, mostly because of his father involvement in sending that bastard into death sentence. "Kayana, right? Thank you very much for making that lecturer face with his true colour and putting him in hell," his classmate offered him a handshake, which was accepted. He managed to give a smile, though Kohaku wanted to act as if nothing happened--but he realized that he shouldn't hide everything from the people who cared about him the most. After that, Byakuya also took a visit by giving him some goods--Julian, Andrew, Juan and Shania also visiting him with Kyoran and Misuzu from international class where he studied.

Still, there's a part of him that wanted nothing more than to be left alone. The last thing he needed was to be treated like a freak--he didn't even know if the trauma would ever go away. He just wanted move on and be strong like he used to, but... maybe he will heal with time. Or maybe he'll spend the rest of his life alone for a while, only able to laugh when he's around his friends and family--which is why he wanted to stay away from them. "So, is it true that ex-lecturer's father is a police?" Kohaku asked, before he added. "Also, how was the reconstruction of the crime scene? Did something happened?"

"Correct, his father is a police but his rank is much lower than the friend of your father. We had a bit of difficulty going through the documents of evidence when the lab guys conducted DNA sampling, but luckily they didn't mess up. Not only that, the reconstruction keeps getting interrupted--like you know... obstruction of justice. But they weren't really good, they still failed because a group of protestors kept bugging the judge to reconsider his sentence, since the dad is a member of the police. What was funny is that... this is police versus police at first sight. But when the video evidence went viral, including the autopsy results... not gonna lie, the media and gossip community is at its finest when we're discussing about that incident. They can't even keep it under control," Julian clarified to him. "How much did your father spend on the case? Is it..."

"Uhh... since my dad has police friends, they don't really cost as much. All I know is that both of them... did favors just to avoid obstacles, but it's hard to know the price for what my dad did," Kohaku explained, adding that his father won't tell him how many rupiah he spent on him. But, judging from his close friendship with them... it seems like they really owe something to each other. "I see... well, they're close friends, so I guess that makes sense."

Professor Hokuri also invited to his mansion, while he was sipping his cup of tea. "I didn't know your father is a head of department in state civil service, how rich is he really?" he asked, looking curiously at his intern. "Can I say the digit number?" he mouthed, while his professor chuckled with him. "Just give it a hint," he said, Kohaku glanced at his father who was eyeing on him like a hawk while he's making a lemon tea for them. "Five to six digits," he whispered to him. Hokuri's eyes widened as he gasped in awe, how rich is he?! Damn, his father probably has a lot of connections and he wonder how close his father was with the Indonesian National Police. "He also working in state-owned enterprise that focused in medical training and its development that aimed for the benefits of the people's welfare, that's why he's busy as fuck."

"Wait, if Professor Rihan's father is a police... he's in his forties right? His father should be retiring long time ago," Hokuri deducted, while he keep wondering what's the connection he made. "Oh right, my bad--he retired but he also has connections so technically he's doing background checks to bring him into justice. Besides, most people respect him due to his long and successful career in leading his subordinates to solve the case... that is, until this shit happens. But, you're lucky that he's retired or else the court case is going to be fucked up."

Kahayana stated, as the guest tried to understand the picture he just drawn. Hokuri also felt glad that Kahayana came to their university, he thought Indonesian civil servants has 'bad vibes' from what he heard from his friends--but not all of them are bad though. "Wow... your father must be a very admirable figure then, I never expected someone like him would be doing such things," he smiled, thanking Kahayana on his arrival who served their drinks. "No need to be formal, Prof."

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