"Senji... Will life ever return to normal?"

"I'm sure it will, Ayame."

"Will... I be vilified in the papers and reports? Resented by the people of this town? Is my life here over?"

"I look at it as... Well, being painted as a tragedy."

"A... Tragedy?"

"Listen to me. Life... Life will never be the same after what happened. You're banned from the school. No place will hire you for a part-time job. The public may see you as a victim in your own way... But it's not simple to reintegrate into normalcy even if you're cleansed of what was plaguing you."

"So... It really is over..."

A few tears shed down Ayame's cheeks. She rested her head against Senji's chest. The sound of his heartbeat pulsating in her ears.

"It's not over. My mother will home school you for now on. And once we're both done with school... Let's leave this place. Everyone else will go their own separate ways. We should too..."

"Are... You sure? But your friends..."

"We'll all stay in touch. Besides, there's still senior year left. I'm sure they'll want to see you again too."

"Even after... All I've done? I was a murderer... A creature consumed by blood-lust..."

"I believe in your rehabilitation. You're not that monster anymore. Society may not accept that stain on your permanent record... But they still worried for you. Besides... Leaving this town will give us a new chance to start over."

"I..I quite like that idea... Senji."

Ayame and Senji kissed deeply. With Hinaka out of the house, the two grew more eager to reconnect on a much more intimate level. They slowly stripped down out of their clothes and began to make love on the bed. They locked hands together, savoring every moment of raw, physical contact. Nearly an hour would pass by the time they had finished up. Sweat drenching their bodies, they decided to clean up in the shower before Hinaka would soon arrive back home.

Kaito sat at the kitchen table with his arms crossed and a glass of soda in front of him. The front door opened up. In walked a gruff, balding man with a messy goatee and sullen deep brown eyes. He went to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of whiskey before joining Kaito at the table to face him. He took a swig of the alcohol, ice cubes clinking within the glass.

"So... You're actually serious about this shit?" The man asked.

Kaito simply nodded. His expression was firm and determined.

"Yes and I don't give a damn what you think Arata. As soon as I'm finished with school, I'm out of this fucking house." Kaito sneered.

"To move halfway across the damn country for some apprenticeship? What a waste. You should be getting a real fucking job here in town instead of staying inside or going out with your damn friends-"

"Shut... The... Hell... Up!!!"

Arata's eyes opened wide, reeling in his chair after Kaito raised his voice as high as he's ever heard it go.

"I've put up with enough of your shit all these years after mother passed away! I finally have an opportunity to enter a real career field and all you're going to do is tear down my dreams and ideals! No! I'm not having it! I... Am not having it, Arata. I don't give a shit about what you think of me. I haven't for a long time. Your lame nine-to-five job may do enough for you in keeping this roof over our heads and food on the table... But I'm not letting this chance go to waste. Go ahead and berate my choice all you want... I'm done, you pathetic excuse for a father. Now leave me alone."

Kaito took a deep breath and stood up to begin storming off towards his bedroom when Arata's voice called out;

"Hey! Wait!"

Kaito stopped in his tracks. He turned around to see Arata standing up with a hand extended.

"What?"

"You're right."

"H-huh?"

Arata took a glance at the glass of whiskey on the table. Shaking his head, he picked it up and threw it over into the kitchen, smashing the glass into pieces. He looked back to Kaito.

"I am pathetic. I toil the days away at work, slowly kill myself with these chronic addictions, and never pay enough attention to the good things you do. Instead I just... Lose my shit. Over what? I should be proud of you not... Not shutting you down. What is wrong with me??"

Arata sat back down, planting his face into his palms. Kaito sighed. He returned to the table and looked down at Arata.

"A lot... A lot is wrong with you. But I'm no saint either. I barely kept my grades up right until recently and it took a series of murders to wake me the hell up and start giving a shit about my own life. The fact I even managed to impress Katashi enough that he'd take me on as an apprentice... Was just dumb luck."

Arata looked up at Kaito, reaching a hand out and grabbing him by the wrist. His eyes were big as if he was about to sob but was fighting back.

"You must go. Take that apprenticeship. Get the hell out of this town. I may be stuck in a perpetually endless loop... But you're not. You have the potential and a future career secured. Do your mother proud, okay? I... I'll try to stop drinking so much. Make your last stretch here bearable before you leave. No promises but... I'll try."

Kaito managed a smile. He nodded.

"Of course. And... Thank you. You sober the fuck up and maybe I'll actually be willing to spend time with you."

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

"Understood."

Arata let go of Kaito's wrist. Kaito gave a single thumbs up before leaving for his room. Arata looked back over his shoulder to the shattered glass and spilled whiskey on the kitchen floor. He shook his head.

A few days had passed. The expedition to the water park would soon be underway. The group was meeting up at the town park on this warm summer day to talk and finalize preparations. Kaito, Aoi, Daiki, Kanako and Yunaka had all gathered and were waiting for Senji. They all stood inside a pavilion to be out of the beaming sunlight.

"So Monday we're going, right? That way it's not as crowded as it would be on the weekends." Daiki asked.

"Statistically speaking, yes. But we should still expect quite a massive gathering as I'm sure there are plenty of families or groups of friends that are likely to be there anyway." Aoi replied.

"Got it. My mom is totally cool with taking us anyway. She's got the big van so we can all fit in there. You sure Emiko isn't going to surprise us with a visit, Kaito?"

Kaito was leaning against the rails next to Yunaka. The two turned around simultaneously in response to Daiki's question.

"She better not or I'll punt that bitch to the moon." Yunaka sneered.

"Relax. I never told her when we were going." Kaito said. "So no need to worry about her. Besides after dealing with her the entire school year my mind needs a break from her."

Kanako and Daiki snickered.

"That aside... I never expected you to be coming along, Yunaka. Thought you'd just be with your little pack of wolves the entire summer." Kanako said with a smug grin.

"Oh shut it four-eyes." Yunaka snapped. "I'm only going because Kaito here invited me."

"I totally knew there was a thing going on between you two. I'm surprised you managed to snag your jaws around him. I was convinced he was just not into dating at all."

"We're not- Ugh. You're sharper then you look I swear..."

Aoi and Daiki glanced to each other with grins on their faces.

Two figures were approaching the pavilion. The group all took notice to see who was coming their way and they were all speechless. Walking hand-in-hand were Senji and Ayame. They stopped at the bottom of the steps. Senji scratched the back of his head.

"Hey... Guys." He said.

Exhausting his lungs from speaking, Senji had taken the time to fully explain what happened from the time between meeting Ayame in front of his house to visiting the Sakamoto Institution to finalize her release and officially moving into their house. He even revealed the reports written about her with Ayame's approval. She just rubbed her shoulder anxiously.

"So... Here I am." She finally spoke since arriving at the pavilion.

The others were all in quite the state of shock, unsure how to process all of that information they had received. Kaito coughed to clear his throat and break the ice;

"I-I see..." He stammered. "... I guess, you never seemed to have a problem with any of us. Even if Senji can trust you... I'm not sure any of us can just yet. If what you said is really true Senji, then I suppose we could give her a chance."

"Fuck me. I can't even imagine... What you must've gone through." Yunaka chimed in.

Everyone's attention darted to her.

"What?! L-look I know I should be deathly afraid of you and maybe want to just kick you the hell out of here, Ayame. But... But after hearing what your boyfriend here said... I can't help but feel pity. And... I'm sorry. Sorry that I talked shit behind your back for so long. My dumbass didn't even think about your feelings. I-I just wrote you off as some lonely, anti-social freak. To be honest... Once girls started going missing and ending up killed by your hands... I started keeping my mouth shut. I was afraid that anyone I had insulted or hurt... Might have ended up being the next victim. You weren't in control of your urges and I-I must've played a hand in making you distrust people. So once again, I'm sorry."

Ayame nodded her head and smiled.

"I accept... Your apology. And I'm sorry... For almost taking your life in the bathroom that one day."

"S-so you were coming for me..."

"Had Senji not called for me... You'd be dead. Without him I... I don't think I'd even be here. But... I'm changed now. The urges, they're no more. And... I'm happy you're still alive at least."

"Well uh... T-thank you."

Senji looked around to everyone. They all still seemed anxious but relieved to see them together.

"Thanks, everyone. For even allowing her to be here. I promise... She's going to be living a new life from here onward. I think some time away from this place could be just what she needs.Life certainly won't be the same..."

The air around everyone remained heavy even after changing the conversation. Ayame knew deep down she needed to earn everyone's trust after everything she had done. Even if she couldn't properly make amends for those whose lives she had taken, she had been given a second chance and a fresh new start at life going forward. Senji would remain by her side to help her get through the struggles of adapting to life with a clear head free of any demons haunting her psyche.

Members of the Nakamura community had all gathered inside the community center nuzzled in-between the suburbs and downtown. Dozens of parents, young couples and individuals were chattering amongst themselves. Over a hundred people. An older gentleman with stylish shorter black-greying hair and goatee approached the podium to face the crowd. He wore black dress shoes with a black business suit and thick gold-rimmed glasses. A silver-chained opal cross necklace draped around his neck. Everyone went silent once he stepped up.

"Ahem. I understand there is much discourse within the community regarding the recent release of one Ayame Chisato from our famed institution. It's been some time since the murders ended and I thought it appropriate to, how do you say... Clear the air? Something like that? Anyway I... Think it's time to seek closure. To bite the bullet on this scenario. Yes, I know many wish that young lady was locked up in juvenile for years to serve justice. But think about what our report detailed. That girl. Ayame... Would have only suffered worse behind bars. Perhaps taken her own life. Common criminals who's sole purpose to sow discord belong in prison. Ayame is not one of those. She was a tortured soul corrupted by a terrible demon that had manifested from years of trauma, abuse, and estrangement. This demon had manifested in the worst way possible... By manipulating her into committing atrocities with no remorse. Oh she had remorse alright in the end. She cried for those victims. Cried for her partner whom she was separated from. My good people of Nakuamura... Ayame was a monster but not of her own making. By studying her and walking her through a strenuous recovery process... Not only did we manage to help her overcome those sinister urges but we also have full reports and new information regarding the mental psyche of children. Should she not be given a new leash on life now? To finally live like a normal teenage girl not bound to the voice inside her head? We... Cannot bring back the fallen. I understand if those who were parents of victims may still not forgive her. But please, find it in your hearts to move on and live your lives. It will be difficult... But not letting go will only continue to bring misery. We all must move on... And remember those we lost. May they live on forever in our hearts..."

The room erupted in claps and cheers. Many of the people in the crowd had tears streaking down their cheeks. Some were weeping. Others were smiling with optimism. The man politely took a bow and cupped his hands together.

"May this be a lesson to all of us... Do not neglect or mistreat your children. They can be unpredictable. And the youth are our future. Punish them when deserved. But always make sure they know how much you love and care for them. Thank you, citizens of Nakamura, for your time. This is Jinzo Sakamoto... And I wish you all a blessed evening."

Sakamoto turned heel and headed for the doors while the leader of the commune returned to the podium to close out the session and see everyone out. Sakamoto got into the backseat of his luxury sedan. The chauffeur peered behind his shoulder to meet Sakamoto's eyes.

"How was it, sir? Shall we head on home?" He asked.

"Wonderful. I'm glad I was able to help these fine people out after such a dark period of time. Go ahead and take us on home." Sakamoto replied.

The sedan backed out to leave the parking lot and head for one of the roads leading out of Nakamura.