The Name That Won't Be Forgotten

Evening training always felt heavier than the morning. Not because of the weights—those never scared her—but because of the silence.
Each punch against the bag echoed in the small room. Sweat dripped down her arms, her breath sharp and steady.

"Stronger. I have to be stronger."

Then, her phone buzzed.

Shiromi paused, frowning. No one ever texted her. She picked it up and saw a notification from the newly created school group chat:

「Kurokawa Hayato added to the group chat.」

Her blood ran cold.

"Kurokawa..."

She hadn’t heard that name in two years, but it was carved into her memory like a scar.

That was the surname of the man who slaughtered her family. Memory from the past played back in her mind again. Even she's hurt badly but she could still hear clearly on off the man that killed her family members talked to the phone.

 "Mr Kurokawa, it's done. Remember to pay us."

Her fist tightened around her phone until the plastic creaked. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Hayato… is his son. No... I don't believe this! This can't be the truth! It must be a coincidence! I must investigate!

She sat down on the floor, staring at the wall, her heart pounding like it was trying to escape her chest. She thought she’d been ready for this. She’d trained her body, hardened her resolve—but none of it stopped the tremor in her hands.
"Focus. Remember why you’re here."

Her gaze shifted to the photo on her desk: her parents, her little brother, smiling under the summer sun. She touched the frame lightly.

 “I’ll make him pay,” she whispered. Her voice was like steel. “I swear it.”

                                                                            But the image of Hayato’s warm, clueless smile wouldn’t leave her mind.

 And for the first time since the tragedy… Shiromi hesitated.
Because if she killed him… would that smile disappear forever?