October 5th

"DreamLink Corporation" *type*

I typed these words in the Goggle search on my laptop, hoping to find results related to the designated company. But...

"No luck huh" I sighed

'DLC, DreamLink, Remembering our dreams, Control our actions.' I searched for various alternative terms to find any connection between them. Each search yielded an average of 55,10,00,000 results. Even I know that It would be impossible to check every single result, so I decided to focus on the first 10 pages for each search. The first few pages usually contain the most accurate information, and since each page has approximately 10 sites, I need to check around 100 sites per search to find some leads. That means, If I search 100 terms I need to check 10,000 sites to increase my chances, I know it will take a lot of time. But I need to cough up that thought, however, as I expected, nothing showed up about the company, But that didn't mean I was going to give up. Fortunately, I have the company logo from the email. I took a screenshot and scanned it using Goggle Lens on my mobile device. But...

"Tch, Why? " I clicked my tongue in frustration

It didn't work either.

I have been searching for the whole time since I came home, but I haven't found any information about the company or its logo. They even don't have any social media handles like zwitter, finsta, handbook. They are so good at concealing their details. There is absolutely no information available about them on the internet, which proves that they don't want the public to know about their experiment not to mention other companies too. It also suggests how careful they are in safeguarding their project. Well either way it just raises my suspicions, Now It's clear that they are not a official organization.

"Why are you so overthinking about this?"

Do you seriously askIng me? I really wish that I was just overthinking here, but Kurogane's threat was the real deal. His expression and way of talking, everything seemed genuine. He meant it when he said he would harm my family. If what he told me is true, there must be a group of people watching over my family, ready to attack if I make any suspicious moves here. That's why I'm being extremely cautious about this experiment. There's no telling what they are planning when they are forcing the participants to join by going to such lengths as harming their families.

[Beep- 1:00 am]

"It's already that late? "

I was still wearing my school uniform and hadn't realized that I hadn't even changed my attire since coming home, not to mention I hadn't eaten anything. Well, it's fine. That's all for today, I guess. Again tomorrow-

I paused for a moment

"Tomorrow....huh" I smiled

That's right from tomorrow...

[September 30, 2025- at school]

'Hey, hey isn't that Araki Ryota from class 1-B? '

'Yeah the guy who asked Kasumi-chan to sleep with him'

"(Uh-uh, they are totally talking about me, this sucks)" I thought

[ () these brackets indicate inner thoughts]

'Disgusting'

'Don't come to school like nothing happened.'

"(Shut up, That's none of your business.)"

That's right from today onwards I am going to live in this hell. Just as planned I will ignore them until the flames disappear, and wait for my everyday life to come back.

[In class- Third person p.o.v]

"Make sure to remember this formula," The teacher said

"(Huh? I feel somewhat dizzy..No way)" Araki closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"So when you substi- hmm..." The teacher caught Araki sleeping.

"Araki-kun, don't fall asleep. Focus on the class"

'haha, Araki is sleeping'

'He must be dreaming about naughty things with Sanehara'

"(Oh will you just keep quiet, Looks like I fell asleep due to the fatigue I got from staying up so late at night.)"

"Araki..Araki-Kun...Araki Kun!"

Araki stood up from his seat and started walking towards the door.

"Wai-Araki-Kun Where do you think you are going? The class is still-"

*Ding dong* The bell rang.

"So, Is the class still running?" Araki asked

"ugh...Lets continue the class tomorrow. Everyone, take a break" the Teacher said, irritated

"YES!" the class responded in unison

Araki walked away from the classroom.

"This is just the beginning Araki-Kun" Sanehara talks to herself, looking at Araki from her seat.

Sawada approached Sanehara, making sure no one was near them.

"Kasumi, What are you planning to do with him?"

"When everyone is targeting Araki and as the bad rumours spread about him, I will be the only one who will act kind towards him and make him fall for me. By doing that, I am sure one day he will confess to me."

"and then you will...reject him?"

"Huh!"

*Sawada gulps*

"You are so naive, Hina-chan. Don't think that I will be satisfied with that."

"then-"

"I will accept his confession then we will go on dates."

"But that doesn't sound like a revenge to-"

"DON'T GET THE WRONG IDEA, YOU DIMWIT. I WILL MAKE HIM OBSESS WITH ME TO THE POINT WHERE HE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT ME. I WILL MAKE HIM SPEND LOTS OF MONEY ON ME, AND I WILL MAKE HIM GO BROKE. AFTER USING HIM THOROUGHLY, I WILL DUMP HIM IN THE MOST HORRIBLE WAY. AHH, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT FACE. HIS LIFE SHOULD BE FILLED WITH DEBTS, SADNESS, FAILURE. THIS IS WHAT I CALL REVENGE."

"(This woman...how outrageous she is)" Sawada thought.

"But I don't think Araki will fall in love with you, he is not the typ-"

"No, he will. Hina-chan, in the end, all men are the same. That bastard is no exception."

(Araki... I'm sorry) Sawada thought with a hint of concern on her face.

[October 1st,2025- Araki P.O.V at school rooftop]

It's October, but nothing will change from yesterday. The same treatment awaits me, attracting a lot of attention just by being here.

Humans like to meddle in other people's lives. Instead of focusing on their own careers and lifestyles, they like to pry into the lives of others. They derive pleasure from the misfortunes and failures of others. If they can't achieve something, they don't want others to succeed either. They yearn for others to fail. That's why I despise these kinds of people. My classmates are a perfect example of such individuals. All it takes is a spark to burn the whole forest. Sawada was the trigger, no, that's not right. Sanehara was the spark that ignited all of this. And then everyone fanned the flames. Honestly...

"I hope they all just die."

"Araki-kun?"

Here comes the spark.

I stood in front of the fence on the rooftop, and when I turned my head, I saw Sanehara standing near the door.

[Third person POV]

"Are you alone?"

Araki started walking toward Sanehara.

"So, what are you doing—Huh?"

Araki walked past Sanehara and started descending the stairs. Just then, Sawada was climbing the stairs to the rooftop.

"Huh, Araki?" Sawada spoke.

Araki silently continued going down ignoring Sawada.

"He's completely avoiding you and he isn't paying any attention to other people."

"Heh, so that's how you play, Araki-kun."

"What will you do? At this rate-"

"Hina-chan, Let me tell you something. All people have their limits. That guy will eventually reach his limit. I will just wait until then and enjoy his suffering."

[October 2nd,2025- Classroom]

I thought it would be best to avoid Sanehara for a few days. In fact, I don't want to get involved with her anymore. That's why I'm ignoring her to prevent more rumors from spreading. If I get even more involved with her, I might be the one adding fuel to the flames. I am well aware that I dug my own grave by reacting to Sawada's persistent questioning, so I can't afford to make my situation even worse. I should keep a low profile and stay calm untill the Strom passes away-

"Araki."

"Hmm..."

"I need to talk to you."

I was sitting at my desk, gazing out the window, when a tall boy approached me, standing in front of my seat. His sleeves are rolled up just like me and has good physique.

This must be about Sanehara. Don't they ever get tired of this? I'll try to wrap it up quickly.

"What do you want? And who are you, anyway?"

"You really are as ignorant as the rumors say. I'm Hiroshima Takumi from class 1-A. You must have heard—"

"Never heard of you."

"Wha-"

"If you're done here, could you please not waste my time and leave?"

"I'm not finished! I'm here to ask you about Sanehara Kasumi. Is it true that you rejected her?"

*Sigh* I'm so tired of this.

"Yes, it's true. So what?"

"Why—"

"Will you leave already? It's not like I have so much time to spend with you."

"💢 Heh, aren't you an arrogant brat? You also seem to ignore the rumors."

"Huh!? What are you trying to say? Do you have a problem with that?"

"Of course I have a problem. I really hate your attitude. I still don't get it why did Kasumi-chan choose a guy like you? And to make matters worse, a nobody like you rejected her. It really irritates me."

"You are not making sense, why does it irritate you when she was the person who got rejected"

"Because I confessed to her two months earlier and got rejected. Now, the fact that you rejected the girl who turned me down makes me feel inferior to you. There's no way you are better than me, and yet you seem so ignorant about the rumors. It really ticks me off. You don't have a clue about how I feel "

"I don't have a clue about how you feel?" I told in a low voice

I didn't realized yet that subconsciously my anger was piling up every time I hear people talking about me. No matter how much I tell myself to stay calm and ignore it, to think that those words were actually acting as a catalyst for my limit bar. And now(soshite),

I have reached my limit.

"I don't have a clue about how you feel? Stop kidding. Do you know how am I feeling in the first place? Do you know how much I am suffering now?"

"Huh? Why do I care about how a nobody feels"

"Isn't that right? Yeah you are absolutely right. That's why I don't give a damn about how you feel"

"What? How dare-"

"Also-

"DON'T GET JEALOUS JUST BECAUSE YOUR OLD FLAME LIKES ANOTHER GUY. YOU'RE A GROWN-UP, AREN'T YOU? HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND TO ACT LIKE A CHILD?"

"REALLY, IT'S SO EMBRASSING AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A MAN?" I told with a smug face.

"Araki!!!!!!"

Takumi lifted his hand, tightening his fist to punch me with great force.

"Damn yo(kisama)- guh"

*Thud*

I forcefully kicked the desk with my right leg, exerting immense pressure. It collided with Takumi, causing him to fell down along with the desk, creating a loud commotion. We quickly became the center of attention, with people gathering around us.

"*coughx2*ugh..It hurts...Araki damn you"

'What's going on, a fight?'

'Araki...kicked takumi?'

'No way'

I got up from my seat and walked near takumi and crouched down, grabbed his collar.

"Don't show me your face again and don't intend to talk with me, if you waste anymore of my time I will seriously make sure to

"KILL YOU" I told with low voice, with a cold look.

Takumi gulped.

"Got it?"

"D-dont think that I will-guh"

I punched his stomach with my fist.

"Dont drag this anymore if you are done then just get the hell out of here"

I happen to know after then that, Hiroshima Takumi was actually the ace of the basketball team. Unfortunately, I had messed with a popular guy.

Now I've really done it.

[The next day- October 3rd]

"What is this..."

The next day when I arrived at school, My desk became a complete mess. Juice had been splattered all over it, and trash was stuffed inside. This was undoubtedly an act of bullying.

(I see it evolved to this point huh)

"Hey, who did this?" I asked seriously

"Sorry, sorry (gome gome), it's not my fault. My hand just did all of that without my control."

The guy who was sitting beside me answered. Looks like he is the culprit.

"Is that so, then don't mind me"

"Wha-"

*Thud*

I reached over his seat and kicked his chair, making him fall to the ground, and swapped his bench with mine.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Sorry, sorry, it's not my fault. My leg just kicked you without my control."

Bully? Heh. If you think you can bully me then, you are a million years behind to do that. Don't think that I will give you a chance to bully me, not even in your dreams.

[Lunch time on the skybridge connecting the two buildings]

I was walking on the skybridge talking to myself while holding my bento.

"Sign...That felt really good"

"Uh"

"Hmm geh" I stopped.

I crossed paths with Sawada while walking on the skybridge. This is awkward, of all people why should I come across with her?.

"What's with that face?"

"Nothing(betsuni). Well I will be on my way then"

I resumed walking.

"Wait, I want to ask you something"

"What is it?"

"Umm...are you fine?"

"Huh? What are you saying? Are you trying to be considerate after everything you have done"

"N-no you are wrong( the thing is I really want to apologize to you for the things I have done, I can't disobey Kasumi, that day I slapped you because I wanted to stop you from saying any more things that will affect you, but If I disobey Kasumi she will..)"

"Araki, there is something I want to talk to you in priva-"

"Oh, Hina-Chan" Sanehara called out for Sawada from her behind.

Sawada gone silent.

"Sawada? Why do you-"

"Hina-chan what are you doing he- ah Araki kun hello, What are you two talking about?" Sanehara approached.

"I-i-its nothing Kasumi, I just happened to cross paths with him comeon let's go"

"Sorry I have to go" I resumed walking.

"Wait, Araki-kun"

"Let's go Kasumi"

Oof, I'm glad it didn't take too long, but still, why did Sawada make such a face when Sanehara called out for her?

Why did she look so SCARED?

[October 3rd- Same day at lunch- rooftop]

"So Peaceful"

I was eating my lunch alone on the rooftop. There is a bench located near the fence so I sat on it and started eating, It's not often that I eat here, but today's cloudy weather made it the perfect spot.

That felt really good earlier. I unleashed my anger. Well, it may have side effects, but it's too late to worry about that now. I've prepared myself to face the consequences, and thinking any further is just a waste of time.

*Door open*

"Ah Araki-Kun"

Sanehara entered, opening the door

"Are you eating here? What a coincidence I was also about to eat here- Can I sit beside y-you and eat?"

"Sign- Go ahead"

Sanehara came and sat beside me.

"What brings you here? Don't you usually eat with your friends?"

"Well, they were teasing me lately, I wanted some space so I came here today"

"Hmm"

"Peaceful isn't it?"

(Yeah it was peaceful until you came and then peace has destroyed into pieces)

"Yeah"

"The weather is nice too"

"Yeah"

"Do you eat here oftenly?"

"Yeah"

"What happened? You have been saying "yeah" the entire time"

"Oh sorry, I kind of spaced out"

"Hey, Araki-kun, lately you've been avoiding me, haven't you?" Sanehara asked seriously.

"Is that so? I don't think that's tru-"

"Do you hate me?"

"Huh"

"I'm causing trouble for you, aren't I? I've been watching every day what they're doing to you. It's all because of me. It's not strange for you to hate me."

I remained silent.

"I am...very sorry that you ended up in this situation*sniff*. But please don't... avoid me*sob*. Even if everyone goes against you I will be the only one who will stay by your side that's wh-"

"Hey"

"Hmm"

"Will you just drop that act"

"Huh?" Sanehara shocked by my answer.

"Do you think that I will fall for you or something if you act like that?"

"Araki… Kun? "

" 'I am very sorry that you ended up in this situation?' stop kidding. You are the one who set me up in this situation isn't it."

"I set you....up? What are...you talking about?"

This is just a test. I honestly don't think that she has the brains to set me up and plan all of this. But it doesn't hurt to confirm it. Her expressions, her answers, delay in her response, eyes aversion, her lip moments when she lies, hair curling. I need to check everything to confirm whether she is telling true or not. Let's see how you will answer.

"Why..do you think so?"

"Because isn't it strange? Sawada asked me a very dumb question like 'why you rejected her?' And started a pointless argument. Isn't it an obvious thing that I don't feel the same way about you thats why I turned you down? Well then let's consider that Sawada asked me anyway out of consideration for you, since you mentioned she is attached to you(that face earlier made me curious too but it's not essential now), but the timing is weird, it's been 24 days. She really asked you after that many days? Do normal people wait 24 days to ask their friends when she was crying everyday? They will surely get persistent within a week or at least in 10 days, but 24 days is almost a month. It's definitely not negligible, and knowing Sawada's personality, 3 days would be max for her, that's why it doesn't make sense but.."

"If you are trying to make me a target in audience and reach a particular goal in other words- REVENGE"

Sanehara's eyes widened.

"(Did I hit the nail?)"

She reacted a bit. Let's continue this.

"If we think from this perspective then everything changes and all of it starts to makes sense, the outsiders don't know when you confessed me or when I rejected you so they don't question anything only the involvers know that this flow of events is strange, like me. So no matter how dumb the argument seem to us but for the outsiders it looks perfectly normal since they are not aware of the details. If what you did was to provoke me to react, then you really did a great job. Because I am perfectly suffering right now. Also-"

"DID YOU REALLY CRIED FOR THIS MANY DAYS?"

Sanehara remained silent looking down.

She definitely reacted a bit earlier, but that could be considered as her being shocked by my statement of suspecting her. It doesn't necessarily mean that she is shocked because her plan has been revealed. If she lies, she will most likely avert her eyes or curl her hair. I need to observe her closely for any signs of deception. I will push her to the limit.

"This is just a hypothesis, but that's why I think you set-"

*Drop*

*Sanehara sniffs*

"...y?"

"Sane...hara?"

Seriously? No way

"Why?.."

This girl...

"Why...do you say... like that?*sob* Why are you so mean, it hurts Araki-Kun, I just wanted to be by your side even...if as a friend, So I can't even think...of reveng- but if you talk like that*sob* then what should I..."

Sanehara looked at my face, I was left with a shocked expression, she was looking straight into my eyes, no extra movements, her eyes filled with tears looking like a jewel, her tone matches with her expressions, it's hard to believe that she is lying, those tears are undeniably the real deal, an act? No way. A high school girl can't be able to pull off acting at this level.Then she really is innocent.

"What should I do...to make you believe me?"

"O-okay I get, I get. First of all, calm down for a second"

I gave her my handkerchief to wipe off the tears.

"*Sniff* But I get your point, its not strange for you to suspect me, if this is enough for you to believe me.."

"Hmm?"

Sanehara face turned red.

"I-I will sl-sleep with you"

"Wait a second! I told I get it already, no need to go that far and besides it's just a joke I was not serious about that"

"Really?"

"Sorry I talked like that just to test you that's it, and I have been avoiding you because I want to avoid rumours to spread anymore, that's why calm down"

"Is...that so?"

"Yeah"

Maybe I am just overthinking too many things lately, so it's just a coincidence that Sawada asked me about that after such a long time.

"Sorry, I will wash it and give you back"

"It's fine you can keep it"

"Thank you. Well then the period is almost over I will be on my way"

"Sure"

Sanehara packed her lunch box and left the rooftop.

It turned out into a mess, but I'm glad I confronted her about this topic. It seems like it really was just a coincidence. Her earlier response was unbelievable. It's hard to imagine it was an act, as she seemed genuinely concerned and approached me with good intentions. Well, whatever the case may be, I should stop suspecting her for real this time. It's reassuring to know that she doesn't harbor any malice towards me or have any harmful intentions.

You are lucky, Sanehara Kasumi, Looks like I was wrong, But in case if you intended to take revenge and framed me in this situation

I WOULD HAVE DESTROYED YOU BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.

[Sanehara P.O.V]

Sanehara closed the door and stood in front of the staircase, with her back to the door.

After a brief silence,

"He found out(bareta)"

"Why?(nande?)"

Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why

"Why does he know, no(iya) , How does he know!? " I panicked, internally.

He figured it out? No way. Hinako and I put on such a perfect act, and everything went so smoothly. There isn't a single flaw in our performance. We even practiced for 20 days to ensure it was flawless. So how did he figure it out? Do people normally think so deeply about the question Hinako asked him? And as for the timing, is it really that strange? Sure, it's been a while, but the answer has already been set in stone for that. I can easily pass it off as a coincidence, saying, "I've been hiding the fact that I got rejected from Hinako, and she found out recently, so she asked Araki about it." I can easily fool him with that explanation, but he completely ignored that entire fact. Is Araki actually a smart guy? Smart would be an understatement for him. How did he figure it out in the midst of this chaos?

("Hina-chan what are you doing he- ah Araki kun hello, What are you two talking about?"

"I-i-its nothing Kasumi, I just happened to cross paths with him come on let's go")

I suddenly remembered the scene which happened earlier.

"I see. Haha, Now I understand. Of course There is no way he has the brains to figure it out on his 'own', Someone must have told him."

"THAT BITCH!"

[Third person P.O.V]

Sanehara is walking swiftly with fast footsteps in the hallway. She hurried to the classroom and opened the door. Sawada and her friends were talking in the front row.

"Oi HINA- Hina-chan ♪, will you come out for a moment?"

"K-kay" Sawada answered.

[In the washroom]

"W-what happened, Kasumi?"

"Earlier, what did you talk with Araki?"

"N-nothing, I said right, I just happen to cross-"

"You told him right? Everything. About my plan and whatnot."

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"HE KNEW EVERYTHING. HE DIRECTLY ASKED ME WHEN I WAS EATING LUNCH WITH HIM. HE KNOW EACH AND EVERY DETAIL ABOUT MY PLAN, THE THING I WANT REVENGE ON HIM AND I SET HIM UP, EVERYTHING"

"What? Araki…knew about it? How"

"Don't play dumb you bitch! You are the one who exposed my plan to him didn't you? Otherwise there is no way he could have known or figured out"

"Y-you are wrong Kasumi, I am telling the truth,I didn't talk with him about anything and I don't have a clue about how he figured it ou-"

*Slam*

Sanehara forcefully pinned Sawada against the wall with one hand, looking into her eyes while giving a death

stare.(kabedon)

"Hey, Hina-chan, are you betraying me? Didn't I told you to obey me no matter what. You are my precious underling aren't you. What should the owner do if his/her pet disobeys? I would have killed it. And if you disobey me do you know what will happen?-"

Sanehara came close to her ear and started whispering.

"THOSE PHOTOS OF YOURS, I WILL UPLOAD THEM RIGHT AWAY"

Sawada's face was filled with fear upon hearing those words. She was trembling.

"...me"

"Hmm? I can't quite hear you"

Sawada kneeled on the ground(search dogeza on web) and stretched her hands.

"Please forgive me Kasumi-sama if I did something wrong, but I really didn't tell him anything about your plan, so please, anything but those photos. Please don't upload them I beg you" Sawada genuinely asked for forgiveness, scared.

"Ew..I am surprised how you can kneel down in the toilet, how gross. Well these photos are your life so I can't blame huh, So you really didn't tell him?"

"Yes, I swear"

She is telling the truth. Hinako will never lie when it comes to the photos. Then that means he really…

"Fine then. I managed to do something about that, so the situation did not changed much, but-

IF YOU DARE TO BETRAY ME DO YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN? YOUR LIFE IS IN MY HANDS"

"Y-yes, I understand" Sawada answered, sweating.

Sanehara came out of the washroom. Few girls passing by the toilet in the hallway spoke to her.

"Hey kasumi-chan, this Sunday we are planning to go out. Will you join us?"

"Oh sorry♪, I can't make it this Sunday"

"Heh that's unusual. What is it? Did you have any date on that day? Don't tell me, a date with Araki-Kun?"

"You are wrong, you are wrong,The thing is I have some other plans on that day which I need to attend"

"Aww that sucks"

"I will join you someother time"

"That's a promise"

"Yeah" Sanehara nodded

The girls left.

[Sanehara P.O.V]

Hinako didn't tell him anything. So he figured all of it on his own? Seriously? But either way for now I managed to fool him with my acting. I am sure he asked me about it because he wanted to confirm it. So for now it's safe to assume that he won't suspect me anymore,but…

("Araki ryota just who the hell are you?")

[October 5th,2025- Araki P.O.V- 2:35 pm, Sunday]

*Beep beep*

My phone rang.

"Hello(moshi moshi) who is this?"

"Araki-Kun good afternoon"

"Kusogane huh, what do you want?"

"Kuso? *Cough* well I will let it pass this time."

[Araki purposely addressed kurogane as kusogane, kuso means shit or trash in japanese"]

"So what do you want?"

"Your ride has came"

I paused for a moment. It's finally the time.

"I see"

"My men are waiting for you. It's the black car in front of your apartment. Well then, Let's meet in a few moments."

"Got it. I will be on my way"

October 5th, the day when I will get my answers is here. I don't know what awaits ahead of me. It might be a paradise or a burning hell. No matter what it is, I am prepared for it.

If this experiment dares to disrupt my daily life,

I WILL MAKE SURE TO ERASE THEM FROM THIS WORLD.