~A Void~

?Chapter 13?

"Why? He's a good kid." Hina said.

"Smart kids like him seem heartless to me."

Then, they glanced at a group of kids surrounding a desk.

"If you want my notes, it's gonna cost you 1,000 yen. Maybe 1,500 yen, depending on the subject. Also, I'm selling lollipops, so get in line if you want one." A h/c-haired girl said as she had a bag filled with some coins and bills.

"L/n-san and her business again. But at the same time, it's worth the money for her notes since she writes all the notes from the teacher and writes her own notes to properly explain the work. I bought her notes once and got a 100 on my test." The girl beside Hina said.

"Hey, Kisaki-kun! You want a lollipop? I'll give it to you, free of charge. Also, nice notes. You really do write fast and neatly. I need to work on my penmanship." Y/n said, leaning over to the boy who sat next to her.

The boy glanced at her before quickly looking away and declining her offer.

~End of Flashback~

"Kisaki Tetta-kun was the most studious kid at cram school." Hina said.

"He really was. That's why I studied with him sometimes." Y/n said.

"And since we lived in the same neighborhood, we'd walk home together a lot. Do you remember, Y/n?"

"Yup."

'I had no idea Hina and Y/n knew Kisaki like that...' Takemichi thought.

"But he went to a private middle school, so I don't know how he's been since then." Hina said.

"He's running with a gang now." Takemichi said.

"What?!" Hina said, stunned.

"And he's a captain in Toman!" The blonde added.

"No way! It doesn't suit him!" Hina said.

"Well, Takemichi-kun. You and Kisaki-kun might get along." Hina smiled.

"Huh?"

"He may be blunt, but he's a good person deep down."

'Kisaki, a good guy...? There's no way. He's the inhuman bastard that killed Y/n and Hina...' Takemichi thought.

"Ah. Wait, you said that I had met Kisaki before... When was that?" He asked.

"Hehe. You don't remember, do you?" Hina giggled.

"I have a slight idea about what you're talking about. But I could be wrong." Y/n hummed, tapping her chin.

"Huh?" Takemichi said.

"I remember it really well." Hina stood up. "But I don't know. I don't really want to talk about it..."

"Huh? Did...something happen?" Takemichi asked.

"That day, Kisaki-kun and I met you for the first time, Takemichi-kun." Hina replied. "It was the summer of our 6th year in elementary on our way home from cram school. Some kids were torturing a cat in the park."

~Flashback~

"We'll go chew 'em out!" Hina said as she and Kisaki looked at three boys kicking a cat.

"Tachibana?" Kisaki questioned as Hina marched over to the boys.

"It's no use. You'll get hurt." He said.

But the girl didn't stop. She put on a fierce expression as she approached the boys.

"Tachibana!"

"Stop it! What's so fun about hurting animals?!" Hina yelled at the boys.