Kurume
Rumors don't start on their own.
Someone has to spread them.
And I had a feeling who that someone was.
Morning. Before class.
I walked up to Sayo when she was alone.
She was flipping through a notebook — probably pretending to study again.
— "We need to talk."
She looked up.
Those same innocent eyes, like nothing was happening.
— "Of course, Kurume. Is everything okay?"
— "You know what people are saying."
— "…Rumors?"
— "Don't play dumb."
Her expression flickered. Just for a second.
— "I only heard that—" she began, but I cut her off:
— "You didn't hear. You spread them."
Silence.
Sayo bit her lip. Then slowly — almost imperceptibly — smirked.
— "And if I did say something… would you believe me?"
— "No." — "Good."
— "Why are you doing this?" I asked.
— "Because…" — her voice dropped, calm and low. — "You're supposed to be with me. Not her."
I froze.
— "She's not for you, Kurume. She'll always keep her distance. Always doubt you. I won't. I'll stay. Always."
— "But you lie."
Sayo let out a quiet laugh:
— "Lies are just a kind of truth no one wants to hear."
Break time
I walked away.
My head was buzzing.
This Sayo…
She wasn't the girl who walked into our class months ago.
She'd been playing all along.
And the worst part?
The game had only just begun.
Later
I found a note on Miyako's desk.
Not her handwriting.
> "Don't trust the ones who smile too often.
They're just hiding their fangs."
I glanced around.
Sayo was staring out the window.
And on her face — that same sweet, flawless smile.