A New Beginning

Chapter 11: Confusion

The next day was strange. I needed some time alone so I was under the cherry tree behind the school again. I was listening to music and absent mindedly sketching. 'Ayato can never commit murder. It's just not...possible?'

I sighed and leaned my head against the tree. I was too bothered, I could not focus on my sketch. I laid the sketchbook down on the grass and took my earphones out. I took my phone and opened my messages with Ayato. It seems like he had texted me.

Ayato

Hey.
Are you busy this
weekend?

No?
Why?

I'm gonna be lonely
on the weekend.
Maybe we could hang out? 
👉🏻👈🏻

And do what?

Picnic?
I'll bring the food. 🍱

Then, I'm in 🙃

Seen ✔

I giggled to myself. That was cute somehow. A picnic? Maybe I could speak to him about what Kaga told me then. I didn't wanna lie to him about it. It would mean that our friendship is based off of a lie. I didn't want that.

I wanted him to be able to confide within me and vice versa. He was the sweetest guy I knew and I didn't want it to go to waste. I got up and headed down the hill with my sketchbook and phone in hand.

I should probably make my way to class already, I didn't want to be late. I made for a slight run to the doors and went to my classroom. Guess what? I'm early. I decided to scroll my phone instead. Right when I was going to bring it out, the unknown number texted me again.

Unknown

Ayato Aishi murdered Budo Matsuta and burned his body so there is no evidence.

What the absolute hell? This was getting way too far. I sighed. This was almost disturbing. I couldn't imagine Ayato harming anybody at all after last day. He's so genuine and so sweet. He's so kind he could never even harm a fly. He would never try to take away a friend from me. Besides, he had no reason to kill Budo. What is going on? This was too much to handle for me.

I saw Ayato come in and he looked so happy. He sat down beside me, "I'm excited for the picnic!"

"Same," I said, trying my best to match his energy and smiling back. Other students started to come in and we stopped talking when the teacher walked in.

Weekend came sooner than expected and I didn't know how to feel even then. Was I supposed to be wary being around a guy who might just be a murderer? Or am I supposed to blindly trust him given how nice and outgoing he is? I sighed, this wasn't an easy decision to make and even worse? I had a creepy stalker on my back as well.

Kaga and me never talked. We never even came across each other. It's strange how he tried to warn me against Ayato.

Maybe I should text him and ask him if he has any evidence. If he is sneaky enough to get my number then he can obviously get some incriminating footage of Ayato. But that is if  he is a murderer which I am pretty sure isn't true.

He has no reason to murder. Right?

I should just go for it, here goes nothing.

Unknown

Hey.
I just wanted to ask you
Do you have any incriminating
footage of Ayato?
I don't believe he could ever
murder someone.
Why would he do
something like that?
It's unreasonable.

You trust him too much.
You're gonna end up in
major problems for that.

Is that a 'yes'?

I'll see what I can do.

Okay, that wasn't a bad conversation. I can't believe I just texted my stalker, what's wrong with me? I sighed. Something's seriously fucked up with me.

I started to get clothes out for the picnic. Ayato would come by to pick me up for the picnic. What should I wear?

I put on the clothes and put my hair up in some space buns. I took a little basket full of cookies that I had baked for him. He had said that he'd bring all the food but I didn't wanna come empty-handed.

I smiled to myself and went downstairs. Just as I was about to sit, the door bell rung. I opened the door and Ayato was there, grinning like an idiot.

"Hey, ready for the picnic?" Ayato asked, cheerfully. How could this guy ever be guilty for potential murder?

"Yeah, let's go," I smiled at him.

It wasn't anything special but it was just about perfect. Maybe this is when I should ask him.