𝐈𝐤𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐢 | 𝐒. 𝐆𝐨𝐣𝐨 ✔️

Chapter 23

As you waited for Akari to arrive, the tension of the day weighed heavily on your shoulders, and you found yourself reaching for a cigarette to calm your nerves. Fingers trembling slightly, you extracted the slender stick from its pack and brought it to your lips, the familiar routine offering a fleeting sense of comfort.

With a flick of the lighter, the tip of the cigarette ignited, casting a warm glow in the dimming light of the afternoon. As you took a long drag, the smoke filled your lungs, momentarily soothing the turmoil swirling within you.

But even as you inhaled deeply, the bitter taste of the smoke served as a stark reminder of the unhealthy habit you had fallen into.

As you exhaled a cloud of smoke into the cool evening air, you made a silent vow to yourself to find healthier ways to cope with the challenges of the day. But for now, the nicotine offered a temporary escape from the chaos of your thoughts.

"Do your parents know you smoke like an old man?"
As Akari approached you with a smirk, her teasing tone cutting through the air, you couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation at her audacity. Ignoring her comment about your smoking habit, you turned to face her, your nose crinkling in disdain at the sight of her.

"Do your parents know you sleep with one?" you fired back, your words dripping with icy venom. The retort hung in the air, the weight of its truth hitting Akari like a slap in the face.

For a moment, there was stunned silence as Akari's smirk faltered, her expression morphing into one of shock and disbelief. The truth of your words hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her speechless and vulnerable in the wake of your devastating comeback.

As Akari chuckled, trying to brush off your cutting remark, you couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration at her persistence. "Guess word goes out pretty fast, huh?" she quipped, attempting to regain her composure.

Your grip tightened around the cigarette in your hand as she hit you with an unexpected blow, her words slicing through the air like a knife. "Just like how everyone knows what you did with Gojo in the storage room," she added, her grin widening at the shock on your face.

For a moment, you felt as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath you, the weight of her accusation hanging heavy in the air. But you refused to let her see your vulnerability, steeling yourself against the onslaught of emotions threatening to overwhelm you.

"Nothing happened," you replied tersely, your voice strained with frustration as you reached for another cigarette. "I don't know what you're on."

As you turned to face her, her big grin mocking you, you couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the realization that Akari's intentions were far from innocent.

"I know that you hate me because I stole Gojo from you...and i know you loved seeing us argue but u just wanted to remind you that-" she started.

"Just who do you think you are?" you interrupted her, your voice low and tinged with a dangerous edge. Stepping closer to her, you narrowed the distance between you, your eyes blazing with intensity.

You knew that arguing with Akari would likely be pointless, but you couldn't stand idly by while she spewed her venomous lies.

The silence stretched between you, punctuated only by the sound of your harsh breathing and the distant hum of activity in the hallway. Akari's expression wavered for a moment, her confidence faltering in the face of your unwavering gaze.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though she might back down, but then a smirk spread across her lips, a glint of malice flickering in her eyes. "I'm just stating the facts, sweetheart," she replied, her voice dripping with condescension.