𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖋𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖎

Blueberry Muffin

"Where... huh?" Y/n shot up swiftly; she was on the couch in her living room, the memories rushing back to her like a train on tracks, causing her to groan and hold her head. "You idiot. You're finally awake." Ayano grumbled, clearly not happy. 

Y/n just rolled her eyes as she got up and took her bag from the table. "How did you manage to get me home?" she queried, gulping down the glass of cold water Ayano gave her. "Me? I didn't. It was Masuta." she smirked, causing Y/n to be curious. 

"What?" Y/n questioned, placing the cup back on the table. "Nothing. I'll be heading up to my room now, though." 

Y/n had just finished getting dressed after taking a well-needed shower and was drying her hair when her phone suddenly lit up. Picking it up, she accepted the video call from her mother and father.

"G'night mom." she yawned, seeing her mother appear on the screen, in a baggy hoodie and sweatpants, cleaning her face. "Y/n, darling! It's wonderful to hear from you again." her mother began. 

Y/n set her phone down on its stand and turned on her computer, gaming as she and her mother discussed their day.

"That's wonderful, sweetie. Keep up the nice girl act. You'll get revenge eventually. I think I hear your father's footsteps. Don't forget..." Ryoba hurriedly spoke as she threw the dirty crimson tissues into the bin.

"Keep up the act. I think I found my Senpai...." Ryoba ended the call, whispering that she'll call back the next day. 

She looked up at her computer screen on Stalkr as she scrolled through the dozens of names that popped up. "Budo Masuyama. Class 3-2. Leader of the Martial Arts Club."

Y/n frowned at the screen, a cold dread seeping into her stomach. Budo Masuyama. The name sent a shiver down her spine, not from fear, but from a sickening sense of familiarity. She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly. Tapping on the contacts app, she scrolled through the names until she found it - Masuta. Clicking on the number, she stored it. This was going to be one heck of a ride.

The buzzing halls of Akademi High seemed to hum with a different energy the next day. Y/n bypassed her usual haunts and headed straight for the colourful display board near the cafeteria. Tucked amongst announcements for the Photography Club and the Occult Club was a flyer that practically vibrated with a sugary promise: "Join the Baking Club! Share your love of sweets and make new friends!"

A mischievous smile spread across Y/n's face. This was perfect. Baking was a skill she'd honed to perfection, a necessary element in the charade of the perfect daughter Ryoba had meticulously crafted. Plus, free access to the kitchen could come in handy later. "Ingredients for... unorthodox purposes," Y/n muttered under her breath. With a flourish that would make even the most seasoned drama club actor proud, she signed her name on the signup sheet, a determined glint in her eye.

The after-school club bustled with a different kind of activity than Y/n was used to. The air wasn't thick with tension and veiled threats but with the sweet aroma of baking cookies and the comforting clatter of whisks against bowls. Flour dusted the air like gentle snowfall. Y/n, surprised by the sheer joy radiating from her fellow members, found herself loosening up, a rare occurrence for someone who carried the weight of a twisted legacy on her shoulders.

"Hey there, newbie!" chirped a bubbly girl with flour smudged on her cheek, her smile as bright as the pink frosting she was carefully swirling onto a cupcake. "I'm Saki, everyone's baker extraordinaire!"

Y/n offered a small, hesitant smile. "Y/n. I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I enjoy baking."

A chorus of "Oooh, what's your speciality?" erupted from the other members, a mix of shy and enthusiastic faces peering at her. Y/n, momentarily taken aback by the genuine warmth, decided to play along.