Complicated {Sequel to What Am I?}

Thirteen: Rivals

After spending an hour with Nemesis-kun, I walked home. As I took my shoes off by the door, I noticed a light on near the living room.

I went to investigate and saw Mom lying across the couch, sleeping soundly. She must've been waiting here for me. 

I grabbed a blanket and draped it over Mom's sleeping figure. I kissed her forehead and whispered, "Goodnight, Mother."

I turned out the light, then went upstairs to my room. Yan-kun and Ayano were asleep in their rooms, so I went to my own and got dressed in my pajamas.

(Sunday)

I woke to the smell of breakfast being made. I sleepily sat up and rubbed my eyes before sliding my feet into my slippers.

"Good morning, Amaya." Mom greeted. "Good morning, baby sister." Yan-kun greeted. "Morning." I replied. "You're just in time for breakfast. Have a seat." Mom said, cheerfully. 

I did as she sat and took a seat at the table with my siblings. "Where's Dad?" I asked.

"Oh, I had him go out and run a few errands for me. He'll be back soon," She said as she set a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of me. 

She sat across from me and smiled as her fingers were locked together with her chin resting on top of them. "What are your plans for today, my angels?"

"I was going to spend the day with Senpai." Yan-kun answered. "I'm going to do the same thing with my Senpai." Ayano said. "What about you, Amaya?" Mom asked with a closed-eye smile.

"I don't... think I have any plans for today." I said. "In that case, could you help your mother clean up?" She asked, nicely. 

"Okay." I said. When breakfast was over, Yan-kun and Ayano left, and I helped Mom clean the kitchen. As I was cleaning, I glanced over at the picture of Mom and Dad. 

"Mom?" I asked. "Yes, sweetie?" She answered. "Dad's face... is hardly seen in this picture." I mentioned. 

"It must be because of the lighting! You know how annoying it can be for that to get in the way!" Mom mentioned. "So, sweetie! Have you thought about what I said last night?" 

"Yes... And you're right."

"Oh?"

"When I was at the mall yesteday... I saw my Senpai with another girl. I talked to him about it and he told me I had nothing to worry about."

"And do you believe him?"

"Of course I do. I trust Senpai."

"And what abour your rivals, sweetie?"

"I... I don't think I have any rivals."

"Are you sure?"

I thought back to when Nemesis-kun was with Musume and Kokona. Could she be talking about them? "Well... Maybe I do." I said. 

(Monday)

I went to school early to meet with Nemesis-kun, and I found him talking with Uekiya Engeika, then leader of the Gardening Club. 

I hid behind a bush as I eavesdropped on their conversation. "You're Nemesis-kun, right? Class 3-2, right?" Ueikya asked. "Yes." Nemesis-kun answered. 

"My name's Uekiya. I just wanted to welcome you to our school."

"Thank you."

"Also, if you're interested, you're always welcomed to the Gardening Club."

"Thanks, but I'm not that into plants."

"Oh, come on! You never know unless you try, right?"

"I guess, but..."

"How about I give you a free-run just to give you a taste of what it's like? Does today after school sound okay?"

"Actually, I have plans. But thanks for the offer."

"Oh... okay, then."

My hand clenched into a fist. "Mom's right... I guess I do have rivals." I mumbled. I left and went inside the school to talk to Info-chan. 

As I walked past the Phone Addicts, I heard them talking amongst themselves. "Hey, do you know about the new boy in Class 3-1?"

I stopped walking when I heard that. 

"Yes! Like, oh my god! He. Is. Sooo hot!"

"I know!"

"Musume, did you talk to him?"

"Yep."

"And?"

"He doesn't know what's right in front of him. Just wait. Soon enough, I'll have him eating out of the palm of my hand."

My eyes widened in terror. 'No... I won't let you take him from me. He's mine.' I thought, bitterly. I went over to Musume once her and her friends dispersed. 

"Musume, could I talk to you in private for a moment?" I asked. She agreed and followed me into the supply closet, or what I'd like to call, the Kidnapping Room.

"What do you want? I like, have to really get to class soon." Musume said. "The boy from Class 3-1. The new student... I want you to stay away from him." I requested. 

"Do you have feelings for him, too?"

"Yes... In fact, we're-"

"Well, get in line, Amaya! I saw him first!"

"But-"

"You think because your brother and sister are in a relationship, you should be in one, too? Then, start looking somewhere else! I've already got my eyes on the prize!

"Musume, you don't understand..."

"Stay out of my business, you creep!"

I lowered my head so my bangs covered my eyes. "I tried doing this the nice way, but it looks like I have no choice now." I mumbled.

I took out a knife and stabbed Musume in the stomach. "Nemesis-kun is mine... and I won't let you take him from me." I said in her ear. 

Musume's eyes widened as she coughed up blood before I allowed her to fall to the ground. She tried crawling away, but she was slow. 

I kicked her on her back, then sat on her stomach. I stabbed her in the chest a few times to make sure she was dead. 

I wiped off the blood that had gotten on my chin as I stared down at her corpse. 'I need to hide the body and get rid of these bloody clothes.' I thought. 

I picked up Musume's body, carried her over to the Gardening Club, grabbed a shovel from the shed, then buried her corpse in the dirt.

Once she was buried, I hurried to the girls' locker room, changed out of my bloody clothes, cleaned myself up, then changed into my gym uniform. 

I picked up my clothes, then went to the incinerator to burn them. After I was done, I texted Info-chan that I needed a new school uniform. 

She dropped it outside her window after I made the trade of panty shots with her, and I quickly got changed into it. I was a few minutes late for class, but I was okay with it. 

"Please, try and make it to class on time." Professor Rino said. "Yes, ma'am." I apologized.

'One rival down. Two to go.'