Catalyst

Cherry Blossom Petals

Smooth pink petals would fall from the trees at this time of year. There were so many that it was almost like snow. It was a wonder that they were always so neatly cleared away. It was just before lunch time and all the students were in class, leaving the petal-covered grounds clear enough for Info-chan to sneak in to work.

Her phone was already flooded with requests, but she couldn't answer them until a few minutes after the lunch bell rang. She opened the hidden panel in the wall behind the school and clambered through the walls, finally pulling herself into the dark info room. Her father had set this up for her so that she could be tested. I wasn't like she needed to be. She had proved herself time and time again, but it was tradition. The tests were always different depending on who was taking them.

She sat down in front of the three monitors at her desk and opened up the security camera feed on the left and the right. In the middle she had the student's social media pages pulled up. Finally, she pulled out her phone and placed it on the left side of the keyboard. Everyone at school had access to her number. They just had to know who to ask. She scrolled through the messages and smiled to herself. The boys at this school were such perverts. This was too easy. She already had most of the school in the palm of her hand. Except...

She checked the left screen. People were leaving class now, arranging themselves into clubs or cliques. One of the girls caught her eye in particular. She always had such a specific routine, and it revolved around that girl Taeko Yamada. She followed her everywhere. Info-chan knew the stalker's name of course. Ayano Aishi. She seemed quite plain until she met Taeko. Now she seemed interesting. Maybe even useful.

Since Ayano most likely wouldn't contact Info-chan herself, Info-chan decided to take matters into her own hands. She picked up her phone and sent a new message.

Hey.

Ayano stopped and pulled out her phone, staring at the screen for a few seconds. Then she started typing. Info-chan smiled and waited for the reply. It came.

Do I know you?

Info-chan didn't do niceties. She went straight to the point.

I saw you stalking an upperclassman today.

Do you have a problem with that?

No. I wanted to give you some information about the girl she was with. Her name is Osana Najimi.

Osana is the person who hangs out with Taeko the most. She was currently walking with Taeko and talking in an annoyed, animated fashion, orange pigtails bouncing. Info-chan had seen Ayano watching them with a livid expression. It would be simple enough to gain some control over Ayano through her hatred of Osana. Info-chan continued typing.

She has a crush on her. She believes in the myth about the cherry tree behind the school.

The myth that if you confess your love to someone underneath that tree on a Friday they are guaranteed to accept your confession?

Correct. She's planning to confess to him next Friday.

Why are you telling me this?

Info-chan paused briefly, coming up with a reason that Ayano would understand.

I would be happy if something bad happened to Osana-chan. I think you might be the right person to give her what she deserves.

Who are you?

I am the person nicknamed "Info-chan" at school.

I've heard rumors about you. You blackmail girls and sell panty shots to boys. Nobody knows your real name.

The rumors are true. If you ever need a favor, text me a panty shot and I'll give you whatever support I can. If you want to know personal information about anyone at our school, just send me a photograph of their face, and I'll tell you everything I know about them.

You're disgusting.

You're a stalker. If you want my help, text me. If you don't care, ignore me. You have one week until your precious Senpai belongs to Osana-chan. I hope you make her suffer.

Info-chan turned off the phone and placed it back on the desk. She was sure Ayano would take advantage of her generous offer. She just didn't know when. On the left screen, Ayano had slipped her phone back into her pocket and was heading in the direction Taeko was heading. Info-chan watched with great interest. Ayano reminded her a bit of herself. Maybe that's why she wanted to know more.

*****

Ayano Aishi always skipped lunch. In her opinion it was a waste of time. She had breakfast at home and she'll have dinner later. The extra food would get in the way of stalking her Senpai. During lunch time, she sits on the roof to eat. Ayano's usually cold eyes had fire around the edges. In her mind, everything was just a background for Senpai. The other students, the school, the sky, the entire world; all of it was nothing. Ayano intently watched every bite Senpai took, knowing that someday she would be eating with her.

She was interrupted by none other than Osana, plopping herself down next to Senpai. Ayano bristled. Everything about that bitch clashed with Senpai. Loud orange hair, loud irritating personality. If Senpai wasn't there, Ayano would have pushed her off the roof in a heartbeat. As she watched them, that Info-chan girl's words played back in her head: You have one week until your precious Senpai belongs to Osana-chan.

Ayano's fingers curled. She pulled out her phone. Maybe this Info-chan person could be useful. She tapped in a quick message.

What can you offer me?

The reply came quickly. Download this app. The text was followed by a link.

Ayano hesitated briefly, then clicked it. The phone loaded for a moment, then an icon bearing the silhouette of a girl with glasses appeared on the home screen.

You can view the services that I offer from there. You pay by texting me panty shots.

Ayano opened the app and scrolled through the selections. There were enough options to eliminate Osana-chan several times over. She turned off her phone and pocketed it once more. She knew what to do.