Horror scraps

[rincchi]

Decluttering my fanfic folder, and there are some rejected ficlets for Mission Insane and I guess I'll post them here. The fills are for Horror, so yeah, expect Horror themed things. Death, and stuff. Fun.



Bleeding

Kyousuke was used to finding love letters in his locker. Chocolates, however, were not a common thing to find in there unless it was Valentine's Day, which it most certainly wasn't. He looked at the card that had been enclosed.

'Please accept these chocolates as a token of my love. Anonymous. x'

During study period, Kyousuke took the box out of the desk and popped some of the chocolates into his mouth. They tasted really good. Still, better not to eat them all at once. He would save the rest for later, maybe even share them with his friends.

He returned to his studying.

After a few minutes, a dizzy spell took hold of him and his vision blurred for a second. A few red spots appeared on his workbook.

"Huh?" Kyousuke touched his nose. When he brought his hand away, he saw blood coating his fingers. "What the hell?"

A warm and wet sensation ran down his upper lip and dripped off his chin. .

Kyousuke clutched at his chest and coughed, spewing forth a spray of blood over his desk. He collapsed to the floor. A red puddle formed on the floor as it poured from his mouth. A warm substance dripped from his ears, running down his neck.

It was pandemonium. Everyone was screaming.

Kyousuke weakly raised his head, looking at the box of chocolates sitting on his desk.

'I've been poisoned,' he thought, just before everything went dark.

Kyousuke next awoke to find himself staring up at a pristine white ceiling. A steady, continuous beep filled the room. He turned his head and saw a drip running into his arm.

A doctor came to him and explained the situation. There had indeed been poison in the chocolates he ate. It was fortunate he hadn't eaten them all as that would surely have killed him. His life had been saved, thanks to some blood transfusions and the hospital being able to find a vaccine to halt the poison's effects.

Someone had tried to murder him. It was a chilling thought indeed.

Unfortunately, nobody had seen the person who put the chocolates in Kyousuke's locker, and Kyousuke couldn't think of anyone who might even want to kill him. He had to return to school knowing fully well someone was out to take his life.

***

Saturday night. Kyousuke returned to his room after spending time with Riki and the others. The lights were off. He recalled that his roommate had gone home for the weekend, so he would be alone in the room tonight. After spending some time reading manga in bed, he eventually drifted off to sleep.

He was awoken by a sudden weight pressing down on his body. Someone's breath was misting against his face. Kyousuke's heart started hammering. Just who was there? He couldn't see anything in this darkness.

"You certainly were lucky, Natsume."

That purring voice sounded vaguely familiar, but not enough that he could actually recognise it.

"Wh-who are you?" Kyousuke struggled, but he couldn't move an inch with those legs bearing down on his waist, pressing him down on the mattress.

"I thought you were a goner, watching you bleed out on the floor like that." A hand caressed his cheek. A soft laugh reached his ears. "Thought I managed to get rid of you, but looks like you had luck on your side after all. You must have thought those chocolates came from a girl, huh? You certainly do have a lot of admirers." There was a definite hint of disdain in that last statement.

Kyousuke shivered, his heart racing even more. The person on top of him right now had to be the poisoner.

"I can't stand it. Watching all those girls fawn over you... like you're the only guy who matters. Maybe if I get rid of you, they will finally notice me."

His words caused a chill to run through Kyousuke's veins.

"You can't be serious," Kyousuke gasped out. "That's why you want to kill me? Just because I'm popular? I'm not even interested in those girls!"

"But they only have eyes for you," the stranger spat out. "I've had enough of it. I'll kill you right here and right now, and then I'll finally have a chance. It's over, Natsume." His hands moved to Kyousuke's head and pulled a loop of fabric behind it, which he then looped around Kyousuke's neck. "Goodnight."

The band of fabric bit down into Kyousuke's throat. His attacker pulled it tighter and tighter until his windpipe was being completely crushed. Kyousuke clawed at his throat, his fingernails scraping over the ligature embedded in his skin. Sheer panic spurred him into kicking and thrashing, which did little to deter his assailant. His eyes bulged as he gasped for breath.

In the midst of his panic, one thought came to him.

He'd been prepared for this.

He hadn't wanted to resort to this, but what choice did he have?

There was precious little time to think. If he wasted it, he was going to die.

'I don't want to die.'

That was what he thought.

With that thought, he reached under the pillow and wrapped his hand around a thin handle. He pulled it out and swung the object up with all this might.

An agonised howl rang out.

The hands stopped pulling. The stranger reeled back, clawing at his face.

Kyousuke felt warm liquid splattering over his face. He tore the ligature from his neck and pushed his attacker off with all his strength.

He raced to the door and switched the light on.

When he turned around, he saw the person who had attacked him, and realized he was a classmate. That fellow third year student was now clambering off the bed, clutching the blood stained knife. Blood was streaming down one cheek from the jagged red gash where his eye had been.

"My eye... my eye..." the student howled. "You bastard!" He broke into a run, hurtling straight at Kyousuke.

Kyousuke lashed out with a sharp kick, sending the student sprawling straight to the floor. A renewed scream split the air as the student hit the floor with the knife under him. He became still and a puddle of blood slowly spread out beneath his body.

The silence that fell was deafening.

Kyousuke tore his gaze from the crumpled body and ran from the room, covering his mouth with one hand. He didn't stop until he was outside of the dorms and there he collapsed to the ground. His stomach heaved and vomit spewed from his mouth.

He could still hear those screams in his head.

Death

"It's enough."

What a lie that was.

Riki thought he was strong enough to cope with the hard future ahead of them. He believed he would be able to take Rin by the hand and protect her in this world where Kyousuke, Masato and Kengo were dead.

How could he have imagined it would turn out like this?

People called them cockroaches.

They would write cruel words on Riki and Rin's desks, stuff trash into their lockers and defile their shoes, and throw them dirty looks as they walked past.

All too often, they would whisper hurtful words.

"Why them?"

It was brutal, but Riki endured. He had to, for Rin's sake.

Never, in a million years, had he imagined it could get even worse. Not like this.

Tight coils of rope tethered his wrists to the bed, chafing them to the point his skin became red and raw.

"I can't forgive you."

The cold trace of steel lightly ran over Riki's neck, making him shiver.

"Why did you live, and not my brother? Why didn't you try to save them? Why?"

Riki couldn't answer if he wanted to. Any noise he made was muffled by the tape on his mouth.

"I can't take it anymore, having to see you two live instead of my brother."

Riki whimpered. He wanted to scream.

Nobody was going to save him.

A tear streaked from the corner of his eye.

'Sorry, Kyousuke.'

***

Everyone in the school was shocked to the core to learn that the body of a second year student had been found in his room. It was a brutal and gruesome murder, with one chilling fact: the head was missing.

Rin couldn't believe it. Even as she stood there, watching the coffin be lowered into the ground, she wanted to deny the cruel reality.

Hadn't Riki promised to protect her until the end of time?

Rin just couldn't understand why he would leave her alone.

How could she possibly go on alone?

In the evening, Rin was sitting alone in her room. To her surprise, she received a text on her phone. Her eyes grew wide as she saw the sender.

It couldn't possibly be.

'Rin,' said the text, 'it's me. I'm not actually dead.'

'What? But they buried you in the ground. I saw your coffin.'

'That wasn't me. The corpse didn't have a head. It could have been anybody. It definitely wasn't me."

"No way." Rin put a hand over her mouth. Her eyes welled up and she made a muffled sob. She tried to dial the number but it only rang and rang.

'Sorry, but I can't talk right now. Please, hurry to the soccer clubroom. I have to see you in person.'

"Riki... Riki!" Rin ran from the room with tears streaming down her cheeks. Riki being dead was a lie! The knowledge brought her immense joy. She should have known. Of course Riki wouldn't actually leave her alone.

Rin reached the clubroom and flung open the door.

"Riki!"

"Sorry, I'm not Riki."

A blond male stood in the middle of the room. Rin took in his appearance, with icy blue eyes and a stocky frame, but she couldn't place him. All she could tell was that he was a student in the third year.

"Who...?" Rin's gaze roamed around the room, her heart pounding. Riki had to be here! Hadn't he just texted her?

"If you're looking for him, he's right here." The man drew out his hand from behind his back. Clumps of brown hair were tightly nestled between his clenched fingers.

Riki's eyes had sunken into their sockets. His entire face had turned a sickly shade of green and his jaw hung slack. A putrid smell permeated Rin's senses.

"Ri...ki..." Rin reached up with shaking hands and clawed at her face as she took in the horrifying spectacle. "Ah... ah... AAAAAAHHHHHH!" She collapsed to her knees. "Nooooooo!"

"I can't believe you fell for such an obvious trick. How could you possibly think he was alive?" The man sneered at her. He tossed Riki's head aside and it bounced on the floor with loud thuds. "It's alright. I'll be sending you to join him now."

"Riki... Riki..." Rin crawled over to where the head had stopped.

"Where the hell are you going?" He grabbed her and flung her onto her back. "Pity I have to kill a girl, but I can't let a damn cockroach like you live. Not when my own brother had to die." He wrapped his hands around her throat.

Rin didn't have the strength to fight back. She stared up at the ceiling, gasping for breath, while the tears dripped from her eyes.

It wasn't fair. She really had thought Riki was alive.

Why did Riki have to die? Now everybody had left her. She didn't want to be alone.

"Huh?" The man had noticed something. "No... no, that's impossible! What are you doing... stay away!" He got off Rin and scrambled back. His eyes were wide and he was shaking. "Nooooooo!"

Riki's head flew through the air and sank its teeth into his throat. He let out a garbled scream and grabbed at the head. When he pulled it off, a crimson fountain spewed from his throat. He collapsed to the floor and clutched at his neck, twitching and jerking while making choking noises.

Rin stared at the scene with wide eyes. A smile broke across her face.

"Riki!" Rin ran over to the head and scooped it up in her arms. She started sobbing as she clutched the head to her chest. "You really are here, Riki. You didn't leave me after all." Rin rubbed her cheek against his. "Thank goodness. I'm so glad. I don't have to be alone after all. Let's go, Riki."

She stood up, still holding onto the head, and walked out of the clubroom.

Grave

Komari walked through the row of gravestones, clutching a bouquet of flowers to her chest. This was the first time she had ever been to the cemetery and that thought saddened her. It had been ten years since her brother died and she had never visited his grave even once, all because she couldn't face the reality that he was dead. She stopped in front of the grave marked with Kamikita Takuya's name and knelt down.

"Onii-chan. I finally came to see you." Komari placed the flowers down in front of the grave. "I'm sorry it's been so long."

A chilly wind blew, ruffling Komari's hair. She shivered and rubbed her arms. "I forgot all about you. I'm really sorry. I must have made you worry, because I kept getting sad all the time whenever I remembered."

Komari stared at the name on the gravestone, feeling a pang of sadness. She forced a smile on her face. "It's okay now though, I can accept the reality. From now on, I'll always be smiling, no matter what, so you don't need to worry anymore, Onii-chan."

"Komari..."

"Huh?" Komari looked around, but there was nobody to be seen. Was her mind playing tricks on her?

"Komari, I'm so glad. You finally came to see me."

"Eh?" Komari stared at the grave, her eyes widening. No, there was no way he could be speaking to her. "O...nii-chan?"

"Yes. My dear Komari, I'm so happy to see you at last."

A chill ran up Komari's spine and she shivered, wrapping her arms tighter around her body. Her teeth chattered and she started to whimper. No way, there was no way this was happening. This couldn't be possible.

"Onii-chan, are you really talking to me? But you're dead!"

"Yes. I have been dead for a very long time."

Komari whimpered again, shaking her head. Was she losing her mind? She tried to get up, but some unseen force was holding her body down, rooting her to the spot. Her body tingled with fear. "I can't move. What's happening?"

"I've been so lonely, but it's alright now because you're here."

Komari's eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared. Please, stop this."

"Why are you scared? Are you afraid of your brother? Don't you love me anymore, Komari?"

"Stop it." Komari started sobbing.

"From now on, we'll be together forever. I won't let you go again, my precious little sister."

A pair of bony arms burst from the ground. Thin, white fingers closed around Komari's wrists. Komari screamed.

"No!" Komari tried to pull away but they held on tight. "Let me go!"

The hands pulled her down into the earth.

Komari found herself surrounded by darkness. It was hot and musty. A foul smell crept up her nostrils, causing her to gag. She waved her hands around, striking what felt like a wooden surface. Her heart started hammering.

"Where... where am I?" Komari started beating on the wood. "Help! Somebody help me!"

"It's okay."

Komari shrieked. That voice was coming right next to her. She flailed around and struck something solid. As she ran her hand over it, it occurred to her that it was just about the right shape to be a human head.

"I'll be with you, Komari. There's no need to be afraid." Cold, bony fingers stroked her cheek.

Komari screamed and beat her fists against the wood again. The horrified realization struck her. This was a coffin!

"Help! Somebody, help me!"

She was growing dizzy. Her chest hurt. It was getting hard to breathe.

Her arms fell down.

"O...nii...chan..."

"We'll always be together from now on. I'm so happy."

Ouija Board

"Look what I bought in a shop today." Kyousuke placed a wooden board down on the cardboard box in Riki's room.

Riki, Masato, Rin and Kengo leaned in to examine it up close. There was nothing terribly spectacular about it. It was a simple wooden circle with all the letters of the alphabet etched on the side. The words 'Yes' and 'No' had also been etched into the center.

"Oh, I've seen something like this before," said Riki. "It was in a book I read once, it was some ghost story. Ah, what was it called again?"

"Ghost story?" Rin repeated, her eyes growing wide.

"It's a ouija board," Kyousuke said.

"Ahh, ouija board. That's what it was." Riki nodded in understanding.

"Oh, I think I've heard of it. It's supposed to let you talk to ghosts, right?" Masato asked.

Rin stood up. "I've just remembered, Komari-chan invited me over to her room. I have to go."

Kyousuke grabbed her wrist as she tried to walk away. "Do you really think you're going to get away just like that?"

"Uuugh... but I don't want to talk to ghosts! That's scary!"

"It's just a toy," said Riki. "It's not like we'll actually talk to ghosts."

"Yeah, it's just a bit of harmless fun," said Kyousuke.

"R-really?" Rin sat down.

"Don't worry, if ghosts come, I'll just beat them up." Masato grinned.

"Idiot. Ghosts aren't solid," Kengo said. "Even your muscles won't be able to do anything to them."

"Alright, it's time for some spooky summer fun." Kyousuke placed a small glass down on the board. "Everyone, put your hands on the glass." He put his down first, and everyone else followed suit.

The glass moved right away.

"Wah!" Rin exclaimed. "It's moving!"

Riki sounded out the letters. "K... e... n... g... o..."

"Hey, why is it spelling my name?" Kengo frowned.

"I...s...e...v...e...n...m...o...r...e...o...f...a...n...i...d...i...o...t..."

"Masato!" Kengo roared. "You're moving it, aren't you?"

"Eh?" Masato put on his most innocent look. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Hey, now, no moving it," said Kyousuke. "We're supposed to let the visiting spirits do that."

"Well, it's not like any spirits will be visiting," Riki said. "Might as well let them have their fun."

Everyone silently watched the glass move again.

"Masato... is... a... weakling."

"If you guys want to throw insults at each other all night, why don't you just say it instead of wasting our time?!" Rin screamed, kicking Masato.

"Oof! Hey, how come I was the only one kicked?"

"You started it!"

"Alright, settle down," Kyousuke said. "Let's just sit patiently and wait and see if anything happens, shall we?"

The glass moved.

"Now what?" Riki murmured, sounding mildly exasperated.

"Help...me..."

"Eh?" Kyousuke's jaw dropped. "Did we actually get a message? Can you hear us?"

"Yes."

"Huh. I wonder who's pushing it this time," said Riki.

"Why don't you tell us your name?"

"Sayoko."

"Sayoko-san, is it?" Kyousuke said. "What is it you need help with?"

"I... was... murdered..."

The air turned cold and everyone started shivering.

"Hey, what's going on?" Rin spat out through chattering teeth. "Th-this isn't funny!"

"It's s-summer, how can it get so c-cold all of a s-sudden?" Riki shivered and wrapped his arms around himself.

Everyone had taken their hands off the glass in reaction to the sudden temperature drop. In spite of that, the glass was sliding across the ouija board.

"Holy crap." Kyousuke's face had turned ash white.

"Is it a real ghost?" Masato asked, looking around. "Someone's cheating, right? Man, that's a cool trick. How do you do that?"

"I'm out of here!" Rin ran to the door and tried to open it. She pulled and grunted. "It won't open!"

Riki was watching the glass the whole time, reading the words it spelled out. "I... want... justice... give... me... the... girl... the girl?!" He looked toward Rin. "Rin, get out of here!"

"I can't!"

"Then use the other doors!"

A funnel of white smoke poured out of the ouija board. Rin turned around and screamed as the smoke flew at her. It poured into her mouth and she jerked, her arms twitching erratically. Everyone could only watch on in horror.

"A...ah..." Rin sank to her knees. "Aaaaaaah!"

"Rin!" Kyousuke ran over to her. Everyone else gathered around. "Are you alright?"

"Ha... ah... uwaaaaah!" Rin clutched her head and screamed, her eyes darting around wildly.

"Is that really Rin?" Riki asked. Even as he asked, he knew the truth. That might be Rin's body, but she wasn't Rin, not right now.

"Rin, calm down. It's okay." Kyousuke put his hands on her shoulders.

Rin screamed again and pushed him away. She sprang to her feet and wrenched the door open, then ran into the hallway.

"Damn, she's even running away. What do we do now?" Masato asked.

"Let's call someone." Riki pulled out his cell phone.

***

Kurugaya was able to find Rin and persuade her to return to the room.

"Thanks, Kurugaya-san," said Riki. "You were really helpful."

"No problem. How come you called me anyway?"

"Uh, well, I don't think Rin's actually Rin right now and it would look pretty bad if we were all chasing her down. She would only be even more scared."

"I see, I see. Indeed, I thought she was acting a bit strange." Kurugaya looked at Rin's pale face and frowned. "So, if she's not Rin-kun, then who is she?"

"Could it be... that spirit who was talking to us? Sayoko?" Kyousuke asked.

The girl who wasn't Rin nodded.

"Oh my god," Riki said, his horror mounting. "Rin's possessed by a ghost? This can't be happening."

Kyousuke gulped. "Well, this is indeed a surprise. Anyway, Sayoko-san, would you mind giving my sister back her body? Pretty please?"

"No." Sayoko lowered her head and clenched her fists. "I can't. I have to find him."

"The hell?" Masato looked angry. "That body doesn't belong to you. You can't just do whatever you want with it."

"What are you planning to do?" Kengo asked.

"I have to find him. The one who killed me."

"A vengeful spirit, huh," murmured Kyousuke. "Okay, so let's say we help you find him and bring him to justice, Will you give Rin back in that case?"

"Yes."

"Great." Riki sighed. "We have to hunt down an actual murderer or Rin will be possessed by a ghost forever."

"Hmm. It looks like we have no choice," Kurugaya said. "Anyway, I quite like the idea of hunting down some murdering scumbag. Haha, count me in."

"How can you be so flippant about this?!"

"But isn't it kind of exciting, Riki-kun?" Kurugaya smiled. "Besides, didn't you lot use to beat up bad guys all the time when you were children? Just think of this as another mission for the Little Busters."

"No, no, no..."

"I don't see why not. It's not like we want Rin to be possessed for the rest of her life," said Kyousuke. "Okay, we have a new mission. Hunt down Sayoko-san's killer. Mission start!"

"It's not like we can go out and find him right now though," Kurugaya said. "Maybe tomorrow. It's night time already after all. Sayoko-san, do you want me to take you to... er, Rin-kun's room? I'll come and get you in the morning."

"O... okay..."

The next day, they all got together and Sayoko told them her story.

"We were both students in the third year of high school."

"High school? Wait, was it this school?" asked Riki.

"That's right. Actually, my body is still resting somewhere within the school grounds right now." Sayoko bit her lower lip. "Nobody ever found my body. It's been there this whole time."

"All this time?" Riki looked horrified. "So, you never even had a proper burial?"

"I didn't. He was a nice guy, but I just wasn't interested in him in that way. He was always hanging around me. I should have realized something was odd about him, but I just thought he was being over friendly." Sayoko took a deep breath and released it. "One night, he asked me to come out with him onto the school grounds. We went into the trees, somewhere nobody would see us, and then he gagged me and tied me up. Then he... he..."

"He sexually assaulted you?" asked Kurugaya.

"Y-yes. After that, he untied me and told me how much he loved me, how sorry he was he had to hurt me. It made me sick. I got angry and slapped him. That was when he... strangled me... and buried me there in the woods."

Riki felt a powerful surge of disgust and anger. It didn't help matters that those words were coming out of Rin's mouth and that sad face was hers. It almost felt as if Rin was saying those words herself. He clenched his fists.

"That bastard," Riki spat out.

"And he was never even caught?" Kyousuke sounded angry.

"No." Sayoko shook her head. "The school noticed my absence, but, well, my mother thought I had probably just run away. She didn't really care much about me. My father died when I was younger. So, I didn't have anyone to search for me. The police did look, but they couldn't find anything and so they just gave up."

"That's awful." Riki covered his mouth. Even though Sayoko was holding Rin's body hostage, he couldn't help feeling immense pity for her.

"Is the person who killed you still alive?" Kengo asked. "You're definitely sure?"

"Yes. I've been watching him from the afterlife. How I wished I could have a physical body again and do something, somehow... thanks to you people, I got my chance."

"So, where's the guy? How long ago did you die anyway?" asked Masato.

"Ten years."

"Ten years, huh?" Riki said. "So he'd be in his late twenties by now?"

"Correct. He is now working as a maths teacher. His name is Takebayashi Junichirou."

"Oh, really? Huh, that's funny," said Riki. "Our Maths teacher is also called Takebayashi."

Sayoko stared at him.

"Wh-what's with that look?" Riki was taken aback. "Hey, you're not saying they are the same person, are you?" He saw Sayoko nod. "No way... the killer is one of our teachers?!"

"Oh, man, I did not see that coming," Masato said.

"The Maths teacher, huh?" said Kengo. "Hmm, he wasn't a particularly pleasant person, but I certainly never imagined him as a killer."

"So it's that creep, huh?" Kurugaya smirked. "I resisted exposing him for the scumbag he was last year, but this... oh, boy. I am seriously going to enjoy this."

"Okay, so we know who he is, but how are we going to do this?" Kyousuke asked. "I don't think it's going to be enough to go up and ask him if he killed someone ten years ago."

"We trick him into confessing and record it of course," Kurugaya replied. "I've got a video camera."

"Whoah." Riki regarded her with a slightly alarmed expression. "It's kind of scary how easily you came up with a plan like that."

"Is it?" Kurugaya smirked. "Alright, here's what we're going to do. We'll contact him and ask him to come to school..."

***

"I'm really not comfortable with the idea of using Rin as bait," Riki whispered, as he knelt behind the bush next to Kyousuke. "Couldn't we have come up with something better?"

"Well, we need to get the confession out of him and who better than the girl he murdered for the job, right?" Kyousuke watched Rin, who was standing among the trees. "Anyway, we're all ready to attack should he try anything, so it's not like Rin will get hurt, hopefully."

"Yeah. I wonder if Rin's aware of everything that's going on right now. She must be terrified, the poor thing."

"Mmm." Kyousuke exhaled heavily. "I never thought things would turn out like this."

"I don't think any of us did."

The two fell quiet as they saw the Maths teacher coming.

"Was it you?" he asked. "Are you the one who called me?"

"That's right. I told you I knew about Yamada Sayoko. I also know that this is the very spot you buried her, after you raped and murdered her."

"W-what?" Takebayashi's face blanched. "Impossible! How could you possibly know anything about that?"

"That's because... I am Yamada Sayoko."

"What the hell?" Takebayashi clenched a fist. "Who do you think you're kidding? Of course you aren't her. You are a second year student and you look nothing like her for that matter. I don't know what you're playing at, but you had better stop this right now."

"Why would I want to do that?" Sayoko asked. "I finally got my chance to expose you and I'm not going to stop. Don't you remember how you called me out that night, ten years ago?"

"I have no idea what the hell you're talking about!"

"Of course you do. You pinned me down and raped me, then you strangled me to death and buried me right next to that tree over there. Nobody ever found my body. That must have been convenient for you, huh? Is that why you returned to this school? Did you want to make sure nobody ever found the body?" Sayoko smirked. "I wonder what will happen if I tell people about it. Maybe there's still some evidence on there that will prove you murdered me."

"Nonsense!" Takebayashi snarled. "Who the hell would believe you, you crazy bitch? Yamada Sayoko is dead. She's been dead for ten years and nobody even cared about what happened to her. Nobody is going to listen to you."

"It's funny how you haven't denied killing me."

"Hah, why should I? No matter what you say, they will just pass it off as the delusions of some crazy girl. There's no reason why they should believe you. Yes, I killed Yamada Sayoko. What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm going to prove it and make sure the entire world learns that you're a disgusting rapist and murderer. Everyone will know what you did!" Sayoko began to laugh. "I'll finally get to see you be punished for what you did to me!"

"You... you bitch! Fine, I'll shut that mouth of yours!"

Takebayashi lunged at her, his hands reaching for her neck.

Masato and Kengo sprang into action, leaping out of the trees. Kengo got there first, slamming his shinai against Takebayashi and knocking him back. Masato drove his fist into Takebayashi's gut and brought him to his knees.

"Argh... what the..." Takebayashi wheezed out, clutching his stomach. He raised his head to see Kyousuke, Masato and Kengo looming over him.

"Please don't put those filthy hands of yours on my little sister."

"Bastard." Riki stood in front of Sayoko, clenching his fists as he directed an angry look at the Maths teacher. The creep had actually tried to harm Rin. The thought of it made him ill.

"Shit... I was set up... haha, but it doesn't matter, does it?" Takebayashi grinned. "You can't prove I tried to do anything, can you? I'll just tell the school you all assaulted me and get you expelled!"

"Oh, but I think you'll find we have proof." Kurugaya walked over, holding up a video camera. "I have the moment you attempted to assault Rin-kun right here on tape."

"You...!"

"Not only that, but I have the entire conversation just now on here too." Kurugaya grinned. "What was it you said a moment ago? 'I killed Yamada Sayoko', wasn't it? It's right here on tape. In other words, we have your confession."

"How the hell did you find out?!"

"We have our ways," Kurugaya replied. "Also, I still have that evidence against you from last year. It's not looking good for you right now, is it?"

"D-dammit... damn it all to hell!" Takebayashi screamed. "I thought I'd gotten away with it... how could this happen? Damn you, Sayokoooooo!"

The police came, along with a forensics team. When the body had been discovered, Takebayashi was hauled away in a police car.

"Well, we managed to do something pretty incredible today, didn't we?" said Kyousuke. "I never imagined the Little Busters would one day be catching killers. We've come so far." A tear glinted in his eye.

"I'm glad we caught the guy, but this kind of activity is just too much," said Riki. "Let's not make a habit out of this, alright?"

"Well. My body was finally discovered after all these years and my killer caught," Sayoko said. "It was all thanks to you people. Thank you so much. I am incredibly grateful for what you've done." A smile spread across her face. "Now I can finally rest in peace." She tilted her head back and a white cloud streamed out. It dissipated into the air and faded away.

"Rin!" Riki leaped forward and caught her as she started to fall.

"Uhh..." Rin blinked and looked around. "I'm... I'm back...?" She stepped away from Riki and examined her hands.

"Welcome back, Rin." Kyousuke rubbed her head, grinning. "How are you feeling?"

Rin ground her teeth, her eyes radiating pure anger, and drove her fist into his face.

"Well, Rin-kun is certainly in a bad mood," Kurugaya said.

"Kyousuke was the one who bought the ouija board in the first place after all," Masato said. "He had it coming."

"This was all your fault, you dumbass brother!"

"Okay, I'll admit it was my fault, but I honestly did not expect anyone to get possessed by a ghost. Anyway, look on the bright side, we managed to catch a killer and put a troubled spirit to rest. Isn't that a heartwarming end?"

"I was possessed by a ghost the whole time! You think it's fun being possessed? I was really scared!"

"Were you aware of everything the whole time?" Riki asked.

"Uh huh."

"However can I make it up to you?" asked Kyousuke.

"Hmm..." Rin crossed her arms, looking thoughtful. "Buy me Mon Petit. And no more ouija boards!"

"Alright. Don't worry, I already burned it to be on the safe side."

"Good." Rin exhaled loudly. "Well, even if she stole my body, I guess I'm glad that ghost girl is at rest now. I felt sorry for her."

"Yeah. In the end, it all worked out well, didn't it?" Riki said. "We managed to have a good ending to this scary tale."

"Mmm, yeah, you're right." Rin nodded. "Maybe it wasn't so bad after all. I just really don't want to get possessed again."

Psycho

"Hey, hey, careful." Rin slowly picked her way through the swarming cats. "I know you're happy to see me, but I don't want to step on you." She went over to her usual spot and saw something unusual.

A large mound of earth had been piled up by the wall. A deep crevice ran around the mound where dirt had been dug up.

"Huh?" Rin knelt down in front of the mound. She looked at the cats. "Did you do this?"

The cats only mewed in response. Rin began scooping earth back into the hole.

"You can't go digging holes. If you do that, the school might get cross and try to get rid of you guys, so no more, okay? Huh, there's fur?" Rin quickened her pace, her heart racing. As she uncovered more of it, her fear grew. As she uncovered even more earth, it became clear this was a cat. The markings on the fur looked familiar too. Rin snuck a glance at the crowd of cats behind her, confirming her fears.

"Te-Tezuka?" Rin was throwing clods of dirt now. When she had completely uncovered the body, she stared at the remains, her face growing white.

A long, jagged gash ran across the length of the cat's belly. Fleshy lumps, black and red, spilled out, staining the earth beneath a deep brown.

"TEZUKAAAAAAA!"

The other members of the Little Busters were alerted to the commotion and found Rin hugging Tezuka's remains, screaming hysterically. She was taken to the infirmary where she ended up spending the rest of the day. When school was over, Rin went to her room and didn't leave, not even when it was evening.

The atmosphere in Riki's room was unusually somber that night.

"Damn. I still can't believe how messed up some people can be," Masato said. "That poor cat was..." He broke off, making a disgusted noise.

"How could they do this to Rin?" Kyousuke clenched a fist. "Killing one of her cats like that... I don't get it! Who would want to do that to her?"

"Do you think this was supposed to be an attack against Rin?" Riki asked. "I've heard that there are sick people out there who would torture and kill animals. Maybe there's someone like that at this school."

"The cat was buried by the walkway, right?" Kengo said. Riki nodded in response. "Everyone knows Rin plays with her cats there."

Riki's stomach flopped and bile rose in his throat. "So, you're saying Rin was supposed to find him? They wanted her to discover the dead cat?"

Kyousuke gritted his teeth. "That creep. If I ever find him, he'll be sorry."

"I've never wanted to pound someone's face in so much." Masato slammed a fist against his palm.

Riki gripped his fists. He could scarcely imagine what might happen next. Would the cat killer raise their head again? What was their intention? He was honestly afraid to know the answer.

The next day, Rin came to class. She didn't say a word as she sat at her desk.

"Rin-chan, are you alright?" Komari came over, looking concerned.

"Mmm," was all Rin could say. She didn't even look up.

"Well, if you want to, why don't we have lunch together?" Komari patted Rin's shoulder. "We'll go to my favourite place. How about it?"

"...Okay."

"Great." Komari smiled. "You're doing well, Rin-chan," she added in a soft murmur, her expression briefly turning sad, before heading back to her desk.

Riki texted Komari. 'Thanks.'

'No problem. I want to do my best and make Rin-chan happy again. ^0^' Komari texted back.

When the teacher came for the next lesson, Rin reached into her desk for her textbook. Her hand brushed up against a mound of stiff, spiky fur. She jerked her hand away and saw little specks of dried blood on her fingertips.

Rin screamed and jumped back, her chair clattering to the floor. She fell to the floor and caught a glimpse of matted fur within the desk. Even though it was soaked in blood, she could still make out the pattern beneath the patches of reddish brown.

Masato and Kengo raced over to her desk. Riki hurried over and tried to see what was happening, but Masato blocked him.

"You don't want to see what's in here, Riki! Kengo, let's carry this desk out."

"Yeah."

Masato and Kengo carried the desk out of the classroom. Riki knelt down next to Rin, who was still on the floor, crying in Komari's arms.

"Hi... Hitler... uwaaaaah!"

That was all Riki needed to hear in order to know just what Rin had found in her desk.

Once again, Rin was absent from classes for the rest of the day.

That night, when Rin returned to her room, she found a note on her desk, with a picture included. The picture was of her cat, Audrey. Rin's hands shook as she held onto it. She couldn't imagine who would have left this picture here. Rin picked the note up. Her blood ran cold as she read the writing on it.

'Do you want your cat back, alive? Then come to the boys' storage shack. Come alone and don't tell anyone.'

Rin stared at it for a long time, deliberating on what she should do.

It was an obvious trap, but how could she just ignore her cat being in danger? Rin crumpled the note up and dropped it back onto the desk. She ran out of the room.

"Rin-chan?" Komari's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Are you alright?"

Rin froze in place, regarding her with wide eyes.

"Are you going over to Riki-kun's room?"

"Uh... er..." Rin fidgeted. She didn't want to lie to Komari, but she couldn't very well tell her where she was going. "Um... I have to go! See you!" She turned around and ran off.


***

Riki, Masato, Kyousuke and Kengo were all together in Riki's room. None of them were in the mood for fun and games still, thinking about Rin's situation. They could only ponder over the worsening situation.

There was a knock on the door. Riki went to answer it and saw a female classmate standing there.

"Eh? Kawamura-san?"

"I... I'm sorry!" Kawamura bowed. "For what I did to Natsume-san... it was me who put that cat in her desk!"

"What?!" Masato exclaimed from behind Riki. "Why the hell would you do such a thing?"

"Masato, calm down," Riki said. "Let her talk."

"I wasn't the one who killed the poor thing, I swear. It was that guy... he had all this nasty stuff about me and was threatening to expose me. I didn't want it to get out and I had to do what he said. He told me to put the cat in her desk. He even gave me a note and I had to put it in her room." Kawamura paused, drawing in deep breaths. "I really didn't want to hurt her. I'm so sorry for what I did."

At that moment, Riki's cellphone rang. It was a call from Komari.

***

Rin stood outside the boys' storage shack, gripping her sweating hands, breathing heavily. Her cat was probably in there. So was the maniac who had sent her that note. They had to be the same person who had killed two of her cats already. Her entire body was trembling.

She was afraid to go in there, and yet, she couldn't bear the thought of losing one more cat. Rin gulped in a deep breath and steeled herself. Her cat's life was at stake. She was going to do her best to save her cat. With her mind made up, she ventured inside.

"So you came. You really do value the lives of your cats, don't you?"

Rin faced the speaker, who appeared to be a third year student. His face seemed vaguely familiar. "You...you're the one who killed Tezuka and Hitler, aren't you?"

"Eh? Who are they? Oh, they must be your cats. You sure gave them some ridiculous names."

Rin heard a cat mew and looked down to see Audrey at her feet. "Audrey! You're okay!" She knelt down to give her a quick stroke, before directing her angry gaze toward the student. "Why did you have to do that to my cats? What did they ever do to you?"

"They were merely pawns in my scheme to get to you, and it worked pretty well. As expected, you came right to me." He laughed. "So, do you not remember who I am?"

"No."

"You don't, huh?" He clenched his hands into fists. "I confessed to you once. Surely, you must remember that at least?"

"Eh, really?" Now that Rin thought about it, she did recall something like that though she had forgotten about it pretty quickly.

"Damn, you really are a self-absorbed bitch, aren't you? You couldn't even be bothered to turn me down yourself, you had to get your brother to do it for you. What the fuck is your problem, huh?" He strode across the room toward her.

Rin snatched up the cat and tried to get to the door, but he got there first, slamming her against it. Though she struggled and kicked valiantly in his grip, she was unable to get away and he flung her across the room. She sprawled out over the floor, whimpering.

He strode across the room toward her. Rin turned her head and a cry escaped her lips when she saw him towering over her. She started scrambling away from him until her back hit the wall.

"Are you afraid of me? Well, you should be." He grabbed the front of her shirt and leaned in, leering at her. "I'm going to make you sorry,"

Rin's teeth sank into his hand.

"Ow! You bitch!" His fist slammed into her cheek, sending her sprawling to the floor. He got on top of her and wrapped his hands around her neck. "How dare you!" His hands started squeezing her throat. "Bitches like you are the worst!"

Rin tried to scream, but could only manage a choked whimper. She kicked and scratched at him, to no avail. His laughter rang in her ears and his hands squeezed harder.

"Meooooow!"

"Argh! What the fuck?!" The student's hands came away from Rin's neck and scrabbled at his face, where a cat was clawing furiously at him. He scrambled away from Rin, flailing at the hissing bundle of fur. "Get off!"

Rin retched and coughed, spitting up gobs of saliva. She blinked the tears from her eyes and saw what was happening. "Au... drey..."

A flash of silver passed through the air and the cat went flying with a pained yowl. Audrey hit the ground and lay there, mewing. Rin saw the knife clutched in the boy's hands and realised what had happened.

"Audrey!" Rin ran over to the cat and clasped her to her chest. She turned around, gritting her teeth and glaring at her attacker. "You... how dare you hurt my cats! I won't forgive you!"

He was still recovering from the shock of being attacked by the cat and was caught by surprise when Rin's kick struck his body. "Ugh! Y-you...!"

Rin backed away toward the door, watching him with a wary look.

"I'm not going to let you get away!" He raised the knife and charged. At the same time, the door opened.

"Rin!"

Someone moved in front of her. A gasp and a cry of pain followed. The room was filled with yells. It took Rin a moment to realize what was happening. Kyousuke was standing in front of her, clutching at his shoulder. Masato and Kengo were now beating on the student who had attacked her.

"Rin, are you okay?" Riki was there too.

"Riki!" Rin turned around. "You all came?"

"Of course. We heard from Komari-san you had gone out and she found that note in your room. What were you thinking, coming here by yourself?"

Rin looked down at the cat in her arms. "He was going to kill another one of my cats. I had to save her. I didn't want to lose another cat."

"Rin..." Riki looked like he was going to say something, but instead he looked away. He gasped. "Kyousuke, you're bleeding!"

"It's okay, he just got my shoulder."

Rin saw the blood running through Kyousuke's fingers and dripping to the floor where a blood spattered knife lay. A chill coursed through her veins as realisation hit her. When Kyousuke had jumped in front of her, he had ended up getting stabbed by that knife.

"Kyousuke was hurt." Rin's voice shook.

"Don't worry about it." Kyousuke smiled at her. "At least you're safe."

Riki took his cell phone out and called the police. Meanwhile, the other boys kept guard over the unconscious student and Rin watched on with teary eyes, still clutching the cat. It appeared the cat's injury was not too severe though she was continuing to mew every so often.

"It hurt, doesn't it?" Rin stroked her fur. "You got hurt too... I'm sorry."

"You really are alright, aren't you, Rin?" Riki asked. "You weren't hurt, were you?"

Rin shook her head. "I'm okay, but..." She bit her lower lip. "I messed up, didn't I? I got Kyousuke hurt..."

"Hey, it's okay." Riki put a hand on her head. "You were just afraid for your cat, weren't you? If anything like this ever happens again, don't go alone, no matter what. The Little Busters have to take the bad guys down together."

"O-okay." Rin nodded. "I'm so glad you all came. It was scary."

"It must have been." Riki threw a glare at the student lying on the floor. He still couldn't believe it, that someone was capable of such evil, and they even had to direct it at Rin of all people. How could someone be so inhuman? "It should be all over now."

"Mmm." Rin looked at her cat. "Thank goodness."

Psycho 2

I open my eyes.

Ah, I know this sight. It's one I've seen many times before.

That world of white. A sheet draped over my body. The sensation of something soft cushioning my head.

Yes, I know where I am very well.

This is a hospital.

There is no one here.

Even though I'm no longer a child, I can't help wishing somebody was at my side. It's strange to wake up and find myself all alone.

I just don't like it, the lonely feeling that comes from nobody being at my side.

I shouldn't dwell on it though.

How long has it been since I last fell asleep from an attack? That hateful illness, narcolepsy. I thought it was a thing of the past now. It's so easy to believe that would be the cause and yet... I don't recall the moment I was disconnected from this world.

I just can't remember.

My heart starts pounding.

Something's not right. I'm certain of it.

There are a pair of slippers by the bed. I put those on and hurry out of the room.

Come to think of it, these clothes I'm wearing aren't mine. I'm wearing a plain, white outfit. It looks like something hospital inpatients would wear. How strange.

What's going on here?

I race through the corridor and turn a corner. Up ahead is a man in a white coat.

"Excuse me." I approach the man. "I just woke up and found myself here. I was wondering if you could help me."

The man meets my gaze. He has a somewhat weary look on his face. A sigh passes through his lips and he raises a finger to adjust his spectacles. "Ah, Naoe-kun. This again, hm?"

Huh? What's he talking about?

"You know my name? Then, you know what I'm doing here, right? I can't even remember why I'm here."

The man just nods. "Yes. You do say that a lot."

Eh?

I take a step back.

None of this makes any sense.

A chill gradually creeps along my back.

"Hey, come on, why am I here? I don't get it. What are you saying?"

"It's alright. Let's just get you some medication-" The man is now reaching for my arm.

"No!" I lash out, knocking back his hand, and take off.

Something really isn't right here. I've got to get out of this place.

Adrenalin pumps through my body, spurring me on. I charge down a flight of steps, taking two at a time.

People are watching on in surprise as I race down the corridor. I narrowly avoid a woman pushing a cart. Someone is shouting, but I have no idea what they are saying.

I race down a flight of stairs. The sound of running feet follows me as I go. My chest is starting to hurt from the exertion of running so much but I keep going. I can't stop. I need to get away.

There are two large exit doors up ahead. I urge myself to go faster-

And two people in uniform bar my path.

I skid to a stop and turn around.

As I do, I catch sight of someone holding up a small, metal device and aiming it toward me. I'm barely aware of something hitting my chest and then I feel a jolt. The floor comes up to meet me and the dull thud of an impact vibrates through my body.

I can't move.

I can only lie there, twitching. My muscles won't do what I want them to do.

A person in a white coat stands over me with a syringe. He kneels and plunges the tip into my neck.

I feel dizzy.

My eyes close and I'm no longer aware of anything.

***

My head feels heavy. It takes a while just to open my eyes. I raise an arm and hear a metallic clank. Something is stopping my arm from rising any higher. I realize that I've been chained to the bed.

No way...

Why would they want to chain me to the bed? I don't understand.

"Oh, you're awake."

A girl's voice reaches me.

I turn my head and she's there, standing at the side of the bed,



"Seems that you caused a stir again, Riki-kun."










"You were alone."

No.

"All alone, by yourself."

I cover my ears. She rips them away and holds them down, then leans in close. Her eyes bore into mine and I'm pulled into her penetrating gaze.

"You were alone and you hated it."

No, no, no, stop it.

I try to break away. Her grip around my wrists is hard as steel. I can't escape that hold.

Her lips curve up


"That girl survived, you know."


She reaches into her jacket and takes out a photo. I don't want to look. I don't want to see that picture, and yet I'm forced to anyway. I feel a jolt as I see the girl depicted within that photograph.

Rin... it's really her.

I want to scream.

This is wrong.

Rin is wearing a plain pink outfit as she sits in a chair. Her hands are folded in her laps and she's not looking at the camera.

Her face... there's no emotion there. She's looking ahead with dull eyes and her lips are turned down slightly. It's the look of someone who has completely given up on life.

My vision blurs as tears form in my eyes.

"Rin...!"

What happened to her? How could she have ended up like this?

"You're the one who did this to her, you know."

"No! I'd never hurt Rin!"

"But you did."

She puts the picture away.

"She tried to kill herself, several times. They had to shut her away in a facility for her own safety. Her wrists are covered in scars. She has to be sedated often or she'll go crazy."

"Shut up, just shut up! You're lying!"

"The poor girl wakes up in the night screaming. She'll cry out for her brother, but he's not coming and you know why, don't you? Because you killed him."