Unleashing every ounce of energy, I launched myself forward as I neared the corner, my body leaping like a fish. My feet plunged into the filthy refuse pile; the trash on the periphery only reached my ankles, barely impeding my movement.
Before me lay not only a mountain of garbage but also eight or nine trash cans. Glancing back, I saw no sign of Yamashita Izumi, though faint, swift footsteps echoed in my ears. Without a moment’s hesitation, I dashed towards the nearest trash can, flung open its lid, and plunged inside.
A putrid, nauseating stench assaulted my nostrils. I could barely tolerate it. Yet, the searing pain in my arm made my entire body convulse.
I wanted to cry, but no tears came. I wanted to scream, but feared attracting Yamashita Izumi, which would only hasten my demise. My phone was in a drawer, making any call for help utterly impossible. If I could just evade this search, I vowed to retrieve my phone from the classroom and call Sister immediately.
Originally, I had assumed the smell of a garbage dump was just like what we encountered when passing by. However, once I burrowed inside, I realized the reality far exceeded my imagination. The stench was so overpowering, I didn’t want to stay even for a minute. The blood from my hand had already soaked my clothes, staining them a vivid crimson.
Faint, shuffling footsteps reached my ears, clearly the rustling sound of shoes treading on trash. I cautiously peered upwards. The can’s lid was tightly sealed; without lifting it, I couldn’t see anything.
This place was so dirty and foul, it was obvious no ordinary person would bother to open it. I gambled that Yamashita Izumi wouldn’t dare to lift the lid.
“Brother, I know you’re in here. Will you come out on your own, or shall I drag you out?”
The sudden words stole my breath.
Shhh… Shhh…
The light footsteps grew clearer. I sensed she had stopped directly in front of me, peering in from outside. She was likely debating whether to open it, perhaps doubting I would truly hide in such a garbage heap.
Pitter-patter!
Large beads of sweat dripped from my face. My body rigid, my legs tensed, I stared out through the trash can. Though I couldn’t see her, I knew she stood right before my hiding place.
Chink!
The trash can was pierced. A glinting blade hovered a mere centimeter from my eye.
My eyes widened. I stared at the blade’s tip, so terrifyingly close. If it had advanced even a fraction more, my left eye would have been lost. I heard the powerful thumping of my heart, the rush of blood, and the rustling sound of my hair standing on end. I dared not move; if she found me inside, I would surely be killed.
The blade was withdrawn, leaving a narrow slit in the trash can. Through that tiny opening, I glimpsed Yamashita Izumi’s petite figure, clad in an oversized school uniform. I recalled her uniform not being so large; I wondered where this one came from, and why she wore such ill-fitting clothes.
“Brother, Brother, you left me and ran away again. Unforgivable, unforgivable!”
Yamashita Izumi’s pitiful voice, thick with grievance, reached my ears. If not for her intent to kill me, I truly would have rushed over to embrace such a seemingly helpless girl. I couldn’t comprehend why a devil could coexist with an angel in one body; she clearly meant to kill me, yet spoke with such sorrow.
The sound of her footsteps slowly faded into the distance. I waited a while longer in the trash can. Seeing she hadn’t returned, I finally pushed open the lid and climbed out.
A portion of the blood on my wrist had congealed, staunching the flow, yet the pain relentlessly tormented my spirit. My body reeked, but that no longer mattered. The urgent task now was to get my phone and call Sister.
When I dragged my battered body to the teaching building, I finally let out a sigh of relief. The classroom door was still open.
The classroom was empty. It seemed Yamashita Izumi hadn’t found me and had left.
Hiss!
My wound accidentally brushed against the door, sending tears streaming down my face from the sharp pain. The moment I stepped into the classroom, a dangerous premonition struck me from behind. I whirled around, only to see Yamashita Izumi smiling silently from behind the door, a hammer raised high, ready to strike me.
Crack!
I heard the sound of my skull shattering, yet felt no pain. My vision narrowed, as if the sky had grown dark. I tried to cry for help, but as my mouth opened, a torrent of bloody froth surged into my throat. Yamashita Izumi’s triumphant laughter echoed in my ears, and then I saw nothing. Utter darkness enveloped me, devoid of touch, hearing, or sight; my entire being plunged into boundless blackness. In the final flicker of my fading consciousness, I still thought of Sister, yet I knew I would never see her again.
“Dead!” Yamashita Izumi gripped the hammer, silently observing Jiu’s head, which had been smashed into a pulp. Yellow, white, red—various brain tissues intertwined. She felt no fear, no remorse. She only knew that Jiu was now hers alone; no one would ever snatch him away again. Jiu would never be able to straddle two boats, but would remain solely by her side.
Yamashita Izumi dropped the hammer and retrieved a prepared suitcase, stuffing Jiu’s body inside. She feared being seen; if discovered, someone would surely take Jiu from her. Once everything was handled, Yamashita Izumi leisurely dragged the suitcase towards the school gate.
The plan had proceeded smoothly, unseen by anyone.
Not long after Yamashita Izumi exited the classroom, she spotted Xia Yinuo approaching her.
A flicker of panic seized Yamashita Izumi, and she tightened her grip on the suitcase. This woman was utterly detestable, not Jiu’s sister at all, yet she constantly claimed to be his biological sister. She merely satisfied her personal desires, making Jiu her plaything. Yamashita Izumi, however, was different; she truly loved Jiu, whether he was alive or dead, clean or dirty—she loved him without reservation.
“Izumi, have you seen Jiu?” Xia Yinuo asked, her brow furrowed with worry. Xia Yinuo had told Jiu to wait for her by the gate after school. It was always like this, but today he was nowhere to be seen, and his phone was unreachable.
Yamashita Izumi’s eyes darted around, and she quickly formulated an answer: “Jiu? Oh, I remember. He rushed out of the classroom as soon as school ended. He must have gone home. I had some things to do, so I left a bit late. The classroom is empty now.”
Home? Xia Yinuo was half-skeptical. Jiu was always obedient; he would never leave without telling her. Besides, his phone was off. Even if he wanted to surprise her, he shouldn’t ignore her calls.
“I’ll be going now, Senior,” Yamashita Izumi pouted, dragging the suitcase past Xia Yinuo and heading towards the school gate.
After more than ten minutes of walking, Yamashita Izumi finally dragged the luggage to her rental apartment. Once the door was locked, she eagerly opened the suitcase, gazing at Jiu, curled into a ball inside. Yamashita Izumi chuckled softly.
“Jiu’s scent… It’s Jiu’s scent! This is it, so comfortable, so delightful!” Yamashita Izumi closed her eyes, held out her hands, and inhaled Jiu’s unique masculine aroma, her face flushed scarlet.