Chapter 1
He ran straight forward, plunging the knife deep into Teruko’s chest. The moment he retracted the knife, she glared at him heavily, and Xander froze at the hate in her eyes.
She dropped to the ground, clutching her wound as blood overflowed, and Xander had to witness it all. Witness the death of his friend, knowing it was his fault. ‘I had to do this,’ he reasoned, but it didn’t cease the ache in his heart.
He had to continue, there was no going back now. Not when Teruko was actively bleeding out on the floor, unmoving. Not when he’d already betrayed her trust. He had to continue with this, but he couldn’t. His trembling hands let go of the knife, staring in shock at Teruko’s body. He was in such a trance, he missed his cue with Charles, who’d already ran out to probably vomit.
God, he fucked up, didn’t he? There was no going back, even if he desperately wished so. He shouldn’t have ever done this, he shouldn’t have even thought of it.
Suddenly, he was snapped back to reality when a loud scream pierced through his ears and water was doused all over him. He turned toward the source, eyes meeting the Ultimate Student. She must’ve seen how horrible he looked, lowering her guard slightly and rushing to Teruko’s side rather than running away.
“Xander, what happened!” she asked, holding Teruko’s head against her chest, “She’s— she’s bleeding so much!… Xander please! Help me get her to the infirmary!”
Xander’s breath hitched, glancing at the bloody knife on the floor, before making a decision and rushing over to the two girls. “I… I’ll explain… later…” he managed to mutter as he carried Teruko’s body and ran to the infirmary as fast as he could, Min following in suit.
Xander had to patch her up himself, having some experience in emergency situations like these. Teruko had lost a lot of blood, but luckily she was still alive. Xander sighed in relief, sitting on a chair beside her bed and looking straight at the floor in regret. It wouldn’t be long until the others come in, it wouldn’t be long until disaster.
“Xander.” a firm voice called, “Can you… please tell me what happened, to uh… her.”
He could tell Min was nervous. Even an idiot could conclude what happened, it was an obvious fact. Xander had attempted a murder. He let out a shaky exhale, crossing his arms while his gaze still fixated on the floor. “I… I’m sorry. I can’t tell you. You… you already know what happened, there’s nothing to do but admit it.”
He didn’t miss how Min tensed up even more, clenching her fists. “…Why?” she muttered under her breath, glancing at Teruko’s still body through her bangs, “Why would you do this?! I… I don’t get it! You said—… you of all people—… how could you?!”
Just then, the infirmary door swung open, revealing a worried Hu Jing and Eden.
“There you guys are! We heard a scream earlier— AAAHH, Teruko?! What happened?!” Eden screamed, running ahead of Hu Jing in concern. Min gave the rebel a glare, but turned around to talk to the two girls instead.
“She’s in good condition, don’t worry. I… think it’s best we gather everyone…” she sighed, “Tell everyone to meet in the cafeteria, this is going to be… a heavy topic.”
“Huh? A—Alright! Eden, let's go.” Hu Jing and Eden left immediately, leaving Min and Xander alone again.
Xander has been uncharacteristically quiet the whole time, it was unsettling, added with the fact that he had just attempted a murder of course.
Finally, Xander spoke in defense, “Look, I promise I had a reason! I…” he trailed off, standing up.
“Why then? I find it h-hard to believe there would be a reason enough to justify… this!” Min stated, taking a step back. Her fear sent a pang in Xander’s heart, but it was understandable. Of course it was.
“I— I just, I can’t tell anyone right now… l-let’s just go! Everyone else must be waiting.”
“I can’t… forgive you for this.”
He knew that, of course he did. Xander lay his head low as he passed by Min and headed straight for the door. Min stayed behind for a little longer, staring at Teruko, before leaving to follow Xander into the cafeteria.
Xander stood in front of the door. He could hear screaming inside the cafeteria. By the sound of it, everyone was already present. It was chaotic. It only broke Xander’s heart more knowing he caused this. Min came beside him, looking at him expectantly.
“Aren’t you going in?” she asked.
“Right! Right, of course.”
Xander entered the cafeteria, meeting face to face with the argument taking place.
“Isn’t it obvious?! That asshole stabbed her! He broke my hand, remember?!”
“Ace, let’s not jump into conclusions, Xander wouldn’t do something like this—“
“Shut up, bitch! He did do something like that! Get that through your stupid ass head!”
“Guys, please calm down! Look, Xander’s here!”
Xander’s body tensed at the gaze of his classmates. Faces filled with distrust, disgust, confusion, fright… all of them wanting answers. Because Xander couldn’t have attempted murder, right? A positive guy like him… there was no way.
“Xander! Please, tell us what really happened!” Hu spoke in a desperate tone, as if she was buried in massive denial of Xander’s wrongdoings.
Xander clenched his fists and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I did it.”
“Huh?…”
“I tried to murder Teruko Tawaki.”