As we walk to class, I can't help but feel Len's burning stare.

"Hey, what's your deal?" I ask him, raising an eyebrow wickedly.

He shook his head like he was trying to get out of some sort of trance, and his cheeks tinted pink.

Probably from embarrassment.

"S-Sorry, I was spacing out..." Looking down at me, he smiled.

I made a 'hmph' noise and continued walking forward. Since when does he have the right to gawk at me like a hairy monkey at the zoo?

We all went our separate ways, and I sighed.

I hate being lonely, I repeated in my head, and then bumped into someone...

Neru.

Oh hell no. We all know what happened the last time I was alone with her.

I tried walking past her, and she stopped me. However, it was not in her usual aggressive way.

"I need to talk to you."

"I can't," I respond quickly.

"Why?" She asks, tilting her head innocently as if she hasn't broken my leg.

She bats her long eyelashes that match mine, and pouts her slightly plumpish limps.

"Because I need to get to class."

"I understand. Meet me at lunch."

She understands? What got into her? I can see her smiling warmly out of the corner of my eye, which she rarely does.

It's a fake smile.

"Neru, dear, come into the kitchen, please," Mother called me, and I followed.

I love being pampered by my mother. It makes me feel... rich and spoiled.

"Yes, mother?" I asked, popping my head into the kitchen.

"Closer, please. I can't stand one sided conversations, Neru, you know that~" She puffed seductively as if I was one of her sex slaves. Gross. I didn't mind the loud noises coming from the bedroom, as long as I got what I wanted.

I always got what I wanted.

Her long, slender finger beckoned me over, gold eyes shining with pure delight.

"I need you to pull something on the Hatsunes." By the sound of that, I grinned.

Oh, I can't wait 'till I tell my dad, Kenji Hachune all about this! He'll be proud.

His last name sounds like it's mispronounced... strange.

"Of course, mother! What can I do?"

"I need you to marry Mikuo Hatsune." My eyes widened in shock.

Mikuo? That gross kid that probably doesn't have a chance with anyone other than that blonde girl?

"B-But mommy, I-"

"Remember my name, Akita."

"But... mother, I-I don't love him. I want to marry Len. That's the reason why I started torturing Miku and her family in the first place! She's getting in my way." I pout. I'm not used to having things ripped away from me.

I'm lucky. With all the others, my mother made abortions.

She chose to bring me into the world.

"Oh, I know, sweetie," she said, her fingers twirling around my hair. I'm not aloud to cut it.

"Right after you get a hold of his money, you can kill him. Then you'll be so rich that Len will just fall for you immediately," Mother let go of my hair and looked up at me, considering the fact that she was sitting down on an oak chair, sipping coffee normally, like she just didn't talk about murdering someone.

It all hit me.

Len wouldn't fall for girls who kill. Len wouldn't fall for girls who hurt.

Len would fall for someone behind the looks.

I would never kill anyone. Maybe hurt them a bit, but it's not murder. I would never murder.

Once I told my Miku problem to my mother, and she said to hurt her.

I hesitated, but I did it.

Look at where that got me.

Nowhere.

I can't do this anymore. I never felt full when hurting the Hatsunes anyway. I felt... bitterly guilty.

"I-I can't murder someone, mother.. even I wouldn't go as low as that," I frowned.

"I command you. You follow my command. It's murder or be murdered, Neru dear. Pick one."

My own mother would actually consider murdering me?

What kind of sick house do I live in?

"Y-Yes, mother.." I bow, and I almost start crying.

I know I can't be with Len.

I know I can't murder Mikuo, no matter how irritating.

I know I can't get a happy ending. That only means that others .

And they will.

A week had past of thinking, planning, and groaning, even up to now.

I should do something...

If I'm not killed by then.

I snap out of the small flashback, and rub my temples. 29 days to seduce Mikuo.

I better do it fast. Quick and painful.

No, don't do that to them! It's not their fault that Len doesn't like you! It's yours. It's your mother's. Please... make peace with them. Fight her together!

I debated what I should do in my head.

It'll take long for me to befriend them, anyways, a part of my mind retorted.

Double the time to seduce one of them!

I almost yelled stop. At myself. God, that would've been embarrassing.

My mother's pampers are just bribes. Lies. Signs that no one cares for you. Signs of pure... mimicry.

I'll dong know if I should fight with them against her.

I don't know if I can even call her my mother anymore.

I'll call her by her true name.

The word escaped my lips as if it was some sort of sacred ancestor.