Chapter Text
7:00 AM
Another school year just started. Aether’s and Lumine’s second year. Lumine slowly made her way towards the entrance. Nothing really changed here. She tried to spot new kids, which was a relatively easy job. They remind her of the time she entered those grounds for the first time. Curiously looking around while clutching onto her twin brother's arm. Oh, yes, where’s Aether? As a great twin sister it’s her duty to spend ALL of the time with him. Where could he be…
Where are you hiding, dear brother~ she quietly spoke under breath.
Green hair, black hair, too tall, that’s a girl, a teacher…
Golden hair!
Lumine was about to jump on her brother's back when she noticed… he’s not alone. And that’s none of this guy's friends. That’s a girl. New girl.
Lumine took a quick picture. The lovey-dovies (because that’s how they looked and Lumine hates it) were so invested in themselves that they failed to notice her. Ohh, Lumine won’t let that slide. Not this time, not ANY time.
Lumine rushed inside the building. Change shoes, put on a bag, go to classes. Usual routine. But without Aether she felt lonely. No one to talk to. Well, yes, Lumine did have many friends but she never really talked with them. Why would she? She always had her brother. And now some new girl is taking him away. Clear as day, Lumine needs help in this matter. And who better to ask than her best friend, Pai.
Pai graduated a few years ago (Lumine’s not sure how many) from the same high school. They met through some social media app. Lumine would pour her heart out in the middle of the night and would be sure that Pai would answer her at the speed of light. She always does. Yet Pai herself is a mystery. She did say some anecdotes from her life once or twice but not enough to let Lumine figure out her identity. That’s not a problem actually. Lumine enjoys having a friend like this since Pai knows everything. She’s like a talking Wikipedia, who understands you more than you do yourself.
She scrolled through her conversations. Where is she, where is-
Here.
_Pai Chan_
Paiiiiii
What?
How are you always active when I need you?
ANYWAY
There’s a girl
*Lumine sends a photo*
Her
Interesting..
Wait, is it Aether she’s walking with?
Yes
No way
Girl
How could he
Like I know!
This chick is getting in my way
All I wanted to do is to spend the rest of my school year with my brother
And there she is
Calm down
You can be together at home
No Pai
Not you too
I hate you
Noo :<
Please don’t unfriend me
I was just joking
Lu
Please
T^T
Pai I’m sorry
I forgive youu
<3
<3
Okay back to the topic
She’s really annoying
And loud
And she dresses like a stupid bunny
Fury
She’s stupid
How do I get her away from my brother?
I need your help
You’ve contacted the best person possible :>
Here’s the plan:
1. You have to be popular and liked
Just y'know raise no suspicion
Well that's already done
2. Learn as much as you can about your rival
Rival?
The girl
Okay and then the last step
Listening...
3. Kill her
______
... What? Lumine was about to type those words before she felt a few taps on her shoulder. Quickly locked her phone before turning around. What a coincidence
"Oh, hi!" The red girl said. "Do you know where classroom 1-1 is?"
"It's right here"
"Oh?, oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't even notice!" The girl laughed nervously. "This school is so big that I thought I'm lost"
Lumine looked at the time. 7:20 AM. A lot of time before lessons start. There is no trouble with learning a few things about this lad, right?
"Are you new here?"
"Yes, yes, yes!! I'm Amber and I'm in class 1-1", she exclaimed almost beaming with her cheeky smile.
"That's great! I'm Lumine from class 2-1", Lumine tried putting on her most happy welcoming face. "By the way, what are your next classes? If you have trouble finding the right place I can help you even now"
"That would be great!"
Amber took her phone swiftly from her pocket. She tapped a few apps and analyzed them quickly.
"Umm, my next class is PE..."
"That's quite far away", Lumine looked at the phone screen. "Here" she pointed at the map "Here we are now. To get to the gym you have to exit the main building through the back door. Just follow the corridor. Then turn left on the outside path and later go between the shower rooms. Walk forward until you notice a tall yellow building. That’s the gym."
Lumine glanced at Amber's face. She now had a more serious look. "Will you remember it?"
"Yeah, yeah...", Amber tried to remember the way as she traced it with her finger as well. "Yeah, I will get it"
"Great! If you have any more trouble feel free to ask!" Lumine waved goodbye before heading to her class.
As soon as she got out of Amber's field of vision she let out a groan. It's so tiring pretending to help everyone happily. Why is this girl so extravertic?
BEEP
New message received from Pai Chan: ?
Oh yes, Pai.
_Pai Chan_
Sry this girl ask for directions
Also what the hell???
Why do you want me to murder her??????
???
Girl, chill
It's a good method
Let me guess, you tested it?
Yeah
______
Lumine almost dropped her phone upon seeing the last message
_Pai Chan_
You're joking right?
Nope :D
THATS NOTHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT!!!!
Those were the best moments of my life!
Wdym?
WDYM WDYM
YOU JUST TOLD ME TO KILL SOMEONE
AND ACT LIKE ITS THE BEST OPTION
Is it not?
NO ITS NOT
Okay fine
Then, what do you suggest?
…
idk
Listen, if she’s annoying you and you’re having any problem with her then get rid of the problem
Unfortunately I’m not here so I can’t help you
:(
I’ll think of it
ok?
Fine
Tell me how school went!
______
3:30 PM
The lessons were boring. Per usual. The only thing different was this advice from Pai.
‘if she’s annoying you and you’re having any problem with her then get rid of the problem’
There is no way she suggested that. She must be joking, right?
…
R-right?
…
…
..
Okay, Amber IS annoying her. A LOT. Because why does she even think of herself trying to get her brother away from her?! She’s just a freshman. It’s oblivious that Lumine won’t let her do so. But does this mean that she has to murder her? Is it really necessary?
5:25 PM
Lumine hated to admit it but the more she thought of it the more she agreed with Pai’s idea. It won’t hurt to try, right?
Yes, it will hurt Lumine. You’re about to hurt a person. The pessimistic part of Lumine took the better of her while she sat in her room.
After hours of rethinking her decisions and trying to come up with the answers Lumine finally picked up the phone.
Should she do it?
She began pondering again, turning her phone in hand. She traced the starlight patterns on the back stopping on the shells she glued a year ago. They still hadn’t fallen off. Lumine let out a sight. It’s time. She has to do it
_Pai Chan_
Pai
Ohh, you’re back!
How’s school?
Boring as ever
But that’s not why I'm writing
So, what’s your choice?
______
Lumine’s fingers trembled slightly. I hate what I'm doing she muttered
_Pai Chan_
I’m in
How do I get rid of her?
That’s the spirit! :D
I assume you’re not interested in violent methods?
NO
Okay, chill
How about…
Fake suicide?
Please explain
You like writing and literature, right?
Yeah
So
You write a fake suicide note
Invite the girl on the roof (I will give you the proper location)
THEN
Push her off the roof
And place the note right where she stood
Huh
It's not as bad
Not hard
Of course it’s not hard!
If you’re not carrying any dangerous objects you have nothing to worry about!
I’m scared to ask why you know it
Fine, I’ll try it tomorrow
Tell me how it went!
I want to know
Got it
______
Lumine sat at her desk. Looks like I’m writing a suicide note now. Who would have guessed?
7:05 AM
Lumine looked both ways. No sign of Amber. Shame. Lumine would like it to be over already.
Over the night she was still wondering if it was the best she could do. She already agreed. Lumine looked once again at the place Pai sent her.
If this chick doesn’t appear in the next 5 minutes I’m not doing it. Lumine gave herself a last chance to abort this plan. She will just tell Pai about it. She can’t force her, can she?
…
No, she’s here.
Lumine spotted the bunny girl in the crowd. With her cheeky smile and red hair bow she looked nothing like a person which is about to die. She’s unaware. Would be a problem if she was.
"Hey, Amber!" She shouted, getting attention from too many people. Fortunately those ‘many people’ also involved her target. Upon seeing Lumine Amber pretty much pushed her way to Lumine. Then two of them fell into each other's arms as if they hadn’t seen themselves for decades.
"Lumine! How’s it going?"
"Pretty well, I suppose. Do you perhaps have anything to do on the lunch break?"
Please say yes, please say yes
"Oh, no, not really. Why do you ask?"
"That’s just perfect!" It’s not "How about we spend the lunch break together?"
"Wait, really? Omg that would be great!"
Great for now…
"I’ll just show you the location and we can meet here, okay?"
"Okay!"
1:00 PM
Lumine's legs felt heavy when she walked up the stairs. Not from tiredness, but fear. She’s about to hurt a random girl who just happened to be annoying her. Fate has interesting paths for people.
She finally arrived at the place picked by Pai. Amber was already here. Her bento was placed near the railings she was leaning on. The view captivated her so much that she didn’t even notice Lumine slowly getting closer. Too bad for her
-death-
Amber felt the soft breeze flowing through her hair. Closing her eyes she imagines herself standing at the top of a mountain. No, flying on a glider! That was her childhood dream. To fly high.
An earnest chuckle escapes her mouth as her eyes open again. This place is so lovely. She never believed to find herself in such a fairy tale.
Out of a sudden someone pushed her even closer to the railings. She felt a cold touch on both her ankles.
"Wait, wha-"
Amber tried to turn her head. The attacker lifted her legs up. Amber gripped her hands tightly on the railings.
They are not going to push me, right?
…
They did. Her eyes shot wide when she realized she’s falling. Falling too fast. On the ground. From the roof. Before her next thought came she crashed on the floor.
—
Lumine looked down. Amber’s body laid close to the incinerator. Even from above she could see blood slowly leaving the body. Lumine always hated horror movies. Killers, victims, blood, weapons - she hated it all. Yet for some reason seeing the image in front of her she didn’t feel any fear. In fact, she even laughed.
She placed the note next to the bento.
_Pai Chan_
I did it
You’re fast!
Did you take the shoes?
Shoes?
Why?
I’m supposed to sell them?
No!
You should have left the shoes right where she stood
No suicidal person falls down with their shoes on
Did you leave them?
Lu?
Please tell me you took them
YOU DIDNT TELL ME
Lu
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW???!!
______
Lumine didn’t wait for the answer. She knows it. It’s easy. She will just go and take the shoes off the body. But she has to do it before anyone sees.
She rushed down. Hopefully the delinquents won’t arrive here before her.
1:07 PM
They didn’t. Lumine let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Amber’s body looked even worse in a close up. While trying to avoid blood she took off the victims shoes. Then snapped a picture and sent it to Pai.
_Pai Chan_
*Lumine sends a photo*
I’ve got the shoes
Situation in control
Burn them
What
BURN
THE
SHOES
Why???
There is blood on them
What?
Where even
They’re clean
I see it
Police will too
POLICE???!
Yes, police
What were you thinking?
That no one investigates suicide?
Burn the shoes
Oh, and the body too
WHEREEE
Incinerator
______
Lumine looked at the weird machine. Well, if Pai says so
1:50 PM
The heat from the incinerator was amazing. Almost welcoming. Didn’t matter that inside was a human corpse. It won’t soon be there anymore. Lumine sat in front staring hypnotized at the machine. She clearly skipped lessons. Before this she cleaned the blood with Pai’s instructions. The smell of bleach was faint but still.
7:59 PM
Lumine fell asleep. In her room of course, not in front of the incinerator. She’s not this dumb. She was feeling exhausted from what happened. No girl will get between her and Aether. She won’t let her.