"Well, apparently, he was involved in a murder case and kept at the detention center for almost 6 months."
What?
It was true?
I thought it was just a rumor based on some baseless speculations.
"I don't know anything more than this. Also one more thing..."
He added.
"According to his medical reports, he has lost his memories of the past 3 years."
Some ridiculous amount of unbelievable information was just dumped on me.
It would be better to call him a victim if all of this was true.
Because, if he was released after 6 months from a detention center, he must have been declared innocent.
Moreover he has to go through all the probing stares from students of our class whom he barely knows.
Now I understand the look of sympathy Okabe sensei had for him during his introduction.
As I was contemplating on it, the bell rang, announcing the afternoon classes resuming.
As I started leaving the teachers' office, he called out to me.
"Fujiwara, I don't think it is necessary to tell you this, but as a teacher I suggest you help him out as much as you can."
***
The news spread faster than I could have anticipated.
By the next morning, the entire class was whispering behind my back, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and fear.
Some didn't even bother to hide it, openly staring at me as if I were some kind of freak show.
"Did you hear? He was involved in a murder."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Once a rumor takes root, it evolves, mutates—shaping itself into something unrecognizable from the original source.
Truth is often irrelevant; it's the perception that thrives.
In the minds of the masses, speculation is enough to convict, to judge, to ostracize.
I've seen it before. It's always the same.
First, the curious glances.
Then, the hushed conversations just loud enough to be overheard.
Finally, the labels.
People love labels—they make things simpler, more digestible.
Murderer. Delinquent. Outcast.
The specifics don't matter.
To them, I'm just another story to gossip about.
But I've long since stopped caring.
You can't halt a wildfire with a glass of water, and you can't stop a rumor once it's begun.
It grows legs, finds its own path, and before long, it's a twisted version of reality—one that people cling to because it's more interesting than the truth.
And with time, derivatives of the rumor sprout—some saying I killed in cold blood, others whispering about gang affiliations, hidden motives, conspiracies.
Each version more elaborate than the last, feeding off the imagination of those too bored with their own lives to mind their own business.
It's funny, really.
People would rather believe in fantasies than accept the mundane.
A transfer student with a dark past?
That's far more captivating than just another guy trying to live his life.
I walked to my desk, ignoring the lingering stares and muttered words.
Their judgment didn't matter.
I had twenty-seven days left to live—or maybe more if I could figure out who wanted me dead.
Everything else was just noise.
As I settled into my seat, pulling out my books, I felt someone approach from behind.
The scent of lavender lingered in the air, delicate yet distinct.
"Hey, mind if I sit here?" A familiar voice called out.
I looked up to see Arisa Fujiwara standing beside me, her expression soft but determined.
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at the empty seats around me. "It's not like you need permission."
I wonder if that was why the seat on my left was empty after lunchbreak.
Seats can't be changed that easily.
So, I am guessing that the girl who was originally sitting beside me asked Fujiwara to change seats with her.
Either this is the case, or I am missing something.
Whatever the case maybe, this Fujiwara is definitely upto something.
The class haven't started yet as the teacher was yet to arrive.
"Are you able to keep up with the classes, Kasuragi-kun?", Fujiwara asked me with her smiling expression.
"...Well, I think I will be fine for now.", I replied.
"If you find any difficulty, feel free to consult me anytime.", a friendly suggestion from the class representative.
There was something I noticed behind that masked face of hers, but chose to remain silent.
After all she is none of my business.
Though I can use her to my cause.
"It would be great if you could give me tips and topics to study for the final exams, as I am not familiar with the tests conducted in this school.", I replied to her kindness in accordance.
As the teacher entered the class, we shifted our focus on the subject being taught.
***
Classes ended as I started packing my things to leave for home.
As things stand, I can use a number of factors to achieve my goal of avoiding being stabbed to the abdomen.
The only clue I have is right in front of me.
Someone spread rumors of my past with such accuracy while remaining anonymous.
If I find this person, then this might lead to some valuable information related to it.
Fujiwara would be a key factor in this.
Her personality is such that I wouldn't have to be proactive in this.
All I have to do is manipulate her thinking and give her direction to get involved in this problem.
Just as I slung my bag over my shoulder, I heard footsteps approaching.
Turning around, I saw Fujiwara walking toward me with that same bright smile plastered on her face.
"Heading home, Kasuragi-kun?"
"Yeah," I replied simply, not bothering to extend the conversation.
But she didn't take the hint.
"Mind if I walk with you?"
I raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Suit yourself."
We left the classroom together, her steps light and graceful, while I remained silent.
After a few moments, she spoke again. "You know...there's been quite a lot of talk about you."
I glanced at her. "I've noticed."
"Most of it is just baseless gossip," she continued, her tone more serious now.
"But I did wonder...how did it spread so quickly?"
I watched her carefully.
How can she sure that all of this is just baseless rumors?
Whatever it maybe, this is beneficial for me.
She was leading into it, and I just had to nudge her in the right direction.
"It's impressive, isn't it? I just transferred here, and somehow everyone seems to know everything about me."
"Not everything," she corrected. "Only the parts they want to believe. But it's strange...rumors don't spread like that unless someone is pushing them."
I stopped walking, turning to face her. "Pushing them?"
She met my gaze, her eyes sharper than before. "Yes. Information spreads, sure, but not with that kind of precision. Specific details, the timing...it feels deliberate."
I pretended to consider her words, then shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I'm not from around here."
Fujiwara's eyes lit up with a spark of curiosity.
"Then maybe we should find out," she said, her voice firm. "If someone is trying to spread rumors about you, it's only fair we figure out who started it."
I blinked, genuinely surprised by her suggestion.
That was...easier than I thought it would be. "You'd help me with that?"
She nodded confidently. "Of course. It's not right to let false rumors ruin someone's life."
I couldn't help the small grin that tugged at the corners of my lips. "Alright, then. Let's find out who started it."
I watched her expression carefully.
Her eagerness, her sharpness...it seemed like she had already been thinking about it before our conversation.
That was interesting.
But for now, I'll let her take the lead.
After all, it's always better to observe the hunter before you join the hunt.
***************************