Youjin, the Cautious: After all, the Girls are No Longer be Trusted, but...

Chapter 6: Ramen Before Revenge

I took a seat at an empty table, awaiting my order. Tonkotsu ramen, my personal favorite, was my choice for the evening. Soon, my steaming bowl of ramen arrived.

"Thank you." I told the server.

As she left, I removed my face mask and put on sunglasses to be extra cautious.

"Itadakimasu!" I began to eat my meal.

Slurping the broth and savoring the noodles, my tonkotsu ramen was as delicious as ever. Unlike in the past when I dined here with my family, tonight, I enjoyed a peaceful solo meal.

"Ugh! Still?"

A familiar voice of frustration caught my attention.

"We still can't find nii-nii, Naomi-sama."

What the...? Could it be...? I turned discreetly, but my eyes widened in disbelief. The four girls who betrayed me were here. I hadn't expected this, but what were they doing?

"But should I call the police?"

It was Nonaka-san's voice. I focused on my meal, listening in.

"I told you not now, Yurika-chan."

No wonder there were no police reports about me.

"But it's been two months since onii-chan went missing."

Sakura-san's voice held a note of sadness. But why would she be sad about me?

"Sshhh! Keep your voice down." Susami-san told her. "We can't let everyone hear us here."

"Guys, it's my fault, okay? I'm the one who ruined his life in the first place."

"I know, Yurika-chan. But we all feel guilty."

"Guilty? Like hell you all are, b*tches!" I seethed inwardly, continuing to eavesdrop.

"We made everyone believe our lies. I thought that would make us feel better, but I was wrong."

"I want to contact Youjin-kouhai, but I can't."

"Yeah, otou-san and okaa-san don't care about him anymore."

I knew it! They were the worst parents I'd ever had. Believing the lies instead of defending a child, it was disgusting.

"Look, tomorrow is the closing ceremony. If we still can't find Youjin-kouhai tomorrow, we will tell everyone especially his parents the truth about us. Then we will call the police to find him, understand?"

"Fine."

"Yes."

"Yeah, I understand."

"Good. Now, let's relax and enjoy our ramen, girls."

Finished my ramen, I paid and left the ramen shop, no longer interested in their conversation.

Safely back at the apartment building, I encountered Hayashi-san on the stairs outside.

"Good evening, Hayashi-san."

"Good evening, Kinoshita-kun." She greeted me back. "How was your dinner?"

"It was great. I missed ramen so much." I replied with a big smile.

"Did you cause any trouble?"

"Uh, no. Not at all. That's why I'm back here safely, Hayashi-san."

"I see." She nodded, then smirking at me. "So... I've never seen you so happy like that, huh?"

Recognizing my brief moment of happiness, I shifted back to a serious tone.

"Oh, sorry. Anyway, tomorrow is the big day."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

I smiled again.

"You will see. Good night, Hayashi-san."

"Okay. Good night, Kinoshita-kun."

Leaving her behind, I ascend the stairs outside and entered my apartment.

"I'm home."

I sighed, removing my face mask and shedding my jacket to change into my pajamas. Lying down on my bed, I drifted to sleep, a mixture of excitement and apprehension filling my thoughts.

Tomorrow marked not only the high school closing ceremony before summer break, but also the day my revenge plan would unfold.

Those four girls, myformer girlfriend and childhood friend Nonaka-san, the Student CouncilPresident and my former friend Susami-san, and my twin step sisters Hana-sanand Sakura-san, would soon receive a shocking surprise and a lesson they wouldnever forget for ruining my innocent life.