The case had reached its boiling point. Michelle, the woman who had once walked free, was now cornered by none other than Alan's closest friends. Her past sins—if left buried—might have allowed her to escape. But the truth has a way of clawing its way out, especially when it's soaked in blood and cruelty.
The police had already gathered enough evidence: disturbing videos from her home, hidden illegal substances, and—most damning of all—records of her purchases on the dark web.
In the courtroom, tension was unbearable.
Judge: "The police. What is your final statement regarding this woman? Is she innocent or guilty?"
Police Officer: "Not innocent in the slightest. First, she physically assaulted her own child, resulting in severe injury. That violates sections 204 and 205 of the Keihō—the Japanese Penal Code. Her actions clearly fall under the Child Abuse Prevention Law. Secondly, she possessed illegal stimulants—the same ones historically used by the Nazis. This violates the Stimulants Control Act. Finally, she purchased pure hydrochloric acid from the dark web, breaching the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law. We have CCTV footage, substance samples, and a complete report linking all the charges to her home."
Judge: "Is this all true, Ms. Michelle?"
Michelle: "Y…yes…"
Judge: "Then tell the court—how did you learn about the dark web?"
Michelle's heart pounded. "I'm willing to die, but I won't drag Alan into this. I'll make up a story…"
Michelle: "Back in 2017, some of my old friends told me about something called a Red Room. It piqued my curiosity. One of them showed me how to access the dark web through a Tor browser. That's how I found out."
The court listened silently. After two long hours of arguments, evidence presentations, and Michelle's half-hearted confessions, the verdict was inevitable.
Judge: "This court finds Michelle guilty on all charges. She assaulted her 14-year-old son simply because he scored 76% on an exam. She also illegally obtained and possessed banned substances and acid capable of severe harm. Based on her crimes, she is sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder, with an additional fine of one million yen."
Michelle, in handcuffs, was led out of the courtroom as Alan's friends watched with mixed emotions—some bitter, some relieved.
---
Telegram Group Chat – Post-Trial
Kaguro: "Hello."
Bachi: "Hey."
Kaguro: "Any updates on Alan and Kashimo?"
Kamiko: "Not really. I don't think they've recovered yet."
Bachi: "Yeah… I have no clue what's going to happen. But we can only wish them the best."
Suddenly, a new message popped in.
Kashimo's Mother: "Hello, this is Kamiko's mother. What happened to Kashimo? Why isn't he home? I'm getting worried."
Seeing this, Kamiko immediately called Kaguro and Bachi.
Kamiko: "Should we tell her what happened?"
Kaguro: "We have no choice."
Bachi: "Yeah. If we don't, she'll be even more anxious."
Just then, Kashimo's mother received a phone call from a number she didn't recognize.
Doctor (on phone): "Is Kashimo your son?"
Kashimo's Mother: "Y-Yes! Why? What happened?!"
Doctor: "He's been poisoned. We need you to come immediately."
Kashimo's Mother: "What? Oh my god! Where are you calling from?"
Doctor: "Tatameki Hospital."
Heart pounding, she grabbed her keys and rushed out. On her way, she read through the overflowing Telegram messages—messages that detailed the entire horror of what had happened in Alan's house. How Michelle had poisoned Kashimo and nearly killed her own son.
Arriving at the hospital, she was relieved to see her son was still alive. Though weak, Kashimo was breathing. His heartbeat was steady at 70 bpm. The poison hadn't claimed his life, and for that, she felt a small sliver of peace.
---
Alan's Custody Decision
With Michelle imprisoned for life, the question arose—who would take care of Alan?
Many discussions took place, but in the end, Kashimo's mother stepped up. She would adopt Alan and ensure he had a safe home and a future free from trauma.
---
Aftermath and Scars
Kaguro, shaken to the core, fell into emotional trauma. He couldn't comprehend how a mother could ever harm her child like that. He didn't return to school for two weeks.
Bachi, battling psychological trauma, was absent from school for an entire month. He couldn't sleep without remembering Alan's screams and Kashimo's near-death condition.
Kamiko tried to remain calm. On the outside, he was quiet and composed. But inside, he carried guilt—he couldn't save his friend. That haunted him every night.
Three days after the incident, Kashimo was discharged from the hospital. Though alive, he now struggled with severe trust issues. Alan, on the other hand, remained hospitalized for 4.5 months due to the brutality of the assault.
But not all wounds remain untreated.
Kashimo's mother filed an official lawsuit against Michelle on behalf of her son. With strong evidence and Michelle's conviction already in place, she easily won the case and was awarded 100,000 yen in compensation.
---
End of Arc 1: The Scary Mother
Alan may have survived. But so did the trauma, the guilt, and the broken friendships. While Michelle rots in prison, the scars she left behind live on in the hearts of the boys she tried to destroy.
To be continued…