Hi guys! First off, I want to thank you all for picking this story to read! It means so much to have you guys take the time to read this! Secondly, here are a few notes before you start reading:

1. This is a time fic and it will be a slower paced romance between Ayano and Budo so their relationship can grow "naturally." Minor characters will play an important role and the story will have elements of romance/drama/horror/mystery/angst

2. The first two chapters will be heavy and contain angst to represent the "Heartbroken" end of the game—so prepare yourself for the feels.

3. In this story, we will assume Ayano is on the borderline between psycho and "normal" and is struggling with her murderous thoughts (I want to incorporate some elements of YandereDev's video about Ayano's childhood in it too.) With this in mind, she carries the choice over her actions and may or may not listen to the influencers around her.

4. After research and playing the game myself, I will do my best when portraying minor character personalities and behaviors. OC's may be used for suitors until YandereDev implements the actual suitors.

5. I do not own Yandere Simulator, bless YandereDev for creating this game!

The plot will reflect the points above, so it was just a quick warning/reminder! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy it!

Hero Simulator

"Do we meet people by chance or were we led to meet them by the course of fate? I had always treasured those first encounters as precious stepping stones towards meaningful relationships. Those encounters may evolve into friendship…sometimes into love. And their influence may impact your life or even change it. But not all meetings are happy ones. Our encounters can help shape who we are for better or worse. Some will instill fear within you and manipulate your trust. They may even use your weaknesses against you. And some may open their hearts to you and wish you nothing but happiness.

It wasn't until I met her when I started to doubt the red thread of fate…when I started to hate it. I wasn't going to let time or destiny decide my future or my relationships. This boy would no longer abide by the rules. He was going to deny the twisted cycle of history and save them all! And most importantly, I was going to save the girl I love from herself.

This is where the game changes and the real story begins."

Chapter One: Caught

Crackles of thunder pounded in the distance as Megami's body trembled against the concrete of the school's roof, her breath faltering with every passing second. With her hands pressed against her open wound, blood slowly began to trickle from her quivering mouth. Despite the pain seeping from her cut, she couldn't hold back the smile appearing on her face. Ayano's hand was still wrapped around the hilt of her knife with Megami's blood trickling off the blade, the crimson liquid splattering against the floor. The final rival was only minutes away from total elimination, yet she sat there smiling like a fool as if she predicted the turnout. The girl proved to be a difficult victim but Ayano knew nothing could come between her and her Senpai. No amount of power could separate the two from their destined romance and now it was time to complete Megami's fated end.

Ayano had trailed Megami to the top of the school's roof, unaware of the fight that was about to ensue. Before she could strike at her opponent, the silver-haired goddess countered the attack and smashed her fist into Ayano's stomach, forcing her to tumble backwards. Ayano knew it had to be a setup. The student council president had locked the school into alert mode days prior, so to find Megami strolling around like a sitting duck seemed suspicious. Security guards and cameras had restricted Ayano's previous attempts, but the roof was clear of any signs of those things. It was the dawning of a deadly battle between the school's two threats.

Throughout her murder spree, Ayano had joined the martial arts club to train herself for a rival as dangerous as Megami. Budo's lessons allowed her to swiftly combat the president's swings and wait for the right opening to strike. After their exhilarating battle, it pleased Ayano to see such a powerful rival fall so easily from a quick slash to the chest. But she had to remain cautious, because the outcome also surprised her. It was her task to finish her just as she disposed of the others, but Megami wasn't like her other foes. She barged into the school mid-year and flipped everything upside down, including Ayano's plans. She had to make this final strike count and aim straight for the heart. Only then could she finally discover her long-awaited happily ever after.

"Well, w-what are you waiting for?" Megami faintly grinned as more blood spurted from her lips. Ayano blinked at the dying girl and approached her with slow, heavy steps. Her figure casted a menacing shadow over Megami, but not even that seemed to frighten her victim. Ayano crouched before her and tightened her grip on the dagger.

"You seem awfully lively for someone who's about to die," She snarled and glared at Megami's eyes. What game was she pulling?

"You sound worried," Megami chuckled, only to find herself coughing up more blood. "You shouldn't be. You've completed your task, right? For your p-precious Senpai."

"I haven't completed it yet," Ayano raised her dagger in the air, the setting sun's light glinting off the blood-stained blade. Her eyes twisted into a further shade of black and desire, revealing that her sickly obsession was taking full control over her body. Megami's smile faded as she stared into those hollow eyes.

It almost crushed her to see the girl morph into a monster all for the sake of being noticed. Now she found herself pinned between life and death, barely hanging on to the small thread of the life she had lived. All of her accomplishments, growth and power would dissolve while Ayano would continue to roam the school halls with a hidden blade. She would kill again because there would always be a rival. That was why Megami had a plan, though she never intended to fall so quickly from their battle. She needed to stall the situation for the sake of the truth and for the sake of her life.

"A-ayano, wait!" Megami begged and held out her hand in defense. Ayano was growing impatient and rolled her eyes at the girl's final plea.

"Spit it out!" She snarled and lowered her knife for a brief moment.

"Killing me won't solve anything…"

Ayano rolled her eyes at the statement and sighed. "Of course it will. You'll no longer be threat to me." Her expression was blank as she ran her finger along the dagger's blade.

"No it won't! You'll just keep killing and killing because there will always be someone in the way!" Megami took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "And if there isn't, you'll make excuses and create your own rivals. You've killed so many innocent girls with such ease, who's to say you won't terminate the whole school and every woman in Senpai's life."

"Is that what you think?" Ayano peered down over her and gave out an ominous laugh. "Senpai and I will be together! It's our destiny! And I don't care how many bitches I have to plow through to make that reality. I will do it."

It was pointless trying to bargain with a love-struck lunatic and Megami knew she was running out of time. With every ounce of strength, she tried to move from her seated position but the pain only intensified. The wound forced her body to stay put while a burning sensation shot through her veins and throughout her being. She needed to fight! Her life was on the line. How could she let some psycho take away everything she worked so hard for? Hell, why did she have to like the same man Ayano was obsessed with?! With all her talk about destiny and fate, Megami almost began to believe that the world was actually letting Ayano win her prince. She couldn't get away with murder, not anymore! He would be here any minute and catch her and Megami would either be dead or alive. The realization struck her like a punch to the gut, but instead of begging to God for an escape, she slowly smiled at the thought.

"I must say, I expected more from you." Ayano laughed once more at her weak victim.

"I expected more from myself as well." Megami stuttered as tears welled in her eyes. "But…out of all my life accomplishments, I am fine with being a sacrifice. To know that my life will be used to end something horrible, proves what true love is."

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Ayano scowled. "True love? You're not talking about my Senpai, are you?!" Her tone had escalated but Megami did not budge.

"Not just for him, but for everyone." She smiled a little wider, knowing her words were digging under Ayano's skin. Ayano stood there dumbstruck as if a war was raging in her head. She remembered the cycle of the school year, her first encounter with Taro, her lessons with Budo, the murders and shenanigans pulled to sever the bonds with Senpai. The way she used to stalk him every day and night to make sure he was safe from harm. To her, all that screamed of true love. What greater love could surpass her love for Senpai?

"You're just a fool." Ayano muttered and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Thinking you're some damn hero dying for justice. Quit lying to yourself. You're no better than those other pigs gawking over my Senpai!"

"You're a living freak show! A murderer confused by her illogical illusions of 'love' and destiny! Your destiny is being wrapped in a straightjacket!"

"Shut up!" Ayano nearly dropped her blade as she pressed against her ears to drown out Megami's simple truths. She just needed to stab her heart already! With her out of the way, happily ever after would come! She would do anything for her beloved just as she had countless times before. "Let me finish what I came here to do, dammit!" She took a step back and whipped out her dagger once again for the grand finale. Megami's eyes widened, realizing it was truly the end for her.

Before she could force the blade into Megami's heart, the door behind them slammed open as a familiar man stumbled onto the roof. He was breathing heavily with his body hunched over to gasp for air and regain his energy. Behind him, another man with a flowing white bandana dashed up the steps and froze at the sight of the bloody scene. Ayano shakily held onto the dagger which was now inches from being plunged into Megami's chest.

"Put the blade down, Ayano!" Budo hollered from the door but Ayano wasn't fazed by his words. Instead, her sights were glued to the other boy with a terrified expression plastered on his face. The fear in his eyes forced her to release the grip on her blade which tumbled onto Megami's lap. In a flash, Megami snatched the hilt of the knife and steadied it towards Ayano in case the girl snapped once again. Even she could sense the pain circulating throughout the murderer, a pain far greater than her own bleeding wounds. It was as if his disgust was the silent weapon that severed Ayano's heart.

"The killer is you?" Taro choked on his words while trapped in a frozen stance.

"S-Senpai?" Ayano's voice quivered from the man standing before her. She tried taking a step towards him, her hand slowly reaching for him but he stumbled back with his fist readied.

"Stay away from me!" He shouted with narrowed brows. Ayano couldn't just see the pain swirling in his eyes, she could feel it. It was a pain mixed in with her own pain. Her beloved Senpai wanted her to stay away from him.

Taro took a deep breath and dodged his way past Ayano over towards Megami's shaking body. He took the knife from her hands and kicked it away so he could kneel beside her and check her injuries. By gently removing her hand, he examined the wound and gasped at the blood flooding from her chest. His eyes were now full of tears and he glanced over at Budo with desperation.

"Budo, help me!" He cried and Ayano flinched at the sorrow evident in his voice. Budo nodded and dashed to her aid, ripping the bandana off his head so he could press it against her cut to stop the bleeding. Megami was now clutching onto Taro's shoulders while the two boys worked at mending her deep wound. Ayano felt something claw at her insides as she watched her Senpai gently wrap his arm around the president to give her support. She glared at Megami with rage burning in her irises.

"That witch!" She thought to herself, "She planned this! She set me up. She really was a force not to reckon with."

Ayano wanted to drop to her knees and cry until there were no tears left to shed. This was real life and there was no reset to the madness that had evolved over the past few weeks. She had successfully eliminated so many girls, never expecting things to end like this. How could it? Destiny promised them to be together and yet here she was caught by the very man she killed for. Taro kept his hand around Megami and looked at her with such tender eyes. Eyes that were meant to only look at Ayano!

"You don't understand…" Ayano muttered to herself while tears fell from her eyes. Taro's face drastically changed once he lifted his gaze over towards her.

"I always thought you were a weirdo, but this—!" He stared down at the ground and squeezed his eyes shut. "You're a murderer!"

"No, please don't say that!" Ayano had now stumbled over her feet and smashed her knees and palms against the floor, more tears pouring from her eyes. Taro gently leaned Megami against the wall and stood up from his crouched position, traces of blood seeping into his uniform.

"I don't want to hear what you have to say." He balled his hands into tight fists until his knuckles turned white. "You killed her…"

"Senpai, I can expla—!"

"You killed Osana!" His words sliced through Ayano's and weighed in the air like heavy stones. He buried his head in his hands with his legs shaking beneath him. "You killed her." He whispered against his palms.

"But I—"

"You killed all of them. Everyone who got close to me." He released his hands and shook his head with a denial he couldn't shove aside. His eyes wavered down to his open palms. "I almost thought there was something wrong with me…how everyone I got close to just…died." He blinked rapidly as his voice twisted into a slight chuckle. "Heh, I felt like some curse was stalking me like a shadow. I guess in a sense, I was right." He stared at Ayano with lifeless, grey eyes.

"S-see, I only did it because…well because…" She was losing grip over her words and was startled by Senpai's shaky laugh.

"Because, you love me right?" He took a step forward and opened his arms as if he were about to hug her, something she too couldn't comprehend. Budo glanced between the two and briefly pulled his hand away from Megami.

"Taro, stop. Don't confuse her."

"Confuse her?!" Taro grinned and shook his head. "She's already lost her mind after her first kill! My best friend."

"But I do love you!" Ayano cried in defense and stumbled on her feet to reach for her Senpai's embrace. Her swift movements surprised him and he quickly pulled his arms away and faltered back as she stepped closer.

"Love!?" He repeated with disgust. "You don't know what it's like to love someone!"

She froze in her tracks with a heart shattering within her. This couldn't be happening.

"Osana was right about you!" He continued with a snarl. "You're nothing but a creep. How could I ever love someone like you? You thought killing your 'rivals' would make me love you!?"

"Taro, enough!" Budo was now on his feet and standing beside his shaking friend.

"How could I ever notice someone like you!"

"Taro!"

"Stay out of this!" Taro shoved Budo backwards and swiftly turned towards Ayano. "You're gonna get what you deserve. Nothing would make me happier than to see you suffer for what you've done."

Again, hope you enjoyed it, and if so, please review! Until next time, CYA!