9:30 am.

Dealing out a call to Hyunda in order to set up our meeting, we agreed to meet on the basketball court's spectators' seats.

Public events were currently happening thus, it was fairly crowded, however, nonetheless, there were some seats available at the top of the tiered structure made for viewing purposes only.

Furthermore, I did notice something interesting. There were team competitions, mainly 5 vs 5. In one of the multiple basketball courts, I found Kawahara, Akihiko, Rayazaki, Kuzan facing off against the other five members. The apparent mistake here is that they alone are just 4, which makes me wonder how the selection process works.

Nonetheless, they were winning either way and they were receiving extreme cheers from the group of girls that were on the edge of the viewing structure. However, they were all girls that were probably just there to fangirl to Kawahara...

Aloof-minded and still disturbed about the recent information that I had acquired, I didn't notice Hyunda approaching me from my right, as he climbed to the top of the tiered structure.

"Daniel. You called. What happened?"

Hyunda, upon grazing my entirety, had an expression that was seemingly curious to know as to why I was upholding another facial expression that had no monochromacy to it.

Taking the seat that was on my left, we started to watch the games while engaging in an important dialogue.

"...I called you because I wanted to have a conversation with you about something."

"I'm aware. What is it about though? Also, why the sad face? Again, what happened?"

With impatience, Hyunda didn't hesitate to speak his mind whatsoever. Not that I mind it, because it's always been this way. Hyunda's someone who probably has a lot in his mind yet refuses to share most of it if we're being honest.

"It's about Yulia. I... don't want to break up with her anymore."

"I see."

That sudden affirmation surprised me so much that my eyes completely widened and a bit of my mouth opened up in response. I thought that he was going to complain about this, but...

"Hyunda, you... are you not mad? You seem to have a lot on your mind regarding the plan to separate me and Yulia yet you are just accepting it like th---"

"I'm not accepting it. I just said 'I see.'. Nothing else."

"Wait, but why are you acting like that? I just said that I don't want to break up with her anymore, which means that I don't want anything to do with what you have in mind regarding separating us..."

"Daniel, first things first, what exactly happened? I need to know the whole picture."

...Maybe if I tell him all he will understand that I don't want anything to do with his plan and he will back off.

It's not as if I have anything against Hyunda, I just really want to give this a shot, that's all.

Therefore, I'll explain it all to him.

Thus, as I did so, Hyunda arrived at a plausible comprehension of the situation fastly.

"I see. So that's why. And you want to trust that new sensation, that new wave of feelings that are surging in the surface right now?"

"...Yeah. Sorta weird to explain it because I don't really understand it well, however, I really want to be with Yulia, which is why I will ask you to abort the plan."

"I understand. But, Daniel, I can't."

"Huh? Why?"

"The plan is already set in motion. Once it starts, it will only end when it's fully fulfilled."

What the hell is Hyunda talking about?!

"Or, rather, it can't be stopped now. It's an unstoppable momentum bound to happen regardless of interferences and it's my job to finish it. Understand that, please."

"Hyunda, that's not true! You don't need to do this anymore. I don't care about the fact that you owe me. It's fine, man... Just..."

"I could utilize a fair share of arguments here to my advantage but I will conduct this in a way that you will surely see it from a more realistic perspective and Daniel, right now, you are not being realistic."

......?

"How so?"

Looking at me now instead of paying attention to the ongoing games, Hyunda proceeded to explain what he wanted to explain to me.

"Yulia said that she didn't mind the fact that you weren't the right person for her, but you should have argued back in an effective way and made her realize that she is wrong about her point of view. Accordingly, Yulia has done some things that make her supposedly a bad person. However, between you and her, who is the obvious bad person? Yulia or... you?"

...I didn't argue back because Yulia would just say that she wasn't going to approve of my argument and despite already having told this to Hyunda, he nonetheless insisted on this point and the worst part is that I can't help but agree with him, because...

"Yeah, it's me. There are a lot of things wrong with me, but Yulia, just... She's so pure and really kind, you know?"

"See? Even you are aware. Yet you were irresponsible to the point of allowing her to have the idea that it's alright for this to continue. Do you think you can erase all this time that you have lied to her?"

"..."

No way I can...

"It's impossible, Daniel. Yulia's under the impression that you had always loved her. You are not the one for her and here is where you and I share something in common that you should just realize before it's too late. Don't be too shocked now, but this is just something that we are bound to endure throughout our lives."

"...What?"

"We will never be happy."

............

"What makes you think like that, Hyunda?"

"We don't exactly strive to be happy, therefore, we won't be happy. Simple as that. Yulia is different in retrospect. Yulia wants to be happy because she has endured a great deal of sadness and grief. Upon seeing how emotionally broken she secretly was, you got guilty of all the times you have lied to her. However, the fact remains. You don't want to be happy. On the other hand, out of guilt, you wish to make Yulia happy because she has faced sadness and you don't want that to keep on happening. Thus, when she said that you were this and that to her, you straight up assumed that you were doing the logical thing. But, you got that wrong, and here is why..."

As I heard Hyunda's reasoning I started to reflect on whether or not that was truly the case yet I allowed him to continue without interrupting.

"You see, you don't know this but what you feel for Yulia isn't love. You don't love her. You, got weak, in that transience and you need to snap back."

"Wait, I got weak? How...?"

"Daniel, your guilty conscious assaulted you psychologically, so to speak and when you gave your ears to Yulia, you started to feel so much guilt that you contracted a wave of feelings that you should have not and I will not allow you to get the wrong image of the reality. This isn't love; this is guilt. And now you are telling me that you are fine with this? Are you fine with this wave of lies? Daniel, stop. You don't wanna do this, do you?"

"Wait, let me process all of this."

"Sure, I'll wait."

As Hyunda gave me some time to unite my thoughts, I finally started to reflect on his entire reasoning.

According to him, what's currently happening is an act of guilt and not out of love. That what I am doing is caused by the fact that Yulia's past has emotionally wounded me in a way that allowed me to feel this resurgence of unknown feelings.

...I vowed that I wouldn't lie to her anymore yet what... If I keep on doing this then, isn't this the equivalent of lying?

"Hyunda, say..."

"Yeah?"

"You said that we won't be happy because we don't strive to be happy yet how do you know that? Are you speaking for yourself or for us both?"

Once again, his look went back to the ongoing games, as he deemed unnecessary the maintenance of our eye-to-eye contact.

"Admittedly, I am speaking for myself. However, I believe that I am speaking for you too. Because, just like me, you don't have a reason to seek happiness. Daniel, individuals strive to achieve the idea of happiness to fill the void in their lives. They are not assertive with the idea of accepting that void. It frightens them. Yet, are you frightened about that? Tell me, honestly. Does that wicked void penetrate your thoughts in a macabre way where you feel lost and not found?"

"No, it doesn't. So... I don't really have a reason to seek happiness in the first place. But what does that have to do with this?"

"Did you forget? We are talking about Yulia here. She's in search of happiness in order to fill that void that broke her emotionally. You are that source. However, that's precisely why you have to be willing to break up with her. Because you won't be able to make her happy. You don't know how to make someone happy."

Then...

If I am not there for her, then will Yulia be fine? She said that she wouldn't know what to do with me and---

Wait... It's exactly as Hyunda mentioned... At times like this, thoughts of guilt come resurging to the surface and...

They suffocate me and attempt to drown me in a way where I won't be able to resurface the atmosphere that I previously was so familiar with.

"That's... Isn't there something I can do to change that? I know that this is just guilt, but, can't it be something more than guilt alone?"

"It can. You could, for example, be the source of her happiness and be successful. However, you won't. We are wicked. We don't feel what others feel. Have you ever felt happy?"

"Well, no. But, isn't it fine if I try?"

"Try? What are you talking about, Daniel? That's illogical. Being willing to bet on something based on feelings alone isn't intelligent and it will backfire. How many times have you witnessed individuals being destroyed by their own impulses? You are being impulsive right now. Acting on impulse like that won't bring you any benefit. If you stop and think for a second, you will come to the sudden realization that separating yourself from Yulia is the correct decision. We are both incompetent in the emotional department."

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

............

Somehow, I just can't accept that last sentence, thus I spoke more aggressively towards Hyunda.

"You know, Hyunda, aren't you just scared of commitment?"

"What? How am I scared of commitment?"

"You are saying that you are emotionally incompetent but how do you know that for sure? I don't know what you are thinking but I do know about what I have witnessed and experienced and---"

"Daniel. You can't make her happy. In a relationship with Yulia, you can't pretend forever. Your emotional absence will enter and I mentioned this already, this is guilt. And that guilt will just keep on growing."

......

"...I know. I know it's illogical to just act on emotions like I am acting. I just... don't know what to do right now. I'm confused. A part of me wants to stay with Yulia and transform that guilt into a feeling like love but another part of me is self-aware that this is all for the sake of erasing the guilt in my conscious and..."

"It goes a bit further, Daniel. Up to this day, you never felt any remote attraction to her. You described Yulia as a nuisance and why wouldn't you think like that? Let her go. She's restricting you. Her existence is blocking your mind right now. As long as you remain relevant to her, your state of mind will be shackled. Is that what you want? Your own thoughts to be beyond your control and under the influence of someone else?"

"No! No, I...! Man, I don't want that. I need my freedom. Because if I am don't have that then I feel like I will lose myself and if I am not myself then..."

At that exact time, I remembered a few words that Hyunda had said back when I made a certain call to him.

Hyunda's reply was...

"If you are not yourself then you are no one. Just like I told you; if I am not myself then I am nothing. I can only keep on being myself if I am in full control of my mentality. Are you in control right now? You're not. You're full of doubt and guilt."

"What can I do in order to regain my old self?"

Losing that part of myself is unacceptable.

"That's more like it, Daniel. Let Yulia go. Her heart will be broken at first but with time, she will meet the correct person. Also, you are not allowed to feel guilty about this. It's not your fault. Her feelings are her responsibility, not yours. Should you ever enter a state of mind where you think you are at fault, just remember that you are not."

"Right. I understand, Hyunda. But still, let me do it. I'll break up with her and end it all. I have gathered my resolution and..."

Damn, this sucks... How... After I said those words and delivered that confident speech I am going to break up with her?

That's so...

"Stop feeling that way. Be strong. Resist."

"Yeah... Thanks, man. How do you control your emotions this well?"

"I don't."

.......?

Despite not understanding what Hyunda just implied with that, Hyunda nonetheless kept talking.

"Don't bother breaking up with her. You will destroy her heart and she might never recover."

"But if I don't break up with her then how will our relationship end?"

"My plan will end it. Don't worry. Each side will benefit quite greatly. Trust me here."

Out of curiosity, I went ahead and asked a simple question.

"Is your plan evil?"

I asked this question because I don't want Yulia to somehow have her heart broken. I know that I am incompetent in this matter because I don't know how to solve this peacefully and Hyunda's correct in the saying that I was irresponsible in telling Yulia those words, but...

Even so...

I want Yulia to find someone better. I don't care about happiness nor about her sentiments in general, but, while I still am able to care, I want her to make the correct decision and find someone who can treat her the way that she deserves.

I understand that this might be too much to ask for and that I'll have a hard time forgetting her while going to the same classroom every day and seeing her familiar face as well, but...

I don't know any other way.

"Daniel."

Hyunda calling out my name made me less aloof minded as I closed my own thought process and turned back to reality.

As I looked in his direction, his usual monochromatic facial expression vanished, and instead, he replied with a confident look and a semi-zealous smirk.

"Do I look like the type of guy to come up with something incredibly evil just to separate a single person away from you?"

[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/810323018014261321/811302832464592906/HAJIME.png]

It's weird not witnessing his usual monochromatic facial expression as this time, it looked like he was feeling vigorous towards my question in a very fervent manner.

"I don't know what you are thinking, but the end goal will have Yulia be separated from me, right?"

"Yeah. That's exactly it. I'm bored of watching these mediocre games. Let's go for a walk."

"Sure."

Following Hyunda's suggestion, we started to venture into the campus while witnessing multiple ongoing events occur.

Though, something disturbed my interest and that was Hyunda's earlier words. He mentioned 'mediocre games', but to my knowledge, they were actually pretty good as the audience and even myself were hooked to it at one point in time.

"By the way, Daniel, if you agree with my plan proceeding, then that means that you are still available?"

About that...

"I don't want to directly damage Yulia in any way possible. Because if I interact with her then I might feel like---"

But then I got reminded of something. Something that made me swallow my previous words in an instant.

Shocked, I also stopped walking.

"Oh no..."

"What is it?"

"...I said that I would call her... What the hell do I do now? Actually... How do I even confront her?"

"Calm down. Keep on walking. I'll explain to you along the way."

Shaking my head while trying not to remind myself that I already had committed something that I shouldn't have, I kept on walking with Hyunda.

It's impressive how he just stays unphased throughout every single thing. Furthermore, he has moments of pure confidence. Actually... I have never seen him down. At all.

"It's your last day with her. You don't need to do anything. But... You should probably try and talk to someone else first. Someone that might be angry at you for your decision."

"...Are you talking about Sana?"

Sana is, without a doubt, the only person that comes to mind. Also, she's the only person who supports our relationship. Hyunda and Arkalee have never shown any signs of actually supporting it.

By contrast, Hyunda is more focused on tearing it down, despite the details of remaining unknown to me yet.

"I am. After this concludes, if Sana is not aware of the real reason as to why you two went separate ways, she will be mad and you might suffer unknown consequences. And Sana is Yulia's best friend. This means that she will have more room for emphasis if she knows what actually happened. Keeping Sana in the dark about this is not a good idea. You should seek her. In the afternoon. Not now because she will most likely be busy. However, I'll give you a helping hand here. I'll tell you a time where you can meet her and talk to her. Explain the details to her and hope that she won't say a cliched line like: 'No, you have to take responsibility!' or something like that."

I agree with Hyunda here. Sana's wrath might be deadly and I don't want to end this relationship on a bad page.

Just on a good page. Like how a real relationship goes. No grudges will be held.

Plus, there is something that I am not telling Hyunda because he probably wouldn't approve of this thought, but...

Despite being separated from Yulia, I think that I will continue to think of her. A lot. I don't plan on erasing those sentiments because, during that time, I genuinely felt attracted to Yulia and still continue to feel that way.

However, it is what it is. Yulia met the wrong person at the right time. If it was another person, then maybe she would have gotten a better experience of romance.

"What's the time, Daniel?"

"10 am, apparently. Why?"

His facial expression, still monochrome, emitted a symbolism of depth as he looked to be in deep thoughts while looking at the sheer white clouds above in the sky.

"I see. Boring. I hate to wait this long. I wish I could just speed up the process already."

"Process? Are you talking about the plan? By the way, could you share the details of the plan? Isn't it fine now?"

"Daniel, I can't. If I explain the details, then my audience will get bored. They already have a clear image of the finale. Or, so they think. It's sporadic to go around and spoil the events. I'm dealing with numbers over here, you know? But more importantly, silent demands. They earn for entertainment beyond their imaginations!"

"Audience? But who is this audience you speak of?"

He's being very vague, which I guess isn't anything new, but still, he got me interested now.

"Oh, right. You aren't aware. It only makes sense."

"What the hell, Hyunda... Are you allergic to being direct or something? Also, I have been meaning to ask you something..."

"I'm not allergic to being direct. It's about leading the show, Daniel. One day, you'll be able to do it too."

Once again speaking words I couldn't possibly understand, I took that in and went ahead with my question.

"During that day that you were running away from Arkalee... How the hell did you escape her?"

There's yet another question that I have been highly curious about.

Where is Arkalee right now? I cannot believe that she is not with Hyunda. Is the world gonna end?

Or did she drop dead for good?

"Daniel, with so many places in this school, I would argue that I could hide from her forever but we both know that's not exactly true."

Hyunda's correct. It's just not true. Which is why I made this question in the first place.

Escaping Arkalee for that many hours is straight-up impossible.

"Arkalee's a special individual. Isn't she fascinating?"

...What?

"Dude, are you serious?! She's the biggest leech ever! I never called someone by leech before, but Arkalee's existence made me do it for the first time! She is the most obsessive person I have ever met and that might as well be the case! If Arkalee went to compete in Guineous for the world's most obsessive/possessive person, then she would probably come out victorious..."

Arkalee treats Hyunda as a drug. Without him, she goes insane.

I am also a thousand percent sure that she's probably stalking Hyunda. Nope. I refuse to believe that she isn't somehow eavesdropping this conversation right now.

Yet as I look around in this confined area filled with ongoing sports competitions, I fail in witnessing Arkalee's image.

However, my suspicion nevertheless did not cease to be as I firmly held on to my beliefs.

"But that's what makes her so fascinating. Sentient creatures like her are so predictable and easy to perceive that they are perfect for usage. Sentient creatures are by far the best tools on this planet. Weapons do not compare to sentient creatures, as sentient creatures driven by their unstable feelings are capable of manifestating drastic emotions just for the sake of protecting their feelings. And you, Daniel, were about to become like Arkalee. Predictable. Easy to perceive. Usable. So, don't speak about Arkalee like a leech when you were just this close to becoming one for Yulia."

"Bro, you just went savage mode on me. What the fuck? I'm gonna cry now."

Obviously, I was joking just now, as I lightly laughed at the way Hyunda pointed out that I was starting to become a leech.

At the end of it all, I know there's something wrong with me because even though I supposedly love Yulia, her absence will not affect me. I can only wish the best for her yet as it stands, that's about it.

Nothing else will come.

"Daniel, I need to do some things now. Do not approach Sana in the meantime. Only when I give you a call to do so. Also, you can forget about kissing Sana. You don't have to do it. Relax. Enjoy the events."

"Oh, that's a relief. Because I really had no idea how to kiss her. I mean, technically, I know how to do it, but it would be so awkward. Bye, man."

"Bye. Now then..."

10:05 am.

From afar, while staying 10 to 15 meters away from Hyunda, I stalked him throughout the campus that he was venturing with that lucky bastard Daniel.

Love, what the hell!?

How could you take almost an hour of our time and deliberately spend it with Daniel?! Also, I had to stalk you, obviously.

I mean, did you actually think that you could keep me away? Ah, don't worry though. I'm quite far from you, so you have no way to notice me.

And, to my great liking, Daniel went a separate way and Hyunda kept on walking forward to block E.

Still keeping my distance and curious as to know why my love was directing himself to the lonely block E, I lost sight of him as soon as he turned to the other lateral side of the block.

....

"Love, you aren't going to meet someone in secret, right?! Y-You wouldn't, right?!"

Is it another girl?! Is it?! I will murder this bitch...

Feeling like I had to seek this matter personally, I accelerated my rhythm and walked the same path as Hyunda and then, just as I turned the edge, I felt my body being completely assaulted, as someone immediately took a hold of my left shoulder and right arm while simultaneously pushing me into a wall.

However, instead of being smashed into the wall, it was just a light push, thus not creating any sort of pain.

Still, with my eyes closed due to the sudden impact, as I opened them to find out who this person was I...

"Ah..."

"Arkalee, you have been stalking me for the last thirty minutes so much that I've gotten sick of it. What part of 'Don't follow me' did you not understand? Do you actually think that I am joking?"

"S-Sorry...! I just couldn't be separated away from you, so, haha..."

But how did Hyunda notice me...? He never turned into my direction whatsoever, so it doesn't make any sense for him to know that I was there all the time...

Although, although. I do like this. Being slammed into a wall with no one around except you and me, love. You seriously stimulate me so much. Creating a scenario like this, ah!

"I see. So you do think I'm joking. For every time you disobey me, I will erase an equivalent exchange that has happened."

???

"Huh?! You can't be serious! Please, this was just an act of lov---"

"I don't care. I'm erasing the no girls' name rule. And that includes, of co--"

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Okay, my bad! It won't happen again! I seriously promise! Please!"

"No. You need to learn your lesson. I'm starting not to trust you, Arkalee."

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. If he says her name then I will die! I will actually have a heart attack! No way, no way! This can't happen!

"I've learned my lesson! I won't stalk you anymore! It was wrong of me! I really, but really mean this! So, please, just don't..."

"Arkalee, you are crying again. Don't you ever run out of tears? Well, whatever. Next time I catch you do something like this, I will never talk to you again. I've told you this so many times yet I'm being kind to the point of allowing you to still talk to me. As punishment, you don't exist to me tomorrow."

?!

"Wh-What do you mean by that?!"

I motherfucking hope he's not serious about this. Because if he is.

"More importantly, you will do anything for me, right?"

"Yes! But, seriously, answer my question! What did you mean by that?!"

"I am not answering that. It is what it is. If you keep on persisting with this then I will not only apply this tomorrow for sure but starting now."

"..."

He said 'if'. Then, that means that your mind will change about this? About this nonsensical 'you don't exist to me tomorrow'!? Because if so, then I will do anything.

You are so harsh, love. You don't even let me love you...

"By the way, Hyunda..."

"Yeah?"

"...Can you let go? It sorta hurts. If you are into this though, I w-wouldn't really mind thou---"

Ah, he released his lock. I was just unsure whether or not he was keeping me at bay or if he was starting to imply something else, but I guess not.

Disappointed, honestly. Another time, for sure.

"Arkalee, you wanted to be useful, right?"

"Yes!"

"Rejoice. Today's day is solely reliant on you now. One of the main pieces has decided to exit the stage. However, that's not a problem. As a matter of fact, thanks to that absence, the show of today will be far more intriguing to perceive. And, you, Arkalee, are crucial right now."

"I am!?"

"Yes. Without you, it will all fail. Which is why I need you to listen to me and follow every order thoroughly. Do so, and I might consider changing my mind about how I perceive your existence tomorrow."